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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

"That means there is no drinking. Not for the performers, which is punishment enough, but neither for the audience, which is even worse. There is also no gambling and no work for a minority of our more gracious Company. The mood has been set, and now for the setting." #wipsnips #writingcommunity

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

She looked over to the bookshelf. It was mostly fiction. Books on science, artillery, engineering would be suspicious. She would only ask for those if she had the means to put it to use. The contents of this shelf earned its utility every conversation she had. #wipsnips #writingcommunity

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

“L’Marc said you could bill it to his guild. He just asked that I get a receipt.” “Alright, boy, come into my office.” Montegue stood, and it was like watching a mountain rise. Slow but unstoppable. He stomped away, through a metal door with an iron grate. #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

The women were in his front now. They stood behind his generals. Gavin looked past them. The plumes rose like stairs. Only the subtle breeze disrupted the elegance. “I stand before you bringing a proclamation. Bringing his truth. Dare I say, bringing your salvation.” #wipsnips #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Dahla said, “You did it once. You can do it again. The way is the same.” Lissie glanced to her side and said, “You were holding my hands then.” “I was following you.” Dahla looked like she had when Lissie first saw her. Wry, confident, stalwart. Lissie closed her eyes. #wipsnips #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Maribelle looked at her daughter. Even over the armor, she had a journal strapped to her belt. “The Ellium offered education to any who wanted it. In ten years, I had academies of my own. A populace capable of educating itself.” “I don’t think many books are going to make it, Mother.” #wipsnips

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Alexander took another long pull from the earthenware jug. "Any of you boys know how to play Writ?" Both Pole and Paul murmured their assent. Riley saw that Alexander was still holding the jug. He did not seem as intent on sharing as the boys had suggested. #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

The silence dragged on. Gavin felt his eyes closing to the golden sunlight. L’Marc’s voice startled him awake. “Did you bring attire for the royal court?” Gavin thought of what clothes he had in the trunk strapped to the top of the carriage. He did not know if they were proper attire. #wipsnips

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

“It worked out, didn’t it? The Duke was embarrassed that your noble blood was almost arrested. It was a fairy book ending. They even gave us climbing gear!” Alexander raised his arm, looking at a sleeve. “And these fine coats." Lissie snuggled into her fur hood. #wipsnips #writingcommunity

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

“What will you do now, with the Commerce Road closed?” Gavin asked. “Ships on the Eible Sea. We lose every fifth shipment, but they haul so much more than caravans.” L’Marc polished his monocle. “Closed borders do not mean closed to everything. War, disease, famine, it is not ruinous.” #wipsnips

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

I've posted the next chapter of the Wind is High on my website. The girls are about to leave the comfort of home for the second time, marching alone into foreign and hostile territory. #writingcommunity #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

The whole ride back to the castle, she had been thinking that she would be safe behind these walls. Safe as soon as she told Father. Without him here, she felt more exposed than ever. She was supposed to be here. The Duke’s daughter, sitting like another ornament at the table. #wipsnips #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

Camping on the flat was unlike anything Riley had ever imagined. The posts they drove into the ground to tie down the tents would not anchor against the sand. They ended up wrapped in the canvas, feeling the wind the whole night. The smell was rancid. #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

The one benefit of the cold was that the snow stayed frozen. They pushed on one step at a time until Lissie saw the waterfall. “It’s up there. I can see it.” The winter had polished it to a column of blue laced with white cracks. “Time for the easy part!” Alexander sounded grim. #wipsnips #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Gavin asked, “Will you let me travel with you in the morning?” “There is nothing that keeps you bound to your home?” L’Marc responded. Gavin thought about Cora at dinner, and of the sketches of her locked safely in the journal in his desk. #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

The little dog trotted happily out to his master on the branch, and sat calmly on his lap. The man scrubbed the dog viciously, which Ruskin repaid with kisses. "My dear compatriot, what have you brought me out of the darkness?" His hair was dark, but his eyebrows were pale in the light. #wipsnips

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

At the beginning of spring, she had matched the color of her coat to these roses. The autumn fog dulled it to mauve. Twigs stood waist-high and as thick as her thumb. The tips shorn to points, gardeners had painted the ends with rusty tincture. They said it protected them from the frost. #wipsnips

