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duty and destiny
part 6 by armond Yet all is not lost; help and hope may come from an unexpected source. |
The Nine of Swords is one of the darkest cards in the tarot deck. When it appears in a reading, it is viewed as a sign of sorrow and depression...
18.
“The fellow's a scribbler for sure,” Vaego muttered, “and why do you suppose he writes so much?”
The squatty man edged closer, lurking in the shadows of a council chamber pillar. Vaego once was told he had the refinement of a prowling crocodile, and he didn't disagree; he knew the toothy predators were graceful indeed when they killed.
Vaego’s eye had been on this man for some days; his mark was a bald-headed attaché to General Baurdu, and wrote furiously as King Gritha's officers gave their reports.
“Facts are sketchy, Sire, since we lost contact with Fermin days ago, but this we know: some incident has indeed occurred to cause a rift between King Rhys and King Coel, for Glamorgan recalled its Parasia ambassador, and booted King Coel’s envoy out of Celyn. And finally, Prince Caden has mysteriously vanished.”
“You are sure of this, Captain Faro,” Gritha said, stroking his prominent chin. “For I must know, and this information —the divorcing of allies- is the trigger. Since insane Amangons’ deadly invasions, I have waited for the moment when Acrum controlled its destiny. We can no longer simply hope our neighbors behave rationally. We will ensure they do. In time, the Parasians and Glamorgans may appreciate the stability of our rule and think of this as a liberation. So again I say, are you certain?”
When Faro nodded, Grithra followed with his standard Hmmm. “Anything further, Captain?”
“Only this: General Gares has come out of retirement, and now recalls the Parasian reserves.”
“Blast! The first sensible move Coel has made in eons,” Gritha said, frowning. “Time works against us, for the longer we give Gares to mobilize, the worse our chances become. Next report; Colonel?”
“Sire,” Colonel Shalean said, bowing. “Operation Black Hook is primed. The remaining elements of Amangon’s Black Brigade have integrated with our own elite forces and the new unit is now a potent strike force. If we draw the main body of the Parasian army deep into the Drachill Basin, the Brigade will land at Corwell Bay and deliver a crushing blow to their rear guard, which…”
Vaego saw the scribbler's note taking ratchet to fevered pitch during Shalean's report.
“Interesting indeed.”
After the briefing ended, Vaego followed the man to a small apartment in the seedier side of Kotugul. He stood outside the man's door for a moment, listening, to the sound of coos. It took several moments to understand what the sound meant.
“Tartaro's dogs, those are carrier pigeons!”
Vaego drew his throwing blade and kicked open the door. The man whipped around to face his intruder; a mistake, as it turned out, because Vaego's knife caught him in the throat.
He stood over the Parasian spy and watched, as the man first thrashed wildly clutching his throat, gurgled red, then bled until he was still.
Removing his knife, Vaego wiped it on the man's shirt, and bent over to read the parchment sitting on the desk.
“Assault begins in two days time …beware of trap …surprise attack force to land at Corwell…”
Vaego looked down at the bloody figure. “You sir, write an excellent summary. A shame your superiors won’t receive this to appreciate your writing talents, but, that’s life …or death, in your case. You don’t mind if I keep this do you?”
A grin spread across Vaego’s face. “What a run of luck I’ve had! First my promotion after Fermin’s disappearance, and now this fresh success to add to my resume.”
Cooing drew the Arcum spy’s attention to the birdcages near the apartment window. He walked to the cages and opened them, shaking until the pigeons flew through the window.
He watched them disappear into the northern sky.
“And so the liberation of Parasia begins early.”
19.
The sentinels met before the castle doors at the striking of seven bells; each cloaked and hooded to ward off the cold.
“Who's there?”
“No, answer me; stand, and show yourself.”
“Long live King Rhys!” the relief sentinel said, and threw back his hood.
“Barnardo?”
“He.”
“It’s now struck seven; get to dinner, Francisco, for steamy braised mutton chops and hot mulled wine await you,” Barnardo said.
