A message from Kaithlin

Bonsoir mes amies,
Surprise! Two posts in one day. A reminder to all of you that the game you've been playing will end at midnight tomorrow night (Dec. 31st). As yet we have no winner but we have some responses who are so close it makes me want to shout out the answer. But, alas, Dream Teller would have my hide so I'll try to contain myself until we post the answer, and hopefully at least one winner, January 1st.

Many of you will be celebrating tomorrow night so please take care and be safe in all that you do as you bring in the New Year. And speaking of the New Year, we have a lot of exciting things lined up for you; new guests and topics of interest, another game for which a nice prize will be awarded, and (hope you're ready for this) a select few of you who've requested a face-to-face meeting with Dream Teller and/or certain of our guests will receive personal messages in response to those requests. As we've said before, it is not in our best interest to meet with everyone who asks but certain of you who meet the criteria that will be established through personal communications will have that opportunity. Blessed May You Be, Kaithlin.

Guest Speaker

Morning. I'll begin with saying I'm here under protest for a couple of reasons. First, I don't like dragging myself out of my warm bed at this ungodly hour and second, my brain doesn't function at its optimal best at this hour like some early risers I know. Okay, got that out of the way so if one of these disgustingly cheerful people ginning around the office here will be kind enough to keep my source of caffeine topped off, I'll try to come across to you as marginally intelligent.

Let me see, according to the pretty little lady hovering at my shoulder (Kaithlin), I should identify myself. Right; my name is Royce and most who know me consider me something of a renegade; one of the nicer things I've been called. I suppose that description is appropriate since I like to do things my way at my leisure, which includes keeping to my bed until a decent hour. Okay, okay; I've already mentioned that. God, I just hate that some folks can laugh and joke around before the sun comes up. Anyway, since I'm supposed to keep this post to the point so you don't get too bored to read the rest of it (so sue me if I don't pull it off) let me get on with it.

My claim to infamy is that of being a Tracker and what, you might wonder, is that? Just what it implies. I track down those dubious characters who like to think the world and its inhabitants are at their disposal. No, I'm not a bounty hunter looking for the dregs of humanity though I sometimes run across those types in my travels. I don't have the time nor the inclination to deal with that sorry lot but I do, if time and circumstance allows, alert the various law enforcement authorities to their whereabouts. And, yeah, I've been known to leave a few of the worst criminals of the human element slightly incapacitated so they don't take a notion to vacate the area before they're caught.

But capture isn't my game, unless I have no choice in the matter, and believe me when I tell you that not having a choice will really put my nose out of joint ( a mild way of saying what I've been told I can't say here). While I work alone, I'm put on the trail of my quarry by folks who work for the same purpose I do; to protect people like you, as well as other law abiding Kinds, from those types that use their superior knowledge and abilities for ill gain and other selfish purposes.

I know many of you don't believe other Kinds exist and as far as I'm concerned everyone is entitled to believe what they will or won't. But I will say that at some point ignorance ceases to be blissful. What really frosts my tail is when irrefutable evidence of the existence of one or the other of those b------s is staring down someone's throat, yet they still refuse to believe. But that has been going on forever and it isn't likely to change all that much, regardless of obvious evidence. That blind ignorance is what gives legitimacy to what I do. But I digress so let me continue.

One hasn't been where I've been and do what I do without eventually gaining a jaded outlook on life in general. It was my choice to become a Tracker; a choice I made when, at an early age, I lost my father in an unwarranted attack, for no other reason than for being who he was. He was Werewolf; supreme leader of our tribe, and no finer an individual existed. Yeah, that means I'm Werewolf too, and damned proud of that side of my heritage. My mother happens to be a Witch and I'm just as proud of that blood running through my veins. It has never been proven but I suspect both sets of genetics are what make my older brother and me a bit different from others of both Kinds, Werewolf and Witch. Our inherent abilities are more enhanced, such that we are more physically powerful and more mentally capable of performing certain feats than Witch or Werewolf.

If it sounds like I'm bragging, I'm not. I'm just stating facts. Those enhanced abilities serve me well for they make it possible for me to outwit and overpower those of both my Kinds who've gone bad, and hold my own with another Kind that is ordinarily more physically powerful than most (not all)Witches or Werewolves, that being the Vampyre. And a rogue Vampyre is a force to be reckoned with; a fierce fiend without moral or conscience.

I track all Kinds, apart from humans, and when I find them I pass the information on and Hunters of one Kind or another are sent in to do the actual capture and destroy missions so I can move on to the next case. There are times when circumstances have forced me to either capture and destroy, or assist the Hunters, but most times I'm able to avoid being hung up with that end of it. I'm not adverse to being in on the capture and destruction but as there are so few of both Trackers and Hunters to go around, we've all established our boundaries in order to cover all that must be covered.

You get the picture; it isn't the rare event. As time goes on, more and more of those who rarely ventured into modern society are taking up residence here, and those with evil intentions are getting bolder, greedier, and more dangerous. So if you don't want to believe, at the very least take the time to know your neighbors and acquaintances, know where your children are at all times and who they're with (can the crap that you can't keep an eye on them all the time), and use common sense about where you go and what you do.

Whether you know it or not there are many of other Kinds not only looking out for the safety of their own but looking out for the safety of you and yours. So the least you can do is attempt to overcome whatever fears and insecurities you have about acknowledging our existence. Have a good one, Royce.

Dream Teller ponders...

Greetings, All.

First thing this morning I would like to thank all of our guests who have been taking time out of their busy schedules to post messages to our blog. I would also thank you, the visitors, for your support of this site. Through your e-mails you let us know how interested you are in our guests and what they have to say. That, my friends, is what we are all about; teaching about our Kinds, and learning from your Kind.

From the inception of this blog you have learned how quickly things can change (not unexpectedly where we are concerned) and that is why our schedules are always tentative, at best. We do what we can to prioritize and keep things running as smoothly as possible in order to build an ongoing and cohesive site that delivers valuable information, entertainment, and a bit of fun and we thank you for your patience when we are unable to do so.

At the beginning many of our colleagues were skeptical that such a foray into the public eye would do any more than further criticism for our efforts and I have to admit I tended to agree with them. Were it not for the tireless encouragement (brow-beating on occasion) of the younger set among us older ones to get with it and utilize the world wide web, we would not be enjoying the success we have seen thus far. So, I suppose a slice of crow pie is in order and I am sure Kaithlin, that dear heart, will be all too happy to serve it up.

There is a point to be made here. When one gives years of tireless effort in the attempt to set things on the right path and those efforts often seem wasted, one sometimes begins to look at things through jaded eyes. There are many among us who let ourselves (not intentionally) slip into that mode. When you see the things we see, and do the things we do, it tends to sneak up on you, inch by inch, until you wonder why you bother to beat your head against a brick wall. Sound familiar? Happens in every walk of life, no matter your Kind. Some give up, completely, some accept defeat and move on to other things, others go at it from different angles until they either succeed or exhaust every possible angle.

No one of us is immune from failure in some form or fashion but those who succeed are the ones who look at failure as a mere stumbling block in their path to success. Remember my earlier discussion of perception of failure? To give credit where it is due, it is the efforts of our younger generation poking and prodding at us to try alternate methods to reach the public that opened our eyes to the fact that we were allowing our weariness and frustrations to drive us to despair of ever succeeding. We had to learn to listen and recognize the intelligence of the upcoming generation rather than take the tact that our age and experience made us smarter than they.

As we began to close our mouths and open our ears we became aware of how difficult we were making it for our young people to work up the courage to approach us with their ideas. Can you imagine how a young woman of twenty-five years felt about approaching her elders; some of whom are Immortals, others Ancients, and still others a generation or two above her? 'Twas difficult, for we made it so. Thankfully, we (myself included) are learning to give voice and respect to our youth. It would behoove all higher generations of every Kind to climb down off the belief that older is wiser, for then and only then will we discover how well we have taught the next generations.

