#266    [Rewritten by Penthesilea]

     Once they knew that their Lady was out of danger, her Knights and Guardsmen gathered on the first floor of the Knights’ Tower for a memorial service for those who were killed on the monster hunt. Once the dead were honored, settled down to a warriors’ feast to celebrate their victory. The first toast was to their Lady and once the meal was over, the telling of tales started.

#269    [Rewritten by Penthesilea]

     With Penthesilea back on her feet and the threat over with. The work of restoring the lands around the Castle gets back into full swing. Soon people are arriving daily having heard that the Keyholder’s Castle had been reoccupied.  Many of the newcomers have useful skills and they immediately find work.

#279    [Rewritten by Penthesilea]

    Kodiak made good time to Crowhaven and a few inquiries got him the name of an inn that met his requirements. The rooms were clean, the price reasonable and the paid companions pretty, clean and professional. And for a bit extra, they were not adverse to supplying the Darklord with the small amount of blood that he required. Secretly, they would have done that for free but they were professionals and had standards to maintain.
     Kodiak began making the rounds of the taverns that night. It didn’t take him long to find “The Demon’s Den.” It was a fairly large establishment with a loyal and varied clientele. Kodiak had already learned on his rounds that the ‘double D’ was the place to hear everything worth hearing. His manner of dress, a black silk shirt open to the waist, long black leather coat and tight black leather pants, did not seriously set him apart from the other patrons of the establishment nor did the brace of heavy firearms  he wore or the twin swords on his back. He found a table, gave his order to a comely and attentive serving girl and surveyed the room. Yes, he thought, the Demon’s Den would do nicely.

#282    [Rewritten by Penthesilea]

     “Is this seat taken?” Kodiak looked up into the face of the girl who had been watching him.
     “Yes it is, my dear,” he drawled. “It’s yours.”
     She smiled, looking winsome and very desirable, and sat down.  “My name is Jasmine. Jasmine Nightshade.”
     “Pleased to meet you, Jasmine. I’m Kodiak.” He signaled the serving girl. “What are you drinking?”
     “The House ale. It’s cheap but good.” The girl arrived and Kodiak smiled at his companion.
     “Two of the best ales you have,” he ordered. The servant nodded and went to fetch the drinks. “When I’m buying, my dear, you drink only the best.” The drinks arrived and Kodiak watched her cautiously sip the brew. She was, he suspected, rather new to all this despite the air of tough nonchalance that she tried to project.
He wondered what her game was.

#309   [Rewritten by Penthesilea]

     Kodiak lowered his field glasses and, wincing, replaced them with his sunglasses. He hated sunlight under the best of circumstances. He especially hated it when he had a mild hangover. He regarded the Castle thoughtfully. He’d been in Crowhaven for nearly 10 days, drinking, wenching, fighting and gathering information. Pleasant as all that was, especially the little wanton Jasmine who kept “accidentally” bumping into him, he was on a mission and she was getting in the way of it. So he had finally rewarded her persistence by bedding her and the experience was satisfying if not especially memorable.  With that out of the way, he could get back to what had brought him so far into the interior -- the mysterious Keyholder Penthesilea.
     He mounted his horse and staying under cover of the trees, made his way around the Castle to the mansion that was situated on the far side of the estate’s cemetery. Among the bits of information that he had gathered in Crowhaven was the fact that the Lady had given living space near her Castle to a group of “half vampires”, as the LV2 infected were called and it was rumored that she had no particular complain against vampires in general, apparently making her decision about individual vampires on a case by case basis. That had given him an idea and a way onto the estate.
     Kodiak approached the mansion from the shady side.  He knocked and told the man who answered that he wished to see the Lady of the House. He was escorted to her sitting room. He waited patiently, greeted her respectfully when she appeared and made his request.
     “I mean no harm to your people or to the Lady. I just want to observe her and her people while I consider offering her my services.” He rolled up his right sleeve, revealing the sign of the Dark Knights that was tattooed on his wrist. “I swear by this sign, I will not endanger your place here nor will I bring harm to the Keyholder.”
     She considered for a moment but she knew, as did everyone, what an oath sworn “on the mark” meant to one of the Dark Knights. “Be welcome to the House, Darklord Kodiak. I am not happy about this need for secrecy but I and mine will keep your presence here a secret. For now.”
     “As you wish,” Kodiak replied.

#323    bladeraven
     
ooooo........temptation for me.....Penth's gone....so......*Opens up a cage of ferrets and lets them loose*

#325    [Rewritten by Penthesilea]

     Penthesilea returned in time to see the Black Huntress tear across the Main Courtyard in pursuit of the fleeing ferrets. She didn’t really need to ask who was responsible for the ferret infestation. When Bladey got anxious, or bored, she tended to practical jokes. A certain handsome warrior was keeping her from boredom so Penth figured her friend was feeling anxious.  She knew from experience that it would take a while and maybe some ale before Bladeraven would open up. She resolved to stay alert for messy practical jokes and for clues about what was bothering her friend.

#366   bladeraven
     
     “We need to put a shrine outside in the Garden to Morrigan and Hecate.”

#386   bladeraven
     
     “Cool beans!!! Wonder if we can make an offering to Eris???”

#588    [Rewritten by Penthesilea]

     Penthesilea was relaxing with a book when a servant informed her that Bladeraven was on her way up. Bladey came in carrying a kimchee crock and looking like she had been on a week long bender.

#634  [Rewritten by Penthesilea]

     “It’s not that,” Bladey said. “I just have a lot to think about.” Penthesilea could see that but wisely waited for Bladey to continue.  “This should help,” she said as she opened the crock of kimchee.

#636  bladeraven
     
*scarfs down the kimchee*