Welcome back to Horizon! The last time we left Iwan Urisini and his group of Lorian settlers had recently set up a colony on planet Earth. Of course, they hadn’t meant to come to Earth, but a hyperdrive malfunction had caused them to drift through space for 300 years rather than 3 months. Landing on Earth, meant they needed to take special precautions to protect not only themselves but the human local population. A magical barrier was constructed by the gypsy matriarchs to hide the settlement from unwanted eyes. Everything was going well for the small colony when Iwan had just awoken from another prophetic dream. He had decided he should speak with the family and colony’s resident guardian Bran Walosenko. Conveniently enough, Bran’s son Kay was having his childhood birthday.

“John, Luis is here. We need to get going or we’ll be late for Kay’s party.”

Iwan finished the sentence he’d been working on and closed his journal. Keeping a journal was one way to keep track of his dreams as well as a form of therapy for dealing with them. It had been his father’s suggestion when his gift had appeared when he was 11. It had been very helpful over the years to have a place to record his thoughts and feelings on these strange visions. Because honestly sometimes he just didn’t want to talk about them. “Coming Claire!” he called.

Meanwhile across town, Ryker was also getting ready to head to the party. “You could always come along if you want Nerissa.”

Nerissa Inada smiled, “No, you go ahead. They’re your family. I don’t want to intrude.”

The Akivari grunted,” You wouldn’t be interfering.”

Nerissa just waved a hand as she headed out the door, “Have a good time Ry. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You ready to grow up little man?”

“Grow up be BIG!” Kay shouted.

“Inside voice sweetie!” Allyn called from the kitchen.

Kay though couldn’t quite master an inside voice. He whispered loudly, “Be big!”

Bran laughed, “Close enough.”

“Bran! Aiden’s here.”

“Aiden!” Bran grinned. “I didn’t expect to see you.”

“But we’re glad he’s here aren’t we dear?” Allyn asked as she rubbed her swollen belly.

“Of course we are. You have to stick around for the party.”

Aiden rolled his eyes, “That’s kind of why I’m here in the first place Bran. Iwan invited me.”

“Great! Hear that Kay, someone else came to your party.”

“Yay! More friens!”

“Though that descendant of mine didn’t mention you two were expecting another baby. Congratulations.”

“Thanks buddy!” Bran grinned." You ever think about settling down again and having more kids…how does 10 sound?”

“What?”

Allyn cut in to save Aiden from her husband, “We’re both very excited. And Bran, Aiden’s love life is none of our business. Now if you two will excuse me I need to make sure Kay’s cake doesn’t fall.”

“I hep!” Kay squealed as he made a mad dash for the kitchen.

“Kay! No honey stay away from the stove!”

As the sun finally set and all the guests arrived, Bran brought his son to the cake. “Alright Bran. Time to make a wish.”

“Hmm let me dink…okay. READY!”

“Inside voice Kay.” Allyn moaned.

Her husband and LOUD son just laughed.

“I don’t think you’re having much luck there Allyn.” Claire teased.

“Ah leave the boy alone.” Ry-Ry chimed in cheerfully from the corner.

“Fine, I guess I’ll just make noise too then. See how you all like it.” Allyn pulled out a noise maker and made the loudest noise she could. To her satisfaction Bran winced, but Kay just giggled with pleasure.

“Hi Miss Claire!” Kay said as he bounded away from the kitchen sink. “How do you bend your leg up all the way like that? Does it hurt?”

Claire smiled, “No, it doesn’t hurt. It just takes practice.”

“WE SHOULD PRACTICE TOGETHER!”

“Kay!”

“I mean, HEY RY-RY WAIT I WANNA COME WITH YOU!” and with a flash he as gone.

As the back door slammed shut, Allyn sighed, “That boy..I swear.”

Claire chuckled as she slid onto the couch. “You’ve got your hands full with that one don’t you?”

“Just that one? I wish.”

From his place on the other couch Bran spoke up, “ Hey now. I’m no trouble at all am I Iwan?”

“Hmm. Yes no trouble at all.” Iwan replied sarcastically.

“Well you’re no help at all. Say are you okay?”

“Had another dream last night.”

“Oh? One we should talk about?”

“Most of it was fine. But the last bit well I don’t know…it’s got me uneasy.”

“How so?”

“In the dream I saw Rick Contrary and the gypsy matchmaker. She’d brought over his intended bride. But here’s the thing…the girl…I think it was Vyn Jeffress.”

“The Nectu girl that helps Luis and Victor at their shop? Why does that make you uneasy? The gypsies always use the matchmaker to find their children a spouse.”

“I know…but Vyn didn’t look too happy to be there. I mean it was like I could feel the emotions of the moment. I’ve never done that before, but I felt anger and fear. Why would I feel fear?”

