ColumbusGuy

Nice to see you back with this story, but not for the last scene. It's not looking good for the others, though maybe Georgie was the smallest and most vulnerable. I think the saboteur Kelly has shown her hand again rather than this being a result of rescuing the others...and who knows what access she has to other ways to take out the project? Keep us in the loop, Wes!

I first discovered these books on StoryLover just over a month ago, and read straight through from the first one. It seems that the story here is a few chapters ahead, so I can get new episodes first. Will family loyalty win out in the end for Noah and Ryan, or will there be an explosion before we're through? The sad part is that I don't think Holly has any clue as to the depth of the boys' feelings toward her, and I know she'd feel very guilty if things fell apart. She seems to be very practical, and I'd wager she isn't looking for a relationship until she's almost done with college, and that will put things on the back burner once she's gone off to school. Want to lay odds that she doesn't feel romantically about either Ryan or Noah? I seem to recall an old phrase for things like this...'tempest in a teapot'.

What has me bothered at the moment is the unexpected barrier that Ranevargar didnt't know about...was it Maynor's doing, or is there some other influence we don't know about yet? Do we know who the original Lord of the Dead World was?

I don't think Gianni is out of the woods yet with Marina...nor that the seemingly benign Stefano will let it go for long either. It's all a power game and Gianni has been lucky to have had parents who let him think for himself until now...clearly they saw behind the stained glass. For me, the most damning statement about the Church is when Gianni asks Angelo what he could have to confess, and he says 'there has to be something...' The three faiths of The Book: Christianity, Judaism and Islam have caused more evil in the world than all their honeyed words as they set some men above others as a means to control their thoughts for greed and power, sowing division among peoples who would not naturally be enemies were it not for religious doctrines. Come on Gianni and Angelo, follow the light of the firefly to your own Truth.

Sigh...it would have been nice to have both revelations together. Still, Nash is turning out to be a more complex character than I thought he'd be. As for Jarren, I understand his reluctance to be 'out', but unlike him I never questioned or denied my sexuality even though the late 60s-early 70s wasn't a time to talk about it. Maybe it's because I had no real social life other than school that I didn't worry about it? By high school my earlier friends were a year behind and so a connection was lost that might have had me worry about their reactions...and shyness didn't hurt either. In a small town, you accept the idea of being alone, and think of a time when your future will give you more options. One thing that bugs me about a lot of stories is the 'understanding straight friend' telling the hero to be more open. That's classic not comprehending or empathizing with their friend. Very few if any straight guys/brothers can know the fears society ingrains in those who are different. Who would insult, harass or even physically attack a straight guy for liking his significant other? Nobody. In fact, he's more likely to be praised and congratulated. Until you can truly feel the fear of being beaten for being straight, don't come to a gay person and say you 'get it' and then tell them to come out. Arrogant hypocrisy. So, Mazen, thanks for loving Jarren regardless, but otherwise let him set his own timeline.

Pride is such a waste.... In the mid 60s we had a visit from a young guy I'd never met, and never saw again--he was my half-brother from my father's first marriage. They'd had a fight and never spoke after that, apparently over a set of tires! In '87 when my father learned I was gay, that was the last time he spoke to me, and he died in 2001 in Florida where he'd moved with an old girlfriend he knew between his first marriage and my mother's. I have been cool toward Gianni's grandparents from the information we had until this chapter, and now I hold no chance of them endearing themselves to me further. In fact, I can see pain ahead if they insist on Gianni being confirmed. Maybe he can move in with Angelo's family?

Ranevargar has learned from past mistakes, so I think his advice and good will toward the Companions can be trusted...and Kieran would be able to tell if anything didn't ring true. My concern now is how the knowledge that the High King is his father will affect his future course. Being unaware of the cause for the schism between them, he may attribute false motivations and emotional ties between them that aren't truly there. I got along great with my own father until just before we moved to separate homes in '87, when he found out I was gay. No blazing anger, no verbal or physical abuse--I was nearly thirty at the time--just a severing of all contact once we went to different homes. He moved in with a girlfriend who he'd known before he married my mother, and I moved in with my friend Kat until I bought my own house six months later. For that six months, I would call him and he wouldn't talk to me, and that remained the case until he died in 2001 in Florida. Since I lived within bussing range of my mother, I visited her weekly along with her new husband, and they both said the would have no issues if I was gay, and I'm almost positive my mother knew it for a fact though I didn't confirm it...why? I had no one in my life, so it didn't really matter, but they say moms always know, so I don't doubt it since my sisters all had it figured out without telling me until about 1990. :) So, I hope Kieran maintains a clear head when dealing with his father...maybe he'll accept Kieran by then if he saves the day for him....