“For this relief much thanks; it’s bitter cold, and I am heart sick at all the news,” Francisco said.
“Has nothing changed?”
“No mouse stirred to change our fortune; the king has fled the town, and Prince Caden’s fate remains unknown, but…”
Francisco grabbed Barnardo’s arm.
“…if I did not know better, I would say a banshee haunts the prince’s room, for I have heard her shrieks from his window during my entire watch-”
Francisco stopped mid-sentence, for two cloaked figures approached the castle door.
“Halt! Who goes there?”
“Weary travelers, seeking warmth and hospitality this winter’s eve,” the taller figure answered in a contralto voice.
“Who are you, and what business have you at Castle Celyn?” Barnardo said. The men’s hands now rested on the pommels of their swords.
The taller woman lowered her hood, to show golden hair topped by a silver circlet of crescent moons.
“I am called Cunedda, and we beg an audience with the Princesses of Glamorgan.”
The men blinked. “H-high Priestess Cunedda?” Barnardo stammered.
“That is my title, yes, good sirs,” Cunedda smiled.
“Show our guests in Barnardo; while I fetch the princesses,” Francisco said, running for the stairs.
“You honor us with your visit, Mother; how may we help you?” Gwyneth said. She knelt before Cunedda, as did her sisters.
“You have this backwards; I'm here to help you,” she said, smiling and rubbing her hands together. “Though I could use a cup of tea to drive the chill away. Which means you must rise from the floor this instant; otherwise I won’t get it.”
“Praise Selene for the fortune she sends!” Carme said. “You must help us, for a wizard cast a spell on our brother Caden-”
“-I know well what has happened,” Cunedda said, holding up a hand. “Seven nights ago, the Goddess sent me visions, and told me to come.”
“But …that was before it happened!” Rhonwen said. “Then you can help Caden, to turn her back into-”
Cunedda shook her head. “Selene sent me to help you, not Caden.”
“This makes no sense,” Laelia said. “Caden needs your help, not us!”
“The Goddess was clear in her intent, and it was not for me to aid Caden.” Cunedda said. “She did tell me to bring this fine young herb woman, though, who will help your new sister.”
“What?” Rhonwen said, “No! Caden needs powerful magics to counter this spell, not smelly herbs in a poultice.”
“Hey!” The second woman threw off her hood, which let wine red hair tumble out. She put a hand on a hip and her green eyes flashed.
“Don't you dare mean mouth my herbs! They might not be flashy, but earth magic runs deep.”
Gwyneth gasped “You're ...you must be ...Rose Red!” Gwyneth said.
“The one and only,” Rose said. “Er, at least as far as I know. And …skip the 'Red' part, if you don't mind, cause it seems a little redundant.”
“But that means ...if the rumor is true...” Carme squeaked as she put a hand to her mouth, “you used to be a man, too.”
“My little Rose was indeed,” Cunedda smiled, “which is why, I think, the Goddess told me she was just the man for the job.”
20.
“This is Caden's old …I mean her room,” Carme said, before the closed oaken door.
“Since we returned to Celyn, she neither eats nor sleeps. She covers her windows with blankets so no light enters. She covers herself as well, in a thick black blanket she huddles under, screaming curses at all who enter.”
Rose set her canvas satchel down and pulled out two small cloth bags. She smelled one.
“Mmmm, this should do it,” Rose said. She looked to Gwyneth. “Would you have someone from your kitchen steep this bag in boiling water for thirty two minutes and add this one during the last five?”
“I watched the wizard Faolá¡n spin a blue energy whirlwind around my brother that ripped a hole in a stone floor,” Gwyneth said, “and you would give her a ...tea ...as a cure? What could possibly be in it to defeat that powerful sorcery?”
“Oh, well, it's a secret blend, you know, but there's a bit of Valerian, some Jasmine, a dash of Passionflower, Chamomile, Skullcap and ...Diviner's Sage ...very rare.” Rose handed Gwyneth the bags. “Thirty two minutes, no less, no more.”
“Let's all do this while Rose meets with Caden,” Cunedda said to the sisters. “This does need to be precise and it will give me a chance to speak to you. Will you need anything else daughter?”
