S1, Chapter 4. Power of the Knight.

Continuing......Wizard Lands, morning.

The air was crisp, the day was bright, the storms were gone. This is what Dawn awoke to in the early hours of morning. She grabbed her sword and stood, going tot he Knight. She found him sitting against a tree and he did not move when she approached. She shook her head; magic. Her mother practiced legal and illegal magic and she was sick of it, no matter that she too was immortal, frozen in time.

She kicked his still foot. “Awake!”

The White Knight creaked and stood. Dawn knew that no mortal man could sleep like that.

“Today we break curses!” Dawn shouted at him. She kicked him and he didn't move. She nodded and led him forward, herself readied.

They approached the castle and the wall of magic was still there, glowing. When they were before the green glowing magic, she ushered the way for the Knight to go forward and do whatever it was she knew he did. He knelt down on the ground at the gates to the castle, with his finger he drew ancient runes in the dirt. They began to glow gold.

A gold glow began to crept along the ground, snaking its way to the base of Star's magic wall. The gold began to slowly over take the green and the Knight traced more gold runes on the gates and stone walls. She held her breath, in awe of his power, of the battle of magic as the gold stopped, the green pushed back, the gold pushed back, and pushed forward. She drew her sword and knelt on the ground, she bowed her head to the hilt, asking the Goddess of War, Appalonia, an old pagan goddess, for power to over turn her mother's curse. She considered this an act of war between mother and daughter.

Suddenly the gold began to glow brighter. The Knight stood and his voice, a deep gravelly thing that was more of a demonic sound than human, echoed louder and louder. He was encouraging the magic and Dawn witnessed the green be consumed by gold as the sun rose in the sky behind the castle. Her eyes lit with the glow of the magic and the dark blue burned a lighter blue. Her heart began to race, just what would she find? As she watched the curse be reversed by the purest magic known to man or woman, she couldn't help but wonder. Whatever it was she was going to defend the Wizard, her mother would get over herself DAMMIT. Dawn put her hand on the hilt of her sword and her knuckles tightened.

The moment the gold magic cleared the doors Dawn burst forward and kicked them down. She raced into the castle and her ears adjusted to the sound of screaming echoing through the castle. Her feet took her where she wanted to go, her will taking her. She flew by the random male servants of the place, she cared not for them. She came to a sitting room, it was dark and candle lit, at first it appeared harmless. But upon closer look she found it to be a torture chamber and what she saw made her put an end to it.

Inside, her mother had the Wizard tied to the ceiling by his wrists, his ankles were tied to pegs in the floor. He had a gag in his mouth and a blindfold on. His manhood was hard and she had a thin silver chain tied at head of his shaft leading to two clamps on either of his nipples. Her mother, in a thin gown of white velvet, loosely tied-Dawn tried not to look, but one couldn't help it- with one hand buried in the panties she wore. Star was holding a soft, tan leather whip in her free hand. It was soft for repeated striking of one's slave without causing them bruising or obscene pain. Still, she made sure each lick made him wince.

The door had been open and the moment Star saw Dawn her face lightened, her dark circled eyes widened and the glowing honey color grew brighter. She threw the whip at the Wizard and he drew a sharp breath in through his nose when it hit his back. As it struck him she fell to the ground, laughing as she withdrew her hand from her underwear and felt her ridiculous curse fade away. She felt the lust and the fever melt into the new day, she felt her racing heart slow to a steady beat. Dawn ignored her mother entirely and went straight to the Wizard, drawing her dagger and cutting the rope ties that trapped him.

“Serves you right Wizard,” Star got to her feet, stumbling and falling. Her knees were too weak.

“What did you do to him!?” Dawn shouted as she took care of him and removed his gag.

“He thought he had me, I HAD YOU!” Her ramblings were mad and she laughed in between words. “I simply had my way darling.” The woman explained. A sudden cramp-an after affect of the magic- shocked her side and she shut her eyes, clutching her body. She tried to laugh the pain away. “I wouldn't call what happened between us love making. Would we dear Wizard one? This? This is nothing,” she shook her head. “Nothing compared to what I've done to him and others of this castle.”

Dawn glared at her. “SHUT UP YOU CRAZY BAT!”

Star laughed.

The Princess was caring as she freed the Wizard, gently releasing the clamps and seeing how red and raw his nipples were. She soon had him leaning against her as they left the room. He directed her to the nearest bedroom and she helped him into the bed. He too felt the release of the curse and it was like he could breath fully again, each breath swept a lungful of cold air into his over heated body. He was glad for it, and thankful for rest.

