Free EBook Samples: Free ebook sample of "A Time Before" by L.M. Hannah

Chapter 1

“Our story begins in the time of twilight in the time of elves, wizards, dwarfs and at the dawning of men’s awareness of such things. This was before we the other races faced into the myths of your time. “The female narrator’s voice softly whispers. “Or did they?” the voice fades out and the game images flash on the screen before the eyes of a woman in her early thirties. For a moment, the woman experienced an odd sensation as she reclines against a long tall man who was holding her as she begins the game. Her small slender form wrapped by his much large one as she holds the controls. With the wireless controller in her hand she shuts the game off for a moment. She tips her head up and looks into her boyfriend's blue eyes, framed perfectly by his blonde hair. He looks down at her, smiles softly, sweeps a lock of her deep rich brown hair away from her eyes.

“What’s wrong babe?” he asks softly with a deep rich voice. “I know you have been looking forward to playing the Time Before” he bends down kissing the top of her head.

“I just suddenly felt something odd. It is like I have seen this game before.” She replies her voice soft and cultured. “I told you I get Déjà Vu a lot. I just had one of those moments is all” she smiled up at him her full lips finding his and kissing softly.

Soon the incident is a memory and they begin editing the other's characters as they always did when they played these kinds of games. Randy set Minka’s to look as much like her as possible. Her character had long dark hair well over her waist a small lithe body and a beautiful radiant face. It was almost scary how good he was at doing that for her. Minka in return did the same for him. The character had long blonde hair and looked a bit like Randy but she always made his avatars look like the same person. Nothing like Randy, yet the same face over and over again, when she had that type of control in a game of on their gaming system.

They began the game slowly working as separate units, working the grand battle. Randy was having immense difficulty as the love of his life breezed through the game. He was amazed as she seemed to figure out the where everything was with very little effort. He had always been big gamer and these role-playing games were his specialty. She was more of the trivia/game show style games. They were on opposing sides and took their commands from their headsets from their different “Commanders” each was hearing different prerecord speeches.

They played for hours with friendly banter between them. Finally, it was time for bed. Randy swept up the small form into his arms and she looked at him blushing then over to her wheel chair and back to him.

“I should take a bath before I go to bed Rand.” she smiled at him again.

“My thoughts exactly.” He whispered in her ear.

He kissed her as he walked into the bathroom setting her on the side of the tube to draw her water. She ran the water in the tub as he walked away. The massive tub filled slowly giving her pause to think. The narrator’s voice was soft in her mind as she mulled over the game repeatedly while Randy went to get her wheel chair and put it in the bedroom. She watched him push the motorized chair past the bathroom door into their bedroom. Then he returned with her nightclothes and laid her nightgown out so she could dress easily.

Since her illness had begun, Randy had been kind and loving taking care of her needs while complaining very little. She tried to take care of him, but it was difficult because her legs too weak to support her. She knew she would be wheel chair bound for the rest of her life, though no one was sure how long that would be. The disease started to weaken her entire system about a year after their first wedding anniversary. The doctors had run every test under the sun but they never did discover what was causing the illness. They did know that about a 150,000 people worldwide were afflicted with the same symptoms. Most of the cases started within the last 10 years. Nearly all of the victims were in the same age range from 25 to 35 years of age. Age and symptoms were the only links between the patients that the doctors were aware of. The victims were from all over the world it touched many cultures and both genders. The one unusual thing was disease did not seem to be in the third world countries. Unfortunately, the doctors were clueless when it came to the cause or cure of the disease. However, there been some success with different treatments.

Randy walked up behind her he looked at his wife sitting there with her back to him as he lit the candles and turned down the lights. Soft harp music began to play in the large bathroom. Randy slid his hands over his wife’s hair as he bent down finding the soft side of her neck kissing it lightly. He whispered softly “Shall I join you?” He watched a small quiver ran through her body and a blush washed over her cheeks. It delighted him after nearly five years of marriage he could still make react that way, with a slight nod of her head as she smiled at him tilting back on the wide edge of the tub catching his lips and kissing him deeply.

His hands slipped over her body undressing her feeling her delicate soft skin under her clothing. He could feel her body quicken and her breath deepen. He was well aware of the sounds his wife made when she wanted him. Sometimes when she gave him love when she did not want to but this was not one of those times. He undressed quickly and placed her in the large bathtub. Turning the jets on low, he looked at her in the water her brown hair floating around her like an aura. She was beautiful. His he watched her for a long moment lying in the water. “Dear God” he thought, “she is too beautiful to stay on this earth,” his mind taking a mental snapshot of the moment as he memorized her face and body.

She opened her turquoise eyes and looked at him. A smile bloomed on her face as she did so. Her delicate hand rose as with a crooked finger beckoning him to come to her. He could not refuse the pull. Slowly he moved toward her sliding down into the water next to her and he began loving her slowly, carefully devouring her like a hungry animal then sliding into bliss of shear ecstasy.

