The title of this chapter excited me... portent of things to come!

The paragraphs which set up the meeting were perfect - just the right amount of detail to set the scene without being overly longwinded. A few interesting tidbits dropped here about Fredor: it's only fitting that he carries a blade he "won" so easily, and apparently he has a fabulous skincare ritual. Also, I can totally see Niilo putting his sharpened antler on the table like a total Badass; probably the scariest weapon in the room if only because we've seen it in use - Tarmo can attest to its effectiveness.

My favorite line is actually one describing Niilo: "He stood and spoke with a clear voice that carried every bit as far with half the effort." I like the quiet power in that statement. Lots of auditory description in this chapter. Whispering voices, thudding boots, Niilo's padding mukluks...

"Further, the Sovereign Burg of Giantia declares the Glorious Truth that all men are Sovereign and Independent, that no Authority may rule any man without that man's consent, that Tyranny in all its forms will be rooted from our borders, that the Light of Reason declares these truths as Eternal and Endless."

Chills! Also, "Every man is a kingdom." That's an incredibly deep line, and if Niilo weren't present in the story it would have been my favorite. (What can I say? I'm biased!)

Props also for managing to make the battle of words every bit as engaging as the battle of Fort Unterwald. When Jack had the realization that he was winning over some of their own allies, I felt the same way he did! And I'm extremely satisfied with the way the Burgmiester handled Fredor's grotesque insults - a lesser man might have let fly then and there, or back down from them, but not Knut. Impressed by his preparation of the fort (hiding supplies) before their arrival as well; something which might be obvious to a military man, but it caught me by surprise.

Another surprise: Eidna has a brother?! I don't recall him from Jack Simple, but now I'm very curious... I hope he's a decent sort of person, but I certainly can't abide the company he keeps.

I kept wanting to tell Jack to shut his mouth during that conversation, but it seems he has some sort of plan (as usual). Love the back-and-forth between Jack and Niilo at the end of the chapter, and the "finish each others sentences" dynamic they have going at the moment. They really do think alike. I shudder to contemplate the trail of devastation Fredor no doubt left in his wake as he ascended the political ladder...

GET HIM, JACK.

I have some concerns about this "wall" business with Jack's voices - if he's going to be entrenched in a long campaign, it's not as if he can go running to Eidna every time the voices overwhelm him. I wonder if learning how to control these voices on his own will be part of his arc in this story? Also, that last line was quite ominous in its own way - it has the same sort of timbre as the sound of ice thawing and cracking in spring...

In other news, it's worth noting that Jack has come a long way from "Hey, Giantia sounds like a nice place to settle down and raise a family" to "Hey, King Emmerich, take this royal decree and shove it!"

Brilliant chapter, as always.

Yes! Back to Jack. Let me grab some refreshments and hunker down to savor this chapter...

Here we get another glimpse of your sprawling world with the islands of Pi-hahir and Urartua being noted as "further south," and apparently much further south. It was also interesting to see the dialogue between Haugen, Gerrif, and Knut. I'm really digging this theme of the Lansifyyn and the Burgwehr allying together to fend of the tyranny of the Crown/Thane and the Itaanfyyn. Brothers in arms, fighting for the freedom of Giantia! I think it's narratively smart that they each have a dog in this fight as well - the Itaan tribes for Niilo, the Crown's overreach (and now he who shall not be named) for Jack, and of course Thane/Alvingstowe for the Burgmeister.

I won't pretend I'm the quickest when it comes to picking up on military strategy - I wish I was, as I think I would have more to say about this chapter! - but it was fascinating nonetheless. The Isaf river being mentioned helped to ground me in the locations discussed. I also appreciate Niilo coming through for them with his previous negotiating alongside the other Lansifyyn sachems, and winning more allies to the cause.

And as much as I am perhaps not the fondest of Knut - he certainly leaves something to be desired as a father figure - I have to admit he impressed me in this chapter; obviously losing the forts for lack of foresight is regrettable but no one can anticipate everything, and he seems very calm and measured in his approach to this situation. That calm is definitely one of the qualities that makes him a good Burgmeister. That, and the fact that he wears a wolfskin on his shoulders, not to mention the Einherjar broadsword! Always good to look the part, and it makes for a great image at the end of the chapter, with the three of them all awaiting the arrival of the envoy, Jack with his spyglass and Niilo with his standard.

Now THERE'S a face I hoped never to see again: Fredor, what the hell happened? I said quite clearly that you were supposed to get mauled by a greatbear, or, failing that, arrested with the key to your cell tossed away. At the very least you could have done everyone the courtesy of dying from old age! Honestly, though, he would be the type to kiss up to a tyrannical King - in exchange for something, no doubt, even if it's just a rank and title. Clearly this calls for a measured, rational, diplomatic solution: AIM BETWEEN THE EYES, JACK!

