W_L

Don't get me wrong though a hot steamy locker room confrontation scene is glorious, with testosterone in the air, naked bodies, and a taste of team spirit along with homoerotic desires to make your opponents submit to you. There's a reason why sports-based gay male stories have worked for three thousand years, you just need to remember the primal urges that make that genre work.

Possibly a TV mini-series treatment would be better, but the ultimate issues that hold it back are the plot narrative and its reliance on the twist. One thing to consider about films like this is that you need a strong buildup and emotional attachment between its leads. I didn't find the relationship between Olive and Eispeth, Felix's mother, or his need to entice Venetia, Felix's sister, realistic emotionally and sexually. I can understand that Oliver may be sexually attracted to both genders, but on the other hand with his homosexuality being obsessive and consuming, his heterosexuality seemed calculating and impersonal. The movie lost me as there was no motivation for Oliver, except the thin class-struggle concept that the film tries to embody. Exploration of what relationships and what psychological drives motivate Oliver would have made it far more rewarding.

That's pretty true, it's hard to do gaslamp/flintlock or even general steampunk historical fiction without fantastical or sci-fi elements. Alt-history is possible of course in the genres, but you have to know your stuff to go down that rabbit hole. Harry Turtledove is my favorite of this genre, followed by authors like William Forstchen (His Rally Cry a part of the Lost Regiment series is a good alt-history story to be a companion to Harry Turtledove's Southern Victory series). For me @ReaderPaul, history fiction is a fun speculative "what-if". I like the background history of various individuals and technological breakthroughs, especially when you realize how dumb luck plays a role in major historical events. People chalk major events to divine intervention, ex. Martin Luther for instance said his decision to become a priest was due to being stuck in a lightning storm, then vowing to God he would become a priest if he survived. However, in context, he wasn't doing well as he was dropping out of law school, was doing poorly in classical studies at the university, and his father had spent a lot of money on his education as the eldest son. Along with the death of two friends around the time of the lightning storm, if you viewed these events in their totality, it was more a matter of someone reaching their mental and emotional limit than spontaneous divine revelation. However, that choice of career created a religious revolution in Europe, costing nearly a hundred million lives over a century and creating modern nation-states. What if he wasn't failing law or classical studies, what if his friends didn't die causing him to have mild depression, or what if he wasn't the eldest son with so much pressure from his father? I didn't add those facts into my story as Luther was long dead by the time Of Pride and Power, but I knew about it. That stuff makes historical fiction in my mind, it's the little details that create the magic of chaotic consequences.

Aye, not every idea is a tasty burger, or even a chili cheese dog Sometimes, you feel like writing something that calls to you as a story plot for various aesthetic reasons. Beneath the surface, I enjoyed the potential within the concept. For my old stories like "0's and 1's", I was drawn to it due to the powerlessness that bullying and social media influences have on our culture in the world. I was writing it, when streaming series like the 1st season of Black Mirror began to probe the same issues, I think it was just a matter that my taste aligned with many others, who saw the potential and issues with the societal changes that were coming. In that regards, some story concepts are following your senses and creating a line for what will be a trendy burger place or hot dog stall. However, one of the issues I encountered here is that the motivation t write it disappeared as the burden to relate increased. One of many reasons why 0's and 1's was abandoned. On the flip side, my current writing is counter-intuitive, taking on subjects that may have social relevance, but they are not presented in a way that appears relevant. "Of Pride and Power" is not a story of a hero seeking to fix things through established rules, but someone seeking to remake the world as needed for survival and growth. This story is less about a trend but satisfying a base instinct like ghost pepper flavors (as human taste buds do not have a sense of spice, rather our brains produce conflicting pain senses and pleasure chemicals upon eating them). As this story is over 100K words now, with short stories set in the universe to expand area I want to highlight, and I am just getting started on the plot, it feels more enjoyable to write as an author despite not capturing the readership my earlier stories had, I am satisfied.

Thanks, I thought introducing the examples of information warfare that were created during the 16th century could illuminate this little-discussed area of strategy. Battlefields are glamorous and make great set pieces for epic novels and blockbuster movies, but silent exchanges of information and the spreading of information/disinformation are even more important. For nations such as the Netherlands, it was thanks to information warfare that independence was won from Spain during the 16th century. However, printing presses would likely be closed down, so I brought in the trusty mimeograph. It's utility as a means to copy documents and portability during wartime made it invaluable during the 20th century before electronic copiers came into play. Analog technologies that to us may seem antiquated are quite advanced to what existed in the 16th century.