I believe I read somewhere in my studies that if there were no social biases, the norm for human sexuality would likely be bisexuality....I mean, it used to be thought that homo sapiens killed all the other types we encountered, but DNA has shown that we bred with them before crowding them out. I have never been a good liar, and learned very early in life that the truth was the easier path, so why deny it? As the old saying goes 'if you can't say anything nice, then say nothing'...and I apply that to many aspects of my life. If I think you need to know, I'll tell you...if not, and you ask, I'll admit it, again if you need that info for a valid reason. I hold my privacy as important, so I don't do social media except what little exists here at GA....and even here, I keep it relevant to my stories or to my friends. Hmm, saps v. 'thals...why does that ring a bell?

Oh, my dear friend, you're sharing the truth of a past that the world is now trying to hide or alter for a salve to the conscience of the present. These things can easily come back if we try to bury them, and that too is something that is being lost on the altar of political correctness. Your world is/was mine as only four years separate us...but you had more options than I: I was not able to drive away from a rural life to see more until I moved in 1987, and no one was interested in me because I was cursed with thick glasses and terminal shyness. Since I spread my wings later, I felt more able to be myself. Even so, I had no great relationship until Kevin, and that was only in the 90s, while you have loving kids to show for your life and I have only memories. We may now be in a similar place in life, but though I never really hid as an adult, my path had less traffic, so I envy you your road despite its twists and turns because it led to a full heart. Indulge away, my dear.

So many irons in the fire, my Aussie mate! A simple story about a young man learning about himself turns into a deeper one involving deception, Faierie and now rebellion. At the root still is what Kieran will do when he finds out about his father and his heritage...I can't see him giving up his friends for being High King or leaving Earth. One more question is this: how much of the High King's bias against Kerith due to his own ideas, or a result of Maynor's abilities? His use of Power is brutish, but he has shown subtlety in his mental games for the most part. Since the attacks on Kieran on Earth caused his powers to manifest, and those were done by Maynor, has he unwittingly created the foil to his own plans? More than once I thought we might be nearing a conclusion, but now I see it as yet another hidden device in your wondrous weaving....

What is it about the Moon that defies all our knowledge? Despite having walked on her dusty surface, a mere mention conjures up ancient magic and millenia of dreams....chills enveloped me as your words wove their spell. Lucky you, with all of outdoors to waft in on that breeze--I get occasional flowers, mown lawns and the tinge of exhaust from passing cars outside my door...or the wail of sirens or yells of students on a game day....

I like it--especially since it joins two of my favorite things, writing and roses. I've tried growing these before, and failed every time, but at least I had a few successful loves bloom for a time. Still, the beauty of a rose is eternal, as is the memory of Love.

No words of wisdom from me here this time, just a deep understanding and sadness. So many factors can sap our drive, or dampen our will...yet I like to think that there is a Light ahead that can rekindle our hopes and dreams even in our darkest hours. Mine took a particularly hard hit when the fading became more than a metaphor at the end of 2015, and yet, friends have put me back on my literary path, if shakily. Hugs and kisses, dearest friend....

Ah, I love a happy ending! Mike has a human travel companion at last, and Bobby has found he isn't entirely alone and cut off from his family. The reference to the classic authors Bobby knew made me smile, as it brought back many happy hours of my reading those same greats as a teen...and your subtle use of the old treasure trove there brought to mind one I've mentioned to you before: Bobby reminds me so much of one of the heroes from Raymond F. Jones novels set in the 50s and involving travels among the stars. He too is just a youth caught up in circumstances he has no control over, yet wins through in the end, rather than being someone from a future era as imagined back then. I think that feature is what continues to enliven the world of Charlie and his friends for me...contemporary boys finding themselves caught up in wondrous events, and yet remaining true to themselves. Let's see...Halloween next, or is there another Door ahead?

I'm glad Kontus is getting his adventure, and that Pacha is safe now...But I'm bristling at the reference to Kansas and Oz. We all know the only 'gay virus' is in the imagination of authors whose stories have every new encounter being with another gay single person...the gods know it doesn't happen in real life. And...just to toss in my tuppence: I believe in Bisexuality as my two best relationships were with guys who claimed that; one is married now with three kids, and the other was my late bf of ten years. So, Bisexuals are no more a myth than Gay Republicans, of which I am an example. I have many moderate beliefs, so I don't fit in any pigeon-holes that the Left espouses, nor those of the Right either...I'm me, and whatever else I am is my business alone, and not relevant to anyone else's agenda....