After an hour or so, Rand carried her bed. The bedroom she had designed. The décor was nearly medieval the room decorated with rough-hewn wood furnishings. In the center of the room from massive beams hung their bed, suspended in the air with heavy dark chains. He laid her on the bed, looked down at her, and smiled. “Princess you need to sleep.” He covered her body with the soft clothes and lay down next to her giving the bed a slight push to start it rocking. Once the bed was set into motion, he slowly wrapped his body around hers spooning her body and holding her tight. The talked about the week to come, Randy was going to England and she was staying here. She had doctors to see and work to be done.

Even though the disease had stripped her body of its strength, she could still write and write she did. She had two books on the best sellers list. Her first book, ‘Living with the Unknown’ spent 28 weeks in the top ten bestsellers list. This book chronicled her investigations into the paranormal. She had debunked some cases and proven others. The book had been highly successful more so than she had ever dreamed. Many of these cases made popular by either urban legend or mythology. She had become a celebrity in the paranormal community and after her book, she was a favorite on several talk and reality shows. It paid the bills and afforded her and Randy the life they both wanted to live.

Her second book Gift or Curse was an autobiography about growing up different, it was after she had a near death experience as a four year old child her abilities seemed to blossom. It became public knowledge in her small town after one event and she became isolated and an outcast. At one point, she nearly committed suicide at age 18. She had mental abilities that few would want to possess. It had been a curse until she had gone to college and fell in with a group of others that were researching their own abilities. There were five others similar to her. Together they found the CASTE group, Common Abilities Psychically Testing Environments. She had played on the words sounds instead of the actual spelling CAPTE did not have the same ring to it as Caste. The group would go into reportedly haunted buildings and with their gifts began to prove or debunk the alleged haunting.

That is how she met Randy he was researching a Native American legend for his senior thesis in anthropology and she was researching the same legend attributed to alleged paranormal activity because of the legend. They had become instant friends. He had not found her odd or strange when she finally told him about some of her abilities. He soon had joined the group as a researcher and anthropologist. He was also their leading skeptic and kept the group on course and not going off on a tangent. They had worked together for several years before they discovered their mutual attraction was more than just friends. He divided his time between his home and Quebec Canada and the college in Ohio, eventually opting to stay in Ohio to his parents chagrin. They had dated and worked together for a two more years before getting married.

Randy had found the house they now live before they were married. He had enough of his trust fund and college fund left to purchase the house. He gave it to her as a wedding gift. The house was a massive dilapidated stone Tudor that resembled a small castle, turret rooms and all. Together they had remodeled the house, piece by piece turning it into the show place it now was. She was going up to the third floor when her legs finally gave out, they went numb and would not support her weight. She sat in the stairwell for three hours until Randy came home and found her.

He had rushed her to the hospital and the doctors had run a fully battery of tests on her, they were baffled. At first, they thought it might have been Multiple Sclerosis. It was six months before they ruled that out. The Dystrophic diseases had been ruled out as well. Finally, a diligent doctor found another case that closely mirrored hers in California. He was a college student working on his degree in computer sciences. The only link between them was their demographics, young, middle classed, and active. He had been stricken first. Therefore, they named the disease Zaven’s disease

Minka had written to Max Zavens several times and they began to communicate via the Internet and telephone. She and Max soon put a face to Zaven’s Disease. For the next year, nearly ten thousand new cases of Zavens were diagnosed. Everyone one was in the same age group and from all different walks of life. Soon Zaven’s web resources was up and running. It was an informational/resource website. In the four years since her diagnosis, they had nearly a 100,000 members. She and Max soon turned their full resources to the organization that they founded. They had grown close over the years and their friendship was much deeper than most, even though they had never formally met face to face. She thought of him as the brother she had never had met.

Even after long years of friendship with Max, she had never disclosed to him the full extent of psychic abilities. Max was keeping a secret as well. There were just things you did not discuss with your friends, even your closest friends. The simple truth was that Minka had gone public with some of her gifts others she did not want anyone knowing about, the more dangerous mental gifts. They frightened her to the point she that she tried to commit suicide. Most people thought it was because she was different and did not have any friends. In reality, it was because she had caused the death of one of the people who taunted her.

The boy had taken her out on a date. After all, she was a freak but a beautiful freak. He had been slowly working his way into her life. She had thought that he was indeed a friend. He had finally taken her out on a date; it was there when he forced himself on her. The rape had been quite brutal he had beaten her badly there was some doubt that she would survive it. He had strangled her and thought she was dead when she had passed out. He then tossed her body out of the car into the cold snow. The cold woke her up suddenly. The rage inside of her exploded, as did his car as he drove down away from the scene.

A fire fighter had found her laying there beaten and bloody in the snow. There were ligature marks around her neck from the digital strangulation. The police presumed that after the rape, he was speeding away and struck an object in the road, and the car blew up. After a minimal investigation, the police closed the case. It was easier to believe that he hit something than the girl he had just brutalized had blown him up with her mind.

