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17. Basil - Hands-On Training
Chapter 17Hands-On Training“Well, what did you get?” Griff’s voice wasn’t quite as hoarse as last we spoke, but it still sounded like he was talking over sandpaper. His eyes though were bright and eager, like a giddy child ready to open his solstice sweets and presents. In fact, he was looking me up and down as...
16. Hull - Heavy Hand
Chapter 16The Cost of a CardSeeing my father smiling down at us like the world’s smuggest asshole while my head was still full of finally meeting my mother made me feel like I had a headache inside my heart. I’d been ready to unleash demonic fury on Edaine – and I wasn’t going to miss the chance to attack first...
15. Basil - Second Tries Are Better Tries
Updated ability list! Part 1& part 2.Chapter 15Second Tries Are Better TriesThe air was crisp as we stood outside, Ediane and her seven summoned Spirits waiting for us. Yesterday, most everyone had quickly taken the general’s lesson about being the one to initiate combat to heart, each with varying degrees of success...
14. Hull - The Weak Fall
Chapter 14The Trouble With TrustI stared at the shadowed woman in a moment of total shock, and then the old familiar anger sparked inside me. “Bullshit,” I said. “I may not remember much from my kid years, but I’d recognize my own mother’s voice.”“Ah, you experienced memory loss?” The woman squatted bes...
13. Basil - Admission
Chapter 13Admission“It’s nice to finally spend some time together again.”“I couldn’t agree more,” I said, using the arm I had looped through Esmi’s to pull her closer as we walked. Dinner had turned into a stroll around the camp, and while the sun had set an hour or so back, neither of us had suggested re...
12. Hull - Striking First
Chapter 12In or Out“You’re missing an Order?” I asked. “People can’t take them, can they?”“For the duration of a duel, under certain circumstances, yes,” Basil said, looking a little panicked. “Not permanently, though. Not that I’ve ever heard of. If I’d never heard of your soul card predicament, ...
11. Basil - Chaotic Intentions
Author note: Thanks for waiting! It's a long one!Chapter 11Chaotic Intentions“Excuse me?” I said, thinking I had misheard yet again. “Did you say Chaos?” I glanced at the nearby guard, but they still made no move; I was nearly convinced they were a card, but if so, they’d have that too-real shimmer to the...
10. Basil - Preparation
Chapter 10Preparation“Battle readiness,” Edaine said, eyeing us all. Her gaze lingered the longest on the empty seat that Hull should have occupied in the Lecture Hall, and even though I was not the one in trouble, I found myself sweating by association. Where was he? The feckless oaf had finally returned to my lif...
9. Hull - Walking the Walk
Chapter 9Walking the WalkI was sweaty, footsore, and cranky by the time I got to the Lows. It had to be near on to midnight. I didn’t know where I’d find Harker or what I needed to do; I just knew I had to show my face if I was going to have any chance of stepping up to be the Little Big Man in truth. As my body st...
8. Hull - Sneak
Chapter 8SneakI’d meant to go straight to my little metal hut, pretend to bunk down for the night, and then climb my way out as soon as possible, but I realized once I got there there was still far too much light for good sneaking. There was some soldiery-looking fellow up in the corner tower who could have spit on m...
7. Basil - Life
Author note: The pages regarding Source archetypes will be updated to show Life as being part of the Enhancement group.Chapter 7LifeAfter the field demonstration we were marched around camp and shown the various facilities. They included a large open-air training area with a series of raised seats on two sides for view...
6. Hull - Field Maneuvers
Chapter 6Field Maneuvers“Why aren’t we on top of the tower?” I asked, pointing to the flat expanse on top of the central tower rising behind us. “Seems like the better view.” All of us students were standing with High Paladin Edaine on the walkway that ringed the interior of the fort and overlooked the cleare...
5. Basil - Coward
Chapter 5CowardI was only able to listen to the Grand Marshal’s speech with half an ear, standing as I was a few feet from Gale, our own conversation hardly begun. The Marshal was not a nuanced orator, but I appreciated his blunt honesty about what to expect from our time in War Camp, and if the type of hard work he ...
4. Hull - Conscription
Chapter 4ConscriptionThe chariot driver had refused to go any faster than a plodding clop through the streets of the city no matter how I pleaded – the little toad of a man had said it wouldn’t be “proper” for the low folk to see their heroes rushing about as if their hair were on fire. I certainly feltas if my...
3. Basil - The Champion's Parade
Chapter 3The Champion’s Parade“You bought a new suit,” Esmi said, favoring me with a warm smile.I blushed as I looked up at her. She was standing in one of the five chariots lined up for today’s procession. The vehicle was richly inlaid in gold, large gems encrusting the carriage, axle cap, and even the yoke, w...
