Penny Lane

The Voyage of the Visund -94-

On Midsummer's Night Lars is injured but fortunately help is close at hand. His injuries will take time to heal and that causes problems for Eriana, who expected to spend the Rains planning the future structure of the Navy. Of course, Ursula has an idea.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

94 - Embers and Plans

The Voyage of the Visund -93-

The company are recovering in a hostel in Bibek. Eriana decides that she wants to hold a traditional Norse celebration and consults Simbran. On the night of Midsummer all gather at a nearby country estate where a large fire has been built - and ale and meat are freely available.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

93 - Midsummer's Night

The Voyage of the Visund -92-

After struggling with baulky rigging, the Downwind Dasher arrives at Bibek with the other vessels. Margrave Simbran is waiting there to give the visitors a proper welcome.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

92 - Arrival At Bibek

The Voyage of the Visund -91-

After some complications with the name of the barge the injured and unwell are loaded into the hold ready to travel to Bibek. An unmentioned talent reveals that Ursula is much more than just a healer. Tyra's talents are put to good use when they set sail - including her martial arts!

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

91 - The Dasher Sets Sail

The Voyage of the Visund -90-

The two men from the Six Cities are told the truth about the Rains, which they had previously considered tales for unwary travelers. Ursula reveals to Ketko what exactly is in his potion. Following a visit by two Faral officers and a Zebrin, Ursula and Tyra are taken to view the changes being made to the Dhow-nwind Dasher to transport the injured to Bibek, following which Ursula makes a General Order concerning... hats?

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

90 - Clearing the Creek

Off tomorrow

So I'm off to the big smoke tomorrow to have some work done in the body shop (on Thursday morning).

Regrettably I won't be getting the body I want, nor will I have any desirable mods. Just a decoke and some pipework replaced.

I should be back on Monday 20th but I don't know if I'll be in any fit state to login that day. Or maybe even the next, who knows?

Anyhoo, I won't be looking at BC from now on for a while, so I would suggest not adding comments.

Penny

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Further blood work

As I may have mentioned, a lot of blood results came back yesterday and I have questions.

A further blood test appeared today - it seems I have MRSA :( No wonder I was feeling cold!

I do get Staph infections from time to time and they suck the heat out of me, which is one way I recognise them. Oh, well, off to the doctor tomorrow. They won't operate on me unless I can nuke this from orbit.

Penny

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The Voyage of the Visund -89-

Ursula has another talk with Ketko and the confusion continues to grow. Eventually she realizes that they have both made wrong assumptions - and the reality is not what either had imagined, raising yet more questions. Then Ketko makes an unexpected request, causing her to seek out Eriana.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

89 - Too Many Moons

The Voyage of the Visund -88-

Ursula attempts to find out more about Bineer Ketko but the conversation proves to be both puzzling and frustrating. A trip to the mess tent to clear her head leads to a chance meeting with Zakaros, who has a request for her to consider. This leads to an unexpected revelation.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

88 - Cross Purposes

The Voyage of the Visund -87-

The remains of the dead are disposed of and the senior staff gather to consider the future of the camp. Ursula makes a suggestion concerning the two stranded galleys. The next morning, Kaldar's sore throat turns out to have an innocent explanation.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

87 - Of Pyres and Galleys

The Voyage of the Visund -86-

At Hamalbek the illness of the mystery man suddenly presents a problem. Is everybody else in the camp at risk? Ursula and the other healers struggle to find an answer with only their own experiences as a guide. Then there is a comment from an unexpected source...

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

86 - Mystery of the Disease

The Voyage of the Visund -85-

As the camp at Hamalbek settles down Ursula finds her time being taken by the two men still with fever. One has begun recovery but what ails the other may not be what the healers have assumed.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

85 - Camp Hamalbek

The Voyage of the Visund -84-

The surviving pirates are shipped off and the camp begins to look settled. Late afternoon, Simbran and Eriana speak to the released captives, bringing them all up to date and offering options for their futures. The condition of the sick men still worries Ursula.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

84 - The Leaders Speak

The Voyage of the Visund -83-

Ursula realizes some consequences of their situation and asks Simbran for changes. The clearing begins to evolve into a fully-fledged military camp. Then the two captive healers ask her for help with two patients with a seemingly common childhood ailment that have not responded to treatment.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

83 - Tents and Diseases

The Voyage of the Visund -82-

The Norse and Zebrins have been confronted by a local force with an officer who wants to shoot first and not bother asking questions. Eriana and Ursula do their best to pacify him but then another vessel arrives... and another, and another! The first of these newcomers is an unexpected surprise but the occupants are able to answer many questions.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

82 - Gathering at Hamalbek

Yikes! BC problems

I have noticed the site has been slow for a few days, but then I do know there's a nasty DDOS going around, it must be the change in weather.

