Lily and Crown

"Lily and Crown," an 18,000-word novella, is the origin story of Colend, a setting featured in many of Sherwood Smith's novels about Sartorias-deles. The narrative demonstrates that diplomacy is war by other means, as characters engage in a graceful reel of power-plays, treachery, and clashing cultures, leading to significant changes for two powerful kingdoms and the birth of a third.

The novella follows a captivating dance of diplomacy, where characters navigate the intricate web of political maneuvering and cultural differences. Sherwood Smith masterfully weaves a tale that showcases the notion that diplomacy, far from being a peaceful pursuit, can be a battlefield in its own right, with characters employing strategic tactics and subtle manipulations to achieve their desired outcomes.

The story unfolds against the backdrop of two powerful kingdoms, each with its own traditions, values, and aspirations. As the characters interact, they are forced to confront the challenges posed by these divergent cultural perspectives, leading to a series of power-plays and acts of treachery that ultimately shape the course of events.

Through the skilled storytelling of Sherwood Smith, readers are drawn into a world where the lines between diplomacy and warfare are blurred, where a single misstep can have far-reaching consequences. The narrative deftly explores the complexities of international relations, the importance of cultural understanding, and the delicate balance of power that governs the interactions between nations.

As the story progresses, the characters find themselves at the center of a transformative moment, where the actions taken and the decisions made will reverberate through the ages, leading to the birth of a new kingdom – Colend. This setting, which features prominently in many of Sherwood Smith's other works, serves as a testament to the author's ability to create rich and interconnected worlds, each with its own unique history and significance.

Through the lens of "Lily and Crown," readers are treated to a captivating exploration of the intersection between diplomacy and conflict, where the pursuit of power and the desire for change collide in a mesmerizing dance of political intrigue and cultural clashes. Sherwood Smith's talent for crafting engaging narratives that challenge preconceptions and delve into the complexities of human interaction shines through in this compelling novella.

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