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Saturday, August 16, 2025
Tales of Vinoli Masterpost
Augustus
Are you familiar with John Williams
No, not the composer. I'm talking about the author of the same name.
During his lifetime, Williams wrote four novels, three of which are today considered classics of 20th Century American literature. Augustus, which I recently re-read, being one of them.
Originally published in 1972, Augustus was to be Williams' final novel. In it, the author takes us back in time to ancient Rome. The Augustus of the title is, of course, none other than Augustus Caesar, though when the novel begins, he's only a shy and scholarly youth named Octavian. It's not long, however, before the murder of his great-uncle, Julius Caesar, has put Octavian on the path which will make him the first Emperor of Rome.
Augustus is an epistolary novel, meaning (for those of you who don't know) that its plot is told mainly via letters that the characters write to each other. It should be noted that although he's the central character, Octavian's perspective is kept from the reader until the last portion of the novel. For the majority of Augustus, the Emperor is seen through the eyes of those around him, whether family, friends or enemies.
While each of Williams' three major novels are well worth reading, I have to single out Augustus as my personal favorite. It's a masterpiece of historical fiction that deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as other novels focusing on Roman Emperors, such as Graves' I, Claudius and Yourcenar's Memories of Hadrian.
Highly recommended.
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Chapter 91
"Indeed" her husband agreed. "One can't help but be a bit jealous."
It did not take long, however, for the initial surprise to fade and give way to frustration. Of all the evenings he could have picked to relax his discipline, it had to have been this one!
"Sweetie, get your coat. We're going out."
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Chapter 90
Nasari was awakened two hours past midnight.
Still half asleep, she got out of bed, walked over to the ornately decorated cradle and reached inside it.
I thought I was done with this, the black cat thought.
Of course, it would have been one thing if the baby she was now feeding from a bottle had been hers, but, he wasn't...
****
"Ah, Nasari. Good of you to come, have a seat."
It was earlier that same day. Argath had summoned Nasari to her bed-chamber, where the former was recuperating from the ordeal of child-birth.
"Thank you, I'd rather stand" Nasari replied, glancing at the wicker-chair the Queen gestured at.
"Suit yourself. You know, Nasari now that We have become a parent ourselves, We feel a certain kinship between all the mothers in Our Kingdom. Including you."
"That's nice" Nasari replied, halfheartedly. Get to the Point, she thought.
"Isn't it? Unfortunately, as you may know, being Queen is a full-time job. As such, We have no time for child-rearing. We need a wet-nurse for the Inheritor to Our throne."
Having said this, Argath turned to Argeron the younger who was sleeping soundly next to her and lightly brushed his cheek with her fingers.
"Let me guess" Nasari said, "you want me to do it."
Mentally, she calculated how long it would take a baby-dragon to grow up. The Answer she arrived at was not encouraging.
"Why not? You have the experience and who knows? It may fill the void after...what were their names again? Oh, yes, Risha and Leorin."
Nasari's ears flattened against the back of her head, she forced them back in position.
"Your Majesty seems to think that my children are no longer in this World" she said, a slight tremor in her voice. "I know that is not so and if it was, nothing could fill the void left after them."
"In other words, you reject the honor We wish to bestow on you?"
"I do. Now, if you'd excuse me..."
"We'd reconsider if We were you."
Argath's response took Nasari by surprise. She had expected the dragon to spit fire, both metaphorically and literally, but instead, Argath remained calm.
This did not make Nasari feel at ease. If asked, she would have preferred an outburst. What could the Queen have up her sleeve?
Let me think, we're both of us aware any threats to my person would be hollow. She needs me alive to be assured of Jer's co-operation. Is she going to offer me something? But the only thing I want from her is something that she won't give. What then? What else do you have on me, you cursed tyrant? You...
The Realization struck Nasari like a blow. Argath would not hurt her, but the one person in the palace she cared about? That was a different story.
After all, she's not indispensable.
"Very well" she said, staring down at the carpet, so that she would not have to look at Argath's face. "I will do as you wish."
As if on cue, the heir to the Vinolian throne woke up and, having looked around, decided to voice his displeasure in the only way children his age know how.
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Chapter 89
Upon returning to the Ginarcian palace Risha found the rooms that were currently at the disposal of Merees and herself (though mostly Merees), empty.
This did not surprise the lynx. Shortly before she had left for her rendez-vous with Bik, a servant had showed up with an invitation from the Queen-Mother to her Vinolian kinswoman, to sit in on the Council meeting that was about to commence soon.
Evidently, the meeting was still in session and so, Risha went over to a bookshelf to see if she could find something that would help her pass the time until Merees' return.
Having found a book whose title seemed promising, she sat down with it in an armchair and began to read...
****
Risha's slumber was disturbed by the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps. She opened her eyes and sat up, just as Merees stepped inside.
"Welcome back" she yawned.
"Thanks", the Princess replied. "Same to you."
