Valkyrie's Curse - the Conclusion

You've been on the edge of your seat waiting for it, biting your nails you're so anxious.  Well wait no longer because the conclusion  of Valkyrie's curse is here!

 

Valkyrie's Curse

Part V

 

by

Ellie Mack 

 

Scott and Niall’s watched silently, waiting until the police had cleared the area.  They made their way back to the four wheeler, this time Scott let Nialls climb on behind him.  Both were a few shades lighter than when they had raced out here.

Back at the camp Scott headed straight for Brad’s tent. Nialls stopped at the mess tent ,offering to grab something for Scott.  ”Sure, grab me a couple of those muffins and a Cliff bar – and a bottle of juice.  I’ll be at Brad’s tent.  OH, you might want to just get a box and put a bunch in it.  If we have food, he’ll want some.”

Scott hurried, he’d need the few extra minutes alone with Brad before Nialls showed up.  He ducked his head quickly under the flap, catching Brad in one of his RP chats with his girlfriend.  ”Fuck man!  Announce yourself next time.”

Scott turned uncomfortably, combing his fingers through his hair.  ”We need to talk and we’ve only got a few minutes.  Nialls will be heading this way very soon.”

Brad zipped his jeans mumbling to himself. 

”Look, sorry man but this is important.  They found the body of that student.  She was ripped apart on the sacrificial alter up there – yeah, guess I owe you twenty bucks on that call.  Anyway, it  was a bloody mess.  The police have the whole area roped off.  They cleared out for now.”

”Damn.  Someone murdered her?  Why was Nialls with you?  How did he react?”  He stood and adjusted himself. 

”Nialls hurled.  I don’t think he’d have a stomach for anything like this.  He’s pretty shaken, but I don’t think we can trust him with”

Brad made a big cutting motion across his throat.  Just then, Nialls ducked through the flaps with a huge box of food.  He went straight to the folding card table and set the box down and ripped open a bag of Skittles.   Brad searched through the box and found himself one of the giant blueberry muffins and a bottle of Frappaccino.  Scott grabbed his muffin and  a juice.  The three men ate as if they hadn’t eaten in weeks. 

When Nialls started into a package of chocolate glazed donuts, he paused long enough to ask ”So, what are we gong to do? ”

Brad drained his bottle of frappaccinno, then dug through the box for one of the juices.  ”We are not going to cause the police any trouble.  We are going to comply with them, and lay low.  Let them find the crazy bastard that killed that girl.”

Joe burst in out of breath.  ”There’s another one.  What the hell is going on around here?”

Scott felt his stomach lurch, his suspicions high.  ”Another one what?”  He had stopped, his bottle raised to his lips but not drinking.

”Another girl’s gone missing. ”  Joe bent over, his hands on his knees to catch his breath.  ”With Helena gone, I thought I better tell you guys.  

 

                                                *                             *                             *                             *

 

The camp was sheer chaos.  Students threatening to walk back to the airport, students huddling in their tents, others in a near state of shock.  Over the course of five days four girls had gone missing.  The fourth day the second girls body was found strewn around the alter stone north of their dig.  Police were staying in the camp now, patrolling the perimeter, and getting regular updates from Scott and  Brad. 

Nialls was a nervous wreck.  He sent reports to Dr.  Montgomery about what had been happening. He reluctantly reported to the guys that the Doctor and the board were seriously thinking of shutting down their dig, and compensating them for their time up to that date.

A couple of the undergraduate men decided to chaperon the girls at all times.  It seemed whoever was perpetrating the crimes was only interested in the women. They checked in with Brad and Scott on the hour.   Meanwhile Brad and Scott worked on their plan to free Helena. 

 

”Where are we going to get a virgin Valkyrie?  Do you think maybe somehow one of the Vikings escaped when she passed through and is sacrificing these girls?”  Scott nervously rubbed his stubble. 

”Nah, I don't think so.  I think there’s someone here trying to figure out a way to get in, so they can plunder the halls of Valhalla.  Legend says there is hoards of treasure there.”  Brad flips through one of his notebooks.  ”Look here, at the runes we found on the alter stone.”  He points out to Scott the pictures taken of the stone, then the rubbings and his translation.  ”I think maybe some local, or someone associated with the school here is  killing those girls. It says here that if the sacrifice is given and Odin be pleased, The halls of Valhalla will be open and Ragnarok will begin.”

”So there’s the whole plunder the halls end of the world scenario?” 

”Yeah, something like that.  Amazing that thieves are always so short sighted.  We’ve got two days to figure out how to get Helena out of there”

Scott paced around the small tent.  There had to be a way.

 

                                                *                             *                             *                             *

 

Helena struggled to read the crude drawings on the wall. They had explored each of the corridors and always came back to the room where the man had been staying.  There was another similar wall at the North end of the network of tunnels, but she could find no way to open it either. 

The man tried to tell her each time she went from the north stone to the south stone she had fallen through something about Valhalla, about Ragnarok and Valkyries.  On the last trip, she noticed he tucked his dagger in his waist band as he was muttering about Valkyrie curse.  She had a bad feeling about his intentions.  Held not tried anything sexual with her, so she figured she must have told him the right words before but also decided that minimal talk was best so she didn’t say the wrong things.  With each minute that ticked by, she became more agitated at his behavior.

