The time has come for all those gathered at Castle Dekarran to make their various ways home, and for Garia that means other partings... which hit her harder than she expects. With the departure of the royal party it is also time to put her own plans into effect, but a face from the past causes an unexpected surprise.

Preparations continue for Garia's disappearing act, with her stand-in proving an apt pupil. The finger of suspicion for her attempted abduction seems to point ever more firmly towards Yod, and security measures are tightened. Even so, there is a visit which must be made, to the Guildmaster of the miners, a person difficult to please. Can Garia find a way to gain his co-operation?

It seems that the King's public statement was not quite what he had in mind, and Garia is suddenly thrust into a world of strategems, plots and plans. Terys and Vivenne come up with a surprise and Gilbanar has an even greater secret to reveal to Garia. Could her original journey still be possible?

Garia rides up to enter the immense pile of stone which guards the confluence of the Sirrel and the Palar. She settles in and meets Gilbanar's nobles of which group she is now a member. The evening banquet and subsequent dance has predictable results but an offer of help is made. Later, Jenet makes an unexpected request.

Garia's last major confrontation looms... and she heads out with the King to try and knock some sense into the Society of Questors. Of course, Garia has an idea, but can she quell the mob long enough for her plan to be heard?

The day has finally arrived when Garia is deemed old enough to be considered an adult. That means a formal ceremony, following a similar one for Prince Keren. Does anybody really think that it will all go smoothly? This is a significant moment for Garia as it means she is now head of her own noble house. There are changes for her staff, too.

Palace life continues for Garia as the end of the rainy season approaches. Snep gets his first chance to show his paces and Garia gets her hands on the mysterious swords for the first time. The Queen, however, is not convinced that sword-fighting is all that Garia is up to...

Garia tries to concentrate on her next goal, that of riding in public. However, she is increasingly distracted, and seems completely unaware of the approaching storm that is about to engulf her... and Keren. It is left to the Queen to gather up the pieces and to provide an example for Garia to follow.

Garia encounters Tarvan while the gang cleans Morlan's study, and decides that it's time to give another technology to Palarand. Following an instructive morning Snep gets a new saddle and the King reminds her that she will soon need to take charge of the lands granted to her.

Garia sees what some men in the Large Training Room are doing, and it gives her an idea. Unfortunately, this proves to be slightly more revolutionary than usual and only receives a cautious assent from the King. Now, all she has to do is to make her wish into reality...

An uncomfortable day for Garia as the first storms which herald the start of the rainy season hit the palace, literally. Some visitors depart while others remain, including Marlin. Garia meets the new Mistress of the Wardrobe and prepares herself for life in the wet.

Garia has a busy day impressing the assembled nobility, first with her martial knowledge and then with her engineering expertise. The twins help her understand what was behind Marlin's extraordinary offer.

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!

The palace is hosting nobles, recently arrived for the Harvest Festival. The guests split into gender groups to bring each other up to date with the latest news, which mainly concerns the arrival of Garia in their midst and what she has brought them. In the evening a State dinner is given for the guests, after which Garia is asked a very important question.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

33 - Royal Deliberations

Garia tells the Council of the Two Worlds what she remembers about the AntiKythera device and they draw some interesting conclusions. Later, Keren has a near miss, Robanar makes a decision, plans for the festival are made and Garia and Merizel visit Mistress Yolda once more.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

31 - Cleaning Crew

Garia talks of knife fights, rainbows, Jarwin's fate, a cleaning job, long white dresses, gods and magic in a day in which all learn something new.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

29 - Of Gods and Magic

Garia has to deal with the consequences of the bout with Duke Jarwin. She also has to try and make peace with Lady Merizel, who is still under the impression that Garia was a rival for Jarwin's affections. Then there's the Palace Guard, who want to know what she did...

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

27 - Aftermath

An unexpected visitor has arrived at the palace, the brother of the ruler of a nearby country. Unfortunately he is a sexual predator whose status makes him unstoppable and both Garia and Merizel are at risk. Cue a very tense banquet... and then Garia has an idea.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

25 - Beastly Encounter

After three days of rest Garia is ready to restart her new existence. She discovers more about palace routine before dropping more bombshells at the next meeting of the Council of the Two Worlds.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

23 - Bells and Black Rock

Merizel discovers that life in the palace isn't at all what she expected. She struggles to comprehend the relationship between her new employer and the Prince... which seems to be very physical. Meanwhile, Garia has difficulty containing her temper over some innocent questions.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

21 - Educating Merizel

Garia's second session in the 'gym' brings further advances but Keren begins to regret participating. On their return Terys introduces a visitor and makes a timely suggestion that might ease the chaos that seems to surround Garia wherever she goes.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

19 - The Secretary

Garia finally gets to attempt some exercise, but a dreadful session is only saved by Keren's wise words. A hot afternoon sees Garia journey into the city to inaugurate Anmar's first paper-making experiments. Later, Tarvan is asked some strange questions...

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

17 - On the Mat