Leaving

The house was eerily quiet, the only sound being Edward's footsteps as he went from room to room upstairs, making sure all the windows were latched and everything had been packed away. We had given the staff an early Christmas bonus and some vacation time so they'd be available when it came time to move. I sat among the multitude of crates in the main hall of Primbroke Manor, quietly surveying the outer trappings of our possessions. Outside, a thick fog smothered everything, wrapping the house like a layer of cotton batting and making it impossible to see further than a few feet beyond your nose. I looked around the grand hall of our home and sighed.

"It would seem everything has been packed and the windows are fastened tight." Edward said as he descended the staircase. "I'll lock the front doors behind us when we leave."

I rose to my feet. "Everything will stay here until the move?" I asked.

"Yes, the Guv'nah hasn't given his approval for the move yet, so Primbroke Manor will have to serve as a storage until we can move. Are you ready to go my love?" Edward asked.

"We might as well. I doubt this fog will lift and it's getting chilly in here. I want to get to Steelhead as soon as possible, preferably in the daylight."

Edward smiled softly at me and escorted me out. He carefully locked the main doors behind us and pocketed the key. He paused for a few moments, deep in his thoughts and then turned to face me. I took his arm and gave it a gentle squeeze, understanding implicitly how he felt about having to leave. I gave him a small smile and we walked to the bridge in silence.

The fog had coated every branch, twig and blade of grass with a thick layer of hoar frost. It made our footsteps nearly soundless and it made for a bit of a surreal experience walking through it. When the sun reemerged, it would be a beautiful sight, everything covered in a layer of sparking frost. It would be breathtaking to behold.

We boarded the train and settled into our comparment for our journey to Steelhead. I was looking forward to returning to my first home for a visit, spending time with old friends, neighbours and family. Rosehaven would seem small after Primbroke Manor, but it would also be cozy and snug. It would be good to have a rest and restore ourselves before the big move. The train slowly pulled out of Victoria City station and we glided through the fog towards Steelhead.

The Only Certain Thing in Life is Death and Taxes

Nell and I were in the linen cupboard taking an inventory of the manor's linen supply as well as determining what needed to be laundered and repaired before the holiday season when we heard Mrs. Clowes, the cook, verbally lambast one of our manservants. By the tone and volume of her voice, she was quite upset, so I hurried down to the kitchen to see what had upset her so.

The stockpot was on the stove, simmering away with visible signs of lunch preparations on the large kitchen table. Beyond the table stood Mrs. Clowes, her face flushed, brandishing a large wooden spoon as Giles Earnshaw assisted men with bringing in many large packing crates with the state seal of Caledon stamped on the side.

"What is the meaning of this?" I asked.

"Ah, good morning ma'am," one of the workmen said, "we are bringing in the crates the Guv'nah is giving to all of those who are being unsettled with the new Linden Laws. Since the weather outside is rather rotten, we thought we'd bring them in to the kitchen."

"You oafs are tracking mud all over my kitchen floor as well as letting in vermin and heaven knows what else!" Mrs. Clowes fumed.

I looked at the floor at the mud and the water that the workmen had brought in with them. Giles was looking rather sheepish when he too looked down at the mess.

"Sorry Mrs. Clowes, I just didn't want the crates to get rained or snowed on. The weather's been so bad lately that leaving them outside would be the end of them for sure."

I sighed deeply.

"It's all right Giles, you meant well. However, you're going to have to help with this clean up. Now, while we have the extra hands here, would you be able to move these to the Mooring Tower? Mr. Gears is out there seeing to the vehicles, he can direct you where to put them. Cook will hardly be able to do her job with all of these crates about."

Some of the workmen gave me a less than friendly look at my suggestion, but I was in no mood to tolerate their nonsense and looked them down with a steely eye. I considered fixing CHED upon them, but I decided it might be prudent to save that should things go for worse.

"Sure thing ma'am, we'll get them over there in a jiffy!" Giles said, happy to escape the fury that Mrs. Clowes would love to lash him with.

The workmen managed to get the crates out to the Mooring Tower, and I relieved Nell with the linens so she could help Mrs. Clowes and Giles tidy up.

An hour later I heard Edward arrive home from the meeting with the Guv'nah. Mr. Gears must have told him where to find me as he came directly to his study, where I had been arranging the recipes for the Steelhead Community Cookbook. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and poured himself something from one of the decanters on the sideboard.

"The weather is still showing us it's worst" he said "It will be a grand day when it decides to get over this fit of ill temper it's having". He went and had a seat on the sofa.

"I agree. It's been a trial to do anything, and usually it's so nice this time of year. I hope it improves before Christmas, or at least for when we move."

