Brood of Bones: Recent Episodes

A.E. Marling on Podiobooks.com

Cursed with endless drowsiness, Enchantress Hiresha sleeps more than she lives. Since she never has had a chance to raise a family, she sometimes feels like every woman is pregnant except for her.

This time, she is right. From virgin to grandmother, all the women in her city have conceived. One unexpected pregnancy is a drama; fifty thousand is citywide hysteria.

A lurking sorcerer drains power from the unnatural pregnancies, and Hiresha must track him by his magic. Unfortunately, her cultured education in enchantment ill equips her to understand his spellcraft, which is decidedly less than proper. The only person uncivilized enough to help is the Lord of the Feast, a dangerous yet charming illusionist. Associating with him may imperil Hiresha’s city, yet refusing his help will allow the sorcerer to leech godlike power from the mass births.

In which Hiresha is neither awake nor asleep.

In which amends are made.

In which a jewel is lethal.

In which Hiresha regrets meeting herself.

In which schemes are schemed.

In which an enchantress is peeled.

In which Hiresha creates a blood orb.

In which Tethiel presents his gift.

In which a candle is left dark.

In which the repugnant rules.

In which Hiresha shatters a bony spider.

In which Hiresha sees the Soultrapper.

In which impressions are left in pink cushions.

In which Hiresha receives her first assassination.

In which masonry floats.

In which potential persecutors are considered.

In which Hiresha makes an unsettling discovery.

In which Hiresha receives a painful answer.

In which Hiresha attempts stealth.

In which Hiresha must refuse a jewel.

In which Hiresha’s ballroom is overrun.

In which a maid drenches her mistress.

In which lepers are cured.

In which a city destroys itself.

In which Hiresha corrects a dark lord’s grammar.

In which lifting a wig reveals a new danger.

In which there may or may not be a mob.

In which two enemies undress.

In which Hiresha diagrams perfection.

In which a girl’s arm reaches from under a door.

In which a soulless man is persuaded.

In which particulars of the ordeal are discerned.

In which four jeweled doors stay shut.

In which a man cannot withstand his memory.

In which prophecy makes itself a nuisance.

In which not enough is said.

In which Hiresha confronts a poisoner.

In which a girl eats her house.

In which Hiresha meets an old enemy.

In which healing brings perils.

In which a boy is sun sick.

In which a man swallows a sword of shadow.

In which blood is spilled over wine.

In which old friends heckle and muse on death.

In which Hiresha is made flawless.

In which walls speak grievances.

In which an old lady cannot be pregnant.

In which Hiresha is neither awake nor asleep.