59 Results in the "A Thread of Corruption" category
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Chapter
Prologue – The Scholar
In the shadow of the city's mighty Flametower, Johann Georg Bombastian von Agrippin strolled leisurely through the cobblestone streets of Agrippin toward the inconspicuous entrance of an establishment called Zum Goldenen Band. The building was deliberately hidden behind an unadorned facade in a side street of the merchant district. Not even a sign drew attention to its existence. Either you knew about Zum Goldenen Band, or you didn't. Johann smoothed his deep green doublet and entered. A discreet…-
459.3 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 11 – The Announcement
A fanfare cut through the babble of voices like a sharp sword through silk. The herald in his colorful tabard stepped forward, his staff banging three times on the wooden platform. "Noble lords and ladies!" His voice echoed across the field. "His Majesty has a joyful announcement to make!" The crowd fell silent instantly. Thousands of faces turned toward the royal box, where King Edmund rose from his throne. Although he was not nearly as festively dressed as he had been at the opening of Parliament,…-
459.3 K • Ongoing
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The door slammed against the wall, and standing in the doorway was the hooded figure in a tattered cloak, the hood pulled low over its face. It was the same figure Valentina had seen so often in recent weeks but had never been quite able to catch. In one hand he held something bronze, and in the other he held an open vial, whose oily, iridescent contents the figure was already pouring into a raw and malevolent Viur pattern. Valentina felt as though she had seen that exact pattern before, an eternity…
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459.3 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 1 – Reunion
"Be careful with that," Valentina instructed a young servant who was lifting one of her chests too hastily. It was the chest that contained the Eye of Deceit and her forbidden books, carefully wrapped in waxed leather and hidden in a false bottom. "Of course, my lady," he muttered, blushing. It was still early, and the morning hung heavy and grey over Bridgewater, but she had been wide awake since she saw the ducal carriages rolling up. Then, finally, the door of the ducal carriage opened, and…-
459.3 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 12 – Good Reception
The Greystone townhouse shone like a jewel in the summer twilight. Essence lamps cast warm, light through every corner of the estate, and the courtyard had been transformed into a beautiful landscape of flowers. Silver-grey and gold banners in the colors of the Greystones and Ashbournes fluttered gently in the balmy evening air. Long tables groaned under the weight of exquisite dishes. There were glazed pheasants, artfully arranged pies, candied fruits, and towers of sweet pastries. And of course lots…-
459.3 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 2 – Road to Vandercourt
The carriage jolted over a particularly rough stone, and Valentina was torn from her memories. Cosimo stirred beside her, his hand sliding lazily over her hip. "What are you thinking about?" he murmured sleepily. "The summer ahead of us," she replied, which wasn't entirely untrue. He smiled and pulled her closer. "It will be an interesting summer, my dear. I promise you that." "More interesting than he realizes," Vyxara commented dryly. Valentina could only agree silently. He reached for…-
459.3 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 13 – Holy Ground
Valentina awoke at sunrise the next day, still feeling a slight soreness between her legs. Cosimo had been demanding last night. Not really rough, he never was, but enthusiastic in a way that made her body remember every single position he had put her in. "Stiff?" Vyxara inquired with a hint of amusement. "Oh, shut up," Valentina thought back as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. A knock at the door announced Margaret, who was already carrying a stack of carefully folded clothes over her…-
459.3 K • Ongoing
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The carriage turned onto a wider street, and as the wheels clattered loudly over the cobblestones, the strange atmosphere of the Hearth of Sommerland slowly fell away from them. The buildings here were lower, the facades more colorful, and everywhere people crowded between stalls. "Ah, finally," sighed the duchess, leaning back more relaxed into the cushions. "After so much piety, I need something worldly to relax." Lady Beatrice laughed softly. "I was afraid you would order the driver to return…
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459.3 K • Ongoing
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On Thursday, she found herself back in the large lecture hall for von Agrippin's lecture, which this week covered the mathematical formalization of the transformation rules between Essence types. Valentina sat next to Innogen in the fourth row and took notes. Von Agrippin stood in front of the slate board, half of which he had covered with an equation describing the symmetry operations by which the Leb-resonant configuration could be transformed into the Viur-resonant one. "One important insight," he…
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459.3 K • Ongoing
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