Maril reached the bottom of the stairs just in time to hear Owen, down the hall at the front door, say, “Just this way Mister Hinkelton. I will show you to the tea room. Miss Maril will be right down.” Nora, who had followed her down the long flights of stairs, nudged her lightly on… Read More »Maril Leyfinder: Chapter 4
Nora smiled at Maril in the vanity mirror’s reflection. Maril’s parents had recently hired Nora to help Vicki in the kitchen and to do other minor chores around the house. In Maril’s opinion, Nora was an inefficient maid, always running around to find things she had forgotten or lost. Maril was reasonably sure it was… Read More »Maril Leyfinder: Chapter 3
For all of its simplicity, the little tavern had its appeal. Anton lounged at the bar with casual poise, watching the civilians dawdle over food and conversation. He had been hoping to catch someone of interest alone and test a few new conversation starters, but everyone in the room had company other than Mr. Ortemyre.… Read More »Year One #21: Refined Charade
The table was hard and grainy under her elbow. Her head, propped up by her arm, was unreasonably heavy. The herbs in her vegetable soup drifted around on the surface as if they were dancing bugs, or maybe miniature boats. Swirling around her spoon they looked like they were racing or trying to catch one… Read More »Maril Leyfinder: Chapter 2
Chake’s blood tinted the puddle where Shula washed her hands. She squatted behind a stack of firewood between a couple of old homes which the city had surrounded. There was a noise from the street and she shifted to check that Chake hadn’t found her. Nothing more than dust from carts was to be seen.… Read More »Year One #20: Split Path
Elliot rose from the cupboard where he had placed the last of the delivered ingredients. *Klunk* His head thumped against the upper seasoning shelf. *Tink, tink, clink* The small glass objects on the shelf tumbled and rolled from his blunder. Various seasoning scents rushed into Elliot’s nose and it began to itch. Elliot rolled his… Read More »Year One #19: Enchanted Influence
Maril sagged against the wide foundation of the support pillar, letting her temple press against a stone block taller than her, it was huge, cool, and weathered smooth. She sighed noticing a strand of her deep brown hair that had escaped from her long braid. It was plastered to the sweat on her face and… Read More »Maril Leyfinder: Chapter 1
Eustace pushed the door open and allowed Anton to walk in ahead of him. The younger man had a sour look on his face and both were soaked from the rain and rather muddy. Anton turned to the half-elf author. “Bloody awful, did that cart driver not even see us?” he exclaimed, his face red… Read More »Year One #18: Inverse Circumstance
The door pushed in a few inches. An elderly man repositioned himself against it to use his weight to slide it a bit further. A woman of similar years stood beyond him, studying the few potted plants in the courtyard as he worked. He repeated this twice more, opening it far enough that he and… Read More »Year One #17: A New Routine
It had been a lonely night with mediocre sleep. Wish had finally gotten her own apartment but was unprepared for the continual ambiance from others neighboring her dwelling. Footsteps in the night, sometimes above as someone rises, others across as another tenant passes outside her door. Voices of children echoed with highs and lows of… Read More »Year One #16: Uncertain Destination