An attempt to re-create the Stormveil in a controlled laboratory environment resulted in abject failure twelve years and six months ago. It was found that by using crystals recovered from a crashed Mah’Kur vessel, we could approximate the Stormveil to a certain extent, but the laboratory was decimated. Furthermore, Doctor Cornelius Abraham, the proctor of the experiment promptly vanished, only to return in the same spot ten years hence, having not aged a day. 

-On the Nature of the Stormveil ‘Page 9826, Volume Eighteen’

Once believed to be a gift from the Goddess herself, advances in the field of botany have come to show that the luminescence exhibited by the Hilter fern, seen across Fadraiye is a biological phenomenon. The roots of the fern, in their nocturnal form, secrete a bioluminescent substance that reacts with the soil around it. While the fern is luminous on its own, those that grow near the fens of the Marshlands are especially notable as they react with the peat moss, manifesting a pool of glowing light.

-On Fadraiye Plant Life - Page 1087

Keir, Von and Hanina were escorted through the halls of the keep at the center of Desolate Fort to the main hall. The escort watched them warily, particularly the ghostly maid who floated silently behind Keir. The necromancer wondered how the dignitaries would act when they met. So far he'd been greeted mostly by fear and wariness, he could understand why they felt like that, but it was getting annoying.

“Shall I introduce you as Keir or Keira?” Von asked.

The fall of Hybra was not necessarily an economic disaster, though it did sever us from our supply of precious gems and metals. Rather, it was a time of great upset as we realized that even gods could fall, and we couldn’t help but wonder if we would be next.

-Lord Radon, ‘On the fall of the Ma’Kur’

Part 2
Fen and Fern

“Your concern over the Lyra situation is unfounded; yes, her movement is limited and her education is tightly controlled, but she lives in a gilded cage crafted by the misdeeds of Micah Lavoric. In truth, the girl should count herself among the fortunate that she still draws breath.

-From the Desk of Lady Carola Jenwise, Duchess of Klocby

“It’s like one of those bad dreams, where you can see a train go off the rails, or a car careening into a group of people, and you try to cry out, or move, but you can’t.”

A Coy Pond and a Couple of Trees Part 3
By Sabrina G. Langton

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Author's Note: Gissele has a busy weekend coming up. We find out a little bit more about her past as her and Bryson start to fall in love. I hope YOU like it...

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Thursday

The whole enchilada...plus a bonus epilogue.

Chapter 01-The Murder

“That girl I saw earlier was you?” Tim demanded, looking aghast.

“I think you just said you like to eat Germans!” she giggled.

“Who doesn’t?” I replied.

What are you willing to do -- or say -- to get what you want?

“I would say it’s about enough, wouldn’t it be?” Sophia eyed me as I did a nervous twirl for Jen. I had traded the servant gray for a light green dress that was still plain, but lacked the apron and felt much lighter. The skirt draped around my legs and teased them gently as it fell back into place. I smiled widely and heard Jen giggle. Miah and Sophia had insisted on outfitting me, ever since I had officially become one of them. Since my title of nobility had become forfeit and it was clear that I would never leave.