I am so confused! Who is owner of this hazel eyes? We still didn't hear his name... JACK must to be there.... I hope this man isn't DAVID!!!!

Can't wait for more!!!!


PLEASE SOON!!!!!!


Restie

where are you????????????????????

Patience, my friends. Those of you not familiar with my writing should know that things aren't often as they seem. The hints are there for all to see. (cough cough)

Also, dinnae confuse John with Jack. Things you know to be true in the present also apply to the past...


***

Sue awoke in a brightly glowing room. Above her was a pair of hands clasped in prayer. A woman of ageless grace stood over her, lips moving too fast for her to read, much less understand. The hands parted and light glowed from each, moving to either side of her head, coming to rest on her ears. Warmth filled her being as the Light moved throughout, touching every corner of her mind and soul. Sue closed her eyes, reveling in the moment.

The soft hands touched her forehead and Sue opened her eyes reluctantly. Her hostess was speaking again, directly this time.

“I’m sorry. I can’t hear you.”

A glint of anger marred the ageless features and the lady began to place her hands together again.

Father? Help me! Sue shot a quick prayer and suddenly it dawned on her. She reached out and clasped the soft hands in her own, looking into fathomless blue eyes. “I have been this way for nearly all my life.”

“Then, it is not a spell?” The lady spoke slowly, taking care to enunciate.

Sue shook her head.

“Ah. I had feared you spelled with low magic. My apologies.” She motioned for Sue to follow her to a more comfortable seating arrangement. Once ensconced, she continued. “I am Gertilde, the White Lady. You are in the camp of Lord John, the High King. His knights say you appeared out of the night dressed only in…” she gestured to the billowy nightgown.

The younger woman blushed. “I was prepared for bed when I was brought here.”

“Brought?” Blue eyes looked bemused.

“Well, there was this mirror and if you polished it on St. Valentine’s Day then you might be able to see your future by looking at the past.”

“And you did not ‘see’?”

Biting her lip, Sue looked a bit forlorn. “No. I didn’t really believe what my friend’s aunt said.”

“And yet, you are here.”

“I...I tried to polish it tonight. And after my friends were asleep, I went to take another look. When I touched the mirror, I was…drawn in? Next thing I know, I’m here.”

The White Lady nodded sagely. “Child, you did not realize… Touching the mirror beforehand would also show you the past. Touching it twice would draw you into that past. You are here.”

“Where is here?”

“The kingdom of the Anglos. It is a dark time for us. King John seeks to bring us to the Light while his greatest enemy seeks to plunge us the Dark.”

At mention of the King, Sue sat upright, looking around frantically. “Where is he? Is he all right?”

“Yes, my child. He is better than he has been in many seasons.” Her mysterious smile caught the younger woman’s attention. “He wishes to see you shortly, although, he is having a hard time convincing Sir Berto otherwise.” Gertilde gestured to Sue’s night garments. “Let us see what we can do to make you more presentable.”

She stood, walking from trunk to trunk. At the fourth one, she stopped. Placing her palms flat, she took a deep breath, going stock-still. Sue watched with wide eyes as the truck began to glow.

When the White Lady came to, she turned toward her young guest. “This trunk will work for you. Everything you need for your stay is in here. It will all fit. Use it wisely and leave nothing behind.” Without another word, the lid raised and many soft fabrics spilled forth.

“I…can’t. I don’t know what to say…. Thank you for your graciousness.”

The deep blues glinted with amusement. “Do not thank me, Susan Anne Thomas. It is I who should thank you.” The white head bowed with respect and deference. Then, Gertilde raised a hand to forestall any questions. “I think you must see to dressing appropriately to meet the King. Afterwards, the questions will answer themselves.”

Well, I'm glad the questions are going to answer themselves cuz I, for one, have TONS of them!!!

Jill

I'm hoping this meeting with the king will provide us with some answers!

and I for two have TONS too!

hey how did she knew Sue's name?????

Maybe she's psychic!

I think, Gertilde is prophetess... and I think she knows how to help Sue... but now I need to know where is Jack?!?!?!?!?!


PLEASE, TELL US!!!!!!