Bran looked perplexed. “I’m not sure. Let me grab Ryker. See what he thinks. I'll meet you on the porch in just a sec.”

“I’m okay. I’m okay.”

Ryker grinned. “You’re doing fine for your first run kid.” He looked up and saw Bran standing on the porch waving him over.

“Sorry kiddo, but looks like duty calls. Why don’t you go keep your Mom and Miss Claire company?”

Kay sighed, “Alright…but mom’ll probably make me read or something.”

“You could feel the emotions through the dream?”

“That is normal isn’t it?” asked Bran.

“Oh not to worry he’s not going into an overload. I’ll admit it’s been generations since the dreamers could feel through their dreams. But it was once quite common. It seems Iwan inherited a great deal of the old magic. I think Aiden marrying into the Goldweaver family may be why everyone of the kids born to Kalana and after showed a much stronger connection to magic than they had before. Though with more power we should carefully train the children so they can handle it.”

“Thanks for reviving the magic great-”

“If you call me great-grandfather again I’m going to flay you alive.”

Iwan rolled his eyes. “So should I be doing anything extra? I mean since I can feel emotions in the dreams. I don’t want to overload.”

“Do you have a chess set? I’d suggest using it to calm your mind before bed…”

“Or you can meditate…well I never thought I’d see a descendent of Toren that didn’t like chess.”

“So,” Aiden cut in, “Iwan’s dream do you think it’s anything to worry about. This girl and the gypsy matchmaker.”

“It’s true that some gypsies have misused their power in the past. They infected the elves with the virus which all but wiped them out, infected my people with an allergy to the sun, they unleashed the storm upon Loros which threw Loros into an apocalypse. And while I think most of them are good people, I was concerned from the beginning about the Contrary’s motivation to journey with us. I’ll speak with John Mole before I head home. It couldn’t hurt to let the gypsies know we suspect trouble might be brewing.”

Aiden nodded, “You do that. I have no desire to live through an apocalypse.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Good evening Grandmaster. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”

“I wish I were here under better circumstances John, but I’m here to ask you for a favor.”

“How can I be of assistance?”

“I just need you to keep your eyes and ears open in the gypsy compound. We’re concerned there is trouble brewing.”

“Might I ask what kind of trouble?”

“I’m sorry John, my details at the moment are sketchy. I just know that the Contrary’s and the Jeffress family are involved.”

“The servants? I see. I’ll keep my eyes open though surely Edward would not want to bring such dishonor to his family by marrying his only son to a serving wench.”

“There are not many gypsies with our group John, and if the matchmaker insisted…”

“Yes, of course.”

For his part John certainly hoped the matchmaker had not been corrupted. Her services were greatly needed among his people. How else would the gypsies find appropriate matches for their children? He gently stroked his daughter’s brown curls. There was no cause for alarm yet. The Akivari himself said it was all just speculation.

So why didn’t he feel reassured?

Perhaps because the fights between Edward and his heir Rick were becoming more and more frequent. It didn’t help that John had suspected for years that Edward had dealings with less than honorable men.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Ryker! You made it. How was the party?”

“It went very well. Kay’s still a bundle of energy. The whole family is at a loss when it comes to figuring out where he gets it from.”

Nerissa laughed, “Yes, where could all that energy have come from?”

Ryker whipped out his binoculars whistling innocently. “I suppose some things shall always remain a mystery.”

“I suppose so.”

“So what’s next on your agenda Grandmaster?”

“Well if you mean after our date, I’ll be teaching dance lessons this afternoon.”

“Oh are we calling our outings dates now? And here I thought you weren’t looking for a serious relationship.”

“I wasn’t. But one seems to have found me.”

“So does this mean you’re going to introduce me to your family now? And should I start picking out bridesmaid dresses?”

Ryker gently took Nerissa’s hand, “Hmm, it just might.”

Nerissa giggled. “You're just too cute.”

“But what I’d like to do right at this moment Ry, is have some tea.”

“Shall I serve?”

“We both know you’re going to insist on waiting on me.”

“What can I say? I’m old fashioned.” he winked playfully at Neri.

“Never change. You hear me?”

“Honey if I haven’t changed by now, I don’t think there’s much chance of it ever happening.”

Ryker’s next big engagement was the birthday of the Ursini twins. He found Axel and Lexa’s birthday to be the perfect opportunity to introduce Nerissa to the entire family.

Claire grinned at her husband. “Iwan, would you look at that the Grandmaster has a girlfriend.”

Iwan winked. “I know.”

“You are going to tease me forever about this aren’t you?”

Iwan and Claire in unison, “Yes.”

“Aiden! You here for our birday!”

“You bet. So let’s go blow out those candles. I want some of that cake.”

“Cake!”

“John, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Good afternoon Grandmaster. Mr. Ursini invited us to the party. He thought it would be nice for our children to get to know one another.”

