We shared a grin. Flame Windrider and I understood each other very well.
Five minutes later we said goodbye to Gorthan Spit and headed out through the breakers towards Mekaté. Far from having made a fortune, I was leaving with less money in my purse than had been there when I’d arrived… Gorthan Spit was that kind of place.
For a third time I swore I’d never go back.
A letter from Researcher (Special Class) S. iso Fabold, to Masterman M. iso Kipswon, President of the National Society for the Scientific, Anthropological and Ethnographical Study of non-Kellish peoples.
Dated this day 8th/2nd Single/1793
Dear Uncle,
I am so glad you feel the second talk to the Society was a success. I am constantly aware that some members have said in the past that the Society’s patronage of my voyages and the publication of my subsequent research papers have been entirely due to our blood relationship, and not to any inherent ability of mine, thus it was a vindication to hear the praise given to my paper and presentation. Of course, there will always be detractors; I know that not everyone approves of my methods.
Please allow me here to thank you and the committee for issuing another invitation for me to speak at the spring meeting. I am delighted to accept. I intend to entitle my next talk: The Glory Isles: Magic, Belief and Medicine prior to Kellish Contact. And yes, of course I would be delighted if the publicity I am receiving in the press resulted in another sponsored scientific expedition to the Isles of Glory. There is so much more to be done there!
I will be sending you a new package of interviews shortly. I think you will find these particularly enthralling because they are an account by a Mekaté physician. However, rest assured, Blaze figures in them—you see, I have divined that your fascination with that formidable lady rivals mine! Anyara, by the way, also listens with rapt attention to all my tales of the Glory Isles. I continue to censor Blaze’s dialogues when I tell Anyara of them, of course! I do not want to encourage Anyara’s liberality too much; fortunately at the moment it only extends to her expressed opinion that we should allow women to be members of the Society. Can you imagine the furore that would cause? As you will recall, we had to fight long and hard just to have women admitted to the public evenings, and that was quite enough, I feel. But I am rambling. It is time I was abed.
My fond respects to Aunt Rosris.
I remain,
Your grateful nephew,
Shor iso Fabold
About the Author
Glenda Larke was born in Western Australia, the daughter of a farmer. She was educated at government state schools and the University of Western Australia, where she obtained a degree in history and a diploma in education. Married to a Malaysian scientist, she has grown-up children, and has recently moved back to Western Australia after many years of living in Malaysia, where she was actively involved in rainforest conservation.
More information about Glenda and her books can be found at: http://glendalarke.com
Further maps of The Isles of Glory can be found at:
http://glendalarke.com/books/isles_of_glory/
ALSO ON KINDLE FROM FABLECROFT PUBLISHING…
Isles of Glory trilogy by Glenda Larke
The Aware
Gilfeather
The Tainted
Havenstar by Glenda Larke
Pratchett’s Women by Tansy Rayner Roberts
50 Roman Mistresses by Tansy Rayner Roberts
The Bone Chime Song and Other Stories by Joanne Anderton
Guardian by Jo Anderton
The Mocklore Chronicles by Tansy Rayner Roberts
Liquid Gold
Ink Black Magic
Worlds Next Dooredited by Tehani Wessely
Australis Imaginariumedited by Tehani Wessely
After the Rainedited by Tehani Wessely
Epilogueedited by Tehani Wessely
One Small Stepedited by Tehani Wessely
Phantazein edited by Tehani Wessely
Cranky Ladies of History edited by Tansy Rayner Roberts and Tehani Wessely
Insert Title Here… edited by Tehani Wessely
Focus 2012: highlights of Australian short fiction edited by Tehani Wessely
Focus 2013: highlights of Australian short fiction edited by Tehani Wessely
Focus 2014: highlights of Australian short fiction edited by Tehani Wessely
Canterbury 2100: Pilgrimages in a New World edited by Dirk Flinthart
Path of Night by Dirk Flinthart
“Sanction” by Dirk Flinthart
“Flower and Weed” by Margo Lanagan
To Spin a Darker Stairby Catherynne M Valente & Faith Mudge
Also on Kindle by Glenda Larke
Watergivers trilogy
The Last Stormlord
Stormlord Rising
Stormlord’s Exile