We have a small announcement for you this morning. Sweep of the Heart has exceeded the novella length. Therefore it is now SWEEP OF THE HEART, a novel.
The Story So Far:
Kosandion, the Sovereign of 7 Star Dominion, had arrived to the inn to begin the selection of his future spouse. He is assisted by Resven, his chancellor, and Miralitt, the head of his security. 12 spousal candidates made it through to this final selection. Now they have to introduce themselves once more time to remind everyone who they are and who they stand for.
In the last installment, 5 delegations introduced themselves:
- the elf-like psionic Gaheas and their candidate Nycate,
- the the six-limbed Kai and their human candidate Prysen,
- the homicidal Dushegub trees and their dryad-like candidate Unessa,
- the calculating vampires of House Meer and their knight Bestata,
- the aggressive Otrokars of the Southern Tribes and their champion, Surkar
We have 7 delegations to go. Dina, Sean, and the Gertrude Hunt will need lots of luck and patience.
The Higgra didn’t bother with a human, like the Donkamins and Oomboles. Their candidate was 2 feet tall at the shoulder, stood on four legs, and was covered with brilliant white fur splattered with flecks of gold and grey. Although her height matched the Earth’s leopard, her build was lighter, and her legs were longer. She had an unmistakably feline face with big golden eyes, and her seemingly delicate paws with dexterous fingers hid razor-sharp claws. Her gums and tongue were a vivid Prussian Blue, her name meant cyanide, and as usual, the Higgra insisted on the literal translations of their names. Cyanide promised to teach her children to observe the world and make sound judgements. In complete harmony, of course.
The Donkamins were next, and I’d confirmed my suspicions. The Donkamins didn’t only freak out the Earth-born humans. They freaked out everyone. When their candidate strode into the open to deliver their message of scientific exploration and harmony, every humanoid in the room made valiant efforts to look elsewhere.
One of the Dominion’s delegations was next. I’d started calling them Team Smiles and Team Frowns based on their expressions, and this one was the Smile one. Their candidate was an enthusiastic young woman, a typical Dominion citizen – taupe skin, big grey eyes, and soft dark grey hair, which she had styled in an asymmetric wave. From her looks alone, she could’ve been Resven’s niece, and she gazed upon Kosandion with worshipful adoration. She mentioned unity and harmony twice in four sentences.
The Murder Birds were next. Their candidate was a remarkably handsome stocky man with dark bronze skin and shockingly pale silver eyes. His dark hair, frosted with white, curved from his head in an asymmetric cut that would’ve given manga artists fits of jealousy. His name was Pivor. He smiled a lot, delivered his speech about cooperation between species and harmony, and returned to his place, obviously pleased with a job well done.
The Frowns Dominion delegation presented an unusual candidate. She was tall and muscled like a gymnast, and she moved with a natural grace. Her skin was the deepest indigo, her eyes were black, and her glossy dark hair, braided into a complex arrangement, rode on her head like a crown. An Uma, same as Kosandion’s mother.
Seeing an Uma outside their world was extremely rare.
The Uma had been discovered a thousand years ago by Earth’s time by one of the slimier Galactic nations. The newcomers arrived bearing gifts and sweet promises, and it took almost twenty years before the Uma realized they were not being helped, they were being colonized. The invaders severely underestimated the Uma spirit. In less than a century, they were purged from the planet, and the Uma shut their doors to most of Galactic visitors. The lucky few who had been invited told a story of a beautiful world populated by fierce people.
The candidate, whose name was Ellenda, glared at the gathering. Her speech hit the talking points, but her tone seemed almost defiant. She mentioned progress and harmony and strode back to Team Frown with her head held high.
It was the Oombole turn now. Their candidate, a fish that looked like someone had painted it with fire, treated us to a frenzied display of jazz fins, and their translation software was clearly having issues.
“… raised the offspring to seek safety and to swim in a way that doesn’t shower those behind them in body fluids.”
Right. Don’t pee on your fellow citizens.
“Thank you, Candidate Ooond for this refreshing definition of harmony,” Kosandion said. “I believe we have only one candidate left.”
Lady Wexyn glided into the open and smiled. There was something so infectious about that smile. It made you want to smile back.
She leaned forward slightly, making the delicate birds on the golden branches of her headpiece tilt. “Do I say it now, Your Majesty?”
“Yes,” Kosandion said.
Resven clenched his hands together, probably to keep from slapping one of them over his own face.
“I am Lady Wexyn of the Temple of Desire!” she announced.
We waited. Seconds ticked by.
“Lady Wexyn, would you like to tell us how you would raise our child?” Kosandion prompted.
She smiled wider, her eyes innocent and clear, like a night sky lit up by starlight. “Of course. I will love them most of all, Your Majesty. They would be my favorite.”
It took Kosandion another five seconds to realize it was all he was going to get. “Thank you, Lady Wexyn.”
She sashayed back to her people who swarmed her with whispered congratulations.
“On that note, we shall conclude the introductions,” Kosandion announced. “Tomorrow we shall convene for the first of the final challenges. Rest well.”
I glanced at Gaston.
He stepped forward. “We humbly beg you to join us for the evening meal.”
I flicked my hand. The Dushegubs fell through the floor into their Pit, where they would find six pig carcasses floating in a foot of dark water. We had asked the delegations in advance if they preferred to dine in public or in private. The Dushegubs didn’t get a choice.
About half of the delegations chose private dining. The rest we divided between the three dining halls. I ended up in the Ocean Dining Room, mainly because Kosandion took one look at the balcony facing the sea and determined that this would be his preferred view. Of the other two dining halls, one offered a vista of our orchard, where Sean currently had his hands full with the Otrokars and the Temple. The third dining hall presented a beautiful view of Saturn and was overseen by Tony.
The Sovereign wanted to dine in privacy but still be seen, so I sectioned off a portion of the balcony with a see-through soundproof barrier and keyed it to Resven so a request from him would adjust the barrier’s transparency. Besides him, five other groups were in the dining hall: the Holy Ecclesiarch with his party, House Meer, Team Smiles, the Gaheas, and the observers.
Everyone seemed focused on their meal, which was as expected considering who cooked it. I strode between the tables a couple of times to make sure everything was going smoothly and parked myself by the wall.
Team Smiles were relaxed and laughing. Their candidate, the one who stared worshipfully at Kosandion during the ceremony, kept sneaking glances at the partition probably hoping he would look her way. House Meer ate like they were in enemy territory, watching everyone around them. At some point they relaxed enough to talk, which I considered progress. The Gaheas were performing incredible fits of dexterity at their table. They ate with four utensils, holding them two per hand, and they sliced tiny pieces from their food like a team of superstar surgeons.
The Holy Ecclesiarch had barely touched his plate. He was looking a bit mournful.
I drifted over to his table and murmured softly. “Is the food not to your liking, Your Holiness?”
“Your hospitality is beyond reproach,” he said.
“But?”
He looked at his plate of lean fish and vegetables arranged with such artistic flair, it should’ve been photographed for posterity. “It is beautiful. Alas, I have grown older.”
The members of the Dominion’s most numerous species experienced a diminished sense of taste in the final decade of life. It never went away completely, but for them the flavors became muted. The profiles of their meals grew spicier and bolder to stimulate their tired tastebuds. Any galactic chef knew this, let alone a Red Cleaver one.
“No worries,” I told him. “I will be back.”
I walked away to the wall, snapped up a transparent soundproof barrier around myself, and pulled up a screen to the kitchen.
“Orro?”
He appeared on the screen, a looming dark mass of quills. Things must’ve been hectic.
“What’s going on with the Holy Ecclesiarch’s food?”
His spikes trembled. “I was given specific dietary requirements due to health restrictions.” His voice told me exactly what he thought of that.
“His time is coming to an end, and mild food isn’t going to make a difference. He has only a few meals left. I will take full responsibility.”
Orro clapped his clawed hands together. “Then I will dazzle!”
“Go for it.”
