Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Katharine and Dane - Chapter 6 – Douglas and Rebecca's deception

“Douglas, do you think it’s right?” Lamented Queen Rebecca, “Lying to our only child?” Poor sweet innocent Katharine, she thought to herself.

“It would seem we have no choice. Besides, maybe she will learn to love him this way. Just like I learned to love you.” He loved to watch Rebecca blush.

“Alright, alright. So what are we supposed to tell her?” A smile played on Douglas’ lips.


“Father” She said slowly, “What are you saying? Elizabeth marries the Prince? And I go to Aunt Anne’s? I must say I am a little confused.” Katharine sat on her bed.

“Well, my child, Dane needs a bride, and we promised Edward and Christine… Since you wouldn’t marry him, Elizabeth agreed to go in your stead.” Douglas felt a little bad lying to her, but he was hopeful it would all turn out for the best. “It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to be there, and we cant have you here so close to the marriage deadline. Besides the Duke of Cardborough will be at Aunt Anne’s house, and he should be excellent company. He could be a good match…”

“I don’t know Father. Isn’t he one of Dane’s friends?” Katharine eyed her parents warily.

“Give the man a sporting chance, and it’s only for a week.” Rebecca interjected. Katharine shrugged.

“What could it hurt. I suppose I will pack for the trip.” She felt some relief, a little bit of triumph. Though there was a twang of guilt. Her reluctance to marry had forced her best friend into a marriage. Now she was being sent away, essentially to hide out from Oswald.

She hated this, all of it. The having to grow up, be an adult, but still not able to make her own decisions. She had to marry someone, but she didn’t really like men, they were rude and mean. Men killed other men over stupid things… They lied, and cheated. There were some men like her father who were kind and just, but she had never met anyone else like that, though Kind Edward was a nice enough man, the few times that she had met him.

She packed, while she thought about her future husband. She just wanted someone kind, gentle, and fair. Who didn’t want to rule the world, just wanted the best for his subjects.

She would see of this Duke fellow was worth her time… what precious little time she had left…

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Character Intro - Michael

Michael is King Edwards highest ranking manservant. He is the most loyal, trustworthy and sincere man in the castle. He is honest, and very thorough in his work. He often takes notes during the kings meetings. Edward is known to hold his opinions in high regard.

Katharine and Dane - Chapter 5 – Duke and King

Around dinnertime, the Duke entered the Castle. The King’s right hand man, Michael, greeted him.

“Michael, I seek counsel with his majesty. Dane has sent me here to speak with him on a very important matter.” Michael rolled his eyes, as the Duke was prone to eloquent speech, without much substance.

“Your Highness. Reginald, Duke of Cardborough is here to see you.” Michael knew how much the Duke disliked his first name, and used it as often as was permissible.

“Ah Duke, So good to see you. No doubt you are here at Dane’s request.” Edward clapped the young man on the back. Christine at him from her seat in front of the fire.

“Don’t you think we should be alone?” The Duke replied, haughtily. Edward snorted, Christine furrowed her brow, and Michael rolled his eyes again.

“Son, sit. We need to talk. Michael, take notes.” Edward sat in his huge chair behind his huge desk. “Dane has filled her head with ideas, I’m sure. He’s got you thinking that you are going to marry Katharine, and be King.” Duke squirmed uncomfortably. “That is not going to happen.” Relief swept over the Duke. “Instead, you are going to lie to Dane, and tell him you will, and then you will help host Elizabeth, Katharine’s handmaiden, while she is here. You will encourage Dane to go to Lady Anne’s house to relax.” Some of Duke’s ego seemed to have deflated.

“Sire, I do not understand what good any of this will do.” Duke replied, while wondering what Elizabeth looked like, probably fat…

“that is not for you to know at this time. Michael will arrange for you and Elizabeth to stay here at the Castle, and you will have plenty of time to spend with her. You will find her a bright girl with a great personality. I believe you will enjoy her company.” Wonderful, Duke thought, Smart, fat, and friendly, not exactly his idea of a great date.

“If you even think, about trying any of your usual antics with her… “Christine interjected, “there will be hell to pay.” The look on her face told him he she was very serious.

“You’ll be wise to stay in our good graces.” Edward said, cordially, but there was a threat lying beneath it. “Dane will be no worse for wear when he returns from Anne’s. Don’t worry about him.” Duke had almost forgotten about him.

“I wont,” Duke finally spat out. Edward excused him, and Michael showed him out Edward smiled at his wife, and she smiled back, not letting on the unease that she felt.

If Dane uncovered their deception before the time was right, all would be lost. She also worried about handing Elizabeth over to the over sexed Duke. Elizabeth was no angel, but she was still a naïve virgin. Christine wanted to see her leave still a virgin, tho maybe not so naïve.

Edward watched his wife, lost in thought. He knew she was worried, it showed on her face. He also knew that she trusted him completely.