“It’s good to see you John. Inderb.” With that Ryker headed off to speak with Bran.

But Inderb was much too interested in the green Akiari to notice that Ryker had spoken to her. She’d never seen Mr. Bran before and she found his green skin quite interesting to look at.

“Inderb.” John growled, “It is not very becoming of a lady to stare at others. Second why did you not speak with Grandmaster Kim?”

Inderb slowly turned to face her father. Her first social outing and she was making a mess of things. “I’m sorry Father. I’ll go and speak with Grandmaster Kim.”

“It’s too late for that. The opportunity has already passed.” He continued angrily, “If this is how you will behave in public then perhaps you are not yet ready to leave the compound as I thought.”

Poor Inderb was on the verge of tears. She stood wringing her hands nervously behind her back trying to figure out what to say that would appease her father.

Iwan stood nearby and could not help but frown with dislike. It seemed to him that John was the one behaving poorly not his daughter. But he held his tongue. It wasn’t his place to interfere with how John chose to raise his daughter. He attempted to diffuse the tension by getting the ball rolling. “Alright Lexa, let’s blow out those candles.”

“I should take you home right now.” John continued to berate his daughter. He was completely embarrassed by her lack of manners. He’d really thought she was ready for a public outing. The Grandmaster and the head of the colony were here!

Ryker slipped in trying to save the poor girl from her father’s wrath, “John, I’m not offended in the slightest. It’s not everyday a young lady gets the chance to meet someone that is green. And honestly with all the noise, she probably didn’t hear me.”

“I’m told I can be quite distracting.” Bran added with a laugh

“Bran,” Allyn hissed, “I don’t think you’re helping.

“I’m sorry for not speaking to you before Grandmaster Kim.” Inderb spoke up boldly. She gave her best curtsey and smiled, “If Father will allow me to stay at the party I would make up for my earlier rudeness. Perhaps we could have cake together?”

“I’d like that. And I certainly do hope your Father permits you to stay. After all, Ryker whispered, “I was hoping there’d be another pretty young lady to help me teach my friend Nerissa how to dance.”

Inderb’s green eyes popped out of her head.

“Very well Inderb we will stay.” Perhaps he was being unreasonable. After all his daughter seemed truly repentant of her slip in manners and the Grandmaster didn’t seem too unhappy.

After the canldes had been blown out and the kids had aged, Lexa approached Inderb. “Hey Inde you wanna come play catch with me and Axel.”

“I must decline as I already promised a dance to Grandmaster Kim.”

Lexa looked quizzically at the other girl, “You mean Ry-Ry? Well okay. If you change your mind, we’ll be out back.”

“Alright then” was all Inderb could think to say.

Lexa was a little disappointed that her game of catch had to be put on hold. Her twin brother wanted to have cake first. She didn’t really want any as she hated sweets. “That girl Inde, she’s a bit of a bore isn’t she?” Lexa complained. She stared at her uneaten cake, “And she looks kind of like an ape doesn’t she with those lips?”

Axel put down his fork having devoured his own slice of cake, “That’s not nice Lexa. Inderb seems like a very nice girl to me. She’s just a little more girly than you. And she’s got very pretty eyes.”

“I guess. Come on let’s go play catch!”

“Uh sure sis…right after I eat your cake.”

But Lexa didn’t get to play catch. One look into the study on the way outside, and Axel had gotten it into his head that it wasn’t very nice to leave Mr. Mole playing chess all by himself. Honestly he was a grown-up couldn’t he entertain himself? She wandered into the yard hoping maybe her dad wasn’t too busy to play catch. Or maybe Aiden.

But her dad and Aiden were busy talking. After being told it was rude to interrupt, she was told to go find a way to amuse herself. Her dad even suggested she go play dolls with Inde! She’d rolled her eyes at that.

In the end she found Bran wasn’t busy and ended up hanging out with him for the rest of the party. He was pretty fun although he kept trying to talk to her about dresses and jewelry which was a little annoying. But overall, she liked Bran. She liked him quite a bit actually, and his son Kay sounded like fun.

Meanwhile Axel had decided within five minutes that chess was the best game that had ever been invented. He didn’t understand why his dad and mom never seemed to play. Sure it was hard, but Mr. Mole was proving to be a good teacher. Or at least Axel thought so. “So you write stories for a living?”

“Yes, I do Mr. Urisini.”

It was funny how Mr. Mole insisted on calling him “Mr. Ursini.” He was rather enjoying it actually. Normally kids didn’t get called stuff like Mr. unless they were in trouble. “Do you like writing?”

“Yes, I enjoy it very much. You are in check Mr. Ursini.”

“Oh.” he moved another piece, “Does your daughter like to play chess Mr. Mole?”

