Author Archives: Brandi Untz

“Your what?” Katla asked Mira. “Assistant,” Mira said. “It’s the perfect cover for you. No one here knows who you are, and it explains why you’re in the Synod Conclave’s library with me researching old tomes.” They were walking through the library, which, simply, was grand. Katla had to stop herself from gawking at allContinue reading “4E 203 – Coverings”

Tara studied the Imperial Legion soldiers from her perch above them, on Solitude’s walls. Perhaps the best thing about her home was its location along the city walls. Few buildings had an entry point along the top of the walls. She’d only seen guard towers and a few into Castle Dour, the castle the ImperialContinue reading “4E 203 – War”

Katla stepped inside The Rest’s Finest and immediately regretted it. She stood out, as if she were a giant stepping into the store. She’d been in Wayrest a week now and was still marveling at the city, including the shorter height of most of its citizens. It’d always struck her as odd that Breton womenContinue reading “4E 203 – Research”

Tara breathed deeply, searching for that wood and leather scent she missed. Was it here, lingering? Maybe. Or, maybe I’m fooling myself, she thought. Standing inside The Lucky Skeever, her new home, she desperately wanted some sign of Katla. She would’ve been gone for at least two weeks by now from here. Tara let outContinue reading “4E 203 – Lonely”

Tara stood on her balcony, watching Bedore lead the three mages onto the farm. He’d not told her about their true origin until this morning. Bedore continued his foolish attempts at taking agency where he shouldn’t. Tara sighed. So tempting to be done with him, but… She pressed her hand to her stomach. Remember. Fortunately,Continue reading “2E 586 – Family History – Final Test”

I can bring her back, Tara. Tara woke with a start. Pale light shone through the window of her room. Dawn announcing another day without Katla. I can bring her back. What was that? Who was that? Tara rubbed her eyes and tried to hold on to the fading dream. Nightmare. First, there had beenContinue reading “4E 203 – Nightmares and Dreamscapes”

Tara watched Mira climb back to her feet for the tenth, or maybe twentieth, time. Mira’s right wrist turned funny and her hand drooped unnaturally. Broken. Mira waved her left hand over it and healing energy surrounded the broken bones. Less than a minute later, she flexed her hand and wrist, as if Tara’s waveContinue reading “4E 203 – Broken”

Katla stepped into the dark alley. Where to hide? Some barrels stood against the stone wall, just before the back door to someone’s home. In two moves, she was crouched behind them. She watched and waited. She heard someone approach, soft steps on the hard stone of Solitude’s streets. Katla hovered her right hand overContinue reading “4E 203 – Hide and Seek”

Bedore Ashsmith shifted softly on his feet. It occurred to him he was as tense as a rabbit waiting to see what a fox’s next move would be. A wolf, actually. They were far more vicious than foxes. Her hair shone as fire this morning. She stood on the balcony outside of her bedroom, atContinue reading “2E 585 – Family History, Part 4”

“You should eat something,” Mira said. “You’re going to get drunk.” “I want to be drunk,” Tara said. She hiccupped, as if for emphasis. Katla was gone. Gone. It wasn’t goodbye, she’d said. Might as well have been. She was gone. And here was Mira. With all those painful memories. Tara hiccupped again and pulledContinue reading “4E 202 – The Return of Mira”