I gape at her. To be fair, mentioning the Grimoires and the mental affinity was enough to guess this had something to do with the dreaded enforcers of the crown. However, I was expecting another advisory role. Perhaps a temporary position in mopping up any Grimoires unhappy with their sudden decl...
2022-02-21 23:33:01 +0000 UTC View PostWho is asking you to interview me?
[I am not supposed to give you this information and I am not strong enough to withhold my thoughts from those who will be asking me questions once we are finished.]
Someone quite important then. My stomach turns at the thought that the king himself i...
2022-02-21 23:32:58 +0000 UTC View Post“I’ve concluded my questions,” he says, slumping in his seat, his powerful presence replaced by a tired old man who looks annoyed at his circumstances.
“Then I will continue begin the questions for the administration,” Miss Talia says.
I perk up, leaning forward with a smile...
2022-02-21 23:32:55 +0000 UTC View Post“Very well. Lord Westerly, please begin.”
The old man clears his throat and the reaper on his shoulders moves, flowing off his shoulders gracefully to curl inside his lap, flickering in and out of view. “Firstly, do you understand how the Summoning Hall works, girl?”
“The ba...
2022-02-21 23:32:54 +0000 UTC View Post“Thank you. Shall we start with something simple? What do you think a fire caster is?”
“A fighter. A force of nature.” I stop just short of calling them a weapon, as that might come across as callous.
“Why?”
I blink. Is that a joke? “Fire is destructive. Save light...
2022-02-18 21:18:25 +0000 UTC View PostWe exchange quiet barbs until the time runs out. Miss Talia stops by each initiate to collect their test and speaks with them briefly, informing them of the time for their interview, the second part of the qualifiers. From the sounds of it, they’ll doing them for several days.
“Alana Ja...
2022-02-18 21:18:23 +0000 UTC View PostI turn when I hear the door open, surprised to recognize the one who will presiding over our exam.
Miss Talia enters the room, her eyes closed as usual, dressed in a simple gray robe. She glides down the aisle between the tables, the young girl who I recognize as her attendant following beh...
2022-02-16 21:33:11 +0000 UTC View PostMano finishes his speech and we move en masse toward the Caster Hall. In a rare moment, I can see the other three groups of this year’s initiates, each led by a young caster who I’m guessing are other assistant instructors. I give them a quick glance but they’re nothing special, the dozens ...
2022-02-14 18:32:32 +0000 UTC View PostWe finish our breakfast in a cheery atmosphere. After cleaning up, I send Geneva home with the leftovers, Bell riding on my shoulder as we make our way to the foundation fields. The rest of the initiates are waiting for us, the air filled with excitement. Mano stands before them in his usual red ...
2022-02-14 18:32:29 +0000 UTC View Post“Uh-huh. So, best ways to break him without making him entirely useless?”
“We can cater to his ego, provide him the validation he so desperately craves. Let him become confident, perhaps grant him a sliver of the power he desires. He will build a proper following, one that may even su...
2022-02-11 18:11:42 +0000 UTC View PostI watch Mr. Self-Made as he stomps down the road, grinning to myself as I listen to his vicious mutterings.
“Saints damn that devil woman. Not a threat. I’ll show you not a threat. I’ll take your power and then I’ll take Kierra. We’ll see who’s not a threat then—”
Real...
2022-02-11 18:11:39 +0000 UTC View PostHere we go people!
I just want to take a minute to thank all my patrons for your continued support. I love writing and every chapter of RFC is a blast but it's the readers that really keep me motivated (and fed, haha). I hope we get to enjoy this journey and many more for a lon...
2022-02-09 20:06:52 +0000 UTC View PostSeveral hours later, I find myself in the bathroom, making use of it this time. There was quite a bit I needed to clean off. I could have simply done my usual trick of a quick shift but several hours of debauchery has me in the mood for a good soak.
Bell is at the head of the tub, washing m...
2022-02-04 23:34:53 +0000 UTC View PostShe opens her mouth to reply but the words turn into a surprised moan as I push inside her. I grunt as her walls clamp down on my length but I have to stop before bottoming out. Mm, my wife is definitely unordinary taking my girth so easily.
Wren’s position is especially amusing. I can’...
2022-02-02 22:16:25 +0000 UTC View PostI don’t bother responding, turning my attention to her nape. My hand on her ass pulls her forward, encouraging her rock against my thigh as my lips move lower, thoroughly ravishing her chest. I don’t have to encourage her for long as she’s swept away by the pleasure but I don’t linger lon...
