#ardening services

[vfms]

An aesthetically designed garden or courtyard greatly augments the appearance of the property, which would help create a good impression for the clients and visitors. Think of a beautiful lawn filled with gorgeous flowers that are not only pleasing to the eye but also provide your workspace with a rejuvenating environment. We offer professional landscaping services to design and maintain such a space, enhancing its beauty and functionality.

[daniellandscaperssydney]

What type of landscaping or gardening service are you looking for?Gardening & Maintenance Service in Sydney

[neathbound-fiends]

Seeing someone else's OC with my name is so funny

[weirdmixofweirdness]

My dad called the drive through lady at McDonald’s a dumb bitch and I wanted to punch him right in the face.

[business4u]

Long-distance Moving Service in Fletcher

For reliable Long-distance Moving Service in Fletcher NC, we offer a complete package including packing, transportation, and delivery. Whether you're relocating to a nearby state or across the country, our experienced team ensures your belongings arrive safely. We take the stress out of long-distance moves with timely and professional service.

[eleganceeventsdesigns]

Unleashing Excellence: Choosing the Best Event Management Service in Anoka

Planning and executing a successful event requires meticulous organization, creative vision, and impeccable execution. From corporate conferences and trade shows to weddings and social gatherings, the process can be overwhelming without the right expertise. That's where professional event management services come into play. This blog will explore the significance of hiring the best event management service in Anoka and how they can elevate your events to new heights.

Expertise and Experience

Professional event management services bring a wealth of expertise and experience to the table. They have a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in planning and executing various types of events. Their seasoned professionals are well-versed in designing event concepts, managing budgets, coordinating logistics, and ensuring a smooth flow of operations from start to finish.

These experts have honed their skills through years of experience in the industry, acquiring valuable knowledge and best practices along the way. They keep themselves updated with the latest trends, technologies, and event management techniques, ensuring that your event is at the forefront of innovation and creativity.

End-to-End Event Planning

One of the key advantages of professional event management services is their ability to handle every aspect of event planning, from conceptualization to post-event analysis. They work closely with you to understand your objectives, target audience, and desired outcomes. Based on this information, they craft a comprehensive event plan that encompasses all the necessary elements, including venue selection, theme development, catering, audio-visual setup, entertainment, and marketing strategies.

The event management team takes care of all the logistical details, ensuring that every aspect is executed flawlessly. They coordinate with vendors, manage timelines, and oversee the setup and breakdown of the event. With their attention to detail, they ensure that all elements are harmoniously synchronized, leaving you free to focus on networking, engaging with attendees, or simply enjoying the event.

Cost-Effectiveness and Vendor Management Contrary to popular belief, hiring a professional event management service can be cost-effective in the long run. Experts of best event management Company in Arden Hills have established relationships with vendors, suppliers, and industry professionals, allowing them to negotiate competitive prices and secure discounts on your behalf. They are well-versed in budget management, strategically allocating funds to maximize your investment return.

[specialagentartemis]

Coming skidding in just under the wire for @boombox-fuckboy’s Fiction Podcast Zine September!

This was an idea I had since the zine event was announced, but it felt very personal and I didn’t quite know how to go about making it. But I did want to reflect on what fiction podcasts have Meant To Me. And my delicate emotional state during 2020, lol.

Plain text transcription:

Cover: The Podcasts That Got Me Through COVID Lockdown.

Spread 1: In 2020, I was part of the lockdown contingent. [Drawing of a house] I chose a Masters Degree project I could do from my parents' basement, 2000 miles away from my university. I attended my MA graduation ceremony on Zoom in my dining room.

The loneliness and disconnection in ars PARADOXICA spoke to me. I recognized myself in Sally Grissom: asexual, of course; lonely; throwing myself into my research; clinging to friends far away. [A drawing of a brown-haired woman in a blue sweater, hunched over, writing.]

(I cried over Sally Grissom in the park.)

Spread 2: I lived - and locked down - in Metro Boston: not Boston proper, but close enough. I would go for a walk every morning, and the familiar Boston skyline greeted me. [Drawing of the Boston skyline including iconic buildings like the Prudential Center and the John Hancock Building.]

During this time, when my whole world shrank to a few blocks around my house and the park down the road, Greater Boston made me feel connected to the city, to the diversity of it, to the places so familiar to me, to my home.

(I cried over Michael's letters in the park.)

Spread 3: The comedy and tragedy, the surrealism and all-too-real groundedness of Arden [drawing of a blood splatter and a magnifying glass] took me on an emotional journey through just about every feeling there is, some of them really intense. [Drawing of a house on fire.]

But even the normal parts - going to work, parties, air travel - felt distant and surreal, and the ridiculous parody subscription service ads felt way too real. [Drawing of a box with a pair of green socks in it, a reference to a classic Arden ad.]

(When Brenda mentioned going out to a bar with coworkers for drinks after work, I cried. In the park.)

Back: Thank you to podcasts

for making me feel seen and understood,

making me feel connected and grounded,

and giving me an outlet for my feelings

during that insane and hectic and scary year.

[bloodibambiidoll]

ARDEENNN WHATRT THE HEEELLLL!!!😩😵‍💫

HOLY FUUUUUU😩😩😩😩😩

Delicious

Sheet gripping

Orgasm worthy

I love you.

Here’s a Steve Thot: The first time you give Steve a blowjob he’s lying on his back losing his mind. He’s never had a blowjob like the one you’re giving him right now, it’s spitty and sloppy and messy and you’re giving his balls attention. He’s making these cute little whimpering and groaning sounds and his back is arching of the bed and he can’t even think straight and neither can I now.😩😵‍💫

(Just been in the mood to make Steve sob, ya know?)

DOLLY!!!!! HELP ME! WHAT THE HELL.

Steve Harrington x Fem!Reader Smut

tw// smut, ball play, spit, dirty talk, ect. minors fuck away from this or I’ll swing! thanks for reading, feedback is always appreciated!

You’re pressing down on his hips to try and hold him in place. It’s no use though, he’s much stronger than you and keeps fucking up into your mouth, causing you to gag around him.

Steve moans like a porn star, it sends shockwaves through your body every time you listen to him. Dirty words slipping out of his mouth almost thoughtlessly, as he lays back, looking like a fucked out mess.

“F-fuck baby, your mouth makes the perfect cock sleeve. It’s so warm and wet, holy shit baby.” He’s whining, pulling your hair into his fist and pushing you as far down as he can get you to go.