All of that said was prompted by some of the more recent posts by some of our younger colleagues which I had not had the opportunity to thoroughly read. I have spent the last few hours not only reading but recognizing the maturity and intelligence that inspired them but the value of their messages. I also recognized that our young people are more willing to share their deeper personal thoughts and feelings than their elders; things that give visitors to our site a more indepth look at them as individuals. In my estimation there is no better way than that to give credence to our ways of life and show that while we all have differences, beneath it all, every Kind faces many of the same problems in these modern times.

Some of these young people are in my employ and others work with us on the outside from time to time, but all are representative of what we strive to teach here. While I am often wont to joke about the youthful exuberance and inexperience of the young members of my staff, and our younger guests, I want them and you to know that without them and their insistence to be heard, our efforts would be for naught. They are our tireless driving force, our resistance to accepting failure and defeat and, blessedly, the breath of fresh air we so often need to restore our balance.

So, referencing Kaithlin's post of yesterday you, like me, surely got an eye-opening look at just how a generally fun-loving, happy-go-lucky young woman has a deeper, truer sense for what is more important than skimming the surface of life. She presented to you (and me) the depth of her understanding of an ugly side of life through her own interpretation of the bits and pieces of information that came through this office. Her word picture was powerful; gave one the feel for the children's situation, as well as a sense of what the Warlock who stumbled upon them was faced with and the decisions he had to make to ensure their safety. She let you see that Warlock as a man with feelings and not the ogre that many envision all Warlocks to be.

None who collaborate in these efforts looks for public kudos but sometimes there are those whose efforts deserve publicizing. Along with those I have already mentioned, I feel I must include the Warlock Theiron Dupre in this post. Not only did he stop in after a long and tiring journey and post to this site on Christmas Eve, it was he who left here thinking to make it home for the holiday when he felt the need to detour and check out a place he sensed might yield some clues to the mission he has been on for some time. Imagine his shock at finding what he accidentally found; four abandoned, starving children.

I spoke with Theiron late last evening and he told me he has no doubt that his being in the right place at the right time was pre-ordained. In other words those children were fated to survive what few little ones could have survived. We believe the Fates have something special in store for each of them and he was fated to set them upon their path. Others of you might call it a God-thing or the work of some other Diety and that is fine; as it should be, but the fact remains that some higher power was looking out for them. Some of you will wonder why things were allowed to go so wrong for the innocents before they were found and I say to you that is not ours to question.

At this posting the children's father has not been found. While many will think nothing can absolve him from his sin I caution you against judging without any clear evidence of what actually prompted his actions. Mayhap he went out to find food and met with death in that dangerous swamp, mayhap he simply walked away from his troubles but until, if, he is found it is best left be.

I hope you have found something of value in this posting. Ponder and Blessed May You Be.

A Christmas story that must be told.

Bonjour mes amies.

I hope everyone enjoyed a blessed and safe holiday. To those whose families were held up by weather and other extenuating circumstances, take comfort in knowing that while holiday plans were skewed at least your loved ones are alive and well. Easy to say? 'Tis not a matter of saying but of getting past frustration and anger and looking at the broader spectrum. Certainly, most of us wish for family, home, and hearth at this particular time of year but lest you forget, control of every aspect of our lives 'tis not in our hands.

Who wouldn't like the prospect of smooth sailing in all that we want and do? But if you think about it mayhap you will realize that such a prospect is no more than a whimsical ideal. No one of us has had, or will ever have, ideal situations whenever we want them. Life is about change and uncertainty and how we handle those. One can lay blame for obstacles in our paths at the feet of the airlines or any other entity, person, place, or thing but that doesn't change the fact that a greater power than the lot of us, or any one of us, is in sole charge in the broad scheme of things.

While some of you sit around grumbling, griping, and threatening to take someone or something to task because your holiday didn't go as planned, there are others who have the common sense to take things in stride and be thankful for what they have. Still, there are others who had nothing to look forward to because they have no one to share time with and no food, shelter, or warm clothing; let alone the prospect of gifts and giving. And how sad is that when the rest of us have so much?

To be sure, some of you don't want to hear that because you are so caught up in self to care that skewed plans are but a miniscule matter in the scope of things. I bid you take care that your selfishness doesn't come home to roost. Aye, it is obvious I'm put out with the gripes and grumblings splashed across the television screen and I will tell you why. This past week a family of four children were brought to Dream Teller's attention by a colleague who inadvertently stumbled upon them and this is what he found.

Four brothers and sisters, ages four to eleven, abandoned and left to fend for themselves in a hovel that wasn't suitable for a pig STW. When our colleague happened upon the scene the three youngest were huddled together on a filthy piece of a blanket in a corner, trying to keep warm. Those children were too cold and hungry to be cautious of the stranger that entered their door, in fact, they showed no emotion at all when he went over to them. He described them as looking and acting like whipped pups who'd lost their will to survive. As he worked to get them talking he took off his coat and covered them. The oldest girl who is nine years old moved aside and tucked his coat around her two younger siblings; the four-year-old and the six-year-old then she looked up at him and told him that they needed it because they were 'little kids' and she'd be fine without it.

You can imagine (I would hope) that her gesture nearly broke his heart. He called her 'little mother' when he spoke to us. A nine-year-old girl caring for her siblings in those circumstances, at her own expense, is an image branded into my brain for all time. Little mother told him that their older brother was out looking for food for them to eat. When he questioned her about her parents whereabouts the child told him they had no mother and their daddy just didn't come home one day. She didn't know how long they'd been alone; just that it was "a long time".

That hovel was in the middle of nowhere and the child had no idea where the nearest town or person was. It was obvious to him that the child didn't go to school and equally obvious that no one even knew those children existed. As our colleague was on a covert mission he had no vehicle nearby and very little food on his person (a couple of candy bars and some gum) which he gave them while he gave some thought about how to handle the situation. He found some matches and as he was building a fire in the old fireplace he asked little mother why the older boy hadn't kept a fire going to keep them warm. She told him that they were saving the matches for when her brother caught something he could cook for them. Needless to say that wasn't often.

When the older boy returned and saw smoke curling from the chimney he rushed inside and was berating his sister for wasting matches before he realized the stranger was there. When he saw him he dropped the rabbit he'd trapped and rushed the stranger, fists flailing in his effort to protect his siblings. It took our colleague several minutes to subdue the boy enough to make him understand he was no threat but there to help them. Our colleague spent three days taking care of them until he was satisfied they were well enough to leave them there long enough to go for help. The immediate problem was that the older boy feared that if someone came for them, he and his siblings would be split up and there was the real possibility that if our colleague left them alone to go for help, the boy would take his brother and sisters and hide out in the woods. He knew that without shelter the children wouldn't survive a night in those woods so he gave the boy all the assurances he could that he would see to it that they remained together. It took some careful consideration to convince the boy to believe him and it pained him to tell the boy that without help the younger children would die.

Our colleague praised the child for his efforts then told him he'd done everything he could possibly do for his family and now it was time to let adults take over. That was when that stern-faced, proud little man became the exhausted little boy he really was and threw himself into our Warlock's arms and wept like a baby. The boy crawled under that big, warm coat with his siblings and our Warlock tucked them up tight, fed the fire, and with a heavy heart he left four little children alone to go for help.

I'm happy to say that when the Warlock returned several hours later with three of his colleagues in tow, the children were there waiting to be rescued. The men fed them a meal, dressed them in new clothes, coats, hats, and mittens and then each man carried a child away from that God-forsaken hovel and out of the woods to safety. By the time they all arrived in New Orleans, Dream Teller and some of her colleagues had networked by phone and internet and a warm home with a caring couple was waiting to give four little children a whole lot of love and a new life.

Every one of us involved in that rescue, even in the smallest way, were given a special gift this Christmas; that of knowing four little abandoned children had somehow managed to stay together and keep themselves alive until someone could get them to safety. Were it not for a greater power than we, they might not have been discovered in time. The Fates, God... Whatever deity you believe in, mayhap you should go to your knees and give thanks for all your blessings. Suddenly, skewed plans don't seem so big a deal do they? Blessed May You All Be, Kaithlin.

