glossolalia

There was a shift of people around the entrance to the Inn. I could see people moving out of the way, of who ever was entering. I kept singing, and tried to give it no other notice. But I knew who it was. It had to be Smith and his gang. Everyone was getting out of his way.

Ardal was sitting at a table right up in front of me. We made sure that it was a table that had the best view. We knew that Smith would come in, and want the table, and try to force Ardal to give it up. That was the whole point, because Ardal would then get into a fight with either Cuan or Smith himself. If it was with Cuan, then he would go for the kill. Leaving it up to Smith to save Cuan or not. If he didn't save Cuan, then perhaps Smith would offer Ardal the job. Especially if he'd already read the dispatches. That was what we were worried about. If he had not read the dispatches yet, then the whole plan could be blown. If it was Smith himself, who fought, then Ardal would lose, but he would make sure it was a good fight. Hopefully, with the same outcome, Smith offering Ardal a job.

Sure enough, Smith and his friends came up to the area where I was singing. I could see him tell Ardal something, I'm sure it was move. A few seconds later, Ardal did move, but I don't think it was what Smith expected.

Continue reading "Chapter 18" »

Posted by me at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

A few weeks later, we arrived at the outskirts of Chugach town. Ardal and I had decided that he would try to get a job at the prison. Being his girl friend, I would try to get a job at the one of the taverns as barmaid and singer. Some times, they would have girls come up to the prison, we thought that this was a good excuse to get me inside.

We decided to make a cold camp on the outskirts first. I had tried to explain to Ardal, that I had a way to check out the insides of the prison, but that it would take time. He didn't understand. But he accepted that I had my ways. About a week from Chugach, I took Sassy from around my neck, and put her on Nobile. She was going to go and spy out the prison for us, Nobile would travel faster than us on the horses, and by the time we got there, hopefully, she would have some information. I didn't tell Ardal what I was doing, I don't know why I never told him about Sassy. I guess because he had a hard time understanding about Ney and Nobile. Though for some reason, being able to understand Runs, was 'Ok'. I grinned to myself thinking. 'It's sane to understand your horse, but insane to understand your dog.' I always thought so said Runs. Giving him a playful swat with my hand, I told him hush. When we finally went to our bedrolls that night, he had asked me, where my necklace was. "I've never seen you without it." "Oh, I have it, it's around someplace, I just decided to take it off for a few days" I answered him. "I thought it was something extra special, that perhaps Miykael had given you" he says. Grinning to myself, I said, "Well, my foster father gave it to me. He is also Miykael's foster father." I was thinking of Boris, and how he ran the station. He was kind of like a foster father.

With surprise and something else in his voice, he said "Oh, so you and Miykael are brother and sister?" "No", I answered, "I've never meant him" but I was wondering what that flicker in his aura had been. Ardal was not telling me something. I wondered what it was. It didn't feel like it was a danger to me, just something he didn't want to tell me. I wasn't going to push him for the information. Not now. We had to take care of getting Miykael out first, and get him back to the pick up spot.

Continue reading "Chapter 17" »

Posted by me at 11:42 AM | Permalink

Waking up to the smell of cafe', I peeked through my lashes. There was Ardal, already dressed, a small fire going, where he had the coffee brewing. there was a napkin covered plate next to him. I propped myself up on my elbow, and asks, "What's under the napkin?"

He turns to me, a smile on his face, "Good Morning Beautiful, how about some of Govanon's moon bread?" A huge smile covers my face when I hear this. They may call it moon bread here, but where I grew up, they were called croissants.

"How did you possibly get Govanon's Moon Bread?" As I stood up, I picked up my shirt, and slipped it on. Raising my head up and looking at Ardal, I found him grinning at me. "Something funny mister?"

Standing up, with a cafe cup in his hand and walking over to me to hand me the cup, he says "You are so beautiful, it seems a shame to cover you up." I laugh, "Well, you'll have opportunity to see me in all my beauty at another time. Now, we need to get going, I want to be at the right spot to meet up with my horse."

"Are you sure you're horse is going to be there?" He asks, with a smile in his voice. One of his friends was suppose to bring him his horse to the spot we had decided upon. He still didn't think that Runs could make it there by himself. "Well, if he has trouble, I'll send Ney for him" I grinned back. "Now, how did you get the bread?"

"Well, speaking of Ney, she brought them." "The bread?" I asked surprised. "What a good girl she is. Where is she?"

