It is Harvest Festival, the day when the population comes together to renew the contract between themselves and their King. After a ceremonial procession through the city, a simple lunch is shared by all before the amusements beckon. Garia accompanies Merizel into the maze of booths. What could possibly go wrong? Following an alarming incident, Garia has an encounter with a creature out of legend... and nightmare!

Images 30

Chapter 30

I can’t help it. I’m crying with still pent up feelings and hugging both Davey and Billy and hugging them with everything I’ve got. I was never connected to my feelings back then as Jaime and I was and only child too. These boys, My Boys and Tim…they’re the family I’ve always wanted, my heroes, my brothers.

“Chuck? You okay?” I asked as sweetly as I could.

We headed out to the car, and believe it or not, Chuck held the door open for me.

The Cabin - Part 9

Chapter 24: Dinner

“Love is a thing holy to Kalotse, and...” Just then she heard a wailing, which got momentarily louder; one of the servants came in holding a fussy, just-woken Miretsi. “A thing with unexpected consequences,” she concluded.

Dainéal’s Dream

Creideamh, Dá³chas Agus Grá¡
(Faith, hope, and Love)

Overheard One Summer Day

"Mom! John is wearing my party dress!"

"Son, what have I told you about wearing your sister's clothes?"

"Always ask first. Sorry sis."

"Its okay, But I hate the fact you look better in it than I do."

On her desk was a photo from the year before. It had been taken just around Halloween. She had been focusing on it a lot the past few days while her youngest was off with friends. In it was her husband, looking like he always did. A small smile on his lips and a hand on her shoulder. Then her older child, Vance, had his usual goofy grin on. But her son Troy was another story. She could recall her mother-in-law telling him to look up and smile. After several pleas, he finally did. But anyone could tell the smile was forced and his eyes were still focused on the ground.

She reached into her purse and pulled a newer picture out of her wallet. This one had been taken in Livermore by her friend Shelly. It was just before she had gone to San Francisco for her Doctor's appointment a month before. William was in it, as was Vance. Instead of Troy, the glum looking boy, Tracy stood in his usual spot. Her smile seemed to be infectious. Her husband, son and herself all wore a smile just like it. Maggie rested the picture on her desk and picked up her sandwich. She began thinking about how things had changed when Tracy came out. The confidence, the happy demeanor. She could remember the trip to Livermore, the first one. The young girl had talked non-stop till they reached Tracy, the town. After a few hours of hell, when the child thought she should be Troy while at Shelly's place, Tracy came back and was brighter then before.

Thanks once more to Djkauf for the editing

This time we look into the lives of William, Maggie and Vance

CHAPTER 20
“Hang on a minute. I am actually here, and I don’t remember delegating the rest of my life to you two!”

Rachel gave me a look of utter disdain. “Making such a good job of it you are as well…”

I was getting worried that Cindy stayed sick and weak for so long because I’d kind of bounced back pretty quickly. Hopefully a full night’s sleep would finally cure her. I washed, went upstairs, and pulled on a longer nightgown that I found in the drawer. I lay awake for awhile, thinking about everything that had happened so far, and hoped for the best tomorrow.

The Cabin - Part 7

Chapter 19: Chuck’s Return