Predestination

From Speculation: Undercurrents of Treachery: “John Dee shouldered his way through an increasingly hostile crowd in the Kingston marketplace. The chill autumn air was thick with tension and a rumble of discontent that threatened to erupt into something more dangerous at any moment. At the bakery stall, Dee reached into his leather pouch and counted … Read more

From Speculation: Undercurrents of Treachery: “”Buenos días, Señor Dee,” the man said, his English carrying the distinctive accent of Castile. “A fine day to prepare for a journey, is it not?” Dee maintained a neutral expression. “You have me at a disadvantage, señor.” “Don Diego de Mendoza, at your service.” The Spaniard offered a slight … Read more

From Insurrection: Weddings can be murder: “He crawled a little closer to the edge of the rood loft, intent on concealing himself between the newly replaced statues of Christ on the cross and the Virgin Mary. He cursed as a jagged splinter from the roughly hewn loft floor speared into the palm of his hand. … Read more

From Insurrection: Weddings can be murder: “It took several minutes for Wyatt’s plaintive entreaties to calm Dee’s anger. Eventually Dee exclaimed, “I sent a message telling you we’d be arriving this evening, did I not? Therefore, there is no excuse for not warning your camp guards. My friends could have been injured by your guards’ … Read more

From Divination: A Conspiracy of Blood: “John Dee woke before dawn, his mind already turning over the revelations from the previous evening’s lecture. By the light of a candle, he mixed a fresh batch of ink, then settled down at his desk to build on his efforts of last night and to reproduce what he … Read more

From Speculation: Undercurrents of Treachery: “The afternoon sun fought a losing battle against the heavy clouds gathering over the Suffolk coast, leaching the colour and vibrancy from everything in their shadow. Inside the gloomy chamber at the rear of the Half Moon Inn, Dee and Goodwife Harewell worked with desperate concentration, their hands moving between … Read more

From Predestination: The Bloodstone of Boiorix: “Jack threw down the hand of cards he held and exclaimed, “How could you know that I held the Pope of Diamonds?” Gerolamo sighed, and started to explain his theory again, “I didn’t know Jack, it was just extremely likely given the total number of cards and the cards … Read more

From Proclamation: Poetry will be the death of me: “Thirty riders cantered along the bank beside the ditch, their horses’ breath hanging heavy in the chill air before it gradually dissipated into the never-ending mist. Their short capes fluttered behind them, but all else was still. As still as death. Even the trees hung limply, … Read more

From Resurrection: The Heresy of a Jesuit: “They plunged across the stream, man and horse in perfect harmony, galloping for their lives. His tattered and mud-splattered cape streamed behind him, and his breeches bore the scratches and rips that headlong flight through dense woodland had inflicted. And yet, his mind sang with exhilaration that approached … Read more

From Speculation: Undercurrents of Treachery: “In the twilight of Henry VIII’s reign, England’s treasury lay empty, drained by war with France and Scotland. The King’s solution was as simple as it was devastating: debase the silver coinage by mixing the precious metal with copper, creating more coins from the same weight of silver. What began … Read more