If she got out of here alive, she made herself a vow to spend more time studying runes, and learning the language fluently.  She muttered prayers as she walked slowly back to the South wall.  There had to be a way, there just had to be.

He stood behind her, playing with his dagger in his hands, turning it over and over.  He eyed her suspiciously ever so often.  Her stomach growled and he handed her a leathery piece of dry  jerky.  It had little taste, but she was grateful. 

She pointed to the stone wall and asked him  ” Hvad betyder dette sagt?”

He walks closer, squats down on his knees before her . ” siger ikke sagt. Just My Luck jeg får en Valkyrie, der er smukke, men dim.”

She startled at his comment.  ”OK, say not said – my bad.”  She rolled her eyes.  ”Wait a minute, did you just say I was a dimwit?”

He smiled at her. ”Ja”

” Du taler engelsk?”  she asks him if he speaks English.

He waved his hand back and forth.  ”nogle”

Great!  Helena thought about all the things she’d muttered to herself wondering if there was something  she may have said that upset him over the past, what had it been?    ” Hvor længe siden jeg fik her?”

”Fer diz.”

”Four days?  I’ve been stuck in here for four days?”

She stood and paced .   ”Oh my god oh my god oh my god!”  She had her arms crossed over her chest feeling as if she’d hyperventilate.  She walked up to him within inches.  ”What does it say?”  She screamed it at him.

” Når blod er udgydt på døren, skal ved månelyset valkyrien ind at styre tabte til deres destinationer indtil Ragnarok. De skal komme med fuldmånen i Samhein for at de ikke begge være tabt for evigt. En anden Valkyrie skal åbne døren for Valkyrie at vende tilbage til menneskenes verden.”

She tried to make out the words.  ”the blood upon the door, from the maiden Valkyrie, in the moonlight enters.  Leading warriors to Ragnarok. No.  Leading to destination until Ragnarok. Something about the full moon before Samhein – or they are lost. A second Valkyrie must come to return to men.”  she stared blankly at the man.

He shook his head. ”dim”

She punched him square in the chest. ” I am NOT dim.  You arrogant jerk!”  she walked a few steps down the corridor.  ”Right.  So we’re trapped here until a Valkyrie comes to rescue us.  Great!  My life depends on a legend.  Wonderful.”

She kicked a rock down the tunnel, hearing it skip several times in the dark tunnel.  A terrible thought occurred to her.  She walked back and grabbed his arm, practically grabbing him behind her.  She rushed  to the North wall an pointed.  ”Read it!”

” ikke dæmpes, kan bare ikke læse”

”Oh, I can read buster, just not ancient Danish runes.”

His eyebrow shot up. ” Det er ikke gammel, det er vores sprog.”

”What do you mean, OUR language?”  She stood with a scowl on her face, arms crossed.  ”Read it.”

”Jeg kan acceptere dim når så beautful.”  He leaned over and kissed her lightly.

”You think I’m beautiful  but dim.  Great.  Well thanks for the beautiful part.”

He flashed her a brilliant smile.   If he shaved he would be a good looking man.  And if he bathed.

” Dette er dør til Nefflheim. Hvis du finder det åbent, er Valkyrie ikke komme efter dig. Velkommen til Nefflheim.”

”Right so basically this is the door to hell.  No Valkyrie for you, welcome to hell.  Let’s pray this door isn’t the one that opens.”

 

                                                *                             *                             *                             *

Scott was frantic.  Another body had been discovered.  The police had been on patrol and somehow the killer managed to evade them and leave another girls body on the same stone.  This one was different though, she’d been bound and gagged, apparently raped then had her throat slit.  The others had their stomachs slashed and their insides ripped out,strewn around them.  Time was growing short for his Helena.  He’d wanted her for so long and now that she was his, she was gone.

He had begun to ask each of the remaining girls in camp a few questions before hitting the big one, were they virgins.  Sadly, most of them were not.  Susan Thornton was, but she was definitely of Indian descent. 

He paced through his tent mumbling.  He thought nothing of the jeep that rolled up outside thinking it was probably another of the police, or Dr. Montgomery.  Either way he didn’t care. 

”Hello, are you Scott?”

He turned to find an attractive young girl in braids standing with the tent flaps open.  ”Joe over at the mess tent told me to come see Scott about my sister.”

”Um,  which one is your sister?” He nervously combed his fingers through is hair.  Explaining a brutal murder to someone wasn’t in his plans for the day. 

”Helena?”

Scott stood perfectly still.  ”Brittany?”

”Um, yes, how did you know my name?”

Scott ran to her and hugged her tight.  ”I know exactly where Helena is.”  He took her bags and tossed them on his cot.  ”Let’s go.”

He stopped at Brad’s tent and filled him in. They climbed into the jeep, and headed for the dig.  Brittany chattered the entire time about how Helena had invited her to visit, to see if she wanted to follow her big sisters foot steps.  She told about the flight over, and the long wait in town for a taxi when Helena was suppose to pick her up. 

Scott turned the jeep off.  ”If I’d known I’d have come to get you. Helena has been, well she’s been busy at the site. ”

It was fifteen minutes to midnight of Samhein.  There was no time to waste.  He practically drug her down the tunnel, Brad fast on their heels.  When they reached the stone wall, Scott looked up to see that the moonlight was filtering in.  The brightness of the full moon gave them plenty of light albeit a creepy blue light.  ”Helena is just on the other side of this door.  Ready?”

