11-29-05

                Slept allllll day - going to bed at 8am will do that to you!. Woke up a couple of times just long enough to check on Alfred, do some more healing for him, and to eat. We received a very nice message from the Overlord and the Mayor, thanking us for our help. It went on to say that we should take as long as we need to recover and that everything was on them.

11-30-05

                Got up late and checked on Alfred. He still seemed weak to me. Not sure if that's due to the injuries or to Olivia. She and I called Connors and we all had a pamper day at the spa.

12-01-05

                Alfred was feeling better today so he, Olivia and I spent the day at the pool. Then Olivia and I hauled him into the spa. Poor guy, he was SO embarrassed at first, but then he started to relax and enjoy it.

12-02-05

                We decided that we really should head back to the "House" tomorrow, so we hit the Market and did some trading.

12-03-05

                Got back to the "House" today. Malcolm met us at the perimeter. He was so very glad to see us back. He started to scold Alfred about being careless, but Olivia stopped him. I told him that Alfred had probably learned his lesson. I asked if the armor we "requested" for him had arrived. Not yet, but I decided to give Jesse a little more time. If nothing else, Olivia isn't going to be letting Alfred out of the Tower for a while! We introduced Connors and her men; Malcolm greeted them warmly and thanked them for their help in getting us home. He then asked Olivia, Alfred and I if we would like to witness their oath ceremony. Of course we said "yes". All in all it's nice to be home again

12-04-05

                Spent the day working in the clinic. It's nice to see Dr Saunders and his nurses working with he supplies they need. It was also nice to see the additional nurses who came with us from Grand Junction getting settled in. I think they will be much happier here.

12-05-05

               After breakfast this morning I went to the stables and asked the loan of a horse for a few hours. The stablemaster said that he was glad to have some one to help exercise the poor beasts. The whole time I was out, I had the feeling I was looking for something. If I was, I didn't find it. But the fresh air and solitude sure felt good.

12-06-05

               I am so glad I went out yesterday. It turned bitterly cold overnite. I spent about half the day at the clinic. Then I headed for the indoor archery range that was finished while we were gone and practiced for an hour or so.

12-07-05

               Brrrrrrrrr, I never left the house today, but I was still cold all the way to the bone. An hour or two of archery and I felt a little warmer. Had a session with Malcolm, he was feeling some guilt about us going into Grand Junction the way we did. I assured him, we went because we wanted to and because we felt we had to. He put no pressure on us at all, we could have said no. After dinner, a bunch of the musicians got together and we played for the populace.

12-08-05

               So cold! So after putting my time in on the archery range and at the clinic, I headed for the warmest spot in the House…the kitchen! Even if it hadn't been warmer than my rooms Izzy had me laughing so much I would have been warm anyway.

12-09-05

               So very cold! Spent the afternoon helping Izzy and the people from the crèche set up a scavenger hunt for the kids. They had so much fun! But then, so did we!

12-12-05

               It stopped snowing last night and after breakfast it felt warmer (that may have been some wishful thinking on my part) so I bundled up, and took a horse out for a short ride. The whole time I was out I had that feeling again, like I should be looking for something. After lunch, a page told me that Malcolm had some free time and wanted to know if I was available to talk with him. I don't know why he bothered! He was fidgety and seemed distracted and we never really discussed anything of importance. I would say it was a total waste of time, but I wasn't going to be doing anything else anyway.
               As I left Malcolm's office, I ran into Izzy, and she invited me to her office in the kitchen for some tea and gossip. When I got there, I couldn't believe it! It was my birthday! Olivia and Izzy threw a surprise party for me, and to be honest, It was a complete surprise! I had totally spaced out my birthday. Michael and Vesta came in from Woodelf-ville. Morag was there, so was Malcolm and he confessed that it was his job to keep me "busy" this afternoon. All of my converts were there and even Anij was there (she seems to be adjusting better now). Michael gave me a bottle of his wonderful Mead! My converts gave me some very nice riding leathers and some nice, warm furs. Olivia gave me a big wink and told me I'd be getting her present later.
               After the party had broken up, and I had gone back to my rooms, I was just getting into bed when there was a knock at the door. When I answered, there was Alfred, looking rather embarrassed wearing a formal kilt with a big satin ribbon tied around him. "Alfred, what are you doing?" "Olivia sent me…Happy Birthday!" And from around the corner I could very distinctly hear Olivia's evil little giggle. "Olivia, you get back here!", I yelled at her. She yelled back "You can't return him, you don't have a receipt!" "Olivia!" "Careful" she said "Don't want to hurt his feelings now do you?" Then her head poked around the corner, and she gave me a big, dirty, lascivious wink. "Have fun! I always do", and off she ran! There stood Alfred looking horribly uncomfortable, so I asked him if he really wanted to be here. He said that Olivia had already asked him that and he had told her "Yes". Well, who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth? So I took my present into my room and unwrapped it!

