Date: Fri, 23 Aug 1996 23:35:25 -0400 From: BARBARA HARRIS Subject: INT: The Overrealm -- [ From: Barbara Harris * EMC.Ver #2.5.1 ] -- RESERVED: King Rudolph (Travis) Moira Kincaid (Barbara), daughter of the king's sister Oxanadore, an old wise woman living in the woods (Barbara) Shared: Heath, a guard at the castle Moira slipped quietly inside the City gate, pausing only to return the nod of the lackadaisical elf guarding the portal. His inattention soothed her jangled nerves: things must be quiet in Urial today. She was dressed in a gray woolen cloak, hood pulled up to hide her hair and most of her face, which she had borrowed from one of the kitchen girls, knowing it would allow her to pass easily through town. Had anyone seen the fine butter yellow linen dress she wore beneath it, covered on bodice and edges with delicate silk embroidery, they would have been surprised. The cloak was too warm for this cool summer day, but she knew she needed it's ability to disguise her. Moira adjusted the heavy basket, full of fruits and vegetables from her home garden, that hung over her left arm. As she brushed the perspiration off her brow, she noted that her crystal ring had again gotten turned around. Surreptitiously, she turned the ring so that the crystal was hidden inside her hand. It was only a small crystal, but double terminated and rare. Oxanadore, the old woman in the cottage in the woods had told her it would act as a focus for great energy. With the stone turned in, she appeared to be wearing a plain band of hammered silver. She had yet to learn to use the ring, but somehow felt protected when wearing it. Oxanadore was giving her lessons in Magic, but those lessons had to be kept secret, since Magic was frowned on everywhere around. Her own mother was unhappy about her interest in it. Moira climbed the steep hill that led to the King's Castle at the top of the city. The road zig-zagged past colorful stalls, and she stopped once to purchase a bright bouquet of fresh flowers and add them to her basket, remembering not to overpay this time, but only adding a small tip. She smiled brightly at the toothless vendor, and went on her way. As Moira came up to the small side door of the Castle she was stopped by a tall blond brawny man in uniform. She threw back the hood of her cloak, revealing long deep red curls, a pert nose with freckles, smiling green eyes, and a mischievous grin. "Miss Moira!" said the Guard. "What are you doing traveling alone and dressed so?" "Oh, Heath, you know every time I come with an escort lately something outrageous happens. Last time I almost got kidnapped. It was only your quick action that forestalled it!" Heath blushed slightly. "Just doing my job, Miss. I doubt the King's going to be happy to find you've arrived thus!" "Well then, we shan't tell him, okay?" Her eyes sparkled, though she knew his loyalty to Uncle Rudolf would require that he speak to him later. Heath just smiled and showed her through the gate. "I believe he's in his study, Miss." "Thankyou, Heath!" She wandered down the path, between finely laid out knot gardens. The roses filled the air with a heady scent, while bees buzzed around the lower growing herbiage surrounding them. She looked down at the flowers in her basket and laughed softly to herself... they hardly seemed necessary midst all this splendor. Off to her right, she saw two gardeners at work trimming some topiary bushes. Everything looked peaceful and in order. As she came to the side door, yet another guard stepped forth, but recognizing her, he merely help the door open and ushered her inside. She walked up to her uncle's study door and rapped sharply... @>->->------------ Love & -----------<-<-<-@ Light, Barbara &*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*& "Speak in French when you can't think of the English for a thing -- turn out your toes as you walk -- and remember who you are!" Red Queen to Alice "Through the Looking Glass" - Lewis Carroll &*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*& Barbara Harris Haven for Hopeful Romantics TCZJ32B@ Prodigy.com