At this point he doesn’t even pay attention to anything but the feeling of your throat constricting around him, your lack of oxygen is only a turn on for you as your drool runs down around his shaft, and to his balls.

He loses the sanity he did have left when you wrap your hand around his balls, squeezing them and rubbing them letting your spit coat them. Normally he can last a long time, but as soon as you pay any attention to his balls he’s cumming down your throat, moaning like a feral animal.

[d-criss-news]

stephentrask: Back in the pink with Darren Criss after he killed it (as usual) in the mind-blowing “Maybe Happy Ending!”

I’m going to try and share my thoughts on this show tomorrow but the short version is this is one of the most extraordinary musicals I’ve ever seen. Michael Arden is a visionary. Every element, whether over the top (set design 🤯) or subtle as fuck (Clint Ramos weaves a narrative with weft, warp, and starch), is in the of service of story telling before anything else. The score was just brilliant. Bravo to the whole production. @ maybehappyending @clintramos @ michaelarden @ darrencriss

#broadway #musicaltheatre #musicals

* Last 2 photos and video via his story

[skyfullofpods]

Random Podcast Recommendations Mega-List Part 1!

Updated: 07/12/23

Collected here in part 1 because tumblr has a limit of 100 links per post of my alphabetical list are the fiction podcasts from A-M I've recommended so far for my random podcast recommendations! Part 2 is here

A A Ninth World Journal Afflicted Aishi Online Alba Salix Among the Stars and Bones Apollyon Arden ars PARADOXICA

B Back Again, Back Again The Ballad of Anne & Mary The Beacon Believer Black Friday Breaker Whiskey The Bright Sessions

C CARAVAN Chaika Chain of Being Civilized Coexistence Come On In, The Water's Fine Copperheart Counterbalance

D Death by Dying Desert Skies Desperado Diary of a Space Archivist Dining in the Void Directive Do You Copy Dos: After You Down

E The Earth Collective Elaine’s Cooking for the Soul Electromancy The End of Time and Other Bothers Ethics Town Exoplanetary Everything is Alive

F Falling Forward Fan Wars: The Empire Claps Back The Far Meridian Fireside Folktales Folxlore Forgive Me!

G Gay Future Georgie Romero Is Done For Girl in Space The Goblet Wire Gone Great & Terrible Greater Boston Greenhouse

H Hallway to Nowhere Hand in Glove Harlem Queen Hauntingly Humdrum Hello From the Hallowoods Hi Nay Hit the Bricks Human Error

I Immunities InCo Inhale Inn Between In Transit

J Janus Descending Jar of Rebuke Joy to the World Jupiter Saloon

K Kalila Stormfire's Economical Magick Services Kane and Feels Keep It Steady The Kingmaker Histories

L The Last Echoes Less is Morgue Liars & Leeches Life On Pause Light Hearts LIMBO Lost Terminal Love and Luck

M Margaret's Garden Margaritas & Donuts The McIlwraith Statements Me and AU Mercury: A Broadcast of Hope Meteor City Middle:Below Moonbase Theta, Out

[azzyangelfish]

Eyes Like An Angel

By: azzyangelfish

Read it, or don’t…idk I hope you like it :3

Eyes are the windows to the soul. At least that’s how Christian remembered the saying. It didn’t make much sense to him when he had first read it, how could someone’s irises and pupils show a clear picture of who they were? That didn’t make any sense. Until he met him.

The wedding reception was simple but elegant, with a buffet-style food service, plenty of seating, the cake in the center of the dining room, and a large dance floor complete with a DJ setup.

Christian hadn’t had the time to say hello to anyone besides the pack before the ceremony, as he had been helping the mates get ready. However, now that the reception was underway he had started to mingle with the other guests. The first person he met was a girl who looked to be in her early twenties. Her jet-black hair was braided into a neat bun with gold jewelry that complimented her navy blue dress. What took Christian back was her eyes. Behind the golden frames of her glasses were her dark brown, nearly black, eyes. Despite their dark colour, Christian couldn’t help but feel as though he was being pierced by her gaze.

“Hello! You must be a member of the Shaw Pack?” Her voice was soft but sweet, holding her hand out for Christian to shake.”Oh, hi, yes I am. My name is Christian. And you are?” He took her hand and shook it, noticing how easygoing she was. “Nice to meet you, I’m Griffin, that’s my older sibling.” Griffin gestures to Angel who is currently talking to Arden. Christian was taken aback for only a moment before really taking a closer look. He realizes that, while they may not look identical, one thing remains the same between the two siblings. Their eyes.

Angel’s eyes weren’t quite the same colour as Griffin's, but the sharpness of their gazes remained the same. Christian knew that Angel was a middle child but he had never actually met either of their siblings. “Nice to meet you. I wasn’t aware that any of their family members were informed.” Christian mentioned casually, generally curious but not wanting to sound nosey. Griffin giggled softly and leaned against the table behind her, “Yeah, actually both myself and my brother are informed. I’m informed because of an incident that happened when I was younger. The Department couldn’t safely wipe my memories so I was just given informed status. I’m a paramedic back home. It's a cornerstone city like Dahlia so I deal with both empowered and unempowered people.” She says while taking a sip of her drink. Christian nodded softly, and, despite being his nosey self, decided to refrain from asking questions about whatever incident had led to her being given informed status.

Just as Christian was about to ask something, Arden came by. “I see you met Chrissy.” She teased and Christian rolled his eyes. Griffin smiled and a little bit of blush dusted her cheekbones. “Guess so, and you are?” The unempowered girl had shifted her gaze to Arden and it seemed as though Arden had no issues with that. Deciding to leave the two, very clearly flirty, pair alone, Christian made his way to the bar.

It was an open bar, and it wasn’t super busy at the moment. While waiting for his drink, Christian glanced around the room. Asher and his mate were sitting with Tank and Sam, seemingly chatting. Milo and Stealth were engaged in an expressive conversation with a few of the Keyton Pack members. Gregory Keyton was talking to Angel, who was laughing while David appeared to be blushing beside them. It was nice to see the pack not only together, but also to see them celebrating such a momentous occasion for the pack.