All jesting aside, this is a great set-up chapter for the chaos to come...

May the warfires warm us together!

I henceforth dub this the chapter of NOPE! In fact, so much elegantly connected and colorfully described "nope" was going on here that, quite frankly, I don't even think I've finished processing it all.

Strong opinions forthcoming, but rest assured they are readerly opinions and entirely subjective!

A quick note: in case I guess wrong about anything here, I'll admit I'm still not sure I entirely understand what the Myling is or how it is keeping Eidna from reaching her goals. Your glossary was sparse with the details (as is the nature of a glossary), referring to it as an "entity of hate and sorrow," and that they apparently feed on the living. My impression is that somebody robbed the grave and disturbed the spirit but I'm not 100% sure about that.

Anyway, Eidna has definitively ascended to "NOPE" territory! I found it deeply disturbing the way she coerced him into doing her bidding. She did seem quite desperate, and perhaps knows better than Vikan how high the stakes are here - but I think it's the power imbalance that was most unsettling. "Do as I say, because if you don't, I'll unleash the full fury of my husband on you, with false allegations so terrible that even if you survive the encounter you'll forever be a pariah" and "now that I've threatened you, I'll remind you that I saved you and shall protect you, for some extra cognitive dissonance."

However, it seems I was correct in the previous chapter: she did save him (somewhat) out of the goodness of her heart. She is definitely as much a strong character as she was in Jack Simple and Jack in the Wald, and to be honest I do get the feeling it's the same person, but three different Eidnas. She is taking a more definite shape with every page. The shape is merely one which I find incredibly off-putting.

I'll not say much about the Myling or the giants, as I'm still trying to figure out exactly what's going on here, but it was terribly sad when Eidna realized what it was and attempted to console it, only for it to lash out and flee. Who is the dark one that disturbed his grave? Also, where is Roswitha? Shouldn't she be setting the example for her younger sibling? I jest, but also... a meeting between those two would be interesting.

Now for the ending...

Oh, ho, for the ending.

(inhale)

The amount of boundaries that have been crossed by Gisela throughout this story is truly staggering, especially where Vikan is concerned, but this one is perhaps the most egregious and predatory.

First of all, VIKAN HOW COULD YOU! I believed in you! I've had your back this whole time! I henceforth and forevermore proclaim you unworthy of the fair hand of my favorite character: Eila will be shattered. I could say more, but I'm sure I'll have another opportunity to excoriate him for this later, so I'll leave it at that for now...

To Gisela.

There are very few characters in fiction who make me as angry as this woman. He definitely made a huge hormone-driven mistake (lying about the song, too? really?) but Gisela came into his space uninvited (the bunkhaus) while he was supposedly sleeping and, one could easily assume, exhausted/out of sorts from his night watch, and made advances. Just when I think this character cannot rile me any more than she already has... you prove me wrong yet again.

A tense interaction with the younger characters in the first part of this chapter! It's funny, as I wouldn't have necessarily thought of Jack and Eidna as being rich in a material sense, but in comparison to the rest of the villagers? I can see that. And I did wonder if the death of Genlon would come back around in the story in some way.

All the interactions with Gisela and Aurvandil were mildly unsettling... My favorite line is actually when Gisela uncorks her fourth bottle. It's alliterative and sets the tone very nicely for everything that follows.

Close second is Eila's "Say one more word against my father, and I'll show you what real knifework looks like!" She's been proven to have a bit of a rebellious streak, but the love is real. The bond between the second sister and her father really shines through in a lot of ways, both understated and loud, at different moments in this story. Jack is the head of the family and his reputation (and safety) is obviously something she cares about.

Then we have THAT moment between Eila and Vikan - which, to be honest, I wondered if/when that might happen, but I didn't expect it to happen so quickly. I'd say instalove but they've known each other for such a short amount of time I think it's more like teenage lust.

I'm not sure what to feel here - come on, Vikan, start thinking with the brain in your head, not your pants! - but I do believe that Eila made the right decision. That was a really emotionally charged encounter, and the whole scene highlights the difference between the sisters. It's interesting that while Gisela's "rebellious" streak has her rolling in the hay with Aurvandil in an attempt to catch the attention of another man (boy?), Eila almost shared a much more private encounter with her would-be lover, but has enough self-awareness to realize that it might not be for the right reasons, or even what she wants in the end. I'm extrapolating, but as I mentioned in an earlier review, she has a much healthier, sweeter relationship with her father, and doesn't want to disappoint him, so I suspect that may have played into her decision here. However, I hope the two get a chance to talk this out a bit further; I feel a bit sorry for Vikan, despite his moment of weakness!

