#4673  Penthesilea
     
Meanwhile, back at the Castle...

     *Penthesilea and Kodiak returned to the Castle and immediately began preparing for their first State Dinner. Nothing in their training had prepared them for this particular activity but since they were both reasonably civilized and knew which fork to use, Hypatia, who had received an emergency appointment to Protocol Advisor, was certain that they could handle it. Again dressed in very formal Formals, they each took a deep breath and entered the Dining Hall arm in arm.

#4680  Penthesilea
     
     *Darklord Kodiak was trapped and he didn't see any easy way out. He'd been lured to a deserted alcove on the second floor landing around the ballroom by a note supposedly from one of his former minions. He had left the ballroom at once only to find that the message was a ruse. His man was not there but someone else was.
     Nightfall Woolman was one of Kodiak's former lovers, a tall, cool blonde with green eyes and a prodigious appetite for bedgames. She was also selfish, willful and spoiled and she refused to accept that Kodiak no longer found her bed of interest. His first engagement had been insulting enough but when he had passed her over a second time to become engaged to Penthesilea, her ego would not permit the insult to pass unnoticed. She could not conceive that he would actually prefer Penthesilea's bed to hers so she had convinced herself that Kodiak was sacrificing himself in order to save everyone from Penthesilea's murderous wrath. Or that she had put a spell on him herself!

Nightfall: Everyone knows what happened in the valley! You don't have to marry her! I know that the only reason that you are with her and not me is because you fear her wrath. *Kodiak felt many things for his Lady but fear had never been among them!*

Kodiak: What happened in the valley was an accident. My Lady repaired the damage and made reparation. And it would not have happened at all if someone hadn't tried to bespell me. After what she went through, my Lady is rather touchy about anyone tampering with my will.

Nightfall: That's it, isn't it? She has put a spell on you! *She grabbed his arms.* Come away with me, my love. We'll find someone who can break her evil spell and then we can be together! We'll go so far away that she will never be able find us!

*Nightfall suddenly noticed Kodiak looking over her shoulder, a slight smile on his face. Frustrated, she looked over her shoulder. There, behind her, stood Penthesilea and Guildmaster Woolman, her father.*

Penthesilea: I think you would find, Mistress Woolman, that there is no place on this planet where my Lord could be taken where I would not find him. Is that not so, beloved?

Kodiak: It certainly is, my dear. *Kodiak slipped out from in front of Nightfall and went at once to his lady's side. (inspeaking) How did you know?

Penthesilea: (inspeaking): A little cat told me. *Kodiak looked and saw the Black Huntress in the shadows.* Guildmaster Woolman?

Guildmaster Woolman: Yes, my Lady? *The man's voice was tight with rage at his daughter's behavior.*

Penthesilea: The next time I see your daughter I expect her to be handfasted and well along with child. *A look of utter horror came over Nightfall's face which gave Penthesilea no end of pleasure.*

Guildmaster Woolman: I am in agreement, my Lady, and I have just the man in mind. *The Guildmaster reached past Penthesilea and took his daughter's arm.* Come with me, daughter.

Nightfall: Father, no! *She tried to pull free without success.* Kodiak, help me, please! *The Guildmaster pulled his daughter away from Penthesilea and Kodiak, ignoring her cries and pleading. They watched until the Guildmaster and his daughter vanished into the shadows.*

Kodiak: Thank you for the rescue, my Lady.

Penthesilea: You are welcome, my Lord. And I do expect the hero's reward once we are alone!

Kodiak: And you shall have it! *They laughed and returned to the ballroom.*

#4684  Penthesilea
     
Meanwhile, in Crowhaven....

     *On her father's orders, Nightfall was escorted to her rooms and locked in to await her father's decision on her fate. That she would be married before the month was out was a foregone conclusion. The only thing to be settled was would her father's first choice be agreeable or would he have to go to his second choice.
     After hours of screaming, crying and general tantrum throwing, Nightfall fell into an exhausted slumber and her father's house grew quiet. Suddenly, she awoke to find Kodiak standing naked by her bed! He gestured to her for silence and joined her in the bed, pulling her into his arms.

Kodiak: I'm sorry, my dear. I didn't dare say or do anything while She was there. Her wrath is terrible and I would not have you hurt! *He kissed her deeply, leaving her breathless.*

Nightfall: I never doubted it or you, my love.

Kodiak: No more talking, my sweet. We have little time. *Nightfall surrendered eagerly to her lover's embrace and experienced a night of love such as she had never known. And when the demon, Rashtarith, was done with her, he bared his fangs, buried them in her willing throat and drank his fill......*

#4686  Penthesilea
     
Meanwhile, back at the Castle... in MoonCat's lab...

Late into the night...

     *MoonCat looks up from her computer.* This last compound is it. This is the one that addicts and kills.

SpiritFire: You're sure. *She comes to look over her sister's shoulder at the test results.*

MoonCat: I want you to double check but yeah, this is it. *She turned troubled eyes to her sister and Torao-Akio.* And that sample that Daemon sent us. This compound is present in amounts about double what is found in the fresh leaf. Worse. It isn't degrading at all as near as I can tell. They've found a way to stabilize it. I think they're using one of the plants with a woody, edible root. Some sort of spice, maybe. I'll know by morning.

SpiritFire: Daemon should know. And Mom and Kodiak.

MoonCat: I'll contact Daemon right now. *MoonCat looked off in the distance for a moment.* We'll tell Mom and Kodiak in the morning. They waited so long for each other, I don't have the heart to disturb them when it can wait. And it can, for them, for at least a few more hours. *Torao-Akio and Spirit agreed. Spirit took her sister's place to go over her findings while MoonCat prepared to contact Daemon...*

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#4699  Rewrite by Penthesilea

"Good morning. You both look.. well rested," Karika said, attempting to hide a grin with her coffee cup.

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#4703  Penthesilea
     
MoonCat's Lab

*The computer finally finished it's run. MoonCat looked at the results and smiled.*

MoonCat: We have a winner! *SpiritFire and Ma'ako came at once. MoonCat was grinning, making them wait for it. Spirit was in no mood to wait.*

SpiritFire: What is it?

MoonCat: Ginger.