“Is this seat taken?” A low, smooth voice asked which startled Christian out of his thoughts. ‘Oh uh no.” The shifter turned around to see who he was talking to and locked eyes with a man who just so happened to have the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. The man smiled, his eyes crinkling in the corners as he did. He had on a navy blue suit with a navy blue tie to match. “Do you mind if I sit here?” He asked, his voice was deep but not at all gravely. Christian just shook his head and shuffled over. The man smiled again and sat down. He looked about Christian’s age, maybe a year or two older, with dark brown hair slightly bleached in some places, and hazel eyes that Christian swore looked bronze.

“Wonderful, thank you. My name’s Declan by the way. You are?” Christian felt the tips of his ears turn red. Why is this guy flustering him so much? “I’m Christain, uh, I’m a member of the Shaw Pack.” He said and looked back to Declan who nodded. “Ah, my younger sibling is your alpha’s mate.” The dots suddenly clicked for Christian. That entire family must all have that same piercing gaze, but Declan’s was weirdly comforting. To Christian, it felt like Declan was giving him a warm hug with just one look. “Oh, you’re their older brother? Also informed from what Griffin said?” Christian asked, to which Declan nodded and smiled once again. “Yep that’s me, and yes, also informed. I’m a SAR technician, I work with a few wolf shifters.” Christian nodded again, he wanted to keep talking to Declan. Christian felt his core thrum with energy every time that Declan talked and he felt happier than he had in a while.

“Are you here with anyone?” Declan asked before Christian could. The shifter shook his head and took a sip of his drink. “No, I’m by myself. Are you?” Christian asked and looked at the other man. He hoped that the answer was no. Declan shook his head. “Nah, I’m on my own too. Although everyone has been very welcoming.” He added and looked back at Christian, “Sorry if this is too forward, but can I just say that you have a beautiful smile?” Christian felt a blush spreading across his cheeks and he smiled bashfully. “No, it’s not too forward at all! Um, you have pretty eyes…they’re kind of like an angel.” It was Declan’s turn to blush but he moved a bit closer to Christian and leaned down a bit so that they were at eye-level. “Well, aren’t you sweet? Would you like to dance with me?” He asked while looking up to see that people had started heading to the dance floor. Christian blushed but nodded a bit more vigorously than he meant to. “Yes please, I would love to.” Declan smiled and took his hand, pulling Christian to his feet and leading him over to the dance floor.

The songs were a mix of slow dances and more upbeat dance music. Declan stood at just about half a foot taller than Christian, and he gently guided the pair through the first few dances. For the remainder of the reception, Christian was either dancing with Declan or talking to other guests with Declan at his side. By the end of the night, he had his number and a promise of a date later that week.

“So I’ll see you on Thursday then?” Declan asked while handing Christian his phone back after typing in his number. Christian nodded and blushed as Declan’s hand brushed against his. “Yeah, Thursday at Max’s” Christian confirmed and slipped his phone back in his pocket. Declan smiled and held Christain’s hand in his own, squeezing it gently. “See you then, love.” He said before giving his hand one last squeeze and heading out the door.

Christian stood there with a stupid grin on his face until Asher found him. “Oh, there you are Chris-whoa!” The beta looked quizzically at Christian. “Dude, are you ok? Why are you smiling so hard? Also who were you with all night?” Christian rolled his eyes but couldn’t wipe the grin off his face. “I got a date with Declan.” Asher’s jaw dropped. “You got a date with our alpha-mate’s older brother!?!?” Angel, who heard this, peaked around the corner and grinned. “Arden got a date with my sister!”

[samanthahirr]

007 Fest 2024 Intro Post

Well, I got here at a quarter to 9 for my meeting with Bill Tanner—the chief of staff's my main point of contact. And quite a good friend, really, since I've been servicing EPS's contract for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office here for the last three years, and…oh, sorry, I'm Bethany Arden, the EPS facilities manager for MI6's Vauxhall headquarters. You could say I know every inch of this building—because I do! From the physical-security perimeter barriers outside to every air vent and water pipe, there's no structural detail too small for my blueprints.

And today, I came bearing great news! The FCDO finally approved a budget for a much-needed refresh of the furnishings. Listen, can I be honest for a moment? I love this building to bits, but it's one of the ugliest in my portfolio by far, strictly on an interior design basis. You have to agree, this place's design aesthetic should have been buried along with Margaret Thatcher—all that walnut wainscoting and brown leather upholstery, ugh. Hardly the modern, agile look and feel you want to project to important visitors, is it?

Speaking of agile, you should see the new ergonomic chair designs in my supplier's 2024 catalogue. They've also got some surprisingly affordable standing desks that raise and lower with the press of a button—who says you can't be Equality Act-compliant and still be stylish, eh?

So, as I was saying, I arrived early, lugging this far-too-heavy-for-me tote bag of fabric and paint swatches…oh, could you? That's so kind, thank you. And I confess my nose was buried in another catalogue, bookmarking new seating units that might replace those dreadfully uncomfortable plaid numbers in the lobby, so I didn't even notice Doris at the front desk was asleep at her post for a whole five minutes. I mean, I did think it odd that Bill didn't answer my text right away; he's always appreciative of punctuality. But then someone started screaming down the hall, and when I finally looked around I spotted Doris, and those two guards passed out in the corner, and��

Well. Looks like I'll be rescheduling my meeting. Once all of this is…sorted. But don't you think we ought to call emergency services? Surely some outside help will straighten this out. No? Oh. Oh, I suppose you're right. Well, all hands on deck, as they say. I'm happy to help however I can.

Just, um, one more thing. Has anyone seen Bill?

~

Hi all, I'm samanthahirr aka Sam, and I'm so looking forward to my third 007 Fest for the @mi6-cafe! I'm on Station Atlantic, and I bring fic-writing, moodboard-dabbling, and enthusiastic-commenting skills to the team!

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🌈 Queer Books Coming Out in February 2024

🌈 Good afternoon, my bookish bats! Struggling to keep up with all the amazing queer books coming out this month? Here are a FEW of the stunning, diverse queer books you can add to your TBR before the year is over. Remember to #readqueerallyear! Happy reading!

