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Assassination. Espionage. Theft.
Across the ages, the headmistresses of three very unusual schools (along with their very unusual students) share a meal. Lady Mochizuki Chiyome plays host to two of the only women who can understand why she teaches young women to do very unladylike things. Like her, Locusta the Poisoner and Ma Mandelbaum run schools for very particular students gifted with very particular talents.
Inspired by a conversation with Mackenzi Lee, author of Bygone Badass Broads, this short historical fantasy explores what would happen if three of history's most bloodthirsty schoolmistresses had been able to share a (very carefully checked) meal.Preview:
The door opens at sundown on the twenty-eighth day, as Chiyome knew that it would. As it always does. One moment there is nothing but plaster, then next, an odd, hinged door swings open, revealing a dark room where no room could be.
It does not do to think on it overmuch.
The first to arrive this time is Locusta, her yellow woolen robe flung over her shoulder, making her look like a monk. Just behind that shoulder stands the young girl -- what was her name? Canidia, with her strange brass-colored hair, bronze eyes, and pink skin, smiling broadly from behind her sober-faced matron's shoulder.
"Welcome, ladies," says Chiyome, tipping her head minutely.
Locusta as always steps forward and presses her lips against Chiyome's cheek -- an invasion Chiyome loathes, but that she has come to tolerate as a mark of the strange woman's respect. A half a world and over a thousand years in separation excuse some barbarity. "Greetings, Lady Chiyome. We have brought you some very interesting mushrooms -- they're the ones I was telling you about last time."
Her attendant holds out a basket holding several handfuls of a rather innocuous-looking fungus -- green-topped, with white stems.
"Thank you, Lady Locusta," murmurs Chiyome, taking the basket and handing it to her own attendant. "Give this to Kee Sun, Mieko. And make sure he knows not to cook with them."
(Historical fantasy/crossover)
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