First Passage of the Autumn Moon

The storms that have made all our orange prices go up are over! Reports from Moraithe are that the ports have re-opened, and the yearly rains have returned to only a steady drizzle. Still, they'll be feeling the effects for quite some time.

"The winds became so powerful," I was told by a merchant captain, "that the orange groves had trees torn down and fruit ripped from their branches. There’s been some pretty heavy losses."

Officially, shipping has resumed, and most of us should feel little or no effect if we’re purchasing dry goods such as silks, feathers, skins, or bamboo.

"We’re lucky," said the captain. "If this had gone on too much longer, it would seriously have disrupted shipping routes and supply. The average Old Worldian probably doesn’t realize how much of their goods come from Moraithe. Sugar, a lot of our salt supply, all manner of fruits and oils, affordable silks, shells . . . Luckily for us all, we can continue not realizing it!"

He means to say, of course, that we’ll not experience any shortages. As for oranges? Expect the prices to return to normal within half a year.

Tania

If you walk through the Jeddan District of Aranor, you’ll sense an energy of late. All eyes there are watching their homeland for news. Most information would take over a moon to arrive from that province, but word is out that in the Jeddan District, diviners are watching things as they unfold.

"People here are polarizing," said Sadai, a citizen of the district. "Many traditional people still hold loyalties to either the Empress or the Emperor. As war brews over there, the threat of violence looms here, as well."

Extra guards have been sent to patrol the streets, and even hints of brewing anger are being swiftly extinguished.

"Jedda is half a world away," said Shane, of the Merchant District Guard. He’s been placed in the Jeddan District to keep things cool. "There’s no reason for people to be attacking each other way over here."

But Sadai has a different perspective.

"The Emperor and the Empress are powerful people. They have their agents even here, in Aranor, and their representatives, as well. They are certainly not above petitioning other provinces for help, or utilizing their tools in the Old World. As things grow more serious in Jedda, Queen Lillian will no doubt be wooed by both sides. For the first time in history, there is, perhaps, a chance that the Emperor or the Empress could actually achieve victory. But not without help from outside sources."

Sadai’s theories go against much of what Jeddan tradition has long upheld – that the battle between the two rulers is more symbolic than real. But as ships cloak themselves for battle and troops are gathered, the threat of true war seems imminent. We shall keep you informed as events unfold.

Lord Kieran

Along the Silver River they fly, arriving out of the north, their great wingtips brushing along the water’s surface. Literally hundreds of Reln, the night-dwelling water hunters who serve as Aranor’s crest, are gathering in a secluded portion of the park.

"These birds have the most particular habit of making all their nests together, high in trees. Sometimes you’ll find thousands of them all roosting in one place. Why they choose a place is little known, but this choice, at least, is certainly fitting!" This from Lady Emily, a sage who works with Illumination.

Besides being highly symbolic and serving as a reaffirmation of Aranor’s success as a city and new capital of the Old World, the arrival of the birds delivers a chance for the average citizen to see one of the elusive and legendary birds.

"You’ll not be disappointed," said Emily, "if you take a walk down the park’s path near sundown. I’ve done it every night since they started arriving, and you’ll find yourself among many others trying to see the same sight. Groups are gathering by the shore, just waiting to see one. Such are the numbers roosting in the park that you’ll practically be guaranteed a sighting if you walk the length of the river. And they truly are a sight – magnificently huge and so liquid in their movement. Spectacular."

No one knows how long they’ll stay, but Emily told me that roosting spots will sometimes be used for decades.

"Something pulled them away from their old one," she said. "And drew them here. They’ll slowly establish territories and spread themselves out, but they’ll likely stay for a long time to come. A fine omen for our city."

A fine omen indeed.