"Lovers and Beloveds" chapter 4.3 is live

In which a story begins:

"What kinds of things?" said Temmin, curious. "What could you possibly tell me other than the names and dates? That's all anyone seems to care about."

"I can tell you what kind of men your ancestors were, because I knew them. And I can tell you the stories of the women."

"Who cares about that?" said Temmin. "Women have nothing to do with the running of the kingdom and never have--I'm sure Mama doesn't!"

"Even if you believe the women of your family truly had nothing to do with ruling, they still influenced their men, and how their men treated them speaks volumes about who those men were."

"If the women were so important, why aren't they in the histories?"

Teacher gave a thin smile, and slid an ancient-looking book across the table, neither large nor small, covered in leather dyed Tremontine red; it was the old book from the lectern in Teacher's library. In dull gilt lettering on its front and spine were the words, An Intimate History of the Greater Kingdom.

"They are in this one," said Teacher.

Temmin opened the book. "It's blank," he said.

"Once upon a time," intoned Teacher. Words blossomed on the page. Temmin pulled his hands away from the book in astonishment, and the words vanished. He looked up at Teacher, who said, "It is all right. It cannot hurt you." Temmin hesitantly took up the book, and Teacher began again...

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