“A lamp I expect.” Rose cocked her head. “I wasn't too much trouble when I was changed, right, Mother?”
“No, practically none, Rose,” Cunedda smiled. “Well, except for the part where you wanted to stab me, but instead tried to kill yourself.”
“Ah. Yes. Except for that, I was no trouble at all.”
“Caden? Where are you?”
“Whoever you are …GO! …AWAY!”
Rose waved the lamp around the room to find the young woman. She spotted a four-post bed in a corner, and a dark figure curled on it.
“I'm here to help you.”
“Are you a sorceress?” The shadowy figure sat up. “Can you reverse this curse?”
Rose walked to the bed. “I am an herb woman; let me ease your pain.”
“An herb woman?” Caden barked a laugh. “You think bits of weed will help me? Be gone!”
“I’ve traveled through winter's waste to reach you, Prince Caden. I will not be gone.”
Rose held the light so it fell on Caden's figure.
“No! Take the lamp away, you pig farking pox of a woman!” Caden screamed in her high-pitched voice. She fell to the stone floor and scrambled into the shadows. “Stay away! You have no idea what evil has been done to me.”
“I know exactly what has happened to you.” Rose stalked her. “Look at me.”
“Leave me be! Let me die!”
“Never! I've seen death to last ten lifetimes,” Rose growled. “Look into the light.”
Rose's voice pulled Caden's face to the flaring lamp. The young woman's eyes were red and wild, with dark circles beneath them. Tear marks streaked her face, and her voice was hoarse from screaming.
“Who ARE you?”
“Four years ago, the armies of Acrum, Parasia, and Glamorgan banded to stop King Amangons' legion. They clashed on Mt. Caledonia, where the Glamorgan Cavalry fell as a hammer on Amangons' men. A desperate counter offensive was mounted; the Gwenaá«l Brigade charged the mountainside to gain the high ground.”
“Yes.” Caden's weeping stopped. “…my father told me the story …Prince Owain of the Sorrows led Brigade and almost succeeded, but when Amangons betrayed him and sent no reinforcements, they were overrun, and died to the man...”
Caden blinked as she truly saw the maiden holding the lamp before her.
“...except for the prince ...who was sent to the Selenes …to receive an enchanted punishment meant for Amangons...”
As she stared at hair the color of roses and into vibrant green eyes, her mouth dropped open.
“Oh Goddess,” Caden whispered, “it's you! You're Prince Owain!”
“I was Prince Owain,” Rose smiled. “Now I am Rose Red, a simple herb woman come to help a sister.”
The dumb-struck Caden didn't fight the smaller woman when Rose led her back to bed.
“Now, let me look at you.”
“No! …don't …I can't bear to see ...I'm a monster!”
“Hush,” Rose said, pulling Caden's dark tangled hair out of her face. Next, she drew the black blanket away.
And smiled.
“Monster indeed; Selene has blessed you, sister, you are stunning. Or, would be, if you weren't a little ripe. You need a bath.”
“I neither want to be stunning nor a sister!”
“Yet you are both.”
“What did I do to deserve this? I was falsely accused of a crime and betrayed by the woman I wished to marry. Everything I love is gone, and I am left in this weak husk.”
Caden gripped Rose's arm. "How could the Goddess allow this? Can you tell me? Can you?”
Rose shook her head. “Why does it rain in this field and not that? Why does lightening strike here and not there?”
“That's no answer! Selene could have saved me but she didn't! She hates me! She's evil! Wicked!”
Rose's slap across Caden's face echoed between the stonewalls.
“Snap out of it! I made it through this and so will you!”
Caden's hand flew to her cheek, but she stopped shaking.
“But why? Why me?”
“I am no philosopher,” Rose shrugged. “I tend a garden now. Before that, I was a soldier. If Mother Cunedda were here, she would tell you Selene's gift of free will to man prevents the Goddess from interfering with man's choices. She would also say Selene ever works to soften the pain that befalls us and provides us with many paths.”