Okay, I'm loving the masquerade the boys are putting on...and I really hope the Trichani aren't behind the taking of Pacha. Max' camouflage gives new meaning to the common Police line: 'Nothing to see here--move along.'

Dang, and I thought Maynor might be tougher, but it was good he was distracted. For a wild moment, I thought it would be cool if Kieran also snatched his ring....or is that 'Ring'? Maynor--Mordor? Subconscious link, dear Author?

Once more a fantastic journey into your essential being...much treasured by us as they often distill our own mixtures into richer brews. I found it telling that you juxtaposed the Dove and Raven...the usual contrary image would be the Hawk in politics, but for internal mixings, this is most apt. In Norse and Germanic mythos, the Raven is the source of knowledge and examination, hence Hugin and Munin were Odin All-Father's eyes on Midgard and the other realms from Asgard to Jotunheim. He gave one of his eyes for the gift of learning that could be passed on to humans, so this extra help was more than useful. Now, you just need to find a Thor's Hammer pendant for protection and you're set. I got mine at a small shop south of OSU where you could buy all sorts of magical things. I bought a set of runes for fortune-telling as well as a couple packs of Tarot cards. Got several books on various spiritual paths too.

Oh my god, I thought I was the only one to think that's what the line said....still not sure what the real line means unless it's a hot rod reference like Little Deuce Coupe.

Okay, read the whole series now, all on Nifty except this and Curveball. We definitely need more of the Avalon time--and I vote/plead for a multi-part story over a single chapter! We have the potential drama of Chad's mom and King Oriens, settling in and maybe checking on the other worlds outside Sol system, and saving the frozen Terrans at a future date---in addition to getting those children born.

Four Ways is cued up now, as it's the only one in the series I haven't read yet, but I need to do my insulin and snack first, then try working on my new chapter for my main story. I post my stuff here first as it was my first site, then at StoryLovers and Nifty. I love the fact that we can edit easily hear and TSL, and use pictures which are verboten on Nifty. I think Nifty was one of my earliest gay reading sites, but then I found GA and about a year after that decided to try my hand at it. That was five years ago, so I'm finally got this thing down, but my eye surgeries make it harder in the past three years than it had been. Thank goodness for narration software to ease the strain and read as I type. :) You know, I can see similarities to the Stargate series in the description of Atlantis, but that's about it. I much prefer your story. I was doing fine with the original series until the Ori showed up, then it just got stupid...much as the Star Wars movies did after 4, 5 and 6. I know I'll be burned in effigy for that one! Heck, I'll add to it: I liked the original Battlestar Galactica series more than the remake--mainly for my crush on Dirk Benedict back then.

I wish I'd known these stories were here--I read the entire Chosen story at Nifty, just finishing last night, and only knew they were here from the final note to RE. You even used a different name as author, so I had to do an internet search to find them here. Until that very last chapter, I didn't know if the story was over, but I'm glad to find this short here...now I'd love to see a story with the group as adults or getting their Atlantean refugees settled in Avalon. One question--are the Faerie folk safe in their phased reality? It would be nice to see Ian and Isabella appear again as their reincarnated selves.

Drat, my narrator is srewing me up and I don't always know it...I try to get names right, but don't always check in the chapter to see if they are actually spelled the way I hear them. Sorry I seem to do this with Maynor, but now I've checked your answer, I won't mess him up again. I have pretty good hearing, but I chose a British voice for my software as all the American ones sucked and grated on my nerves...male voices are far more limited I guess because guys prefer female ones--but to me I can't stand having a female voice reading to me, particularly if they're gay stories.

Can't add much except to urge our band of heroes on to greater speed. I'm not sure...does Maynah now have Ranevargar's pearl? Kieran said the links were still okay?

Did no one else notice the last line that helps explain why Robbie feels the way he does toward Joe? Seeing her similarities to his late mother will help immensely in his treatment, but it's only a way to ease the door open at this point. Sue is still the remaining problem at home--less abrasive perhaps than Don, but a hindrance to Robbie's feeling safe there nevertheless. I get part of why Robbie didn't tell everything to the policeman; as much as he thinks he may be trying, I still get uncomfortable vibes from him. Fingers crossed for Alex and Luke.