Strength isn’t always measured by arms when you have an absolute advantage over others. Weakness and submission are sometimes important tools for good leaders to improve their positions. While her troops and weapons were impressive, they were not invincible. The materials in their weapons, machines, and vehicles were poorer in quality than the materials I produced, meaning her forces lacked the industrial capacity that my knowledge and Robert’s ability offered. Before the Industrial Revolution,

Chapter 19 There are a lot of silent moves behind the scenes and overt moves by Eli in this chapter with his forces. Despite not being in the stronger position with superior firepower or superior technology like Mary had with her allies, Eli had his unique advantages. His focus was directed towards information warfare from the beginning rather than a head-on conflict with Mary and her allies. The mimeograph may be an antiquated technology to many people in modern times, but it represented a quantum leap in printing technology from the era of the large-scale printing presses. Mimeographs were a famous tool used during WWII by the French resistance to create counter-propaganda against Nazi occupiers. In later decades, they were used by Civil Rights movement to organize protests and marches. The mimeograph was also used by Gay publications to produce materials (including some pornographic materials ). Some older members might remember the primitive copying tool. Royal authority and a rising title for Eli is useful to strengthen his hold on territories that he already had nominal control over through trade and local military forces, administratively controlling these territories allows him to reform several things, including more covert industrialization and a new education reform program to improve learning level of the population. In contrast to the trend of the era, where religious education and classical education were focused, Eli is skipping those areas and pushing for practical education based on material creation. In this way, you can see his reforms as an extension of Eli's realist and secular worldview in practice, rather than valuing classical notions of wealth or power. I made hints in my short story Qui Tam, concerning how Eli is treating his territory and what he had his people prepare to do during his absence. In historical terms, I have pushed the marriage of Mary Tudor away from Philip II of Spain, instead she is marrying Reginald Pole, a York descendant with claims to the throne as well and historic Catholic loyalties as a Cardinal. I did this to hasten the marriage alliance of Phillip II to Elizabeth of Valois, a daughter of Catherine de Medici of France, who he would have married in 1560 after Mary's death, unifying France, Spain, and pieces of the Holy Roman Empire (Charles V would no longer be in the picture at that point in history). However, the earlier marriage in 1553 opens up a large amount of possibilities, including bringing the forces of France into the expanding war of religion in Holy Roman Empire (Germany). Suffice to say, the Peace of Augsburg will not happen the way history had entailed. As for the journeys of Francis Walsingham to Navarre, he is supposed to be in Contintental Europe during these years to develop his network of spies and aid protestant causes in Switzerland. However, with the occupation of Switzerland, the best place for him to go would be to the small nation of Navarre. Henry IV of France will need assistance and it is true that historically Francis Walsingham would be present in France and by Henry's side later on, including writing a famous reporting about the Saint Bartholomew massacre to Elizabeth I. This week's law of power is 22nd, “Use the surrender tactic: transform weakness into power”, is an astute observation about power politics. Most people out of pride will never accept surrender or submission to someone else out of pride. However, real power is not based on strength alone. Weakness can also be used to improve your position, just like Eli having planted the seeds forcing Mary to accept a promotion for him, while he supplicated himself to her. Giving up nominal obedience for absolute position is an overall net gain. ------------------ Some fun historical notes: 1. Yes, the mimeograph was heavily featured in this chapter. It is an interesting anachronistic tool that we in the age of information technology with social media platforms cannot fathom its earlier importance. With these small early copying machines and ink cartridges, major historical battles were won for nation and human dignity. 2. A minor note that few people knew about, France, England, and Dutch Republic formed a "Triple Alliance" in 1596 against the forces of Catholic Europe. It is one of the earliest examples of the alliance that would be preeminent in WWI. Being a fan of history, I thought it was a fun foreign policy goal to recreate a triple alliance earlier in this era against such a dominant Habsburg-Medici Catholic alliance in Europe.