Danger lurks in unexpected places

Ghosts of Christmas past... What is it about the day after Christmas that causes some folks to go through a swift personality change? I'm not referring to the blues, depression, or things of that nature that commonly come upon some after the holiday. I'm talking about a startling change where one who appeared warm and caring and considerate of others abruptly becomes cool and distant; unreachable. Know someone like that?

Hello, my name is Whitney and I'm pleased to be here with you. Like many of you, I'm an Outsider. At Dream Teller's request I'll speak to you about what it is like to suddenly wake up one day and find that life has done a complete 360 degree turn such that one doesn't realize what has taken place and doesn't know where to go or what to do. That is the best way I know how to describe what happened to me two years ago.

At the time I was nineteen years old and a happy, carefree college freshman living away from home for the first time. I'm the youngest of five siblings from a close knit family and I thought at that time the world was at my feet. I grew up with strong Christian values and my parents had prepared me for all those usual things a girl should look out for when on her own; or so we all thought.

At the end of my first week away I was comfortably established in my own apartment close to school and going through that first week of settling into classes, and meeting the new people who would become part of my new world. At the outset I met several people, both males and females, who were part of a group of various ages that hung together. I was pleased and excited to be taken among them, as a friend. They were fun and seemed so nice since they showed me around school, told me which of my professors were good teachers, and not, took me around town and pointed out places to go and not to go, and things of that nature. I fell right in with them and soon felt quite the adult who was capable of making informed decisions that were best for me. Suffice it to say that this sheltered little girl didn't have a clue what she was getting into.

First, they gave new meaning to the phrase, 'party animals', and while I was nervous about that I just considered it was part of adult life which I'd never experienced. My concession was to remember to keep one foot on solid ground while I sampled a taste of freedom to do things I'd never been introduced to. The footing got shaky pretty fast. But I was keeping my grades up and thought I was doing well at keeping to my values while I played along with my friends. As Halloween approached I was caught up in the feverish making of plans for the party of all parties (our group had nothing to do with school sororities and such) to be held at a friend's home. Needless to say I ignored subtle misgivings I was having and when the big night arrived I donned the modern Witch's costume (I looked up Witch's sites on the internet to learn what was appropriate) I'd made and stepped out to join the fun.

That evening I met a very attractive man who turned out to be very interested in me. He was obviously older than me; well past my youth, but I was starry-eyed at finding myself his sudden attraction. As the party swelled with guests I'd no idea would be there, much to my relief he steered me clear of the heavy drinking and drug use going on. We spent the entire evening talking and getting to know one another as we moved about finding places apart from the others; unoccupied corners, the porch, and so on. Things really revved up around 11:00 p. m. To the point that they were getting out of hand and when he told me I was too nice a girl to be amidst those sorts and he asked me to go somewhere quiet for coffee I jumped at the offer. Still believing I was handling myself and the situation well, and remembering my parent's cautions, I didn't leave with him but drove myself to our destination. Smart, huh? Wrong. That was when my life began taking a different direction without me being aware that it was happening.

Call it the Witch's night or whatever else Halloween represents but I was too caught up in him and his sophisticated ways to recognize the odd vibes he gave off were signals that I wasn't dealing with an ordinary individual. He'd come to the party dressed all in black and when I asked him what he was supposed to be he told me he was a Warlock. I thought that was so cool being that I had chosen to represent a Witch. We met at the coffee shop where we talked well into the next morning. Of course the conversation went from the ordinary to the extraordinary and I was surprised at how much he seemed to know about real Witches, as well as other Beings outside my realm of knowledge, and eager to listen to all he had to impart. By the time he suggested I should go home and get some rest, my head was swimming with all that information. He gallantly followed me to make sure I got to my apartment safely, walked me to the door, and left me with a chaste kiss on the brow and the promise that we would meet again. I was smitten and could hardly contain my joy at the idea of a real date with him.

My dreams that night were of him and all he'd told me. I didn't hear from him for nearly a week and just when I was beginning to think I'd imagined his personal interest in me and was feeling rather sad, he phoned to tell me he'd been called out of state. We didn't talk long but he warned me against hanging around with my friends and urged me to be cautious of things they would pressure me to do and places they would want me to go with them. I would have agreed to anything once he promised he'd see me on his return. Two weeks passed without hearing from him and as the next week began I'd convinced myself he'd been toying with me. I went back to seeing my friends and falling in with their plans. I'm ashamed to say I was foolish enough to follow wherever they led and by Thanksgiving I was caught up in the whirl of role-playing and going to places I shouldn't have gone.

One of many such places was a bar where everyone pretended to be Vampyres. I thought it a hoot, for even though he'd told me such Beings existed, I quit believing it, as I'd begun to believe the night he'd told me of them; a huge mistake on my part. There, I met a dazzlingly handsome man and since I was feeling let down by the other, I was literally and figuratively swept off my feet by the second admirer. We began dating and much to my middle-class values I was swept away by the high class places he took me, the expensive cars he drove, and the wealth and privilege surrounding us at every turn. People seemed to fall under his spell and treated him like royalty. He catered to me as if I was the only woman in the entire universe and I sucked it up with the fine wine, thinking I'd met the man of my dreams. He, too, gave off strange vibes but I was immune to them at that point and so didn't see what was coming.

My first admirer called on several occasions but I refused to return the messages he left on my answering machine. I was too happy to bother with a man who would only (I thought) deign to call at his convenience. I'd no idea I was changing from a sensible, caring person into a cool, aloof person who hadn't the time of day for anyone but my man and I even dodged calls from my family. He loved that I put him above all others so you can imagine my complete surprise when the holiday season rolled around and he encouraged me to go home, as planned, to be with my family. I was a bit put out that he didn't want to spend Christmas with me until he suggested he'd like to meet the parents who'd produced "my beautiful Whitney" (his words) and the rest of my family. I was on cloud nine for I just knew what was behind his suggestion.

I did go home and when I told my family about him they could see what he meant to me, and they were eager to meet him. He called me every night for two weeks then the night rolled round (Christmas Eve) when he was due. I'd no idea my family were puzzled by the change in me and they kept it to themselves, thinking it had everything to do with the privileged circles I'd been moving in. And while they weren't altogether pleased with my new cool, sophisticated image I would later learn from my oldest brother that they figured the 'baby' would soon settle down and return to being herself.

Jacob arrived right on time and he and my family seemed to get along fine, except for he and my sister closest to my age. She was instantly suspicious of him and though he behaved like a gentleman, I knew he deliberately antagonized her in subtle ways. When we managed a moment alone, my sister accused him of being too slick, too underhanded, and said he was too old for me. We wound up in a quiet but heated argument and I accused her of being jealous of my good fortune, which drove a wedge between two sisters who'd never fought before.

I spent Christmas day at home and when Jacob arrived that evening we visited awhile then he proposed that I leave with him and go to meet his family, two hours away. My family wasn't happy to see me go so soon but when my brothers and sisters put up a fuss, my parents intervened and said I was a grown woman and could make my own decisions. We left with me not knowing it would be the last time I would see any of my family alive. Long story made shorter, when we arrived at the mansion that looked like something straight out of the gothic era I discovered he had no family in residence (learned soon after that he had no family at all). He charmed me and told me he felt uncomfortable at my family home because of my sister, whom he said had gotten him alone and attempted to put the make on him. That pretty much sealed the deal for me and I wasn' t angry for the deception but thrilled he'd brought me to one of his homes to be alone with me (we'd never been completely alone before).

I never thought to question the many things that gnawed at the edge of my brain from the time I'd met him, like why a man of his station was hanging out in a bar of the caliber where I'd met him, why he never met me except after dark, and of late, how he happened to conveniently have a home near mine. I believed myself in love and those things and more were far from important to me. He did everything right when it came to pulling the wool over my eyes, even to dropping to one knee and producing a beautiful ring while he asked me to marry him. Why didn't the warning bells go off? I don't know but they didn't. I eagerly accepted and when he did the gentlemanly thing and told me he'd best put me up in a motel because he was so madly in love with me he wouldn't be able to keep his hands off me, I did the 'I'm so in love I'm stupid with it' thing and declined the offer. I was so far gone I didn't want him to keep his hands off me, which I told him and which of course brought a wonderful smile to his handsome face.

