The Muse’s Musings
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  • Not a chapter

    Not a chapter

    Today was spent in airports and taxis. I am now ensconced at our hotel, with a fussy baby and a coughing spouse – and nothing written. For now, here is some art sent to me by the talented William Eyster, who has been doing cover work for me.

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  • 7.7 – Apprentice Runecraft

    7.7 – Apprentice Runecraft

    As agreed, Einarr rose with the sun the next morning and was promptly set to work gathering eggs and drawing water. When that was done there were goats to milk, and Mira quite cheerfully set him to building up the hearth fire while she prepared breakfast for the three of them. Einarr did the work…

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  • 7.6 – The Shrouded Village

    7.6 – The Shrouded Village

    The light had dimmed from its lustrous gold by the time Ystävä led Einarr out of the trackless wood and onto a broad path – broad enough that a wagon could be driven down it at need, if barely. The sky had turned the white of early dusk, and from the trees about them he…

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  • 7.5 – The High Road

    7.5 – The High Road

    Their farewells said, with a smile and a wave Einarr turned away from his family to face Ystävä and the Whispering Wood and they started off down the trail. The alfr offered no conversation, but Einarr was content to enjoy the cool summer morning in quiet. They passed into the shade of the forest, and…

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  • 7.4 – Farewells

    7.4 – Farewells

    With some reluctance, the Matrons of the Conclave invited in the alfr calling himself ‘friend’ to sit in their hall and discuss the matter. They were very specific as to the terms of the invitation – so much so that Einarr questioned Saetild’s assertion that he was merely a good-natured pest. There was a comfortable…

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  • 7.3 – Elf Bargain

    7.3 – Elf Bargain

    The old Matron hissed at his pronouncement. “Well,” Ystävä said after a beat. “That is quite the conundrum you’re in then, isn’t it.” “Yes, and made more difficult by the fact that the boy is either an idiot or hopelessly naive. If that’s the way you bargain, boy, I’ll wash my hands of you.” “Now,…

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  • 7.2 – Seeking

    7.2 – Seeking

    On the morrow, with only a sip of ale to counter the festivities of the night before and while his father proved new recruits, Einarr followed Saetild, the friendliest and least tree-like of the Matrons, down the path through the Whispering Woods. As lovely as the wood first appeared, Einarr felt the hairs on the…

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  • 7.1 – Reunion

    7.1 – Reunion

    It was unlikely that the public hall in East Port had seen a celebration of this magnitude in the whole of its existence. After the purification ritual, Stigander and Bollinn agreed that some sort of relaxation was in order. The Matrons, unexpectedly, agreed and, what’s more, declared that they would host the feast. Perhaps it…

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  • Book 7: Einarr and the Crimson Shroud

    Book 7: Einarr and the Crimson Shroud

    After freeing the Isle of the Forgotten from its curse and returning to his family waiting on Breidhaugr, Einarr takes on a new kind of quest: the quest for knowledge. As he has travelled, it has become plain that he must learn the magic of runes or perish. 7.1 – Reunion 7.2 – Seeking 7.3…

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  • Australia Proposes Fines, Jail Time for Social Media Executives Who Fail to Remove Violent Content

    Mostly for PG’s comments, although I, too, find the idea behind the initial post chilling. https://www.thepassivevoice.com/australia-proposes-fines-jail-time-for-social-media-executives-who-fail-to-remove-violent-content/

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