2022-01-31 21:12:04 +0000 UTC View PostThe bathroom door opens. I turn as Wren emerges from the bathroom wearing a soft looking robe and toweling her damp hair. She pointedly ignores me as she goes straight for the liquor. Alana hastily hands over the bottle, scooting her chair away from the bed. The tension between them is clear, but...
2022-01-31 21:12:03 +0000 UTC View PostI grin, pushing the two separate piles of tokens to the dealer as I stand. “Can you hold onto these for me?”
“Your crowns will be ready when you want them. Or they can be charged for future credit.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.” I turn toward Wren, holding out a hand. She toss...
2022-01-28 22:15:27 +0000 UTC View PostA look that crumples into a scowl as we reveal our hands.
Over the next several minutes, the table empties. The woman only played one more hand before walking off with her boy, giving the table a finger wave. One player gracefully bows out, exchanging their small amount of tokens for gold a...
2022-01-28 22:15:19 +0000 UTC View PostIt’s interesting how similar this is to hunting. Observing, evaluating, choosing a target, choosing a moment to strike, debating what tactic to use.
Kierra’s making use of the bait tactic. She takes up residence at the end of a couch and orders a drink, sipping it with a casual atmosphe...
2022-01-26 15:42:53 +0000 UTC View PostA pair of arms wraps around my shoulders and I breathe in Kierra’s scent. “A little more than you imagined.”
“Mm.” I purposely told Bell not to give me details, wanting to be surprised. “Why is it so…”
“Large? Prominent? Visible?”
“Yeah.”
“I know~...
2022-01-24 22:46:15 +0000 UTC View PostAfter far too many drinks, we leave the bar drunk and happy, climbing into our respective carriages. After a bit of convincing, I manage to coerce Alana into sharing a carriage with me, shuffling her with Geneva. Maxine is dragged off by Cynthia, leaving me with Kierra, Alana, Cloud, and Bell. 2022-01-24 22:46:13 +0000 UTC View Post
“Oi, Lou. There was actually something I wanted to ask you.”
“Really? Couldn’t you just get in contact with me?”
“Ah, that would have been a pain.”
“Hah? Max has people swing by here periodically for our deliveries. You could have just slipped a note in with them...
2022-01-21 18:09:58 +0000 UTC View Post“Howie!” I shout as I throw open the doors to the bar with the sign of a mushroom hanging over its entrance. Showing off a bit? Perhaps. I am the organizer of today’s events. Injecting a little energy into our adventure is my responsibility, I think.
Not that anyone’s impre...
2022-01-21 18:09:56 +0000 UTC View Post“Gentlemen,” I call as I enter the dwindling fray. Aidan tenses on my approach. I think confusion alone keeps him from attacking as I put a hand on his shoulder. Too late to escape now. “Cloud, break it up.”
She obeys, kicking Jude away and rolling to her feet. Her arms are spotted ...
2022-01-19 18:55:03 +0000 UTC View PostMaxine describes the small space as an attached tavern but I think that’s too generous for a counter and two lines. One line seems to be queuing up for food, the other for drinks, judging by the people squeezing by with their orders in hand.
I spot Alana and Maxine in line for drinks and ...
2022-01-17 20:31:13 +0000 UTC View PostI put my new nose to work as I scan the room for Cloud. The smell of animal musk is unusually common amongst the crowd of laborers, though there’s varying degrees. Some of the men here smell like they live in the same pens as the animals they keep while others just smell like the outdoors. Clou...
2022-01-17 20:31:11 +0000 UTC View Post“Do you have a death wish?” he continues, as Aidan gets to his feet and brushes himself off. “If you want to ignore my generosity, don’t blame me for being rude.”
“I wouldn’t call assaulting me generous,” Aidan says with a dark voice. “Care to introduce yourself?”
...
2022-01-14 19:02:55 +0000 UTC View Post“Ow.”
“Ah! Sorry…”
“It’s fine. I just said that so you’d know you’re crushing my toes.”
Alana sighs. “Trust me, I know. Saints, this is such a bad idea. I should just—”
“Hey, now.” I stop her from pulling away, interlocking our fingers. “I s...
2022-01-14 19:02:52 +0000 UTC View PostWith an unspoken signal, our group separates. Cynthia pulls Kierra and Miss Alyssa away, laughing merrily, and Geneva disappears into the crowd. [I think I might draw a bit too much attention from the common masses, my summoner. With your leave, I make myself scarce.] Probably a good idea.
...
2022-01-12 18:49:36 +0000 UTC View PostI continue trading barbs with Cloud while fending off Alana’s dissatisfaction until we come to a stop. My future saint is the first one out, practically jumping off the bench to escape the charged atmosphere. I slide out after her and graciously offer Cloud my hand. She chuckles as she allows m...
2022-01-10 17:50:39 +0000 UTC View Post