The scene where Vikan finds the Seidi and encounters Eidna is also an interesting one - she's clearly using some sort of magical amplification of her commands here, similar to the way Mirahl commanded "obeisance!" from Jack.

The paragraph where he's thinking through all the things that happened to lead him to this point is terrifyingly funny. At first I was amused at his rationalization that those decisions he made (to eavesdrop, to follow Eidna, etc.) were all some sort of elaborate set-up, but honestly who knows? Either way, it makes sense that he'd feel tricked in that moment of panic!

I think it's interesting that, while Vikan is (rightfully) petrified of Eidna in this scene, she steps in front of him to protect him from the Myling - which, by the way, your description was chilling. "A man-shaped void, a shadow that his meager lantern could not pierce"? Some pretty frightening stuff. At any rate, we know Eidna probably ISN'T planning to butcher Vikan in some kind of ritual, but since this is being written from his point of view, it's a really interesting moment: she's protecting me! But wait, what for?

And now, onward!

Vikan has yet to prove himself worthy of my favorite character and Jack's second daughter, Eila Tyrolson, but I won't deny I love the set-up for this; his song was breathtakingly beautiful, and I like the little detail of his self-consciousness before AND after he finished playing. Something we can all relate to, probably. I would advise him to "look before you leap," however, as he hasn't known this family long and already seen some pretty strange goings-on!

I felt positively conspiratorial spying on the women with Vikan. An interesting scene to be sure! The fact that Widow Agne is described as chilling gives me pause, as he seems to have a fairly good head on his shoulders and at least a few latent instincts about who might be trustworthy.

Vikan might be a bit confused, but I think I'm beginning to see a glimmer of understanding - these leylines must be some sort of magical current that Eidna is able to sense, hence why he saw her wandering blind out of the woods; she was following something only she could "see." I did wonder, given the fact that she has guidelines strung up about the farm... one of the leylines must pick up where her ropes leave off. And the toadstools growing in the basement must be for the "trance" she mentioned. I thought Jack's dreams might play into this at some point, as well! Especially given the ranting of the shaman and his earlier conversation with Eidna.

I confess I was a little surprised Vikan wants to stay and unravel the mystery, given how put off he was in the last chapter or two! I do appreciate his nosiness; a trait we share, although I personally would have booked it for the fort several chapters ago!

Really appreciated all that dancing - more as a chance for different characters to mingle in a unique way than for its own sake. Eila practically stood up Vikan, but it was adorable to see him dance with Gretel, as well as seeing Aurvandil's grandfather dancing with little Aspen. Speaking of Aurvandil, seems all is not well in paradise.

Also, Niilo is a badass, a sachem, an adjutant, beautiful, gives great advice, AND HE CAN DANCE?

How dare you.

Your similes and metaphors in this chapter are as apt and visually striking as ever. A particular favorite being Eidna's skirts "swishing out behind her like a windblown sail" as she danced with Jack. I'll never tire of seeing them together. For some reason a lot of my visual library for the clothing in this part of your world was quite muted, so seeing words like "emerald" and "lavender" used to describe the ladies' attire took me aback - I stand corrected!

Favorite line in this chapter was Vikan's moment of self-reflection: "I've wasted so much time bent under the weight of the night, when all of this time I could have been basking in the sunlight."

Chase your sunbeam, Vikan! I believe in you!

Getting Jack's blessing upon his return before making any serious moves would definitely be a good idea though.

"I’ve not witnessed a single act of deference directed toward the Aesnir."

Well, my lad, quite possibly that’s because one of the Aesnir tried to seduce the Kapitan two decades ago, dragged him to the World Bridge, tied him to a spear, stuffed 8 million voices in his head, and can shoulder at least 50% of the blame for his wife going blind. On the other hand, Migg’s words of caution are not without merit - Vikan seems to be pretty quick to write off the guidance of his elders as paranoid. You can be skeptical without being dismissive.

Hearing about his failed betrothal is honestly sad; even if it had gone through, that leaves him as little more than a successful pawn in Knut’s political games. It really does seem like Knut has failed his son in a few key ways, especially after Vikan’s inner monologue about wanting his "old father" back. More lore about Nightwing too, mostly in the form of her son missing her dearly - I'd use her Lansi name but honestly I can't remember what it was. I’d been hoping Jack could give him some of that confidence back, and help him become his own man, but our Kapitan is now off to the Fort. I appreciated his game and chat with Vikan, though - I think he needed to hear that.