"Ahh, so you've heard the news then?" Edward asked.

"Oh indeed! A group of workmen arrived with crates in tow and proceeded to dirty the kitchen floor and annoy Cook to no end. I'd not be surprised if lunch is a bit off today...she probably is still flustered and upset."

Edward chuckled softly. "I can see her reaction now. I'm glad I was not the one bringing in the crates! The Guv'nah has graciously granted those of us moving with packing crates, which is helpful seeing as we destroyed the ones we had after the move from Winterfell."

I sighed. "Yes, yet another move. This has been the year of motion and moving. The next move I make will be inside one of those packing crates and it will be a one way trip to the graveyard! I suppose there's really no point in getting the Christmas decorations in order for here until we are moved.....providing we are moving before Christmas. When are we slated to move?"

"That's not been decided yet, I'll be receiving a cablegram as soon as the Guv'nah knows. However, it will be sooner than later, so I'd not be worrying about the decorations just yet....besides, it's too early for that just yet."

I grinned at Edward "It's never too early for Christmas! I suppose I will content myself with getting the shops ready as well as Rosehaven. I really must go there soon to attend to the bakery as well as see the new land Lunar was telling me about in his last letter. Rosehaven will need to be cleaned will for the holidays too. Perhaps now that we know for certain we will be moving we can take a little vacation to Steelhead for a change of scenery?"

Edward thought about this for a moment. "I suppose we could, I can leave a forwarding address at the Guv'nah's mansion so they can send any messages there. Perhaps we can go in a few days, once we get the packing details sorted?"

I smiled "That would be good. A change is as good as a rest they say, and I'm sure the weather in Steelhead has got to be a little less volatile than in Caledon right now. I shall write Lunar and ask him to make sure there's plenty of firewood at Rosehaven, and if he wouldn't mind lighting the fires....I'd ask Tensai but asking her to play with fire on purpose is always a risky decision."

After sharing a laugh, we both sat in companiable silence, mulling over our own thoughts. I started to do a mental inventory of all that needed to be packed and what supplies we might need. I was very sorry to be leaving Argylle and would miss it, but I was certain that we would weather this nasty storm and eventually the sun would shine again in Caledon for us.

The dark seas swell and the thunder rolls

I turned the collar up on my ulster as I waited impatiently for the trolley to arrive. "That blessed thing is always running you over when you don't want it, but never around when you do!" I mumbled. The rain continued to pour, undeterred by the evil look CHED gave it or my grumblings.

I had been out in Caledon doing various shopping that needed to be attended to, and while Edward had been able to give me a ride to Victoria City in the Parsival, he had his own business to see to in Babbage and could not give me a lift home. Finally, the trolley rumbled into sight and I hopped on and burrowed as best I could into my coat on the trip back to Victoria City. I was thoroughly sick and tired of this unseasonable and unusual weather and relished the thought of the warm fires back at Primbroke Manor...not to mention my bathtub filled with steaming hot water.

Finally, after a trolley, train and boat travel, my feet were planted firmly on Argylle. Clutching my basket of purchases, I stumbled up the hill to the manor, my wet hems clutching my ankles and tripping me. Water dripped from the brim of my hat and trickled down the back of my neck. It truly was not a day fit for man nor beast.

Mr. Gears met me at the door and relieved me of my purchases. He also managed to catch me as I tripped on the carpet, and being hobbled by my wet skirts nearly fell. Nell Humphreys, the maid, came and took my drenched coat, hat and gloves and murmured sympathetic musings about the horrid weather. I smiled softly and started to contemplate the joys of my hot bath when the front door loudly banged shut and Edward blew in.

"By the gods it's a wretched night out there!" he exclaimed as he allowed Mr. Gears to remove his coat and hat. "I'm glad I had the Parsival, even though the lightning made piloting her a bit of a task. Getting from the mooring towers to wherever I needed to be was the tricky part." He looked over at me in my disheveled state and said "I see you made it home too my love. I was wondering if you were going to make it home. I did pass by the shop in Victoria City, but I didn't see you there, so I assumed you had made it home on your own muster."

I smiled "I just made it home actually, and am thankful to be here. It's nights like these that make you appreciate the comforts of your own hearthside."

As the servants hustled off to their various duties, Edward drew me into a warm embrace. I returned his hug, allowing myself to relax in his arms, the ticking of his mechanical arm a familiar and comforting sound and combining with the beat of his heart it soothed me to no end. After a few moments he quietly said "My love, I'm afraid I've got some very terrible news."

I pulled away slightly and looked at him fully in the face, trying to read his expression. "Are you alright?" I asked, wondering if he'd be injured during his travels.

