Predestination

From Divination: A Conspiracy of Blood: Eden didn’t hesitate. He swung his sword in a mighty slanting blow against the figure – cleaving the head right through. A turnip fell to the floor, half on each side of the dislodged mannequin. Eden was dismayed. “What the – ?” Turning back to the door, he returned … Read more

From Predestination: The Bloodstone of Boiorix: “The line of prisoners stumbled to a halt beside a derelict barn, and one by one were allowed to use the water trough to quench their thirst. Jacques was in the middle of the line of perhaps forty young men. While they shuffled forward and drank they were idly … Read more

From Speculation: Undercurrents of Treachery: “Dee studied the man carefully. “I understand you have information regarding a hoard of Spanish gold – a significant quantity that could be of great value to the crown.” Something flickered in Seymour’s eyes – satisfaction, perhaps. “Ah, so my letter finally reached the right eyes. I was beginning to … Read more

From Divination: A Conspiracy of Blood: “Dee was almost vibrating with excitement. The innkeeper knocked again, even louder this time. “Master Kopernik?” “I’m not sure his hearing is great. He is somewhat old, you know,” explained Dee, reaching forward to try the handle. The innkeeper slapped away Dee’s hand and opened the door himself, swinging … Read more

From Divination: A Conspiracy of Blood: “Dee felt a cold certainty settle in his gut. Eden’s presence here, conducting his own clandestine search in the middle of the night, confirmed what Dee had begun to suspect during their earlier meeting. Whatever game was being played around Kopernik’s death, Eden was more than Sir William’s messenger. … Read more

From Absolution: A Question of Conviction: “She dropped the page as though it burned, a hand shooting to her mouth. My God! Bending forward from the waist, she sucked in lungfuls of air, spots swimming before her eyes. She struggled to her feet, feeling faint, and staggered to a wall cabinet where she stored a … Read more

From Proclamation: Poetry will be the death of me: “Thirty riders cantered along the bank beside the ditch, their horses’ breath hanging heavy in the chill air before it gradually dissipated into the never-ending mist. Their short capes fluttered behind them, but all else was still. As still as death. Even the trees hung limply, … Read more

From Divination: A Conspiracy of Blood: “At the front of the hall stood a man who seemed to bear the weight of his seventy-four years with a mixture of dignity and weariness. Mikołaj Kopernik’s white hair was thinning on top and extravagantly curly where it framed his face, a face whose deeply etched lines spoke … Read more

From Proclamation: Poetry will be the death of me: “Thirty riders cantered along the bank beside the ditch, their horses’ breath hanging heavy in the chill air before it gradually dissipated into the never-ending mist. Their short capes fluttered behind them, but all else was still. As still as death. Even the trees hung limply, … Read more

From Speculation: Undercurrents of Treachery: “The Tower of London loomed against the leaden April sky, its ancient stone walls seeming to absorb what little sunlight filtered through the clouds. John Dee pulled his cloak tighter against the chill wind coming off the Thames as he and Nicholas followed their escort towards the ancient fortress. “Have … Read more