”Sure.”

She barely got the words out of her mouth when Brad grabbed her hand and sliced across her palm with his pocket knife.  As Brittany inhaled, her eyes growing large with the shock, Scott grabbed the same hand and slapped it against the stone.  The stone vanished revealing Helena and her Viking friend. They both rushed out, Helena straight into Scott's arms and the Viking falling on Brittany.

” Priset være Odin. Guderne foretrækker mig!”  The viking kissed Brittany hard on the lips, lifting her off the ground and twirling her around.  (Praise to Odin, the gods favor me!)

”Scott grabbed Helena, kissing her firmly.  ”Helena.”  He kissed her again. ”I thought I’d lost you.”  He hugged her tightly, then kissed her deeply, passionately.

After an awkward length of time, Brad cleared his throat interrupting the two couples. 

Brittany blushed as the Viking set her on her feet.  ”Um, hi.”  She looked down  embarrassed that she had been kissing the stranger.

”Brittany meet Yani,  Yani Brittany.” She then stepped closer to her Viking friend.  She leaned in close to his face with a stern expression.  ”She is my sister, not a Valkyrie.”

Yani chuckled, his arm around Brittany and tossed his head in Helena’s direction.  ”Dim”

 

                                                *                             *                             *                             *

The police captured the killer as he tried to sacrifice the fourth girl.  It turned out to be Dr. Sheffield, the Danish professor that originally coordinated the dig.  He had spent a life time researching the site, gathering all information about the dig and the stones  related to the site. 

Yani had been trapped in the in between for nearly 400 years, but hadn’t aged in that magical ”nether” place.  When Scott and Brad had helped him clean up, shower and shave he was an attractive man that was determined to be with Brittany.  In his things was a purse filled with ancient coins.  When he sold them to the museum of Denmark, it set him up with a small fortune.  He then hired  Brad and Scott to tutor him in modern English, and modern ways.

The following year Scott and Helena were married in a dual ceremony with Brittany and Yani.  The site was a huge success, revealing intricate tunnels  underground thanks to Brittany having opened the door.  As a wedding gift to his sister in law, Yani presented Helena with a map.  It was written in runic language.

”Read it please.”  Helena told him.

He read to her in Danish then offered, ”It is map to Atlantis.”

Her eyes grew large, her archaeological interest now piqued.  She grabbed it from his hands.

He chuckled, twirling Brittany around then tossed his head in Helena’s direction again.  ”Dim”

Twin Desires Part 3

Change of plans.  I know you were expecting Replacements, but  . . . we're switching gears. Today's installment is from Macie Snow.  Replacements will appear on Friday in Macie's usual spot. 
Now, let's find out what Justin and Katrinna are up to.

Twin Desires pt 3

by Macie Snow

I jerk upright in my saddle, blinking sleep from my eyes. The first thing I notice is my sore backside. Cursing the poor construction of saddles, I rub my aching tailbone before realizing that Justin is calling my name.

                “-inna! Katrinna! Are you awake yet sleepyhead?” Justin laughs, seemingly in much better spirits than I.

                I moan and stretch, attempting to release some of the tension from my muscles. I had never been a morning person, and usually ended up being extremely irritable until well after the sun had made its way past the horizon.  My mood was improved none by the fact that dew had soaked through my clothes overnight, leaving me chilly, and grumpy.

                “So nice of you to wake up.” Justin grins. “We are approaching the town of Tarneth. Once there we can buy you some more appropriate clothing.”

                “What counts as appropriate?” I ask, hoping with all my might that I would not be required to wear a corset and dress, and briefly thinking about getting some skimpy clothing, but deciding against it as they would more than likely get me the wrong kind of attention, and from the wrong person.

                “A tunic and pants most likely, something easy to move in, and light. We might also want to buy you a cloak.” Justin says. Apparently I hadn’t hidden my shivering very well. I grit my teeth and force myself to stop trembling.

                “That’s perfect,” I say. An idea pops in my head and I blurt it out before thinking twice. “Will I get any weapons? A dagger at least?”

                Justin surprises me by chuckling. “I plan to get you a bit more than a dagger. While I will protect you, you will have to be prepared to defend yourself in case I am otherwise occupied, or something makes its way past me.”Justin says, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “How about a sword? Yes, a sword should suit you nicely; perhaps you would do well with two one-handed swords…” Justin continues to ponder as we approach the town. I bite back my excitement as I mull over what he had said. Justin had said if ‘something’ gets past him, not ‘someone’. Suddenly I find myself rethinking my plan to rush after Adrinna’s kidnapper to save her.

                I clear my throat, causing Justin to look towards me. “You would need to teach me to use them.  The swords I mean. I learned basic defenses, with a dagger, but I’ve never been taught to fight.”

                “Of course you weren’t! You are a princess! You wouldn’t need to know how to fight!” Justin pauses and sighs, before continuing in a calmer voice. “However, I suppose I must teach you, to suit our… Unique predicament,” Justin says, the corner of his mouth twitching up in amusement.

                I duck my head to hide a blush. Teaching me to fight would require the two of us being in VERY close proximity to each other. Suddenly I was very anxious for this evening.

