The first three kirtles

OK, I thought you knew and were reminding me. I haven't forgotten. Next time!

It's normal that everyone is related, since the entire clan consists of descendents of Black Colin. The "ruling families" of the eight sub-clans intermarry to a shockingly incestuous extent.

I want to bring some of these new people into the story, but I might be better off switching the action to Scotland from time to time. Lothere must not seem like such a great place to send your daughters.

Imin has a moral code but it does not consist of treating ladies like ladies. It's probably safest to confine his naked body to a totally unrelated post on Verso, because a naked Imin in the story is bound to be bad news.

I think Cubby's still cute, but it's true he has quite a nose on him, even from the front. I liked the hair Malcolm had long ago, but it had an enormous gap at the hairline, so wasn't very practical. This hair is similar, though longer, and of a far superior quality.

And, you know, anyone's hair would stand up after several days of neglect.

How many of those ladies did not die in childbirth, I wonder? Colburga did not and Sela did not. Maud and Elfleda killed their poor selves. Both Githas did, Matilda did, Hilda did... Hmm! I wonder who's next?

I think Malcolm's introspective look is due more to the expression on his face than his hair. But I will let you be the judge in a few chapters.

I forgot that we haven't seen Malcolm & Cubby since they got new skins. I recognize him by the enormous eyebrows. Somehow that man gets more gorgeous with his every flaw.

Cubby's doing one of the confused expressions of someone who doesn't know how to Smustle, which might be why you're giggling. (And the giggling is why I myself chose that picture.)

I have used the Smustle confused loops (via the Hula & More hack) several times in the story... for example Alred in the chapter where he pretends to be "Ethel", and both Conrad and Margaret in the chapter where Finn makes Gwynn cry.

I have tended to use it as a quick and easy way to make sure people in the background aren't standing at attention like soldiers. But often I have gotten such interesting expressions out of them that they have become a more important part of the chapter. (See the two above... neither Alred nor Margaret and Conrad were expected to have much to say in those chapters.)

But it does make some seriously goofy expressions as well, so a little goes a long way!

Oooh I didn't know you harbored such resentment towards Lili! It's not her fault Sela died... she has just been making Egelric happy since then. (Or maybe that's what you can't forgive?)

I am really happy Cubby got Maud's eyes. Very sweet. He gets along great with his brother and sisters. He is a very kind and gentle boy, and they know it's not his fault their father was not his father. Anyway, Sigefrith loves him, too. Everybody loves Cubby!

Ah, I see... Well, as Egelric himself said:

What else could she do? She's not a man to make her own way in the world. What could she do when the men who were supposed to protect her were taking her into danger and sin? What else could a young girl do but find another man?

Whom you mean? Condal? I haven't yet, but she's pretty enough that there are likely to be a few men volunteering. I need to get a new picture of her up there. I just changed her hair, etc.

Why, did you have an idea?

You don't mean the Old Man is going to grow up?? And get married??

Condal and Finn are even distant cousins. That would be cute...

As for Yware, he may prove to be a little more ambitious than to marry the seventh daughter of the third son of a long-dead Scottish lord. Oooh I can't wait to bring him back!

There are lots of noble young ladies outside of Lothere for Yware... He can't marry Emma anyway because she is betrothed to young Earl Baldwin.

Yusuf already does have feelings for a certain somebody but that's going to be tough for him to work out.