Stellar

The day began like any other. It was a Friday, the end of the week. Until the afternoon arrived, and what we had been preparing for was set into motion. For my family, and those I knew, it was the beginning of something else entirely. Saying goodbye was tough, but those I said it to, I reminded myself, and them, that this wasn't forever. It wasn't an ending, because we were going to win. We had to. First, Araziah. I kissed him. I told him I loved him. I told him I

Thank you! There will be three more, on the same day of the week this was posted!

Thanks!

Chapter 21 is done -- the first part of the four part finale!

My waking moments on that Thursday morning were so memorable, so unique, that I had no doubt they would stay with me forever. The circumstances, who I was with, and what had happened -- it had all left an imprint on me as a person, that was too powerful to ever forget. To the right, cuddled against me: Sebby. To the left, arm draped casually over my stomach: Araziah. In the middle: me. It seemed I kept coming back to the disbelief at where I was and what was going on, but it was

Let it be said here that the main reason Sebby did not opt to do anything of this sort was because, firstly, he didn't even consider it as a viable possibility (as his reaction should indicate) and secondly, he was prepared to be the 'loser' in such a situation if Torsten were to not pick him. Araziah, on the other hand, was not intending himself to ever be in any kind of second place, so in the unforeseen outcome where Torsten refused to play favourites, his logic became 'better both of us than neither of us' and so he did what he had to, to get what he wanted. The curious thing here is that Sebby is going to be far more at ease within a triad than Araziah, because he is naturally a lover and a Romeo, with plenty of past experience to inform his judgement. Air dragons are also more gregarious, relatively speaking, than fire, and that affinity for diplomacy and charm make this highly unusual situation less complex for him to navigate. Conversely, Araziah is now going to have to be much much more than just civil with Sebby -- he will have to share himself and cultivate genuine affection for someone he once wanted to kill. Doubly difficult for him given the inclinations for his type and the sort of tendencies he has by default, but ...Torsten is the lynch-pin, and a powerful motivation for Araziah to make it work.

Well, I am indeed aware of the origins of those words in the end comment, and they were chosen not only because it was literal -- here there actually be dragons -- but also because as a metaphor in this fiction, the contemporary existence of magic and the supernatural is unexplored and unknown to most of mankind and constitutes that dark space on the map of understanding. The blank space off the edge of the known world should rightfully be inscribed with those words and the iconography of fearsome winged beasts. Thank you!

Well, it's difficult for me to comment on what's coming up without spoiling it in some way. Perhaps all I can say right now is that the ending might not be quite what you expect -- though the most eagle-eyed and sharpest readers perhaps could have figured out what's coming. However, I suppose subverting expectations is the norm for me really, so at this point it might be unnecessary to say that's what I'm doing. Just be aware, there is a lot of misdirection going on here. I'll leave it at that! As always, thanks for reading.

The ongoing question of the avatar's identity has returned, with plenty of doubt shrouding it still. You can bet that this will be a problem for the Order and friends right to the end. Are you ascribing the three aspects of the fire god's faith into Sebby, Torsten, and Araziah's new 'relationship' (or whatever you want to call it thus far)? This a curious way to think about it and not entirely without some merit as a metaphor, although truth be told it's a theological thing for the fire dragons, sorta like the Holy Trinity in concept for them. You can imagine fire priests preaching to their kin about these three abstract 'parts' of their god and the importance held, and railing against the terrible heresy and blasphemy of the Tempest and her own priesthood. Oh, the joys of religion. Thanks for commenting! As always, I am glad you are enjoying it.

The office of the Grand Secretary was hidden in a maze of passages at the heart of the Northwood headquarters. The building complex housing it was extensive, the exterior lined with a plethora of magical traps and defensive enchantments, and on the approach Sebby could tell he was being tracked. It was an unusual feeling for him, though the protection of the Order's American command was of high importance, and such measures expected. He was ushered through by an aide to find Fineas Ridefort

20 is out!

I don't know where I suggested that, but the truth is the exact opposite. It is not a wyvern. It has six limbs -- four legs and two wings -- and is a full dragon, through and through. Indeed, who doesn't love yaoi? Like Lucy, I am something of an enthusiast.

All theories are equally valid, no matter how improbable, until explicitly ruled out by the changing circumstances of the plot. Assume away. As for suits of armour; being between red and white slices of dragon is about the most impenetrable sandwich you can make, though perhaps impenetrable is the wrong word to use? It's not much fun if you can't ... get right into it. Ahem.

