11th Dec 2010

It has been a much earlier winter than normal here…much colder and snowier than normal. It has made a nice change but now my feet are complaining. Good old Britain an inch of snow and chaos reigns. Luckily it is forecast to get a little warmer this weekend which it has.

Christmas is coming fast now...just a few more weeks to go. Can’t wait to have some extended time off work. I used all my holidays up too early this year so haven’t had any time off since September. Nothing special planned for the holidays but it’ll be nice to do nothing (as always!)

There was a chill in the air when the travelers set of from Glovemere. The ride to the hinterland of Rhosar would take three days through the misty vale of Sarpel. Ibbero counseled that it would be best to travel lightly and in secret. The roads were safe for now, but it could not be clear if they were being watched. Rumours of ill creatures, which roamed abroad in the night, had reached the court over the last few months and had caused unease.

Asthralain as befits a queen was at the head of the company mounted on her horse Sunswift and was robed simply in a plain grey traveller’s cloak. But this was no longer a defenceless queen. She held her face towards the east and in her left hand Hammaclas the staff of stewardship supported her will. To those that could see a faint light emanated from the tip as her will flowed through the wood and leached away into the earth. The company moved off and the bright glint of Glowersmair (sword of songs) was briefly seen under Asthralain’s robes. Ibbero had indeed taught her well