Beyond (The Founding of Valdemar, #1)

by Mercedes Lackey

They never tell you that giving birth makes the mother gassy, until you’re well-committed to the program …

His mages were hard at work tonight—perhaps. Of course they could also be curled up next to their fires with cats (or dogs, but mages seemed to prefer cats), mulled ale, and a good book.

Cats, mulled ale, and a good book sounded very attractive right now,

There were rarely female squires—he had three—but they had come to him at the express request of their parents, for martial training as knights.

And he said someone, not ‘a lady.’ So …you know, he knew.” “He told me.” “Well, I never knew for certain if he had or not.”

“Well, of course I’m not sure,” Jonaton said crossly. “It’s magic. It has built-in fuckery.

My parents told me they rescued him from a mob that was chasing him because he was wearing women’s clothing. How much of that chasing was because of what he was wearing, and how much of it was because he’d helped himself to something that wasn’t his?”

“I should make some stuffed bread,” said Sai, out of nowhere.

“Should I make some stuffed bread?” “Stuffed bread is always a good idea,” said his brother solemnly. “All for stuffed bread?” Even Hakkon raised his hand.

Squire Lesley, the pig farmer.

Lesley was the supplier of all things pig to the manor,

I don’t come across as a second-generation insurrectionist espionage-embezzling thief at all.

“A dog, too? I have one. Got him before that last trip. He’s a good boy.”

Wherever I go, you, all my family, and all of Valdemar is carried with me. That’s what gives spring to my stride through the deepest snow or stinging gales. I can be my best because you raised me.”

At his side was a massive mastiff—one that had not had his tail docked nor his ears clipped as was fashionable, which was mutilation as far as she was concerned.

He could have been seated at the Head Table if his relationship with Hakkon were known—and sanctioned by the Empire. But that would have created dangers for both of them.

Mostly, though, Jonaton talked about geometry, Imaging, herbs and cures, and his cats. Anyone’s cats, really. Often, he brought Imager pictures of various cats,

Jonaton had his hair up, with three copper hairsticks holding the loops. Copper earrings and necklaces added to the look, which was paired with a black upper, corselet, and deep brown, leaf-patterned, widelegged skirt-trews.

The diagram of which he was a part pulsed with light, all of it flowing toward Jonaton. Two cats chased after the lights, eyes bright and tails twitching.

ydney-You-Asshole was nowhere to be found for the near future, having left a row of perplexed cats on either side of his escape path.

It was from his mother that Kordas had learned the complexities inherent in kindness, and the thrift of acceptance.

His great black mastiff Bay was at his side, looking solemn and business-like, right up until Ponu exclaimed, “Doggo!” and Bay’s tail wagged. Sai confirmed, “That’s a fine big pupper, that is.”

Wine doesn’t take Gating well, so we might as well drink it now.”

you know, cats—they will get up on shelves and knock everything to the floor, and when they’re mousing at night sometimes they’ll chase their prey right over you just when you’re sleeping deepest.

“And that’s how mages discovered the world is round and the sun goes around it, because nothing else makes any sense,”

Sedges have edges; reeds are round.”

Our most educated guess is that the Emperor is essentially an awful person.”

Whatever their origin story, an asshole was an asshole.

Good bed, deep sleep, big breakfast, and one could outpace anything except a Night Person. Their ways were mysterious and full of cats.