There's plenty to consider here around the issues leading forward. We have in no particular order: Sebby's investigation of the Grey Prince and what Fineas Ridefort might know about it the precise conditions for the ritual of resurrection and how the Order might stop it the question of the Tempest's real intentions and how they relate to the origins of the war, and to the seer's prophetic powers, and what it means for loyal subjects like Viktor Araziah's ultimate purpose, and how he can both fulfill it and also resist the siren song of the dead god, which is the flip side of ... Torsten's role as the seer and what he must do with his abilities to help them win what exactly is out of place with the Fear, and why the Seventh House dragons are so concerned about it A lot to unpack, no? Plus, all the little tangential things of (apparent?) lesser importance; Lucy's resistance, the gauntlet and how it might be used, Torsten's skill with archery, whether or not Torsten will have a threesome as the filling in a dragon sandwich- ... uh, okay, that last one was jest -- OR WAS IT?!? -- but you get the idea. I am indeed the cruel dungeon master, arranging the board so the characters are trying their hardest to see what's going on, but it's all oh-so-murky. Yet, still, the pieces ARE there. The question is: what does it look like when you've sorted them all into a picture?

Well that IS quite a question, isn't it? You wouldn't normally think an air and fire dragon could co-exist in such a way, but ... well ... both Sebby and Araziah are NOT normal dragons. The regular possibilities are a bit expanded and so, a lot could happen. Thank you! Glad you're enjoying it.

Thank you so much! It's fair to say that the chapter end is particularly bad, but as you say, all is definitely not lost.

They do always seem that way! The over-confident villain is certainly a trope, though I can at least partially dodge that one here as my dragons -- and the fire type especially -- are extremely egotistic and arrogant creatures to begin with. Believing in their own inevitability is perfectly normal for them! Thanks for reading!

Chapter 19 of Spirit of Fire is here.

The sun had just begun to set when we left the citadel of the Seventh House. Fire was everywhere upon the heat-slagged ruin, the imposing silhouettes of the towers melting and beginning to collapse. The last glimpse I had as we flew away was of scattered flames, and the shape of a red dragon stark against the darkening sky, circling the abandoned fortress in his unforgiving wrath. Though nobody I personally knew was on the gunship that I was riding in, I was assured by the Order officer in c

Well, Araziah's anger was not directed at any particular remaining individuals -- all the Conclave's dragons had been killed, with the exception of Morvalzîr -- and so the Order and associated figures had easy chance to get out of his way. He was more making good on his promise to Kaia -- remember he told her that he would see her die and 'this place' destroyed. So here he is, destroying away in a fit of enraged pique because he was denied his real target. Curious statement about the Grey Prince. What makes you think there could be a coup happening? Apart from the ambiguity of Mordred's title, I suppose -- is there another reason? Do you suspect perhaps that he might not take the Fear and knowledge of the counter-incantation to his cousin and sire, and instead do something else with it?

Thank you for reading! I'm glad you're enjoying it

Torsten has not done anything magical himself. He has perceived magic; what was in Sebby's ring -- the enchantment that activated the lightning blade -- and in other objects, evident in his statement that the fire pit at the Orient Tower's base had a defensive magical enchantment of some sort on it, and the walls of the tower itself contained something magical that he thought has been added to fortify it. He can also 'see' the inherent magic in dragons, apparently, and while he didn't mention the sentinel fire dragon's signature, he definitely noticed the 'magical truth' within both Viktor and the enhanced Sebby. He has also used his power as the seer -- precognition -- though in a particularly human way, which is to say, by predicting enemy movement in battle through a direct visual analogue. On top of that, he has received more detailed information, such as what Xander was going to do, and that Lucy would die by immolation if she didn't immediately run. So ... has he performed any feats where he manipulates magic? No, not at all. Has he been the seer? Abso-fucking-lutely. He's done a brilliant job.

Thank you so much for your kind words. In a way, it made my day -- sometimes I get so little feedback of any sort after posting an enormous word-count chapter that it's frankly baffling and wearying when people have nothing to say or only the most brief uninformative remarks. So, again, thank you. It's great to hear positive comments from anyone, and doubly so from anyone who does take the time to know my work better. I sincerely appreciate it.

"Torsten? Torsten! Are you okay?" Lucy was shaking my arm, and I blinked, becoming properly aware of where we are again. "Did ... you do it? You went really pale there for a second." "Yeah." I looked down at myself, double-checking to see if there was any outward change after what I'd just experienced in the psychic link, but there wasn't. "I did it. I'm ready now -- as ready as I'll ever be, I guess -- but ... they're breaking her. She made me leave because ... she's ... she's going to ...

Character profiles, on all your favourite (and not-so-favourite) dragons! This one is definitely a spoiler if you haven't read all the way to chapter 18's finish, so if you want to keep it clean, I'd take care not to read further.