Ever After

[StrangeQuark]

So, the characters wrote the story for you, eh? That's because they're very good characters



100 gold. That sounds like a pretty big sum in this world. I have to admit that I knew all along Morgan's compliance would be more than it had initially appeared to be.



Who's this swordswoman? I like the idea. Anyone betrothed to the Prince would certainly need a bodyguard, and a female one seems like the best choice for obvious reasons. She took it easy on Hannah too. I think that it says a lot for her character.



Isabelle is very accepting of Hannah's choices. Maybe because she is so joyful at her own impending nuptials? Or is there a possibility that she knew something about Hannah all along?



Oh yeah, I like the magistrate choosing not to expose the witch, in order to avoid scandal. A lot like our universe. Very simple, yet convincing mechanism to allow Morgan and Hannah a little slice of peace. For the time being, at least.



Interesting place to cut things at the end. I wonder if Maurice knows something about Morgan? I get the feeling that they are somehow connected.



Beatrice is conspicuous in her absence in this installment. Very intriguing.



-SQ

[justin]

strangequark:

Quote:

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Who's this swordswoman? I like the idea. Anyone betrothed to the Prince would certainly need a bodyguard, and a female one seems like the best choice for obvious reasons.

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On the one hand Gicing Isabelle a female guard is logical in that it negates the possibility of Isabelle falling for her guard. But on the other this is a bad bit of gender sterotyping, after all Hanah and Morgan disprove that theory.

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Isabelle is very accepting of Hannah's choices. Maybe because she is so joyful at her own impending nuptials? Or is there a possibility that she knew something about Hannah all along?

---

Or maybe Isabelle's so happy at Hannah being with someone that she's willing to overlook that persons gender. Possibly related to the conversation Hannah's parents had about using Morgan to distract Hannah.

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I wonder if Maurice knows something about Morgan? I get the feeling that they are somehow connected.

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I'm not sure what you mean by Maurice and Morgan being connected. Maurice is going to make another appearance but not till these second part.

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Beatrice is conspicuous in her absence in this installment. Very intriguing.

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Yes, where is beatrice?



Chapter 16

The Royal Guard

The regent





The next morning when Morgan woke up she was a little surprised to note that there was someone in bed with her. As she remembered where she was and who it was Morgan rolled over and put her arm round Hannah saying, "I think that I could get used to this."



"Get used to what?"



"Waking up next to you."



Hannah smiled, "That's soppy, but kind of nice. It feels strange."



"What does?"



"Just lying here. I keep feeling I ought to be getting up and doing something but there's no need, is there?"



"No there..." She was interrupted by a loud banging at the door. "I'll get it." She said. Morgan went to the door and opened. She was surprised to see a man in the armour of the royal guard there. "Hello." she said "Can I help you?"



"Are you Hannah Watson?"



"No I'm Morgan Maclay. Um, who are you?"



"I need to speak to Ms Watson."



"Right but you haven't told me who you are."



"I am the head of Princess Beatrice's royal guard."



"Oh, well then you'd better come in then." She moved away from the door and let him in. "Hannah he wants to talk to you."



"I know I heard." Hannah, who had gotten up and thrown a robe on, said. "So what can I do for you."



"Prince Edmund has had his sister incarcerated."



"What?" Morgan said.



"For what reason?" Hannah added.



"He claims that she has gone mad and must be locked up for her own protection."



"She's not mad." Hannah said.



"Well I've been away on an ambassadorial mission for the month. I only got back last night to find that all this had happened."



"So you didn't even know she had left."



"No I didn't. As soon as I found out what was going on I got in touch with the princess and she suggested that I come and see you."



"Well we'll both help in any way we can." Hannah said then she added to Morgan, "Right?"



"Of course." Morgan replied. Then she went on, "Um, I'm not sure how to ask this..."



"Just ask." Hannah told her



"Well do you think your sister could have anything to do with this?"



"Damn, yes it'd be just like her."



"Your sister?" the guard asked looking confused "Why should she be involved?"



"She's Edmund's fiancee." Hannah said



"Oh hell." The guard "I went to your house first. It was your brother who told me to come here."



"Then they'll know that we're going to help Beatrice."



"Yes. I didn't realise. Like I said I've been out of the loop."



"Then we're going to have to hurry." Morgan said, "When you spoke to Beatrice, did she tell you anything to help."



The captain started at Morgan using the princess's name, but decided he didn't have time to say anything, "I didn't speak to the Princess myself. The lady Anderson was able to get to her."



"Well would she be willing to help."



"No. I was able to convince her to take a message for me, but if there is a power struggle, she won't take sides till it's clear which one is going to win."



"Well then I guess that it's up to us." Hannah said.



"Yes. I'd better return straight to the castle to see what's going on there."



"We'll get ready and come after you." Hannah said



"Good. And thank you." He then quickly turned and left.



"Well this is a turn up." Hannah said as she quickly got dressed.



"Yes. I wander what reason her brothers given for saying she's mad."



"I don't know. Unless..."



"Unless what?"



"Well if she told them about being replaced by a changeling and held prisoner in a tower of ice for the last twenty years then... Well it does sound a little mad."



"I guess so. Well then all we have to do is confirm her story."



"Yeah, and then they can lock us up as well."



"I suppose they would. If they're going to go this far then they probably won't stop at anything to get the throne."



"So we'll have to come up with another way to get them to release her."



"That's not the only thing we have to worry about."



"It's not?"



"There's the problem of who kidnapped Beatrice in the first place."



"Oh yeah, we need to make sure they don't kidnap her again." By now she had finished dressing "It's a good thing I didn't unpack last night. " As she grabbed her bags.



***





As soon as they were ready they headed down to the stables, "It should take us four hours to get to the palace, if we hurry."



"Have you ever been there before?"



"No, never. You?" As Morgan shook her head Hannah went on, "I guess not."



They were blocked from the stables by two riders.



"Isabelle. I'm surprised to see you up."



"Where are you two off to?"



"Oh we're looking for a house to buy."



"Okay then, Cassandra and I'll help you."



"Um..."



"That knight's been here already."



"Yes."



"And you're going to the castle. You going to be mean aren't you."



"Mean?"



"You're going to try to free Beatrice."



"You bet we are. You can't go around having people locked up just because you feel like it."



"Yes I can."



"Why did you do it?"



"I'd rather be a queen than a princess." Isabelle spoke as if this ought to be obvious.



"So it was probably you who had her kidnapped as a child."



"You mean that really happened?"



"Yeah, which you know."



"Her ladyship was about a year old when it happened." Cassandra pointed out.



"Oh well I guess that would have made it difficult."



"Look, why don't we just forget about the princess, we could go looking for a house like you said." Isabelle suggested. Seeing Hannah's expression, she went on, "You know I can have you arrested if I want to. Cassandra, get to it."



Cassandra jumped off her horse and began walking towards Hannah and Morgan.



Morgan, who had hung back during the conversation between Hannah and her sister, began chanting. Isabelle's horse suddenly reared up then ran off. Isabelle screamed loudly as she tried to regain control of her horse. Without hesitating Cassandra jumped on her horse and rode after her. Morgan and Hannah ran to the stables and left.



As they rode away Hannah asked, "What did you do?"



"I know a spell to help calm animals. I modified it slightly."



"They're probably coming after us."



"We'll have to hurry."



***





About four hours later they caught sight of the palace. They had ridden quickly but had stayed away from the main roads in order to avoid being caught. As on most days there was a long line of people going into the palace.



"They're probably going to be expecting us." Hannah said "Which will make getting in difficult."



"Yes." Morgan agreed. "Hopefully Richard will be able to do something to help us."



"As long as Isabelle hasn't done anything."



"She might be able to have us arrested but I don't think she has the authority to do the same to the captain of the guard, yet."



"I guess that you're right." Hannah pointed to the figure approaching them.



When Richard got close he said, "Hello again. You got here sooner than I expected."



"Well we thought best to hurry."



"Indeed. Well if you'll come with me we should be able to get in through the east entrance." They went round the palace till they came to a second smaller entrance. There was no one waiting here so they went straight to the gate.



They were just about at the gate when Richard said,         "Damn."



"What?" Hannah asked.



"They've changed the guard."       



"What are we going to do?" Morgan asked.



"Just be ready to get in. I'll meet up with you later" He rode up to the gate. He then started speaking to one of the guards. After a few moments he punched the guard, knocking him off his horse then turned and rode away. A pair of guards pursued him, followed by the guard he had punched.



"I guess that's the signal." Hannah said and they rode up to the gate.



"Greetings." The remaining guard said.



"Hi." Hannah responded.



"Is there just the two of you?"



"Yes."



"Well then I'll just get the gate." He opened the gate up and let them in.



***





Morgan had gotten a few paces through the gate when she almost slipped off of her horse. Hannah grabbed her asking, "What's wrong?"



"Can't you feel it?" Morgan responded.



"Feel what?"



"There's something here. Something evil."



"Do you know what it is?"



"No. But whatever it is, it's making me feel sick."



"Are you going to be okay?"



"Yes. As soon as I get used to it." Morgan answered, though she still looked as if she could fall off her horse at any moment. After they had taken care of their horses they found an inn where they sat down to discuss their plans.



"I guess the first thing we need to do is get to the princess, then we can get her out."



"I don't think we want to do that." Morgan said.



"Why not? Isn't that why we came?"



"It's more important to prove she isn't insane or else she'll be a fugitive for the rest of her life."



"Oh, yeah. Well we still need to find the princess. Then she can give us an idea of who we can trust." They went to the palace stables and left their horses there. They then went into the main palace building.



"Do you have any idea where she is?" Morgan asked



"No. Why should I?"



"Didn't you say you could sense where she was?"



"That was the other Beatrice."



"Just try." Morgan prompted



"Okay but I don't know what good it'll do." She closed her eyes a moment. After a while she opened them and said "Goddess. I know where she is."



She then set off and Morgan followed her. Hannah led them into the main building.



"We're getting close." Hannah said. Then Morgan collapsed against the wall. She ran over and asked "What is it?"



"The feeling. It's getting stronger."



"Maybe you should rest."



"But the princess."



"I can see her."



"If you're sure."



"Yeah. You go and rest I'll meet up with you in a little while."



"Okay then." She then turned and began back tracking while Hannah continued on.



***





Beatrice was sitting in her cell wondering how long it'd take her brother to decide he'd be better off if he killed her when a voice at the door said, "Hey."



Turning she got up and said, "Hannah."



"Hi."



"How'd you get past the guard."



"I, um, bribed him."



"Oh. Where's Morgan?"



"She's in the palace."



"So are you going to break me out?"



"Actually no."



"What?"



"We'd thought it'd be better to get you released."



"I guess. if you can."



"That's why I'm here. I need to know who we can trust."



"Okay but if this doesn't work?"



"Then we'll definitely break you out."



"Good then the best person to speak to is the regent. I don't remember him but the other Beatrice trusted him. Anyway, if you can prove to him I'm not mad then he'll have to release me."



"Okay then. Anyone else."



"I'm sorry I've been gone so long. I don't know whose loyal to my brother. There's the high judge but the other Beatrice didn't particularly like him."



"I guess it would be difficult. Well we'll speak to the regent, show him what your brothers doing."



"Thanks."



"I'd better go." Hannah said "See you soon." She then dashed off.



***





Morgan was heading towards the palace gardens when she heard voices approaching her. She wasn't sure she should be here so she quickly hid behind a curtain. Peaking out she saw the regent approaching with a guard. As they went past the regent glanced towards her hiding place and she almost blacked out. When she had recovered they had gone. she quickly pulled the flowers out of a large vase that was nearby and was sick into it. Putting the flowers back and cleaning herself up she tried to make sense of what she had felt.

I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had. - mad world

[StrangeQuark]

Again with the interesting twists...



I only postulate the wisdom of choosing a female guard for Isabelle, because-- as your characters have said-- F/F relationships are not very common in this kingdom, and seem to be shunned by nearly everyone. It is duly noted that there is a strong F/F relationship at work here, but it has been treated as an abomination by what would appear to be the general consensus of the kingdom.



Beatrice in prison. She's believed to be looney. Who would her sanity threaten? I can't wait to find out.



I expected nothing less from Morgan or Hannah when it came to their decision regarding freeing Beatrice. The fact that they chose to help her, and the clever thought that they put behind it is very in-character, and does not betray-- as so often rescue plots do-- any of what we've learned about them so far. Very well done.



Hannah's brother has evolved a bit. I like that. He's made of some pretty good stuff if he can reach within himself to take a more enlightened perspective about his sister, her chores, and her companion. Of course, all they had to do was save him from death in order to initiate the turnaround, so maybe he's not as nice a person as we'd like him to be, but he has shifted to a more Hannah-supportive attitude, and I'll take that at face-value for now.



Morgan has an older brother. I'm conditioned from reading fiction to the degree that I suspected Maurice to be her brother from the moment that we met him. Just a reactionary reflex. Occam's razor and all...



Very intriguing. I'm glad that there's still a lot of mystery.



-SQ

[justin]

StrangeQuark:

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I only postulate the wisdom of choosing a female guard for Isabelle, because-- as your characters have said-- F/F relationships are not very common in this kingdom, and seem to be shunned by nearly everyone. It is duly noted that there is a strong F/F relationship at work here, but it has been treated as an abomination by what would appear to be the general consensus of the kingdom.

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Well it was the people who chose Cassandra as Isabelle's guard that I was accusing of Gender stereotyping, not you. You're right about same sex relationships being seen as unnatural. Also that the people who chose Cassandra would have been thinking that, as queen Victoria supposedly said, ladies don't do that sort of thing.

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Beatrice in prison. She's believed to be looney. Who would her sanity threaten? I can't wait to find out.

---

One thing that I'm not sure is clear is that Beatrice and Edmund are twins and that following the ball to celebrate their twenty first birthday there was going to be some sort of event to determine who should become the next ruler.



Thanks for the comemnts, I'm glad you're still finding the story intriguing.



This next chapter is rather shorter than the rest.



Chapter 17

Banishing,

Capture





Hannah decided to test her ability to find people by using it to lead her to Morgan. At first, when it took her to the library, she thought it hadn't worked, then she saw Morgan with a large pile of books. Going over to she asked, "What's up?"



"It's the regent."



"Okay. What's the regent."



"The evil presence I felt."



"Oh dear."



"How did it go with the princess?"



"She said the only person she knew we could trust is the regent."



"Oh dear indeed."



"So do you think it was the regent who kidnapped the princess."



"Yes. It seems likely"



"Why? It seems like a lot of effort to go to."



"I was trying to work that out. I just can't figure it out."



"Maybe we should leave that till we find a way to defeat it."



"I guess that is a more pressing concern. I think I've found a way but I need help."



"I'll help."



Morgan smiled at this, "Thanks, I knew you would. However what I meant was..." She suddenly stopped, staring at a woman who was walking past.



"Morgan? What is it?"



Instead of answering Morgan got up and walked over to the woman and tapped her on the shoulder. When she turned Morgan said, "Hello, um, you're a witch."



"What?" The woman said incredulously, "No, no I'm not."



"I'm one too. I need you're help."



The woman gazed at her a while then said, "Okay then."



Morgan led her back to their table.



"Hi." Hannah said.



"I'm Morgan Maclay," Morgan said, "And this is Hannah Watson."



"Sandra Kay." Sandra said, "So what do you want help with?" She frowned as Morgan showed her one of the books. "A demonography. Please tell me you're not planning on summoning a demon."



"Actually we're going to banish one."



"There's one here?" Sandra asked.



"Yes. Can't you feel it?"



"No."



"Oh well will you help us."



Sandra thought a moment then said, "Okay then. So what's the plan."



"I was going to draw it into a Eskrian pentagram then just use a standard banishing spell." She flicked through the book till she found the correct page. "Here."



Sandra quickly glanced at it then said, "That'll hold it until we can banish it but we'll need protection."



Morgan turned to a different page and said, "Here."



"Right that'll do it but it'll take time to draw both these pentagrams and prepare the spell."



"Hannah can draw the pentagrams while we get the spell ready."



"Are you sure. They need to be drawn perfectly or they're useless."



"Hannah can do it."



"Of course I can." Hannah said.



"Okay then. Are you sure there's a demon here?"



"Yes."



"Well then let's do it." They then started looking for a place suitable to do the spell.



***





Once they had found a room large enough and secluded enough to perform the spell in Morgan gave Hannah the book and some chalk and said, "The pentagrams need to be drawn exactly as in the book."



"I think I can manage that."



"I know you can." Morgan agreed. Hannah set the book down on the ground then began drawing. Morgan and Sandra then started a fire and began preparing the ingredients.



It took an hour to get all the components of the spell ready. When they were finished Hannah was working on the smaller pentagram. She suddenly stopped and looked at the book. She then carefully rubbed out a section then redrew it. When she had finished Sandra walked over and inspected it.



After a while she said, "You got a bit wrong."



"What do you mean?" Hannah asked.



Sandra pointed at the section Hannah had redrawn and said, "This is different from the book."



"Oh the books wrong." Hannah said.



"How could you know that?" Sandra asked.



"Well look at it. This way it's more symmetrical than the one in the book. That must make it stronger."



"Hannah's right." Morgan said.



"I know she is." Sandra said angrily, "But how? You're not a witch are you?"



"No. It just seemed logical."



"Alright then we'd better go on with calling the demon."



"Calling it." Hannah said nervously.



"We need to draw the demon into the pentagram." Morgan explained



"Oh, right." They grabbed some of the components and standing near the larger pentagram and began chanting. After a while a ball of light appeared inside the pentagram. "So that's going to summon it?" Hannah asked



"Yes." Morgan told her. "Now we need to get into our pentagram." They went and stood inside the smaller pentagram. After a few moments the door opened and the regent entered.



"The regent is the demon?" Sandra hissed. Morgan just nodded.



"Witches." The regent said in a disgusted tone. He walked up to the pentagram but was stopped at the edge. Raising his fist he punched it and a ripple formed where his fist hit the barrier. He hit it again



"Why isn't it going to the light?" Sandra said



"I don't know." Morgan said as the regent kept hitting the barrier, "But it's going to create a hole soon." Drawing her sword Hannah stepped out of the pentagram. "Hannah get back." Hannah ignored her and cut the regents head off



"That won't kill it." Sandra said.



"She's right." The regent said as his head regrew. Hannah backed away a little then as the regent lunged at her she swung her sword, cutting it's arms off. It roared in pain. Hannah kept backing away keeping her sword in front of her as the regents arms regrew. Then when it lunged again she threw herself backwards. The regent was about to grab her when it struck a barrier. Looking down it saw it had entered the pentagram.



"I think the word you are looking for is oops." Hannah said as the regent tried to break it's way out. Looking beyond it Hannah saw that Morgan and Sandra were casting the banishment spell. "Well since they're about to banish you, maybe you could explain why you went to all this trouble."



"Don't worry you'll find out soon enough, though you'll wish you hadn't." Then a small point of light appeared. The regent seemed to shrink and distort as it was pulled through the hole.



"Well that was fun." Just then the door burst open and a group of guards entered.



"Arrest both of them." The captain said.



"Both?" Hannah said. It was only then that they realised that Sandra had vanished.

I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had. - mad world

[StrangeQuark]

I figured that Hannah would be keen on symmetry, and its implications in spell casting. She's so darned clever



The Regent thing was clever too. Again, Hannah is smarter than she appears at first. I like the way that you keep doing that. I don't see it coming, and then, when it happens, Hannah has succeeded at what I thought she would originally fail. Brilliant.



Oh yeah, I remembered the part about the power struggle between the twins, but I keep thinking that there's something a little more complex going on here. Just a paranoid plot-hound thing of mine. I'm always looking for something unseen. I guess that I picked that up from watching the X-Files all these years...



Very good, as always.



-SQ

[justin]

StrangeQuark: Yes Hannah is a very smart girl. she's always thinking, thinking thinking. I just hope I'm not making her too perfect. After her name's supposed to be Hannah Watson not Mary Sue



thanks for the feed back



No for the penultimate chapter



Chapter 18

The trial

Escape





Beatrice lay in her cell trying to remain calm. After having spent her whole life a prisoner, then her elation at having been freed, being a prisoner once more was almost more than she could take. The worst thing was it now seemed that her changeling had sacrificed her life for nothing. When Beatrice had been trapped in the ice tower she had often fantasised about her return home and how she would be greeted. Never once did she imagine that her own brother would have her imprisoned just so that he could become ruler of the kingdom. The stupid thing was she didn't care about that, he could be king for all that it mattered to her. Beatrice was just starting to doze off when a voice called, "Beatrice."



"Hannah?" Beatrice stood up but was surprised when she couldn't see Hannah anywhere outside. Still looking round outside, she said, "Have you come to get me out this time?"



"Um there's been a slight hic-cup."



Realising where Hannah's voice was coming from Beatrice said, "Don't tell me you've been arrested."



"Um, Okay then I won't."



Beatrice slumped back down on her bed, "Oh shit. Didn't you get to see the regent?"



"I don't know how to tell you this but he was responsible for all this."



"But it was my brother who had me arrested." Beatrice said, confused



"No I mean he was the one who had you kidnapped just after you were born."



"Why would he do that?"



"I'm not sure but I think he was some kind of demon."



"You're kidding."



"She's telling the truth." Morgan's voice came from the other side.



"Morgan, they got you too."



"Yes."



"Great so we're all stuck in here with a demon on the loose."



"Actually there isn't." Hannah said.



"But you said..." Beatrice started.



"We've dealt with the demon." Morgan told her.



"Oh right then. Then we've just got the problem of getting out of here."



"Pretty much."



***





Hannah was just using a small piece of chalk to write her name on the wall when she heard the door being unlocked. Quickly dropping the chalk she jumped onto the bed just as the door was being opened.



"Come with us." the guard said. Hannah got up and left the cell. She saw that Morgan had also been gotten from her cell. They were led to small room. The guards led them in then went to stand at the doorway. At the far end sat Prince Edmund and Isabelle.



"The regent was last seen going towards the room where you were captured. You wouldn't happen to know what happened to him?"



"Um the thing is he was a demon." Hannah said



"A what?"



"A demon." Morgan said "We banished him."



"Do you really expect me to believe that?"



"Um, no," Hannah said



"Well, anyway you admit you are responsible for his disappearance."



"Yes, but..." Hannah started



"A claim backed up by the fact the regents insignia was found in the room where you were caught. Well then you will be held in prison till tomorrow. Then Ms Watson you will be hung by the neck till you are dead."



"What about me?" Morgan asked



"You Ms Maclay are a witch. Tomorrow you will be purified by fire."



"Isabelle, you can't let him do this." Hannah said. Isabelle just looked down at the floor, avoiding meeting her eyes. "Look at me you bitch." Hannah shouted. The guards came up and led them back to their cells.



***





"Hannah what's going on." Beatrice asked



"We're being blamed for the regents disappearance."



"Well you are responsible."



"But they won't believe he was a demon."



"Actually I'm having trouble believing it. So what are they going to do?"



"Oh I'm lucky, I'm just going to be hung."



"That's lucky."



"They're going to burn Morgan."



"Oh. Morgan are you okay." There was no reply. "What's wrong with her?"



"She taking this very hard. I think it's bringing back painful memories."



"Yeah I suppose with the nightmares she's been having."



"What nightmares?"



"She's been having nightmares of being burned."



"Oh. I didn't know." She was silent a moment then said "We definitely need to..." She stopped.



"Need to what?" Beatrice asked



"Someone's coming." Hannah said. Her door was opened and a guard said



"Come with me."



***





He led her to another room. It was similar to the other one but slightly smaller. The only person in it was Edmund. The guard left, leaving them alone.



"What do you want now?" Hannah asked.



"You know two years ago I went out riding. Actually I did it quite a lot then. I wanted to see more of the kingdom. This time I reached one of the hamlets on the outskirts of the county. While riding through it I came across a woman doing the washing in a stream. This wasn't something I had ever seen before so I took my horse behind a copse of trees and watched her. After a while I got bored and was going to leave when she looked up towards where I was and I fell in love with her."



"That's nice." Hannah said "Maybe you should bring her here."



"She is here."



It took Hannah a moment to realise what he meant, "Oh. Well I'm flattered and all but you see I'm in love with..."



"With the witch. Yes I know. Your sister took great delight in telling me. That doesn't matter."



"It doesn't?"



"I can make you a queen."



"What about Isabelle."



"It's you I love."



"And what happens to Morgan."



"She burns tomorrow."



"No."



"I can force you to marry me."



"And how long do you think you're going to live?"



"Excuse me?"



"The first night we spend together I will kill you."



For a moment Edmund felt like laughing but then he looked into Hannah's eyes. "Fine if that's the way you want it." Edmund said. He then shouted "Guard." The guard came in. "Take her back to her cell." The guard grabbed Hannah and led her towards the cell.



***





They had just turned a corner when Hannah slipped to her knees.



"Get up." The guard said.



Instead Hannah quickly kicked him in the shins. Then getting up she kicked him in the stomach. As he doubled over she wrapped her chains around his throat and pulled on them till he stopped struggling. She let him fall to the floor and began going through his pockets.



After a while she said, "Damn. No keys."



"Can I help?" A voice said. Turning towards it Hannah said



"Sandra?"



"Yes." Sandra said, stepping out from the shadows.



"We wondered what had happened to you."



"I felt it wasn't a good idea to hang around." Sandra said with a shrug.



"You said something about helping with these." Hannah said holding her chains up.



"Yes." Sandra said. She sprinkled some dust on the chains while chanting softly. The chains then fell off.



"Wow." Hannah said sounding impressed.



"So shall we free Morgan?"



"Yes. No."



"What?"



"We need to find the captain of princess Beatrice's guard."



"How exactly do we do that."



"I know where he is."



"You do? How?"



"Well I don't now but I will."



"What?"



Hannah closed her eyes a few moments. After a while she said "This way." and started down a corridor.



"Interesting." Sandra said before setting off after her. They went down a series of winding passageways and up a series of very narrow staircases.



***





"Are you sure you know where we're going?" Sandra asked.



"Of course." Hannah answered.



"How, exactly?"



Instead of answering Hannah pointed down the hallway and said, "It's just down here."



They were about to start down it when Cassandra stepped out in front of them, "How about a rematch?" She suggested.



"You're just a regular guard now?" Hannah asked, looking at Cassandra's uniform, "What happened?"



"Her ladyship wasn't happy that I went to help her when her horse bolted, rather than stopping you."



"Well that's rather ungrateful." Hannah said as she drew her own sword, "So I guess that you blame me for this." Cassandra just shrugged before attacking. Hannah raised her sword to block the first strike.



Sandra quickly moved back in order to stay out of the way of the fight. She then started casting a spell. Noticing this, Cassandra knocked Hannah back, then moved to kick Sandra in the chest, knocking her to the floor, before turning her attention back to Hannah, "Just how many witches do you know?"



"Only two." Hannah swung at Cassandra but she dodged to one side, before grabbing Hannah's sword arm, pulling her off balance. Stepping behind Hannah, Cassandra smacked her hand against the wall making her drop her sword.



Cassandra raised her sword to Hannah's throat, "Sorry but orders are..."



"Cassandra, release her." Richard ordered.



Spinning towards him Cassandra raised her sword a moment, before sheathing it, "What are your instructions?"



"I want you to check the west wing." Cassandra nodded, then set off.



"Thanks." Hannah said, before sheathing her own sword and going to help Sandra.



"Hannah. I see you've gotten yourself into trouble while you've been here.."



"You could say that."



"So did you really kill the regent?"



"No we just banished him."



"Banished.?"



"You probably won't believe this but he was a demon."



"A demon?"



"Yes."



"Can you prove this."



"Um no which is why we were arrested."



"If they could prove it then who should they take the proof to?" Sandra said



"Who are you?"



"This is Sandra." Hannah said, "She helped us with the regent."



"Oh well then the best person is the high judge. But what about Beatrice? Have you any idea how to prove she's not mad?"



"Oh we can prove that at the same time." Sandra said



"We can?" Hannah asked



"Yes."



***





As they entered the high judges office he was writing something in a ledger. Richard walked up to his desk and said, "Your Honour."



The high judge looked up and said, "What is it captain? Why have you brought the two prisoners here?"



"I've only brought one."



"I'm not a prisoner." Sandra added.



"Really? I thought you were the witch. Anyway they doesn't explain why you're here captain."



"You know that prince Edmund has convicted this woman here and her, um, friend of killing the regent."



"Of course. Such is his right"



"But he has no evidence. He doesn't even have a body."



"So you're saying that they're innocent?"



"No I'm saying that the regent was a demon."



"What?" The high judge said, not sounding convinced



"It's true. I can prove it." Sandra said stepping forward.



"Why should I listen to you?"



"Because it won't take long and if afterwards you're not convinced Hannah will return to her cell and wait quietly for her execution."



"What?" Hannah said



"Well I suppose I'm not that busy." The high judge said, rising. They then all walked to a room in the east tower.



***





"This is the regents room." Richard said



"Yes." Sandra agreed "There will be certain artifacts in here that will prove that the regent was a demon." She stood aside and Richard reached over and grabbed the handle. There was a flash of light and he was thrown against the wall.



Hannah ran over to him. When she had checked he was still alive she turned to Sandra and said, "Did you know this was going to happen?"



"I suspected it might." Sandra answered with a shrug. Then to the high judge she said "I think the fact that he has magical wards on his room proves he's not everything he seemed to be."



"But it doesn't prove he was a demon."



"No we need to get inside. We need Morgan." Sandra said



"Why can't you open it?" Hannah asked



"Are you a witch as well?" The high judge asked



"Thanks Hannah." Sandra muttered. Hannah didn't respond so she went on, "No I can't open the door, but I'm sure Morgan will be able to."



"Well then." The high judge said, "This matter definitely requires further investigation so I will have the witch released."



About ten minutes later Morgan was brought up to them. Seeing her Hannah started to rise, then she noticed the angry red mark on Morgan's cheek. She was about ask about this when Richard quietened her. Getting up he asked one of the guards, "What happened to her face?"



"She was rather reluctant to come with us." The guard just said.



"Some point in the near future we are going to have to discuss your treatment of prisoners." Richard said, in a tone that suggested the guard wouldn't enjoy the discussion. He then turned to the others and said "Let's get this door open." Morgan was already standing in front of the door running her hand a few centimetres from the surface. Morgan began chanting and reached for the door handle. Unable to watch Hannah closed her eyes until she heard the door opening.



"I'm not sure why you couldn't have done that?" Morgan asked Sandra.



"Well I wanted them to release you from your cell." Sandra replied, not sounding too convincing. They all went in and found themselves in what seemed to be a fairly ordinary bedroom.



"So what exactly is it we're supposed to be seeing here." The high judge asked.



"We're not supposed to be seeing anything." Sandra said as she closed the door.



"Oh goddess." Someone in the room moaned. A moment later Sandra opened the door and everyone began picking themselves up.



"What did you do?" Richard asked her



"Me? I didn't do anything. What you just felt was the after effects of the demons presence in this room."



"Morgan, Morgan." Hannah said in a worried voice. They all turned to where she was kneeling in front of Morgan, who was unconscious. She looked up and asked "What's wrong with her?"



"Oh dear." Sandra said



"Oh dear?" Hannah shouted, very nearly hysterical, "Is that all you can say?"



"Um it seems that Morgan, being more sensitive than the rest of us was more badly effected. But don't worry she should recover."



"Where am I?" Morgan whispered.



***





A while later Hannah and Morgan were sitting outside the regents room while a group of priests examined it.



"How are you feeling?" Hannah asked



"I'm still filling a little ill. But I'm just about over the effects."



"I still think Sandra should have warned us."



"Well she was trying to make a point. Anyway I should have expected it as the first time I saw the regent I was sick."



"You were?"



"Yes."



"I wonder why Sandra wasn't affected like that."



"I don't know."



"She said something about you being more sensitive than the rest of us."

Morgan just shrugged at this and said, "I don't know. I've never thought of myself as being particularly sensitive."



"Oh dear."



"Why? What's wrong with that?" Morgan asked, sounding confused. Hannah shook here head and pointed down the hall. Morgan looked then said "Oh dear."



"What are you two doing out of your cells?" Prince Edmund asked as he approached them.



"The High judge had us released." Hannah answered, deciding it wasn't worth mentioning that she had actually escaped.



"He what?"



"He's in there." Hannah said, pointing into the regents room. The prince stormed in. A few moments later they heard an angry conversation, though they couldn't make out what was being said.



"Do you think the high judge will convince the prince to let us go?" Hannah asked



"Maybe. I mean those priests will probably prove the regent was a demon so then there's no reason to hold us." Morgan said



"There's no reason to hold me." Hannah said



"Oh." Was all Morgan could think to say



"Don't worry I won't let them burn you." Hannah said putting her hand on Morgan's.



Morgan smiled then said, "Actually I'm more worried about Beatrice. We don't seem to be any closer to getting her released."



"Aren't we?" Hannah asked "I mean surely the fact we had a demon as regent for the last fifteen years makes her story of being kidnapped a little less insane sounding?"



"I guess so. Yes I suppose it will make them reconsider her story."



"And with us backing her up."



"Well with you. They're probably not going to listen to a witch."



"Well then are they going to listen to a witch's girlfriend?" Just then Richard came out of the regents room.



"They're calling an emergency meeting." He said "We're to all go to the state hall." Hannah and Morgan got up and followed him there.

I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had. - mad world

[StrangeQuark]

Wow. A lot of stuff going on in this installment.



Hannah: Too perfect? Well, maybe a little. She does have faults, but most of them are centered around her misfit status. Misfit as a child, misfit as an adult. She is selfless, overall, and that type of selflessness can be a little unrealistic. Unless, of course, that selflessness leads to trouble for the character. Hmm. I don't know if she's too perfect, but she's close. I still like her a lot, regardless.



I like the fact that even the Prince isn't really above the law here. There's also such a thing as a character that's too powerful. Glad to see that the Judge can do something to keep him in check, or annoy him greatly, at the very least.



Speaking of the Prince... He's got a thing for Hannah, eh? I can understand that. There's something about Hannah. If the father wanted Morgan out of the picture, then wouldn't that have made Hannah more available to the Prince's attentions? Or did he bribe Morgan to leave, knowing that she'd take Hannah with her? Either way, one of his daughters would be the object of interest to the Prince. I guess that he'd rather have a blood-relation to the royals...



Beatrice, the princess of irony. I like that a lot. She escaped a prison, only to be thrown into another. Very delicious irony.



Cassandra is a bad-ass, that's for certain. I like her moxy.



Sandra the witch, outed by Hannah. That's funny. This mysterious woman raises a lot of questions with her sudden appearances and disappearances. She seems to know a lot about what's going on.



Morgan seems to know a little about Sandra's power. Is it some kind of witch-dar? I'll just assume that it is. I'm ready to believe that two wielders of the supernatural forces would be able to tell a lot about each other on sight. It seems logical.



Very interesting update, Justin. Keep up the great work!



-SQ

[justin]

SrangeQuark:

Quote:

---

I like the fact that even the Prince isn't really above the law here. There's also such a thing as a character that's too powerful. Glad to see that the Judge can do something to keep him in check, or annoy him greatly, at the very least.

---

Right but the question is who controls the high judge? Also who selects him? (It isn't heredatory but apart from that I couldn't tell you)

Quote:

---

Speaking of the Prince... He's got a thing for Hannah, eh? I can understand that. There's something about Hannah. If the father wanted Morgan out of the picture, then wouldn't that have made Hannah more available to the Prince's attentions? Or did he bribe Morgan to leave, knowing that she'd take Hannah with her? Either way, one of his daughters would be the object of interest to the Prince. I guess that he'd rather have a blood-relation to the royals...

---

This was the crux of the argument between Hannah's parents that Morgan overheard. Both Diana and David would prefer there real daughter to be married to the prince, rather than some trash they adopted. Also they both view Hannah's relationship with Morgan as being wrong. The difference is that Diana was willing to overlook her misgivings about Hannah's relationship in the hope that it would help stop Hannah from messing things up between Isabelle and the prince. However David was so upset over someone he raised, and who carried his name, being in such a relationship that he wanted to break them up, even if it did jepoardise Isabelles wedding.



He certainly didn't expect Hannah to leave with Morgan. After twenty one years he had grown used to Hannah complying with his wishes, and therefore didn't expect her to suddenly stand up to him.

Quote:

---

Cassandra is a bad-ass, that's for certain. I like her moxy.

---

Yeah, Cassandra kicks all kinds of arse

Quote:

---

Morgan seems to know a little about Sandra's power. Is it some kind of witch-dar?

---

That's as good an explanation as any other. It seems logical that witches would have developed ways to recognise their own kind, if only to avoid the embarrasment of going up to a stranger and talking to them as if they were a witch, only to find out that they're a knigh of Galeone.



Well this is the last chapter of the first part. It's just a short one to wrap some of the threads up. I'll probably start posting part 2 after christmas. Though I haven't pre written it so I won't be posting a part every day.



Chapter 19

Emergency meeting





The state hall was virtually empty. The high judge was sitting at the end on the central chair. To his left sat the prince and a nervous looking Isabelle stood behind him. Beatrice was sitting to his right. The only other person in the room apart from guards was Sandra who was sitting in one of the seats normally reserved for visiting nobles. Richard led Hannah and Morgan to two of these seats on the other side then went to stand beside Beatrice. Sitting Hannah waved to Sandra then turned the high judge.



"Would you mind explaining what is going on?" Edmund asked.



"Earlier today you had these two women." He pointed towards Hannah and Morgan "Arrested for the death of the regent. On what grounds did you do this?"



"He was last seen going towards the room they were found in. His scepter was found there plus when questioned they admitted that they had been involved in his disappearance." Edmund answered



"They also claimed that the regent was a demon. Did you investigate this at all?"



"But that's nonsense. Demons don't exist. So of course not."



"On the contrary the priests say not only do they exist but these ladies story was correct."



"There's a lot of guards." Morgan whispered to Hannah.



"Yeah. I guess someone's expecting trouble." She glanced around then said "They all seem to be wearing the colours of the high judge."



"I do not believe this." Edmund shouted



"I admit I was sceptical." The high judge answered "But the high priest has assured me that the regent was a demon. Therefore I am reversing the convictions on Ms Hannah Watson and Ms Morgan Maclay."



"You can't do that."



"Yes I can. It is obvious you acted in haste."



Morgan tapped Hannah's arm and said, "The guards are locking all the doors."



Hannah saw that this was correct then said, "So are they locking us in or someone else out?"



"Maybe making sure the prince can't escape?" Morgan suggested.



"Or get reinforcements." Hannah added



"Was there something the two of you wanted to add." The high judge asked. Hannah and Morgan then noticed that everyone was looking at them.



Hannah stood up and said, "Actually I was wondering what's going to happen to Morgan."



"I said I have reversed the conviction."



"But there's also the matter of her..."



"Being a witch? I am also going to give both Morgan Maclay and Sandra Kay immunity from conviction for that crime."



"Now you really are going too far." Edmund said



"No that is well within my remit and given the fact they helped banish a demon I think it's entirely justified that I should."



"Only if we accept that he was."



"We have written testimony from the high priest. The man who will be carrying out your coronation, if that is to go ahead."



"Why shouldn't it?"



"Well you were too hasty when convicting these two women. Maybe you were when judging your sister. And this time for quite selfish reasons."



"How dare you." Edmund shouted.



The high judge ignored him and turning to Beatrice said, "Could you please explain again what happened to you?"



Standing Beatrice said, "Very well. About twenty years ago, just after my first birthday I was kidnapped from this castle and a changeling was left in my place. I was then held prisoner in a tower of ice to the south. I was held there till just over a week ago when my doppleganger released me. I didn't know who was responsible but now I assume it was the demon who had been regent"



"I'm not sure I see why this it went to all this trouble." The high judge said.



"I wish I could tell you. I am sure that there was some plan behind all of this but I can't see what it was. Only the regent knew what it was and he can no longer tell us."



"Are we done now?" Edmund asked "We've heard most of this before."



"Maybe we have." The high judge said "And while I don't know for sure whether what the princess said is true or not I do know that you acted improperly when you had her declared insane."



"Why should I care?"



"Do you know why your great great grandfather created the post of high judge."



"No."



"It was to prevent any future monarch from misusing there powers against the people." Beatrice said



"That's right." the high judge agreed "It was also to prevent anyone from trying to circumvent the rules of inheritance as you have done, Edmund. Which is why I am going to move to declare Beatrice as the next monarch."



"I still don't see why I should care." Edmund said, rising.



"Well you have two choices. Either agree to this decision or risk starting a civil war."



Edmund was about to respond when Isabelle tapped him on his shoulder, "What?" He growled at her. She whispered something in his ear then pointed over at the main doors. "If I choose the second option am I going to be allowed to leave here, alive?"



"No." The high judge answered "This is probably what would be called a coupe."



"Actually what the prince did was the coupe. This is a counter coupe." Richard said



"I stand corrected. Well what do you say."



"I hardly have any choice now do I?" Edmund said.



***





"Well don't you look nice." Isabelle said as Cassandra entered her room. She was wearing the colours of Isabelle's guard.



"I still don't understand. I had thought you'd decided you didn't want me in your guard."



"I didn't but everyone seems to think you're the best fighter in the royal guard. So what do you think of my sister?"



"Oh, well, she's, um, she's very assertive."



"You think so?" Isabelle asked, surprised at this description. Then, as she realised Cassandra's mistake she said, "Oh no, I didn't mean Simone, I meant Hannah."



"Oh well then I like her. She's very friendly and she'd be a very good fighter if she had some decent training."



"Yes, well I'm not surprised that you like her. You two have got a lot in common."



"We do?"



"Yes, you're both orphans. You're both knights. You've both got red hair and green eyes. Plus you both like this." Isabelle lifted Cassandra's hand and kissed it softly.



"We both like having our hands kissed?" Cassandra guessed.



"You both like the thought of intimacy with other women."



"Oh, that."



Isabelle lifted her hand and ran it through her hair, "So do you think that I'm attractive?"



"Yes, very."



"Good. Now I want you to find Hannah and I want you to..."



***





"So are you excited about tonight?" Morgan asked.



"Well yes. It's not every day that you get knighted." Hannah answered.



They both stopped as a guard stepped in front of them.



"You again?" Hannah asked as she recognised him as being the knight who had found them with Beatrice.



"You! I was disgraced because of you. Reduced to guarding the horses."



"Yeah, well you've got no one to blame but yourself."



Ignoring her he drew his sword saying "But if I can kill you then Isabelle will give me my position back." He suddenly stopped a pained expression on his face. As he fell to the floor Hannah noted that there was a sword in his back, she then spotted Cassandra standing behind him.



"The princess was worried that this might happen."



"And what exactly did just happen?" Morgan asked.



"This man," Cassandra paused to retrieve her sword, then wipe it clean, "has been obsessed with her for some time. He got it into his head that if he killed you then he would somehow make the princess Isabelle fall in love with him."



"That must have been why he attacked me before." Hannah said.



"Yes." Cassandra went on, "It's pathetic when someone becomes so obsessed with a person that they'll kill for them." Though she lowered her eyes as she said this. "You two had better get going, I'll clean things up here."



"Thanks."



***





About a week later Morgan found Hannah sitting in the palace gardens.



"So what does it feel like?" Morgan asked



"What does what feel like?"



"Now that you're a proper knight."



"Actually I don't feel that much different." Hannah answered



"Oh." Morgan said sitting down next to Hannah "I've just been talking to princess, I mean, queen Beatrice."



"Yeah. Did you ask about her repealing the laws against witch craft?"



"She said she's going to work on it but it might take some time."



"Oh well you're all right."



"I know but my immunity doesn't prevent other people from being persecuted."



"I guess not. I ran into Isabelle yesterday."



"What did she say?" Morgan asked, looking worried



"Actually she was surprisingly pleasant. Given the fact we had just ruined her chances of becoming queen. She said they're being sent off to some remote principality next week."



"Did she say where?"



"No. Oh and she said to give you her love."



"She did?" Morgan said incredulously.



"Yeah. I guess she's not really a bad person, just self centred. I mean she did kind of save my life, or at least her guard did."



Morgan looked over at the tomb stone opposite them, "I glad she decided to put up a monument to the other Beatrice."



"Yeah. It was nice of her. Was it you who wrote the inscription?"



"Yes." She hesitated a moment then said, "Hannah we have to talk."



"This sounds serious."



"It is." She took Hannah's hand and said, "I can't offer you riches or glory or any happily ever afters but what I can offer you is my love. If you want it, that is."



Hannah looked at Morgan a few moments then said, "You know something, that's the best offer anyone has ever made me."





The End

I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had. - mad world

[StrangeQuark]

Well done.



Taken as a whole, the story has three really strong points to it.



Motion- There's non-stop movement in both the settings and the dialogue. The plot never 'stuck' at any point and instead flowed very nicely, evenly from the beginning to the end. The settings always shifted and changed, even when certain places were revisited. This really propelled the story very well, and at a nice pace.



Dialogue- There's a certain charming, witty undercurrent running throughout the narrative voice and the character conversations. It permeates the story. This also contributes to the reader's enjoyment greatly.



Characters- The characters are very vibrant beings, most of them. The "A" characters, and the "B" characters are all very rich and interesting, which makes it easy for the reader to care about them. The "C" characters seem flatter than the rest, but that's mostly due to the incredible richness of the A's and B's descriptions and developments.



The overall message of the story is a positive one. Justice and wisdom prevailed. Some had to die for this to happen, so the message is tinged with the bitterness of reality. Very moving, on-the-whole.



Part 2, you say? I can't wait!



Great story, Justin. Thanks for sharing it with all of us.



Looking forward to Part II,



-SQ

[justin]

StrangeQuark: Thanks. It was your feedback that helped motivate me to keep posting so quickly. You've made lot's of insightful points about the story and the characters.



I hope that you like part 2 as much.

I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had. - mad world

[justin]

Here is the promised part 2 of the story. I haven't prewritten this so I'll probably be only posting once a week or so.



Note there's been a change of plans. At the beginning I said the story would be five parts but I've rethought that. The first four parts all stand alone, with seperate stories but the fifth is just a continuation of the fourth. So I've decided to join parts 4 & 5 together.



If you want to find out more about the setting then I've started to write down some of the history and mythology of the world. You can find it

here



Ever After 2



Introduction





In the year 1457 Alyssa, the queen of the kingdom of Arenthor bore two children, called Beatrice and Edmund. Five years later the king and queen were killed by monsters. The running of the kingdom was taken over by the kings cousin Jacob, with the understanding that on the twins twenty first birthday one of them would be chosen as the ruler of Arenthor.



As the time of the choosing grew closer Beatrice found herself growing more and more depressed. Worse she didn't feel as though she belonged. Finally she acted on these feelings by running away from the castle. Travelling through the forest Morrigan she met up with a young witch called Morgan McClay. The two of them began travelling together, getting work with a caravan that was heading to the border.



Many knights set off in search of the princess but out of all of them it was Hannah Watson, the daughter of a small town magistrate who found them. Having visited the cave of the oracles she had gained the ability to locate almost anyone, anywhere.



Meeting up with Morgan and Beatrice she travelled with them to their destination, a tower made out of ice. There Beatrice was faced with the truth that she was a changeling who had been substituted for the real Beatrice as a baby. The real Beatrice had been imprisoned since then in the tower. Beatrice realised that freeing the princess would cost her her life but chose to do so anyway.



The princess, Morgan and Hannah headed back to Arenthor. Upon arriving they met up with a group of knights who attacked Hannah before escorting the princess back to her brother. During the journey back Morgan and Hannah had grown to love each other and they both returned to Hannah's home together.



Arriving home Hannah found out that her sister was engaged to prince Edmund. Hannah's father didn't approve of her relationship with Morgan and he tried to bribe Morgan into leaving, hoping to turn her in to the authorities. His plans were ruined when Hannah left with Morgan. They headed to a nearby inn planning to use the money that Hannah's father had given them to buy a house.



They were woken up early the next morning to be told that Edmund had had his sister imprisoned, claiming that she was insane. They traveled to the palace where Morgan discovered that Jacob, the regent was a demon. With the help of another witch, Sandra, they were able to banish him but Morgan and Hannah were arrested. Escaping Hannah and Sandra went to the high judge. They were able to prove to him that the regent had been a demon. He pardoned them both and granted Morgan and Sandra immunity for prosecution for being witches. He then ruled that Edmund had acted wrongly in having his sister imprisoned. He declared her the new ruler of Arenthor.



Hannah and Morgan stayed at the palace for another month. Hannah's education had always been rather lacking and she spent a lot of the time studying in the libraries along with Morgan. After a month they both started to grow restless, wanting to find a place of their own. The princess told them about a small town to the east where the local healer was retiring. She offered Morgan the chance to take over the position, and to get Hannah a position in the town guard. They both readily agreed and set off soon afterwards.



They bought a small house on the outskirts of the town and spent the next week fixing it up.





Chapter 1

A long expected journey

Attack





Hannah Watson was just rereading the letter that she had written to her brother when she heard the door behind her opening. Without turning she said, "Not more maps."



"Just two more. And they're only small." Morgan said placing the maps on a table.



"I'm not sure we have any space left in the study."



"Oh we have lot's of space. There's half a wall spare." Hannah turned around to see Morgan positioning one of the maps on the wall.



"I thought you said that they were small."



"They are. Compared to the others." She the placed the second map and stepping back to exmine them she said "There's enough room for another bookcase."



"But we've got as many bookcases as we have books. Why do we need more?"



"Because soon we're going to be getting more books."



"I know but shouldn't we leave buying any more book cases till we need them. I mean I hate to sound too miserly but we are running a little short on funds at the moment and even with us both having incomes we do need to be a little careful."



Morgans face fell a little as she said, "Okay I can hold off getting it." Then she suddenly brightened and said "I've got something to show you."



"Oh goddess." Hannah moaned, resting her head in her hand.



Morgan ran out. A moment later she came back and handed Hannah a letter. It was an invite to the town mayors retirement party.



"Well there is the problem of what to wear." Hannah said thoughtfully



"Can't you get your fairy godmother to make you something?" Morgan asked.



"Actually I haven't seen her since she made me my armour and sword and this is hardly a royal ball so I doubt if she'll show up." Hannah had the feeling that she had offended her fairy godmother when she had turned down the ball gown and that she might never see her again.



"Oh well if we can't afford it."



"Oh I'm sure we can. You really want to go, don't you?"



"Yes, it'll be fun."



Hannah studied Morgan a moment, "Way to come out of your shell." She said with a slight smile.



"Um." Morgan said, looking confused.



"Well it's just I didn't think you'd really like this sort of thing."



"Oh I guess but I think I've been living on my own too long. Also this'll be a good chance to get to know the other people of the town. After all we haven't really seen that many people since moving here."



"They do seem to have been avoiding us. You'd think they'd want to meet the new people."



"It's probably because I'm a witch." Morgan said glancing down at her feet



"Now you don't know that."



"You're right. It could be because of us being, um, us."



"Well this party will be a good way to find out." Just then there was a pounding at the door. Morgan went to answer it. She found a young man there, out of breath.



"Ms Maclay?" He gasped



"Yes."



"You have to come."



"Why?" Morgan asked



"The mayor's dying." He answered



"I'll get my stuff." Morgan said. She grabbed her bag and followed the man to the mayor's house.



***





"There's certainly a lot of people here." Morgan said, that night, as she and Hannah entered the mayors house.



"We can leave if you want." Hannah said.



"No. This'll be a good chance to get to know everyone. Anyway you just want an excuse to get out of that dress."



"You don't think it's too revealing?"



"It's perfect."



Just then the mayor noticed them and said, "Morgan, come over here." Morgan hesitated when she saw the large group the mayor was with.



Hannah took her hand and said, "It'll be fine."



They walked over. The mayor was saying, "Anyway after that fool Thomson speared me, I mean do I look like a boar? Anyway they took me home. When Benson said he'd brought a healer I said 'You damned fool, I sent you for a priest. I'm dying.' Which is when Ms Mclay here says."



He glanced at Morgan expectantly. She glanced down at her feet nervously for a moment before looking up and saying, "N-n-not if I can help it."



"Exactly, well maybe without the stutter." The mayor went on. "I then passed out, expecting to wake up in my next life. Instead Ms Mclay here patched me up, as good as new." He punched his side then winced before saying "Well almost as good as new."



One of the people from the group walked over to Morgan and Hannah and said, "This town owes you a lot. It just wouldn't be the same without the old war horse." They were interrupted by the gong sounding.



"That's our cue." The mayor said. Walking over to Morgan he said "Morgan, I've reserved the chair next to mine for you, and the one next to that for your... Hannah."



Morgan nodded and said, "Thanks." She and Hananh then followed him into the banquet hall.



After they had eaten the starter the mayor stood up banging his glass. He said, "Right well you all know why we're here. Now the new mayor won't be arriving for a while, she's been delayed but that doesn't mean I'm going to delay my retirement. Thomson is more than able to handle things in the interim. He's been a good deputy mayor, even if he isn't much of a boar hunter. Or were you trying to make sure I didn't change my mind about retiring?" He added, looking at a young man sitting on the opposite side of the table, a short distance away. The man looked away, looking embarrased. "Well then there's nothing else to say except I'm leaving now, goodbye." He then vanished. There was several gasps of shock as everyone tried to work out where he'd gone.



Hannah turned to Morgan and said, "You didn't perhaps have anything to do with that did you?"



"Innocent." Morgan said, "Though I did know he was planning some sort of surprise. I just didn't know what."



"I wonder how he did it?" Hannah mused.



"Oh there's plenty of ways. Not all of them magical, in the strictest sense." Morgan answered.



"Right well then looks like the main course is being brought out." Hannah said spotting a group of waiters entering the room.



"I guess we should continue without him."



"Yeah. I bet that Thomson bloke will be happy about that."



"What? Yes the mayor was picking on him a lot about the accident."



***





The next morning Hannah went out on patrol with two of the more experienced guards. They were to ride out to one of the outlying hamlets of the town and then back again to the town centre. As they headed out from the town Hannah got the distinct impression that the other two were in some way snubbing her. They kept their distance from her and they ignored all her attempts at starting a conversation. When they did speak it was in low voices to each other so that Hannah couldn't hear. After a while she moved away from them and rode on in silence. It was a long trip to the hamlet. When they did arrive at the hamlet it was just a small collection of buildings. They rode into the centre and one of the two guards finally spoke to Hannah. She said



"We're going to speak to the innkeeper to see if he's seen anything unusual. Watch the horses." Hannah nodded then got off of her horse, knowing just why the other two were going into the inn. She pulled a locket out from under her chain mail and opened it. Inside there was a miniature of Morgan that she'd had made just before moving to the town.



"Well this is a nice town we moved to Morgan."



"Excuse me." a voice said next to her. Turning Hannah found a young girl standing next to her.



"Hello." Hannah said, crouching down.



"Are you with the town guard?" The girl asked



"Yes I am."



"I don't recognise you."



"Well I only just moved here."



"My dad knows all the guards." The girl boasted



"And hows that?" Hannah asked



"He works in the stables." The girls answered



"Then I guess he would. What's your name?"



"Melissa."



"Well mine's..." She stopped when she saw a woman run out of one of the houses towards them. She ran up to the girl and said



"Get inside."



"But mum." Melissa protested



"I said get inside." Melissa walked away from them into the house. When she had gone the woman looked at Hannah and said "Stay away from my daughter." She then turned and followed her daughter. Hannah stood thinking about the encounter for a few moments then, after checking the other horses, she got on her horse and rode off.



She had gotten about halfway back to the town when she started to reconsider her actions. Her first impulse had been for her to get Morgan and for both to leave the town. She had even though about rebuilding Morgans house and then the two of them living in isolation. However both of those ideas were impossible. They had spent a lot of money on the house and then on making it livible. Even with the money they had gotten from her father and the very generous gift from the princess they didn't have much left. Since they wouldn't be able to sell the house there was no way they could leave the town. Now regretting her actions Hannah turned back to the hamlet and rode back trying to come up with a reason for leaving, while hoping that the other two hadn't left the inn yet.



***





Morgan was sorting the bottles of herbs in her pharmacy. It was a small building at the centre of town, next to the butchers shop. There were a couple of tables for operating on and the walls were lined with shelves holding either herbs or equipment. In another room there was a set of beds. Morgan shook her head in annoyance when she saw that some herbs were in the wrong bottle. Grabbing a pen she crossed out the name on the bottle and wrote on the correct name. She was just putting the bottle back when the bell above the door sounded. Turning she saw the acting mayor standing there.



"Hello." She said "How can I help you?"



"Hello. I need some brown moss." He answered



"Why? You haven't cut yourself?"



"No."



"Then I take it that you've been in touch with the former mayor."



Thomson nodded then said, "Actually I haven't spoke to him since last night but he asked me to bring some to him this morning."



"Then you were in on that little stunt last night."



"Yes I was." While she had been speaking Morgan had been putting the moss into a bag. She then sealed it up and handed it to Thomson.



"Thanks. Put it on the town account," He said.



"Of course." Thomson nodded then left. Morgan went back to tidying, needing something to occupy herself.



***





Hannah was starting to get close to the hamlet when she heard sounds of a battle. Turning towards the sound she soon reached the battle. She found a group of monks being attacked by a group of bandits. As she approached she quickly counted seven bandits against just over ten monks. She was surprised as the front monks drew swords and moved to attack the bandits. They seemed to be holding their own when one of them fell, an arrow sticking out of his throat. Hannah quickly spotted the two archers, riding at one of them she threw herself off of her horse at him. As they fell to the ground she punched the archer in the face a couple of times. Hannah drew her sword as she stood up, only to find that the second archer had his bow aimed at her. "This'll teach you to..." He stopped as a slender knife embedded itself into his hand. He cried out in pain as he dropped the bow. Hannah smashed the pummel of her sword into his face. She spun round to see who had helped her. She saw that a young, white haired, woman had stepped down from the carriage. She was holding another knife and was looking round the battle for any other targets. As her head moved Hannah gasped as she realised that she was an elf. She was brought sharply back to the battle as one of the bandits killed the monk that he was fighting and ran towards her. Hannah stepped out of the way and slapped the back of his knees with the side of her sword. As he fell to the ground Hannah hit the back of his with the pummel of her sword. Quickly looking round she saw that the other bandits had been dealt with.



One of the monks approached her, "Greetings. I am brother Edwards. I would like to thank you for your help."



"You're monks." Was all Hannah could think to say, "Monks with swords."



"Yes we are of the order of Arauka." Suddenly it all made sense. The order of Arauka were a group of warrior monks who were dedicated to ridding Elessia of all undead. Of course that still left the question of why they were here and why they were traveling with an elven woman. "I see that you wear the colours of a town guard. Which town?"



"Uh, Respite."



"Good, then we'll almost there." He turned to the elf, "See Elizabeth, I told you we'd get you here safely."



Elizabeth just nodded in response.



Suddenly a voice demanded, "What's going on here?" Looking over Hannah saw the other two guards she had been patrolling with.



Brother Edwards walked over to the guards and said, "We are monks with the order of Arauka. We were heading to the town of Respite when we were attacked by bandits."



"It seems you were able to deal with them."



"Of course. Though things may not have gone so well if we hadn't had help from this young woman." He said indicating Hannah.



Seeing her for the first time the guard said, "I had wondered where you'd gotten to."



"Well you see I had decided..."



"We'll deal with you later." He then turned back to the monk and asked "Do you have any wounded?"



"No though a couple of our brethren were killed by the bandits."



"Well we'll have to take them back to the town with us. We'll send some workers out for the bandits bodies." With that they started back towards the town. Hannah hung back away from the others on her own until Elizabeth, who had taken one of the horses while the carriage was used to transport the captured bandits,rode over to her.



"Hello." She said



"Hi, um, Elizabeth isn't it?"



"Yes. And you are?"



"Hannah. Um, you're an elf, right?"



Elizabeth smiled at this, "Half elf actually. My father was human."



"Oh. You don't seem like a monk."



"Because I'm not. I have business in Respite. When I heard there were a group from the order of Arauka headed this way I decided to travel with them for protection."



"Oh. Business?"



"I'm the new mayor."



TBC

If you have any trouble sounding condescending, find a Unix user to show you how it's done. - Scott Adams

[StrangeQuark]

Just like the last one, I'm smiling all the way through this. There's such good timing to the dialogue, very natural and witty. A half-elf mayor? Interesting.



Seems like Hannah and Morgan already have a reputation preceding them in this new town. Someone's mum is a little dodgy about Hannah, at least.



Interesting way to start this off with the Mayor needing medical help. His disappearance reminds me a little of Bilbo and the Ring, but not enough that the situation seems like deja vu all over again. The mystery surrounding the occurrence sets it apart, right away.



Hannah and Morgan. They still seem like a good pairing, and the small conflict over interior-decoration and finance is a clever way to set them up as 'settled-in' as a couple. Not that they seem like they don't still have issues, but their motion toward settling-into their home does portend a solid relationship, or at least the pretense of one. Hmmmm...



This is looking really good already, Justin.



Oh yes... One thing that I just learned about, which you may find valuable as well:

When using quoted dialogue followed by a tag, the tag completes the sentence. Like so:



Wrong: "I'd be delighted." Morgan said.

This is really two fragments.



Right: "I'd be delighted," Morgan said.

This is one complete sentence.



Just an FYI. I'm none too happy that I've learned this rule after finishing a novel. Good thing there's such a thing as a second draft

[justin]

Firstly some news - Book 1 of the story is now available for download as a pdf file. You'll find it on the link I gave on the last page.



StrangeQuark: I'm glad that you're enjoying this story

Quote:

---

Interesting way to start this off with the Mayor needing medical help. His disappearance reminds me a little of Bilbo and the Ring, but not enough that the situation seems like deja vu all over again. The mystery surrounding the occurrence sets it apart, right away.

---

Well actually it is deja vu all over again. I was just thinking about how the mayor is this jocular figure who likes pratical jokes, and it seemed that that would be how he would leave. He's now staying in a small farm just to the south of the town, so any mystery was a red herring,

Quote:

---

Seems like Hannah and Morgan already have a reputation preceding them in this new town. Someone's mum is a little dodgy about Hannah, at least.

---

Well this is a small town and there's no TV so it didn't take long for the news of two young women who are living together to get around.

Quote:

---

Hannah and Morgan. They still seem like a good pairing, and the small conflict over interior-decoration and finance is a clever way to set them up as 'settled-in' as a couple. Not that they seem like they don't still have issues, but their motion toward settling-into their home does portend a solid relationship, or at least the pretense of one. Hmmmm...

---

Nope no pretense.



Thanks for the tip. I did know that but I forget sometimes



Chapter 2

Knights of Galeone

The new mayor





The young man sitting on one of the tables fidgeted nervously as Morgan prepared an ointment for him.



"So this ointment will cure the, um, problem?" He asked, a look of trepidation on his face.



"Yes it should be gone withing a week," She answered.



"Oh, good. It's not magic is it?" He asked.



"And if it is?"



"Well I don't mind, as long as it takes care of the problem but I'd like to know is all."



"Well then no it isn't magic, it's just a salve." She handed the young man a bottle and said "Apply it to the, ah, affected area every morning for the next week."



"Right, how much is it?"



"That'll be five crowns." The man handed her the coins then with a quick thank you he ran out. Morgan went to put the coins away and record the treatment. She was just finishing when she heard the door open again. She saw a knight enter.



"Are you Morgan Maclay?" He asked.



"Yes. Can I help..." She stopped as she recognised the insignia on his breastplate. She quickly ran towards the back door but the knight moved to stop her.



"You are a witch," The knight said, "And you will burn." He drew his sword and started towards Morgan. She quickly grabbed a large jar and threw it at him. She then ran towards the door. As she was passing she felt a burning sensation in her side. As she left the shop she put her hand over her side. When she moved it away she saw it was covered in blood.



The bar of the local in was an almost circular room with the fire at one end and the bar in the centre of the room. Jared White, the captain of the town guard, was telling th other patrons about how he slew a dragon and was just at the best part when the door burst open and Morgan ran in. She tried to speak for a few moments then was just about able to gasp, "Help..." Before collapsing onto one knee. A moment later the knight came in. Grabbing his sword Jared ran in between the knight and Morgan.



"What do you think you're doing?" He asked.



"I want the witch," The knight answered



"A knight of Galeone." Jared said "I thought it was made clear your order is no longer welcome in this kingdom."



"Our order does not recognise national boundries. We go where ever there are witches," The knight answered.



"This is your last chance to leave," Jared warned the knight.



"And this is your last chance to get out of my way." The knight answered. While they had been talking another guard had been preparing a crossbow. With a nod from Jared he fired it into the knights leg. Jared then ran forward and knocked the knight out. As the knight was being dragged out of the inn Morgan collapsed to the ground.



As she struggled to remain conscious she heard someone say, "Someone get the healer."



"Um, she is the healer," Another voice answered.



"Well then you probably want to make sure she doesn't bleed to death." The first voice said. She then felt something being pressed into her side and the voice say "Well is anyone going to help?" She then passed out.



***





When she woke up she was in bed in a large room. For a moment she didn't know where she was but then she realised it was the back room of her shop.



"How are you feeling?" A voice asked.



"Like I've been stabbed," Morgan answered. She turned slowly and saw a woman sitting nearby. Morgan tried to work out how old she was but after a while she gave up. "Was it you who?" She asked pointing at the bandages.



"Yes. I put some honey on the wound to help prevent infection."



"So you're a healer." Morgan said, sounding worried.



"No, I used to be but not any more. But why so worried?"



"I thought maybe you were here to replace me."



"You've got it back to front, it's you who's here to replace me." She was silent a moment then said, "That was a knight of Galeone?"



"Yes it was," Morgan agreed.



"For some reason he thought you were a witch." she shook her head, "But then it was their tendency to accuse anyone for the smallest reason that led to them being banished."



"But this time he was right. I am a witch."



The woman stared at Morgan a moment then said, "I didn't hear you say that."



"It's okay I've been given immunity."



"By whom exactly?"



"The high judge."



"Oh, well I would ask how and why that..."



She stopped as the door was flung open and a rather worried looking redhead came running into the room. "Goddess, Morgan I just heard what happened." She rushed over to Morgan's side and asked "How are you feeling?"



"Fine." She tried to sit up and almost blacked out. Smiling weakly she added "Well I'm alive." Kneeling down next to the bed Hannah took Morgan's hand in her own and asked



"Who did this?"



"It was a knight of Galeone."



"I thought they had been banished?"



"That never stopped them before." Morgan answered



"A lot of officials turn a blind eye to the orders presence here because they help deal with the witch problem." the woman said, saying the last past with a lot of sarcasm



"And who are you?" Hannah asked, eyeing her suspiciously



"I'm Catherine White."



"Well you know there isn't a witch problem." Hannah said, still sounding suspicious.



"Yes, hence the sarcasm," Catherine answered.



"Hannah." Morgan said "Catherine helped to treat me."



"Oh well thank you." Hannah said sounding a little embarrassed. "I'm sorry if I was a little short with you but my girlfriend being stabbed makes me edgy."



Catherine nodded then said, "I understand. Now we ought to let Ms Maclay rest."



"Of course. Well get well soon." She kissed Morgan then left.



Catherine followed her out saying, "Can I have a word."



"Okay." Hannah said, stopping outside the healers shop.



"You said Morgan's your girlfriend."



"That's right."



"Are the two of you living together?"



"Yes." Hannah answered, not sure where this was going.



"I don't mean to pry but Ms Maclays wounds are going to need a lot of care, changing bandages and things like that. Do you think you'll be able to manage that?"



"Oh yes. I did a lot of first aid at home. I haven't had any training but I think I can manage changing a bandage."



"I'll take that as a yes. Well you should keep putting honey on the wound until it heals up a bit then you should use brown moss. As long as she's careful she should be up and about in a couple of days. I guess I'm going to have to come out of retirement till then."



"Good. And thankyou again." Hannah said. Catherine nodded then walked off. Hannah then went to report to the acting mayor.



***





When Hannah entered the mayor's office she noticed that Brother Edwards.



Seeing her Thomson said, "So you've decided to come to report have you."



"I would have come sooner but I had to see Morgan."



"I understand. Well Brother Edwards was telling me about how you helped against the bandits."



"I didn't do that much."



"On the contrary." Brother Edwards said "You were there when you were needed." Hannah nodded, though she still wasn't certain she had been needed.



"I understand that you helped on your own."



"Thats right." Hannah answered



"So where were..." He checked a sheet then continued "Milicent and Daniel?"



"When we reached the hamlet they went to question the people there to see if anyone had seen anything untoward. While they were doing that I decided to ride around the hamlet to get an impression of the area. It was then I heard the fighting."



"Well I don't like you riding out on your own. There's a reason why we send guards out in threes."



"I understand."



"Good. Well did you recognise the bandits at all."



"No they weren't wearing any kind of insignia."



"So we don't know if they were just patrolling that area or they were targetting the monks." Thomson mused



"Why would bandits pick on a group of monks?" Hannah asked.



"I was just asking that." Thomson said



"There is no reason. We are just a normal groups of monks on a pilgrimage." Edward said.



Hannah stared at him a moment, "You're going after the Lich King, aren't you?"



"Yes child we are."



Everyone fell silent a moment, there being nothing to say to that. "Well you're welcome to stay in our town as long as you wish. I'm only acting as mayor temporarily but I'm sure the new mayor will agree."



"I'm sure that she will. She came here with us."



"She did? Hmm, I had thought that it would take longer. Well anyway, I hope the rest of your stay here is less eventful." Edward nodded then got up and left.



When he had left Hannah asked, "Has anyone questioned the knight who attacked Morgan?"



"I'm afraid not. You see he's dead."



"How?"



"He killed himself. Not that he could have told us much, we know why he attacked her."



"He could have told us how many of his order are in the area. They don't normally work alone."



"You're afraid of further attacks."



"Well yes."



"We may need to arrange protection for Ms Maclay."



"I could."



"Not you. You're too close to her."



"But..."



"Besides you're not experienced enough to take on the knights of Galeone." Hannah nodded still obviously disagreeing with the decision. "Well then that'll be all." Hannah nodded again then rose and left.



***





That evening Thomson was going over the reports from the guard for the day when there was a knock at the door.



"Come in." He said. The door opened and Elizabeth walked in. "How can I help you Ms?"       



"Elizabeth Anderson.



"Ah, the new mayor."



Elizabeth nodded then sat down. She handed Thomson a scroll then said, "Here's the charter."



As Thomson read it he asked, "I heard that you arrived with that group of monks."



"Yes I did."



"I'm curious why you didn't visit earlier."



"I wanted to look around the town first, get an idea of what it's like."



"I take it this is your first mayorial position."



"Yes. I've been working as an ambassador for the last few years."



"Well I'm sure you'll be okay. Have you been to the palace recently?"



"I came here from there. Why?"



"It's just we've been hearing some strange rumours over the last few months. First the princess Beatrice was declared insane and her bothers going to become king. Then she's released and declared the next ruler and her brothers sent to a province in the north."



"Well I don't know much more than that. Shortly after the princess was declared insane I was placed under house arrest." Seeing the look Thomson was giving her she said, "Don't ask me why, I can't tell you. Anyway what I do know, and this is between you, me and the walls, is that Prince Edmund tried to seize control but was foiled in his plans. He's been sent north as punishment."



"That was what was being suggested. But I've been hearing stranger stuff." Thomsons went on "That a demon was involved."



"Well I can't comment on that but it is a strange coincidence that the regent disappeared while all this was going on." Elizabeth paused a moment, a look of worry crossing her face. "One thing I do know for sure is that things are very tense at the palace at the moment and no one is talking to anyone. There's normally quite a lot of gossip at the palace but there was none just before I left."



"Suggesting that they're hiding something." Thomson mused



"Maybe but at the moment there's no point speculating."



"I guess but I'd like to know what's going on in the palace. Since it can affect the whole kingdom."



"Well if you really want to know you ought to speak to Ms Watson."



"Who?" Thomson asked, then as he remembered he said, "You mean the new guard?"



"Yes. She's the prince and princess's sister in law."



"What? You're kidding."



"No. You do know that the prince married last month."



"Yes, we even heard about it out here."



"To whom?"



"Um, I think it was an Isabelle Watson." He stopped as he realised what he had just said, "Goddamn, I never made the connection till now. I mean there are lot's of people called Watson. So they're related."



"She was adopted by Isabelle's parents so I guess that makes her Isabelle's step sister. Also both she and Morgan are friendly with the new queen. In fact just before I came Beatrice asked me to keep an eye on them."



"She did?"



Elizabeth just nodded.



"I wonder why Hannah has never mentioned any of this."



"I guess she didn't want to be treated differently from everyone else."



"Given the fact she's living with a witch that was a forlorn hope. Anyway enough gossip. When will you be taking over."



"I think it'd be best if I started from tomorrow."



"Have you decided on a deputy?"



"I was hoping you'd continue in the post."



"I'd be happy to."



"Good. Well then I'll see you tomorrow."



***





When she had finished her shift Hannah went straight to the healers shop to see Morgan. When she entered she saw Catherine sitting behind the counter.



"Hello again." Catherine said, "I take it you're here to see Morgan."



Hannah nodded.



"Okay then, but if she starts to get tired then you're going to have to leave." Hannah nodded then walked through to the back room. Morgan was sitting up writing in a large book.



"Shouldn't you be resting?" Hannah said.



"I am," Morgan answered.



"So are you feeling any better?"



"At the moment I'm feeling kind of floaty."



"That's nice. I didn't know that was a side effect of being stabbed."



"It isn't. It is a side effect of the painkillers I've just taken."



"Right, of course." Hannah sat down next to Morgan and asked "I was wondering one thing. Why didn't you use that throw spell against the knight."



"The what spell?"



"You know that one that knocks a person back away from you. The one you used on me when we first met."



Morgan stared blankly at Hannah for a few seconds then said, "Shit."



"Morgan!" Hannah said in a shocked voice



"What?"



"You don't swear."



"Yes I do. At least I do when I almost get myself killed because I'm a total idiot. I guess when I saw the knight I just panicked. I had the herbs with me if only I'd thought of it. Instead I just threw a jar at him. Stupid, stupid, stupid."



"Well don't be too hard on yourself."



"Well how was your day?"



"It had it's moments. I helped protect a group of monks from bandits and I met an elf, or a half elf anyway."



"Really? I've always wanted to meet an elf, I guess a half elf would be just as good."



"Well she's the new mayor, so you should be able to."



"Wow. that'd be wonderful."



"Well don't get too excited. You're supposed to be resting."



"Actually I am starting to get a little tired."



"Then that's my cue to leave."



"You'll come tomorrow?" Morgan asked



"Of course." She kissed Morgan then stood up. Brushing a few loose hairs from Morgans face she said "I love you."



Morgan took Hannah's hand in her own and said, "I love you too."



Hannah stood gazing at Morgan a while, not wanting to leave, before saying, "Well till tomorrow." She walked up to the door then turned and waved before leaving.



***





As Brother Edwards entered the mayor's office he asked, "So how are you settling in?"



"Reasonably well. Things seem to have been reasonably well managed here. Though I think that may be more due to the deputy mayor than my predecessor."



Brother Edwards nodded, "Well then I'd like to talk to regarding the funereal arrangements for my brethren."



"Of course. well I want you to know that all the facilities of the town will be made available to you."



"Thankyou. I would like my breathrens remains to be sent back to our order."



Elizabeth frowned, "That won't be easy."



"But not impossible."



"No. Okay then I'll arrange transport for them." Brother Edwards nodded his gratitude. "How long will your order be staying in Respite."



"I don't think we'll be ready to leave for at least a week."



"So you still intend to go on to the great mountains."



"Nothing has changed that would stop us."



"Don't you care that you're throwing your lives away?"



"Just because you don't have any faith is no reason to criticise those who do."



"I have faith, I'm just not willing to die for mine."



Without answering Brother Edwards stood up and left.



***





Hannah got to guard's barracks a little early and seeing no one else around she began practicing.



She had been doing this for about half an hour when someone commented, "That's a nice technique you've got there."



Hannah gave a slight gasp, the sword slipping out of her hand.



Jared gave a slight shake of his head as he went to retrieve the sword. "You know you're going to have to learn to keep hold of your sword, even when someone surprises you."



"Sorry sir, I didn't know you were there."



Jared handed her sword back, "That much was obvious. So would you like a sparring partner?"



"Certainly." As they took up positions Hannah said, "I wanted to thank you." Seeing the look of confusion on Jared's face she said, "I heard it was you who stopped that knight from killing Morgan."



"Yes well as captain of the town guard it is up to me to protect it's citizens, whoever they may be. Anyway I'd like you to take me to where you fought the bandits. See if we can find anything out about them."



"Certainly."





A short distance away two men were watching. "The redhead is getting quite good," One of them said.



"Yes," The other agreed. "Especially considering that when I met her she barely knew which end of the sword to hold."



"I heard she was responsible for your limp."



"She caught me by surprise. No matter, when our employer is finished with her I'll get back at her. I'll make her scream."

If you have any trouble sounding condescending, find a Unix user to show you how it's done. - Scott Adams

[StrangeQuark]

Interesting developments in here. I can see some of the plot propulsion and forward motion getting some firm roots.



Morgan's forgetting to use a spell for self defense is actually quite understandable. When she was confronted, the last thing that I was thinking was for her to use magic. She does not seem a defensive mage-type. She's been presented to us as more of a healer. Even if her magick is strong, her brain isn't 'wired' to use it as defense as a first instinct. I like the single syllable revelation. There's a really crafty timing to that witty delivery.



I understand that Hannah is comfortable with the care that her honey is in, but she seemed a little too easily dismissed (not that I'm a huge fan of melodrama) giving the fair Ms. Maclay a peck and leaving like that. Just seemed a little more detached than I had expected from Hannah. I know that she's bright, and sees the logic that if her dearest needs rest, then the best thing to do is to leave her alone, but the brevity of her reaction just seemed a tad detached. Maybe Morgan feels this way too? Conflict can be good. It helps relationships to grow. Maybe there is a little distance left between the two?



I admit complete surprise at the end. I did not see that one coming. I smiled as soon as I read it. Kind of a double entendre. Leaving him with a 'limp.'



This is a very well-developed and intriguing story. I'm patiently awaiting an update.

[justin]

StrangeQuark:

Quote:

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Morgan's forgetting to use a spell for self defense is actually quite understandable. When she was confronted, the last thing that I was thinking was for her to use magic. She does not seem a defensive mage-type. She's been presented to us as more of a healer. Even if her magick is strong, her brain isn't 'wired' to use it as defense as a first instinct. I like the single syllable revelation. There's a really crafty timing to that witty delivery.

---

That's a good point. Though on the other hand Morgan has used the spell instinctively in the past. In fact the reason why Hazel taught her that spell was so that Morgan would have a spell she could use to defend herself without hurting the other person.

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. I know that she's bright, and sees the logic that if her dearest needs rest, then the best thing to do is to leave her alone, but the brevity of her reaction just seemed a tad detached. Maybe Morgan feels this way too? Conflict can be good. It helps relationships to grow. Maybe there is a little distance left between the two?

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Is there a distance between them or is the author of this story just terrible at writing romantic scenes? I'll let you decide.

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I admit complete surprise at the end. I did not see that one coming. I smiled as soon as I read it. Kind of a double entendre. Leaving him with a 'limp.'

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heh heh, oh yeah, I hadn't noticed that

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This is a very well-developed and intriguing story. I'm patiently awaiting an update.

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Thanks.

If you have any trouble sounding condescending, find a Unix user to show you how it's done. - Scott Adams

[Patches]

Justin, wow! What a great tale. I had the whole afternoon set aside to write, but instead I spent it reading this story (good me, bad me - lol). You have an incredible imagination. I love the world you've created and the characters who dwell there. The story was fast paced and very dynamic, and your character interactions were wonderful. As Strange Quark pointed out, you do have a dry sense of humour, which is something that always tickles my funny bone. I loved the way you brought the character story lines together and your campfire tales were wonderful. They really brought out the depth of your imagination. It's not easy formulating such complexities and laying them out in a few paragraphs. They added a wonderful layer to the story.



I too would have liked the scene in the ice mountain between the two to have played out longer. Not a criticism really, just an observation. It's such an important scene between the two Beatriceses and so emotionally charged. You could really play the reader and build up the moment of sacrifice. It's always edifying for a reader to be able to have a chance to say goodbye to a character they've grown quite fond of - I love 'hanky moments' (no pun intended). The end scene as well might have been be fleshed out a little as well.



I'm very eager to start on Part 2 - these tales are a wonderful getaway from RL. Oh and speaking of getaways, I have a Muse pounding a sledgehammer into my brain as we speak. Thanks for your input on my story. I find feedback to be far more important to me than I'd ever thought possible (call it rampant insecurity). It's great to see the page views, but sometimes a little unnerving when no one says anything. I suppose if they didn't like it, they wouldn't read it - lol.



Justin, keep up the good work - this was a delight to read.

You know I've heard about people like me. But I never made the connection. They walk one road to set them free, And find they've gone the wrong direction. But there's no need for turning back 'cause all roads lead to where I stand. And I believe I'll walk them all No matter what I may have planned

[justin]

Patches:

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Justin, wow! What a great tale. I had the whole afternoon set aside to write, but instead I spent it reading this story (good me, bad me - lol). You have an incredible imagination. I love the world you've created and the characters who dwell there.

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Thanks. I'm glad that you're enjoying the story.

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As Strange Quark pointed out, you do have a dry sense of humour, which is something that always tickles my funny bone.

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A dry sense of humour, eh? Well I am British

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I loved the way you brought the character story lines together and your campfire tales were wonderful. They really brought out the depth of your imagination. It's not easy formulating such complexities and laying them out in a few paragraphs. They added a wonderful layer to the story.

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Well the idea of stories within the main story came from the Sandman comics, where that device is used to great effect throughout.



Also I have to admit that many of these side stories were based on real myths. For instance the first story about Saint Leane was based on the myths about the goddess Tara.

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I too would have liked the scene in the ice mountain between the two to have played out longer. Not a criticism really, just an observation. It's such an important scene between the two Beatriceses and so emotionally charged. You could really play the reader and build up the moment of sacrifice. It's always edifying for a reader to be able to have a chance to say goodbye to a character they've grown quite fond of - I love 'hanky moments' (no pun intended). The end scene as well might have been be fleshed out a little as well.

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True. Both those points are on the short side. I'll think about adding to them.

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Thanks for your input on my story. I find feedback to be far more important to me than I'd ever thought possible (call it rampant insecurity).

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yeah I know that feeling.

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It's great to see the page views, but sometimes a little unnerving when no one says anything. I suppose if they didn't like it, they wouldn't read it - lol.

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After posting an update what I usualy tend to do is wait a few minutes then check to if anyone has left any feedback. When I see that no one has I'm like no one's left feedback everyone hates my story



Which reminds me I haven't left any comments for the last couple of updates to Line in the snow I'll do that right away



Thanks for all your feedback and your suggestions.



and now for chapter 3



Chapter 3

Recovery

A familiar face





Milicent knocked on the door of Elizabeth's office then went in, "You wanted to see me?"



"Yes, sit down please." As Milicent sat down Elizabeth went on, "I'm sure you heard about the incident involving the knight of Galeone."



"Of course."



"Well we have decided that for the moment miss Maclay needs protection from any further attacks of this sort."



Milicent suddenly started to look worried, "Why do I get the feeling that you want me to do this?"



"You would be the best person."



"But what if she..."



"Turns you into a frog? I really don't think that witches do that."



"Uh I mean what about if she, you know, comes on to me."



"From what I've been told Miss Maclay is a woman of good taste she is therefore highly unlikely to come on to you."



"Well I guess that I don't have much of a choice."



"Not really, no." Milicent got up and headed for the door, she stopped as Elizabeth said, "By the way I want to make it absolutely clear that if anything should happen to Miss Maclay while under your protection then I would be very unhappy."



Milicent nodded then left.



***





"So this is where the battle took place." Jared asked as he surveyed the battle site.



"That's right," Hannah answered, "I was riding along the main trail when I heard sounds of fighting."



Jared got off his horse and began looking around. As Hannah followed him he said, "Have you done much tracking in the past?"



"No. None actually."



"Well then what can you tell me about the battle?"



"Uh." Hannah glanced about the field. She could see a set of horse prints along with a pair of long grooves coming from one direction, "Well the monks came from that way." After some more looking she could see her own horse prints and those of Milicent and Daniel, but she couldn't see the bandits. "I can't see the bandits trail."



"No me neither." Jared said, shaking his head, "They don't normally go to that sort of trouble."



"Maybe they didn't want their camp to be found."



"Maybe but as I say it's not something that they normally do."



***





Elizabeth sat looking in the mirror as she slowly brushed her hair. Stopping she asked, "So what do you think about Hannah?"



Jared, who had been taking his boots off, said, "What?"



Elizabeth turned to him and repeated, "What do you think about Hannah?"



"Well there's a lot to like about her. I haven't seen her fighting but she seems to be very clever. She's one of those people, you get the feeling that they're always thinking."



"Why do I get the feeling that there's going to be a but there somewhere."



"Well I have to admit I have my doubts about her relationship with that witch. It just doesn't seem right."



"Is that because Morgan'a a witch or because she's a woman?"



"Yes. Both. Though mainly the second. Doesn't it bother you?"



"I've seen too much in my time for the thought of two women being in love with each other to bother me."



"Hmm, well is this the only reason you asked me here?"



As Elizabeth slipped into bed she said, "Not the only reason."



***





A week after the attack Hannah was just going round the house lighting the candles when the front door opened. Turning she saw Morgan there. "Morgan." She ran over and was about to hug her but stopped herself at the last moment, worried that she might hurt her. Instead she contented herself with putting an arm round Morgan's uninjured side and kissing her. "I've missed you."



"I've missed you as well."



"Are you sure that you're well enough to be out of bed. They haven't thrown you out have they?"



"No I really am fine. I just wanted to get back to my own home."



"Well if you're sure." Hannah helped Morgan over to her seat. "Maybe I should check your bandages?"



"There's no need. Catherine checked them before letting me leave. Actually I just want to get some sleep in my own bed."



"Okay, I think I'll stay on the chair here tonight."



"But then what was the point of me coming home? I don't like sleeping on my own."



"But what if I hurt you? I could knock the wound and then you'd start bleeding and... and..."



Morgan reached up and took Hannah's hand, quieting her. "Hannah it'll be okay." seeing that Hannah still seemed close to panic she said, "Hannah what's wrong? What's caused this?"



"It's just that when I heard that you'd been injured I was so frightened. Even small injuries can go bad if they're not treated properly and I can't lose you."



"You won't. I promise that."



"Not if I take proper care of you and make sure I don't do anything to make this injury worse."



"Firstly we're going to take proper care of each other and secondly whatever happens I don't want you to feel you can't touch me. You won't hurt me."



"Okay then."



"So how about helping me up to bed?"



***





Hannah woke up the next day to find Morgan going through the drawers muttering to herself, "I know it was here somewhere."



"Morgan what's up?"



"I'm just looking for something."       



"Well if you get back to bed I could find it for you. You shouldn't be straining yourself."



"Aha I've found it." Morgan turned around with a necklace in her hand.



"Um, I'm not sure why you needed it."



Morgan moved across the bed so she was sitting next to Hannah, "I bought this when we were at the palace and then enchanted it. I was going to give it to you as a birthday present, but with everythig that's going on I think you'll need it now."



Taking the necklace off of Morgan Hannah said, "Thankyou it's lovely. So what does it do?"



"Well it should help to protect you from danger whether physical or otherwise."



"So arrows will bounce off me will they?"



"It's not that strong but it should help keep you safe."



"Well again thanks." Hannah slipped the necklace on and turning to Morgan she kissed her gently. Morgan raised her hand to Hannah's face as she deepened the kiss.



After a while Morgan asked, "Don't you need to be getting to work?"



"Not for a while," Hannah whispered as she kept kissing Morgan.



***





Morgan decided that she was well enough to return to work a couple of days later. When Morgan got to her shop she was surprised to see a woman waiting outside wearing the colours of the town guard. As she unlocked the door she said, "Hello. Is the something wrong miss uh?"



"It's Milicent and no nothing wrong other than I've been ordered to guard you by the new Mayor."



"Oh, because of the attack. I'm not sure that that's necessary."



"Well obviously the new mayor doesn't agree."



"I guess so." They both went in and Milicent went and sat by the door as Morgan started work.



***





Morgan had just stitched up a local farmer had nearly cut his own arm off while working in his fields when the bell rang. Looking up she saw a tall white haired woman there. "Hello. You must be the new mayor."



"I guess that I must. I'm Elizabeth Anderson but you can just call me Elizabeth." Morgan had tilted her head and seemed to be trying to work something out. "Is something wrong?"



"Sorry it's just I'm sure I've heard your name somewhere."



"I guess it's quite a common name."



"I suppose. So what can I do for you?"



"I just wanted to see how you're settling in."



"Um pretty well. Apart from being stabbed that is."



"How is that by the way?"



"Still a bit sore but getting better."



"Good. As you know I've taken measures to make sure it doesn't happen again."



"Yes, thank you." Morgan had been making notes in a ledger when she suddenly looked up, "Ah."



"What?"



"I don't suppose you have any sort of title do you?"



"Well I am nominally a lady but my father lost all the land and money that came with the title a long time ago so I don't normally bother with it."



"So it was you that Richard was talking about."



"Richard? You mean the head of queen Beatrice's guard? What did he say?"



"Yes. He said that you took a message to the queen when she was imprisoned. And that you'd been arrested."



Elizabeth nodded, "Actually I wanted to talk to you about this." She glanced at Milicent, "Maybe we should go somewhere a little quieter."



"I need to check some inventory in the back room."



As they walked through Elizabeth noticed that Morgan was having trouble with her side, "Are you sure you're well enough to be working?"



"I'm fine." Morgan paused then said, "Though maybe I should sit down a bit." As she sat down on one of the beds she said, "There isn't much I can tell you, we promised the Queen we'd keep much of it private."



"I thought that that might be the case. Well then why don't I tell you what I know. I got back from a diplomatic mission to find that the then princess had been locked up. Richard somehow convinced me to take a message to her. I then resolved myself to staying out of it till it had died down. Getting mixed up in a power struggle between royalty isn't something that you want to do unless you have dreams of ending up with your head on a spike." Elizabeth paused as she collected her thoughts, "When I got to my room I was met by a couple of guards who said I couldn't leave my room."



"That's what Richard said."



"Hmm, well then it got strange. The regent arrived but before saying anything he just left again. He seemed I don't know, odd."



"That would have been when we..." Morgan stopped herself, blushing.



"This is connected to his being a demon."



"You know about that." Elizabeth nodded, "Oh well then that must have been when we banished him."



"I see. So where is he now?"



"The Abyss." For a moment Elizabeth seemed upset about something, "Is something wrong?"



Recovering herself Elizabeth said, "No. I better leave you to your work."



***





When Morgan got home she was met by Hannah who was coming in the opposite direction. "Well fancy meeting you here."



"May I get the gate for thee?" Hannash asked doing so.



"Why thank you." Morgan curtsied awkwardly.



"Anything for such a fair and beautiful lady. So how was your first day back? Are you sure you're ready to be working again? You don't want to rush these... I'm doing it again aren't I?"



"It's okay. It's good that you worry." Morgan frowned as she went over what she had said, "Well not that you worry, but just that you..."



"That I care. Of course I do. And in order to prove it I'll check your bandages."



"But..."



"Now Catherine made me promise to do this every night. You're not going to make me break my word are you?"



"I wouldn't think of it." They went up to the bedroom and sitting down on the bed Morgan began to take her top off.



"Here let me." Hannah helped her ease it off then checked the bandage, "Well it seems to be clean. I'll change it just to be sure."



"I don't think we need to use honey any more."



"So I'll start using black moss?" Morgan nodded, "Good. I know that honey helps with the healing but it can be messy." She unwound the bandages and carefully wiped the honey away, "This looks a little pink."



"That means it's healing."



"Oh well, where's the moss?"



"There's a bag downstairs."



"Okay then." When Hannah got back upstairs she rubbed some of the moss into Morgan's wound then began rebandaging it.



"You do that very well."



"I do?"



"Yes. You've got tender hands."



Hannah grinned, "Thanks." She had just finished rebandaging Morgan when there was a knock at the door. "I'll get it." Hannah went to open the door. Seeing who it was she said, "Sandra."



TBC

Postel's Prescription: Be generous in what you accept, rigorous in what you emit.

[Patches]

Justin, great start. I've just finished the first three chapters and am intrigued, to say the least. Your story is multi-faceted and very entertaining -- all these little mysteries to 'solve,' motives to ascertain, and puzzles to discover, who shall do what to whom and for what reason.



We have our girls (you don't mind if I adopt them do you --lol) happily living and working out their lives in a quiet, but bigoted town (at least the townsfolk aren't openly hostile toward them, though I get the sense that some of these people would not be so quick as Jared to jump to Morgan's defence). I'm enjoying the pacing of the story; the adventure is coming to them, which is a refreshing change from the usual form of this genre. You haven't hurried them off to rescue damsels in distress (did I really just write that!!) or to slay dragons.



So, we know who Elizabeth is and where her sympathies lie. Jared did a honourable thing, protecting Morgan, especially given his later response to Elizabeth. His will be an interesting character to follow, just where will his allegiance ultimately lie. Thompson is a bit of an enigma as well. It's obvious he liked his role as interim mayor, and although he relinquished control without much fuss, I wonder if, given what he's said, he wouldn't want to hold the post -- this is just a 'humm, watch this character, he could go either way.



The monks are interesting, as is their role here. They are on a quest. So here's the question: were the bandits after them, or after Elizabeth, and just why would outlaws go to such lengths to cover their trail? Of course, being outlaws, they would not want to be found. But to have everyone do such a professional job of covering their tracks leads me to wonder what exactly their mission and background is.



Catherine also has my interest, especially after her discussion with Morgan, implying it is Morgan who is to take her place and not visa versa. I have to agree with Strange Quark, I think Hannah might have put up a little more fuss about a stranger taking care of her dear Morgan, especially in light of the fact that this isn't the most tolerant of places. However, I'm jaded and Hannah is not. She has a wonderful innocence about her such that perhaps it never occurs to her to consider a darker motive. I half expected to find out that Catherine was poisoning Morgan -- as I said, I think I'm a little jaded - lol.



I really like the layers you add to your stories, lots for the reader to ponder. I enjoy a story that engages my imagination, that gives me clues to puzzle out, and threads to follow. Really, there's nothing more satisfying when reading a tale than working something out and exclaiming (sometimes in a room full of people who have no idea what you're doing), 'HA! I knew it!!'



One thing I might like to see a more of in your character's interactions is a little description that is more physical in nature during the dialogue, things like facial expressions, body position and movement. Sometimes I get the image only that they are standing toe to toe, jawing at one another. Again, this is a personal thing, but I find that when a writer 'animates' characters when they speak, it adds an additional visual and depth to the story. Your battle scenes are great, and using some of that visual technique during long dialogues really adds to my enjoyment of a story. Here's and example: Morgan moved across the bed so she was sitting next to Hannah, "I bought this when we were at the palace and then enchanted it. I was going to give it to you as a birthday present, but with everything that's going on I think you'll need it now."



Taking the necklace off of Morgan Hannah said, "Thankyou it's lovely. So what does it do?" Give me Hannah and Morgan's expression; tell me what they see in one another's eyes. Is Hannah just holding the necklace in the palm of her hand, staring at it in awe, or is she running her fingers over the charm. What does the necklace look like, is it gold, earth stones etc? We know it's lovely, but we don't know what it looks like. Give us a bit of a descriptive break between Hannah accepting the gift, and her questioning its purpose.



"Well it should help to protect you from danger whether physical or otherwise."



"So arrows will bounce off me will they?" Is Hannah smiling here? This is a special gift. Show me what she's feeling. I can sense her excitement, but I don't really feel it, not like I think I should.



"It's not that strong but it should help keep you safe." In either of these two interactions, it would be nice to 'see' the faces of the characters.



As I said, this technique is something that really adds depth to the characters. This technique would be particularly effective if you used it during the scene in the Ice Mountain. It helps draw the scene out, while drawing the reader closer to the character and is effective when used properly. (Something I'm trying to learn to do myself -- it's not easy as occasionally the descriptive interrupts the flow of the conversation narrative). Have you read Guy Kay's Fionavar Trilogy? He has an amazing talent for balancing this technique.



One thing puzzled me at the beginning – when the mayor disappears, wouldn’t people have been a little more curious/upset as to what happened to him. I know you said his vanishing act was a bit of a red herring. Just a thunk.



Great Story Justin - I can't wait for more.



Cheers!!

Patches

You know I've heard about people like me. But I never made the connection. They walk one road to set them free, And find they've gone the wrong direction. But there's no need for turning back 'cause all roads lead to where I stand. And I believe I'll walk them all No matter what I may have planned

[justin]

Patches:

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We have our girls (you don't mind if I adopt them do you --lol)

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Oh no, be my guest.

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You haven't hurried them off to rescue damsels in distress (did I really just write that!!) or to slay dragons.

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Well I did that in the first story so I don't want to repeat myself.

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So, we know who Elizabeth is and where her sympathies lie.

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I wouldn't be so sure of that. There's a lot about Elizabeth that you don't know

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Jared did a honourable thing, protecting Morgan, especially given his later response to Elizabeth.

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Well the way he sees it, it's his job to protect the people of the town so since Morgan is one of those townspeople, whatever he might think about her personally, it's his to protect her.

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One thing I might like to see a more of in your character's interactions is a little description that is more physical in nature during the dialogue, things like facial expressions, body position and movement. Sometimes I get the image only that they are standing toe to toe, jawing at one another.

---

And now we come to my achilles heal when it comes to writing. Dialogue is something that comes quite easily to me but when it comes to trying to work out what the characters are doing or what their expressions are, my brain just won't cooperate. Stupid brain



This is something of a never ending struggle for me. Again I say



Well thanks for the pointers and thanks for all the feedback I'm glad that you're finding the story intriguing.



I'm hoping to post a short update later today.

Postel's Prescription: Be generous in what you accept, rigorous in what you emit.

[justin]

Here as promised is the next Chapter



Chapter 4

Revelations,

Big news.





Morgan came downstairs saying, "Hannah who..." Seeing who it was she smiled, "Sandra."



"Hello." Sandra said, then noticing the fact that Morgan's top wasn't tucked in she said, "I haven't interrupted anything have I?"



Both Morgan and Hannah blushed as they realised what she meant. "What, no Hannah was just checking my bandages."



"Bandages?" Sandra asked in a worried voice, "What's happened."



"Morgan was attacked by a knight of Galeone."



"But I'm fine really."



Sandra scowled, "I would say that I'm surprised but the knights of Galeone are like rats, they turn up every where."



"Maybe we should sit down so that we can catch up." Morgan suggested indicating towards the living room. Hannah moved to help Morgan downstairs, putting an arm round Morgan's waist, and they went to sit down. "So what's been going on since we left the palace?"



"To be honest things haven't been easy." Sandra sighed, "Increasingly people have taken against me because of, you know."



"Because you're a witch." Morgan murmurred.



"Yeah. It was just about bearable until..." Sandra stopped suddenly, glancing at Hannah.



"What?" Hannah prompted.



"Your sister, Simone, came to live at the palace a couple of days ago and she has been making things very difficult for me."



"Oh." Hannah was quiet for a moment, "Sorry."



"It's hardly your fault. Anyway I thought I'd come out to see you both. It's okay that I came isn't it? It was a spur of the moment thing so I didn't write."



"It's fine," Morgan said, "You can stay here if you want."



"But I was going to find an inn." Sandra protested, though she didn't sound very convincing.



"Nonsense," Hannah said, "You have to stay here."



"Well if you're sure. Thanks."



"Well now that that's sorted out, we were about to get some dinner ready." Hannah said.



"Well then I'll help."



"Though Sandra," Morgan said, "You might find having come here to be a case of out of the frying pan, into the fire."



"Because of the knights of Galeone."



"Also there are people here who have taken against Hannah and me because I'm a witch and because of our relationship."



Sandra nodded, "I see. With me staying here who knows what they're going to think. So are you sure you want me to stay?"



Morgan turned to Sandra, suddenly looking angry, "I'm not going to let who I have stay here be dictated by what the local gossips think."



Sandra turned to Hannah who nodded her agreement. Shrugging Sandra said, "Well okay then."



***





As Hannah and Morgan lay in bed together Hannah said, "We should probably tell the mayor about Sandra being here."



"Why?"



"Well so she can assign someone to protect her."



"Oh, because of the knights of Galeone."



"Yeah."



"What about you?"



"I don't know. Thomson said I wasn't experienced enough to deal with them."



"Elizabeth might not agree."



Hannah sighed, "I think he was right. I mean I don't have much experience, especially not fighting people. What about if I hesitate at the wrong moment?"



"Well I guess that isn't easy but I know you'll do what's necessary."



"Maybe."



***





Morgan was woken up by Hannah moving about and moaning slightly. Giving Hannah a gentle shake she said, "Wake up."



"Wah?" Hannah asked in a sleepy voice, before rubbing her eyes.



Morgan watched Hannah with a concerned expression, "You were having a bad dream."



"I was," Hannah nodded, "Something was attacking me. It was trying to suck the life out of me."



Morgan held Hannah tight, "It's okay, you're safe."



Hannah smiled as she returned Morgan's embrace, "With you around, always."



***





As Hannah left her room she almost bumped into Sandra, "Sorry I'm in a bit of a hurry."



"That's okay. So I'll guess you'll be busy today."



"Yeah, I've really got get going."



"Sandra." Morgan said as she followed Hannah out of their room, "I thought you might like to spend the day with me."



"Sure. I'm not much good as a healer though."



"I wasn't expecting you to help."



"Oh well okay then. I thought maybe we could meditate together at some point today."



"Yes." Morgan smiled, "It would be nice to have some one to meditate with."



"Don't you meditate with Hannah at all?"



"No, Hannah isn't..." Morgan looked distant for a moment, "very good at meditation. She's a bit too impatient."



"Well okay then."



***





Morgan had been at her shop for almost an hour when Elizabeth arrived. As she entered she glanced at Sandra a moment then started towards Morgan. Then, turning back to Sandra, she said, "Didn't you use to work in the palace library?"



"Yes and I still do."



"Sandra's staying with Hannah and me for a while," Morgan added.



"Oh well." Elizabeth seemed to lose interest at this point and turning to Morgan she said, "There was something that I wanted to talk to you about."



"Of course."



"I'd, ah," Elizabeth hesitated a moment, "rather discuss it in private."



Morgan led Elizabeth through to the back room and asked, "So what can I do for you?"



"I'm not even sure you're the right person to deal with this but I need to talk to someone about it and..."



"Please you can discuss anything with me."



"Well you see I've been having bad dreams for some time now."



"Dreams." Morgan said, this was the last thing she had expected. "Are they always the same?"



"Yes. They seem to be from when I was a child. I wake up in the palace and it's over run by these strange creatures. Maybe demons, I don't know. My father finds me and we go to find my mother. She's been dragged into some sort of portal by the creatures. Suddenly my father has a bow in his hands. He uses it to shoot her, which is when I wake up."



"Oh." Morgan took a moment to think about it then asked, "How long have you been having these dreams?"



"About a month and a half now."



"I'm not sure what I can do. I could give you some herbs that'll help you sleep."



"Okay, thanks."



Morgan got the herbs together then handed them to Elizabeth. Once she had gone Sandra went over to Morgan and said in a low voice, "So this is where she disappeared off to."



"Pardon?"



"Oh it's just she disappeared rather suddenly. Some people even thought that she had been murdered and her body had been dumped in the moat."



"Oh." Morgan frowned as she wondered why people would think that.



"I have to tell you though that I wouldn't trust her."



"You wouldn't? She seems nice."



"Oh yes she's very good at seeming. Do you know what they called her at the palace?" Sandra waited a moment then answered her own question, "The regent's whore."



"She was connected to the regent? Had a relationship with him?"



"Yes. I don't know the exact details, I was just a librarian, but she did work for him." Sandra leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice as she went on, "When I say work I mean secret stuff, spying and maybe even assassination."



"Oh." Morgan glanced in the direction that Elizabeth had gone, not quite able to believe that Sandra was describing the woman she had just been talking to. "I had no idea."



"Yeah well, as I said I wouldn't trust her if I was you and you should keep an eye on her."



Morgan nodded, "Well thanks for the warning."



Sandra smiled, "That's what friends are for, isn't it?" They stopped as they spotted a town crier outside. "I wonder what this is about."



They went outside to hear him saying, "The royal family are pleased to announce the impending birth of Prince Edmund and Princess Isabelle's child."



"So a royal birth that should be fun."



"I had no idea." Morgan said again. She shook her head she she realised that this was going to be one of those days.



***





When Morgan and Sandra got home Morgan asked Hannah, "Have you heard about Isabelle?"



"Isabelle?" Hannah sighed with annoyance, "What's she done now?"



"She's pregnant apparently."



Hannah turned to Morgan, a shocked expression on her face, "You're joking."       



"No." Morgan shook her head, "I take it you didn't know."



"No. No one mentioned it to me." Hannah thought about the letters she had received from her family. While they had been rather terse she would have expected them to have mentioned something like this. As it was not even her brother had bothered to tell her. "So I'm going to be an aunt?"



"An aunt of a princess," Morgan added.



"I think I need to lie down."



"Are you okay?"



"This is just a bit of a shock."



When Hannah had gone Sandra came in, "Is Hannah okay?"



"She was just a bit surprised by the news."



"You can say that again. From the look of her you'd think that she was the one who was pregnant."



Morgan glanced after Hannah with a concerned expression, "I think I'll just go check on her."



TBC

Postel's Prescription: Be generous in what you accept, rigorous in what you emit.

[GreenNeutron]

I just got to this story, and I am very impressed with your work so far. I'm no expert on fic or even the english language as a whole (even though or maybe because I'm an American, ) so I won't give out any advice other than keep up the good work!



Oh... and update when you can.

[Patches]

Justin, nice work. So, I say hum, and hum again. Sewing the seeds of discord are we? I liked the pace of this chapter, good balance of information and it's nice to see the character animation. I understand what you're saying about setting v dialogue. I too find writing dialogue easy. I 'hear' the characters speak, and fortunately they do so in a distinct voice. I try to mimic that voice, (word choice, cadence, inflection, use of contractions/slang vs formal, that kind of thing) in my writing. I hope when I write that just from reading the dialogue, the reader knows the voice without having to look at the character's name. I often catch myself writing and thinking, no, character X would say it _this_ way.



In terms of animation and movement, what I started doing was writing out the dialogue for the scene, and then going over it and *adding* motion. I picture what happens in the scene, using the dialogue as an outline, then add the descriptive narrative to fill in the rest of the canvas. I'm still working on this. If I can remember I think about adding description using the physical senses of touch (easiest) sound (easy), sight (difficult - what's around, what colour things are, I always leave out colour - might be because I 'see' the scene in greyscale) and smell (I always forget smell). I think when I reach the point that I can set the narrative and descriptive passages and *see* them in my head in full colour, then I know I will have mastered the art of writing. What I have found, from starting with this technique, is that the addition of description and movement are adding themselves to the dialogue. It's a long process, but well worth the effort.



Look forward to the next update.



Peace!

Patches

You know I've heard about people like me. But I never made the connection. They walk one road to set them free, And find they've gone the wrong direction. But there's no need for turning back 'cause all roads lead to where I stand. And I believe I'll walk them all No matter what I may have planned

[justin]

GreenNuetron: Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad that you're enjoying the story



Patches: Thanks for the advice. I'll keep it in mind when I'm writing.



The next update should be in a few days

Postel's Prescription: Be generous in what you accept, rigorous in what you emit.

[justin]

As promised here is the next chapter



Chapter 5



On the outskirts of the town of Hanford there were a number of small hamlets. One of these, Linacre, lay a couple of miles to the south of the town center and comprised of a small group of houses surrounded by several acres of farmland. Daniel Mathews, a local shepherd, walked along the trail leading to the pasture where he kept his sheep. The way was hilly and the bouts of rain recently meant that the going was quite difficult so he was making use of the walking sticj that he held. As he reached the top of a hill he stopped and turned to wait as his son, Luke, caught up with him.



"How long will it be before we can shear them?" Luke asked as he reached the top, his feet slipping a couple of times in the muddy ground.



"It'll be a couple of weeks yet, though I'm expecting that we should get a good amount of wool off of them." Daniel squinted against the wind that was blowing in his face. Once Luke had caught up they continued on over the top of the hill, coming into sight of the pasture. All of the sheep were lying dead, and in several places the ground was stained with blood.



"Dad, what's done this?"



"I don't know." He crossed over the fence. As Luke started to follow he said, "No son, stay there." Looking round he spotted one of his guard dogs. After a quick examination he saw that it's throat had been torn out. There was green slime round it's mouth. "Poor girl. Well it looks as though you took a bite out of whatever it was that did this." He heard a growl from just outside the pasture. Looking up he saw five wolf like figures approaching. Turning to Luke he said, "Quickly, get back to the town. Tell them that there are Wraith wolves in the area."



"But..."



"Now." Daniel smiled as his son started running towards the town, "Good boy." Turning back to the wolves he lifted his stick. He knew that he couldn't hurt them but hoped that he could buy enough time for his son to get away.



***





Two guards were patrolling through Linacre. They were both feeling bored and were looking forward to when they could return to the barracks and get some dinner.



"Come on I think we've been out here..." He stopped as he spotted Luke running towards them. "Hey isn't that the Mathews boy?"



"Yeah. I wonder why he's in such a hurry?"



"Hey there." The first guard shouted to the boy, "What's the problem?"



"Please sir, Father says that there are Wraith wolves around."



The two guards looked at each other, "What do you think?"



The other guard smirked, "I doubt if it's wraith wolves. Probably just someone spotted a wolf and panicked."



"Well even then we'll need to check it."



"Yeah. Okay son, you go home, we'll deal with this." Turning their horses the two guards rode down the main road.



***





As Sandra went through into the back room Morgan said, "We're going to do some work in the back room. Call for us if anyone comes in."



Milicent nodded, not seeming to be paying attention.



As Morgan joined Sandra she said, "This'll be the first time that I ever meditated with some one else. I always used to do it alone."



Morgan nodded, "Well it won't be too much different, we'll just be able to help each other focus."



Sitting down they started their meditation.



***





Entering the shop Hannah asked, "Where's Morgan?" Milicent pointed towards the door with her thumb. "Thanks." She went through to the back room, where she found Morgan and Sandra lost in their meditation. For a moment Hannah was stunned by how serene Morgan seemed.



Morgan's eyes flicked open and she gave a small gasp, "Hannah, I hadn't seen you there."



"Sorry I didn't mean to intrude." Hannah started towards the exit.



"It's okay, we were just meditating." Morgan moved to catch up with her.



"Oh, well I cut my hand." Hannah held her hand up to show a gash on the back. Blushing she went on, "If I'd known you were busy, I wouldn't have bothered you."



"Really it's no bother. Now let's get that looked at." Morgan led Hannah back through to the main room to look at her hand.



***





"I wonder where dad is?" Luke asked, he was standing on a small stool and was peering out the window impatiently.



"I'm sure he's fine." His mother, Martha answered in a tired voice. She had a lot of work to do, which wasn't helped by the fact that Luke had been pestering her since he'd returned. "He probably be back..." She was stopped by the sound of fighting outside. "I wonder what that is?" Martha moved to the window, moving the curtain slightly to peer outside. She could see people running down the main road, being chased by wolves. "Oh goddess." Trying to keep her fear from showing she turned to Luke she ordered, "Quick get into the cellar."



"But..."



"No buts." Turning back to the window she saw that the warning fire had been lit. Somehow she had the feeling that help wouldn't arrive in time.



***





Morgan looked up as a guard burst into her shop, "The warning fires have been lit at Linacre. We need you to come and help with any wounded."



As Morgan grabbed her bag she asked Sandra, "Are you coming?"



"Sure." Along with Milicent they raced to get there horses then rode to where the others were waiting. Jared was there along with five other guards, including Hannah.



Riding over to her Morgan asked, "Do you know what's up."



Hannah shook her head, "No, maybe it's those bandits."



"Okay then let's get going." Jared ordered.



***





As they approached the hamlet they could see crows flying around it. Then as they got closer they saw what had attracted them. "Goddess." Jared said as he saw the bodies strewn across the road, "Hannah, Milicent I want you to start looking for survivors." The two women dismounted and began searching the nearby houses.



Morgan dismounted and went to check one of the bodies. Sandra rode over and asked, "What have you got?"



"Well this certainly wasn't bandits." She checked the body more closely, "Wraith wolves."



Overhearing this Jared asked, "Are you sure?"



looking up and giving Jared a slight nod Morgan answered, "Positive."



"Then we've got a problem." Jared said in a calm voice, years of training meant that the fear he was feeling didn't show at all, "As far as I know there's no way to kill them."



"There is one." Morgan turned to Sandra, "Do you know the light of the goddess?"



"I know it but I've never used it."



Jared looked hopeful at this, "Are you saying you have a way to kill these things?"



Morgan nodded, "I used it when... I've used this spell before to kill them."



"Well we can draw the Wraith wolves back here. What will you need?"



"Just for you to keep them away from us."



"Yeah." Sandra added, "This spell requires a lot of concentration and being mauled does rather ruin that."



***





Hannah looked quickly round one of the houses. The window had been smashed, so she guessed that the wolves had been in there. She was just moving through the kitchen when she kicked something. Looking down she saw that it was the body of a woman. "Goddess." Hannah gasped, feeling ill. She was about to leave when she noticed the entrance to the cellar. Reasoning that someone might have hidden in there she went to check.



***





Morgan and Sandra were just going over the spell when Hannah came out of one of the houses. She took a couple of steps, then stumbled slightly before carrying on. Noticing the tears running down her cheeks Morgan ran over to her saying, "Hannah, what's wrong?"



Not seeming to notice her, Hannah walked straight past her. She walked to the side of the road then, falling to her knees she threw up.



Going over to her Morgan put one arm round Hannah and used the other to wipe her mouth, saying, "What is it?"



Still crying Hannah managed to get out, "In there... There's a... boy... They... They killed him."



"Oh Hannah, I'm so sorry."



They looked up as Jared approached them. "Watson, I want you to go back to the town."



Standing, with Morgan's help, Hannah said, "I'm okay now."



Jared's expression didn't soften at all, "I said I want you to go back."



Hannah stared at him a moment. Then, realising he wasn't going to change his mind, she got up on her horse and rode off.



Morgan watched Hannah go, wanting to go after her. "Morgan. We need to get this spell ready." Realising that she had to stay to do the spell, Morgan nodded and turned back to Sandra.



Once they had the spell ready Jared took a chicken which one of his men had found and walked a short day down the road. He used his knife to slit it's stomach open and let the blood pour on the ground, moving it in a complex pattern.



Seeing this Sandra whispered to Morgan, "Isn't that?"



"Witchcraft," Morgan nodded, "Yes."



"Do you think he knows?"



Morgan shook her head, "He probably thinks it's just the blood that draws the wraith wolves here."



Sandra gave Morgan mischievous look, "Should we tell him?"



Morgan shook her head again. "We better get ready, they'll be here soon."



***





That night Morgan and Hannah sat down together. Taking Hannah's hand in her own Morgan said, "I'm sorry about what happened today."



Hannah put her arm round Morgan, pulling her close, "Don't be. I mean I can understand Jared not wanting someone there whose going to be being sick and all. Not with Wraith wolves about."



"I mean I'm sorry I let you ride off like. I wanted to go with you but..."



"I understand, you had to deal with the wraith wolves. Make sure they don't attack again."



"I still feel like I let you down."



Hannah turned to gaze into Morgan's eyes, "You didn't, trust me."



***





The next day the bodies were retrieved from the village and were brought to the town center. Two long rows of pyres were set out, each one holding a body. Out of the fifty people who had lived at Linacre, no one had survived. Just about everyone in the town went to pay their respoects, meaning that the center was overfilled, even though all the stalls had been taken down in preperation. The people in a crowd talked in a hushed whisper, discussing which of the dead they had known. They quieted as a tired looking, old man, wearing a priests robes climbed up onto the dais next to the pyres. He opened up a large, leather bound book and reading from he said, in a surprisingly strong voice, "Henry Mawson, Butcher. His wife Muriel, seamstress and his two daughters Jennifer and Phoebe. We commend your souls to the Goddess." As he said this a man walked over to the pyres with torch and set fire to the first four. "Daniel Mathews, Shepherd, his wife Martha and their son Luke. We commend your souls to the Goddess."



Standing near the back of the crowd Hannah blinked as she felt her eyes filling up with tears. Feeling Morgan take her hand, and give it a slight squeeze, she turned to give Morgan a small smile as she squeezed back.



Sandra walked over to them and whispered, "I can't help feel we should do something."