When Dawn returned to the her mother she saw the woman laying on her back on the floor, content. She wouldn't let her off that easy. As she crossed the room Star spoke.

“I am happy you did it but I am also baffled by how easy it was.”

They both knew she meant her curse.

“The White Knight is more pure than your lust,” Dawn said. She picked up her mother and had her lean on her shoulder.

“Aaahhh, makes sense now. Too true.” Star smiled, thinking her daughter was friendly with her. “Can't wait to return to the castle, we have things to discuss.”

“You are returning. I am not.”

Star looked confused, she looked at Dawn and couldn't stop her to make her talk. “You're not going with me? Where are you going this time?”

“You, you neurotic animal, will return to castle Ao'o ** and get your self together. You will stay away from here mother.”

They approached the two horses and Dawn didn't let Star stop for a moment. They passed the Knight as he finished his job. Star was disheartened by his ease and strength, she felt weak.

“Now Dawn be reasonable! I'm half naked!”

“I know. This is me being reasonable. I'm punishing you for your insolence on my future fiance and husband.” She stopped her mother and they faced each other. “I declare this land under my personal protection against my mother the Queen of Holy Wood and I swear to Gods and devils that if you return here we Will fall into war.”

“Geez Child!” Star shouted. “You need not be forceful! I get it! Trust me,” she eyed the castle. “Where once was love, is only memories. We had our fun, and I secede from our battle over him.” She hated saying it. “Siiiigh, you win child.”

“HAHAHAHA! I KNEW IT!” Dawn laughed in triumph and suddenly drew her sword, whacking the hilt to her mother's head. The woman dropped and Dawn caught her in one arm, branching the sword away in the other. “Sorry for that. Well actually I'm not, you had it coming and it felt good.”

She set her sword down and hefted her mother into the horse saddle. She was light and Dawn was giftedly strong. She tied the woman into the saddle and then tied her arms to her sides and put a stick between her back and the ropes to make her stay upright. The Princess laughed at the sight of her mother looking so foolish in the aftermath of her own curse. Served her right. The woman smacked the horse and it began moving forward, making way to the castle.

&*&*&*&*&*&*

Within the Dark Castle.

With the woman gone the Wizard rested. He rested all day and into the night. Sometime during the night he awoke and the first thing he saw was Dawn, She was watching him, and he noticed the goblet in her hand, the cooling soup on the table across the room. He saw that her leather gloves and shin guards were gone. She was down to the soft under tunic and loose pants. She smiled softly at him, her hair still held up in a tail on her head.

He liked her face. She didn't wear eye kohl or rouge. She didn't need to, her face was unlined and open. It was kind when she smiled and was relaxed, she seemed to relax easily around him. He was calm around her, it made his heart calm.

“How long have you been here?” He asked.

She gave him the goblet, he drank the water.

“Not long. Its only midnight.”

“Why did you stay? Why did you not return to castle Ao'o?” He wanted to know, even though he hoped her answer would be to be with him.

“Even though you kidnapped my daughter I know you would never hurt her. You did it to get my attention, I know that. My mother is the ultimate diva, do you think I don't know a cry for attention when I see one? You didn't have to take Rosie,” she admitted. “But, it worked. Here I am. Now what did you want?”

He stared at her, surprised by what he really wanted. Nothing more than for her stay and to laugh.

“I want you to stay. I want you to spend a while with me, I know of you, and yet I don't know you at all.”

She thought to herself, “He is just as enchanting as they say. And he wants me to stay and talk with him.” She nodded. “Of course.”

He leaned back into the pillows on his bed. Her eyes wandered over his chest, the light down of black hair called to her, she wanted to touch him. He caught her looking, she met his eyes. She smiled and then stood and kissed his forehead. He grabbed her face and turned her to kiss him, he had wanted this moment. Her soul screamed to disrobe them and have their way with each other, but she didn't. He needed rest and she had plenty of time to spend with him. She sent orders from the Kingdom by the Sea for Richi to collect Rosie when Star returned to the castle. Until then, Dawn would go where she wanted, stay where she wanted, and seduce her future husband if she so wanted to.

She hated that for the BOC and Court Houses of Holy Wood to accept and bind her marriage to a magic man, her mother first had to consent. A little marriage law designed to protect women and girls from enchanting magic men trying to lure them into their trap. Magic men, wizards, warlocks, spirits, elves etc and the like, sometimes got bold and would tempt women to their lairs where they kept them as spell bound slaves forever. A parent, or third party must give consent to the marriage to ensure the safety of the women.

