ColumbusGuy

Uirebon and Agleron are going to be in for some surprises next day when Kieran demonstrates taking realm stones, among other abilities. At least he seems unable to pass the power on. So now we think Wurowa's people overcame a rogue Elven lord? That puts a whole new twist to both human and Elven history I believe. Were they once part of the Dead Realm? Or does their power stem from the fact that they are among one of the oldest cultures and lineages left largely intact since migrating out of Africa? Just when we clamor for more answers, Maurice says it's time for a swim! Sigh.... 🐈

You're making this story very hard to read, my dear friend...but we have come to expect nothing less than excellence from your imagination. I've seldom seen a person so in touch with his inner emotions, and able to make his readers share them in just the right number of words. Dan has said pretty much all that occurred to me on reading this chapter, so I'll move to a couple observations instead; one: as much as he'd like to, I don't think getting an apartment across the park would be a good idea. Meeting one another too often will only serve to rub salt into already sore wounds, and they both need time to assess the situation. For now, let Hank have what he thinks he wants...until he opens his mind to what his heart says, there will be no hope. Two: although he has begun to move forward, Chase has scarcely taken the first steps out of depression. Therapy had given him a path to stability, but the journey will not be short or direct. I hurt for Rex as he's the innocent bystander in a world he has no control over. With a child, you can make an attempt to explain things on some level, but pets don't have the capacity for that--they just know one loved one has gone, and are hit with the pain every time that person's voice is herd, and expects to see him come into the room as a result. Will his memories fade of Chris? From experience I have my doubts...my last two Siamese were brother and sister--Genghis and Bortai--and when they were about five years old, Genghis was stolen. For a long time Bortai looked for him, and became more reluctant to be far away from me. She didn't like it when I removed his food dish, and would look around for him anew if someone mentioned his name. For the next ten years until her death from cancer, she kept to her side of our bed rather than go to the side opposite me where he'd been every night, boxing me in like book-ends. I have to wonder if the relationship will be as good should Hank accept Chase back into his life...it will depend a great deal on the depth of their love--all I know is that it didn't work for me as the jilted party. I think perhaps we hadn't been together long enough for a secure bond to form, though it hurt immensely when we parted. I'm off to think happier thoughts like 'what do I want for lunch?'

I like the possible twist with Leo and August, and hope it works out as well as Victor and Chris have. Multiple Monopoly games in one evening is a stretch, as ones with fewer players tend to take longer. My biggest board game session was around 1985 playing Civilization with ten players--it lasted twenty-four hours and finally ended with an agreement of the players as to who was ahead, rather than winning by conquest. Since then, I've owned and played every computer version until 2016 when my eye surgeries made gaming out of bounds. More than once I played a new version for long enough that I forgot the time and had stayed up all night and had to work on zero sleep. My only gripe with this story is that the chapters are too short...just as things begin, we're cut off and have to wait for the next part. While GA sets no standards for chapter length, it's generally thought that ones around 1500 words can be considered Prompt length, and regular stories might be longer, say 2500 minimum. I mention this only because I'm a greedy reader. :) Next one please, Gabz!

Hmm, I don't think Victor will put the scent of lavender and roses as a clue of Chris' Elven origins; it doesn't sound as if he was of high status as a young man, and the Elves were mostly at courts or kept to themselves. Also, it doesn't seem to impact with humans, so unless the legends mention it, Victor should have only the speed as a possible clue to something amiss. Oh yeah, there is the pendant that he knows about now, so maybe he has strong suspicions now? Dang, have to wait another day for more....

Some answers, but some questions remain, i.e. will Chris' parentage affect his longevity in the same way as for full-blooded Elves or vampires? Does he have magical ability? So far, we don't know, but he certainly has more elemental control than other Elves. A lost prince, eh...will Zohal expect an heir, and what will he say when Chris' sexuality becomes known? Waiting for the next chapter...tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock....

I like Manu, and hope his impulsiveness won't turn Naha against Philip. I'd suppose he can read scrolls with his computer aids, but what about writing? Maybe he could draw the characters shown on his lenses? He could be far more useful as an assistant, and able to communicate at least a little with Manu. Now, sorry Travelbug, but you have to go back much farther in history to find the first novels...two from ancient Greece and Rome spring immediately to mind: The Golden Ass, which may go back to ancient Greece about a traveller's encounters with magic, werewolves and adventure. The second, which we have only in partial form, is The Satyricon written by Petronius around the time of Nero about scandals, banqueting and ribald adventures. I think the Egyptians had them in some form too, though it's been a while since I had the chance to dig out my collection of ancient literature ranging from Mesopotamia through to the Crusades. The Romans are even credited with the first science-fiction story about a voyage to the Sun and talking to its' inhabitants...I think by Lucian of Samosata. The Egyptians were ardent lovers of poetry, and wrote about most things from medicine to history to court records, and the less high status wrote lines on shards of pottery, carved or painted on any flat surface, and even wrote sexual innuendoes about their rulers, particularly Hatshepsut.

