S2 Chapter 7 Caught in the Middle

Holy Wood, Ao'o, 2020 AC/DC, Day.

Her mother had been gone two months! Months and not a word! Last they heard of her she had ridden off to settle land disputes and a fire and had done so. But of course, the treaties lasted a short while. not on the fault of lords and ladies of the land but simply because the pagan tribes that had no kings or queens were always at war.

Dawn did not bother with them. But Richi was busy in the throne room at that moment, reading letters and corespondents form afar. Dawn picked her nails with a wooden pick and acted nonchalant. Rosie was in classes and Dawn had little else to do on this day, instead she was watching her Uncle. maybe he knew something of her mother, though she doubted it.

He also didn't seem aware of Dawn's discoveries. He didn't seem to know a damned thing about the Silver eyed man her mother was so infatuated with. Her dark blue eyes stared at her uncle as he sighed over this paper and that.  No doubt he was reading over the bills her mother accumulated. But still he didn't seem so bothered, just annoyed.

Just as she was judging him he spoke out loud.

"Again! Just as you mother settles one dispute there is a siege at Darkness Castle."

As she was the only one else present she knew he was trying to include her in subjects of the lands.

"That's a little farther north."

He looked up and from across the hall said, "You are not as interested in far lands as your mother."

"Why should I be? Allies yes, but there is nothing for me there."

He seemed to think about that statement. It rang a bell in him.

She toyed with him. "What's that look for?"

"She does love the Sabbath lands. . . ."

"Glad I'm not the only one who noticed," Dawn said, a grin teasing her voice but not her lips.

"But still, she knows the importance of taking care of ones allies. As the epicenter of the known world its nearly our duty. If and when you inherit the throne, you will be forced to care for countries beyond our boarders"

She scoffed. "We shall see."

"Speaking of which," he trailed off while reading a letter. His eyes skimmed over words but each syllable only seemed to make him more dismal. "This is not good. They are not prepared for such a siege." He put the letter down in his lap and looked at the floor in thought. "My diplomats are holed up in the Sabbath Lands."

"What are you going to do? Go yourself?" Dawn laughed, she saw a plan building. "We need you here, send someone else."

He sighed and ran a hand through his thick black hair. "At the moment there is no one else." His gaze wandered at dates on papers. "This was dated not long ago, this one reports that the siege is imminent," he held up another. "This one is an account from an outside source."

She sat up from her  slouch. "I can go."

"No no, I will. Its an isolated place and I know the young Prince, Ozzie. Better than you do so it will be easier for me to deal with this."

She shrugged at his truth. "If you insist."

He looked up at her. "I will leave you in charge of the estate managers until I return."

"You need not worry Uncle, I won't cause damage. I will not take with force what is mine by birth." She grinned wolfishly. "Not like I'm in any hurry to become Queen."

                                                                              *

As she watched Richi leave the castle for an extended trip to the Sabbath Lands. He had given a great sigh and then made the necessary arrangements to make her Queen Regent until his return and after a short time preparing he was gone. Dawn was beyond overjoyed with herself. She assured her uncle that she would refrain from making any major decrees or actions until he returned.

The first day she received nothing to do. She merely sat on the throne with glee and dwelled on thoughts of what she could do. She didn't have much time. She summoned two men to her side, great warriors and bards. Loyal as long as she had known them.

They stood before her on the second day of her Regency, they were in her chambers as she wished no one to know what she was doing.

"Sir Kyle, Sir Jables. You two have been called to help me."

"But of course," Kyle said. "In what way do you need our services?"

"I need you two to do a bit of dirty work for me."

Jables looked uncertain for a moment. "Ok are you sure? Because we aren't Dirty Deeds men you know." When he received a blank stare he went on. "You know, its cool! Forget I asked, whatever it is! You got it." he smiled.

She presented two large bags of coin on her table. "Thrice this much awaits you if you trap my uncle at Ozzie's castle. Set fire to the grounds, inflame the riots, I don't care just cause havoc and keep him there."

The looked at each other, then the gold, then they nodded.

And they both said! "OK."

She provided them with horse, food and funds and sent them away.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

Four months after Star's disappearance. . . .


Dawn circled her coveted throne. What was hers by birthright as the only surviving child of the last Lizard King. When she came of age she began hearing whispers of her two elder sisters and how they vanished into the night before she was born. Around this time her father also disappeared and it wasn’t until after Dawn was born that the BOC kidnapped her and imprisoned her mother. 

Her eyes concentrated on the thing her father seemingly never wanted. Dawn however, wanted this, she wanted what her father left her, what her sisters gave her, what her mother had shed blood for. But due to some witch’s prophecy about a bastard king, Star refused Dawn rulership, believing that death would follow her crowning if she sat on an Earthen throne. Foolish loon.

“My Lady!” A messenger approached with a guard by his side. 

Dawn was alone in the throne room, after she had tricked Richi into leaving Holy Wood she happily took command. By order of succession, with the Warden of Holy Wood gone and the Queen gone, it fell on the Princess to assume leadership. With their prolonged departures backing her reasoning, she had begun preparations for her coronation as Queen.

“We have received word from the Sabbath Lands.” He held out a rolled piece of paper. It had a red seal with Richi’s stamp on it, unbroken. 

Dawn nodded in dismissal and while the messenger left the guard remained. He saluted her and relayed more.

“Dee Astoria of the BOC wishes to have an audience with you my lady.” He announced.

She thought it over and then nodded. “Send him in.”

He bowed his head and left the room. Dawn swept to the throne and took a seat, slow sitting down. She savored the feel of control. Dee was no doubt coming to speak to her about the nobles. He among the BOC mingled in the courts, Dawn considered him a spy and if he was she wanted to keep an eye on him. He was the only member of the BOC her mother trusted, which shocked Dawn considering their past. 

No doubt he came to tell her how unrest and uneasy floated through the courts of nobles. Dawn knew it, it had been a challenge these last few months, gaining their support. She had tried to attend more manager and nobility council meetings, and tried to appear interested. She tried to make it look like she had curbed her rambunctious behavior.

As she waited for Dee to enter she unraveled her uncle's message. It was spotted with blood, she doubted it was Richi’s. Most likely another messenger’s. 

“Dawn, the clan war has cut us off. Cannot get out, will seek shelter with the Prince of Darkeness Castle until the war subsides. Please send an extraction! -Richi.”

She grinned, she had no intention of sending help. It was no secret that those lands were sometimes blockaded for months during their clan wars. The longer he was kept away from Holy Wood, the longer she was able to gain control. She heard the approach of softly padded feet and looked up. Dee Astoria, tall and narrow faced, with his platinum hair tied back. There was something Dawn could never trust about him, something she saw that her mother did not. But she didn’t know what it was she saw exactly. 

“Hello Princess,” he bowed his head. “I heard Lord Richi has been away over a month now and came to see. How fares the throne in your uncle’s absence?”

Straight to the point, at least he knew that Dawn would waste no pleasantries with him. “It fares well. It is, after all, my inheritance.” She gave him a look of faux confusion.  "Everyone seems concerned about my business in his absence."

Dee eyed the rolled up parchment in her hand. She tightened her grip.

"Some of the nobles say it odd that you plan to crown yourself when neither are proven dead."

"Given the circumstances, I believe it a logical course of action. Did you come here to speak secession?" She kept it as civil as she could manage. 

He was taken slightly by surprise. “I came to extend my alliance as I did to your mother. I believe we may help each other.”


“Oh?”

“I come with information, whispers and statements committed by nobles. They are uneasy about your rumored
ascension.”

“Tis no rumor. They will grow to accept it.”

“I hope you are right. Many wish that Princess Rosie takes your mother’s place.”


Dawn smirked. “My daughter is next after me. She is much too kind for the heavy ideals of monarchy. She will come after me I can assure them of that.”


“They wish it now.”


“Do you?” 


“Of course not, I wish whoever sits on the throne to be a capable leader and of the right blood.” He came closer and smiled respectfully. 


