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All Chapters of Greenling: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

22 Chapters

Chapter 1

My first memory of love came around the time I was five, or maybe six, years old. I remember standing upon a balcony of the Northern Estate, peeking up over the banister and catching my first glimpse of the world that lay beyond. Granted, I couldn’t see much – and what I saw wasn’t exactly groundbreaking – but still, it was something more than I’d ever experienced since the first day I had waddled from my crib, taking to my knees as though they were hawk’s wings and soaring across the marble floors, or at least it was told to me that way.There were fields of green and gold waiting beyond the railing of that balcony. Servants worked in those fields, harvesting fruits and wheat and spices like torf; a

Chapter 2

Greenling/Caner

By the age of ten I had graduated from what was essentially a nursery – known as the Ward – and gone to stay with the older children in the western wing. This change was non-negotiable, not that I’ve ever heard of a ten-year-old arguing when being told they were moving up in the world. It was framed as an upgrade, with all the flowery language and notes of envy in the voices of my maidens, when they broke the news. A few looked sad, and that made me a little happy, as it meant that perhaps I was going to be missed. What other reason would they have for being sad? I couldn’t think of one. It did strike me as odd that I was never once given a reason for such a big move. If I’d asked, I’m sure I would’ve been met by answers like “the nursery is too small for you!

Chapter 3

Greenling/Caner

I’d already been warned plenty of times about how handsome a man I was becoming, though it was always said as more of a compliment and less with actual concern, of course. I’d never really cared about that sort of thing. I’d jalways ust accept it with a smile and a little bit of disbelief, like most kids do.Now, though… For the first time, I wondered just how handsome I would have to become to have a girl like her look upon me with fondness. Beside me, I watched Dornell shuffle his feet and look at the floor. My mouth felt dry. “Children” announced maiden Threwon of the two who’d led us here, “this is M

Chapter 4

Greenling/Caner

“Veille! Didn’t you hear the maidens? Get up!” I opened my eyes as Dornell poked his head up over the side of my bunk. His blond hair was unruly, as per usual – which was a shame, because whenever the maidens did it for him it really looked beautiful.I squinted at him and grumbled, more for show than anything else. I knew I couldn’t be late. Punishment for tardiness was a certainty even at the simplest of times, but it would be especially today, because today was a first for all the youngest members of Mannerly Hall, and almost as important for everybody else. Still. I grumbled because I didn’t like being woken up by anyone.

Chapter 5

Greenling/Caner

Threwon continued: “Today each of you will be meeting with actual clients of the Estate, established men and women who frequent our great family. For some of you, this will be your first time meeting them. Follow your upper members’ leads and you will be just fine. And remember your training.” A buzz went through the room at the maiden’s words. Some looked intrigued; others, like Elodie, had no reaction whatsoever. I gathered these were the ones who had met these “clients” before, and knew what they wanted with us. I turned to Dornell, who was frowning. “What do you suppose we’re going to be doing? I’ve never seen anyone that matches Threwon’s description.”Dornell shook his head. “I don’t know. I know the Estat

Chapter 6

Greenling/Caner

I stared. All of us did, including the ones who’d been led on this same journey before. I gathered that not every exit from Mannerly Hall was the same, and perhaps this one was new to them, too.Beyond the doorway lay a broad corridor, slanting ever so slightly upward. The floor here was inlaid with emerald tiles and speckled with what looked to be gold paint, or perhaps even gold itself.Maiden Threwon stepped forward through the archway without so much as a backward glance. Like a trail of ducklings, we all filed on after her, many of us admiring the architecture of this brand new place. It wasn’t any more impressive than the Hall, maybe even less so – but it was new. “I think we’re he

Chapter 7

Greenling/Caner

A room full of eyes watched us. I scarcely dared to breathe; something in this room was wrong, and surely not only I felt it.Then, applause broke out, beginning with the man seated furthest to the left and spreading its way through the tiny audience like a few sparks among kindling. Madam Dro joined in only at the end, though she also wore a smug look and a smile. “Excellent!” announced the first man. “I’ll take three!” And a few others laughed warmly at what I presumed to have been a joke.“That one!” A woman near the center pointed straight at Elodie. Her face appeared ageless, and she had hook-like fingers. The hunger in her eyes was clearly visible.

Chapter 8

Greenling/Caner

My blood ran cold as her words washed over me, and my veins turned to ice. A sudden throbbing awakened near the back of my skull, warning me of an even greater headache on its way. Me. They wanted me, to… what? In a flash, Elodie stepped forward and genuflected all in one motion. She bared her pretty teeth at the assembly, draping one leg somewhat seductively as she let one hand glide along her thigh.“Lords and Ladies” she began a little breathlessly – something very unusual for her – “It would be my greatest delight to perform for you now, in all its sensuality, a dance known to the far west of here as– “&l

Chapter 9

Greenling/Caner

“Oooohh, there you are! C’mere, you!!” I was younger, maybe nine years old. It was the year before Dornell and I graduated from the Ward to go stay with our peers in Mannerly Hall. Madam Dro had crossed paths with me for the first time at least three years ago; I still dreamt about her sometimes. This was before a girl named Elodie had stolen my soft and sweetly naive heart, never to return it. I was running through the hallways, laughing, trying (not too hard) to escape the man who chased after me. Maiden Severo was of middle age; his dark gray hair had only begun showing signs of white, showing longevity, and what he lacked in athleticism he m

Chapter 10

Greenling/Caner

CLANG.The sound of a massive gong rang out. It came from the clocktower, a large structure stationed in a courtyard near the center of the Estate, which I had never been to. This bell only rang twice within a day: once at lunchtime, and once half an hour before dinner, to signal it was time for all residents to rest and retire. My teeth chattered. I looked weakly in the direction the sound had come from, believing I could somehow see it if I tried. It was evening already? Where had the time gone? I was certain none of us had been in this room for more than an hour. Maybe more time had passed in the journey here than I’d even realized, but that couldn’t… How long had I been dancing? As if reminded that a great predator waited at my throat, I looked back to Mada

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