So there's a fancy name for the Winter Blues? It's odd how most of us loved the season as kids with the snow and sleds and snowmen, but as adults we just want it to be over. For me, it's the cold now that aggravates my arthritic knees that has ruined the season for me. Of course, rains do it nearly as bad now.... My aunt had this for years, and once her kids were grown and moved away, she urged my uncle to sell their farm and move into town around 1980. My father's family were almost all farmers going back to 1850, all in the same part of north central Ohio, so we spent a lot of time visiting them as I grew up, and I had to admit that as things were, it was boring even in Summer. I can imagine how terrible it would have been as they let the farm operation shrink with age, and were still stuck in the middle of nowhere on one-lane gravel roads. That particular farm was owned by my grandfather before my uncle, and we found tons of turn of the century photographs in the barn that would have been lost except for a happy accident. Those hang now in my living room, upstairs hall and my bedroom. The way I see it, once past the solstice it's getting lighter day by day, so that helps buoy the spirits.

My view is that the symbols on the books represent each of the races, but is there a link to their being presented in relation to his life's events? Has he actually met a demon yet, like he has the other three? Is the town outside the tower an Elvish one as seems to be hinted, or do all live there in harmony? Is it a separate plane where the Elves retreated to? My chief question is why Chris doesn't wear his pendant all the time--could it provide him some sort of protection? Here's another thought: if Chris decides to turn at some point, what will his father do, or Leo?

Just some idle speculations here: the barrier could be an elven mechanism that was triggered by his ordeal; second, elves could have a strong connection with the natural world and its' creatures which was damaged, and Chris has lost his link to nature, whether it is temporary only time may tell. It would be nice if there was a way to contact the 'lost elves' who might supply aid or answers. More please, Gabz.

Okay, the place is wrong, want to bet the time is too? Many problems ahead, including the language and customs which are vastly different from those of our modern world. In my younger days I was part of an online group that did role-play stories and research into the Ancient World, though Rome was more my area of expertise. I've read all I could about ancient history, archaeology and cultures, and we are learning more every year about all of them. I'm looking forward to where this is going to end up!e

I'm assuming some of the rapists were caught, but with the way our courts are, I don't believe the punishment will be enough for the crimes they committed. And what of the drug dealer who'd left earlier after having his turn? I hope Chris can recover enough to put his mind together again, but it won't be easy for him or his family. I have to say that both William and Victor seem rather inept about security knowing there are groups out there who want to hurt them from both the human and supernatural sides...with the resources these two ought to have, some sort of tracking system should have been the very least of the precautions. More please, Gabz.

Now we get a first glimpse into Hank's world, and it is in many ways as broken as Chase's. Worse though, is the fact that Hank's belief in trust was broken early in life, and there was no one to help him with that pain. Also, the cause of that pain remains alive and unpunished in his view, while Chase's loss of his mother to cancer provided a final closure that will allow healing in time. In college, my parents divorced after twenty-four years, but for several years before that they fought--mostly my mother's instigation with her temper--but my father's refusal to react in kind only added fuel to the fire, I think. Ever after, my mother placed all blame on my father and he kept quiet, letting me decide the issues . Years later, my suspicions about the reasons for the divorce were confirmed, but with both then deceased, what did it matter? I'd loved them both and was at a point where I could live on my own and be neutral. Their divorce was very hard on me as a 20 year old, so I can imagine how much worse it had been on a younger child. Chase has the luxury of his mother's ending being a release from pain and that will also help in time as it sinks into his psyche beyond the intellectual level. Recalling the good things is a wonderful boon that brings the lost one back for a moment of joy that becomes ever more precious. One such for me was being hugged by my mom, which I treasured up to the day I last saw her before her coma. For my father, it was watching him cook Sunday breakfast as a kid, and making peanut butter fudge every Christmas. A glimmer of light in Chase's path ahead? Fingers crossed. xoxoxoxoxo

Without more information on how 'turning' works here, we may have solved the problem of Chris' aging while Victor remains young...I wonder if we'll find out for sure if he's truly part of the supernatural races, and if that could affect his becoming a new vampire? Come on, Gabz...ready for the next part!

A new floor...the first glimpse of what lies outside...and a real world encounter with one of the dream books that yields us some information at last, but also many more questions. My imagination is running rife with speculation at this point, but I won't indulge any of them outside my own head for now. Come on Gabz, give us another!

I'm not sure about these dreams, but the impression I get is that the books with the paw print and crescent are about werewolves, and the earlier ones with the rose about vampires... Now we have a third script on scrolls, which might indicate an older source of knowledge, or perhaps an older race? The first thing we see here is a scroll with Chris' picture in it...a third supernatural species? Victor said early on that he had a scent he couldn't place, but seemed to indicate power of some sort.... We don't know if the pendant will unlock the books, or just the scrolls at this point.

I'm glad to see that Chase went to his appointment, and has begun to take the first steps in putting his soul back together. Some harsh truths were faced, and he has the beginnings of a map to his future. Like Chase, we can hope for some sort of reconciliation; putting the pillow back, and taking the picture of them together provide a symbol of that hope for each of them. Hope is the one thing we can cling to until Life's end, thanks to Pandora closing the lid on her infamous box.