“Does he think we are friends?” She thought to herself. Out loud she said. “With my uncle gone the responsibility of Holy Wood falls upon me and I will take it up. Whether the nobles want me or not is of no consequence as I AM the king’s only living daughter.”

Something like a twitch in Dee’s eye made her narrow her own and raise an inquisitive eyebrow. But he concealed whatever he was thinking. 


“They are used to Star’s rule, they will be hard pressed to accept you. You are after all, an excellent and noted war strategist. But this is not the Underground nor a battlefield, you are the queen apparent. However, if there is a revolt you will not be what you were born to be.”

“Is that so?” She asked with an even tone. 

“Indeed it is. You must play a different face within the courts of these nobles. Many of them are immortal like your mother and yourself. They are used to her soft hand, threatened by the loyalty she evokes in the common people.”

“I have loyalty. I do not worry over the opinion of those who were not born from the last Lizard King of Holy Wood.”

“I knew you would say that.” He grinned as if he was friendly with her. “Many opt to free the Sabbath lands as it is now known that they have been cut off and your uncle seems to have become part of the clan battle.”

“It is unfortunate that he is stuck behind the blockade. But now is not the time to worry about lifting a blockade. It is my understanding that this happens often, that they are out of direct control of Holy Wood and they were my Mother’s allies. She was the one always riding to their defense. But I am not my mother, I will clean up whatever is left of the dispute but I decide to let them battle it amongst themselves. Their land wars do not concern me.” 

Dee, seeing that she was a harder challenge than he first thought decided he needed to regroup his thoughts and plans. He smiled and nodded. 

“Any news of your mother’s return? People do wonder.”

She felt that their conversation was nearing an end, thank the gods. “There is no news forthcoming. I sent my men, the Tenac, to go search for answers but they not yet returned. In such an instance I have decided to commence with my coronation and a wedding on the same day.”

“Oh? A wedding you say?” He seemed keenly interested.

She nodded. “The Wizard, Sir James, is to be made my husband and King.”

“The first wizard to become king of Holy Wood, my my what a shock.”


“It is no secret that we are lovers. If I can assume that you worry he will take power over me, I can assure you he will not. King in title only. It is MY throne and I will be the ruling Queen.” 


“I will convey your thoughts.” He said, he was about to say more but she interrupted.


“Be sure that you do and give them the honest telling of what I said here today.” Her test upon him to see just what he did with knowledge. “And ready the people for my coronation and wedding.”


“As you wish,” he said as he bowed. He turned and left with a parting smile that Dawn took to be sly and friendly. Falsely so.


As he left she called for a guard. When he appeared she stood and looked out of a window behind the throne. 


“If two men by the names Kyle and Jables should come to my gates alert me immediately.”


He nodded. “Yes my lady.”


“That is all,” she dismissed him. 


With him gone she sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose between her fingers. She meandered to the records room. The day before this one she had sat in there surrounded by account Managers and dealers, hounding her about her mother’s strange spending habits. They were not drowning in debt but it made the managers go wild with confusion. She heard them prattle on about the mage called Geez, where she she had witnessed Star speak to the mystery man. Whoever the Silvered Eyed one was, Dawn had no clue. She had no idea why her mother would imprison him with war criminals and then release him. But it was important and there were other reasons Dawn had for implanting herself on the throne so forcefully. 


With no one in the room she struck a candle and let it burn before holding Richi’s message over it. It ignited in flame and she wished her uncle the best of luck. Her abandoning him was not because she harbored him ill will, they were alike in many ways. She wanted to be Queen and she would do it while he was away. So long as no one else read his message and need for an extraction from the Sabbath Lands, no one would go do it. Which means he would be detained there until the land dispute ended and by that time she hoped to be married and queen. 

“Mama?” She heard a voice from behind her int he hall. It was Rosie. 

 The child had come seeking the princess. Dawn smiled and turned to face her. 

Rosie could see that a piece of paper was burning but did not ask why. “May said Dee was here.”


“He was.” Dawn walked to them and took their hand, they walked through sandstone halls side by side.  As different as fall and spring. “He is gone from the castle, though not from the village. Don’t ever trust him Rosie, never trust a BOC member.”

“But nana does.”


“Your grandmother had a different past with them. But you and I are not nana.”

“Ok,” they said. “When are nana and Richi going to return.”


“I do not know my sweet.” It was the truth. “But we have reason to celebrate. I am going to be married to the Wizard and will be crowning myself queen.”


Rosie looked up in excitement. “You are?!”


“I am!”


“What about my father?”


Dawn’s thoughts halted. Apollonio was a prince from a far away land who was once fostered under Star while a plague ravaged his homelands. They married in a small ceremony that while it was no secret, it was unsanctioned by the Queen and she was not present. Thus she had no knowledge of it until Dawn showed signs of pregnancy. When Rosie was two years old, Dawn had another child by him but the Prince was summoned back to his homelands and they had not heard word from him or his father since then.


“We are no longer married sweet child. With no knowledge of his lands or well being, I had to move on. But I am getting married once more to a man I love deeply.”

Rosie nodded. The men in her family seemed to be cursed in some way. Her brother, her father, her grandpa, even Angus. The demon her nana had summoned. She walked alongside her mother as they went to prepare for the double ceremony. 

S1 Chapter 12, Dying to Meet you, Part II

The Highhills......earliest rays of dawn....

Dawn was riding to the Highhills, places of woods and misty rocky hills. that bordered the Dragoons and Sabbath lands. The people here were splintered in many different clans and factions, but the ones she sought were the GeordieMen. The cleverest of warriors who didn't take no for an answer, or anyone's bullshit for that matter. She had actually met a few Geordiemen years ago in a village market somewhere. Wanderers far from home.

But now so was she.

The army was behind her, the wrong army. It had been weeks of fighting, nearing a third month's worth, and Dawn's army had broken some line within the forests of Holy Wood and the Eastern freelands, many Spyders had fled or been killed. Dawn herself didn't take prisoners, not many anyhow. Star and Richi had staked their holdings on the boarder of Holy Wood and surrounding touching lands, and were succeeding in fending off the attackers, but they had recently closed in in the forests. They choked a pathway around the main force and somehow, of course somehow, Star managed to break off Spyder contact with the lands they had claimed. Forcing the largest fraction of their army up a narrow crag in the earth that went north by north east.

That is where she was now. In the heat of this chase, and the battle that started their running, she had taken off with nothing but her horse and she carried, trailing after the enemy. She couldn't turn back for risk of losing them in the rocky gorge, and so could not break pace and could not lose sight of them. In this place, one day lost was an army lost forever. She knew they were trying to get to the Hills, those misty hills where Clansmen lived. If the Spyders got there before she did, they would slaughter the natives and hide out for the winter fast approaching.

The hills were pitted with caves that went deep into the earth, and the winters grew harsh. If the enemy made it to the caves, Dawn and her army would be barred all winter, and the Spyders would be free to take every advantage and flee to the East before she could catch them. But she gained ground on the Spyders, though her horse was ragged and so was she, she went on, she had to find the GeordieMen, to tell them, to recruit them. For their lives and her peoples'.

She missed her child, who was all the way by the sea with her nursemaid. Dawn had been shaken by the death of her childhood nanny, Tilda. Her mother seemed indifferent, until her Bon was murdered. True while Dawn hated him, she didn't wish for either of them to go through such violence. While she prayed to pagan gods to protect her child, she also worried for her now war crazed mother. The loon was going mad, Richi said she was not sleeping well, and was mostly silent. This was a bad combination that hopefully changed if they won.

She shook her head to wake herself, tired from the journey and the exertion she had endured to get this far ahead. Behind her the Spyders were happily setting up camp for the evening. She glared at them, wishing that she had Rosie's potential power to harness and command the earth. Rosie would never use her powers for such violence, but Dawn would have gladly used them to stop this from ever having to happen. A big hole in the earth would have sufficed.