She knew that now Star would HAVE to accept though. She would force her mother to make them wed. But for now, the princess was happy to order the men servants around and tend to her Wizard.

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Castle Ao'o, night.

Star sank into the steaming bath tub centered before her bed. She had this large copper tub brought up so that she didn't have to leave her chambers once she awakened in her rooms. Richi drank wine at the table on the veranda, the doors opened allowing the cooling breeze to enter. He was turned away from her, looking out towards the dark lands dotted with lights and fires from the village people.

“You mean she still wants him? After you violated him?” he was surprised.

“Yes that was my reaction too. But she knows it was me who cursed him and found it in her to forgive him of any crimes and help him recover. There must be something there that I don't see. Maybe to marry them will end the feud between the Wizard and me.

“Of course it would you idiot. Why it took you this long to understand that is astounding.”

“Well if it was so smart a marriage why didn't you try to arrange it?”

“I did, once or twice. You rejected. But now you see it is helpful.”

“If I even do it,” she smirked to herself.

“Oh you will...” He looked at her form outside, his eyebrow was raised in skepticism.

She shrugged and then nodded. “Oh all right. If its whom she really wants. I thought she would hold out for that boy to come back.”

“You mean the father of her children?”

“Child.”

“I know you don't like talking about Dawn's Son, but he did exist.”

“I know Richi!” She suddenly shouted. “I know. . . . .The father's name was Appolonio. He came from a land outside the Seven Kingdoms, far to the west. He was called back for a war and we haven't seen him since before Deniel was born.” She sighed and needed to move on quickly over her dead grandson. Boys didn't last long in her family. “I saw Bon.”

Richi turned and faced her. He hated that man. His very name drove Richi into anger.

“In the castle, he came to me.” She said gently, knowing that Bon upset her cousin.

“And what did he want?” He snapped.

“To tell me, Us, about the Boy. He says the group is almost ready and he is doing well in civilized life.”

This made Richi calm and smile. “Our little red devil.”

“I miss him.” She sniffed.

“They shouldn't be too much longer, we'll see our Boy again.”

“I don't mean the boy...although, I miss my little devil too.”

“I told you never to talk to me about Bon.” He said, knowing who she spoke of. He was so cold to her, he had to be.

He knew she couldn't afford a weakness. Anyone or anything other than Dawn and Rosie were weaknesses a woman of power like her couldn't give in to. He knew Bon was her one wish, the one thing that would truly wound her most, the one man who got closest to her.

She frowned and got out of her tub, water rippling across her skin. She wrapped a robe around herself and went to him angrily. She slapped him and he flashed to his feet, he was slightly taller, dressed in his black velvet. He towered over her and she shivered in a small breeze, still drenched from her bath water, but stood up against him.

“Why are you so cold Richi?”

“Because he hurts you. Every time he leaves your side you cry for days.”

She scowled and started to object. “I have not-”

“I hear you Star,” he said. “You don't fool me.”

She shook him off. “I see.” She crossed her arms. “Well then, our boy is returning in a year and my trial begins soon. Tell me about it.” She turned her back to him and returned to her bath.

Richi hated fighting with her, he changed the subject. “Your trial begins in two days.”

“Fuck the trial!” She ducked under the water and Richi wandered in from the outside. His arms were crossed when she came back up.

“We cannot. It's coming and we have to prepare. We should have prepared a long time ago.”

“Richi, I told you not to worry about the Trial. When it comes I'll be prepared. Please stop worrying about it. Like I said before, we've faced their trials before, we can do it again.” She told him with a tone of tired confidence. 

He picked up the cigar box on her mahogany table. Inside were not cigars, but joints. He took one and lit it. He breathed in deep and held before letting out a cloud of smoke. He sighed and had no choice but to trust her, she was right after all. Every trial they went through she found a way out of it, using her wits and hidden knowledge. He wondered what kind of knowledge she would pull out of her ass this time. She sure was going to need it.

                               **********************************************

**((Castle Ao'o, Ao'o translated means Lizard. Lizard Castle.))

S1 Chapter 3; White Knight

2020 AC/DC. En Route to the Kingdom by the Sea.

The day that came was breezy and the sky was smudged with grey clouds against a blue sky. Dawn and her child Rosie came in an unannounced appearance at the Castle By the Sea, where the Old King ruled, Old King being a title passed from one king to the next. They were taken to his great hall where he and his court sat as they spent their days. They were there now as Princesses Dawn and Rosie entered. Dawn was dressed for battle in black leather arm and shin guards, Rosie in her pleated skirt and white tights. Never was there more of a contrast between innocent and not.