I dropped the barrier. Five minutes later the Holy Ecclesiarch’s plate sank into his table and a new plate appeared, presenting a fish that had been scaled, cooked, sliced into sections, reassembled so the sections resembled scales, and soaked in a rich dark broth. The aroma of spices drifted on the slight breeze. The elderly man took a single bite and smiled at me.
Crisis averted.
I drifted through the dining room again. House Meer was about mid-way through their meal. The Smiles delegation finished the main course and moved on to their customary tea and dessert course, which meant they would stay parked for another half an hour. Half of the observers had left. Only Dagorkun, Cookie, Karat, and Tomato remained at the table. Tomato hailed from a republic neighboring the Dominion. He was green-furred and a bit bear like. His translation software had informed him that his name phonetically matched tomatoes, and upon arrival, he assured me that he was not a fruit.
I checked on Caldenia. She was in one of the terminal rooms, accessing the Gertrude Hunt news database. Gaston was with her. His mission for today was to stick to her like glue. I didn’t want any surprises.
Karat saw me looking and waved me over. I approached their table.
“Your sister said you would provide all necessary information to me.”
Thanks, Maud. “What can I clarify for you?”
She glanced in the direction of the semi opaque partition obscuring Kosandion and his party. “That man doesn’t strike me as unintelligent. He knows who he’s going to marry. Why is he bothering with this farce?”
The other three observers stared at me with rapt attention.
This would take a bit of time to explain. I glanced around the dining hall. Everything seemed calm. I summoned a chair out of the floor and sat.
“Ratings.”
Karat blinked. “Their ratings? He’s ranking them?”
“Not him. The entire Dominion. Everything that happens is being recorded and broadcast back throughout their territory. The citizens are watching it and vote in approval or disapproval.”
“They vote on the likability of the spouses?” Karat raised her eyebrows. “Why? This shouldn’t be a popularity contest. He is their monarch. It’s his choice.”
Trying to figure out how to explain a concept alien to most species was surprisingly difficult.
“Are you familiar with the Bluebug hivemind?” I asked.
Dagorkun grimaced. “They are a massive pain.”
“It.” Tomato plucked some cherries from his plate with his alarmingly long claws.
“It, they, no matter.” Dagorkun shrugged.
“No,” Tomato said. “That is precisely the matter.”
“The Dominion isn’t a hivemind,” Karat said. “If they were, there would be no need for the broadcast. You would only need one of them here.”
“You’re right,” I said. “They are not hivemind, but they are linked. It’s not a telepathic link via intelligence. It’s more of a collective empathy.”
“I don’t follow,” Karat said.
I would lean on Sean for this. “Have you fought on Nexus?” I asked.
She nodded.
“There must have been times in battle when your force rallied. When things seemed lost, but you saw a single knight rise to the challenge. An act of bravery, a sacrifice, a display of courage, and suddenly the mood changed and those who had been dejected before became inspired. And then you charged in a single wave and felt…”
“Exuberant,” Karat finished.
“Revived,” Dagorkun added. “We have a word for it. Kausur. Collective courage.”
“For the citizens of the Dominion, that feeling extends beyond the battlefield. It’s a loose connection but it’s always active. Even though there are different species within the Dominion, somehow they all feel a measure of this collective empathy. After a few years, those who emigrate to the Dominion also develop it. There is even a celebration to mark one’s ability to sense the collective mood.”
“That’s horrific.” Karat drained her glass. “I do not want to be plugged into anyone’s feelings but my own. I don’t like people. I don’t want to like what they like. I make exceptions for family, but there are times when I can barely tolerate even them.”
“Agreed,” Dagorkun said. “When I give an order, I don’t want to know if they like it or agree. I just need them to do it.”
Karat shook her head. “How does their army not disintegrate under the weight of all those feelings? How ever do they fight?”
“Very well,” Tomato said. “They’re a machine, disciplined and united. Their morale is impossible to break.”
“When they decide to resort to violence, it’s because an overwhelming majority of them feel it is justified. They are united in their righteousness,” I said.
“But they’re still individuals,” Dagorkun said. “There will be dissent.”
“There is, and if the dissent grows too large, those united by it will abandon cause,” I said. “The Dominion’s civil wars are the bloodiest in the galaxy. It’s not a matter of policy or interests. It’s all fueled by emotion. Kosandion is a monarch, the executive head of their state. Their policies and laws are enacted by him, but they’re dictated by legislative, judicial, and religious branches.”
“So what happens if the sovereign becomes unpopular?” Dagorkun asked.
“At first, it will produce a collective anxiety,” I said. “People will become more irritable. You will see the rise in general rudeness, lack of patience, and disproportionately severe reactions to small annoyances. The people of the Dominion will sense the discontent among their peers and will want to disconnect from those feelings, but there’s no escape. If the situation is allowed to worsen, the stress-related breakdowns will increase. Conception rates will drop, and miscarriages will occur more often, because the collective unhappiness indicates that now is not a good time to have a child and activates certain biological mechanisms to lower the birth rate. Their collective immunity will falter, making the population vulnerable to plagues. Brawls will break out in the streets, and there will be a sharp uptick in spree killers.”
The vampire and the otrokar stared at me. Cookie smiled into his whiskers. He hadn’t said a word this entire time. He just listened.
“Eventually, a chunk of the population will snap in self-defense, and someone will murder the Sovereign,” I finished.
Tomato nodded. “We’ve watched it happen. It is the same for the Six Star Supremacy, the Dominion’s sister empire.”
The first time I had seen the collective empathy of the Dominion in action, I was sixteen years old. I had decided I wanted to go to college, and that morning I went to take my SATs. I had told my family in advance. I scheduled it. I paid for it. Everyone agreed to let me be. It should’ve been a quiet morning. The inn had about a hundred visitors. Klaus and Mike were off on a fishing trip with Dad. Maud and Mom were at home, holding the fort, and between the two of them, they didn’t need my help with anything.
When I finished and turned my phone back on, I had three messages from Mom telling me to get home as soon as I could. I felt so annoyed. My family treated my entire high school adventure like it was a hobby or a fad. Something I did that wouldn’t really matter. Meanwhile, in school, every teacher and coach preached college nonstop. You went to college, or you were a loser.
I had studied my ass off for those exams. I didn’t even get a good luck or how’d it go?
I got home, sensed my mom in our garden, went there, and when I stepped outside, into my carefully nurtured botanical wonderland, I smelled this terrible bitter smoke. We were hosting a large group from the Dominion and the Six Star Supremacy. They were an extended family traveling on a sightseeing trip to celebrate their reunion. That morning, while I took my exams, they had set their hair and clothes on fire.
I walked through the garden among people smeared with ash, moaning and weeping, some catatonic, rocking back and forth, until I found my mother. Mom could handle any emergency the universe chose to throw at her, but that morning, she stood there, glassy-eyed, unable to stop their suffering.
It was the day Caldenia murdered Kosandion’s father.
“Kosandion isn’t just trying to score points,” I said. “By involving the whole nation in his choice of a spouse, he is letting them feel like they matter. Even if their preferred candidate doesn’t make it to the altar, their opinion still counted. They were engaged, they were given a voice, and they were a part of it.”
“It goes deeper than that,” Caldenia said behind me.
She had been heading our way for a bit now. I wasn’t sure if she was looking for me or if she was just hungry. Apparently, she was looking for me.
The observers turned to her.
“Kosandion will chose his spouse, and he will make sure the Dominion feels it is also their choice. They will be loyal to that person, because they have chosen them, and when the child is born, they will transfer that loyalty to Kosandion’s heir. That child will be beloved and cherished, and the entire Dominion will be invested in their future. That is how dynasties persist and thrive.”
Wow.
Caldenia looked at me. “If I could have a word?”
I rose. “Of course, Your Grace.”
1
You were fast!
So close should be a tie for 1st this week!
I have a bad habit of checking the site and then leaving and the story is posted as soon as I leave. So this time I refreshed and it magically appeared.
1st?
I’m never so early! 😀
Yay. Happy Easter
Second?
