Podcastle, Episode 946 for Tuesday, the second of June, 2026.

A Fine Balance by Charlotte Ashley, read by Tatiana Gray and produced by Priya Williams and

Wilson Fowley, rated PG-13 for honorable dualists and some less honorable warfare.

Good morning, good day, good afternoon, and good evening,

and welcome to Podcastle, the Flying Castle of Fantasy Fiction. I'm your host for today,

Zeeve Witties, and it is my privilege to present for your enjoyment. A Fine Balance by Charlotte

Ashley, read by Tatiana Gray.

This story was first published in the magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in their November, December 2016 issue.

In Podcastle, this story ran in episode 517, and we have saved it safe and sound in our castle vaults for you to enjoy again today.

Charlotte Ashley is a writer, editor, book collector, book historian, and Alexander Dumas fanatic. She lives in Halifax,

Nova Scotia, with her two daughters, three cats, and books. You can find more about her at

www.w.w. Once- and-future.com or on blue sky at Charlotte Ashley.

B-S-K-Y dot social.

Our narrator today, Tatiana Gray, is a critically acclaimed actress of stage, screen, and the audio booth.

She has been nominated for dozens of fancy awards but hasn't won a single damn thing.

She lives in Brooklyn, New York. See more about Tatiana at www.tatiana gray.com.

And now, fasten on your favorite weapon. Check around for any signs of your personal

arch nemesis. And let's begin. A fine balance by Charlotte Ashley, narrated by Tatiana Gray.

My mistress, Shawana Yilderam, was the greatest shot in the city.

Each morning, according to her wishes, I cleaned and loaded her revolving pistol.

I oiled the clip on her holster and checked the stitches in the leather work.

I strung a fresh sash of weighted bullets and laid it

...