It was just after noon. Fritz's team had settled into their respective rooms and had now taken to exploring the manor further. He himself was avoiding his own. He now regretted having foolishly flaunted his status as the head of his house and claiming the master bedroom as his due right.
Cursing under his breath, he paced the halls of his ...
2025-09-28 03:47:23 +0000 UTC View PostFritz felt the urge to run, but he didn't heed such a cowardly impulse. Not under the eyes of his team and tutor. That, and he saw no ill intent or bloodlust in the woman's light brown eyes.
She strode over on long legs. Her step and stance were those of a hunting beast. Therima looked as though she would lunge and strike at any moment. Fr...
2025-09-25 05:27:22 +0000 UTC View Post---Author's note--- Still a bit sick but feeling much better and was able to get this one out on time. Thanks for all the well wishes! Hope you enjoy this chapter. :)
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When Fritz and George arrived in the lounge, it was to find themselves amongst the whole household. From the looks on the gathered faces, which varied from the idly...
2025-09-21 03:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post--- Author's note --- Sorry for the late chapter, I'm sick at the moment and had trouble getting it in an acceptable state. Hope you enjoy it and thanks for your patience! :)
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Fritz held up the intricately carved key of gold and silver and looked through the circular hole at its base. Through that opening, which would usually be u...
2025-09-18 04:18:02 +0000 UTC View Post"We'll leave for Hightide Manor once I have collected Elliot and Thea," Fritz announced to the lounge at large. "It shouldn't take more than half an hour."
Those of his team who had stood at his arrival returned to their seats and resumed what they had been doing previously, mostly chatting and bickering. Fritz left them, accompanied only ...
2025-09-14 03:00:07 +0000 UTC View PostFritz awoke, it was a pleasant enough way to wake. It had been two weeks since his duels and his near-death. Most, if not all, of his weakness and fogginess had faded.
He rose from his bed, dressed then made his way down to the dining room.
The dawn had yet to come, but like Fritz, the others of his team were also heading down the st...
2025-09-11 03:00:06 +0000 UTC View PostThe black was cold. Freezing. Everything was still, and nothing was all there was. Faintly. There, in the empty dark, were the notes of a song. Words, incomprehensible, ancient, rhyming, skirted the edges of hearing. They spoke of a death, they spoke of a regret, they spoke of a refusal.
Mortal man soon to die,
hearken n...
2025-09-07 03:00:07 +0000 UTC View PostThe crowd murmured and cheered at the declaration, though there were also a fair few boos and jeers amongst them.
"You wish to enact the flooding?" the judge asked, sparing only a small glance at Fritz. "Will House Gresper bear the price?"
"As this is a courtly affair, it is only right that the crown bears the expense," Lord Gresper ...
2025-09-04 03:00:08 +0000 UTC View PostSwift as a cat, Fritz reached for the gate's handle, twisted, then pushed against the iron bars. It resisted. Locked or stuck.
"You can't enter!" one drizzler yelled, pulling his baton free from its belt loop.
"Stop!" the other ordered, pushing Fritz back.
"Unlock this gate at once!" Fritz commanded, his voice echoing with the ...
2025-08-31 03:00:09 +0000 UTC View Post"The Captain?" Fritz repeated dispassionately. "I think not. I will not be delayed nor take such a detour."
The lieutenant and his men behind him could barely contain the smirks spurred by his refusal. The joy they derived from their thinly veiled coercion was barely any better than that of the gang bosses and their thugs. Seemingly, only ...
2025-08-28 03:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostChanged a bit, won't affect the story much, but a Patreon, Peekaboo, found the not checking the red gem very silly. And on reflection, I agree. This bit replaces Fritz's initial dismissal.
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While Fritz was happy for it to be finished, he hadn't the time to study it or what was within the red gem, not yet. Still, they could take a...
2025-08-26 03:34:25 +0000 UTC View PostHis heart beating rapidly, Fritz breathlessly sat, then fell into his Sanctum.
Excitement, relief and curiosity washed over him as he called up his Spire Sheet and discovered that the Technique glyphs of the Inevitable Blade had indeed changed from Novice to Journeyman.
He inspected further, focusing on the grey-silver words hovering...
2025-08-24 03:00:07 +0000 UTC View PostTo say Fritz's spar against Mathew went poorly would be an understatement.
It wasn't just that his cursed state made every parry painful and every strike a struggle; it was that the lordling would weave in Water Strikes as he cut and sliced. Fritz complained, protesting that the use of Abilities was too much.
Adam disagreed. "Lord Wh...
2025-08-21 03:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostFritz and his team were halfway through running their laps when Adam arrived in the Tallmast training hall. It was somewhat surprising to have him arrive late, but more surprising that he had brought along Elliot. Judging from the state of their clothes and their slight panting they had run there.
His brother's chest rose and fell in stead...
2025-08-17 03:00:06 +0000 UTC View PostFritz opened the door to behold the scowling face of his tutor.
"Lord Hightide! I need to speak with you," Adam barked.
"Why are you shouting, good man!?" Fritz barked back with all the feigned noble affront he could muster.