12-13-05

               Ow! Ouch! So sore, can't move. At least Olivia was kind enough to have Jennifer bring me my breakfast in my rooms today. I really don't think I could have walked all the way to the dining hall. And Alfred, Corellon bless him, offered to carry me, but that would have been waaaay to embarrassing. Izzy would never let me live it down. After Alfred had gotten me some lunch and headed back to the Tower (without the ribbon), I decided "What the Hell?" and spent the rest of the day in my rooms. Got some sleep (oh yeah, most definitely needed that!) and did some reading.

12-14-05

               Dr. Saunders called a meeting and told Malcolm that he now considers the medical emergency to be over and suggests a modified quarantine for the next 4 weeks. Malcolm agrees and makes the necessary decrees. During the meeting Cordelia proudly announces that her mold farm is up and running and we will soon have fresh penicillin for the Kingdom. I sensed her pride in her accomplishments - the first really positive emotions from her since all this began. Malcolm called a meeting with his advisors afterwards. He had reports that Jesse's air war is hitting the NDR with around 35 air strikes per evening. He also had reports that refugees are headed our direction. He asked us for suggestions on ways to handle them but no one came up with any really great ideas, so he told us to think about it, we'd be meeting again. There was still no sign of the armor for Alfred so I tracked down Jesse's spy, Darren, and told him he'd better get on his boss about it, or Olivia and I were going to have to take a trip to the Mountain. While I hand him cornered, Olivia came along and told him that he'd better get on Jesse about the information he promised her about her brother. He swore he'd look into it and then slunk away like the little weasel he is.

12-15-05

               Got up bright and early took a horse from the stable. I don't what keeps "driving" me out on these rides. Today I headed in a direction I hadn't been before. It was a pretty day, but I felt lost, somehow. I had lunch with Olivia today. My! But she was very smug and pleased with herself. I thanked her for her thoughtful gift and told her how much I enjoyed it. Oh, how I enjoyed it! Thought she was gonna hurt herself laughing. While we were still in the dining hall, Darren came over to tell me that he had spoken to "his people" and Alfred's armor would be here soon. Then he told Olivia that the news on Leonardo was that there was no news, sort of. They could not find anything specific about Leo. But they were able to ascertain that his unit as well as several others did indeed make it from the Philippines to the base at San Diego. Once there they combined with the forces already fighting the orcs in the LA Basin. If they heard anything in particular, Olivia would be the first to know. So we both had something to feel a little better about for the rest of the day.

12-16-05

               I saw Justine at breakfast this morning and she looked like shit! So I told her that she was going out for the day with me. So I asked Izzy to pack a picnic lunch for us and we checked out a pair of bikes. And we were gone all day, got home just before sundown.

12-17-05

               Izzy came to me at breakfast today, she's been noticing that people are getting antsy and short-tempered and asked if I would help her to plan a series of "small amusements" to hopefully alleviate the problem. Since the scavenger hunt we had for the children was such a success, the first one we decided on for this evening was a scavenger hunt for the adults. It was a big hit! I'm still giggling at the sight of a pair of Klingons rushing about with their list and a pillowcase full of items. It was a HOOT!