                “We are approaching Tarneth now princess,” Justin says, stopping Flinn. I pull Zypher to a stop and watch as Justin climbs off Flinn and starts rooting around in his saddlebags. Justin pulls out a dark mass of cloth and walks towards me with it.

                “Here princess, we will have to lay low for now. I don’t know if anyone would recognize you, but I don’t want to risk it,” Justin says, holding the cloth out to me. I grab it, and it unfolds, revealing a cloak.

                “Very well,” I say, swinging the cloak behind me. I lift my chin as I tie the cloak at my collar. Once the cloak is secured I pull my hair out from under the cloak and twist it around to lie over my right shoulder.

Justin gasps. I look over to see him staring at me.

“What?” I ask looking around frantically to see what is wrong.

“You-, your hair!” Justin exclaims.

“What? Is there a spider in it?” I ask, swiping furiously at the top of my head.

“No, no.” Justin says, grabbing my wrist. I look down at his warm hand around my wrist. He was so much darker than I. My skin tingles where his fingers touch it.

“Your hair has golden streaks in it.” Justin says, still staring at my head.

“Is that all?” I ask, distracted by his warm skin.

“I just never noticed before,” Justin says, trailing off. He lets go off my wrist and walks over to Flinn, mounting the buckskin mare without even breaking stride. “Let’s go. Pull your hood up princess.”

I smile, and pull my hood up. My brown hair did have golden streaks, but no one ever noticed with Adrinna around. Adrinna was blonde, golden blonde, and with her blonde hair, all people ever noticed about my hair was that it’s brown. That was our one difference, physically that is. We both had bright blue eyes, and the same build.
Before I could start missing Adrinna, we arrived in Tarneth.

I duck my head to hide my face, and peer out from under the hood at the little town. I had never been outside of the castle and its surrounding town before, and I am surprised to find that I love this bustling little town. People and animals are everywhere, running every which way. Justin leads the way to a tailor shop a little ways into the town. I see mothers holding their infants, buying the mornings eggs. Children play in the street. Dogs bark at passersby’s. This town was wonderful.

We stop just short of the tailors, at a hitching post. Justin unties Zypher from Flinn and I start untying the ropes holding me in the saddle. Justin finishes, and ties both Flinn and Zypher to the post near the store. Once he finished tying the horses to  the post, he realizes I am still in Zyphers saddle. He chuckles at seeing that I was still struggling with the ropes before coming to help me.

“Stick close to me Katrinna,” Justin whispers reaching around my waist to unhook the ropes. “The tailor is right here, and the blacksmith is across the way,” Justin says, gesturing across the bustling street. I see a faint line of smoke rising from a building towards the outskirts of town, and assume that is the blacksmith. Justin frees me from the ropes and helps me down. I trip, and Justin catches my arm.

“You okay Katrinna?” Justin asks as I waver unsteadily.

“Yeah, fine, just give me a minute to get my footing,” I say, clutching to Zypher’s saddle.

As soon as I’m steady, Justin reaches behind me and roots around in Zypher’s saddlebags, before pulling out a bag of gold coins. Bouncing the bag on his palm we walk toward the tailors shop. People scatter, avoiding Justin, and pay no notice of my presence. I find myself having to practically jog in order to keep up with Justin’s long strides. We quickly arrive at the tailors and I pause outside the shop. I look up at the sign, causing my hood to fall back. I sigh and, after pulling my hood back up, walk into the store, wishing Adrinna could be here with me.

o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o

“Thank you!” I call behind me, as I leave the tailors shop. I was now adorned in a dark green tunic that is remarkably soft. The tailor had called the fabric cotton, said he found the stuff in fields just outside of town, and that his wife spun it into thread and fabric. I also had a leather belt fastened around my waist. The belt had diamond patterns circling it, and inside the diamonds were roses that had been tooled with incredible detail. Tight black pants and tall leather riding boots completed my new attire. The tailor’s wife had helped me braid my hair so that it wrapped up around itself, and hung in a short ponytail on the back of my head. It also made my hair look shorter, which would help me not to be recognized.

                “Well that is definitely an improvement!” I hear Justin call. I turn to see him riding up to me from the blacksmiths. “I’m glad Mr. and Mrs. Tyler didn’t mind dropping everything to help with our unique predicament.” Justin says, smiling as he dismounts.

                “Well, it probably helped that you are the best knight in the kingdom. You intimidate people.” I giggle.

                “Ha-ha princess,” Justin says. His voice sounds angry, but I see his eyes twinkle in amusement. “I had the blacksmith make these.” Justin says as he turns and pulls two gleaming blades off the back of his saddle.

                I gasp and run over to him. The blades were perfection; sleek, and beautiful.

                “Make no mistake,” Justin says chuckling at my reaction. He holds the blades just short of my eager reach. “Despite their hasty production, these are very dangerous weapons Katrinna.”

                I sigh in defeat. “I understand.”

                Justin grins before turning and tying the swords to the back of my saddle.

                “When can you start teaching me?” I ask, eager to have an excuse to get up close and personal with Justin, not to mention learning to defend myself. I was tired of playing the damsel in distress. It was high time I would be able to take care of myself.

                “I can begin your instruction tonight. But first,” Justin turns around and presents me with a dagger. “I believe you might want this.”

