Chapter Fourteen: Staying Calm We met up with the others, who had just finished their chores as well. With just a nod, Aedan handed the blade off to Sten. He took it, dumbstruck, and Leliana had to grab an arm to drag him with them as they all headed to the tavern to relax for a few minutes before the battle. I went back to the Chantry, as a noblewoman wou...
Twenty-Six: Leliana He was gone in the morning when she woke, but he'd left a piece of parchment with a note scrawled across it in hasty handwriting: Your route is being handled by another scout for the day. I thought you could use some rest. I hope to see you tonight. She sighed and stretched. She could admit she had been looking forward to waking up toge...
Chapter Seven: Unintended Consequences When I woke, that comforting presence was gone, and I wondered if I would be at home when I opened my eyes, but then I heard low voices, Tomas and Theron whispering in anger. I couldn't hear what they said, until Theron hissed the word "fine", and then I heard him storm off, stomping and muttering under his breath. I...
Year 2183 of the Empire (since Foundation Year) Year 979 of the Third Era of Empire (Dragonheart Line) Martis, the thirteenth day of First Seed Mid-morning The number thirteen has always been considered an unlucky number, and to a superstitious sailor, extra prayers are sent to every god imaginable to keep a sailor safe whenever the date turns thirte...
Chapter 29 -- The Rescue Goes Wrong ***** I think Solona had forgotten my promise, because when I invited her to my room for later that night, she practically skipped around the castle the rest of the day. It was incredibly cute, and the four other girls knew exactly why, with plenty of gentle teasing, though nothing could wipe the smile off her face. Much...
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Sleeping Arrangements When I woke, we had shifted positions; Alistair was spooned behind me, and his arms were around me tightly. It was extremely comfortable. And then it occurred to me that one massive hand had settled, unknowingly I was sure, on my left breast. I was wearing armour – I had gotten used to sleeping in it, sadly – so...
The Twelve Realms of Empire: Volume Two Authored by Scribe Bernard Kerr for His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Uhtred VIII Kingdom of Nordland (north-east) Population: 2,150,000 Capital: Viking (pop. 900,000) Major cities: Tromso Home to some of the fiercest warriors on Europa, Nordland was the last holdout to full Norman control during the formation...
Chapter Seventeen: Vicious Circle I was getting a bit sick of the disorientation following one of my 'transitions', overall, but this was definitely the worst. I opened my eyes and let out an involuntary shriek. Not only was I completely clueless as to where I was, but as I watched in dismay, the headless corpse of what I assumed was once a person fell towa...
Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Seven: Emergency Measures The messenger opened his mouth, and the next words out of it would send me reeling. "The ship carrying Her Maj-...er, I mean, Lady Anora, to Nevarra was scuttled. There were some survivors, but Lady Anora wasn't among them." The four of us sitting in the dining room were in an immediate uproar, everyone...
Sixteen: Leliana When she finally pulled away, panting, Leliana's lips were tender and swollen from kissing, and she buried her face in the crook of his neck as he adjusted his position and wrapped both arms around her again. She was surprisingly comfortable, his strong arms cradling her against his chest and sharing his warmth. She was still cold, not tha...