Having just logged on, I got this:

Notice: MemcachePool::getstats(): Server 169.197.80.86 (tcp 11211, udp 0) failed with: Connection timed out (110) in require_once() (line 19 of /var/www/html/bcmain/armoire/sites/all/modules/memcache/memcache-lock.inc).

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The Voyage of the Visund -81-

Ursula had previously thought that her Navy post would only begin once she arrived in Palarand. How wrong she was! With four different factions to manage plus Norse and Zebrins, wounds and other ills to attend to and near one hundred fifty mouths to feed, suddenly she is the center of attention. Unfortunately her resources are limited but she does what she can.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

81 - Director of Welfare

The Voyage of the Visund -80-

The strength of the pirates has surprised the searchers but they know there is no time to lose to prevent any further attacks. A two-pronged assault is planned but this will require Ursula to use some of her unusual talents. When the troops finally join battle with their enemy, there are some unexpected discoveries.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

80 - Combined Operations

The Voyage of the Visund -79-

The Visund searches the Faralmark bank, which is heavily covered with the same kind of vegetation they had encountered at Bakhrad. Strong indications are found before a friendly village is visited - but what they discover there makes the proposed operation more complicated - and risky.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

79 - News at Jenbek

The Voyage of the Visund -78-

The base of operations of the pirates must be found and that will mean that Eriana's scratch force must work together with those of Zebrin. The banks of the Sirrel must be searched for any sign of activity and then a plan devised to defeat them, but the Norse make other, more interesting finds as they move along.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

78 - Flotsam and Jetsam

The Voyage of the Visund -77-

The Visund departs Zebrin and heads for Bibek in Faralmark. As they navigate the twists of the Sirrel, a stranded barge becomes visible in the distance. When they reach the barge it causes them to rethink what they have been told about river pirates.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

77 - Smoke on the Water

The Voyage of the Visund -76-

Ursula makes a visit to the local market to obtain cloth, educating Zakaros in the process. Later, almost all the company travel to a nearby barracks to show off some of their fighting skills, but are hampered by afternoon storms. Graf Nuel puts in an unexpected appearance and is impressed by what he sees.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

76 - Cloth and Blades

The Voyage of the Visund -75-

Eriana's revelation has disturbed the ruler of Zebrin who alerts his forces. However, his wife is more interested in the attire of their visitors. Other visitors appear at the hostel, raising suspicions which are soon confirmed. Later, Kaldar has a request.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

75 - Conversations and Criminals

The Voyage of the Visund -74-

Eriana leads a small party to meet the ruler of Zebrin, Graf Nuel. He is anxious to hear first-hand accounts of conditions down-river and what happened to the Visund as it traveled. Her telling of their time in Pakmal causes an unexpected reaction.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

74 - Welcome to Zebrin

The Voyage of the Visund -73-

On arrival in Zebrin the reunited company heads for their allocated hostel, where Eriana hears the story of Tosh's past. It is also necessary to deal with the port official Osar, who was forced to depart Pakmal with the company.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

73 - A Kittrin's Tale

The Voyage of the Visund -72-

In the center of Pakmal city Eriana thinks she is talking to someone who can get her an audience with the Arch-Count. The reality is somewhat different, however, and it becomes necessary for the company to make a hasty yet un-noticed departure from the capital. Ursula has a suggestion for the Kittrin.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

72 - Prudent Choices

Minor name change in VotV #71

Just a note to say I changed a name in the latest Voyage of the Visund: Count Corbrian to Count Korboro.

This is my own fault for losing a piece of paper with certain names on and then forgetting what I wrote. Julia would have jumped on that immediately.

There are rough rules governing name formats along the Great Valley... rules which change as one moves along. I forgot those rules. Also, technically, to be consistent a 'C' should never be used in a name of anything - but 'ch' is fine as it represents a different sound.

