Yoric stood before the crowd, and pointed at her. “You, vile witch, are removed from power. You shall stand trial for your crimes, and hang for the evil you have perpetrated upon the Valley.” “Stand trial and then hang?” Viola said. “Why have the expense of the first, if the latter is already decided?” A villager screamed, and launched himself at the countess. Viola danced one way, and then another, avoiding the clumsy strikes with […]

“Torches!” The nobles shouted. “Pitchforks!” All and more. The villagers were armed with anything they could get their hands on. It was time to overthrow the countess. And return the power to the people. Never mind that the nobles were in charge. Never mind that the people had never been in charge. Viola was alone, and unnatural. And a woman. She should never have taken power in the first place. All the while, the nobles […]

            The worth of our lives is often measured not by what we own, but rather what can we do.             In times of peace, our positions are defined by what we can possess. One looks at those who have a big house and say “that man must be powerful, look at the house he can afford!” The possessions are not important. Instead, it is the ability to acquire, hold, and in times of war, […]

Sienna’s eyes widened. She turned and tried to hurry down the stairs. Her heels clicked down the steps, but that was no longer the goal. She had to get back down before… Yoric opened the door. Light streamed out from behind him, lighting up the lady in the passageway. He blinked a few times, unsure at what he was seeing. “Sienna?” Sienna bent down, picked up her heeled shoes, and threw one at Yoric. He […]

The passageway was completely dark. No torches, and a secret passageway did not generally have natural light. It had stairs as well, something that Sienna had more than a little trouble navigating through. Sienna berated herself as she moved upwards. Not for abandoning the children down below for lookout, or the lack of proper attire for such stealth. It was the fact that she had let Canterwright’s escapades go so unnoticed in the past. He […]

“What are we doing back here?” Sienna smiled, and looked around the Serpent and Rose. “Well, I never got a chance to sit down and enjoy the food. Or Lord Canterwright’s company. So I thought another day would mean another go.” Pietr and Sophie shuffled around. Ivan was back with Lord Smyth, looking over the estate. Sienna had taken charge of the two remaining Koskovs, and after their lessons in town, suggested this new diversion. […]