2. Hull - Control
Chapter 2Asking or TellingI tucked the top edge of the coarse cotton sheet up under my pillow, flipped the blanket into place, and stepped back to consider my handiwork. Make your bed, Basil had said, and you’ll cultivate a little Order in no time. Today was my third day of doing so, and I didn’t feel any more orde...
1. Basil - Research
Chapter 1ResearchI sat in the Library of Istraago, the largest in Treledyne aside from the King’s own. The cooing and chirps of birds could be heard up and down the aisles due to the countless kestrel who called the building home; they lived here and worked here, serving as its caretakers. In fact, patrons could only...
0. Countess Felstrife - Prologue
Note: Okay, folks, we're diving in on Book 2. Let's go!PrologueCountess Felstrife walked through the remnants of what had once been a sizable human town. She had heard that the place was now called Burlon, but on her library’s most recent maps – faded, yellow things – Kitling was its name, and on anything...
63. Harker - Epilogue
Author note: I'll rarely be able to post this early, but I hope you enjoy having it now!EpilogueHarker glared at the others as they bickered. Merrun kept pounding the table and telling slender Kernona at the next seat over that Ticosi had been captured and was being interrogated by the King’s secret police and th...
62. Hull - Tending to Unfinished Business
Chapter 62Tending to Unfinished BusinessPenkmun leaned back on his stool, his dumbfounded look magnified by the ocular Artifact he had strapped over one eye. “Twins take me and make me anew, you weren’t lying!”I sat up on the bench he’d had me lie back on while he looked into my eyes with his whatever-it-was. ...
61. Basil - Promises
Chapter 61PromisesI spent another moment in companionable silence with Hull. I hadn’t planned to forgive him so soon or so easily, but after watching Lustra try to murder the king… It was a stark reminder of who our true enemies were, and seeing Hull try to stop her, even though I knew how desperately he wanted his...
60. Hull - What Is Deserved
Chapter 60What Is DeservedMy back itched with the Assassin walking behind me, but every time I glanced back he just pointed me forward. I couldn’t see his face, but I could tell the bastard was enjoying this. When I’d faced him in Basil’s room he’d waited until I had cards in hand and was ready to summon before...
59. Basil - Grand Finals
Chapter 59Grand FinalsEsmi played her first match beautifully, deftly countering the prince each time he tried an avenue of attack. First, she used her Rare kobold to steal a magnificent shield Relic the turn after it was summoned.Next, she managed to always leave one of Gerad’s Souls alive so his attempts at Equalit...
58. Hull - The Wants of a Street Boy
Chapter 58The Wants of a Street BoyTicosi’s body was already stiffening. He looked sightlessly at the ceiling, his mouth gaping just a little, his throat gaping far wider. Crouching next to him got the bottoms of my shoes sticky with congealing blood, but there was enough water pooled all over that I’d be able to w...
57. Basil - Decisions
Chapter 57DecisionsDespite Esmi’s potion having mended me, I felt lightheaded and awkward being upright, making use of my limbs. So, I walked at a slow, measured pace down the hallway, hand held protectively to my stomach as if it might start gushing blood again. Esmi was kind enough not to hurry me, keeping a dignif...
56. Hull - On the Brink
Chapter 56On the BrinkThe chuckling huffs of my Marauders flanked me as I walked slowly toward Ticosi and Basil. I absent-mindedly pulled and summoned my final source and a card from my Mind Home, but I couldn’t pull my eyes away long enough to see what it was. The Big Man had let the slender noble boy splay out on t...
55. Basil - Battleground
Chapter 55BattlegroundBefore this tournament began I would have hesitated, but not now. That single Chaos Source had been a declaration of war more serious to me than any threat that the slumlord might spout.I sent the Headsman swinging at the bald fellow, who by now had drawn a full hand of cards. I couldn’t imagine...
54. Hull - Reckoning
Chapter 54ReckoningThis is where it turns around. The Vampiric Blade sang in my hand as I ran at Basil. No matter which of his bullshit Souls blocked, they’d feed me fresh cards from discard, and with my Mind Home empty that was exactly what I needed. I’d gotten absolute shit draws from the word go in this match, b...
53. Basil - Rematch
Updated ability list! https://imgur.com/mi54ONzChapter 53RematchInstead of letting the Colosseum's runner take me directly to my match, the young girl followed after me as I stopped at a booth I knew specialized in Water cards. Against Hull, I would need some Relic removal, and the Water Spell Rust was the most aff...
52. Hull - Bound
Chapter 52BoundI was halfway through my third bowl of stew in the Mess Hall when I looked up and saw Ticosi sitting directly across from me. His patchwork leather coat hung still behind the bench and he had a toothpick in his mouth; his shaven head gleamed in the elemental lamplight. The way he was lounging at his ease...
