A Quiet Strength - Trial and Tribulation
by Anon Allsop

-Part Three-

-One-

There was a hint of curl to the leaves that they passed, once vibrant greens were withered slightly from the touch of frost. The air was crisp and cool as the trio made their way down the side of the mountain, Aponi, Etu and Machk heading into the unknown, wary and yet hopeful.

Etu glanced quickly toward Aponi as they walked, behind her Machk slumbered in the papoose. "Are you fearful?" He asked.

She forced a smile, "Yes, and no." Glancing back toward him, she squinted at the bright sun that was filtering through the first few trees that they came to. "I am only afraid of how Machk will be treated."

"I told you..." He began.

She interrupted him, "You did..I'm sorry, it is just hard for me to trust right now."

Garia joins the men in the Large Training Hall to recount the details of the recent battle. The men learn of Yod's new weapons and how they might be countered. Later, Garia hears how Eriana's people came to Anmar, before attending a funeral for all their fallen friends.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

103 - The Debrief

Sisters, and the little brother
Part 2
By Princess Panty boy

Characters:
Me/Nick/Nikki: 10-year old son/brother
Lori: twin/she calls herself my big sister

Ups & Downs

1

The real Burt meanwhile, stared out with his new eyes at the disappearing English countryside, an elegant shawl wrapped around his shapely legs. In no time they were at the railway station and he was helped down from the carriage.

It was a marvel to be walking through the milling people. Up until now Burt had only spent time in Griply Hall. Now he was outside in the real world, surrounded by ordinary people; either his equals or betters in his normal life. Now, instead of ignoring him as they normally would have, they stepped back out of his way as he walked as carefully as possible through the station building and onto the platform.

He didn’t have to do anything himself. Gladys fussed with the tickets and carried the baggage with the help of the coach driver. He felt like he was royalty… which he supposed (as a distant relation to King Edward) he actually was!

Standing for a moment on the platform, waiting for the train, he suddenly really saw himself as he was now. To every passerby he was an elegant lady on a trip to the capital. As long as his mouth was shut no one could tell him for the imposter he was. He was a beautiful woman, the breeze caressing the curls of his long hair, his hands neatly clasped at his waist.