After struggling with baulky rigging, the Downwind Dasher arrives at Bibek with the other vessels. Margrave Simbran is waiting there to give the visitors a proper welcome.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

92 - Arrival At Bibek

“Sorry,” he apologized. “I didn’t mean to say that… out loud. I mean….”

Pete's Vagina
56. In the Pocket
by Erin Halfelven

continuation of a story I wrote about 10 years ago and couldn't decide what to do with it. Make sure you read the preceding parts before continuing

I awoke the next morning as the light came streaming through my parted curtains. I glanced over at my alarm and it said 8:10. I stretched and sure enough I was free. I didn’t even feel the hobble bands. I swung out of bed, attached the walking bag then switched tubes and got up and made my bed. I put on the peignoir and mules and went out to see what was going on as it seemed quiet out there.

Chapter 6

The fact that we considered the story future fact set him back.

“You’re telling me that there are islands out there which will disappear in our lifetime?”

“We are. There are research papers that lay it out, clear as day, should you bother to read them. It’s just that we have been in a place where reading them was our job. It will continue to be our job for a while longer, so the next story will have similar reality. We have a play, opening in Amsterdam, in a few weeks, that covers a typical problem of the rise in water levels.”

I wanted to write a new story based on A Whole New Me - Literally as I thought that while Lou had an somewhat hard time, it was cushioned by her wealth. So what would it mean if it happened again to someone else without that safety net?

————

I woke up in hospital and, well, I panicked as I realised something was very wrong. I Don’t remember much of it as they had to sedate me but I was told more at a later date and apologised to everyone involved.

CHAPTER 41
I was up early. Still slightly out of synch with local times, and also a little sore in the forearms. The routes with Vern had been fine, apart from the need to fiddle about for ages with those lunatic Aussie bolts. I could imagine how that must push local climbing grades: if you can climb E4 while gibboning like an idiot to place pro, then the silly grades must be that much easier.

I took my laptop down to the kitchen, sneaking past the sleeping beauties and brewing a cuppa as I searched for details about those granite cliffs near ‘Maggie River’. I found a site called ‘The Crag’, which gave decent photo topos as well as rather abbreviated route descriptions, but, well, beggars and choosers. Kettle boiled, tea poured, bowl of cereal before me, and Maryam walked in.

Diva in Disguise Chapter 20

The maid got off the bed and walked purposefully to the door.

I was about to remonstrate further when a light dawned. “This is another wind-up isn’t it? Nice one!”

“How can you be sure?” Consuela glanced back over her shoulder with an arch expression. Then she put her head out of the door and called “Madame!”

Despite her action, I held to my surmise. “I feel sure of you.”

“Well done!” she sighed. “You’re finally joining the human race.”

The shuttle train was approaching Faen Shanta, and as we drew closer, my eyes widened in awe. This was the first time I had seen something like it. The tree was gigantic—far larger than I had ever imagined, even bigger than the history books made it seem. Its massive trunk seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky, its ancient roots weaving through the land like the veins of the world itself. The tree's sheer size and majesty filled me with a sense of wonder and insignificance, immersing me in the enchantment of this magical world.

I made my way out to the garage. It smelled of polish and petrol. It was a change from the domestic smells and perfume I have got so used to. I wear perfume every day. Now I am so used to it I don’t even notice it. Luca did though.

“Ahh Tesoro, you have come at last.”

Luca was around 50 years old. He had a slight pot belly, and short greying hair. He had what could be described as a “Dad body”. He was wearing a vest and had just been cleaning the limousine.

“You wanted to see me, Luca. Can I get you anything?” I said hoping that was all he wanted.

Sadly, the remaining days of half-term went by in a flash, and we were due back at school much sooner than I'd have cared for.

The next day we joined up with Tessa's mum, dad and grandmother for breakfast at a local cafe. Whether or not Tessa had told them to be friendlier to me, I don't know, but the atmosphere was definitely less hostile than it had been at the party. I still wasn't comfortable in their presence, and doubted I ever would be again, but at least everything was now a bit more civilised.