Mistress Naister

Chapter 10 Part 2 | Lovers and Beloveds | IHGK Book One

Temmin and Teacher crouched down beside him. The man's face grew gray; he reached out for Temmin's hand, and said, "Your Highness, I've been loyal all my life. I'd as soon kill myself as hurt you. But they took my son and my two little girls last night. Sent me one of the baby's fingers--" He choked. "I told them I was no fighter, but they said you were too well-guarded...they had to take every chance from now on...and that if I didn't kill you when you came today, they'd send all three back in pieces."

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!

Characters: Ellika, Harsin, Teacher, Nat Horn, Mistress Naister

Serials: Book One: "Lovers and Beloveds", An Intimate History of the Greater Kingdom

Chapter 10 Part 1 | Lovers and Beloveds | IHGK Book One

Nerrday, the 29th day of Spring's Beginning

"You're a Princess--why d'you have to fetch your own dresses?" said Temmin as he handed his sister down from the carriage at Mistress Naister's shop, not far off the Temple Promenade. "I should think the dressmaker would come to the Keep."

"Oh, she does, but I like to come into town, see and be seen and all that," Ellika answered, acknowledging the small crowd through the Guards lining their way to the door.

Mistress Naister's shop looked like the inside of a fragile seashell, pink and cream and gold; Temmin kept his knees and elbows in for fear he'd break something, though what he could break in a dressmaker's shop, he wasn't sure. Mistress Naister curtsied so low, Temmin felt compelled to help her stand again. He impulsively kissed her knobby hand; her fingers smelled of beeswax. Mistress Naister swallowed a girlish giggle, sat Temmin down on a spindly chair made for someone much shorter, and clapped twice. A nervous little shopman came from the back carrying a tiny pink and gilt tea set; he served the Prince while Ellika and Mistress Naister exclaimed over one another like old friends. The cup looked like a thimble in Temmin's hand, and he hastily put it down.

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!