Lord Trevelver then leaned forward, his voice carrying the weight of centuries. Jeremy listened, captivated by the tale that unfolded—a tale of power, ancestry, and the magic that coursed through Trevelver women.

"Jeremy", he began, "our family's legacy is unlike any other. The Trevelvers trace their roots back to Lost Atlantis—a civilisation steeped in mysticism, awe-inspiring powers, and forgotten knowledge."

Jeremy's curiosity flared. "Atlantis, Lord Trevelver?"

"Yes", Sylvia's father affirmed. "But it's not that sunken land that needs concern you, young man. It's the lineage—the matrilinear descent—that defines the Trevelvers."

He continued, "Our family's unique power flows solely through the female line. From mother to daughter, generation after generation."

"And Sylvia?"

"She embodies it", Lord Charles replied. Her mother and her grandmother were all very strong, highly capable women who wielded abilities far beyond the ordinary.

"Abilities?" Jeremy leaned closer.

Her father stated, "Intuition. Always. Together with a connection to nature, to the land and the sea. Healing, empathy, and foresight."

Jeremy's mind raced. "And Sylvia possesses these?"

"Yes", Lord Charles confirmed. "They are yet to fully awaken, but her sixteenth birthday approaches. That's when her powers will fully emerge."

"What does she see?" Jeremy wondered aloud.

"Visions", her father answered. "Prophecies. The threads of fate. Sylvia's gift is both a blessing and a burden."

"And I?" Jeremy asked.

"You", Lord Trevelver stated, "will be the anchor. The one who will balance her—ground her. Your duty as her partner is to protect, support, and understand."

"Understand?"

"The complexities", Lord Trevelver smiled gently. "The moments when her abilities threaten to overwhelm. The nights when she dreams of a long-lost land or impending storms."

"And love?" Jeremy whispered.

Lord Trevelver's eyes softened. "Love, my boy, is the catalyst. Sylvia's heart, when united in true love with yours, will unlock her full potential."

"And the Castle?" Jeremy wondered.

"Trevelver Castle", Lord Trevelver said, "holds the key to the Trevelvers. Its stones remember the times before the Romans came to these Isles, for its foundations were laid by ancestors lost in the mists of time."

Sir George leaned back in his elegantly upholstered chair, carefully studying Jeremy. The shaded lighting of the private dining room accentuated the lines etched on his face—the wisdom of years lived and challenges met. His voice was measured, each word carefully weighed.

"Jeremy", he began, "the Honourable Sylvia Trevelver is more than a name or a title. She is the inheritor of an ancient family's legacy—a vibrant tapestry woven through centuries of history. But I'll let her father speak to that. Her dark eyes hold the stories of ancient ancestors who navigated uncharted waters, faced tempests, and, finally, landed in Cornwall, safe but their home destroyed. She embodies courage, not just in the face of adversity but in the quiet moments when resilience is tested to the very core of one's being. C.S. Lewis, echoing Cicero, was right when he said, 'Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point'."

He paused as if recalling distant shores. "But Sylvia's laughter", Sir George continued, "is like sunlight breaking through storm clouds—a rare and precious gift. However, beneath her beauty and charm lies a fierce determination—a fire that burns brighter when challenged."

Jeremy leaned closer, captivated. "And her vulnerabilities?" he asked.

Sir George's eyes softened. "Ah, those", he said. "They are the hidden currents—the depths where love and longing reside. Sylvia carries them with grace, but they shape her choices. Protecting her means understanding those currents, navigating them with care and attention."

Jeremy nodded, absorbing every word. "And her heart?" he ventured.

The older man's smile held both fondness and caution. "Her heart", he said, "is her compass. It points toward honour, loyalty, and duty. But it also seeks connection—a kindred spirit who can weather life's storms alongside her."

Sir George's stern expression deepened, his brows furrowing as his eyes bore into Jeremy's.

"As Sylvia's godfather, I represent her best interests, regardless of what others may wish. Her well-being is my priority—never forget that, young man. I have heard how, when a crew member made derogatory remarks about a fellow sailor's background, you intervened. Addressing the offender firmly, you emphasised the importance of accord and respect. Your courage lay in defending a shipmate against discrimination, and I expect you to display those same qualities in defending Sylvia."

And so, amidst the sounds of silverware, glasses, and porcelain, as secrets were disclosed, Jeremy's fate began to be intertwined with Sylvia's. Trevelver Castle beckoned—a promise of shared sunsets, whispered confidences, and the magic of love shared.

Joe Cocker.

Compare and contrast...............

'With a little help from my friends'

Beatles or Joe Cocker & The Grease Band?

Quote from: port perran on Yesterday at 08:02:23 PMThis is Badge but this time by Robben Ford.
Thoughts ?

Very weak  

Not bad at all Martin @port perran . Robben Ford has played sessions with some stellar acts over the years.

Cheers,

Tim

So...a very similar version of a well known song written by Clapton/Harrison and performed by Cream (amongst many others).
This is Badge but this time by Robben Ford.
Thoughts ?
https://youtu.be/00DSWHvv738?si=tr9sW5PtrQB2URmY

I think you'd have an extremely compelling case to take them to court if they withheld your deposit, like I said, they have no legitimate grounds to do so. Them calling it non-refundable isn't good enough, any more than can write into their T&Cs that they'll retain your card details and charge it sporadically for buying staff lunch.

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/can-i-claim-back-a-non-refundable-deposit-aHwOj3S21AWP

But we digress!

Quote from: cmason on Yesterday at 04:29:51 PM"I'm gonna put this somewhere safe" is an incantation of an ancient priesthood that has been passed down through the millennia that opens a portal to a random point in another timeline, through which all safely kept things travel, never to be seen again....

until a replacement is sourced and put somewhere safe, at which point the original appears.

Quote from: cmason on Yesterday at 04:29:51 PM"I'm gonna put this somewhere safe" is an incantation of an ancient priesthood that has been passed down through the millennia that opens a portal to a random point in another timeline, through which all safely kept things travel, never to be seen again....

Of course the domestic high priestess or the novices (i.e. our daughters) that work under her do seem to possess some knowledge of the necessary incantations (spells?) that can bring some things back into this timeline... if I make the necessary sacrifices at the altar in order to persuade them to use their skills to help me out....