New Life and Saturalia, Celebrating Chorrol's 20th Anniversary Options

[Acadian]

I hope you are over - or well on the way to fully recovering from - that recalcitrant covid.

Good thinking on letting this thread focus on short stories, and giving your longer one its own thread.

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This was beautiful – in so many ways!

Once again, your rich and deliciously leisurely descriptions set the scene to perfection as I found myself reaching for a warm blanket and hot drink. Given the season, I found your description of Taren’s struggle with poverty and the guilt about being able to provide for his family reminiscent of Bob Cratchit (Tiny Tim’s dad of course in ‘A Christmas Carol’).

I was on the edge of my seat as Taren chased the mysterious thief through Riften. Your description of the town’s layout well-matches what we see in ESO by the way. Arggh! Downed by a bag of marbles!

Your hints early in the story that Taren was blessed with a treasure of a wife were born out once he made it home. We have strong suspicions about the source of the feast waiting for him, but Elara is far too crafty to let more than the barest of hints slip. Taren is a town guard after all.

Again, beautifully done!