tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33543781775326431382024-03-13T16:06:07.258-07:00Rebecca's CreaturesRebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-19726660472986908942014-07-25T08:50:00.000-07:002014-07-25T08:52:29.821-07:00Too cute not to share!Have you ever wondered what would happen if you lit off some fireworks with a dog that likes to play fetch? Why, this happens!<br />
<br />
~Rebecca<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dwgf-SOsoQs" width="560"></iframe>Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-22968765739443542112014-06-25T15:00:00.000-07:002014-06-25T15:01:07.727-07:00The Adventures of Lisa and Watt: The troll and The White Hanky of Anti-doom - 3rd chapterSorry about missing last week's post. I was dithering on if I should add an epilogue to this very short story or not. I ended up not adding it. I just didn't feel that a three chapter long story needed both a prologue and an epilogue. Today's post will wrap up this story. But not the adventure! Next post will begin a new adventure for our hero and heroine! I'm not going to promise a specific day to post, as I keep missing those. ;)<br />
<br />
~ Rebecca<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Cambria","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIHQMDJO2DQHxjSroAOmWAnRDD83OqfhyphenhyphenJmi-_t7adYU9dRmPZ4MHLrqsnXiWF3JR-iVJX_B5j51DVWaKxR3EDUynWCY9hiNRdOmAuS12OG7mMN-zXN5g888vvBX7Et8BE8ier2iZxGAs/s1600/knightNLady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIHQMDJO2DQHxjSroAOmWAnRDD83OqfhyphenhyphenJmi-_t7adYU9dRmPZ4MHLrqsnXiWF3JR-iVJX_B5j51DVWaKxR3EDUynWCY9hiNRdOmAuS12OG7mMN-zXN5g888vvBX7Et8BE8ier2iZxGAs/s1600/knightNLady.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Chapter 3</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sir Cuthbert eyed the young couple curiously as he dismounted from
his battle charger. The girl was tucking in tight to her companion's chest, her
blonde head resting just below his breast bone and her face hidden completely.
Since he could make out no details of her, he studied the unusually large boy instead.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">No, not a boy, he realized. A young man of around five and twenty,
with short black hair, dark eyes that were already beginning to show crow's
feet at the corners, and a full beard growing back after being scraped away,
all signs of a man who care more for is hygiene than for vanity, as smooth
faces had gone out of fashion with the defeat of the Norman kings. Many
fighting men still chose to go shorn for comfort, though, and Sir Cuthbert
could see by the man's accouterments that he was a fighting man.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"Good day, sir," the young giant said, his voice calm,
showing nothing of his earlier excitement at battling the troll, his diction
marking him as a commoner, though a well spoken one. Sir Cuthbert realized
belatedly that he had been standing there staring at the pair for several
minutes.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"Good day to you," he said, not trying to hide his
bemusement. "I have been a knight for these past two score years and the
sheriff of these lands for the past five years. I have never seen anyone best a
troll quite that easily."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"It was in our way," the young giant rumbled self-consciously.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"The troll?" he asked, his bemusement growing. The man
nodded once and the girl peaked out at him for a spit second before burying her
face back into her companion's chest. Sir Cuthbert caught an impression of
nervous blue eyes in a face that was vaguely familiar.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"And who are you that a troll would be in your way?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"My apologies, sir. My name is Watt Smith and this is my
wife, Lisa. We were on our way to Aimsley in search of work, as there was
nothing available in Kampton City. This is the only bridge that is passable and
the troll was blocking it, so we needed to deal with it to cross."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"And deal with it you did!" Sir Cuthbert agreed
heartily. "I brought a full company of men to do just that, only to find
you taking care of the beast with a scrap of fabric!"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"It was my wife's idea, sir. The troll was awoken by
allergies. She said it would be easier to cure it's ailments than to try and
kill it or lead it away. She laid a simple spell into her handkerchief and had
me give it to the troll. It worked pretty well, actually," the man
finished with a shrug of his massive shoulders.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"It did, indeed," Sir Cuthbert said, eying the pair more
carefully. "You said you were looking for work. Where are you from?"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"From South Umptonshire, sir. My father in the village smith.
I do have a reference from the local baron, if you wish to see it."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"Do you, then? Let's see it," Sir Cuthbert said, pleasantly
surprised. What had started off as a troll hunt was quickly turning into
something much more interesting. He didn't believe for an instant the man's
claim that the girl was his wife, she reminded him too strongly of someone he
thought he might know even though he had not had a chance to study her face
properly. But a reference from a local baron was very good. Whoever the pair
were, they were clearly good at thinking their way through sticky situations.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"Excellent," he said after reading through Baron
Umpton's writ. The man was who he said he was though the paper made no
reference to any wife. "As it so happens, I am in need of an under
sheriff. After what I just saw, I feel very comfortable in offering the
position to you."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"Un-under sheriff?" the man, Watt, stuttered
uncertainly. "But that's a noble position, sir. I am merely a man-at-arms.
The youngest son of a smith..."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"That's easily taken care of, lad," Sir Cuthbert said,
his gaze studiously not lingering on the girl. "Take a knee."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">That is easily taken care of</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, the knight had said. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Take a knee</i>. Watt looked down at the
girl in his arms, his mind blanking out in confusion. The knight, this Sir
Cuthbert de Grey, couldn't be offering what it sounded like he was offering.
Could he? Lisa looked up at him, her eyes as rounded by surprise as he suspect
his were. She gave him a quick, tight squeeze and slid out of his arms. She
kept her face bowed deeply in apparent fear, though Watt knew it was fear of being
recognized. If he accepted this offered position, they would be stuck. He had
called her his wife. There wasn't any way for him to be married now and
suddenly not be married later. At the same time, no rational man would turn
down a knighthood and position.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So he took a knee and became Sir Watt, Under Sheriff of Aimsley
Province. Or rather Sir Walter Smith because, as the newly minted Lady Lisa
pointed out, Sir Watt sounded like an insane Frenchman delivering an insult.
And to think he had joked just that morning about being knighted by year's end!
It wasn't until the next day that he realized that Sir Cuthbert, his patron and
new overlord, had made no comment about his overly bashful "wife."
Considering how Lisa had recognized the sheriff so easily, the chances that the
sheriff had not recognized her in return were slim...</span></span></div>
Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-14030924254015305332014-06-14T11:46:00.002-07:002014-06-14T11:50:52.426-07:00The Adventures of Lisa and Watt: Late but not forgottenHappy Saturday! Sorry I missed posting the last two Wednesdays. I was on vacation last week and had family in town. This week, I was pretty much pooped and had no ambition to do anything but veg out. So anyway, here's the next chunk of the story. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">* * * * * * * * * *</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9R7cakwJYhkvHyb-TFI35aQCVcOEVEqfij5L4wfbbgQet8desf3LlrLdNVNNoHriSnmjt80GZNkw4sShdzMvFNloKa0uJBVaTy8o-PZW0gPhhM5jDTxarkqTnsISTKtrunpZsntCL5koA/s1600/troll-bridge-andrea-galiffi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9R7cakwJYhkvHyb-TFI35aQCVcOEVEqfij5L4wfbbgQet8desf3LlrLdNVNNoHriSnmjt80GZNkw4sShdzMvFNloKa0uJBVaTy8o-PZW0gPhhM5jDTxarkqTnsISTKtrunpZsntCL5koA/s1600/troll-bridge-andrea-galiffi.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Cambria","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As an attack strategy, running out yelling and waving a hankie
didn't strike Watt as particularly inspired. What it lacked in elegance,
though, it more than made up for with success. The troll saw him immediately
and followed, stumbling over it's own large feet and bellowing right back at
him. Right, he though as he jumped to the side to avoid another sneeze-born
snot ball. All he needed to do was get the smelly bugger back to the side of
the bridge, slap the hankie of anti-doom over its face, and then trip it so it
fell into the river. This was totally insane!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It quickly became clear that the troll was not only clumsy, it was
dumb. No mater how many times Watt ran straight for the river, the troll
inevitably had to stop and sneeze, and then it had to stop and look around for
him again. It had apparently not dawned on the troll that he had been running
toward the river and only stopping his mad dash long enough to make sure he
remained in sight. That didn't mean it was easy. For one thing, the troll had
taken to grabbing up random items like tree stumps and chucking them at him
before bellowing. Only then would the troll start running after him again.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As he ran, yelling and waving his hankie, feeling like a damned
fool and being glad there was no one about to see him, he made a point of
keeping an eye on the little mage girl. There was more to her than she
presented. For one thing, most people knew common names but not so many people
ever thought about the formal versions of them. For another thing, she had come
up with this foolish plan in the first place. Cure the Troll's hay fever so it
would go back to sleep? Not the way most people thought, though he did have to
admit that it was a good, workable solution to the problem. This running around
like a fool was not a workable execution of that plan, though.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He stopped running. Just stood there, staring down the troll as it
threw things at him. Well, he did duck a few times so that the random detritus didn’t
hit him, but other than that, he didn’t flinch. And it worked. The troll
stopped throwing things. It stood there bellowing at him, a look of
disconcerted confusion on its big ugly face. Finally it stopped bellowing, as
well. Watt grinned when he realized this was exactly the method his older
brother used when it came to shoeing uncooperative horses. Will let them throw
their tantrums while showing them that he was not impressed. Eventually, the
horse would grow annoyed that it wasn’t succeeding in scaring him and stop the
theatrics. His brother would then hobble the beast and get to work. Will wasn’t
the oldest, but he hadn’t need to inherit anything. Their father’s lord had all
but begged him to come be his personal farrier. Watt figured he might have to
tell Will that the technique worked on trolls, as well. What an interesting
conversation that would be!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Once the troll had bellowed itself out, he walked up to the
creature authoritatively, the hankie clenched tight in one fist. The trolled
watched him uncertainly, stumbling back a step once Watt got close. Here goes
nothing, Watt thought as he dodged forward, shoving the hankie into its face. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The troll took a deep breath in preparation for another bellow. The
bellow never happened, though. It plucked the small square of linen off its
face and looked at it myopically. It didn’t sneeze, though. Watt grinned and
looked over at the mage girl, who was cautiously stepping out of the deep brush
she had been hiding in.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Worked like a charm, just like you said it would!” he said
happily. The sound of applause startled him. He spun around and found a rather
large party of men-at-arms, including several knight, lined up on the far side
of the river and watching the spectacle of him trying to give the troll an enchanted
hankie. Of course, they had watched. It was his lot in life to make a spectacular
ass of himself publicly. The Fates had probably summoned this audience
specifically to ensure he had someone other than the mage girl to be an ass in
front of. He looked back at Lisa and saw that she’d stopped moving, a look of
terror on her pretty face. He glanced back at the troll to see what had her so
terrified, but it wasn’t doing anything threatening. In fact, it was slowly
ambling toward the bridge, inspecting the hankie and sniffing it from time to
time.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“What is it?” he asked in a hushed tone. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Lisa stared at the group of mounted warriors, horrified. There were
more than a few in that crowd that she knew on sight, including the old knight
sitting on a horse closest to Troll Bridge. He was Sir Cuthbert de Grey, the
right hand man of Baron Amesbury, a man she had sat at table with several
times.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Lisa?” Watt asked, looking alarmed. He glanced at the troll, who
was wandering around almost aimlessly and inspecting her handkerchief as though
he’d never seen such a thing before.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Ignore me!” she hissed as she stepped back into the bracken,
trying to hide her presence from the sharp-eyed knight. He was clear across the
bridge still, a good several hundred yards away, so maybe he hadn’t noticed
her. But then Watt, the big lunk, started walking towards her, his hansom face
a mask of concern.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Is something wrong? Do you know those people?” he asked, speaking
very quietly. Lisa shot a look at him before returning her gaze to the mounted troop,
who were beginning to cross the bridge now that the troll had squeezed itself
back under it. “Are they not good people?” he asked, his smooth baritone voice
hardening noticeably.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“No, they are not… bad people. But I am known to them. Sir Cuthbert,
the lead knight is a… friend of my father’s. I’m sure to be recognized and be
taken back to my father’s household.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“And that would be bad because…”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“I ran away because my father contracted me to marry a man older
than him!” Lisa whispered harshly. “And blast it, you have led Sir Cuthbert
right to me!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Watt turned his head, noted that the elderly knight was indeed
right behind him and dismounting. He faced her, his face schooling itself into
a look of determination. “Just go along with me, then,” he muttered before
tugging her in tight to his side and turning to face he worst night mare.</span></span></div>
Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-58241529897136745852014-05-28T22:18:00.002-07:002014-05-28T22:18:45.743-07:00The Adventures of Lisa and Watt, Chapter 2.1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PzJXqmvZnIN-TX-R2hncf_ixZCD0PO3qd58D3mK9q9-YrWEuGqppDhBbkp2p9QSBTW69cUznizp03CRbN1QUJMxBqayJ8f7-UW_sxW993HGZGcmVhPvzow6NqD17eoOS9w1u6XDGS8sI/s1600/troll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PzJXqmvZnIN-TX-R2hncf_ixZCD0PO3qd58D3mK9q9-YrWEuGqppDhBbkp2p9QSBTW69cUznizp03CRbN1QUJMxBqayJ8f7-UW_sxW993HGZGcmVhPvzow6NqD17eoOS9w1u6XDGS8sI/s1600/troll.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
Sorry about this post being closer to thursday than Wednesday. Give me a thre day weekend and i spend the next two weeks trying to remember what day of the week it is!<br />
<br />
Ok, on to the story. This week's chunk is a re-posting from the last blog hop I participated in. If it looks familiar, that's why. I will say that I have done a few minor changes to it in the course of working on the story, but most of the changes involve me adding to the chapter, not rewriting the originally posted portion.<br />
<br />
~Rebecca<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * * * * * * * * *</div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Cambria","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Chapter 2</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The troll sneezed and a wave of noise echoed through the valley like a
peal of thunder, made more ominous by the fact the sky was a lovely</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">,</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> cloudless blue. Watt quickly ducked behind a
large boulder and waited for the debris to clear—he had already learned the
hard way not to stand in the open when the troll sneezed, lest he find himself
covered in things best left unmentioned. Once he felt it was safe, he peered
cautiously out from behind his shelter. The troll hadn’t moved. It was still
sitting on a tree stump next to the only bridge across the River Tam that the
spring rains hadn’t flooded out. Its presence effectively barred safe travel
along Trader’s Road and cut off all commerce to Kernow.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Tell me again,” he said with quiet dread, “Why, exactly are we doing
this?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Because we want to eat,” came the reply form Lisa, the apprentice mage
who had volunteered to accompany him on this damn fool mission. “Kampton hasn’t
received any supplies in a fortnight, so there’s nothing to eat if you didn’t
grow it yourself.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Yeah,” he said with a nod. “But why are we doing it?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Really, Watt,” she said with a huff. “You know why. The captain of the
city guard said he had no need of another untrained soldier, but you were
welcome to go try your hand at killing trolls.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“And you volunteered to accompany me because your master kicked you out
of his house after saying that he didn’t want to feed an apprentice that wasn’t
any good,” Watt said, picking up the thread of her statement. “But why are we
doing it, and not some gallant knight in shining armor or a fully trained
wizard or something?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“I’m a very good mage,” Lisa shot back hotly, ignoring the last few
words and focusing on the easily debated portion. “I’m just not flashy, is all.
