Nadia struggled back to her feet. The children were up as well, apologetic. They had pressed too far, had been too bold. They had interrupted the countess’s questions, even worse. Viola coldly looked at them in turn. “I expect answers for questions I ask,” she said icily. “Ivan, you should know this, even with the unexpected arrival of your mother.” “Yes, countess,” Ivan said. “Now, how are your studies?” “I’m reading go…well,” he said. “And […]

“Lady Sienna and her…wards, have arrived, countess.” Viola gasped, and squealed. Sienna! Sienna was here! “She is?!? All right, let’s put together a little feast. And then we need toys, and get Nadia over here…” Nalus cleared his throat. Viola calmed, and looked to the butler who had spoken. “Um, right. Ahem,” She took on an air, and nodded her head to the butler. “Let lady Sienna and the Koskov children know that we shall […]

“This is of tantamount importance. The manse, nay, even the entire valley, may depend upon this decision.” Viola frowned, torn in indecision. “Are cream puffs in fashion now, or perhaps eclairs?” The cooks had joined her on the terrace, with an arrangement of baked goods for her to sample. The countess was trying to decide upon a theme, and it could not be overstated just how refined this choice must be. She plucked a particularly […]

            To say that there are differences between men and women is about as wit-filled as to remark on how different a dog is from a rose in bloom. And yet it happens so often that both receive the same treatment. A rose is yelled at for not growing fast enough, is denied water due to laziness of its supposed master. And throttled for the crime of pricking when it is strangled.             Women are […]

Sienna pulled her cloak further against her body. The children huddled close in the cold, seeking comfort. “Sienna?” Ivan asked. “Do we do it now or…” “Not right now, Ivan.” Sienna looked around Vladisburg, and winced. “Let’s get to the carriage first.” The one town in Konstantin Valley had no real name. Or, more accurately, it held one every generation. Konstans, Victorie, Gratistown, all had been names for the town. It changed with the new […]

Sienna sat deep in a corner booth. Her hands clutched Pietr and Ivan Koskov. Sophie sat just to her right, leaning in. The three children leaned in to their adoptive godmother, sensing her fear and trying to both gain protection and give comfort. Sienna herself was dressed in a dark red gown, with a thin black cloak for propriety and comfort in the still-cold day. Lord Canterwright stood just a few steps apart, and nodded […]