#4030  Penthesilea
     
The Keyholder's Bedroom

     *Kodiak had fallen asleep with his love in his arms feeling more satisfied in love than he had ever felt. Even Jasmine, who had claimed to have no peer in carnal matters, had left him wanting, supplying only the most fleeting of satisfaction. In Penthesilea’s arms, the Darklord found total fulfillment and smiled in his sleep.
Some time later, he came to instant wakefulness. His eyes still closed, he used his ears to locate the source of the sound that awakened him. He opened his eyes and looked. The sound was a whimper and the source was Penthesilea. He shook her gently to wake her from what was obviously a nightmare. She did not wake and her whimpers became louder. He shook her harder and called her name. She did not wake and then she cried out -- his name with such agony in her voice that he became frantic to wake her but she would not wake. He didn't want to hit her but feared that he was going to have to as her struggles grew more violent. He pulled back his hand to slap her when help arrived. Charging across the bedroom floor came Penthesilea's four cats, the largest, the War Queen in the lead. The great cat leaped on the bed and ran to Penthesilea's head and before Kodiak could react, she raised one large paw and, claws out, slashed across Penthesilea's cheek, leaving four deep scratches. Penthesilea gasped and opened her eyes to see Kodiak staring down at her. She reached for him, buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed. When she calmed enough she told him her nightmare as she sheltered in his embrace.* I couldn't find you. I looked and looked. I finally found you. You were with Jasmine. You told me that you really loved her. That I was just something you used to pass the time. Then you laughed at me. Both of you. And then I KILLED YOU! *The last was a wail that turned to hysterical crying. Kodiak spend the next hour calming her and drying her tears and then he turned his utmost attention to convincing her that he loved her and had no intention of leaving her for anyone. Finally, she was soothed and comforted and asleep in his arms and Kodiak settled back in the bed. The four cats were lined up at the foot of the bed looking at him and he got the latest in a series of shocks.*

War Queen: (inspeaking) Someone attacked her. *The shock of hearing a cat talk in his head was swept aside by the news.*

Kodiak: (inspeaking) Who?

War Queen: (inspeaking) We don't know but we will guard. *The cats began to move. The War Queen came to the head of the bed and settled herself just above Kodiak's and Penthesilea's heads. A large brown tabby stayed at the foot and the two smaller black cats took positions on either side of the bed. Thus guarded, Kodiak settled down to sleep with his Lady in his arms...*

#4035   Penthesilea
     
Castletown - The Broken Bone

     *Kodiak entered the seediest dive in Castletown and looked around. It wasn't busy yet. Most people were still sleeping off the Yule celebration the night before. He picked a table that put his back to the wall, ordered a bottle of something that was cheap and potent and started drinking. He hoped that his new demigod status would keep him from getting drunk too quickly....*

#4040  Penthesilea
     
The Keyholder's Bedroom Later....

*Penthesilea slept a long time, thanks to the cats. By turns, they laid by her ears and purred keeping her asleep for several hours after Kodiak left her side. She awoke clearheaded and happy until she realized that he was gone. For a horrible second, she thought that it had all been a dream until something stuck her in the finger. She looked. There was a red rose on the pillow next to hers -- still equipped with the thorns! She put her injured finger to her lips and sucked the blood until the bleeding stopped then she laughed and climbed from the bed. A soft glow came from the window -- daylight through the heavy, light colored curtains. Her brow creased in thought and then she cast the spell. The curtains turned a deep blood red with linings of pure black. She turned to the bed. With a simple spell, the bedspread turned from a cream brocade to one of red and the bed linens were black. Three of the cats "disappeared" as the sheets suddenly matched their coats. She then turned her attention to the room's linen storage and changed all of the stored linens as well.* That'll do for now. *Then she walked into her bathing room to take a long soak and apply her mind to the coming negotiations. Who should represent her and what should the opening position be? She chewed her lip and began thinking as the sunken tub filled....*

#4045 

[Text to be added. Rewrite in progress.]