Thank you for the chapter. Happy Easter 🐣
Yaasssss – feast time!
I’m on top!!! Never made it that close lol
thank you House Andrews, as always and Happy Easter to everyone!
Happy Easter Weekend!
Good Friday, in all its meanings. Thanks to HA, ModR, and BDH for this latest chapter.
Hurrah, a novel, not a novellette! The BDH is sooo spoiled…
Yaaassss! We are so lucky. Thx HA.
Awesome
AHHHHHH!!!! What will Caldenia say!!! I love this so much!
I love the description of how the empire is empathic.
I agree! Fascinating! I’m riveted!
That bit about the elderly having diminished taste buds is a fact. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities tend to have hot sauce on the tables in the dining room and on the dinner trays. This true for most of the good ones. Not so much for the bad ones.
I know there is great fun, political and moral nuance in this chapter, but can I focus on anything else but Karat and Dagorkun bonding 😀 ? Not likely!
This ol’ shipper’s heart is aflutter. Aflutter, I say.
+1
But how would that work? Which planet would they choose, his or hers? They’re not at war with each other (at the moment) but bound to be constant threat of it.
Well, Karat’s aunt left her family to go to her husband’s family with dire consequences for her birth family.
And the Otrokar are some form of democracy, if I recall correctly. Maybe the new space station in Daesyn orbit will become the haven for a small family of Otrokar. Or maybe they’ll start raising those wolf-like hellpigs on Daesyn…
In order for vampire society to become more open, it can’t start from the fringes, but if House Krahr, who rule over the Mukama roost, start changing…
Oh, how fun!
You do not flutter alone.
I agree, I started shipping them the moment I read about them…. Although I know it’s ridiculous and unadvisable.
Ridiculous and Unadvisable are my middle names! 🤪
#TeamFactsBeDamned
You are the absolute best, ModR, & we loves you!!!
+1
+1
💕💕🥰🌸
Also true!!! That was my first response!!
Aflutter indeed
Me: zomg look they have common interests! they didn’t know! enemies to lovers! when is the smooching?!
Karat and Dagorkun, sitting in a Vala tree, frenemy S-M-O-U-C-H-I-N-G!
Squee! Arland’s favorite cousin deserves nothing short of a galactic stunning power match.
Bonus Points: House Meer’s collective heads will explode on-site!
Haha! I hadn’t even considered that part 😁
Congrats? on making it to Book Length! Not sure if the jump from Novella to Book makes all the post-writing stages harder or easier, but I hope it goes smoothly for you!
—
Cracking instalment again, thank you! I hope Caldenia’s not read something amiss on the News broadcasts about Gertrude Hunt (that collective empathy sounds like interior decorating competitions (or any reality competition) will be really interesting!)
Thinking the exact same thing about Caldenia and the news feed
As if the BDH ever had a problem with more words from you 🙂
And now you have me buying Graphic Audio versions…….
Although the Virgo, Family & Consumer Sciences (Home Ec) plus Business teacher in me still has urges to go help you with some problems, and bake you cookies.
Thank you for so much.
Omg me too I have the original audios and tried the first graphic one and am hooked😂! So happy for novel length I really really hope this means we may get a trifold brochure with some pics of our contestants somewhere in there from our fav Artist!! I’m having such a hard time with picturing the species.
Thank you!
The first thing that came to my mind is Orro is going to be accused of poisoning a guest again and the second is Caldenia telling Dina that Kosandion will be assassinated.
+1.
So happy we have a novel now, not a novella. All kinds of wonderful things may happen in that length of story…..More fabulous writing!!!
More awesomeness!!!!
Well now, I wonder what Caldenia wants to tell Dina? I wonder if it is something about Lady Wexyn?
Oh yes. Also, I want to learn more about what went on in the garden and how Dina helped her mom and their guests …
+1
The **Six Star** Supremacy, sister empire of the Seven Star Dominion (with nine stars) I wonder how many stars the Six Star actually has. 🙂 Surely there’s a story there???
Patience, Hordehopper! 😀
{snort} Hordehopper. Good one, ModR!
I love that from Book One to Book 2 and then to Book 3, the descriptions of how many systems the Holy Anocracy ruled increased. It’s a very subtle change, and wonderful.
What a place to stop!! 🙂
Love it. Thank you. 😊
To think that the inn Dina grew up in suffered through Caldinia’s actions – fascinating!
One wonders if Caldenia’s action was a response to the emotional pressure that caused that incident or if the emotional pressure was caused by Caldenia’s actions. Personally, I think it was the former. Like Dina said, ( to paraphrase) when the emotional pressure gets too bad, someone kills the Monarch
The BDH is trapped in classic chicken and egg conundrum 😂
I just had a kooko turn back to look at us with an affronted and horrified, and gears-turning-in-his-wildly-plummed-head big eyes!!
Hehehe
Did Caldenia kill her brother to save her people? Did she actually take the throne after killing her brother or did her nephew take control?
I missed the “simon says” light that was stopping under the delegations…that was one of my favorite things from the last chapter, so clever.
Please know that I am NOT complaining…this chapter was very satisfying. Loved how Orro (#teamOrro) was able to impact the event.
I took it as a clue that none of those groups would have the winning spouse.
The ones with or without the lights? Right now I’m absolutely rooting for the Gaheas. But honestly, I was falling for both the Gahea candidate and the Kai candidate. First impressions struck me that they’d be loving, gentle, and fiercely protective fathers & spouses!
Also, on re-read, I’m completely enamored with the Higgra candidate’s parenting plan.
I’m rooting for the Uma candidate, the indigo skin did it for me. 😉
Its going to be a novel, many more chapters ahead, this news has made my day. I am having fun with this story and its good that it will be extended longer than I thought. Have a fantastic weekend House Andrews and I hope your daughter gets her fur babies back soon.
Oh, oh. Someone could be in trouble.
“If I could have a word,” from Caldenia, is the equivalent of a cliffhanger, lol. Can’t wait for next week! And I’m so happy we’re getting a full novel!
First of all: Yay! Novel length! Woo Hoo!
I loved imagining the display of “jazz fins,” the murder trees dropping through the floor, and Gaston charming Caldenia. (I assume he continues to charm her.)
And now we have to wait a week for Caldenia’s “a word”? This is going to be fun.
have to agree, jazz fins was a great visual
You can always tell when House Andrews is having fun.
Hmm…what you said about Gaston and Caldenia…..
ModR am I insane for shipping Gaston and Caldenia? Just for five minutes? I mean you’re down for crazy ships but perhaps this is a ship too far? Never the less, I would like Caldenia to find happiness — so long as it doesn’t involve killing her brother and eating people.
Bachelor Universal style, I like 👍
Huzzah on the novel length! Noooooo to ending just as Caldenia wishes a private convo with Dina! And actual agreement between Karat and Dagorkun?! Whoa.
Happy Good Friday, Passover, and/or Easter to all who celebrate!
Yay! Thank you for the wonderful reads on Friday!
Does Dina still owe Couki the favor she promised him in One Fell Sweep? If so, I wonder if that will be called into play in this novel (yay for more words!)
More words are always good! I too was wondering why the big pageant, but this explains it so clearly. Thank you!
Thank you very much for the chapter! I wish you happy easter… and harmony
Sorry! Happy easter
Fixed 😉
+10
Most wondrous! And the news that it will be a novel? Tremendous! Thank you House Andrews! You are the best!
I’m so excited! I did wonder how all thos awesomeness was going to fit in a novella. Wow. Thank you!!
I don’t know why, but I felt trepidation reading the last bit from Caldenia. As always, thank you for another great addition to my Friday. Hope all is well in your piece of the world.
Well, it’s Caldenia :D. The whole Galaxy feels trepidation when she has a word hehe.
“We need to talk” are never good words. Especially coming from a galactic tyrant.
