ColumbusGuy

POV: Jay, Linda I’m not sure how long it took me to get to sleep because of all the whispers and snickers coming from the other guys…and some rustling of bedclothes as they shifted around to find a comfortable position on the tent’s floor. The moonlight was barely enough to see outlines in the darkness inside our little haven, but I’d seen the others had decided to unzip their sleeping bags to form one bigger layer, and the other one in the pair had lain his on top as a blanket for bot

So Mr. B has a new power--but what will it lead to? Wasn't one of Kieran's first the ability to make things glow? As for Tan... Wurowa, well he's always been different with his ancestry--maybe his people are a third race? The white energy does seem to be the common thread, and I wouldn't be surprised if Ranevargar has some new aspects too, or maybe rediscovered old ones. At the moment I can't see a one-way telepathic ability as being vital, but paired with Rhys' healing, maybe it's a focus on the subject? Eager for more, and maybe some world building? 😺

Dan finally came to the point where he had to choose his own quality of life over the need to be part of a couple, even if it was an emotionally abusive one. He'll be more careful next time after such a hard lesson, but with luck he'll find his perfect match. It's a fortunate soul that hasn't had to suffer the pangs of falsehood and deception, whatever community you are part of...and the hurt is just the same. Love is universal, but alas, so are grief and lies. Would that wisdom could be given like a vaccine rather than earned through heartbreak. Love, when found, will prove an anodyne to hurt, and heal the soul, if not fully erase the memories. Here's to you, Dan for taking that first step to recovery....

Some people have all the luck--but then I guess it occurs the most when you live in an area like yours. Closest I got was seeing a barn owl as a kid while helping my dad with chores at our neighbor's farm across the road from us. That farm had come down to two elderly sisters by the time we moved there in 1961, so we cut their grass with a huge mower by Gravely, picked apples in their orchard, helped in their vegetable garden, and did minor maintenance on their stuff. They'd often have me over for lunch and always had some chocolates for me after. They let us have a big tree house in an ancient oak near the hill they let us sled down in winter. And there was an old hand pump near that same hill we could drink out of on hot days. Some of my fondest memories are on that farm, now owned by their grandson who bought all the ones around rather than see them sold to developers. I envy you your scenery, but I bet you've got snow already, while we just got our first inches last night. :)

I read this before going to bed, and had weird dreams before waking up...so don't put much meaning into this--but I'm stuck with a recurring idea, and I have to pass it on. I discount the incident with Stephanie as more Robbie lack of foresight, but the appearance of the preacher and Mr. Simms, then the Police at school seem to fit too well into my idea: we think Don planted the white powder, and what if he's in debt or nearly so due to drugs or his mistresses, and is trying to gain full control of Robbie's trust funds? Perhaps his 'church' is part of it? Maybe Don has promised them a tithe, since that's often how these fundamentalist ones keep going? Don is in advertising/marketing and that world is known to have access to things like cocaine very easily. Robbie needs to find some independent legal advice to watch out for him...what about Walther, the old guy who had offered him aid earlier? Sue is not going to watch out for Robbie as she is too easily under Don's control, and Robbie needs to have a heart-to-heart talk with Mr. Andrews. And that's another thing I've thought for a long time--there has to be some connection between Robbie and the principal--where's that DNA test kit when you want one?

Kieran's Realm won't lack for creative thinkers to establish it, but just how minute do the details need to be? Worms? Bacteria in the soil? Plankton in the oceans even before we get to larger creatures like Nessie? I hope Ranevargar has some 'auto-remote' settings or something to do a lot of this work.... From my days of playing Dungeons & Dragons on paper and up to computer games like Civilization, a lot goes into world-building besides people and societies, but some comments indicate that Maurice will be the main controller of everything once the format is desired... I don't know why but the idea of the realm being a refuge for widderkin didn't strike me until it was said--bleedin' obvious or what? I blame it all on our host's creativity that wraps us up in wonder and we forget the 'real' world he has created for a time. Yeah, that works for me!

Gotta say I'm confused by your comment above and the fact that the story is still 'In Process'...is there more to follow? Did you get tired of these characters and just want to finish it off? I was enjoying the interplay of the guys and had hoped for more glimpses into the growing relationships with them and any future mates. I'm currently enjoying your other story, but now I'm wondering if it will go the same way...I've read other authors who do that and have to say it leaves readers feeling cheated and may discourage them from reading other things by the same author. Hoping for more of this great story!

I look on these as the first stirrings after a restoring sleep--the first memories that intrude, then are pushed aside to open the soul to a new day's possibilities. The eyes of the heart are once more focussing on the the scenery at hand, and the mind is busily composing fresh constructs to propel you into the coming dawn. The loving wishes and arms of friends are waiting to gather you in once more, my dearest G-Man.

Just occurred to me, but you might also like Stableford's Daedalus novels...the last one I think was 'The Fenris Device'. David Weber has some space combat novels but the only title I can recall just now is 'In Death's Ground'. Some of Bujold's Vorkosigan novels might appeal too. For sheer inventiveness in language you can't beat Jack Vance's Alastor or Anome novels, Cordwainer Smith's future histories or Somtow Sucharitkul's Inquestor books. Just a few ideas and some worth reading that most people may not have heard of these days. Big names like Heinlein or Asimov or Clarke are staples, but there were so many others then too, Lin Carter, Leigh Brackett, Andre Norton, James White and Alan Dean Foster.

