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Somewhere Else Entirely -67-

It seems that Garia and Keren are only just beginning to understand what Trogan and his men have done to Blackstone. Jaxen joins them that evening to bring disturbing news. As the full nature of the plot becomes clear plans must be changed, causing a search of the town the following morning.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

67 - Scouring the Town

Somewhere Else Entirely -66-

It is closer to late afternoon rather than High Noon but Garia has the eerie feeling that she has ridden onto a set for a western movie as the caravan pulls into Blackstone. The actions of the locals don't help, either... something very nasty is going on! Abruptly they are forced into a confrontation that can only have one ending...

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

66 - Bad Day At Blackstone

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The caravan leaves Tranidor on the last stage of the company's journey to Blackstone. All goes well until Garia spots something that has to be investigated... which leaves her literally in a mess. A chance find and a mellow evening around the campfire help to restore calm to the travelers.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

65 - The Road Less Traveled

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After a morning visiting wagonwright, saddler and guildhall the company return to their inn to read the mail which has accumulated for them. While they are there, two new members join the party, but are either to be trusted? Garia discovers a down side of the Call of Kalikan.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

64 - In Tranidor

Somewhere Else Entirely -63-

A problem with a wheel causes a delay for Garia and her party, resulting in a number of questions being raised - including a terrible dilemma for Garia and Keren. While they wait for the wagon to be fixed Snep decides to show Garia what he can do for her. The party are forced to spend an extra night at the next stop on their journey to Blackstone.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

63 - Lay-over

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Garia finally joins Keren as their parties meet but this just raises more questions. There is another, unexpected reunion before they resume their journey towards Blackstone. The wagon train is forced to travel through the local equivalent to Hell which makes Garia ask some pointed questions.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

62 - Joining Forces

Somewhere Else Entirely -61-

Garia's party is delayed leaving Teldor when Jaxen discovers the others have split up. While they wait for information personal matters are discussed. The road alongside the river takes them through another town and then they begin searching for the others. As night falls certain truths are revealed.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

61 - Where did they go?

Somewhere Else Entirely -60-

Garia experiences life in disguise for another day as her journey takes her back to Dekarran and then beyond. She endures poor planning, sleepless nights and boring hours spent waiting for things to happen. She encounters beer monsters and others with six legs, but the journey is finally under way at last.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

60 - The Road North

Somewhere Else Entirely -59-

The time has come for all those gathered at Castle Dekarran to make their various ways home, and for Garia that means other partings... which hit her harder than she expects. With the departure of the royal party it is also time to put her own plans into effect, but a face from the past causes an unexpected surprise.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

59 - Parting of the ways

Somewhere Else Entirely -58-

Taranna's death is not the only shock Garia gets when she returns to the castle as they realize she has inadvertantly exposed their plans to discovery. Confined to quarters she faces a scramble to adjust to the changed circumstances. Later, Garia uses her entire musical knowledge attempting to play a dajan, and the following morning causes problems when she visits the bereaved pair.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

58 - The Best Laid Plans

Somewhere Else Entirely -57-

Preparations continue for Garia's disappearing act, with her stand-in proving an apt pupil. The finger of suspicion for her attempted abduction seems to point ever more firmly towards Yod, and security measures are tightened. Even so, there is a visit which must be made, to the Guildmaster of the miners, a person difficult to please. Can Garia find a way to gain his co-operation?

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

57 - Meetings and Arrangements

It's too flippin HOT!

Contrary to what we have been receiving here in the UK for far too long, somebody switched the monsoon off this week. We now have days of hotter, hotter, HOTTER.

Unfortunately, the room I do my scribblings in is the one with the cupboard full of computers. It's too hot. As I write it's 33 centigrade in the cupboard, and I'm having to turn almost everything off to stop it dying on its own. This means that my time at the keyboard is limited to whenever I can get myself out of bed and ready in the mornings, before it all heats up.

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Somewhere Else Entirely -56-

It seems that the King's public statement was not quite what he had in mind, and Garia is suddenly thrust into a world of strategems, plots and plans. Terys and Vivenne come up with a surprise and Gilbanar has an even greater secret to reveal to Garia. Could her original journey still be possible?

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

56 - Milsy

Somewhere Else Entirely -55-

Garia's semi-holiday at Castle Dekarran continues with dancing lessons and a close look at a local musical instrument. She learns something about the nature of touch and a possible reason why the local music sounds so bad. Then, unexpectedly, everything changes...