I prefer to use one well-thought-out small magic rather than a huge spell that
makes a lot of noise. It’s more efficient,” she added with a sniff.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“And about the small magic you promised,” Watt said. “What have you come
up with? Or do you need me to get you even closer than this to figure out how
to defeat that smelly lump of snot?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“This is close enough,” she muttered. He turned and looked at her, just
now </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">realizing</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> that she had been up to something
while he kept an eye on their query.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“What are you doing?” he asked when he saw her grinding what looked like
twigs and dirt into a handkerchief. He carefully peaked out to make sure the
troll hadn’t moved since the last Earth-shattering sneeze—it hadn’t—before
slipped back far enough to look over her shoulder.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Spelling this cloth to ease his allergies,” she mumbled as she gathered
the corners together into a pouch and shook the bundle vigorously.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“You’re making… a what? A white hankie of anti-doom? And I’m supposed to
just walk up and offer it to the troll?” Watt asked incredulously.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“More or less,” she agreed cheerfully. Watt stared at the </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">small</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> blonde haired girl, flabbergasted, as she
muttered a few magical phrases of gibberish before flinging the herbs out of
the handkerchief with a dramatic flick of her wrist.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“There!” she said, handing the now dirty white hankie of anti-doom to
him as if offering him the sword Excalibre. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">He didn’t take it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Watt,” she said sternly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“What?” he asked back, belatedly realizing how silly he sounded. Really,
it wasn’t his fault that his name rhymed with ‘what.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Go give this cloth to the troll,” she said slowly, as if talking to a
backwards child.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Say I manage to get him to take your magic hankie,” he hedged, still
not accepting the scrap of linen, “then what? The troll will still be blocking
off access to the only passable bridge in the county. And it’ll probably still
be sneezing since it’s a troll. Trolls don’t blow their noses, Lisa! It won’t
even begin to understand what it’s supposed to do with the bloody thing!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Well, do you have a better idea?” she asked with a sneer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Yeah!” he huffed back at her. “Make me a potion of something that will
turn him into stone when I dump it on him or something!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“I’m sorry,” she snapped back. “I can’t do that kind of high magic. It
would take a real wizard to do something like that and you haven’t got a wizard
to help you. Just me, a level two apprentice mage.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">They sat there, crouched behind a boulder, glaring at each other while
the troll sneezed and then sneezed again. As one, they realized that the second
sneeze had sounded much closer than the first. Watt gulped nervously and peeked
around the top of the boulder. The troll must have heard them bickering,
because it had gotten up from its tree stump and was shambling their way,
swinging its brutish head from side to side as it looked for them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Right then,” Watt said, reaching blindly behind him for the white hanky
of anti-doom. “I need to find some way to get the troll to blow its nose.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Just get it onto the troll’s face so it covers his mouth and nose,”
Lisa whispered as she shoved the hanky into his groping hand. “His breathing
should be enough to get the spell into his sinus cavity, where it’ll go to work
and end this bout of hay fever.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“And then what?” he hissed. She shrugged once, looking terrified.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“I assume the troll will go on about his business once he’s not feeling
so poorly. He doesn’t usually sit next to the bridge, after all.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Right,” Watt muttered. “Right, I’ll just slap the hanky over his nose
and then somehow get him to retreat back under his bridge, where he belongs.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“You might try tripping him when his face is covered with the hanky,”
Lisa pointed out. “He looks pretty clumsy.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Watt looked at her, realizing belatedly that she had moved up and was
peering at the troll over the top of the boulder. She looked back at him and
shrugged again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“It can’t be that easy,” he said in awe. “If it were that easy, someone
would have tried it by now.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Most people think big problems need bid solutions,” Lisa replied. “The
fact is, that troll’s always been here, sleeping under that bridge and
bothering nobody. We don’t need to get him to go away, just go back to sleep.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“And since he’s sneezing, it’s probably just hay fever that woke him
up,” Watt said back, finally </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">seeing</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> the
brilliance of her plan. “White hanky of anti-doom, indeed!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">They grinned at each other and then ducked behind their impromptu
shelter when the troll sneezed again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Here goes nothing,” Watt muttered before darting out from behind the
boulder. “Oy! You, there!” he yelled at the troll. </span></div>
Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-34977021984809912102014-05-21T13:55:00.000-07:002014-05-21T13:55:13.147-07:00The Troll and The White Hanky of Anti-doom, chapter 1 part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeHVR6UE-j37rLE5T0Ojn4b8M9d9Os2tgpN5it-ellxLxEgQXSx0ifpx12TlZcRIhd2X26dUHnskumLvcsCtOeRSpFlHgq8PeSID7AD51OIShGxiIOkL90NirM1H7UVXfg44MXDnj2_lL/s1600/mpwd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_546612="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeHVR6UE-j37rLE5T0Ojn4b8M9d9Os2tgpN5it-ellxLxEgQXSx0ifpx12TlZcRIhd2X26dUHnskumLvcsCtOeRSpFlHgq8PeSID7AD51OIShGxiIOkL90NirM1H7UVXfg44MXDnj2_lL/s1600/mpwd.jpg" height="320" kta="true" width="168" /></a></div>
Happy Wednesday, everyone! This week, we'll be meeting Lisa just as she meets WAtt for the first time. Like last week, I figured I'd give you a bit of an idea of what kind of clothes she would wear. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
~ Rebecca<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
**********</div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The Adventures of Lisa and Watt: </h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
The Troll and the White Hanky of Anti-doom</h3>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Chapter 1, part 2</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">Lisa watched the large young man saunter away from the guard barracks, leaving the red-faced captain sputtering impotently. He was either very brave or very stupid, she thought. Or both. It wasn't unusual for young men to be brave in the face of their own stupidity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">Maybe not stupid after all, she reconsidered when he dropped his saucy grin as soon as he was out of sight of the barracks. She'd spent a good portion of her life in a household full of cock-sure fighting men who thought they were better than everyone else because they knew how to handle a blade. None of them would have dropped the swagger or the smirk like this young giant had. They would have worn them to their doom without ever realizing they were loosing. It also wasn't lost on her that he had almost a full battle kit, lacking only a battle horse and long sword, and it was neither new nor in ill repair. Had be been a complete fool, it would have been one or the other. Something told her that he may just be the ticket she was looking for to get out of this city before anyone realized she was there. She scrambled to catch up to him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"Hello," she said after he ignored her walking beside him for several paces. He looked down at her—he was very tall and she wasn't, even compared to normal sized people—and nodded once, though he said nothing and didn't shorten his very long strides. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">Lisa gulped when she got a good look at his face. He was older than she had assumed, twenty-five at least, and so perfectly featured that should would have called him beautiful rather than hansom. She had assumed he would be no older than her eighteen years because of his boyish features, but up close she could see the beginnings of crow's feet at the corners of his dark brown eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">It wasn't only his sweet features that made him look young at first glance, though. His short black hair stuck up in the very front and he had no whiskers. Up close, she could see the faint hints of his beard coming in, which meant he had shaved before presenting himself to the captain of the city guard. His face was uniformly tanned, telling her that he likely kept his chin clean shaven in the Norman fashion. The style had fallen out of favor after Longshank’s death, so she found it curious that a young Cornish man would follow the defunct fashion.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"Do you always keep your chin free of whiskers?" she asked and then cringed at the boldness of her question. She had always had a hard time not saying the first thing that popped into her head. He didn't seem to take offense, though, just glanced down at her again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"I'm a blacksmith by training," he replied.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"I've known many smiths who wear a beard," she remarked off-handedly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"And how many of those beards were patchy and scorched from flying slag?" he asked with a condescending frown.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"Um," she said, startled. "All of them, not that you mention it."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"I don't care to have parts of my body catching on fire, so I keep the whiskers shaved off."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"So why you are trying to soldier if you are a blacksmith?" she asked, genuinely curious now.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"Do I know you?" the young man asked, sounding annoyed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"Not yet," she conceded. "But I hope to change that. My name's Lisa, by the way. What's yours?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"Watt," he grunted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"What?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"Yes, Watt."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"Fine, don't tell me then," she huffed. He shook his head, the smirk creeping across his full, sensual mouth. Her older sister Maud would be drooling by now if she caught sight of that mouth. Then she'd be trying to come up with ways to coax him into kissing her, Lisa mused. Maud had quite the roving eye, which had gotten her into several compromising situations in the past. Lisa was much more reserved when it came to the male persuasion, though she could definitely see the appeal of this one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"My name is Watt," he said with wry amusement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"Oh! Like Walter only shorter!" Lisa nodded once to herself, pleased to have remembered that interesting trait of the common folk. They almost never used the formal versions of their names. Sometimes they didn't have formal names at all. Their parents would give them the truncated version at birth. She herself wasn't formally named Lisa, but rather Lisette. Her childhood nurse had called her Lisa when she was too small to realize why it annoyed her mother, so that's what she had been calling herself since making a run for it several months ago.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"Yes, like Walter," the very tall young man said, shaking his head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"Well, Walter, why are you trying to make a living as a soldier if you are trained as a blacksmith?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"Like Walter, but not actually Walter," he corrected. "My name is Watt, and I'm a third son of a village blacksmith, which means there's nothing for me to inherit other than the skills me da could teach. Given the choice between marrying my way into an established smithy or working in someone else's, most likely my brother's once he inherits, I chose to soldier, instead."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"That's not all that different from my situation," Lisa said with false casualness. "I have some talent with magic but my family wanted me to marry a man three times my age and spend my days popping out babies and keeping his house. So I left home to find myself a master mage to apprentice myself to."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"That's nice," Watt observed laconically, clearly not interested in her story. It wasn't a lie, though, even if it wasn't exactly the whole truth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"This morning, my master turned me out," she continued doggedly. "He said he wasn't making enough money off my skills to pay for my room and board. He tossed back what was left of the coin I'd paid for my apprenticeship and told me to find some other career to study."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"I take it you aren't very good, then," Watt said as he looked around the market square.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"I'm very good at somethings," she shot back huffily. "For instance, I can tell you that you won't find anyone selling provisions. There's no food to be had. That's the real reason I was turned out. And by the sounds of it, that's the real reason Captain Jarack turned you away, too."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"Part of it, anyway," Watt said, sparing her a quick frown. "That didn't exactly require skill, only a bit of observation. There are no merchants selling their wears in the market square."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"You'd be surprised how much the efficient application of magic relies on keen observation," she shot back at him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"No, I wouldn't," he said in a wry voice. "Most things in life turn out better if you are paying attention. Is there a point to your rambling story?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"The point I was trying to make is that we both seem to have the same problem, no readily available work. The answer to that problem is clear," Lisa said. "We need to get across the river, which is being troubled by a troll. I can't cross with just my magic and you can't vanquish the troll by yourself."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"So what are you suggesting?" he asked, though it was clear he knew what her point was.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="color: white;">"You get me close enough to the troll to see what the situation is and I'll give you a spell that will enable you to defeat it."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-18933106877998308362014-05-14T20:24:00.000-07:002014-05-14T20:32:47.697-07:00The Troll and The White Hanky of Anti-doom, Chapter 1 part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzeMC8r5HmxKK8LVs4YQf_OK3SpD2FNpmGwIvGoJXgui8qI27rTT66FApxlDn3qiJ27FkShOQZhFR6LZ3oEj7qPVNFcgQPiEogciRWS9oJIiW-Cl8PYKPd7ppABJmpki3Z7Wjm30dduB3/s1600/man-at-arms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzeMC8r5HmxKK8LVs4YQf_OK3SpD2FNpmGwIvGoJXgui8qI27rTT66FApxlDn3qiJ27FkShOQZhFR6LZ3oEj7qPVNFcgQPiEogciRWS9oJIiW-Cl8PYKPd7ppABJmpki3Z7Wjm30dduB3/s1600/man-at-arms.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a></div>
Sorry about the late post. I have been dealing with sever book hangover
and totally forgot that it was Wednesday, and that I had some post I
needed to do, and that I really needed to stop moping. So seriously,
yeah. That new Green Rider book my Kristen Britain is awesome in a
slightly tradgec way. Anyway, the story.<br />
<br />
Anyway, here's the first part of chapter one. It's too long to post all of chapter 1 in one blog post. With luck, I'll have a cover for it next week. In the mean time, I have included a picture of a typical medieval man-at-arms to give you an idea of what Watt 's armor looked like. Not exactly, but more or less. Enjoy! <br />
<br />
<br />
***********<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Cambria","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Chapter 1, Part 1</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This was the first day of his life as a hero, Watt thought as he
made his way through the city market. He had his father's helm and mail, a very
nice coat of plate to wear over it that he'd claimed from the body of a horse
thief, a halberd he'd made himself, and a writ of recommendation from his
father's overlord to get him through the door. In a matter of minutes, he'd
present it to the captain of the Kampton City Guard, and then he wouldn't be
the third son of a village blacksmith any longer. He'd be a real man-at-arms,
serving in a real militia, living in a real city. Why, it wouldn't surprise him
if he found himself knighted by the end of the year. Yes, his future was
looking bright indeed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The market was bustling with people, all of them noisy and moving
like they had important places to go, so it took Watt several minutes to
realize that he wasn't seeing anyone actually buying or selling anything. How
odd, he thought. What kind of market didn't have merchants? Maybe this square
wasn't the market, he rationalized. He'd never been to a city, after all. Maybe
city markets were someplace other that the central square like they were in
small hamlets. He shrugged off the thought and turned into the building marked
"guard barracks".</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"Name and business," the disinterested guard at the
watch desk said in a nasal voice. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"Ah, my name is Watt, from South Umptonshire Village,"
he replied, turning the last bit into a question. The older man just stared at
him, probably because he could care less where Watt hailed from. He flushed and
hurried on, "My father's overlord sent me here with a writ of
recommendation so I could joint the city guard."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"Captain!" the board guardsman bellowed over his
shoulder, causing Watt jump at the unexpectedness of it. "We got us
another bumpkin wanting a job!"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"Bumpkin?" Watt repeated, aghast. Granted, he didn't
have any real military experience, just what he'd gained from helping out at
his father's overlord's keep, but he was pretty sure bellowing at one's
commanding officer wasn't very professional. Or appropriate. The lout hadn't
even glanced at the writ that was being offered for his inspection.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"What of it?" a belligerent voice replied from a room
behind the watch desk. "Send 'im away. I got no rations to feed another
useless mouth and no patience to train up another bumpkin into something I do
have a use for!"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"I wasn't aware that simply being from a smaller hamlet
marked me an inexperienced bumpkin," Watt said darkly. "In fact, I
have brought a recommendation from my previous lord to prove my worth, if only
you'd look at it."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The sound of a wood chair protesting at being dragged over
flagstone floors had both him and the insulant guard cringing. A moment later,
the biggest, meanest, dirtiest man Watt had ever laid eyes on squeezed through
the door of the back office. Watt eyed the man apprehensively for a moment
before realizing the filthy state of the guard captain's clothes was not due to
sloth but rather battle grime. He also realized that the big man didn't look
hungover, but rather very tired, as if he'd not found his bed since the day
before at least.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"Well then," the captain said once he'd gotten his
considerable bulk into the front room. "Let's see these papers you're
going on about."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Watt gulped as he handed the writ he'd been so very proud of a
moment ago over. As the grizzled old warrior looked them over, Watt looked the
captain over. That was one seriously huge man, bigger than even his father,
who'd been blacksmithing since he was old enough to hold the tongs. Watt himself
was a fairly large man, too, since he'd also been wielding the tongs since he
was old enough to hold them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The captain dwarfed them both in hight alone, but the man was also
fat. Not the blubbery kind of fat lazy people managed to accumulate, either. He
was swathed in the kind of hard fat that old warriors developed after decades
of harsh living. His father always said that old warriors got that way because
they'd learned to eat whenever they could, which translated into extra girth in
peace times and extra armor during war. Judging by the state of him, the
captain wasn't experiencing a period of peace right now.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Any reason you just handed me yer mum’s shopping list, boy?” the
captain growled after a moment. Watt just looked at him stunned for a moment,
before narrowing his eyes. The captain wasn’t looking at him, only starring at
the writ like he found it quite unusual.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I take it you cannot read?” Watt said cautiously. Most people
couldn’t, he knew, and those who managed to attain a high rank in life without
learning tended to be very touchy about it.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I can read,” the captain said, finally raising his appraising
gaze to Watt. “And now I know you can, too. The captain slapped the papers back
into Watt's chest. "You're not completely inexperienced and you have yer
letters, but I still don't have the extra rations to feed you and you still
need training in how to be a guard rather than a part time sheep chaser. I’m
sorry lad, but I cannot use you."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"You do look as though you are in need of some men-at-arms,
if you don't mind me saying so," Watt said defensively. He really didn't
