Vexation (Iana # 7)

Previously on Iana's Story. And before that.

Continuing from the journals of Iantheia, Princess of Winding

Never before, and hopefully never again, will I have to ride behind a carriage, clinging to the iron rails. A princess should ride inside a carriage. I can't remember how many times I nearly fell off. Olwen kept having to catch me and pull me back up.

Poor Joli, being so petite, rode up on top, packed in with the chests and bags, much like a pickle.

Had I realized this fate awaited me I'd have stayed in Catha. The journey home to Winding has been such a nightmare.

We left Castle Radiance so quickly, in a splendid carriage too. I recall velvet seats, and curtains made of silk drawn across tiny windows. At the time I didn't notice much else. I was out of sorts, sequestered in my thoughts, while Joli sat demurely to my side. She could sense my mood and left me alone. When we arrived at the edge of the city the carriage stopped. Olwen, the steward mother sent to fetch us, held open the door. Both Joli and I peered at him in confusion.

Woe is me- I am banned from commenting.

I've tried everything and the dratted blog still will not let me comment on it.  So, I'm making this a post, EVEN though it should really be a comment....

I wasn't sure if I was wrong or right with the comma thing....I still need to look at grammar for that. Sorry it looked scary!

The Rhea and Callon scene-- hmmm....does it enhance the plot?

If it does, then keep it.  I was just looking for ways to simplify it, but if you think it's essential to the plot of the story, then it needs to stay.

I think Rhea needs to put her with the geese-- that much is important.....

I'm going to look at it again tonight.

I think my next letter might be an interesting turning point......hmmmm...It's going off in this direction that's rather...interesting. I think.

Well, more for later.

dratted blog.

Progress, I think

I'm here today with a progress report. When I put together the first draft of the Goosey Manuscript I split it into two parts. Part one ended with my last letter, which I always felt was the half way point in the story. (Perhaps now, with the new developments in Mirth's story, the next letter is the half way point.)

But then I discovered this niffy progress meter.

Review: The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her Own Making

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Any book that features such marvelous things as the Leopard of Little Breezes and the Panther of Rough Storms, and a voyage across the Perverse and Perilous Sea must be read immediately.

This is one of my top ten of the year for sure.

Beware, this book also has witches and wairwulfs (the opposite of werewolves), wyvrens (not dragons), a Marquess with a very fine hat, fairies who ride wild bicycles, a changeling orchestra, alchemists, fairy food (edible, yet dangerous), half people, tsukumogami and a brave key.

"Where there is a key, there is yet hope."

I'm nominating this for a Gooseyness Award. I have much more to say on the subject, for now enjoy this mini review, and try to get your hands on this book as soon as you can. You won't regret it.


View all my reviews

From the Travel Journals of a Lonely Prince (Iana #6)

From the Travel Journals of Roderick, crown prince of Carentas

Magic is a marvel, or else the people who to desperate seek such trite enchantments. Spells do not come cheap, wizards in Catha are highly sought. A good thing, for how else could Leric and I survive, not without my seemingly inexhaustible connections or his entertainment.

Most wizards look haggard, their eyes mere slits from lack of sleep, and a queasy complexion. Not Leric. I suspect most of the time Leric's faking. Most people can't tell the difference between real magic and mere tricks anyway.

We head south tomorrow, leaving the outer circle to return to Catha's center, Castle Radiance.

I do not miss the crowds or the fine company, which Leric claims he cannot do without. Of course, I know he prefers a quick wit to a pretty face. I will be glad to see the last of the circle kingdom. Good lord there are far too many Princesses here and all of them seem to be eligible.


We will stay with Leric's friend, Lord Hildegale, again, I loathe the thought, but it can not be helped.


I did not come to the circle kingdom looking for a wife, despite my mother's declaration that I may not return to Carentas unless I bring home a suitable bride. I can only image the kind of woman she'd find suitable. I think I prefer exile.

--
Fifth day before the Ides of April, year 217


Wet and unrenlenting rain. We held up in a tavern, the Hurthog for the night. Leric entertained. That he can come up with such rowdy ridiculous songs on the spot still bogs my mind.
--
Fourth day before Ides of April, year 217


Having met Lord Hildegale earlier in the spring I can safely say he is a good scholarly man. Leric and Lord Hildegale can speak for hours on the odd customs and histories of this ancient land. They speak not of spellwork or curses, and I find it hard pay attention to their rambling. Lord Hildegale is no fool. But good lord his wife!


