In the dead of night we come upon the castle. We are an army. An army of the forgotten. An army of the usurped, the persecuted and betrayed. We have brooked long lockdowns and isolation, to the point where we almost became locked down at heart. But always within the heart there is a spark,... Continue Reading →
Dear Children, I write to you from deep within the Dragon's Lair, with heavy news. Though the news I write to you is sad, I do not want you to be sad for long. I only write to say, I visited a Dragon yesterday. The Dragon needs my help to defeat the evil Wizard, Koronin.... Continue Reading →
The Journey this far North has been graciously uneventful. In every town we stopped, we were welcomed. We vaccinated everyone we could, instructing them with joy that in a matter of weeks they would be able to step out into the sunshine and enjoy life in the Spring once more. Of course, this depends on... Continue Reading →
And now, the time has come to leave the Southlands and once again and this time head North to Quarantinia. Following Erasmus' funeral, we returned to the Summer Palace and made preparations for the ride North. The rebel leaders mustered men and equipment. Palace staff ensure the vaccines were stowed safely within our coaches, for... Continue Reading →
After the feasting and celebration following General Vector's defeat, the next day, in stark contrast, was solemn. Even the sun seemed to be muted by high cloud, though it shone defiantly all day long upon the sombre proceedings. Remembering Erasmus As Head of State, I led the funeral procession down from the castle to the... Continue Reading →
The second day of the vaccine drive went well. We travelled all over the inner Southlands visiting small villages and farmsteads. In return for the vaccine, we were given gifts of home-baked pies, cakes and preserves from the grateful villagers. They wished us luck in our rebellion against Koronin and his followers. As day drew... Continue Reading →
The news of Erasmus' death and the capture of his castle hit me hard, like a cannonball to the chest. We would have to take action without delay to avoid the further advance of Koronin's forces. Luckily, the Fates had granted us a fighting chance: the runner who came to us with news of Erasmus'... Continue Reading →
I was supervising the kitchen staff in preparation for the St Valentine's Day feast when I heard the herald's horn blow from the hills beyond my Summer Palace. With an excited rush of anticipation, I ran to the lookout post and sure enough, I saw the long-awaited sight: the rebel fleet approaching! Preparations Soon, the... Continue Reading →
As we settle down into our routine in the Summer Palace of the Southlands, I find that my biggest daily challenge comes from the overbearing presence of the King's Mother. To understand fully my frustrations, you must first understand that the King and I are joint Regents of this Kingdom: I from the North and... Continue Reading →
Seen from the glittering shores of the Southlands, Mt. Nanos looks peacefully majestic. But on a wild winter’s night it is far from this. It is a dark and hostile place where dread winds blow, and the route below is fraught with danger. The mountain marks a watershed between the inland climate which is temperate,... Continue Reading →