want to have to go back home and admit defeat. He'd made a bit of an ass of
himself about making his own way in the world when his father had tried to
marry him off to the daughter of a son-less smith a few villages over. If he
couldn't find work here, he was doomed to marry Bertha, who was a good fifteen
years older than him, and he knew it.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"You are not a man-at-arms, though, boy," the captain
sneered. "You are a semi-educated bumpkin who chased a few petty criminals
and now thinks to pass that off as something greater."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There were a dozen things Watt thought to say to that, but he
voiced none of them. It wouldn't matter one way or another how witty his reply
might be, the captain wasn't going to listen. He pursed his lips and nodded,
saying nothing. It was something he'd seen his father do when confronted with
irrationally hostile people, and it seemed to him that Father always came off
looking better for simply pursing his lips, nodding, and walking away.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"And another thing, whelp," the giant said as Watt
turned his back. He paused and simply waited, not turning back for fear the old
warrior would realize he was bluffing. "Good luck finding work on this
side of the river," the man continued. "There's not enough food to be
had since the spring squalls swelled the rivers and washed out all the bridges
except Troll's Gate."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"And woke the troll," muttered the desk guard mulishly. Watt
frowned and turned his head to look at the two men. They were completely
serious, he realized.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"I realize that a simple bumpkin like me has no where near
your vast experience," he said slowly, realizing his snarky reply was a
mistake but unable to stop himself. "Only, it seems to me that rolling in
the mud with a troll isn't likely to vanquish it. But what do I know of such
things. I'm nothing more than a part time sheep chaser trying to pass myself
off as something greater." He faced forward and walked as calmly as he
could out of the guardhouse and back out to the street beyond.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"If you're so bloody talented, why don't you go do something
about the troll!" the captain roared at Watt's retreating back. Watt
tossed a smirk back over his shoulder though he didn't feel the least bit
superior at the moment.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">"It seems I'll have to since there's no work on this side of
the river no way to the other side without passing your friend."</span></span></div>
Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-24340638140557417762014-05-13T11:05:00.002-07:002014-05-13T11:06:38.176-07:00Look, shinies! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" closure_lm_875700="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFRxBDM4dXSohm6YD5zXdoS9_RTKjtYgWtDhY4fqcEPcC8wtmTv33YIIkQCAMTMxqo5YogmDc3n6KdidI8vaB0kR5gE-qOZb4a1_N1gbO5NFirQosB2F3Q7zpM9woviv3uOjMcTGnLlsH/s1600/shinies.png" height="240" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" yta="true" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pages.simonandschuster.com/nsfwaudio/"><strong><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: large;">http://pages.simonandschuster.com/nsfwaudio/</span></strong></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Look, Shinies! Who wants a chance to win a mini iPad loaded up with lots of great audio books?Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-4248795617215091772014-05-07T20:19:00.001-07:002014-05-07T20:22:31.252-07:00Anyone Up For A Blog Serial?I promised it a month ago. And then I said by the end of April. We are now a week into May and "The Troll and The Which Hanky of Anti-doom" is still not self-pub'd. I do have a reason, even if it's not a good excuse: I couldn't decide if I should release the mere 15,000 word shorty that I started out with, or if I should release all of it. Because Lisa and Watt were not done whispering in my ear about their adventures!<br />
<br />
After several weeks of dithering, I have decided to release it one chapter at a time as a blog serial. I have a good ten chapters spanning one whole story line about the troll and another storyline I'm tentatively calling "The Legend of The Oakman." Once I have all of the Troll and the white Hanky of Anti-doom up on the blog, I'll release it in one volume and work my way on through whatever adventures Lisa and Watt decide to have from there. This will also give me time to figure out what to do about a cover.<br />
<br />
Here's how I'll do it. I'll post each new chapter on Wednesdays, starting today, as a regular blog post and label it both as a Lisa and Watt adventure and I'll also mark each story bit as belonging to what story. I'm also going to make a page that will link directly to the chapters so you can read them in chronological order. How does that sound? Good? Excellent. Here's the prolog:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * * * * * * * * *</div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Cambria","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The White Hankie of Anti-Doom</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A word or two from the author:</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I will solemnly
admit to playing loosy-goosey with my Norman-Britton history in this story.
For those who are bothered by such things, I am sorry. It’s my story and if I
want the Welsh and Scotts beat Longshanks, I can do that. This, by the way, is
set in Cornwall towards the end of the 13<sup>th</sup> century. Some of the
names and places are not accurate because I changed them to suit my own needs.
I hope you enjoy it anyway.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Prologue</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sir Cuthbert de Grey was sitting in for Baron Amesbury during the
regularly scheduled Wednesday public audience, which would be how he found
himself listening to a great, fat, red-faced merchant babble about unpassable
bridges and spoiled food stuffs. His lord was currently in the capitol,
answering an equally insistent summons from Robert Plantagenet, Prince of
Cornwall, who happened to be the baron’s overlord and also half-great nephew
once removed to the late Edward Longshanks. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The last five years had not been overly comfortable for the
remaining Normans after William Wallace beat Longshanks at Falkirk and Llywelyn
ap Gruffudd successfully ambushed and killed the hated king during his hasty
retreat from the Scotland. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whereas most
Normans had been killed or run off their lands, Robert of Cornwall had hung on
to most of his through sheer tenacity and meanness. Baron Amesbury and his men
were in Cornwall by invitation of Robert to replace one of the nobles killed
defending his territory. Thanks to Robert, they still had a place to belong
rather than being driven into the sea like most of their brethren had been. So
when Robert of Cornwall summoned his lords, they responded with haste.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This of course left Sir Cuthbert listening to merchants’ demands that
he rebuild flooded out roads and bridges at once so they could get their goods
to market before they all rotted.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Correct me if I am wrong,” Sir Cuthbert said, interrupting a
particularly vivid description of the smell of rotting rutabagas, “but Troll’s
Gate Bridge is still passable, yes?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“It’s still standing, yes,” the merchant muttered begrudgingly.
“But it’s not passable. The trolls’ woke up and no one can get across it. All
the other bridges are flooded out or completely washed away, and so are most of
the river roads.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Then it would seem to me that the way to remedy this situation
would be to take care of the troll, yes? That would open at least one route
into the Lower Peninsula and allow trade to resume whilst we wait for the
spring run off to abate.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Aye, that would work, Sir Cuthbert. But the Kampton City Guard
has been trying to do something about the troll this past fortnight. We seen
them running attacks against the beast from the safety of the northern bank,
but every sally failed.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I shall see what I can do about this monster, then,” Cuthbert
said, dismissing the merchant with a wave of his hand. At last, something to do
other than listen to idle men whine about their idle problems, he thought to
himself as the merchant waddled off. Trolls were by far more palatable, if
somewhat more difficult.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-23514703880305253822014-04-03T23:00:00.000-07:002014-04-03T23:00:08.432-07:00Fool for Love Bloghop<!--CENTERED BANNER CODE STARTS HERE--><br />
<div style="margin: 10px auto 0px; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 375px;">
<a href="http://justromance.me/" id="jrm-ffl" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_top" title="JustRomance.me Bloghops"><img src="https://justromance.me/ffl.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px auto; outline-color: invert; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100%;" /></a></div>
<script src="//justromance.me/ffl.js?a=rebeccalgillan"></script><!--BANNER CODE ENDS HERE--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Welcome to the "Fool For Love" spring blog hop! If you get lost, just click on the banner and it'll bring you back on to the hop. Remember to follow all the way through for your chance to win all kinds of goodies, including our grand prize, a Kindle Paperwhite!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my stop on the hop, I have for you a little bit of a scene from a short story. Last hop, I had a free story you could down load, and I was trying to do that again for this hop, but I didn't get it all the way edited in time. If you keep an eye on my Face Book author page, I'll let you know when the full story will be available for download. In addition to the gift certificate I'm offering for the whole hop, I'm going to be giving away one copy of my latest novel, "Catching the Hunter" in trade paperback to one random person who leaves a comment.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Special thanks on this story to Ken Rolt, who so graciously let me have custody of his polt device, the white hanky of anti-doom. He suggested it as a story idea on a sci-fi writer's group I belong to and my imagineation ran with it. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek of it!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, without further ado, I present a story of a young soldier with dreams of grandeur and an apprentice mage with little talent but enough moxie to see the job done anyway:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FOja-4VHLhbS5-U4iA12hpfnaxryQPS-DMwoG_lZMg2b6piGugSQ-wMfUEzSiG92Y2EV49LTM8GX6CKVZce06jRq94VCiUbO52ZQwm4sysdr8RWQDZN3vGcfVDQBadWjzELVCt1ATaIv/s1600/epcot-troll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_227542="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FOja-4VHLhbS5-U4iA12hpfnaxryQPS-DMwoG_lZMg2b6piGugSQ-wMfUEzSiG92Y2EV49LTM8GX6CKVZce06jRq94VCiUbO52ZQwm4sysdr8RWQDZN3vGcfVDQBadWjzELVCt1ATaIv/s1600/epcot-troll.jpg" height="240" width="320" yta="true" /></a></div>
<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"The Troll and the White Hanky of Anti-doom, Chapter 2"</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The troll sneezed and a wave of noise echoed through the valley like a peal of thunder, made more ominous by the fact the sky was a lovely cloudless blue. Watt quickly ducked behind a large boulder and waited for the debris to clear—he had already learned the hard way not to stand in the open when the troll sneezed, lest he find himself covered in things best left unmentioned. Once he felt it was safe, he peered cautiously out from behind his shelter. The troll hadn’t moved. It was still sitting on a tree stump next to the only bridge across the River Tam that the spring rains hadn’t flooded out. Its presence effectively barred safe travel along Trader’s Road and cut off all commerce to Kernow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Tell me again,” he said with quiet dread, “Why, exactly are we doing this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Because we want to eat,” came the reply form the Lisa, an apprentice mage who had volunteered to accompany him on this damn fool mission. “Kampton hasn’t received any supplies in a fortnight, so there’s nothing to eat if you didn’t grow it yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah,” he said with a nod. “But why are we doing it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Really, Watt,” she said with a huff. “You know why. The captain of the city guard said he had no need of another untrained soldier, but you were welcome to go try your hand at killing trolls.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And you volunteered to accompany me because your master kicked you out of his house after saying that he didn’t want to feed an apprentice that wasn’t any good,” Watt said, picking up the thread of her statement. “But why are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we</i> doing it, and not some gallant knight in shining armor or a fully trained wizard or something?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m a very good mage,” Lisa shot back hotly, ignoring the last few words and focusing on the easily debated portion. “I’m just not flashy, is all. I prefer to use one well-thought-out small magic rather than a huge spell that makes a lot of noise. It’s more efficient,” she added with a sniff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And about the small magic you promised,” Watt said. “What have you come up with? Or do you need me to get you even closer than this to figure out how to defeat that smelly lump of snot?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“This is close enough,” she muttered. He turned and looked at her, just now realizing that she had been up to something while he kept an eye on their query.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What are you doing?” he asked when he saw her grinding what looked like twigs and dirt into a handkerchief. He carefully peaked out to make sure the troll hadn’t moved since the last Earth-shattering sneeze—it hadn’t—before slipped back far enough to look over her shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Spelling this cloth to ease his allergies,” she mumbled as she gathered the corners together into a pouch and shook the bundle vigorously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You’re making… a what? A white hankie of anti-doom? And I’m supposed to just walk up and offer it to the troll?” Watt asked incredulously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“More or less,” she agreed cheerfully. Watt stared at the short blonde haired girl, flabbergasted, as she muttered a few magical phrases of gibberish before flinging the herbs out of the handkerchief with a dramatic flick of her wrist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“There!” she said, handing the now dirty white hankie of anti-doom to him as if offering him the sword Excalibre. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He didn’t take it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Watt,” she said sternly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What?” he asked back, belatedly realizing how silly he sounded. Really, it wasn’t his fault that his name rhymed with ‘what.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Go give this cloth to the troll,” she said slowly, as if talking to a backwards child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Say I manage to get him to take your magic hankie,” he hedged, still not accepting the scrap of linen, “then what? The troll will still be blocking off access to the only passable bridge in the county. And it’ll probably still be sneezing since it’s a troll. Trolls don’t blow their noses, Lisa! It won’t even begin to understand what it’s supposed to do with the bloody thing!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Well, do you have a better idea?” she asked with a sneer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah!” he huffed back at her. “Make me a potion of something that will turn him into stone when I dump it on him or something!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m sorry,” she snapped back. “I can’t do that kind of high magic. It would take a real wizard to do something like that and you haven’t got a wizard to help you. Just me, a level two apprentice mage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They sat there, crouched behind a boulder, glaring at each other while the troll sneezed and then sneezed again. As one, they realized that the second sneeze had sounded much closer than the first. Watt gulped nervously and peeked around the top of the boulder. The troll must have heard them bickering, because it had gotten up from its tree stump and was shambling their way, swinging its brutish head from side to side as it looked for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Right then,” Watt said, reaching blindly behind him for the white hanky of anti-doom. “I need to find some way to get the troll to blow its nose.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Just get it onto the troll’s face so it covers his mouth and nose,” Lisa whispered as she shoved the hanky into his groping hand. “His breathing should be enough to get the spell into his sinus cavity, where it’ll go to work and end this bout of hay fever.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And then what?” he hissed. She shrugged once, looking terrified.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I assume the troll will go on about his business once he’s not feeling so poorly. He doesn’t usually sit next to the bridge, after all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Right,” Watt muttered. “Right, I’ll just slap the hanky over his nose and then somehow get him to retreat back under his bridge, where he belongs.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You might try tripping him when his face is covered with the hanky,” Lisa pointed out. “He looks pretty clumsy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Watt looked at her, realizing belatedly that she had moved up and was peering at the troll over the top of the boulder. She looked back at him and shrugged again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It can’t be that easy,” he said in awe. “If it were that easy, someone would have tried it by now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Most people think big problems need bid solutions,” Lisa replied. “The fact is, that troll’s always been here, sleeping under that bridge and bothering nobody. We don’t need to get him to go away, just go back to sleep.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And since he’s sneezing, it’s probably just hay fever that woke him up,” Watt said back, finally realizing the brilliance of her plan. “White hanky of anti-doom, indeed!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They grinned at each other and then ducked behind their impromptu shelter when the troll sneezed again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Here goes nothing,” Watt muttered before darting out from behind the boulder. “Oy! You, there!” he yelled at the troll. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-83509903336861728712014-03-05T22:46:00.000-08:002014-03-05T22:46:25.202-08:00Witches, Werewolves, Elves, and Lent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5WO0y8YrpXI/UxgYdpOkWeI/AAAAAAAABd0/ha0HW9hvKKM/s1600/14+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5WO0y8YrpXI/UxgYdpOkWeI/AAAAAAAABd0/ha0HW9hvKKM/s1600/14+-+1" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Did you hear that one about the Catholic who writes romance? No? That's probably because there isn't a joke about it.<br />
<br />
Anyway. So here I sit, proof reading a manuscript filled with very steamy sex scenes and I have a smear of burnt plant matter on my forehead. Like most random thoughts, it eventually dawned on me that most non-Catholics would consider this a contradiction. "She writes steamy stories about dreams, elves, witches and shape shifters?" you might think.<br />
<br />
Blasphemy!<br />
<br />
No, not really. Faith is what you make of it, after all. I choose to base my beliefs on something other than self-righteous anger, which means I am not only content with my way of life, but I also don't much care what other people do with theirs. It's not about the trappings of church for me. It's about hope, faith, and... medieval traditions.<br />
<br />
Yep. I'm still a practicing Catholic because I love history. Tell me, what other Western faith still burns crap and smears it on your head once a year? That's a throw-back to times when people only gave lip service to Christ while still following the old ways if ever I saw one. Find me one western story about demons that doesn't revolve around a priest trying to exorcize it. Go ahead; I dare you!<br />
<br />
See, the Catholic faith, in an attempt to convert the masses, didn't eradicate to old ways. It usurped them. Today is not only Ash Wednesday, it's also Woden's Day. We eat hot cross buns for Easter, the same as the Anglo-Saxons did, using recipes that are pretty much exactly the same as they made them fifteen hundred years ago, when the buns were made in honor of Esther every spring.<br />
<br />
Be honest, that's kind of cool.<br />
<br />
Now, people are running around trying to recreate the lost traditions of our ancestors. They try to guess what Druids were like, and they often get it wrong. They say, "We are doing the best we can! The Church wiped out all traces of the Druids!"<br />
<br />
Not so. Why else do we decorate our homes with the Druidic holy symbol of peace and fellowship (holly) every Yule Tide if not because of the Druids? You want a peek at how our ancestors worshiped and lived? Take a long look at Catholicism. It's still pretty much the same now as it was back when the Romans were conquering and assimilating everyone. Heck, they didn't even start killing witches until that butt-head, King James, started on a rampage in the late 1500s out of self-righteous boredom.<br />
<br />
And I love it. All the medieval pageantry, the incense, the knowledge that the mass I went to this afternoon was the same one St. Patric conducted. Knowing that the guy who saved Ireland once smeared burnt crap on the foreheads of my forefathers. It feeds my soul. What else is faith, after all, but a renewal of the soul?<br />
<br />
All of this comes full circle in my writing. Witches, werewolves, elves, lent; it all gets blended in that messy thing I call my mind. It stews and bubbles until stories start forming and then I write them down, mostly to get the stories out of my head so I can sleep at night.<br />
<br />
And that is why it's not heresy when if sit down to a good paranormal romance after going to church. The end.<br />
<br />
~ RebeccaRebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-69136810168023576852014-03-04T13:08:00.002-08:002014-03-04T13:08:51.061-08:00Happy Marti Gras!
