An Intimate History of the Greater Kingdom

Chapter 13 Part 1 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2

Meals at the Estate were still catch-as-catch-can; no one seemed up to being in company. Temmin and Jenks sat in his drawing room over a cold luncheon of cheese, fruit, ham, a loaf of good bread and a dish of pickles; the Estate's own dark amber ale foamed in mugs before them. "How is your pupil coming along?" said Temmin.

"Young Mr Wallek I believe has come far enough to spar with you, sir--if you've kept up your form at the Temple?"

Son in Sorrow will end its serialization July 15, 2013.
If you'd like to find out what happens sooner than that, or if you'd rather read in an easier-to-use format, buy the ebooks or paperbacks!

Please support my work. You can read it for free, but if you love it, make a purchase or a donation. Thanks for reading, from the bottom of my heart.

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Chapter 12 Part 10 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2

Tennoc's new power crackled in Temmin's hair and skin as he left the story; shadow pain stabbed at his side. "It never occurred to me Tennoc would get magic when he crossed the border."

"It never occurred to him, either. He knew both Dunnoc and Kenver had magic, but Kenver's was limited--blocking the spring at the siege of Maalig took all of it. Dunnoc was stronger, but men's magic is tied to the lands they control. Just the Heirs of Tremont held more even then than the kings of Kellen ever did. Were Dunnoc to ride into Whitehorse, his magic would vanish in any event, just as Tennoc had none in Kellen."

Son in Sorrow will end its serialization July 15, 2013.
If you'd like to find out what happens sooner than that, or if you'd rather read in an easier-to-use format, buy the ebooks or paperbacks!

Please support my work. You can read it for free, but if you love it, make a purchase or a donation. Thanks for reading, from the bottom of my heart.

Commenters: If you've read the original draft or the full book, please spoiler tag any future plot points. Otherwise, consider this a book club! Thanks!

Chapter 12 Part 9 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2

They approached the Whitehorse border and the River Cobb. Tennoc paused, considering their options. "We'll avoid Crymavon Castle."

"Your mother's cousin is Lady there, no?"

Tennoc nodded, but said, "For all we know, Dunnoc's sent word ahead. If he hasn't, I won't put Lady Flaryn in danger should the King follow us here."

"Cross we at Riverbend Ferry? Supplies at the village we might buy."

"I'd rather not risk the ferry, and we can always forage. A little upstream there's a ford. We'll cross there."

The ford ran deeper than they'd expected, and soon they were soaked to the waist, their horses snorting and holding their heads high. They climbed the bank and entered Whitehorse.

A searing light flooded Tennoc's body. A thousand doors opened at once within him, a terrifying elation rushing through them into his body and mind. His skin tingled and sparked, as if static crawled across it in all directions. He slumped in his saddle.

Son in Sorrow will end its serialization July 15, 2013.
If you'd like to find out what happens sooner than that, or if you'd rather read in an easier-to-use format, buy the ebooks or paperbacks!

Please support my work. You can read it for free, but if you love it, make a purchase or a donation. Thanks for reading, from the bottom of my heart.

Commenters: If you've read the original draft or the full book, please spoiler tag any future plot points. Otherwise, consider this a book club! Thanks!

Chapter 12 Part 8 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2

Kenver told Tennoc the moment they were alone. He fell on his stepbrother's shoulder and cried. "How could Father turn on you, knowing how Gwynna and I love you!"

Tennoc held Kenver close. "That's why he wants me dead. He was as my father--no more, but you will always be my brother, Ken, always!"

They parted, and Kenver wiped his eyes. "Shall we tell your mother?"

"No, no," said Tennoc, "I want her held blameless."

"I could take you by reflection to Brunsial."

"Then your father will be angry with you, and I'll look guilty. I've done nothing wrong."

Kenver worried the corner of his mouth. "What will you do?"

Son in Sorrow will end its serialization July 15, 2013.
If you'd like to find out what happens sooner than that, or if you'd rather read in an easier-to-use format, buy the ebooks or paperbacks!

Please support my work. You can read it for free, but if you love it, make a purchase or a donation. Thanks for reading, from the bottom of my heart.

Commenters: If you've read the original draft or the full book, please spoiler tag any future plot points. Otherwise, consider this a book club! Thanks!

Chapter 12 Part 7 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2

By the time Dunnoc demanded Tennoc leave court, the plans had already been made; Lassanna told him with some hauteur that her son had been invited to stay at Brunsial, for Williard ar Sial had use for him even if his King did not. The news left Dunnoc in a grimmer mood than he expected. He thought he'd be more at ease, the danger to his children banished, but he hadn't reckoned on driving a wedge between himself and Lassa. Everywhere he began to see signs she grew bored with him, of her flirting and encouraging younger men.

When he told his lords at council the next day that Tennoc would go to Brunsial, the response surprised him: they urged him to kill Tennoc on the way.

Son in Sorrow will end its serialization July 15, 2013.
If you'd like to find out what happens sooner than that, or if you'd rather read in an easier-to-use format, buy the ebooks or paperbacks!

Please support my work. You can read it for free, but if you love it, make a purchase or a donation. Thanks for reading, from the bottom of my heart.

Commenters: If you've read the original draft or the full book, please spoiler tag any future plot points. Otherwise, consider this a book club! Thanks!