Gah! You have the worst (best?) timing at cutting off the day’s chapter. What did Caldenia want??? Ok, well. Thank you very much for the chapter. I very much enjoyed it. : )
Oohhhhh…this was just the break I needed from carting the last of all the salvageable and dry stuff out of my basement which had 6” of water in it last week.
Thank you House Andrews from a member of the BDH who besides being tired, sore, and dusty was a political science major in undergrad and LOVES the political system world building you do!
It is a good thing I work from home. I laughed so hard when I got to the “Right. Don’t pee on your fellow citizens.” part. I’m still laughing at that.
I wonder what Lady Wexyn has to hide? What does Caldenia have to say to Dina?
In the words of my two year old granddaughter – Yummmy!
Love it, as usual!
Super curious to see what Calendia has to say. I am DYING to know her side of the story.
Ditto!!! I’m enjoying the banter between Karat and Dago but I’m pretty sure we all know where that’s going. What I don’t know is where Calendia is going.
Thank you!
Seeing that Cookie had an “I know that” expression on his face while Dina was explaining the collective empathy makes me wonder if the Lees as a race have something similar.
Oh wow, some Caldenia back story! Can’t wait to hear what she wants to say to Dina. And a NOVEL!!!! YEA!!!!! I realize this means more work, but this story deserves a novel, it’s fascinating and fun. Thanks for today and all the Fridays yet to come!
I still say Lady Wexyn for the win because I love her attitude. Keep them wondering. Hehe
That Sweep of the Heart is now a novel is a wonderful. So glad the dentist trip went well. I no longer have the anxiety that made me shake so badly the dentist couldn’t really do much, but I still do not like going to the dentist, and I even really like her.
Thank you House Andrews, this is an amazing story!!
I am wondering how someone from a civilization whose motto seems to be “and Harmony,” became an intergalcatic tyrant who literally eats her enemies. Inquiring minds want to know. Excellent installment as always!
“Harmony” is the buzzword given to the candidates 🙂 . We don’t know that’s what the civilisation is all about, after all “The Dominion’s civil wars are the bloodiest in the galaxy. “
It could be harmony became a buzzword because of what Caldenia did.
If one race’s definition of harmony is to not urinate on your subjects, it’s possible that other races define harmony surprisingly differently to our understanding. Very few of them bothered to define it, really. And the Vampire and Otrokar use of ‘harmony’ was also hilarious.
I loved it so much. I’m happy that it’s going to be a novel. But my heart can’t take many more of these cliffhangers. If they keep going, I will become a most pitiful fan, sending boxes of tea through the mai/ and posting cute gifs in the facebook groups in search of a few extra sentences.
I really just need to know that Caldenia and Dina are going to be okay.
Whew. Incredible. Your world building leaves me speechless. Thank you so much. And now, I will return to Kate, and book 10, which has me completely enthralled. Yay!!
Something I’m curious about. If their collective empathy can reach Earth, does that mean Caldenia would still be connected to it, at least to a degree?
Keep in mind that Caldenia’s title includes “fate-maker”, while Konsandions included “untampered by fate” or thereabouts. She is absolutely the background mover/shaker/dark horse for the empire!
“She who controls fate” and “He who is immune to fate” ☺️ https://www.ilona-andrews.com/2022/chapter-10-part-2-2/
Wow, complex and relatable at the same time! Fascinating!
So many questions based on the story Dina told:
Did Kosandion’s father become unpopular? Was there rampant trouble? Was Caldenia part of the Dominion? Did she “snap in self defense”? Did her killing the former Sovereign actually save them from social breakdown? Most of all, what is the actual back story between Caldenia and Kosandion? Family is so complicated.
Referencing Patricia Briggs – Lugh was a hero, who became a monster and nobody was willing to deal with him, until Zee, who is remembered for killing the hero he had been, not the monster he became.
I’m also curious as to whether Caldenia retains an empathic connection to that society?
I hesitate to see a softer, gentler, Caldenia. There has been a lot of ink spent developing Caldenia into charming but cold-blooded individual whose primary focus is staying alive. Although she has been a huge asset to Dina and the Inn this is less because of any sense of loyality and more out of self-interest. Caldenia’s fortunes rise and fall with Gertude Hunt’s and it behooves her to ensure that they rise and high as possible.
I just had a terrible thought – is it possible Kosandion is there to kill Caldenia?
Caldenia killed Kosandion’s father.
Kosandion (or his proxies) overthrew her in a political coup and allowed her to escape. He sent bounty hunters after her and he’s kept the contracts active to ensure that she stays put but he hasn’t had her killed. We just learned how good the Dominion army is. If he wanted her dead, she would be dead.
This whole Bachelor contest is about looking to the future and building a better tomorrow. Killing Caldenia runs counter to that.
Katherine is theorising here, just wanted to mark for anyone who is wondering 🙂. We do not yet know the background story.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Caldenia cared for Dominion in some way. Or felt he was being mistreated by his father. Or his father was causing civil unrest in the group.
I’d be like Kate in the defense of my kids or someone I love.
I don’t think Kosandian’s initial goal was to kill Caldenia. Remember, it’s being held at Gertrude Hunt because every. other. Inn. said no. And Dina WOULD have said no, too, except this is how she trades for access to a gate through which to rescue Wilnius. After which they had… two days? To get ready? I’ll have to reread. So killing Caldenia couldn’t have been a goal.
Unless. Unless the Dominion kidnapped him to force the issue with Gertrude Hunt. But even then, I’d say they did it to have the spouse selection on Earth. They know exactly where Caldenia is. It hasn’t been a secret.
As always, your world building is amazing. Thanks for making my Friday’s fun. 🐰🐣🐰🐣
Reads ““At first, it will produce a collective anxiety… rise in general rudeness, lack of patience, and disproportionately severe reactions to small annoyances… Their collective immunity will falter … there will be a sharp uptick in spree killers.”
Well, that feels uncomfortably close to home in 2002, esp since I work in travel and being on a plane seems to really bring it out.
I’m so happy it’s a novel, though!
You just have too much story to tell to do a novelette, don’t you? Glad tidings for us, but don’t work yourselves too hard. Or is it more stressful to turn the creative spigot off?
Hope you have a good Easter with many yummy things to eat!
Thank you. The Alien Bachelor show was sure to run long when instead of mean spirited gossip they are trying to kill each other.
Wow. So much the wow. We get to hear about Caldenia’s past!
Also, um, does this mean she only ruled for a small number of Earth years?
Dina was taking the SAT when she killed Kosandion’s father. And she was in college when her parents’ inn disappeared. And she only traveled the universe searching for answers before going back home and opening Gertrude Hunt, and Caldenia was one of her first, if not her first, guest. So that’s, what? An Earth decade of Caldenia ruling as monarch? (Of course, maybe time passes differently there, like on Nexus, but that seems doubtful to be extreme variance.)
But she would have been sister to the monarch for many years before that. I wonder what sort of respect and power that conveys…
If ‘someone will murder the Sovereign’ when times are tough, does that mean that dynasties know and take that into account? So when times get really bad for the nation, a member of the dynasty will kill the monarchs, rule for a bit, while protecting the previous heir? That’s astounding and pretty wonderful. Does that mean Caldenia has always been more noble than previous descriptions have conveyed? And that it was Caldenia’s choice to appear more savage and maniacal?
This is all very interesting. I can’t wait to read more!
You’re making a lot of assumptions, such as the one that Caldenia could only have been ruler of the Dominion…
That makes me wonder if there’s a play on words “sister system.” She could have ruled both but she’s emphasizing the importance of everyone supporting the offspring of there leader.
She may have ruled until the hier is ready to.
+100 the emotional pressure of millions of citizens forcing one to be a decent executive….or…..
The BDH reacts with exuberance and joy to the news of another innkeeper full-length book (whenever possible though, no pressure)… in the meantime, readership of the blog serial version shoots up by hundreds more…
No stop, stop bad 🙂
Happy Easter! Thank you!
Novel! *dances through the room*
Yeah, novel!
