Meena Mason’s Podcast

Chapter 42 - The Thief's Tale

While recovering from her jaunt in the wilderness with Quinn and the Birthday Aches and Pains surprise, Kessa meets Malieous, who apprises her of the ceremony that will announce Captain York’s successor. But it turns out the ceremony has more than one revelation.   Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason   Excerpt: Casually scrutinizing the guard, Kessa and Quinn followed, awed by the sheer size of the tent’s interior, plus the amount of people already crowded within. With a slight gesture, Malieous ushered them to a long, wooden bench with just enough room for the two of them to sit comfortably. After they were seated, Malieous strode toward an entourage of important looking people surrounding a raised platform.

Chapter 41 - The Thief's Tale

Narrowly escaping two harrowing entrapments should be cause for elation, jubilation even, but for Kessa it’s the opposite. Perhaps it has to do with her family and friends forgetting her birthday. Or did they? Maybe her friends have cooked something up that she won’t forget. Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason Excerpt: She spent several moments contemplating this before bitterly complaining, “All I can say is it isn’t the way I planned to celebrate my eighteenth birthday; that’s for sure.” Thomas’ steps temporarily slowed; Kessa chalked it up to the revelation that yesterday had been her birthday. Thomas, like her sister, like Quinn, like everyone had forgotten her birthday. Big surprise! “I don’t think I’ll acknowledge my birthday again. Why should I celebrate the day I was born? No one else does...” she was about to continue but her voice caught in her throat. Blasted emotions!

Chapter 40 - The Thief's Tale

What’s the popular saying for escaping one dangerous situation only to face a worse one? Out of the frying pan into the fire is certainly an apt idiom for the circumstances Kessa finds herself in upon waking up the morning after fleeing her kidnappers. Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason Excerpt: While the trap hadn’t completely crippled her, it had certainly lamed her. The night’s rainstorm provided slippery footing as well. Those factors, in addition to the soreness the king’s beating afforded, affected her normally expeditious pace. Regrettably (for Kessa), the chase was now on a level playing field. Perhaps the odds were on the brothers’ side since she had no idea where she was either.

Chapter 39 - The Thief's Tale

An evening of celebration takes an unexpected turn when Kessa and Quinn are kidnapped. How will they get out of this pickle?   Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason   Excerpt: Suddenly, Quinn was sucked under the water and when he didn’t resurface that certainly sped up Kessa’s limbs. Nearing the spot where he’d disappeared, Kessa felt something wrap around her ankle, yanking at her. She kicked and struggled as more tendrils wrapped around her legs, pulling her under. The water muffled her shrill scream. Furiously, she fought whatever had grabbed her but to no avail. It seemed the more she struggled the more it tightened its tentacles around her.

Chapter 38 - The Thief's Tale

Turning eighteen is usually a celebratory time – a time to one day look back on and sigh with pleasant nostalgia. Not so for the young spy. Her eighteenth birthday was anything but a day to look back on with a smile.   Audio version of, The Thief's Tale, written and read by Meena Mason. Copyright © Meena Mason   Excerpt: The sun rose hot and volatile on Kessa’s eighteenth birthday. So far, the summer had been a real scorcher. The grass was brown and brittle, even the trees wilted. Rumours that crops would soon suffer irreparable damage were rampant. People performed their daily chores predawn when the temperature was tolerable. Once the sun rose, the streets and markets were drained, everyone trying to stay cool in their homes or by some form of water. The city’s fountain was swarmed with mother’s, letting their tots play in the cool water. Passersby watched the children playing and didn’t hesitate to splash some of the water on their faces or even dunk their entire heads in. Sadly, even the fountain was beginning to run low as were the city’s wells. The situation was becoming dire.