Thanks Chris It's one of those important character details that can't be explained from just the perspective of Eli alone in the main story. The historical Francis Drake was noted as a lover of adventure and fortune, but few historians highlighted his involvement in the slave trade, which even the Spanish authorities considered abhorrent. For Edward like many Englishmen of this era, the concepts of slavery and racism due to superiority views (reinforced by a rising English Protestant zealotry) were very prevalent. What Eli introduced to a young Francis Drake is radically different than the norms of the era, while Edward VI being raised and educated under the new English Protestant value system is far more similar to the views held by most English nobles. Like I said these short stories are meant to be a window into the wider world of Pride and Power. It's a universe with diverse views and different perspectives.

"Qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur" (Who pursues in this action as much for the king as himself) I was not the best fit to be on the throne, but I was the only male heir and traditions said that I must rule. That is how I, Edward Tudor, an unworthy and weak sod, became the King of England, Wales, and Ireland. As a king, what have I accomplished, except setting up a few schools and lining up some noblemen's pockets? I began my reign at the age of ten years,

Thanks @chris191070 and @George Richard In school, when we're taught history, we usually see warfare in 3 (or 4 if you are a kid today) fields: Land, Sea, Air, and sometimes Space (via satellites or long-range missiles/Ballistic missiles). However, another branch of warfare exists that is seldom discussed but can defeat great nations without arms or force. Chapters 19 and 20 will explore that field in domestic conflicts and maybe some of it will seem familiar.

Mary accepted my submission through an intermediary and greeted the nobles of my territory who awaited us outside her tent. “Brave men of the West, I am Princess Mary Tudor. It is with great sadness that I must inform you that John Dudley, the Duke of Northumberland, has committed treason against your king and my brother Edward VI. His treasonous crime is the crime of corrupting the laws of the land to enrich him and his allies, corrupting the integrity of our people by accepting Moors as a

Chapter 18 I've returned to worldbuilding and massive elements in this storyline. I am blending in real historical information such the Royal Houses of Holy Roman Empire (Germany))/Spain under Habsburg family of Austria and Medici families default control over the throne of France through Catherine de Medici, along with control over Italy via Papacy. In history, these two powerful families and their forces would align briefly during Elizabeth I reign, posing a dangerous threat to England, so I am just upping the ante a bit more. Additionally, the nature of military levies and militia mustering was introduced, just so folks understand how standard armies were raised. England in history at this time had very poorly trained armies and a lackluster command structure, the concept of militia armies via citizens would continue for centuries with varying levels of discipline. As to secret communications, most readers know I am disabled and I have been exposed to numerous forms of communication that most able-bodied human beings may not have seen, heard, or felt before. Tactile sign language is a specialized field of communication between two individuals, which can be innocuous and the hang gestures using one hand over another via transmission-receiver concept is not widely known. However, if intelligence agents and others were to communicate using such a measure, it would look indistinct from hand-holding or public displays of affection. It's a cool secret language that is distinct from more mainstream spy communications like Morse code, which can be easily learned and taught. I hope the use of this language in my story will be fun for readers. Though, I think most people are going to be focused on the "Sky Fortress", Surprise! It is a historical fantasy and science fiction genre for a reason. If you had the ability to transfer consciousness across time and there were individuals with strange abilities like Robert and Eli, then I would argue the power source for such miracles or actions would be epic as well. In reality, creating a flying Heliocarrier like Marvel's SHIELD is possible, but power source to maintain its propulsion systems would be beyond even the most advanced nuclear reactors. In addition, if you could have a power source that is outputting Sun-levels of watts, then a railgun would be a superior weapon compared to standard artillery since you're just using magnetic power to fire a shell at high velocities to generate kinetic damage. F=MA still holds true. I was inspired by The Expanse for this particular aspect in my story, it's a subplot at the moment, but I may expand it into something far bigger down the line. Winston Churchill, being a former First Lord of the Admiralty, requested a focus on air power before World War II, understanding that it was far more important to the future of warfare than armies or navies going forward. I thought the quote was apt and can be seen in this chapter on wide display with a decapitation strike by a foe that possesses air superiority against a foe without any countermeasure via bombardment alone. The Sky Fortress/ power display was not fully utilized, a shell could easily display kiloton levels of destructive potential similar to nuclear weapons. The 17th law of Power from Robert Greene, "Keep others in suspended terror, cultivate an air of unpredictability," this principle is attempted by Mary I, she isn't operating under medieval rules, especially against English Protestants, who wronged her. Her use of brutality and force is a failed application of this rule as naked terror is used to repress and suppress her subjects. This rule has a connection to Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince written within this period in history and the application of cruelty and fear to gain power. ------------- Notes: 1. Yes Scotland was allied to Medici-controlled France via the marriage of Mary of Scots, heir of Scottish throne, to Francis II, heir of French throne. In history, France/Italy and the Holy Roman Empire (Germany)/Spain under the Habsburg were enemies, but in my universe, they are allied and technological partners. However, some technology was limited, like Sky Fortress for example, being used only sparingly by the Papacy to demonstrate their destructive potential. 2. Armored cars were one of the earliest motorized vehicles, since they could be built far easier than tanks and had greater mobility with the low-grade combustion engines. The separation between tanks vs armored cars came about in World War I and interwar years, when tracked vehicles gained the tank description versus the armored car designation using wheels of various types. 3. Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk, was the father of Jane Grey and co-conspirator during Wyatt's rebellion in 1554. His part in the rebellion was a quixotic effort of a failed uprising, then he and his older brother hid in a house for a few weeks until Queen Mary found them and he was beheaded. My story took a much darker turn for Henry Grey as neither he nor his family were spared. A foreshadowing of what will come from the reign of Bloody Mary.

