Recent content by Kristen Pirian

"Oh, but I would not wish to be imposing! Therefore, I shall upon Sable's assent go to Vel Castere—Mayor Caspian shall again watch over Vel Numera in my absence." And, after a small moment of quiet, with yet a new fascination she added, "I have never been to Vel Castere, and mayhap this could...

The plan went into motion, Zephyrine attending to her part, Mortivore heading toward Miller for the purpose of "preserving knowledge", and Kristen calling to her the rest of the Guardsmen who were not aiding the other two Dreadlords. She spoke to them succinctly, matter-of-factly, eager to get...

Kristen lightly covered her mouth with her left hand, and her eyes glimmered with sudden delight, and the redness of her cheeks deepened. But what a tale of seeing without seeing! Though this happened far more than one could truly reckon, and the eye did often pass over, or make small note of...

Kristen, surprised by (and hopeful of) the alacrity of her Uncle's budding suggestion, nevertheless found herself at a bit of a loss; though some names swirled about in her mind, the sheer anticipation, as it were, clouded much of her deduction. And she knew how uncouth it would be to guess, if...

"Foremost do I desire a man who will uphold our Pirian values, who will do us all proud, though I shall come to bear his name, as will our children." She sighed lightly, averted her eyes for a moment, and said further, "I...cannot help but think my words and my desire sound hasty; that...

Neil shared in his brother's surprise, as was clear by the mirrored expression he gave back in the glance to Tobias. Then both Tobias and Henrietta spoke, and Kristen, quite visibly, hung on to very word, as though the voices of her uncle and her aunt were as a balm to a wound. "Yes, Aunt...

"Very well," said Kristen to Zephyrine. "Requisition what metal you can—though I fear it may not be much. Some of the men have their packs, and they may have items not strictly necessary for the coming battle." And then she looked again to Mortivore, and a dark cloud came over her expression...

VEL NUMERA "I wish your help in finding a suitor." And so there it was, out at last. Many restless nights had led up to it, now that Kristen lacked the terrible immediacy of war to distract her. Indeed, upon her return to Vel Numera, it was one of the first things to come to mind, wrestling...

Dearest Uncle, Do forgive the abruptness, or what may seem to be abruptness, of this letter and its entreaty. My return from the war in Cortos to my duties as Lady of Vel Numera has given me some time to think—to think, as it were, on the things which I have, and more directly, on the things...

As you command, Lieutenant... Inwardly, Kristen breathed a sigh of relief that Mortivore chose not to push the issue any further; and Zephyrine, in her own turn, pivoted quickly to the new discussion. Just from the two classes she had been apart of in the Academy she could readily call to mind...

Mortivore made his case, as Kristen feared he might, and Zephyrine in fewer words agreed with him—with, at least, the perceived necessity of the proposed plan. Kristen took upon herself a resolute and noble air, and she said, "It is not a mercy, nor would honor be in any way accorded with this...

Her reservedness won out over the hope. While Mortivore's age did lend to him experience, it also, Kristen now observed with full clarity, meant that he came from the "old way" of Dreadlords—and theirs was a different reckoning of many things, and light of any kind struggled to find purchase in...

Kristen listened to the whispers of Mortivore, and a stern expression flashed in her features, though she did not glance at him but rather kept her gaze on the approaching rider. At present she said nothing to his declaration that plots of retreat, surrender, or betrayal brooded among their...

Mortivore was a man in a profession where men typically do not grow old. And though Kristen had not yet heard of this adage, its wisdom shined on her nonetheless. She looked to him as perhaps the Guardsmen looked to her. The night was dark not for a lack of moonlight, no, and everywhere the...

When Mortivore spoke, there came but a small comfort to the Guardsmen: at least two of the Dreadlords had survived. The Red Guard of Cortos hadn't slain them all. "Come on," said Cold Blood to his fellows. "Let's give the Dreadlords some space." Miller helped Flower Girl back to her feet, and...