ReaderPaul

One thing (among several) I wonder about. Irik seems to be mentioned less and less as the chapters accumulate. I hope we see more of him in action as the story continues, even if contributing to conversations. If not, perhaps he could play a bigger role in the first sequel to this story. I am glad they returned to the Castle and spoke in detail with Kundrun. I am also wondering -- can anyone else in the nether use the making and combining machines, or just Jamie and Flitch? Can Garvin, or Kundrun, or Geert, or Snave, or Bastyin, use the nether machines? So far in the story, we have seen Jamie and Garvin translocate (of those in Jamie's group). I am guessing that Geert and Bastyin and Snave can also do so with ease. What about Irik, Dorf, or Gorge? Have they now mastered translocation as well, and can any of the others translocate anywhere near the mass which Jamie is able to translocate? Can Gorge now open the doors in the tunnels as he is now a minor mage, without his key? I am continuing to enjoy this story immensely, @Geron Kees. I hope you will have the next Doorways/Odd, Onward Door story for us soon, followed by "It's Horace and Amy's Wedding, Charlie Boone!"

At least one 1927 Cadillac had a lot of wood in it also. The Czech is in the mail reminded me of Esther Friesner "Chicks in Chainmail" series of books, where the females wear the chainmail and go around saving men and women. Hilarious stories written by a variety of authors with such book titles as "The Chick is in the Mail," "Did You Say Chicks?", "Chicks and Chained Males", "Turn the Other Chick," and several more. Ester Friesner edited most of the series and wrote some of the stories, as well. At times, the humor of our own @Geron Kees reminds me of the humor Friesner and her authors have, though the "Chicks in Chainmail" series tends to have more slapstick. Geron is a master of word play in all sorts of forms.

Wouldn't it be a coincidence if the lens were named Difris, Nyf, Brik, or Auggie!

I was partially thinking they would translocate to Wanda Pegfoot's shop, to ask her about the charm acquired from Skoda. But I am guessing (and it is only a guess until next chapter comes out) that Jamie wants to pass on knowledge to Kundrun and Pallin and Lestho, and provide extra protection to Prince Sedwick and King Myron by upping the power of the kingdom's main mages. BUT -- at this point I only guess. I am also guessing that Gorge's new knack will begin to grow as it seats itself better into Gorge's brain. I am wondering if we will find out what Flitch's elsmits is/are.

@Geron Kees, something struck me in re-reading this chapter. The maypole of the Prince was described as no more (or less than) that of a boy of 8 years. But I, and the male friends of close to the same age, compared our aroused poles a couple of times at school -- I went to one of the last one-room schools in my state for my first 8 years of education -- and almost all of us had about 4 inches (10.16 cm) by the age of 10 when we would compare our aroused poles out behind the two-holer guys outhouse on the tree-lined school grounds. Perhaps it was because of our relatively chemical free diet, or perhaps all of our parents had great genes. But for whatever reason, our maypoles were seeming a decent size even at young ages. Recent evidence indicates that maypoles have been shrinking in length very gradually over the last 50 years, as we get more chemicals into our diets which mess up our natural male growth hormones -- and possibly in girth as well. I'm glad I was born when I was, in the early 1950s, when there were fewer chemicals in our foods.

Thankfully, Geert protected Gorge. Lots of stuff to ponder in this chapter. At the rate they are developing, Snave and Dorf will be Master level or better before the end of this journey, and Geert, Garvin, and Bastyin and Irik, of very high ability, as well. It will be interesting to see the relationships of Thorvil, Jamie and Garvin, at the end of this adventure, and the relationship of Geert and Crillis, as well. And the tales Irik and Bastyin can tell, and Gorge!

I notice Jamie has not yet asked Geert for his idea. Hopefully, that will be one of the first things he does in the next chapter. I also predict that Gorge has more idea about magic than he is admitting.

