The Ambitious Ocean is a short story written for Seanan McGuire's Patreon supporters.
I have seen
The ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam,
To be exalted with the threatening crowds.
—William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar
Author's Summary[]
In which our dear Patrick Twycross makes some questionable choices, an oft-mentioned but never seen figure is finally revealed, and Countess Evening Winterrose makes her grand debut in this timeline.
This story is set after "Write in Water" and "Live in Brass," moving us forward in the Patrick, Dianda, and Simon-era timeline. Things are getting messy.[1]
Plot[]
Patrick Lorden, accompanied by Daffodil the pixie, ventures to Goldengreen to confront Evening Winterrose about her interference in his courtship of Dianda Lorden. He is met by Dawn Winterrose, who escorts him to Evening's throne room. Evening tries to convince and compel Patrick to cease in his pursuit of Dianda, and failing that, kisses him with a powerful spell which forces him to comply with her wishes. He blacks out and wakes up outside the knowe, no longer recognizing Daffodil as he strikes her down, nor his affinity for pixies, nor his empathy for the Silene he'd hired as a driver.
When Patrick arrives at his home and finds it full of more pixies, his compulsion begins to break down, and he starts to war with himself, only to fall under the control of the compulsion once again. He thinks of returning the advances of Treasa Riordan, and regards Dianda as a fish and a target for murder, in order to regain Treasa's good graces.
Patrick goes to visit an alchemist named Carmichael, seeking a remedy to his pixie "infestation." Carmichael is surprised by the request, as he had been assisting Patrick in the aid of the flock up until that point. Patrick also purchases a fishing knife, with the intention to use it on Dianda.
Continuing to war with himself, Patrick approaches the ocean and summons Dianda with an enchanted sea shell, but is soon met by Simon Torquill, who had been brought there by Daffodil. Simon confronts Patrick, figuring that he'd been compelled by Evening, and Patrick attacks him, only to be stopped by Dianda. She drags him into the water, knocks away his knife, and kisses him, breaking Evening's hold over him.
Patrick comes to his senses and apologizes to Daffodil for striking her, and embraces with Simon and Dianda.
Characters[]
- Patrick Twycross, the eldest son of the Count and Countess Twycross of Tremont, baron, Daoine Sidhe
- Daffodil, a pixie
- Lilac, Daffodil's daughter
- Dawn Winterrose
- Evening Winterrose
- Carmichael Kearney, a Tylwyth Teg alchemist
- Simon Torquill
- Dianda Lorden
Mentioned only[]
- Sylvester Torquill
- Luna Torquill
- Dame Eloise
- Eira Rosynhwyr
- Treasa Riordan
- Amandine and August Torquill
Locations[]
- Goldengreen
- Home and workshop of Patrick Twycross
- Almaden, home of Duchess Riorden