"I'm quite well, my dearest but I'm afraid I've got some very dire news regarding our island and what is going to become of it. The Linden Government has issued their decree, which is not as hopeful as we had hoped it might be."

"Oh wonderful! I'm shocked no one has yet successfully managed a military coup on these dear Lindens," I groused. "I'm sure if we used Tensai's technical know-how and gathered Des, Lunar and the leaders of other lands together, a better and less stupid government could be achieved. They are so complacent that we are just going to sit and suffer and not go where they cannot control us that they think they can issue what they want without recourse."

Edward listened to me rant on for awhile longer before gently placing his fingertip on my lips and smiling at me sadly. "I know it's upsetting, but I'm afraid at this time there's not much we can do but comply with their edicts" he said.

"So, what might these new laws be?" I asked with ill humour.

"First, Argylle as we know it will be no longer. They are implementing new laws that will only allow 10 persons at most onto private islands like Argylle and their surrounding waters. As well, they are not allowing construction, they want these areas to remain wild and uninhabited. I have no idea why anyone would want to pay tax on such an area, but possibly some people will. They have also created a 'Homestead Act' where people may purchase an area of land similar in size to Argylle but will be severely curtailed in settling it. As an additional deterrant, owners are not allowed to have groups of more than 20 persons at any one time on these Homesteads. I am not sure if this is to discourage rebellious crowds from forming or what their reasons are, but that limit is in their rules. The third option is one that is quite complex and would require Guv'nah Desmond's authority to do. Of course, turning one's back on it all has always been an option, but one I'm not willing to look at" he said sternly.

I quietly mulled this over in my mind, looking at each option in turn. I took a deep breath and looked around the hall of Primbroke Manor, where Edward and I had worked diligently turning it from an abandoned manor house to a home. I thought of the hours spent pruning and gardening, of the amount of labour Edward invested to build the underwater observatory. I also thought of my fellow Dukes and Duchesses, the community events that they've held, which gave Caledon it's particular zest and acted hubs for the community as a whole. I was thankful that the first Duke of Greystoke was not around to see this day, where he would not have been able to host a zoo, a winter wonderland and so many other wonderful events at Greystoke. I was certain Caledon would survive, but how many other places would not?

We heard Mr. Gears approach us, to announce that dinner was served. I gave Edward a small smile and we proceeded to the diningroom to eat.

Oooh...The Post Office is *Really* Going to Hate Us!

Please pardon the lack of pictures for this journal entry, but I cannot for the life of me find my camera in all this mess. To make a long story short (which I'll go into depth with later), Edward and I have moved yet again...but this time back to Caledon, to our very own Duchy! I'm sure by this point the post office will have given up and just sent everything to Rosehaven in Steelhead to be on the safe side. You can find us at Caledon Argylle, just north of Penzance and East of Brigadoon. There's plenty of room to sail or fly and hopefully soon I'll have a rest area ready for those who are looking for a place to picnic during their outings.

As soon as we are unpacked and settled, I'm sure there will be a celebration of some sort. Personally, I thinking of having a "Burning of the Trunks and Packing Crates" party, just so we don't have to do this again! Now where on earth did I put the teapot???

Don't Unpack Your Trunks....We're Moving Again!

I don't think the dust had even settled at our Highlands home when my dear Edward received notice that a substantial tract of land had become available, not in our beloved Caledon as we had hoped but in our good neighbour of Winterfell. I know I had not even unpacked a single thing from the many crates that stood about in the house and we were making arrangements to get everything shipped to Winterfell Harbour.

Since I was away for this, I kept in touch with what was happening through telegrams and letters from my beloved. He had mentioned a few issues with our land in the Highlands, namely a person who thought it was his God-given right to traipse through people's homes (even with locked doors) and then be rude to the land owner. Hello to Banville my dear sir! As well, Edward had been wanting a large tract of land to be creative with and this opportunity was too good to pass up. So we are on the move again.

On the land was a very large manor house, which is quite a bit larger than Davaar. It's been fun sorting out what to do with all the space and what should go where. Of course, there's a lot of possibilities for gardening too, and plenty of space for flying or sailing. Hopefully soon we will have things set to rights and will be able to have a housewarming function. Until then, please feel free to stop by on your travels. We look forward to seeing you!

Happy New Year!

Last night was the Caledon New Year's Eve festivities in Penzance, in case you somehow managed to miss all the posters and the journal blitz. It was an event that will not soon be forgotten. I'd like to thank Her Grace, Gabrielle Riel, Miss Persephone Gallindo and Miss Saffia Widdershins and all the other people who put an monumental amount of work into this to make it happen.

Sadly, due to lag being rather bad and things not rezzing properly for me, I didn't take any pictures. However, I'm sure there will be many to be seen in other journals.