The most enjoyable scene, bar none, was the breakfast with the Tyrolsons. I did think Eidna and Jack knew more than they let on about Gisela’s affairs, and I can’t bring myself to feel sorry for her after her relentless assault on Vikan’s sanity.

Favorite line: “I simply love Feastdays.”

Eila’s gloating was notable.
When Jack said it, I laughed out loud.

Yay, Niilo's coming to dinner! Excited to see more of our family friend and resident diplomat. I was about to crack a joke that Aspen will have to fight me for him, but I forgot that the Fyyn take more than one wife. Sadly, the man is simply too fabulous not to have already been claimed many times over.

In other news, YIKES! If I had a list of names for my future goats, I’d be crossing "Frigga" off in a big hurry after that! I’m not sure what Jack's family is trying to accomplish here (although I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with the demon our protagonist was concerned about in the first few paragraphs) but I definitely had a visceral reaction, and I feel quite distressed for the girls. Aspen and Gretel are so young that this moment will live with them long after the chapter’s end, and forgive me if I have my doubts it can be set to rights with a bowl of strudel.

One final note is that your wintery descriptions - though sparse in this chapter - probably left the most distinct impression on me yet.

I love the lore here about Vikan's mother! I can't think of a prettier name than Nightwing, and the symbolism with the feather he wears in his hair is of course quite touching. His conversation with Gretel is depressing, but again, we get a bit more backstory of the Tyrolson family.

Favorite line: "He knew from his own experiences that the girl would have spent a great deal of time working up the courage to ask the question, so he felt compelled to return her query with a satisfactory answer."

This says a lot of things to me about Vikan, and I think I like his rapport with Gretel best of all the sisters! The entire pumpkin patch scene was endearing, and I appreciate your incorporation of our world's Halloween traditions. These two seem to click on a spiritual level; although we need people who are different enough to help us grow (Eila, perhaps?) it's always nice to find a kindred spirit who sees the world the way you do. She seems to be the most introverted in the family, but I don't know if I would call her shy. Perhaps thoughtful, and as noted in the quote, courageous too! I'd be very interested to see what kind of person Gretel becomes in the future, and I do wonder if Vikan will stick around long enough to take on a big brother role for her.

"She'd been uncommonly pleasant since then. Kind. Gentle, even."

That is truly disturbing. We're getting a glimpse of the many masks of Gisela Tyrolson! I think he’s right about her changing tactics. Hope this temporary charm doesn't make him lose sight of her insanity. Men (and women) can be weird like that when it comes to handsome faces.

"Gisela's smile though… it was almost more entrancing owning to its rarity."

I guess it could be considered entrancing - if you like the way a snake shows its fangs before it strikes!

As for the basement... yikes! I wish I could say "mystery solved" but I have only more questions than before – and if I were Vikan I wouldn’t be going back to try to answer any of them, especially after seeing Eidna wandering out of the woods. I wonder if Gisela sent him into the basement to frighten him? Looking at the situation through Vikan's point of view is somewhat disorienting as someone who has followed Eidna through two previous adventures!

It is interesting to me that he finds her irreverence and beauty a sign of witchery; maybe she simply takes care of herself and has some impertinent opinions after living so long on the frontier? I'm not sure how this plays into the magic system in general, but if her youthfulness is indeed gotten by some magical means, I doubt it was gained for free...

If we learned anything from Jack in the Wald, it's that everything has a price, after all.

I can't review this chapter.

I refuse, I give up, I can't with the angst, I'm totally kidding, give me a second to straighten my capotain and dive on in! Be forewarned: I have a lot to say, and as my thoughts are directed at the characters, and not you as a writer, I will be extremely blunt about it.

I'll start with the highlights: Vikan earns a bit of street cred around the Tyrolson 'stead for his translation of the Fyynish words, adding another layer of depth to Feor's story and serving as a reminder of the Disir - lest they be forgot amidst the youthful drama.

Aurvandil seems like a brash and short-sighted sort of person; it was of course heart-wrenching to learn of Feor's backstory, yet his comment was not only callous, but inappropriate as well. Taking "scalps of his own" will do nothing to bring back Feor's parents - with whom he is in no way acquainted - though it does echo Gisela's eagerness to claim a reward for the Itaanfyyn. Seems like either an excuse for bloodshed or just a bumbling attempt at sympathy from a man ill-acquainted with it, neither of which is an appealing character trait. Judging from the look exchanged between Kapitan and Hausfrau, something tells me Jack and Eidna would agree.