#4047   Penthesilea
     
Torao-Akio's Quarters

     Penthesilea walked toward the wizard's quarters muttering the "Next Breath" spell as she went. The spell was designed to turn any gas into breathable air and Penthesilea was tempted to add an "area attachment" to it and purify the entire floor! She reached the man's door and raised her hand to knock...*

Torao-Akio: Come in, my Lady. *Penthesilea smiled. He knew that she was coming. Good. She opened the door and entered, closing it behind her.* What can I do for you, Lady?

Penthesilea: This will take a while. May I sit? *He indicated a chair.*

Torao-Akio: Of course. Of course. *Penthesilea sat and began her explanation.*

Penthesilea: We have been receiving reports of activity in the Giant’s Rib Cage area that might be a danger to us, especially around Bar-Arack. *The wizard's face clouded at that and Penthesilea nodded. They had both heard of the city.* I am sure that Daemon will be leaving for there as soon as he can leave the cavern reconstruction crews without his supervision. I have no idea how long he will be gone. I want you to consider taking a position as my "Court Wizard".

Torao-Akio: Me, my Lady?

Penthesilea: Yes, you. I know you have experience. *Torao-Akio's face was a mask of shock. Penthesilea laughed.* Yes, I recognize you although I can understand why you don't recognize me. I was a lowly calvary scout then. It took me a while to see past the disguise. It is very good, very subtle. No one who knew you then would recognize you. Once my head cleared and I was able to think I pieced the puzzle together. I will not ask "why". I know that you are a man of honor. I need your help. Will you help me? *The wizard stared at her. She stared back. After long minutes, he made up his mind and nodded.*
Torao-Akio: I will help you.

#4049   Penthesilea

*Penthesilea went down to her study and retrieved her briefing books. Then she climbed into the middle of her bed and, surrounded by cats, began to read. She resisted the urge to call Kodiak through the inspeaking. She was suddenly afraid of what he might say....*

#4051  darklord_kodiak
     
     *Still in the pub, the situation has worsened. Some outsiders have decided to join the brawl. Backed into a corner. DK just stares at the group.* I hope you came here prepared to die. *Advancing on him slowly he hears one say.* So you think your pretty tough. We will see how your bride likes you when we rearrange a few things.*DK still stares at the crowd intensely. Wondering who this is and why they are so concerned with him right now. Picking up a barstool. With a smashing blow to the first one he drops. Spinning around and grabbing one by the neck throws him over the bar. Pulls his sword just in time to impale another one. With a fast foot sweep drops another and swiftly stomps him out. Grabs for a bottle smashing it over the head of yet another before ramming his head into the bar. The rest start to back off. With a few remaining and a pile of bodies at the DarkLord’s feet. He hears a voice.*

Stop or he will kill the rest of you. *Appearing from behind the crowd working his way through is a familiar face. The crowd starts to disperse.* I see you haven’t given up on the ancient arts I have taught you.

DK: I did for a while and I have lived to regret it. Master, what brings you here? I thought you were dead.

Master: No, not dead. I had left you because I thought you were ready to be on your own. I have heard of your, well should we say, problems.
DK: That can’t be good.
Master: No it’s not. I heard that you abandoned the arts and have been living an undisciplined life. I came to see why you have strayed from the teachings.
DK: Let’s go back to my quarters. The explanation could take days.
Master: I hope it’s good. Will you fetch someone for my bags?
DK: bags?
Master: Yes. It is time to continue your training and, not to mention, maybe kick your butt around until it sinks into your simple head that you need to get back on track.
DK: Fair enough. I suppose I deserve that. I will call to have your bags delivered.
*The two start walking to his DK’s quarters.*

#4053  Penthesilea
     
     *Penthesilea awoke before dawn with the knowledge that Kodiak had brushed her thoughts while she slept. He was intact and back at the Castle. Just as gently, she checked on him. He was in his rooms -- the new Lord Marshall had taken up temporary quarters in the Main Hall until the Military Complex was finished -- and was deep in conversation with someone. She did not intrude. She had her own business to deal with this morning. If it was someone she needed to meet, Kodiak would arrange it. She still had to find a negotiator or arrange a delay in the start of the wedding negotiations. With that on her mind, she dressed and greeted Apollo and then went to breakfast. She was just finishing her meal when one of the maids came up to her.