At that, he turn and started to point to the other corner that had a roof over it. But just then, Nobile came in the door. Ardal froze. In a whisper he says "What's that?" I grin at him, and say, "What? That? Looks like another Ney." Ardal doesn't move, but his eyes turn to me, and he says "Another Ney? You have TWO dogs like this?" I laugh. "Well, to be truthful Ardal, I do. This is Nobile, Ney's mate." At this, both Nobile and Ney come over to Ardal and I. Ney sits down in front of us, but Nobile comes up to Ardal and sniffs him. "I hope you're honored, because not even my family of the Alba Clan knew about him. He ranges out in the woods, and never comes near when there are others about. The only reason he came into the city now, is because we need him for the plan to work."

Continue reading "Chapter 16" »

Posted by me at 4:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I go out walkin, after midnight, in the starlight, just hopin that maybe, you're out somewhere, after midnight searchin for meeeeee....

Bowing to the applause I walked off the stage area. It had been one of the easiest songs to teach Gawayn, Nacio, and Savio, and I didn't have to play any instrument, making our plan of me being injured, more believable. I didn't think that I sounded like Patsy Cline when I sang the song, but I was trying for her style.

Walking over to Ardal, laughing and throwing my arms around his neck, he in turn, putting his arms around me. This was my kind of acting. I hid an evil grin. What a great excuse to have my hands all over him. I just had to remember to flirt with the other customers, so that Ardal and I could have a big fight tomorrow and I could kill him. Well. So it would look like I killed him.

For some reason, the thought of Ardal actually dying, made my stomach feel sick. Stop that, he's not going to die, it's all going to be an act, so that you both can leave town together. Of course. Everything is going to go as planned. Yeah, right shut up.

Giggling, I went over and hung all over Benno. Since he knew what was going on, I felt pretty safe in over acting with him. I made sure that I flirted with quite a few of the men in the Tavern. Even if they were men, I normally wouldn't give two looks to. Ardal made sure that he kept acting like the jealous lover. We had to have everyone thinking that we were lovers. That this act we were going to put on tomorrow, was the real thing.

Continue reading "Chapter 15" »

Posted by me at 2:52 PM | Permalink

As we get inside the Guild hall, the prig Clancy was just at the door. We had come in the door, laughing and breathless, having rushed down the alley way and across the court yard. I didn't say anything, just looked at him, I made sure that I kept my smile on my face. I didn't want anything to do with him. If he said one thing to me, I was going to cut him. My adrenaline was pumping, the excitement from the fight, still sitting in the pit of my stomach. I was ready. Any one. Just say one thing to me. Point a weapon in my direction, and I was going to slice you. Ney was bouncing around us, also still hyper from the fight.

That fight had just been to easy, and I was sure that something else was going to follow. But the prig Clancy, just looked down his nose at us, and turn around and walked down a side hall.

We all laughed. I know that didn't help the situation of his hatred for me and his dislike of Ardal, but it just struck us funny.

Continue reading "Chapter 14" »

Posted by me at 1:49 PM | Permalink

The city smelled. I know I should have expected it, but I hadn't. Maybe I shouldn't complain. From the info that Boris had given me, I knew that they had Roman styled baths and swage pipes. But coming in from the forest, it smelled.

Traversing the city through markets, shops and tumbled downed homes, we finally came to a section, that seemed, perhaps not high rent district, but at least the smell wasn't so bad, and the shops and homes that we had passed, were in better condition, cleaner.

Soon (though not soon enough for me) we came to a cul-de-sac, and there was the Iron Dog Tavern. I grinned to myself. oh give me a break. First the Copper Snake Inn, and now the Iron Dog Tavern? thinking of a book I once read, by the name of Iron Wolf.

Maria, who was driving the wagon, says to me "This is where we always stay, Govanon, the Tavern Keeper is an old friend of ours. In fact, he used to be the Alba Clan's smith. Making our swords and knives, and repairing our pots. But he loss the use of his arm, and even though he has regain some usage of it, it is not enough for him to continue as our smith. So he became, instead, our beer brewer." she grins at me. Through the pain in my arm, I grin back. "I could use a good beer right about now, and perhaps a nap would be helpful." I knew that I would heal faster than any one on this land, but I still needed some time, for the nano's to do their work. Rest would be the best thing I could have, but I wondered if I would get it.

