Hello? Anyone else posting new material this late in the game? Two days left in the contest, a few more than that to reach my Quill goal, hundreds of copies still to sell. Well, for what it’s worth, chapters 8 and 9 are posted.

pix·i·lat·ed or pix·il·lat·ed (adj.)

1. A derivative of the word pixie—the mischievous, child-like creature of folklore. One who is pixilated (that is, “pixie-led”) is thus under the influence of a pixie-like being, or is acting in such a manner (i.e., somewhat mentally unbalanced, slightly eccentric, crazed, bewildered, prankish)

2. Variant of pixelated. In computing, an image is pixelated when all or a portion of itself is blurred by the reduction of its resolution.

ob·sid·i·an (n.)

A glass-like rock, formed by the rapid cooling of lava, that is usually dark, but transparent in thin pieces.

rose (n.)

The widely cultivated flower from the plant of the genus Rosa, having prickly stems (thorns) and a fragrance often considered romantic.

Apparently some folks had trouble seeing this image in my earlier update so here it is again at a lower resolution. Plus why not take a second look? You got better things to do?

--Chris