*will throw money at House Andrews as soon as it’s available for pre-order*
Thank you for another installment! This always lifts me up, no matter what. <3
OMG! After the past two years, I’m channeling Karat!
“I do not want to be plugged into anyone’s feelings but my own. I don’t like people. I don’t want to like what they like. I make exceptions for family, but there are times when I can barely tolerate even them.”
Thanks for the chapter! I hope your weekend is lovely.
👍
Karat is one of my favorite characters.
I have the unfortunately unpopular opinion that Karat will Not be falling in love in this book, as I have headcanoned her to be aro-ace since her first appearance.
@Lavengale Thank you for the new term! I learn so much when reading the comments. 🙂
No-ve-la!!!! Hurrra!!
Thank you for the snippet!
Not novella, novel! Even better 😀
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Caldenia.
Woohoo! Glad it’s a novel!
Easter greetings … 5.23 am Saturday morning.
What a great way to start the sunrise …. thank you for the next chapter & the delightful news re novel.
Many many thanks, had a difficult day at work and it’s always great to escape into those worlds you created,
Love your work, thank you very much for everything,
Have a nice day
Congratulations! So happy that Sweep of the Heart is going to be novel. This year’s looking up for us and House Andrew’s: Ruby Fever & Innerkeeper this year. Hopefully, this will reduce some deadlines stress/word count stress they place on themselves.
Am I the only one that loves the pictures ? They take me right into story This weeks chapter was delicious, like the yummy pictures! Yay
Loved this chapter, but my brain being as wierd as it is makes me curious as to how drunk a vampire could get after eating tiramisu.
I didn’t know tiramisu had coffee in it. But that does bring up other choices… Coffee ice cream… Any drink mixed with Kahlua…
If it is caffeine that makes them drunk, I’m curious about chocolate and tea. I noticed that Dina generally serves mint tisanes to the vampires.
Me, before reading: Yay, a novel!
🙂
Me, after reading this chapter: That got pretty dark, fast. O_O
That is no criticism. I just did not expect that turn of events. I should have learned by now not to try to predict House Andrews.
PS: I go all in with my money on Lady Wexyn. Is someone betting against me? (Clearly, I did not learn anything today about trying to predict. 😉 )
PPS: Dagorkun and Karat were agreeing quite often, weren‘t they?
PPPS: I am dying to know what Caldenia has to say.
just gets better and better! thank you!
Such fun, as always! Thank you!
Hurrah for a novel so the cast of thousands have more space for havoc & ships.
What is Lady Wexyn up to with the airhead routine?
Can’t wait to hear more from and about Caldenia – what’s her news and why did she murder Kosandion‘s father? How did she survive / manipulate the collective empathy?
Only 300 😂.
That’s only including the cast of *this* part of the saga! Crucial tho it may be…
Awesome!!!
Exquisite, as usual. Thank you, and Happy Easter to all!
Thank you!
Rejoice!
That this lovely, intriguing tale has evolved into a full fledged novel.
I love being on the sidelines as your combined talents unfurls and asserts itself.
Wowza!
I literally wait all week in anticipation of this story and then on Friday I can not bring myself to open right away—it partly because it might be delayed, but mostly because it will end too soon!! Love this series!!
Exactly! I force myself to wait until late Friday night to read and then read as slowly as possible, after I’ve been waiting impatiently all week, lol.
Ooh, we’re definitely going to learn more about Caldenia in this book! I love so much how you guys write the descriptions of other cultural groups and the innkeepers’ (and their offspring’s) interactions with them.
Thank you. I so love Saturdays. Being in Australia, that is when I get my treat 🙂
+1🐨
Yay! Novel!!! Just that much more fun and adventure…. Woohoo!
And…Auntie Caldenia…WTF!?!?
Heh. So much to look forward to in the next installments. Oh, my!
Soo good 💗💗💗💗. Thank you for making it a full story. I love all the information. The facts.
OH MY GOD.
Ooooo ….. this means something bad’s very close, doesn’t it ……
Thank you! A novel? Woohoo!
Awesome!
Ohhh so much info but it all leads to more questions. Very happy to hear this will be a novel. And now I’m waiting patiently to find out what Caldenia has to say.
What happiness! Another wonderful chapter, thank you very much and Happy Easter to all!
Super squee, love the news and the chapter. Classic amazingness from HA. Thank you so much! Can’t wait for next week’s installment w Caldenia!
Politic should be very interesting on an emphatic hive mind lot more integrity.
Thank you!!! A novel!!! Yassssssssss!!!! And we are getting Caldenia’s back story too!
wow,just wow….
Ahhhhh, I can’t wait for what Caldenia has to say!!! Next Friday is so far away.
Yay, Novel length! That means that all those lovely tangled threads that keep piling up each chapter will get sorted out and showcased in a way they deserve. Fabulous news in Addition to a great installment.
Who gave Orro that input and why? What is Lady Wexyns plan? And what did Caldenia notice that requires Dinas attention? So many interesting things to know.
Stuffed shirt is probably the one that ordered mild food for the elderly priest.
Resven is my guess too 😊
Lovely. Thank you. And thanks for the great news of the size this is achieving.
“If I could have a word?” Means I am not going to like what comes next. Kinda of like “Hold my beer” You know trouble is coming.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Thank you.
We are emotional puppets in your hands. Well played. I was breathless walking back into the garden with Dina. Now I’m hopeful for more backstory on Caldenia! I have learned nothing: I still want her to have a compassionate reason for the murder – love for K’s maligned mother, care for K, any “worthy” or “moral” reason. Despite all we’ve learned of Caldenia over the many stories!
Ugh! I feel more impatient for the next chapter than ever 😆.
To find out that it is now a novel brings me great pleasure. The story is too good for it to be novella and get it all told. But I do wonder about what has happened to Marais. I thought he was to be a part of the security as well?
Just brilliant. That is all.
0.0
Sounds like Alan Dean Foster’s short story from Who Needs Enemies about how you can vote on how a TV show’s story goes and whether the actors live or die. I can’t remember the name of the story.
When are you going to write about Hugh book 2? I have Been waiting for more than 4 years. A tentative date would be nice.
We won’t know until the book goes for preorder.
No writing plans or deadlines will be revealed until a project is ready to be published https://www.ilona-andrews.com/2022/on-being-difficult/
Your ability to explain the psychology of completely alien species is remarkable. Also you make it relatable and interesting. This is why I will read anything you write and enjoy it. You guys are just amazing.
Oh thank goodness! I really hoped for a book! Loving Chapter 11. I can’t wait to see how all this exposition ties into the full story. I am betting it will be epic and exquisite and sneaky. (Wish I could have come up with a good synonym for sneaky that kept the unintended alliteration going)
It almost had to be a book. We’re not even on the road to rescuing Willis.
Yay new chapter!! 📚
Yay novel length book!! 📚
Happy holidays weekend to all!! 🌸🌼🌸
I just read the chapter, the part where Dina talks about the Domain’s “collective empathy” was so well explained, but I still couldn’t understand.
Could I not understand this emotional connection, something that affects its citizens on a psychological, emotional, social and biological level? Is it something natural? Or was it genetically manipulated?
It was really an impactful and very surreal scene, when the residents of Dominion and Dominion set themselves on fire, because of the collective anguish and grief, I’m still reflecting on that scene.
Sorry if there are errors or inconsistencies in my questions, I use Google translator.
After a few years, those who emigrate to the Dominion also develop it.
It is not genetic. Some things just…are 🙂.
I’m not sure about that…It sounds a bit like a developing virus to me. When it reaches sufficient concentration in your body you find yourself tuned in to the gang…. or nanites, like the folks on Auul came up with. No, not just like, but conceptually similar.
Makes me think of Famous assassinations even if you didn’t like or vote for the act shocked you some have even be en treated like saints there after even if the were anything but. Or the collective outrage over George Floyd. You could not see that clip and not feel horror and grief
A novel?! Whoot! Only, so much editing. Thank you HA ❤️❤️❤️❤️ And I’m honestly not with the Lady Wexyn (sp?) thing. She annoys me. Hmmmm. “Jazz finns”- instantly thought of bettas. I used to have several of them. Gorgeous fish. Happy Everything everyone!