Her own powers over the sun were too vast and wild for her to control safely.

She was in the foothills when the lavender tint of pre-dawn crept into the sky above and around her. Below, the camps were surprisingly out of sight in the canyon below. This would only prove her point, or make her look insane. These clansmen were so secluded that she doubted their knowledge of the outside world was up to date. Would all of this even matter if the clan she found in these foothills wasn't even the Geordiemen? The Spyders would stay in that canyon for days, probably sending spies to scout these areas....she had that much time over them at least. Maybe.

If the Georidemen weren't in this area, if they exceeded her reach, she doubted she would win. She laughed in her throat as she could almost hear her mother's voice in her head, telling her to never doubt her own power. She was Lizard Blooded, she would win if she tried.

“Its when you stop trying that you really lose.” Dawn's voice echoed as she recited the words with a sarcastic tone, mimicking her mother's. “Loon. . . “

Her horse suddenly stopped, panting hard. Its breath rising and freezing int the chilly morning air. Dawn shivered. The winders of ice were upon them, snow would be falling within the month. By then the Spyders would be right at home with the bodies of the dead left to the storm.

There was noise on the crag above her. Her sword was drawn and pointed at the hills above her. In one fluid motioned honed to even faster speeds during this current war. But she saw no one near. She sheathed her sword, dismounted, and retrieved the blade quietly once again. She led the animal by the reigns carefully, and came around a mound of rock that blocked the paths above. When she saw a man some ways above, on a path she now saw open up before her, she stopped.

That face she knew only from paintings, from dreams, from looking in the mirror. In leather brown pants, a flowing white shirt, with soft brown hair in even softer curls, was her father, standing above her, looking down with an lazy, expectant look. He turned without a word, throwing a leather jacket over his shoulder and walked up the rocks and boulders, leaving her behind.

“Father! Father wait!” She shouted. She left her horse and began scrambling up the hillside path. The sky was beginning to grow a lighter shade of lavender by the time she straightened up and stopped in the middle of the a dirt switch back with a wide turn, as if for a small cart or wagon. She stopped and spun round on the spot. Her father was nowhere in sight.

But another man was. He was dressed in a green kilt and a moss black long sleeved tunic. He wore leather boots that rode up to his knees, fur lined the edges and insides. His eyes were dark, made darker by the large, grey wool shawl he had wrapped around his torso. His face was handsome, hinted with a tad touch of being plain. His curly hair was a light brown and the wild expanse was kept tightly under a dark grey cap.

She wasted only a moment's worth of inspecting him before she realized that other, similarly looking and clad men stood in places behind him on the hillside. She herself was void of any identifying marks or colors. Her armor was a dark, grey color that she had lost parts to some time ago. She now had her platemail tied to her horse behind her, and it looked like nothing extravagant. Her horse was tired, drooping, beginning to thin. Her self wrapped in a large black cloak, her long hair was meant to be kept in a netted cap but of course it broke free around her face and sprouted from her head like wild vines. Her cheeks reddened by the cold winds, her skin dusty from the road. She looked like a traveler, but her eyes bore into their in such a way that they conveyed power.

“I am Dawn of the Lizard Blood!” She used her more common titles. “Princess of Holy Wood, daughter of Queen Star Dust and the Last Lizard King.” Her father was more widely known as such. “I come seeking the leader of the GeordieMen. I have traveled far to see him.”

The one nearest her took a moment to listen and think. He nodded. “Well comma long then, you certainly found who you were lookin for. I'll take you to the Jasper.”

She hurried to catch up to him and the others dissipated into the rocks it seemed. She left her horse but it plodded forward on the path, instinctively following her. She was relieved that these were, apparently, the GeordieMen.

“Wait the who?” She stumbled but was quick to recover.

“The Jasper, the leader, chief!.”

“Oh,” she remembered it. “What is his name?”

“Ya came lookin for em but ya don't know his na'iem?”

“Well no,” she admitted. “We know little of you, if I hadn't crossed two of your people before in Holy Wood, I wouldn't have known to come here.”

He suddenly stopped and turned to face her. “Why do you come 'ere?”

She stopped gratefully. “Because a war is coming your way wild man. A new clan called the Spyders have started war and is below in That canyon.” She pointed, he looked.

“I see nothin.”

“They're hidden down inside.”

“ 'Ow many?”

“Five thousand? Eight thousand? Does it matter? How many of You are there?”

“Ah, enough to take em.” He moved on.

“I hope so.”

“Naaaah,” he drawled.

“You don't believe me?”

“Hardly even know who you are.”

“And I don't even know who I'm asking for help here, so we're just going to have to get over that shit and trust each other. Got it?!”

He shook his head and laughed. “I like yeh! You're alright as far as princesses go and all.”

She gave him a “hmpf”, an act committed in doubt that he had even met Real princesses who could trace their blood back thousands of years.

When they reached what was the encampment it was half in the caves of the hills and half out in the open. Dawn cringed at the exposed targets, there was no fighting here yet, but these people would be in harm's way when it did come. She was taken through the camp, people watching and whispering in her wake. She was from the Southern Kingdom called Holy Wood, they all knew her Lady Mother. The man who led her took her into the caves and led her through more throngs of people.

Dawn counted that they could match and maybe hold the Spyder army with the men she saw present, but numbers is all these men had to their advantage. She had her doubts about them being able to hold their own on the battle field with such skill and defense powers. There were warrior men and women here, but the Princess didn't see them as being able to take on a trained and well provisioned army.

They passed a fire ring with an old white haired woman sitting near it, her back to a tent post. As Dawn passed she reached out and grabbed her arm. The Princess tugged out of reflex but the woman held firm.

“I see a son rising. The Queen of darkness shall have one, but the Queen of light will have two. One born of memories past, one born of a hopeful new future. Born of dark and light, this second son shall take what was due to the first for the first shall have no inheritance.

Dawn glared at her. “You ramble woman. Of Whom do you speak?”

“The Queen of Mars.

“There is no such person.”

“There will be....”

She was silent for only a moment, recalling that her mother's prophecy predicted none of her mother's daughters shall rule on Earth.

“This second son will give rise to a new era. An era long desired. Balance, once corrupted, will return. When no sons were born to rule, now let them come forth to take their places as rightful Kings of the thrones they are due.”

“Eh , don't mind 'er, crazy that one.” Her guide warned her.

They went on and were quickly led into thew largest tent. Inside was a man dressed as the others. But he was far shorter. He stood his full height but Dawn's reach was nearing six feet tall, he had to be just over five feet. By the way the ornate wooden chair sat in one corner, nearest the fire pits, she guessed this was His tent and he was their Jasper.

“Look, I don't know how to approach you as the leader, the Jasper, if that is who you are,” she was harshly direct. “But I need to speak to the Jasper here, its life or death for you and your people.”

“And who ar' you?” He asked, a smirk tainted his mouth.

“I am Princess Dawn Abithia Morrison, daughter of the Star Queen and Lizard King. I come your way because a war ravages the lands beyond your hills, and those who which to enslave you and use your caves for themselves are not far away.”

“She was sayi' 'ow there is an army in the Canyon, the one below us. Says we can't see em but they hide within.”

The Jasper looked from his man to the Princess. “How do we know you're tellin the truth woman?”

“Why would I lie about this? If you don't believe me, then fine. Go ahead and I'll leave you all here and you'll be slaughtered in your sleep. Our kingdoms are not familiar with each other, true. You have no reason to trust anything I say.”

“And If I act crazy like and do?” The Jasper asked.

“Then I will prepare your men for battle, and it doesn't even have to be a battle. Its a defense. They have you out weaponed, my mother's army comes from the south-”

“How do we know that's not a trick?” Someone asked.

Their leader raised a hand to silence whoever it was. “Silence ye!”

