Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: Chapter XX

Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea cover image: a wide, still river with forested mountain peaks rising on either side, underneath a clouded sky.
In which our heroes travel to the mine of Phyreios.

Table of Contents

It was early morning, the sun not yet risen over the desert horizon, when a man arrived at our newly completed gate. He was dressed in rags, his feet unshod and bloody, and between breathless gasps he gave his name as Osuli and explained that he had run all night from the mine and brought news for Reva. 

Continue reading “Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: Chapter XX”

Song of the Week

Kamelot, “The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)”

Happy Monday! I hope everyone is staying safe.

I’ll have a new chapter of Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea on Wednesday for you. I don’t think I’ll continue with Myst, but I hope to start another project of some sort soon.

Have an excellent week!

Let’s Play Myst: Masterpiece Edition (Part 3)

At long last, a puzzle!

Click here for the playlist on YouTube.

Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: Chapter XIX

Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea cover image: a wide, still river with forested mountain peaks rising on either side, underneath a clouded sky.
In which our heroes arrive at the mountain stronghold, and preparations are made.

Table of Contents

The storm lifted at last before nightfall. I took the horses out of our shelter and tethered them to a twisted tree nearby, under a sky painted in brilliant colors from the dust still in the air. The mountains were black beneath the fiery sunset, and the red plain to the east was stained a bloody hue. From the city to the peak, all was quiet. 

I slept then and did not dream.  Aysulu woke me before sunrise. We struck our camp and gathered our things in the dark, and as one final gesture of spite to the Ascended, I set fire to the chariot. It was against Aysulu’s advice, but I saw no reavers upon the plain, and I took measures to ensure the flames would not spread. We could not take the chariot with us, in any case. 

Continue reading “Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: Chapter XIX”

Song of the Week

In the Valley Below, “Hymnal”

Happy Monday! Where I am, the sun is finally shining. Perhaps I will venture out into the empty city today and feel like the protagonist of a postapocalyptic novel.

I’ll be back on Wednesday with a new chapter of Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea, and on Friday with more Myst gameplay. I’m not sure if I’ll continue with Myst, as it isn’t very entertaining to watch or record (though it is a fun challenge to play), but I do have one more episode recorded and might as well post it.

Stay safe out there!

Let’s Play Myst: Masterpiece Edition (Part 2)

If you’d like to hear me read every book in the library on Myst Island, this is the video for you. Otherwise, wait until next week, when I will finally do a puzzle and see some new places!

All the Myst videos will live on YouTube here.

Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: Chapter XVIII

Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea cover image: a wide, still river with forested mountain peaks rising on either side, underneath a clouded sky.
In which our heroes escape the city.

Table of Contents

The winner’s chest was heavy, but it was small enough for me to carry in one arm. I took Khalim by the hand—let the Seven see with their unblinking, jewel-like eyes that he was mine and under my protection—and walked with brisk purpose down from the platform. 

The nobles on their cushions sat still, but the crowds below them had begun to surge toward the exits. Elsewhere in the city, I knew, the forces of House Darela and House Kaburh were attacking the city’s stores of food and weapons. The majority of the guard was here, in the arena, and they rushed toward the gates to slow or stop the miners’ exodus. We would have to move quickly. 

Continue reading “Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: Chapter XVIII”

Song of the Week

Vienna Teng, “Blue Caravan”

Happy Monday! I hope everyone is staying healthy and safe.

I’ll be back on Wednesday with a new chapter of Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea, and on Friday with some more Myst gameplay, so if you need something to pass the time while in isolation, I’ve got you covered.

Have an excellent week!

Let’s Play Myst: Masterpiece Edition (Part 1)

In the spirit of social distancing, please join me in exploring this deserted island full of mystery.

I’m hoping to post a new video every week, so stay tuned!

Every endless winter

It’s my husband’s birthday today. He said I didn’t have to write anything for it, but I will anyway.

A bearded and long-haired white man wearing a gray suit stands in a messy apartment, reading a folded paper.

I’ve lived in the Midwest all my life, but I’ve never quite felt at home here. Between the interminable winters and the accompanying seasonal depression, the years spent shuttling back and forth from one dormitory to my parents’ house to another, and the mosquitoes that, for some reason, find my blood especially delicious, I spent a good portion of my life feeling unrooted and unwelcome in the land of my birth.

And then I met Kyle. He asked me which of the Canterbury Tales was my favorite, and told me never to trust Mordred Pendragon.

We’ve lived in seven apartments over the course of our relationship. As we went from one long Midwestern winter to another, and packed up our lives year after year, I learned that home isn’t a place.

I’ve learned so many other things as well: about Roman military tactics, the Mongol invasions, American imperialism; how to change a tire on a bicycle; and that it’s possible for someone’s skills and interests to so perfectly complement your own that you can spend hours creating worlds together and the stories to take place in them.

Happy birthday to my handsome, steadfast, brilliant husband; my traveling partner, my historical consultant, and my home through every endless winter. All my words are for you.