So, a small interlude into the mindset of two very different artificial intelligences, with a bit from a third. It's not much, but please enjoy.

The town was busier than it had ever been before, new people were coming in to offer their help for the upcoming siege. Some were fighters, some were folks who could act as support in various ways, repairing weapons and other items, making bandages and other supplies. There were even folks who were making large amounts of simple foods that would last for quite a while, ensuring that everyone would eat.

A week had passed and my online classes had started, so I spent bit more time glued to the computer, Carla was bit more at ease now because she knew I would go out from time to time, either by myself or with Leah, she was really happy to see that Leah and I had become so close to each other.

Time on My Hands

Chapter 42: 352-353 CE: Frolicking on the Rhine

The Alemanni leadership were waiting in the ruins of the city of Argentorate {PD Strasbourg}. Delegates were sent out to the caravan asking for a parley. Raben agreed telling his people to set up camp for the night. Then he, 3 tigers and 30 wolves headed into the invader’s parley camp as 3 eagles and over 300 ravens circled overhead. That Raben went to the parley without any men told the Alemanni he had absolutely no fear of them.

For the first few moments the quite imposing Chnodamar tried to stare down the physically unimposing Raben. Accustomed to being dominant, the fact Raben met him stare to stare started to get under his skin. Then without breaking eye contact, Raben began to smirk. Suddenly the tigers let out simultaneous almost deafening deep throated roars that quite literally rattled the unprepared listeners bones while making their chests quiver. Much to his disgust, Chnodamar found himself blinking and taking a step back.

“I’m not sure I understand?”

“Just enjoy that for a little while. Soon enough you will understand far more than you ever wished. For now, let us enjoy this excellent whiskey and speak of more pleasant things, yes?” He waited for her slight nod of agreement. “I understand your family has a rather happy occasion tomorrow, one which I feel privileged to witness. I have known Ilya literally from the moment she was born and I could not think of a finer mate for her than your brother. It warms this old heart to see love blossom in the middle of…”

The House

By Dawn Natelle

The little break helped. A story today, and I have the one for tomorrow well underway. I will try to get you four this week: Dawn.

Chapter 13 – More friends

The visitors settle into a sort of routine after the recent shocks and disasters

 
Julina of Blackstone
Her Chronicles, Book 3

by Julia Phillips

091 – There’s a Storm Coming

The Masque of NeverMore chapter 2

Mel and her helpers were parsing through the information flooding in from drones, both aerial and submarine when she began to notice slight anomalies. There was some time to refine her picture so she sent in a swarm of microdrones. For a time everything looked exactly as she’d expected, no one on deck but life-signs belowdecks, some which moved in the right way to be guards and others which didn’t move in the right way to be restrained prisoners. Heat signatures were all correct, even the signatures which should have been guards sleeping.

Being known in one’s professional circles helps to get gigs and assignments, but this kind of gig wasn’t what Debbie Delaney, professional photographer and reluctant ghost chaser, was hoping for. That’s because this assignment involved visiting a cemetery…

The Doctor has disappeared, but he left his newest apprentice in 21st century Earth to help the humans while he was away – this was Dr. Quinn Valentine.

But she’s having some problems with her TARDIS…

If you knew about the Doctor and you saw a 60s blue British police call box, you'd probably come to the conclusion that the time-travelling Doctor is around somewhere, trying to save the world from the Daleks again, or maybe from the Cybermen, the Sycorax or the Judoon.

But this time, this isn’t the Doctor. Not exactly…

Jill, formerly Charlie, has been a beat cop for over a year. By now, she's had more or less adjusted to being changed into a sexy policewoman by that magical mixed tape. But then, during an almost disastrous stakeout, she finds out that what happened to her happened to a lot of other people, too.

In the near future, Andy is looking for a way to earn some money. He decides to go along with what appears to be a Nigerian scam. Things don't go as planned of course.

Chapter 1- The Boy Next Door

--- Alexis, December 23rd, 2022. 7:53 AM ---

“Class,” our teacher’s voice somehow managed to break through the chaos and anarchy that is an elementary school classroom the day before Christmas vacation. “Before we begin, I’d like to announce our new transfer student, Gabriel Morris.”

The rest of the room started up in hushed whispers, and even I couldn’t help it.

“Who moves at this time of year?” I had asked the question quietly and rhetorically, only to get an answer back anyway.

“Seriously?”

The drive over to Brenda’s didn’t seem to take as long in Brent’s car as it did mine. Fun to drive. Also an attention magnet from the public and the police. I drove like grandma on
her way to church. If the police saw me they could still fabricate an excuse to pull me over.

Jane's first week as a girl passed in something of a Blur. Her mother delighted in having a daughter. She filled Jane's days with lessons in cooking, sewing and the other skills of hearth and home. By week's end they had sewed an entire set of everyday clothes including a shift, dress and kirtle. They were plain for the moment but her mum was already talking of embroidery, just as soon as she had a second set sewn.

The House

By Dawn Natelle

OK, it finally happened. I need a break. There will be no chapter this weekend. Perhaps one on Monday if the muse strikes on the weekend: Dawn.

Chapter 12

Time on My Hands

Chapter 41: 347-352 CE: Colonizing the Azores

Since Christianity had taken hold of the Clan Ravn the burial practices changed. The circular burial mound of Olvris was huge, 180 feet in diameter and 19 feet high, had been fine for the honoring the Norse gods, but was considered a bit too ostentatious for Christianity. Svenn decided the mound could become a dynastic memorial for those who led Bazram.

Family members had been buried around the burial mound and that would continue, however, the successors of Olvris would be buried atop the mound. As the first successor, Bjorn would be buried on the top with a simple gravestone. When Svenn’s time came, he would be buried beside his grandfather, with future successors following suit as the grave sites wound around and down the hill. There would be more than enough room to bury centuries of successors. Svenn would also erected a huge memorial stone listing the names and lineage of those buried in and on top of the burial mound along with the dates of the birth, rule, and death. Additions would be made as needed.

The House

By Dawn Natelle

Another daily dose of happenings in the Grove: Dawn.

Chapter 11 – Wood theft