The reward for Wen's latest book was absolutely darling. It was a set of fingerpicks, plectrums for when she played the zither. They were made of tortoiseshell, unlike the animal teeth versions Wen had been using up until that point. She spent an hour or so playing her zither with these fingerpicks, while the Emperor relaxed nearby, sipping flowery water and...
Derrick wasn't happy, not happy at all, he needed to get out of here and get things done. All this pomp and crap was starting to wear really thin on his patience. He'd just released part of the shield around the palace but wasn't ready to completely yet. He felt that there were still far too many threats out there to let his guard down yet. Mary on the other...
It was a grand circular mattress. Sheer, very sheer fabric hung from the ceiling and was spread out to make a cone shaped canopy curtain. Oil lamps were in key locations in the room, giving just enough light. Wearing nothing but a pair of white pants and a simple white top, her hair tumbling around her form, Princess Inka lied down on this bed and gave a mis...
It says in Ecclesiastes "time and chance happens to them all." Before recent events, I believed things happened for a reason. Now I am not so sure. Everything used to be knowable and predictable. Mark and I had a wonderful life. We had a circle of friends and were heavily involved in our church. I was thinking that in another two or three years, the time wo...
Author's Note: Unnecessary, overly descriptive details of clothing, makeup, fingernail polish, jewelry, and hairstyles will be in this chapter. Seriously ... most of it won't even be related to the plot. I just love this thing that's often called "costume porn." It doesn't involve literal porn. It's just silly fashion stuff. ****** Naeva's feet were aflu...
It is a time of legend. The armies of the Emperor of Earth have conducted a Great Crusade and conquered the galaxy, the Emperor's elite warriors crushing the myriad of alien races from history. Human supremacy has reached new heights. Gilded citadels of marble and gold have been raised to celebrate the many victories of the Emperor, triumphs held on a mi...
0001 - Tempro 0003 - Conner 0097 - Ace 0101 - Shelby (mother ship) 0125 - Lars 0200 - Ellen 0301 - Rodrick 0403 - Johnathon 0667 - Marco 0778 - Jan 0798 - Celeste 0908 - Tara 0999 - Zan 1000 - Sherry To grow -- Lucy Derrick's eyes were wide, he'd already finished Conner and was already working on Ace's? Looking around Derrick called, "Mary?...
It was the fall equinox, and the new alliance seemed to be in trouble. The army of the Deathless Emperor was pressing deep into the center of the rebel army, which seemed ready to disintegrate. Ian watched the battled from hilltop about the valley, and beckoned to his son, Ioannis, asked "Will they run?" "Father, they've retreated farther than planned, and...
Hartwell had all the men assembled in a huge room within Shelby, confused all of them had waited to see what was going on. A few minutes later Derrick stepped into the room and motioned to Hartwell to start. "I know all of you are wondering why we are here, the emperor and I thought it would be most prudent for us to have this meeting. All of you are the fi...
The Steward was a married woman of average height but nice clothing. She was clearly paid well. She always had a small, metal board style abacus hanging from her belt, along with a wax tablet and a stylus kept safe in a leather case. On this chilly morning, Rahela and her maids-in-waiting followed this Steward over to one of the gates in the castle's outerm...