“The real question is…” Rose grabbed Caden's shoulders and straightened her up.
“…what will you do now?”
21.
“...and the high council dithers and twiddles their thumbs, unable to pass the simplest resolutions.” Gwyneth said. She, her sisters, and Cunedda were gathered around one of the large black iron kitchen stoves, watching the first bag steep in hot water.
“The military is much the same,” Rhonwen joined in, “for with Father barricading himself in his hunting lodge, his generals are like headless chickens, spinning in circles.”
“Everyone is,” Carme said. “If war is coming, we must be ready. There will be injured soldiers. Refugees seeking shelter. Yet our healers are scattered across the kingdom, hunkered down for the winter.”
“More than that,” Laelia said, “the people have heard the rumblings of war, and of a mysterious tragedy to prince Caden that has driven their king from the city. They need to know someone leads them.”
Cunedda looked from one princess' face to the next and smiled. “That was an excellent briefing, ladies. Now, what are you going to do about it?”
“What do you mean? What can we do about it?” Gwyneth said. “As princesses, our single power seems to involve pushing out screaming little male heirs from between our legs.”
“Oh?” Cunedda put a hand on her hip. “Who says so?”
“Succession has always passed through the males in Glamorgan, though…” Gwyneth's forehead wrinkled. “I cannot recall the specific law establishing it.”
“It's time, don't you think?” Cunedda said.
“What do you mean?” Rhonwen said. “Time we … change this?”
“No, I meant it's time to drop the second bag in the water,” Cunedda said, and did. “But why not? Why don't you?”
“Because we are women and they-”
Carme never finished the sentence, because Cunedda's eyes flashed blue fire; and they felt her energy, her wrath, rising like a hot wind.
“-Yes! We are women. Best to start acting like it, instead of daddy's little girls. If you wait for them to give you power, you will turn old and feeble. Act now! You are Glamorgan Princesses! Your country needs you. The Western Reaches need you! Assume what power you need and let them try to pry it from you!”
The sisters were silent, blinking at one another, until Gwyneth spoke.
“It's that simple? Just …act?
“Nothing could be simpler. But note, I did not say it would be easy.”
Cunedda's eyes returned to normal hue and she took a whiff of the steeping brew.
“Ah. This is ready. Carme, would you put this just inside Caden's door? Rose will take it from there.”
Carme nodded. “How will this brew help change Caden back?”
Cunedda shook her head. “It will not.”
“Then what?” Rhonwen said. “What is its purpose?”
“I will be honest with you about why I came here. Selene has shown me two visions, two possible futures. One, in which the Glamorgan kingdom falls and its people are enslaved and oppressed by Arcum masters.”
“No!” Gwyneth cried. “We cannot allow this-”
Cunedda raised her hand. “In my other vision, I saw the Glamorgan princesses banding together to lead their country through the storm and stop the Arcum invasion. Five princesses, working together.”
“Five? Caden is to be one of us? But she will never-”
Rhonwen stopped, as an 'ah ha!' look crossed her face. “That is why you brought Rose, to help Caden accept what has happened.”
“In all the kingdoms, Rose is uniquely qualified, save perhaps, for the elfin maiden Kiara Esmee,” Cunedda said.
“There had better be powerful magic in this,” Carme said as she grabbed two cups and the teakettle. “Because Caden will kill herself rather than accept what she has become.”
“To be honest, most of the magic is in my little Rose,” Cunedda said with a wink. “I swear the girl has become part wood nymph.”
“I need you to trust me.”
“But what will this do?”
Rose poured the steaming liquid into a cup and handed it to Caden.
“Sometimes a question can't be tackled head on, but must be approached …sideways.”
“I don't understand,” Caden said, before she sipped the tea. “Blah!”
“Not the tastiest of brews,” Rose said, when she drank from her cup. “Now, I expect your mind is telling you all is lost. Over and over in your brain, you think 'I am cursed, my life is over.'”
“I have thought nothing else since my change,” Caden nodded, managing to down another swallow.
