31
Early in the morning, Adrick knocked on Katja’s door.
“Come in, Adrick,” she called.
“How did you know it was me?” he asked as he closed the door behind him, then looking longingly upon the half-naked figure of his lover.
“I really hoped that no one else would be knocking at this time!” she said, pulling her dress on.
“Let’s go have some breakfast,” he said kissing her.
They walked down to the kitchen and sat in the informal dining alcove there. “I didn’t see any reason in using the big dining hall for just the two of us,” he said.
“Sounds fine,” Katja replied as a cook’s assistant attended their table.
“What would you like, m’lord, m’lady?” the boy asked.
“Do you guys do pancakes?” she asked.
“For breakfast?” the boy asked incredulously.
“Never mind then. Whatever he wants I’ll have the same,” Katja replied knowing she would have to find a great recipe to share with them.
“Bacon, sausage and eggs sound good to you?” Adrick asked.
“Sure!” she replied. The boy scurried away to deliver the message to the chef. “Do you guys have maple syrup?” she asked Adrick.
“I don’t know what that is,” he replied. “But we do have other kinds of syrup – I think the chef uses it to marinate meat or to make confections.”
“We can buy some in England,” she replied. “I can also teach your chef how to make pancakes – they are very good!”
“Does that mean you’re thinking about staying with me?” he asked hopefully.
“I said I’d think about it,” Katja reminded as the boy brought their food.
“There you two are!” Breyind said as he and Rachel joined them.
“Have you eaten?” Adrick asked.
“Yes, I decided to sit with our sisters this morning.” Breyind said. “Rachel enjoys their company. A pity you didn’t bring Katja.”
“Maybe tomorrow,” Adrick said. “I didn’t want their chattering to slow us down this morning.”
“Probably wise,” Breyind admitted. “We just managed to get away!”
When Katja and Adrick were done, they got up and went to get horses.
“I think Melodia needs to stay here today,” Breyind said regretfully. “The city may be too much for her.”
Rachel nodded her understanding. “I will go and tell her,” she said hurrying over to the dappled-grey horse.
Breyind waited patiently, then lifted Rachel to his horse before mounting behind her as they had so many times. He clicked to the gelding to walk.
“Stella’s first!” he said. “Let’s hope the Guardians will let us through today.”
Adrick and Katja quickly joined them.
“Do you have your mobile?” Katja asked Rachel as they rode.
“I got rid of it when I was there last,” she replied. “Do you still have minutes?”
“Loads! Though it’s out of battery, of course. I’ll have to plug it in when we get there.”
“Such strange language,” Breyind marvelled as they reached the cottage.
They went inside as a group.
“Is it permitted for us to visit England for the day?” Adrick asked.
“The Guardians will examine your heart, Katja,” Stella replied. “If you have any intention of defying their will, you will not be allowed through.”
“I understand. I wish to check on things,” Katja replied.
“Be aware of the fact that time passes faster in your world – even when we have a good portal as we do here. You may find it distressing,” Stella warned.
“I had forgotten,” Rachel said. “We had been here only two days, and it had been about two weeks in England!”
“We’ve been here how long now?” Katja asked.
“12 days now,” Stella replied. “It may have been 12 weeks in England – but maybe more, maybe less… it’s not a constant thing. Just be warned.”
Katja was worried now. What would she find when she visited?
Adrick seemed to understand and put his arm around her. “You still have me, no matter what we find when we get there,” he reminded her.
“Did you decide to take a couple of servants, maybe a wagon, in case you need to bring things back?” Stella asked.
“I foresaw this possible need,” Breyind said. “They are waiting at the portal even now.”
“Good,” Stella replied. “Don’t worry, Katja. They would not be permitted back through the portal with your belongings unless you have given permission – so it’s only if you decide it’s needed.”
Katja started for the door.
“Wait!” Stella called her back. “As we did with your friend, we must cover you with a spell to prevent you looking so strange in your modern England. Rachel, help me with this.”
Rachel stood with Stella, not sure what she was doing, but somehow the words seemed to form on her lips and she said them with the old woman. They finished together: “Mar sin bíonn sé.”
“One last thing,” Stella said. “If you find a worthy orphan whose life is as hopeless as yours was – be sure to invite him or her to Velantia. It’s not a perfect life, but it is one that can provide hope.”
“We will remember!” Rachel promised.
At last, the foursome were on their horses and on their way to England.