So what do you think this all means?

Merlin's Crystal Cave Some folks will be wondering, W_L why isn't this a chapter in your main story? My answer is simply, it doesn't fit among the displays of power. The main characters are on a side quest investigating one of those early threads I mentioned in my story about the connection to Merlin and King Arthur. I also needed to set up some interesting storylines down the road and make sure you guys know Eli and Robert have met a certain twelve-year-old wannabe highwayman Francis Drake was born between 1539 and 1540 and his family moved to the Devonshire area. As for the history of Cornwall, I tried my best to use Cornish, paying homage to the traditional etiquette of Cornish culture, and showcasing some of the real issues with England's cultural and linguistic unity. Cornish nearly died out as a language by the late 18th century as English became the primary language of the land and traditional freedoms and independence were reduced. Eli's ideal of allowing cultural independence is going to be hard to maintain in light of real problems that occur in history. Finally, the reason why this is important for readers of Pride and Power, the blue crystal ball is a very important piece of technology, something that should not exist in this or any period in history, along with 28,656 others similar to it.

"You're a Wizard" is basically what I was told a few months ago from my reincarnated non-binary lover who is supposed to be this timeline's version of Elizabeth I, it's like Harry Potter, Time-Travelers Wife, and Slaughterhouse-Five had decided to form a cinematic universe. Essentially, I can manipulate the essence of matter, like I could create steel from iron by introducing carbon, create fire by manipulating oxygen molecules, or rearrange atoms and molecules for varying densities. I wish I ha

History is fun, when you spice it up a little

Two years of preparation were not wasted, whether it was the fifteen thousand troops that we had trained and marshaled across western England or the stockpiles of weapons and munitions manufactured at Cadbury Hill. However, nothing could have prepared everyone for the events that led to July 6th, 1553. That was the historical date of Edward VI’s death, the start of a short nine-day reign of Jane Grey as Queen of England with John Dudley serving as her regent before Mary would rally her forces to