I think this may be the first story of yours I've read, but I'm enjoying it a lot. Old photographs can give rise to some great stories, even if you don't know the places or people in them. For me, I did an image prompt several years ago based on a 1915 picture of my great-greatgrandfather's house. I only saw it from the outside since it was no longer in the family, but I put it together with some family history I'd heard and came up with the story. I'm not sure where this is headed, maybe Walter will be getting married, or maybe settling down with another guy...can't tell yet, but it's a good yarn so far, and that's what counts.

I'd have loved to see more stories set in this world/tavern, but I guess we won't since the proprietor has made his own exit... You made the link between spacers and sailors a truly believable one, much like Chandler's Commodore Grimes tales.

A world with nothing but machines? Now I have some memories of Stanislaw Lem's stories running around in my head...weren't his two robots called Trurl and Klapaucius? Been nearly forty years so maybe my recollection is faulty? For some reason I remember a menu from a robot restaurant serving humanish creatures and the name was 'mucilage with goo'... I'd rather not find out what that really is.

Can't believe I'm gonna write this, but okay...a good story is a good story--makes no Difris to me!

Okay, not even gonna speculate on what the party will find below.... Like the situation originally intended by the builders, I am waiting with 'baited' breath for what happens next. With all the varied talents among the group, I think they'll be safe--I mean, an ancient trap--easy peasy. 😺,

Not sure when 13 became unlucky, but I heard it was due to that being the date when all the Templars were arrested, Friday Oct. 13 I think. Another quaint homo sapien superstition. Wonder if we'll see our two ghostly friends on Engris again?

Oh Ivor, your humor is so 'slippery'... Now for our illustrious author: knowing your tastes as I do, I have to wonder if this guy is one of the AAn, and if there might be a Krang in the story somewhere? We've got the ring from Norton, and I'm trying to figure out some of the other places we have been to so far.... An obese croco? All we need now is to find out his name is Sobek (the Egyptian god whose image was crocodilian). 😺

Man, another complication? I didn't expect that Mr. B would be Kerith's prior love...and if K really has to choose one version of himself over another--be his original self with a love and no friends, or remain Kieran and have it all but lose a prior love who meant so much to him.... You suck, Pal. I hope you have a plan in mind where everyone ends up happy. Sigh.

Still major--or should I say Maynor things to be worked out--will you let us behind that critically convenient privacy screen? Us cats want to know! The link between Rhys and Kieran isn't the only one to be worked out: all the Companions have some special connection that I think goes beyond friendship...perhaps the opal drew them into a new bond that was needed for Kieran to realize his full potential? And wasn't there some speculation that Mr. B was somehow an agent for the anti-widderkin crowd early on? Twiddling my thumbs until the next thrill-packed episode. 😺

❤️😺 Well, some answers, and now Maynor is going to get what's coming to him. I hope his mind control powers are going to be limited if not cancelled. Is it next week yet?

I'm glad to see that Kieran isn't going to give in to his father's wishes so far, and that no one seems to grasp the extent of his power. I think I need to read this again to get the events around the chaos interruption...was that Maynor's doing or Narello's? Hate politics--come on Kieran, clean house and kick faerie ass. :)

So, Maynor is behind this whole scheme? I'd like to see him rendered mentally 'dumb' so he can no longer affect others' wills, maybe he could be forced into one of those helmets permanently? The fact remains that Elf society won't accept Kieran's proclivities no matter what, so unless some fundamental change occurs, I can't see Kieran willing to abandon Rhys now that he knows he was manipulated before. Give us a happy outcome for our heroes, my dear friend!

❤️ 😺 Almost speechless my friend! I have to wonder what Maynor's fate will be after all this--surely he can't remain in control of his realm with his power of compulsion intact? And why can't Lady Narello be present at the High Court meeting? We know it was Ranevargar directing Kierans actions, but I don't doubt the power was the young man's... I wonder how sure the claim is that Kieran won't recognize his father while he's in human form? He's surprised us more than once, and if he was so deeply merged with Ranevargar, then he must know the connection, unless it's a secret known only to the High King and his closest advisors....

Okay Wes, everybody has asked my questions...how about some answers? :) Eager for the next one!

I'm trying, mynheer. Is that right? The big problem with this space opera is that it's in the form of disjointed scenes in my head rather than a linear progression. I have this cool scene that was one of the first in my head that could be decades or millennia in the future. A descendant of the Hallbachs finds refuge in the space elevator and is whisked up to a world he can't imagine as he's part of a nomadic tribe.... Wanna bridge that into the current time? I'll give you a cookie!

Thanks G-Man! If I ever find some of those little critters I'll send some along--they replicate, you know, so it doesn't take a huge amount to get started. I have an idea for a bit of the mystery we just learned about, but how to apply it is the rub... Of course, we'll also get more questions. :)