Last year, I spent New Year's Eve in Steelhead. There was a small group of us on top of Lunar and Tensai's shop and Tensai managed to crash the sim with her spectacular fireworks display. I was merely Miss Christine McAllister with no skills worth discussing in polite society. While it was a small gathering, it was nice. How things have changed in a year!

Now Steelhead has grown by 100%. The town has shaken off it's old look and is moving forward. We have many new residents who bring their own special traits that add to the community. I have learned how to build (tolerably well) and am active in both Steelhead and Caledon. I've also managed to charm a most handsome, talented, kind and loving man, of whom I barely knew a year ago. My friend list is also considerably longer than it was a year ago, for which I am thankful.

I hope everyone has a New Year filled with health, happiness, success and love. Happy New Year!

The Case of the Missing Art

After resting a couple days at Davaar (and washing, ironing and putting away the laundry), Sir Edward and I set off for Steelhead. I wanted to check on Rosehaven and my bakery, while Sir Edward wanted to update his wares at his shop. It was a pleasant trip and we chatted happily while our train whisked along the track.

Upon disembarking, Sir Edward set off to his shop while I went to Rosehaven to air it out after being closed up for so long. I unlocked the door and heard the happy purrs of our cat, Laudanum, who was curled up in his basket by the parlour fireplace. I had asked Mr. Abel to feed him periodically, even though he does keep quite fat and sassy on mice.

Once my eyes adjusted to the darkness of the foyer (the blinds all having been drawn) I was immediately taken over by surprise. Two of Mr. Able's artworks were missing from the foyer! I could not believe my eyes! My heart in my throat, I dashed up the stairs to his lair to see everything was gone.....art, ancient Egyptian artifacts, everything!!! I was certain that we had been set upon by thieves who specialised in art and rare artifacts. I ran down the stairs again and flew out the door, running pell mell to the Sheriff's office, losing hairpins (and my hat) along the way.

Upon arriving at the jail, I saw a notice tacked to the door that Sheriff Ortega had been called away on urgent business and was out of town. What to do now?! I hurried back to the house, hoping Sir Edward would arrive soon.

It was upon my return that I noticed the thick envelope of fine stock paper sitting on the hall table. I recognized Mr. Abel's distinctive hand immediately and tore it open. Inside was a letter telling me that the work on Abledown had been completed and that he would be moving this things there as the management of his estate was going to require his full attention. I had been to his fine manor in Kittiwickshire which it was being renovated and knew that he spoke the truth. Such an estate would need the master of the house to be home to make sure the servants did their jobs properly and to keep it from falling into disrepair again. Feeling very relieved, I was able to set about airing out Rosehaven and fixing my rather wild and unruly hair do.

It will be odd to not hear his measured footsteps pacing the floor as he works out some of the ancient texts he had, or to hear him creatively cursing as he burns his toast as he toasts it over the fire in the fireplace. He and I had shared a common roof for sometime, but change is never ending and I am glad that he has a place of his own that is in keeping with his excellent taste. I'm sure in time it will be the scene of many social events and gatherings. I will confess I won't miss the laundry though.....that man had a bad habit of making a mountain of towels....very fastidious about his cleanliness indeed!

By the time Sir Edward had finished checking his shop and restocking it, I had made a light dinner which we enjoyed before spending the evening on the porch swing, breathing in the scent of the climbing roses and talking about many things. We discussed what to do with the attic, came to no firm conclusions and then went off to bed, to rest up for the next day. I *did* manage to decide to repaper the foyer (again), strictly to cover up the nail holes in the wall, I assure you! *grins* So beings another new chapter at Rosehaven.

Mercy Sakes Alive!!!!

I awoke in the middle of the night to a horrific scream....too horrible to be made by anything that claims to be human. Clutching the blankets to my chest, gasping for air, I fumbled for the lamp, knocking over a few books on the bedside table in the process. My stirrings awoke Edward and he too heard the tail end of the scream.

He grabbed his Pneumatic rifle and headed for the sleeping porch, with me in his wake. The sound seemed to be coming from next door. Edward peered into the darkness, the moonlight covered by thick clouds, trying to discover what made that God-forsaken, ear shattering scream. My lamp did nothing to penetrate the darkness, and so, when the silence settled around us like a thick blanket of snow, we again retired for the night.

In the morning, it was discovered that my dear neighbour, Mr. Darien Mason was no longer himself. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say he returned to himself. The demon that was possessing him was released and once again, he was Dr. Darien Mason. This will be different, living next door to a "normal" man. He had been an incubus for as long as I had lived in Steelhead.

Dr. Mason was called out of town shortly thereafter, we hope he fares well on his journey.