centexhairysub

Thrilled by the update... George wants and I think even needs Daventry and Cavendish around at the moment. I think he cares deeply for Cavendish, perhaps not as a true love but as someone he has such history with; while Daventry is perhaps his intellectual brother in arms. Cavendish provides this feeling of continuity and Daventry is stimulating in ways that have nothing to do with a physical relationship. Cavendish made a good point about the Guild and Caroline being the one that had primarily dealt with them. I think Granger is right and he will have to take more of an interest with the help of this parents in ensuring that they keep the peace. Could Granger and Daventry both being getting a raise in peerage? I know what they have done is extraordinary and the fact that Granger is so much wealthier is important but WOW, let's hope they both do. We have never really got to see the Duchess in action, but George is right, I think his mother would still be a formidable ally going forward. After all, she guided and helped her fathers career and has helped push George's father ever higher. The meeting with the cabinet was just amazing... I can't believe that St. Vincent is acting the way he is; has he lost his marbles? Addington accomplished a few things, but has always been viewed as a caretaker Prime Minister, and would be out by the end of 1803 or early 1804, I believe. Sir St. John showed himself to be an idiot and either way to trusting to hold the position he does or just naïve. Hobart may have truly been the only one to understand that the invasion of India that Tsar Paul and Bonaparte planned would have most likely succeeded and would have been truly disastrously for the British. It might have been questionable whether the Russians and the French could have held onto India, but initially they would have probably proved to be successful. Thought that both Granger and Daventry handled themselves splendidly in their interview with the cabinet. Can't wait to see what happens next; let's hope a new investiture will take place soon. Bravo Mark, truly Bravo...

Well, every group should have a court jester....

Really like how Jamie doesn't try to have all the answers; he explains the issues and then solicits information and guesses from the others so they can work to discover the best way to handle the problems as they appear. This is truly the sign of a leader that understands that he doesn't know everything, and no one does. Gorge is a delight. He may not currently have magic; but the artifact that he has has given him the ability to enter areas that they can transverse without being seen, help them transport themselves, and maybe most importantly sense other mages in the area. Plus, have to wonder if the exposure to the artifact and the mages he now travels with, will perhaps have effects upon himself. They move forward, ever closer to the destiny they all share. They continue to grow stronger by combining their knowledge and abilities to prepare for the encounter with the dark mages.

Gorge of the Pertwee has now joined the group of adventurers and it would not surprise me to learn he decides to stay with them past just moving them forward some. Once again, this group has shown through their actions that they are clearly different from the mages that those in this area are used to dealing with. They try to and keep the peace and honor those that they encounter. Jamie and Snave are right; there is not rush to reach the dark mages. Taking time to learn more and prepare themselves for the coming battle is the smart thing to do. Each member of this group has some gift or ability that allows them to strengthen the group as a whole. Excellent writing and the pacing on this chapter was great.

Oy to the Vey darlings, Oy to the Vey....

Jamie has had to kill; and thankfully, it was very hard for him. I do realize that Dorf is right and Jamie must learn how to handle this, just makes me sad. Artagon and the two with him paid for their senseless killing of the other Lachess. Artagon's spewing of idiocy and the knowledge that he was allied with Porvus and Urvan, along with the senseless killings showed why they had to be killed. So we have another traveler that has joined our group, Bastyin is a new mage of the Lachess. A group that Irik is familiar with but one that never had a mage, let us hope that Bastyin is just the first of many and he is able to return to them and teach them. Bastyin learning on his own learned enough to protect himself but not those originally travelling with him. He has honored their deaths but now must honor their memories by learning what he can and helping his people in the future. This group of adventurers is growing in number and ability. Let's hope by the time they reach their destination, they are prepared for what is to come.

It seems that each time they enter the nether and encounter Flitch, they learn or create something miraculous. Being able to learn how to perform a new spell in the manner they can now; is a total game changer. They can learn new magic not only from each other but any magic user they encounter. This would of course include the dark mages. Not sure it would be a good thing to learn their magic; doing so might cause a negative reaction within themselves but if they knew the spell being used against them, perhaps they could counter it before it was a problem. I think they may need to understand the past at least somewhat; I am not sure that those they face have not taped into something from the Ancients that is allowing them to move forward now when they could not in the past. If you don't understand the past; you can not learn from the mistakes of the past and try to be better now and in the future. Something dead lies ahead; how will it effect our band of adventurers.

Yea, I caught up... I hope that Jamie has more than an inkling of a plan. The power age and skill represented by those they are going against is going to be substantial. Jamie seems to have an intuitive understanding of magic and how it works; he is clearly a savant. Excellent chapter, can't wait to see what happens next.

So we now know the main players on the other side; I do with Thorvil was with them now. I guess we can assume that truly none of the Ancients survive at this point? So the dark mages are together; and our little group is getting closer with every chapter. We can hope that they believe the strike was enough to kill them and will not be looking; but since they survived the first time, have to believe they will try and check to see if there is any sign of them dead.

