33
When they reached Velantia, it was barely mid-day and everyone felt rejuvenated. Katja was surprised too, but realised it was the magick of changing worlds.
“What happened?” Marie asked.
“Welcome to the land of Velantia!” Katja announced for the woman’s benefit.
“The Lady Katja really has taken to her new role!” Breyind commented with a grin.
“Let’s start them off with Stella for a few days – I think that’s the best start anyone can get here,” Rachel said.
“But I want to stay with the piglets!” Ewan complained.
“Let’s see what Stella suggests,” Adrick said, dismounting at the cottage and knocking at the door.
“No rest for an old lady…,” Stella complained.
Adrick explained the situation and the dilemma.
“I will keep them for the night. Then, I will walk them down to the barns tomorrow. You have that cottage down there, have you not, Adrick?” Stella confirmed.
“Yes, it will do,” Adrick replied.
“I will endeavour to work out Marie’s place with us, single mothers are a novelty even for Stella,” she replied.
“But the piglets!” Ewan complained again.
“You will see your piglets tomorrow,” Stella promised. “I want to give you a nice hot bath tonight though! Go inside please. There is a room at the top of the stairs. You will find appropriate clothing for your time in Velantia.”
The woman and her son went inside the cottage, Ewan still complaining. The wagon continued its journey towards the castle.
Stella approached the horses and looked at Katja with a critical eye. “What happened today to cause your change of heart?”
Katja wondered how Stella knew this – nothing had been said! “I looked around my flat and saw that my only life in England had been with Rachel. No one seemed to miss me there… it was no longer my home. Then Adrick asked me again… this time, I said yes!” she said beaming with love for the man who got back up behind her.
“I have never seen the excitement that this village is going to have at this news! I wish I could come with you right now. You’re going to stop at Donella’s?” she asked Adrick.
“Of course. I can’t wait for everyone to know the great news!” he replied excitedly.
“You have made an old woman extremely happy, Katja. I was losing sleep over you… The Guardians always have a reason to let someone through,” Stella said. “I would kiss your hand if I may.”
Katja presented her hand.
“Lady Katja. You already have the grace of a queen,” she complimented with the promised kiss.
“Thank you, Stella.”
“I have a gift for you Stella, but I’ll have to dig it out tomorrow,” Rachel said. “Please see us when you see Marie to her cottage.”
“I promise!” Stella said. Then she turned and went into her own cottage.
Breyind and Rachel on their horse and Adrick and Katja on the other horse continued towards the village. Under the arch they rode. “The bouganvillea! It’s starting to bloom!” Rachel exclaimed.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Breyind replied.
As they entered the village, everyone turned and looked, bowing or kneeling as their Crown Prince rode past.
“Come to the marketplace!” Breyind shouted at everyone who would listen. “Come to the marketplace!”
A town crier heard and started repeating the message at the top of his lungs. “Lord Breyind requests your presence in the marketplace! Prince Adrick requests your presence in the marketplace!”
People began to follow and a crowd started massing in the marketplace as they approached.
They stopped in front of the stall that Rachel remembered from when Breyind ordered her own hair garland. She touched one of the ribbons that came down from it.
“Donella!” Adrick called.
The crowd gasped.
“A hair garland, please!”
The crowd whooped and hollered at that news.
“Hurrah for Prince Adrick!” came the cheers as the woman brought out the prettiest hair garland she had available.
“I need to see!” she said coming closer.
“May I present Lady Katja!” Adrick announced as he took the hair garland from Donella and affixed it to the head of his beloved, still sitting in front of him.
“Hurrah for Lady Katja! Hurrah for Prince Adrick!” the villagers cheered.
“And your betrothed?” Donella asked. “I don’t believe I know her name.”
“May I present Lady Rachel!” Breyind announced.
“Hurrah for Lady Rachel! Hurrah for Lord Breyind!”
Eventually, the two horses managed to make their way down to the castle and stop in the stable yard.
“I need to see Melodia!” Rachel said as they dismounted. Breyind followed her to the gate. “Melodia!” Rachel called.
A moment’s silence. Suddenly, there was a thundering of hooves and a whinnying noise. Rachel quickly went through the gate as Melodia reached her and nuzzled her excitedly. “I missed you too, Melodia! I will ride you tomorrow, okay?”
Rachel and Breyind went to their quarters and lay exhausted on their bed.
“You were excited about the bougainvillea,” Breyind said. “What’s up with that?”
“Remember how I told you that I knew Melodia – before?” she asked.
“Yes. I’m still absolutely amazed when you handle her the way you do!” he replied.
“Well, I also dreamt of Velantia – but I specifically remember riding beneath the bougainvillea. Everyone in the village was excited about the royal wedding. I know now, that that was our wedding… ours and Kat and Adrick’s wedding… that was being talked about. I guess it’s happening soon now!”
“As soon as our parents can get everything together,” Breyind replied. “It shouldn’t take too long though.”
“I’m glad.”
“Mother? Father?” Adrick said as he entered the hall with Katja.
“Yes, Son?” the King replied.
“May I introduce my fiancée?” Adrick said. “She has, at last, agreed to be my wife!”
“I am pleased for you, Son,” the Queen replied.
“Aurelia! You get a new sister too!” Gemina exclaimed cheerfully.
“Enchantée,” Aurelia said cordially, approaching and giving the woman a dutiful hug.
“She will warm up,” Gemina promised. “She takes time.”
“Not unlike Katja!” Adrick said cheerfully.
“I will talk to Stella about her before I give you my blessing,” the Princess Royal reminded.
“As to be expected, Aunt Ardith,” Adrick said. “But I’m sure Stella will give her a rave review – just as she has for Rachel.”
“Can we have a portal from here to California? So I can invite my parents to the wedding?” Katja asked, still buzzing from all the excitement.
“You’ll have to ask Stella when she comes in the morning, but I don’t see why not. If it helps you to be happy in Velantia, then it’s worth doing,” Adrick replied.
“And now that we’re getting married, can I stay with you? Keep you warm at night?” Katja asked.
“Breyind said something about your customs in that regard. He said it was a good one. I’d love to share my bed with you – whenever you want.”
“I want to be with you every night,” she replied.
“Are you tired?” he asked.
“Very!” she said, disrobing and climbing into the bed of her prince.
“I shall help you sleep then,” he replied with a wink. He climbed into bed, but passionately, causing her to giggle with delight.
Before long though, both of them slept cuddled together, safe in the arms of love.
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