❤️ We Ate the Dark by Mallory Pearson 🧡 The Paper Boys by D.P. Clarence 💛 Skater Boy by Anthony Nerada 💚 Your Shadow Half Remains by Sunny Moraine 💙 A Vicious Game by Melissa Blair 💜 Clarion Call by Cayla Fay ❤️ Relit: 16 Latinx Remixes of Classic Stories edited by Sandra Proudman 🧡 The Absinthe Underground by Jamie Pacton 💛 Truthfully, Yours by Caden Armstrong 💙 Outsider by Jade du Preez 💜 Cross My Candy Heart by A.C. Thomas 🌈 The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

❤️ An Education in Malice by S. T. Gibson 🧡 The Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles by Malka Ann Older 💛 Never a Bridesmaid by Spencer Greene 💚 The Rewind by Nicole Stiling 💙 Good Christian Girls by Elizabeth Bradshaw 💜 The Fox Maidens by Robin Ha ❤️ The Terrible by Tessa Crowley 🧡 Blood Rage by Ileandra Young 💛 Call of the Sea by Emily B. Rose 💙 Sign Me Up by C.H. Williams 💜 Ways and Means by Daniel Lefferts 🌈 Peaceful in the Dark by A.A. Fairview

❤️ We Are Only Ghosts by Jeffrey L. Richards 🧡 Dead Ringer by Robyn Nyx 💛 Somacultural Liberation by Dr. Roger Kuhn 💚 Stormbringer by Erinn Harper 💙 A Saga of Shields & Shadows by A.J. Shirley 💜 Ghost Town by R.E. Ward ❤️ I Heard Her Call My Name by Lucy Sante 🧡 The Night Alphabet by Joelle Taylor 💛 Remedial Magic by Melissa Marr 💙 Bloom by N.R. Walker 💜 Entwined by Alex Alberto 🌈 Queer Newark edited by Whitney Strub

❤️ Tristan by Jesse Roman 🧡 How to Live Free in a Dangerous World by Shayla Lawson 💛 Daniel, Deconstructed by James Ramos 💚 Of Socialites & Prizefights by Arden Powell 💙 Lost Harbor by Kimberly Cooper Griffin 💜 Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair by Laura Piper Lee ❤️ Bunt! Striking Out on Financial Aid by Ngozi Ukazu & Mad Rupert 🧡 How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly 💛 Blackmailer’s Delight by David Lawrence 💙 Tile M for Murder by Felicia Carparelli 💜 Impulse Buy by Jae 🌈 Live for You, Die With You by Kalob Dàniel

❤️ Fairest of All by A.D. Ellis 🧡 Goddess of the Sea by Britney Jackson 💛 A Taste of Earth by Nico Silver 💚 The Moorings of Mackerel Sky by M.Z. Emily Zack 💙 How the Boogeyman Became a Poet by Tony Keith 💜 V is for Valentine by Thomas Grant Bruso ❤️ Crushed Ice by Ashlyn Kane & Morgan James 🧡 When Tomorrow Comes by D. Jackson Leigh 💛 Bugsy & Other Stories by Rafael Frumkin 💙 The White and Blue Between Us by Kiyuhiko 💜 Guide Us Home by CF Frizzell & Jesse J. Thoma 🌈 The Friendship Study by Ruby Barrett

❤️ Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender 🧡 Heart2Heart edited by Annabeth Albert 💛 No Time Like Now by Naz Kutub 💚 Bless the Blood by Walela Nehanda 💙 Vengeance Planning for Amateurs by Lee Winter 💜 Who We Are in Real Life by Victoria Koops ❤️ Prove It by Stephanie Hoyt 🧡 Mewing by Chloe Spencer 💛 Awakenings by Claudie Arseneault 💙 Born of Scourge by S. Jean 💜 Disciples of Chaos by M.K. Lobb 🌈 To Cage a God by Elizabeth May

❤️ Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly 🧡 What Feasts At Night by T. Kingfisher 💛 You Had Me at Merlot by Melissa Brayden 💚 Turning Point by Cathy Dunnell 💙 For the Stolen Fates by Gwendolyn Clare 💜 Season of Eclipse by Terry Wolverton ❤️ These Haunted Hills by Jana Denardo 🧡 Samson & Domingo by Gume Laurel III 💛 Lies that Bind by Rae Knowles & April Yates 💙 We Got the Beat by Jenna Miller 💜 The Diablo's Curse by Gabe Cole Novoa 🌈 Blessings by Chukwuebuka Ibeh

❤️ Out There by Iris Eliot 🧡 At Her Service by Amy Spalding 💛 Green Dot by Madeleine Gray

[vacantgodling]

RED DEATH & THE ORACLE'S FAVOR

Red pressed her face to the table, hiding her eyes. “I have no money to offer you, nor children to sell. I have no clothes other than those bloodied on my back. No riches, nor connections can this deal between us bring. But I do have myself, and any services you ask of me.” The Oracle pondered her brazen request, and smiled to himself at her earnestness without jest. Her head he raised with a kind hand, cupping her chin beneath his palm. “Raise your head, sweet Red, no need to grovel just yet. The night wanes to the hours, young. Come, I will give you lodgings for the night, and then in the marrow, our deal, we shall strike.”

Red like blood, that’s what she named herself. Red like death. 

All seek The Red Death for the howls of her moon scythe to fall down upon their enemies, like the jaws of a wolf on innocent sheep. Just as the jaws of The Wolf Queen close upon even the furthest reaches of this land and has spiraled this country into a seemingly endless ruin.

The vendetta Red has against The Wolf Queen is personal: she is responsible for the kidnapping of her elder sister, Iole. For years, Red has been scouring the land high and low, under rock and hill, to find her beloved kin. Her reputation grew from desperation; burdened with this curse that stole Iole’s life and their childhood away from them. Yet, this curse is her only hope of salvaging it. 

For sustenance, she kills. Shelter, she forgoes. She will not rest until Iole is safe with her once more. 

But she is running out of time and she has exhausted all options. A stroke of luck leads her to another cursed one such as herself, The Oracle; a young man named Hel. The man who knows everything if asked the question, yet he says nothing if not offered a worthy bargain. It is with him that Red strikes her final deal: they will traverse these war battered lands to find and protect The Hidden Prince, who will free this land from The Wolf Queen’s maw. And if she succeeds... The Oracle will give her the knowledge she seeks.

• • • Further Details

Inspiration(s): The folktale Snow White and Rose Red, Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) - but redone because it had such wasted potential, and general fairytale tropes

POV: third person omniscient with a folk tale, singsong cadence.