She had spent years in therapy. The dreams had gone away for the most part. However, on occasion like this night they crept back in. Her sleep was fitful. She had relived the event again when she woke and yet her throat felt odd. Had she been screaming? She wondered, feeling the tightness in her throat. She looked over to find Randy sound asleep so the nightmare had not awakened him. That was a relief. Slowly she sat up and slid her legs over the edge of the bed. She paused for a moment to look at the clock. It was five in the morning. Her alarm would go off in an hour. She knew she would not go back to sleep so she pulled over her wheel chair and slipped in.

She made herself busy in the kitchen working on breakfast and making last minute preparations for Randy’s trip to England. He was going to do the forward work for CASTE. The group was planning to do two investigations there, first of Stonehenge and then per the request of a television program in England, Charlieville Castle. Charlieville was a legendary castle in Ireland. There were many allegations about the castle; the one that intrigued her was the ghost of the little girl. This was a dream investigation for the team and they were looking forward to it. Rand was going ahead to find all the legends and research the mythology and reports of paranormal sightings. Minka never traveled with him during the first investigation. It lent credibility to the research the group did.

Chapter 2

Breakfast was made the taxi had come and taken Randy to the airport and now the house was hers. Her nurse would not be there until ten and then she did not have a meeting until noon. It would be the perfect time to get more writing done on her book. She turned on the computer; it hummed and came to life. Minka went through her normal day’s routine, first checking her e-mail then the website making the needed posts for the day, checking the Zaven’s website for any new post and replying to any that needed replies. This was routine and she did it on autopilot. Next, she pulled up her documents and began to work. She looked at the page and sat there. Her heart was not in it today.

She had put the computer to sleep and rolled into the living room, transferring herself from the wheel chair to the couch. The gloom outside had found its way into the house today. May be it just the fact that the house seemed empty without Rand or maybe it was just early springtime in Cleveland, Ohio? She reached for her blue tooth and put on the gaming system. Soon she was back in the land of make-believe. Instead of battle mode that she and Randy had played last night she choose the one player story mode. The screen flickered and the narrator’s voice began. “Our story begins in the time of twilight, in the time of elves, wizards, dwarfs and at the dawning of men’s awareness of such things. This was before we faded into the myths of your time. “The female narrator’s voice softly whispers. “Or did we?”

This time her character was in a castle. Three large thrones sat in a room that appeared to be a medieval court. The movie scene from the game began to play. Three kings slowly moved into the room. The first king appeared to be a Dwarf. He was wearing a simple tunic over his small rotund body, around his shoulders he wore a rich brown mantel trimmed in gold thread , on his head a golden crown. It glistened in the light of the great hall. Next to enter was a tall thin man; he sported a long white beard. He was dressed in a vibrant blue robe that sparkled with runic style writing on it. Around his shoulders was a small mantle trimmed in gold. A top his head was a crown. This crown bore a dragon in flight. The final king entered. He was small in stature not as small as the dwarf was but much smaller than the wizard. He was dressed in a tunic of blue with matching leggings. Around his shoulder, he wore a long mantle also of blue. He carried a sword at his side. On his head, he donned a silver ornate crown that sparkled in the light. All three kings approached their thrones, standing before them greeting each other with a nod and they sat all at once.

In her ear, the narrator spoke with that soft voice that seemed so familiar to Minka. “These are the kings of Cornelia. They rule their own and our land. The Circle of Royalty has always been. There was no first king as far as we know.” The narrator drew a long breath. Her voice was very relaxing and almost hypnotic. The camera panned to the Dwarven king. He had a round face and long blonde beard. He had mischievous brown eyes that seemed to twinkle in good humor. He seemed like a jolly man.

“This is good King Zaoden. He is the king of the Dwarfs and the great underground mines that span Cornelia from the great northern mountain chain of the Azondic district to the southern sea of Mizeria.”

Then a young handsome dwarf stepped forward and took his place next to the king. He was just a younger version of the good king. The narrator’s voice began again “This is Ommer son of Zaoden. He is the heir apparent to his father’s throne. He is a good fair leader who wants the best for his people as well as the as the rest of Cornelia.”

Joining the scene is a second Dwarf younger than Ommer and not as handsome. His hair was a bit wild and unkempt it was yellow blond and looked a bit dingy. He was dressed in dark clothing and stood out against the others. One could tell the artist intent that this character was an antagonist.

“This is Gommer younger brother of Ommer. He is second in line to his father’s throne.” The narrator spoke just above a whisper.” He is strong and ambitious he wants to rule his father’s people at any cost. He believes his people are more important than the surface people. He does not want to continue in the Circle of Royalty. His father knows his feelings and is very wary of him. Take that into account Princess. Keep your eyes on him and tread carefully”

The movie scene then cuts to the wizard. He was far from handsome, a grizzled face from years of being in the sun, his eyes held the wisdom of an old man yet there was a softness about him. Maybe it was what made him appear more mystical. Either that or it was the soft ethereal glow about him.