Chapter 17 The war for the throne has begun. Two years have passed, there's a lot to unpack in this chapter. Without modern shipping and industrial capacity, it took Mary that long to build up her forces to launch a multi-front offensive. Scotland is still in the hands of the Catholic faction led by Queen Regent Mary of Guise, who is the mother the future Mary Queen of Scots, currently living in French Court controlled by Catherine de Medici, the de-facto leader of France during the mid-16th century. Mary Queen of Scots also has a claim to the throne of England as I mentioned earlier in the novel and Medici's are in control of a much more powerful Papal State that has unified italy three hundred years before it was done. Mary of Guise has gained support and weapons from her French allies, so the Scottish armies are heading south. This action was not just a matter of support for another Catholic ally, but also a show of power. However, the mechanized forces embedded in the forces were Spanish in origin, meaning they're being observed by Mary's ally and future husband, Philip II, and his father Charles V, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Netherlands, Burgundy, and Spain. Interesting note about the use of Rubber, Spain would have access to natural rubber from Latin America, which has had a history of rubber use and harvesting since the Olmec civilization around 1600 BCE. After 40 years of farming crops in their Latin American territories, they should have enough rubber to make adequate tires for vehicles with modern knowledge embedded in. Technically, these tanks would be classified as armored vehicles due to lack of tracks, but medieval forces would not be able to deal much damage against them without high caliber artillery. As for what's going on in London, there's a lot to unpack here that is beyond Eli's knowledge at the moment. I suggest folks read my supplemental short stories on this. Edward's illness and activity will be featured there. Tuberculosis was a fatal disease during this era, but the powerful antibiotic Streptomycin can be used to treat it over a six-month period. This week's law of power is the 26th law of power, "Keep your hands clean", Mary Tudor has divided her enemies' forces through the use of intermediaries without even bringing her main forces to bear. Additionally, this rule applies to the concept of using "Cat's paw" or agents that act on your behalf to carry out dangerous tasks, Jane Dudley is a great example of this. Historically speaking, she's a complex person with noticeable loyalties to the Catholic cause and was welcomed in Mary's court, so I extended this concept and made her devotions far more insidious and her betrayal of her husband far more impressive. Being betrayed by your spouse in your home territories, while you are away is a famous historical note from Romance of the Three Kingdoms, when the warlord Cao Cao manipulated Cai Mao, the spouse of Liu Biao to betray her husband and assist in the occupation Jing Province, nominally for her son's safety and family's power base. Noble women in media are usually portrayed as weak and subservient to their husbands under modern views, but in reality, they are human beings and can plot just as well as men especially in chaotic times like these. Notes: 1. Eli's selection of nobles in his entourage was a necessity. Bringing them and having them join Mary's side will make a transition to a modern nation-state much easier than what happened in history when noble landowners were divided by the Catholic and Protestant factions for the next hundred years. However, real power isn't based on land or castles in reality anymore, they're based on resources, which Eli has already secured through an elaborate arrangement with private/public networks. 2. Historically, Scotland and France had a marriage alliance at this point in history, which would have posed a major issue to the rival Habsbourg Dynasty led by Charles V, Emperor of Holy Roman Empire, Spain, Netherlands, and Burgundy. In history, the Italian Medici, Austrian Habsbourg, and French Valois families were at each other's throats and played counter-balancing acts supporting or fighting Tudor-era England during this time in history. However, with the unification of Italy under the Medici and the control of France as well under regent Catherine, two of the three great families are intertwined by blood in history at this point (They will all be intertwined in history by 1560, creating a united front against Elizabeth I at one point in history). The Habsbourg family patriarch, Charles V, was an ambitious man, one who understood the power of marriage and alliances to further his ambitions.

It reinforces a (getting old) trope in LGBT stories, the evil manipulative bisexual character. I agree with you @Krista it's not my cup of tea either, despite the male nudity and erotic tones, it's a shallow expression of desire and greed without empathy like its main antagonist. As for acting, I've seen the Horror movie Killing of a Sacred Deer as well, Barry Keoghan is a great actor. He can appear innocent, but since I've seen his evil calculating character portrayal before, I wasn't shocked by what happens. Maybe, he got typecasted in my mind.

Well, a time-skip is about to happen, like in many modern animes and mangas, but I thought it was a good idea to time skip right around the New Years, so I hope folks enjoy this transition Christmas chapter.

It took five days to reach Hatch Beauchamp Manor in Somerset, five quiet days, where we kept our discussions guarded. It wasn’t fair to Frances but recognizing that she was a flimsily disguised spy had meant that my group of friends and comrades had to be extra careful. I was able to inform Puck, who informed the others about my suspicions regarding Frances along with the potential future connection to me. Puck rolled his eyes at me when I mentioned Elizabeth’s relationship with a different vers