“I was the same. When I first learned the deeper earth magic, I had to close my eyes and feel my way to the essence of the herb I sought. I was constantly smacking into trees…”
Rose rubbed her forehead, making Caden snort.
“…but I found my answers, when the direct didn't work. And I learned a bigger truth, that this,” Rose tapped Caden's head, “doesn't always know best.
“And the tea helps …how?”
“You'll see; it will also give you a good night's rest, which you sorely need.”
“But you drink the tea too. Why?”
“Shhh, no more questions; now lay your head here…” Rose reclined on the bed and drew Caden down so that she lay against her chest. She yawned her next words. “…because this hits really fast.”
Later, Cunedda entered the room, to find them asleep, with Rose cradling Caden close. She covered them with a blanket and stroked Caden's cheek.
“Dream large, Caden, and open yourself to Her.”
Before she blew out the lamp, Cunedda kissed Rose on her head.
“Guide her well, love.”
22.
In the morning, when Cunedda entered Caden's room, she found the young woman bubbling and babbling.
“You are just in time, Mother,” Rose gave Cunedda a sleepy lopsided grin. “Caden has started to tell me of the most amazing dream she had.”
“Yes! Yes! I saw Her! She sang to me!”
“Thrice blessed you are,” Cunedda said, sitting on the bed next them. “Tell me of it.”
It seemed so real! You were there, Rose, and you led me into a grove of mighty oaks. Above us, stars twinkled in the night sky, but they swirled around your head, and I think mine too. That's when I heard Her singing.”
Caden paused, unable to speak, for she heard the music's echo in her head. Tears formed in her eyes.
“I know, love,” Cunedda took her hand. “Once you hear her call, you are never alone, for She is with you, always.”
Caden nodded and turned to Rose. “Then you pointed up, and when I looked, the brightest moon was there, so close I tried to touch it. I blinked, and the moon was gone, but a woman stood before me ...clothed in a robe of blue and silver, wearing a wreath of stars, and …and …Her eyes ...the light ...I ...I don't have words to describe Her.”
“No words can.” Cunedda's eyes glistened. “What happened next?”
“Rose dropped to her knees, and pulled me down too. Then the Goddess kissed her on the head and handed her a dry black rose.”
Caden turned to Rose. “And when you took it in your hands, it was alive! It became most beautiful rose in the world.”
Rose smiled. “And then?”
Caden sighed. “She kissed me, saying, 'you gave yourself to me, daughter, and I am honored. Now show your nature.”
I looked at my hands then; blue sparks surrounded them and they tingled with power. And I knew there was something I needed to do ...longed to do ...but I didn't know what. And then I woke up.”
Caden looked at Rose and Cunedda. “What does this mean?”
“What do you think it means?” Cunedda said.
Caden was silent a moment. “For Rose, it meant she has found her calling; she brings things to life.”
“A fair interpretation,” Cunedda nodded. “And what of your role in the dream?”
“I...” Caden frowned. “There is something I need to learn, isn't there? The Goddess was telling me ...that like Rose, I …have a path to follow.”
Then her shoulders slumped. “In this body. I'm ...not to change back.”
“It would seem so, Caden. You are Goddess called. Having heard her song, can you ignore it?”
“No, it would be easier to stop breathing,” the dark-haired girl shook her head. “But ...how do I ...how do I live like this? I know nothing about being a woman. How did you do it, Rose?”
Rose smiled. “I had a hundred Selenes who were more than happy to prod, poke and pound me. You have the same resources; ask you sisters for help.”
Caden's voice was soft, plaintive. “I didn't want this …I didn't choose this…”
“Yet here you are.”
“I don't know if I can do it. This is going to be so hard.”
“Yes,” Rose answered. “The hardest thing you've ever done. This ecstasy you feel now will fade, and there will be many many days when jumping off a cliff will sound appealing; believe me, I know. But don't.”
“Take it from a fellow former prince.” Rose took Caden's hand in hers and squeezed it. “Something amazing waits for you, if you have the courage to seek it.”