12-18-05

               Had kinda of a lazy day today. Took a couple hours worth of archery practice this morning, then I went to check with the guys down in the hydroponics area to see if they were having any luck with the coffee beans I found. So far so good! Little sprouts everywhere. Then after lunch I had a session with Malcolm. This time it was a serious one.

12-19-05

               I couldn't sleep last night, so I got up a first light, and went out for a ride. Spent several hours just going around and around in bigger circles. I finally stopped and took a moment to tell Corellon that if He wants me to find something, maybe a map would be helpful. I got no response. Go figure. Got back to the "house" in time to help Izzy set up for tonight's "Story Telling" contest.

12-20-05

               Alfred's armor arrived. Brand new, still in its wrappings, with a personal note from Jesse saying that he hopes it fits. The first of the refugees have arrived. Malcolm decided that they all would be given the option of staying in the Kingdom once they state their intentions under a truth-spell. Anyone who fails the test will be transported to Alamosa and the troops there will see them out of the Kingdom. He didn't come right out and say it in so many words, but he wants us to keep the cream of the crop close to, if not in the "House". He's going to leave it in our hands; because he is leaving this afternoon to travel to all the other communities in the Kingdom to distribute some of the medical supplies, seed grain, Cordelia's mold and some of our "excess" livestock. He asked Izzy and I to see about arranging a grand Revel for the 31st to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, the Solstice and New Years. After he left we decided that when refugees come in, Morag and/or myself will "interview" them using a truth spell. We will then meet with the council (Olivia, Izzy, Dr. Saunders, Morag and myself) to discuss our feelings and impressions. Then the decision will be made whether they are to be banished or allowed to stay.

12-21-05

                Agghhh! The pagans woke up half the "House" when they decided to "drum up the sun"! I'm all for music and dancing, but 20 doumbeks and five bagpipes at the crack of dawn is a little much! Got together with Izzy after breakfast and got some ideas bounced around for the 31st. We're going to need to talk to some other people for help. Then I went to the archery range for a few hours. Later, I was in the Temple, when one of the Laborer's Guildsmen, Bert, came looking for me. He was very hesitant at first, to even come in the door. I assured him that the Temple was open to all, no matter whom he believed in or if he believed in no one at all. When I finally got him talking, it turns out that he'd been feeling very anxious and was afraid he's going crazy! Sounded like good ol' cabin fever to me. So I told him to meet me tomorrow morning, right after breakfast, that I had an idea that might help him. Then, right after he left, one of Malcolm's pages showed up to tell me there was a group of refugees looking for sanctuary. I met Morag at the council room and there was a group of 11. When we finished there were only 3 that we could recommend to the rest of the council. Part of me felt bad, but part of me decided that what goes around comes around to all in their time.

12-22-05

                I met Bert this morning and took him out to the stables. He told me that he'd never ridden before, so I asked Rob, the Stablemaster to pick out a nice gentle one for him. And we set off for a nice slow ride. After he started to realize that the horse wasn't going to bite him or anything, Bert started to really relax. When we got back to the stable, I suggested he try this once or twice a week, weather permitting. Both he and the horse needed the exercise and fresh air. Then I made him promise to stay close to the "House" if he didn't have anyone to ride with. He agreed to the logic of the request.

12-23-05

               Izzy and I had a planning meeting with her assistants. Then with Olivia to get her help for the celebration. Then I burned some excess energy at the archery range.

