71 Results in the "A Weave of Ambition" category
-
Chapter
Chapter 6 – Blossom
On one of the last afternoons she probably had left with her family, Valentina suggested a walk to her sister. "Let's go to the old pear tree," she said, "like we used to." Adeline was beaming. She had been waiting patiently all week to have her big sister to herself. She had patiently kept all her burning questions to herself. Valentina and Vyxara had noticed that. The two sisters set off past the familiar fields of their childhood. The narrow path meandered through tall grass that waved in the summer…-
426.1 K • Ongoing
-
-
When Valentina came into the Red Room, she immediately saw that Faustus was in terrible shape. He was crouched on the edge of the bed, tapping his foot, his expensive doublet rumpled, his hair in disarray, as if he had been running his fingers through it nervously over and over again. "Lily," he gasped and jumped up. His movements were erratic, uncoordinated. Was he drunk? "At last. I've been waiting for ages." "He looks like a hunted animal," Vyxara remarked. "What happened?" Valentina asked gently as…
-
426.1 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 49 – Death’s Hand
The following days blurred into a repetitive cycle of care, short breaks and constant worry. Valentina and Innogen shared the tasks and while one rested, the other watched over Crispin. Valentina used all her knowledge from Dusktown. She had recreated the sterilizing effect of the modified Greystone Cascade on a smaller scale, a fine mesh of Essence patterns that purified the air and surfaces in the room. It cost her and Innogen much of their precious supply of Distilled Essence to keep it going, but it…-
426.1 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 5 – Old Friends
Netta made her way through the crowd, one hand placed protectively on her pregnant belly. "What a contrast," said Vyxara. "The poor peasant girl who stayed at home while you went out into the big wide world." "Val," Netta said with an uncertain smile. "You look... different." "You too," Valentina replied gently and pointed to Netta's stomach. "When is it time?" "In about a month." Netta stroked her curved body. "Tom's so excited, he doesn't talk about anything else." She laughed, but it sounded forced.…-
426.1 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 50 – Old Acquaintance
Valentina turned the precious vials in her hands. The Essence shimmered in them like liquid moonlight, two vials that might get her through the next two weeks if she used them sparingly. But then what? "A worryingly low supply," Vyxara remarked. "Especially given the fact that your usual sources have dried up." "I know," Valentina thought grimly. Barnaby was in the Illumination's dungeons, and even if he was still free, after their last encounter, she wouldn't have visited his store anyway. Professor Horne…-
426.1 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 51 – Possibilities
Valentina stood outside an elegant townhouse in one of Bridgewater's better neighborhoods. The Violet Delights seemed to be very different from the usual brothels in the city. There were no glaring lanterns, for one and no drunken men standing around outside the door or lurking in the shadows. Instead, the three-story building made of solid brick exuded a refined, discreet elegance. Well-crafted Essence patterns shimmered in the high windows, carefully woven defensive patterns that Valentina looked at with…-
426.1 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 52 – Decisions
When Valentina entered the library the next morning, she immediately sensed that something had happened again. The already very subdued atmosphere was now full of nervous tension. Students whispered in the corners, but fell silent abruptly when someone walked past. "Did you hear that?" A first-year student leaned across the table to his friends. "They arrested another two last night. Essence Weavers from the city." "If he keeps this up, all the Essence Weavers will leave the city," another muttered…-
426.1 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 43 – The Coming Storm
The rest of the lesson passed quickly as the class practiced various healing patterns under Whitehall's keen observation. At the end of the lesson, as the students were packing up their materials, Whitehall held Valentina back. "Just a moment, Valentina." Valentina stayed in her seat while the other students left the room. Avie gave her one last envious look before disappearing through the door. "Your contributions today were very valuable," Whitehall said when they were alone. "Master Wilford wrote to…-
426.1 K • Ongoing
-
-
They were in the middle of breakfast when a sudden commotion at the entrance interrupted them. The conversations in the dining room fell silent as heads turned towards the door. The normal breakfast chatter died away and was replaced by an unnatural silence. The large door opened with deliberate slowness, the old hinges groaning in protest. Six figures stepped through. Four of them were Emberwardens in their characteristic burgundy robes and armor, moving with military precision and flanking a tall, gaunt…
-
426.1 K • Ongoing
-
-
Chapter
Chapter 45 – The First Blow
By midday, one of the auditoriums on the first floor, normally a place of lively debate about Essence Theory, had been transformed into what everyone assumed to be basically a torture chamber. The Emberwardens had pushed the benches and tables against the walls and turned the room into a makeshift interrogation room. Heavy curtains had been drawn in front of the high windows, allowing only a few strips of light to penetrate. The smell of incense and a bitter herb that was supposed to ward off demonic…-
426.1 K • Ongoing
-
- Previous 1 2 3 4 … 8 Next