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

55 - Change of Plans

Somewhere Else Entirely -54-

Life in Dekarran for Garia initially consists, as might be expected, of demonstrations, councils and conferences. She begins to adapt to the routine of daily life in the castle. One new experience is to take in the view from the top of the King's Tower... During this event a simple touch causes her to question what it is to be a woman.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

54 - View from the top

Somewhere Else Entirely -53-

Garia rides up to enter the immense pile of stone which guards the confluence of the Sirrel and the Palar. She settles in and meets Gilbanar's nobles of which group she is now a member. The evening banquet and subsequent dance has predictable results but an offer of help is made. Later, Jenet makes an unexpected request.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

53 - Castle Dekarran

Coming soon, honest...

It's been a while, I know. Unfortunately, that's how life has been for far too long now. I have about 6,000 words written of the next chapter and the rest planned out ages ago. So why is it not up yet?

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Somewhere Else Entirely -52-

Finally, the procession of carriages and wagons takes the royal party north to visit Duke Gilbanar. It is Garia's first real chance to see some of the country of Palarand and she has many new experiences as they travel. A tricky river crossing is negotiated... and a waiting Gilbanar gets a surprise when he greets Keren, Garia and Merizel!

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

52 - Across the Sirrel

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Garia's last major confrontation looms... and she heads out with the King to try and knock some sense into the Society of Questors. Of course, Garia has an idea, but can she quell the mob long enough for her plan to be heard?

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

51 - Cauldron

Somewhere Else Entirely -50-

The noon parade means changes for many of those taking part. A tricky disciplinary situation is resolved... or is it? At a banquet that evening Garia comes face-to-face with some of Robanar's nobles... and gives as good as she gets.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

50 - Oaths and Consequences

Change of plan...

Meh. I had originally intended, and openly written about, calling chapter 49 of Somewhere Else Entirely "A Day of Ceremonies". Fool! I ought to have known better! Some of my minor characters had other ideas...

So, everything suddenly exploded on me, as unintended consequences frequently do.

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Somewhere Else Entirely -49-

The day has finally arrived when Garia is deemed old enough to be considered an adult. That means a formal ceremony, following a similar one for Prince Keren. Does anybody really think that it will all go smoothly? This is a significant moment for Garia as it means she is now head of her own noble house. There are changes for her staff, too.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

49 - Coming of Age

Somewhere Else Entirely -48-

Knowing that time is short before they all depart for the north, Garia arranges an afternoon demonstration of electrical matters to the King. Also invited are several of the Questors, about who she knows little except for her brushes with Morlan and the enthusiasm of Gerdas.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

48 - Spark of Invention

Aunt Alice's Legacy - 3 of 3



Aunt Alice's Legacy

by Penny Lane

Part 3 of 3 - Voice from the Past


It's Sunday and Charlie Maxwell reluctantly settles down into his new life as a woman. He continues to go through his Aunt Alice's papers looking for any clue that might help him understand what happened. Eventually, a plan of action must be made to prepare for his new future.

Corselette

Aunt Alice's Legacy - 2 of 3



Aunt Alice's Legacy

by Penny Lane

Part 2 of 3 - Prisoner in Paradise

When Charlie Maxwell wakes up he discovers that he has a massive unexpected problem. Entirely ignorant of certain of his Aunt Alice's activities, he now finds that his life has changed irrevocably and for the worse. His horror increases when he realises that he must leave behind everyone and everything he knew before... but perhaps there might be a way out of this mess?

Dress

Aunt Alice's Legacy - 1 of 3

Sometimes my muse just doesn't let me be. This is one of those times and here is the result. I'm sorry, you'll probably think this tale is full of TG tropes, but that's what you get when you write stories for BCTS... enjoy.

Aunt Alice's Legacy

by Penny Lane

Part 1 of 3 - Debris of a Life

Charlie Maxwell has to deal with an unexpected legacy, the property and effects of an Aunt who he never knew existed. What starts out as a simple overnight trip to pick up papers turns into a strange and terrifying weekend which will leave him desperate and make him doubt everything he thought he knew.

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Aunt Alice's Legacy

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Charlie Maxwell has to deal with an unexpected legacy, the property and effects of an Aunt who he never knew existed. What starts out as a simple overnight trip to pick up papers turns into a strange and terrifying weekend which will leave him desperate and make him doubt everything he thought he knew.