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

She stared in horror at the scale and scope of the digging. It was like watching the mountain be undone. Every moment another crash, more sky. More dirt and rock to fall on her. Her face was covered in snow, ice and dirt. She brushed it away and refused to close her eyes. #wipsnips #writingcommunity

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

They couldn’t feel anything but the itching. They couldn't feel their own fingernails digging into their skin. The fear became madness, and no words would come anymore.” Riley snatched her mother’s water goblet and took a drink; her voice was growing hoarse. #wipsnips #writesky #writingcommunity

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

She pulled out a strip of leather and wrapped it on her hand. She laid the sword over her lap, the hilt in the crook of her elbow. Taking the other side of the leather, she started stropping the blade, using even strokes at an angle against the edge. Trevor looked on with wide eyes. #wipsnips

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

The woman purred, “The only adornment a soldier needs is his sword.” The lady placed her hand upon Gavin’s sleeve. Gavin tried to swallow against his dry throat. “The first decision in this matter is ‘silver’ or ‘gold,’” L’Marc said, waving at a velvet board where two necklaces hung. #wipsnips

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

“I’ll help you get these boots off. You just nurse that arm.” Lissie felt Riley’s hands working at the laces of her boots. One was removed, then the other. Her feet were lifted off the floor, one by one. She felt herself turn as Riley laid her legs on the rough blanket. #wipsnips #writingcommunity

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

The flames reached out and Lissie closed her eyes against flaring sparks. She took a breath of smoke and realized, with shame, that she was still embodied. Saminka spoke first. “It was ten years before I learned to do that. But it’s not riding. It doesn’t matter if she can’t control it.” #wipsnips

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

He glanced back toward the nexus of storm clouds. A wall of dust prevented the plague victims from reaching the Nomads. The Problem Cases pushed against it, those behind smashed into the ones in front. Lissie rose higher. Flames danced around her. #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Two men held each side of a wrench and did not speak as they slid the angled hole around the screw holding the water system in place. Water spewed and hissed from the gap, bursting itself open. The pipe-fitter painted lead onto the threaded screw, shielding it with his body. #wipsnips #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

She placed a heel on the back of his hand, and stepped down hard. He screamed. She stepped harder, until she felt the resistance give way. “Take this message in your hand back to Gavi.” She lifted her foot. She whispered in Maribelle’s ear, “Send the design team a bonus.” #wipsnips #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

On the fourth morning the air had fallen crisp. Clouds finally found their way to mar the sky, and there was a heavy grey fog over the Bandinette. Autumn was a month off yet, but Riley could smell it in the air, like brown grass. Beneath her boots the path felt dry and crunchy. #wipsnips #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Gavin wanted to go home. He was sick of this city, and sick of L’Marc. He was mad at the driver. They had been all over, looking for this place, up and down the streets of Kalden. The driver was a fat and lazy man. Gavin hated him and everything else in this city. His mouth hurt. #wipsnips

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

L’Marc turned his back to him. “By how much was your mother attempting to raise our passage fees?” It cannot matter now, Gavin thought. “She told me to try for twenty percent.” L’Marc laughed. It was a reedy sound, ending in a wheeze. “I needed that." #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Nikolai got to his feet. “This is your horse?” “He actually belongs to the Llanarth Stable. That’s Riley’s family. We uh—” Lissie looked at Niko and then glanced away. “Borrowed him.” “Borrowed?” Niko asked. #wipsnips #booksky #writingcommunity #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

“If the numbers hold up, it’s one in twenty that become problem cases.” Dottie was reading from her clipboard. “That’s still going to be two hundred from the guests we have,” said Lady Maribelle. They rounded the corner into the Gaoler’s Hall. “Have that sign changed to ‘Guest Bedrooms’.” #wipsnips

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

“Your primary directive during the interim is domestic. The Dragon demands his home remain stainless. Each house, each body, is to be systematically searched. Any exhibiting signs of infection, rash, tears, or madness, will be placed under home arrest and guarded day and night.” #wipsnips #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Slowly, she pushed herself up with her hands. Her side throbbed, and her head felt like a snow globe. Every time she moved, stars burst before her. This camp was different. The grass was lush and sparkled under the torchlight. Cora let out a cry, "Riley! Careful!" #wipsnips #writingcommunity