Ever heard that God takes care of kids and fools? Well, the good Lord was dealing with one who happened to be both a kid and a fool. Jacob escorted me to a beautiful suite and left me to change into the 'gift' he just happened to have left in the bathroom for me (in case I stayed). I'd just opened the lovely gift box and was admiring the exquisite French silk gown when I got the first real shock of the night. A voice whispered to me out of nowhere, one that seemed familiar, and told me I was in terrible danger. It took me a moment to get over that and once I looked around and assured myself I was alone, it dawned on me who the voice sounded like. Then it came again and told me to hide very quickly and not come out no matter what I heard. I felt the hair raise at my nape and a chill raced up and down my spine as I recognized the voice of my first admirer. I don't know what made me believe him, instinct I think, and I ran from the bathroom into the bedroom and began frantically searching for a hiding place. I was still searching when all hell broke loose a floor below.

I can't begin to describe the horrible noises I heard; like an animal growling and screeching, but not one of this world. I simply froze there on my hands and knees between the wall and the bed. I don't know when I crawled under the bed or how long I lay there huddled up, crying and listening to the terrible racket that seemed to permeate every square inch of that huge house, but it seemed to go on forever. I do know that dawn was breaking when I heard footsteps cautiously approaching the bed and I began praying to God that whatever had come to take me would do so, quickly. As silence fell, nineteen years passed before my eyes and then I was wishing I was safe at home with my beloved family. I heard those footsteps again and a strange calm, resignation I guess, came over me as I saw the toes of a pair of black boots come to stop in front of my eyes. I knew then I'd been found and conscious thought deserted me.

When I awoke again it was dark and I was strapped into the front seat of a moving vehicle. Dazed and confused, it took me several minutes to come to the realization that not only was I alive, I was not with Jacob but being spirited through the night by my first admirer, Theiron Dupre. Yes, the same Warlock who visited with you here on Christmas Eve. I was terrified beyond imagination; wondering what had gone on back at that house, what the man at the steering wheel really was, and what had happened to Jacob. As I was a captive audience I kept my mouth shut and prayed every prayer I'd ever learned, and even made up a few for good measure. We didn't speak for over and hour, until I realized we were within a half hour of my parents' home.

That was when Theiron began talking in a quiet, soothing voice while he continued driving. He is a man who doesn't waste words and I learned in short order what Jacob was, an honest- to-God Vampyre, and what his intent had been. Theiron had been hunting him for three years, following the trail of young women's bodies Jacob had left in his wake. The night I met Theiron he'd come to the Halloween party thinking Jacob might show up, as it was a perfect opportunity for him to find his next toy; someone like me. As it turned out, Jacob made his move on a sorority party and Theiron took me for coffee where he tried to warn me away from such gatherings. All that time I'd thought he couldn't be bothered with me, Theiron was trying to locate Jacob after another girl turned up dead. He truly did leave town and then the state, following the false trail Jacob laid for him and when he returned to discover I was gone and that I'd been in Jacob's company for several weeks, Theiron followed our trail. He missed us by only an hour but what he found let him know my time was nearly up.

As gently as he could he told me that my entire family had been murdered and that he was taking me home to meet with the police who were still there. I will never forget how numb I felt when we drove up to that bizarre sight of several police cars lining the road and men in uniform prowling around my family home. The house sits on five acres surrounded by woods and the nearest neighbor is approximately a mile away so no one heard what went on. Theiron had coached me on what to say; to keep to the exact version of what had transpired at Christmas, except with him in place of Jacob. I was too grief-stricken and terrified to understand why and he told me that the police wouldn't believe me if I told them I'd brought a Vampyre into my family home; one that I couldn't produce since Theiron had disposed of him.

Two years hasn't dimmed the pain of my loss but Theiron has helped me get past the feelings of guilt I had that I caused my family's horrible deaths. I had no way of knowing what Jacob was or that he would send in his underlings to rid me of the family that would have put out a description of him; an image he'd cultivated for his evil purposes, when I disappeared. The worst of it is knowing that Theiron had to take it upon himself to make certain that none of my family had been 'turned' before he left the scene to search for me. I saw the carnage and I will never forget there are monsters in this world that few can believe exist. Perhaps this all sounds like a ridiculous, outlandish tale to you but I assure you it is reality. I know because I'm living proof and if it hadn't been for a wonderful man whose business it is to hunt those monsters down and protect the innocent, I wouldn't be sitting at this keyboard putting my story into words for you.

As the Fates would have it, something good came to me out of that horror. I'm happily engaged to my first admirer; a wonderful man who happens to be Warlock. Theiron has suffered his own tragedies, lost a wife and young son, but that is his story to tell, or not. I will be twenty-two to his thirty-five this spring, a week before I graduate university. A week later we will hand fast and celebrate in the way of the Witch and the following morning we will marry in my faith which is Baptist then we're off on our honeymoon to a location he has kept secret from me. But knowing him as I do, I'm certain it will be a special, romantic place where we can be alone, just the two of us, and I can hardly wait.

I hope my story hasn't been too long and that I've given you food for thought; especially young women on their own who think they can take care of themselves. Be safe, Whitney.

Passing through...

'Tis the season...I'm the Warlock Athen Breaux coming to you on this Christmas day. Just checking in before I head for Louisiana and a big Cajun style Christmas with the family. The office here at Dream Teller's abode is very quiet, as her staff has headed in different directions for the holiday. From the looks of things Dream Teller will make it home in time to spend Christmas with her family; a good thing to be sure, since she has been so busy with other's problems.

The quiet here affords me the opportunity to reflect upon the many blessings me and my family enjoy and I'm looking forward to being with them, soon. I've been away from home most of the last three months except for the few times I've been able to get home for a couple of days of downtime. I hope all of you make it home to your loved ones to share the holiday with them but let us not forget those who have no one, most particularly children. I had the opportunity to visit some children's shelters during my travels and the number of little ones without family never fails to touch me deeply. It humbles me at how resilient many of them are and how they manage to get on with the business of life, regardless of their circumstances. So when you sit down with your family I encourage you to offer a prayer for all the innocent children of the world and to look upon yours and know the blessings of those special gifts entrusted to you.

I hope to visit with you from time to time during the coming year in the effort to promote this site and, hopefully, offer you some valuable information that will help you to understand what we are trying to accomplish. Like Dream Teller, I believe there are many Outsiders who are eager to learn about us and other Kinds and who will be willing to join in our efforts. In the coming year a few of you will get to know us on a personal basis and we look forward to that, as we need all the assistance we can get. We can't accept help from everyone who makes the offer but we do appreciate the offers that come through this office by e-mail and we thank you.

By the way, I've been following the game clues Dream Teller is giving you (my wife keeps me up on those) and as yet I haven't figured out the answer, either. But I hear some of you are getting extremely close so I wish you the best of luck. Enjoy your holidays and Blessed May You Be, Athen.

Guest Speaker

Bonjour, I am the Warlock Theiron Dupre and I am filling in here at Dream Teller's request. The holiday season is a busy time for all and doubly so for Dream Teller. She was called away last Monday to attend a meeting and now she is presently working to find shelter, food, and clothing for some abandoned children. She will most likely be tied up until after Christmas and asked me to send her best wishes to all and that postings to her blog will be delayed.

I will attempt to answer some of the e-mail Kaithlin was unable to attend to last Monday, as she accompanied Dream Teller and is working with her. You will find that I am blunt; sometimes brutally so, for that is my nature. So we begin...

To Tori in Virginia: Life is what it is but there is no excuse for opting out of making decisions simply for the fact that that you don't like the choices you have. Grow up and stop whining for there are many far less fortunate than you.

To Clifton in South Carolina: What I think is that you are playing with fire. According to the information you provided you have no way of knowing what, if anything, is going on in that residence. The fact that the man lives in a remote area and comes and goes at night doesn't mark him as Vampyre. 'Tis a foolish man who takes it upon himself to judge another for those reasons you seem to have taken into your head. 'Tis an even more foolish one who sneaks around private property and stalks an individual who may or may not know what you are about. If he is Vampyre he knows what you are up to and I promise you the worst thing you can do is what you're doing. Leave him be before you either wind up in jail, or worse. If he is Vampyre he is playing with you, biding his time, and depending upon his nature he will either put the fear of God into you or if he is a rogue you can kiss life goodbye. Back off.