“I…” Caden straightened her back and looked Rose in the eye. “I. will. try... but I wish ...I wish you could stay and help me find it.”
“Me too, but I can't; my place, and my love, wait in Selene's Garden at the edge of wild Elmete. Yet when doubt threatens to overcome you, look on this, and remember.”
Rose brought forth something she had hidden behind her back; the reddest rose Caden had ever seen. Caden's hands trembled when she took it; she brought it to her nose to smell.
“This …is no wizard's trick; this is real! None should be growing in the heart of winter! Where did you get this?”
“Why Caden! You know well, for you were there, when She gave it to me.”
End Part 6.
Author's note: This story is set in the same world as two earlier stories I have written called The Necessity of Winter, and After Winter (pdfs of those stories can be found here.) duty and destiny follows After Winter by three years. A map of the Argentian Western Reaches (where this story takes place) can be seen by clicking here. A cast of characters (evolving) can be seen by clicking here.
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Comments
Love it!
This is great stuff Armond!
It was so very cool to see Rose and Cunedda again - and Rose is radiant!! You could see it coming in After Winter, but it's still wonderful to see her... erm... in full bloom (*don't hit me - I'm sorry*) hehe
I can't wait to see how Caden finds her way in the remainder of this one.
Thanks!
~abenderx~
Ya gots ta...
Ya gots ta bring Lily in as well!! I'd really love to see how Rose and Lily interact now that everyone's... awake... ;-)
Rose is too good a character...
to leave on the sidelines too long. She demanded to go into the game.
me too!
Rosie 2 the rescue!
She has become pretty awesome.
I feel sorry for Caden ( needs a new name ) who nevere asked for it but he gave himself for the sake of others. No Greater Love, ya know.
Luv the chapter!
Kim
Her new name has already been mentioned...
...Kim, can you find it?
You're right about Caden, she has gotten the raw end of things. She is being tested to see if she is worthy of something much greater.
I don't recall seeing a female name for the ex-prince so far...
Unless his former intended bride had a mocking name for the transformed man. However, the name might have been hinted at, I quote.
>>
“You are just in time, Mother,†Rose gave Cunedda a sleepy lopsided grin. “Caden has started to tell me of the most amazing dream she had.â€
“Yes! Yes! I saw Her! She sang to me!â€
“Thrice blessed you are,†Cunedda said, sitting on the bed next them. “Tell me of it.â€
>>
So is there a classic woman's name that translates as thrice blessed?
I'm not up enough on Shakespeare to see a pattern in his sisters names.
Guess I'll have to wait until the next installment posts.
John in Wauwatosa
John in Wauwatosa
Tough Love
Selene is a tough love type of Goddess. Her way of helping is not always what you would desire but in the end it works out. From what I can see of her sisters, King Rhys has the beginnings of an excellent Armed Forces chiefs of Staffs or perhaps a Presidential Cabinet. Besides it is always easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission. :) From the looks of this I think King Coel is going to have to beg for help because he's about to have his head handed to him. Great story!
Hugs!
Grover
Yes, the princesses have everything they need...
...if they have enough time to figure it out.
Thanks, Grover
What to say?
Flawless,
This chapter is as good as it gets. Hints, partial info to tease us, an intervention by key characters from an earlier tale in this trilogy(?) and a key to the two possible futures is given.
Beautiful.
Now what of the stupid king and his vain/cruel daughter? Are they in prison, deposed or what? What will their penance/punishments be and will their nation be forced to suffer as well for their folly? The wise, brave old general seems to have taken over at least the military but does he rule? The enemy is equally hampered by incomplete and conflicting info. But will the fog of war favor one side or the other? What will happen to their king and his crafty and murderous spys? And what of the vaunted remnants of the dead god king's troops, the Black Guards. Five years have passed since the god kings death. Aare they really all that powerful anymore?