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

Lissie fell once on the walk. She kept her arm from hitting the ground and fell on her face instead. She rolled over and said, “Aren’t you going to help me up?" His hands twitched and curled into fists. His bulk was massive. His crystalline eyes stared into her, waiting. #wipsnips #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Riley felt desperately thirsty. And starving. "Do you have any water? Food?" "Lissie's been feeding you, and it was hard to get you to swallow. They are going to want to have a feast now that you're awake." Cora led her another direction, toward a huge tent. #wipsnips #writingcommunity

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

"I remember your father carried a claymore.” The man looked away, “But he had a different frame.” “Well, he carried a claymore in battle—.” Montegue interrupted him. “He always carried a claymore. I made the one for court special. Beautiful thing, that. Does he still have it?” #wipsnips #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Riley scowled and replied, "Puppies have the sharpest teeth. Who are you?" "Alexander Zarnovsky Endrindel MacKintosh the third, Bard and Tinkerer of the Ellium Company, though perhaps, not at the moment." #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Riley squared her shoulders and continued. “The screaming came next. People were ranting, running from the medicine, running from their families. None of it made any sense." "The woman said that after the fear drove people out of their homes, they started acting possessed." #wipsnips #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

We are getting into the thick of it now. Riley is learning to face the consequences of her own reckless behavior. No one looks at her the same as they did yesterday, but the worst judge is always herself. #writingcommunity #writesky #📚 #🪐📚 flythruthechaos.com/2025/11/the-...

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

Lissie checked the clipboard, and her heart sank when she read ‘Emma May’. Lissie had pushed for her to receive the cure ahead of the worst symptoms, but she progressed quickly. Cora had argued with her mother, but there was no logic in the request. Only memories. #wipsnips #writingcommunity

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

The man slapped his knee, “You’re General Ziggy’s boy?” Montegue’s eyes searched him up and down. “Your ma must have been a twig.” “Will you make me a sword, then?” Gavin’s chest beat to the sound of the hammers. flythruthechaos.com/2025/11/the-... #writingcommunity #writesky #fantasy #books

flythruthechaos.com

The Wind is High – Chapter 18 – Fly Thru the Chaos

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Lissie went to work building a fire. Niko approached. “The soldiers wanted to kill you.” He said it with no inflection. “I stopped them. The others are scared. They did not want to tell you what happened as you slept.” #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky #booksky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Riley swung in an upward arc. She felt her blade score the boy. His trousers tore, then his skinny gut and chest. A red line welled from his left hip upwards. He screamed. "First blood," Riley said automatically, as though she was on the training sands. flythruthechaos.com/2025/11/the-...

flythruthechaos.com

The Wind is High – Chapter 17 – Fly Thru the Chaos

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Gavin noticed a spot of mud. He was sure it was what Finnegan was looking at. He twisted his feet to the sides. Finnegan bent at the waist and through the man’s shirt, Gavin saw a painful curvature to the man’s spine. He has no room to judge me for spots on my shoes. #wipsnips #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Riley proffered the fork in front of her face. Lissie took it. She ate, squawking ringing in her ears. By the last bite, she could see through the chicken’s eyes, and felt hard hands around her own feathered throat. She swallowed, and felt her neck snap. #wipsnips #writingcommunity #writesky

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

“You don’t have anything I haven’t seen before, and nothing Tlaso is interested in.” She disrobed and made him a liar. Her body was painted with scars. They blazed like stars. The torchlight threw them into harsh contrast, deep and red. A gasp ran through the locals. #wipsnips #writingcommunity

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

I cut my teeth on anything I could find from Clive Barker. Imagicka, Abarat and more. He inspired me to play with vagueness, changing focus with characterization and context. I think of his writing as exemplifying a textual representation of surrealism. #Bookvember #booksky #WriteSky #authors

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

The room was lit with torches on the outside walls. On the floor the tiles formed a picture that Lissie craned to see. She just caught a glimpse of fur and blood before cold hands on her shoulders brought her back. “I thought I lost you.” Niko’s breath was in her ear. #wipsnips #writesky #🛸📚

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Cassandra Hase, author of the Wind is High @cassandrahase.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

I posted the next chapter of The Wind is High on my website. Entitled "By the Fire," emotions flare. Are the strange boys as innocuous as Lissie believes, or will they be the danger Riley fears? #writingcommunity #writesky #booksky #selfpub

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