Heaps of Pearl is a short story written by Seanan McGuire and available on her website as a free eShort.
Methought I saw a thousand fearful wrecks;
Ten thousand men that fishes gnaw’d upon;
Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl,
Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels,
All scatter’d in the bottom of the sea.
—William Shakespeare, King Richard III
Author's Summary[]
Baron Patrick Twycross was an unlanded, comfortably unambitious man. He knew that one day he might inherit his family's estate, but as that day was hundreds of years and most of a continent away, he was content to spend his time fiddling in his workshop and trying to keep his friend Simon from doing something foolish enough to get himself killed. He was happy; he had no aspirations. So how did he wind up married to a mermaid?
When King Gilad holds a ball in honor of the abdicating Duke of Saltmist and his daughter, the Duchess-in-waiting, there's no real way for the nobles of the Mists to avoid attending. All Patrick is hoping to do is survive the night without utterly embarrassing either himself or Simon, or attracting the wrath of Simon's wife. Alas for him, things are going to get a lot more interesting than he's counting on...
Plot[]
Patrick Twycross, Baron of Feathered Stones and heir to the County of Twycross, has remained in San Francisco after aging out of his fosterage. When the Duke of Saltmist announces he is stepping down in favor of his daughter, Patrick's friend Simon sees a perfect opportunity to lure Patrick out of his workshop: there might be a mermaid princess in attendance at King Gilad's party! Although reluctant, Patrick attends the party and meets a new friend, Dianda. She has an incredible appetite, a fighting spirit, and Patrick finds her fascinating. When the party nears its end, he is alarmed to find out that his friend is actually the new Countess of Saltmist.
Characters[]
- Patrick Lorden
- Dianda Lorden
- Simon Torquill
- Amandine
- August Torquill
- King Gilad Windermere
- Duke Morcan of Saltmist
- Sir Etienne
Mentioned only[]
- Blind Michael
- Sylvester Torquill
- Duchess of Wild Strawberries
Locations[]
Mentioned only[]
- Undersea
- Salinas
- Kingdom of Tremont (Boston area)
- County of Twycross
- Duchy of Shadowed Hills
- Duchy of Saltmist
- Albany
- Westlands
See also[]
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