“This good the good king Aquilis, he king of the wizards, his lands are the warmest of our land and are seen as the wealthiest in the mineral Kelplon. The dwarves mine and sell this mineral throughout the land. He is the wisest and eldest of all our kings by nearly two hundred cycles. In his lifetime, he has seen the death of two dwarf kings and one elf king. He may even out live our next king we do not know.”

Moving into place next to him is a young man who appears to be about twenty years old. He was dressed in a long robe that matched the kings. It glowed with an ethereal light as well. He was a handsome young man and his face beginning to look weathered just a bit. His dark eyes and expression seemed mystical.

“This is king Aquilis Heir Apparent Gemin. Do not let his youthful appearance fool you he is over a hundred cycles old. Gemin, was to marry Aquilis’ daughter but she declined him since a woman is not permitted to have magic it means she cannot rule. So Gemin was appointed heir apparent until either the kings daughter marries him or someone qualified. Yet what Aquilis does not see is the darker side to Gemin. It is if he is two men in one body. Watch him closely princess.”

The next scene is a close up on the Elvin kings, a thin man with an angular face. His features are very handsome and kindly. Yet there is a scar over his eye that he received in battle many long years ago.

“You know your father Princess. Take your position next to him, so that your younger brother will join you.”

Minka carefully used the wireless controller to move her character next to the king. Her character moved into position, trailing behind her was a character that looked so much like Max she did a double take. She paused a moment and scrubbed her eyes then looked back at screen. She chuckled softly, picked up her cell phone, and went to call Max but, it was still the middle of the night in California. She would call him later.

She set her phone down and looks back to the screen of her massive flat screen television. The scene continued. The king of the elves stood, looks at the others, his voice soft and sincere as he spoke.

“Greeting brothers, we are gathered here today to speak about the pressing issues of the human insurgence into our lands. They have attacked our villages in the north, and are marching towards our third capital in that region. Our forces are holding them thus far but we have received word that they are sending for reinforcements." He paused. During that moment she faintly remembered the voice she had heard it before or so she thought. “We need to raise our armies and send them forth.”

“I will send the Wizards at once but, they are not trained as soldiers. We have never engaged in the fighting for our lands. We have always left the wars to the Elves.”

A small conversational screen appeared on the menu with four choices. In her ear piece Minka heard the narrator. “You must choose what to tell Aries. Make your choices well Princess.”

Your Majesty, we would not ask for your help if it was not necessary.

Your Majesty, we can train your wizards and prepare them but it will take some time.

Your Majesty, if you do not send your aid we will all perish.

Your Majesty, if you will allow myself or one of my generals to go with you and bring your men to the north we could train them along the way.

Of course, Minka choose the most diplomatic statement. She laughed softly and shook her head. “That was easy enough.”

The wizard kind nodded and smiled. “King Halonvon your Princess is wise beyond her years you must be very proud of her.” The Elvin king turned and smiled at his children “I am proud of both of my children. “ However, unseen by the kings was the look young prince gave his sister. It was angry and filled with disdain.

Minka shivered slightly especially since the character’s face so resembled her best friend Max. It was disturbing for her. She paused a moment and took a sip of her soda and looked back at the screen. At this point she was debating mentally whether or not to continue the game. It had given her time to pause and wonder if Max had felt that way when she came in and took over Zaven’s Informational website. It was definitely an odd thought. She made a mental note to ask him and apologize if she had stepped on his toes.

The scene continued. The Elvin king turned to then turned to Dwarven king. “What say you Brother Zaoden, will you join the cause?” He stood facing the other dwarf. Zaoden stood and walked to the Elvin king and nodded. “I will send my forces, Ommer is my general and Gommer will go with him. There is only one question though. Who will lead the armies and bring them together?” All eyes fall on the young princess she steps forward and another dialog box appeared on the screen.

Your Majesties, I set forth the following, we united the land under one king, King Zevis.

Your Majesties, It has always been known that the Elves handled the warring and the defending our home land. It should be that way now in a time of war when all of Cornelia Is in danger. I shall lead.

Your Majesties, this is now the time for your heirs to prove themselves on the field of honor. What I put forth is this. The heirs mirror the Royal Circle and from the three of us we put forth a central leader to lead our peoples.

Minka looked at the choices and smirked, it was a no brainer. Even a five-year old could see that two of the choices were inflammatory remarks. She hoped that the game writers would improve the dialog down the road a bit. She chose the most diplomatic suggestion to emulating the royal circle.

There was a small scene with the different the non-participating characters (NPC’s) congratulating the Elvin king and his daughter. In the background, you see the Elvin prince slipping out of the meeting. He the camera follows him down a back alley and knocking on a non-descript door, an unsavory looking character opens the door and lets him.

