Game Time

A Tale Of The Star Wars

by

E. E. Nalley

It had been heralded as the latest thing.

Normally I'm not what you call an early adapter. I'd rather wait till the bugs are out of something before I start putting my eggs in that particular basket. Yes I did swear I'd never leave Windows For Workgroups, why should I? It was a great OS! Still XP seemed to finally have ironed out all the 'hidden features' of Windows 9X and just as things are starting to get good and stable I get Vista-ed.

In Dekarran, Garia struggles with her feelings concerning her forthcoming journey. Despite this, she still finds time to discuss the castle's drains, attend Merizel's wedding, visit the King's Tower again and find Eriana a new job. The deliberations of the rulers reaches a successful conclusion and finally, Garia has an entirely unexpected encounter.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

137 - The Empty Road

The exchange was a set-up. My partner, James, and I with backup from a few other teams were to meet with an anonymous informant to learn where the disappearances were taking place, how they were taking place, and why. We had gotten indications that an ancient spirit from the Eastern Asia area, possibly Korea, possibly Japan, possibly some of the islands between. This is why we were called in, because we have been trained to deal with them.

Despite being freshly married Garia's days are filled with the same demands on her time as before. Some important matters are resolved before she joins the rulers in debating the future of the Great Valley.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

135 - Oaths and Decisions

Now that another Time Traveler is loose upon Earth’s fragile timeline, what will he change and could the Empress and her sisters be the first casualties? Can the wondrous Empress of Time and Space return history to the way it should be or will she need to ‘step back’ to re-evaluate her historic options here and in other universes?

Torulf gets a shock when the bodies are inspected the following morning. Later, an extraordinary meeting of all the attending rulers is convened to discuss the future of the states who make up the Great Valley. Garia offers Torulf a way out of his predicament before visiting the range with some of those from Blackstone. On their way back to the hotel Bleskin has an unpleasant encounter.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

134 - Congress

Garia finally welcomes all those who had traveled down to the capital from Blackstone. The customary feast of Spring Dawning is observed, during which an important announcement is made. The next day several members of House Blackstone are married, giving Garia a foretaste of her own wedding which is to follow.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

132 - Three Weddings

I was nervous all night during my shift, but I tried not to let it show. Mierra probably thought the screaming from the interrogation rooms was getting to me, and it was; I was thinking it might be Themia.

A couple of hours after Themia was captured, I felt the moon rise. I couldn’t see it in our windowless cell block, but that didn’t matter; I felt the possibilities of change through every part of my body.

“Some kids have disappeared too,” Gerald said. “The news didn’t say, but I’ll bet a first-edition Monster Manual that they were playing ‘pretend.’ Same as we were, only without dice.”

I don’t know if it was loyalty or stubbornness that had motivated me to still go with it. Loyalty or stubbornness that made me continue our quest to adopt a child.

Arrivals keep coming at the palace and the staff are forced to take measures to ensure everything works smoothly. Eventually almost everyone has arrived and Garia joins the wives and daughters of the various rulers for a get-together... which exposes a gulf in comprehension. On the day before Spring Dawning the last visitors trickle in... accompanied by some unwelcome guests!

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

130 - Full House

Garia and Eriana move out of the palace to make room for all the expected distinguished guests. On their return for lunch there are dispatches from the war to read before the first visitors arrive, which include an unexpected guest who has news of a different kind.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

129 - Rulers with Strange Names

Garia needs to find out if the Beings will allow her to let Maralin in on the secret, but when she attempts to consult them she finds they have something much more complex to discuss. She receives a proposition which turns her entire existence upside down.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

127 - An Unexpected Proposal

As she had vowed, Princess Eriana returns to Palarand to be at Garia's wedding. With her are most of the survivors from her expedition, all anxious to join in the forthcoming festivities. Also traveling with Eriana are some august personalities, taking advantage of her journey to meet with Robanar, but Palarand's King has been deliberating the future and come to some interesting conclusions.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

125 - Robanar Suggests