ReaderPaul

Word definition: pungilist – one who is quick to react or “jab” with puns. Often creating chuckles, chortles, cackles, crowing, cheer, clowning, comebacks, and other happy conviviality -- and sometimes groans or facepalming.

I would not be surprised if Snave and Thorvil have a way of communicating that Snave has not shared with Jamie and Garvin. But we shall see. I am guessing, @Geron Kees, that will not give us a hint about that....

Likely -- but not certain. I also look forward to seeing what they can learn from the warrior clan they have helped so well.

I think this is a fascinating chapter. Thank you, Geron, for not avoiding the bathroom fixtures issue as is often the case in fantasy and science fiction stories. Theodore Sturgeon and Anne McCaffrey were two writers who also did not avoid those types of issues. I like @drsawzall's comment about a magical locator. I think we shall have to wait and see, but I think this is a parallel universe, not our earth at some other time.

A question, @Geron Kees. In the following fascinating passage -- Dorf shook his head. "These did not act the way of animals." Jamie had to agree. But if not animals...then what? Garvin gave a little shake of his head. "All I have ever heard of the Forest of Night is how dangerous a place it was. Boggarts and sprites and other evil creatures. Magickal creatures, escaped from some rent in the nether. Yet we have seen nothing of the kind. Other than the great beasts we keep hearing about us, most of what we have found here seems to wish to hide from us." Snave issued a small laugh. "We have scarcely entered these woods, Garvin. I would wager we have not covered five leagues yet, with the dense nature of this undergrowth." Garvin looked at Jamie, and Jamie nodded. "We are scarcely within the depths yet, Garv. We are still in that part of the forest close to the world of men. Perhaps some of the creatures we have heard live here are as wary of our world as we are of theirs." "And perhaps some are just stories, after all," Dorf suggested. "Frightened men see more with their imaginations, sometimes, than they do their eyes." Is a "league" the same measure in Jamie's word the same as ours -- about 3 miles or 4.6 kilometers?

"Z is for Zombie" universe? Farla and the Others would really find it difficult to explain the physics of Jamie's universe!

I enjoyed this story hugely. Robin and Speedy, via their alternate identities as Kyle and Justin, have a couple of unexpected adventures -- one when the hosting cosplay convention loses their regular clothing, and another on the way home, walking a considerable number of blocks in the City -- in costume. Not all superheroes have powers. Some have reason, compassion, and empathy on their side. Well worth reading.

The personnel were most important. Any time the mechanicals become more important than people, we are in trouble.

Jamie and Snave are also collaborating well. Between Jamie, and later Thorvil, Snave's brother, Snave will be a master mage in almost no time! Right now, only Jamie, Snave, and Geert (as far as we know) can do the types of multi-shielding that Jamie has -- with the help of the lens -- came up with on this journey. Geron, will we learn the usual time frame of when an apprentice can become a journeyman mage, or whatever the next step is called? Or does it depend on the ability and accomplishments of the apprentice? Do apprentices have to pass tests and/or face a panel of mages to advance? Master Kundrun seemed surprised that Jamie was only an apprentice in a previous chapter. If that is not explained in this story, perhaps some additional detail could be given in the sequels to this story. And I am sure in a future story, magic mechanic Ricky Travers and Jamie teaming up would produce wonderful results for both!

Fascinating. @Geron Kees -- Reminds me of how Max taught Rufe, Jac, and Pacha and the others called from the elf workshop to Murcha in Chapter 3 of "Light My Roamin' Candle, Charlie Boone!" to repel the gravity cannons. Although it was easier with elf memory sharing. Since the light being fired is rose-colored, it is seeking the whereabouts of Jamie and company? Many wonderful things in this chapter, Geron. Now what you need to do, is write a thirty-seventh chapter, where Jamie accidentally pulls Charlie Boone and Ricky Travers and Keerby and Cally Jamison into his universe, and Keerby has to get them back to their correct universes -- How is THAT for an idea for your possible story file?

It depends on the laws of each state. In some states teachers and certain others are "mandated reporters," in others they are not. Some states have a wider scope of mandated reporting than others. In some states clergy are mandated reporters. In a few states librarians may be mandated reporters. It is a patchwork of laws and not always equally enforced.

Back when I was still attending church regularly, a pastor preached a sermon which included (paraphrasing) -- "Whenever the church gains the sword of government, the results are disastrously obvious. The church should stay away from the temptation of trying to govern others. Often the tyranny of the church governing is far worse than strictly secular governance." ~ A former Southern Baptist pastor (very paraphrased) said that, and I was impressed by his insight and honesty.

