Status Updates From The Painter Knight (Branion...

It’s not an uninteresting story, but sweet mother of pearl…it’s soooo sloooow. Earthworms cross a cornfield faster than this.

—“As soon as Julianus’ people have wrung him dry, he can be given to the mob as a spectacle.”
—Rosarion shuddered, & the Duke smiled in disdain. “It’s all right, you needn’t attend.”
—“Thank you. I’ve never liked executions.”
—“No? I find them stimulating.”
—Rosarion said nothing as a worm of unease began to grow in his stomach.

‘This last vision had drained Rosarion’s strength, & Ellisander wondered how long it would be until he was reunited with the sister who’d brought them together. Not long, he expected. Then they would both be gone, & Ellisander would no longer know the future, but he would also no longer see the woman he’d loved in the face of the man he’d saved for her memory.’

‘Very soon, maybe today, history would be made in some dark & bloody corner of the palace & the world would be turned upside down. Few of those suspected would survive the coming days of hysteria, although most of the true conspirators would not even be considered.’

—“I fear Hadrian may not survive the coming trials.” The DeMarian rose & came around the desk to stand above her. “Would you mourn for him?” he asked, sweeping her hair from the back of her neck & touching his lips to the warm skin beneath.
—Lysanda tipped her head to one side & smiled. “No, my lord. I don’t believe I shall.”

….Poor dumbass Hadrian. Not even his sister cares if he’s murdered.

—“You’re not sorry for anything you do. You think your talent is shield enough for the worst behavior. You’re a flaming disrespectful bastard, you know that? Aren’t you afraid of anything at all?”
—Simon regarded the other man gravely. “Mediocrity,” he said.

….The DaVinci is strong with this one. :P