The narrator speaks softly in Minka’s earpiece.”Be careful Princess there is mischief a foot.” With that, the game begins and the characters do small quests in preparation.

Chapter 3

The hours ticked away like minutes. She played for three hours straight without even a break. The doorbell rang and then she heard the key. She pulled away from the game long enough to look at the clock. Her nurse Helen was coming in for her shift. The thin woman walked down the short hallway into the living room. A look of surprise was on her face as she turned slightly and looked at Minka lying on the couch.

“Mrs. Le Bon are you well?” she asked as she walked toward the couch. A look of confusion played on the nurse’s face. She instinctively touched Minka’s forehead checking her for fever. Before Minka could even get the words “I am fine” out of her mouth.

She laughed as she spoke. “Helen I am fine.” She smiled again. “I am just taking the day off.” She announced to her nurse. She sounded rather proud of that fact.

“Well Mrs. Le Bon you must do your physical therapy and take your time in the pool. There is no day off from your exorcise.” Helen smiled at her for a brief moment and the next she was helping Minka into her wheel chair. Minka paused the game and a sighed formed from the metal cage on wheels. She had that damn chair. It limited her life so much. She found herself nearly growling as she pushed through her own house. Her house was also becoming a prison. As much as she loved her home, it was still a prison. She could not travel outside without assistance; she could not even run her own errands.

Two hours of torture followed by another hour of swimming in the pool filled her day. Deep water aerobics was not something one would call a pleasure swim, but at least it was not painful. She could stand in the shallows and water supported her weight. It felt good to stand under her own power. Her legs though slow worked in the water. In the shallows, she did her water aerobics.

“How are you doing Mrs. Le Bon.” Helen watched her. She could read her patients faces she was aware of the pain and fatigue written in her expressions

“I am fine Helen.” She knew she was not. Her body was aching and her legs felt as if they would soon give out. Yet she clung to the fleeting few moments of mobility. It was a strange sort of freedom. However, fatigue was wearing at her and it was time she came out of the pool.

“Come.” Helen beckoned her. The nurse’s worn face smiled persuading her from the pool. She watched her fragile charge walk to the end of the pool. She noted the length of time she had been in the water. She schooled her expression noting that the girl had tired sooner than she had expected. Normally she worked in the water for a full hour to an hour and twenty minutes. Today she started showing fatigue much sooner, forty-five minutes into her work out. Helen had let her work out longer she knew her charge would only complain for being taken out sooner.

“Oh, very well,” Minka began to trudge through the water, her legs aching, and tired.

“Do you need assistance Mrs. Le Bon?” Helen asked quietly, she knew the answer.

“No Helen, I can do it.” She offered her a smile it was weak at best. She made it to her chair lift. Slowly the chair began to rise up out of the water. She closed her eyes and heard an odd voice with a very slight but distinctive accent. “Come to me my love” it was not a spirit or she would have been able to sense it. “Your future waits.”

Her eyes blinked open as she looked around. No male spirit or otherwise was in the room and no one would speak to her like that. Either she was more tired than she thought or she was hallucinating. She mulled it over for a long moment before sliding into her chair. “I woke up too early and it has been a busy day.” She smiled as she unintentionally spoke the words aloud.

“Good then after your massage you take a nap before dinner is ready.” Helen smiled again as began pushing the chair toward the main part of the house. She watched her charge nod her head slowly and lean back in the wheel chair.

“After I call Max and check on a few things then I will sleep. “ She yawned half-slumped in the chair now. “I Promise.” She finished. She wanted to call Max and apologize for stepping in and taking over his organization. She would apologize whether there was a need for it or not. She loved him deeply and angering him was not something she would do.

It was nearly an hour later before she made it back to her office. Sig, her masseuse had done wonders. He had turned her body to jelly and she felt more invigorated. Helen had fussed at her about resting. Helen always fussed at her. At times, it could get annoying but after seven nurses, Helen was a blessing. She checked the net and saw Max’s status was active and he was on a video chat channel. She messaged Max and waited for the link reply. That came a moment later. His handsome face bloomed on her monitor. His face tanned face was angular with subtle features. His blue eyes were crystal clear and piercing. He wore his dark hair in layers that framed his face. He had modeled when he was younger and still had his handsome visage.

“Max,” she said excitedly, “You are site for sore eyes” A smile bloomed on her lovely face.

“Ah Mon Cher.” He said addressing her with the same smile. “How are you today my friend?”

“Tired” she responded.

“Me as well, I had fitful sleep last night.”

She nodded slight, “Me too.”

“So give me the good news my friend.”

“We have Holistic Value on board working on braces but that is not why I am calling this morning.” She did not want to discuss business not this morning.

“What’s on your mind sexy lady?” he laughed. She was beautiful and very bright everything he wanted in a woman but he knew she was not for him.

“I wanted to apologize.” She began, “It occurred to me that when I joined the organization I came in and took over.”