Themes: overcoming grief, childhood trauma, curses as blessings and blessings as curses, political power struggles, someone is haunting the narrative

TW(s): death, gore, body horror, mentions of child abuse and of SA

Features: all queer & all black cast, neurodivergency of many kinds, atypical romantic/qp relationships

main tag: s: red and hel / s: rdof <- main tag now but older posts are under red and hel

• • • Main Cast

ROSMARIN / RED (The Red Death) -> she/her, aro/grayace

HEL (The Oracle) -> he/him, mspec gay & poly

ARDEN (The Hidden Prince) -> he/him, straight (?)

IOLE (The Innocent) -> she/her

THE WOLF QUEEN (The Scourge) -> any pronouns though people tend to use feminine due to being the "Queen"

[sjsmith56]

The Flame Burns From Within, Part 3 - The Abduction

Summary: After spending the night together, Lord Barnes and Lady Arden attend church for the third reading of the banns. Lord Pierce makes his move.

Length: 5.1 K

Characters: Lady Arden, Lord Barnes, Ser Anthony, Lady Stark, Lord Pierce, Father Bruce.

Warnings: Minors DNI - contains some sexual content which may be unsuitable for readers under the age of 18, desecration of a church, threats of violence against women and children.

Author notes: The image used in the banner above was found by a Google search on courtly love. It was attributed to several different artists but it appears to be an illustration of Tristan and Isolde by Marc Fishman. The divider is from vecteezy.com.

<<Part 2

Part 3 - The Abduction

Lady Arden

The first banns of my engagement with James were read at the church that following Sunday morning. I sat on the pew in between my aunt and uncle, for they were that in practice. Their affections for me were genuine as were mine of them. The fact we were not actually blood related made no difference, not when I had been part of their family for over 16 years. Several parishioners extended their best wishes on my upcoming marriage. Not all were as happy. The House of Walker, minus their son, John, who had been promoted as a potential suitor, made it known to my uncle that they were sorely disappointed not to be given the opportunity to counter whatever dowry offer the House of Barnes had made. His answer to them was direct.

"There was never an offer I would entertain from your house that would entice me to accept John Walker as a suitable husband. I'm sure there are other families who would be thrilled to align themselves with your house. Perhaps you should approach them."

As my aunt, cousins, and I entered the carriage after the service, we drove past the head of House Walker, who watched us with hostility then with outright anger at my uncle as he rode his horse beside us. Two days later, a representative of the House of Pierce arrived, also to express their "dismay" at not being allowed to counter the dowry offer. He gave the man the same answer.

"Don't go riding in the forest, Arden," said my uncle, after that man had left. "Don't go riding at all. There have been reports of several different heavily armed parties seen there. If they want to kidnap you that's where they would do it."

I listened to him as I had the same sense of impending trouble that he admitted to. Something was coming and without the presence of my husband and his forces, any excursion from the castle would be dangerous. I found myself thinking often of the brief time I had with James before he left, realizing he had been truthful with me in conceding our initial betrothal had been for strategic reasons. His confession that the brief meeting we had in the library prior to our formal introduction had awakened the stirrings of love within him had touched me in a way I wasn't expecting. The longing I developed for another tryst with him was almost more than I could bear.

My mother's ring that was placed on my finger during the wedding ceremony was kept behind the hidden panel in my bedchamber. I wanted to wear it on a chain but the chances of it being seen in church made it too dangerous to risk. On the second Sunday after my secret wedding, the banns were read again. This time, my uncle's men accompanied us to and from church, riding alongside the carriage.

The following day, we had word from the Citadel. The king was no longer besieged by a hostile force as they suddenly withdrew, leaving in the dark of night. With other houses willing to support the king's force in maintaining watch against another strike, James outlined his intent to come to my uncle's castle before the banns were read the third time. The day before his arrival, the Houses of Pierce, Rumlow and Walker made their move, surrounding my uncle's castle. With the gates closed and the drawbridge up, it was a stand off. They couldn't come in, but we couldn't leave. Fortunately, for us, an allied house sent a rider to the Citadel, alerting James to the siege. His force arrived early in the evening before the third Sunday, when the final reading of the banns would take place. My uncle and his men stood watch from the battlements, ready to aid Lord Barnes if the confrontation between his forces and the others evolved into battle. With my window open I could hear most of the communication between the three forces.

"You will disperse," said my uncle, presumably to the assembled men of Pierce, Rumlow and Walker. "The agreement has been signed; the third reading of the banns is on the morrow. Lady Arden will marry Lord Barnes."

"We object to the marriage," said a voice I recognized as Lord Pierce. "You have never negotiated in good faith with my house, or the House of Rumlow or Walker."

"On the contrary. I listened to your offers and didn't accept them. According to the laws of the land, your objection on that basis is not valid. Now leave, so I can receive my niece's intended husband."

"Why him?" asked the voice of John Walker.

I recognized it at once as I always thought it had a whining quality to it. Every time he greeted me at the chapel on holy days (the only time he made an appearance at church), it was as if he was begging me to notice him. His habit of ingratiating himself into a conversation was tiresome.

"Instead of you?" countered my uncle. "Perhaps because you have always allowed others to lead you around like a tame bull, content to be told where to go or what to do. Not once do I recall you thinking for yourself. My niece deserves better than that and Lord Barnes is a much better man than you."

It went on like that well into the evening. I didn't know how James could endure it, but apparently, he did. Everyone was waiting for someone to do something. I grew tired of it and went to my chambers. They could stay up the night and blather on, but I longed for sleep.

It seemed that I had barely closed my eyes when the sound of the door opening from the secret passage woke me. I sat up inside my curtained bed, listening to the rustlings of who was in my room. Reaching behind a hidden panel on the bed, I withdrew a dagger, kept there after the warning from my uncle about riding in the forest. As I perched on top of the bedclothes, fully intending to use the dagger against anyone who opened the curtains I heard a whisper.

"Arden? Are you awake, beloved?"

It was James. Somehow, he was inside the castle and now in my chamber. Pushing back the curtain on my side I saw him, visible in the light from the embers in the fireplace. Dropping the dagger, I ran to him, throwing my arms around his neck, while he enclosed me in his arms. Even against the chill of his chain mail hauberk I wasn't inclined to let him go, until he laughingly made me step back.

"Let me get this off," he said. "I've been in it all day and my shoulders are weary from carrying the weight."

"What happened?" I watched him almost effortlessly lift the heavy tunic made of mail over his head. "I didn't think they were inclined to allow you into the castle."