“It’s been awhile since we rode like this,” Breyind said into Rachel’s ear. “I missed having this close contact with you while we travel.”
“As much as I love to ride Melodia, I agree that it’s so nice to share again,” Rachel replied.
“I especially miss being able to kiss your neck and squeeze you to me!” he said, his arms around her.
A throat clearing was heard beside them.
“Cousin!” Breyind called. “You are jealous because mine has agreed to be mine!”
“I will admit to that,” Adrick said. “Katja has promised to at least consider me – and that’s good enough for now. These red-heads, you know!”
Katja elbowed Adrick. “Prince or no prince, you should mind your manners!”
Breyind laughed. “That one will put you in your place, Adrick!”
“I don’t mind if she does!” Adrick replied. “If only she will marry me!”
“You are crazy, my poor cousin. I pray for your success!”
The waterfall was passed.
“Apparently the Guardians have accepted your promise,” Adrick said to her. “I am grateful for that.”
“I as well,” Katja replied.
Supplemental Materials
Prologue, map, character list
The Legend of the Sacred Trio
Links to Buy the ebooks
(Note: If anyone knows how to make this table look better in markdown, please comment!)
| Please catch up! | Links to buy |
|---|---|
 |  |
| Birth of the Neví – 829 T.C.E. It is a tumultuous period of Terrenden history. As is all too common, there are those who wish to profit from the misfortune of others. Some of these come together in a new "charitable organization" and step on the toes of the notorious Uugli. Combine this with draconian new measures to combat pollution and Terrenden has a situation ripe for a power struggle. | Rebound of Power: 850 T.C.E. Collection of Romance Terrenden is being terrorized by a previously underestimated Neví who through the mysterious “Curator” have been controlling elections all over the planet. In this collection, we meet some interesting women. Iyva, a homeless teenager in Irola whose untrained power leaves her close to death; Marc’la, a breeder of prized caballus in Kasago whose heart lives in the past; Zukie, an abused widow whose heart is afraid to try for future happiness; Jenna, an elections assistant manager and masseuse who has a prejudice against A’mara; and Kami, a chola student in Varkevand who has been assigned to protect Ardin, a man who has his own reasons to distrust A’mara. |
| Coming | Soon! |
| Rise of the Neví - 830 T.C.E. The Neví begin their rise in power with the completion of several large housing projects that seem totally charitable, but also hide a great evil within. The draconian measures brought in the previous year has caused major distress throughout the world, perfect for giving the Neví a further foothold on the Terrenden stage. Will the A’mara, now removed from the Council of Peers, be able to shut down the Neví? | Acting the Part - 851 T.C.E. Collection of Romance - The Neví continue to make a nuisance of themselves, infiltrating the Terrenden Freedom Party who have been winning most elections around the world. Dr. Jarly is still on the run and the Curator still dominates a larger part of the Terrenden stage than most would like to know. What’s more, famous actor, Derick Aiden has decided to release his Neví expose film, causing them to issue a Death Edict on him, forcing him into hiding. In this collection, we meet more interesting women (and revisit some we’ve already got to know.) Kauri, a simple receptionist who doesn’t realize one of her wildest dreams has come true; Tirry, an elections manager who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride; Zara, a chef who has all but given up on finding love for herself; Dzani, who isn’t even looking, but has to chaperone her more vulnerable roommate; Soala, the daughter and heiress who is expected to marry, but refuses to marry someone she doesn’t love; and Moxara, one whose past griefs have locked away her heart. We also get updates on some of the lovely ladies we met previously. |
Don’t forget!
I’m still offering 1 Steem Basic Income share for any minnow who asks me a question which prompts an “Ask the Author” post! I’m thinking about putting these into a Dbooks ebook all its own, actually.
Image Credits:
Brighid's Blood cover art based on:
- Mountain background shot (on the border of Slovakia and Poland) – PublicDomainPictures.
All three images were under the creative commons licensing, (no attribution required.)
- Shaze picture developed from PXhere
Shaze divider based on:
- Sword image from Wikipedia Commons
All maps/editing by myself on GIMP and Photoscape, both free programs.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any names or characters, businesses or places, events or incidents, are fictitious. Although the penalty of knowing me in real life is that you will influence the creation of my characters; any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Writing and artwork copyright myself 2005-2018 – all rights reserved.
If you are interested in helping me publish these works, please contact me on Facebook or Discord, viking-ventures#2883.
Lori Svensen – A'mara Books & Viking Visual
