Our Trial Patience is a short story written for Seanan McGuire's Patreon supporters. It closely follows the events of Poor Fancy's Followers.
| “ | Then let us teach our trial patience, Because it is a customary cross, |
” |
Author's Summary[]
When last we checked in with Tybalt, currently King of Silvered Cats in the Kingdom of Armorica, he was having a lousy day. Well, it's just going to get worse as he remembers why no one wants to get in the path of heroes and Firstborn. Join us for the second half of our somewhat unpleasant cliffhanger, and see what Tybalt does next.
Plot []
Gripped by Isengrin's curse, Tybalt goes to the forest of Brocéliande to look for Ealhstan. He meets a Roane child who tells him that they have seen his coming in a prophecy, and that if he chose to spare Ealhstan's life, the curse would never leave him, and the spread of it would bathe Faerie in blood. Tybalt must fight Ealhstan, where he will either die or become a murderer, but either way the curse will not swallow Faerie.
Once Tybalt finds Ealhstan, the two of them discuss from a safe distance that if they came any closer, the curse would force them to fight and kill each other even if they want the opposite. Ealhstan reveals that he was given a flask of poison years ago by a Roane woman, and the only reason he didn't use it until now is because he didn't want to die alone.
After Ealhstan's death, Tybalt extracts his heart, and sets out to take it back to Hirsent.
Characters []
Mentioned only []
- Nimue
- Hirsent
- Isengrin
- Three Creators of Faerie
- September Torquill
- Lilou
- Morane
- Fómhar
- Eira Rosynhwyr
Locations[]
- Brocéliande
- Gwened
Quotes[]
- "I am a creature of cities. I have been, however distasteful I might find the word, domesticated."
- "We have no territory any longer, only the darkness of the depths and the silence of our mother,” said the child. “She left us after the slaughter, unable to stand the sight of what little had survived. But departure is not a closing curtain, and we endure, and walk where we will as we await our second turn upon the stage."
See also[]
| Tybalt Shorts |
|---|
| A King Without a Court |
| Remembering to Rule |
| Caring for Cailin |
| September |
| Hero's Quest |
| Court of Silver |