“I love you.” He said, kissing her worried forehead. “Everything will turn out alright in the end. Trust me.”

Friday, March 27, 2009

Katharine and Dane - Chapter 4 – Dane and King

Chapter 4 – Dane and King

“You want I should tell Douglas and Rebecca that instead of you marrying their one and only child, that your sleazy, self absorbed best friend will the be the lucky man… Right.” Edward said. “and what says the Duke of all this?” Dane grinned.

“He said wonderful things, wonderful things.” Dane answered, happy to no have to lie.

“Alright then. Send me the Duke. I’ll chat with him on the subject. You are not out of all this yet m’boy. And I hold you responsible for any wrongs that come from this.” Edward warned.

“I have a bad feeling about this.” Christine murmured. As her son exited the room.

“Don’t worry my dear, don’t worry.” Edward whispered into his dear wife’s ear. He was grateful for the beautiful woman he had married. She was such a blessing, like Katharine would be for Dane. “This calls for drastic measures. If only our fathers were still around. They tricked you into marrying me…” He said, kissing her nose.

“And I have never forgiven him for it,” Christine teased. Edward laughed.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Character Intro - Duke of Cardborugh

Reginald, Duke of Cardborough - The Duke dislikes his given name, and goes simply by "Duke". He has inherited the title when his father passed away when Duke was only 8 years old. His mother was less than affectionate towards the boy after her husband passed away. The young Duke grew up along side Prince Dane, as their families had always been quite close, and they were paired together for sword fighting, and horse riding lessons. The Duke is a known ladies man, who has no plans for marriage. His mother passed away 2 years previous to the beginning of this story.

Katharine and Dane - Chapter 3 - Dane and the Duke

“Look, Dane, I don’t know what you want to hear, but I say marry the shrew.” Duke paused to check out the barmaid. “She’s beautiful, she’s virginal, and she’s a princess. You get the added bonus of uniting two kingdoms. More troops, more land, more money, more power. Where do you lose?” Dane knew that there would be no getting Duke to be on his side. Unless…

“Then you marry her.” Duke almost choked on his beer. “You’ll get to be King, and a hero. Everyone wins.” Dane knew that he had Duke, if he denied the idea, then he would have to take back what he said.

“But you are promised to her, not me. There is no way her parents would agree to this – I have a reputation.” Well earned Dane surmised, as Duke winked at a pretty lass. It may be harder than he thought.

“We shall see.” Dane said, standing. “I’ll talk to my father.”

And so he did.

Character Intro - Katharine and Elizabeth

Katharine - Second born to Queen Rebecca and King Douglas. Almost 16 years of age when the story begins. Her older Brother Brendon died when she was very young, it has affected every part of her life.

Elizabeth - handmaiden, and best friend of Princess Katharine. She is fiercely loyal, fond of boys, and very impressionable. She thinks she knows a lot about men, but doesn't.

Katharine and Dane - Chpater 2 - Katharine's Rant

“Why did God give me this burden?” She lamented. “To choose between two men I despise… If I do not marry Dane, I shall almost certainly be forced to marry Oswald.” She shuddered at the mere thought of marrying that old man. Ugly…brutish…and those were his good qualities. “Oh Elizabeth, what do I do?” Her handmaiden, and best friend, what would she do with her?

“Kay..There’s only one choice. Marry Dane.” She said… Katharine pouted, well of course Elizabeth would side with her parents. “I hear he’s handsome, strong, lean…easy on the eyes.” Katharine laughed. Elizabeth loved to look at men, and they seemed to love to look at her too.

“But dear Elizabeth, what of the rumors? His many ladies. The bars, the wenches…these are not the things that make a good King, or a good husband.” Elizabeth frowned, Katharine had a good point. What good is a good looking man if everyone else has already had a good look?

“I do not envy you this decision, but remember not to let your pride get in the way of what’s best for the kingdom.” Elizabeth warned, then left her with her thoughts. She didn’t want to marry Oswald, that for certain, but what of Dane? If the rumors were proved true, she would be stuck with an immoral, sex crazed maniac. She certainly didn’t want that either! There must be another way, she thought to herself, Someone else, ANYONE else. But who? She’d talk to Elizabeth about it some more later. She knew that she would give her good advice.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Characters Intro - Dane and Edward

King Edward is the Father of Prince Dane. He is a kind older gentleman. He was the older of two brothers who are featured in the "Christine and Rebecca" Prequel that I will give you next. he rules the kingdom of Charland, since his Fathers death almost 15 years previous.

Prince Dane is the only child of King Edward and his lovely wife Christine, He was born almost exactly 9 months after they were married. While normally a happy, thoughtful son, the impending marriage to Princess Katharine of Moscovia is making him moody.