“Mink” he tried to interrupt her.

“No Max let me finish please.”

He nodded and motioned for her to continue.

“I do that sometimes without thinking. It is a both one of my best and worse traits. I tend to be insensitive to people around me. My mind just goes into this mode and I cannot stop it. That is not an excuse. So please my brother, forgive me.” She lowered her head slightly. Her words and tone were deeply sincere and caring. Something reached through the Internet and touch Max. He wanted to reach through the monitor and take her in his arms and just hug her and hold her close. At times he had resented her for coming in and taking over but no more. Her apology made him love her even more.

“Mon Cher,” his voice calling her eyes back to the monitor, “You have done well for our group and I thank you.” his voice trailing off.

“You’re welcome Max.” she offered a small smile it reached to her eyes. “I love you like a brother and the last thing I want to do is harm our relationship. You are family even though we have not met face to face.”

“Yes,” was the only way he could respond. Her apology humbled him. “And you Mon Cher, if you ever felt I took you granted I am sorry as well.”

She smiled into the camera. “I never felt that way, honestly. I was too busy being insensitive to notice.” She chuckled softly and shook her head at her comment.

“Bad girl.” He replied.

They both laughed. Yet a feeling washed over them both. It was a relief and something more, something deeper, as if something old had been healed.

Helen, stood in the door way and she smiled as she listened to the conversation. Indeed something old had been healed, older than both of them could understand at the moment. Soon they would understand and soon they would be able to move forward. She could not express this to them now but the day would come when she would. She was proud of her charge for realizing this facet of her personality.

Max waved as he caught Helen in the monitor. “Have you come to steal her away from me Helen?” he asked the women behind his friend.

Minka gave slight jump as she turned and looked at Helen. Then she laughed slightly. “I need to put bells on her. I never heard her come in.” there was a moment of silence before Helen spoke.

“Yes Mr. Zaven I have.” She said moving toward Minka and her desk. “She did not sleep well last night and needs to rest.”

“Wait Helen,” Max found himself most intrigued by fact that his friend had not slept well either, “Minx, you did not sleep well either?” he sounded surprised.

“Nightmares,” she responded.

“Ya me too,” He paused a moment.”Very vivid dreams of an accident I had when I was much younger.” He frowned as the bad memory washed over him. He tried to shake it off, but it seemed to grip him.

“Mine was about events I do not want to talk about.” She reached up and touched her neck, closing her eyes trying to force back the memories that were flooding her mind now.

“You look as haunted as I feel Mon Cher.” He said quietly with a soft empathic tone in his voice.

“Bad memories, Max, very bad memories I do not care to talk about.” She shook it off and then smiled. “On an unrelated topic Randy is on his way to England to do research for the new investigation.”

“That was this week,” he paused. “Damn, that came up quick. I thought that it was next month.”

“He left this morning. Which puts me at loose ends” she sighed softly and looked back at the screen. “I wish you were not out on the coast. I could really use your company this week.”

“Well if I could be there with you this week I would but I am not feeling well old friend. The disease is taking its toll. I am tired all the time now. Mon Cher, I am scared.” The look on his face said everything. He was facing his own mortality.

“Max, what do the doctors say?” she winced. She knew they knew more about the disease than the doctors did.

“You know they don’t know Mon Cher.” He looked on verge of tears his hand reaching out to the camera as if he were trying to touch her. Minka responded in kind.

“Up your B-12 and contact Doctor Perez. He has gotten results with some Amino Acid combinations.” She looked through her rolodex. “Here call him” She rattled off the number to him and tried a reassuring smile.

He nodded slowly and smiled. “I will Mon Cher. Now you get your nap and I will call Perez.”

“Oh before you go I have something for you. Check your inbox.” She smirked with a slight twinkle in her eye. She had found a very off color picture about French Canadians and sent it him. She knew it would brighten up his day.

“You Mon Cher are a very naughty girl. I will make sure that Rand spanks you for this.” The jest in his voice helped brighten up her day.

“I knew you would like it. So is that why Canadian bacon is round?” she teased back.

“Woman go take your nap.” He laughed shutting off the camera ending the conference.

Minka leaned back in her wheel chair laughing. “I love doing that to him.” She shook her head and her eye still squinting from laughter.

“I am glad you both have each other. You may not have noticed but you complement each other very well. What he does not think of you do.” She walked slowly up the chair and placed her hand on her charges shoulder. “I think you did a good thing by apologizing to him today. You have a very powerful personality and always take charge of whatever situation presents itself to you, it is like you have an autopilot switch that turns on and away you go. Some people would take this as you wanting to control everything.” She said as she began to push her down the hall.

“I know Helen. I tend to get carried away and I do not think before doing. It is a very bad trait. I do not mean to hurt people but I know sometimes I do.” She sighed tiredly, a nap a wonderfully good thing.

