"You are the ocean’s gray waves..."

Almost two years ago today I finished playing Fire Emblem: Fates - Birthright, but what would have happened if Corrin did not choose Nohr or Hoshido? Today I begin the journey to find out in starting Fire Emblem: Fates - Revelation. Indeed, the great joy behind all Fire Emblems games is that the plotlines are worthy of books, poignant and heart-shattering often enough, with fully developed characters to pull those heartstrings. Anyway, now it is time to get to the bottom of several mysteries left unsolved in Birthright, as well a likely not so Bottomless Canyon and a lake. And, hopefully, save a few lives I could not before.

"You are the ocean’s gray waves
Destined to seek
Life beyond the shore 
Just out of reach
Yet the waters ever change
Flowing like time The path is yours to climb." - Azura's song

August 22 in the year 3019 of the Third Age

On this date in Middle-earth: on August 22nd in the year 3019 of the Third Age, the Fellowship of the Ring reaches Isengard and there the eight members meet Treebeard. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli bid farewell to Gandalf and the four Hobbits, and Aragorn says that, while some of them may and likely will meet again, never again will they all be together and thus the Fellowship of the Ring is now at an end. Aragorn then returns with his knights to Gondor while Legolas and Gimli head (much to the latter's displeasure) to Fangorn. Gandalf, Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin continue on to the Shire (with Galadriel and Celeborn traveling with them for a time).

The Wheel turns

Usually I do not do this with books, but then few books are as long as The Wheel of Time: a fourteen volume series each book of which is 700+ pages. Hence I knew from the start that I would be reading Robert Jordan for years, and indeed it was the  excessive length (even by my standards) alone that for a decade kept me from picking it up. But I did, and a year ago today I witnessed the tragic death of Lews Therin Telamon, called the Dragon, Lord of the Morning, and lastly Kinslayer. A year ago today I started The Wheel of Time and took the first steps on the great journey with Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, and his friends Egwene al'Vere, Mat Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, and Nynaeve al'Meara. It has been a thrilling ride thus far, a thoroughly enjoyable and truly unique Fantasy, and I am happy to report that the rumored glacial pace has yet to materialize. Of course, having recently started book #6 and hence being less than halfway through the series, I must acknowledge that a year ago I also said that "unlike usual, I do not silently swear to finish this series, but by the Light I mean to try!" A double-oath I mean to keep but, right now and come what may, I have every intention of seeing Tarmon Gai'don through to the end.
Meanwhile and as the Aes Sedai say, the Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills.

I have just started Lord of Chaos

The great journey continues. The Wheel turns.

I have just started Lord of Chaos, Volume #6 of The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan.

War gathers as those Aes Sedai opposed to the Reds remain uncertain regarding Rand, fearful of his growing power, policies, and the fact that he is a man. All despite him being the Dragon Reborn and humanity's one hope. But if the Prophesies say that Rand will break the world then the world seems determined to beat him to it. Yet all pales before the balefire threat hatched in Shayol Ghul, as the Dark One risks the Pattern to slay the Dragon.

Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.

I have just finished The Fires of Heaven

May the Light illumine you, Moiraine Aes Sedai

The great journey continues. The Wheel turns.

I have just finished The Fires of Heaven, Volume #5 of The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan.
"For once the Dragon walks the land, the fires of heaven fall where they will, until all men's lives are ablaze." Thus now do the Rising Sun and Crescent Moon bow to the Dragon Reborn even as the Daughter of the Night fell while the Destroyer of Hope still rules the Golden Bees. Meanwhile the One Man departs in grief as Lion Throne is left empty and the sundering of the Flame breeds a new war. As Rand said to the agreement of Davram Bashere, Marshal-General of Saldaea, "peace is far off yet. It will be blood and death for some time to come."

Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.