Chapter 16 Some may ask: W_L: Why did you do a Christmas Special? chapter? My answer is I wanted to create a story that covers various things, including the celebration of Christmas, which is a major Holiday. Christmas Fete/feasts were common among the nobility, but it's rare to see similar celebrations for commoners or peasants during the 16th century. Additionally, one thing I did not mention in-depth for the novel was the old tradition of Fasting on Christmas Eve during the 16th century. The common practice was to deny yourself egg, meat, or cheese, so people sustained themselves on bread and water for Christmas Eve. Not sure if this practice continues among Christians. Just thought I'd share it. (I mean most folks, even the so-called devout Evangelical crowd appear to throw elaborate dinners on Christmas Eve in recent years and hasn't kept up with traditional Christian prohibitions. In the eyes of 16th-century Christian forebearers they claim to revere, they're committing a major affront to God.) As for the sex scenes, I think if I ever have a partner and we choose to adopt a kid, it's going to get uncomfortable to explain certain things. Then, you put that in the perspective of a 16th-century girl, who has never seen or heard about kinky sex that even modern people have a hard time dealing with (Roleplay, Power Exchange, and Dom/sub is a big can of worms). On the other hand, I see this revelation of kink not as a moment of shame or fear, but as a kind of awakening for a repressed and abused girl, who only sees the world under a medieval lens of roles. One interesting aspect from the BDSM angle, a lot of abuse victims, male and female, get into it to regain a sense of control and power that has been taken away from them. I am not saying being a Dominatrix will make sexual abuse traumas go away, but it can help reclaim autonomy for some women, something I am interested in exploring for Frances as she grows up. Female readers and LGBT male readers can chew on that bit for a while. As for the actual sex scene between our three horny teenagers: Eli, Francis, and Robert, it was hot and fun, but I kept it short as the kind of sex three people have is very detailed, you can describe only so much. What's more important was the revelation of Robert's ability: Molecular/Atomic augmentation. It's an interesting idea and something that would open a lot of doors for technologies that we rely on that require heavy industry and equipment to create similar byproducts through chemistry or physics. Of course, the dark side of this is that it opens the doors to other things like nuclear fission and fusion weapons. Also, it adds to the lore of Merlin, who was Robert/Jack's predecessor manifestation. That's how he could build a bunker with rudimentary steam power. (It doesn't answer how this power could exist though, but I will reveal that eventually.) Last but not least, the Christ comparisons with Eli. Many main fantasy and Science Fiction Characters share that comparison to Jesus Christ. However, in this case, it was intentional, because the religious devotion of the fair folk have towards Eli is basically messianic. He doesn't want it, but he needs it for the current issues at hand. I've hinted at it last chapter with Thomas Tallis' choice of the Christmas Day Hymn. Like his historical counterpart, Thomas Tallis is very devout and places all his energy in servicing his God. Where most fantasy fiction just hero-worships, mine actively deifies. This week's Law of Power is the 32nd law, "Play to People's fantasies", the concept is pretty simple as everyone has their own idealized version of reality. Frances desires to be like Eli and free herself from her traumatic demons. The elaborate master bedroom with warm water from a pump-action faucet in the 16th century was technically feasible, but unrealistic to achieve for people like Francis. As for the elaborate decorations of Bristol Castle, this entire are was made to show the progression and change that Eli embodies, granting hope to the visiting Fair Folk and furthering his following. Notes: 1.Big fan of Shakespearean characters: Nick Bottom is a weaver character from Midsummer Nights' Dream, he's in a throple with Tiania and Oberon. (LGBT interpretation of the play, if Oberon would just get over himself) He's in his thirtes just like Oberon and Titania in this story. Iago is a famous character from Othello, he's a villain. His villain attributes came from jealousy toward Othello, which will get played out at some point. However, at this point, he's just a college-age artist. Artemidorus is a minor character from Julius Caesar. He was virtuous and tried to warn Caesar of betrayal by writing him a letter that never gets read before Julius Caesar was stabbed. 2. As for the piping and hot water, solar-heated water containers were around during the Middle Ages, but the use of concave glass to collect sunlight for heat and black paint along with insulation were all used separately. I took a big leap with the idea of building a solar water tank, which would effectively provide a limited supply of running water to a large manor home. The water would still need to be boiled, but it would represent an important first step towards modern plumbing. 3. Robert's ability opens up a lot of ideas such as the creation of simple electronics. These could be used in things from radio to advanced rockets like the V-1 and V-2 (which were predecessors of the ICBM and medium-range missiles we have today). We know the Catholic forces have air power in use in Holy Roman Empire, so a natural and cheap counter to it would be the development of ballistic missile technology. Eli's fears of an arms race is well founded.

