Second Passage of the Dry Moon

For the first time in more than ten years, an official report has blamed the loss of a major trading ship on the Sereg.

The Bloodmoon sails from Jedda to the Old World, making the trip only three times a year. It is a well-armed ship of Jeddan design and carries only the most exquisitely valuable of cargo, including carvings, paintings, spices, silks, and Jeddan magical artifacts.

Because the value of each shipment of cargo is estimated to be well over a hundred million silver, the Bloodmoon also is escorted by a Jeddan light warship, a small, fast, and heavily armed vessel crafted largely of resins.

"It was uncanny," reported Alexander, the captain of the escort ship. "They came at night during a strange lull in the winds. Not even our mages could make the wind blow, and then suddenly we saw them emerging from the darkness, rowing swiftly toward us. There were three of the wide, bulky ships, and they were upon us in moments, attacking from an angle which kept the Bloodmoon between us and them. It was a very helpless feeling."

The escort managed to row alongside the Bloodmoon and engage some of the Sereg, but they were vastly outnumbered, and within moments the Bloodmoon had been commandeered by the Sereg and was being towed away. Most of the defenders were left dead or wounded.

With a much reduced crew, the Jeddan escort made its way back to Aranor to report the loss, but not before following the Sereg to their fortress. The owner of the Bloodmoon is attempting to organize a retaliation.

I spoke to Sheae, a sage from the library. "This is another example of the emerging influence of the Fae. It is as if the Sereg, worldwide, are growing more bold."

Which is truly a concern for us all.

Lord Kieran

The royal family of Aranor, as well as other notable figures, will parade up Palace Way next An Maad at noon. Festivities are planned all along the parade route, including music, free food and candies, acrobatics, magic, and mock swordfights. Sixteen separate troupes, including dramatists, comedy actors, sleight-of-hand artists, and puppeteers will also take part in the parade. The whole affair promises to be a delightful and exciting event, and will also, of course, provide one with the chance to see the Queen.

"There is no special reason," said Storm, regent of Aranor. "But we wanted to celebrate the coming harvest and the close of a bountiful summer. Perhaps it’s the beginning of a tradition."

With all the free food and other goodies promised, let’s hope so!

Tania

What do you get when you cross a raven and a snail? It’s difficult for me to imagine, as well. But Talon, a young artist who is trying to make his name well-known, will attempt to show you.

"We all know that the Realm of Fae exists," he says. "And there are hints that we are only aware of a few of the denizens of that Realm. Fae creatures come in such a dizzying array of forms, many of which seem like crossbreeds of familiar creatures to us – think of a mermaid. So I imagine what other sorts of things might live in the Fae Realm and bring them to life on canvas."

He draws on large canvas sheets and uses vivid colors, which, combined with his considerable talent, make for paintings potent enough to gather small crowds around them when he displays them on the streets. He envisions odd creatures and sets them into remarkable environments.

"The settings are perhaps the most fun to draw, since I’m free to imagine what the flowers, plants, and rocks of the Fae Realm must look like."

And who knows? Perhaps some of the strange, haunting, or whimsical creatures he depicts might just be real!

Tirian

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