The Virian Chronicler

“Wow, who be yer handsome friend?” Rita asked, gesturing towards the departing Varagan trader.   River had been hoping for solitude, but she could hardly turn Rita away, so she set about writing out an explanation about how the elegant trader had tried to help her in Rishlaan. “A Varagan, eh?”   Rita’s tone indicated disdain and she scowled.   “Best ye stay away from him.   No doubt he be wanting to add ye to his harem of concubines.   Bed-slaves , they call them.   Anyways, how ye be feeling?” “ I’m thankful to be back here ” River wrote.   “ What about you?   Andreas said that you had been beaten up.   If I’d known that you were on the island with me, I would have tried to help.   I only found out after my rescue ”. “Ah, don’t worry about it”.   Rita shrugged and waved her hand dismissively.   “Anyways, since we’ve both been let off lessons, how about coming shopping with me?   I need new clothes”....

Gerald was dreaming again. It felt odd, different. In all his other dreams, he had something in them that allowed him to feel, but this time, he was missing something. His dazed and sleepy mind couldn’t grasp it, but as if from miles away, he heard his wife’s voice. “Elaine? Is that you?” A strange fear gripped him, and he tried to cry out to her, begging her not to heed the voice. As if in front of his very eyes, Elsa disappeared from his sight in the dream, leaving him alone and empty. He could no longer feel her presence, a constant thing no matter where they were, thanks to their empathy link. Empty and alone, Gerald yelled, “ELSA!” But there was no response. Gerald woke with a cry, shooting into an upright position with one hand to his rapidly-beating heart. As with all his dreams, the fear felt so real. Irrational, terrifying, and heart-rending. The very thought of losing Elsa was too much to bear. Remembering her guiltily, he turned, saying, “Sorry, me dea...

Morgan was laying backwards on the sand, and Apollo glanced at his cousin. He shook his head in bemusement. “He’s fast asleep,” he said. Gerald chuckled. “He definitely be a peculiar fellow. I might even be fond of him, if he hadn’t attacked me wife.” “Gerald, for the hundredth time, she’s going to be alright!” Apollo said, sighing. “I know you’re worried about her, but honestly, Morgan didn’t intend to do it. Is forgiveness not anywhere in that thick skull of yours?” Gerald scowled at Apollo and stood up, spraying sand everywhere. “I don’t need ye criticising me, mate. That’s all ye ever do. Maybe ye should take a look around and realise the world ain’t the perfectly pure place ye think it is!” Ignoring Apollo’s spluttered protests, Gerald stormed off, the sand twisting and turning at his feet. Frustrated, Apollo turned away and looked up when Anwyn sat down near him. Morgan snorted in his sleep and sat up, rubbing his bleary eyes. “Where did Gerald go?” he asked sleepily. “To ch...