Geron Kees

Crenellation, or battlements, were a standard part of castle building in medieval times. Gave the bowman something to hide behind! I'm glad, when you saw the title, you didn't think of anything titillating! 😃

If I had thought of that, the story would have only had four chapters!

You're forgiven. At least it wasn't a dipstick joke.

Any suggestions?

Well, it wouldn't be much fun to have a villain that was super nice, would it?

Haha! Trust you to turn the maypole back upon me!

Well, he is a small prince.

This story actually started as a joke between me and Tim, at Iomafats, in 2016. He was joking about what could be written about, and I said I could write about anything that interested me. He dared me to write a story about a guy suddenly inflicted with a very small, um, maypole, and, here we are.

The guards at the gate spied them immediately after they stepped out from the shadows under the trees, and there was a quick bristling and grimacing and hefting of weapons among them as they realized that Snave was not just an unusually tall traveler. A horn sounded inside the barbican, and archers quickly ran along the ramparts and appeared above at the gatehouse battlements. But they were well-trained troops, and despite looking decidedly uncomfortable at the gargoyle's appearance, they kept a

It must be a beautiful and intriguing place where you live, Terry. The small mysteries, the differences, come across wonderfully in your verse. I can't imagine geckos climbing my walls, in search of mosquitoes! I did love the verse dedicated to Som, the warning about leaping too fast and too far. It shows a true knowledge of cats, and an affection for the ways they can get themselves into mischief, only to later turn and look at you as if they were totally surprised about it all! They need those nine lives, because every day is a dare to them. Thanks for sharing these. Your powers of observation, and ability to transfer what you see into words, is special.

I've always loved the visual aspects of the haiku. They are delicate observations with very specific rules for conveying them, yet so simple to express when you are good with them. And you ARE good with them! Wonderful snippets of the world through the eyes of another. Thank you!

Delicious! I'm a fan of most anything chocolate, and of the delight that can be had in enjoying same. That subtleties of that last verse could easily be missed by anyone with an innocent view of the world.

Names have power, and what we choose to call things give them meaning to us. I'd say you're off to a great start!

Poetry, as an expression of inner life, can be revelatory. These are some wonderful, upbeat, calls to the world about change, happiness, and love. You can read these verses, and easily find a smile and a good feeling for the writer. And what better way is there to spend a few minutes of your day?

Wonderful work, Terry! Your exuberance for life shines through in these verses. I think what I love most is the feeling that you dared to make a momentous change in your life, and that it worked out so well for you. Your happiness with your 'Thai guy' is clear. We've all been squeezed by life at one time or another. Deciding to do something about it to ensure our own happiness takes courage and determination. Starting out anew, in a new land, has to be difficult. I'm just so happy for you that it worked out so well, and that you are SO obviously happy!

Thank you!

Wait and see!

Wasn't Jerry lee Lewis a mage with the Rockabilly clan?

What fun would it be being a sorcerer if you didn't have an apprentice? Thanks!

Rather perceptive of you!

Yes. This story predates the Charlie Boone series...or, at least the first 12 chapters do. Any similarities to CB may be due to the fact that I may have, sort of, unconsciously, you understand, borrowed a few basics from this story for those stories. Oops.

If the first two chapters portend what the next 34 will bring, we're in for one heck of a ride. This tale is rich in nuances, complexities, and a richness of descriptions that create a marvelously believable universe that stands as an equal to your other works and worlds. I guess that's a complicated way to say this is as good as it gets Geron... As the good @drpaladin noted, it may appear that the Master has set the boys on journey as it was alluded in the first chapter, when he found and brought Garvin home, that there was some sort of special link between Jamie and Gavin... I think that part of that link is the love both feel for each other and the inherent, essential goodness Jamie has when he sets the rules moving forward with Snave, sort of, at first...do no harm...and if you have to, clean up any messes promptly... @Ivor Slipper and @weinerdog, I'm tossing this one into the mix of song choices... I hope it's a fun ride. Master Throrvil also said that he could see the boy's futures, and that they it looked interesting...

Great Dunmow, maybe.

I am always amazed when something I have written elicits such vivid mental images in a reader! I remember Kung Fu from reruns. I was too young for its initial run, grasshopper.

It is better to have read and ordered a pizza, than to never have read at all. You may quote me.