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRwbTWUYK9wGmsbaH-tw9tSrRuh4PLsxd3FrjGW0-0FkUSlElSGbPsbRSsZ2ssbtEtin72qn5ziyhn1Uv8uBqrZT_pMInftDfcA5ozhAQjJ95OUwx-9MorCqj24cFrYKaV3UqnEtQM6e2/s1600/Equal_Partners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_254720="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRwbTWUYK9wGmsbaH-tw9tSrRuh4PLsxd3FrjGW0-0FkUSlElSGbPsbRSsZ2ssbtEtin72qn5ziyhn1Uv8uBqrZT_pMInftDfcA5ozhAQjJ95OUwx-9MorCqj24cFrYKaV3UqnEtQM6e2/s1600/Equal_Partners.jpg" ota="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Equal-Partners-BookStrand-Publishing-Classic-ebook/dp/B004PYDMAM/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1393967171&sr=1-7&keywords=equal+partners" target="_blank">Amazon Purchase Link</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Happy Marti Gras, everyone! In honor of this day of wild parties and gastric torture, I am going to share a chapter out on one of my back list books, Equal Partners. This book takes place about this time of your, and the chapter in question takes place on Marti Gras. Alas, no special discount to buy the book, if you haven't already read it. That's up to my publisher, not me. But it's still a fun read and does sport a small discount on Amazon.com right now!<br />
<br />
~ Rebecca<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Chapter 6<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cissy found Lleu staring intently out the window, growling under his breath. She’d just come from the back porch, with the chicken in hand, to find her <i>mate</i> acting like a territorial dog. Apparently, he didn’t like seeing the drunken <i>Courir de Mardi Gras</i> working its way down the rural road she lived on to beg permission to chase the chicken. She laughed out loud, trying to figure out who looked sillier, the elf lord growling like a dog at passing cars or the mob of drunks dressed in psychedelic medieval costumes stuffed in horse trailers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Calm down, <i>cher</i>!” she admonished. “The <i>Courir de Mardi Gras </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">has<i> </i></span>been trying to catch this old chicken of mine for years. And every year, they leave covered in mud with nothing to show for their efforts but a pound of sausage out of my freezer.” He flashed her an annoyed glare then returned to his staring, though he did stop growling. Cissy moved to the window and watched beside him for the <i>Capitaine </i>on his horse to ride up to the front porch to beg entry for his troupe of revelers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Now, remember, you don’t get to chase the Mardi Gras,” Cissy said. “The <i>Capitaine </i>will come up and ask permission for his troupe to come onto the property. When we agree, he will raise his flag, and the mob will spill out of the trailers. They will run around acting like fools. You don’t beat on them if they try to steal me away, okay? They won’t take me far. They are just going to try to get me to drop the chicken. It’s all in good fun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Once they have a good run about the place, I will toss the bird into the air, and they will try to catch her. They never do, though. They manage to catch everyone else’s bird, but never mine. <i>You </i>will then tease them about being bested by a brainless chicken—<i>nicely</i>—then offer them the sausage as a consolation prize. Okay?” Cissy waited for his agreement then elbowed him. “<i>Okay?</i>” she repeated sternly. Lleu rolled his eyes at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“<i>Fine</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">,</span>” he relented. “I won’t chase the stupid apes.” Cissy elbowed him with a frown. He glanced down at her, a slight smirk dancing at the corners of his mouth. “We had similar traditions in my first life, only at the winter solstice. I wandered drunkenly from house to house begging for vegetables as a lad myself. I’ll keep my wolf in check while they are here,” he reassured.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You know,” Lleu said casually a moment later, “they might actually have had a chance at catching that stringy old bird if you hadn’t had me hose down the pasture.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cissy giggled. Mardi Gras was her favorite time of year. They didn’t celebrate Fat Tuesday the same way in the rural parishes as they did in New Orleans. In the Big Easy, revelers would beg the Mardi Gras, usually a dignitary riding a float in the parade, for favors. Here in the country, the Mardi Gras were the drunken revelers, and they went from farm to farm begging contributions for the communal gumbo. The prize of all prizes was a live chicken. The more chickens the <i>Courir de Mardi Gras</i>, or the Mardi Gras runners, brought back, the more successful the coming year was said to be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In the four days since she’d accidentally life-mated herself to the fierce shifter lord, Cissy had managed to come to terms with it. But she was Creole, not just Southern. They didn’t let bygones be bygones. She wanted Donnella’s head on a platter for duping her. Lleu—her <i>mate</i>—was the best person for the job. She had to find a way to convince him she accepted that they were bound so he would continue his hunt for the murderess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Here they come,” she said, shunting aside her internal deliberations. “Wait for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Capitaine </i>to hail us. Then we will go out to meet him.” Just as she finished speaking, a giant of a man dressed in a violently orange set of coveralls with fuchsia and purple fringe sewn along every hem turned into her driveway riding an equally huge roan horse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What is that song they are butchering?” Lleu asked, disgust warring with amusement in his tone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“They are singing the Mardi Gras chant. It translates roughly as ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Capitaine</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Capitaine</i>, raise your flag, we want to run, to catch the chicken.’ Every town has its own chant, though all of them say about the same thing.” Cissy chuckled at Lleu’s fake annoyance. She had discovered that the stoic warlord actually had a well-developed sense of humor, which he tried very hard to hide. She could tell through their deepening mate bond, though, that he was secretly enjoying the spectacle. He’d been growling earlier to tease her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hail, the homestead!” shouted the drunken rider. He managed to startle his horse and nearly fell off when it jumped. Hysterical giggles filled the air from the small army of spectators who’d been following the Mardi Gras as it snaked its way up and down country roads. Shaking his head, an actual grin on his face, Lleu pushed the old, wooden screen door open and stepped onto the porch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well met, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Capitaine</i>. Peace be to you and your troupe,” he answered the rider in a formal tone that reminded Cissy that he’d lived in a time when hailing a home had been more than a quaint custom. His kind had once done it to assure those within that they meant no harm. The horse startled again, and this time the rider dropped the flag. The intoxicated man stared down at it for a moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“<i>Merde</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">,</span>” he spat, and a new round of giggles filled the air. He stopped glaring at the hapless flag and shot a disgruntled glare at the followers in their horse-drawn buggies and hay-stacked flatbed trailers pulled by trucks. He turned and started to glare at Lleu. “And who are you?” he asked belligerently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Remy Giroux, be nice!” Cissy cut in, pushing past Lleu. “This is my new husband, Lleu.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Her announcement was met with startled silence for a moment. Slowly, a happy grin spread over Remy’s face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Is that right, baby girl?” he asked gleefully. Remy dismounted his horse like a sack of potatoes falling. He managed not to get trampled by his dancing mount, scooped up the dropped flag, then unsteadily got to his feet. “I am Remy Giroux,” he introduced himself to her mate as formally as his drunken state allowed. Lleu bowed respectfully, visibly struggling to tamp down his amusement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I am Lleu Llaw Gaffys,” he responded, his deep voice resonating through the unnaturally still morning air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Clay—Clayton Jeffries?” Remy repeated, making the same pronunciation error Cissy had when she first met the shifter lord. The old man turned and addressed the expectant crowd waiting at the road. “Cissy Trahan has taken a husband!” he bellowed. “Join me in welcoming into our community Clayton Jeffries!” He stopped suddenly then turned back, confusion on his face. “When did you all meet, anyway? I ain’t seen you around town with a beau.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cissy laughed. How typical of the retired parish pastor to skip right past the obvious question and go for the gossip. And it was a good thing, too—Louisiana didn’t recognize common-law marriages, and marriage license requirements sometimes caused problems for people who wanted quiet, secret weddings. Nor had she been out of town long enough to have slipped off for a secret wedding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“<i>Lleu</i> is a bounty hunter. He works with my friend, Aubry, from time to time,” she said casually, hoping her mate would go along with the story. “We met when he was hunting a serial killer who’d gone there to try and hide.” That wasn’t really a lie, she mused, merely a misrepresentation of facts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Cissy Trahan married to a law man?” Remy bellowed in disbelief. “If I didn’t see him standing right here in front of me I’d never believe it! Ha-ha-ha!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Remy Giroux, you take that back!” Cissy demanded, genuinely offended. Her grandpapa’s younger brother had been a bank robber. But other than him, the entire Trahan clan had been squeaky clean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Ah, baby girl,” Remy said, looking sheepish and casting furtive glances toward Lleu. “I was jess funning. You not going to hold that against an old man, are you?” Cissy followed the old man’s worried half glances and found Lleu had lost all signs of being amiable. She had a feeling she was seeing the warlord side of her teasing, attentive mate. It wasn’t hard to figure out why Remy had changed his tune so quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Perhaps it is time to let those poor fools out to have their fun, yeah?” Lleu commented quietly, his displeasure with the unintended insult mostly hidden. Remy grasped the escape gladly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Right, right, the <i>Courir de Mardi Gras</i>! Right!” he stammered then cleared his throat. “I beg permission for my troupe to come onto your land and beg a prize for the communal meal!” Lleu nodded his head in an odd sideways gesture that looked like it belonged to the Dark Age warlord he’d once been.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Remy tried in vain to calm his horse down and failed. Lleu, seeming to have forgiven the old man somewhat, shook his head in bemusement and stepped off the porch to hold the skittish beast’s halter while its rider mounted. By the time Remy was remounted, Lleu was actually chuckling a bit, the runners, still stuffed in their horse trailers, were howling with laughter and drunken impatience, and Cissy was out of breath and giggling. She was sure she’d seen a few flashes from cameras, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Finally, after a fresh swig on the bottle of bourbon he’d tucked into a saddle bag, Remy turned and theatrically waved the ceremonial flag in the air. With a loud roar of approval, dozens of drunken, garishly dressed people spilled out of the trailers. Old men, young men, and even a few bold women came mad-dashing across the yard. Within seconds, every corner of the property was crawling with gigging folks acting like fools. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lleu apparently forgot his promise not to chase any of the Mardi Gras, because she saw him a few minutes later running down one young man. She started to hiss at him to stop when she noticed that they were both laughing too hard to run properly—and the runner was wearing one of her sexiest bras on his head!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Give that back!” Lleu yelled with a sloppy lunge. “You can’t expect a man to spend his honeymoon with nothing to strip off his wife, can you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cissy forgot everything in a blinding flash of embarrassment. She didn’t realize at first why everyone, including Lleu and the kid he’d been chasing, stopped running around aimlessly. They turned to her almost at once.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Get the chicken!” a nameless voice shouted, closely followed by a drunken cheer. Cissy looked down to see her prize chicken pecking the ground in front of her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Run! Fly away!” Cissy squealed, trying to flush off the bird she’d accidentally dropped. <i>I can’t believe I dropped the bird!</i> she thought hysterically, blocking a rather determined runner from getting around her. In the mêlée, the bird finally decided to escape, though it didn’t go very far. As Cissy stood looking on in embarrassed horror, her <i>mate</i> joined the mad scramble and actually managed to catch the bird. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I got the bird!” he shouted triumphantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Ah, that’s no fair!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s our bird!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You want the bird. I want my wife’s lingerie back. Who’s willing to trade?” he shouted over the catcalls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Lleu! Don’t you be trading my chicken for that muddy scrap of lace! I’d never wear it again, not after it’s been on Jacques’s nappy head!” Cissy yelled. He looked over at her, pretending to be hurt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s the principle of the thing, <i>m’bandraoi</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">.<i> </i></span>What kind of a protector would I be if I let them carry off a trophy like that?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’d be the kind who gets to sleep in his wife’s bed, not on the couch!” she retorted, much to the amusement of the onlookers. “They are supposed to catch the chicken, not haggle my underwear for it. All they’ve earned is some sausage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ll trade you your underthings for that sausage,” said Jacques, “but I also want a kiss.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m not rewarding you with a kiss!” Cissy spat, giggling too much for her retort to have any real venom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Ah! But I am bribing you with your underwear!” he replied. “I get the sausage and a kiss on the cheek, or I wear my fancy new bonnet all day!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fine,” she laughed. “Come get your kiss, then.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What about my kiss?” Lleu asked after the trade was done and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Capitaine</i> was herding his now muddy, tired drunks back toward the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You don’t deserve a reward. You tried to give away my chicken!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“True,” he said, acting like he was thinking it over. Cissy could see a bit of mischief in his eyes, though, and started backing slowly toward the door. He grinned evilly. “I guess I should be giving you the kiss, then, to atone.” With that, he jumped the porch rail and snagged her up before she could make good her escape.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">Cissy found herself being swept back into a Hollywood-style kiss, the kind women always dreamed about. She vaguely realized they were being cheered as he picked her up, still kissing her, and carried her into the house.</span><br />
Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-45235952619069786872014-02-27T08:20:00.000-08:002014-02-27T08:20:27.778-08:00I Am Not Normal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfK7AOWTCC42-dzBN0qpchMLF8usdAGet_JoX4UrrBGMmiLFg8UAaPFrQJ6DGv-bhl1mnY0th8OpnNWQ5okSiK-dI15Irkl92zAUef1S74RZJX44sVrrBAV8-fFTFlOAPx77sOV-cjpBL/s1600/526af0573128b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_730893="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfK7AOWTCC42-dzBN0qpchMLF8usdAGet_JoX4UrrBGMmiLFg8UAaPFrQJ6DGv-bhl1mnY0th8OpnNWQ5okSiK-dI15Irkl92zAUef1S74RZJX44sVrrBAV8-fFTFlOAPx77sOV-cjpBL/s1600/526af0573128b.jpg" height="320" ita="true" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I was walking down the hall at my day job when I saw someone I get along with pretty well. I said “Hi!” He smiled, got an ornery look on his face, and then said “Lo!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This may sound like a normal interaction between two people who are friendly acquaintances, at least for most people. For me, it was one of those <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ah-ha!</i> moments. Why? Because I realized that hi, as a greeting, and ‘lo, another fairly common greeting are opposites that mean the same thing when you change the context. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And that pretty much sums up why writers are strange people. I sat and thought on it for some time, am now writing a blog about it, and eventually will probably figure out how to work that bit of silly, useless trivia into a book. A “normal” person would have thought about it, maybe chuckled, and then forgot all about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There. I admit it. I am not normal. But I am also never board. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">~ Rebecca<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-15345765156028720782014-02-19T09:51:00.001-08:002014-02-19T09:51:28.433-08:00Lazy post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyxLBA59zLpDFW8dkqqmEcNZl6a-p6A0evs2tuq2gbtAdJp0o11DNLzrUieOb9Yq6sgU9Wlz_a7JZwZhgnQIg88Xrrb4uiw3TxyuKr_Jd7TKtDyEBe61Nn_5mdc9tGX_9HQdZhGngsTjk/s1600/birthday+wishes.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_379038="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyxLBA59zLpDFW8dkqqmEcNZl6a-p6A0evs2tuq2gbtAdJp0o11DNLzrUieOb9Yq6sgU9Wlz_a7JZwZhgnQIg88Xrrb4uiw3TxyuKr_Jd7TKtDyEBe61Nn_5mdc9tGX_9HQdZhGngsTjk/s1600/birthday+wishes.bmp" hta="true" /></a></div>
Hey guys. It's my birthday. I posted a preveiw of the first chapter of "Witch's Moon" over on Shape Shifter Seductions. Feel free to drop by and have a read. Here's the link:
<a href="http://shapeshifterseductions.blogspot.com/2014/02/witchs-moon-first-chapter-sneak-peek.html">http://shapeshifterseductions.blogspot.com/2014/02/witchs-moon-first-chapter-sneak-peek.html</a><br />
<br />
<br />
~ RebeccaRebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-91710585256813566322014-01-28T11:49:00.004-08:002014-01-28T11:49:59.536-08:00Because I haven't posted in a while...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczQZ8_1ZX4i4n7T9ra9Si_ZuL3qNjlpQ7I_2d0s36ytGmVWlpPzGzIgA1dB3cGvD7bPldbAmadUj9YPTpHKBzvjYXSnB71C0t9JNQBLlGWmoq4bPbmegs1WC5c59MfJ-q9kZozq_pSVEE/s1600/1619212_217822918421895_806775628_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_707170="null" cua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczQZ8_1ZX4i4n7T9ra9Si_ZuL3qNjlpQ7I_2d0s36ytGmVWlpPzGzIgA1dB3cGvD7bPldbAmadUj9YPTpHKBzvjYXSnB71C0t9JNQBLlGWmoq4bPbmegs1WC5c59MfJ-q9kZozq_pSVEE/s1600/1619212_217822918421895_806775628_n.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I am posting today, because I haven't posted in a while, and I didn't want anyone to think I had died. I did not. I have, however, been madly writing and re-writing my Talbot's Peak story, "Witch's Moon," over and over. The main goal of this is to have something publishable as a selfie by the end of Feburary. So, not dead, just burried up to my arm pits is re-writes. Have a great day!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRH__2Ismxk4crOiGfiyx6zdFWRXZWp-U4-l7eej4f5F_Oeg07Ew0Rnffj_EJoWznbuMNLWcFmLTcPEASVEZQ4dI5MmaOjAUsr_psZvMLZhvPFTYEbAc3V_CFgaCSGWo_B7ZLdABvBXUF/s1600/1013238_1433232320247164_774379545_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_445998="null" cua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRH__2Ismxk4crOiGfiyx6zdFWRXZWp-U4-l7eej4f5F_Oeg07Ew0Rnffj_EJoWznbuMNLWcFmLTcPEASVEZQ4dI5MmaOjAUsr_psZvMLZhvPFTYEbAc3V_CFgaCSGWo_B7ZLdABvBXUF/s1600/1013238_1433232320247164_774379545_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-20168841582132198202014-01-02T20:26:00.001-08:002014-01-02T20:40:44.516-08:00Just.Romance.Me Blog Hop - Baby, It's Cold Outside<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejtN8_HWKjKj_KTx2sz4YXL-Y8rWL6q3E_6ZnHs7GU7GqiyXVTdaJjXX6DKxPyLnqPh5yUya8GnetucreBgePZcD67o0HLkmbjkQWZ1s8yRA36fskdDhX0pVRKWiKBxGV3emk3YMLhtgb/s1600/QFW.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejtN8_HWKjKj_KTx2sz4YXL-Y8rWL6q3E_6ZnHs7GU7GqiyXVTdaJjXX6DKxPyLnqPh5yUya8GnetucreBgePZcD67o0HLkmbjkQWZ1s8yRA36fskdDhX0pVRKWiKBxGV3emk3YMLhtgb/s200/QFW.png" width="141" /></a>Happy January! Welcome to my stop on the JustRomance.Me winter blog hop! My offer to you is the first chapter of a free novella I released on Christmas day. If you like it, you can head over to Smashwords and download the full story for free.<br />
<br />
<br />
~ Rebecca L. Gillan<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter 1</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jock slumped down in the pew and tried to
ignore the hollow, gnawing ache in his belly. The fact that he was here, at the
wedding of his paternal cousin Amelia’s maternal cousin Amanda, said worlds
about how desperate he had been to get out of attending the moon-mating
ceremony. It was not something that came to wolves naturally, dammit, and he
wasn’t going to go along with it!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Of course, nor was he the alpha, which meant
having to have a good reason not to be in town during the holidays so it didn’t
look like he was disobeying when he didn’t show up on New Year’s Eve to be
paired off.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The moon-mating ceremony was his alpha’s
invention, an attempt to address the high number of unmated wolves in the pack.
In real wolf packs, only the alpha pair mated to keep the population of the
pack at sustainable levels. In a world that was hostile to shape shifters,
larger were-packs also had adopted that practice, so they didn’t have packs too
big to sustain or, most importantly, to hide. The alpha had decided that in
this day and age of birth control and expanding social tolerance, mating lower
wolves—but not allowing breeding privileges—was the answer to a different
problem. Tail chasing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Since when was chasing tail considered a
problem, Jock wondered. So long as there was no unwanted sexual contact and no
leaving of litters of pups everywhere, who cared if wolves humped willing
partners when the urge struck? It was good, harmless, if not exactly clean,
fun.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But no. The alpha wanted his wolves to settle
down and pick mates. There weren’t enough females to go around if the mated
pairs were strictly male-female, but the alpha hadn’t specified that. He said
“non-breeding mating groups”, meaning however you want it, fine, but everyone
had to be in a group of some kind. During the moon-mating—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why not just say circle jerk since that was clearly all it was?</i>—everyone
had to pick a partner or three and they were stuck in that group until the next
New Year’s Eve. Or, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">moon-mating ceremony</i>,
rather. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">See? Not at all how werewolves work. Besides,
he just wasn’t into that stuff. He liked one-on-one long term monogamous relationships.
Instead of going to that stupid made-up ceremony, he’d called his cousin Amelia
and begged her to invite him to her house for the holidays. She had a wedding
to go to and no date, so she was fine with that. He’d get out of being matched
up with someone he didn’t really want to sleep with and she wouldn’t have to go
to a family wedding dateless. Or worse, alone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So that’s why he was sitting here in the pew
of a church in a town he’d never visited before in the company of a cousin he
didn’t see very often waiting for a wedding to start. It was late, too. He
checked his watch again and then tapped it. It was now almost three and the
wedding was supposed to have started at two. He frowned and looked around. The
church was decked out with swags of greenery, huge red bows, and creamy white
candles. The whole thing gave off a festive yet reverent ambiance as befitting
a Christmas Eve wedding. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Uh-oh, he thought when he spied a crowd of
people spilling out of church vestibule. No one looked happy, least of all the
bride, whose face was covered with a heavy white veil. Her shoulders were
scrunched in, making it clear that she wasn’t in a good place, emotionally.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dearly beloved,” the priest said sonorously
at the front of the church. “It would seem we have no groom for this joyful
celebration. Unless someone else would like to take this fine young lady as his
wife, we are going to have to cancel.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jock looked at the cringing young woman, whom
he couldn't even see properly. He looked at his cousin Amelia. She was looking
back at him, eyes just as wide and shocked as his. He looked back up at the
girl and whispered to his cousin, “Is this for real? Did the priest actually
offer her up like day-old bread to anyone who wants her?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Um,” Amelia said, chewing on her lip.
“Amanda kind of agreed to an arranged marriage. Her father’s will stipulated
that she couldn’t inherit unless she’s married by her twenty-fifth birthday.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“When’s her birthday?” Jock asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Today.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He looked at Amelia. She shrugged and then
said, “Her dad was a no-show for most of her life and then he died a few years
ago. Her grandfather’s an ass and messed with the will since he was the
executor of it. The family lawyers checked. It’s all legal and binding. She has
to be married by the end of the day or…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jock looked at the cringing girl, stunned by
how backward that was. Then he had a thought. Married wolves were exempt from
the moon-mating ceremony…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Amanda was miserable. She had suspected this hair-brained
idea wasn’t going to go as well has her mother had thought it would. Get a
quickie marriage to satisfy her grandfather’s medieval stipulations. After a
year, they’d get a divorce. Sounded simple. Then her grandfather got wind of
the plan and said it had to be a real wedding, not a paperwork one. And that,
of course, had freaked out her Pablo, who had agreed to a
marriage-in-name-only. She was quite possibly the only woman in history to be
stood up by her gay friend at their fake wedding. As if that wasn’t bad enough,
then her maternal uncle, who was officiating the ceremony, solicited a new
groom for her from her own wedding guests. Oh, just shoot me now, she thought.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll do it,” a deep voice said from
somewhere in the middle of the packed pews. She tried to look, but the veil was
too thick. All she could see were vague shapes, like ghosts in a fog bank. As
she watched, a very large shape seemed to rise above the other moving shapes.
Whoever he was, he was tall, Amanda thought. The crowd murmured and Uncle
Charles cleared his throat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And you are?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m Amelia’s cousin Jock on her father’s
side. Her dad and mine were brothers,” the deep voice replied calmly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do you understand the circumstances
involved?” Uncle Charles asked, sounding exactly like the stodgy old priest he
was.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah—uh, yes, sir,” the unseen man said, now
sounding a bit flustered. “Amelia explained it to me just now. Amanda has to be
married by the end of the day or her sperm donor was going to deny her her
rightful inheritance. I’m not married or planning to get married any time
soon.” The hulking shape seemed to shrug as the crowd started tittering. Sperm
donor, huh? She was going to have to remember that. It fit her father
perfectly. He’d stuck around long enough to contribute to her DNA but that was
about it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She tried desperately to remember something,
anything about Amelia’s cousin. She didn’t think she’d ever met him, though he
was Amelia’s last living relative on her dad’s side. She and Amelia shared
maternal bonds, so he wouldn’t have been around the family. Then she remembered
Amelia commenting that her cousin had called up asking if she minded if he
visited for the holidays. And so here he was, saving Amanda from her grandfather,
if not from total embarrassment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’ll do fine,” Mother said from Amanda’s
left side. “Places everyone! Young man, go up to the front of the church. Do
you have a ring? Oh wait. Of course you don’t—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well,” he said, sounding very bashful. “I do
have my great-grandmother’s wedding ring. My grandmother wore it on a chain
around her neck and when she died, I started wearing it that way, too. Because
it reminded me of her,” he finished lamely. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Amanda felt for him. Her family was very
intimidating. Not in a bad way, of course, but they were more than a little
batty. She didn’t have to actually see them to know they were probably staring
at the poor guy, polite smiles on their faces and nodding as if crazy stuff
like this happened every day and was totally unremarkable. Amanda had to admit
that she was already starting to like him, sight unseen. But then again, Amelia
was one part cousin and one part best friend. If she brought Jock to a family
wedding, he had to be good people.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He mother grabbed her arm and steered her
into place without warning. “Just keep calm, baby,” her mother said quietly in
her ear. “It’ll all be over soon. You’ll have a husband to shut your grandfather
up with and then you’ll have the casino fair and square.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mamma?” she asked nervously. “What does my
groom look like?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don’t worry about that, baby,” her mother said
dismissively. “He’s only going to be a paper groom.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But Mamma, I have to sleep with him!” she
hissed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Think of it like a one night stand,” he
mother muttered as she dragged Amanda into place at the center of the vestibule.
The organ started playing Pachelbel’s Cannon in G Major and everyone turned to
look at her. This was it, she thought. Time to go meet my future husband or
friend with benefits or whatever he was going to end up being. Time to go
thwart her grandfather’s plans.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For a woman who had been raised to be strong
and independent, these last few weeks since learning of her grandfather's
change to her father’s will had been hell. She had almost come to terms with
being forced to marry, and only because she loved Pablo like a brother, when
Dearest Grandfather found out that Pablo was gay. All she could think was that while
Pablo had been fine with the idea of hood winking “the man”, he was not alright
with the stipulation that he had to actually sleep with her. Publicly. As in medieval
bedding rituals. They had to be witnessed doing the deed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This wedding was turning out to be more
gothic than medieval. Medieval people considered weddings to be little more
than business transactions that resulted in babies. The bride and groom usually
knew each other, and certainly would have met each other, before the wedding.
No, marrying a cousin’s cousin sight unseen was straight out of an Elizabethan
Goth novel, complete with the evil bastard of a grandfather. Amanda sighed,
wishing she had not spent quite so many hours devouring Ann Radcliff’s gothic
novels as a teen. It had clearly put a few crazy ideas into her head. Next
thing she knew, she’d be looking at her mysterious groom, trying to figure out
what deep, dark secrets he was hiding from her!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She looked up at his very large form, blurred
by the heavy lace of her veil, and squinted. Nope, nothing out of the ordinary
so far as she could tell. Uncle Charles cleared his throat meaningfully. Amanda
jumped, realizing she had missed her cue.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do you promise to have and to hold, in
sickness and in health, ‘til death do you part?” he repeated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I do,” she choked out, ignoring the odd
thrill that ran up her spine at “’til death do you part.” That was silly. This
was still only a temporary marriage, even if it was to her cousin’s cousin
rather than to a guy she’d grown up with. It was more like a one night stand
that would linger a bit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do you have the ring?” Uncle Charles asked.