“ My mother's army comes to crush those who would destroy you!” She shouted. “I came to help you, despite our lack of knowledge of each other. If these Syders get passed you, they will hide in the hills you call home and desecrate them. If I am wrong, there will be no defense, no fighting. If I am not. . . .”

The Jasper stared at her, looked to the fire and then nodded. “I've 'erad of ye. All of ye. Yer whole family. If you tellin' the truth, and we win this defense of yers, I want to see yer castle.”

She grinned, “You'd be the first.” She held out her hand. “Dawn of Holy Wood.”

He held his and drew a black stone blade, its glossy surface cut across his palm with ease and he didn't flinch. “Brian of the Geordiemen Hills.” He slid his blade across her flesh and they grasped hands.

Their bloody palms connected and she smiled.

"Show meh to the canyon now Princess," Brian said. "I wish teh see what yer ravin' about."

"Come with me and I'll show you more than the army, I'll show you how to win," she replied with a smile. 

   >>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<

Star and Richi rode up behind their army, through the ruins of the Spyder camp. Any Spyder soldier was killed, any officer taken prisoner for questioning. As she and Dawn had discussed, she would not receive  word if all went well with her daughter's mission, she would have to carry out her attack on the Spyders no matter Dawn's outcome. But when Star came, the hills the Spyders would travel through lit with fire. Balls of fire were launched from hastily constructed trebuchets. They had successfully held the Spyders at bay, all too easily it appeared, giving the Queen enough time to bring her army in and over run the enemy.

The defeated Spyders ran to the hills to the east, to the high, rocky mountains already piled with snow and covered in stormy clouds. They would face a death by frost that way. Star did not pursue them, the mountains were the biggest in the lands, bigger than the Dragoons. They ran thousands of miles in either direction and no one had crossed them for thousands of years. No one ever came back if they lived.

Suddenly a large group of the so called Geordiemen came forward. The group split and Star and Richi paused. The men made a path from the Lady and her Companion to Dawn and her companion. A gruff looking man far shorter than she. Star was instantly intrigued. She dismounted and couldn't reach Dawn fast enough o embrace her.

“Oh my child, I am so relieved.”

“Oh Mother, you shouldn't have been so worried.”

“How could I not be?! You ran off to find a group of clansmen we know nothing about. And managed to get them to fight with us I see.”

Dawn stood proudly to her mother's side. “Mother, I present theJasper of the clan himself, Brian.”

The man tipped his hat. “My day Queen.”

Star smiled without understanding, “Um, greetings Jasper Brian.”

He reached out a hand tied in a blood stained cloth and took her gauntless hand and pressed his lips to the top of her hand. She was sure she felt the tip of his tongue lash out to perversely touch her sweat covered skin. She saw him lick his bottom lick ever so subtlety. Her heart ached for another man but she accepted his greeting.

“My day is their way of addressing royalty Mother.”

“I see,” her smile deepened in understanding. “You made quick work of this, for that I am grateful to you Brian.”

“And I to yer kin Star One,” he replied. “I hope that jour'ney to yer castle will not be too long. I've never been to another kingdom's castle befor'.”

Star had to take in his words. “Ah yes, the journey to Ao'o, should not take long at all. I will be most pleased and honored to have you as a guest.”

“Ah good. Since I'll be taking place as Lord Brian I'd like to see this place. Now excuse meh, I ned to make arrangements.”

Her dutiful cousin leaped into action.“I shall go with you, we must speak of our kingdoms and come to understanding each other. I am Lord Richi of Blackmour, advisory to the Queen and Lord of the Courts.”

When they were gone, Star spun to around to face Dawn. “He's coming with us?” She asked with a stony voice.

Dawn smiled,” Of course Mother, as a reward for helping us. I wasn't going to give him nothing.”

“We did not discuss this.”

“You're not angry I'm bringing our ally to the courts are you?”

“No. . .Of course not.”

“Oh and I also gave him the Power Band as well, which is what will make him status of Lord in the court.”

At this Star bristled. “You WHAT!?”

“It came up in conversation,” Dawn went to a nearby wagon filled with medic women and water barrels. She thankfully received a deep bowl of water to rise her face in. “After procuring his alliance, he wanted to know if this entitled him to a wife, to which he was two. I said it may. He then asked how to become a lord of the courts, to become more involved in the Kingdoms. I said that Lords were either of noble birth such as he, or leaders of Greater bands of musical men.”

“How did the Power Band come into this I wonder?”

“He heard tale of a mighty band form the Far Far south, and wanted to know if there were many bands like that in Holy Wood” she took a long drink. “I said that band was now without a frontman, to which he said his own band had just bisdanned. I said Perfect!” She splashed her face. “He said he become more than our temporary allies, he would bend his knee to you if it meant he was placed with the Power Band, thus making him a Lord of our court.”

“Dawn how could you!? I can't just give up Bon's place to a stranger,” she eyed him walking with Richi. “A handsome stranger, but strange all the same! How can you demand this of me?!”

“Because without him you would have lost this battle. Had he not heeded my warnings when I must have sounded insane, all this would not have come to be.” She grabbed a towel from the medical supplies and went to a tent that was being constructed for the commanding officers, which included her. Star followed to bag.

Before she could, Dawn was right behind her. “He is dead mother. I am sorry it happened but he is gone and you must accept it. Brian will ease the pain felt by the people who loved Bon. Somebody has to be this way and I will take the burden. Now do not deny our newest ally the rewards he was promised. It'll make you look bad.”

Star turned and left the tent as her daughter began dismantling her chainmaille and armor plates. Though it pained her to give up the Power Band to this, Brian, she would have to. He was the reason they had fortified the small hill paths that would have be free for trespassers otherwise.

The show of fire as they lit the hills a'flame. The balls of red that rained down on the Spyder camp in the night, without warning. Fire is what greeted the queen when she arrived, fire and chaos. She nearly had to wait for the flames to go down before she could go through the camp. It wasn't as spectacularly drenched in blood as she had hoped, but those fleeing would never last. With a bittersweet victory she walked through the devastated Spyder camp, the words of the Kilmister echoing through her head.

“We come from the same place.”

The Spyders seemed to know and hold onto a part of the Martian culture they hailed from. She was envious. They knew more of their home than she did. If what the Kilmister said, if what her dreams really meant were true, then she was no earthling and these enemies she destroyed were her people.

Still, she wanted to return to Ao'o now. With her daughter, her cousin and reunite with her granddchild. She wanted a bath, a bowl of dates to eat, wine to drink, and a joint on her lips.  Her blood craze has vanished when the Spyders broke and ran. She was feeling the tired ache of war in her body.

She wanted to go home. . . .

S1 Chapter 5, The Trial Pending

EPISODE FIVE

2020 AC/DC
Holy Wood Greater Courthouse. Day. . . . .

Dawn and Richi sat in the front row. Rosie was absent. Plenty had turned out for the hearing, they always did when Star was involved. She herself was sitting before the judge with her many managers and representatives . They all appeared anxious to an extreme, so unlike her She simply sat with a slight grin and wide, hopeful, eyes. The accuser this time was a small town Sheriff who sat on the other side of the room, waiting for his legal adviser friends form the BOC to arrive so that they may begin.

The Sheriff was a plain faced man with dark hair and grey eyes. He was a respected officer of his village and there were never problems with the people he looked after. But he was tired of his simple life, his grandfather took part in the Rebellion all those years ago. The man was ashamed of his lowly status as Sheriff compared to the higher military ranks his grandfather carried. Unhappy with his internal failure, during a drinking binge he was approached at a bar by an old BOC man with a proposition. Side with the BOC and help pursue a case against the Queen to once again dethrone her.

They were only allowed to voice any grievances they had before the Queen herself and an assorted gathering of councilors would listen and if anything cuaght the attention of the Council, only then was it pursued. To bypass this rule, the BOC hired an unhappy man to launch the trial, which he was allowed to do as a citizen of Holy Wood. All this went through his mind as he was leading an attempt to charge her for illegal witch craft.

