Battle plans rarely survive first contact unless scope for a swift and orderly withdrawal is factored in at first instance. Drustina's initial plans do exactly that. First she must try and measure the enemy's capacity and quality on sea and if possible, on land. She has not the resources to tempt the Vikings to land troops ashore early so she cannot fully determine what she must face in the final analysis.

CHAPTER 4
A little later I left the three of them to find what accommodation they could, and it struck me just then how natural my sister was. I had almost threatened her into doing what we had just started, for I knew it would not soon be finished, but she sat there, skirt and heels and stuffed bra, and every move, every little nuance, was woman. If I could see that, then so must our parents.

Just a little drabble I wrote while I was playing WoW. It started with the question "What would happen if a WoW character came to earth?"

It’s difficult being a Draenei.

Strange Magi, Strange Gifts <by ElrodW Christmas in Joel's home city is worse than bad. Post-apocalyptic conditions prevail because of a very dangerous bio-weapon released in the city. Things are grim — and Christmas is going to be a casualty. However, when Joel wishes he could do something, he has a strange encounter with three very strange Magi, and he receives gifts to help stop the contagion and save the holidays — but there are always complications. Many, many thanks to Megan for helping turn a simple concept for an image into something very nice for the story. Hugs for your help. And thanks to the volunteers who suffered through the first drafts to help get this story edited. Now - enjoy. Merry Christmas. [email protected]

Copyright © 2013 ElrodW
All Rights Reserved.

Three Men & a Christmas Spirit.
By Tanya Allan

Three young men break down on the way to spending the Christmas break in the French Alps, in a region where cell coverage is almost non-existent. Only one speaks sufficient French to seek help. Leaving his friends with the car, Terry Cooper sets off to find a telephone just as it starts to snow. He meets a woman on the road, but before he can speak to her, she vanishes. He believes she has gone though a gate, so he follows to find a large chá¢teau at the end of the drive. On answering the door, the butler mistakes the bedraggled Terry for a girl. On entering the chá¢teau, Terry is allowed to call the breakdown organisation. however, on leaving he sees a portrait of the woman he saw on the road. What is weird is that he bears a striking resemblance to her.. What is weirder still is that she has been dead for nearly two years.

He is then seen by the owner of the chá¢teau, who cannot believe that the young person in front of him is male, or that he has walked here by chance looking just like his dead wife.

So begins a fantastical adventure that can only have one outcome; ...

..... or can it?

Much singing in space. The plot thickens like old motor oil.

And of course more mind numbing scientific detail.

Standard disclaimers apply, as well as all the other old standard things.

Brice a young teen boy became Brianna to fill in as a Bridesmaid. Brice and others found Brianna to be someone within Brice. The change is now permanent but the change is still happening.

A Christmas Story ²

Desiree O'Hara

Special thanks to my Darling Daughters that have taken care of me.

Does not fit the Contest, tried too, but this is the way it wished to be written. Not that I ever seem to have a clue about stories. AS it is I ran out of muse before I got all nine scenes written. May the Season bring you Joy.

Chapter Seventeen

Come back soon…Part 8 Finale.

I think it took three full days for me to calm down really after getting Mar’s letter. I mean I was kind of calm especially after a nice little pill but with everything that I’d been through and that had happened and just built up in my life that letter became a touchstone.

I kept in the envelope but that envelope was with me everywhere…well except the shower.