Her groom fumbled a bit, finally pulling something small out of his pant
pocket. At Uncle Charles’ urging, he slipped it onto her ring finger. Another
thrill of something other-worldly ran down her spine as the thin gold ring,
warm from his body heat, slid past her knuckle. She felt a little giddy when he
lifted her hand and kissed it softly. She shivered when he folded her small
hand into both of his much larger ones, a feeling of destiny settling heavy on
her shoulders. She tried to ignore it, thinking it was a product of her earlier
musing about gothic romance novels, but she couldn’t quite manage to set the
feeling aside.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Finally, he lifted her veil and she got to
see her groom for the first time. If she had to come up with one word to
describe Jock Hancock, it would be “chiseled.” He hand a square rugged jaw,
high sharp cheek bones, and piercing blue eyes. His brown hair was over-long
and curling around his ears just a bit, clean but not overly tidy, the type of
man who didn’t care much for what was fashionable. His tall frame looked hard
with muscle from his huge shoulders to his trim waist to his mile long legs. Then
he bent down to give her the traditional kiss and any thoughts of what he
looked like fled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jock looked down at his bride and gulped. Oh,
Sweet Luna, she was lovely! He reminded himself sternly that this was a quickie
wedding of convenience. He didn’t get to keep her. Oh but her scent! It
whispered to him of hearth and home and crisp winter snows laying heavy on a
pine forest. She was dainty, coming not quite to his shoulder, with a waist so
tiny he could circle it with his hands. When he lifted her veil and saw thick dark
hair, light olive complexion and velvety chocolate almond-shaped eyes, he knew
he was lost. This may only be a temporary thing for her, but his inner beast
was howling that she was his. His one and only, his mate. ‘Til death would they
part in truth, it sang.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He smiled at her and dropped down for a
second kiss to keep himself from howling in pride out loud. There was a whole
church filled with people who knew full well that he was a stranger who’d never
set eyes on her before five minutes ago so he kept the kiss chaste and quick,
though he did allow himself to breathe deeply of her enticing fragrance. He
lifted his head back up and noticed how tense she seemed to be. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Aw, no. He couldn’t let his precious new mate
be uncomfortable around him! So he grinned, stepped back and theatrically bowed
over her hand, which he was still holding on to for dear life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Hancock. My name
is Jock and I will be your husband for the duration of this marriage. If there
is anything I can do for you, do not hesitate to let me know.” The sound of
bawdy laughter filled the small church, but he didn’t care. He saw her sweet,
bow-shaped lips quiver with repressed mirth. That was all that mattered to him,
that Amanda was put at ease by his tomfoolery. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Pleased to meet you, Jock,” she murmured
shyly. He nodded his head back toward the crowded pews and winked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Shall we?” he asked. She nodded and blushed.
Jock gave her his most encouraging good ol’ boy grin and turned, tucking her
hand into the crook of his arm. He was pleased to see that his new mate was as
susceptible to good ol’ boy charm as most women. He spent most of his time
working the back country on the Pack’s ranch so that was about the only kind of
charm he could claim to have. That and wolfish charm, but that usually only
worked on female wolves. As good as she smelled, he could tell that Amanda was
plain vanilla human. That was just fine by him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He was startled into laughing when he saw
what was waiting for them outside the church. He looked over at Amanda to find
her chuckling, as well. Honestly, it was the only response most people would
have come up with at the sight of a turkey-drawn sleigh. Or rather, a horse
drawn sleigh with the horses decked out like turkeys.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sorry about that,” she said. “It was
supposed to have been a joke for Pablo, the guy I was actually supposed to have
married.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No problem,” Jock said gamely. “You drivin’
or am I?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You... know how to drive a sleigh?” she
asked uncertainly. Jock laughed again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You could say that,” he replied. “I was born
and raised on cattle ranches. The teams I usually drive pull hay wagons but I’m
sure I can manage a little two-horse sleigh just fine.” He handed her up just
as a pack of younger people spilled out of the church at a dead run. Jock
noticed that Amelia was in the group and that each person was holding a red
velvet bag and grinning maliciously. He met Amelia’s eye and shook his head.
“Catch us if you can!” he hollered back at them and jumped into the driver’s
seat as the cat-calling group began pelting them with handfuls of bird seed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Shouldn’t you be going faster than this to
outrun them?” Amanda asked, laughing and shaking seed chaff out of her eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where’s the fun in that?” he asked.
“Besides, the horses were cooling their heels for a good long while. I don’t
want to push them too hard.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Good point,” she replied.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I hope you liked it. If you'd like to read more (it's only about 11,000 words) you can get if <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/391592" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">here </span></a>for free!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Don't forget to continue on the hop for a chance to win some really great prizes!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<!--BLOGHOP CODE STARTS HERE-->
<div id="jrm-coldoutside-button" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://justromance.me/" target="_top" title="JustRomance.me Bloghops"><img src="http://justromance.me/coldoutside.gif" /></a><script src="http://justromance.me/coldoutside.js?author=rebeccalgillan"></script></div>
<!--BLOGHOP CODE ENDS HERE-->Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-6247500641140452782013-12-25T06:43:00.003-08:002013-12-25T06:43:44.023-08:00Your Christmas Gift: Free Reads!Good morning! Merry Christmas! For you, I have a gift of free reads. Or mostly free reads, anyway. If you go to Smashwords to grab your copy of my very short novella, "Quick-Fix Wedding," it's free. Amazon.com insists that it has to be 99 cents and I can't manually make it free there. However, if a bunch of people click on the "report this at a lower price" link, Amazon may eventually make it free due to price matching. If you feel like sticking it in Amazon's back, feel free to use the Smashwords link to brag to Amazon that you paid nothing for your copy. ;) I have to admit, I have not yet begun to try and figure out how to get it uploaded on Nook Books yet. It took entirely too long to figure out Smashwords and I am now mildly traumatized. Any way, Merry Christmas!<br />
<br />
~ Rebecca<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nzAOVPO34-KF2dwyzIA7fR5v3j-wXq7dLUkB6u1j3DTovUFof2j82H7lVhn1sQNTHfTRFnss2-sr7C5nCbb4kInEo8GwxQeV7ODyTHW-HxEklqEkDwBXeBqMlCRn9goxMRYkNw3cuYNV/s1600/QFW.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nzAOVPO34-KF2dwyzIA7fR5v3j-wXq7dLUkB6u1j3DTovUFof2j82H7lVhn1sQNTHfTRFnss2-sr7C5nCbb4kInEo8GwxQeV7ODyTHW-HxEklqEkDwBXeBqMlCRn9goxMRYkNw3cuYNV/s320/QFW.png" width="228" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>"Purchase" links:</b></u></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/391592" target="_blank">Smashwords </a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HIBXGPK" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-51476194000150858782013-11-25T23:18:00.001-08:002013-11-25T23:21:23.272-08:00Interesting But Productive Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYAGxAStG6PJywXKXbU_YGQz3yjEhlFtG7-yY_Fw7i9lNaSubBWHGI4Bsla9O9USCkjFFjsjDjiR61DOxwijWHxKuzPL7Dt8IX9zVngBvgXTZByzh6FMLPk5cMR2XMM7mhWA3pEGQGhc3/s320/DownTown_01.tif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shapeshifterseductions.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Down Town Talbot's Peak</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTax7kDFhDiGuDW9Of59gfHpsYndwG-m2IBcE2RHINrzxU5k56qWFT1ZwHCllOLQABTMqb-Az4t-D9H0Lcd1hq_uxk8KzJ2As-l_0b67mlIIA_O5etn0EYLYEfi_qLitun32vbckEjr4NA/s1600/Fury_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTax7kDFhDiGuDW9Of59gfHpsYndwG-m2IBcE2RHINrzxU5k56qWFT1ZwHCllOLQABTMqb-Az4t-D9H0Lcd1hq_uxk8KzJ2As-l_0b67mlIIA_O5etn0EYLYEfi_qLitun32vbckEjr4NA/s200/Fury_02.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
It has been an interesting but productive day. I wrote, a little over a thousand words on one manuscript which is currently still untitled, and added almost fifteen hundred to another, titled "Quick-Fix Wedding." Quick-Fix-Wedding started out being a stand-alone novella, but is now a tie-in to the world of Talbot's Peak, Montanna, a shape shifter town, which is featured over on the blog I co-write with four other authors, called ShapeSifter Seductions. I'm posting it over there bit by bit and once I've got it polished, I'll be offering it as a free read as a sort of Christmas present to all our readers. More info on that to come.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJDyr5GmWYkR2wSoG4-g5fck3thZL9ZAOxxQ7uC23v-dsJdbEFNwgUYgJkAuMXNsbkXskWJlV2bAJqc8J02hhvsPU6aesfcy_B3ZCPakOkwpLHxjrk0nQF00wydoUu_hqz9YMcM2vG3fP/s1600/CheckMate_00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJDyr5GmWYkR2wSoG4-g5fck3thZL9ZAOxxQ7uC23v-dsJdbEFNwgUYgJkAuMXNsbkXskWJlV2bAJqc8J02hhvsPU6aesfcy_B3ZCPakOkwpLHxjrk0nQF00wydoUu_hqz9YMcM2vG3fP/s200/CheckMate_00.jpg" width="200" /></a>I also am trying to make a map of the town of Talbot's Peak. The above picture is <br />
one shot of down town Talbot's Peak. It's looking a little rough and unfinished, but I'll get there. I'm having to teach myself Daz Studios 4.6 as I go because, well, it's just silly for me to still be working in the old Daz3 environment. And it's still free right now. So, I'm relearning how to manipulate stuff. I'm not sure playing with 3D software counts as work, though, since it's actually more of a hobby. (The other two pics are examples of what I do to relax! Their quality compared to today's creation should give you an idea of why I'm not entirely happy with the town scene.)<br />
<br />
That's about it as far as newsy bits for right now. I'll close this out with a sneak peek at the afor mentioned untitle WIP and wish you all a wonderful thanksgiving week!<br />
<br />
~ Rebecca<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Sneak Peek:</b></u><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<h2>
</h2>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">"Mercy,"
Jarod Black muttered thickly past a split lip and chattering teeth. He was cold
and in pain, his whole body throbbing from the earlier fall off his horse. He'd
fallen into the river, which had saved him from a broken neck and his pursuers
had fished him out of the icy water, sparring him from drowning. The long ride
back to Castle Blanche while wet and tightly bound had spared him nothing.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">Perhaps the lord
of the castle would spare him death. After all, Jarod hadn't <i>actually</i> stolen anything. It was
splitting hairs but that was about all he had going for him at the moment.
Though, in all honesty, it was more than he'd had going for him for a long
time. He'd found adventure and made a name for himself but had nothing to show
for it.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">"Mercy for a
thief?" Lord Morgan repeated archly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">"I stole
nothing," Jarod said mulishly, knowing it was not the correct thing to say
but unable to stop himself.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">"Except for
one of my horses," his lordship shot back. Jarod started to shrug but
flinched when the motion jostled his </span><span lang="EN-GB">throbbing</span><span lang="EN-GB"> shoulder. he clamped his eyes shut
and fought the nausea that stewed in his belly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">"You got it
back," he gasped through the pain.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">"Because you
fell off," his lordship replied. Jarod hung his head as the nausea turned
to a cold sweat, really not a good thing considering the chill he had from
being dunked in the icy river. He knew Lord Morgan was waiting to hear his next
rejoinder but he was having trouble thinking as the shock of his injuries
finally caught up with him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">"Mercy, then,"
he heard Lord Morgan say distantly, as though from far away down a muzzy,
echoing cavern. He was fainting, </span><span lang="EN-GB">Jarod</span><span lang="EN-GB"> realized just as he struck the ground.
How undignified...</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">Lord Morgan looked
down at the silver-tongued thief before him. Oh, he knew Jarod Black, or rather he knew of him. The
knight-turned-mercenary was becoming very notorious for his willingness to take
on jobs with little success, primarily because he always managed to scrape
through. Not this time, of course. Morgan's guards had caught Black trying to
scale the inner courtyard wall. But he did usually manage to pull off
impossible jobs and might have succeeded this time had the moon not been full
and the sky clear. The pale stone walls of Castle Blanche fairly glowed in moon
light, making anyone trying to scale it's walls stand out like a dark </span><span lang="EN-GB">smudge</span><span lang="EN-GB"> on
a white </span><span lang="EN-GB">cloth.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">What </span><span lang="EN-GB">Morgan</span><span lang="EN-GB">
didn't know was who had hired Black and what he'd been after. Morgan was a
thoroughly boring noble of the northern realm. He had no secrets and was
involved in no intrigues. Unless Jarod Black had tried to break in just for the
challenge of being able to say he stole into Castle Blanche. Which he didn't.
Morgan sighed, knowing that the source of any answers was laying injured at his
feet. He nodded to his seneschal to call the man closer.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">"Have him
brought in to the solar and send for the healer."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">"Is that
wise, milord?" </span><span lang="EN-GB">Albie</span><span lang="EN-GB"> asked nervously. Morgan eyed the stooped, elderly man who had
served his father and his father's father before that. The man was a capable caretaker
of the castle but had never been overly bold.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">"Do you know
what he was after?" he asked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">"Ah, no,
milord. I can't say as I do," </span><span lang="EN-GB">Albie</span><span lang="EN-GB"> said shaking his head.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">"Neither do
I," Morgan replied. He nudged the thief's prone form with the side of his
booted foot. "But he does. It might be easier to get it out of him if he's
alive, don't you think?"</span></span></span></span></div>
Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-73400357729785421402013-11-02T08:32:00.003-07:002013-11-02T08:32:46.151-07:00Random News and an Exerpt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseIFdjSrxXJqygRlWslG4w5bT8Gj8z_FDe6FuVGFexb3cuw4ZxRrF-2pd-xR5MJv4p41-_BemWfSrQX0i3BfM5XupLDp1N8fl53w6yZmq_-RyICZHBV4CUq2eYgc6sVTezbSY_mXOAywZ/s1600/Tristan_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseIFdjSrxXJqygRlWslG4w5bT8Gj8z_FDe6FuVGFexb3cuw4ZxRrF-2pd-xR5MJv4p41-_BemWfSrQX0i3BfM5XupLDp1N8fl53w6yZmq_-RyICZHBV4CUq2eYgc6sVTezbSY_mXOAywZ/s320/Tristan_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Bits of random news first:<br />
<br />
Blog hop winners! As you may or may not know, I participated in the Snarkology Blog Hop both here and with my writting group on ShapeShifter Seductions, so I have two winners to announce. Eva Millien was the winning commenter here. Eva, check your e-mail. The commenter who won a copy of my back list on ShapeShifter Seductions was Jean MP, who didn't leave an e-mail address. Jean, I sent you a chat on Blogger with my e-mail address. Shoot me an e-mail to claim your prize, or leave a comment here.<br />
<br />
Next bit of random news, "Catching the Hunter" is now live on Amazon.com. It's also on sale, so at the moment, you can pick up both my second and third books for $3.19, or 20% off. Here's the shorty link to Amazon's page. (Because the long link was freaking HUGE!) <b>http://tinyurl.com/kd5p2fk</b><br />
<br />
Last bit of news, I finally picked what I'm going to submit next: a menage werewolf/darkling story about a young noble woman who is not interested in being a "lady" and so buys a werewolf pack in order to set herself up a person of power in her own right. I'm doing the polishing on it now and should be ready to submit it soon. Cross your fingers!<br />
<b> </b><br />
And last but not least, an exerpt from "Catching the Hunter"<br />
<br />
* * * * *<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3iJVT41LfveAdFN1ABRLfK1GgCrCvUbRhiBYza60pTjw7XiBKOE8CRBKPM2aBGb_u5Xe1umMAx0zBOFXL254yHB8H0yWDa2TH3YB70xxgZZeUJi_lpngXc30C5MA9yObQB3JZgsnyjG5/s1600/Cathing_The_Hunter_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3iJVT41LfveAdFN1ABRLfK1GgCrCvUbRhiBYza60pTjw7XiBKOE8CRBKPM2aBGb_u5Xe1umMAx0zBOFXL254yHB8H0yWDa2TH3YB70xxgZZeUJi_lpngXc30C5MA9yObQB3JZgsnyjG5/s1600/Cathing_The_Hunter_Cover.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
<o:TargetScreenSize>800x600</o:TargetScreenSize>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where are we?” Sorsha asked uncertainly,
drawn out of her thoughts by curiosity when he led her toward a side branch of
the castle complex. “I thought you were going to a bathhouse.” The hunt lord
turned back and smiled at her mischievously, his sapphire blue eyes glowing.
