"Dimitri said nothing further. To do so might lead his Commander to know he had the power to See, to Study, and, even more, to Suggest. Seeing is common enough, every person has at least a little potential of it: It is only a matter of training the eye to see micro-expressions on the face, actions that happen so fast the common person does not even notice. To Study requires more, it is a milder form of Suggestion. The ability to master one’s own micro-expressions, and thereby cause reactionary micro-expressions on any person happening to look upon you—much as screaming near someone may cause them to scream alike, and thereby creating a merry chorus, for all people see micro-expressions, even if their conscious mind perceives them not—allows one to hold a minor conversation with the subconscious, and hence to learn, if not facts, feelings. Although most try to learn to hold these conversations quietly, without unneeded disturbances upon the subconscious mind’s many levels and areas of thoughts and workings, the controlled direction of these disturbances can allow a Studier to create moods in a person, even feelings that could surface in the conscious as concrete thoughts. Such as the King offering presents on the other side of the river."

"Don’t feed a fire, especially of emotion! There is no kindling drier and more apt to flames than a heart…he should know."

Wow, really liked those parts. Nice chapter. Sorry I haven't been able to read sooner or read more. I've been terribly busy.
But whenever I find the time...
*sigh*
I'm planning on writing a new story soon.
Pop by if you get a chance.
Maybe next week.

-Ramen

Seems like you have an Imperial Russian or Slavic flavor for the upcoming revolution. Can you have armored trains? No Russian revolution work of literature would be complete without them. Depending on the tech level (or lack therefore of), of course.

I like your pace. I've encountered (and often written) stories where everything unfolds in the blink of an eye, leaving no mysteries. You definately don't have that. Kudos to you!

Eagerly, I'll wait for more.

Well, I am commenting this in return for you commenting On A Cold Morning, but I won't miss a chance to promote Siren's Song. If you don't mind, that is -.-;; Geez, that makes me feel guilty xP

...wow, Ruda's weird.

I like her.

I get what you mean in your author's note about the styles changing. Lemme tell you, it's working well together ;) It's all coming together.

I do find the king amusing. I probably shouldn't, but there's just something about him...

Yeah, it definately makes more sense. I'm not confused anymore, but still curious. Great job keeping the interest!

Once again I'll remind you of how much I enjoy your style.

Things are certainly becoming clearer. I really like the characterisation in this chapter.

The king's journal made me laugh. It was interesting to read, a good insight, and made me laugh. Great mix. Kinda reminds me of one of the King Louis of France, who wrote "Nothing happened" on the day the Bastille was stormed.

Anyway, back onto the story.

You've once again proven that you write very smoothly with great descriptions. They let you know what's happening and give details, but not so much it's painful and completely haults the story's flow - one of my pet peeves. So I definately like you, and I really like this story.

I really like the nameless boy and his rant about all the people with one eyes xD

And thus the intrigue continues.

I'll admit I don't know for certain what's happening. I do enjoy the way you write, the words flow well and offer a great balance between descriptions and implications.

I'll continue to read, as I'm very, very intrigued.

Sorry it took me a while to get back to you re my last review. Some examples:

'Sofi rubbed her bare upper-arms with her elegantly gloved hands, trying to warm herself from the cool evening's rapacious embrace. Her black fur-scarf blew in the wind, one end running first in front of her then back over her shoulder, adding another circle around her neck. It wrapped around her neck three times now, to be exact.'

To me, that sounds overly detailed and awkward. In my opinion it would sound better written as:

'Sofi rubbed her bare upper-arms with her elegantly gloved hands, trying to warm herself against the cool evening. Her black mink scarf blew in the wind, one end running first in front of her and then behind, wrapping around her neck.'

I just trimmed it a bit. "Rapacious embrace" seemed to me to be too big for the sentence. You already described her upper arms (bare) and her hands (elegantly gloved), so that third bit of descriptive language made the sentence seem a bit clumsy and over-decorated.

'"No, yours is simply elegant." she said simply, ever so simply, but then maybe fuller of meaning than the surfaced showed...Was it mystery that caused this ominous inflexion? Darkness? What darkness could she hide behind that pale, genial countenance?'

You use simply three times in that sentence. Changing the first simply to another word would make it much better.

'"Ay, well, more than I deserve to be, eh?" he grinned mischieviously, seemingly enjoying his repose on the ground, content to watch sparkles and flashes run through her intricate auburn curls.'

An example of sentences running on for too long.

"Ay, well, more than I deserve to be, eh?" he grinned mischieviously, seemingly enjoying his repose on the ground. He was more than content to watch sparkles and flashes run through her intricate auburn curls."

Of course, the above is all just my personal opinion. You might think that I've butchered your sentences a bit, but I don't mean to be rude when I alter things here and there. Most people might completely disagree with what I've said. Either way, I hope that helps you. I'll read your new chapters when I have a bit more time. G'luck :)

gah. cool. cool.

i just cant stand all this See, Suggestion, Study, Seer stuff. it's way too cool; and i'm kinda jealous. `;)

and the whole 'am i really such an open book?' conversation; i loved it. it's kinda tense and challenging all at once, speaking to a Seer and all. (you can get Studied easily.)

update soon.

interesting, very interesting indeed.

hmm, i think it's relatively alright if you experiment with different styles; that way people won't ever get bored. though, i must agree, writing in one sitting is much more convenient.

[Five and a half and three quarters] this was the main source of my amusement this time; it was repeated throughout the entire chapter, mostly by Ruda.

and okay, if i ever do write anything (i wish) i'll give you a head's up. x)

I haven't finished the story yet, but this is spectacular so far! I love the almost-history added in to the fantasy genre. With some of the names you brought Russia to mind. Your imagery is amazing, like the “rapacious embrace” of the cold air.

I will cry myself to sleep if you’re 14 because you’re way too good and you already make my writing shy in comparison.

I think the way you write in different styles for each chapter is quite endearing - it might not be intentional but in an odd way I think it suits the story. Anyway, I think it's nice.

I've read through the next few chapters - I like how the story is beginning to unfold. I also like how each chapter starts with something other than just a continuation of events - it makes the chapters just that bit more interesting.

The only criticism I can think of at the moment is that in places the language is a bit too flowery. I do like flowery language and I like the way you use it, but I think it would be even better if you could emphasise it with some simpler stuff.

I'm enjoying it so far :) The characters are believable and the pace is good. Update soon.

whoa.. i wish i could See and Suggest. ;_;
sounds cool.

i like the formalities in how they conversed, it really gives a good feel of the kind of era the story's in.

as for the nameless, ageless, boy (?), i think his presence was rather interesting. and the way he answered the questions she posed sort of made me laugh; he was dancing around them all and eventually brought back the topic of the king.

["So, I tell him...Your Majesty, King Nicolas, Lady Sofi would have you know that Your Highness's dancing made her hot?"]
haha, this was funny, whether or not the chapter intended for humor. it made me laugh for a bit.