Uhh... the red Polo boxer-briefs really are my shorts Red Polo boxer-briefs? Sounds like something you would pull over your head to put on, if Polo style!

A walk in the considerably overgrown Jurassic Park, maybe. I am glad Jamie showed Geert how to create the meshed shield(s). Is the "nebulous overlay" part of the shield specific to the site where Jamie created it, or does it apply to any area needing camouflaged?

Ah, but since you wrote much of this BEFORE Charlie Boone, wouldn't that universe be lifting from this one?

Wow -- a great but not surprising chapter. With this many chapters to go, it seemed very likely to me that something would happen to shake Jamie's confidence. Garvin is showing more, and I am looking forward to Geert's contribution. Excellent, Geron.

Ah, but one could pause and get a good look from time to time. In Geron's other stories, especially Charlie Boone, one with teleportation ability can teleport to any place one can see clearly, as well as places one has been.

I can think of another reason Master Thorvil flies to distant places. This idea comes from re-reading the following: Jamie raised his hand, and the green lead-point appeared as the knot for translocation slowly tied inside his mind. He was surprised to find that he did not have to concentrate on it, that he performed the act now almost by rote. All magics would be thus, one day. Experience - and time - would tell. The knot finished, there was again a sweeping blackness that passed over them, and then again they were in the road just down from the shell of the shop where Master Crillis had narrowly escaped with his life. Garvin raised a hand and squeezed Jamie's arm. "I will never get used to that, Jamie. To move so far, so rapidly. Why, a well-traveled mage need never walk again!" Jamie shrugged. "Have you noticed, though, that Master Thorvil never translocates? He always flies to his destinations, even though it might take much longer." He grinned. "I honestly believe he likes to see the sights!" They both laughed a moment, before Jamie looked up at Dorf. "We can start. Go back to the gate road and turn right. We need to get to the central avenue. Wanda's shop is just up from the market." It is my opinion Master Thorvil indeed flies to see the sights -- but also to be able to translocate to wherever he has flown over. That is my best guess, and it will come in handy later in this story -- or your sequel to it.

Fascinating as usual, Geron. So did Wanda ever have kids? Probably not, since a kid is a baby goat. (Friends of our family when I was growing up raised goats.) Did Wanda have children? And adding to their party, Geert. I am sure that will also be interesting....

It seems to me that Master Crillis has a form of radiation sickness. The staff used by the "beggar" reminds me of the staff used in "The Darkness Between Doors, and that Nyf termed a sort of "cattle prod" -- but much more deadly in its lasting effects. When Jamie, with the help of Kundrun, Lestho, and Pallin, and possibly Garvin and Snave, helps Master Crillis heal, I think he will have two more staunch allies in Crillis and Geert. Looking forward to seeing how Jamie explains the identity conundrum he now finds himself in.

I agree with @Ivor Slipper and with @drpaladin. Jamie has not been circumspect in front of Dorf, Geert, and Master Crillis. Plus, now Master Kundrun has called him Thorvil in front of D, G, and C.

The question came to my mind -- Since the town is named LYRIX. is the town one with a reputation for music and song writing?

As recounted in Chapter One of the story, Wanda Pegfoot, the old witch that Master Thorvil says is even older than he. However, her inner goodness shines through in the first chapter, such as: "Twenty-four gold," Jamie said. The current rate. Wanda tsked as she removed the coins from her purse. "My soul. Things are so expensive these days." But she counted out twenty-four of the gold coins, formed two stacks of them on the tabletop, and then smiled and added another. "For you boys. Get yourselves some sweets, you hear?" Jamie felt his eyebrows go up. A single gold would buy sweets for him and Garvin, both, for months. He was aware of Garvin taking a surprised breath next to him. "We can't take that," Jamie protested. "It's far too much." Wanda closed her purse, and it vanished back up her sleeve. "You can and you will." She smiled, again lessening the impact of her ugliness. "You two are sweet beyond words. Your souls shine like lighthouses on night's shore. So much that is ugly in this world - I will have the satisfaction of making you two happy." Jamie smiled. "Oh, well, when you put it that way --" Wanda actually laughed, a little bit of a frightening sound, but her heart was in it, and Jamie could feel it there. Wanda will probably help them, but we will see what happens.

Compared to a story I read on another site, years ago, where the shortest chapter had 26,000 words, the longest over 90,000 words, and most in the upper 30 thousand + words, this is nothing on word count. And this story has so many ways it could go, it is fascinating! @Geron Kees -- no wonder it took so long to write and publish, with the myriad of potential plot directions!

Doc, I've usually heard it -- "Where there's a will, there's a lot of relatives."