The Kingdom by the Sea was an old old house that was established long ago when the first explorers from the Great Island came to mingle with the free folk of the Seven Lands. Thousands of years went by and the Kingdom by the Sea became the oldest, most respected kingdom out of the Seven lands. The King himself was now old, his grandfather took part in the Holy Wood Rebellion of '79 and ties with Holy Wood were dormant, but strong. Star was a Pisces Born, she was drawn to the sea and water and it was the first place the Shaman took her to when she woke up in the deserts. Dawn was no stranger to this place and knew that to get what she wanted she had to be calm here, aggression was met with negative effects.

She came to the foot of the throne and dropped to one knee in customary greeting, she knew that acting brash would get her nowhere here. When she stood he smiled kindly, his pale blue eyes sparkled with mischief, it made Dawn wary.

“To what do we owe the pleasure of your company, Princess of Holy Wood.” He addressed her.

“I have no time to waste words, so I will be forthright. I need your White Knight, his purity can break any curse it is said. Is this true?”

He always did like the blood of Star Dust, wild and strong. Natural born rulers. Their ways were commendable, their attitudes made him smile, so different from one Moorison lady to the next.

“Who is it who needs saving may I ask?”

She didn't want to say it, her mother's shenanigans were widely known and this one would make people laugh. “My mother.”

“Who placed the curse?”

She sighed in angst, “My Mother the Queen set it upon the Wizard in revenge for kidnapping my daughter, and trapped herself in the process.” So many words, so much time wasted already.

There was small laughter through the crowds, she didn't look at the snickering nobles. She lifted her chin and looked down her nose at everyone surrounding her, her eyes darkened like an impending storm. One could almost hear the thunder at her finger tips. If she kept her composure she knew they would help. Snickering beasts they may be, they were human at heart.

“I shall lend the Knight to your service, but first the conditions must be signed and reviewed.”

His steward came forward with quill and contract in hand. Dawn had no time. She kept a level voice and tried her hand at using solid reason and urgency.

She couldn't take the formalities. “I beg pardon King but I cannot stand here and wait for the contract to be recorded. I need the Knight as quickly as possibly. Whatever the cost is know I will pay it!”

“Very well,” the King grinned, it was a shame she wouldn't let him continue but she did say she would pay any price. He nodded to the Knight in question.

The Knight had been standing to the side and behind the throne. He came forward, a seven foot tall faceless man who never spoke or removed his armor. Some said he was an enchanted suit, others said a cursed man, others said he was a hero from the Great Holy Wood Rebellion. But his soul was said to be pure enough to break any curse. Dawn hoped his purity was enough for him to bring down the wall her mother had created. Anyone who wanted the Knight had to pay but the price was different for everyone and not all were willing to pay. The Princess warrior didn't care about spending riches or items to save her mother. She would do it.

The Knight marched forward under his white colors and Dawn got on her knee to bow. Rosie dipped her head and curtsied, all the while quietly watching. The Old King gazed at her with such deep kindness, he knew a like Leo soul when he saw one. They were rare in these lands, Leo Borns.

“If you are going into Battle, you may wish to keep the child here. We will keep her safe from harm.” The King said.

The mere thought sent Rosie's eyes wide with panic and she suddenly grabbed at her mother's cloak tail.

“Mummy,” she whispered.

Dawn turned to face her. “Now Rosie you have to be brave. No one here will do you any harm or unkindness. They are known for their gentle hearts. I have to go fight and you cannot follow me there.”

A group of ladies in waiting opened their arms to the girl and she had to admit that they didn't seem or feel threatening in the least. The man in her head who was always watching, told her it was safe to go forward. She hated the thought of leaving her mother but knew it was for her own safety. She went with the ladies and Dawn gave her one more parting look before storming out with the Knight in tow. He followed silently as she mounted her stead, he mounted his white stallion and away they flew across the lands, to the Tower of Black. With her mind settle by the White Knight she was free to revert back to the anger she felt at her mother being locked up under a sex curse with the very man Dawn knew she would some day marry.

“It should be me in the castle!” She screamed as she kicked her horse to go faster, the steed was empowered by her furious soul and it gave the creature power as they thundered forward.

