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 – excited voices, hurried footsteps on the cobblestones – but Valentina stood frozen in the middle of her room as the…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Eastwald lay relaxed on the bed, his naked body half 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…
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374.8 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. Only a few late traders were hastily packing up their stalls. She way still pondering the same questions she had already pondered for days…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 8 – The Scorched Lands
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…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 9 – Dusktown
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 – a mixture of coastal fog drifting in from the coast not too far away, smoke from countless chimneys and the remnants of the Scorching – probably gave even…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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A black… thing… shot out of the shadows, so fast that it was barely more than a dark streak in the air. Valentina felt the back of her neck tense – she knew thiscat, but not like this. Not in this form. It was still a normal-sized cat, but any natural movement had given way to an abnormal smoothness. Its eyes glowed with an inner, hellish fire, and as it snarled with a hair-raising howl, it revealed several rows of needle-sharp teeth dripping with a corrosive venom. The first Emberwarden didn't…
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374.8 K • Ongoing
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When it got dark, Valentina wrapped her darkest cloak around her and pulled the hood low over her face. She had bought the cloak at the market a few months ago to get incognito to Violet Delights – a simple but well-made piece without any conspicuous features. Perfect for not standing out at night. "A few extra precautions can't hurt," Vyxara muttered in her head. "The Emberwardens may think they've caught their evildoers, but never underestimate the vigilance of fanatics." Valentina nodded…
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374.8 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…
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374.8 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 bythe 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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