His palms were clammy as he looked over the “evidence” he claimed stacked up against her. Even he had little hope. An assortment of interviews from a girl and her friends about her sexual encounters with the Queen and what happened during one particular evening. The girl was known to have consorted intimately with the Queen many times before-

“Sheriff Tam.”

Tam looked up, interrupted from his thoughts. Tam was short for Tamascus. “Aye,” he replied. “I was going over things.”

His partner was a representative of the BOC, they shook hands, one of the many who served the BOC. He was a legal adviser, a priest in the their main center of worship, the City. He was dressed in the customary dark blue robes of priesthood and had the greying brown hair of an elder man, but the Sheriff knew he was cursed by the Queen herself. Current BOC members were all cursed to never age and age they never did. This one was a particular advocate against the Queen and she allowed him to operate as an organization, she called it “being fair”.

“I am so happy you agreed to lead this case Mr. Tam, being our friend in these times is well appreciated. You have the gratitude of the BOC. With unlawful magic present no court will let her go free, the girl gave us detailed accounts about the Boy and what he looked like. Not to mention all the witnesses on the night of the raid, need I remind you?”

Tam shook his head, he was dressed in his uniform, distinguished, presentable. He had short hair of deep color that he kept slicked back. He had a plain straight goatee and a simple mustache that was manly but not domineering. He was strong, but lean and unassuming. But with a cough to clear his throat he straightened his lapels and looked to the task at hand. He needed composure and he was going to force it out of himself, he had to win this case. If he lost, he would become a laughing stock.

“No need for reminders, I've read the accounts of the soldiers present. They gave what is deemed honest testimony.”

“Yes, most of them.” The Priest said. He beamed a smile.

Tam looked at him. “What?”

“COURT IS NOW IN SESSION!” The Bailiff, a tall, strong man of bald head, braod shoulder and mean eyes stood to the side of the judge.

“The Judge stood and waved for all to sit as he took his seat. An old man with dark blue eyes. He wore his black robes and white wig of justice as they all took their seats.

He looked to the queen and nodded. “Welcome back your highness. I assume you will play fair.”

She nodded. “Yes your honor.” She looked to her left and smiled at the accusing.

The judge looked to them too. “And you as well will be respectful to your Queen and truthful with the evidence.”

Sheriff and Priest nodded. The judge smiled once and then let his mouth droop into a frown of natural state. He began and called Star to the stand, which she gladly danced forward to sit at. Once seated he 'hmpfed' at her antics and droned on with the charges.

“You are detained here this day to stand trial accused of practice of unlawful magic, therein described as 'consorting with the gates of hell and Satan himself to summon a devil child'. As well as this, the accusation of underage, nonparental consented-or acknowledged-sexual conduct with an unmarried girl of sixteen is brought forth and recognized today before those attending.”

Dawn sighed, bowed her head, and smacked her palm to her forehead. Of course her mother would have those charges presented against her. She was disgusted with the realization-once again- that her mother was a dark magic using pervert. Richi stared at her with his dark eyes, unreadable. On the stand Star merely sighed in preparation and nodded.

“I understand and acknowledge these accusations your honor,” she said.

“How do you plead before the court?”

“Not guilty.”

The courtroom erupted in noise of all kinds. Screams, shouts, good and bad. Against or with her. Outraged parents paid to stand there and scream discontent. The judge banged rapidly on his stand to silence the crowd and it wasn't until the Bailiff stood and went to an apparent stand covered in black satin. But he pulled the cover away to reveal an amp. He turned on a switch and Star covered her ears at the sound of feed back that went unnoticed by the crowds. Tam watched the Queen and followed suit just as the Bailiff brought a guitar out of a hidden panel cabinet and plugged it to the amp. He strummed to test it and then strummed again and shook the house.

The noise vibrated all through the court room, shaking the people to their cores. When the wave of sound ended he strummed once more and brought them to their knees. With their submission as a single crowd clear, he set the guitar down and the judge cleared his throat. The people paid close attention now. Star smiled and tried not to laugh, the power of the guitar always amazed her.

“You said Not Guilty?”

“Yes, yes I did,” she was so proud.

“Why is that?” The judge droned on in a sarcastic way, he knew her. He had heard many stories, presided over several of her cases, and knew that she was confident. The ones who accused her were the ones he was waiting to be impressed by.

“Permission to speak my case freely your honor?” She asked.

“As long as it pertains to your reasons for pleading not guilty you may proceed.”

“Oh that they do.” She licked her lips, dried from the joint she smoked right before coming in. She cleared her throat. “I want to clearly state here and now that in the case of underage, noparentrental sexual-”

“Or acknowledged!” Tam shouted.

The priest smiled and nodded.

She continued. “Conduct with an underage, unwed girl of sixteen. I believe we met through a social gathering at the time. You see , your honor, I was well beyond inebriated and truly unaware in such celebratory times that the seemingly young Woman,” she stressed the word 'woman'. “who approached me was indeed a young girl. I was fooled your honor!” She shouted in dramatic flair and flopped forward in her seat, putting her head on her shoulders in apparent grief of being so horribly duped. “I am but a product of my people, I feel them, and I become one with them. The girl, who as I said I did not know was so young, merely was trying to express her happiness, which as Queen I live for, and I accepted to have her by my side that night. I am sorry to inform the court, that by the time I stand accused of fornicating with her, knowing she was underage, is based on a night of intoxicated misunderstanding. Many were there, and many can testify to my lack of clear headed knowledge of my actions.”

“In other words,” the judge said. “You are saying that you were intoxicated during a celebration and in the middle of it you were led to believe that a sixteen year old girl was a twenty year old girl.”

“Ah, but that I wish I even had ever guessed her age.” Star replied. “I never asked her age, she assured me she was a young woman of proper age.”

“Your honor I object!” Tam shouted.

“Proceed.” He droned.

Star looked at him expectantly as he approached. He found the strength in him to stand up against her, she didn't look terrifying. Pretty, but not terrifying.

“You admit to being highly intoxicated at a social celebration last night?”

“I do.”

“And you're claiming that in that time a young girl pretended to be a grown woman and seduced you?”

“Actually I-”

“Yes or no?” He rushed her.

“Yes.”

“Who exactly can prove this?”

She chuckled. “Well who do you want first? They're all here,” She motioned to the crowds.

He called a man forward and faced him on the stand. “Did you see your Queen intoxicated on the night she stands accused of fornication with knowledge of age?”

“Aye sir, I saw her that night with the girl.”

“Oh you know this girl?” Tam asked excitedly.

“Of course, she sneaks out with a group of us all the time. We dress up older and pretend to be other names to get into more parties and clubs.” He started laughing.

“Thanks a lot Dane!” A young girl from the audience shouted.

“Order in the court!” The Judge shouted. “I will remove you if you do that again!”

There was silence. The boy was excused. The Sheriff sat down.

“I gather that the rest of you who would testify have the same opinion? Raise your hands if you agreed with that young man there. If you agree that the Queen was intoxicated to the point of being unable to recognize woman from girl.” The judge called upon those present to participate en mass.

Many raised hands.

“If you saw your Queen that night she is accused and she was NOT intoxicated enough to be blind to the difference between a girl and a woman, raise your hands please.” He asked again.

There were fewer hands, three. Two when one fell to retract their vote.

The judge nodded. “Jury what say you?” He turned to the crowd of dignitaries and random village people in the jury box. The lead juror stood to announce their answer.

“She is Not Guilty of having knowledge of-”

“We know what it was,” the judge interrupted. “The next matter is more pressing. Practice of unlawful magic. With testimony available, Tamascus of Holy Wood, Sheriff of the village known as Sativa Bayeux, will come forward to present this evidence. Star please return to the stand.”

She did. Tam turned to the Priest.

“Do not worry,” the Priest said, even though he seemed more nervous than Tam. “This is the serious part. Now go as we spoke about and share what you know. Remember what I said, say what I did.”

Tam nodded and stood up. He approached.

