Stories I Found
February 3rd, 2026
In the Deep Places of the Earth
Dear Readers,
Wow! These past two weeks have felt like a whirlwind! Despite not having a car to go anywhere I had a bunch of meetings over the past two weeks. Many good friends have helped me to and from various errands and been generous to either come meet with me within walking distance of my home or virtually via zoom. All that to say, things are really picking up on the consulting side of things and I have two in person consulting sessions in late February and early March. Pile on trying to buy an new car among all of this and things get quite hectic!
Surprisingly, writing has actually been much better over the past two weeks. I seem to have gotten past whatever block I had regarding Chapter 21. It isn’t quite done but really progress was made and I feel confident about finishing it early this week. The slow grind continues.
This Week’s Chapter
Chapter 12 begins exploring the fallout of the interactions between Milyos and Aientas in Chapter 10. These two have big personalities and grand designs. However, fear drives one, while ambition drives the other.
While the tension between Milyos and Aientas drives the tension of Chapter 12, we don’t experience it through their point of view. Rather, we experience it from the perspective of those impacted by the choice that Aientas and Milyos have made. Silnethren and Ikata both collide with head on with the consequences of Milyos’ expulsion from the heavens.
Ikata is forced to make an impossible choice. Aientas’ pride and desire for control over heaven drives many out of their homes and keeps even more from returning. All for a fear that he never confirms. Would Milyos come for the heavens if given a chance? I don’t know. This tale does not tell of such things.
Please feel free to share these newsletters with other people you think may be interested, and leave comments on the chapters!
When Silnethren and Gilsgard arrived at the outskirts of the heavens they found their path blocked by a great wall of grey sandstone rising to the heights of the sky. Each block was a cube with sides the same length as the height of a man. The sides of each block were smooth save for the one facing outward, which was rough and natural. Upon reaching the wall, Silnethren turned to his traveling companion:
“This was not here when I left the heavens, though that was some time ago,” The God of Death said.
Gilsgard approached the wall…
Something Extra!
I think that this choice is pretty self explanatory once you read the Chapter 12. Hades’ wall in the musical Hades Town and Aientas’ wall don’t serve exactly the same purpose. But there are plenty of parallels. Anyway, if you haven’t watched or listened to Hades Town, I highly recommend it.
