Title: Magic
Prompt: 98 Technology (Writer's Choice)

Sam watched with unrestrained glee as his class toured through the factory. There were machines putting things together! The Old Kingdom had nothing like that. But, then again, Ancelstierre had nothing like Charter Magic either.

Magic, to the average Ancelstierrian, was all trick and slight of hand. So many of his classmates thought so. They were amused by his shadow tricks on the wall.

He remembered his father saying something like that about technology. He couldn't understand how something worked without magic.

Sam was amused by both views. They simply worked according to the rules of the place they originated.

Title: Attitude
Prompt: 14 Black

The painter scowled at the king as he shifted. "If you don't hold still, sire, you're going to end up with black smears all over your portrait instead of an eyebrow where it should be."

Touchstone winced at the image and settled back down. He knew the painter would do it. He had heard stories from some of the staff regarding the attitude of the artist. Wonderful talent but a black attitude.

Touchstone thought he was getting a break only because he was king and it still wasn't much of a break. He wondered if the portrait was worth it.

Title: Giggle
Prompt: 90 It

The nanny looked up, wondering what her charge was laughing at. She put her needlework aside and rose to check on Prince Sameth. Like any three year old, he got into a lot of trouble.

She rounded the big chest and could see that he was laughing at something. She squinted but could not see what it was. Judging by the lack of reactions from the protective charter marks in the room, it was not anything harmful.

She stepped closer and let out a shriek. Sameth was touching a very large spider that made a web between two unused toys.

Title: Play
Prompt: 43 Square

Sabriel watched her classmates jump on numbered squares. She had seen them playing hop-scotch since the weather had gotten warm enough but had not joined in because she did not know the rules.

One of the youngest girls in the group, Ellimere, noticed her watching. She waved over to Sabriel, "Come play."

Sabriel walked over and they gave her a stone. "I don't know what to do," she admitted looking embarrassed.

"Okay!" Ellimere said and explained the rules. Sabriel smiled. It was not so bad. They only giggled a little when she fell on her rear the first try.

Title: Hope
Prompt: 62 Spring

There was a spring in the midwife's step and a beatific smile on her face as she walked down the castle hall. The Queen was pregnant again! With all the duties as Abhorsen she had, there had been much wondering if they would ever have more children.

But all was well in that department. Their Majesties stayed close whenever they could.

The people who worked with the midwife, knew that smile and they knew that she had just seen the Queen. It was only a matter of time before everyone in the castle had the same spring in their step.