sandeman

The heat is increasing but the stars are still turning. I think the choice for Marcus is one I wouldn't want to make. Does he have one ? Over the story I have warmed towards Cameron, but ....

Another sweet delight from you.

A chapter of more surprises and architectural wonders! Jesse commissioned to bring back Isaiah to the fold! Guardians of the Tomb on war alert! But I have no fear for the safety of our intrepid explorers. Not when there is one Gremlin left standing wielding a SPOON!! Heaven help the cosmos if it ever finds a full canteen of cutlery! Or even a set of fish knives.

"You're safe here," Tom repeated. They have shared confidences and the beginnings of intimacy. But Karl has soon to return to his wife. Will he tell her what is happening and face her reaction, village gossip and possible condemnation?

A failing marriage. The husband's realisation that he is gay. A meeting of two men who are attracted and attractive to each other. Awaiting developments.

Opprobrium. As a survivor of such a shameful defeat as Teutoburg and a known associate of the man who inflicted that defeat, Marcus' future is in jeopardy. As indeed is that of his family. Guilt by association has been the downfall of many a family and Livia's courtship could fail. For many, exile would be the answer and Marcus' father is moving him to their estate in Pompeii away from any immediate repercussions in Rome. Marcus is taking with him his grief and leaving behind the love and solace of his family. Will Marcus find any consolation in Pompeii?

The young men have been rescued. Their families had never stopped looking for them, with love and hope. The reunion via tv was as affecting as if it had been in person. Perhaps more so. One week apart and the pull of Jamie and Oliver's need and love for each was so strong they could no longer be parted. And their parents in their love accepted this. After 18 months on the island their future will be different to what they might have expected before the shipwreck; the love that grew in adversity will be there always to guide them. A great chapter.

Five years on and Nos and Cal have grown in maturity. Becoming the next generation teachers and leaders; and planning to start their own family. A delightful epilogue to their love story.

What a wonderful chapter. A few lines in and you are subverting my imagination. Shakespeare's Richard 3 "A horse a horse my kingdom etc."has been replaced by Gremlin " A spoon a spoon my kingdom etc". Exit Isaiah stage left laughing in the corridor. Immediately followed by Gremlin in the body(? ) of a Dalek with spoons instead of death rays "Exterminate Exterminate". Gremlin "Are we there yet?" Mickey "No". "How about now?" " No". Oh my god!! Mickey is becoming Gremlin"s dad. Mickey loves Isaiah. Isaiah " You made me wear clean underwear." "We're going to be okay," Isaiah said. "Yeah," Mickey said, "We are". Quote of the day "EVERYTHING NEEDS BEANS. BEANS ARE THE FOOD OF THE GODS". And here I thought it was Ambrosia. Well, we live and learn!

" The knowing would always be partial. That the partial knowing might be all there was...and he didn't know how to decide whether it was enough....". Oliver is changing and his feelings for Julien have grown but can he escape from his need for control and completeness? Julien too if only by look and touch seems to be developing feelings for Oliver. But Julien appears to have suffered some kind of loss associated with his climbing. Will this have an effect on any relationship that might develop? Another lyrical chapter.

Life doesn't always throw straight balls. Sadly abuse comes in many forms, physical mental emotional. And in varying degrees of strength. A sharp word or a constant belittling. A slap or a constant beating. And it happens to all ages; children adults the elderly. How the abused react also differs. One may become an overprotective parent ; another a brutal abuser of his own children. But ALL are scarred. Abuse should never be forgiven, and should be punished. But our society seems to work only on dominance - one person over another, one country over another. And without understanding..... Two Spirits Ranch is the Utopia we would all like to live in. But it IS cloud cuckoo land. Another unsettling yet inspiring and beautifully told episode. Thank you.

Now each of our heroes has found his inner wolf and true self. Sadly for us the end of THIS adventure has arrived. Leaving us wanting. And waiting? Thank you for a tale intriguing engrossing and wonderfully told.

What a lovable quintet! The Gremlin - priorities "SNACKS" "LUNCH" "PAJAMAS". Dmitri - student scientist hair sticking up in "seventeen" yes "seventeen" directions. Isaiah - engineer and peacemaker keeping them all together. Mickey - captain,boyfriend, dad, lovable idiot, taking pleasure in his new family. And Hughie - making a note of everything presumably for the end of term report.

Both young men have gained greater maturity and found a committed love for each other in the space of a few months. And so to a leavetaking. Ingomar back across the Rhine to a future with the victorius Arminius and his tribe ? Marcus on his way to Rome and his family and whatever reception a ransomed survivor of an inglorious defeat could expect ? Not so many years previously, the poet Horace, who had become a friend of Emperor Augustus had written in one of his odes " Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori". But whatever the outcome for him, it seems as if Marcus has taken to heart another quote fom Horace "Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero".

A disturbing but not unexpected development with the trauma our newly named Young Eagle Feather is experiencing. I hope that Jaciah and Kahlid will be instrumental in helping Young Eagle Feather's recovery. From the description of them they seem to project a calmness of spirit and an all enveloping love. Jaciah "seated in the old ways and traditions of Native American beliefs", may well provide the kind of therapy, spiritual therapy, that Young Eagle Feather needs so much at the moment. It will complement the powerful love that Jake has for him. And the eagle that Mannly (as was) heard above him has reappeared as part of the new name given to him by the Longfeathers. A powerful totem in native American belief.

Delightful chapter for all concerned.

A safe return to his own people for Titus; a ransome arranged for Marcus; and hopefully a safe passage for both. For Ingomar a warning and an unenviable choice: to ride away with Marcus to where he might be regarded by Rome as a traitor; or return to his own family and face a similar condemnation.

Perhaps subconsciously Jake realises that despite his show of cheerfulness Mannly is still suffering from PTSD. But is smothering him in a way Mannly might feel is denigrating. Mannly's recovery has a long way to go. He is still ill. Eagles have an association with native Americans for wellbeing. Perhaps this one is a spiritual guide. A protector.

And so the end is near, and we must face the final veil. Without a doubt they did it their way.

Whilst I hope sometimes I can make a humorous comment because your writing fills me with joy , this chapter gives me pause for thought. I can sympathise with those caught in a cult or sect because at age 18 after a late adolescence breakdown I was involved with JWs. At that time some 65 years ago I needed the emotional support they gave me. For me I could not deny to myself that I was gay and so I moved on. I admire the way you have handled the meeting of Dmitri with his dad and Isaiah. The thoughtfulness of Isaiah and the way he seeks to smooth the path between Mickey and his son is wonderful. Dmitri is a perspicacious boy, who has retained his precious love of life, who has not been brainwashed and will accept the growing closeness of his dad and Isaiah. " I want to see the stars," Dmitri said.

I'm waiting for the " too comfortable" pilots chair to be put to a more interesting use! And where can I download or obtain a video of the goat episode? And don't let the gremlin out!!

Your gremlins are always entertaining. But when one is found imprisoned in a crate and starts off with feed me or calling for food .......

Dmitri is a resourceful boy and will love the freedom of the Vega Vixen being with his dad and another cult escapee. I'm sure Hughie will absolutely adore him.

"Isaiah tackled him, the two of them crashing to the decking as Isaiah covered him with as many kisses....." Chapter1 perhaps of a revised edition of Mickey's Manual of "Percussive Maintenance" ???

Isaiah selected a cream puff. It was the best thing he had ever tasted. Well he is in for a different taste. Cream to Milk?