Her breath caught in her chest. It was inconceivable that one as scary as this
buck should be so sexy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Eddie calls this the kennel. It’s a
seldom used barracks off the side of House Argental,” he replied as he offered
her his arm. She was about to refuse him until she saw that there were no steps
leading to the elevated lava tube. This stupid servant dress wouldn’t allow her
to jump the two foot distance, so she accepted. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who is Eddie?” she asked. Sorsha was
beginning to feel like a fool for all her questions, but he never seemed to
offer information without prompting. She was probably lucky he was answering at
all. Her brother was a good example of a male who never felt the need to explain
himself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“The houndsman who thinks a bog-zobber
pen is a suitable holding cell for traitors,” the shifter lord answered with a playful
wink. She shook her head. Story after story told how hard and vicious the wild lords
of the hunt were. How uncivilized, inhospitable, and surly they could be. This
one was none of those things. He actually seemed to have a deliciously wicked
sense of humor. She was beginning to wish she’d met him under other
circumstances.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Does he by chance have red hair?” she
asked, sensing a theme.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“He does,” he agreed. “Met him, have
you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“And…um…who are—I mean I should have asked
already. The hum—I mean, Eddie—he said you sometimes were called—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m called Conchobar by many. You may
call me Connor,” he cut in. She blushed at the wry twinkle in his eye. “And you
are called?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Um, Sorsha. Of the Darach clan,” she
replied shyly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Pleased to meet you, Sorsha of the Darach
clan. This”—he paused, waving his arm—“is my home away from home. Or at least where
I stay when I’m in Bhaithcreig.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I guess I never thought about wild
lords staying in a city,” she admitted. “It doesn’t fit with the image of a
powerful shifter who prefers to roam the forests of Annwn as a wolf.” He
rewarded her observation with an amused snigger. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“We do prefer to roam the forests of
Annwn. But we also have duties which bring us here from time to time now that
the high lord resides here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He paused outside a rough opening and waved
her ahead of him. Sorsha slipped around him through the low entrance into a
steamy cavern. Her cautious curiosity gave way to awe. The cavern was
completely unimproved and had a good sized hot spring filling most of the
available floor space. Clouds of rolling steam swirled invitingly, obscuring
most of the chamber. For a doe born and raised in the chilly forests of the
northwest, it was a dream come true, a hot bath big enough to get lost in. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Connor slipped in beside her as she stood
there gawking like a fool. Her attention was drawn back to him when he began
undressing. She had to remind herself to breathe as he unfastened his tartan,
folding it as he took it off. Without the yards of black wool in the way, she
got an excellent view of his muscular buttock, still covered by the thin
leather of his kilt.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Wh–what are you doing?” she stammered
as he bent over to unfasten the ties on his boots, presenting her with a
spectacular view of his heavenly rear. He looked back at her from under his
arm, a sexy smirk lifting one side of his mouth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t usually bathe in my clothes,”
he purred. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">“Oh!” she exclaimed self-consciously. “Right. Bath
and a feeding.” She tried to ignore the sensual thrill at the mental image of him
feeding from her while they bathed, then realized she was allowed to enjoy
this. </span>Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-11446090007135414312013-10-28T00:00:00.000-07:002013-10-28T00:00:16.339-07:00The Price of FreedomHappy Halloween! I have for you a short story about screwing up and finding hope. Enjoy! And don't forget to enter the raffle-copter at the end for a chance to win the grand prize, a $60 gift card to Amazon.com!<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<u>The Price of Freedom</u></h2>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">The baying of
hounds in the distance rang through the silence of the frozen forest belonging
to the winter fae. Not that Donnella needed the warning—she knew what was after
her. She pawed futilely at the faint glow of the tracker’s mark on her chest,
sobbing as she tripped over an unseen obstacle on the path. She looked back the
direction she had come and thought she saw a hound cresting the hill. She
looked around wildly for cover of some kind. There wasn’t much but she did see
particularly large dead oak leaning over the road that might slow the hounds of
hell. She scrambled up it and pressed her body into the trunk, hoping she might
confuse her pursuers by muffling the magic beacon on her chest. She held out no
real hope for the ploy, though. A person did not outsmart grimm hounds. They
outran them or they died.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">Grimm hounds were
the stuff of nightmares. They were huge black spectral dogs with glowing red
eyes and were said to feed on the dead and the dying. Legend held that they had
been created to guard holy sites but the elfin black lords used them to hunt
fugitives. Donnella peeked over her shoulder and saw the whole pack, at least
fifty hellish beasts, cresting the hill. She buried her face in her shoulder to
muffle her cry of terror but could not bring herself to look away. Her urge to
scream grew exponentially when she saw who was running the pack. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">“No,” she
whimpered. “No-no-no-no-no! It can’t be; he’s dead!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">The black
stallion the houndsman rode had glowing red eyes like the hounds. Its hooves were
striking sparks against the cobbles as it ran after the baying hounds.
Billowing clouds of steam pumped from its withers and muzzle as the stallion’s
sweat evaporated in the cold night air.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">It was the rider
that was the true horror. Deathly pale skin, shocking red hair… ruined, once
hansom face. His eyes glowed, too, though with the blue of human magic rather
than the red of necromantic power. Even from this distance, she could make out
his features clearly because the power leaking from his ruined eyes was
dribbling down his face like horrible tears, pooling in the seams of scar
tissue before being whipped away by the speed of his charge. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 150%;">Why wasn’t he dead?</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">Donnella ducked
her face, pressing hard against the rough bark of the oak she clung to. She
didn’t want to see the proof of her crimes but the nightmarish rider’s presence
so close to his enemy’s castle beguiled her. Maybe it wasn’t really him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">She peered under
her arm at the pack, now milling beneath her tree, and stifled another whimper.
The rider was urging his mount into the roiling of mass of black bodies and
glowing eyes. The hounds turned their dreadful gazes to their master adoringly.
He patted a head here scratched an ear there as his mount picked its way closer
through the pony-sized monsters. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 150%;">So close</span></i><span style="line-height: 150%;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">She had gotten
away from those hunting her one last time and made for the lands of the winter
fae. The King of Winter had approached her with the plan to put herself on the
throne of the forest elves. He had trained her in the art of assassination,
given her spells to killer her targets. Surly he would offer her asylum if she
could just get to his fortress. She had killed both elfin trackers and the
houndsman so no one would be able to follow her, or she had thought she killed
them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">The first three
curses she’d used had worked as promised. But the forth one failed to kill its target.
The houndsman had been the fifth person she used the spell on and he wasn’t
dead, so the trackers probably weren’t dead, either. Everything had gone wrong
and she didn’t know why.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">“Are you going to
make me come up there and get you?” the houndsman’s voice rasped from his
ruined throat far below her. “Or are you going to pretend that if you don’t see
me, I won’t see you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">Donnella looked
out over the tops of the wasted trees. In the distance, she could see the glow
of the winter king’s stronghold. It was no more than an hour’s walk, she guessed.
So close.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 150%;">But not close enough</span></i><span style="line-height: 150%;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">*
* * * *</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">There had been
a time when not getting her way had been the worst thing Donnella could think
of happening to her. She knew better now. She knew a lot of things now that she
wished she didn't.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">She now knew
that nothing made her nose itch worse than not being able to scratch it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">She now knew
that being beautiful was not a license to behave badly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">She now knew
that some crimes were inexcusable no matter the reason they were committed. And
that it wasn't for her to decide if the reason was valid, at least not after
the fact.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">She also now
knew that nobility by birth would not save her from paying the price of those
crimes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">There were
worse things than not getting her way. Oh, yes there were. There were worse
things than death, too. Death would have been a fresh start, and that was not
what those who'd judged her crimes had wanted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">Having her
immortal spirit bound to a keeper stone so that she would be trapped in her
body as it was slowly turned to stone was much worse than death. She couldn't
bring herself to be angry about her situation--she'd earned it. This wasn't to
say that she liked being the grotto, but she understood and begrudgingly agreed
that she had earned her place here.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">The grotto, as
it was called, had no proper name. It wasn't a graveyard, exactly, but rather a
collection of stone figures that had once been elves. Like her, all of them had
done the unthinkable and betrayed their people. Also like her, their souls had
been bound to their bodies before they were enchanted to turn to stone. It
really wasn't a good idea to anger the Black Lords of Argental or their high
prince, Nuada. He was very imaginative when it came to punishment but not very
forgiving when it came to traitors.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">Unlike her,
most of them had not gone quietly into their punishment. She'd seen some pretty
horrible visages as she was led into the fabled, underground cave. It hadn't
been pretty. Despite her mounting terror, she had made a point of standing
quietly so she wouldn't be stuck looking like a nightmare for all eternity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">Another thing
she hadn't known, or rather hadn't believed, was that in the dark of night, you
could still hear the screams of those entombed in their own bodies. It had
taken only moments to be frozen in time but weeks to turn to stone. Every night
as she stood there slowly petrifying, she heard the screams.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">Once fully
petrified, she discovered that she could hear them all the time, only they
weren't screaming but rather muttering, sometimes to each other and sometimes
to no one she could identify. She suspected some of them were muttering to her,
but she did her best to ignore them, so she wasn't sure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">The only time
the muttering stopped was when he was there. Lord Nuada, the blackest of the
black lords, the oldest black elf still living, the high prince of Argental.
The one who had carried out her sentence. The others got quiet when he walked
in, which is how she knew he visited at all. She was too lost in her grief to
notice on her own.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">He was here
now, in fact. Standing in front of her, staring at her as if she was something
he was trying to understand. She was trying desperately to ignore him. It was
easier to tolerate her punishment if she didn't surface from her stupor. Easier
to ignore the hate filled mutterings of her fellow damned. He wasn’t going to
let her ignore him, though.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"You are very
quiet, my lady," he said eventually. "Have you nothing to say?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">She sighed and
wished yet again for him to just leave her alone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"That's really
not an answer," he murmured. Donnella flinched at his words, at the
magical compulsion hidden within them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"Go away,
ancient one," she muttered. Yes, muttered, just like every other damned
soul lock down here. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"I was wondering
why you don't scream like the others," he replied, sounding confounded. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"Are you
here to make me scream?" she asked sarcastically. There was no doubt in
her mind that he could do it, even with her body turned to stone. Maybe that's
why the others all screamed. Some of them had been here locked inside a granite
hell long before the seven-thousand year old Nuada was born. Surely they would
have shut up by now unless they were egged on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"No,"
was all he replied. He stood there looking at her for a good long while before
speaking again. "How would you like to leave this place?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"Why?"
she shot back. "Looking for a bit of statuary for your sitting room? And
here am I, poor stupid Donnella, to pitiful to even bitch about my lot. I'd be
a nice silent addition to your upstairs collection."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"I am not
a patron of the arts, also," he said, smirking. She couldn't see him, of
course--she didn't have eyes to see with any more than she had a nose to
scratch--but she could tell. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"Go away,
ancient one," she said again. "I doubt I would want to pay the price
you are asking."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"You sound
as if you think there is something worse than your current situation," he
said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"Of course
there is," she snapped. "I earned my punishment and I accept it. But
I've also learned that just because you can't think of something worse, it
doesn't mean there isn't something worse."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"Wise
words," he conceded. She felt his presence wane until it was gone. The
muttering didn't start up again, though, not for a long while. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">Eventually, he came
back, staring at her like before. She didn't know how long it had been since
his last visit. Days. Weeks. Maybe even months. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"Have you
thought about our last conversation?" he murmured quietly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"Go away,
ancient one," she replied. She swore she wasn't going to talk to him this
time. He had destroyed her inner reflexion with his uncomfortable words the last
time he’d spoken to her. That was probably how he made the others scream, by
taunting them with hope. Hope should never be used as a weapon. That was yet
another thing she now knew. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">Just then, she
heard a new sound, the plop of a drop of water slapping stone. The sound was
strangely comforting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"Have you
ever heard of true companion stones?" he asked, ignoring her request that
he leave. She tried to ignore him but failed. She did manage to fight off his
compulsion to speak, though. That was something.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">He stood there
studying her and she stood there fiercely listening to the drip-drip-drip of
water.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">He eventually
left. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">Donnella had
discovered that she could tell the passage of time after a fashion by the
dripping of that water. She didn't have a reference for what it meant but it
seemed to her that sometimes the water dripped harder than at others. It was
quite rhythmic and soothing, much more enjoyable than curling in a mental ball
and rocking herself to sleep, though she still did that on occasion, too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">He came again,
of course. This time, instead of talking to her, he just stared at her. He felt
sad, somehow. She wasn't sure how she knew that; only that she did.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">Three more
times he came and stared at her before talking again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"Why do
you cry?" he asked. She ignored this question, too. She wasn't going to
let him drive her insane. She had eternity to suffer in this state and she had
no intention of doing so while screaming and muttering in the dark.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">Eventually he
left.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">He didn't visit
again for a long while. She knew this because she had discovered that the
drip-drip-drip grew heavier as day wore into night, hitting its crescendo just
before the dawn and dissipating with first light. It took a while for her to
realize this, since she had no way to gage the passage of time. She also
realized that she no longer heard the others muttering.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"When did
you move me?" she asked him when next he came.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"How did
you know you'd been moved?" he responded, sounding a bit shocked that she
was aware of it but also intrigued.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"I can
tell day from night now," she said simply. “And I can’t hear the others
screaming. I dount they suddenly shut up after all this time, so you must have
moved me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"Interesting,"
he replied. "To answer your question, I moved you after you started crying."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"I'm a
lump of rock," she said bitterly. "Rock does not cry."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"And
yet," he said. She gasped when she felt his hand brush across her cold,
stony cheek. There was a pause in the cadence of the drips. Bloody hell! she
thought. The dripping was the sound of tears! <i>Her</i> tears!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">The cadence
picked up, running almost as fast as right before the dawn as that realization
sunk in. She half laughed and half sobbed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"Perhaps rock
needs to be truly pathetic to cry, then," she conceded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"Why do
you cry?" he asked, mirroring his long ago question. She didn't answer.
