Releasing the rope as it swung out, Hilde yanked it back and snagged the next chain. If nothing else was to come of this exercise, she was getting really good at this. She pulled the rope towards her, and grabbed the chain, once more setting the hook on the edge of the chute behind her. … Continue reading Fight, Swear, Loathe; Chapter 14

In the morning, the household awoke and began to set to doing the day’s work. Belynda bundled up Cinder, and tucked her into her cloak. Nathalie and Hilde got the donkey into its harness, and then saddled up Tinza. The cart already had all of the baggage on it, so it wasn’t long before they … Continue reading Fight, Swear, Loathe; Chapter 13

Belynda wanted to ask a slew of questions, but she opted to keep her inquisitiveness to herself. The following morning, Hilde had sent her out to find a young lady willing to go with them to the mine and bring back their horse and donkey to stable in Dregladorf. It was a fair commitment to … Continue reading Fight, Swear, Loathe; Chapter 12

The room they were given was on the ground floor, down a hall that ran past the dining room and lobby, and behind the living quarters of the innkeeper’s family. There was one other room down here as well, directly across the hall from them. Their room was number twelve, the numerals carved into a … Continue reading Fight, Swear, Loathe; Chapter 11

Belynda was thrilled to find almost everything she needed in Brakoff to fill her reagent bag. Trangdor served as her guide, and the two of them had a surprisingly good time. They also visited the only book seller in the city, and she found a couple of tomes that caught her eye. She made a … Continue reading Fight, Swear, Loathe; Chapter 10

After dinner, Hilde made a fire in the great room’s fireplace while Trangdor cleared away the remains of the meal. When both had finished, they gathered with Belynda in front of the fire, each finding a seat to allow them to soak in the warmth from the hearth, as well as to see clearly each … Continue reading Fight, Swear, Loathe; Chapter 9

Trangdor had dinner waiting when Hilde got home. The entire house smelled like a feast had exploded. It was a glorious dwarven meal, and it was far more food than the two of them could eat in one sitting. They talked while they ate, covering what they were going to look for in Belynda as … Continue reading Fight, Swear, Loathe; Chapter 8

Over the next two weeks, Hilde went in to the 10th Army headquarters exactly twice to stay caught up on her paperwork. It took longer each time than it should have, because Hilde was not a fast writer nor a particularly speedy reader. She had not inherited her father’s love of calligraphy, and nobody in … Continue reading Fight, Swear, Loathe; Chapter 7

There was only one dress that Hilde ever wore to church. It was the least garish thing she owned, an off-white silky fabric that had a burnt orange color in the trim and on the torso. It had a long lavender ribbon that laced up the bodice. The ribbon didn’t match anything, but it was … Continue reading Fight, Swear, Loathe; Chapter 6

Hilde arrived at the Idyllwild Inn and tied her horse up out front. She dashed inside, was there just long enough to shout “HELLO!” at everyone, and purchase a small keg of hard cider. Then she was back on Tinza and heading the last few miles to Kederlenn. She didn’t want to spend the night … Continue reading Fight, Swear, Loathe; Chapter 5