On the following day, I visited the Tower of London before Edward had a chance to send his letter releasing Princess Mary. The Tower of London was not the monolithic black tower that modern people imagined from fantasy movies, I learned from both my ability as well as visual analysis that it was a complex of smaller buildings with one gray-stone tower at the center, named the White Tower. The White Tower was built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, shortly after his conquest of Englan

Chapter 15 Well that was an interesting encounter with the future Queen Mary I. It also highlights some very real-world issues with people of a certain ideological ilk, who play off victimization. I will warn everyone right now, I am going to make sure Mary I earns the title of Bloody Mary that historical epithets have honored her with. Her purges were bad in history, but imagine them several times worse and far more encompassing with modern techniques of propaganda. For a moment though, I do want to give some credence to the complaints of the devil: Mary's life was turned upside down after her father King Henry VIII divorced her mother, then declared her a bastard. She was forced to become a servant to Elizabeth as Anne Boleyn was the new Queen, until Anne Boleyn was executed and Elizabeth also cast out as a bastard. Then, over the years, she was manipulated by various Protestant ministers using her as a bargaining chip for Catholic nations to seek alliances through marriages and material support, essentially she was whored out by England. Chief amongst her enemies would be the Church of England (Anglican Church) and their noble backers, who made her what she was. I want people to remember that angle of her personal grievances and anger, which she tries to mingle with the populist anger over Anglican reforms that removed freedom to use lands and unfair labor practices by Protestant nobility. She wants vengeance and blood, so do a lot of English peasants, who have been oppressed by greedy Protestants and the corrupt Church of England. As for my new character, Frances Howard has a different backstory than her historical counterpart, plus I changed her age. For one thing, GA guidelines forbids 40-year age gap relationships, even if they did exist in history. Frances Howard, Countess of Kildare was born in 1573, and Elizabeth Tudor was born in 1533, they were very close in the 1580s-90s and she was among Elizabeth's Female favorites, including exchanging ornate gifts. Elizabeth I was rumored to have lesbian relationships, so it wouldn't be out of place for her to fall for a teenage girl. Changing her to 12, while Eli is 17 reduces the age gap and makes any potential relationship less problematic in the future. She's also currently in a dubious position between Eli and Mary, likely a spy for Mary in Eli's camp. One more thing I do have to point out: Japanese Manga do sometimes stray into the uncomfortable realm of mentor/student love stories, where there's a slight bit of grooming. I pointed it out in the story with a popular heterosexual manga example, so I want folks to know I do know my subject matter issue. Eli isn't just a gay or bi protagonist, Eli is intersex. While Eli prefers males and so does Robert, it wouldn't be a problem to introduce the "right" girl in. There's a sexual commentary portion here about heterosexual girls, who want to be involved in gay relationships, but they aren't willing to share or offer anything to the males involved. It's an anecdote of something I learned through friends about the difference between hetero and bi girls, there's a willingness to reciprocate and share. My favorite part is introducing the famous English Composer and Musical Renaissance guy, Thomas Tallis. He is famous for his choir and musical compositions, being among the best during the 16th-century Northern Renaissance. He is also a member of the Coven with an innate skill to use various musical scores from around the world and across time. Music theory is a science in itself and mastery of music should not be discounted. This week's law of power is the 3rd law, "Conceal Your Intentions", Frances acting as an obvious plant is one example of the inability to conceal intentions from Mary's point. However, the presence of Thomas Tallis acting as an informant for the fair folk and subversive secret agent with good intentions in London plays off a lot of intent. --------------- Note: 1. Thomas Howard, the father of my fictional Frances Howard, will be released by Mary to lead her military forces against various threats to her reign in history. I am going to play up this fact in the story 2. I love Christmas Carols, but a lot of our modern Christmas songs were not played in the 16th century like the Hymn for Christmas Day is an 18th-century creation. 3. Stephen Gardiner is not seen, but you should probably think of him as Mary's top aide and papal agent, who orchestrated the reconciliation with the Catholic Church and England during her reign. Historically he presided over the trials and executions of several notable Protestants, including Thomas Crammer, who I've mentioned before. He represented the forefront of the Counter-Reformation movement in England.

Some historical knowledge and characters to add into this alternate history story.