To Greta in Georgia: Don't get caught up in the role playing my dear. Mayhap they make it appear exciting but sounds as if things are getting out of hand. As a Witch myself, I can assure you that those sorts of games are extremely dangerous and you don't want to be there should one of their little exercises backfire on them. Those whom they call upon will be all too happy to get their hooks into them and believe me there is no backing out when one reaches that point. The Black Arts aren't fun and games but a highly dangerous proposition to be fooling around with.

To Shenay in Louisiana: Mayhap you should rethink the question. If he requires your complete loyalty without you having any say in the matter I would be the first to caution you on that point alone. Take care he doesn't separate you from family and friends for I'm thinking he is more into abuse than love. No man worth his salt should demand that his woman do as he says, without question. As to whether or not he is a Warlock, I have no way of knowing but if he is, according to the information you provided he is not one you want to deal with. Warlocks are, as a matter of course, blunt, aggressive, and somewhat aloof but those of us who hold sway with the path of right do not try to bend others to our will; not even Outsiders such as yourself. Take care he is not just telling you he is Warlock to beef up his image.

To Donna in Washington: Depends upon what you wish to achieve. Covens provide one with support and a sense of belonging with one's own Kind. The Witch who goes his or her own way is responsible only to self and that is the way I prefer to practice my craft. However, I do assist certain Covens when I'm needed, as I can, and thus I have the best of both worlds but for the most part I prefer going my own way. Ask yourself what your needs are; what price you place upon your privacy, whether you can work within a group or if you are at your best, alone. You might wish to consider the Coven's laws before you make any iron-clad commitment. Some are extremely rigid where others allow a certain amount of freedom for it's members to work with. Either way, it has to be what works best for you.

To Lane in Texas: A Warlock is a male Witch but it is the degree of skill and power which sets him apart from other male Witches. Most Warlocks come into their own in their mid to late twenties but there are some who recognize their path earlier on, some later on. A Master Warlock is one who has attained great skill and power over time and through much intense study and refinement of his craft. There are only a few Masters the world over and only five in the United States, although there are some who claim that status with nothing to back it up but their mouths and egos. Warlocks often find themselves the 'hunted' for there are always those young males who wish to make a name for themselves by taking out a particularly powerful, well-known Warlock. But the Masters face the greatest danger, for they are feared for their power and skills by other Kinds as well as their own. Of those five, two practice the Black Arts and are considered extremely dangerous by their peers, as well as all Witches. If you visit this site on a regular basis you have heard from one of the Masters; one of the best and most powerful, Gregory. I 've enjoyed a long and pleasurable friendship with Gregory and I find him to be one of the most honorable of his Kind.

To Tate in Michigan: 'Tis most difficult for a Witch and an Outsider to forge a lasting relationship but it can be done. Being the Outsider, you will find, of necessity, that you must give over more than she will. The Witch's life requires of her many unusual things, not the least of which is loyalty to her way of life. You must be the kind of man who can allow her to go where she must, do as she as must, and support her rather than question her or throw up roadblocks. If you haven't an even temperament, a willingness to give her freedom, and a love for her strong enough to withstand jealousy of her time and cohorts then such a relationship cannot survive. By the fact that you question the type of relationship I would assume that you don't know her ways and I suggest that the two of you sit down and lay things out, clearly, before you jump into something more serious.

To Bethany in New York: Young lady, the streets of your city are littered with the very young who are seeking to make their own way, and few make it. No matter how you look at it, fifteen is a child and aye, 'tis a hard age but the problems you've stated can be overcome without running away from home. I come to New York fairly often and I've seen what happens to young girls on their own. If the street pimps don't get you, other predators will. Dark allies, crack houses, bad neighborhoods with every kind of predator one can imagine are all out there waiting for you; the innocent who thinks she has it so bad. Stay home where you are safe and sound and talk things out with your parents, or go to your school counselor, minister, or someone who will have your best interests at heart. Think before you act and take it from me, life on the street makes your problems look good. Take care.

Happy, safe holidays to all of you.

A peek into an unusual space...

Bonjour mes amies.

'Tis Monday again; that dreaded day many wish could be taken right off the calendar and dropped to the bottom of the trash can. Hmm, it does seem to come round more often than the rest of the days of the week, doesn't it? Ah well, who knows who started the idea that Monday should bear the burden of our dislike just because it ruins the progress of a perfectly good weekend and is the start of a new work week? Double, double, toil and trouble... Anyway, such is life and the work week has to start somewhere, so Monday it is.

We received some very interesting e-mails this past week ( most weeks) and the workings of the mind never cease to amaze me. Some of you with the gift for words send us beautiful poetry, others with artistic talent send us breathtaking sketches, and others of you send us your thoughts, which are equally awesome. All of those things inspire us in many ways and some of them find their way onto the walls of Dream Teller's office; that hallowed sanctum those of us who work here feel privileged to enter.

As I was perusing her private gallery this morning it dawned upon me that, as little about her is known to the public, mayhap you would enjoy a glimpse into the place where she spends the majority of her time so you can get a better 'feel' for our beloved Dream Teller. And since Monday is my day to choose a topic, if I so desire, before we get to our e-mail answers I thought I would paint you a word picture of her personal space. So here goes...

First and foremost, color takes precedence over all in her space. As we all know colors are important to the way we think and feel and Dream Teller is an avid proponent of making one's space speak of one's personality while providing a calm, restful atmosphere. Now you have to remember that she isn't one to follow the decorating gurus' strict guidelines pertaining to color and accessories so the latest trends are meaningless to her. While those decorators have their place in the scheme of things, Dream Teller believes that when one turns one's space over to another, it often fails to reflect personal likes and needs and becomes an impersonal place rather than a haven.

Think in terms of cool, subtle blues and silver as basic background (walls, ceiling, and trim) that meld and flow to give one a sense of sky and water. Add powerful punches of jeweled amethyst, forest green, and burgundy suedes, silks, and velvets for accessories (throw pillows, floor pillows, and throw covers) with just a splash of ebony against draperies that appear to drip to the hardwood floor in gray and mercury. Can you see it thus far? Okay, now see in your mind's eye heavy mahogany and cherry-wood furnishings reminiscent of an old English library. Antique barristers book cases with glass doors line one wall from ceiling to floor; a large desk with clean lines sits at an angle facing out to the room from one end of the book case; a Chesterfield sofa and matching wingback chairs covered in oxblood leather that forms a comfortable seating arrangement around an octagon shaped coffee table with a rough black slate top that sits on the octagon shaped wood round supported by bowed wrought iron legs atop another wood round, in the center of which is a shallow brassier bowl of cast iron.

Add the leather desk chair, a couple of occasional chairs in fabrics that match the drapes and pillows and you have what would appear an elegant office were it not for the personal objects and artwork that soften the atmosphere. Dream Teller is a collector of whimsical pieces, faeries; dragons; unicorns; magicians, and such. Very few are the average things you find in the open market and it is near impossible to describe those that aren't so I will just say that the features of those are both life-like and elusive at once. The crowning touch is the large waterfall built into one corner, complete with live plants and trees, for the effect of a forest from which elves, faeries, and gnomes peek out from their hiding places. At night strategically place lights wink on and off like stars in the night sky and the sound of rushing water gives one the sense of being outdoors.

So you see, our Dream Teller's charming space lends itself to her creative writing while it provides a comfortable haven for herself and her unusual visitors.

Sorry, gotta go, as something important requires my attention. I will answer e-mails on the morrow, Kaithlin.

Look beyond the obvious...

Greetings, All.
Some of you have e-mailed to let me know you enjoy the mix of visitors that pop in and speak with you while others would prefer to know who to expect in advance and what their topic might be. The whole idea behind this forum is to give voice to a wide range of unusual topics that would not otherwise find their way to a broad audience, while providing safe haven for our visitors. A professional format complete with dates, times, and names of speakers and topics might appeal to some and I respect that but not only is that near impossible, it limits what we strive to achieve here. It was never my intention to 'operate' in a business-like manner, for this is not a business.