But, @Al Norris -- there is also such a thing as superimposition. While it is most often a movie term used in early film making, many of the effects Geron has described could be considered superimposition effects, such as when Jamie and the others combine types of shields. The overlay of effects and appearances are described in several articles I found on the search engine starting with "B" and ending in "g". Either way, this is a fascinating story. and the comments enhance it even more!

Terry, don't worry about that. All of us have our areas of stronger knowledge and areas of lesser knowledge. I also agree with @centexhairysub about the strengthening of the group with each addition. Building a team is a strong point of many stories by our own @Geron Kees While I have some knowledge of string theory, vector analyses, and superposition, it is very basic, and not in depth. I think Geron could take the telephone book, alternate universe theory, pizza, and dolphins and then combine all of those into one fascinating tale!

Superimposition, or superposition?

Some of it depends on what phase of life one might be in. If one has several sexual partners in quick succession, that might be termed promiscuous. But if -- then -- the same person settles down to one person for, say 10 years, I personally would consider them no longer promiscuous. Different persons have differing interpretations of the definition of promiscuous.

Jamie and Snave, working with the others, make a formidable team. Jamie needs to immediately upgrade Bastyin to be able to see the other magick, and upgrade all to be able to do what he has learned in this battle. (Though Dorf seems to learn faster than most.) The group also needs to think about stealth mages which might try to sneak up on them. Perhaps Jamie, or Jamie and Geert working together with Snave, could also upgrade Snave to be more protected in his unusual wooden body, strengthening the special wood in a physical way. So far, we have not yet learned if any of the Pertwee have magical ability. Still much to learn. I am wondering of Porvus has perhaps withheld some of the knowledge of the ancients and their tech from those working for him (although they probably think they are working with him).

Again, a fascinating chapter. Jamie's decision making skills are improving. Talking with Dorf has helped him after the necessity of doing what he did. With the help of Jamie and Snave, and their knowledge of various magicks, Bastyin can learn very quickly indeed.

I would be surprised if the movements of the tunnel vehicles could NOT be tracked. Whether or not it IS being tracked in another matter. In my opinion, it is being tracked -- but is it being tracked only by machines, or by those capable of interpreting and using the information, or some of both? With 17 chapters to go, I predict that Geron has more surprises up his metaphorical (or perhaps more correctly proverbial) sleeves than Uncle Bob Travers! (For those who don't yet know who Uncle Bob is, read Geron's Charlie Boone series!)

Fascinating story. Just keeps getting better and better.

Regardless of what causes the Dragon's Breath, this is a good story.

Fascinating!

So, @Geron Kees, when in this very diverged universe will Keerby have to rescue Charlie, Kippy, Ricky, Adrian, Horace, Durapar, and Jeremiah? So far, Keerby seems to be the universe rescuer with the most experience. And will we learn by the end of THIS story what the reason is for the rockets?

This is a great addition to the Charlie Boone universe. I enjoyed it four and a half years ago when I first read it, and am not sure why I did not review it then This introduces one of the best additions to the Boone Universe -- Uncle Bob Travers. Ricky's uncle is interesting and becomes more observing as the story continues. The Snorkum twins also add much to the story, and the scene of the elf driving the SUV is priceless. Well done, Geron.

I don't think the lightning attack was the launching mechanism for the rockets. They basically felt heat instead of electricity. Probably the evil magicians can read some of the language of the ancients, but not enough to fix all of the stuff. Whether they had complete weather control, or whether this was accomplished partly or completely with magick, is as yet not a settled issue. Porvus might be in a central command room, or might just be in another com center. With slightly more than half the story to go, I think we have yet a lot to learn.

Very glad you have this story here, @D.K. Daniels. It is a really good one.

I agree with you on the parallels the Odd, Onward Door/Doorways series, @jcdii. I noticed that as well. It would be fine with me if Geron has #4 in that series ready to go the week after this story ends. I would also like to suggest, @Geron Kees, that you begin a new series -- The Crossovers Series. It could hold the crossovers among the varied stories and series in the Geron Storyverse. I am also wondering how much messaging has gone on between Snave and Thorvil which we have not yet learned about....

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.