18: Epilogue; Of Growing Threats

Archmage Miir stood next to Niamh in the chill of Northtemple Cemetery, but barely noticed it. She didn’t pay heed to the mausoleum dusted with unnatural snow or the darkness that was creeping through the clearing. How could she notice anything else but the face of the woman who had lost so much and now […]

17: Of Feasts and Family

“I hear there will be a ceremony and everything,” Sage Kate said as she placed a bowl of spring vegetable stew in front of Niamh, who smiled in gratitude. “Full honors for all of us,” Jeron agreed through a mouthful of freshly baked bread. “Kate, this all looks amazing.” Kate laughed. “My family have always […]

16: Of Monsters

*Content warning: fantasy battle with some light descriptions of blood, mild fantasy violence. Niamh arrived at the Mageguild Demesne gates to find Captain Hawke waiting for her in the gathering night. He removed his helmet and was sweating and sickly pale in the magelamp light. “Well met, sir,” Niamh said and looked at him, concerned. […]

15: Of Good Days Gone Bad

Niamh and Jeron drew up to his place arm in arm. Niamh noticed a large parchment envelope conspicuously stuck in the crack of his apartment door. “What’s this?” “No idea,” Jeron said. He grabbed the envelope and tore it open as they walked into his sitting room. He raised one hand absentmindedly as he muttered […]

14: Of Sparring

“We’ve extended your post with the Easthaven Valiants Corps indefinitely,” Captain Hawke said as he stamped Niamh’s evaluation papers with the official seal. He handed her the sheaf of parchment with a respectful bow. Only two weeks had passed since she had received Jeron’s and, really, all Tanahr’s gift to her. The mechanized truesteel leg […]

13: Of Dire Dreams

Niamh trudged along the sidewalk, trying to dodge the far too many people who were out and about. It was nearing midday bells, and the city noises pushed against her like a physical shove. She staggered, taking an off-rhythm step. Her satchel slid onto the crook of her arm with a violent lurch, and she […]

12: Of Truth

“Curse it to all the hells and back again,” Niamh grumbled as she dragged her satchel-strap into place on her shoulder for what felt like the thousandth time that day. She hated to admit it, but getting around in a huge, foreign city as a recently healed amputee was hard work. She had never liked […]

11: Of Tinkering

Jeron waited outside Niamh’s lodging, even more nervous than he had been with Captain Hawke. She had promised via courier messages to make time for him after her recovery training. Now, he knocked on her door, butterflies and snakes and all other wriggly things in his stomach and an absurd grin on his face. Niamh […]

10: Of A Welcome Surprise

Niamh slung her pack over her shoulder and looked around the hospital wing where she had stayed for the last three weeks. Sister Hilde watched her, eyes shining with tears. Niamh forced a stoic smile. Everything had changed so quickly, but now here she was, standing on the threshold of yet more newness to come. […]

9: Of Sweets And Sweetness

Niamh gazed down at her breakfast, veggie hand pies (her favorite) and a little bowl of lush red brambleberries sprinkled with sugar. Unlike on previous days, she did not push the food away. She’d already had one guest. A woman called Loremaster Olangah had examined her top to bottom, checking her for any magical maladies. […]