Until now we've only gotten words, phrases, and names in Fyynish. I have to ask: are you creating a language?! If so, I tip my capotain to you, for that is a massive undertaking, and not one I feel worthy of attempting!

Favorite line: "You are the guest, after all," the woodcutter smiled, though only a fool would not see the threat in the expression. There's the Jack I know!

Then we encounter a sight that has both Vikan and I scrambling for the eye bleach, as he finds the eldest sister and Aurvandil doing quite a bit more than "swapping spit"! I have to admit I didn't actually think she would take things that far merely to spite Vikan, and the fact that she did tells me everything I need to know as a reader. Whatever my thoughts on Aurvandil's character (they do seem to deserve each other) Gisela came to him for the purpose of making Vikan jealous - hoping he would see it. This is terrible in so many ways, on so many levels, for all parties involved, that it would take me a month of Sundays to list them all here...

It seems there's no genuine love between Aurvandil and Gisela; and lust, while gratifying in the moment, is a hollow foundation for any sustained relationship.

Vikan's response to Gisela's actions was surprisingly measured - perhaps he's wiser than I gave him credit for. I also really enjoyed hearing more details about the belt itself: it gives a face, a history, a family to this otherwise nameless Itaanfyyn whom Gisela shot at the beginning of this story. On the other hand, he's also offered her more information about his talents, inadvertently, which I don't think is wise. He also apologized, which was unnecessary.

"Why won't you just let me hate you?"

She's TELLING him what she wants - behind those thoughtful eyes lurks an infinite well of mind-games. And now we come to the point: Gisela has LOST me. Maybe this was your intention, or maybe I just have some very strong opinions, but if you seek a thrill from breaking hearts, that's more than a step off the edge - and she's well beyond the edge. She's a hundred feet off the cliff and underwater! In short, I no longer care about any tragic backstory or traumas which may or may not have gotten her to this place of self-immolation; if she has no enemies, she will make them, and she will go to the ends of the earth to destroy these fabricated foes - the intimate lives of friends, family, and acquaintance are mere pawns in her elaborate, petty game of chess.

Aspen's tour of the Tyrolson homestead was enchanting! It's nice to see the younger sisters get a chance to shine, and I love the description of her appearing as a "hausfrau in miniature" in her little clothing. Adorable. Vikan preferring the company of children to adults scores him another point with me as a reader.

"He was surprised to see an expression of hurt working it's way across Gisela's face. Her eyes even seemed to moisten. Despite his best effort to suppress it, Vikan felt a stab of guilt." MA-NI-PU-LA-TION.

Gisela was "swapping spit" with Aurvandil not a handful of chapters ago... but she can't allow her younger sister to have a... date, I suppose? alone with Vikan. I wonder if this is merely a side-effect of her own insecurities, if she's unhappy with Aurvandil and wants to broaden her prospects, or if she just enjoys meddling in the affairs of others to the point of sociopathy. All of the above?

Favorite descriptive paragraph is when Gisela descends the ladder with straw stalks in her "wild dark hair" and a "wicked grin" on her "angelic face." If that's not an alarming sight to behold, I don't know what is!

Interestingly, while all of the sisters quibble like siblings are wont to do, Eila seems to bear the brunt of Gisela's spiteful behavior; I think the real tragedy here is that Gisela has a lot going for her that Eila simply can't compete with. They're different, but no less valuable in their own assets. Gisela can shoot better, run faster, and defend her family in a more physically demanding manner; some men are more attracted to that. Eila may need to seek out a physically stronger companion to rely on for certain things in the harsh landscape of Giantia; for her part, Gisela may attract a strong personality who can keep her mentally engaged. Some men would be more attracted to Gisela's physique, as well... having "dimples" in hidden places isn't the be all end all of femininity. But although as a reader I would very much wish for her to embrace her own perks, I think the eldest sister is already too far gone for any such self-reflection. Her only aim seems to be to spoil her sister's fun and destroy her self-esteem, another thing she does seem to be particularly good at.

Having said all that, I can't help but wonder...

What's in the basement?

This might be a long one, because I do have a lot of thoughts where Gisela is concerned, so apologies in advance!

From her introduction, I glimpsed some definitive warning signs (Jack being intimidated by his own child also surprised me) but I filed them away and kept an eye on her instead of leaping to conclusions; there's obviously more to her story and this family than meets the eye. Still, I can't ignore the notion that this is some sort of cluster b personality disorder...

That being the case, should something set her "off," it wouldn't surprise me if she has the potential to take out the entire Tyrolson family and everyone within a ten-mile radius, including but not limited to Jack’s allyship with the Burgmeister.