"They weren't," he replied. "Then a sizeable force of the King's Guard arrived with the Duke. He demanded that Pierce give up the men from his house that were amongst the sell swords that attacked the palace. He was forced to disavow his own men to avoid an all-out battle that would have drawn all the allied houses against his, Rumlow's and the Walker houses."

The chain mail hauberk was dropped onto the floor with an audible metallic thud. At once, he removed his clothes, standing before me again in all his natural glory. Stepping towards me, he bunched the bottom of my night chemise in his hands as he guided me back towards the bed. By the time we got to the wooden steps into the enclosure, the chemise was also on the floor and his hands were on my waist. He saw the glint of the dagger in the bedclothes and quirked an eyebrow.

"Is this the usual greeting I can expect from my wife?"

"I heard the sound of the door opening and assumed the worst," I replied, picking it up and placing it back in its hiding place. "Once I heard your voice I discarded it. How I have missed you."

His face softened. "Truly, you have?"

Laying back on the rumpled bedclothes, I held my hand out to him, inviting him into my bed. He kissed my hand, then climbed in so that he hovered over me, taking in all of me with admiration. There was no hesitation as I smoothed my hands over his chest, enticing him to resume that which was shortened by necessity just weeks ago.

"Truly, I have, my husband," I murmured. "Have you not missed me?"

"As much as I would miss the sun's warmth upon me," he answered, lowering himself to cover my body with his.

His weight upon me was comforting and brought that longing for our joining again, deep into my core. Clasping my hand within his larger one, he bent his head to my lips, offering his mouth to me, before exploring my neck and chest in a manner that stoked the fire within me.

"Sit atop me," he whispered, then rolled onto his back, while holding me, so that I sat astride him as if he were a horse.

Grasping himself with one hand, he groaned as I lowered myself onto his thickening member. It pierced me as surely as a spear would, but the pain was replaced by the satisfaction of being filled once more with my husband's ardour. All the whispered conversations of the woman servants in our castle, describing their trysts with their husbands or lovers suddenly came to mind as I realized that I should ride James as I would a horse. With his hands everywhere upon me I bounced on him and brought him to a state of worship, where he called out to all the gods who ever existed. What a feeling of power it was to know that I brought him to this point, by his own desire. Then he pressed his thumb against that most sensitive spot of my body, circling it in such a way that left no doubt that he wanted us to be as one when we reached our bliss.

When it was done, and I felt his hot seed inside me once more, his hands slid over my sweat soaked body, gently lifting me from his prick, before laying me beside him in the bed. Again, his mouth sought mine and we clung together in the reflections of our glory. It was so different a joining from the first time on our wedding night but just as memorable, for me, at least. I never wanted to be apart from him, ever again, and I said so, gasping it out as I caught my breath.

"Dearest Arden." His mouth rested against my cheek. "After the banns are read tomorrow, you will return to the Citadel with me, and we shall be married openly by the bishop there. Then no one can claim you for their house for you will formally be part of House Barnes."

We shared another union shortly after, just as satisfying as the first one had been, before James pulled the bedclothes over us, and we slept, his body draped over mine from behind. Just after dawn, by the light coming in from a window, a small precise knock on my main door woke me, and I called out to know who roused me. It was my maidservant, Alice, telling me that I must bathe before attending church. Beside me, James stirred and tried to draw me back into his arms.

"Send her away," he murmured. "I wish to enjoy my wife's attributes once more before I rise."

"Can we be seen together by the servants, James?"

I posed the question to him in a low voice, after I told Alice to wait. He groaned a little too loudly for my wellbeing then opened his eyes and ran his hand through my hair.

"No, to be safe, we must maintain secrecy about us. I will return to my assigned chambers, regretting once more that I left my wife alone in bed. At least, it will be the last time."

He kissed me again, then pulled his tunic on, before picking up his other clothing. I saw him to the door of the secret passage where we kissed again, then he disappeared through it and I pulled my night chemise on, followed by my robe. Running my hands through my hair to restore some semblance of order to it, I opened the door to Alice, who curtsied quickly, then assembled my clothing for church, laying it out on the dressing bench before escorting me to the bathing room. If Alice smelled the scent of James and I joining on me, she said nothing as she wrapped my hair up and helped me into the bath. She kept her tongue when she spied a mark on my breast, given to me in a moment of abandon. When she lowered her face close to my ear and suggested I use powder on my neck, I automatically raised my hand to it, wondering what mark was there.

"Beard burn, M'Lady," she whispered. "Understandable. I have some powder that will conceal it, so it is not visible when you are in the church."

"Thank you," I whispered, grateful for the suggestion.

The powder worked quite well, disguising the red marks on my neck. I held my head high when I descended the staircase, meeting my aunt, uncle, cousins, and husband in the great hall. I wore a cream coloured dress, trimmed in gold and a head covering that still allowed the length of my hair to be seen. It was clear that James appreciated my appearance, for his eyes were full of admiration.

There was no stopping for breakfast as we were fasting before church, since the Eucharist was to be shared on this day, a holy day. Instead, we prepared to depart. James and my uncle would ride their horses, along with a small, combined force of men, while us women and the children would ride in the carriage. There were no delays, or signs of anyone in the forest who may have had designs on us. We arrived at the church in good time, and waited while James and my uncle removed their swords and daggers, as the church did not allow the carrying of weapons inside. Handing his weapons to one of his soldiers in the Citadel's garrison, James spoke quietly with him before joining us in entering the narthex, where we were greeted by several members of friendly houses. There was no sign of anyone from the Pierce, Rumlow, or Walker houses. From the entrance we walked into the nave, to the pew at the front that the Stark family had used for generations.

At the arrival of the procession to begin the service, we stood and listened to the choir singing. Father Bruce blessed the congregation then stood before us all and waited for us to sit before he spoke.

"I publish the banns of marriage between Lord James Buchanan Barnes of the Parish of the Citadel and Lady Arden Worth, of this parish. If any of you know cause or just impediment why these persons should not be joined together in Holy Matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is for the third time of asking." There was no response, just as there hadn't been the previous two readings. "The requirements for the approval of this marriage have been satisfied and the Church approves the marriage between the two named parties. It may proceed at their discretion before 90 days have passed."

