Note: An anonymous user commented that there were some inconsistencies with the dates in earlier chapters. Apparently I had typed April instead of August when cutting to the Scyftan ship, as well as Nedovis. I typically copy paste the date/time forward, and then change the location and date/time if needed. This resulted in the date April 12th being carried...
The call from a family member set things going. It was innocent enough. Would we look after a young visitor from Africa for a week or so? He was over on a sponsored trip to visit benefactors who had contributed towards his education at a school run by a religious order. He was, we were told, a little naïve about worldly matters, and a stay with people a litt...
"My name is Jack, by the way," I introduced myself as we headed for the vertical ascender to descend the 600 floors to my level. It took several minutes, due to the distance, and we made small talk along the way. "I'm F'Nai." the woman explained. "You seem captivated by my belly for some reason. Why is that, Jack?" "I love pregnant women." I confessed....
Charlie called every other day, just to check in and see how Sampson was, at least that's what he told me. I knew he was worried but I secretly thanked him for not making a big deal about this. Overall I felt comfortable at the cabin, well, as comfortable as you can when your heart is shattered. "I think we should talk about Lucas," Charlie said a few days...
The electric car purred like a happy cat as Doctor Sasha Brett considered the irritating paradox inherent in getting funding from billionaires. He wanted to expand the reach of science to make the world a better, more full place. To do this, he needed money. Lots of it. And to get that money, he had reached out to the wealthiest people on the planet. But th...
On the ride from the Bois de Vincennes back into Central Paris, Runa and we detour through an old residential neighborhood that somehow eluded Haussmann's 19th-century wrecking ball. We stop at a cafe with a Belle-Epoch facade and Art Nouveau lettering. "Can you imagine?" I ask as we sip cafe expresso. "Cezanne could have sat here? Or Gauguin? or even van...
"Milord," Drumknott, the Patrician's chief clerk, coughed, "Mr. Pony of the Artisan's Guild, Dezka-k'nik Väljmanson and the Vice-Chancellor are in the waiting room. They say it's about the Axle in the Undertaking." "Excellent. That saves me having to have Sgt. Detritus tell them that they have an appointment. Show them in." Once the three had been seated a...
Hello all. Let me first say 'thank you' for all the wonderful feedback on the first two chapters of the story. I really appreciate everyone who took the time to read, rate and comment on Shayna's story so far. Also, I must apologize for not updating sooner. Work, my hubby, and our three kids have a way of sucking up my time. Luckily I've found a way to carve...
/ /Author's Note: This story, Terrible Company, is sprawling sword-and-sorcery fantasy satire with a diverse cast of characters. Over its many chapters, those characters will have interactions (both with each other and others) that cross many of the lines that exist between Lit genres. I have come to believe that breaking the story into those different categ...
Ever had a live changing moment? I had one a few months ago when my mom told me I should stop seeing my girlfriend, Susan. Now my mom by any stretch of the imagination could not be labelled as laid back. She always has her eye on the ball to the extent that she never seems to be able to sit back and relax, always on the go. She's never made any secret of the...