The Totem-Maker (part one hundred thirty-one)

The Totem-Maker (part one hundred thirty-one)

  The Totem-Maker Chapter Twelve A Land So Perilous (part one hundred thirty)                       The interpreter shrugged. The commander backed his steed and shouted. His soldiers withdrew; the workers clustered, with every appearance of nervousness, at the tunnel mouth. “We have digging. But you are […]

The Totem-Maker (part one hundred thirty)

The Totem-Maker (part one hundred thirty)

  The Totem-Maker Chapter Twelve A Land So Perilous (part one hundred thirty)                       Rathinihama climbed down, and Bani’s father behind him. The thirteen unhid themselves, and climbed down, too. Their spears were slung across their backs. “I have some of your language,” said another […]

An Odd Man Out (part three)

An Odd Man Out (part three)

      The Resident Chapter Four An Odd Man Out   [rerunning the last several entries to help readers catch up, because I haven’t added to this story for months]             John’s parents were divorced. His father did arrive at holidays, and might… He wanted to be normal in […]

The Totem-Maker (part one hundred twenty-nine)

The Totem-Maker (part one hundred twenty-nine)

  The Totem-Maker Chapter Twelve A Land So Perilous (part one hundred twenty-nine)                       Bani writes how the fathers of the tribe bemoaned that warfare should come upon them. “Such belongs to the Emperor. He has catapults and engines of fire, and we have only […]

The Totem-Maker (part one hundred twenty-eight)

The Totem-Maker (part one hundred twenty-eight)

  The Totem-Maker Chapter Twelve A Land So Perilous (part one hundred twenty-eight)                       And why? Bani’s father wondered. Some stones thrown of the mountain were airy; it was said among the Kale Kale that these were birds caught in the wrath of Lotoq, diminished […]

The Totem-Maker (part one hundred twenty-seven)

The Totem-Maker (part one hundred twenty-seven)

  The Totem-Maker Chapter Twelve A Land So Perilous (part one hundred twenty-seven)                       I mention again the story of the flood. My Totem’s deeper meaning I had no power to discern just then. It is ever the warning of the gods not to meddle […]

The Totem-Maker (part one hundred twenty-six)

The Totem-Maker (part one hundred twenty-six)

  The Totem-Maker Chapter Twelve A Land So Perilous (part one hundred twenty-six)                       Now, I will speak to my reader of thoughtful things. I have told how it came to me, leaving the country of my birth, arriving on the shores of the Balbaecan […]

The Totem-Maker (part one hundred twenty-five)

The Totem-Maker (part one hundred twenty-five)

Posted by ractrose on 4 Jun 2026 in Fiction, Novels

  The Totem-Maker Chapter Twelve A Land So Perilous (part one hundred twenty-five)                       “He will hold off attacking, do you think? For the time a reasoning man would allow we might yet send word?” “A reasoning man! When I see him, I will tell […]

The Totem-Maker (part one hundred twenty-four)

The Totem-Maker (part one hundred twenty-four)

Posted by ractrose on 1 Jun 2026 in Fiction, Novels

  The Totem-Maker Chapter Twelve A Land So Perilous (part one hundred twenty-four)                       I moved myself further and further from those who worked, and watched the Prince’s camp for an embassy, the party I thought surely would cross the meadow to say farewell, fortune […]

The Totem-Maker (part one hundred twenty-three)

The Totem-Maker (part one hundred twenty-three)

Posted by ractrose on 27 May 2026 in Fiction, Novels

  The Totem-Maker Chapter Twelve A Land So Perilous (part one hundred twenty-three)                       To Gunda the Slow, Iokka spoke again, low-voiced. “They malign you. Who is cleverer than Gunda, yet cannot see the way clear? Use Amira’s gift. Your land is sunny, and your […]