Today is my birthday. The news that Sweep of the Heart is now a novel is the best thing I’ve heard all day! Thank you!!
And today’s installment was so fun. Can’t wait to hear what Caledenia has to share with Dina.
Happy birthday. Enjoy your favorite dessert.
A novel! Wonderful! Happy Easter
glad about the fullenght novel. feels natural that this kind of worldbouilding/backstory to the plot will not fit in a shorter format.
I liked this chapter part better than the last one. A little info overload as to the candidates and their crews in the first. There are a little too many candidates and new ethnicities to grab for me in a row. Might be that my brain is too cluttered nowadays and not as agile as when younger.
With everything going on with Ukraine (rather noticable even here in Sweden and not just from the news) and other stuff more or less mundane, the weekly chapter to look forward to is even more of a bright spot. Thanks!
Thank you! I can’t imagine anyone will complain about getting a longer book. If they do, they need a full medical workup.
So many emotions! Concerned that the menu change might mean big trouble. Really enjoyed Tomato as a character. The provided insights were great. Worried about what Caldenia has to say to Dina. And not buying the airhead routine from Lady Wexyn. So much to look forward too next week!
Doing chores around the house when I suddenly remember….IT’S FRIDAY!!!!!! THERE IS ANOTHER CHAPTER!!!!! Thank you! Another great chapter. Another cliffhanger. Congrats on a novel versus a novella. Have a nice Easter.
Dagorkon and Karat seem to have similar outlooks …
Nice description of the US I mean Dominian under an unpopular leader. Anxiety, plague, irritability, rudeness, exaggerated response to minor annoyances. Life as we’ve know it for atleast 3 or 4 years.
I believe it applies to most of the world in the past 3 or so years.
This is a very intriguing look into Caldenias history.
WOW! Love this story, love this world, Dina’s my favourite – but amongst all the fabulousness in this instalment by far the most mind-boggling for me is the the appearance of serious community consultation processes and outcomes (IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation) in my favourite urban fantasy series!!!
O_o
“By involving the whole nation in his choice of a spouse, he is letting them feel like they matter. Even if their preferred candidate doesn’t make it to the altar, their opinion still counted. They were engaged, they were given a voice, and they were a part of it.”
So awesome!!! 😀
Imagining this as a Graphic Audio. I am enjoying those so much.
+1000
It doesn’t matter what you all write. It’s always perfect, and I always want to read more. The only downside is that it’s never enough.
Woo hoo! We get a novel! Thank you!
I’m just waiting for Couki to spring something on Dina (like the favor she owes him) at the worst time – he’s being awfully quiet…🤔
So, are the Hrigga actual felids/cats, or just resemble them?
This just gets better and better
I squeed with joy when I read the announcement! A whole BOOK!
And the cliffhanger ending, sigh. What a great start to the long weekend 🙂
Loved seeing a bit of Orro’s pizzazz!!
What an interesting turn of events,Lady Cal huh? It’s going to be a 🥳🥳 party
Somehow when all the candidates are going through their spiels about “harmony”, my mind flashes to Patricia Briggs’ story “Redemption” about Ben at his job. The boss of his department is a former beauty pageant queen who cannot give any kind of talk to a group without referencing world peace at least once…
AAAH what does Caldenia say?
..
Thank you for the update!
love it – thank you
YES! A NOVEL! Thank you thank you thank you!
Your work is amazing. Every week I am drawn in and sad to see the end of each chapter. Thank you for this. Every week I have a little slice of heaven to look forward to.
I find it absolutely fascinating that Caldenia was part of an empathic race (I assume she lost the bond during her exile.) Usually, when I see a race with empathy, they are peaceful and mindful of others but here, it shows that sovereigns have to be extremely sharp to manipulate their entire population in order to stay alive.
I don’t think Caldenia was forced into killing her brother by the empathy bond but I think it’s possible her brother wasn’t doing a good job and she killed him before he would mess up too much.
I read this and immediately thought of us (US and world) in global pandemic, connected by global news cycles and (especially) social media.
As an Australian, I loved hearing Dina’s “no worries”!
I have been abstaining from reading these, because I want to read it all as one book. The temptation to take a sneak peek is really pushing me to my limit!!
Yours – avid fan and lover of all things written by you both – gagging for the whole book xx
Oh, wow! Background for Caldenia. This gets better and better, and we haven’t even started to go after the old werewolf.
“Tomato hailed from a republic neighboring the Dominion. He was green-furred and a bit bear like. His translation software had informed him that his name phonetically matched tomatoes, and upon arrival, he assured me that he was not a fruit.”
All I could think of was that attorney on Zoom who had the kitten filter on and claimed he wasn’t a cat 🤣🤣🤣
That was hilarious 😂 https://youtu.be/lGOofzZOyl8
YES!!!!! Congrats to all of us in the BDH more to devour!! Nom nom nom! Thank you Chefs of HA.
Are we taking guesses about how far Kosandion / Caldenia are apart from each other on the galactic genocide and eating random aliens? Because we seem to be getting the sanitized version here and anyone related to Caldenia would probably not be a “nice person”.
Or was Caldenia the not-chosen sibling and shaped by the collective disapproval or dismissal of the Dominion?Middle child or Esau scenario, writ very large in blood?
Fabulous!!!!
THANK YOU!!!!!
💖💖💖💖💖
Nice cliffhanger. I’ll be drinking my tea all week, thinking of the next installment, cherishing the anticipation.
Wow. There’s some weighty stuff here.
OMG, I am so happy this is a novel. I love the world building, everything! This is awesome! Thank you!
yay, for more innkeeper. Second favorite series. I was just thinking that the story was getting a little to detailed for a novella. Great news. Thanks
Love it, still wish it were a book like the others! Please write forever
Hi Nicole,
It will be a book like the other Innkeepers 🙂.
The serial format is how they all begin! After an edit period, it will be published in all formats, including audio.
Hope this helps.
Talk about a cliff hanger! I knew Caldenia would have her fingers in this!
Such a great cliffhanger! So excited it’s going to be a full length novel! As others in the comments mentioned, I wonder if something is amiss in the broadcasting or if something is up in the empathic field? Does she want to chat with her nephew? Oh the possibilities! Thank you for another wonderful chapter!
Yay! It’s going to be a novel. I’m soooo happy it will be longer than a novella. I get so engaged in the Innkeeper series that I’m always sorry when the book is finished.
Great to have some favourite characters as major players in this book, Gaston, Tony, Karat and Dagorkun – very exciting to see what transpires with them. Cookie too, already showing craftiness. Can’t wait for development with Caldenia. And a new character to get familiar with – Tomato.
A lot of characters to learn about. Oro will prove to be the best chef in the galaxy!
Then the story about Wilmos. It’s all very exciting!
Looking very forward to the next installment!
More…
Is an IA kind of day, Innkeeper chapter, stoped at my first Buc-ees (wow, no wonder everybody loves Buc-ees! ) and drove through downtown Atlanta, fun day.
So happy latest Sweep book will be novel instead of novella. I’m not a fan of the shorter offerings. Like to spend time and get totally immersed in a book. The novellas don’t have time to get in depth.
“WOW”, she whispered. Shaking with excitement and awe.
After the third reread, I’m struck by the Dominion empathic link, & Caldenia’s comment from Sweep with Me, where they’re talking about Oro’s reaction after Dina’s catatonia, and Caldenia says something like “even I had a moment of discomfort, it was brief, but that creature (Oro) is likely the most sensitive of us all”.
I have a few wonders; one of which is, I wonder what makes the collective empathy? Is it a product of native plants to the home world and then intentionally added to the flora across all 9 star systems? Or maybe something in the soil?
Does distance over time diminish and then extinguish the biological portion of the collective empathy, yet Caldenia retains the memory of, or the observational wherewithal to better direct other’s fates?