*********************************************************************

Inside the Dark Castle of the Wizard, evening.

Star and the Wizard flung away from each other. They panted heavily and were drenched in sweat. Unsatisfied but exhausted from hours of “going at it”, they had to run away from each other to get any rest. A curse meant to punish the Wizard! Star gasped for breath as she left the Wizard laying on the rug before a fire. He closed his eyes lest the sight of her departing behind made him hard again. He laid on his front, gripping the edge of the rug and biting his knuckle.

She went up as far as up went into the lofts of the castle. Its enchanted halls changed constantly, making anyone who did not know its power lost, Star was not lost but she wished she was.A bed soon came to her feet and she flung herself into it, laying down on her back. To anyone else she appeared a corpse, they couldn't eat enough because eating made them aroused, they couldn't sleep because they burned with a raging sexual fever. Every time they coupled they climaxed and body fluids were never exchanged so heavily, but they were left with a never ending feeling of being unsatisfied. Nothing they did, no position, no length of time, no amount of aggressive hair pulling and flesh smacking made them feel spent.

Away from each other they could rest for a time until the need was upon them again. The Wizard did not live completely alone in his castle, he had servants, people of Holy Wood who came to work for him, nearly only wandering men who needed work. Women, unless in need of a nameless lover, steered clear of the Castle. The man servants had Not fallen under the curse, but the sounds of the two nobles frantically making love drove them mad all on its own. They had never seen or experienced such a uncontrollable frenzy between two bodies. They wondered how any living creature could expend so much energy and not die.

One such man among them was driven to more pain than any of them. He had only recently taken up work in the castle, having returned from the Great Island to the South. He was visiting the Queen's ill begotten bastard son and had news that only he could deliver in the deepest secrecy, direct from Prince Malcom of the Younge family. The man was not the tallest figure ever born, and his face was not conventionally handsome. But something in his eyes was smart and wild, brave and full of fire. Those blue eyes that darted through the darkened halls, his arms were strong and relaxed in his process of searching. His feet were silent, his legs muscled from years of creeping in the shadows. He was looking for the woman he had hoped would come, after hearing the Wizard speak out loud about the Princess Dawn he knew how to get Star here.

The Wizard had wondered aloud where Dawn was and why she felt the need to run the underground gangs when she could be with him. The Man had casually mentioned, while continuing to work, that the best way to get the Princess- or even the Queen for that matter- was to go through the girl Rosie. He pointed out that the Princess in waiting was often left alone when her female family members were out entertaining the masses. The Wizard had been enlightened and the Man laughed to himself with the outcome. Of course the Queen would cast a curse and curse herself too. He went to her now, watching the nude nymph as she tried to escape her own curse.

He found her hidden in a smaller guest room. When his eyes fell upon the sleeping beauty he suddenly remembered why he had been following her every track for the last forty years. He was a Dirty Deeds Man, an assassin for hire, and in 1973 before she married the Lizard King, he was sent to kill her. But he couldn't do it and when he came to her bedside he knew why; she was his soul mate. He had failed his mission, and missed out on the payout of his life, because when he made love to her that night she had touched his soul with her own.

Now she was older, she had been but a girl when he first met her, and she had been married, made Queen, gifted the Six Lands with Immortality, had three children, and one grandchild. He was still a Dirty Deeds Man. Now she was thin, near sickly looking, the exhaustion was clear in her face and had he not seen her walking, he would have taken her for a fresh corpse. Dead looking but beautiful still.

He sat on his heels, silently beside the bed. He couldn't touch her, afraid to wake her like he had been that morning after their first night together. She mumbled, she always mumbled in her sleep. His soul screamed at him to pick her up in his arms and kiss her until she cried. He wanted to placate the curse with their desires for each other, but every time he made love to her it only became harder to leave. Still, she began to come to after only minutes of sleep, and he was sorry that his presence awoke her, she could sleep when he was gone.

She seemed to know who he was before they saw each other. “Bon?” Her eyes opened and she reached out to touch his strong face, his dimpled cheeks and manly jaw line. “Bon is that you? Is it really you? Gods its been so long.”

“Five years to be exact....”

“Too long...”

With the curse upon her she reached out to him, cupping his neck in an iron grip and bringing him in to kiss her frantically. He could tell she was too desperate, driven by the curse. Still he didn't push away until she shoved herself away.

“I'm sorry I cursed this castle and myself...I am not myself.” She cried into the silk sheets.