The smell of ozone was the burnt out fuses. Replacing them and all the lights going to green may help not just them but others that use this system. Curiosity may have killed the cat; but it helped this group greatly. There be dragons...

A battle joined; but alas to late to save all. At least they were able to heal the two injured that had survived. A way to protect at least this group from the Dragon's Breathe. That will definitely come in handy at some point. A meeting with potential new allies; and a promise of help.

This group is proving to be extraordinary. They are all showing signs to adding to the combined knowledge of magic. New ways to look at magic, new ways to create magic, and new understanding of how it can be used. This quest may prove to be something that benefits not just this group, not just the Prince, but the whole of this world.

Irik is helping them reach the pinnacle; but are we sure that is a good idea? The dark mages for lack of a better word seem drawn to them; is it a base for them? The group faced challenges getting this far in the underneath; Snave obviously was tasting looking to something. Glad he is okay.

New friends, we hope? One has to wonder about the wisdom of exploring a structure that you do not understand built by those that were as Gods.

The group faces danger from all directions; but the shield that Jamie has been able to develop and give to the others with Snave making improvements may help to keep them safe. Each step seems to bring something new and unexperienced.

So first steps taken on an epic journey. We learned about some of those traveling in the group; and the family of others. We got to see the demons working their foul art of death upon the innocent; the group instinctively knew that they could do nothing to help and watched in horror. Jamie found a way to give Geert the training to form the shield. That may prove to be important. Let's hope the group proves lucky.

A new magical attack; one that none of the group recognizes? Oh dear, that can't be good. Jamie stopped the physical attack without thoughts that something else could be happening, luckily Snave was able to cover when the first defense failed. The group will be even more watchful now, that is good. They must not fight among themselves, they must stay focused.

Leemus, well thanks to Wanda we know who we are up against; or at least one of them. Geert has joined them and we have Dorf back as a protector. Have to wonder why the magic Crillis shared went to Garvin instead of Jamie, but time will reveal all.

The time for coming clean is approaching; Jamie has already revealed himself more than once. He needs to come clean and let those around him know that he is Jamie not Master Thorvil. Crillis survived the initial destruction but not the after effect of the Dragons Fire. The Knight is a true protector, and he has to know that Jamie is not who he says he is but still protects him.

Thorvil and Snave are brothers; just so did not see that coming. Ah what one does for love of family or others. It is true, love can truly conquer all. Jamie seems to create something each time he enters the ether. Flitch is fascinating, I wish we truly understood what he was. Another great chapter.

Well, our heroes have been able to find at least a direction in which to search. Of course, the Forest of Night is a place to be feared, and were else to find an evil mage. LOL Also an understanding oh how those that serve the Price so willingly came to be in the palace was given and how they fit in together. A real delight.

I am sure that Caden is having a great deal of trouble controlling his emotions, Vampire puberty? Ludwig needs to stay with Caden more until he gets over this initial period. We know why he was seeing Julius but he had to realize that Caden would not handle anything well right now. And Julius should have realized that Caden would come looking for him sooner or later; you don't leave you human alone on an island with a new vampire. Could Sam really being growing to care about Julius?

I think they should both go to Harvard. That said, I can be okay with them going anywhere, as long as they are going to the same place. For Masters or a Doctorate program they can go their own way, but undergraduate, I want them to have each others backs...

Great chapter; flowed beautifully and the descriptive nature was just spot on. I really liked the conversation that Will and Travis had. I think they need to get a handle on what type of relationship they want and THEY need to define it, not anyone else. They are probably going to separate colleges so not sure that fully monogamous relationship would work, plus they are still very young. I think that Casey helps Will see things from different points of view and this helps him communicate his feelings and actions in a more appropriate manner. I don't think that monogamy is any sign of maturity. In a way monogamy is just a programmed response to a societal norm that religion more than anything says says is how you are supposed to operate. I love the interaction between Will and Marie. I think they are good for each other. Loved that Will was willing to turn down the valedictorian spot; but love it just as much that Marie explained to him why he shouldn't. Will and Marie share a bond that I don't think will ever be broken; of course, I have said that about other in this saga and was proven wrong. I can understand Marie. So much is going on in her life with her parents, she may feel a great deal of guilt with the idea of leaving them while there is so much disruption in their lives. What she has to understand is that she can't fix their lives, and her being happy and living her life, will be what they truly want for her. I want Will and Marie to go to the same college.

Wonderful chapter; the writing was especially good and the pacing truly first rate. This story just keeps getting better. Jamie is growing in power; or was the power already there but the focus he created is allowing him to access the knowledge of how to use the power properly? Urvan has his own secret; and Jamie and the rest need to discover it, for in doing so a vital clue may be found.