“I think what you did today was honorable. Even if he did not think you were deliberately taking charge there are others around him that may have tried to poison his mind to think you are.” She stopped the chair outside the bathroom and Minka nodded. Helen pushed the chair into the modified bathroom and stepped out giving her privacy.

Chapter 4

Sleep came wrapping her in a gossamer blanket of comfort. The dreams that came did not aid to calm her troubled mind. She was standing high upon a plateau looking over a valley. She heard a familiar female voice that whispered. “Princess these are your troops.” Looking down into the valley Minka could see hundreds of rows of her Elvin brothers and sisters waiting to go into battle.

“I see neither the wizards nor dwarfs. Where are they?” she asked softly.

The voice answered. “They have not arrived yet. Someone or something is detaining them.”

“Who or what would detain them?” she was confused and really did not want the answer.

“That is your new quest.”

“Indeed,” Was the only response.

Minka turned her armor shinning in the sunlight. “So shall it be. Prepare my steed and my arms I shall go and find what detains the others.” The thought of it was not pleasant, yet a necessary one; she after all it was her idea that she be made supreme commander and this was part of her duty. Her horse was brought forth he was a fine stallion, clad in silver armor and shown against his black hair. The horse and rider made a stunning pair. She was soon flanked by several men on horses both men and beasts were clad in armor. Thirty men on horses and three wagons in all moved with their princess as she began to advance up the passage.

The precession stopped as her brother stepped out onto the road. “What is it you wish me to do in your absence dear sister?” his eyes gleamed at the thought that this great army was now under his sole command.

She looked down from the horse and smiled she could not help it. She loved him so much. “What I need from you dear brother is to stay the course. The main bulk of the horde is still several weeks’ march away. Therefore, until then I ask that you use your best judgment to hold our lines and prepare for the others. Take down as many of their scouting units as possible.” With a nod of her head, she was off. The long line of horses and wagons moved south to Ardonic Sea and towards the homeland of the great wizards.

It had been four days ago since they set out from the Valley of the Kings, they had only traveled the equivalent of two days because they had fought some minor battles along the way. She had lost two men in battle plus one of the supply wagon's had been stolen. It had not gone well at all. She had underestimated the human’s strength. They were strong and determined. She had fought several herself, her body had bore the bruises but her armor held and she was still alive. That in itself was saying something. She was not a coddled princess, expectations of her as the next queen, was to fight in battles when necessary. The elves did not restrict their warrior class to just men. Women too had a place in their ranks especially one that would assume the throne.

They had not seen any humans after cutting threw the south pass. It was possible that the mountain terrain and bad trail conditions had hampered their advancement. Still tonight, it would be a cold camp, no fires for warmth or cooking. Nor would they have the luxury of tents and cots. Tonight she would sleep with her men.

There would be little merriment around the camp that night. Battle weary men removed the larger pieces of armor leaving them in leggings and their chainmail. Dinner had been cold bread and hard dried meat and for dessert berries that, the cook had picked at their last camp. Minka knew her men wanted a warm meal and a warmer bath in the safety of castle. They should have had that yesterday if it were not for these damnable humans trying to steal their lands.

“What am I doing here?” she muttered under her breath taking as she took off her helmet. The rhetorical question received an answer from that soft voice that she had been hearing. “You are leading your people to victory.”

“That is not what I mean this is dream just a dream. I am not a princess and I am not an elf and I have been playing that game too much.” She protested.

“Princess does this feel like a dream. Does this look like a game?” the voice said.

“No but some dreams are funny like that.” She retorted.

“Have you ever been aware you are dreaming inside of a dream?” The voice never reflected any type of emotion.

“Don’t use logic on me please. I am too tired to be logical." She laughed as she began removing her heavy armor. “Tell me spirit what should I call you?”

“I am your oracle princess, that and nothing more.” The oracle stated bluntly

After their cold dinner, one of her generals approached her. “Highness, we have found a small spring. The water is warm and is proper for bathing. It is in niche carved out of steep cliffs and a waterfall safe from attack.” Minka lifted her head and nodded. “Allow four men to go at a time, two bathe and two to stand guard. When all have bathed, come for me. I will take two men and go myself.” The idea of a bath to ease the pain of this passing was soothing idea. It would do wonders both her and her men.

“I will come back for you my Princess but you will go with a full complement of men. They will be posted to protect you and please do not argue with me you are far too valuable for us to lose” with that, he was gone.

The princess assembled her bathing kit and waited for her turn. As the men came back to the camp, they seemed renewed. It amazed her how removing the blood and gore from battle affected the men’s morale. One of her men walked over to her and knelt down on one knee. In his hand was a beautiful shell comb. “My lady would you do me the honor please. I hate to ask but tis something I am unable to do myself.” Jorn had always worn his hair braided down his back now it was wet and hanging free. “My wife always braids my hair for me I am unable to.” This was a humbling experience for the young princess such a big large man unable to do something and having the humility to ask her assistance.

