Kingdom news:

Not disheartened by the loss of their champion crocodiles during the flesh-eating plague that swept the land during the Starfall of Dancers of the year 1000, Oreo's animal breeders are back in action, with a veritable production line of baby bears being produced by their pair of champion brown bears, Bear and Bertha.

Bertha recently produced her fifth(!) baby of 1001, pictured here with his parents, and rumours abound that a sixth is on the way and could be born before the end of the year.

Renowned Beast Speaker Rosie, head of Oreo's breeding initiative, had this to say: "We're very pleased with how our bear breeding programme is coming along. Bertha was not in the best of condition when she arrived, but she's put on a lot of weight since then, and both she and Bear are in excellent health now. Naturally, we're a little disappointed that they haven't managed to produce a champion baby yet, but it's no secret that Bertha is pregnant again and we're hopeful that this time, the baby will have all the traits of its parents. Now if you'll excuse me, I must be going, as it's nearly their feeding time."

After many weeks heavy work, and much speculation, Freedom Market is finally open for business on Independence. Set beneath the dramatic beauty of Dragons Fang, the market offers room for up to 72 merchants plus a kingdom trader. In keeping with the philosophy of the Freedom Isles, grown out of the spirit of friendship that filled the hearts of those that escaped the clutches of the Northern Kingdoms, the market plots are being offered for free for any that wish to come here to sell their wears.

The market has been built within the shire of Rockcliff and is placed on a hill just south of Dragons Fang, North of the western entrance to the Cave Canal and South East of Rockcliff Retreat. Many hours hard labour have been put into the project which is not just the market but the wide, clear access roads (some still a little unfinished). Citizen thanks go to Annette, Artashes, Neddie, Strider, Tich and Uzetaab.

We hope the market will not only be an active centre of Trade, but also a meeting point from all points of this fair land - something that has been sadly missing since we first stepped on the sandy shores of Samling, fair beaten and worn from our journeys across the Circle Sea, and headed into the unknown.

There are few restrictions on using the market, however the market management have asked that Merchants refrain from putting up signs for the moment so that the lanes do not become cluttered.

For those wishing to visit, Tich has given the following directions:

• From Rockcliff Retreat, there is a 2 lane highway South from Rockcliff Retreat up the hill, which joins the North-South road, keep going South following the road as it turns South-East and you will come to the market. Note the North-South road is incomplete, it still needs to be done around the lakes edge to join up with the road from Samling, also it does not continue to South coast (yet)
• From the west end of the cave canal, this route is in progress of being upgraded. There will be a selection of carts available at the Canal soon(tm) to help people haul up their merchandise, please dont forget to bring the cart back down so others can use it.
• From the East side there will be a road from Crystal Lakes, this has not been started yet.
• and last of all there will be a road going South over the cave canal to the south coast, not sure of the route as not scouted it out... If anyone is willing to do so, would be greatly appreciated.

The rush from the central compound almost took Jane's breath away. Their mayor had issued orders so fast that she almost missed what her role should be. The constant crash of shards on the stone walls and the rain of debris landing around them made thinking difficult, but standing there doing nothing was the worst of it. At least she would be doing something now. She headed straight for the food store, grabbing some small barrels from the quay as she ran. Through the door and into the store; how much could she carry in one go? She still needed to be able to run! Around her other villagers were already picking up everything they could; ropes, trowels, hammers, chisels, all needed to start anew in another place. Jane started filling the barrels. She left the butchered meat which would rot easily and just went for pre-prepared food and as many vegetables and seeds as she could muster. Four small barrels, filled to their very lids, and Jane was feeling weighed down. She must get this valuable cargo onto her boat and get it out to sea. That was the idea. Any one with a small fast boat should grab what they can and get out to safety; the ships would pick them up later. It would be quicker then waiting to fill the ships which required several people to get them moving, and needed to be out of the harbour as soon as possible.