Also, if the right hand man to Konsandion is roughly 80, and looks 40, where Caldenia looks to be in her 60’s (excellently preserved 60s) I wonder her age…
Maybe they have social media and the empathy comes from there.🙃
Thankyou so very much I loved every word. You brightened my entire weekend, I love you for it! A family ish type love
Wow! Fascinating scene. I can’t wait to get my hands on this book!
Hmm…. This raises questions about Caledonia and the real whys behind the murder of her brother. She is ruthless there is no doubt. And strong minded enough that she would not be directly influenced to kill her brother. But I can see her looking at the situation and making a cold ruthless calculation. Kill the her brother herself there by gaining sympathy and love for her nephew and enduring her dynasty continues. Or have someone else kill him which may result in the death of the royal family and the end of her families dynasty. Perhaps her brother was just like her on steroids. Or perhaps she knew she was so disliked that her being the villain of the piece would give her nephew the boost he needed. VerrrryInteresting
I hate to say, “I told you so”, but I knew this could not remain a novella! The story demands a level of detail that a novella just cannot support. Needless to say I’m thrilled!
Whoa!!!! So good! Great news that the book is going to be longer than a novella! Thanks House Andrews!
Holy cow. How the hell did Caldenia survive long enough to retire to Gertrude Hunt if that’s the kind of nation she murdered the leader of?
I ❣️LOVED ❣️the political and pageant parody. It would make a perfect Broadway Musical;”Candide” comes to mind.
SO glad this will be a Novel. Can’t wait for the audio version!
What a wonderful description of how empathy plays out at a societal level. Thank you.
Caldenia’s approach to ruling doesn’t seem likely to work well with a population that is empathic. Given Mod R’s hint, her throne was perhaps elsewhere?
It wasn’t a hint, I don’t know anymore than you, just discussing it as one does 😅
That was a brilliant explanation of the Dominion’s culture. I absolutely adore your world building. Thank you.
So great that this is shaping to be a full novel. (Had a feeling it would be because this book is technically about finding the old werewolf and they haven’t even finished with the spouse choice arc yet.
So Huzzah!!! For more words.
I asked in the last book (and I will keep asking till I get an swer) House Andrews or the mod. Please please what do I need to research on to get good understanding on how to develop such complex unique worlds and beings? I have narrowed it down to Xenobiology, Evolution and anthropology. Am I missing anything?
This is one of the best world building series I have ever read. All House Andrews work inspire me everyday and one day I hope to be even just half as good as they are.
The cliffs you two leave us hanging on!!!!
So excited for a novel length story. I’ve just reread all the others in this series, it’s really so wonderful.
Thank you!
Great as always
My predictions:
1. Calendia was checking the datafeeds to see which of the candidates was in the lead.
2. She determined that Lady Wexyn is ahead in the rankings and is concerned because
3a. She considers Wexyn to be a threat to her nephew
3b. She considers Wexyn to be a threat to her nation.
4a. She’s about to advise Dina on additional protective measures that need to be in place.
4b. She’s going to request an audience with The Holy Ecclesiarch.
A novel! Fantastic news, thank you!
How old is Dina and how long has she had the inn? (If she was 18 when Caldenia killed Kosandion. . .) Or is time so different in the Dominion/Supremacy we can’t calculate it that way.
If Caldrnia and Gaston aren’t wolfing down Orro’s food, I can’t wait for the “word”.
House Andrew’s has perfected the art of the cliff hangers.
Dina has had the Inn for about 3 years at this point and is in her mid 20s 🙂
so about 4 years between assassination and exile?
I’m going out on a limb to say Caldenia ruled the Supremacy and her brother or brother-in-law ruled the Dominion and after her exile some of the stars systems switched (which accounts for the number difference)
I just skimmed back through the innkeeper stories and can’t find where it says Caledonia was a ruler in her own right. I’m wondering if she might have been her brother’s Warlord instead (his Hugh) before she killed him. Did I just miss it?
Late to the party! Check the blog on Friday, no post. Forgot ALL about it Saturday. Check on Easter Sunday and voila, a nice Easter egg surprise basket for me! So my lol and praises to the writers and the BDH for speculations. 🙂 I personally felt that Caldenia was and is the crazy auntie whom Kosandion was perfectly aware resided at the Inn. I believe he went there to allow Caldenia to see/meet and find out all there is to know about the candidates. And to ensure that Kosandion gets the ‘right’ person. If Lady Wexyn has anything to hide, Caldenia is the one to know or find out about it. I believe she’s been checking the ratings of the Candidates, and that perhaps she’s also checking into the candidates themselves. Her word with Dina may be about surprise attacks or unforseen dangers to Kosandion but maybe also…something else? Perhaps its the Ecclesial (sp) personage who is dying who may be targeted for an early demise at the selection? (That would indeed throw a monkey wrench in the works, no?)… or the Dushegubs and who they are likely to try to take out?
So, I’ve read thru all the comments so far, and apparently I’m the only BDHer with prurient interests … in my defense, I’ll paraphrase Calendia’s comment about Dina not making an effort to see Sean’s “equipment” when he marked her trees, and just go ahead and seize the day/opportunity to wonder about the intimate process of making that baby heir with these very interesting physiological types and species who are so physically different from the Sovereign … maybe we’ll get a very interesting “elimination round” in this contest!!! In Grandma Frida’s words from House Baylor, “I’m old, you let me have my fantasy.” (smiley face icon here).
Happy Easter!
I love the world-building and can’t wait to see what Caldenia says next.
Loved your description of the Dominion’s empathic linked consciousness. Most humans think of themselves as individuals and not collective, at least as a consciousness. But what you described could easily apply to human cultures and movements.
This may be irrelevant ….. who is Mike.
Michael Braswell is Klaus’ childhood friend. He was the first of the corrupted ad-hals Dina and Sean encountered. They fought him in Baha Char in One Fell Sweep.
I hope this helps 🙂
I think the focus on Harmony is because he is trying to usher the Dominion through a hard recovery from Caldenia’s overthrow of his father, subsequent rule and overthrow which resulted in him ruling.
I pre ordered this the other day (read to the end) and was feeling well chuffed with myself, yea! I won’t miss release day, straight to my kindle. So I wandering through my day, as you do, and wondered… was there a novel picture? I’m going to go and see. I could not find the order, I was so confused. I searched my orders, I searched my inbox, I searched amazon. It didn’t exist, I figure it must have been a dream because how could something that couldn’t happen, happen?
I doubt I’m the only person regularly checking amazon to pre order this.
Hi Len,
Sweep of the Heart is not available for preorder, so you must have dreamt it indeed 🙂
I was really confused and upset to realise what had probably happened.
It’s happened in the past a few times, I have dreams that are very close to real life but one detail different. The previous one was that I’d gutted my kitchen, the whole dream was me going through, cleaning drawers, kitchen appliances, wiping everything, throwing away out of date items, bin emptied, window cleaned, blind wiped. I even baked a wheaten loaf and left it to cool overnight.
It was immaculate, I felt like Queen fancypants when I woke up and basked in what I had done the previous day. Went down to get breakfast ready and have a wodge of that bread and was completely devastated to find not that lalala isn’t my kitchen gorgeous but WHAT HAPPENED HERE? ARRAGGHHHH? WHO MADE THIS MESS? oh yea me. Oh. Bugger. better start folding my clean tea towels and put the scales away. I’m disabled so I cannot do a proper kitchen gutting so to say I was upset, was to put it mildly.