"You will get to sleep soon, spirit sister. Hold on just a little longer" her tone was sympathetic and slightly worried. I gave her a small pain filled smile, and told her that I was going to be all right, "do not the Mighty Powers love me Maria?" I grinned at her a little more. "I will be fine, I just need rest, and as you say, I will get that in just a few moments"

Exhausted beyond thinking, I just nodded. This would be the perfect time for an attack. When you're to tired to even protect yourself, let alone any one else. No. They just attacked, they probably don't even know that we're in the city yet. They'll still be waiting for word. you hope. shut up.

Continue reading "Chapter 13" »

Posted by me at 7:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The next morning, after, once again, trying to get a chance to talk with the innkeeper Zadar, we left to finish our trip to the city of Tabora. Bai told me that we should get there by lunch time. They were all anxious to see old friends, to sell the beautiful blankets and coats that Bai and Sayuri had made, and to pick up the things that they would need for the next year in their travels. They were also anxious to see if the Capoeira Guitar dance was as highly received when it was Maria, Savio and Nacio doing it. I had been teaching Maria and Nacio, knowing I was going to be leaving them at the city, and I had taught Savio more advanced techniques, so that he could teach them more, when I was gone.

Since the fight with the bandits, Nacio had backed off on bothering me, had even, in fact, been more respectful towards me. I had hope that the traitor that would turn on me, would not be him after all.

*Are you sure there will be a traitor?* Sassy's asks me. 'Yes, I'm sure. There is always a traitor, but since I don't know what happens, behind my back, I'm not sure who it will be. I must admit, that if it is one of the Alba Clan, I will be heart broken. But then again, I'm sure no matter who it will be, I will probably be heart broken.' *Sometimes, dear Sera, you make no sense at all, especially for a construct* 'Thank you Sassy, I love you too' *?* 'giggle'

Continue reading "Chapter 12" »

Posted by me at 4:47 PM | Permalink

The next day, we all sat around, cleaning our gear, rearranging our packs and repairing the things that needed it. Sitting in the sunshine of the courtyard, watching the horses in the paddock, and stitching up a hem on my skirt, that I had ripped, Runs says to me *Beware* at the same time, Ney comes out of the shade, and lays down beside me and for once, I felt Sassy stiffen around my neck. Usually she was very fluid, almost part of my skin, but now, stiffening up, it was like she was a true piece of metal.

Very slowly, I first glance at the paddock, seeing Runs staring over the fence at the yard behind me, I then glance over to the Inn, and continue my look to the front of the yard, as if I was just glancing around me, watching the activities.

There he was. Two of them. One was holding the horses, the other was standing next to him, as if giving him instructions, but looking over towards me. Assassins. No mistaking the slow way they moved. Strength contained. Confident. The one staring at me, exuded power. It radiated from him.

Continue reading "Chapter 11" »

Posted by me at 8:34 AM | Permalink

I was antsy. I didn't know any other way to describe it. I knew I was sad, because I was leaving my friends soon. I was excited, because I was leaving my friends soon, and going off on my own. I was ... well, that was the whole point, wasn't it? You don't know HOW you feel, just that you seem to be ready to pull your knife over the littlest thing. Yes. That was it. I felt like I was on edge. Prepared. Like when you know you're going into battle and you're just having to wait for the signal.

Was it because of the town, down below us? We all had paused quietly, as we came over the ridge, looking down at the town. This was just the outskirts of Tabora. Not even the city proper. For days we had been passing other wagons, travelers, families, and every once in a while, a squad of guards (who barely gave us a glance, and then, only glancing at Maria). Once, I was sure, a man from the Assassins Guild had passed. He was riding a noble looking horse, a dark bay, something that wouldn't be noticed right away, in the shadows of the woods. I didn't see him look at us, but I knew that he was aware. Aware that there was something about our group. How I knew this I don't know. But everything about this lone man riding by, had given me information.

Continue reading "Chapter 10" »

Posted by me at 4:31 PM | Permalink

Twisting and turning, kicking and hacking. I swung sword and knife against the bandits that were brave enough to attack me, or try to get into the wagon. I barely remember anything at all about the fight. All I can think of, is how the adrenaline was flowing through my veins. I flew. I floated. The bandits were slow and weak. Or at least, that's how it seemed to me. Much slower than the robot on the station. But I didn't even think of being grateful for that, till after it was all over.

At the time, all I knew was that they ones that had attacked me were laying on the ground, either dead or to wounded to bother with. I looked around. The blood still pounding in my ears. I wanted more. I wanted to kill. I wanted to feel the spurt of blood as I ripped open a neck.