Restie

I'm just this one...big...question mark right now...
hopefully, Trece will post soon and answer my questions...

I want one of those trunks! And everything still cloaked in mystery....I'm thinking through my zillion crazed thoughts and coming up with....0

kav

me too me too

Trece, I'm not really known for patience! Tons of questions stampeding my brain. Please hurry back!

Intriguing story that keeps raising more questions, although I think I'm going to enjoy finding out the answers.

Sairs

How do you come up with your ideas Trece? I'm in awe of your creativity! And I really like Gertilde.

I am absolutely loving this. So enjoy those knight tales!
thanks,
Terie

I know I'm repeating myself but still can't think of a better response than: WHOA!

Katinka

Wow! I came here expecting to read an STFBeye story. Then I got introduced to a scary dark lord who reminded of Harry Potter's arch nemesssssissss. And all of this in a setting which has me imagining something like I'd see in Lord of the Rings. What a great imagination you have! I can't wait to see where you go with this.
As scary as your story is, I'm going to have to run off to the kitchen for some comfort food. I think I'm going to have to change my New Year's Resolution. Something tells me that Girl Scout cookies and hot chocolate won't help me lose a single pound!

***

He ran through the secret passageways as swiftly as possible. Once out of the main building, the spy sauntered for the stables, hoping to throw off any eyes that might be watching. He ducked into the livery and out the side door, making for the outer wall. He paused at the gate to chat with one of the guards.

“Greetings, Reidrech. How is your family today?” Dark brown eyes were inscrutible.

“As weul as ta be expected, seein’ as the dark loard is getten ready ta do somefin big. More coin fa me.” The man grinned, exposing his gums to the younger man. “Ya headin’ oot ta hunt?”

“Just scouting today. With…” he whispered the name, “Lord John being so close, you can not be too careful.”

“Riiiight.” The gatekeeper gave him another toothless grin. “Then be caeful.”

“I will.”

The slender, dark headed man strode confidently out of the keep, not looking back, eyes forward to the road. He knew that it would take sheer will power to brazen this out. Almost to the woods, the walk was silent. Then, a howl.

“ARRRRRGGGG-OOOOOOOOOO!”

Breaking into a dead sprint, the spy tore into the trees, clapping his hands together and speaking words of prayer and Light. As if wings had sprouted from his ankles, he zoomed forward, far outpacing the hounds of hell he knew to be following. Through the woods, over fallen branches, thick brambles reached to slow him. A push of his hand and the path cleared. Trees became fewer and he could see the clearing. Beyond it, the smoke and noise of Lord John’s camp.

He was still moving rapidly as he approached the outer sentries. Bringing his hands together once more, he pressed hard then flung them apart, causing a rapid deceleration.

The guards at the entry were duly impressed. A knight came jogging up to greet the newcomer.

“I bid you hail, Tomasino. What news have you?”

“I must speak with Lord John at once, Samwyl. However, I have hellhounds on my trail.”

The brown headed knight nodded, leading the way to the royal tent. “I will see to their dispatch at once, my friend.” Leaving Tomasino to find his own way, Samwyl ran to his own post.

Two men were in repose, each checking their weapons, making sure the arrows were fit and sure. They looked up as the knight entered and slung on his archery gear. “Kuopper, Dashielle, we need to make haste. Hellhounds are making their way here. We must dispatch them quickly.”

“Aye, my friend. I have been long to draw sight on something more…challenging.” Shaggy brown-blonde curls shook as he pulled them back under his capped helm.

Beside Kuopper, Dashielle shouldered his own bow and quiver. “Let us be off then. And send these dread beasts back to whence they came.”

***

At first I was all excited cuz I thought Jack was here, but then he did magic and that freaked me out a little bit but then it wasn't him and now I'm just worried about the Hounds...

I absaolutely love it! like how I spelled that?

Methinks we have met Jack......and maybe even Myles and Bobby, here.....out to greet the hounds....

Good thing this guy can do the run fast thing....dog bites are no fun...and the dawgs after him. do not sound friendly!

