Jessica Jackson

Stories 5
Chapters 1,060
Words 656.8 K
Comments 0
Reading 2 days, 6 hours2 d, 6 h
  • by Jessica Jackson Ill Fate Middanhal Every evening, Kate was found in the library tower. In Egil’s absence, she had taken over many of his duties. She was not Quill’s apprentice in name, nor did he teach her everything a future King’s Quill needed to know; he paid her as an apprentice, though, making Kate rich among the kitchen girls. It also kept her busy from morning until bedtime and sometimes beyond. “Are you done sweeping?” Quill asked. “Yes, Master Quill.” Kate put the broom back into a cupboard. He…
  • by Jessica Jackson Cold Quarter Middanhal The Dragon Throne was a marvel of artisanship, combining sculpted marble with fashioned gold and laid with sapphires. The seat itself sat atop numerous stairs, giving it an elevated position in the throne room and conveying the majesty of its occupant in comparison with those standing on the floor, looking up to gaze upon the seat of power in Middanhal. Currently, a seventeen-year-old boy sat in that seat, wearing a charming smile while dressed in blue and golden silk. “You are…
  • by Jessica Jackson Beyond the Price of Gold Middanhal “We need the remaining Hawks to be put to active duty,” Konstans said firmly. He was sitting in his brother’s study in the Citadel. “You have access to the royal treasury same as I,” Valerian pointed out. He was seated at his desk, adding pen strokes to his accounts. “Other expenses can be paid by the treasury, but not the mercenaries. They fight under the banner of those that pay them. We do not want them to consider Adalrik rather than Vale to be their…
  • by Jessica Jackson Falling Sands Middanhal The cold winter following the solstice held Middanhal in its grasp. There was no market at the Temple square; anyone forced to be outside spent no more time on the streets than necessary. Despite the frost, the Citadel was as busy as ever, especially in the dragonlord’s wing. The antechamber was full each day of people seeking audience. Eolf, servant to the dragonlord, entered the room from deeper inside the wing. “Master Edwin, his lordship will see you now,” he announced.…
  • by Jessica Jackson Where Songs Are Made Lakon Two weeks after departure, Brand’s patrol returned home. There had been some delay in setting out, as the discovery of Hugh’s treachery had necessitated investigation into the identity of every soldier going with him. In the end, only drakonians who had been with the army as far back as crossing the Weolcans were allowed to join; the sole exception to this was Glaukos. At someone’s suggestion that the venture be abandoned entirely or at least postponed, Brand had laughed…
  • by Jessica Jackson Sins of a Father Lakon A week outside of Tothmor, the Order and the Dalemen reached each other. William, Brand, Leander, and Hubert accompanied by knights and Blades rode in front of one army to meet Prince Flavius of Aquila, commanding the forces of Korndale. With numerous riders and banners, the two parties met on the heath between Tothmor and Lakon. “Prince Flavius,” William greeted him, nodding in the saddle. “Sir William, I presume,” the prince replied. “Your Majesty, Count Hubert,” he…
  • by Jessica Jackson We Pray Tothmor Weeks after winter solstice, Brand went to the temple for Rihimil. Despite his donation, little progress had been made as it was still under the care of a single acolyte. All the rubble had been cleared, but the damage done to the interior remained, there was no bell in the tower, and the altar remained as bare as ever. Although few others came to worship, this did not dissuade Brand, who knelt and prayed by the red-stained marble. As he finished and rose to his feet, another person…
  • by Jessica Jackson Solstice Gifts Tothmor Some ten days after departure, the Order army returned to Tothmor, having left a small force behind to guard Polisals along with those most severely wounded that they might heal and return to the army in their own time. Thus, it was with severely diminished numbers they entered the streets of Tothmor, and the cold weather kept many indoors; still, they returned with victory and news of liberation, and joy was finally returning to the city of circles. There were exceptions; some…
  • by Jessica Jackson To the Spear Be Bold Polisals Twelve hundred Order soldiers marched west to circumvent Mount Tothmor, heading north afterwards. In the far distance could be seen the Weolcan Mountains; under their shadow lay Polisals, their destination. The army moved swiftly, being only lightly encumbered. Other than the most necessary supplies, it brought only wooden logs to fortify the camp each night and to build siege equipment with. Anything else that would normally have made the camp into a small town of its own…
  • by Jessica Jackson Changing Guard Tothmor “I shall always regret I never saw that duel.” William gave a pained smile. “Baldwin will be happy to recount the tale, I am sure.” He was lying on what had been the marshal’s bed once in the upper chambers of the Order keep, which was flying the banner of the Star once more. “Bards will be singing it soon, I bet,” Brand claimed, his smile unmarred. “Gods spare me, I have suffered enough,” William jested, which made his companion grin. “I will send Troy to…
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