John frowned. The young man had not only managed to get himself out of check, but it now appeared that Axel had set him up. He could see that he had almost put himself in a trap and lost the entire game. “Yes, she and I play in the evenings.”

“Do you think my sister and I could come over this weekend? I’d really like to get to know Inderb better. She seems really nice.”

“It would be fine with me Mr. Urisini, as long as your parents consent of course.”

“So why am I playing this again?”

“Because Ryker said it would be helpful and two your son has shown an interest in it, and you want to encourage him.”

“Right. So the kids are going to visit the Mole’s on Saturday.”

Claire nodded as she moved a piece, “I told Axel we were okay with that. That poor girl could use a friend or two don’t you think?”

“Now Claire, it’s not our place to judge John. And besides from what I’ve seen in the past he loves her very dearly. He’s just very formal. Most gypsies are.”

Upstairs the twins were in Axel’s room. “And why would I want to go over to the ape girl’s house with you?” Lexa whined.

“Come on Lexi, give her a chance. You barely talked to her today. And don’t call her an ape. It’s mean.”

“Fine.” Lexa huffed. “I guess it would be better than sitting around the house alone all day.”

“That’s the spirit!”

“You wanted to see me before bed Father?” Inderb asked hesitantly. Was he still mad at her about this afternoon? Inde certainly hoped not. She didn’t like it when her father was unhappy.

“Yes. First, let me say that I wanted to apologize for this afternoon. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. You did quite well all things considered. Just try not to ignore people in the future, child. It’s quite rude.”

“Now how does a story sound?”

Inderb ginned from ear to ear, “Can you read me the one about the Gnome and the Troll? I like that one.”

On Saturday morning, Inderb was surprised to find several of the local children had come to visit her. Axel and Lexa Urisini were there and Axel’s new friend Pauline Aspir had come too.

The four children had gone into the back of the compound to play mahjong. Lexa quickly decided she didn’t like this mahjong game.

She also decided that Pauline Aspir was a bore too. She liked pink and Axel kept talking to Pauline and Inderb more than he did her. She was his twin. Why’d he always want to spend time with other people? Other people weren’t so great. At least, Lexa hadn’t met anyone she thought was that great.

“This is stupid. I should have stayed home.”

“I apologize for my sister Miss Mole. She can be such a bore.” Axel did his best to mimic the gypsy talk.

Lexa pursed her lips not finding his teasing the least bit funny.

Across the table Pauline laid down her rack of tiles. She looked at Inderb nervously, “I won, I think.”

Inderb smiled softly at Pauline and did her best to ignore Lexa. She could tell she and Miss Aspir were going to be good friends. She was glad Axel had brought her to play too. “Yes, you won.”

“Whoopee!” said Lexa.

Inderb barely refrained from sighing with annoyance. She smoothed the kink in her dress and tried to be a good hostess. “Do you like to dance? The Grandmaster taught me one that is very fun.”

“Yes!” Axel shouted in excitement. “Ry-Ry knows the best dances ever.”

Pauline nodded shyly. Even Lexa couldn’t complain about this new suggestion. Anything Ryker could come up with would have to be fun. It would certainly be better than playing mahjong all afternoon.

And it was…the kids had a blast trying to smustle. Lexa had to admit ol ape face was actually pretty good at it. Maybe there was hope for the stuffy old gypsy girl after all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Ricardo! Stop playing in the sacred fountain and come here. Your mother and I need to discuss something with you.”

Rick just sighed.

“Yes Father?” he bit out between gritted teeth.

“Watch your tone.” Edward snapped back.

“Yes, Ricardo watch you tone. It is certainly no way to speak.”

“Of course mother.”

“That’s much better. Now, the Matchmaker is coming tomorrow so be sure to shower tonight. You want to look your best when you meet your wife.”

His wife. How was he supposed to just fall in love with some girl that an old woman picked out for him? Rick wasn’t ready for this. But whether he was ready or not, his wife would be here tomorrow. He just hoped they got along….

Yep that’s where I’m leaving you. I’m mean I know. So what will happen between Rick and his chosen bride? Is the gypsy matchmaker corrupt? Will Lexa ever make a friend? Will Kay ever master being quiet…(I doubt it)

So stats: Pretty much the population is exactly where it was at the end of the last update. See I was addicted to playing and played farther than I’d written. Which is part of the reason why my SM is already so high.

Anyway I’ll leave you with a final photo of Ryker and Nerissa. No I didn’t plan that. I should have known though since Ryker has family as a secondary that this was going to happen.

Besides, I can’t tell him no. Especially, when they have 3 natural bolts and they’re so adorable.

Alright I had to share this one too. John’s smustle face it kinda creepy. But he is a good dad. He’s always tucking Inde in, reading her stories, and stuffs. He just sometimes get a wee bit grouchy on me.