He didn't want to say what he had to. Duty often had to overrule love. It was the way their lives were cast.

“I can't stay long Star, I came here to talk to you very briefly....”

She bit her tongue to keep silent. All she really wanted to do was spend the rest of eternity in this place with the man before her. That wish had been the same for the last forty years.

“The boy is almost ready. Another year or so the group will be complete. He's adapting quite well to life on the Great Island. Full of trouble, just like his mother.”

She laughed. If she weren't so full of life with rosie cheeks, he would've believed she was dying, laying in the bed like an invalid when it was exhaustion that weighed on her. With the Wizard equally as punished by her own curse, he was off sleeping in the castle. Trying to recover from their sexcapades. Even the magician needed a reprieve. Bon kissed her head and when she blinked he slipped away, she blinked again, hoping he would return to her line of sight but as always he left without a word and she let him go without a word. It was easier that way, all the times he couldn't stay, all the words she couldn't say, left unspoken lest their strength crumble around them. Both wanted only each other, but what they wanted mattered for nothing in their positions, it was a painful circle they ran in.

Then, blissfully, she had a dream about their first meeting. She hadn't recalled that night in years, so many other nights were more passionate than then but that single night they shared before her wedding was the most tender they'd ever had.

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Dream land....

1973 CR, an outback train on the Great Southern Island.

Star Dust Blackmoore was on a trip as ambassador. She was reading the letter her father had written, traveling by train she was making way to the capitol called Sydny. She was going to meet her royal friends the Younge family as they opened up a a grand new acting house by the sea. Her father, Lord Alwein Blackmoore, had sent her a letter, dated a week ago, that the King of Holy Wood had made a choice out of the selection of noble girls presented to him for marriage. The King of Lizard blood had chosen Star, she was going to be the Queen of Holy Wood.

She let the letter fly free from her hands and fly out the window.

  “Dearest Star Dust, child of mine. On the very day I write this, the king made his decision and called your name as his future bride. The entire family is so proud of you. Please return to the mainland as soon as this letter reaches you and we will commence with the wedding plans. Your future is like your name, bright and shining.
All of my love, Father.
Lord Alwein Blackmoore of Blackmoore Manor of Holy Wood.”

He always told her, your future is like your name, bright and shinning. She smiled at the corner of her mouth and the letter went away, so she was to be married already. She had only been conscious for fifteen years, she was thirty years old and she was engaged to the most powerful king in the Six kingdoms. She didn't know how she felt, after all it had been her parents who had put her name forward for the lottery, as the only female child of a prominent noble family, it was her duty to wed into royalty. She supposed it would interesting to say the least, her parents often said they didn't love each other when they married but they grew to love each other.

The train stopped and she got off to stretch her legs, her mind numb from the news of her engagement. She went straight to a bar and began drinking, to have fun as a single woman, to dance, to forget her duties............and she missed her train. It left without her and she didn't notice. She leaned against the jukebox, and watched a slinky character out of the corner of her eye. He had been trailing her all night, from the station to the bar. He came up beside her at the bar when she ordered her first drink.

He came up to her, finally. She grinned.

“Hey girl, I've been watching you all night,” he was slurring. "You're so pretty, so sexy," he whispered.

She was astounded and thought to herself, "Did this man honestly think he could seduce her like that?"

 "Why don't we dance?”

She laughed. “Dance, I say we will. But don't call me sexy.”

He laughed and followed her. They danced well, she was surprised, and not just because he kept pace with her. There was something about his rugged face that she was drawn to, she felt a sinking pit in her stomach as they competed on the dance floor, as the songs went faster their moves became more intense. Finally they stopped, in each others arms and their eyes met under a dusty light from above. They were not in a rusty, beaten old tavern. They were alone with each other. She pushed away from him and stumbled on her ankle, drunk. She went to the bar, ordered another rum shot and drank it in one fell swoop of her hand. The man came up to her, panting for breath and calming down. He did the same.

“My name is Bon,” he said after a drink. He held out his hand. "Bon Scotte."

She shook it. “That is how you meet someone.” Her laugh was low. “Especially when you meet a Blackmoore.”

“Oh?” He said in surprise, a smile bright on his face. “You are a Blackmoore? There's only one daughter of Blackmoore.”

She gave him a drunken bow. “In the flesh.”

His eyes swept her when she faced him again. “Not entirely.” His voice was not as pitched as it had been a moment before. It was low, kissed by a hint of seduction.

