a form of elven magic perfected at the height of their civilisation. Used by mages as a source of light, for its flame burns without wood or oil; it can also activate dormant spells and serve as a medium for writing, transferring tangible impressions of sights, sounds, and even emotions on the reader.
- fragments from Veilfire: A Beginner’s Primer with Numerous Teachings, Exercises, and Applications, by Magister Pendictus -
”What you lack in any investigation is time. With every passing hour, evidence slips away. Crime scenes are compromised by people and the elements. Things are moved, altered, smeared, shifted. Organisms rot. Wind blows dust and contaminants. Memories change and fade. As you move away from the event, you move away from the solution.”
“My mother used to hope that I would rise up from my humble roots. Become someone successful, or even famous. I’m famous all right, but I don’t think it’s what she had in mind.”
Part of being alive is having life change us. The people around us, the events we live through, all of them shape us. And that’s what I think you’re afraid of. Maybe not of dying. But of this you, the you you’ve become, ceasing to exist.
“You love me,“ Abby says, smiling. Jess leans forward. “Yeah, I really do. This isn’t our Romeo and Juliet moment. You’re going to be okay. No one is dying. “No, it’s the end. I want a goodbye kiss.”
once upon a time there was a beautiful queen who thought words were stronger than anything. she used them to win love and money and gifts. she used them to carry her across the world.
