Whispers

Maya straightened her rumpled bed covers and flopped onto her stomach. The negotiations had completed, and her part in the agreement was to leave in the morning before the wedding. She was peeved at father for agreeing, and peeved at Estan for requiring, and peeved at Uncle Duncan for supporting. She had done nothing wrong, … Continue reading Whispers

Kings ‘n Things

"Why did you add the green vitriol?" "I didn't," Gordon said. "My apprentice wasn't paying attention..." "I was," she shot back. "I was making a vitamin drink. You weren't..." "Gordon," Onta said. "The results?" "Yes, well," he said, glaring at his apprentice. "It turns out that if you take dirty water, such as that from … Continue reading Kings ‘n Things

A Plan

"She's dead," Uncle Duncan said. Maya threw the mug of cider at her uncle's head. Duncan dodged. "You think I don't fucking know that!" she yelled at Duncan. "I was there, idiot!" "Maya," her father said sternly. "You're not a drunken sailor." Maya took a deep breath and paced the room. She glared at Duncan. … Continue reading A Plan

Cliff Hanger

Maya went out to the great hall to check on her orchestra of servants. Her opus was beautiful, and her guests had plenty of drink and devoured their penultimate course. She leaned against the wall at the back of the hall for a moment of rest. The yells popped in her ears, and people bumped … Continue reading Cliff Hanger

Fluors

She circulated through the alchemists. Onta's amalgamation of minds was no longer a few weird people with crazy ideas, but rather a collection of geniuses vying for the king's eye. She would supply the king with the next Royal Alchemist. And she would quietly apply the benefits of her usefulness to her research. Onta probably … Continue reading Fluors