He leaned in to her, his eyes looking at her lips. She reacted the same way but even though she was drunk, she knew she shouldn't touch this man. She turned her face and he kissed her ear, the tip of his tongue licking her ear lobe for a moment. She gasped and grabbed her satchel and almost ran out of the tavern. He grinned at her departing flowy shawl.

When she left the tavern she walked straight to the train station, the warm wind blowing with the promise of a desert storm, humid and wet. She tried lighting the joint on her lips but the wind refused her lighter And her matches. She growled and stormed up to the open vestibule where the ticket lady was turning down the lamps and shutting the gates.

“No no no no no No No No NO!” Star screeched as she dropped her things and rushed up to the window. “You can't close I need to get on the next train!”

“Train don't make stop here at night.”

“What do you mean it doesn't stop at night?!”

“Just what I said lady.” The woman didn't miss a beat. “Train come in morning or you catch the next one in the next town in three hours.”

“Where is the next stop?!”

“Go East through the Back Desert, by car is two hours. You can make the train there.”

“I don't have a car and I need to be somewhere tomorrow at noon. I can't wait here until morning.”

“Oh,” the ticket woman stopped. She was a short elder woman with solid grey hair and tanned skin. She bore a tough glint in her eye.

Star Dust's hand curled into fists and her knuckled cracked. “Oh what?”

“You're fucked,” the woman said. She slammed the window cover shut and Star heard her lock up from the other side.

“Do you know who I am!?” She screamed. “I am Star Dust Blackmoore! I am engaged to the King of Holy Wood dammit!”

There was no give. She growled and went back to her dropped things. There at the entrance to the station was the man named Bon. She frowned at him and straightened her clothes before moving on in a slightly drunken stumble.

“Do you need a ride?” He asked as he watched her go by.

She spun round and pulled a blade on him. Where she grabbed it from he didn't know. A trick in her satchel most likely. She didn't shake or look afraid, she knew how to hurt a man with that little dagger.

“Stay away from me,” she said. “We had fun on the dance floor but that's where it ends.” She stormed off before he could say anything more.

She went to the edge of town leading east and sighed as she began walking along the dirt road to the next town. She was angry with this town of no name and wouldn't stay there over night. Dressed in a white mini dress and simple indoor slippers, she was not prepared for the chilly night air of the desert, during a rain. It began to pour and her thin, chiffon shawl was no match for the storm.

Her shoes were soon turned a dark muddy red from the clay like dirt beneath her feet, her knee high socks dropped and she didn't bother to fix them. The sound of a car came from behind and she jumped into the bushes to avoid being run over as a car came tearing down the road. It stopped up ahead and she fought the brush as she clawed out of the brambles. She cursed and thrashed about and didn't hear the car, a beat up white hatchback, begin to back up. She was still fighting the bush when the car stopped.

The man inside tried not to laugh at the sight of her fighting branches and tearing her lacy dress. Her socks were around her ankles and her shoes were caked in clay. He shook his head and opened the door, stepping out and slamming it behind him. He went to her and took the branches off of her dress, trying to gently unhook the thorns from the lace without tearing the dress. She stayed still when he did, knowing that he only wanted to help and let him help. She shivered when a gust of wind blew, he noticed.

“Do you still not need a ride?” He asked.

She shook her head. “May I trouble you for one?”

He opened the door, “Step right in.”

She sighed and sat in the passenger seat. He shut the door and got in the driver's seat, speeding off quickly. They spoke of little things, she complained of the rain, he said they don't get it often. They came to a bridge where they had to cross to get to the next village, but it was blocked, half wrecked by a flash flood. Star sighed and laid her head on the dash in front of her. This was just her luck, to be blocked by a wrecked bridge in a land that never rains that is now pouring rain.

Bon explained that they wouldn't get anywhere until morning and she realized her escape earlier had been in vain......she was his now. He got in the extended backseat, laid down the seats, and laid a convenient blanket across the cold leather upholstery.

She refused to but her wet clothes persuaded her to cuddle next to him under the blanket. She felt the heat of his body and her wet clothes hindered her comfort in the uncomfortable situation. But she refused to take them off. She felt his discomfort too but this was already an improper situation for an engaged Lady of nobility, what more did she have to lose when there was no one to see?

“Darling,” he said in a sweet tone, with his back to her, awkwardly smashing his front to the car. “This would be better if you got those clothes off to dry.”

“They will dry nicely on my body thank you.”

“ And we will freeze before we warm.”