"Vikan wondered if the girls had told her what happened. The Kapitan simply looked confused." Get a clue, Jack! He’s been living in a household comprised entirely of women most of his life, yet Eidna still sees far more without eyes than her husband, it seems. Also, we get our first glimpse (by mention) of the tomte in this chapter. I’m inclined to think Aspen is in the right over Gretel, as she seems quite perceptive for her age. Does Eidna care for a neighborhood gnome?

Poor Vikan really had no chance, being banished to a household of girls, and now he is clearly up a creek. Despite Gisela’s protestations that Eila was the sibling "spoiled" by nature, the eldest has some powerful feminine wiles which she is currently employing to seduce (assault) the reluctant housecarl. There's a lot of grey area when it comes to flirting games, but not when the other party is so obviously disinterested. Not playing hard-to-get. Disinterested! I'm not sure if it's more to avoid drawing the Kapitan's ire or because he's truly more attracted to the younger daughter, but the reasons are irrelevant.

The dueling confrontations during Vikan's watch were aggravatingly well-written; after the ordeal with Gisela, I found myself rolling my eyes by the time we encountered Eila taking her 'toke,' but she turned out to be a welcome breath of fresh air, and rather helpful as well: I'm glad he'll be getting some help with the firearms! Speaking of, the middle(ish) child is not without a rebellious streak. She keeps her attentions toward Vikan mutual and somewhat sweet, though, whereas Gisela leveraging the wayward sock and asking loaded questions is the sort of petty manipulation that really grinds my gears, as does her little smirk. This makes for some interesting dynamics within the story. It does nothing to endear her to me as a character.

"Why does it feel as if everything thought that strikes my pan is a result of her design?"

Too many red flags to ignore, now!

Favorite line: "As he was making his way toward the bunkhaus - ducking under Frau Eidna's guidance ropes - he saw a small cinder of orange light ignite near the wall of the blockhouse." A beautiful bit of prose, and I enjoy the small, mundane worldbuilding of the guidance ropes for Eidna; a reminder that not only is she blind, but her influences reaches over the entire homestead.

I hope our newest protagonist takes Eila and Niilo's hints to heart, and figures out Gisela's games early, rather than becoming a cautionary tale.

"His father saw tyrants everywhere. On thrones, over villages, at the markets... under the bed." Hah!

So Vikan is Knut's boy! Not a "bastard" child - just a surly one. I'm not fond of his inner monologuing so far, but as I said, he deserves a chance. I empathize with his first night more than I thought I would: I did think Sven's wolfhounds rather charming, but lines must be drawn somewhere, and it's definitely at piss on the walls. Actually, I draw the line at more than one or two cobwebs...

I would not survive a night in the bunkhaus!

Interesting to see Jack as the "Kapitan" from this perspective, more of an authoritative figure than a fatherly one. But nonetheless, it seems to me, patient, firm, and reasonable - though Vikan might disagree after the bucket incident. I also worry about him carrying a firearm without being truly comfortable with using one. That is not something to lie about; that is something to be corrected before an accident happens!

That leads me to my favorite line though: "The oaken stock was smooth with age, and the smell of gunpowder clung to it like cologne." Gorgeous.

"Goodnight uncle."
"Goodnight nephew."

WHAT. You're springing a lot of revelations on the reader; the snowball is rolling now! So Niilo had a sister, who crossed over at some point during Vikan’s childhood... and despite whatever tragedies he and Knut may have been through, it occurs to me that Knut himself is most likely at least halfway responsible for however shiftless or soft he feels his son turned out; not sure how I feel about him passing along the responsibility to Jack! Seems like Niilo is also a major player in Vikan's life - more of a father figure than Knut, possibly? Or at least one Vikan will (hopefully) listen to, especially when it comes to steering clear of a certain sister.

Niilo is a badass, a sachem, an adjutant, beautiful, and now we can add "gives great advice" to the list. What's not to love?

Something tells me this is going to be a coming-of-age story for all of these young people; Eila is adorable with her giggling - more of a "typical" adolescent with that bashfully silly streak, contrasting with Gisela's brazen personality. His glimpse of the sisters beneath the waterfall seemed hazy, as if he had strayed into a dream. The stone pools sound like a place I'd like to visit! Jack and Eidna have really put a lot of thoughtful effort into their homestead. I like and trust Gisela less and less; Eila continues to be my favorite of the sisters, alongside little Aspen.

Vikan, go back for your sock!