Are Those Yours? -4-

A nagging loose end that needs attention. I really don't like leaving things unfinished. Expect one more part after this, but it'll come when it is ready. And when I find the time. Sorry, you'll have to read back through for this to make any sense.

Are Those Yours?

by Penny Lane

Chapter 4


"This is madness!"

The two women looked at their companion, who was neither a man nor a woman, exactly. They were standing on the half-landing looking out over a sea of brightly coloured racks, the Women's Floor of Maddens Department Store.

"I just can't do this! It was crazy of me to ever think I could!"

Shirley looked at the speaker and came to a quick decision.

"Right. Cafe, over there." She pointed to an area of shiny chrome chairs and tables in front of the plate glass windows overlooking the square. "Let's go and sit down for a moment. And have a nice cup of tea."

Somewhere Else Entirely -47-

Palace life continues for Garia as the end of the rainy season approaches. Snep gets his first chance to show his paces and Garia gets her hands on the mysterious swords for the first time. The Queen, however, is not convinced that sword-fighting is all that Garia is up to...

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

47 - Swords and Saddles

Somewhere Else Entirely -46-

Garia takes her place among the guard recruits to learn how to look after her assigned frayen and there are inevitable consequences... Later, an offer of help comes from a surprising source, and she also learns of another possible arrival on Anmar.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

46 - My Little Pony

Somewhere Else Entirely -45-

Garia tries to concentrate on her next goal, that of riding in public. However, she is increasingly distracted, and seems completely unaware of the approaching storm that is about to engulf her... and Keren. It is left to the Queen to gather up the pieces and to provide an example for Garia to follow.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

45 - Rules of Engagement

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Garia spends a day around the city as the guest of the Guildsmen of Palarand. She sees the rapid strides they have made so far in the production of paper and in printing, and a lunch at the Guildhall produces some inevitable surprises. A surprise also awaits the Queen that evening...

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

44 - Wet Day Out

Koff, koff, meh.

Why does everything always happen at the same time? I've had this cold for well over a week now, and it's so bad I can cough in my sleep, often without waking. It's also worked it's way down into my chest, and up into my sinuses...

So the bad weather happens just about now as well, and to top it all I just accidentally trashed one of my servers... twice.

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Somewhere Else Entirely -43-

Garia encounters Tarvan while the gang cleans Morlan's study, and decides that it's time to give another technology to Palarand. Following an instructive morning Snep gets a new saddle and the King reminds her that she will soon need to take charge of the lands granted to her.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

43 - Current Affairs

There's hope yet

A very short item from today's Observer Magazine, in which a Gay Dad (separated) each week gives short snippets of life with his two young sons:

Party Wear

Of course, it probably depends quite critically on exactly where and in what cultural surroundings the party was held.

One day, perhaps, all this will seem normal.

Penny

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Somewhere Else Entirely -42-

Garia's bid to ride a frayen continues with a trip to the armory. The man she meets there provides her with a different kind of challenge... one in which she only partially successful. The royals meet to decide the fate of Garia's project... and Robanar finds himself unexpectedly outnumbered!

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

42 - The King's Armorer

Somewhere Else Entirely -41-

Garia sees what some men in the Large Training Room are doing, and it gives her an idea. Unfortunately, this proves to be slightly more revolutionary than usual and only receives a cautious assent from the King. Now, all she has to do is to make her wish into reality...

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

41 - I Can Do That!

Somewhere Else Entirely -40-

Garia learns something about her body's limitations as the days of rain continue. Rosilda introduces the bra to Anmar, Garia educates a Metalsmith about the economics of mass production and the Council learn about thermometers, barometers and fire tenders.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

40 - The Wrong Moon

Enough Real Life already!

I'm sure you'll all have noticed that it has been far too long since the previous chapter of Somewhere Else Entirely was posted. I've finally managed to get the next one up... I ought to be back to a reasonable schedule now, although these days you never know.

I thought I'd explain why there's been such a long delay. Oh, all right, this is a grovelling apology combined with specious excuses why I haven't been writing. Satisfied now?

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Somewhere Else Entirely -39-

An uncomfortable day for Garia as the first storms which herald the start of the rainy season hit the palace, literally. Some visitors depart while others remain, including Marlin. Garia meets the new Mistress of the Wardrobe and prepares herself for life in the wet.

Somewhere Else Entirely

by Penny Lane

39 - Water, Water, Everywhere

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