“The girl, who I can not name, the one from your now pardoned under-aged knowledge accusation, gave testimony to you showing her the Boy who was summoned.” He came closer and gave a stack of pages to the Judge who shuffled through them. “As you will read, she says that one night, after her first sexual encounter with the Queen, she was taken to the Queen's manor on the outskirts of the city. To Blackmoore Manor where she grew up.”

He faced the crowds. The girl in the crowd who they spoke of was ashamed of betraying her queen. Her parents forced her too.

“The dear girl stated that after fornicating, the Queen introduced her to a young boy of twelve or thirteen in appearance. He slept in a nest of constructed blankets in the dark steam, natural springs that Star Dust built her laboratories in during her times as Lady Blackmoore. The guards who assisted the arresting group of police the day of the raid, can all give testimony to the laboratories I refer to. Its all here,” he held up another stack of papers.

Star knew that the arresting officers were BOC followers. This was unfortunate but of no issue. Let him have this knowledge.

“How do you counter your highness?” The judge asked her.

She shrugged. “I did have the boy in my manor house at that time. I did show him to the girl in confidence of her silence.”

“So you admit to summoning him?” The priest suddenly piped up.

“No, I said I harbored him.”

“How is that different?!”

“I found him wandering the fields below my house. I took him in. I had no idea he was a demonic being if he was at all.”

The priest stared at her as if she had struck him.

“Then how do you account for blasting him off into space when the raid was conducted on your manor?” Tam demanded to know.

“I grew attached to him, having nos sons of my own. When I was informed that men were seen in the distance, fast approaching, I believed it to be an attack from a Spyder Gang and in a panic I sent him off into Space.”

“Who can prove your attachment and finding the boy?” Tam was brimming with anxiety and doubt.

“Watch your temper Mr Tamascus,” the wig adorned judge growled at him.

“My apologies your honor. I ask again, do you have a witness that can testify to that statement?”

“Yes, my cousin Richi. He was with me that night I found the Boy.”

Richi stood. The Judge addressed him with a nod and the command to speak the truth.

“I saw it your honor,” he said. “I was there for the evening when she went outside and miraculously came back with a child in tow. She is maternal and it was no surprise that she took him in. Given her current status with the Spyders, she was indeed confused.”

The Judge nodded and grumbled as he sat back in his seat.

Tam had one last effort. “If you did not summon him, you still harbored him.”

“That's not what my accusation being debated here stated.”

“No but you know where he is. You do.”

“This is true,” Judge man said. “This is very serious your highness. Consorting with demonic forces raises suspicion, and pardon me, of dangerous black magic that you yourself proclaimed unlawful to use in accordance with your reconstruction of the law book. You set down these laws to prevent those of demonic nature to be summoned and used in times of conflict.”

“I am aware,” she said to him. “But alas, I do not know where he went. I sent him into space with the expectation he would return in a few days when danger lifted. But he was thrown into orbit and I lost his signal long ago.” She looked down in apparent sadness.

“The matter of this trial was to deem that she herself practiced unlawful black magic that raised a demon from Hades. With the testimony of Sir Richi Blackmoore-”

“And that of my entire staff.” Richi held up his own stack of papers. He took them to the Judge as he droned on.

“With Sir Richi's testimony and that of his staff,” he passed the papers to the Bailiff who passed them to the jury to inspect. “With what was has been given, I proclaim that she is Not Guilty of practicing unlawful black magic as stated. Mr Tamascus Bay, if you wish to pursue a trial for her harboring a fugitive you must arrange a separate hearing.”

As he continued with his sentences, the crowds were beginning to bubble with talk.

“Also, as for her crime of underage fornication, that too, from the testimony given, is found to be False due to the level of intoxication that blinded our Queen's judgement. Star Dust Moorison of Holy Wood, I the presiding Judge Kruhl, find you innocent of your crimes put forth by the provided evidence of Sheriff Tamascus Bay of Sativa Bayuex. Unless the jury cane provide further counter argument in the next week, you are free to go today.”

Star got up from her stand, and everyone knew full well that once the jury placed every single, individual testimony in order, that the truth would be a white paper road all the way out of the court room, following the Queen. The trial was not officially over, the jury still had a week to decide their final answer. But she knew that what she had provided was sufficient enough to prove the Tamascus fellow wrong.

Tamascus looked to the Priest but the BOC man was just as astounded. The Sheriff was hallow, he dreaded the return to Sativa Bayuex, absolutely dreaded it.

Richi and Dawn left with Star the same way they all came, through the front doors. Reporters and photographers stormed the front steps but Star pushed them away and entered the horse drawn carriage waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Inside was black and the curtains thick, Dawn got in with Star and Richi took up in a car behind them. Star lit a joint, puffed, and passed to Dawn. Her daughter was silent, that was not good.

“That's not what you told me when I bailed you out after the raid,” she said. “You told me that it was all true. You used magic to summon the Boy.”

“Yes, and Richi was there with me. We did it together, a mix of science and magic combined. Oh it was a spectacular sight!” Star was joyfully reminiscing.

Dawn drew on the joint. “I would hardly call summoning demon boys Spectacular.”

“His name is Angus, my baby Angus.” She smiled. “ He is coming back soon. You will grow to accept him.”

“Ha! A demon as my brother? Not a chance you crazy bat.” She eyed her mother. “He wasn't the bastard king you wanted him to be.”

“The witch said I would put the next king on the throne and the king would be a bastard.”

“Maybe it was a figure of speech.” Dawn rolled her eyes.

“No, it meant a real bastard.”

“So you and Richi had a bastard? But you didn't carry him you summoned him. Even if you presented it to the courts that way it would never work.” The Princess stared hard at Star. “You are deranged.”

Star shrugged. “I am, and no, he is not the bastard I thought he would be. A bastard, but not The bastard.”

“Stop fighting it mother!” She said suddenly. “Put me as queen if you want a successor so badly.”

Star leaned forward and held Dawn's face in her hands. She smiled and her eyes welled with tears. “I would rather sacrifice the life of a bastard boy rather than my only living daughter. I lost two daughters, if you become queen on earth you will die.”

“Ok ok, you keep being crazy,” Dawn pulled away. “You'll give up one day.”

Her mother wanted to say more, but she couldn't. It was useless to explain that the witch who said she would bare a bastard king, also said her daughters of earth would rule red sands. Star only knew of one place with red sand, it was far away and no Earthling had been there in many years. She saw it in her dreams and knew she had been there once before.

However, she went on. “I've heard of a new band on the Great Southern Island. Prince Malcom is a rather talented musician you know.”

“I assume this is the band your Angus is a part of?”

“Yes,” Star was proud from afar. “They're coming soon.....He is coming with them, and not just Angus.”

Dawn faced her. “He?”

She nodded.

Her daughter knew that the man and subject was trouble and didn't feel in the mood for opening that conversation. She knocked on the roof of the carriage. It stopped.

“Driver halt!” She stood and exited. “I'm going to spend some time in town mother, Rosie is being looked after. Remember, she does not go out after dark!” She slammed the door closed before Star could speak otherwise.

The Queen was sent on alone, tired, and was no more aware of the man sitting above her. His blue eyes were hidden under a drivers three cornered sun hat and a tall neckline from his coat against the winds growing colder. He watched her daughter go into the nearest tavern and many people hailed her as she went. What a strange family, he thought. He drove the Queen to the castle and she didn't look at him as she went inside, smoke from a joint on her lips trailing behind her. He would visit her before he left to go back south but until then he slipped in to carry out his driver charade and just as Sir Blackmoore came into view, Bon-the driver in disguise- slipped away.

S1, Chapter 2; The trick with curses...

2020 AC/DC. Holy Wood tavern, evening.

She wore a half dress of copper velvet. Bright copper. It matched her eyes. Richi watched her as she floated around the room, after her stage performance, she was flocked by young girls and boys. Men stood on the outskirts, waiting for her to break free from the young ones she had a penchant for. She drifted in and out of the smoke, the people adored her.