He then proceeded to begin the service and we sat through the readings before the Eucharist was prepared. As we stepped forward to receive the bread, we heard sounds of fighting outside the church. James and my uncle stared at each other briefly then looked at the several heads of the various houses also in attendance. As one, they moved to exit the church, where their men had their weapons at the ready. The clergy asked the women and children to come into the altar area, as it was supposed to be a sanctuary for all. As the sounds of the fighting increased in intensity, there was a crashing sound, and a side door was breached. Father Bruce stood in front of us, beseeching the intruders not to defile the church with violence but they knocked him on his head, and those of his clergy, sending them all to the ground, bleeding from their wounds. From outside, three armed men entered the side door, Lord Pierce, Ser Brock of the House of Rumlow, and John Walker. They strode to where we were, and Pierce looked directly at me.

"Take her," he said. "Take Stark's wife and children. Lord Barnes will not allow the innocent to be slaughtered."

"The Bishop will excommunicate you for this," said my aunt, challenging Pierce, as one of his sell swords came for her. "You will set a war in motion."

"That was my intention," he smirked. He looked me up and down, making me feel like he had all sorts of plans in mind for me. How I longed to have a sword in my hand and plunge it into his chest. "I object to the marriage between Lady Arden and Lord Barnes on the grounds that my offer for her was superior." He put his hand to his ear. "I hear no dissenting voices, so my challenge is approved."

"Pierce!" A yell from the narthex drew his attention. James was there, his sword and tunic bloody. "That is not a valid impediment, and you know it. You have defiled this holy sanctuary with your actions."

Pierce nodded at the sell sword who put a knife to the throat of Morgan Stark. "This child's life is forfeit if you insist on challenging me," he stated, darkly. "Give me Lady Arden and the Stark children will live. Fight me on this and all his children, his wife, and every other child here will be slaughtered. Their blood will be on your head as I offered you a reasonable alternative."

I could see that James was torn between protecting me and keeping the others safe from this evil man's threats, which he had every intention of carrying out. Morgan was shaking in fear, as were her sisters. My uncle and several other remaining men stumbled in behind James, forced at sword point. He was holding his side, injured. When he realized who was in immediate danger, he moved to charge into the men who held his family. James stopped him, whispered to him, and slowly Stark backed down.

"I wish a moment with Lady Arden," said James.

"Take two," smirked Pierce, nodding at his men to let me go to him.

As soon as I got to him, James sheathed his sword and held me in his arms, kissing me on the top of my head. I knew what he had to do and that it would be the hardest thing he ever did, letting me go.

"I have no choice but to allow him to take you," he murmured, squeezing me tighter against him. "The deaths of the innocents must be avoided."

"I know," I answered, looking up at him. "It will be alright. He won't harm me other than try to force me into marriage with one of his sons." I lowered my voice. "Is our marriage still to be kept secret?"

"You will be safer if he doesn't know but if you find yourself in a position where you must object to a marriage then announce it openly and loudly," answered James. He placed both hands on my face and gazed into my eyes. "I will find you even if I must search for a lifetime. This action in the church on a holy day will turn many of his supporters away from him. Even now, he is likely moving his house to another location, as are the Rumlows and Walkers. Their lands here may be forfeit."

"Then why do this?" I asked, trying to stave off tears. "Why am I so important that they would take this action?"

James smiled sadly at me, ready to tell me but Pierce became impatient and drew his sword.

"Well, Barnes? What is your decision?"

He kissed me again and spoke once more. "I will find you. I promise." He looked from me to Pierce. "I will kill you for this, every one of you and your sons. Your lands are already forfeit and your names are to be forever associated with treason."

"Lady Arden."

It was a command from Pierce to go to him. Reluctantly, I did so, and the sell swords removed their weapons from Stark's children. Placing themselves in front of the side door, they allowed Pierce, Rumlow, Walker and me to exit where a carriage awaited me. A sell sword held his hand out to me to enter the carriage and I looked him in the eye. Although my first instinct was to refuse his offer of help, there was something about him that was familiar, so I took it and allowed him to help me inside. I was now in the hands of the enemy.

Lord Barnes

If there had been no women and children inside the church, I would have gladly damned my soul and made those three pay for their actions. Even now, their force waited outside, taunting us in our helplessness as they blocked any chance we had to follow. We stood at the door and watched as Arden was helped into a closed carriage. My only hope for her was that Riley, one of my men who had successfully infiltrated the force of sell swords that were recruited in the past month, would be able to keep Arden safe and possibly send word to us of where they were going. He helped her into the carriage, then took his place beside the driver. I gave no sign that I recognized him. Rumlow gave him instructions, but they were too far away for me to hear the destination. Then the despicable man stepped back and the driver commanded the four horses to leave, along with a sizeable contingent of men. After the carriage disappeared from view I turned back towards where Pierce, Rumlow and Walker were mounted on their horses.

"If any harm comes to her ...."

Pierce smirked. "We know. You'll kill every one of us." He looked at the church as if he were making a decision then looked at the commander of his garrison, Rollins. "Burn it down. No one gets out alive."

I pulled my sword out to prevent them and was met by several other drawn swords and ready bows with arrows aimed at my heart. As the three principals rode in the same direction as the carriage, Rollins prepared a fire in the church yard, then lit the arrows meant to become agents of death. They were launched onto the wooden roof, then he lifted several pieces of the flaming wood from the fire and threw them through windows broken by his men. I could hear the cries behind me as panic set in amongst most of the women and children. The men inside were doing their best to usher them towards another door but were blocked by flames as the fire on the roof had already broken through.

When an arrow suddenly pierced Rollins back and came out through his front, he looked down at it in surprise before falling over. Others in that contingent felt the steel tips of arrows that were expertly targeted. Returning into the church I called for everyone to come out the side door where I had been. More of my men who had been left at Stark's castle to protect it, arrived, and immediately set up a brigade to fight the fire, setting up a long line towards the river, hauling buckets. It wasn't enough to save the church, but it was enough to provide time for everyone to get out, including the priests who were still groggy from being knocked out. Each of them did have enough sense to grab something valuable and clutched it to their fronts as they stumbled through the open door, coughing and retching from the smoke that filled the interior. My men continued to fight the fire until Father Bruce put his hands out and said a prayer then shook his head.

"Let it go," he said, sadly. "It's burning too hot to stop now." He looked at me with a sooty face, broken by tears that streamed down his cheek. "They are all damned. Excommunication will be the least of their worries. Tell me, why is Lady Arden so coveted by those men?"

