My Life As A Writer: Book Two WIP Excerpt 1

This I wrote for Book Two. WIP and all that.

Oslo at twilight, no matter the time of year, always held Vikuun Qis' attention. It did yet again one night months after the space pirate Red Eyes tried and failed to steal away his cousin Gabriela Robin at New Edinburgh. After the victory ceremonies, after the funerals with full honors, after the accounting of those slain and the materiel lost, came the questions and with it the whispers. Count Robin cut him off, but he didn't care; the Dukes, Archdukes, and Grand Dukes still held him favor for now. So he stood in his chambers at the family house in Oslo, looking out the window, as his assistant in Rome called.

His assistant appeared on his desk as a holographic miniature.

"My lord, the day's business is concluded."

Qis didn't look away from the sunset. "Are there any problems or other developments outside expectations?"

"Only this, my lord. Count Robin has departed from Second Salisbury late in the night during a blackout. He did not take the family yacht, or take an escort, but rather boarded one of the couriers to Earth."

"I see. And no one has seen my cousin since her return to her father?"

"There are no credible reports, my lord."

"Send the full report to me by the usual channels with full encryption immediately, and be ready for orders before breakfast. Dismissed."

"Very good, my lord. Sleep well, my lord."

The assistant's hologram disappeared, and as the last light of day faded over the horizon Qis looked into the window and saw the reflection of a painting behind him, a painting of an empty throne atop a tower, below which gathered an uncountable sea of pleading faces and outstretched hands.

"Soon that error will be rectified."

Qis turned away from the window and went to his closet instead, stepping inside and closing the door. Racks of clothes and accessories for every ocassion surrounded him, and a center island allowed him to lay them down, but he did not do so. Instead, he reached underneath and flipped a switch. The island's top opened to reveal a hidden chamber. Inside was a belt, a full mask like those of ancient Greek theater, and a beam sword all in the style of ancient Babylon.

"Count Vikuun Qis cannot address this change of events, but Master Nimrod can."

There will be more to come.