Jill

ok so you caught my attention waiting for some more

Spy business is always twisted ... but I trust the ageless woman

Keep going

They arent the only ones! Fantastic tale here trece!
*snigger* Talk about runnung like the devils after you! That sounds like Bobby to me....but it may not be....either way, thats one brave knight! That sounds like Myles to me here... also reminds me of Legolas!

hey, they are both blonds and tall...

Trece, I'm going backwards a little...h...h...hell hounds???

***

Zantar stood out side the White Lady’s tent. He could barely make out the conversation inside. He heard mention of the mirror and smiled grimly to himself. Wretched woman has sealed her doom. Fingering the knife in his scabbard, he eased around to the hind side of the quarters. Low murmuring emanated from Gertilde. The dark spy froze as if bound by icy fingers.

“I know you are there, Zantar. You may not have her yet. The time is not right. Delay only for an hour or two and she will deliver herself to you of her own accord.”

Eerie green eyes widened at this revelation. He wanted to run, to get away from the magic surrounding him but he was held fast.

“I know Mage has you under his spell. But remember I have known you all your life. You accepted the touch of the Light early and you will not be forgotten. Now, go. Continue with your regular patrol and come again this way as the moon wanes. Fear not that Mage will touch you before then.”

The fingers released him and he breathed out, shaking. What magic is it that counters the dark lord? Do I yet know it? He shook his matted brown hair and moved to his regular guard route, ready to bide his time.

Well this is not looking good for her.

Okay.....I'm having trouble with good and bad here......and I think Zantar is, too. And could that matted brown hair mean something...special????


Looking forward to more. I know this is going to be quite some ride!!!

Jill

I'm wondering if or :hide: this would be better for me!?!?

I'm confused. Very confused.

Is the White Lady good or bad??? And is Jill right about Zantar???

Katinka

Uh oh I'm staying here where it's safe

:hide: I'm just going to sit here, peep out and read updates then dash away again!

Looking forward to the twists and turns as they unfold.

Sairs

*waves sign*

Is there any room here or here :hide: for one more very scared mommy?? I'll bring cookies.

Awesome, Trece, just awesome.

Is there still room behind the :hide: ????

It looks terrifyingly! :hide:

Please, come back and show us more!!!!


Restie

Just a note: I've been busy re-doing my girls' room and have not had time to write. Not to say that I haven't been thinking about the story, cuz I have. Lots to think about and write down. I plan to get a post up in the next day or two. Sorry for the delay. Maybe they can come up with a bigger couch in the meantime.

Okay. We'll all come out and play for awhile...and you get the decorating done.

Someone pass me some chocolate, and I'll find Pin the Tail on the Donkey.

Jill

Will Pin the tale on Levi work?

If not, I think I can find an Eeyore around here someplace.....

Found one!

Here's one for ya! hallmark.com e-card

Well, I like the Eeyore and he seems happy to be included here...he's so often left out. Trece -- surely you have finished decorating the girls' room. i mean, really, just give the kids some paint and let them at it and throw mattress all over the floor so they can play until they drop and voila they're all ready for bed. What's so hard about that?

Will wait patiently....okay, will wait.

kav

Thanks for waiting for me to catch up. I appreciate it....

Oh, you weren't waiting for me? Oh well. Now I'm here, so you can continue.

Here's my theory. Zantar is Jack and the only power that can release him from the dark lord's grasp is LOVE. When he tries to kill Sue, he is going to fall in love with her and then go and defeat the bad guy. (I think I've seen to many movies.)

And I think the spy has got to be Bobby. However, I'm kinda clueless on the rest....

Okay. When do we get more???

Confusion is running rampant..........Tracebo...help!

Aw, Eeyore is cute and as to the rampantness, you guys rule! Hee hee.

Warning: PG 15 for violencsssse and imagery. Get a bigger couch!

In the dark gloom of the castle, Lord Corabarra sat, fingers tapping lightly on his leg. He disliked many things, one of which was the inability for some one to do a job right. In front of him, a man was kneeling, shaking violently.

“Sssssso, gatekeeper. What have you to ssssssay for yoursssself?” Yellow eyes narrowed as a wet spot appeared on the floor.

“Oy, m’loard. I don’ know what yer askin me.”

“My sssscout, gatekeeper. Why did you let my sssscout leave?”

