I stared at him across the room (Iana # 4)

Continuing from the journals of Princess Iantheia . . . .

"What is it now?" Lady Hildegale scuttled over to us. Prince Flairon swept her a low bow.

I lowered my face trying to hide my embarrassment at Prince Flairon's outburst. As I curtsied to Lady Hildegale I said, "I wished to speak to you Lady Hildegale, regarding a private, personal matter."

It was the wrong thing to say if I hoped to have a private conversation with Lady Hildegale, now everyone near us would want to listen in.

Lady Hildegale came closer to me. "My dear Iana, are you all right? What's wrong?"

"You see I - It's - " All of a sudden, to further my embarrassment, my throat seized up. I couldn't speak. I bit back tears. My chin wobbled.

I couldn't have planned it better if I'd tried. I'm sure I would have put everyone off bumbling around with words. As it was my near breakdown had a remarkable effect on Lady Hildegale.

"I became so desperate that..." (Iana's Story #3)

Continuing from the journals of Iantheia, Princess of Winding . . .

Finding Lady Hildegale was the easy part. Off season she practically lived in her sitting room. She was always entertaining; food and drinks at the ready, exotic fruits and delicate sweets. I could go to Lady Hildegale's any hour of the day and expect to see people there. Important people sometimes, the up and rising, the latest singing sensation or the brightest new poet. No one entertained more than Lady Hildegale, except maybe the King.

The hard part was getting to speak to her. Everyone wanted to speak to Lady Hildegale. She was exactly the kind of woman I wished was my godmother. She knew everyone, and could introduce you to anyone in the Circle Kingdom. Since we arrived in Catha I'd been trying to get Lady Hildegale to take me and Joli under her wing. Every day I got a little closer to her. Now would be my last chance.

I took a deep breath as the footman announced my name and I entered Lady Hildegale's sitting room.

My Life in the Circle Kingdom (Iana's Story #2)

From the journals of Ianathia, Princess of Winding...

"My life is over Joli, completely over." I dropped mother's letter to the round table. It didn't matter how many times I read it. It had ruined my life and I couldn't unread it.

I moved to the window, wishing we had a pleasant view to distract me.

"It's not over." Joli said from her cozy chair. She curled her feet underneath her and her hands were busy stitching a dress. "We just have to go home. At least its not a bethrothal."

"If it was a good match then I wouldn't mind a bethrothal." I said leaning my head on the window taking in the bleak view. The oval window looked out to a narrow stone stairwell, and the tall walls of the castle keep, only a small circle of sky was visible above them.

Hardly anyone used these stairs, no one important I might wish to see. Only distant relative of Catha's king were housed in this part of the castle, like us. We had no choice but to live here. We couldn't afford to rent rooms in town. Just as we couldn't afford a footman, or even a maid. Joli had taken on that role, and she served as my handmaiden whenever I needed one. We hadn't fooled anyone by it, it was plain to see  Joli and I were sisters, only a year apart in age.

"Extravagances." I muttered, looking back at Joli and our tiny room, with one bed in the corner, a wardrobe of minimal portortions and a cracked looking glass over the dressing table. Mother's letter said we had too many extravagances. I could pull my hair out. "What extravagances was she talking about? We live on breadcrumbs and sleep on box springs." I kicked at the bed we shared, sending a stabbing pain through my foot. "The only reason our clothes are half way decent is thanks to you."

A Family Chronicle Begins (1)

This letter has been enscribed by the Queen's own scribe, Olwen the Scribe, sealed by his hand and given to the head guardsman for his review.

Reviewed and stamped by Captain Olwen, head of security,  and taken on his patrol to the Postmaster.

Signed by Postmaster Olwen. Everything looks in order. This is merely a formaility, really. Taken by Postermaster Olwen to the local runners guild.

Armless Art, runner. Am writing wit teeth. Run from Windin Guildhall to Catha. In all good speed.

To the daughters of the Kingdom of Winding
Formal Greetings from the Queen and King of Winding


Ancienia, Spring Year 217

To our dearest, sweet divine daughters, my angels,

May this letter find you in good heath. It has been nine weeks, and four days since we last saw each other, and our time apart has left me and your father ample time to ourselves. The chimes do not ring as brightly without your shining faces. In fact they barely ring at all.