12-24-05

               Went out late morning for a ride, what a glorious day! Saw Bert out riding with someone he introduced to me as his "Lady Friend", he seemed so much more relaxed. When I got back to the house I saw that Izzy had posted flyers on the bulletin boards asking for volunteers for the celebration. I was summoned from the Temple again, more refugees. This time Morag and I could recommend that we allow all 6 of them to stay. One of them had been an executive chef at an Omni Hotel "before". Izzy was very excited to hear that! After dinner, I was reading in my rooms, when someone knocked. I was surprised to see Jennifer and Alfred standing in the hall! Olivia was busy with some lessons for her students so the two of them had slipped out to ask for my help in planning Olivia's birthday party. I believe it was the first time Jennifer had ever spoken to me except to answer a question or to relay a message! We got some good plans made before they figured they should get back. Now, that party is going to be fun!

12-25-05

               Well today just felt weird. Christmas, but not Christmas. I never much cared for it, but it sure did seem strange not doing anything at all. For dinner, Izzy prepared a special meal, and then I gathered as many of the musician as I could and we played after dinner. It was an odd evening. As we were breaking up for the night, I asked the musicians present if they would meet with Izzy and I tomorrow. They agreed so we set a time.

12-26-05

               Izzy met with the musicians and myself today and we made plans for the musical part of the celebration. Then she and I met with the hydroponics folk and they promised us lots of fresh fruit, especially berries. Then we met the volunteers about cleaning and decorating the hall.

12-27-05

               Today was sooooo nice! I checked out one of the bikes and then went back inside and with great cajoling and much pleading, Izzy agreed to go for a ride with me! It took almost as long to find a helmet that fit her. After I convinced her to stop squeezing me so tight, we both had a blast! After dinner we met with her assistants and her kitchen crew (and the new chef) to discuss menus and recipes.

12-28-05

               Spent most of the day helping the crew make decorations to hang in the hall. Was called away from that to interview some refugees. This time we had to turn the whole bunch away. Morag commented that we didn't really need to use the truth spell. They just reeked of contempt the minute they laid eyes on the two of us. They created quite a scene as they were led out. Not a pretty sight. After that I went to shoot some arrows to work off some frustrations. How can they be so ignorant? It worked, I felt better (but my aim sucked!) so I could go meet with the Followers with a peaceful mind.

12-29-05

               Again! I felt as if something or someone was calling me this morning, and I was awake before sunrise. I went out and had a horse saddled before the Stablemaster arrived. "What? Don't you ever sleep?" he asked me. "Not lately. Maybe some exercise and fresh air will help", but even as I said it I didn't believe it. I ended up in a canyon that was new to me, but felt nothing that told me that was what I was looking for. Got back to the "House" late for my meeting with Izzy and the musicians. But we got all our plans made.

12-30-05

               Spent the day working on all the final arrangements with everybody. Malcolm returned late morning, and Izzy and I met with him to fill him in on his part. He had a few suggestions, but seemed quite pleased with the plans. He gave us a list of people and asked us to see that they were present and located at the front of the gathering. As Izzy and I were leaving he asked me to stay behind for a moment, he told me to make sure that Izzy is among those up front, but he wouldn't give me any clues as to why.

12-31-05

               Izzy and I were so very busy busy busy this last week. But boy! Was it worth it! We had everyone gather in the main hall and gave each person a candle. When they were all there Izzy had all the lights extinguished. Then I "lit" a light over my head and proclaimed a blessing on all present, all those who wished to be present but couldn't be, and a special blessing for all those who are gone forever from us in this world. Then I asked for blessings from all those present to light our way into the New Year. The response was so amazing; it took my breath away. When I had recovered, I proclaimed "So let the Voice of the People be heard" And at that moment all of Olivia's mages around the hall began to "light" everyone's candles. Soon the hall was bathed in candlelight. Malcolm stood and gave a short speech, singling out several members of the populace for their service to the Kingdom since the Change. He has made arrangements for them all to have a short vacation in Montrose at the Inn of the Overlord. Then Izzy and her people brought out the feast. The minstrels began to play, and as people finished eating, the dancing began. Izzy really out did herself. And the musicians took turns and played and played and played. It will be days before my feet recover from the dancing and my fingers from the playing!

continured..