#2301  Penthesilea
     
     Penthesilea laughs.  “That may take Divine Intervention! I intend to make an announcement concerning my Lord Marshall at Wednesday's party. I don't think Lord Stephan will be happy.”

#2303    Penthesilea

     Penthesilea smiles wistfully. “I think so.”

#2305   Penthesilea
     
     “I understand. Something disturbed my sleep last night as well. I will be retiring to my rooms shortly as well. Good night, Jasmine.”

#2307   Penthesilea
     
     “And to you.” Penthesilea watched the younger woman leave and returned to her thoughts.....

#2309  Penthesilea

     “Don't worry, I'm sure he'll give you the opportunity. Of course, you may have fight Kodiak for the privilege!” Penthesilea had replied.

#2311   Penthesilea

     “I'll let you guys decide. Maybe you can split him like a turkey wishbone.”

#2313   Penthesilea

     Penthesilea had taken a drink and then smiled herself. “Well, between Lord Stephan and the vampire that attacked me on my birthday, I've had a busy month. Should I expect you to ‘entertain’ at the party?”

#2315   Penthesilea [partially rewritten]
     
     Penthesilea thought back to other parties her brother had attended. “Kodiak will laugh himself sick, not too sure about the others. Maybe I better make sure that all sharp pointy things made of silver are put away!”

#2317    Penthesilea

     “Very true. But sharp, pointy things can be painful. As you would recall if you hadn’t been drunk as a skunk at the time.”

#2319  Penthesilea [partial rewrite.]

     Smiling, Penthesilea thought back to the formal introduction of her half brother to her Lord Marshall. “Daemon, this is my Lord Marshall, the Darklord Kodiak. Lord Marshall, this is my brother Daemon FarWalker.”  She had watched the two men shake hands as they sized each other up.
“I expect that the two of you are going to make my life very interesting....” she couldn’t help adding with a smile.

#2322  [Rewritten by Penthesilea]

     In her apartment, Satira played with her throwing knives and thought. The situation at the Castle was more complicated that she had first thought. The presence of the notorious Darklord Kodiak and the Keyholder’s unwavering trust in him could present a problem for her. Satira’s assignment was to gain Penthesilea’s trust while isolating her from anyone who might hinder Satira’s and her God’s plans for the Keyholder and her Castle. She would have to bring the Lord Marshall under her sway as well as the Keyholder’s brother. As she considered that possibility -- having both Daemon and Kodiak as her lovers -- Satira warmed to the idea. Yes. She could handle them both easily and between the two of them, she might actually find herself satisfied.
     Lord Stephan was another matter. She knew without trying that he would not be susceptible to her charms. He -- and his potentially troublesome daughter, Jasmine -- would have to be eliminated at some point before Satira took “behind the scenes” control of the Castle. She didn’t know what his plans were but she suspected that they were similar to her own.  She would watch him closely and wait for her chance.

#2324  [Rewritten by Penthesilea]      

     Satira smiled, showing even white teeth in a brilliant smile. “I am indeed. Mainly, I’m looking for the Dining Hall. I’m starving but I seem to have misunderstood the instructions that I received.”