Reidrech dared not look up. The surprise was still evident in his posture. “Was…was he nae supposed ta go?”

“INCOMPETENT FOOL!” A large block of wood landed near the gatekeeper’s prone form, scaring him even further. The black boot tips that appeared between his eyes and the floor were not a good sign. “Where did he ssssay he wassss going?” It was a whisper, a question that could decide his fate.

Closing his eyes, and hoping for the best, the gatekeeper answered honestly. “He sayed he was gooin ta scoot.”

“Isssss that ALL he ssssaid?”

Reidrech could feel the breath of his dark master on the back of his neck. Knowing it could end his life, he mentioned the dread words. “Nae, m’loard. Loard Jo---” The words died on his lips as a boot pressed his face to the floor.

“Don’t ssssay that name. He isssss not to mentioned in my presssssscencssse.” Corabarra stalked back to his throne, pacing the steps. Turning, he considered the man on the floor. “You were honesssst. I will let you live. For now. Guardssss, take him to the dungeon for a sssshort sssstay. If he sssstill livessss asssss of tomorrow even, he can go back to hissss posssst.”

Two guards dressed in blue and red dragged the insensate man away as the dark lord finally sat. It was only a few minutes before Mage came running into the room.

“Sire! The hellhounds have picked up his trail and are near the camp.” Cruel light shone in the malevolent purple eyes. “And the knight we lost recently is there.”

That was news to Lord Corabarra. “What? He keepsssss him alive ssssstill? What isssss hissss level of madnesssss?”

The magician stroked his goatee thoughtfully. “I used the most potent formula on him. Even the White Lady cannot break the spell. He will spiral deeper into darkness before he becomes too violent for even she to control. Once broken, our mad knight will rampage until his heart bursts in his chest.”

“Exsssssscellent. And our sssspy?”

“I…I’ve not been able to contact him. But he was in position to take the woman shortly.” Mage bowed his head, knowing the dark lord had a volatile temper.

“Refressssh my memory, Mage. The Prophecssssy of the Mirror.” Corabarra sat back on his throne, idly playing with a knife.

Yes, m’lord.” The magician cleared his throat and began. “When the Twain are rent—“

“Meaning?”

“The sister of Lord, I mean, he who shall remain nameless, m’lord.”

“Yessss, yesss, the failed assssassssination attempt. Go on.” The master went back to examining his knife.

“When the Twain are rent and become one, The power of Light will become undone when traveler thru the mirror comes.”

“And you are ssssssure the woman isssss the traveler?” Yellow eyes glinted at the magician.

“She came through, m’lord. She has been the only one since the Prophecy was spoken.”

A gloved hand waved for Mage to continue with his recitation.

“A tiny word held in hand, and power over all the land, between Light and darkness stands,” he paused to take a breath only to be interrupted once again.

“Exsssssplain that part.”

“A sign, m’lord. She holds a sign in her hand and with it, power over the land.”

“Hmmmm.” The point of the knife dug at something stuck on the heel of his boot and the dark lord grunted. “Sssssoundssss too eassssy.”

“It would seem so but the last part is the clincher, sire.” Mage straightened and spoke the last verse. “Touch the mirror, break its back, darkness reigns, Light falls black, and evil rises to attack.”

The knife slammed into the arm of the throne with a thud. “You mean to tell me, that to beat my greatessst enemy, I only need for the woman to touch the mirror?” A sound, strange and gurgling, began to echo in the room.

It took a minute for the magician to realize it was laughter. He hid his revulsion at the grotesqueness of it and plastered on a smile. “Yes, m’lord. Only a touch.”

“Ah, the sssssimplicsssity of it all. No blood, no sssssacrificssse, no death,” Lord Corabarra looked at the magician. “Can we kill her oncssse the mirror is broken?”

“I do not see why not.”

“Good.”

***

Well, I know I'm going to sleep better knowing all of this.........



NOT.


But I am glad you're back!

Jill

I think, Jack has to be very close to save Sue!!!!!

We need to read more about SUE!!!!


Restie

Yikes. Sounds like a sinister plan is being formed in the dark lord's mind.... I'm scared now.

Well ... the plot thickenssssssss ...

Katinka