Fourth Passage of the Cricket Moon

Lady Willow, who died last moon at the age of eighty-eight, left a legacy in Aranor. No less than thirteen parks owe their existence to her goodwill. She not only purchased the lands for the parks, but spent moons of her own time planting, trimming, and even laying cobblestone walkways with the men she hired.

Her son, Talien Willow, who inherited her considerable fortune, is continuing that legacy. His first park is called ‘Windchime Gardens’, and is situated in the Peasant’s District. The winding paths and small bridges take the walker past twenty-three windchimes, all situated high in trees. They have been carefully placed so as to harmonize with each other – the effect is amazing.

"It’s like there is music all around me," said one park-goer. "Enchanting," said another.

Benches and grottos complete the setting. The park is free and open to the public.

Tania

The legend of the Faol Ghostship died a century ago, when the last trading vessel reported being ‘ravaged’ by it. Now a ship’s captain claims that his caravel has fallen victim.

"We saw it coming on the horizon," said Captain Jarvis, who commands a ship which carries small cargoes of gems between Faol and the Old World. "It came straight toward us. We tried to outrun it, but . . ."

He went on to explain that the ship sailed through his, and as it did, he and his men saw ghostly figures fighting and battling all around them. When the ship passed through the other side, the men found themselves cut and bruised, and their ship tattered. Most of their cargo was missing.

This description matches quite exactly the descriptions which ended a century ago. Both Selarum and Faol are sending scout-ships with magicians as part of the crew in an effort of verifying the existence of the ship and hopefully finding a way to make it a thing of legend once again.

The captain last saw the ship sailing north-west, where the spectral pirates’ great horde is supposedly guarded by ghosts, somewhere along the southern coast of the New World.

Tirian

The province of the New World, after final treaties were signed last passage between King Niall of Rilhaven and King Tirlaan of Faol, is entering a new era. Although treaties have yet to be signed between King Niall and the Baronic Council of Casara, it is now official that Faol and Casara are independent provinces.

Faol and Casara now must negotiate their position with Maelmuire, which has reclaimed legal title to most of the lands of the New World. King Lambrodegh’s last offering to the two provinces, which were at the time under the rule of King Niall, gave them a period of thirty years in which to vacate the New World landmass. Rumours suggest that King Lambrodegh will be more generous in his next offerings, which are expected to be presented within the next few moons.

For now, most of us should be little affected in the Old World, but children will be getting some new tutoring. Although the name ‘New World’ will probably continue in popular usage for decades to come, and we of Illumination will continue to follow the trends of popular usage, the province of the New World is officially no more. Instead, young children will be learning that the New World landmass is made up of the Province of Maelmuire, the Provincial Holdings of Rilhaven, the Province of Faol, and the Province of Casara.

Lord Kieran

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