And when will King Rhys get off his self pitying ass? He needs to shape up or be deposed. The daughters MUST take power to save the kingdoms ALL of them including the newest, the former Prince. If Rose Red's power is restoring life -- hum, is she in essence now LIVING Panacea? So what is Princess Caden's power/gift other than her unearthly beauty and goddess Selene's love? What did the blue sparks indicate, great magical abilities and power, fertility, strength, what? Oh, and will she change her name or will her KEEPING her name be more important, it inspiring confidence in the sisters as co-rulers?
As they were told it won't be easy for them but it will be fun to read.
Bravo, you outdid yourself.
John in Wauwatosa
John in Wauwatosa
I hadn't thought of that, but you're right!
Rose is living panacea! What a cool thought.
If there is a common thread in all these stories, it is Amangons. He may be dead, but his corruption continues to spread and grow.
As you guessed, the next chapter will show what has happened to Coel and Avila. (But its main thrust will be the princesses and King Rhys).
Thaks for the feedback and I noticed something, maybe?
I quote.
>>
21.
“...and the high council dithers and twiddles their thumbs, unable to pass the simplest resolutions.†Gwyneth said. She, her sisters, and Cunedda were gathered around one of the large black iron kitchen stoves, watching the first bag steep in hot water.
“The military is much the same,†Rhonwen joined in, “for with Father barricading himself in his hunting lodge, his generals are like headless chickens, spinning in circles.â€
“Everyone is,†Carme said. “If war is coming, we must be ready. There will be injured soldiers. Refugees seeking shelter. Yet our healers are scattered across the kingdom, hunkered down for the winter.â€
“More than that,†Laelia said, “the people have heard the rumblings of war, and of a mysterious tragedy to prince Caden that has driven their king from the city. They need to know someone leads them.â€
Cunedda looked from one princess' face to the next and smiled. “That was an excellent briefing, ladies. Now, what are you going to do about it?â€
>>
So the hint is IMHO, if the women wish to prevent disaster they must take power and specifically in those areas of their particular expertise/interests that they themselves just expressed their concerns about. IE Princess Gwyneth will preside over the government or high council, Princess Rhonwen to oversee the military, Princess Carme will organize relief/refuges and the medial corps, Princess Laetia will be the equivalent of a presidential press secretary/minister of propaganda and work to counter rumors and boost the general morale. Most importantly Princess Caden or whatever she might rename herself will be the overall Princess Regent or even Queen and/or the head of magic/spies/special forces? Is her great task to distroy the remants of the dead god king's coruption, to seak it out, root it out and distroy it utterly? Rose heals life, Esmee the elf with the mind of a human man healed the corrupt god king of his immortality. IE restoring the balance to life which is death. Thus is Caden's power/duty to restore the minds and souls, the spirits/the faith of the living? Or?????
Love to see what you come up with.
John in Wauwatosa
P.S. You gave me the tip on Red Rose. This line in particular, that and her restoring the dead, black rose.
I quote.
>>
“To be honest, most of the magic is in my little Rose,†Cunedda said with a wink. “I swear the girl has become part wood nymph.â€
>>
She is now so attuned to Lily and their garden it is as if they are one. Also she made and ingested panecea unselfishly then spit it back into the dying Lily's mouth in an instinctive act of love, a love she feared she was unworthy of. As one of Celene's favored how can she not share in some small way Selene's gift, the gift of healing and of love. Thus her in esence being living panecea or at least having that power.
John in Wauwatosa
Yes!
You've pegged the four princesses very well. I knew I had telegraphed Gwyneth and Rhonwen clearly, but I wasn't sure if Carme and Laelia were coming through. You hit it exactly.
Would you believe I haven't entirely settled on where Caden will evolve? But you can think of Rose, Caden and Kiara as representing a different aspect of the triple Goddess. Rose - spring, new life. Kiara, crone, death, and Caden...
I love your interpretation of Rose, Lilly, and their garden btw.
Klara is the elf with the mostly human mind ... my oops. um bad
Lets see, the triogy as I remember from most mystical stories is maiden, queen, crone.
