Author Archives: mourningdove

Advent Calendar Story: Day 18

The Letter Leopold sat down at his desk and looked at the letter lying on it in front of him. Bernard had given it to him as soon as he had returned from Regensburg. Leopold recognized Sigismund’s own spidery hand in the address. He shook his head. Things were not going well. He was notContinue reading “Advent Calendar Story: Day 18”

Advent Calendar Story: Day 17

The Cradle Bernard looked up from Leopold’s letter to watch his youngest granddaughter Elsa play with her doll, tucking it into its wooden cradle, singing it “Leise Rieselt der Schnee.” He smiled. “Is the baby sleeping?” he asked her. She frowned at him and held a finger to her pudgy lips. “Shh, Opa,” she said.Continue reading “Advent Calendar Story: Day 17”

Advent Calendar Story: Day 16

The Treasure Chest “Your royal Highness, Graf Leopold von Regensburg!” The maître d’chambre stepped aside, and Leopold walked past him and the two guards flanking the entrance to the Great Hall of the Schloss Regensburg to kneel before his cousin, Prince Paulus. “God keep you, your Highness. All your subjects from Regensburg greet you. WeContinue reading “Advent Calendar Story: Day 16”

Advent Calendar Story: Day 15

The Toyseller (Part 2) Leopold pushed the head of the wooden bird down over and over again, marveling each time at how its tail of real feathers swished up into the air. He shook his head: “Now, the man who can make this has real skills,” he said. “Unlike a graf.” Bernard chuckled and turnedContinue reading “Advent Calendar Story: Day 15”

Advent Calendar Story: Day 14

The Dancers It had been years since Ursula had had a meal anything like the feast at the burgermeister’s. Elisabeth pinched her pennies until they oinked, and Christmas at her house was all of a stewed hen and dumplings if she were in a good mood. Ursula’s father had loved good food, being a wineContinue reading “Advent Calendar Story: Day 14”

Advent Calendar Story: Day 13

The Bell Tower “Ursula! The bells! We have to go….” Ursula ground her teeth and balled her hands into fists behind the dressing screen in Sidonie’s room. “It doesn’t fit. Just go without me.” “Oh, honestly!” And then Ursula was being yanked by the hand out from behind the screen and twirled around by Sidonie,Continue reading “Advent Calendar Story: Day 13”