Another episode of Man Raised by Spiders, the coming-of-age story of Valentine Shelawn. When Valentine returns to the townhouse, a footman intercepts him and leads him to Sieia’s withdrawing room. Apparently she’s decided to send footmen with verbal instructions instead of notes. He’s grateful for her delicacy — it saves him the trouble of questioning […]
When Inglorion enters the city, the atmosphere has shifted from the last time he was there. Additional guards are posted at the gates, and though they recognize him, they question him closely about his business and how long he plans to stay. “I’m here to visit family — Marcus Shelawn and Sieia Ceralac,” he says. […]
Another episode of Man Raised by Spiders, the coming-of-age story of Valentine Shelawn. Valentine is delighted to discover that gray elves resemble the Drow in one important respect: engagements are long, and chaperonage is deliberately casual. Elves are not particularly fertile, so the risks are few, and the benefits are viewed with affectionate indulgence. Most […]
Another episode of Man Raised by Spiders, the coming-of-age story of Valentine Shelawn. Valentine has dutifully shown up at a ball of Sieia’s, largely to distract himself from his internal ethical debate. He’s distracted, though. The weather itself has a kind of moody intensity. Even here, in a stuffy ballroom lit and heated by dozens of […]
Another episode of Man Raised by Spiders, the coming-of-age story of Valentine Shelawn. Valentine wakes up to a knock on the door, and the sound of Aramil’s voice. “Room service.” “Oh, fuck. What time is it?” “Just after seven.” “Then what are you doing up? Fuck. You might as well come in.” “I brought you […]
The following morning, when Alexandra and Rosalee finally arise from their long, human sleep, Inglorion tells Alexandra, “I came for a reason, you know. I’m here on tribal business.” Alexandra looks up from helping Rosalee to dress. “What is it? Should we go outside?” “No. Better to discuss it in here. I can’t tell you […]
Another episode of Man Raised by Spiders, the coming-of-age story of Valentine Claudius Shelawn. Despite training hard all day, Valentine can’t sleep that night. When Aramil invites him to meet a few friends, Valentine thinks, there won’t be news for several more hours. Might as well go. This is how he finds himself in a […]
The next morning, Valentine wakes to a note from Xardic: “Urgently need your help. Please come to my office as soon as you get this. I will meet with you when you arrive.” Instead of sending the man back with a reply, Valentine says, “He wants to see me immediately? Give me five minutes. I’ll […]
Aramil has left a message saying he’ll join Valentine in the stable yard to train. Valentine begins a series of strike drills, alternating bursts of punches with push-ups. Valentine finds it comforting to train. It’s the one time when he knows what’s expected of him, and feels competent to handle any challenge. In truth, he […]
The next day, a footman delivers an elaborately folded note from Aramil. “What the fuck is this?” Valentine asks, “an origami swan?” The footman shrugs. “His handwriting is terrible. Can you make this out?” “He’d like a rapier lesson this afternoon, if convenient.” No valid excuse rises to mind, so Valentine scrawls a time early […]
