It was getting harder and harder to wake each turn. Now the time between turns is getting longer and longer. I know the hands of the clock are ticking louder, the sands are running through my fingers quicker and quicker. I think the time has come to seek out those I call my friends, those I love, those whose faces never leave me.

Half a cycle, maybe a whole cycle at best ...

Each turn I'm finding it harder and harder to wake. When I do it's for less and less time. Moments snatched in between dreams I don't remember.

To be honest, I am not even sure I can dream anymore. The tiredness is overwhelming and I don't think my mind could conjure a dream even if I wanted it to. I have been reminiscing though, going through the last 17 years. Where it all began, how we got here from there .... when you look at it, it almost feels impossible that two people could create such a tether from a chance meeting. Our lives have been two rivers, each with it's own path, meandering, flowing towards their final destination.

We haven't moved from our spot in Caernivale, which overlooks the waterfall and river, for a few turns now. There is something soothing about the roar of the water and I just can't find the energy to drag myself away yet. I know in my hearts there is only one place that I want to be but I know that's not a possibility. I can't quite face up to that quite yet. So, I'm going to stay here and if I don't make my way to Laleldan Square I can pretend for a few more turns that my beloved Observatory still stands.

So, I'm finally back from Ethucan and he was there to greet me. The words no longer a whisper on the wind but a caress of the cheek.

We've a plan, to find a place where we can be together for forever. Doesn't seem that difficult does it but finding that special spot is being very elusive. We've wandered through deserted Halls and so far nothing has come close to what we are looking for ... we know the perfect spot but the Gods closed that particular gate when I chose to follow my heart. I've even had Low and Pallas try and figure out the lock to the gates of The Learned but even their skill and experience isn't a match for a godly lock.

We will find somewhere, I know we will ... we have to ... the sands of time are slipping through my fingers and I want to be somewhere where I can finally rest, contented and at peace.

The warmth of the sand is far too delicious for me to even contemplate moving from, so for now Ethucan is my home. Nothing soothes the soul like the sound of the waves and the wonder of a starry night ...

I've been thinking alot lately. Thinking about my past, all those experiences that have made me me. You said to me not long ago that I'm not the woman you fell in love with. Well my love, you aren't the man I fell in love with either. For starters your hair is more salt than pepper these turns, and that washboard stomach is more ... chuckles as she writes ... Ok, I won't say as you will only get paranoid and spent an extraordinary amount of time staring at your stomach in the mirror. But I love you more this turn than I did yester-turn and far less than I will tomorrow.

See, there is this tether that runs from just underneath your heart all the way to mine. It's been there for an eternity, from the first moment I saw you standing in the Dundee Square. It's spanned oceans and deserts, mountains and valleys, worlds and universes. Sometimes, I've forgotten for seasons and seasons that it's there, connecting us across the ether. Other times, it plays a song of longing like the strings of a lute. That sound, that call, that song is our song. The song that binds us, keeping two halves of a soul together.

Right now my Warrior, you are a world away from me but that tether holds tight, firm, fast. I know that eventually the pull will be too much, the song of yearning too compelling and you will return. You always have, you always do.

In the meantime, I'm starting to think about what I need and what I don't. What makes me me. What is just 'stuff'. I've been slowly going through my bank and sorting out all those things that I've held dear for so many years but which now seem so empty. Every Fall Festival Low had tried to get me to part with my Fall Fest Costume and I'd always said no but I don't need it anymore, so I gave it to him. He will get far more enjoyment out of it than I can now. I've started returning bits and pieces to people, I gave Viv back an old map and I've put aside a shard for Frohste should she need it. Haggie has been weighed down with old books and a ridiculous amount of bonfire toffee ... I have no idea where it came from! There is the most exquisite diamond ring but it's looks out of place next to my old brass ring, I'm not sure yet what to do with it.

They say it's cathartic sorting though the 'stuff', they are right my soul feels freer.

Ha! Best laid plans and all that .....

My initial idea was to head straight to the Tower once I'd been to Ethucan but as is normal with me, my plans changed. It's been so long since I set foot on Ethucan that I thought I would spend a turn or two exploring. I've been trying to remember if we ever came here but I can't recall ... some memories are like smoke, they slip between my fingers as I try to grab hold of them. You though, you have always had a good memory and I am sure you'll write and let me know, or you'll whisper to me on the wind in the dead of night when everyone else sleeps.

The plan now is Ethucan, the Tower and then I think I will head to the Farmhouse. I still have the key safely tucked away in the Bank and I've had word from Davidus at the Port that all is well with the Farmhouse. I am a little concerned by how many cats we now own but at least they might be keeping the mice at bay ... or not!

After that, I'm not so sure. I fancy a trip up into the mountains where I can spend my turns sitting with you by a waterfall.

So it is done. At last, I have visited the trainer for the last time, I won't be going again that's for certain. I know in my heart of hearts that the turns of relentless training are done for me, it's time to let others take up the mantle and become the best mages they can. Don't get me wrong, I've loved every moment of my journey but the time has come to turn my attention to the two things I love more than anything ... you and being an Enchanter. I know you will be waiting for me when the time finally comes for us to be reunited, true love is like that ... never wavering, steady as a rock. But for now, until that time comes, until we set aside those other 'distractions', I'm going to throw myself into my studies. I've much to learn until the time comes ... I know there are secrets to be found.

I'm going to head back to the Tower of Farsight. Even the thought of roaming those floors makes me smile. I can't help but remember the turns we've spent together there, I don't think there was an inch left unexplored. It's odd but being there with your ghost closes the distance between us. When I sit in the Library reading I catch a glimpse of you by my side, when I fall to sleep at night I swear you brush the hair from my face. But until we can be together again I am going to scourer those rooms in search of clues.

I love you ... forever yours

I am ashamed to admit that I don't remember all of their names. People have come, people have gone. My heart has soared, my heart has shattered. But you ... you have always been a constant.

I remember the first time I saw you ... You were holding court, as you so often did, in Dundee Square. Your friendly nature had people clinging to your every word and I just stood and watched you. The warrior in his immaculate armor, eyes dancing around the crowd. I don't think you realised I was there at first but I saw you and from that moment I knew there was a tether that would bind us for eternity.

Even now, you whisper to me in the dead of night when everyone else sleeps .... you tell me that we will be together again, that this space between us will not last forever, that we were meant to be, that you've never stopped loving me.