There are times when I am able to let you know when a particular individual is expected and what topic that individual intends to offer you, but by now those of you who access our site on a regular basis should realize that we are not dealing with ordinary people who can schedule their appearances. Just as I am called away, unexpectedly, or have to abandon my daily post for something important that arises without notice, so are our visitors. One must remember that my guests do not lead 'ordinary' lives, as many of you do. The majority of them lead dual lives; one foot in mainstream society, and the other in their own. They do not enjoy the luxury of weekends off from jobs, or scheduling a calendar of events they wish to attend, or lounging around their homes and doing as they please, when they please.

Take the Warlock Gregory Robicheaux, for instance. He owns a large, working ranch that requires his attention (his main livelihood); speaks at functions geared to various charities; presides over the largest coven of Witches in the lower United States; is often called upon to deal with personal problems of those under his protection; deals with dangerous predators who threaten his people, as well as Outsiders; is a sitting member of the Council of Alliances; and with all of that he somehow manages to fit all of those things around his family duties. Gregory is Warlock but he is also human and being the latter, he has to find time to rest and recharge his batteries. His wife, the Sorceress JoHaunna, along with many of the same duties as he, sees to it that they have private and family time.

Others, such as the Vampyre Garth de Roderick, are even more limited for time, for obvious reasons. Can you possibly imagine how difficult it must be to fit into the hours of darkness what you and I have twenty-four hours at our disposal to allot as we choose, along with his other duties? Mayhap you now better understand their situations. As you read their posts notice that besides the valuable information pertaining to the topic, contained within those are the scope of what is required of them in terms of time and travel pertaining to what they happen to be working on at the moment. I have known many of them, like the Vampyre Roman MacAllistaire, to spend weeks and months tracking dangerous predators, and all while being limited for daily time. I have known Roman to agonize over his inability to prevent a disaster at a given moment because the forced rest does not allow him to be there at that time.

So, what say you now about a surprise appearance by one who, unselfishly, finds the time to bring you news and information not to be found anywhere else? Ponder.

And now, as no one has yet solved the clues to the game, here is the lead I promised you. The first clue, 'game begins' was a reference to the numerical date. Taken with that, the key word in the second clue, 'what is in a number', should have started you in the right direction. The third clue references the key word in the second clue and the fourth clue, 'one day, one month, three gemstones', gives you specific information that should give you the same answer for the first clue. The fifth clue, 'cardinal influence', contains the key word that drives the preceding clues. Take it from there, in the same manner as I have done with the above; clue by clue, and see if the path opens to you. Good luck and Blessed May You Be, Dream Teller.

A true Witch speaks out...

Hey, hey, hey! I've been looking forward to this invitation to visit with you. You may find my manner somewhat unorthodox (most folks do) but the way I look at it is that it is best to be one's self. And believe me, I'm always myself because I like who I am. My name is Jeremy, Jere to my friends, and I'm one of six siblings; five males and one female. I'm the youngest of the males; a twin (mirror image or identical); a Warlock; and a Wizard. I am true Witch born, of a family of Witches. To top that off I'm of Cajun French descent with the blood of Celtic ancestry thrown in for good measure.

I'm the ripe old age of thirty-two, single, and I consider myself a handsome devil (not shy in the least). Louisiana is my home state where I make my home and practice both my chosen career and my craft. I'm an attorney in the outside world and I work with and for abused women and children; a subject near and dear to my heart, and the topic of which I will speak to you, today.

I chose this particular career because I experienced it first hand; not as the physically abused child, but as the mentally abused child who watched from the sidelines. Let me explain. My papa was an Outsider; the only child of parents (whom I never met, as they died before I was born) that I am told were good people and loving parents. He married my maman (mother) knowing she was not only a Witch but a Sorceress. Her papa was a powerful Wizard who, unknown to maman, engineered the marriage of his only child to an Outsider after breaking up the romance between her and the love of her life; a young Warlock named Gregory. My grandfather was an evil Wizard who thrived on controlling other's lives and he chose my papa because he thought he could control his daughter through her husband.

Maman was just eighteen at the time and grieving the loss of her true love, she was manipulated into marriage by both my papa and her papa. To give the devil his due, papa was desperately in love with her so he went along with my grandfather, not understanding the full scope of what he was getting into. While maman didn't know it at the time (her papa did) she was pregnant by Gregory. When she discovered she was pregnant they were already wed and fearing for the child she kept her secret and she was able to pass the pregnancy off as the result of her marriage to papa. He lived the first few years of their marriage in blissful ignorance that their first born wasn't his biological son. But as fate would have it by the time their third son was born papa began to suspect that something was amiss. He went to my grandfather and expressed his concerns and there he learned the truth. He never revealed that he knew to maman but from that day forward he began treating the oldest boy, differently, from the rest of his children.

By the time I was old enough to realize what was happening papa had been physically abusing my sixteen-year-old brother for a long time. As maman's duties of Sorceress sometimes took her away from home she had no idea what was going on and papa made certain he left no visible marks on my brother for her to see. In turn, my brother swore the rest of us to secrecy for fear of causing trouble between maman and papa (which papa threatened him with) if he told her what was happening to him. The rest of us suffered the emotional abuse of knowing, often seeing, our brother being harmed yet none of us knew what to do to prevent hurting maman with the truth. When my older brothers, second and third born, got old enough they began defending our eldest brother and they, too, became objects of papa's wrath but the three of them stood together against him while doing their best to protect the youngest, my twin and me, from him.

By that time our papa was a dangerous man filled with rage and hate and at some point maman discovered our circumstances and came to our rescue. She was already pregnant with our baby sister when she put papa on notice that she would destroy him if he lifted his hand another time to any of us. The marriage was in shambles, our household was an unhappy place, and maman began making plans (without his knowledge) to rid our lives of him. During those awful years her best friend had moved away and gotten married then returned and it was then that the Warlock Gregory came into our lives. It was he whom her friend had wed and upon their return to our hometown he and maman discovered the truth of what my grandfather had done but their situation was hopeless and maman never told him about their son, for she had no desire to ruin that marriage. Even with the secret, our families became close due to the friendship between maman and Moira.

Gregory and his wife had a son, Draedon, who became our best friend and while none of us children knew of the situation between Gregory and maman, his wife learned of it from papa. A Sorceress herself, she bore the secret fear of losing Gregory to maman and a new chapter began in our lives. Papa and Moira began seeing one another on the sly and became lovers; a fact that was discovered by none other than our eldest brother, quite by accident. As Gregory had become a mentor and something of a surrogate father to us, particularly to the eldest of us, our brother was shocked and horrified at what was taking place behind Gregory's back. Mayhap you can imagine the fury and confusion that sixteen-year-old boy suffered when he went to talk to Gregory and discovered he wasn't home, and saw what he saw through a bedroom window; papa and Moira together in Gregory's bed. He had no way of knowing that our Grandfather was controlling not only papa but now the Sorceress, too; using their fears against them.

Our brother confronted papa with what he knew the following day and from then on papa lived in fear of our brother who was now a tall, strong young man who could hold his own with any man. Our brother kept the secret to himself (what he held over papa's head) but things went from bad to worse. Draedon's maman was attacked and maliciously butchered while he and Gregory were away on a fishing trip and when they returned home and found her, Gregory (who already harbored anguish at having lost maman and then having to pretend no more than friendship with her) was nearly destroyed by the loss of the woman he didn't love but cared for, deeply. In his grief he took Draedon and left the country without word or notice to us. It was as if we'd lost our real papa; the man who'd filled that void in our lives. The emotional loss was tremendous and we feared papa would try to insinuate himself into our lives, again.

