This is very well-written, which is to be expected, but does not, as far as I can tell, move the plot of the story forward in any meaningful way. I am sure that the ending will prove fantastically important and the Rosetta stone that makes everything fall into place, but it's a bit frustrating that, after six tales, it still feels like we're going through the set-up prior to the action.
Still, that writing, tho. So a +1 for this.