Today is Wednesday, I’m convinced it’s Thursdays and keep having my Thursday moments of yay! Tomorrow’s Innkeeper! YAY! I have my wee happy dance and then realise, no… kids’s activity yesterday was blabla which means uggghhhhh nooooesss, sob and wail, two days to wait…
Len + one for the ability to dream it clean. I so much admire that ability! Now, if that could be a super power and you could book it out to others, you’d be rich! I’d have you dream me a dream of success. But, really I know what you mean though – I have these wakeup from dream moments where I am convinced the dream is real. I cleaned my house. I did my chores, I got a fabulous very important job. Then I wake up and sort of remember that a) I’m way past my younger years dashing to the job in a lather and b) oh, that’s right I retired, so no day is a work day and sigh I need to pack for my move. I am sure when it sinks in I’ve retired, I’ve sold my house, and need to find a new one many states away…in less than 8 weeks, I’ll be having panic dreams about being packed up and ready to move, kit kat kaboodle and all. yeah that’s 5 elderly cats for those who want to know..x country and with no home to go to. It will be fun, it will go well . I’ll buy a new home and we’ll be okay….That’s my dream mantra…Cause yeah I like jumping out of planes with no parachute.
Hearing that this has become a novel is excellent news! Thank you for bringing joy on a very grey day. I will happily pay the additional costs that a novel will bring and will devour it like a card-carrying member of the BDH. Seriously, if you made a printable card, I actually would carry it, if only for the smug and amused smile it would bring to my geeky heart. Bless you for this announcement!
Oh it’s so hard to wait til the next chapter! HA is great!
Awesome thank you
Dinas says the order the spouses spoke in isn’t actually random and she had some choice in the order, in that she decided it was either Hoard or House Meer next. However, was it only her choice? Did she decide it wasn’t random or did she get told this approximate order. Clearly Kosandion said it’ll be random so there is some collusion there.
Why let Lady Wexyn interrupt House Meer candidate? Was the rude antic to be expected? Everyone in her party went to see the presenting of the spouses so she would have known what was happening. She would have been told the itinerary before they left. You go through that door, there will be people, they will show you to a room, we will do the presentation and you will get a chance to say what you stand for. Yet she acted all oh noes, you started without me instead of saying I’m terribly sorry the journey affected me a bit but I’m able to join in. Did Resven tell Dina she’ll probably come in late to draw attention to herself, let her interrupt to let her look bad? It’s not as if Dina couldn’t make the floor extend like she did with the spy ants until Besata had finished talking and Lady Wexyn would be none the wiser.
As for Lady Wexyn,I’ll quote here “Lady Wexyn was carrying fifty-two pounds on her head and thirty-five on her body. And she moved like a weightless butterfly.” What will she move like without the bling (cough cough tat) on her?
Sean mentioned how she moved as if she was unencumbered, Caldenia also went hyper focused when she walked in so there’s something there. Like the Vampires, they wear heavy armour almost all the time, so they can move naturally in it. I’m thinking super lithe assassin pretending to be vapid.
It is also written “Half of the observers had left.” Who else is watching?” they’ve kept that a secret.
No matter how cute, wonderful, loving or whatever they seem, I keep remembering what was said in chapter 6 part 3,
“They’ve tried everything to secure their premises, but each candidate has twenty retinue members, and they keep nuking each other in elaborate ways. They need a safe ground.”
These candidates have survived because they are tough and murderous, they’ve probably killed assassins from other retinues and taken a fair amount of rebuffing themselves. Even the fish.
One lot can mentally kill, another like killing for sport, gaggghhhh for the Donkamins, another’s called cyanide… Now doesn’t that just speak volumes?
Lady Wexyn’s still alive for all the almost nekkedness and squeeeeeing and vapid seeming answers. What does her litter hold secreted inside? She’s associated with Clan Nuan and as we all know, they love their poisons. Desire something enough to kill and Caldenia wouldn’t go on alert if there wasn’t something she picked up on.
They have to be pretty tough and viscous to make it this far.
Also Caldenia wasn’t familiar with Karron, I wonder if she ruled the sister empire, if there’s going to be some big murderous weapon needing things from Karron and she ruled the Dominion at the time (20 years ago it was abandoned I think), then I’d expect her to know about it. She had a World Eater after all.
I’m going to try and figure out which of the 7 are the hard favourites… Not the Hoard, not Dushegrubs or Donkamins.
I am squirming like a toddler and flapping in excitement.
I am trying to figure out which of the twelve candidates are in the top 5. I am thinking both Dominion candidates just for politics. Temple of Desire. Rounding out the five, the Gaheas and the Kai.
don’t think either the vampires or Ortokars are in the running. Murder beaks and murder trees are also out, I think.
I think the decision will be two fold, their requests and themselves. Someone said some of the parties got this far to gain access to their minor requests. We don’t know what they are offering and if there wasn’t (I’ve inferred) the need to rebuild harmony and cohesion after Caldenia’s influence I wonder how much of this would be going on? He is dependant on popularity, I’m wondering how normal this is and what if he goes for an heir and spare in the future, will they do it all again? His Dad had a sister (much to his regret) Caldenia.
Some, like the dushegubs will have been admitted to the finals to gain access to their minor request. I think many of the minor requests could be related to trade, technology or information exchange. Does the dominion need to include people to avoid offending? I think the dushegubs, given how dangerous they are, will probably be barred from going further into the selection, unknown to them. No smothering with or without harmony (how do they define their enemies? Or allies? Maybe it’s “noms we are trying to get access to”, hey we haven’t eaten any of you yet… this means we’re friends until we get closer). The Dominion will be too aware of the dangers to let one them stay in the palace, let alone with her dushegub retinue for 25 years. Furthermore the danger of further access to their systems. They’d be looking to eat everyone. Do you think the dushegubs trade? What would they trade? We don’t know much of anything about them.
I agree with you, Ortokars are out, they will have been let get this far to get access to their minor request but their personality isn’t what they are after.
I think Donkamins are out on a personal level, would you want one and it’s friends and family wandering around your house? How would the empathic Dominion feel if everyone is going ewww ewww ewww ewww ewww at the parent, and possibly the child if it takes after that parent? Harsh, but true.
Does the Dominion get to make minor and major requests for letting them wine and dine their ruler?
Out of curiosity which chapter are Karat and Dagorkun start having close diplomatic talks? No need to answer, I can wait.
When ever I read the Author Lords, their worlds are completely different and the characters too, but there’s these little, well echoes of the characters that make me laugh and get silly.
For example, here I hear, echoes of our favorite Vampire Knight Arland 🙂
““Agreed,” Dagorkun said. “When I give an order, I don’t want to know if they like it or agree. I just need them to do it.”
and Karat, oh Karat is that a hint of.. the Kate approach to life?…
“That’s horrific.” Karat drained her glass. “I do not want to be plugged into anyone’s feelings but my own. I don’t like people. I don’t want to like what they like. I make exceptions for family, but there are times when I can barely tolerate even them.”
Can see things get brisk and frisky there with these two 🙂
As for Caldenia – who’s to say she was the complete and total baddie? I mean look at Hugh – he had reasons to do what he did and he repented and redeemed himself. If the Author Lords can make him human.. they should be able to do the same for Caldenia.
After all, there’s so much we *don’t know that we don’t know* hee hee and very little that we do know that we *do know* (and much of that might be getting twisted round soon, LOL so we might be saying we *don’t know* what we thought we knew).
Mysteries unfolding… yum. Like a nice peach rhubarb crostini or a delish passionfruit cheesecake — seriously, its a thing I just found and oh my, my arteries harden just thinking about it. But it is pretty much something I can not resist — the heavenly factor for my taste buds is the sort of divineness Orro would produce…… https://www.yummly.com/recipe/No-bake-Passionfruit-Cheesecake-1276280?prm-v1)
Keeping feeding me the good stuff Author Lords. My pesky broken wrist/arm recovery improves as I practice typing – despite the twanging and pain that spontaneously occurs seemingly randomly. And you guys inspire me to type which is GOOD cause I’m using those muscles tendons and so forth!
I don’t know which of the candidates I like best. They all seem smart, very unusual and want to be chosen but not sure if all of them are truly compatible. Wonder what they get out of it. Just being a wife to a dignitary can’t be everything they will get out of the marriage. I am on pins and needles waiting for the other choices. This is so great. I love it
Cookie, Karat, and Tomato …. 😃😀
Hope your cats doing well…
I’ll read it here and buy it for my collection 🤟