Recent content by Kristen Pirian

Where else could the golden mark of humility be found in greater quantity than in Zinnia herself? Some of their former classmates, those of lesser repute, took it as their pleasure to scorn her mild-mannered demeanor, her stuttering. They knew nothing of the warrior within. And they did not...

At the sight of Zinnia, how could Kristen not return a smile of her own? Her excitement was such that within her she felt the mighty impulse to bounce gleefully the rest of the way to her friend, but her noble composure, her sense of propriety, kept the soles of her boots on the hallway floor...

Our next trip. Once more, three little words made their pleasant introduction and brought with them a fresh delight. There in the light of the implication rested a future, the one future above all others, she yearned for: being by Alistair's side, both today and tomorrow and for all the days to...

THE ACADEMY "This is the last time I want to see you, Pirian," said Proctor Magomo. It sounded harsh, from his tone to the words themselves, but to Kristen's trained ear this, from Magomo, was high praise. "Yes, Proctor," she said. Though she maintained her military bearing, standing rigidly...

On parting, Kristen smiled a radiant smile knowing that Alistair could not see it, yet confident that its warmth would like the glow of a hearthfire be transferred to him. She pondered for a brief second, the thought of three little words occurring to her again. She did have to say them. She...

You are incredible. The suddenness by which these three little words were said— (three little words) —had Kristen arrested for a spell. For the second time in only so many minutes, as it so happened! She held the snickerdoodle cookie with the bite mark which turned it into a crescent moon and...

What was on top of the assortment, perhaps providing cover for the goodies beneath, was no surprise. Kristen gasped with delight and said, "Snickerdoodle cookies! Quite possibly the fastest way to my heart." She grabbed one and held it up and observed it and marveled, "My...it feels almost like...

Kristen looked over the documents for each, yet it was Evangeline's summary of both which had the greater impact. She looked up, back to Evangeline. "Do you have an idea of what that might be, Proctor D'Amour?" In her voice, some of that fright still lingered, yes, but it also came with a note...

That fear! That fear of loss. It was keeping her from what she truly wanted with Alistair. Carter had found his own courage, and Thraah resolved to stay close with Maseno. How could she herself not be so emboldened? To finally say it, just say it, to Alistair? To take that final and greatest...

Some shock, accompanied by a half-laugh, half-gasp, arose in response to that. "Ride them? Why, I never would have thought such a thing possible. Are they not particularly unruly beasts?" Admittedly, Kristen hardly knew anything of dragons, and what stories there were of them storing hoards of...

Kristen's eyes shifted rapidly as she tried to make sense of it all. Her gaze came to settle again on Proctor D'Amour. "Did..." Searching for the right words was like grasping in the dark. "...something...transfer between Lieutenant Cambridge and Dreadlord Pembroke?" Exquisite timing often...

From the outside courtyard to Evangeline's office. Kristen stood before Evangeline's desk with her hands folded behind her back. Not with the rigidity of the highest military bearing, but not relaxed either. Hardly could Kristen hide how aghast she was upon hearing just how unwell Sable truly...

Even though it was Evangeline, still it was odd to hear such a question—will you hear me out?—from a Proctor. Yet more so than their familiarity with one another, the question spoke to this matter with Sable reaching beyond the bounds of the Academy and the incident at Zettal. A greater...

"He was..." Kristen struggled to say it, for the sorrow of what once was weighed upon her, its tragedy heavy. "...an honorable man. An inspiration." Evangeline

Kristen followed at Evangeline's beckoning, and the question hinted at by the mention of Zettal came shortly thereafter. "He is very, very troubled, Proctor D'Amour. He was at Zettal unable to perform his duties without wanton recklessness and a..." She was loathe to use the word, but it...