44 Results in the "A Thread of Corruption" category
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Chapter
Chapter 4 – Heart of the Realm
On the morning of the opening of Parliament, the Greystone townhouse had been bustling with activity since dawn. Valentina stood in her slip in front of the large mirror while two maids bustled around her, helping her get ready. "Arms a little higher, milady," murmured the older of the two, a wiry woman named Margaret, as she pulled the heavy court dress over Valentina's head. The fabric was a muted blue-grey with silver embroidery and rustled like water as it draped around her body. "Don't lace it…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 39 – Hoager
The Burning Quill was, as always, well-attended, but not exactly crowded. Because it was drizzling outside, Hobkin stood by the fireplace today, where the innkeeper had cleared a space for him between the tables. He was telling a story to a handful of listeners with great relish. It was a story that apparently involved the Scorchbishop, a pretty innkeeper, a donkey, and a fateful misunderstanding. A group of men at one of the front tables were already holding their sides with laughter, even though he…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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On Thursday evening, she became Lily again. In the dressing room at Violet Delights, Valentina put on her illusion artifact, the necklace with the violet stones, and placed a strand of golden-blonde hair, that Madame Dolorosa handed her into the designated compartment. Valentina activated the pattern in the largest of the violet stones, and the familiar warm tingling ran over her skin as the illusion enveloped her. In the mirror, she saw another woman, with golden, curly hair, full lips, and blue…
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424.1 K • Ongoing
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Von Agrippin had just answered Professor Emberfell's second critical question when his gaze swept over the raised hands in the hall and lingered on Valentina. It was only a moment, but she knew that kind of look from men. A quick, almost involuntary registration, followed by a more conscious double take, and then, most often, an attempt to hide it. Some men hid it better than others, and Von Agrippin hid it very well. "The young lady in the fifth row, please." Valentina stood up and cleared her…
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424.1 K • Ongoing
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"Let me," he said, "begin with a simple question." He made a brief, theatrical pause. "How many fundamental Essences are there?" He didn't get an answer for quite a while because everyone suspected a trick. The answer was far too obvious. Any child could have answered it. "Eight," someone called out from the back rows, and a soft chuckle rippled through the hall. "Eight," Von Agrippin confirmed cheerfully. "You learn that before you even set foot in the university, I'm sure. It's the answer…
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424.1 K • Ongoing
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The university was bustling again and returning students and newcomers jostled in the hallways, chests were dragged across the cobblestones, and people stood crowded three rows deep in front of the board to read announcements and room changes. Professor Veilford's Advanced Planar Geometry course came as a shock. Not necessarily in terms of content, as Valentina had a solid grasp of the fundamentals, but the mathematical precision and work load Veilford demanded in her master's year was on an entirely…
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424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 34 – The New Crispin
A day later, there was a knock at the front door, and Valentina set aside the quill she'd been using to copy a summary of advanced healing methods before hurrying down the stairs, already full of anticipation. When she opened the door, Innogen was standing on the threshold, holding a huge jug of wine. Her blue eyes were shining. "I've brought a housewarming gift," she said. "Come in!" Valentina stepped aside and closed the door behind her. Innogen set the wine down on the small table in the…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 33 – The Sight
The key didn't fit properly into the lock on the first try. Valentina jiggled it, turned it, tried to overcome resistance of the heavy, rusty iron key in the lock, and then there was a solid click, and the door swung open inward. Pinfeather Lane was a rather narrow street, barely wide enough for a cart and lined with modest but decent half-timbered houses. To the right of Valentina's new home was a bookbinder's workshop, and to the left lived a very elderly former professor from Bridgewater…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 32 – Back in Bridgewater
The following days passed in a steady rhythm of travel and short stays with hospitable country nobles. The carriage followed the River Water southwest, and the landscape became more familiar with each passing hour. Cosimo's mood remained high. He chatted about the upcoming business in Dusktown, about the wedding preparations for Lorenzo and Innogen, about his plans for the hospital. The matter with the Earl was settled for him and they didn't talk much more about that. Instead, he enjoyed his time with…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 31 – A Marriage Proposal
"Valentina." He closed the door behind him. "This is a pleasant surprise." "I thought I'd save you the trip to my chamber," she said, rising to help him out of his doublet. "Besides, my room was cool." "Sensible as always." He willingly let her help him and sighed with relief as the heavy fabric slid from his shoulders. "By all the flames of the Martyr, that man has said more words about sheep than I have seen sheep in my entire life. I was afraid he was going to tell me about the birth of every…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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