The turning point came unexpectedly and horribly. Papa was a heavy drinker by then, his mind ravaged with fear of our grandfather and the loss of our maman's love and respect and his life ended one fateful night. Since her birth, our little sister had become papa's focus; the only child among us whom he adored and clung to. She was nine years old when he went over the edge. Late one night he took her to the barn and it was there that our elder brother found him about to sexually abuse her. Papa was crazed and our sister terrified when our brother attacked him and took our sister away from him. He shielded her while papa took a whip to him and it was then that a new friend and ally entered our lives; one whom we didn't know had been secretly watching out for our sister. He was Vampyre and he intervened, sent our brother off with our sister, and took care of the situation. When he was found the following morning our papa appeared to have had a massive heart attack and no one was the wiser but our eldest brother. From then on our lives were changed for the better but we would not know our savior for at least another year.

Several years passed before Gregory returned (another story) but at long last, he and maman are together, he learned of the son he hadn't known was his, and our family is big, boisterous, and happy at long last.

Why have I told you our story? For to show that anyone, regardless of whom they are, can suffer abuse; even Witches. And to show how easily that abuse can be carried out without being detected, particularly, how children can be manipulated and used.

I am blessed in that I am financially able to offer my services, free of charge, to those who have little or no means of paying for such services. I make it my business to find some means with which my adult clients can make restitution so that they don't feel they are charity cases. I find jobs for some, employ those I can, and help them find sources for financial aid so they can better themselves. Do I sometimes use my inherent powers to protect them? Oh yes I do, particularly, when children are involved. While I believe in our system of justice, it often breaks down and then I follow my heart and my conscience.

Maman raised all of her children to believe that women and children are precious and that no one has the right to abuse them. The men in our family cherish and respect our women and children and it is our responsibility to see to their safety, which we do to the best of our ability. Gregory is also an avid proponent of women's and children's rights and he is a powerful force to be reckoned with but then so are all the members of our family. Many modern-day Witches, even Warlocks and Sorceresses, are protectors of the innocent and vulnerable and will not stand on the sideline or turn a blind eye to those in need. We live in the Outsiders' society, as well as within our own society, and we shoulder the responsibility that comes with that. I work hand in hand with many Outsiders, judges; lawyers; agents of Child Protective Services; women's shelters, and so on and when the need arises, as so often it does, I turn to other Witches and other Kinds for assistance. I have at my fingertips trackers who are Vampyre (like Roman and Garth), Werewolf, Witch, and Outsider, and I don't hesitate to call on them.

So, fair warning to those abusers who think they are smart enough and strong enough to get away with abuse. I'm watching and listening and I'm your worst nightmare come to life. You may get away with it for a while but if you think you can outsmart everyone, know that you are stupidly mistaken. There are those of us you can't see coming; those who won't think twice at what needs doing, and you won't get off, lightly.

If you know of someone being abused I encourage you to step forward and do the right thing. Not getting involved when you know the crime of abuse is being committed is tantamount to condoning the crime; worse, being as guilty as the abuser. It could happen to you or your loved one and if you don't believe that then look at all the missing children and ask yourself what is happening to them. Can you sleep at night knowing that another human being is suffering the trauma of being beaten, raped, mutilated, and killed? How must if feel to be tortured then smothered, choked, shot, stabbed, or terrified to death, and be too small or too vulnerable to defend against it? Thank your God that you can't answer that without first-hand knowledge and pray to your God that you and yours never become such a victim. Please, if you know of such abuse call the authorities in your area and help those in need.

I thank you for your time and I wish all of you a happy and safe holiday season, Jere.

Greetings and holiday wishes from...

Greetings, All.
I will use our forum this day to pass along some messages to all of you from some of our recent visitors, as well as others of my friends and colleagues. As they come to us we will post other messages throughout the rest of the Christmas season and I hope you will take them as they are intended. Dream Teller.

We wish all of you a joyous season and may the New Year bring peace, health, and prosperity to you and yours. It is our hope that the efforts we bring here come to fruition; that all Kinds find acceptance so that we may all share in the earth's bounty. We ask you to join us in praying that all Faiths will extend a welcoming hand to differing Faiths, that all Kinds learn to co-habitate, and that the world becomes a safer place for one and all. Sincerely, the Warlock Draedon and the Sorceress Suzaunna Robicheaux.

Greetings and glad tidings, all. 'Tis the time to join with family and friends in the offering of thanks for all our blessings. Let us not forget the true meaning of the season and as we remember let us carry the torch that bears the light of hope for all, now and into the coming years. We extend our thanks to those Outsiders who have opened their hearts and eyes and have gone out of their way to assist us in our efforts to bring about understanding and acceptance among all Kinds so that each may find renewed hope for a brighter, safer future. Join us in our efforts to make safe all children; yours, ours, and all others, for they are the future of the world. Peace and joy, the Warlock Gregory and the Sorceress JoHaunna Robicheaux.

Hello and happy holidays to you all. As I contemplate my many years of existence; recall all that has gone before, it gives me great pleasure to realize that this world, for all its current problems, is a better place through the passage of time. I carry the hope that it will continue to grow better and that will come if the majority of us stand strong and determined in our efforts to resist those who strive to create chaos and mayhem. I'm not only alluding to acts of war among nations but acts of injustice against others for their race, creed, color, religion, Kind, and circumstances. All are entitled to freedom of choice but none are entitled to force their beliefs on others. Life is what one makes of it and those who are miserable with their lot will always attempt to spread their misery through the condemning of others and acts of violence. As you go about the business of life I encourage you to look around you; open your eyes and extend a helping hand, offer a kind word, say a prayer for those in need. From the Vampyre Garth de Roderick, I wish you and yours a New Year filled with happiness, peace, and love.

Happy holidays and best wishes to all from Jessica de Roderick. As both a Witch and the wife of a Vampyre (Garth) I have witnessed many cruelties towards other Kinds, as well as my own. Thankfully, those unkindnesses grow fewer and far between and I believe it is because more Outsiders are willing to learn more about us before they hasten to condemn us. Those who have met Garth know him for his kindness and willingness to put himself out to prove he is not the monster of myth. Garth is a man who happens to be Vampyre and while it was not of his choice to become Vampyre, he is not one to blame and punish others for his circumstances. Both of us love life and make the best of what we are given and so it is that we embrace the Christian Christmas season along with our own ways. We pray for peace for all, assist those in need as we can, and like you and yours we look forward to the joys of the holiday season. As you and your family exchange gifts and enjoy the festivities we, too, will be sharing in the same tradition with our family, and when you join others of your faith for Christmas services mayhap we will be sitting next to you at midnight mass on Christmas eve. God Bless All, Jessica.

I wish for all the children of the world safe harbor, happiness, and love. Happy holidays from the Vampyre Roman MacAllistaire.

Greetings and best wishes from our family to you and yours. As this year draws to a close we are looking forward to the New Year with hope that those who strive to make this world a better place will enjoy peace and prosperity. Enjoy your holidays, be safe, and remember the true meaning of the season. The Warlock Athen Breaux and family.

Happy holidays and a merry Cajun Christmas to all from the Warlock Thieron Dupre.

May your holidays be happy, your hearts filled with joy, and may all your lives be blessed. Faith, Hope, and Charity.

Blessed may your holidays be and thanks to all who have joined in our efforts to promote peace for all. In the coming New Year we look forward to having more of you join us as we work toward that end. Dream Teller and staff.

Mornin' Chat With Kaithlin

Bonjour; happy holiday season,
'Tis Tuesday mes amies and I hope a good day for all of you. First, let me say that as much as we would like to, we can't post to our blog everyday. Many of you have wondered why given that Dream Teller has an office staff. Two reasons: as she recently explained, the posts have to be cleared through her for legitimate content, and the nature of all that we do sometimes requires our attention at a moments notice. As you also know, we try to find someone to fill in but that isn't always possible, so...

Boy, Dream Teller's game has generated some really awesome responses. Love the way some of your minds work and we find ourselves learning so much from all of you so keep the ideas coming. Also, we want to thank you for the holiday greetings and wishes and for those of you who've requested it we have put you on our prayer list for well-being.