Richi watched as he always did, her right hand was the sane side of her. She was a good singer, more of an entertainer than singer. She was a good queen too, and a good mother, despite Dawn's wildness. The young woman was off now, stomping in and around the underground. She seemed to really take enjoyment in the belly of the city, all the gangs were in some way or another, under her control. She was a ruthless fighter and had taken down each crime boss one by one. There was nothing she didn't notice, and therefore nothing Star didn't notice.

The BOC was planning a jury assault, wanting to take Star to the stand AGAIN! For the three hundredth and thirty fifth time-yes he kept track- she was being accused of teenage seduction. Caught in the act with a sixteen year old girl who was screaming for pleasurable release. Truly screaming for Star to finish her off. Whatever the Queen did to that girl, it got her caught and imprisoned. But of course, by the Grace of the Queen's Goddess-The Mother- she was released the very next day with no charges having been pressed. A bail was always allowed and she always made it.

She was smoking now, and that herb even Richi smoked on while he watched her. Her bare legs looked longer than they were in the dim light of the club, in her mini dress of velvet. Rainbow lights danced over them all and a haze drifted around their ankles. She knew how to throw a party. She kissed a girl, and took her under her arms, she looked to Richi and winked, licking her lips with a small flick of her tongue. She was silently asking him to join her. He would of course, he had other lovers himself but how could you say no when a beautiful Queen asked you to bed with her and a young girl?

Dawn hated it when Star went after the young girls, Richi thought to himself while he took another sip of whiskey. Rosie, her grandchild, was just barely fifteen, well mentally. Physically she was supposed to be in her twenties, but Star had magic and magic always won. That's why the Princess and Princess-in-waiting, were not present. Dawn was sick of the reckless debauchery, but only when it concerned her mother, and had more fun ordering her underground subjects about. 

Yes, Dawn had her happy share of mind altering substances and loved her booze-a trait inherited form her father- the biggest difference between them was that Star loved many, while Dawn loved few. Another thing that twisted the blade in Dawn's side, irritating things between her and her mother, Star refused to give up the throne that was rightfully hers. Dawn was far old enough and capable, to run the kingdom by herself. But Star refused, caught up in a web of fortune telling and secrets. So the dark haired warrior woman ruled a different kind of kingdom.

Nearly one fourth of the kingdom came into immortality after Star won The Rebellion. Many subjects still chose to live and die mortal lives, noble creatures they were. Riche sipped his whiskey and gazed about the room. They loved her, everyone was free, men kissed men, women made love to women, all in the same room, all because Star had liberated them. The circle of love and hate was solid and bold between the BOC and the Queen.

Star's band, the Silver Knights, was a testament to her conquering the BOC sixty years ago. She sang of heroic deeds of men and women, of sex and pride and joy and love. She had harems of fans and even attracted many traveling musical knights and ladies from across the lands. She loved guitarist men and singers and women singers. The era of love had consumed them all and she took it all with grace and fervor. Richi himself was a guitarist, his own band, Light in the Black, was still cycling through singers, trying to find the right one. Richi was picky and could afford to be.

With Richi observing, waiting for the moment Star would retire so he could join her, the party went on and on well into the evening.

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

Holy Wood Castle, evening.

In the castle, Rosie sat alone at her window. She could see the lights where she knew her Nana was, and her mother was gone. Rosie was often left alone, and had learned to be alright in their absences, but it was still disheartening. Suddenly, below her window, she saw soft dancing orbs of yellow light. She smiled, they reminded her of fairies. They beckoned to her, dancing in and out of the trees, calling to her. Whispering her name and enchanting her. She got up and ran to go play with them, desperate for a friend.

She went, and played, and smiled and laughed in the darkness. The guards who normally stood guard at this hour, were slumped in their places, giving the appearance of standing guard but were cast into death. Rosie didn't hear the man approach from behind...didn't hear the rustling black robes of velvet...until they folded around her.

 SHE SCREAMED

.....and was gone into the night.....

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

Holy Wood Castle, morning. 

In the morning, Star slept soundly with a brunette woman on one side, and Richi on the other. She got up, stretched and went to the warm coffee waiting in the foyer of her chambers. She inhaled the sweet scent of her drink and had just taken a morning sigh when the chaos erupted. The piercing scream reached her ears and the door blew open, she didn't flinch.

Her grandchild's maid rushed in, a plump short woman with red hair in thick curls. She mothered the girl when both Star and Dawn were absent, Dawn was due to return that mid afternoon. It was too late.

“HE HAS TAKEN HER! THE DARK ONE HAS TAKEN ROSIE!!!” She screamed and stared at her queen. Her name was May and she was fierce, Star had wanted her to be so.

Star set down her coffee, and slowly went to her wardrobe. May continued to curse and retell how the guards were found murdered at their posts and the Symbol of the Dark One was carved into Rosie's bedroom door. Star put on her dark blue jeans, her black ruffled, pirate's shirt, and put the brown belt around her waist. She grabbed a sword from the perch on the inside of the door and slung it around her waist. Star was going to go after the Wizard without hesitation. She tied back her hair, put on her riding boots, and she took off before Richi and the other lover had any idea what had happened.

Richi sighed, not again.

The Dark One often teased Dawn and Star, pitting mother and daughter against each other as he played their sexual fantasies and emotions. Though, if he knew Star well enough, he knew that while she loved making love to the wizard, her heart belonged to one man who she hadn't seen in years. Now he got up and the woman stirred across from him. Star traveled quick, May left the rooms and he pulled on his black trousers and was leaving the room.

He had to await for Dawn and he knew it wouldn't be long.

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

On her way, Star was met with a traveler. A wandering man dressed in red. She stopped her mad gallop when he stepped into the road. He threw back his hood, his hair dyed a deep red. He smiled and held a scythe by his side. He pointed it at her.

“Keep your children close,” he said. “And your enemies closer.”

“I don't have time for you, get out of my way!” Normally she would have fought the man hand to hand to make it fair. He was a Spider member, a gang that had been fighting to over throw Star ever since she came to the throne. She drew her sword.

“The Spiders are everywhere, their webs long and sticky. They sent me to remind you, lest you forget.”

“I didn't forget. Especially how easy it is to kill your kind.”

Just as he began to laugh she cut his head from his neck and galloped away once more. She had more important places to be, and he didn't put up a fight. She knew that whoever sent him and done knowing he would never return.

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

Inside the Dark Castle of the Wizard, day.

Rosie sat in her chambers, in the depths of the castle she was wailing horribly in tears of utter sadness and fear. The Dark One growled in his library and put his hands over his ears to block out her cries. He had taken her to draw her mother and grandmother out for battle. He was bored and one of them was sure to fall victim to his antics and lusts. He wanted nothing to do with Rosie, she was purely a pawn in his tyrannical games. Mostly, he desired for Dawn to come, as he was darkness she was the light and he craved her light. Where her mother was lean and fox like, Dawn was tall and a lady wolf.

When he hunted, He preferred the wolf to the trickster fox.

Now he was stuck with a child that wailed louder than a baby. As ear splitting crying echoed through the castle, he hoped they came soon to take her back. His pride would not allow him to take her himself. He didn't have to wait long. The royal had impeccable timing.

“Wizard! You foul demon!” Star came storming into his library then. The doors bursting open and rattling on their hinges from her strength.

He looked up at her entry. Once they had made wild love to each other in ecstasy. But sometime before he turned his sights to Dawn, Star turned and looked at him as if his actions no longer pleased her. He had the horrible feeling that she saw right through his flirting, taking it as nothing more than a grain of salt in a flesh wound. What had given her this insight he didn't know, he had been an excellent lover, but he knew she was never true to him nor he to her, they never shared that kind of love.

She rushed in and pointed her sword at him. He stared along the silver up to her glowing honey eyes. He sighed.

“Where is she you brute!?”

“Two floors above.” he said.