How I long to see you again, my dear darlings. I know your father feels the same way. Perhaps you do as well?

My girls, I shall be blunt. It is time to come home. You've had your fun, and your festivities, the fine food and late nights dancing, but enough is enough. Winding needs you. I apologize for my frankness, but the debt collectors knock at my chamber doors even now. We cannot afford your extravagances any longer.

I say again, time for you to come home.

Iantheia and Jolianita, my angels, how I do miss you. Come home to your mama. Come swiftly.

No detours Iantheia.

I'm serious.

your dearest, dearest mama



....to be continued.

The Very First

I've been thinking lately about the beginning of the story, how it begins, where it begins, that sort of thing. The beginning is important, for obvious reasons. I have to confess, but I'm a harsh judge of a book's cover and the first sentence. When I wander through a bookstore, normally heading straight for the fantasy or YA section, I glance over the spines and titles. I'm drawn to certain authors, but also certain colors catch my attention (in particular jewel tones, blues and greens, sparkles - what am I a bird?)

When I pick up a book, if I'm drawn in by how it looks, then I'll usually read the back or summary and thirdly I'll flip the pages to the first sentence. I'm looking for something particular. Will it be good enough? Will I like this book? What's it all about? Even though I'm ready to decide one way or the other, if I'll spend my time on this book or not, I'm also desperately searching for a really good read. Deep down I want the book to be shocking and wonderful and dazzling. I put quite a bit of pressure on the book, don't I? The first sentence needs to capture my attention immediately. Perhaps it will, with a bit of clever, catchy wording, or something shocking about death or being dead already.

Here are some I liked:

Speaking of Weddings.....

England is in for another fairy tale romance!!!!

Prince William and Kate Middleton will be getting married April 29th, at 11am. I am very excited about this wedding because it not only gives me ideas for my own, but also makes me feel so much better about my small, cozy Great Plains wedding.

For instance: The couple is inviting 1,900 guests! Yikes. I don't know if I even know that many people!
Kate has three wedding dresses in case the original is leaked! ( I now do not feel so guilty for having two wedding dresses.)
And the happy couple is forced to endure their faces being plastered all over shoddy mugs and bags and other cheap souvenir items.

( the love mug is particularly fabulous)


picture taken from http://williamkate.org/tag/william-and-kate-memorabilia/

But when all is said and done, it's pretty fabulous. And you have to admit, you kinda want a mug....:)

Though, I am curious to find out how all this planning is done! It is fabulous research for our own stories-- Ange off to marry a man not of her choosing and well, poor Mirth--  I'm sure she would have enjoyed a very lavishly royal wedding. And probably would have had five wedding dresses and worn them all...!

Wedding and whatnots

So, I've been Missing from all the Action at the blog spot. The nice part about this prolonged absence is that I have plenty of reading material for the long break!

The Tragedy-- I MISSED THE BAD POETRY SLAM!!!! AHHHH!!! LACKSCROFT AND ROE!!!!!

And now, I should probably say something of note. Perhaps explain my disappearance.

Well, it so happens that I am getting married. I was not quite aware, when I said yes to the wonderful man that I am marrying that a wedding would be part of this package deal.

Or I should say, I did not realize that a WEDDING is a vicious, ugly beast that I must battle on a day to day basis and hope to someday slay or be slain.

Do not be deceived by fluffy notions of romance. Weddings are vicious vicious creatures. My only hope is to survive the navigation of heinous details such as color scheme ( should the yellow be butter, bright, or pale---I must say this one IS hard as I have no idea what the difference between the three are...is there a "normal" yellow?), flaky or non flaky pie crust ( does it matter? It's pie crust? and why can't I sample?), and how to properly welcome the guests( usually hello suffices and a nice chat about what not, but apparently you need to do other things, like impress them with baskets of goodies and maps of the area and give them bathing supplies,)  and other things that seem to threaten my general sunny outlook of the world and wonder if I'm going insane....