Maybe I'm underreacting, but I think he's overreacting - it's not as if he made advances on Jack's daughters. Nobody warned him they bathe naked in the hot springs. To be fair, he doesn't know this family, and his entire introductory chapter has to have made some sort of list as "most awkward first day on the job."

"I may find myself running away with so beautiful a man." So he's not only a badass, a Sachem, and an Adjutant, but beautiful as well? All the stars aligned for this Lansi!

Somebody who hadn’t read Jack in the Wald would miss this, but it is heartwarming to compare Jack and Eidna’s relationship then to now. If Eidna had made a jest about running off with another man a few chapters into the previous installment, I think Jack might have had an aneurysm… now he finds it endearing, because they are, of course, secure in each other and themselves.

Favorite line: "Never have I heard a poem so pretty, Frau Eidna." (I like Sven.)

"The thought of being stabbed with such a blade did not strike Jack as agreeable." The thought of being stabbed with ANY blade does not strike me as agreeable! Although to be fair, I am getting Morgul blade vibes from this thing...

As both reader and writer I greatly enjoyed getting a glimpse into the culture and backstory of the Lansi in this chapter - you are weaving things together at a nice pace, and the Hunter's rage against the "devil Itaan" has been put into proper context after hearing Niilo's speech. "The Lansi are slow to anger but fierce in retribution." Rather like an Ent. Might as well keep the Tolkien references going, at this point!

"Side? I am on nobody's side, because nobody is on my side, little orc."
- Treebeard (and the Lansi)

"...Soon after we lost the boy," Jack replied, a tear forming at the corner of his eye. So Jack has a son after all - in the afterlife. Although this is tragic, perhaps there's a faint silver lining in that at least Roswitha now has a brother to keep her company and ponder the meaning of life with as they wander the worlds...

It's nice to see the calming effect Eidna still has on her husband. It seems she is once again the only thing grounding Jack, as the voices would be happy to make off with him in her absence.

WHAT! Jack can't remember ANYTHING about their year in the Burg of Thurn? Some kind of 'traumatic injury' indeed. This raises so many questions; why did Jack forget? Does he not wonder why and how Eidna lost her sight? Poor Jack; he's always had my heart, but in this instance, I truly feel for him. To struggle with a malady such as that and have no idea from whence the voices came would be truly terrifying! It seems that perhaps Eidna would like to tell him, but can't - I'm not sure why he's refusing to engage in any sort of discussion about the matter, but I think that more will be revealed in the future.

The first part of this chapter was honestly some of the most gripping and well-paced action so far! Allow me to don my writer's glasses and wax eloquent for a moment. First you set the stakes:

1) We're already on edge from their discussion about how to cross in the previous chapter, but now we SEE in broad daylight the treacherous rapids. "The jagged black rocks, slick with wet, dotted the surface of the water above the fall like the collapsed remnants of a broken tower." They are covered in slippery moss, and the cataract is a drop of "sixty feet" to the bottom.

2) Jack starts having second thoughts - as our narrator and primary protagonist, we trust his opinion, and now the seeds of doubt have been sown.

3) Niilo, our rugged giantian tour guide who doesn't seem fazed by much, says, "Is this really the best option?"

4) Sven and Feor are positioned on the stepping path closest to "the verge" to catch the "young ones" out if they fall... so now the unspoken threat has been given voice. We're at the edge of our seats, and they haven't even started to make the crossing!

It's not until Jack has started to cross the rapids that the Shaman, introduced in the previous chapter, makes his second appearance - at the worst possible moment. Immediately after, we're hit with the moment of truth: "The Itaan!"

Everything that happens after this point is the powder keg going off, and it's made that much more explosive thanks to the stage you have crafted for this fight. You are an excellent writer, and maybe nobody else will really take note of that opening passage amid the rest of the action, but the crossing is now one of my favorite set pieces in your Jack stories, all because of the care you put into those opening few paragraphs. Bravo!

I always like to point out my favorite moment or line, and while I already have said quite a lot about the scene as a whole, I think Jack lacing his fingers together to form a step for Gisela and Eila is my favorite "moment." It's manly, it's fatherly, and it's practical; my heart is warm and glowing.

Vikan wins a lot of goodwill from me here! How can I not cheer for him as he pulls my favorite character from the certain death? I suppose the question is whether it was a true act of courage, has no idea of the danger in what he did, or simply cares not whether he lives or dies. If the former, Jack does indeed have a foundation. Another well-written scene.

"He leaped downstream to the path that the housecarls had taken. The Lansi came behind him. It looked as though he had been grazed by a shot; the blue shirt darkened just beneath his ribs."

