There are some interesting posts in Port Naain that would suit the right applicant. One of these is the role of Priest of the Temple of Aea in her Aspect as the Healer. Because the Temple is the personal property of the priest, the appointment is never made, and for the last three centuries a … More The candidates
How does one promote a book? This question continued to nag at me as I went about my business in Port Naain. How on earth was I going to live up to my promise to ensure ‘A Bad Penny’ gained more sales than it rightfully deserved? Now I was in the Silk Merchant’s Repose. This … More Nobody does it like that any more
Old ‘Ordan’ was dead. It had to happen sooner or later, and in his case, he’d have said, the later the better. But now it had happened. I’d known him for a few years, an old man who limped a bit. He’d been a seaman until he had a fall from a yard. He lived … More When the hammer falls.
Obviously my services are much in demand. People, once they reach a certain level of intellectual and cultural refinement realise that nothing but the best will do. So I am used to being sought out. Admittedly it is more often by creditors and their like, but still, it does no harm to have folk asking … More Rain, roast and ladies of a certain age
One or two people have commented that I rarely mention dance. Obviously I can dance. Anybody with an elegant leg, a well turned ankle and a poet’s appreciation of tempo and rhythm can dance. But I rarely dance nowadays; one feels sorry for the young and their strange way of dancing. Where are lascivious gyrations … More Dancing partners (a romantic tale for Valentine’s day.)
The Port Naain Philosophical and Poetical Society has flourished for a number of years, drawing its membership from persons of towering intellect, good taste and considerable wealth. The society holds several meetings a year, normally at the home of a wealthy member. Indeed the summer picnics, held in the grounds of the house of … More A notice of the forthcoming Annual General Meeting of the Port Naain Philosophical and Poetical Society
People have taken to asking me, “What do I get when I hire a poet to assist with an elegant soiree I am planning?” It is a good question, and as with all good questions there is not one single answer. Really you have to have to first answer the question, “What do I want.” … More All part of the service.
It is at this point I wish to bring before you a good friend of mine, one Tamas Berfett. Tamas is a man of many parts, a successful merchant, a minor poet of modest competence willing to accept criticism, a husband and father of a brood of doubtless delightful children. He is also a … More A charitable gesture
It was only by chance that I was present at the Ball when the daughters of the House Senton were introduced to society. House Senton is a family of the old aristocracy, they were here before Port Naain was built, and they do things differently, please themselves, and largely care little about what the city … More ‘That Dress’
I’m not sure whether I have ever mentioned Wilony Sneel when recounting these anecdotes concerning my past? Wilony deserves to be called the leading portrait painter of her generation, and she specialised almost entirely in paintings of other women. Because of her skill and reputation for excellence women flocked to be painted by her, but … More Hot water and syrup of figs
Tallis Steelyard 