I sighed, as much for the answer, as for the knowledge that even she didn't know as I hadn't told her the complete truth of her heritage.

"She is descended from King Arthur, from a daughter who was born to Guinevere after she entered a convent, and was raised with another family. In her body is the blood of the greatest king who ever lived. Our child is destined to marry the child of the future king, and together herald an age unlike any other."

"But Guinevere was an adulteress," he protested. "How do they know her child was his?"

"Because those who wrote the history of King Arthur didn't reveal it to protect the daughter." I looked at Ser Anthony, who nodded as he also knew. "Arthur forgave Guinevere for her adultery, and they reconciled before his death. Their daughter was raised through her godparents, who knew her heritage but kept it secret so that an unworthy man did not use her to become king. Pierce needs her bloodline to make a legitimate claim against the throne. You recognized the ring so you must know that her mother was his original target, but she was killed defending her husband with a sword that she wielded almost as well as a man. While that happened, Arden was smuggled to Ser Anthony and Pierce lost track of her, until she came of age, and he saw the resemblance between her and her mother. I waited too long to claim her. This is my fault."

"No," said Ser Anthony, who had been listening. "It is mine. I should have trusted that the betrothal document between your parents and hers was valid. But I loved her so much that I found it hard to trust any man, especially one as powerful as you. I knew that you were once close to Lord Pierce and couldn't believe that you were enemies until I heard of your falling out with him from a trusted source. Even then, I delayed in receiving you and your delegation. My pride has brought us to this point."

Father Bruce looked at us with sympathy. Trust was not easily formed, not between men of power. Even though Ser Anthony and I were not inclined to seek power for ourselves, we still had influence, enough for Lord Pierce to consider us a threat. A thought seemed to occur to Father Bruce as he looked sharply at me.

"A betrothal document," he stated. "You were already formally betrothed before I married you in the Stark chapel?"

I nodded. "Our parents arranged the betrothal when I was 11 years old, and Lady Arden was still a babe in swaddling clothes. The marriage wasn't to be formalized until she came of marrying age. Of course, when her parents were killed, and she was placed in Ser Anthony's care that didn't happen." I cast my eyes downward for a moment, not proud of my behaviour after that happened. "For a time, I rebelled against the idea of marrying someone unknown to me and instead sowed my wild oats during my travels."

As a man of the cloth, I could have expected Father Bruce to chastise me for not living in a godly manner, but he must have been a more worldly man than I knew for he said nothing about that admission.

"Then you have a prior claim to Lady Arden due to an arrangement between your parents. If the bishop of the time approved the betrothal, any challenge to it would be a matter of honour between you and the man issuing the challenge. The banns have been read but Pierce's challenge was not issued at the time of the third reading. His challenge is not valid and that means you have the right to respond to it. You do intend to raise a force against him, do you not?"

"I do, with the King's permission, although I suspect Pierce will take his allies with him and force a marriage upon Arden, using her as his rallying cry against the monarchy."

Father Bruce stood before me; his eyes bright. "You will need a man of the cloth with you, to hold services for your men, and to administer the last rites." He gestured back at the burning ruins. "I no longer have a church. The local peoples will have to travel further afield to receive God's word, but I am meant to be with you, as a witness to the readings of the banns, and as the celebrant of the marriage performed in secret that was approved by the Bishop."

"So, we are formally married in the eyes of the Church?" I asked, as he had not informed me of the approval. "Why did you not say anything?"

"Because the Bishop was willing to let it go through the normal channels, hoping that it would mean less bloodshed. I don't think even he contemplated that Lord Pierce would do this. All the more reason why I should be part of your army now."

It was an offer made from the priest's heart and I accepted it. As he and Ser Anthony would inform the bishop of the attack and destruction of the church, I would return to the Citadel, assemble my army, and track the forces of Pierce, Rumlow and Walker. They would pay dearly for taking my wife, threatening the lives of innocents, and for the desecration of the church. This was war.

Part 4>>

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[fiannans]

After playing Veilguard, I had to change my Crow Rook’s character and background a bit from how I’d originally envisioned her to fit more with how Rook is presented in game, but I’ve grown to love this slightly edited, final version of her.

Arden “Rook” de Riva was born in the Free Marches to a poor peasant family and ran away from home when she was nine years old to escape her violent stepfather, who regularly whipped and beat her at the smallest excuse. She stowed away on a merchant ship bound for Antiva (she’d been aiming for Ferelden, having always dreamed of having her own fearsome mabari war hound, but anywhere was better than returning home) which eventually docked in Treviso.

After slipping away from the ship, she spent several weeks living on the streets, sleeping in alleys and under bridges and subsisting on whatever she managed to scavenge or steal, until the day she met Viago.

In a moment of foolishness borne of hunger and desperation, Arden tried to pick his pocket, unaware that the young man with the dour expression was one of the famed Antivan Crows. Viago caught her in the act, but instead of giving her a beating and tossing her into the canals as she expected him to, he offered her a home and a job with House de Riva, if she could handle the notoriously punishing Crow training.

(For the first few weeks of their acquaintance, Viago and the other Crows/fledglings all believed Arden was a boy; she cut her hair short when she ran away from home and dressed in boy’s clothing, knowing it was safer to pass herself off as a boy than a young girl on her own.)

Her magic manifested fairly late, at puberty, and House de Riva arranged for her to receive training in how to control and use it in service of the Crows, in addition to her regular training in anatomy, acrobatics, stealth, weapons (daggers were her favourite, the pointier the better) and poisons.

Viago calls her “idiot” more often than her actual name (sometimes affectionately, sometimes less affectionately...like when she’s done something particularly stupid, such as her well-meaning but impulsive stunt with the Antaam) and regards her as something akin to an exasperating younger sister, though he trusts her more than any of his real half-siblings. In fact, in spite of her annoying habit of acting without thinking, he trusts her more than anyone, except Teia.

For Arden, Viago is the closest thing she has left to family...until Lucanis and Davrin and the others come into her life.

Despite living in Antiva for the better part of twenty years and speaking the language fluently, she never picked up the accent, though a distinctly Antivan inflection can be heard in her voice sometimes, especially when she pronounces certain words. Viago finds it useful and convenient when they have a contract for a particularly skittish target, because most people wouldn’t naturally mark or suspect her of being an Antivan Crow.

The first person she ever slept with was a target; she seduced him with sweet words, shy glances and poisoned wine. Viago trained her well.