Duh! The former prince is the Queen, the mother to new life, the nurturer. The mother of the next maiden and thus also destined to be the future crone. Then there are the three kingdoms that once were whole as well. Plus the maiden, queen and crone are most powerful when they act together. Another parallel of what is true power, IE that of the sisters all acting together to get the kingdom working together and...? Klara the elf and Rose Red all serve Selene formally as a Cup Bearer and as a Sister of Selene. Will our former prince take up a formal title related to a rigious order of Selene?
My head is spinning now. Better sleep.
John in Wauwatosa
John in Wauwatosa
So many revelations
I see you two weren't wasting time while I was at uni. :)
Pity you left so little for me to discuss. For example, the carrier pigeons are supposed to be flying back to the kingdom of Parasia - and that will serve as a warning. If I was one of their handlers, I would have also made sure I had several distinct locations where they would live in, and only sent them to one country from a single rookery. This way when they came I would have known from where exactly.
And that is the mistake the Butcher of the Blacks made. Even the empty-messaged carrier pigeons are sign - of distress or of death. Had he been smarter he would have killed all those pigeons on spot and was done with it. No warning, no clue, no salvation.
Faraway
Big Closet Top Shelf
Where you can fool around like you want to and most you get is some bemused good ribbing!
Faraway
Big Closet Top Shelf
Where you can fool around like you want to and most you get is some bemused good ribbing!
Or send fake messages with the pidgeons
Thinik the film The Pidgeon that Saved Rome.
Agree the muderous spy master was/is a fool in releasing the birds. The killing? A capured spy MIGHT talk a dead one, not much. -- snicker --
John in Wauwatosa
John in Wauwatosa
Duty and Destiny - Part 6
Ah! so the Kingdom will experience a FIRST! Looks Like Selene is using this upset to further her agenda and teach men about women.
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
dwlete
this
May Your Light Forever Shine
This is so good!
I was glad to see Cunedda and Rose, and I love the way they worked to set things into motion. Now it is up to the princesses. I think the next episode will be very interesting, but I don't know if it can match this one.
Once again, you have reached into my emotions. Caden's awe and ecstasy at her meeting with Selene was palpable-I could FEEL it. Rose's gift at the end was a bit of a surprise, but it was the perfect ending to show Caden that it wasn't just a dream.
Hey, I have two guesses for Caden's name(and I'm probably wrong on both, but...). I think it might be either Valerian or Jasmine. Either would honor Rose and the Dream, and they are both beautiful names. I favor Jasmine, but hey, that's just me.
Excellent story, Armond. Just beautiful.
Love,
Wren
Lack of Logic
I somehow doesn't jive with me that just because a character is in a fantasy world that his motives are ruled by emotion rather than logic. King Rye should have realized this was one of those "Either we hang together or we HANG together" deals.
It seems odd that fantasy statesman are always more emotional than their real world/modern genre counterparts. Maybe they need to read Machiavelli and Nietzsche? Maybe only the villains read them, but then, why do they always fail?
It's SO unfair!
But then...
...where would be the drama if Othello, MacBeth and King Lear acted rationally? In fact, that is where the tension arises with the audience. We see them act this way and we want to scream out 'don't do this', but they do!
Ah yes...my father the King!
yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself;
Yea, may he yet increase in self-control
as he taketh his Inderal and Cymbalta.
Dio vi benedica tutti
Con grande amore e di affetto
Andrea Lena
Love, Andrea Lena
Confession time, Andrea...
...if you go to chapter 19 in this posting, you will see a conversation between the two sentries, Francisco and Barnardo. I ...erm ...reworked the opening lines of Hamlet to fit the story:
Ber. Who’s there?
Fran. Nay, answer me; stand, and unfold yourself.
Ber. Long live the king!
Fran. Bernardo?
Ber. He.
Fran. You come most carefully upon your hour.
Ber. ’Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco.
Fran. For this relief much thanks; ’tis bitter cold,
And I am sick at heart.
Ber. Have you had quiet guard?
Fran. Not a mouse stirring.
McBeth
But McBeth did act rationally. He just lacked one piece of key information: he didn't know the prophecy was a pre-destined paradox.
Technically, the crones told him the truth. So you can't fault McBeth for believing them.