Shan giggled as she ducked behind a tree, avoiding the embarrassment of coming face-to-face with the coat-check boy from Sylphia’s who she tipped so handsomely most weekend evenings. It was bad enough that the busboy Bartha knew she’d been out all night, she didn’t need any other loose lips letting that fact get back to rest of the tusk circle at Sylphia’s.
She took the moment to pull on her boots, something she’d decided against when making her quick morning escape from Bartha’s cottage. It felt as naughty now as it had when she was a teen . . . or when she was 50, for that matter.
The sun was just peeking between the tusks across the bay. With any luck, she’d be home before her husband finished sleeping off the vestiges of last night’s carousing.
A picturesque lake centered at the base of the tiers of Moru Kel, Diamond Lake is the perfect spot to visit for a relaxing afternoon or weekend. Created when the Diamond Weir bridge and dam were installed to regulate river and aquaduct drainage, the lake has a self-sustaining ecology and is the centerpiece of a vibrant arts and culture area of the city. A quick walk around the Lake Ring should acquaint you with the many fine local offerings available.
The lake itself offers boating and fishing opportunities, with Diamond Isle offering short day hikes and Little Islet to its south being a fine fishing spot with many shady trees. Small boats are available for rent on the lake’s south side. Note that Grippi’s Islet to the north of Diamond Island is privately owned and not open to the public.
The shores of the Lake are dotted with numerous businesses. The Lakeside Occult Society is a great place to have your tusks read or see the wizards put on a show — remarkable presentations of powerful magic are given nightly at 7 bells. Sylphia’s Tea Garden offers a large patio outside overlooking the lake, with an assortment of green and black teas. Sylphia’s maintains a relaxed atmosphere; please leave children at home. The Campus of Semoz houses scholars and students and is surrounded by small eateries, rooming houses, and shops selling minerals, herbs, paper, and pen and ink. The nearby Temple district has several beautiful temples to visit and pay your respects.
The Rose Theatre overlooks Diamond Lake. In fact, the lake itself has served as the “stage” for productions involving naval battles. Built by the Tukari family, the Rose Theatre hosts wrestling matches and other sport, as well as world famous singers, musicians, and poets. There are full theatrical performances three days a week, with two shows per day. You can find some of the best small restaurants in town near the theatre.
Set up specially for the Symposium of Wonders, Diamond Island camp is run by the Allflock. Sponsored by the Marghoz himself, it’s intended to ensure that children are not left out of the Symposium. All of the children will receive tickets to ride on the new funicular, offering gorgeous views of the city from above — what a marvel! Children will have activities in the morning, and then a chance to compete in various sports, scavenger hunts, and other demonstrations of skill. The top two teams will get tickets to the closing night’s festivities at the main Grounds, witnessing wrestling matches, the Marghoz’s presentation, and more. And the Marghoz himself will meet with the winning team!
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