"My apologies, Lord," Adam said, lowering his tone to a growl. Somehow, that was more intimidating, but ...
2025-08-14 03:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostDespite giving the order to head to the Vault, Fritz was the last to arrive there. He had to collect a few Treasures, scavenged from various thugs, from his closet-armoury first.
A few of the items he had stashed away were ones he was familiar with, as they were spoils from the bloodbath that was the first defence of the Refuge. The more n...
2025-08-10 03:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post"Starting tomorrow, we will spar every day," Fritz told his brother as the carriage rolled along. "I'll see if Sir Needle will agree to let you join our training. If not, we'll just have to refine our skill without his help."
"Sir Needle..." Elliot said. "Isn't he amongst the best blades in the city? Have you actually managed to retain him...
2025-08-07 06:19:52 +0000 UTC View PostThe whole Court turned to face Fritz, whose declaration shouldn't have been a surprise, yet somehow was.
"A duel?" The King repeated, raising one hand to his chin and stroking his more subtle scales. "And why should I deign to grant you such?"
"It's a bit of old, well-established law," the familiar Minister mused. She smiled, her red...
2025-08-03 03:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostFritz grasped the hilt of Quicksilver. The cool touch of moonsilver calmed him and stilled the slight tremor of his hand. He straightened his back, squared his shoulders and tilted his chin to force the appearance of pride, then strode through the misty barrier.
Passing through was easy, painless and short. Oddly, it felt both damp and dry...
2025-07-31 03:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostThe carriage rolled through the Upper Ring unimpeded, the royal crest did much to clear the streets for Fritz and his party's passage. Crowds parted, making way for their betters with hurried steps. The ride was smooth and quiet, the talk and rain from outside were hushed to a whisper while the cabin's door was closed.
Fritz suspected rune...
2025-07-27 03:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostFritz strode through midday rain, a smile on his face. The streets were more crowded than he'd liked, so he took a boat to the gates of the Upper Ring. The boy who rowed him shared in his joy when he paid thrice the normal rate, blessing Fritz as he stepped back onto solid stone and walked to the guarded gate.
He was through in moments, sl...
2025-07-24 03:00:06 +0000 UTC View PostIt was a mildly raucous night, the square occasionally echoed with the sound of overeager revellers. Fritz did his best to stay focused, but found his mind wandering when he should have been watching for trouble. He yawned.
It had already been six days since the siege was broken, the dregs and deserters of the now leaderless gangs had eith...
2025-07-20 03:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostSid rushed out into the pelting rain and howling winds, joining Jerral on the deck. When all were present to his summons, he pointed deep into the storm. It was hard to see in the grey and gloom, but there, in the distance, was a star.
"Lighthouse!" Jerral proclaimed. "The Stairway is there!"
Then he set them to man the ship. None, s...
2025-07-17 03:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostThe bowstring twanged and the arrow soared. The shaft wasn't made of wood or stone, but solid air, nearly invisible against the grey sky. Sid watched as it flew in a steady arc before burying itself into the giant squid sizing up the ship. The arrow burst as it struck, as did the pale eye set into wet orange flesh.
The beast, twice as long...
2025-07-13 03:00:03 +0000 UTC View PostFritz had really messed up this time. There he was at the centre of another bloodbath.
Bert could see at least twenty unmoving bodies splayed in the Refuge's square. Some bore brown coats, but most were in common clothes. There were some moving amongst the dead or dying, they crawled away from the battlefield or huddled together fearfully ...
2025-07-10 03:00:06 +0000 UTC View PostThe Browncoats looked on furiously as their boss coughed a mouthful of blood. Todd himself was beside himself with rage as he choked. The veins on his bald head bulged brilliantly. Apparently, they hadn't considered that the Scarlet Shade would bring a crossbow to a knife fight.
More fool them.
Click-click-clack and place the bolt, F...
2025-07-06 03:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post"How do we kill him?" Bull asked, looking up the hallway and the door out nervously.
"Same as any man," Fritz replied, stepping subtly so he blocked the escape route. "We cut his throat."
"I don't have a knife. Also, he took one of my arms," Bull said dejectedly, sagging his shoulders.
"All the more reason to take revenge. As f...
2025-07-03 03:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostThe Rat Cleaver strode through the dark street completely unaware he was being shadowed. He was a short, stocky man with thick, scarred arms. His face was small, his eyes cold, cunning and cruel. Urchins sprang away as he passed, and the men and women of the night paled and quickly withdrew when he smiled his sharp, sinister teeth at them.
Fritz entered the room and bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Count," he said, holding himself low. "My thanks for granting me the honour of an audience."
Count Wavereach sat behind a grand desk of rich wood and watched him intently. Eventually, nearly nine seconds later, the nobleman spoke in a raspy baritone.
"Rise, Hightide."
F...
2025-06-26 03:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostGruelling days passed, followed by sleepless nights. Fritz's rough training and his watching of the Refuge claimed most of his waking hours. Only with his use of the Amulet of Repose and the remedies provided by the alchemist sisters, was he able to keep up his vigour and the constant vigilance his current life required of him.
It was exha...
2025-06-22 03:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post