Her eyes were drawn to the book which had slipped out of Risha's paws and was lying spread-eagle on the floor. She picked it up and looked at the cover.
"Any good?" She asked.
"It's great for curing insomnia. More importantly, how did the meeting go? Has the Council made its decision?"
Merees put the book down on a nearby table and shook her head.
"Not yet, the final vote will be cast on the next meeting. Truth be told, I'm afraid it does not look too good for our side".
"I don't get it. Surely, the opposition must know what's happened to Frigonia and Guanaca?"
"They do, but they are convinced that both these nations are better off now than when they were governed by male rules. Besides, the Vinolian Ambassador have assured them that his Queen intends to respect Ginarcia's independence."
Risha frowned.
"And they believe that? Seems pretty naive if you ask me. So, what do we do?"
"There are three women who holds sway over the rest of the opposition. We need to get them over to our side. Somehow."
"Leave that to me, just give me their names and me and the boys will take care of it."
Merees nodded.
"I will. Thank you, Risha."
"Think nothing of it. You know I'd do anything for you, Mer."
"I know and I'm grateful for it."
Situated near the window was a writing desk. Merees was just about to sit down behind it and start writing, when she paused.
"I'm sorry, hon" she said, turning to Risha. "I completely forgot to ask how things went on your end? I hope your luck was better than mine."
In response, Risha, opened her money-purse and took out the message, which she handed to Merees.
As the dragon read the message, the corners of her mouth moved upward and her eyes shone with excitement.
"Oh, Risha" she exclaimed, "this is great! It's exactly what we need!"
And with those words, Merees threw her arms around her paramour's shoulders and kissed her passionately.
****
In Eramus' cabin, the bat was only one surprised by Leorin's reaction
"Why?" She asked, with a confused look on her face.
Sara took a step forward.
"You want to know why?" She said in a fierce tone "I'll tell you why. It's because the lynx you said had killed your brother, is his sister."
The Bat's eyes grew in size.
"Sister?"
"That's right and Risha would never attack someone without reason, which means that you and your brother attacked them first!"
"N-no" the bat protested. She turned towards the others, but could tell from a glance that there was no sympathy to be found there.
Eramus and Rufus exchanged looks.
"Rufus, I believe it would be best to have our stowaway confined to the brig until we reach the next port."
"Agreed."
The Bat offered no resistance as the fox escorted her out of the cabin. On deck, they saw Leorin staring out at the ocean. The Bat cried out his name.
He did not answer.
Monday, November 4, 2024
A Brief Post on Lord Dunsany
Lord Dunsany is one of those authors I've known about for a long time, without having read any of their works. However, recently, I decided that it was high time I rectified this and so, I read two of his novels: The King of Elfland's Daughter and The Charwoman's Shadow, as well as the short-story collection The Sword of Welleran and Other Stories.
In case you've never heard of him, Edward Plunkett, more commonly known as Lord Dunsany was a British writer, who was incredibly influential when it comes to defining what we now call the 'fantasy' genre. A list of his admirers reads like a who's who of authors of fantastic literature: Tolkien, Lovecraft, Borges, Gaiman and many others. As such, I went into some work with certain expectations.
I will say that, as much as I enjoyed the two novels (especially The Charwoman's Shadow), its his short-stories that, in my opinion, shows Lord Dunsany at his best. This is, because as a writer, Lord Dunsany is clearly less concerned with things like plot and characterization, than he is with atmosphere and imagery, an approach which suits the short-story format best.
The Stories found within The Sword of Welleran are of consistently high quality, without a single dud to be found. However, if I had to pick just one story, it would have to be The Fortress Unvanquishable Save For Sacnoth. What sounds on paper like the most basic fantasy story imaginable (young hero + magic sword + evil sorcerer) becomes something truly fantastic, thanks to Lord Dunsany's rich, evocative prose (seriously, this story and all the other beg to be read aloud).
If you have an interest in fantasy literature and have yet to read anything by Lord Dunsany, you definitely should. Not only is his influence on the genre undeniable, but perhaps more importantly, he was a wonderful storyteller. I'm looking forward to perusing more of his work in the future.
Friday, September 27, 2024
Chapter 88
Well, this is unexpected, Leorin thought.
He looked at the bat, who had wrapped her wings around her and stared back at him, her teeth bared.
Leorin took a step forward. Immediately, the bat hissed.
"Don't worry" Leorin said, softly. "I'm not going to hurt you. Not unless you try to hurt me first, but you won't do that. Right?"
The Bat glanced at the sword the cat held in one paw and quickly shook her head.
"Good" Leorin said, lowering the sword. No use telling her that it's only a prop.
"By the way, my name's Leorin. What's yours?"
"N...ame?" The Bat pronounced the word as though she had never heard it before. "No name" she said, shaking her head once more.
Her answer puzzled Leorin. No name? What could she mean by that? He was just about to ask, when a new thought entered his head.