Chapter 12 Part 6 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2

Gwynna darted among the apple trees so quickly Tennoc couldn't get a bead on her; his missile bounced off a tree trunk. She was luckier. The hard little green apple flew from her hand and hit Tennoc square above the heart. "Ow!"

"A fair hit! A fair hit!" she cried, jumping up and down and clapping her hands until her flowing sleeves flapped. "You're dead, sir!" Tennoc clasped his chest, let out a melodramatic shriek and fell down obligingly.

A few yards away, Kenver said, "Can I get up now?" His sister went to both her fallen enemies and helped them to their feet in gracious victory. "How did you become such a good shot?" grumbled Kenver as he dusted off the dirt and picked twigs from his once nearly white hair, now a dark brown.

Son in Sorrow will end its serialization July 15, 2013.
If you'd like to find out what happens sooner than that, or if you'd rather read in an easier-to-use format, buy the ebooks or paperbacks!

Please support my work. You can read it for free, but if you love it, make a purchase or a donation. Thanks for reading, from the bottom of my heart.

Commenters: If you've read the original draft or the full book, please spoiler tag any future plot points. Otherwise, consider this a book club! Thanks!

Chapter 12 Part 5 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2

"Pirrun, you should have been there!" cried Tennoc, clapping a young man on the shoulder. Music, endless wine and drunken laughter filled Gwyrfal's great hall; Kellen's warriors were home after a long, successful campaign.

"I would've if I hadn't broken my leg," winced Pirrun. "You've been gone so long it's healed! Why did you two not come home on the Royal Road, as the King did? Why come home with your soldiers? You could've been back weeks ago!"

"I don't ask anything of the men I'm not willing to do myself," declared Kenver. "Besides," he added in mock confidentiality, "Tennoc gets nauseous when I take him through a reflection!" The crowd hooted.

Son in Sorrow will end its serialization July 15, 2013.
If you'd like to find out what happens sooner than that, or if you'd rather read in an easier-to-use format, buy the ebooks or paperbacks!

Please support my work. You can read it for free, but if you love it, make a purchase or a donation. Thanks for reading, from the bottom of my heart.

Commenters: If you've read the original draft or the full book, please spoiler tag any future plot points. Otherwise, consider this a book club! Thanks!

Chapter 12 Part 4 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2

Gwyrfal, Kellen
Spring's Beginning, 60 KY

Eighteen-year-old Tennoc ar Sial took the stairs to his mother's bower two at a time, bearing a parchment in his hand. "Mother!" he called. "I--oh!" The young man skidded to a halt. Ladies-in-waiting surrounded his mother, at work on their embroideries and sewing; they smiled at him, especially Cariodas. Any other young man would welcome her soft brown eyes gazing at him in worship, but Tennoc blushed and looked away. "Ah, something has come for you, Mother. The messenger said it was for your eyes only, but that it concerned me."

Son in Sorrow will end its serialization July 15, 2013.
If you'd like to find out what happens sooner than that, or if you'd rather read in an easier-to-use format, buy the ebooks or paperbacks!

Please support my work. You can read it for free, but if you love it, make a purchase or a donation. Thanks for reading, from the bottom of my heart.

Commenters: If you've read the original draft or the full book, please spoiler tag any future plot points. Otherwise, consider this a book club! Thanks!

Chapter 12 Part 3 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2

Once he arrived in his sitting room, Temmin called, "Hullo, Jenks, are you here?" No answer. His mother's influence extended to his rooms at the Estate, more to his taste than his grand apartments at the Keep: brighter and more open, the furnishings nimble--lighter and less formal. Few books graced the shelves here, and those that did contained the finer points of equine management, exciting Cavalry stories, or both. Ranged among them were his schoolbooks--most with near-pristine bindings, some with uncut pages.

Son in Sorrow will end its serialization July 15, 2013.
If you'd like to find out what happens sooner than that, or if you'd rather read in an easier-to-use format, buy the ebooks or paperbacks!

Please support my work. You can read it for free, but if you love it, make a purchase or a donation. Thanks for reading, from the bottom of my heart.

Commenters: If you've read the original draft or the full book, please spoiler tag any future plot points. Otherwise, consider this a book club! Thanks!

Chapter 12 Part 2 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2

He scratched at the scabbed-over stitches at his temple and then at his nape under the long, nagging queue he'd grown at the Temple. He'd had time to think and still hadn't figured the Alvo dilemma out. The last time they'd been together for any real length of time was almost two years ago, when he'd gotten roaring drunk and pawed Mattie in the hedge. Nausea and guilt shuddered through him, worry chasing close behind. He wished he knew where she was now so he might set things right.

Son in Sorrow will end its serialization July 15, 2013.
If you'd like to find out what happens sooner than that, or if you'd rather read in an easier-to-use format, buy the ebooks or paperbacks!

Please support my work. You can read it for free, but if you love it, make a purchase or a donation. Thanks for reading, from the bottom of my heart.

Commenters: If you've read the original draft or the full book, please spoiler tag any future plot points. Otherwise, consider this a book club! Thanks!

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An Intimate History of the Greater Kingdom, The Drifting Isle Chronicles and Scryer's Gulch by Lynn Siprelle writing as MeiLin Miranda are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

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