A smile bloomed on her face as she patted the ground in front of herself. “Come and sit but I make no promises.” She said looking him and taking the comb from his hand. It took nearly an hour to comb and braid the man’s hair. When it was done a long rope like braid dangled from the back of his neck. She had tied a thong of leather around the base and the end to hold it in place. She had to will herself not to tie a bow in it. After all this was a proud warrior not one of her handmaidens.

The soldiers in her camp had watched this simple kindness that a royal born princess had bestowed upon a man under her command. Some were astonished yet others taken back by what she had done. Unbeknownst to the camp another set of eyes watching the same events unfolded as well. The stranger had made his way near the camp to observe his quarry. Though he could not see her face, this woman general was not displaying the behaviors that inspired him to take the contract on her life.

He had picked this spot for his ambush. It had all the markings of an easily protected campsite. However, what they did know is that a path wound its way up the back of the mountain that the locals had used for hunting and sport. It led to a flat on cliff side of the mountain the pool could be easily observed. He had watched the men come and go and soon it would be her turn. He made his way up the mountain to the spot he would lie in wait.

Her general had finally had come to her. With him, he brought Jorn and two other of the biggest elves she had ever seen. She had been close to her personal guard and they all looked at her like a younger sister. However, with this many big brothers a girl could barely breathe. She laughed inwardly and shook her head as she was helped to her feet. Even in the relative safety of their camp, she would not refuse their protection. The men took their positions, one man on either side of her and her general in front and Jorn in back. A three count was heard as they began to walk forward as a single unit.

He watched them approach from his hiding place. Slowly the group advanced up the mountain and into the trap. Soon he would spring it close around the woman and her men. Maybe he should kill the men and make off with her. That was a thought, what a trophy she would make in his bed. He pondered the thought as he watched the men take up their positions to ensure the area was secure for this woman. He watched the men as they first averted their gaze of her and then turned their backs fully so she would have privacy.

He had been in Cornelia’s military for a short stint. He knew that women were not given this luxury of privacy. “Princess, when you are ready just give the word and we will escort you back.” The stranger shook his head and groaned. He had seen the Princess before when he was in the capital. She had been beautiful even then, long flowing hair, beautiful face and a young budding body that held so much promise. Now if this were she and not one of her ugly stepsisters this would be a chance to see her again. To kill her though was yet another question. He simply did not know if that would be best course of action now.

He felt his body quicken as he watched her disrobe. That soft supple flesh becoming more and more visible with each piece of mail she removed. The thin chemise floating gracefully above her full rounded breasts stirred his groin to life. He was most uncomfortable against the rock to say the least. She slipped from her leggings and the long tunic dropped down over the lower half of her body. He groaned softly in disappointment. He watched her look back over her shoulder at the men to make sure they were looking away from her. Her eyes scanned the entire area before coming to his hiding place. He held his breath. He knew that he was not visible by the naked eye, yet his people had always held powers to sense their surroundings.

Her eyes lingered on the spot. He was sure that his racing heart had given him away. Then she reached down for the edge of her garment and pulled it above her head. Slowly the cloth caressed her flesh as he watched her. His only desire was that it was not her garment but his hands. The garment was tossed aside and her full exquisite body shown in all its glory, not a mark or a blemish on her skin with the acceptation of bruises from battle, those would fade. What he longed to do to that skin had nothing to do with piercing it with an arrow. He smirked to himself, not that kind of arrow anyway.

He watched her swim and bathe in the water. She was a small woman even for an elf. She was at least a head and shoulder shorter than he if not more. She moved to a rock and sat upon it rubbing oils onto her delicate pale skin. Now she was shimmering in the moonlight as if she were a goddess.

Putting her beauty aside for a moment, he began to contemplate what kind of woman she was. In his first sighting, he saw her fighting valiantly at the side of her men. From this, he deducted that she was strong and brave. A woman of battle honor so it would seem. A woman worthy of a strong man next to her, he thought. He had seen her bandage her men when they were injured that day. She also shed tears when they buried two of their own. She was a woman of compassion, at least for her men. Today he had seen her put her men’s needs before her own allowing them bathe and relax before she did. This was honorable. Then he watched her comb and braid the warrior’s hair. This was most kind, the thought.

This woman could not be fell by his hands. He would not slay her. At this point, he began to back down the mountain. Yet an attempt had to be made. If she falls in battle this would be an honorable death. However, it would not be by his hand. He would attack them of course, but his men would do his job for him. It was the only way. Either that or he and his men would be killed in the attempt it was the only way.

The night in the camp had been only a bit uncomfortable. That morning brought the knowledge that they were only a half of days ride from the wizard capital and with the sunshine and warm weather around them; it should be a pleasurable ride. The scout had reported no human presences in the lands. This news also bolstered moral. As they broke camp, the men talked among themselves. The joking and conversation began to become off color and inappropriate for a woman’s ears.

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