As always, there are exceptions :)

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Julia Phillips

I have not heard from Julia since 30th October. In her last email she said she was feeling fine and ready to get back to writing.

I only have email addresses (and BC) and have had no other contact from her. I am beginning to become concerned.

Does anyone else have any later information? We work closely together and, although I have continued posting chapters, her absence makes writing more difficult. She has edited and critiqued almost everything I have written since we first came into contact.

Penny

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The Voyage of the Visund -71-

Ursula receives a surprise gift from Urjen and Abban before the two vessels depart Faralan for Pakmal City. The waterway leading to the city is neglected but navigable. Once both are moored, Eriana sets off to visit the Arch-Count, but a chance encounter promises trouble.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

71 - The Lone Stranger

Pattison in a skirt?

This surfaced today, there are articles everywhere:

Pattison in a skirt

You may consider my link frivolous but its only one of many that DDG threw up.

I'm not sure that I like this trend. OK it may be comfortable for men to wear but it blurs the lines over something most of us didn't want blurred: we'd rather just be on the other side!

Penny

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The Voyage of the Visund -70-

Ursula examines Anmar's first prototype sunglasses. Eriana and Kalmenar decide to join her at the mansion to explain 'factories'. The next morning Ursula struggles with her desires, later, at the treaty signing, she realizes that an important document is missing.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

70 - Designs and Treaties

What Milsy Did -34-

After the near-disaster of the previous day, senior guildsmen arrive to investigate the steam engine and to rebuild it if possible. They are naturally surprised by Milsy's abilities as she and Senidet demonstrate what they can do.

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What Milsy Did

by Penny Lane

34 - The Missing Link

The Voyage of the Visund -69-

Eriana and Ursula surface from their unexpected activity and then have to deal with the consequences. The following day Ursula visits the market on her way to see Count Darkwin and introduces a new device to Anmar - sun-glasses! At the mansion of the two Counts, further difficult questions have to be answered.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

69 - Awkward Questions

Scratch! 3 of 3 - Tricky Tuesday

The rain eases but Dennis finds out that his clothes are still not usable. After a fruitless search for something to wear, he once again becomes a Regency Miss. This time, however, he discovers the limitations of the attire of the time. Then an unexpected visitor arrives...

Scratch!

an amusement by Penny Lane

3 of 3 - Tricky Tuesday

The Genesis of Scratch!

The Genesis of Scratch!

This little amusement created itself while we were away for a few days in East Anglia. The hotel had been booked before Her Majesty died, which meant that we ended up with two days (Sunday and the Monday of the funeral) when almost nothing was open. Stuck in a hotel room with only sandwiches bought the previous day and kept chilled in the room mini-bar, the idea slowly matured...

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Scratch! 2 of 3 - Bank Holiday Monday

As the rain continues Dennis finds that his options have become less and less. Time for a left-field solution, one which leaves him wondering if he is doing the right thing.

Scratch!

an amusement by Penny Lane

2 of 3 - Bank Holiday Monday

Scratch! 1 of 3 - Soggy Sunday

Dennis Moore has a skin condition which flares up on a holiday to his cousins. Away from his usual treatments alternative solutions have to be invented.

Scratch!

an amusement by Penny Lane

1 of 3 - Soggy Sunday

The Voyage of the Visund -68-

In the middle of battle Eriana has fallen and it is Ursula's task to save her if it is possible. Once the situation stabilizes tough decisions must be taken to protect those in the arena and to rescue the two Counts. Eventually the weary survivors return to their hostel where the injured must be more closely inspected.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

68 - Consequences

The Voyage of the Visund -67-

"IT'S A TRAP!" Ursula finally understands what the strange happenings around her mean. A race to warn the two Counts, and then another to get to the Shevesty field... where every man-at-arms is equipped only with a practice blade!

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

67 - Treachery in Faralan

The Voyage of the Visund -66-

Ursula goes to the market to find more suitable attire for the two Yodans and later begins to teach them the Garian numbers, revealing an unexpected talent. Meanwhile Lars attempts to find something suitable for the men to drink and takes a side trip to a brewery. There he overhears a casual conversation.

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The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

66 - Hats and Numbers

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