Eventually, he went away.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">He came back
fairly quickly this time and he stayed for quite some time, too, at least two
full days, watching her as she stood there in her granite prison, crying. He
said nothing the whole time but when he left this time, he left her a torch.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">"So the
night won't be so dark ," he murmured.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: small; line-height: 150%;">She stood
there, watching the torch flicker softly, entranced. It didn't occur to her to
wonder how she could see it, only that she was no longer in the dark.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">* * * *</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: small;">I hope you like my little tale. If you'd like to learn how Donnella ended up in this little scrape, check out my e-book series, The wild Lords. There are two novellas and one full novel. The links are in the side bar. Also, I'm giving away a free copy of my first Wild Lords story, "The Hawk's Bride," to one random commenter. Have a safe and spooky holiday!</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: small;">Follow the hop! (The links are bellow) </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<script src="http://www.simply-linked.com/listwidget.aspx?l=E5FBE962-AA9D-444C-9316-AE41A007CC90" type="text/javascript"></script>
<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6832070/" id="rc-6832070" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-36744382253776168362013-10-24T10:16:00.002-07:002013-10-24T10:16:46.513-07:00"Equal Partners" is on sale for 20% off!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJx5rWBnjmdJJIxayNXXP6SvykIXYRHn38ZWH4wvHFRDlZK0ZQipZrUYbbBrCGoY1bx5jO7bTQSevY6cF39h0X1JL4fL0xz7esehlZ8bXJxAojEfgs44OOh-oJ7mfWy-58rUwD6HwXbzw/s1600/books_not_minds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_37461="null" height="240" isa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJx5rWBnjmdJJIxayNXXP6SvykIXYRHn38ZWH4wvHFRDlZK0ZQipZrUYbbBrCGoY1bx5jO7bTQSevY6cF39h0X1JL4fL0xz7esehlZ8bXJxAojEfgs44OOh-oJ7mfWy-58rUwD6HwXbzw/s320/books_not_minds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />Looks like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Partners-BookStrand-Publishing-Classic-ebook/dp/B004PYDMAM/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1382634449&sr=1-3&keywords=rebecca+l+gillan">"Equal Partners"</a> is on sale right now in the Kindle store. No idea how long it'll stay at $3.19 because I discovered this by accident, but if you don't already have a copy of it, now looks like a good time to pick it up!<br />
~ Rebecca <br />
<br />
<br />Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-42526270482696393852013-10-16T20:24:00.000-07:002013-10-16T20:28:11.403-07:00Author Pages: What WAS I Thinking???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyI2NBieTbGrjOBmWTaBPtFyWpiczgdJPTCsBqtznSOvmhG0dsX7_0B2Zgy2BodT69nzZHdVynzEtttyigSTeOldmXVmUOaCmTSRyHxDAMDY0bdiN6yjC6bxG5SzDNNy8xINZb7sZI2ulm/s1600/cheeta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyI2NBieTbGrjOBmWTaBPtFyWpiczgdJPTCsBqtznSOvmhG0dsX7_0B2Zgy2BodT69nzZHdVynzEtttyigSTeOldmXVmUOaCmTSRyHxDAMDY0bdiN6yjC6bxG5SzDNNy8xINZb7sZI2ulm/s200/cheeta.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Oh, what was I thinking when I made an author page at every site I could find all those years ago? I'm still finding some that I had totally forgotten about and therefore have not updated in, like, two or more years. Ack!<br />
<br />
On to other ramblings. I have been hard at work revising a few different manuscripts while trying to decide if the next one I submit should be the one closest to being done (not a Hunt Lords book) or the one that kind of (but not really) fits in with the story arc I just finished up or if I should push forward and just introduce the next story arc. What do you guys think? Which would you prefer to read? Help a sister decide!<br />
<br />
The choices are:<br />
<br />
The story of Mooney and Marissa from the town of Talbot's Peak? (ShapeShifterSeductions.blogspot.com)<br />
<br />
The story of Faolchu and his wife? (Mentioned in The Hawk's Bride)<br />
<br />
A new story arc, which would kick off with Faolchu's daughter, Kiko (oops, a spoiler!) and the cheiftain of a mountain elf clan.<br />
<br />
Or, depending on how quickly I work it, the story of what happens to Eddie, the blind houndsman.<br />
<br />Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-31966647402358802492013-10-11T16:37:00.001-07:002013-10-11T16:37:35.557-07:00Who wants a book mark?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtld4igZpMtRDe1-JUcPzkRyGnNBhuW7j1weUsangV-CQH2d4EH1RtElduQ-Szl36ZCplxJtepI_veozKOfkHN_H4g8HcSD07ZfDck3SbyxXvl1B4YzjM8HvA6pmZzOMbgT0iCtplgLTp/s1600/calendar2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtld4igZpMtRDe1-JUcPzkRyGnNBhuW7j1weUsangV-CQH2d4EH1RtElduQ-Szl36ZCplxJtepI_veozKOfkHN_H4g8HcSD07ZfDck3SbyxXvl1B4YzjM8HvA6pmZzOMbgT0iCtplgLTp/s640/calendar2014.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="userContent">Pocket calendars/book marks are in! One side
has a 2014 calendar and the other shows my first three book covers. Who
wants one? Shoot me an e-mail at RebeccaLGillan@Yahoo.com with your name and address (Don't post it in the
comments!) and I'll send you one!</span></span>Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-62231126326237926992013-10-05T18:10:00.003-07:002013-10-05T18:10:33.230-07:00Quick update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-I3TPP-T9UqH593ZWh6P1AGpx5vhzwFs-3nKdNPsjBBoTwJhgMstyGJeRdr-YGQgzohHjeUsgAWRzOMWNHV1_lVkemK6Ss0b0ffMQ8iT9d4Ii_iRxo-3_K7lAAg420LRIBG_rW2USDEiI/s1600/halloween.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-I3TPP-T9UqH593ZWh6P1AGpx5vhzwFs-3nKdNPsjBBoTwJhgMstyGJeRdr-YGQgzohHjeUsgAWRzOMWNHV1_lVkemK6Ss0b0ffMQ8iT9d4Ii_iRxo-3_K7lAAg420LRIBG_rW2USDEiI/s400/halloween.JPG" width="285" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hi guys! Just a quick reminder that I've got a short story/spooky story
being featured over at KMN Books today. The running consensus in the
comments is that it's "pretty scary." Have you read it yet? If so, don't
forget to comment. And don't forget to answer the question "What's your
favorite kind of Halloween movie?" for a chance to win the Trick or
Treat goodies!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://kmnbooks.blogspot.com/2013/10/not-close-enough-by-rebecca-l-gillan.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5FpDDmrtAF_-sa3d0yeecpmXON5GyilJcSUjtgUGQT3N20V66tW4Qaf-5V8WobN1_yXRaw_Eui5__cC6FCqZZNFbmbOtdJx44VufCjlHrJ_-DO1oTYwOBeDf-_fskVmk23TWQbZL1dR-/s400/KMN+Blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-90295860679469155112013-09-30T16:49:00.000-07:002013-09-30T16:49:10.848-07:00Catching the Hunter, 1st chapter<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
<o:TargetScreenSize>800x600</o:TargetScreenSize>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Here we are, the day before the official release day and boy am I getting excited! Anyone up for another sneak peek? How about the whole first chapter? Yes? then read on!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">~ Rebecca </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter 1</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I forbid you traveling right now. It’s
not safe.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Sorsha tapped her foot angrily as she stared
her brother down, or attempted to, anyway. It was very hard to do when the
other party wouldn’t meet your gaze. Their mother used to say that he was the
only elf in existence who wouldn’t back down from Sorsha, mainly because he was
the only elf in existence who was more bullheaded than Sorsha.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I will have your word that I will not
hear stories of my unmated sister wandering around Bhaithcreig while I’m gone,”
he tossed back over his shoulder as he stuffed the last bit of clothing into a
rucksack and cinched the ties down. When she didn’t answer, he turned and pinned
her with a hard look. “Your word or I will have you confined to the keep.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You have it, milord,” she muttered snidely.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">That hadn’t been an idle threat, she
knew. He had once locked her in the root cellar. That had been the day their
clan was attacked by rivals, decimating it. All but two of the clan’s trackers,
the highest caste of forest elves, were gone—her and Seraiah. Their father had
only been cousin to the old chieftain but they were the clan leaders now
because there was no one else. Or Seraiah was, anyway. She was nothing more
than the chieftain’s unmated sister.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He didn’t want stories of his unmated
sister running amok, did he? She would just have to go as someone else, then. There
was no way she was going to sit around doing embroidery like a proper lady, not
with her only brother in danger. She had never been to a black elf city before
but a city was a city. Surely there would be throngs of nobles and wealthy merchants.
Where wealthy and powerful people congregated, an army of servants could also
be found to tend to their every need. One more lady’s maid would hardly be noticed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Sorsha left Seraiah to his preparations
and made her way to the pantry to recruit some assistance. A few cosmetic
adjustments and she could pull off her chosen role as a servant easily. She would
slip into Bhaithcreig and be back before he noticed she’d ever left. Not being
male, Sorsha was not burdened with a need to respect Seraiah’s death wish of
handling things by himself. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You promised not to go to Bhaithcreig,”
Gellie said flatly before Sorsha could speak. The ancient housekeeper was
counting sacks of spices, a chore that required concentration and yet she had
managed to overhear everything, like usual. Sorsha shook her head in amazed
disgust. Gellie had been part housekeeper and part mother to Sorsha since her
own mother had died. Sorsha loved the old doe but sometimes wished Gellie were
not so very good at knowing everything that went on in the keep.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I gave my word that stories of the
chieftain’s sister would not get back to Seraiah,” Sorsha replied airily,
pushing past Gellie’s comment as she pushed her way into the storage room. “I
did not say a servant would not go in her stead. Now cut my hair, please.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No. Send an actual servant if you must,
but do not go yourself.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who could I send?” Sorsha shot back. “The
clan is not exactly burgeoning with well-traveled servants. I know what I want
accomplished so it makes more sense for me to go.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Except that your brother was correct.
It is not safe for you to travel outside the clan’s holding right now. The
nobles are uneasy and grasping for power. There are those who would use you to
force Seraiah to their side.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“But—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am sorry, poppet,” Gellie said with a
sigh. “I will not aid you in this rebellion of yours.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“It is not ‘rebellion,’ Gellie. Seraiah
needs my help. Fine,” Sorsha said after a long pause. “I’ll go ask Maryd to cut
my hair.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Maryd will butcher it,” Gellie promptly
spat, proving that she hadn’t been ignoring Sorsha after all. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I know, Gellie. That is why I came to
you first. But it needs done, so if you won’t do it I will have to go find
someone who will,” Sorsha said as she turned to leave. She was rewarded with a
long-suffering sigh from the elder doe. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Get back here,” Gellie muttered. “I’ll
cut it, but I don’t like it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Making a determined effort not to look pleased
by Gellie’s capitulation, Sorsha settled herself onto the stool Gellie pointed out.
She even sat nice and still while Gellie brushed out her long coal-black locks.
She wouldn’t put it past the cranky old housekeeper to cut only half then go
tattle. Better to sit meekly and get a nice haircut than end up wearing her
intention to disobey with a half-shorn head.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t suppose you are going to tell
me why it’s so important for you to do this,” Gellie huffed as she tied off the
braid at both the top and bottom so it wouldn’t unravel as it was cut.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You know why I need to go,” Sorsha replied,
trying to sound confident rather than excited, or at least less nervous than
excited. This was the kind of grand adventure she had always wanted to have. Most
well-born does dreamed of being swept off their feet by a dashing young lord
and living a pampered life as the mistress of his grand home. Sorsha dreamed of
getting to know the world outside the clan’s holdings, to lead hunts like other
trackers—to be a person rather than a pretty bauble for some lord to wear on
his arm. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Humor me and tell me anyway,” Gellie admonished
as she sawed through Sorsha’s thick braid with dressmaker’s sheers. “If I’m
going to make the highest ranking doe of the clan look like the lowest, you
will tell me what you hope to accomplish with this task you’ve given yourself.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I plan to find a hunt lord and petition
him to come to Seraiah’s aide,” Sorsha said distractedly, trying not to cringe as
Gellie trimmed her hair shorter and shorter. Long hair was the mark of a lady
and hers had been long enough to brush the back of her thighs. Cutting her hair
was necessary if she wanted to pass as a lowborn servant, though, and it would
eventually grow back. And Gellie really did know why she was doing this—she and
Seraiah had been arguing loudly about it for days. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Her beloved brother had gotten into a
bad spot with a pack of human-wolf shape shifters on another realm. Everyone knew
that he would not be leaving the clan’s holdings if he had a way to keep the shifter
pack from coming after him. They may not like the fact their chieftain was
willing to go off and die alone to keep his personal enemies away from the clan,
but none were willing to do anything about it—no one but Sorsha. It was high
time Seraiah let her take her rightful place and help lead the clan. If all
went well, this may be the only time she had to sneak around to do it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I know that much,” Gellie replied
harshly, interrupting Sorsha’s self-righteous mental grumbling. “What I don’t
know is why you think a hunt lord will help.” Sorsha turned and looked at the
old doe incredulously.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“They can control all shifters, not just
elfin ones,” she said dismissively. “A hunt lord could work out an arrangement
between Seraiah and the pack, something that won’t end with Seraiah’s death.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“But why would one <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bother</i>?” Gellie stressed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">That pulled Sorsha up short. That was exactly
what she and Seraiah had been fighting about. Hunt lords hunted criminals and
enemies of the realm. They likely would not care if they could help Seraiah since
he’d gotten into trouble while he was in the service of a criminal. Without a good
reason to help him, they wouldn’t. Seraiah didn’t see the point in asking.
Sorsha didn’t want to give up until every avenue had been pursued.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t know,” Sorsha admitted finally.
“But that’s the best shot we have. It’s certainly better than Seraiah running
off to who knows where to die gallantly alone.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Aye,” Gellie agreed, also sounding
dejected now. “And with his death, you will become chieftain.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“And an unmated female chieftain will
guarantee our clan will become a pawn to the forest king for generations or
worse,” Sorsha agreed. The king would not take the clan from her. He would,
however, claim the clan indigent and take away their lands and titles if she
didn’t agree to marry a buck of his choosing. A small understrength clan with
no land would be all but enslaved. “Either I accept the mate the king will
force on us or we become slaves in the king’s household. Or can I find a hunt
lord and convince him to save my brother.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Other highborn ladies may dream of being
swept off their feet, but there would be no romantic courtship for Sorsha. She
was determined that she would have a grand adventure, though!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">* * * * *</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Here's the purchase link:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> http://www.bookstrand.com/catching-the-hunter</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3354378177532643138.post-82048505993451251702013-09-26T21:49:00.001-07:002013-09-26T21:49:23.087-07:00ARCs and Contests<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguI2Q0s0Ds6TE2SgedAU2keZ-sGSmstkOpvEpzNrzgZ3UC1INPLNAM4Fh1ArURu2WJ-SZh9OhDpgG-ay2hHvO2ZXFcTjs_8uGjy8R0TkyzAPRv-Wl5wrzN1YIvApYcf2QuIjXBFLYjpAPs/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguI2Q0s0Ds6TE2SgedAU2keZ-sGSmstkOpvEpzNrzgZ3UC1INPLNAM4Fh1ArURu2WJ-SZh9OhDpgG-ay2hHvO2ZXFcTjs_8uGjy8R0TkyzAPRv-Wl5wrzN1YIvApYcf2QuIjXBFLYjpAPs/s320/photo.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Hello, my fellow romance junkies! Just popping in for a status update. I got my ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) today, so we are definitely a go for an October 1st release of "Catching The Hunter." To do a little pre-release celebration, I think I shall offer one of those ARCs to you guys! All you need to do is comment here and on Sunday, I'll do a random drawing to see who gets it! Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you in case you win!<br />
<br />
One little side note, Harlequin is gearing up for their annual "So You Think You Can Write" contest. i've never entered it before but I just happened to have a story already written in need of a home, so I entered it. If you'd like to read the first chapter, <a href="http://www.soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com/manuscripts-sytycw-2013/no-bedtime-story/" target="_blank">here's the link</a>.<br />
<br />
That's about all for now. Stay tuned and happy hunting! Rebecca Gillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01341836304924085727noreply@blogger.com0