"Listen", he said, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "How would you like to go up on deck? Don't worry" he added, upon seeing the wary look on the bat's face. "Everybody's asleep. It's perfectly safe."
The Bat kept glaring warily at Leorin. He seemed honest and it was true that he had shown her kindness, the first person to do since she had left her home. Besides, it would be nice to stretch her wings. Having made up her mind, she descended from the crate and took the paw the cat held out to her.
On deck, Leorin watched as the bat climbed onto the railing and from there, launched herself in the air. From there, she circled the top of the mast a few times, before landing next to him.
"Is flying as fun as it looks like?" He asked.
"Yes, very fun" the bat replied eagerly.
"I wish I could do it" Leorin sighed, gazing whistfully up at the starry sky.
*****
In the cabin, Sara was suddenly awakened by the call of nature. Having answered it, she noticed that she had almost filled the chamber-pot and so, she went out on deck, carrying it with her. As the porcupine emptied the chamber-pot over the railing, she saw something that caused her to drop it overboard. Sara heard the splash, but otherwise paid no attention to the lost chamber-pot; her attention was focused on what was happening above her. There was only one thing to do: Having filled her lungs, she began calling for help, as loudly as she could.
When the bat had impulsively carried him into the sky, Leorin had shut his eyes tight. He soon opened them though and the fear he had initially felt was transformed into awe. Mouth agape, Leorin stared at the vast ocean which spread itself out below him. So, this was what it was like to fly.
Suddenly, both the cat and the bat's ears picked up the sound of Sara's voice. Both of them looked down at the deck, on which several members of the troupe had gathered. Leorin was about to suggest that they land, but to his surprise, the bat turned around in the opposite direction of the ship.
Realizing that the bat would never be able to reach land while carrying him, Leorin tried reasoning with her:
"Don't be afraid" he said. "Everyone down there is really nice. I'll explain everything to them."
The Bat stopped, Leorin could almost hear the wheels in her head turning.
"You promise?" She asked, eventually.
"I promise."
On deck, Sara tugged on Rufus' sleeve.
"We have to save Leorin!" She said, in a voice made shrill by anxiety. "Do something!"
"Fetch a musket!" The Fox ordered one of the stage-hands, "and you two, put a lifeboat in the water. Hurry!"
"Hold on a second, Rufus" Eramus said, holding up a wrinkled hand. "I don't think any of that will be necessary. See?"
*****
As the rest of the troupe caught up on their interrupted sleep, an impromptu meeting took place in Eramus' cabin. Present at that meeting was the troupe's management, its two youngest members and the newly discovered stowaway.
"Now then, young lady" Eramus said in a fatherly tone. "Why don't you start by telling us your name?"
Before the bat could answer, Leorin intervened.
"Excuse me Eramus. I asked her before and she does not know. I think she's lost her memory."
The Bat shook her head.
"Not true" she protested. "Memory fine. Don't have a name."
She then revealed where she had come from: She had lived on an island, alongside many others of her kind. None of them had names, for they all knew who they were. They lived a peaceful life, with the island providing them with everything they needed.
Then, one day, strangers had come to the island. Strangers with evil intentions. Two of them had even murdered the bat's much cherished brother. Eventually, the strangers had been driven off, but the bat could not forget what they had done and so, she had left her home, with the intention of tracking down her brother's killers and avenge his death.
The Members of the troupe listened attentively to the bat's tale, none more so than Leorin.
"This would make for a great play, don't you think?" He whispered to Sara.
The Porcupine, who had spent the meeting with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face, did not respond. Instead, she turned to the bat:
"The Ones who killed your brother, what sort of creatures were they?" She asked.
"What does that matter?" Leorin asked, in a sharp voice. "Don't you believe her?"
"No, I don't!" Sara snapped back at him. "Why are you defending her anyway?" As soon as she had asked that question, a possible answer came into her head.
"I see" she said, smirking. "She's really got you wrapped around her fingers, hasn't she?"
"Why, you..." Gritting his teeth, Leorin unsheathed his claws, while Sara raised her quills. A brawl between the two seemed inevitable, when a particular sound reached their ears. Turning their heads, they saw Eramus, tapping the floor with his cane.
Griselda took the opportunity to step between the quarrelers.
"That's quite enough you two" she said sternly. "If the two you can't act civil to one another, there's the door."
Grumbling in unison, Leorin and Sara moved to separate corners of the cabin.
"Sara does make a good point" said Rufus to Eramus.
"She does" the faunus agreed. "Young lady, I would like you to answer Sara's question."
"If she can" the porcupine muttered under her breath.
"I no lie!" The Bat protested indignantly. She then proceeded to describe her brother's killers. However, she had barely finished the description of one of them, when she was interrupted:
"No!"
"What you mean, 'no'?" The Bat demanded, feeling both surprised and angered at this.
Leorin did not answer. Instead, he rushed out of the cabin, slamming the door behind him.