She frowned at him, and brought her sword down on a book in front of him. He sighed at the lack of need she had to do such a thing. She turned and stormed away. He stood and followed her, seeming to float along the thick carpeting. At least he was able to attract one of them to come retrieve the girl. And while she was at it, he would take her to his bed once more.

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

Dawn stormed in, dressed in a long black skirt that fell in layers, it swished around her, looking like she flew in on a cloud. Riche stood by the throne, talking to other throne managers and dignitaries. Dawn had never be particularly fond of Star's cousin, Uncle Riche as she called him. But she found him to be a useful ally, and enjoyed his band.

“Why is my mother's horse gone and why is Rosie not in her room?” Dawn never wasted words.

Riche could appreciate that, they were alike in that way. “The Dark One stole Rosie in the night. Star went after them. If I were you-”

She was gone before he could finish. He sighed and shook his head, the women of the family were mental. Completely mad, yet they were in power.

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

Holy Wood Lands, day.

Dawn rode hard and fast to the Castle. Anger at the Wizard for daring steal her daughter, and jealousy that he might seduce her mother instead of her, rushed through her veins. She did not fear for the child, if Star was already at the castle-which she knew her mother was- there was nothing to fear. Before Dawn, there were two older sisters, stolen from their cribs. Not long after, Dawn was born and when the BOC took Her away, her mother tore down their castle walls to rescue her. Star was like the power between wolf and bears fighting for their cubs.

She was also prone to fucking that awful wizard! Dawn raged when she recalled her and Star fighting over him, her mother had spurned him before her birth. The old bag should back the fuck off. She made her horse go faster as they came closer to the black stone castle.

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

Dark Castle of the Wizard, day.

Star had Rosie in her arms, petting the girl's long brown curls and comforting her. She led the girl out of the room and down the stairs. The Wizard watching from a Bannister overhead, grinned to himself. Star was fuming. What was he playing at? Kidnapping her for no reason? He usually had a reason for everything, this was odd.

“Leaving so soon?” His voice echoed down to her.

She stopped, and pushed her grandchild forward to the doors. “Go Rosie, my horse awaits you. Get on and ride for home!” She faced the wizard. “Shut up!”

“Finally, send that horrid brat home,” he said and walked down the stairs towards her. “She wouldn't stop that crying for anything.”

“What did you just call her?” Her fists began to glow in a blue static.

“You heard me. She's louder than you,” he was referring to her love noise. “Join me Star, come to my bed. I'll let you both peacefully.” He came up beside her, suddenly holding her close. Her heart fluttered but as was her way, she was stubborn and defiant.

She laughed in his face. “Oh you think it would be that easy did you? Kidnap my grandchild to lure me here and do away with? Not today my tease!” She lifted her palms and recited her spell. “Let they who have lustful hearts be trapped in the castle of their lustful desires! May the need for lust be heavy upon them, not easily broken except by the whiteness of purity!”

From outside, Rosie heard the loud chanting. She didn't know what to do, but when she looked to the road she saw her mother coming. A BRIGHT burst of green magic flared over the castle and the curse Star laid over the place echoed loudly, Dawn heard every word said back as the curse took over.

“You Bitch!” She shouted towards her mother's figure within. “That's MY wizard!”

The wizard looked out the open doors and saw the blurry figure of Dawn through the haze of the spell. He laughed as Star had just done and then let her go. He wasn't sure if Star knew, but with the arrival of her daughter and a curse upon him, his clever mind was far ahead of her's in a mere moment. In an instant he needed someone to lift the curse from the outside, and he knew Dawn would do it. Until then he had to seduce the queen, effectively making her a captive of her own spell, and give Dawn a reason to break her mother's curse. Acting quickly, he moved forward, reaching out for Star.

“Looks like your daughter has come to join us.”

“You insolent beast!” She meant to slap him but thought better of it. “Rot here alone you sick animal. And leave my daughter alone.”

“Your daughter is a wonderful lover. Very giving, very wanting. Dare I say I'm glad she's here, she's near your equal in coupling,. If not your superior.”

Star turned then, her neck hair bristling in silvery strands. “You shut your whore mouth. Do not speak of my daughter's actions to me.”

“Oh I thought you knew, you always do seem jealous of her.” He came close again, and reached out to her hand. He lifted it to his lips and pressed a small kiss to her hand. She may not be fooled by his love puppy ways, but she was receptive to the touch. “Don't be jealous.”

“I am not jealous of my child!” She turned away and he suddenly latched on to her shoulders, pressing a quick, wet, kiss to the nape of her neck. Her body blew up in heat from the inside. She pressed it down and stilled her frantic heart. He knew her weaknesses.

“Why don't you show me?” His voice was low and attractive to her ears.

She nearly gave it but shook him off. “No! Not today!” She began storming to the doors and slammed right into the walls she had created. She pressed her palms to the green magic hovering before her, seeing the figure of Dawn outside, her ranting and raves of anger were muted by the magic cover.

“Dawn!” She screamed. “DAWN! IT'S NOT MY FAULT!”

The magic then echoed her words to her. “Lustful heart.....lustful heart....trapped in the castle...castle...castle.” In a single moment he had stoked just enough passion in her blood to make her victim to her own spell. Her magic so powerful that it took her under its wing in an instant.

She felt it then. The maddening curse she had placed on not only the Wizard, but now herself. Her own curse was used against her and she could feel the lust building in her. He looked at her with hunger filled eyes Wide, mad eyes that were filled to the brim with desire and lust. Her cruse ran rampant on them both and she ran from him, screaming a string of curses as he chased after her. That day they made angry, vengeance sex all over the castle chambers on every floor. She smacked him in the face when he fell asleep after a session of coupling and cursed him with a foul name, before succumbing to sleep beside him.

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

Holy Wood Castle, night.

Dawn was back at Holy Wood. After faintly hearing her mother scream her name and upon hearing the curse echo, she could only wonder what they did inside. She chose to believe he was torturing Star. It made the jealousy go away. Yes that was it, he was abusing her in a non sexual way that Star couldn't possibly enjoy. Or She was abusing him.... The Princess hated to admit that He alone evoked jealousy between mother and daughter. Dawn sat on the throne with Rosie sitting on the steps below. Suddenly Dawn knew what had to be done, to ensure that no one took Rosie from under her, she gently took her daughter by the arm and led her away. They made haste to the stables again.

“Where are we going mum?” She asked.

“To the Kingdom by the Sea. I think I know the “white purity” that will break the spell. And you're coming with me. I know you hate travel but you're staying right by my side.”

They flew from the stables swift and fleet. Dawn drove the horses to breaking point but with her magic was able to keep them going. They rode into the night and upon the breaking sun of morning, they arrived on the outskirts of the Kingdom by the Sea. She gazed out over the ocean then and took in the salty breeze. She always did love the sea, but now was not a time to enjoy it, she came to see the King.”

&*&*&*&*&*

The chambers of the Wizard in the Dark Castle, night.

While Star slept she was visited by Zardos. Zardos was her conscious personified. The female esque creature had a slight wolf curve to the lines of her face. Her teeth were fangs, her eyes a bright shining yellow. She had first appeared to Star a year after she fell to earth, coming in dreams. Zardos had been compelled her to awaken in the mind and become who she was now. Zardos was like her demented guardian angel, who always failed at her job. But she hovered over the bed where Star slept next to the Wizard.

“Wake up,” Zardos droned in an exotic brough. “Open your eyes and see me Star Dust of Holy Wood.”

She did as commanded. Zardos was a physical being only Star seemed to see. She had grappled with the creature before, to test the boundaries of reality and came away with wounds from their scuffle. She was real, but only to the Queen.

“There are spiders in the night coming for you. Protect your children, they are the key.” Star had no idea what Zardos was talking about. All that registered was the words Spiders, they were a gang that harassed her and the throne. “Keep your children close, and your enemies, ever closer.”

Star blinked, and Zardos was gone.