Continue reading "Chapter 09" »

Posted by me at 3:06 PM | Permalink

Falling together, back to back, and sliding to the ground, Maria and I started laughing breathlessly. We had just finished a strenuous dance routine. Practicing for when we got to the little town about three days ahead.

Gawayn and Nacio had played us a very fast Bulerias Falseta tune, and we were practicing the steps to be in sync with one another. The stomping of the feet, turns and clapping, and keeping it all in perfect synchronization with one another, was exhausting. Bea brought us both a drink from the water barrel. It was still cool, having just filled it that morning before we left.

Nacio came over to where I was still sitting on the ground, kneeling down he says to me "That is very sexy, seeing you both dancing like that. I would like to dance like that with you."

I just rolled my eyes at him and turned away. I tried not to let on, but he annoyed me. He was so full of himself. Pushing his aura out towards me, trying to stroke me with it. This little trick he played, always got him the women he wanted. He didn't understand why it wasn't working with me. He knew that when I first saw him, I was hooked. He just didn't understand why I wasn't still hooked. He wanted me, but I didn't' want him.

As soon as I had realized what was happening, and how I was wide open with my empathy and aura, I had started controlling myself. I hadn't realized that I had needed to have control on my emotions and thoughts. When CeeCee and Boris had talked to me about enhancing my pheromones and endorphins, I didn't realize that they meant the "aura" that surrounded me. That my picking up each little twitch of a persons eyelid, was going to convey such a slew of information, I think I would have asked them not to do the enhancements. Sometimes it felt like I was reading everyone's mind. I know they thought that I could do so, just from some of the reactions that I got, when I seemed to answer a question before they had even asked it.

Continue reading "Chapter 08" »

Posted by me at 11:44 AM | Permalink

I rode till all we had was a copse of trees to go around. Than I got off Runs, and leading him, walked around the outcrop. Immediately, the caravan dogs started barking. Ney stayed close to Runs and I. Nobile was off hiding in the woods. Where he belonged. He had managed to bring me two more rabbits, and all three were strung up on the saddle horn.

"Hello Camp!" I hollered. There were a couple of older men and a young boy standing and looking my way. A women was near one of the caravan steps, the back of a young child disappearing inside the wagon. I had thrown my cape over my shoulders before walking around the copse, I now held my arms out, so that they could see nothing but a small knife around my waist. Slung on the saddle, shotgun style (like any one here would know what that meant ) was the staff that I had brought with me. Like the animals, there was more to it than first glance might show you. There was also a rapier hanging there. Just the basic stuff a well seasoned traveler would have.

I noticed the fire they had going, and hollered again, as I slowly walked towards them, arms still outstretched, "I smelled your fire, and was wondering if you would be willing to share it with me. I have three rabbits that I would be willing to share with you in return."

Continue reading "Chapter 07" »

Posted by me at 1:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Walking down the hall towards the launch station, I thought over the last few days. Trying to calm the twisting of my stomach, by thinking of other things. Going down the list of what I knew, and what I might be forgetting.

I had only been getting about five hours of sleep at night, but that seemed to work for this body. I didn't feel tired. Just excited.

Realizing that I might have to heal The Manager, Boris had given me some medical knowledge, especially the information on the use of the natural products that the planet itself had to offer. Boris had also said something about enhancing my brain corpus callosum and neuron synopsis, so that I would have a faster connection between my seeing, realizing, intuitive and analyzing of situations. It had also given me Reiki knowledge with a higher level of endorphins and pheromones, so that (or so it would seem to a person with less scientific knowledge) that I was able to heal with my hands. Boris told me that it had raised my right side neurons specifically, and sharpen my eyes, so that I would be able to read the slightest twitches and flicks of a persons reactions. Thus being able to deduce whether the person was lying, being truthful, or, even more importantly, perhaps having nefarious thoughts about me.

Nefarious thoughts? What in the world would constitute 'nefarious thoughts' and how would a computer know how to interpret such things? Now Now Sarah, you're doing it again... remember 'GWTF', Go With The Flow, just go, don't analyze. Right.

Continue reading "Chapter 06" »

Posted by me at 9:21 PM | Permalink

Kicking and twirling, a fog raising around me, I slowly realized that this was a dream, and I was waking up.

There was a buzzer, than I felt a whoosh of air, as the door slide open. CeeCee came rolling in carrying a covered tray.

