There has always been considerable enthusiasm for peering into the future, and some unscrupulous individuals have made a good living from doing so. Normally they make their money by cozening their dupes into handing over large sums on the strength of predictions of doubtful exactitude. Indeed if the prophecy is carefully worded, virtually any outcome … More A future in cheese
I have recounted before how I came to meet the celebrated Hermit of Beetfield. On my return to Port Naain I confess I didn’t give much more thought to him. I’d enjoyed his company and had been impressed with his wit and wisdom. What more can one ask of a hermit?Still should you wish to … More The continuing adventures of the hermit of Beetfield
There are few arguments that can rumble on longer than arguments within family. The Clannalds are perhaps a good example of this. Old Topper Clannald was a gentleman. He had a large estate on the south side of the Paraeba Estuary across from Port Naain. He was well to the west of the Port Naain … More Family
It was, I am assured, a disaster. Several people have insisted on it. The problem lies in the nature of the disaster. In the eyes of some people, the disaster is that the kitchen was drenched in brown foam. Yet to other people the disaster is the waste of so much good cider… But there … More What colour is your ceiling
I confess that usurers have a name as being distinctly dour and miserable folk. This is something of a canard, I’ve known several who have a sense of humour. They have been known to chuckle dryly at a fumbled attempt to hide something embarrassing in a set of accounts. Similarly the legend that usurers are … More The usurer’s proposal
I cannot remember what brought Grubby Manly to mind. He was a sneak thief and had aspirations to become a burglar. I suppose it is in some way admirable that a chap might want to rise in the world but still in the case of Grubby, I think he’d have been better off reforming and … More Such a Sweet Creature
As you can imagine, running a shrine can be a full time occupation. As you can well imagine, the administration can be burdensome with births, deaths, marriages and suchlike to chronicle. Then there’s the physical upkeep of the building. Not only has somebody got to ensure that the building is kept in good repair, but … More It does you good to get out
I have mentioned before that here at the Shrine of Aea in her Aspect as the Personification of Tempered Enthusiasm we have had trouble with bell ringers. Once you are known to have bells, bell ringers will descend on you from all over the place, desperate to play a ‘new peal’. If you are not … More The Bells!
Had I not been there I might not have believed it, but I was there so I do. Maljie, sounding entirely sensible, commented that now some of the better grocers and provisions merchants were delivering into her part of the city, it no longer made sense to go into the market to do one’s own … More Quiet and restrained
A wise man doesn’t travel much during the winter if he can help it. The weather is normally bad, it is normally cold, frequently rains, and away from the coast snow is common. It must be confessed that I have patrons who like snow. They talk in excited tones of the beauty, the sudden delight … More Inadvertently eschatological
