And look — it’s another installment I like the writing in.  I’ve just added this page to my link toolbar as “READ THIS BEFORE WRITING” — this is what WR should be sounding like.  Chapter 7 sucked.  Hopefully, with these reference points, Chapter 8 won’t. 

Breakfast of abominations!  Er . . . I mean champions! 

I didn’t find the dusk allusion confusing but then, er . . . I know from long experience that I tend to “get” your writing without any problem, so it’s probably a personal thing.

What exactly that says about me, I don’t know

Hmmm . . . something interesting gonna happen in the next installment, just maaaaybe?  I dunno where I get that idea.

the puppy thing was obvious enough to me a little while back – not sure if you re-wrote anything there before i read it or not.
the morning flipping to dusk here sat just fine with me too. i’ve had the same words pop into my head walking into pubs in the late morning – not that i do that often, you understand, but . . . ahem.

tiergan is so obviously not used to being in charge here and being around one of Druggan’s family clearly has him on edge. one leadership challenge after the other . . . i think he’s going to manage this one just fine – by the skin of his um teeth, but i can’t wait to see how he grows into himself.

Brennan, for all his lack of words, is a solid looming presence. he makes me want to cheer for tiergan all the more.

Keely is so seemingly innocent, but i get the feeling she can be a real bitch in a fight! those yokels had better watch out . . . .

and on the tension score – tension is great, but change of pace keeps the unexpected that much more thrilling i think. a lull can work – but even if this is a lull, the threat of violence (brennan’s scowling and the locals’ muttering) keeps my heart pounding . . . like that moment after you’ve switched the horror movie off and have to slowly push your dark bedroom door open . . . 

[I keep returning and will continue to return because the story is different and interesting.  In my opinion, for what it's worth, I would just continue writing and taking the story in any direction you wish to go.  It's your story and you can always return to the beginning or any other part at any time if you think you need to.  Write what and how you want to and if others enjoy it too then its a double bonus! :-D]