lawfulneutralmage

Same here, @Gary L. Watched films as a boy, but after that the idea of becoming a cow herder in a lawless place held no fascination anymore @Headstall, you bring it alive, thank you. And no, I doubt the Gran is the monster. She is a victim too. Maybe of betrayal by a potentially gay/bi husband, but certainly a victim of religion. Don't forget, everything she did was right by the book: "Those who spare their son the rod are evil fathers" or something or rather...

ROTFL! A Pekinese and a Great Dane... you put an image in my mind that I have trouble erasing!

That was wonderful, thank you!

That was ... very romantic. Cute!

What a job... What a world! What a story! Thx!

Thank you! Indeed. It is a bit much, isn't it? Yes, he did. Jordan's anger is perfectly understandable. Yes, Alrik's opponents have cause for concern. No. There are ... ways Yes! Indeed! I wish him luck! I keep that close to my chest in case of a sequel. Sorry! Glad you enjoyed!

There are foreseen risks.... as we will find out in the next chapter

I am sorry to read about you loss! All best to you and Michael!

Thx for that! Made me smile.

Thx, @mcarss, that was horrifying. I water deeper than I can stand with head above it!

That was wonderful. We should listen more to mother nature and it's manifestations! In Finland, the family consider me a tree-hugger, because I rescued saplings by replanting them instead of ripping them up...

@Valkyrie fixed it.

Thank you! I will do my best, but first, I need to go where many have gone before ... space

Yes, that was quite an abrupt change, sorry! Glad you enjoyed it in the end! I remember a quote, but not where it comes from: "The path to disaster is paved with good intentions."

Thx! That is want I wanted to achieve... Sometimes, very cold indeed.

Hi, Someone found a character name mistake in my Anthology story "Eternal Love". I remember something about not editing a submitted story while not being published. Can I fix the mistake now or shall the story remain untouched? Thx, Law

Not quite, sorry. You assume Alrik had crafted/created the necklace, which he did not. Now, the providence of the magical items in his possession I have not outlined, but obtaining it was part of the "gaining power" part. Magical knowledge in nearly all fantasy settings means spells and, to a lesser degree, theory. This is not the "wise, old wizard" kind of knowledge and power, but the necromancy and planar travel kind. Excellent find. I remember something about rules for making changes to "special" stories like Secret Author or Anthology. I will ask whether I can edit that. Many thanks!

If the GA statistics on the stories are correct, you have had more people looking at your work than I had looking at mine. The idea of more followers, more readers, more awards, more likes ... more ... anything is unfortunately how Social Media aka "the internet" nowadays works. It is so bad, people even "buy" likes... Ignore all that! Makes life so much easier! I know this is much easier said than done, I struggle sometimes, but I think it is worth it. I think the main question for you to answer is: why do you write? As long as you enjoy it, go and write!

Oh, tell me about it ... I agree. I am on my way to becoming an old (maybe wise) man! Yes, but Derek has two reasons rejecting Jordan's advances: first why stir what should lay dormant for him, second Derek subconsciously needs his soulmate. The green-eyed monster! Well, to his defense, he had just been rejected by the very person now being affectionate to another. I was warned about his speech being unreasonable, but I had to show Alrik was a couple of hundred years behind "now". Hence, his Elizabethan style of English. Indeed! That is exactly what I wanted to show! Best modern example is "the vikings". They were exploring opportunities. If they found weakness they struck, if they found strength they traded - like everyone else at that time! It is just that they robbed monasteries, and the chronicles were written by monks...

Yes. Yes. Thank you! as longs people can picture it, I am happy. Shamelessly stolen from GoT. Afaik, that is part of the Dothtraki culture. What can I say? In that society, respect is by strength only. Also, respect is relative, I remember reading about some historic society that when the elderly could not follow the trek, they were killed - instead of just left behind - maybe that was respectful by their norms... Yes, Alrik's ultimate goal is the be with Keldan who was taken from him, murdered by his relatives.

Well, first, Happy Birthday! Many try telling others what they "are supposed to be"; but that is usually b******t. If you are fundamentally friendly to others, then there is nothing else that others can expect of you. Most of us are all still children at heart - and that is good! Those who forgot their inner child are usually cruel and miserable. I, at 49, "play" twice to three times a week; role-playing and board games. Some people might consider it childish. I think it is childish to get excited about some sports team. So, everyone as they please! Therefore, the fundamental question is: are you happy? If you can reply with "yes" or "mostly" - excellent! You found the answer! Yet, if the answer is "no", then there is one question to be answered, and that question is not "what do others think of me" but "what do I want". Let's say GA is the saner part of Social Media... thanks for sharing, actually! Cheers!

Yes, history is written by the victors. Has always been the case. I really like you did not write "right" but "correct"! Thank you!

Thank you! That is very likely. At least one, if not both, would need to seriously question what they know and do.

Maybe, we shall see ... People can be consumed by hate and following a goal zealously.

Subtle? Me? Thank you! I knew what to do, too!