There is no escaping Lady Hildegale, though I try. You'd think being a Prince in a kingdom like Catha, overrun with too many of them, that I would not stand out. You'd be wrong.


Apparently, Carentas is far enough away and exotic sounding. Somehow Lady Hildegale knows that I cannot return home without a bride. She aims to remedy this.


I only came to Catha in the hopes to get as far away from Carentas and mother's schemes as I could. Perhaps I have not traveled far enough.
--

Third day, year 217


I started this recording keeping to track where I spent my coin, how to get from here to there, my destinations and travels throughout this ancient land, what I might see , the different climates and people I have encountered. It was never my intent here to scribe a diary like some school girl. Yet I can find no other place to put my thoughts. And I don't know what else I could do to drive this irritation from my mind. Perhaps if I describe her, the encounter, then I might free my thoughts from dwelling on her.


Lord Hildegale keeps several libraries. There is no escape from Lady Hildegale's constant attempts 'to secure my happiness', as she calls it, except to retreat to one of the libraries. I always attempt to find the one farthest away from the room where Lady Hildegale entertains. I didn't get far enough it seems, for I saw Lady Hildegale bring a young woman in to the very library where I was hiding. The girl appeared quite weak, stumbling on her feet, and Lady Hildegale was intent to make her sit still and remain in the room. And then she left without a backwards glance toward me.


Miraculously within moments of Lady Hildegale leaving whatever ailed the girl fled and she sat up again.


"That was quite the performance." I remarked.


She denied it, of course. But I have traveled far enough to know better than to believe what a woman claims. Next she would be upon me with her charms. But, in that it seems I was mistaken.


She headed toward the door, her head and shoulders squared in a most remarkable way. The light flittering in made her - you see, you see how she has caught hold of my mind. Even describing her is maddening.


I could see from her brief conversation with Lady Hildegale, the girl wanted something. Perhaps help in finding a husband. It only seemed right to warn her off, that throwing herself on Lady Hildegale's mercy was the worst possible idea ever. Even if she was another one of the women Lady Hildegale intended to throw in my direction.


So what happened next was only a little bit of self interest, you see, I didn't want to break another heart, or have to flee the city again.

I told her it wouldn't work out. "Even I can see what you're trying to do. It doesn't matter how good your acting is Lady Hildegale won't be swayed." Neither will I, I thought. "She has nothing to gain from taking in a girl like you." And using you so poorly. Surely you have more pride than that! It sickened me to see a beautiful young woman, or anyone else, forced to throw themselves at someone like Lady Hildegale, hoping for some measly advantage.

Even now the words stick in my mind. Yet, why didn't I speak that part aloud. My words failed me. And the look on her face as she turned to leave the room. It was deathly cold. It haunts me even as I write this.

I was bothered by our conversation, or my lack of it, but I couldn't bring myself to approach her again. Why do I not speak my mind sometimes?

Later I found out her name, Princess Iantheia. Iantheia. She's not one of Catha's Princesses it seems, there are enough of those, but Princess of the small Kingdom of Winding. I have seen that name on a map of Ancienia before, but heard nothing else. They have some ties to the circle kingdom, of course, why else would she be here? I will have to ask Leric about what he knows, after he recovers. Well, except his eye I'm told.

What happened was an unfortunate accident. His eye is gone. The healer did everything he could to save it. Leric is resting. It was an accident, and a stupid mistake on his part. The whole morning felt like a series of strange accidents, quite unnatural. I didn't see what exactly happened. I tried to leave, to escape before Lady Hildegale captured me for lunch, when I heard the commotion. The mayhem was almost amusing. Hard to believe one person could cause so much damage. Cups flying in the air, drinks spilled, custards and creams all over. I felt bad for her, for Iantheia.

Tomorrow perhaps, I can let her know about Leric, that she didn't cause his accident, that lute strings don't usually break that easily, unless you're a wizard like Leric, who mixes up his spells.
--
Second Day before the Ides of April, in the year 217

A mystery. It seems she has disappeared. Even Lady Hildegale is surprised. I am - perhaps the right word is - disappointed. I do not think I will see her again.


to be continued . . . .