71 Results in the "A Weave of Ambition" category
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Dear Readers, And so the second book about Valentina and Vyxara comes to an end. In a sense, it was more challenging to write because two new settings (and, above all, social spheres) were added with Palewood and Dusktown, but that's also exactly what made it so much fun. It gave me the opportunity to incorporate even more of the things I have in mind for the Valentinaverse. The book was characterized by Valentina venturing further and further into morally grey territory and – of course, always…
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Chapter
Chapter 63 – The Old Gardener…
It wasn't that she was ignoring the noise outside, it was more that she was distracted. Because suddenly she remembered. Remembered the ritual gone wrong that had bound her and Vyxara together. The crucial words of the ritual echoed through her head, crystal clear, as if she had just spoken them yesterday: "You must not communicate with hell." The commotion outside grew louder and excited voices, hurried footsteps on the cobblestones were to hear, but Valentina stood frozen in the middle of her room…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Eastwald lay relaxed on the bed, half his body covered by a sheet, the skin of his back covered in scourge marks, but he really was a changed man. The stern, ascetic mask had given way to an almost boyish relaxation. "More wine," he demanded, holding out his goblet to Valentina. She poured generously. "And the dried fruit," he added. "The sweet ones, yes, exactly those." Valentina took a candied fig and held it to his lips, giggling playfully. He bit into it with relish, syrup dripping down on his…
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424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 61 – Royal Prerogative
It was raining again. At least it was a little warmer now, which meant they were finally rid of the damn sleet that had plagued them all winter. She hurried through the dusky streets of Bridgewater on her way to Violet Delights, her cloak pulled tightly around her shoulders. The narrow streets were almost deserted. In this weather, most people stayed indoors and inly a few late traders were hastily packing up their stalls. She way still pondering the same questions she had already pondered for days.…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 8 – The Scorched Lands
The wheels of the wagon crunched on the dusty road as they left the last houses of Palewood behind them. Valentina turned around in her seat to catch one last glimpse of her home village. The familiar thatched roofs grew smaller and smaller until they finally disappeared around a bend. "Don't twist your neck," Vyxara mocked in her head. "This miserable pile of huts has never been a suitable home for you." Valentina just sighed and admired the astonishing splendor of the ducal carriage instead. The seats…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 9 – Dusktown
Valentina leaned forward to peer through the curtains. Through the grey haze, she saw only shadows at first, but then the fog lifted a little, revealing a view of Dusktown. The town stretched over several gentle hills, its grey stone buildings rising in steps from the valley. The permanent haze that hung over the town and looked like a mixture of coastal fog drifting in from the coast not too far away and smoke from countless chimneys and the remnants of the Scorching, probably gave even bright days a…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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Faustus' cell was at the other end of the corridor. Valentina had to take out two more guards with her pattern before she reached the heavy iron door. The door swung open with a soft creak. Faustus crouched on a narrow cot, his expensive nightgown torn and bloodstained. His face was marked by blows, but nowhere near as badly battered as Gladder. The Illumination had held back on him, probably because they thought the spoiled nobleman would break faster. When he looked up and saw her, his eyes widened…
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424.1 K • Ongoing
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The next few days were a heyday for rumors and all the gossips in town were having the time of their lives. Valentina sat silently in the corner of the Burning Quill, sipping her ale as she amplified the hastily whispered conversations around her with her Essence Listening. "I swear by the flame of the Martyr," a market woman hissed to her neighbor, "my brother-in-law saw him. In Golden Fields! The young Boarfend galloped right past his cart, his hair wild in the wind." "It's so fascinating to watch…
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A soft knock on her door made Valentina look up from her notes. "Come in," she said quietly. Innogen slipped through the door, carrying a small linen-wrapped parcel in her hands. "I thought you might need this." She sat down on Valentina's narrow bed and handed her the package. "My father sent it to me, but I want you to have it." Valentina carefully unwrapped the linen cloth. It was a beautifully bound journal, the cover made of the finest leather, the pages of cream-colored paper. "That…
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424.1 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 69 – Summer is Coming
The mood was excited among the second-year students as they gathered for the grading ceremony. The main hall of Bridgewater University filled up quickly. Valentina stood between Innogen and Crispin, their hands clasped tightly together. "I think I wasn't this nervous even before the Greystone competition," thought Valentina. "Oh, you have a very short memory," Vyxara mocked in her head. "You were a bundle of nerves." The Decan Valemont stepped up to the podium, followed by a number of…-
424.1 K • Ongoing
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