                “You got this for me?” I ask, barely able to keep from squealing with excitement as a blush rose in my cheeks. “But why? You got me the swords!”

                “Until you reach a certain level of proficiency, the Damascus blades are as dangerous for you as you enemies.”

                “Damascus?” I ask, reaching eagerly for the dagger, but Justin held it out of my reach.

                “That’s the type of swords they are. Very time consuming to make. Which means they are all the more impressive because they were formed so quickly.”

                “Will they be weaker as a result of their quick formation?” I ask, starting to worry. How horrible would it be if my sword broke in the middle of a fight?  No matter what the circumstances, that situation would have no happy ending for me.

                “No, they are as strong as any blade that took weeks to make. The blacksmith assured me, and I tested them thoroughly.”

                I sigh, relieved as Justin passes the dagger to me. I pull it from its sheath and stare at the blade. It was clear as any looking glass in the castle. The handle was simple, yet beautiful with the metal worked so that it twisted around the handle.

                “This dagger is perfect for you, at least until I am able to teach you the… art of swordplay,” Justin says, climbing onto Flinn.

                I smirk, and re-sheath the dagger before fastening it to my belt and mounting Zypher. Even under the circumstances, Justin insisted on being proper. Art of swordplay my ass. Justin was going to teach me to kill. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. “So when will you start teaching me?” I ask.

                “Tonight if you wish, but for now we must move if we are to stay ahead of search troops.” Justin says, situating himself in the saddle.

                “Justin?” I say softly. Justin glances over his shoulder at me. “Thank you,” I murmur.

                Justin’s eyes soften as he smiles warmly. “You are more than welcome, princess.”

                “Katrinna,” I correct.

                “Katrinna,” Justin says softly. I nod, blushing.

                Justin smiles, and looks ahead. He clicks his tongue and starts Flinn forward. It seemed as if we would finally be starting our search for Adrinna.

Twin Desires

You've read her poetry, now you get a chance to read a short story by our newest author; Macie Snow.  Macie has the heart of an artist and expresses it through poetry, stories and art work.  Leave a comment for Macie and let her know what you think!  This young budding artist needs all the encouragement she can get!

Copyright 2012 Macie Snow

Twin Desires

by

Macie Snow

Chapter One

I sigh as I watch my sister in the mirror.

“Don’t you ever tire of this Adrinna?” I ask.

“Tire of what, exactly?” she asks, tilting her head.

“Tire of this,” I say, sweeping my arms across the room. “Tire of life, of our role, and all its tedium. Are you not yet tired of constantly searching for a suitor? Of being a royal?”

Her eyes grow wide and she turns around to stare at me in horror, “What are you talking about?!”

“Well, we don’t DO anything. We just lounge around. We do the same thing every day. I’m sick of it.”

Adrinna rolls her eyes and goes back to primping in the mirror, “That isn’t true Katrinna. Why, just yesterday we started learning foreign etiquette.”

“That’s precisely what I mean.” I say, jolting up into a sitting position. “We start learning foreign etiquette right after we finished learning table etiquette, speech etiquette, conversational etiquette, and every other kind of etiquette!! It never changes, and it never ends! We don’t learn anything useful, or even anything new.”

“’Tis plenty useful Kat, we must present the right image, lest Mother and Father will lose their respect, and our country would fall to ruins.”

I throw my hands up and stand, turning away from the mirror, “Why do they place so much on our shoulders?! We are only nineteen!”

Adrinna turns around and points to me with the hairbrush, “Exactly, we are nineteen. We are going to have to learn to do things ourselves, starting with finding a proper suitor,” she says as she turns back to the mirror, sets her brush down and starts pinching her cheeks.

I sigh, dropping the subject. I know it is a pointless argument.

            “So do you think this guy will be the one?” I ask Adrinna, referring to the new suitor.

            “I don’t know. They’ve all been nice, but none of them have had that certain special something.”

            “I know what you mean, but soon Father will be forced to choose husbands for us.”

            “Well we don’t want that, so we had better chose someone quickly,” Adrinna says, winking at me.

            “Easy for you to say. You have countless suitors to choose from.”

            “’Tis not as simple as that Kat.” Adrinna says as she sits me down in the chair in front of the mirror to help me with my hair.  “How could I possibly choose one man? They are all so kind to me.”

            I ignore her comment, and watch in the mirror as she works her magic with my hair. In a matter of minutes, she manages to turn my tangled mess of hair into a gorgeous, complex up do.

            “Come Katrinna, everything will be fine,” Adrinna says, pulling me out of the chair, before leading me into the hallway.

o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o

“I can’t believe this!” Adrinna screams, storming through the doors into our room.

            “Adrinna calm down!” I holler, following her into our room.

            “Calm down? Calm down! How do you expect me to calm down when he- When I- Ugh!” Adrinna picks up a pillow and, shoving her face into it, screams before collapsing onto her bed.

            “Well Adrinna, I’m sure something good can come from it” I say. “For one thing, he’s cute.”

            “Cute?! He’s gorgeous!” She groans into her pillow. “And a complete bastard!”

            “Well,” I sit next to her and rest my hand on her shoulder reassuringly. “I’m sure if you speak to Father he will reconsider.”

            “No he won’t” she wails into her pillow. “Once his mind is made up there’s no changing it! Now I’m engaged to- to- to-” She bursts into tears and buries her face into the pillow.

