https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name Her True Name short stories en https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-chooses-death-1 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-chooses-death-1 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-chooses-death-2 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-chooses-death-2 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-chooses-death-3 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-chooses-death-3 She relaxed ever so slightly and, mentally shrugging off the slow-witted mien in which she had enshrouded herself, allowed her brain to speed up again.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-chooses-death-4 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-chooses-death-4 When she emerged into the courtyard with the carcass once more perched on her shoulders, she found it all but empty.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-chooses-death-5 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-chooses-death-5 Those closest to her moved first.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-chooses-death-full https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-chooses-death-full Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-chooses-death-making-of https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-chooses-death-making-of Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-1 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-1 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-2 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-2 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-3 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-3 The band of five soldiers hovered around a sixth, who stood over a prostrate form]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-4 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-4 She had woken early the next morning, and each morning after that, to sit beneath the Tree, her palms against the great trunk.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-5 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-5 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-6 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-6 This unambiguous invitation, mingled with his desperation, persuaded him.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-7 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-7 Going again to the supply tent, she returned almost at once, hiding her right hand under her clothes.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-8 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-8 “It matters not,” he muttered, after she had described the vision that had led her to the disgraceful murder of their guest.]]> Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-full https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-full Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-making-of https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-dishonors-her-house-making-of Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-1 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-1 The edge of the knife rang as she drew the blade down the length of the well-oiled stone and pulled it away for the fifth time.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-2 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-2 Blood bubbled up around her fingers.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-3 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-3 Another distant boom echoed from above as she swept up her benefactor’s remains]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-4 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-4 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-5 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-5 Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-6 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-6 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-7 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-7 Even in the closeness of the vault, the light from the sky above shone brightly enough for her to take in the curve of the hollowed cheeks.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-8 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-8 Then, as they did not back down but brandished their weapons anew, she tilted her head back.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-full https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-full Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-making-of https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-lives-again-making-of Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-1 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-1 I would drown, she thought to herself.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-10 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-10 Satisfied with her work, she turned away again and disappeared up the street and into another alley.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-11 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-11 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-12 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-12 The background noise of the city faded into mere whispers as she crept forward.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-13 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-13 The prison reeked of filth, even from the outside.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-14 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-14 Spinning around, she saw a face mashed into the window of the first door on her left.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-15 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-15 The waters of Lake Van shone still and clear as the sun rose over the mountains.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-2 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-2 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-3 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-3 Wed, 02 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-4 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-4 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-5 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-5 Her mouth fell open at this, and he hastened to reassure her.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-6 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-6 Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-7 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-7 “You're unhappy with this, I know,” he said.]]> Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-8 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-8 On the first day after the king had ordered the new restrictions and increased oversight, she had accompanied a patrol to one of the merchants' warehouses.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-9 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-9 Wed, 02 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-full https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-full Wed, 02 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-making-of https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-names-a-nation-making-of Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-1 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-1 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-10 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-10 With that, she came back to herself.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-11 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-11 Her heart standing still, and at the same time pounding to burst from her chest, she swept up behind the Roman and felled him with a single blow.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-12 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-12 When she had placed their weapons in their hands and smoothed their tattered garments as best she could, she began to go to and fro about the gorge.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-2 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-2 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-3 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-3 “We can rebuild,” said Lavena. “We still have the land; that’s what matters.”]]> Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-4 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-4 She looked from one to the other—from Mave's grim resolve to Lavena's controlled wretchedness.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-5 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-5 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-6 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-6 “And also,” said Mave, “we heard rumors of strange and disturbing portents away down at Camulodunum.”]]> Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-7 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-7 Turning to Mave, she placed her foot on the dead woman's hip to hold the body still.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-8 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-8 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-9 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-9 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-full https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-full Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-making-of https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-prays-for-victory-making-of Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-1 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-1 The tomb reached up to swallow him as they lowered him inch by inch into its black depths.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-10 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-10 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-11 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-11 Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-2 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-2 Already poised at the very edge of panic, he responded quicker than thought.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-3 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-3 “At one time—as I learned—the king of the city had been betrayed by his closest advisor.”]]> Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-4 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-4 “Then my heart stopped entirely as we dropped down.”]]> Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-5 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-5 “The Aviator called out to me, ‘It is this wind or none for us. Shall I take the chance?’”]]> Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-6 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-6 The bereft husband heard his assailant pass by him, kicking aside the scattered bones as he went.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-7 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-7 “I fought my way back to the surface, and my heart quickened as my head burst through the waves once more.”]]> Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-8 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-8 “What is that?” the mourner cried suddenly.]]> Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-9 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-9 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-full https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-full Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-making-of https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-robs-the-grave-making-of Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-1 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-1 The ropes gouged at the flesh of her arms and thighs as she fell to the floor of the small ship.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-10 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-10 “It would be a shame to execute such a hero as yourself,” he said.]]> Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-2 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-2 Winter had come early that year, and the thick-falling snow had deadened the sound of his wailing.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-3 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-3 Forcing their way in the moment she opened the door, they began to upend her small dwelling.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-4 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-4 Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-5 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-5 Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-6 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-6 The crew cried out again in terror as the ship yawed to the left, back out into the open lake.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-7 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-7 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-8 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-8 She heard his scream, and the subsequent thump of his body on the rock, as she turned back toward the Vogt.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-9 https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-9 Looking down, she saw the same fear on Walter's face that she had already witnessed earlier that day.]]> Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-full https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-full Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-making-of https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/she-swears-an-oath-making-of Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/thank-you-for-reading-her-true-name https://www.ryanelainska.com/her-true-name/thank-you-for-reading-her-true-name Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT