evesilverthorne

If you would like to give me your thoughts.... I thank you all.

The shadows on the busy streets of Belentia were growing long as the light from the yellow-white day sun began to fade. It wouldn't be long before everything was bathed in the calm light of the deep blue night sun. Prestia Blithmore stepped into the dimly lit taproom of the Klipmar Inn, her eyes searching for the familiar faces of her friends. It took only moments to find them seated at their usual table. Signaling to the barkeep, she mad her way toward them. "At last, everyone is here." a young khilder male smiled as she sat down. "Sorry I'm late, my studies took longer than I thought they would." she settled into her chair as the barkeep sat a tankard of elven bloodwyne on the table before her. She brushed her platinum hair back out of her eyes, wishing that just once it would stay trapped in the leather hair tie she wore. She reached up and tugged the strip of leather out of her hair letting the remainder of it fall free. She didn’t notice two of her friends nearly choke on their drinks. Milmarn, the young Khilder, smiled. "Don't worry yourself, we have not been here for half a candle mark. How are the studies of the ever vigilant bard-in-training?” His eyes traveled over her disheveled form. He really wished she would remember to take better care of herself. He had known for years that she worried more about the rest of the world than she did herself. Relaxing for the first time in over a fortnight she sighed, “Frightful. I spend more time healing the sick and wounded as a cleric than I do working as a bard. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever get my final composition finished. But when the town is short on the healing wise, you do what you must." she admitted softly bringing the bloodwyne to her lips. It's flavor was refreshing after the time spent with the wounded. She loved helping people, so when the head healer asked her to use her natural gifts with healing to fill in the gaps of the healing wise she couldn’t say no. Her eyes traveled around the scarred old table taking in the faces of her lifelong friends one at a time. Her striking silver eyes first settled on the well chiseled features of Kel Treyari. As always he was sitting there in battered leather armor, a sword hanging over the back of his chair. He had been the first of the group that she met as a child. His green eyes and brown hair making you think he would blend into a crowd. The muscles developing in his training as a fighter made known that he was a protector. She knew he had many secrets, but he was her friend. That fact in itself meant she trusted him. Many a time over the years she had willingly put her life in his strong hands. Always had she been safe in doing so. Just now though she didn’t feel right trusting any of her friends with her secret. Slowly her eyes moved to the ever curious Elane Mershree. With a small build and plain features Prestia had a feeling that curiosity would be put to good use as a thief. She had seen Elane’s nimble fingers help her brother Sethree on countless occasions. The two of them had always made a good team. She had always been jealous of Elane’s tiny figure. There had been many a day when Prestia had gotten lost in Elane’s deep brown eyes while she was spinning a tale. Farther around the table Prestia's eyes came to rest upon a book that was, as always, hiding the deep sea-blue eyes of Milmarn Creel. She couldn't remember many times that Milmarn's eyes and mind weren't buried in some book or another. Most of them ended up completely obsessing him from the first page. The written word was his world. Knowledge the blood that flowed through his veins. So it had come as no surprise to any of them when he decided to follow the path of Lore Master. She actually figured they would have been worried if he hadn’t. Even his parents knew that his world would be in the written word. Prestia shivered as her eyes collided with the steel blue eyes of Trelane Rathree. She didn't look at them very long. Trelane was a slight wisp of a thing. Raven black hair and brilliant green eyes captivated nearly everyone that ever met her. She always seemed to drift over the ground as she walked, making Prestia nervous. It wasn't that Prestia disliked the young woman, they were in fact very good friends. They had always gotten along well. Even to the point of sharing secrets as they grew up. She just couldn't bring herself to like the path that Trelane had chosen. Having witnessed more than once the destruction caused at the hands of a mage. Magick scared Prestia to her center of her very soul. Sometimes due to that she found it very hard to trust Trelane. One of the few times Prestia had ventured out of the walls of Belentia it had been to a small village nearly a full days ride away. Her father had taken her and her brother as a life lesson. When they got to the village it was to find the place burned to the ground. It had been the site of a mage battle. Prestia had stepped up with her brother right beside her and began to tend to the wounded. She could still remember her father’s anger at her and her own anger at the pair of dead mages. As her eyes continued their journey around the table they came to rest on her closest friend in the group, Sethree. He was the strongest dreamer of the group and Elane's older brother. Prestia had always thought he was handsome with his chestnut brown eyes and nearly black hair. However, her heart had been taken long before by another. She remembered many a day when she would watch him use his natural skills as a thief to lift things that the poor people on the streets needed and he had no other way to get for them. Even with the talents of a thief it had been his dream since before any of them could remember to become a paladin. Though a tough dream to complete Prestia wished him luck on the journey. He was bound to learn more on the journey than she would on her journey as a bard. Sethree’s heart had always been set on being a paladin. The first day he picked up a sword he swore and his honor to the service of the blessed crown of Belentia. She knew he would never fail that vow. Glancing to her other side, Prestia's eyes darkened at the sight of the man sitting there, if you wanted to call him a man that is. Katarip looked perfectly normal as he sat there drinking dragon-ale and watching the other patrons of the taproom. Her heart had found him and the mind link they could share fascinating from the moment they met. Even though Prestia had known and been friends with him for years, she still had a hard time with the fact that he was a dragon. He spent most of his time the way he was now, in human form. As such she had found herself becoming much closer to him than she should have as they had grown older. Her thoughts fluttered across the night a few months before when she had put her fear of his dragon half aside and let her heart lead her. She would cherish those moments for the rest of her life. Hoping each say the someday she could admit the truth and not be punished for it. The last person at the table was Prestia's twin brother Tekar. Their mother had passed away giving them life leaving them with a father who knew nothing of raising a child let alone a set of twins. They knew nothing of their mother’s family. When they were young they were raised by their grandmother Blithmore. As they got older they were left on their own. Tekar had always been her rock, the stability in her world. They were both on the path of the healer, but where she choose to combine it with the work of a bard, her brother had decided to use his build to his advantage as a fighter. The group of them came together at the Klipmar about once a month to talk about what was happening in their lives. They had been doing so since the first time they had been allowed inside without someone to watch them. The last few months everyone had been talking about how they felt like the town was closing in on them. Prestia, holding her secret tight to her chest, was feeling it the most. Her secret would destroy more than just her life if it ever got out. Everyone looked as nervous as she felt, so Prestia figured she would start the meeting. “Every month we meet to talk about how things are going for each of us. Over the last few months we have all at one point or another admitted to wanting to get away for awhile. Friends, we have known each other throughout our childhood. Each helping the others to grow by doing what was needed. I know I sound like I am reading from a book. That is because while I believe everything I am saying with all of my heart, it still hurts to say it. Now I fear the time has come for each of us to find and walk our own paths. We have grown as much as we can together. The next step is to see where we can lead ourselves. None of us strong enough to fight the battle that is our birthright." the words were stiff, the speech having been planned and practiced to the last letter. They all knew the time was coming, but they weren’t looking forward to it. Prestia herself knew that leaving would be one of the hardest things she had ever done, but she didn’t have a choice. Milmarn was the first to respond, "What are you saying Prestia? Are you suggesting we all run away from home?" there was laughter in his voice. His eyes traveled over her again. He was really worried about her. Over the last couple of moons she had really begun to look like something was wrong. When he had asked her about it, she would just smile and tell him it was nothing to worry about. A smile flashed on her face and lit her eyes, her speech had hit at least one nerve. "In a manner yes, That is just what I am saying. We have all said that we want more. Well we have the chance to try something new. Training by sparing is only going to take us so far. We need to see real life outside the walls of Belentia if we want to get as good as we need to be." Trelane spoke up, "I think she might be right. Also there are many things we can do outside the walls of Belentia, that can't be done within them. This place is growing stale." To her the place had started to feel like everyone was against her. Being a mage in Belentia was rapidly becoming a bad idea. Those in power didn’t really want mages within the city walls. They felt it was unsafe. Kel looked thoughtful, "I wouldn't mind seeing the Kreeshmar Sorrows with my own eyes. That place has a history of power and mystery." he explained thinking Prestia might, for the first time in a long time have a good idea. He could remember with crystal clarity the last time he thought she had a good idea. He never did find the nerve to ask her how the night with Katarip had gone. Prestia smiled again, she was getting a better response than she had expected. Quietly she signaled the barkeep for another round of drinks. "We have twelve summer before we must embark on our birthright. How many of those should we follow our own paths?" she asked, her eyes drifting to Katarip. She was still wondering how in the world her birthright could be a part of his. And how she would ever live with the secret that would forever hang between them. Katarip, noticing her attention on him spoke for the first time all night. "Lady Prestia, I have known you since the day you were born. I also know that regardless of the fact we have been friends for years you are not fond of the dragon blood that flows within me. I feel it is high time to ask you why?" His mind reliving the one night of paradise he had known in her arms. It had been a test, and in his own eyes he had failed. He had fallen asleep with her in his arms in his nest begging the gods above to take away his dragon blood. When he woke the next morning he had been alone. They hadn’t spoken of that night, and he knew she didn’t understand that through everything he loved her. Her heart jumped, she couldn't tell him the truth. If she did she would be banished. It went against the teachings of the church for a elf to lay with those of dragon blood. The child growing within her was proof she had done just that. Even if she could go back, she wouldn’t give up that one night. Her heart broke just thinking about it, but there was nothing she could do. "It is not that I don't like dragons, but for reasons that are mine alone I think those with the power to take human form shouldn't be allowed. And those that are already among us should be hidden away or at least hide the fact they have dragon blood." she answered wishing she herself could hide. Her love for him burned in her heart like a flame. She could never repeat the most wonderful night of her life, but she would raise her child to know that their father was a wonderful man. Even if they never met. Katarip's smile faded and his heart broke, "I understand. I will from now on take care around you to hide the dragon qualities I have. Maybe someday you will find enough trust in your heart to tell me those reasons. Now back to your question, I think ten summers would give us all plenty of time. What do the rest of you think?" he asked, his eyes never leaving hers. Ten summers to him was now the blink of an eye and he knew it wouldn’t change the way he felt about her. They each held too many secrets, but neither of them was ready to give in and share. He had spoken to his father the day after they were together about making her his wife, and still had yet to hear the end of it. His father couldn’t believe he wanted to spend the rest of his life with a woman who hated dragons. There were murmurs of agreement from around the table as the barmaid arrived with another round of drinks. As she stepped away Sethree's voice carried to Prestia's ears. "I think Katarip's got a good idea on the time. Ten years should give us enough time to follow our own paths and still get us back together with time to train as a team again." They would need time to learn how to fight together again with the changes in style ten years of fighting alone would bring. "So we are all in agreement then right? It's time we went out to see what is beyond the walls of Belentia. To return in ten summers from our travels and begin our training as a team once more." Kel's voice rumbled. His eyes locked on Katarip’s wondering what the sadness he could see there recently was about. Prestia scanned the group again, it would be very different over the next decade to not have her friends there in the blink of an eye. She wondered again if she would be able to block Katarip’s mind link long enough to get through the months ahead. It was time to start counting on her own skills to get things done and keep herself alive. "Agreed, ten summers it is. We meet back here at the Klipmar for mid-summer festival." tears were welling in both her eyes and voice. Good-byes were never easy. This one felt like the end of the world. Elane's musical voice carried softly to each of the friends as she whispered her good-byes. "Each of you will be greatly missed as I walk the path that is before me. Each one of you have found a special place in my heart over the years. I hope to see you all at festival when we return." She hugged each of her friends. Wondering what kind of changes would come before she saw them again. Tekar's voice was dry but rough as sand as he fought to say his good-byes. "having been so close to all of you for so long I feel the eight of us are more of a family than the one that belongs to the blood that flows in this body. Each of you had fought at my side at least once during our time together. As sword brothers there is a special honor between us that not all friends find. I would willingly stand beside each and everyone of you in battle until either the battle is won or we are all lost. I love all of you and pray that our hopes lead us true until our return in ten summers. Travel well my friends, blessings be with you all." He stood behind his chair fighting an internal battle over walking away. He looked each of his friends in the eyes. He would deeply miss all of them. Trelane's smile held a bitter sadness at the thought of being apart from her friends for so long, "For the first time in my life words fail me. There is so much I would like to say, yet at this moment none of it seems at all important. I will miss you all more than you know. I bid you safe travels and a knowledge filled journey." Her eyes never drifted from Kel’s face as she spoke. It would be hardest for her to walk away from him. "Good-byes are never easy. They often take more out of you than actually leaving does. So I find this is not a real good-bye but merely a suspension of time until we can be together again." the soft words came from Sethree as he finished the last of his drink. He stood, but didn’t go anywhere. He wanted to hear the last of the good-byes. Milmarn silently stood up from his chair closing the distance between himself and Elane. He gave her a quick hug. Tears were forming as the words began to tumble out. "I will miss you all. I pray the fates are kind and we meet again." he stepped back to offer the other two woman farewell hugs. Katarip looked up as Kel was trying to slip away without saying farewell. "Kel, my friend, please wait. I have something I wish for you to have." he watched as Kel stopped and turned to face him. Kel appeared as unemotional as he always did, "What is it old man? You know I don't do good-byes." the fighter snapped. “I know I will see you all again. Remember if I say good-bye you won’t see me again.” "A gift from an old one." Katarip snickered as a coin pouch appeared hanging in mid-air before Kel. Kel reached out and snatched it from the air. Slowly he pulled open the drawstring as similar pouches appeared before each person at the table. That is everyone other than Prestia. Before her there was a silver scroll case. As he looked inside he found more money than he had seen in his lifetime, along with a handful of gems. "What's this for?" Katarip was smiling, "Each pouch contains a small token of my treasure to help you on your journey. Inside them you will find gold, silver, and copper coins along with gems you can sell if the money runs out. This is my farewell, I wish all of you well." he sat watching as one by one his friends stood and walked out of the taproom. Prestia however had not moved a muscle from the moment the first pouch had appeared leaving the scroll case hanging in front of her. "Katarip?" his name on her lips was a question in itself. There was so much she wanted to say, yet knew she couldn’t. "Yes Prestia. Is something wrong?" he asked with a small grin gracing his handsome face. "Yes, no, I mean I don't understand. Why did you give them pouches of money and leave me sitting here with nothing but a scroll?" she asked her mind racing, trying to understand what was angering her more, the fact he gave out so much or the fact he hadn't given her anything. "There are a couple of reasons for that. The biggest being that I didn't want you to have one. Now before you get all bent out of shape listen to everything I have to say." he explained. “What is in that case is more important than money. I want you to have it, but you have to promise that you will never open it.” She looked at him completely confused, “Why do you want me to have it if you don’t want me to open it?” she demanded. “There are many things in this world that we are not ready to hear. The story behind that scroll case may be one of them. If you really want me to explain I will.” He told her a sadness creeping into his eyes. "Fine, but start talking and it better be good." she snapped having difficulty keeping her temper as always. "You need not money or gems. The scroll case is very old, and very special. It holds a scroll from my family. It is important to me that you have it. The world is at your finger tips, just waiting for you to step up to the challenge. Are you willing to try?" he asked absently fingering the pouch he would slip into her pocket if she told him no. Prestia stared at him, "what are you talking about Kat?" she knew that what ever he was up to concerned her and him. It wasn't a comforting feeling. "I want to offer you a chance for great adventures, but you have to trust me. Can you?" he asked softly. He hoped he could trust himself. Everything would fall apart if her failed. "Yes, I can trust you. What do you need me to do?" she responded. She reached up and plucked the scroll case from the air. There was a small flash of light between them and Katarip smiled, "Take the medallion on the table before you. It will open many doors for you on you learn how to use it. Be safe. I bid you well." he finished as a soft white light surrounded him. Before she could say anything in response he was gone. As she stood up to pick up the medallion she felt something in her pocket. Reaching in she found a money pouch. She could hear Katarip laughing over the mind link. Mid-summer festival Year of the rising dawn

::steps around the corner:: Hi, and thanks. Sorry I have been abscent, but I have returned and soory will bring scrolls of [i hope] good stories.

Chapter Six “Jenna love…” Maxwell called to her as he touched her shoulder. “We need to get you back inside. Things have been starting to worry me.” he was standing in front of where she was sitting on the bench. She smiled, “I’m fine. I was just lost in thought. I’m sorry if I frightened you.” she said quickly, not wanting to go back inside. “Jenna you’ve been sitting there more than an hour. I don’t think you should have come out here.” Maxwell told her tugging lightly on her hand. “An hour.” she whispered letting him help her up. They walked slowly back into the house. Jenna let him lead her into the bedchamber. The doctor was waiting next to the bed with a sad look on his face. “How did your walk go?” he asked as she climbed back into her bed. Jenna was about to answer, but Maxwell spoke first, “She had another spell.” his worry could be heard very clearly. The doctor looked closely at her. “How are you feeling?” he asked taking her hand. "I'm feeling fine." she smiled sadly, her mind drifting back to the crystal in the wall outside. Something about that crystal was bothering her. "I just got lost in my own thoughts while sitting outside I guess." He looked from her to the door, to Maxwell "Might I have a few minutes alone with her?" he asked. "Certainly, I'll go down and see about getting us some tea." Maxwell responded. As he stepped out of the room the doctor looked back at Jenna, "There is not much I am allowed to tell you, but know this if you do not succeed we are all in terrible danger." the words were whispered. Her eyes snapped from the door Maxwell had just stepped through to the troubled face of the doctor. "What's wrong?" she asked growing more frightened with every passing moment. "I don't know just how to tell you this, but it would seem that nothing is as it appears to you. There are many things that you do not know an he is not willing to tell you. The only information that I can give you is that you have to fight, and you have to win or everything we have done will be for nothing..." he started to continue but there was suddenly a sound outside the door and his face went white. He looked down at the floor just as the door opened and a young man about 13 or 14 stepped through it. The young man stepped up next to the bed where she was laying. "Miss Jenna. How are you feeling?" he asked keeping his voice soft and kind. "I am fine, seems I've been causing a stir around here. For that I am sorry." she told the boy watching his eyes dance with the laughter of being a young man with secrets of his own. A strange sadness slipped into his eyes, "I have been worried about you." his words brought more comfort than anything she had heard since this all started. Jenna took a deep breath, she was hoping that she was doing the right thing. She reached out and touched the young man's arm. Without warning her vision clouded and the room went dark. As the darkness faded she realized that she was again trapped in a vision that was not reality as she knew it. She was nolonger laying in her bed, but was sitting in what she knew must be the main dinning hall of the castle. Maxwell was standing over her talking to the group gathered in front of them. She couldn't hear what he was saying but that didn't seem to matter. Suddenly he turned and with a smile that turned her stomach slashed her across the face with a jeweled dagger. The vision faded away as quickly as it had come leaving her breathless and more than a little frightened. She turned her eyes back to the young man who's arm her hand was still laying on. "What....?" she couldn't find the words to ask the questions racing through her mind. His smile was sad, "You saw what will happen if you fail." the words were clipped and short. "I do not want that to happen, so please listen to u and do what we say to help you. First do not trust Maxwell." Jenna put her hand up to stop the flow of words. She was too confused to know what to think. "Max or Maxwell?" the question spilled out of her. The boy, she couldn't place his name, smiled. "Maxwell, the man here. If you get to slip back to that other place you have to trust Max. I know that none of this makes any sense, but believe me when I tell you I am not trying to hurt or confuse you. I want just what the man you love at home wants. We want you to be safe and happy. But that can not happen unless you succeed here in doing what needs to be done to stop Maxwell." he explained glancing again to the door. "I have to go for now, he is coming back, and I can not be seen by him." he stood quickly and slipped away through a doorway that she hadn't noticed before.

Might you be able to give me a bit more information on your thoughts here. This work in progress is one that I hope to some day see in print. Any and all help would be welcome. thank you kind sir

I woke with a start, scared to the core of my being. The sheets were tangled around my legs, holding me captive in the bed allowing the dream to keep its grip on my heart and mind. I looked around the room almost hoping that it would still be the dream, but fearing in the back of my mind that it would be. This wasn’t the first morning I had awakened from the dream, and I knew in my heart it wouldn’t be the last. As I laid there in my bed I ran my memories back through the dream it was always the same and I , for some reason I couldn’t understand, always had to think back through it to make sure that the pain that flashed through my heart was as real as it could be. The dream had begun as it always did; I was standing on the front porch of a well-maintained mobile home. I was alone, with nothing but the sounds of the mobile home park surrounding me. I had just finished a fight with one of my good friends over her boyfriend. She had gotten to the point where all she could do was get mad at me and call me jealous. The funny thing was I wasn’t jealous of them; I wanted them both to be happy. I cared for both of them, her as a sister and him; well that’s where the trouble all stemmed from. I loved the man. Not as a friend or bother, but as a woman would love her husband. I had for longer than I could remember. The simple fact was that I had never acted on those feelings and once he had found her I vowed to think of his as a brother and nothing more. I had kept that vow for six long years, through all the fights between the two of them. Through all the patching up of his heart that I had done, I never once stepped over that line, never told him how I felt, and never tried to make a move on him. This time I had been though enough, I was done dealing with the both of them. I stepped into my house and slammed the door behind me. Throwing myself down on the ratty old couch against the wall I began to cry. I was giving up something so special to me my heart was breaking. But as much as I wanted William to be a part of my life I couldn’t handle the stress of the two of them any longer. I must have laid there for hours, not knowing how much time was passing or even if it was, when a loud knocking on the closed front door brought me back to reality. The emotional pain slammed into me as I sat up wondering who was at my door as I looked out the window and saw that it was dark. “Coming...” I called standing up and wiping at my face hoping it didn’t look like I had spent the day crying. I walked to the door and without even thinking about I pulled it open. My heart sank to the pits of hell at the sight before me. There standing in a tattered shirt and jeans that held him in a loving grip was the man that made my heart sing and had helped shatter it to pieces. I had so many things I wanted to say, from get out to I love you, but the only word that managed to squeak past my lips was his name… “William...” I stood my ground; I was not going to get into it with him too. However even as I stood there, mad enough to spit nails I drank in the sight of him, from this short cut hair to the sparkle in his eyes. It all made my heart ache to look at, but I knew that it would be harder to live without. He grinned, it was a sight that tore not only my heart but my very soul. “Hi. I know I should have called to see if you were busy, but I didn’t think you would talk to me if I did.” His words were a whisper and made me wonder what was wrong. I knew that even though I had vowed only a few hours before to step out of it, to not be involved, if he asked for my help I wouldn’t be able to refuse. I loved him, that was never going to stop. Nothing was ever going to change, as much as I wanted away from him and the pain I knew I couldn’t walk away. My heart simply wouldn’t let me. “What do you want William?” I asked trying to keep my voice steady. I refused to let him know that he still lived in my heart. It was just too painful. “My friend back. I am sorry that we hurt you.” His words held controlled emotions that I was having a hard time reading. Something wasn’t right about this, and I was starting to worry. “Do you mind if I come in? I would like a chance to talk to you.” He continued. I took a deep breath, my heart tightening in fear, “Sure, come on in. I guess I can spare you a few minutes.” I knew my words were sharp and angry, but I couldn’t seem to get the anger out of my system lately when dealing with him. I stepped back and motioned for him to come in, making my way to the worn leather chair in the corner. I sat down as far away from him as I thought I could get. He stepped in behind and took in the house he hadn’t set foot in for over a year. He walked over and sat down on the floor in front of my chair, something I had never seem him do in all the years I had known him. He was putting himself on a level below me and I wasn’t sure that I liked it all that much. I watched as he took a deep breath before reaching his hand out and placing the tips of his fingers on my left knee. “We need to talk. There are some things that have been said and others that haven’t that need to be. You and I need to clear the air.” He was slightly shaking and suddenly I knew that something was indeed very wrong. “So what do you have to say?” I asked looking into the eyes that had haunted my dreams since the day I first met him. Again he took a deep breath. “I am trying to figure out where to start. There are so many things that I need to say. Are you willing to sit and listen to everything I have to say before you say anything?” he asked looking into my eyes. I wished silently to know what he was looking for in their hazel depths. I sat there for a minute wondering what in the world could have him this worked up. “I will listen, I cant promise anything past that, but I will listen.” I had always prided myself on my ability to listen with an open mind to anyone on anything. So I settled back into the comfort of the chair ready to listen to my best friend and the only man I wanted to strangle on a regular basis. “Let me start by saying that unless you want me to continue to call you Wolfie, I am going to start calling you by your name.” he stopped and looked at me with a strange expression on his handsome face. I waited for him to continue, but he just sat there looking at me with the saddest expression I have ever seen in his eyes. “Go on William.” “Was waiting to find out if you wanted me to keep calling you Wolfie.” He smiled, the smile actually starting to break through my defenses enough that I could suddenly feel the heat from his finger tips on my knee. I sat there for a moment trying to figure out why he would want to change from calling me Wolfie. I didn’t mind that he did it, he was one of the very few that still did. So I decided to ask why he wanted to change. “Let me ask you this before I give you an answer. Why?” His eyes clouded for a moment before his answer came as a whisper, “Because I don’t think of you as Wolfie.” Was his only response. He moved his hand away and I nearly shivered at the loss of contact. “The reason I said we need to talk was I was just walking up this afternoon when you were going at it with Bonnie. You were both very angry. When you walked away I demanded to know what the fight was about this time. She said that you two were fighting over me. Is that true?” His question didn’t even come close to taking me by surprise. “What else do she and I fight about William? As long as I have known her, the only thing we have fought about you.” I snapped wondering again where this was leading. He started to fidget where he was sitting as he looked up into my eyes. “You have to understand Ada, this is not easy for me. I never thought I would have this conversation with you. Things never felt right, I guess you might say I never saw this coming.” His words made no sense to me and I was really starting to worry about him as I saw the first tear slip unnoticed from his eye. Something was hurting him and the more he sat there the more it felt like that something was me. I couldn’t keep my mouth shut, “William, have I done something to upset you?” I asked leaning forward a bit so that I was closer to him. I watched as the tears continued to slip down his face, my heart breaking. Without thinking my hand lifted and brushed away the wetness from his face. “Can I fix it?” “You didn’t do anything… nothing is wrong.” His words were a whisper as his eyes searched mine. I saw him shift slightly and felt the urge to reach forward to touch him. It was always hard for me to sit close to him, the need to touch him almost unbearable at times. My eyes traced the lines of his face while I waited for him to continue. “I am just trying to find the words I want. After everything we have been through this conversation is harder than I thought it would be. I guess the best way to do this is to just get right to the point. Ada, you and I have been friends for a long time, we’ve been through a lot together. Even more than that we have always been there for each other. Every time I have it out with Bonnie I know I can come to you and you get me through the pain. It was only today that I learned how much pain that causes you. Why have you never told me that it hurts you to help me?” he asked his own eyes full of pain. It took me a moment to decide how I wanted to answer his question, “Well… I guess the main reason is that I wanted to help you. You mean a lot to me and I hated seeing you in pain.” I told him. I couldn’t help but reach out and place my hand on his shoulder. I watched as a tremor fanned out from where my hand laid, and began to once again wonder what was going on and what it was that he was trying to say to me. Suddenly there was a smile on his face that was anything but happy. It looked like he was in pain, and that nearly killed me. My fingers lifted from his shoulder and brushed the side of his face, taking a tear away as I started to pull it back. He turned his face into my hand and pressed his lips to the palm of my hand. My heart felt like it stopped for a moment. He had never done anything the least bit romantic towards me and in that moment my heart soared from the pits of hell to the highest mountaintop. My breath caught and I suddenly couldn’t think. Slowly I leaned forward and on a hint of a breath lightly pressed my lips to his. The heat was instant and amazing. What I had intended to be a simple light peck was instantly a full fledged passionate kiss, stealing not only my breath but my mind. I felt his breath catch as the tip of my tongue ran the seam of his lips. No matter what the future of the night held I needed to know. The warmth of his mouth held the hint of warm coffee with a splash of spice. His hands came up and wrapped around me, pulling me from the chair and onto the floor with him, while my hands traced over his back not wanting to break the kiss for fear I would shatter and disappear. Slowly the need for air won out and we pulled back from each other our arms still holding the other close. He collected himself first, “Ada…” my name came on a breath of a sigh only a heartbeat before his lips came to rest against mine again. The passion was still as intense but this time the exploration was key. I felt his tongue trace the curve of my front teeth as it demanded entrance to the heat of my mouth. My lips parted on a sigh as his hands lifted to pulled the tie holding my heavy hair in its normal ponytail. I could feel his fingers dive into the thick strands trying to pull me ever closer to him. Our tongues mated for a few more moments before I pulled back from the kiss a second time. My heart was racing but I had to know, “Do you?” I couldn’t bring myself to ask the rest of the question. I had wanted both his love and his touch for so long, I was too scared to ask for either. Puling one hand free of my hair, he brushed the side of my face and the smile filed his eyes, “Do I what love?” he asked looking into my eyes, his own still misted with tears. “Do I regret not seeing what you wouldn’t let me see? Yes.” He pressed a light kiss to my lips again, pulling away before it would race to full speed again. “Do you remember the day we met?” he asked tracing his fingers down the side of my face as he tugged me into a more comfortable position. My heart was still racing from the kiss and the need for more, but I forced it to think. “Yes, we slept on the beach that night.” I laughed, “We must have talked for hours that night, before falling asleep.” My own eyes threatened to tear up and knew I was done. He could shatter not only my heart now, but my very world. There was a laugh as he stood up, reaching his hand out to me as he did. I took it, the heat feeling like a warm comfortable blanket against the fear in my heart. “Ada, that night I wanted something, I think we both did, but things were not meant to be. We needed time and experience to understand that what was there was real. That it could lead somewhere if we let it. The problem was that by the time I realized that I did want it to go somewhere, that I wanted to be with you, we were both with someone else.” He lead me to the couch as he spoke my mind reeling at what he was saying. I wanted it so badly to be true that I was having a hard time believing it. I sat down on the couch as he dropped to the worn leather beside me never letting go of my hand. “William, I really don’t know what to say right now.” I stammered. “You are right, I did want that back then, but…” I saw the pain flash through his eyes for a moment. “Are you saying that you no longer want that. That those feelings are gone now?” he asked his grip on my hand tightening slightly. The play of emotions over his face was rapid and complete, from hope to devastation. I wasn’t sure that I could handle that, but I needed to know if I was being played for a fool on this. It was too important for me to risk everything on a dream I had held so tightly to my heart for so long. “I didn’t say that. I fell in the with you while we laid on the beach grass talking that night.” We were sitting so close that I could still feel the heat from him. All I could think about was getting closer. I looked into his eyes hoping this wasn’t a joke, if it was I wouldn’t live through it. I reached out my hand and touched the side of his face, I could still feel the tears on it. “As happy as I am right now, and as much as I don’t want to break this spell. I have to ask, why are you here William?” I could feel the tears starting to slip down my face and knew that he held more of my heart than any one person had ever held before. He raised his hand to cover mine, “Ada, I came here today because I have had it. I want a chance at something that was almost stolen from me before it ever got started. I will never forget the night that Charles pulled you away from me. If I hadn’t tried to kiss you that night, we would have become lovers. Who knows were that would have lead. I know its been a long time. I also know we have been through a lot of disasters since that night, and with so much having happened this is a massive request, but would you be willing to give it a try?” he asked holding my hand to his face. I could feel the tears pouring down over my fingers as he spoke. I knew at that moment I could deny him nothing.

Chapter Five “Jenna,” Max’s voice cut through the fog in her mind. She opened her eyes to find her apartment going dark as the sun began to set. “What happened?” she asked looking around again. “That is getting very irritating. I wish I knew what was going on.” She sat there looking around trying to find a way to hold onto the present. “You keep blacking out Jenna. What do you see when you go away like that?” Max asked. “I wish I could explain better. This time I was walking in a rose garden. It seems so real. Some times it scares me.” She told him suddenly realizing that she was shaking. This time the fear was bone deep. “Max, do you know what’s going on? These visions can’t be normal.” she took a deep breath. Somehow she needed to figure out what the visions meant, before something went wrong. “I have an idea, but I don’t know how to find out for sure.” Max responded. His thoughts going to the stories his father had told him when he was growing up. The room faded slightly as the memory played in his mind. There was a woman born long ago with the power to be both here and there, both now and then. She was told that she would hold the key to save her family. She was the only one that could make things right. The words were as powerful in memory as they had been the day his father said them to him the first time. “What do you know?” Jenna asked watching as emotions played across his eyes. “My father used to tell me about a story he heard as a boy. It was about a young woman who could shift in time. She was destined to save her family. Her family and the family of another soul.” he told her as the panic began to fade away. “I don’t believe in fairytales Max, you know that.” problem was the images she had seen were still strong and vivid in her mind. “you’ve told me that since the day we met, but what else can all this be?” he asked becoming more and more convinced she was the woman his father had told him about. Jenna glared at him, “I don’t know, but I refuse to believe any of this is real.” she snapped, “If you want to keep trying to tell me it is you can get your coat and get out.” “But Jenna….” “No buts, back off or get out.” Jenna snapped, her anger nearly getting the better of her. Max knew that he wasn’t going to win this one. “I’ll go for now, but when you want to talk you have my number.” he told her as he walked toward the front door. “I’m sorry if I’ve made you angry.” he pulled the door shut behind him. Jenna sat there getting angrier as his words began to sink in and make more sense. “Why does everyone believe in fairytales?” she asked the empty room. There was no answer. Her eyes were resting on the castle figurine. Again she questioned the room, “what do you have to do with this?” she picked up the figure expecting something to happen, nothing did. Jenna turned the castle over in her hands. Something felt strange as she sat there, The room began to fade before her eyes again, only this time Jenna fought it. She focused not on the castle in her hands but on the city scene she could see through her window. The pull was strong, nearly stronger than she could fight. Slowly the room came back into focus. “You won’t take me again.” she growled putting the castle down. The phone rang just as her fingers released the castle. She answered it on the second ring. “Hello?” “Ms. La’Masters, my name is Robert Williams. I own an estate about eighty miles outside of the city.” the masculine voice responded. “Do I know you?” she asked. Robert coughed, “No, but I know about you. I know that your mother passed away recently. I know she sent you a package you didn’t want, and I know that you are scared.” he pushed forward. “What do you want with me?” she asked not trusting the voice on the phone. “I want to help you.” he told her. “I know what’s happening to you. I know how to stop it.” Jenna wasn’t about to trust a person she didn’t know. At least not about the visions she was having. “I don’t think you can help me Mr. Williams. I wish you a good day.” she hung up the phone wondering what was going on. She looked at the phone thinking about calling her sister. “No, I think you should just lay down and relax.” the voice came from all around her. Jenna’s eyes scanned the room, nothing was out of place. “Who are you?” she screamed. Laughter filled her mind, “You don’t need to yell. I can hear you just fine.” Fear filled her heart, “I said who are you, and what do you want?” she snapped, her voice quieter, but still tight with fear and anger. “Who I am doesn’t matter, as for what I want… that you will have to wait and see. Now get yourself into bed and relax.” the voice commanded. Jenna’s fear was rapidly turning into frustration. She started to stand up. She was getting ready to leave by putting her shoes on when she felt something brush her shoulder. She screamed, unable to control herself. A moment later she found herself laying on the bed in her room. Her arms and legs felt so heavy she couldn’t move them. “Damn it. What the hell is going on here?” she demanded of the voice, she was suddenly more angry with than afraid of. “I need you. You have to finish what was started. My time is running out.” the voice was trying to be comforting, but it was failing. Jenna fought to stay awake, “What are you talking about?” the heaviness in her limbs was spreading through the rest of her body. “I don’t have time to explain this to you. Just relax and do what needs to be done.” A warmth flooded over her taking the choice away. The darkness pulled her in. Her last fighting thought was of Max and the secret he was keeping from her.

I had a dream last night that is rapidly turning into a story but I really need some outside [outside of the people that know me personally] input on the opening.. i need to know if the emotions are what i am trying to convy... if you feel like helping a girl out here it is..... I woke with a start, scared to the core of my being. The sheets were tangled around my legs, holding me captive in the bed allowing the dream to keep its grip on my heart and mind. I looked around the room almost hoping that it would still be the dream, but fearing in the back of my mind that it would be. This wasn’t the first morning I had awakened from the dream, and I knew in my heart it wouldn’t be the last. As I laid there in my bed I ran my memories back through the dream it was always the same and I , for some reason I couldn’t understand, always had to think back through it to make sure that the pain that flashed through my heart was as real as it could be. The dream had begun as it always did; I was standing on the front porch of a well-maintained mobile home. I was alone, with nothing but the sounds of the mobile home park surrounding me. I had just finished a fight with one of my best friends over her boyfriend. She had gotten to the point where all she could do was get mad at me and call me jealous. The funny thing was I wasn’t jealous of them; I wanted them both to be happy. I cared for both of them, her as a sister and him; well that’s where the trouble all stemmed from. I loved the man. Not as a friend or bother, but as a woman would love her husband. I had for longer than I could remember. The simple fact was that I had never acted on those feelings and once he had found her I vowed to think of his as a brother and nothing more. I had kept that vow for six long years, through all the fights between the two of them. Through all the patching up of his heart that I had done, I never once stepped over that line. This time I had been though enough, I was done dealing with the both of them. I stepped into my house and slammed the door behind me. Throwing myself down on the ratty old couch against the wall I began to cry. I was giving up something so special to me my heart was breaking. But as much as I wanted Brian to be a part of my life I couldn’t handle the stress of the two of them any longer. I must have laid there for hours, not knowing how much time was passing or even if it was, when a loud knocking on the closed front door brought me back to reality. The emotional pain slammed into me as I sat up wondering who was at my door as I looked out the window and saw that it was dark. “Coming...” I called standing up and wiping at my face hoping it didn’t look like I had spent the day crying. I walked to the door and without even thinking about I pulled it open. My heart sank to the pits of hell at the sight before me. There standing in a tattered shirt and jeans that held him in a loving grip was the man that made my heart sing and had helped shatter it to pieces. I had so many things I wanted to say, from get out to I love you, but the only word that managed to squeak past my lips was his name… “Brian...” I stood my ground; I was not going to get into it with him too. However even as I stood there, mad enough to spit nails I drank in the sight of him, from this short cut hair to the sparkle in his eyes. It all made my heart ache to look at, but I knew that it would be harder to live without. He grinned, it was a sight that tore not only my heart but my very soul. “Hi. I know I should have called to see if you were busy, but I didn’t think you would talk to me if I did.” His words were a whisper and made me wonder what was wrong. I knew that even though I had vowed only a few hours before to step out of it, to not be involved, if he asked for my help I wouldn’t be able to refuse. I loved him, that was never going to stop. Nothing was ever going to change, as much as I wanted away from him and the pain I knew I couldn’t walk away. My heart simply wouldn’t let me. “What do you want Brian?” I asked trying to keep my voice steady. I refused to let him know that he still lived in my heart. It was just too painful. “My friend back. I am sorry that we hurt you.” His words held controlled emotions that I was having a hard time reading. Something wasn’t right about this, and I was starting to worry. “Do you mind if I come in? I would like a chance to talk to you.” He continued. I took a deep breath, my heart tightening in fear, “Sure, come on in. I guess I can spare you a few minutes.” I knew my words were sharp and angry, but I couldn’t seem to get the anger out of my system lately when dealing with him. I stepped back and motioned for him to come in, making my way to the worn leather chair in the corner. I sat down as far away from him as I thought I could get. He stepped in behind and took in the house he hadn’t set foot in for over a year. He walked over and sat down on the floor in front of my chair, something I had never seem him do in all the years I had known him. He was putting himself on a level below me and I wasn’t sure that I liked it all that much. I watched as he took a deep breath before reaching his hand out and placing the tips of his fingers on my left knee. “We need to talk. There are some things that have been said and others that haven’t that need to be. You and I need to clear the air.” He was slightly shaking and suddenly I knew that something was indeed very wrong. “So what do you have to say?” I asked looking into the eyes that had haunted my dreams since the day I first met him. Again he took a deep breath. “I am trying to figure out where to start. There are so many things that I need to say. Are you willing to sit and listen to everything I have to say before you say anything?” he asked looking into my eyes. I sat there for a minute wondering what in the world could have him this worked up. “I will listen, I cant promise anything past that, but I will listen.” I had always prided myself on my ability to listen with an open mind to anyone on anything. So I settled back into the comfort of the chair ready to listen to my best friend and the only man I wanted to strangle on a regular basis. “Let me start by saying that unless you want me to continue to call you Wolfie, I am going to start calling you by your name.” he stopped and looked at me with a strange expression on his handsome face. I waited for him to continue, but he just sat there looking at me with the saddest expression I have ever seen in his eyes. “Go on Brian.” “Was waiting to find out if you wanted me to keep calling you Wolfie.” He smiled, the smile actually starting to break through my defenses enough that I could suddenly feel the heat from his finger tips on my knee. I sat there for a moment trying to figure out why he would want to change from calling me Wolfie. I didn’t mind that he did it, he was one of the very few that still did. So I decided to ask why he wanted to change. “Let me ask you this before I give you an answer. Why?”

Chapter Four “Max…What?” Jenna asked confused as she looked around the bedchamber. Maxwell stood up and stepped closer to where she lay in the bed. “Yes my love, might I get you something?” he asked taking her hand. “You have been asleep many hours.” The touch of his hand made her feel strange, it felt like Max, but not max. This man was hiding something from her. Jenna continues to look around, ‘Not again’, she thought to herself. Taking a deep breath she looked at the Maxwell she didn’t know. “No thank you. I’m feeling much better. I was hoping that I might be allowed to take a walk out in the gardens.” she told him decided it would be easier to go along with what was happening at least until she could figure things out. Something about the Maxwell here scared her to the very core of her soul. He smiled brightly, “I shall ask the doctor.” he told her placing her hand back on the edge of the bed. “He should still be downstairs. Won‘t be but a moment.” Maxwell slipped out of the room without another sound leaving Jenna alone with her thoughts. She laid there looking around what she could see of the room. The bed was still large and surrounded by a set of heavy drapes in a dark velvet. Outside of the drapes there wasn’t much that she could see. Just a small chest, a well stocked writing desk, and a pair of heavy doors on the far wall. The floor wasn’t carpeted, but was covered with a thick fuzzy rug done in shades of red. It was what she had always wanted to have as her bedroom. She could think of many times where she talked to her sister and her best friend Elizabeth about what she would have if she could design a room like this. She was wondering if this was some kind of bad dream or something. The thought of the bad dream she could deal with, it was the or something that worried her. She had never believed in anything supernatural, but it was getting harder and harder to not to believe. Things were just too strange to be natural. It wasn’t but a few minutes before he was back, with the doctor in tow. “Maxwell tells me you wish to step out for a walk. I think it might do you a bit of good.” the doctor told her with a smile, “but only for a short time. We can’t have you having a spell while you are outside.” the Doctor touched her arm, in hopes of offering some comfort to her. She smiled sweetly, “Only a few minutes. I need to get out of this room for a few minutes.” Jenna was hoping things might make more sense if she could get outside. The doctor smiled, “Maxwell you be sure to stay with her.” he reached out to help her stand up. She shivered as Maxwell took her hand and started toward the door. As they passed the coat-hook she grabbed her velvet cloak, slipping it over her shoulders. “Thank you for walking with me.” Jenna told him as they made their way through the doors and into the rose gardens. “It’s my pleasure to spend time with my wife. I’ve been worried about you lately.” Maxwell smiled as they slowly wandered along the pebble-stone paths. Roses had always been Jenna’s passion in life. They came to a seating area with a large shade tree and Jenna decided to rest for a moment. She sat down, taking a moment to look around at the amazing range of colors in the garden. The flowers were perfect, the garden was just as she had always imagined it to be. Everything in this place seemed to come straight out of her own mind. Maxwell looked at her making her wonder again what he knew about what was going on. His eyes seemed oddly sad. Jenna leaned back and looked up at the walls surrounding the garden. “How can things be so messed up?” she mumbled softly. Her eyes followed the wall until the corner where it met with the house. The stones looked as if they had been hand carved. Almost as if someone had taken the time to cut each ridge and shadow in them with a chisel. Her eyes caught on a small crystal figure set in the stone. Her mind began to get fuzzy as she looked at it. The garden started to go dark just as Maxwell sat down and put his arm around her.

Chapter Three “Jenna are you ok?” Max asked lightly shaking her shoulder. “Jenna…” She opened her eyes and blinked rapidly, “Max? Is that really you?” she sat up quickly not noticing as the sandstone castle fell from her lap onto the floor. “What do you mean? Jenna are you feeling ok? You sound really strange.” Max reached down and picked the castle up placing it on the table. She looked around the room soaking in the familiarity of the things there. “I’m ok, I must have fallen asleep. I had the strangest dream.” she watched Max turn back to her “Don’t worry about it, it was just a strange dream.” “If you say so. Did you want me to make you something to eat?” he asked standing up and turning toward the kitchen. “Tea would be nice.” she whispered softly staring at the castle on the table. Just looking at the thing gave her a strange feeling, it always had. “Ok. I’ll be back out in a few. Try to relax.” he told her stepping into the kitchen. He glanced back at the living room wondering what she had dreamed. He took his time making tea and decided to fix himself a sandwich to go with it. While she waited for Max and the tea Jenna sat staring at the castle. The feeling growing both stranger and stronger. “Max, have you ever had a dream that was beyond real? One where you didn’t think you were dreaming even after you woke up.” she called out to him. “Once in awhile. Do you want to talk about it?” he called back pouring tea into cups for the two of them. “Not yet. I need time. Things are strange. I have to admit it scared me a little.” she told him taking the cup of tea from him as he came back into the living room. “I’ve had frightening dreams before. I’ll be here if and when you want to talk. I make a very good listener.” he sat down beside her, his eyes catching on the castle. “What’s that thing’s story?” he asked shrugging at the castle. Jenna glared at the figurine, “That thing spent most of my life sitting on a shelf behind a glass door. My mother never let me or my sister near it. She always said it was special. I don’t ever remember seeing her touch it.” without thinking she picked up the telephone and dialed her sister’s number. Kelly answered on the second ring, “Hello.” “Kelly, I have a question for you. Did you already send me the castle that mother left me? I know that sounds cruel, but it was here when I got home.” There was a moment of silence on the line, “That’s very strange sis. I thought the thing was still in the case in the house in New York.” “When did you see it last?” Jenna asked looking from Max to the castle. “It was there when I came home from school. Mother had everything else packed away for her.” Kelly told her sister. “But if you already have the thing I won’t worry about it. The thing still scares the hell out of me.” Kelly said softly. “Ok. Talk to you later sis.” Jenna answered sweetly. She had never known the castle scared Kelly. She put the phone down and looked at Max. “Kelly didn’t send it. I hate that thing.” she rambled. “Why?” he picked up the castle again and began to examine it more closely. The castle was a bout six inches square with a crystal sphere at the top of the tallest tower. The castle itself was formed of a single piece of pure sandstone. “Like I said , Mother treated that thing like it was made of glass instead of stone. It was like there was something wrong with it, like it was poisoned. Almost like it would hurt us.” Jenna told him watching the light play with the crystal. Max looked up at her, “Why would you think that? If you were never allowed to touch it? What else do you know about it?” “I know she got it the day I was born. She told me about that day once. She said it arrived at the hospital about an hour after I was born. Said it came with a note. She gave me the note when I turned sixteen. The note was for me. I don’t mean to say that it was addressed to me by name, but it was addressed to the baby born on my birthday.” she explained with a sad smile. “Sounds interesting. Do you still have the note?” Max asked thinking about the strange feeling he was getting from the castle. The crystal twinkled in the light, he smiled, and set it back down on the table. Jenna watched as the castle sat there, “I don’t know why I kept the note. The thing and it’s stories never made any sense to me.” Max was having a difficult time keeping his eyes off the crystal in the top of the castle’s tower, “Can I see it, the note might shed some light on why she left the castle to you.” His mind was playing with thoughts and images that did not belong to him. Images that left an almost metallic taste in his mouth. He watched as she got up and slowly walked out of the room. It was only a few moments until she was back holding a thin wooden box in her hands, “You know I don’t believe in the super natural right?” Max smiled. There had been many debates between the two of them on that topic. “I know, but what does that have to do with the note?” She sat down beside him holding the box in her lap, “the day my mother gave me this letter was one I will never forget. I can’t say what happened was real, but I can say it touched me deeply.” her hands were tracing patterns over the smooth wood of the box’s lid. Max could feel energy coming from the box and knew the letter inside it was very important. “Tell me about that day. We never talk very much about your past.” She took a deep breath and looked down at the box she hadn’t opened in years, fear once again gripping her heart. “Mother and I had been fighting for a couple of weeks over everything. The closer it got to my birthday the more we went at it. I overslept on my birthday and missed the bus. It was the last straw for her. I remember her getting really quiet and saying there wasn’t a point in yelling anymore she couldn’t change what was meant to be. She went to her room and brought me out this box. The note was the only thing in it.” she paused and carefully lifted the lid from the box. Reaching in she removed a faded piece of parchment. “Be careful.” was all she said as she handed him the paper. Tears filled his eyes as they came to rest on the words so carefully written on the page, “Dearest Child, On this the day of your birth the power of ancient magic flows once again on this earth, it flows in your blood. History, past, present, and future shall all depend on the breath in your body. The power within shall call when the need becomes too great. May the strength of those of the old blood be with you always…” the words were familiar to Max, hands shaking he looked for his father’s signature. As his eyes settled on the simple letters forming the name he finally began to understand the feelings he had been having since he was a child. He looked at Jenna, light filling his eyes, “have you ever gotten other letters from this man?” Jenna looked at him, “Not that I know. Other than the day my mother gave me that note I’ve never heard anything from him.” she took the note back placing it back in the box and closing the lid. Max just sat there for a few moments without saying anything. When he did speak his voice was wet with tears. “Jenna, what I’m about to tell you is going….” his words were cut short by a strange sound coming from outside. He jumped up and ran to the window, not noticing that Jenna didn’t move. His eyes searched the front of the house for anything out of place that could be making the horrible scraping sound. He found nothing out of place, that is until he turned back toward Jenna and saw the castle on the table between them. The crystal sphere caught his attention as the light played with it casting shadows across its surface.

Lady Eve smiles and whisles, a large black pather bouds up seemingly out of nowhere, heading for the the group. He stops short at the sight himself wondering what he might do to help. A voice fills the minds of the three there, "Forgive the intrusion but, what might I do to help?"

Chapter Two Warm, soft, and quiet. Those were the first things she noticed as Jenna began to come awake. Her eyes came open and fear slammed deep into her heart. She wasn’t in her own bed. The bed was too big and too fancy. “Miss La’Masters, you are awake?” the voice was hesitant as it spoke breaking the peaceful silence. Jenna’s voice was far from steady as she replied, “Do I know you?” The curtain around the bed suddenly opened letting in the bright sun light. “Miss, are you feeling all right?” the question came from a young woman dressed in a medieval style peasants outfit. Jenna looked around, her head swimming with confusion, “I don’t know. Things seem strange.” she told the young woman wondering who she was. “Do you know who you are?” the young woman asked with a strange smile. Jenna stared at the woman for a moment, “That is such a strange question.” her words seemed strange even to herself. “I’m Jenna La’Masters. I own half of a bookstore in Eagletown, Mass. Just outside of Salem.” the words flowed with a power of their own. The young woman smiled, “We thought this might have happened. You’ve been very sick Miss Jenna. You’ve been with fever for nearly a fortnight.” she stepped closer bringing with her a small dipper of water. Without thinking Jenna took it and drank deeply. “How can that be? What about Elizabeth, Max, even my sister? Are they safe?” worry filled her hear and mind. Again the young woman smiled, “Miss Lizzy is fine. She is at home with her husband Thomas. Your sister is off at the university, and Mr. Maxwell is sleeping. He’s been sitting with you since the fever took you. When it broke last night he felt he might be able to get some sleep.” “What happened? Why did he stay with me?” Jenna asked sitting up holding the blanket to her chest. “Miss Jenna. The fever must have played with your mind. Mr. Maxwell is your husband. Why would he not sit with you?” “I’m sorry. Now I am really confused, I’m not married. He and I are friends, but I own half the bookstore with Elizabeth.” Jenna explained, “I’m sorry but what is your name?” The young woman burst into laughter, “But Miss Jenna you’ve known me all my life. It’s Rebekah. You asked my mother if I could come work for you early last year.” she put the water dipper back in its bucket and turned toward the heavy wooden door across the room. “Let me fetch the doctor. See if he can make sense of what has happened.” she slipped out of the room as Jenna sat in the bed trying to take in what was happening. It wasn’t more than a few minutes before Rebekah was back with a man in a nice suit in tow. “She’s not right Dr. Michaels. She has things confused.” Rebekah said as the man stepped up to the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling Miss Jenna?” he asked reaching out and gently taking hold of her wrist. “I’m fine. I’m just wondering about the rest of you. What is happening here?” she asked staring at the man she knew as a lawyer. Something was very wrong. He smiled at her, “The fever has affected you powerfully. You need to relax and heal.” he let go and turned to Rebekah, “go wake Maxwell. I believe seeing her husband will help Miss Jenna.” Rebekah’s smile was sad as she slipped back out of the bedchamber. It was only moments later that the door opened and Maxwell stepped into the room. Jenna’s eyes lit up at the sight of her friend, “Max, tell me you remember.” the words were out before she could even try to hold them back. He walked up to the edge of the bed and placed his hand on her arm. “Remember what love? It’s so good to see you doing better.” he told her leaning down and brushing his lips over her cheek. Jenna just stared at him. “When did we get married?” the question was no more than a whisper on the breeze blowing in the room. Maxwell looked into her eyes, “Nearly a year ago now. Is there anything you do remember love?” Jenna pulled her hand away. This wasn’t the Max she knew. She was starting to get scared. “I remember the bookstore, the lawyer’s office, my mother dying, and you coming up to my apartment.” she whispered. Her heart filling with fear. “Jenna love, there is no bookstore, and your mother is fine. She lives in the house to the north that I built for her when we got married.” Maxwell tried to explain. Jenna curled up and looked from face to face in the room. Nothing was the way it should be. Nothing felt right. “Max. I just want to be alone.” she whispered turning away from them. She laid there waiting foe everyone to leave. As thoughts raced through her mind she began to go over what she knew. Things were strange, but her mind couldn’t find anything to grasp. She faded off to sleep hoping things would make more sense when she woke up. She could hear someone singing softly as she woke up a few hours later. Carefully turning over her gaze landed on a young woman sitting in the chair at the head of her bed. “Who are you?” Jenna asked knowing the answer wouldn’t make her feel any better. The young woman smiled, “They said you didn’t know what was happening.” her eyes misted, “Maxwell said that you were confused and asked me to sit with you. It’s just after sunset.” Jenna shook her head, “Nothing is right here.” she turned back over her eyes catching the full moon through the open window. As she stared at it a peacefulness settled over her, and darkness filled her mind.

Thank you so much I was rather nervous when I posted that I have more if you trhink I should post it... might answer some of your questions.

Chapter One “Dragons, fairies, queens, kings, and knights its all crap. Just a bunch of old stories and tales that never happened. My mothers used to put me to bed reading me those stories.” Jenna snarled. “So you hate them because you hate her? That’s not very fair to the stories or to your mother, Jenna.” Elizabeth commented carefully re-shelving the shipment of fantasy novels. “I hate the stories because they aren’t real, I hate her because … well there are to many reasons to count.” Jenna dropped into one of the leather chairs in the reading corner of the fantasy section. “Jenna you need to get over this thing with your mother. She was good to you. You never wanted for anything when you were growing up.” “Her figurines were always more important than me or my sister.” “Is that why you walked away when you were sixteen? Because you didn’t think you measured up?” Elizabeth asked continuing to stock her favorite section of the bookstore. “I couldn’t stand it.” Jenna told her, “She made sure that those fantasy things were always taken care of that’s more than I can say about me or my sister.” The overhead sound system crackled to life, “Jenna La’Masters you have a telephone call, line two.” Jenna stood up slowly, “Be back in a minute.” She headed over to the service desk. Taking a deep breath she picked up the phone. “Jenna La’Masters, how can I help you?” It took a moment for the voice on the other end of the line. “Jenna…” the single word nearly broke Jenna’s heart. “Kelly?” Jenna asked wondering what her sister wanted. She waited as Kelly tried to compose herself. “What time do you get off work?” Jenna could hear the tears in her sister’s voice. “Six-thirty, why?” she asked, her eyes wandering over the bookstore that was rapidly taking over her life. “I need you to meet me at Lee, Michaels and Jefferson.” Kelly told her. “Mother’s lawyer, why?” she was starting to think something was very wrong. “It’s been a hard week. Mother passed away on Monday.” “Why didn’t you call me sooner. It’s Friday, she’s been gone almost a week.” Jenna snapped her eyes finding Elizabeth among the shelves. “You haven’t spoken to mother since the day you walked out. I didn’t think you cared.” Kelly answered. “She was my mother too. I may not have liked the way she lived, but I did still love her. How did she die?” Kelly took a deep breath, “It was cancer.” Jenna couldn’t think, “I’ll be at the lawyer’s.” she mumbled. Memories of her mother fighting cancer when she was growing up filled her mind. She hung up the telephone without thinking about it. Jenna was just standing at he counter staring at the phone when Elizabeth stepped up. “What’s wrong?” she asked, “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” “What? No it was my sister. She needs me at our mother’s lawyer tonight. Seems my mother finally lost her battle with cancer.” even as she said the words they still didn’t feel real. Elizabeth reached out and hugged her friend, “I’m sorry. Feel free to take a few days off if you need too. Thomas and I can manage without you for a few days.” “I don’t need time off, just need to deal with the lawyer. I can do that tonight after work.” Jenna continued, not really thinking about what her mother’s passing on meant. “Ok, just remember we’re here if you need us.” Elizabeth said stepping away. “What do you think will happen at the lawyer’s tonight?” “Mother’s estate will be split up and Ms. Kelly will finally get what she wants.” Jenna growled. Her sister had followed in their mother’s footsteps after the death of their father. Jenna knew Kelly would be inheriting most of the estate. “I wish there was something I could do to help. Do you want me to do with you tonight?” she asked. “No, I can handle it. I’ll call you when I get home.” Jenna smiled. She picked up her purse and headed toward the book of the bookstore. She walked slowly to her car, feeling numb to her bones. As she reached the driver’s door of the car her control broke. Pain slammed into her chest and she dropped to her knees. “She’s gone… after all these years she’s finally gone.” the words were ripped from her as tears poured down her face. “Jenna, are you ok?” a masculine voice asked from behind her. She looked up, “Max, she’s gone.” her head dropped into her hands as the last of her strength faded. Max knelt down in the street beside her. “What’s wrong? What happened?” he wrapped his arms around her, needing to give comfort as much as he needed it himself at seeing her hurting. He was confused, “Elizabeth, did something happen to Elizabeth?” Jenna swallowed hard, “No, she’s fine. It’s my mother.” the tears came back in force. Max was even more confused, as far as he knew she had seen or spoken to her mother in almost fifteen years. “Ok sweetie, how about I help you out of the street and you explain what happened.” he helped her stand up. Together they made their way to a bench on the sidewalk. He sat down beside her. “Kelly called a few minutes ago.” she swallowed slowly, “My mother passed away last Monday. Kelly needs me at the lawyers tonight.” she dropped her head back into her hands. “I might not have liked her, but she was my mother and I loved her.” the words were ripped from her as her sobs were slowly as Jenna began to regain control of herself. “Do you want me to take you to the lawyer’s?” Max asked having a feeling she needed him. “I don’t want you to, but I also know I can’t handle it by myself. Not feeling like this.” she mumbled softly knowing Max had always been there for her. She stood up, turning back to look at him. “Where are you parked? Or do you just want to take my car?” “We can take your car. What law office do we need?” Max asked as they approached the car. “Lee, Michaels, and Jefferson. They’re over on 18th Avenue.” she answered opening her car door. Max climbed into the drivers seat and waited while Jenna climbed in. “Ok, just sit back and relax. We should be there in a few minutes.” He started the car and turned the radio to a classical station. Max drove carefully to the law office, parking in the underground lot. ”I want to say thanks Max. you are a good friend.” she smiled climbing out of the car and taking a deep breath. Max climbed out and walked with her to the elevator. “What floor do we need sweetie?” he asked pushing the call button. “Six, suite six-ten.” the elevator doors swooped open. They walked in and the doors slid shut behind them. She pushed the button for the sixth floor. “I haven’t seen my sister in so long… I don’t know how she’s going to handle seeing me.” Max smiled, “She called you to let you know what was going on. That should mean something.” he told her. “I guess, but she waited almost a week. She waited until after they buried her.” she was about to say more as the door opened. They walked slowly down the hallway to the door of the office. Jenna reached out and opened the door. Her heart clenched in her chest as she saw her sister. “Kelly…” the word was torn from her. A moment later Kelly was running into her arms. Jenna , I missed you.” the two of them hugged. “I’m sorry I waited. You should have been there.” she held onto Jenna with everything in her. “How am I going to handle things?” Jenna pulled back with a sad smile, “You don’t, we do.” she took her sister’s hand and walked back to the chairs where Kelly had been sitting. “So Mr. Michaels I’m assuming this is about mother’s will.” The man sitting behind the desk had a sad smile on his face. “Yes, that’s why I asked to have both of you here. This isn’t going to set well with either of you.” he shook his head as he looked down at the file on his desk. “Why do you say that?” Kelly asked glancing at her sister. The lawyer looked from sister to sister, “Let me read what your mother wrote and you will both understand.” he answered turning the page in the file. “it’s a very simple will, written in her words and by her hand. My name is Jennifer Ann La’Masters, I am of sound mind and body. This is my last will and testament. I here by leave my estate as follows. I leave the New York townhouse to my daughter Kelly along with the money in her college fund. To my daughter Jenna I leave the prize of my collection, a crystal and sandstone castle, along with the house in Eagletown. The remainder of my estate will be divided equally between the Castle Restoration Association and the Association for Historical Re-enactments. I love both of you girls very much. I pray that you understand what I have done and why.” Mr. Michaels read carefully, he looked at Jenna and then at Kelly, “Are there any questions?” Kelly looked from the lawyer to her sister, “I don’t have any questions. This comes as no surprise to me.” Jenna just sat there, “Nothing that woman does surprises me anymore. Are we done here?” her words were angry but she was trying to hold it in check. Mr. Michaels looked at her knowing she was angry. “Yes, I’ll have the paperwork for the house here in Eagletown ready by the end of the week. I’ll give you a call. Just one more question, do you know what you want o do with the place?” She stood up, “I think I’ll most likely rent it out once I pack up everything for auction.” she was calming down slowly. Max smiled, he knew this wasn’t going to be easy for her. He took her hand and lead her out of the office. “Why would she have left you the castle? She had to know how you would react to it.” Max asked as they walked back toward the elevator. “She wanted you to have the pride of her collection. She was proud of you and what you have done with your life.” the words came from Kelly just as the doors slid open. The three of them stepped into the elevator. “Just get everything that isn’t mine out of the house before you head back to New York. Leave the damn castle at my place.” Jenna smiled. The elevator stopped at the first level of the parking garage. Jenna and Max stepped out leaving Kelly to go on down to her car. As the doors closed behind them Max turned to Jenna, “She left you the house you grew up in.” Jenna kept walking until she reached her car, “And that damn castle. You know out of all her figurines it was the only one she would never let me near.” she opened the passenger door and climbed in. Max climbed into the drivers side. “Any idea why?” “Nope. No more than why she would leave me the thing.” she relaxed as Max pulled out of the parking spot. He headed back toward her apartment. They drove the few miles in silence other than the soft music from the radio. Max smiled as he pulled to a stop in her parking place. “Home safe and sound.” he turned off the engine and handed her the keys. “Thank you Max. Would you like to come in for awhile?” she asked trying not to tremble. “sure. I have a few minutes, “ he smiled. They walked up to the door of her apartment. She opened the door and stepped inside. Jenna never slowed down as she headed into the living room. Her feet coming to a dead stop as her eyes landed on the box sitting innocently on the coffee table. Max had followed her in after closing the door. “What’s in the box?” he asked following her gaze. “I don’t know. Looks like something from my sister.” she smiled with a sadness in her eyes. She reached out picking up the box. Her hands were shaking as she worked open the top of the box. Her breath came in a gasp as she moved the tissue paper to reveal the castle figurine tucked carefully into the box. “Is something wrong Jenna?” he asked watching the color fade from her face. He grabbed the box moments before it would have fallen from her fingers. “It’s the castle. I’ve never seen it outside of the showcase mother had it in. Not even when she moved to New York with Kelly.” she dropped to the couch as tears began to fall again. “She’s really gone. What am I going to do?” she couldn’t take her eyes off the box in his hands. She watched as he took the castle out of the box and placed it in her lap. “It’s beautiful.” he whispered watching her eyes as they filled with a sadness much deeper than just loosing her mother. There was a hint of fear behind that sadness. “That it always was. I’ve never touched it. I’ve never even seen it without it being behind glass.” she commented reaching out to touch the smoothly polished sandstone. As her skin made contact with the stone she felt a strange calmness settle over her. The light began to fade as she slipped back against the back of the couch. The last thing she heard as Max’s voice in a quiet whisper. “Trust us. Everything is as it should be."

Nervous and slightly shaking the tall elf enters the cluttered office glancing around wondering if she will be welcome. The scroll case in her hands feels heavy much more for the wieght of the words than the paper sitting inside it. She places the scrollcase on the center of the paper littered desk that reminds her so much of her own and sits in the chair to await the Master of this wonderous room. Beneath the wax seal on the scroll, written in a fancy elven script the words flow... Lady Evettia Silverthorne – Evettia, known to most people as Eve is a woman of many talents and more secrets. She stands before you with eyes of pure liquid silver and hair as white as a fresh fallen layer of snow on the mountains. Her long legs lift her to nearly six foot three inches in height while her slender frame hides muscles toned from years of battle training with friends. Her amazing eyes seem to look not only at you but into the very depths of your soul searching out your secrets. When she speaks which is usually with a whispered voice unless she has been angered the sound floats as light as a feather on the winds of a canyon. Her past while a mystery to many is a nightmare in its own right. She was born the daughter of a young Lord with little power but great ambition. He was known in the circles in which he traveled as a rogue with no mind for the laws of the land. He fought in the war for the king until the day he learned that the king was against his countrymen. That day Eve’s father choose to do something no other man in the kingdom had ever done. He fought against the crown for his own freedom and the freedom of his countrymen. Her father’s fight against the oppressiveness of the crown was one thing that Eve has always been proud of even though that fight cost him not only his life but his good name. Since the day she came of age she has been fighting her own battle to both clear their family name and make peace with what the king did to her father. Eve was an only child, or at least that is what she was lead to believe by those that raised her and which she called family. The secrets they kept from her still haunt her today as she travels the lands looking to avenge her father and learn what remains of her history. One of her earliest memories is that of her father leaving for a battle for power of the king. She remembers him packing his satchel and placing it on the massive black stallion he always rode. He kissed her goodbye [being only 3 or 4 summers old herself] and rode away only to come back a few moons later battered and bruised. She could remember the smell of death that seemed to follow him where ever he went for weeks. It had made her sick that first time and continued to every time he came home from battle. When she was nearly fourteen summers old things changed and her father fought against the king instead of for him. This made things around their keep very stressful for everyone as her mother had always been on the king’s side in everything. It wasn’t until much later, after her father’s death that Eve learned the reason behind her mother’s anger at the choices her father had made in the war. It seemed that she was not an only child after all and the man she knew as her ‘father’ was in-fact an older brother of her mother’s. The king, the oppressive and angry king was in actuality her father. Though he did not know of this and her mother begged her not to tell him. The search to clear the name of the man she had known as her father lead her to that secret and many others. With the knowledge that she may always be hunted for what she was, and what her mother was, she learned to fight and take matters into her own hands when times became tough.