            “To Sir Daman.” I whisper. I lean over and hug my sister. “I’m certain it will work out somehow.”

            Adrinna’s wails of despair increase in volume.

            “Hu- How could Fath- Father do this to me-e-e?” She cries in a hiccuping voice.

            “I don’t know Adrinna, I don’t know.” I say, giving her another hug.

            I still couldn’t believe it myself. At dinner there had been suitors for both Adrinna and I present. When dinner was nearly finished, Father asked Adrinna on her choice of husband. Adrinna had happily told him that she had yet to find a suitor she intended to wed. Adrinna always loved being the center of attention, and she was going to keep her suitors fawning over her as long as possible.

            However, after revealing that she had not yet chosen a suitor, Father surprised us with an announcement. He thought Sir Daman was an excellent match, so he had arranged the engagement between Sir Daman and Adrinna. Father had also told me that I needed to find a suitor to wed soon, else he would pick someone for me as well. The only reason he had yet to do so was because I had not nearly as many suitors as Adrinna.

            I sigh, “Adrinna, everything will work out, I’m sure of it. I know not how, but there will be a way.” I give her one last hug before walking over to my bed. I brush my hair, change into my nightclothes, and climb into bed.

o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o

I jerk up in bed, startled awake by a bloodcurdling scream. I blink the sleep out of my eyes and look around.

            “Kat he-elp!!!!” Adrinna screams. I look at her bed, but she isn’t there. I leap out of bed and frantically look around.

            I see her being drug out the window by a person cloaked in shadows.

            “Adrinna!” I scream, running towards her. I grab her arm and desperately try to drag her back into the room, but the attempts are in vain. The man, for it was indeed a man, drags Adrinna out the window; I grasp the windowsill to keep from tumbling out myself.

            “Kat! Help me!” I hear Adrinna scream, as her form, and that of her captor's fade into the shadows.

            I turn around and run to the door to our bedroom. After frantically fighting with the lock on our door, I manage to fling the door open. I run into the hallway, screaming bloody murder.

            A few people come out, most of them maids. “What is it Miss? What’s wrong?” some ask. 

            I shake my head in disbelief, “Adrinna, she’s- she’s,” I run down the hall, heedless of their questioning looks.

            I hear them behind me; one of them had obviously checked our bedroom as I hear shouts fading behind me. “Gone! Miss Adrinna is gone!”

            I run, with no idea of where I was running too. I soon find myself outside, heading through the courtyard. When I finally have to pause to catch my breath, I find myself at the stables.

            Of course! I would go save Adrinna! I find the biggest, strongest looking horse I could, and start saddling it as fast as possible.

            “Katrinna!” I turn at the sound of my name. Halfway across the courtyard was a group of people running towards me. I squint as I pull the saddle strap tight on the horse.

            Oh crap. In the group was Father, as well as his champion. The group also consisted of many other knights, and further behind the group I could see Mother, and some of her handmaidens running after her.

            I look back at the closest group as I finish saddling the black Frisian horse. The champion, Justin was Father’s best, and most trusted knight. No doubt Father was sending him to save Adrinna. In the past Father had Justin prevent me from participating in ‘unladylike’ activities, such as learning to fight. Father would never allow me to help save Adrinna, but if I didn’t go now, no one would leave until daylight.

            I climb up on the horse. He is not my horse, of course. My horse, Chasity, would stand out like a sore thumb. She is completely white, a rare color in this region. Besides that, she is not used to irregular terrain, and she could not sprint for long. The stallion I am currently riding is beautiful, with a coat black as night. He is strong and, hopefully; fast. I push my feet into the stirrups and yell.

            “Heeyah!!!” I shout, kicking my heels into the stallion’s side. He whinnies, and bolts out of the stable. I guide him out through the courtyard, towards the gates.

            “Katrinna! Stop!” Father shouts, his face red with exertion.

            I am headed straight towards his group. I yank on the reins and veer around the group, still heading towards the gate.

            “Close the gate! Close it!” Justin yells. I glance over my shoulder to see him gesturing vehemently towards the gates. I urge the horse faster. If I couldn’t make it out of the gate, Adrinna’s life would be forfeit because of me. 

            The person who had drug Adrinna out the window had cloaked his face, but I had seen the crest on his arm. The crest was that of Saludyn, one of our neighboring kingdoms. Saludynians were known for their violence. There was no time to waste; Adrinna had to be saved quickly, else something horrible would happen to her.

            With the gate closing, I urge the horse faster. The frantic shouts around me fade as I focus on the gate. The horse speeds up, seemingly knowing what I wanted. We race towards the gate as it slowly closes. I duck my head and we speed through the gate. I pull back on the reins and the black stallion comes to a halt. I glance over my shoulder and see Justin in the courtyard, face red as can be. He watches me, and I smirk at him. He turns on his heels and heads back towards Father, who had stopped in the middle of the courtyard to catch his breath. I urge the horse forward. I have to get moving, as Justin would soon be on my tail.

            I pull the reins to the left, leading the horse around the castle to the area below our bedroom window. When I reach the clearing beneath the window, I look around to get my bearings. The sun was to the left, east. I turn my horse northeast, towards the bordering kingdom of Saludyn. There was no guarantee that the kidnapper had taken Adrinna this way, but the route I had decided on was the fastest way to Saludyn from our castle.