Morgan nodded, "I think I know what."



Sandra started to ask what she meant, but as she realised she just gave a small nod. When the last of the names had been read out and the last body ignited Morgan used her free hand to take Sandra's and they began chanting, a low melodic tone. Surprised Hannah started to let go but Morgan held on too tight.



"Stop them." The priest shouted, "This is sacrilege." Some people moved cautiously towards the two witches. Hannah reached for her sword, silently cursing as she remembered she had left it at home.



Then everyone stopped. Above the pyres appeared shimmering, translucent, forms of the people within them. The people in the crowd watched in awe as the figures shone brightly for a moment, then disappeared.



There was only one person who wasn't watching the display. Hannah gazed at Morgan with feeling a mixture of pride and love at what Morgan was doing. She tried to push aside the jealousy that she also felt.





TBC

Postel's Prescription: Be generous in what you accept, rigorous in what you emit.

[Patches]

Justin - Wow This was a great update. More than any you've written, I feel the life in the characters here, their movements were fluid and I didn't have to strain to see the images you were painting with your words. Well done!



Couple of things with the tag lines I noted (I'm sooo guilty of this as well, and know it helps when somone points out my gaffs). The rule with the tag does not just apply to 'said' (ie. "This update was great," exclaimed Patches entusiastically.) It applies when you identify the speaker (proper noun or pronoun). "You have to be kidding. This is the KB not a grammar class," he bristled, wanting the annoying commentator to keep her thoughts to herself.



Here are a couple of examples.

Quote:

---

"Then we've got a problem." Jared said in a calm voice...

---

Anytime you tag the speaker, always use a comma.

I found this site useful.



Writing would be so much fun if it wasn't so much work remembering the picky little details (like @#@$#$$# punctuation!).



Now, on the content ... Dude, what'cha got cooking in the pot? I like the interplay between Morgan, Sandra and Hannah. I can see why Hannah's feeling a little jealous. I like the realism here. Also, at the end, who's not watching and why? So, again I'm in with the humm, and humm again.



Thanks Justin, look forward to more.



Peace!!

PAtches

You know I've heard about people like me. But I never made the connection. They walk one road to set them free, And find they've gone the wrong direction. But there's no need for turning back 'cause all roads lead to where I stand. And I believe I'll walk them all No matter what I may have planned

Edited by: Patches at: 2/11/04 4:24 pm

[StrangeQuark]

I'm finally caught-up.



Okay, there's a lot to talk about here, but I'll start with the stylistic refinements that you've incorporated. Patches is correct about the lack of animation (particularly facial) in the previous parts of the work. It is a very important way for the characters to display their internal reactions and feelings to both the reader and the other characters as well. You're definitely getting the hang of it, but it (believe me) takes lots of practice for it to become a natural extension of your storytelling abilities. No matter really, since your story and the way that you've been telling it have been able to draw me away from the mechanical and stylistic, and toward the simple appreciation of a well-crafted story.



Morgan and Hannah are evolving a bit more in this book, as well they should, since stagnant characters are no more than props. I like a lot of the conflicts and challenges that your putting them up-against. Very atypical and clever.



Some of the other players are really quite interesting too. At times, I feel that their multifaceted motives, backgrounds, and actions compete a little too strongly with the "A" characters, but that seems to be balancing a little more as this book progresses. Just an observation, not really a criticism. I think that you may have taken too little liberty in crafting all of the dimensionality into Hannah and Morgan (they are a little clone-y, therefore precast to some degree) that they deserve as main characters. I know that you've got the skill, will, and imagination to make them completely yours, and I reserve this opinion, hoping that their evolution will be this realization.



Rambling... Late night.... More....



Okay, there's plenty of mysteries going on here, and lots of short, curt scenes. I personally think that makes a very good combination. It's propulsive and very much adapted to the television-mentality (love it or hate it) of getting as much into each scene and cutting everything that isn't absolutely essential. Kind of like the old "Twilight Zone" episodes; they adapted a 100 page short story to fit into 20 minutes of screen time. If you've ever read some of the short stories and novellas that those episodes were based on, many of them were much more compelling in the shortened "only essential" format. I see a lot of that mentality coming through in here, and that always makes for better storytelling. Of course, this is coming from someone who gets criticized for having too many short scenes with abrupt changes, so take that praise with the proverbial grain of salt.



Wow. Really rambling now...



Ever After is a great story, and, as always, I look forward to reading more.



Please forgive the lateness of my replies. I've been uber-busy lately (not working on my story, unfortunately) and haven't had the chance to catch-up until now.



Did I already say that? -- It's late.



-SQ

[justin]

Sorry not an update. To be honest I haven't even started on the next chapter



I just realised that I hadn't responded to the feedback.



Patches:

Quote:

---

Couple of things with the tag lines I noted (I'm sooo guilty of this as well, and know it helps when somone points out my gaffs). The rule with the tag does not just apply to 'said' (ie. "This update was great," exclaimed Patches entusiastically.) It applies when you identify the speaker (proper noun or pronoun). "You have to be kidding. This is the KB not a grammar class," he bristled, wanting the annoying commentator to keep her thoughts to herself.

---

Yes I was getting a bit mixed up about whether to use a comma or a full stop. In the link you provided it says to use a full stop when the tag line is replaced by a descriptive sentence, and I was getting confused about what counted as a descriptive sentence.



My thinking had been you'd write a comma for



"You have to be kidding," he bristled.



but a full stop for



"You have to be kidding." He bristled, wanting the annoying commentator to keep her thoughts to herself.



Which now seems to be rather silly.



Why does English have to be so inconsistent? I swear I am going to give up on English and start writing all my stories in Ruby. :P



Thanks for the advice, and the link. That's cleared things up a lot.



I'm glad you liked the last part. Hopefully it won't be too much longer before the next one.



StrangeQuark:

Quote:

---

I think that you may have taken too little liberty in crafting all of the dimensionality into Hannah and Morgan (they are a little clone-y, therefore precast to some degree) that they deserve as main characters.

---

By cloney I assume you mean of each other. Eep, that is bad. Though you're right they are a bit too similar, I need to work on giving each of them their own voice.

Quote:

---

I know that you've got the skill, will, and imagination to make them completely yours, and I reserve this opinion, hoping that their evolution will be this realization.

---

Hopefully I won't disapoint you.



Thanks for all your comments and for your continued encouragement.



Again sorry for the lack of any updatey goodness. I got distracted by other projects and hadn't realised how long it had been.

Postel's Prescription: Be generous in what you accept, rigorous in what you emit.

[justin]

Okay here, finally, is chapter 6. Sorry about the long delay



Chapter 6







Morgan was tending to the local blacksmith when Elizabeth came in. Seeing that Morgan was busy she went over to one side to wait. Morgan finished bandaging his arm and said, in a gentle tone, "You'll need to come back tomorrow so I can put some more salve on and change the bandage." The blacksmith nodded his gratitude and Morgan showed him out. She turned to Elizabeth and crossing her arms over her chest, she asked, "What can I do for you?"



"I just wanted to talk to you, about what you did yesterday."



"Oh." Morgan answered, a little hesitantly, wondering if she was going to be remonstrated for it.



"A lot of people have spoken to me about it. Generally they seem to like what you did. I mean they're not sure what it was and they're a bit suspicious about magic, but they feel it was the right way to honour those people."



Morgan nodded, she had been worried that people might be offended, but she had known she had to do something. "Thank you for telling me." Morgan looked at Elizabeth, then quickly turned away, not feeling comfortable round the other woman.



Elizabeth nodded. She seemed to be about to leave, but hesitating she asked, "Have I done something to offend you?"



Morgan shook her head, saying, "No, of course not."



"Okay, you just seemed... I'm being paranoid. The problem with being very sensitive is sometimes you can be too sensitive. Well I better be going."



Elizabeth had just taken a couple of steps when Morgan said, "Sandra told me, about the work you did for the regent."



For a while Elizabeth didn't say anything. "I have to say I'm surprised."



"That she told me?"



"No, I just didn't take you for a person who would judge someone on the basis of hearsay." Without waiting for a response Elizabeth left the shop.



***





"So is this what you do all day?" Sandra asked in an amused tone as she watched Hannah train. They were both in the training grounds of the guards barracks. Hannah was busy attacking a training dummy while Sandra sat on a wall a short way off, her legs swinging back and forth.



Hannah shook her head, "Of course not. I have to go out on patrols around the town and outlying villages but at the moment I'm just ready in case there's any kind of emergency in the town."



"Doing nothing," Sandra finished, her tone light.



Hannah harrumphed but rather than responding she said, "I had thought that you were going to spend your time with Morgan while you were here." Seeing the puzzled look Sandra was giving her she said, "Well I just thought, because you're both witches."



"Well I guess Morgan and I do have a connection due to us both being witches..." Sandra hesitated slightly as she noticed a slight flicker in Hannah's eyes. Rather than mention it she went on, "But really I don't feel any closer to Morgan and I came here because I want to get to know both of you better."



Hannah nodded, "Oh, yeah well I guess that makes sense."



"That's a nice necklace you've got."



"Yeah. Morgan gave it to me. It's supposed to protect me."



"Oh. Morgan must really care about you."



Hannah grinned, "Yeah, I guess that she must."



***





A small group gathered to watch the monks as they got there horses ready. Brother Edwards had just checked his bags when he turned to find Elizabeth standing behind him. Before she could say anything he said, "Now I know what you're going to say."



"You shouldn't do this."



"It is what we were destined to do. Would you stand in the way of that?"



Elizabeth struggled to keep down the frustration that she was feeling, "Then you're destined to die."



"You cannot know that for sure."



"Everyone else has."



Brother Edwards held up his hand, "Please I know why you're doing this and I appreciate your concern, but we are set upon doing this." Looking round he saw that the others had mounted their horses and he did likewise. "Whatever fate the Goddess has prepared for us, we cannot escape it." Without waiting for any further argument, they rode away.



"Idiots." Elizabeth muttered to herself, her voice harsh. Turning she found Morgan standing nearby. "I suppose you think they're doing the right thing."



"To be honest, I don't know." Morgan shook her head as she watched the departing figures.



Elizabeth nodded, "So what can I do for you?"



"I want to talk to you, to apologise for this afternoon."



"Maybe we should go into my office."



Morgan had been into the mayors office once before and was surprised at how much it had changed. The dark, rich curtains had been replaced with paler ones, which made the room seem lighter. Also a lot of the pictures had been removed. Some had been replaced by maps, while some of the gaps were now filled by various species of plants. "I see you've made a few changes."



"Not too much. I just wanted it to seem like it was mine." Elizabeth sat down, motioning for Morgan to do likewise.



"I can understand that. Anyway as I said, I wanted to apologise. You were right, I shouldn't judge you just on what other people told me."



Elizabeth nodded, "Yes, well I was probably being harsh. After all what she told you was probably true. After my father died I left the palace and I... well let's just say I ended up living on the streets for a few years. The regent found me and brought me back to the palace and got me a place to live there. Yes I did work for him and that work did include spying and sometimes, assassination. He always told me it was for the good of the kingdom."



"Did you believe him?"



"To be honest, I didn't care."



Morgan nodded. She wasn't sure about her next question, though she knew she had to ask if she was going to be able to trust Elizabeth. "Did you know that he was a demon?"



"What? No, I had no idea."



"But Sandra said..."



"That I was the regent's whore? Yes I guess they did call me that, but I never slept with him. I just worked for him."



Morgan nodded, "But you were right, I don't know you, so I shouldn't judge you."



"Maybe not, but it is a natural thing to do, for both humans and elves." A slight smile touched the corners of Elizabeth's mouth as she said, "Though maybe I should return the favour."



"I don't follow."



"Well I generally used to spy on dignitaries that were visiting the palace, but I would practice on the people working at the palace. So I always knew what was going on. Anyway people were always a bit weary of Sandra."



"Probably because she was a witch."



"Well they didn't know about that. Though maybe it was just she was a bit different, she was always a very private person."



"That was probably the reason." Standing Morgan said, "I'd better get back to the shop." As Morgan left she went over the conversation. She didn't know what to make of it. She had just been starting to feel as if she could trust Elizabeth when Elizabeth had said those things about Sandra. She didn't understand why she would be trying to put a wedge between them. Maybe she wasn't as okay with witches as she claimed to be.



***





Just after noon a rather worn out looking messenger approached Hannah. After taking a few moments to catch his breath he told her that Jared wanted to see her in his office, before running off again. As Hannah made her way to his office she wondered what it was about. The only time her parents had ever sent for her like this was when she had done something wrong. Her legs grew weak as she grew more and more worried about the meeting.



When she reached Jared's office, a small bare room with the only furnishing being a small desk, she was a little relieved to see that there was a group of guards already there. A couple of them turned to nod to Hannah as she entered before turning their attention back to Jared.



After quickly checking that everyone was there Jared went to stand at one end of the room. Addressing them Jared said, "We believe that we have found the bandits who attacked the monks earlier. We're going to ride out and take a look at their camp."



Looking round the group, Hannah said, "Shouldn't there be more of us?"



"Don't worry we won't be taking them on yet, just watching them." With that they set off to the bandits camp.



***





After Hannah had gone Sandra made her way to Morgan's shop. Seeing her come in Morgan said, "I thought that you were spending the day with Hannah."



"She got called away for something."



Morgan nodded, "Well it's good timing. I've been busy all morning, but things have just quietened down."



"Is that so? So people are starting to get used to the idea of having a witch as their healer."



"I think they're starting to get used to the idea that they're stuck with me. I think..." Morgan stopped as she noticed that Sandra was looking past her at Milicent, who was leant up against a wall, her arms across her chest.



"She doesn't talk much does she?"



"I don't think that she likes me very much."



"Hey, guard lady, what have you got against Morgan?"



Milicent stared at her a moment then walked to the door, muttering, "Dikes." She left the shop, stopping just outside the door.



"Oh she was pleasant." Sandra said, seemingly to herself. Then turning to Morgan she said, "I hear you had an argument with the mayor. Was it over what I told you?"



"How did you hear about that?"



"It was going round the guards barracks. I'm sure you can guess how the stories got started there." Sandra glanced at the door that Milicent had just left through.



Morgan nodded, "Well it wasn't really an argument, just a disagreement. Anyway we kind of got it all sorted out."



"Kind of?"



"Yeah well she started talking about you, about how you weren't popular." Morgan frowned, "I guess it kind of upset me,"



"Yeah wall it's true, I wasn't. I was always a very private person, and I was always reading, trying to better myself. People just thought I was putting myself above them."



"Well they're idiots." Morgan snorted, "You're a wonderful person."



Sandra dipped her head, a shy smile on her face, "Thanks."



***





Hannah and the other guards headed into a forest on the outskirts of the town. They stopped before they got into view of the camp and one of the guards began to approach it, moving carefully through the wood.



"There's no one there." Hannah blurted out.



Jared turned to Hannah, saying i a fierce whisper, "What makes you say that?"



Hannah thought about it a moment, "Just an instinct I guess."



"Well maybe..." Jared stopped at the someone approaching. Putting his hand to his sword he turned in that direction. Relaxing when he saw it was the guard. "What's going on?"



"They've cleared out. The camps gone."



"Damn. Okay then let's see what we can find out."



This turned out to not be much. The camp had been cleared out and there wasn't much left to show that anyone had ever been there. Everyone began searching for any signs of the occupants.



One of the guards prodded what was left of the fire with his sword, "This is still warm."



"So they were here recently. Either it's a coincident or they were warned about our arrival." After searching another half hour without turning anything up, "Well this was very thorough. Whoever was here, they didn't want anyone to know who they are."



"It doesn't sound like bandits," Hannah added.



"I was just thinking that. This is seeming more and more like the work of trained military."



"Why would they be interested in a group of monks?" One of the guards asked.



"They wouldn't." Jared looked around then suddenly said, "The Mayor."



Hannah spotted something glinting a distance off. As she went to check it she asked, "Wasn't she just on a diplomatic mission."



"Yes to Mithrar."



Hannah turned, lifting up the object she'd just found, "Isn't this the emblem of their royal guard?"



TBC

Postel's Prescription: Be generous in what you accept, rigorous in what you emit.

[WhiteSkyFire]

Hey Justin,



I'm really enjoying this fic of yours. I'm a big fantasy freak who loves sword/magic writings. I hope to see more of this one soon.



ciao



Sky

[StrangeQuark]

This is getting interesting on so many levels...



There's the intrigue about the true intentions of the characters, the main plot and its unexpected little shifts, and also the subtle tension that seems to be brewing between Hannah, Morgan, Sandra, and Elizabeth.



I like the scene between Hannah and Sandra. There's lots of tension and uncertainty there; the sparkle in the eye, the tentative "I guess--" language from Hannah about the necklace.



The bandits, and the menace that they seem to pose, are interesting enough, but then you've added just that last little twist... very exciting and well-done.



I can't wait for more -- great work as always, Justin.