I had a moment of genuine concern when I read that... I really like Niilo.

"Is that you, Niilo of the Lansi?"

Oh sh*t.

The fact that a single Giant Beaver tooth is almost as large as a breastplate really gives me some sense of the scale of these things! That's jaw-dropping!

"The Lansi stepped out onto the submerged slab and then hopped onto the closest dry rock. He twirled his black-steel tomahawk in his right hand, and in his left he grasped his reindeer antler. The tines shot out from the spaces between his fingers like bone claws, the tips glowing sharply under the young sunlight."

What. A. Badass.

Eila may have a rival for new favorite character!

This is my favorite chapter... maybe tied with the first, because your first chapters are always hard to top. It was heart-pounding and exhilarating, and I didn't even cover everything that was mentioned here - like the Lansi/Itaan rivalry and the mention of the stallo, and the Hunter speaking for Jack, and his eyesight clearing to take the shot!

Fantastic!

I think I'll start with the ending this time: I'm very concerned for Jack about this 'Shaman' persona... seems this chap was absolutely out of his mind. Jack has too much to live for to be cutting "trenches jagged and deep" and delighting in death! These voices are a plague, and his fear that Eidna won't be able to rebuild this mental wall is worrying to say the least. The line at the end where he felt the stars looked back at him reminds me of Jack in the Wald... but also of the Shaman.

Not good, methinks, not good at all.

My favorite line is the one about "two sacred stones - the stone of home and the stone of family." Jack is longing to be back in his own cozy world with his loved ones right now, despite his initial speech to the Burgwehr, and I can't really blame him; but I have a feeling the big picture will become clearer for him and the reader as the story progresses.

I like Niilo, so far. I've heard very little from him, but he intrigues me. He's capable, wise, and decisive - all traits that I appreciate. He also seems to be keeping Jack's troupe out of harm's way, singlehandedly.

The leader of Thane is Alvingstowe? Do I have that right?

"You have quite the set of daughters, if you don't mind my saying so." ...probably not the best way for Knut to lead in to his request...?

What is Eidna going to say when he brings a young lad into their house full of girls? (Come to think of it, what did Eidna say when Jack announced he was planning to march their daughters into a war zone?) I suppose, after the Burgmeister not only did not impale Jack on his broadsword, but has basically lent his cause the use of 1000 men, he can't refuse his request in good conscience; for my part, I'm inclined to believe it's a little late for Vikan. Maybe if he were ten years younger, but his lackluster compliance, sulking anger, and constant napping bothers me. I think the Burgmeister is somewhat blinded by his fondness for this boy...

In my experience, "Lazy" isn't really a trait that can be remedied unless he decides he wants to change himself, and no amount of retroactive "fathering" on Jack's part is going to suffice. Still, who knows? I do like the raven feather in his hair - which seems to be his one redeeming quality at the moment. Maybe Eila and (more likely) Gisela will scare him straight!

Your descriptions of the cold are apt as ever in this chapter, by the way; I can feel the frost on my nose.

"Why in the hells would you show me this?" Hah! I do like both of the housecarls, and it's nice to see more interaction between Sven and Jack! Very sweet that he calls Jack's daughters their little ladies. There's something sort of sad and wistful about Jack saying they must have missed out while they were out felling timber...

It's interesting to me that Gisela is making out with Aurvandil at all - clearly she has some sort of interest in men, and not all of them are frightened off by her aura.

Favorite moment in this chapter is Jack's thought that his luck has run out at last - it's a nice call back to Chapter One, when he nearly fell in the Itaanfyyn bear trap! Seems he has a bit of luck left yet.

I'm sure Knut Earlingson meted out a fitting end of the Kommandant, in his own eyes... harsh as it seems, Leopold Averson took an oath to protect his country, the "Land of Inheritance," and what he has allowed to happen certainly seems to amount to treason. To be fair, a rapier can be quite deadly in the right hands, but Leopold seemed to think of it as more of an accessory to his regalia than something to hone his skills with as a practical weapon, and I doubt if it would have been at all effective against that broadsword, even in the hands of an experienced duelist.

Why is Giantia the Land of Exile, if Giantia is a part of Alrea? Maybe I missed something, or maybe it will be explained later, or maybe it's just a bit of lore that will never make another appearance?

I am, quite frankly, shocked by the ending of this chapter. I had to reread the Burgmeister's final line twice before it sank in that Jack had won him over. "Our enemies will soon learn the folly of prodding the Northern Giant." Especially when the Northern Giant is called home by a man named Jack Simple! And now he has the allyship of at least 1000 men...

His army is growing, but to what end?