Current Training: Silky (Detha). Silky *finally* told me that I am "a challenge to teach". Evus must really dislike Detha and his followers! I would *never* get any real defensive training from Evus himself.

Circle test this week: I was sooooo close to killing the Banshee. That extra defense does seem to help.

Donations: D'rraldrri, the chivalry hall builder in the North side of Puddleby.

Exploration: I have not regained the use of any of those 'misplaced' paths. I hear rumors of great discoveries in the far-off foothills, but have not had the chance to see for myself. Someday ...

I've been hunting quite a bit at the Tree Giant Breeding Grounds lately with my usual crew of Couer de Leon, Kodo and Perkusi. We have been joined, more often than not lately, by my fellow POS member Shen Calin, who has been looking for a bit more experience in his hunts. Shen is a bit younger and less experienced, so following us around is a good deal for him. He is also a bit wilder, and his youthful exuberance and somewhat lesser training than mine means that he is fast becoming a prime candidate for membership in the Designated Fallen Union. To make it even more interesting, he has been training lately in the use of the Bloodblade, and occasionally pulls his Bloodblade out to try to tag some of the tougher critters I normally hunt. That looks to be a dangerous style of fighting, certainly, especially with lower defensive skills and lower training with Histia. I just have to laugh watching Perkusi almost tremble and sweat as she forcibly restrains herself from cadding him to full health all the time.

I was hunting at Fat Alice's beach and under her hut with a small group, and when we got ready to leave we ran right into an enormous swarm of Giant Carnivorous Plankton in and around the cove. No one saw it before we got into our boats, and we were all instantly surrounded and fell. Thankfully, Perkusi and Wormtounge organized a rescue squad and came to get us. I always expect some Plankton around this island, but this surpassed any number I had ever seen in one place. Even after 6 fighters swung out killing as many as possible before finally falling, there were still many dozen left alive. One can never be too cautious around these dangerous waters!

I was talking to Cerberal about strategies for taking the fighter 5th circle test, trying to pick up some hints from an old hand (since he has seen them all, good and bad). Boy was I surprised when he told me that he thought I might have what it takes to actually pass! I think he was pulling my leg, but it did feel nice to hear it.

Last week I was complaining that there were so many exiles I had not seen in a long time, when who decides to pop her tail out of the library but one of my favorite Fens, Nelaton! We had a nice chat while on a little hunt with Enlil and Cyberbeing in the bear caves and lily pond (but we found the tree giant breeding ground and rocky cavern empty). All too soon she had to rush off to fail her circle test and head back into the library. I was pleased to have had the chance to see her, and am glad to know she is still around, if a bit dusty.

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