Work on Feathered Hearts resumes... · 3:34pm Oct 2nd, 2023
I promised that once the Griffon Kingdom arc of Midnight Rising was finished, I would try to do a single chapter of Continuation and Chronicles before working on Nightmare Night. So here we go. Thankfully, I already have about 7000 words to work with that I removed from the ending of the previous chapter. So hopefully, it won’t take too long. I guess it depends on how easily I’m able to ease back into it after five months since the last chapter.
To begin with, this will be another big M-rated chapter, and probably as close to an Eros-level entry as the story will allow. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be a T-rated version of it, as I’m not neglecting worldbuilding or character development. This is going to be in part a major exploration of Changeling culture and morality, even as Gilda finally faces her friends and colleagues over what happened between her and Karin Kazal. In support of that, there will be one final memory replay—this time not facilitated by Queen Lepidoptes for reasons you’ll find out when you read it—that will provide new perspective on those events.
I don’t think I’m spoiling much to say that as the ending of this Gilda/Cipio story arc, it will conclude with matters (mostly) resolved all around. Neither side will get everything they want, but quite possibly get what they need, and you’ll get to hear Queen Lepidoptes wax philosophical about her race and their collective role in the world. She’ll do so even as she *ahem* helps Cipio past his fears and pride to see the truth of things, including how well Gilda actually did in command.
As for the roles others might play in this, the answer is mainly but not entirely observer, but you’ll still see what Queen Lepidoptes can do and how powerful she actually is, including the surprisingly effective (and erotic!) defensive measures she can employ when threatened that have nothing to do with bows, blades, or staves.
Oh yes, and expect two more major revelations in this chapter, one involving Gilda (that not even she was aware of!) and one not. After this chapter is concluded, we’ll shift back to primarily the military aspects of things as the isolated and still-besieged city of Arnau licks its wounds and readies to defend itself, knowing that the Cloven will come again. That’s when I’ll start using material from the old story again, btw, and we’ll be slowly building towards a new major battle and climax that will include the arrival of a couple old friends.
As for when to expect the new chapter, I’ll aim to have it out before I leave on a weeklong vacation to Iceland, on October 18th. So within two weeks.
Me reading the blog titel:
Work on Feathered Hearts resumes...
Glorious
Feathered Hearts. OH GOD YOU WERE SO MISSED!
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Appreciate the enthusiasm! It’s hopefully almost as exciting as seeing the DVD icon hit the corner of the screen.
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Nothing like saying hello to an old friend!
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Re-reading currently while driving to my next destination.
Damn fine entertainment! It don't get any less great even after the 10th Re-reading.
Or was it more...?