scotland
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Snow and ice dripped from thatch eaves, creating slick, muddy tracks in the melt. Rodney’s birlinn docked on the second day of frost break. Thin sheets of ice dances around the hull, squeaking a thin tune over the thunk of wood and slap of rope. Gulls cried in a clear morning, greeting a pale pink…
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I’m so sorry, Fearchar, Seonaid. I’m out of practice. I – I – “Wha’ di’ye mean White Horse a’ the Fyskar clan? Ye’re man, nae beast. Tradition died out centuries ago. None a’ the clans claim the land tha’ way. A disgustin’ myth told in dark corners.” Fearchar cut off the apology.
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Seonaid and Fearchar’s heads spun into the inky blackness. “Ye bloody well could’a died, ye eejit!” Fearchar screamed at his employer. Eoin snorted. “You think that was a one-time occurrence.” He smiled sardonically.
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Eoin sat at a well-lit desk overlooking a sunny courtyard. A variety of apothecary materials, flasks, burners, droppers lay scattered across it’s polished surface. A mortar and pestle stood unused at the far end of the table. Eoin faced into the sun-filled room, back resting against the table edge to push the tension from his…
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Eoin released Seonaid and Fearchar. His head throbbed behind his temples, and his stomach made to greet the back of his mouth. His hearing turned fuzzy, his vision tunnelling. He collapsed face-first onto the floor between the two. They looked down at him then to each other. Eoin ground his teeth with frustration and horror.…
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“Arash died in his sleep last night, father,” a mild voice echoed in the void, the rich accent dripped into the darkness. “Have his assistant take up his position then, son,” a lower, scratchy voice snipped at the other. “Bahman was mortally wounded falling from a cliff not four nights past in reaching his family’s…
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“Seonaid! She’s beautiful!” Fearchar strolled in through the door with pride. His wife raised a skeptical eyebrow. Eoin snorted at the man’s enthrallment. “Have you finally taken up with Anna down the way?” she teased. “No one will ever replace you.” Fearchar reached for her, spinning her in the tight space until her skirts ballooned…
Chapel Orahamm 