I'm glad to see this here where I bet the audience is larger. Any chance of a sequel? With the boys' background of long friendship, I think they might be right about acceptance, but parents can surprise you...thankfully, this is fiction and we can make our own resolution. 🐈

I wish I'd had some clue that this was a first book in a series; I read the Advent/Hannukah story first at Nifty, then the tale of Pate and Timmy, and wanted to read about Yonatan and Matan, but there was no title given at Nifty for the first book, and I read it here because I wanted more of Mac's world, only to find it's a Y and M story about a third of the way in. Maybe add a note to the stories saying they're in the series? Anyway, I loved this one, and am sad to see them give up the Native aspect of their life that protected and guided them so well...their commitments make this understandable for Scouting, but it seems they're giving up an aspect of their world view that could be of great help to them in future. Spirituality is something I don't see as an exclusive right for any one faith, Judeo-Christian or otherwise. It doesn't seem part of Yonatan's outlook to restrict himself to becoming so insular.... Can't wait for the third book, Mac! I assume we'll learn more about the forces behind the Vienna attack? I've heard of the group/clue you mentioned, now I have to separate truth from rumor.

I'd like to read more about Pate and Timmy and their friends going forward. Any chance?

We're getting more information, but also more things that raise further questions. I'm glad Agleron will accept his son, but the matter of him having two separate personas remains. Lets hope that Maynor's 'forgetting' will be successful, and Kieran will no longer have to worry about the man's schemes. The saddest thing for me now is this: the time will come when Rhys will die, and Kieran will have to go on, perhaps with another Partner. Does Rhys realize this? More please, my friend...and glad to hear you are so far unaffected by the bush fires.

Each chapter leaves me with more questions, which is a good thing for an author, but bad for us poor readers.... I just don't know where to stand on the characters right now; I've been where Chase is with losing his mom, and I've also been where Hank is by having relationships blow up in my face. There is no black vs. white here, and that confuses our world view which presupposes things are either one way or another. Arguments can be made that this is bound up in our bilateral symmetry--we have two eyes, two hands for manipulating our environment, so it's natural to see that in all things from science to morality. What if we'd been a race of arachnids? Six or eight sided problem solving? The concept of survivor's guilt is a strong one, and if your mental state is already fragile, then the effects will be much worse. I'd venture to say that Hank isn't taking this fully into account except intellectually, but his emotional side has recognized the need to help Chase at least in the short term. Is there any hope for reconciliation? Our Muse isn't telling.... Again, this chapter has brought back my own experiences with the loss of my mother and Kevin...for most this will be a vicarious ride through pain, regret and loss...for me, it's reliving the past. At least now, after twelve years, it also brings back memories of what I had with those two important parts of my life. I'm with you, my dear...'lead on MacDuff!'

In the first few chapters, I confess to being unsure about going on, but now I'm all in. I'd say it's too early yet to answer some of the questions raised above, but my own are about the dreams of the tower and seeming ability to read the books there. I'd also like to know about the suspicion that our hero is some sort of creature himself.... I admit to being confused at times about the story taking place in Georgia as the author incorporates many British terms...but I'm fine with that as the story engages me nevertheless. I've heard that some believe Americans can't understand or enjoy a story that isn't in American slang or vernacular, but a good story transcends those provincial standards in my opinion. I enjoy many authors of non-American origin precisely for their linguistic differences and viewpoints, particularly my friends Palantir and Ivor Slipper. Eager for more!

This is a nice little tale showing us how a chance meeting can affect our lives when we least expect it...why do I have the voice of Jimmy Stewart in my head just now, and some line about a bell and an angel's wings? Gotta thank Ivor for giving me the link since I missed it!

I agree with much of what the reviewers have said so far, so I won't repeat their comments again as they were cogent and concise. With what little we have so far, I can only say that neither man is cast in a sympathetic light. Hank can be seen as the aggrieved party, but his actions belie an apparent sympathetic nature. If you haven't experienced it yourself, you can't understand what depression can do to the sufferer's mental state. There's a huge difference between academic and experiential understanding. Readers of comments from my Jay & Miles story with Gary know some of my history that makes this tale a very personal one for me; in the course of six months I unexpectedly lost my mother, two cousins and my partner of more than a decade...the latter due in part to his long-term family issues coupled with depression. I'll just say for now that Hank is wrong in thinking that Chase has had time to 'get over' his mother's death. Like Chase's, my mother's came very quickly after a period of seeming to be healthy enough. It's been twelve years now, and I still think of her on an almost daily basis, though the urge to call her to inform her of some news has gone, I still think of what she'd have said. As for my late partner, suicide brings on a whole different raft of emotions that aren't part of a 'natural' death. I saw him three days before, and he gave no clues that raised any alarms. No, this is going to be unsettling, but I trust my G-Man to bring us through to a safe harbor at the end.

Much as I hate saying 'farvel' to one of Geron's stories with this crew, I read it at IOM and it stopped here. Mind you, there's no law that says he couldn't add a codicil or two--especially since the rest of the English-speaking world has Boxing Day right after Christmas...a sort of second chance at getting nice things. 🎁