Before we get down to answering some of your e-mails, I thought this would be good time to ask you to remember those less fortunate than us. You know, there are gifts you can give that cost nothing but a little of your time (I know how busy it is this time of year) and will go a long way to providing others with happiness. You've heard it all before but think about the elderly, handicapped, and ill who haven't the ability to get out and about, or have no family and friends nearby. A moment of your time to say hello and lend an ear is a gift that can't be rivaled. Aloneness and loneliness are especially painful for some this time of a year so join us in visiting the shut-ins to let them know they are thought of. Hospitals, nursing homes, children' s havens, and havens for the homeless are just some of the places one can give one's time to and offer one's help. Conversation, writing letters, and offering moral support are lovely gifts that will come back to you many times over for your kindness. So won't you please take a little time out of your busy schedule and give something of yourself? And what a perfect time to teach your children to give of themselves... Okay, on to business.

To Trish in S. Carolina: It is the responsibility of each of us to accept or reject what life offers. One can sit around and bemoan that others have more than us, or one can get off one's duff and do the best one can with what one has. Regardless of what one perceives as a deadend there are, if one looks hard enough, alternative paths one can take. These days it appears that so many are more apt to blame others for their circumstances rather than take responsibility for their own lives and seek solutions to their problems. There are no guarantees in life so it is your responsibility to forge ahead or remain behind.

To Meredith in Florida: Just because one embraces the 'Goth' lifestyle does not mean there is something wrong with that person's way of life or way of thinking. Sure, there are those who use alternative lifestyles to hide behind but one cannot paint all of one group with the same brush. Recall that I said each of us has a right to choice? How one looks and dresses should not be the criteria by which one is judged, for many is the time one judges wrongly and misses the opportunity to get to know an interesting person. Did you ever stop to consider that many mainstream persons stick with the ordinary because they have not the initiative to be themselves?

To Ramsey in W. Virginia: Depends upon what you consider as luck or fate. Mayhap it is your intended journey but that is something you must figure out for yourself. As far as I am concerned luck runs to games of chance and things of that nature while fate pertains to life.

To James in Idaho: True, the Christian bible teaches that certain otherworldly beings are disciples of Satan but nowhere in that holy book will you find Vampyres and Werewolves specifically named. What you do find is the naming of 'demons; those who have fallen from God's grace. Sadly, the bible has become the tool with which many are wont to misquote and misconstrue the scriptures to suit their purposes. They take it to extremes and condemn all of whom they do not understand and whom they fear, as demons. They proclaim the 'God-given' right to do so and thus it is no small wonder that anyone who is different from them is evil. There is in the bible a message that warns one to beware of false prophets, non? No caring God condemns any who follow His path, regardless of Kind but He does condemn those who lead others astray. Think for yourself.

To Tracy in Texas: As I have said on numerous occasions, one cannot save who does not wish, or need, to be save. Sounds to me as if you have done all that you can possibly do. Continue to love your sister but she is of an age to make her own choices; good, or bad. Who is to say she has not made the right choice? While you may not understand her choice be wise enough to realize that you do not know all that she is about. If, as you stated, she is intelligent in most things then mayhap she is on the right path, which happens to be one you would not choose.

Ponder, and Blessed May You All Be, Dream Teller.

About the game

Greetings, All.

I have received a flood of e-mail regarding the game in progress and the majority of you are experiencing a great deal of frustration at not being able to solve the clues. I have already personally e-mailed some of you but let me say this to all of you: frustration arises from feeling inept and that happens when you work too hard at making more of what is there. Lighten up and take each clue at face value, for they are not meant to stump you or lead you astray. Choose the key word or words from each clue (just as you would any ordinary test question) then put those to work. It is not difficult so do not try to make it so.

I have received some very interesting spins and angles being worked at which tells me there are some very intelligent people playing this game. Some of those spins and angles are intriguing, such that I am learning things from each of you and that is a most refreshing and welcomed side-benefit of the game. Once the game has ended I would like to publish some of those spins and angles (only with permission from those players) because there is so much to be learned from the minds of others.

A week from today, if no one has gotten closer to the answer, I will publish a clear, direct lead to send you in the right direction; one that will give everyone the opportunity to get on track. In the meantime, take a breath and rest your minds then try again. New clue: #9- Addition and reduction are things to do, so try it and see where those paths lead you. Dream Teller

Take The Risk

Greetings, All.

To those of you inquiring as to when my first novel in 'The Way' series will be available, I am in the process of wrapping up loose ends with the internet publisher and once that is done I am told we are looking at about two-three months to produce the finished product. Many of the delays are my own fault for I am one of those writers possessed of the maddening need to go back and rewrite, reconfigure, and generally polish and spitshine what most often should have been left as it was. I run poor Kaithlin ragged at times but according to her I am making some improvement in that area.

As this is my first venture into the unknown territory of internet publishing, I can and oft do claim ignorance of the process to justify my slow pace. I dare say my loyal assistant will not allow me to get away with it a second time. I am probably going to regret putting this information out but I am well into the home stretch on the second in the series and the third is in its pupa stage waiting to emerge from its cocoon. Aye, I am one of those who works on more than one storyline at a time. As this is a series I think it normal (at least I hope it is) that the writing of one produces story lines and characters for the next.

As you already know, many of my characters are based on real individuals and the plots are developed from their actual experiences. I do take creative license with both characters and plots but, for the most part, the tale is true to form. So, hopefully, the novel will be available to the public sometime in late March or early April. I will post the release date and where and how to purchase it as soon as I am given the go by the publisher.

Kaithlin and the rest of my staff oft inquire if I am 'excited' about this new venture. I suppose the answer to that depends upon one's concept of excitement. I tell them I am looking forward to putting that first child to bed, so to speak, and am ready to birth and nurture the next.

Some of you have ventured your thoughts and fears concerning your desire to try your hand at writing; wondered if you are up to the task. What I will tell you is this: The writer's arena is demanding; a tough and sometimes unforgiving taskmaster, but in these modern times the field is wide open to anyone willing to put forth the effort. With the birth of internet publishing virtually anyone with access to a few hundred dollars ($500.00 is the least amount with the publishing company I chose) can get published. That is the bare minimum and the cost increases, sharply, depending upon how you want your finished product to look and in what forms it will be available, for download with printing capability; paperback; hardback; or a package of those options.

There are several options for the cover, number of colors; artwork, and so on. Given that the middle-man (agent) is no longer needed since your book does not have to be 'shopped around' to interested publishers who dump your book off on 'readers' they hire to determine if your story is worth the publisher's time and effort to handle, the cost to publish is decidedly within reach. Understand that internet publishing companies will go to print with anything one writes without editing the content, so you must produce something well written in order to reap a profit.

To write requires a great deal of discipline, the courage to put your work up for close inspection by the public (your bread and butter), and the determination to get up and go again when you fail. Failure comes to each of us in some form or fashion; no matter how prolific and imaginative we are. Happens to the best of authors at one time or another. I look at those as stumbling blocks, rather than failures, that I must either move, or go around, over, or under, in order to succeed. Your perception of failure and how you handle it is what will determine whether or not you can be a successful author. If you think you have it in you go for it. But if you do not have self-discipline, a strong desire to achieve, and a thick skin, the path will be a rough one.

My advice to you is to gather your courage and begin, for only when you try will you discover what you are capable of. Start with what you have available, pen and paper; typewriter; or computer. Designate a work space (does not require a huge office with all the accommodations) where you can work without interruption (may have to be after your children are put to bed), and give yourself permission to spend a certain amount of time in the effort, free of worry of what else needs doing. The housework can wait a bit longer (it will not brow-beat you). Many a well known author was born at the kitchen table; spouses, divorced moms and dads; single persons; the physically challenged... You name it and those authors are out there doing what they love to do; entertain or teach the public through their gift of words.

Whether or not my novel is a success, I have gained many things of value, immense pleasure from the creation and completion of what is, uniquely, my very own; a better use of language and punctuation through research; a growing knowledge of the places and people I have researched for my characters and settings; achievement of what was once a distant dream; and most precious of all, belief in my self and my ability to overcome all odds in order to achieve self fulfillment. I hope I have given you some delicious food for thought because without a particular sustenance one's spirit and body tend to stagnate. Ponder and Blessed May You Be, Dream Teller.