Today I returned to Pathogos and the Treasury.  I followed Rachel through the halls and discovered with her that she was out of her depth regarding politics and power, and witnessed her decision to become a player.  She returned me to Ashland, not to the Ashland I know, but the Ashland where Randy has been afflicted. 

I spied over her shoulder as she directed her knights and sought her brother.  I shadowed him as he rode Bolt across the fields and up the mountains to investigate the lights he saw.  I listened as they discussed the situation and shook my head at the duplicity of their private thoughts. 

They see the same situation but they view it with different minds and experiences, and that creates different agendas.  Richard continues awakening to his sister's opinion of him.  He's disappointed but he doesn't want to believe.  He wants her to be as straightforward as he considers himself even as he realizes that he's no longer straightforward. 

She, though, is oblivious and believes Richard remains enthralled with her guidance.  So much of it is part of the next book, though. This novel ends with their relationship just beginning to crack. 

It will take time to crack.  It may not.  There are so many twists and turns that could be followed that I dare not predict what will happen.  They've surprised me and will probably continue to surprise me. 

I feel like this novel is almost finished - again, he adds, laughing.  How many times will a novel be finished before it's done? 

I can compare it to...roasting a turkey. 

Hmmm.  No.  I don't like comparing writing this novel to roasting a turkey.

Baking brownies?  Sure.  The temperature is correct, the time has elapsed and the brownies look good but the toothpick test shows they're not quite done, not quite done when I want them perfect.  Just a little more time is needed. 

Time to go back to Ashland and write like crazy again.