"Good Morning 11412" he actually sounded chipper. I was going to hit him.

I never was good in the morning. I really really wanted a cup of coffee. Dumb me, I didn't even think to ask if they had coffee. Or pizza. Or bacon and eggs. Geeze. I bet they didn't have anything yummy. I realized then, that I was starving. I mean hungry, feed me now or I'm going to attack something. I realized then, that I actually could kill something. I knew how. I looked at CeeCee and even knew how to disable it. Which little slots and doors would give me access to what wires I needed to put it out of commission.

How cool.

I got up out of bed, smiling. Went to the bathroom and did my ablutions. By the time I came out of the bathroom, CeeCee had set up a table and there was a wonderful breakfast sitting on it. That's when I noticed the coffee smell. It smelled wonderful.

Continue reading "Chapter 05" »

Posted by me at 9:55 AM | Permalink

I wanted a drink. A real drink. Something Strong. A shot of Tequila. I'd even take Whiskey. Some Thing. ok Sarah, remember, you're just going to go along with the flow. Don't fight it, don't look to deep in it, just skim the service, and make one move after the other. One thought after thought. If you try to analyze anything, that's when you're really going to get yourself in trouble.

"Hello Boris" I was so proud of myself. That came out very calm. Not hysterical at all. I deserve a cookie. Do they even know what cookies are?

Hello, 11412, why did you wake up before you were ready?

Aaaahhhhh, a mystery for the machines. This body wasn't suppose to wake up yet, CeeCee did say that they had not 'programmed' all the information into me.

Continue reading "Chapter 04" »

Posted by me at 11:12 AM | Permalink

Sitting at, what the little robots called, human lounge, with the most vile tasting stuff to drink ("it will help your body acclimate to food") I asked R2D2, "What happen? Don't tell me everything, start at why The Manager went down to the planet. Make it concise."

The view was lovely. I could see the planet from where I sat. In fact, I could barely take my eyes off of it.

It wasn't Earth. No Sarah, You aren't in Kansas any more. You aren't even on the planet Earth. You aren't even above the planet Earth.

Continue reading "Chapter 03" »

Posted by me at 6:32 PM | Permalink

Ouch. Ok. What's Happening? I'm lying on my back. It's cold. and I'm NAKED?

My eyes fly open (finally) and I start looking around.

Ok. I Have Finally Gone Over The Edge. Serious.
Looking around, I'm in a room full of mechanical devices.Ok Sarah, you've been reading way to much Science Fiction, and you've just lost your mind.

I wonder where I really am? In a room with white padding? I hope I won't hurt any one. Because I can't possibly have fallen into a SciFi story. That only happens in books

There's nothing but machines, from floor to ceiling. Flashing lights, and metal tables. It diffidently looks like something from a science fiction movie. Matrix? A Space Odyssey?

And I really am naked.

Continue reading "Chapter 02" »

Posted by me at 1:57 PM | Permalink

Not In Kansas Any More

In The Beginning
I checked the kids before I went to bed that night. Opening the door to the boys room, and checking to make sure he was there, giving him a kiss on the top of his head. Than the girls room. Pulling the cover up to her chin, kissing her forehead.
Safe.
Sleeping.

I took my aspirin and sinus pills, made sure the coffee was ready for the morning. Took my aching body, and laid down next to my husband. The pain had been getting worse. I knew it was old age. I may not have been to a doctor for the last fifteen years, but I knew it wasn't any thing more serious than getting old. The aches, shooting pain through my breast, tiredness, all just signs of getting old.

There was nothing a doctor could do for it. Just something you had to accept as you got old.

Cold, tired and aching, I turn over and cuddled next to my husband.

Maybe tonight, I could actually get a good nights sleep.

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

Chapter 1

I'm falling. My goodness, I haven't had a dream about falling since I was a teenager. I knew that as soon as I realized it was a dream, I'd wake up.

Wake up.

I'm dreaming. I'm not really falling. It doesn't matter what my stomach feels like.

I'm going to be sick. Come on, wake up. Get up out of bed and get to the toilet. You don't want to get sick all over the carpet. Wake Up.

What's wrong with you? I can't get myself up. My eye's aren't opening.

Get UP

Jesus. I'm still falling and I'm not waking up. Or at least, I can't get my eyes open.

And I'm cold.

What The...?

What's going on?

THUMP!!

Posted by me at 7:06 AM | Permalink