The Great Revelation

The water was so clouded with dirt and dust that it was hopeless to try and wash my hair, but Jasper slid behind me and gently took my curly red hair into his hands. One more moment of contentment I promised myself, before I have to tell him. I would also like to have some clothes on to face him. He poured some liquid soap into his hands and began to massage it into my scalp. It felt wonderful so I just leaned back and relaxed, thinking vaguely about the impeding talk. He stopped lathering my hair and I dunked my head under once more to wash out the soap. My clean hair dripped water in trails down my back as I stood up. Jasper handed me a towel and I wrapped my body up in the graying but comfortable cloth. I tucked the ends around my chest and turned to Jasper who still kneeled at the head of the tub.
“Should we talk? Let me get dressed.” I said. He nodded and got to his feet. Before he reached the door he turned around with his hand on the knob. He looked at me but didn’t say anything. I almost spoke, but before I could he opened the door and shut it quietly behind him. I toweled off quickly and slipped into my battered breeches and tunic. My hair was still wet, so I shook it and put it on top of my head with a tie. Sighing I looked at myself in the looking glass, and was shocked at my reflection. Dull grey eyes looked out at me from a pale gaunt face. It didn’t even look like me, it looked like someone else. There were scratches down the side of my neck that I didn’t remember getting and one side of my mouth was slightly puffy. Taking a deep breath, I straightened my back and headed for the door. Jasper had laid out on the bed, Thayer beside him. He looked up at me as I came out of the washroom and I smiled.
“You look beautiful.” He said, completely serious. I laughed and shook my head.
“You really do look pretty.” He replied a little puzzled.
“Jasper…. We have to talk now.” He nodded in agreement and sat up on the pallet. I sat down next to him. Thayer stirred behind us and we both looked to see what was wrong. He stretched and settled back into sleep.
“I don’t really know how to tell you or even where to begin.” I sighed.
He looked at me. “Why? What could possibly be so bad or hard to tell me that you wouldn’t know where to begin? You can tell me anything.” He said.
“Be careful when you say that. I think that my worst fear is that you will not understand or worse, you will hate me after what I tell you.” He looked skeptical that something could be that horrible.
“Artie I…..” I cut him off. I didn’t want him to say it. I didn’t want him to say I love you, not until he knew the whole truth about who and what I was, and more importantly who Thayer was.

War on the Horizon

Jasper turned to go but his father stopped him.

“Son. Be careful, Artie is strong but there are some things that will be slow coming. Just be patient. She has been through a lot in her life. I don’t think anyone has ever made love to her. She doesn’t even know what that means. Just tread lightly.” The young man nodded, tucking his fathers advice close to his heart.

“Artie thinks that it will take a couple of weeks to get his forces together, but I fear we have less than that. With the barbarians in the hills and the loyalty troops assembling we have a real problem.” Alex said, seating himself in the chair behind his desk. Jasper perched on the edge of the desk, looking at the large map of Iglasia. There was a smaller map on the wall behind his father’s head of Delusia and the surrounding countries. Secratia was the smallest of the eleven countries bordering Delusia. But it was also strategically located. One border abutted the Rutguard mountains and the other border disappeared into the Forgotten Sea. This land was almost totally protected except for a small swath on the northern border where it touched Kilke. Delusia had a full border with Kilke, but Secratia was not as formidable as King Alex’s land, therefore it was harder for them to defend themselves. Alex would gain a strategic location when Jasper and Artie were joined.

“We know that Secratia can keep our backs from the sea protected. But what about Madila? They will be no friend to us, especially after Arora’s little display in the woods.” Jasper said, tracing the borders of the large country with his finger. Madila bordered the opposite side of Delusia, directly across from Secratia which resided on the western side. This western country also bordered Kilke, but had no contact with the sea. It was surrounded by other countries.  

Introduction

So I have heard that blogging the best way to get the word out about anything. I have been writing a novel for a couple of years and have never found the time to finish it. I have often thought that I would never finish it because well.... I honestly think it sucks. But I figured that would be for the general, computer literate, population to decide. I thought that I would put a teaser on here and see how many people respond. I would not be opposed to CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, note the capital letters.  

 I could feel war on the air and over the horizon, the Kilkes would not stay on the hills for long just attacking outside villages, a full scale war was coming and everyone knew it. Why else would Alex call this meeting of prospective wives, it surely wasn’t for the companionship of his son, it was for the protection of the whole southern region of Iglasia. Most of the women here were from the outlying countries, countries who’s armies were strong and useful against the encroaching barbarian forces. There was nothing tangible to suggest war, or even battle, but the air seemed stale, waiting for the day that violence would break with the dawn.

Kate came in late that night, tiptoeing like a mouse hoping that I wouldn’t hear her. I smiled into my pillow, even though she was my age, Kate still had a lot to learn, the things that I learned as a young child who’s innocence was of no concern.

“Hello, love bird, where have you been?” I asked, rolling over and catching her climbing into the pallet next to Bree.

Startled, she turned to face me. “Goddess I didn’t know you were still awake. I’ve just been around.” I smiled and rolled my eyes at her.

“Not with a certain somebody named Willie, hmmm?” she blushed and turned to face the wall.

“No, no don’t answer, its not my business but you better be careful love is a fickle thing.” I replied to her shun and flipped myself to face the door. She stirred gently.

“Mistress, tell me the stories.” Kate said, sitting up. I flipped towards her, curious that she would ask that.

“What stories?” I said, playing dumb. She blushed again.

“Well, Willie said that you knew the stories.” I smiled, the servants had been talking.

“I didn’t know you were into gossip my little apprentice.” I smiled at her downcast look.

I gave in. “Okay. You know the country called Were?” I asked her and she nodded.

“Its now Kilke.” She responded and I nodded in ascent.

“Well it is said that there is a certain clan in Were that are canalupina, werewolves, changelings. It started with one man and one woman. The Mother, our Goddess made a pact with them, they were to be the protectors of mankind. Only men are true canalupina, only the sons become the Protectors.” I told her, “But it didn’t stop there, she also created several more clans to encompass her whole world to protect her greatest creation, humankind”. It was a short story but I wasn’t much of a story teller. Her wide eyes told me that it didn’t matter that I was a horrible storyteller.

I shook my head. “But that is all a myth.” I told her.

“Willie says that some think that Jakeal is a changeling gone rouge. No one has ever seen him. He always has his advisors meet with the Prince, he had never dealt with him directly.” She told me. I looked at her sharply.

“Do not repeat that to anyone, do you hear me? It is just a myth, don’t scare anyone without a foundation.” I told her harshly. She shrunk away from my tone but I didn’t relent.

“I’m serious Kate, do not repeat these stories and don’t tell anyone that you think Jakeal is a creature of myth.” She nodded in sincerity. I was satisfied, she was scared enough by my reaction to her news that she would listen to me without question. I rolled over troubled and tried to sleep.