Third Passage of the Rain Moon

Amethyst tea is a Jeddan export which has long been a staple in that far-off province. But it was only a moon ago when a trader decided that it just might sell in the Old World.

"I wasn’t sure about the affair," states Kaila, who has been trading with the Jeddans for two years now. "It’s never been brought over before, simply because there wasn’t an established market for it. And I was worried that its flavour might be too floral."

Her gambit has paid off.

"We add a bit of sugar and vanilla to mellow its flavour," said Elizabeth, a server at the Swordfish, the famed Neraha restaurant where Amethyst tea was first served to the public. "It has a clear, brightening effect that wakes up the senses."

At the Swordfish, the tea is being offered with lavender-orange scones as an after dinner treat.

While the prices remain high because of the extreme demand, Kaila and other opportunistic traders plan on making it readily available as soon as they can bring shipments over.

"It’s not expensive in Jedda," Kaila said. "But it’s very seasonal, and doesn’t keep past a moon or so, since it possesses volatile oils which give the tea its rich taste. They use it in Jedda not only as a tea, but as a flavouring in pastries, pies, and other sweets."

If you can find the tea, named for its bright, clear, purple color, make a point of trying it.

Tania

Queen Lillian has been establishing numerous baronies of late, granting land rights to those she deems fit to own large tracts.

"With the growing Sereg threats and the necessity of upkeeping the failing roads that traverse the Old World, it only makes sense to put the responsibility for such tasks upon those who feel they can meet the challenge."

She has recruited Lord Cowan Faol to build castles for the numerous landowners.

"It won’t be much different, in principle, than what I was doing in Selarum when I rebuilt sections of the city," Cowan said. "This will just be . . . larger."

He is going out to the baronies and will speak personally with the various barons and baronesses, and will then use magic to create castles to their specifications.

A few landholders have declined the offer, saying that they would rather build the castles by hand, a process that can take generations. Most, however, are all too eager to have their castles magically raised.

"I can’t wait," said Lord Asher, an older gentleman who has been granted a generous holding near Selarum. "I’ve drafted numerous designs already. But mostly, I just want to see the magic work!"

The holdings, scattered throughout the Old World, will be of concern only to travellers, but because they will be paying taxes, as well as initial fees for the right to hold the land, we may see Queen Lillian’s already low taxes drop even farther.

Lord Kieran

The city guard continues a massive search, aided by numerous mercenaries and magicians, in the quest for Lady Taila Gerard.

Lady Taila, first cousin to the late Baron Gerard, who ruled Jalpa under King Goddard, has long been a beloved figure in Jalpa, renowned for her beauty, her intelligence, and her extreme generosity. She has aided countless twylahs, thieves, addicts, and others whose luck has failed them, always at her own personal expense.

The twenty-four year old noblewoman went for a walk in her gardens, accompanied by one of her favorite dogs. She had taken with her a glass of a newly vinted wine made by a friend of the family, as she was a noted connoisseur of fine vintages. That was the last word of her.

She simply disappeared.

"Her wine glass was found on a bench, upright and half-drunk, but she and her dog were gone," said Alec, a mercenary charged with finding her. "We’ve searched for tracks, and used dogs and magically smell-enhanced people to attempt to follow her trail. But her spoor spreads into a large area and then simply fades."

No signs of a struggle were present, and diviners cannot locate her.

"We’re at a loss," said Kiren, of the Jalpa city guard. "There are simply no clues."

It will be a great loss indeed, if she cannot be found.

Tirian

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