            No matter the price, I was going to save Adrinna. I urge the black stallion into a gallop and head into the dark mass of trees towards Saludyn.

By Your Soul

Like Mother like Daughter!!  a poem by my lovely daughter!! Margaret! Enjoy

            By Your Soul   

(one of my old poems I found...)

by Margo Burton on Monday, May 17, 2010 at 1:38pm ·

I hate your hatred but I'm stricken by your soul
I have no better way to explain it
Beautiful soul, hateful mind, unavailability
I should have kept you
I should have left you go a long time ago
I should have tried harder

In my defense, I'd thought that my heart
My soul, my hope would be enough for you
You were all that mattered for so long
That I forgot myself, indefinitely wrong
I loved you so much that I hated me
Those prudent feelings re birthed my insecurity

That's why it went downhill
You can believe I'll always feel
And think and care and love
More so than my own good
You're wrong, I'm wrong; I wish we could
Overcome it this time

Never again; my best friend
Sabotaged my soul mate, caused our end
There's no going back, no more love you'll send
The only string attached to my sanity was severed
Love knows no end, I still have that sense
Adore the memory of your loving gaze, become tense

The real reason I want what we had
The idea it was so timeless although ended sad
This departure has reinforced my knowledge
That perhaps I don't deserve one so true
I've proven it before, did it again
You're beautiful and I'm adapted to a negative man

Powerless to make you love me anymore
It's still there surely but not strong enough
Can't overcome speculations of infidelity
Maybe it's for the best, this absurdity
Had it not happened, we'd have drifted apart
Still losing the only significance left in my heart

So, sudden or gradually it was bound to turn vile
I felt it weeks beforehand but welcomed denial
It had to end, but we can't remain friends
Your eyes keep me away although I see them constantly
Soulfully & hauntingly they hurt me, remind me
That I've not been born to be happy & have consistency

I realized long ago that I couldn't fulfill you
It expanded so large that I couldn't be regretful
Sometimes the hard times don't seem too rancid
But I can't make it work if you don't want it
Not allowed to push me around, bring me further down
I'll watch your lips move without hearing a sound

This failure is disheartening, can't take it lightly
Holding in my tears because I'm wound too tightly
To erode me facade of hope, my mind listening
Knowing I can't find myself with you, or alone
But alone there's a chance to block the nonsense you send me
You're great, not a cold heart but you won't surrender to me

I want nothing more than to take back these lines
As if nothing happened and we'd kept our minds
I don't mind sharing a soul but at what cost?
Hah! Happiness with my heart intact without impending loss?
Try harder to make it work but can't have you completely
You never made the leap and gave yourself to me entirely

Think, I observe & I trust you were in love
But not enough to help us rise above
As much as I want to turn around, I must give up
Should I not, I'll drag us back down
When we work through the impossible & turn things around
It seems worthwhile, this dream but reality is crowned

I still think it's worth the pain, to be distraught
That's our most important difference; patience can't be taught
You can't reach inside and find me inside of you
Can't grasp the depth of what's inside, so far inside
True love for you, but not enough to make you cry
I have yet to get it out but I've been meaning to try

Alliances mindfucked me in shocking reality
I'm left thoughtful & speechless while truth obscures me
I can't get back what we were lucky to find
Though in a way you'll remain in my mind
Knowledge being the soul reason I won't cross the line
Attempting to rediscover what drowned in our crimes

Love Notes - Chapter 6

Talk about heating things up! Do you think that Stephanie and Rob are going to burn each other out? Can a relationship that starts out with sizzling sex last? I've always heard the saying 'lovers first it will never last, friends first it will last forever'.



What about the online time they've spent chatting? Does online time qualify to really get to know someone? It seems Rob is a bit apprehensive about something. Maybe he's not who he's presented himself to be. What if they are both keeping secrets?



Wow talk about trust issues! Is Stephanie heading for a fall or is she in danger? Rob is definitely a bad boy but just how dangerous is he?

 Love Notes

Chapter 6

Day 4

Today is going to be different. You’ve made plans, and told me generalities but not specifics. Every time I ask you, you’re evasive and won’t answer me directly or you just tell me, “Relax baby, I’ve got it covered.”

You may have noticed that I’m not really the spontaneous type. I like to have things planned out and know what I’m doing and when I’m doing it. Of course that is also part of the habit I’m trying to break; being predictable boring old Stephanie. Why won’t you just tell me? Argh, I am feeling very frustrated!

I know, I know - trust you! I do, sort of. Trust is something that doesn’t just come easy for me. Especially after Trevor. LOL - maybe if it bothers you, you can take it up with him. HA! That would be a hoot, you confronting Trevor. Not that I would encourage violence but in his case I could make an exception.

You had some work related things to deal with this morning, so I'm here all alone. It gives me a chance to work on my presentation a bit, but as you can see that's not what I'm doing. No, I'm obsessing over you instead.

I've greatly enjoyed the time we've spent together Rob. I want it to last forever, but I wonder if it's even possible. I will have to go back home, back to my work, to my boring life and I just don't think I can go back to our online relationship, never knowing if I'll see you again.

I can't even begin to focus on work! Ooh! But I can call Letti!

