Dawn’s first light found the three mages from the Doormaker Council bleary-eyed, but awake. Simon was dour, but no more so than usual. Bernard’s usual light banter and wit was notably absent as he concentrated on the last minute details of his intricate plan. Gunther, never a morning person from the start, was gloomy and [...]
Preparations of a different sort were underway in Guardian Village. A quint earlier, the streets were filled with youths, enjoying the last idle days of summer. Now, the streets were awash with supply wagons, and rang with the clamor of construction as the market square was built out with temporary booths and stalls for display [...]
The trade outpost of Edgeways was the smallest of the three junctions between the canal trade routes of the Fertile Plains and the web of stock paths used by the semi-nomadic Desert Tribes, called Migrations. The Migrations connected several scattered tribal settlements or Gatherings, each allegedly built near a sacred site. The sites were hidden [...]
Chapter 3: Preparations “The Great Desert Conflict was largely caused by flawed expansion policies of the first Combined Council. The earlier consolidation of the productive regions in the Fertile Plains was not achieved without resistance or cost. However, the reward for these primarily diplomatic actions justified the losses incurred. In contrast, the Great Desert Conflict [...]
This week was, as the title implies, slow. And a bit disappointing. On the professional front, I learned that the solar start-up company I’ve had three rounds of interviews with has decided not to hire anyone right now. I suppose that’s better than finding that they’ve hired someone else they think is better qualified than [...]
Hello all. This week I attended the InterSolar Northa America conference in San Francisco. It was the first time this conference has been run in North America. It wasn’t a bad first run, though I would have liked to see more technical information in the sessions presented on emerging technologies. I met a few interesting [...]
Fronek raised his cup to the crowd and subtly dipped his head toward Mabel. “My humble thanks to you again for your hospitality. Guardians, I bid you good night!” He drained his mug to the dregs, and set it carefully on the arm of the chair. The inn patrons applauded in high spirits as he [...]
“You are an impossible old rascal!” Mabel admonished Fronek as she topped up his mug with fresh cider. But she smiled to herself as she walked back to the bar with the cider jug. Fronek took a gulp of cider, and then noisily and theatrically cleared his throat. “Ah, much better. Now where were we?” [...]
Fronek again raised his mug to the audience. “Enough of business for one night. What entertainment would you have of this old wanderer? A mysterious tale of the nomadic tribes of the Great Desert perhaps? An intrigue from the Council of Doormakers of the Fertile Plains?” Calls rang out around the hall, some for adventure, [...]
Chapter 2: Favors among friends “The path to Earth is in the earth. The way of Water is through the water. The route to Air is of the air. I have unlocked the Doors with the Key that comes from within. But at what price, and who will pay it?” Codex of the Scion of [...]
