It's 1.35 in the morning, my time, though in Montreal (where I am right now) it's 8:35 in the evening. I am beyond exhausted, but I'm posting, because I am too tired to think of a good reason for breaking my word. (Written in Edinburgh, revised transAtlantic, revisions reviewed in Shoshanna's living room, posted via her Internet.)

The previous stories in this series (my Keptverse) began with The Games (six parts) and continued with The Network (one part), The Players (seven parts), The Gambler (seven parts), The Pieces (seven parts), and End-Game (5 parts).

There are parts one two, three, four, and five of "In the Mouth of the Wolf", the sixth and final section of this story.

The story may be regarded as fanfic set in poisontaster's Keptverse. There is a species of cast list here.

( Part 6: Neither the slave, nor the free )


Tbc: final chapter to follow

I leave for Montreal very first thing tomorrow, but I promise I will post Part 6 either tomorrow or soon after: (or possibly, very late tomorrow evening). Part 7 is *still being written*, but I do know what happens and I won't keep you waiting any longer than I have to. I am taking my laptop with me to Montreal.

The previous stories in this series (my Keptverse) began with The Games (six parts) and continued with The Network (one part), The Players (seven parts), The Gambler (seven parts), The Pieces (seven parts), and End-Game (5 parts).

There are parts one two, three and four of "In the Mouth of the Wolf", the sixth and final section of this story.

The story may be regarded as fanfic set in poisontaster's Keptverse. There is a species of cast list here.

You may want to go back and re-read parts 3 and 4 (at least) before you begin on Part 5. Or not. As you please.

( Part 5: I wasn't worried about appearances. )



part 6

Look at this way: you're having an adventure!

See, I had a problem with "End-Game", and it's mutated. A bit.

What I thought was going to be the last section of the Games story turned into the penultimate section. "End-Game" now has five parts and was posted in April.

"In the mouth of the wolf", the new last section of the Games story, started in May and now has five parts written, four posted, and two more planned. You have already read three out of the first four chapters posted. Sorry.

There are now posted: part one, part two, part three (this is the only brand-new part) and part four of "In the Mouth of the Wolf", the sixth and final section of this story. Part five is written and will be posted after review: parts six and seven are still under development, but I do not *touch wood* perceive any MORE course-changes. And the goal is to have it all posted by end-of-day 2nd August at the very latest, sanity permitting. Ideally, earlier.

However. "The Players", posted back in November, now has a new alternate version of Part One: Willow. At the moment, such is the way my mind works, both versions are hanging in a Schroedinger's Box, with identical reality. But you get to read them both because I didn't mean to keep you hanging this long for the rest of the Games story.

And as I say: I am resolved, to have it all finished for you by the time I leave for the Worldcon on 3rd August.

Links to all chapters here in The stories so far.

(This was the eighth part of "End Game", and then had the Author's Note: "Part 8 (and Part 7) are neither of them from Kimble's point of view. I am sure you would notice and not be confused, but as we're all friends here, I just thought I'd mention it. Part 9 is from Kimble's POV, and I think the story should wrap up inside 3 parts. Sorry to be muddled about this. I'd known these characters were going to show up, I just hadn't realised they'd want their own POV-sections, and am finding myself feeling horridly confused about what this has done to the structure of the story. ("Whee?")" Well, I am no longer horridly confused. Hope that you are not too much so either.)

If you prefer to read a warning before you read the story, there is a warning associated with this story.

The previous stories in this series (my Keptverse) began with The Games (six parts) and continued with The Network (one part), The Players (seven parts), The Gambler (seven parts), The Pieces (seven parts), and End-Game (5 parts).

There are parts one two, three and four of "In the Mouth of the Wolf", the sixth and final section of this story. Part five is written and will be posted after review: parts six and seven are still under development, but I do not *touch wood* perceive any MORE course-changes.


The story may be regarded as fanfic set in poisontaster's Keptverse. There is a species of cast list here.

( Part 4: For Freedom, standing by the tree )

to part 5

( the warning associated with this story )

The previous stories in this series (my Keptverse) began with The Games (six parts) and continued with The Network (one part), The Players (seven parts), The Gambler (seven parts), The Pieces (seven parts), and End-Game (5 parts).

There are parts one two, three and four of "In the Mouth of the Wolf", the sixth and final section of this story. Part five is written and will be posted after review: parts six and seven are still under development, but I do not *touch wood* perceive any MORE course-changes.

The story may be regarded as fanfic set in poisontaster's Keptverse. There is a species of cast list here.

( Part 3: You look really beautiful tonight. )

to part 4

(This was the seventh part of "End Game", and then had the Author's Note: "Part 7 (and Part 8, to follow) are neither of them from Kimble's point of view. I am sure you would notice and not be confused, but as we're all friends here, I just thought I'd mention it. I'm still frankly not sure if I can squeeze the rest of the plot into part 9, part 10, or if I need part 11, and how the hell this works out for the structure of the story, but, that's what makes this an adventure, right? ...right?" - Well, I have now found out what it did to the structure of the story.)

The previous stories in this series (my Keptverse) began with The Games (six parts) and continued with The Network (one part), The Players (seven parts), The Gambler (seven parts), The Pieces (seven parts), and End-Game (5 parts).

The story may be regarded as fanfic set in poisontaster's Keptverse. There is a species of cast list here.

( Part 2: As I would free the white almond from the green husk )

To Part 3

(This was the sixth part of "End Game".)

The previous stories in this series (my Keptverse) began with The Games (six parts) and continued with The Network (one part), The Players (seven parts), The Gambler (seven parts), The Pieces (seven parts), and End-Game (5 parts).

The story may be regarded as fanfic set in poisontaster's Keptverse. There is a species of cast list here.

( Part 1: understand the terrible fascinating power )


To part 2