Maid: My Lady. There is a woman here to see you. She says she was "sent". She's waiting for you in your office. *Penthesilea thanked the maid and went up to her second floor office. The woman waiting for her appeared to be in her late forties, about Penth's height but heavier, with white hair and merry blue eyes. She was dressed in a business suit that marked her as coming from one of the more civilized areas. She took Penthesilea's offered hand in a firm grip.*

Hypatia: Keyholder Penthesilea, I'm Hypatia Jones, priestess of Hermes and attorney at law, specializing in treaties and marriage contracts. (softer) Your cousin Hermes sent me. Don't worry, honey. We're going to get you out of this. *Just then Penthesilea got confirmation from her cousin through the inspeaking. They may not be allowed to make armies disappear but the Gods could send lawyers!*

Penthesilea: (smiling) Let's get started!


[Visualization Aid: If you've watched Remington Steele, you've seen Hypatia. "Mildred Krebs" played by Doris Roberts.]

#4056 

[Text to be added. Rewrite in progress.]

#4063   Penthesilea

     *Shortly after Daemon's departure, it was time for the first meeting with Lord Kennicott's negotiators. Hypatia and Penthesilea met in Penth's office before going down to the conference room where the meeting would take place.*

Hypatia: You've got some real deal breakers in there, honey, but do you really want regular bathing in the contract?

Penthesilea: You haven't been in an enclosed room with this bunch! Castle environmental control has the air scrubbers on maximum full and it might not be enough. *Hypatia looked distressed.*

Hypatia: That bad?

Penthesilea: 'Fraid so. These guys might know what soap is but not from personal experience. If the scrubbers can't handle the load, we may have to schedule the next round of talks out in the Courtyard. *Looks at the clock.* Guess we'd better go down there and get started. *Hypatia gives Penthesilea a motherly squeeze.* Chin up, honey. We've only just begun to negotiate!
*With that, they headed for the conference room.*

#4068  Penthesilea

     The meeting broke up rather quickly as each side had much to discuss among themselves. As Hypatia had predicted, some of Penthesilea's positions were deal breakers. Penthesilea had covertly watched Lord Kennicott as he read her list and she could tell when he hit the last item - the one in which she reserved the right to take any lover she pleased. His jaw tensed and he became very still. Penthesilea's affection for her former Lord Marshall was an open secret around the Castle and she was sure that Kodiak's absence during the "Invasion of the Suitors" was the only thing that had saved him from assassination. She was very glad that she had not known that his half-vampire state had not conferred immortality on him until after her family had made the point moot. Her first instinct would have been to lock him in a tower and stand guard over him and she could well imagine how well that would have gone over! She still got cold when she recalled the times that he had returned from battle looking like he'd been through a meat grinder. She made a mental note to warn the new Lord Marshall so he could be on his guard. It wouldn't do for him to be attacked because a moron assassin couldn't tell the difference between the current Lord Marshall and his younger brother! As it was, she was a bit worried about how long she could keep up the pretense of being no more than Kodiak's friend. She had no doubt about his ability to carry it off. She was worried about herself. She had never, ever felt this strongly about a man in her entire, very long life and she didn't know how long she could keep that a secret.*

#4070   darklord_kodiak
     
Meanwhile........

*DK had finished talking. He tries reaching for the Keyholder with his thoughts. Hoping she will show up so he can explain what exactly is going on. He knows her curiosity has to be just about killing her right now.*