She groaned in defeat and tore off the lace slip of a dress. She had only her lace panties to keep her somewhat decent. At first he didn't touch her, and she felt the strange sensation of laying against a stiff board, she was colder laying naked under the blankets next to him than in her wet clothes. She had lived a wild, swinging fifteen years of freedom and it had all amounted to a choice that was made for her. If this was her one last tempt at freedom she should have it. Besides, her virginity had been lost to her cousin Richi near ten years ago, she had nothing to lose besides her life and he hadn't strangled her yet.

She turned her front to his back and placed a hand on his warm skin. His body rippled at her cold fingered touch. He turned over then and his eyes saw hers glowing like sunlit honey in the summertime. He took her hand and led her to perversions she had not yet met. In the back of his car they tumbled head over heels over and over again in the dark.

She brought him to his knees and made him bend to her pleasure. He made her scream in desire and give him all she had with her. Nothing but her body. When he had her in his lap, he sat back on his heels and his eyes met the sight of a wire that didn't belong. It was misplaced on purpose, unnoticeable by a quick glance. But he knew it was meant to be removed. It was meant to be used to strangle Her, the very woman he was pleasuring.

There was a gun under the seats, a loose wire above and in the lining of the seats. There were knives hidden nearly everywhere. Handcuffs to bind her, poison to slip her, gases to leave her in. But he didn't touch any of it that night. He brought her to a resounding hot, wet mess in his hands, and he was not much better off. They fell asleep together soundly, smiles on their faces.

In the morning He awoke and dressed first. He had to sit up, careful not to wake her. She looked so at peace, he knew she was engaged. He was married. He knew she was part of the swinging free movement in Holy Wood, a lady of mysterious past and distinguished family name. He knew where she was going, where she came from, which seat on which train she was traveling by. He followed her off the train and to the bar and got her drunk, making all her drinks “on the house”.

He could kill her then, while she slept....Strangle her, shoot her, stab her, then chop her up and tie her up in little bags and spread her over the desert lands. But he wasn't going to, no matter than this job would pay him enough to put him into retirement at his age. He let her sleep until she stirred and seemed to feel his presence. He traced the contours of her body as she lay face buried in her arms on her belly. When she lifted her head she smiled at him and blinked her eyes trying to rid them of sleep. She yawned and sat up, revealing her body to him in the day. He wanted to go to her but didn't, their parting was to be abrupt and cold by his will. It made him angry.

“Good morning,” she said with a happy tone.

“Morning,” he returned with a smile.

She sat up and was beginning to dress. He watched. He had something to say.

“Star,” he stopped.

She looked at him, her dress rumpled and half way on. His tone was off and she wondered why. Did she have to fight now?

“I know this is so sudden.”

She dreaded his words.

“I'm a Dirty Deeds Man. I kill people for a living, and I was sent to kill you.”

She was stunned. He couldn't look her in the eye.

“This whole car is meant to kill you. I could leave you here and break a clay disk that will release poison into the air. Strangle you, stab you, even drown you. Someone paid me a lot of money for your head.”

“Are you going to kill me Bon?” She asked in a steady voice as a single tear rolled down her cheek. 

Her eyes never left his and it made him shiver.

He shook his head. “No. I'm going to drive you to Sydny where you were meant to go and then I will leave you there and we will never see each other again. Now get your things together, we're leaving.”

She didn't say another word, and neither did he, as they got themselves together and he drove on, the bridge cross-able now that the water was down. He took her all the way to the city like he said he would. He stopped and for a split moment they sat there, wanting to say something to the other. Anything. She could feel him wanting to speak, but she she didn't even look at him. They didn't say another word as she got out of the car and walked away, the door shut behind her, trapping her shawl on the seat beside him.

She disappeared into the city faster than he could pull away and it was he who lingered. It didn't take too long before he left, just enough for him to look for her before pulling away. He had a call to make. 

><><><><><><><><><><
Waking world.....
Dark Castle of the Wizard, deepest night......

Star jumped as she came out of sleep. The burning fever of lust was upon her and burned between her legs in want. She was pulled out of sleep, out of her dream than she recalled with heart ache. She hunted the Wizard and the curse continued.....

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&

Wizard Lands, night.....

Dawn could see the mighty tower not far off in the distance. It was night now and she would wait for the morning to come. Fighting unseen forces was better in the day and she would wait. . . .The knight waited and said nothing. A man crept by in the dark and they didn't hear him as he went off in the direction of Holy Wood. The night became still.

to be continued........