* * * *

Stephanie closes up her journal and tucks it back inside the pocket of her suitcase. Opening her laptop, a sudden giddiness overcomes her, and she laughs out loud. She logs on to her Facebook account to see if Letti is on. Yep! Stephanie quickly punches Letti's picture on her phone, waiting for her friend to pick up.

"Brown and Langley, this is Colette. How may I help you?"

"For starters, quit playing games on Facebook."

"Steph! How's the trip? How's London? How's Rob?"


"Whoa! Slow down! You move faster than Rob!"

"I take it you're getting some action then? Good, you needed to lighten up!"

"Hey!" Stephanie exclaims in mock surprise then giggles. "And Oh yeah. Lots and lots of action. May have to mark off most of my sightseeing because of the action." She couldn't help but grin, thinking of the past few days.


"Does he look like his picture or did he send you someone else's?"


"NO! It's absolutely him. He's more amazing in person." The two squealed together into the receivers.


"Ooh tell me, tell me, tell me!"


"He's very romantic." Stephanie lay back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling watching her mental video camera play inside her head. "The first night, well our first date; I got caught in the rain. Spent a bleedin' fortune at the salon on my hair, getting waxed, mani pedi - you know, the works. Wanted to look good for our first meeting."

"Yeah, go on."


"Well, about ten yards from the hotel a sudden downpour started, turned my brolly inside out and I was drenched by the time I reached the restaurant."

"Sorry Steph. Did you bail? I think I would've just cried and ran back to the hotel."


Stephanie checked her manicure. It was getting a little dull and chipped around the edges. She thought to make an appointment for a new manicure before Rob returned. "I met these girls."

Stephanie blushed at the memory. "They um . . .helped me."


"Yeah?"

"They were very nice. Megs and Leah." Stephanie cleared her throat. "They helped me dry off, warm up, and even let me borrow some clothes"


"How did they manage that at a restaurant?"


"Oh they know the owner, and he has an apartment in back. One of the girls stays there, and she lent me some clothes. Well, they weren't as nice as the outfit you helped me pick out, but then again I wasn't soaking wet." She examined the other hand. "It didn't matter though, he saw me come in absolutely soaked."


"Oh damn"


"No, he thought it was sexy!"


Colette laughed into the receiver. "Only a guy right?" The two laughed together.


"Since then we've been almost inseparable. And oh my gosh Letti, the sex; wow! It was never like this with Trevor."

Letti made a throaty almost snorting noise. "Well yeah, but Trevor's an ass." Again the girls laughed together.

"I'll never be able to eat strawberries again without turning beet red."

"What? Why? You can't drop something like that and just leave it."

Stephanie could feel her nipples tightening at just the memory. "Um, yeah and ice cream and strawberry syrup, and chocolate." She brushed her fingers over her hardened nipples, tweaking them gently.


"Oh my god! Seriously? Ms tighter than a drum about sex Stephanie Colson played with food?"


"Wow, I gotta meet this Rob and shake his hand for getting you out of the box. So how was it?"


"What?" Stephanie felt embarassed that her mind was remembering Rob's touch as she held the receiver talking with Letti. "It was only freaking awesome!"

"What else Stephanie?"

Her fingers played lightly over her cleft, feeling damp from just thinking about Rob. "Oh loads! Mmm, how's things at the office? Is Steve playing nice or am I going to have to fire him?"


"Nice evasion there. I'll get the details out of you though. NO, he's not playing nice. He's being a tyrant. He's got half your clients upset and has only been in the office a total of six hours since you left. You are coming back soon I hope? Maybe bring Rob over here for a visit while you handle Mr. Phillips?"

"Ugh, I was afraid of that. I knew he'd show his colors but I didn't think he'd be so stupid so quickly. Hey I gotta go." Her fingers now slipping slowly, lazily, inside her wet folds. "I've got to get ready, Rob just texted me and said he'd be here in ten minutes and I haven't even showered. I'll message you later. Keep me updated, ok? Love ya bye!"

She had cut her friend off abruptly and lied to her. Rob hadn't texted, she just couldn't chat with Letti while she was so horny. Stephanie set the phone down, and walked towards the bathroom,slipping her silk chemisse off, letting it drop on the floor on the way. A shower was what she needed. She steppind into the tub, letting the jets of water pulse against her skin. Her left hand squeezing her breasts and pinching her nipples while she slipped the fingers of her right hand inside her pussy, and over her clit. A continuous inner video played in her mind of the passion between her and Rob over the past few days. Stephanie felt overwhelmed with lust as specific moments flashed in her mind. Her fingers worked faster, harder, deeper as her pulse quickened, her skin flush.

Gasping from the intensity of the lust, she pinched her nipple hard as she fingered herself frantically, two fingers inside her slit and her thumb working small hard circles over her clit. In a matter of seconds she was spasming in orgasm.


Three more orgasms later she was finally sated and shampooed her hair. Stephanie stood in the steaming water letting it wash the previous tension away as she rinsed the last of the soap and conditioner from her body.

After she had dressed she dialed the salon downstairs.  "Is there any possible way you could get me in for a dye and a foil. and a mani-pedi?  Yes? Awesome!  Be down in just a few minutes."

She glanced in the mirror, turning her head from side to side, chewing her lip as she debated  the impulsive action she was about to do.  "Let's see what you think of me now."