Update

So there was chapter one. I have a few more chapters ready, and I think I will update you Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday. We will see how that goes. I'll give you notes on the Characters as I introduce them.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Katharine and Dane - Chapter 1 - Dane's Rant

Chapter 1 – Dane’s Rant

“And why again?” He began for the 5th time that week. “Why should I marry this shrew?” Dane continued his rant, as his father rolled his eyes. “Because if I don’t,” he answered himself, “She will have to marry King ‘Old Balls’.” He threw his hands up in the air, “So what!!! So what if she has to marry that old man? I. Don’t. Care. I see no problem with this.”

“Look, son. As I have said before, your Mother and I made a deal with King Douglas and Queen Rebecca, many, many years ago.” Dane flopped on the couch in his father’s office. “Don’t you think it would be unwise, and unfair, to ask us to break that promise? Especially with such dear friends.” It was Dane’s turn to roll his eyes. “Second, she is no shrew. Katharine is a kind, generous, and very beautiful young woman.”

Dane sat up. “Then why have I not seen her since we were children? Why is it that every time that we visit these ‘friends’ of yours that she is no where to be seen?”

“You now the answer to that question my boy.” King Edward shot back. He now sat down behind his most royal desk, handed down to him when his father King Brutus passed away. Edward was sure the desk had been in the family a least 4 generations. He had hoped to let his son sit behind the desk someday soon.

“Yeah, yeah, dead brother, blah, blah, blah.” He smart mouthed. “Whatever.” He stared out the window, there had to be someone out there for him, that complemented him, made him feel alive!

“Third,” Edward continued, more that a little peeved, “If she married King OSWALD, you will have to deal with the consequences.”

“Consequences?” His attention snapped back to his current predicament, “What consequences? I don’t have to marry some shrewish princess, and ‘Oswald’ gets what he wants. Everyone’s happy!”

“HA! Let me fill you in on a little something my dear child, If she marries Oswald, when her parents diie, those 2 kingdoms unite.” He pointed to the map on the wall. “Oswald hates us, as you well know, and Katharine won’t exactly be your biggest fan if you break the engagement and force her to marry him. See how large their two kingdoms will be? The army would be insurmountable. Any attack on us would be a sure victory for Oswald.” The fog began to lift in Dane’s brain.

“So, if I don’t marry her, I’ll lose my kingdom, maybe even my life?” Edward nodded sadly. “But if I DO…I’ll be miserable either way! That’s hardly fair!”

“You will be happy if you choose to be happy, my son. Either way, it is in the end, your decision. I will not force you to marry Katharine.” Edward sighed. “In the end, you can choose as to whether you will both be happy, together, or if Oswald will be happy.” Edward walked to the door, and looked back at his son. “Choose wisely, my son.” And with that left Dane to ponder his future.

Dane stared at the large desk, then at the map on the wall. He sat behind his father’s desk. He felt so small behind it. He was 18, a MAN! Yet he felt like such a child still.

It had been 7 years since he met his bride-to-be. Her brother had been alive then. They had sat together at dinner that night, talking of swords and horses and other manly pursuits. It was only after dinner that he was introduced to Katharine. She had been a little brat, sticking her tongue out at him and telling him that he smelled like a dog. As they were on their way home, his parents told him that he would have to marry her. It was only a few months later that her brother had died. Some tragic sword fighting accident. No one outside the Moscovia castle had seen Katharine since.

He had heard the stories tho. It was said that she was spoiled, demanding. If she didn’t get what she wanted she would throw fits. Yelling, screaming, throwing things, just awful stuff. Just the other day he had heard that Katharine had a baker put to death because he boiled her potatoes instead of frying them… or was it the other way around… he couldn’t remember.

How could his parents ask him to marry a girl like that? If only there were some other woman, someone suitable for marriage. He could claim love for her, appear noble, maybe even righteous, or at least not like the selfish oaf he felt like he was being perceived as. Dane knew he was being a teeny bit selfish, but weren’t his parents being all the more unreasonable? They expected him to marry some girl he had only met once, who didn’t like him then, and certainly wouldn’t like him now. Add to that her Royal Bitch-y-ness’s attitude, and, well… He’d pass. Perhaps the Duke would be able to help.

A few Stories

So - I should be posting the first part of one of my stories tonight. I'm thinking of giving you "Katharine and Dane" - Ch 1 - Dane's Rant. This is one I started about 5 years ago, and have still never finished. I had written about 1/2 the story, then scrapped it and started over. So here is the third try. I actually know how it will end, and have that in my head, but getting through the last third ( y'know where all the "action" is ) will be difficult.

In a few days I will get going on "At Yarns End" a story about a young widow who owns a yarn shop. I have a few stories about widows, mostly because thats one of my biggest fears. i may give you a few yarn patterns to go with it. The main character crochets a lot in the story.

After that, perhaps we will get going with one of the others... the prequel to "Katharine and Dane" or "A Bond Renewed" ( another widow story), or maybe something else. I have a few that don't really have an ending yet, so I am reluctant to put them out there.

Well, I'll take the words off the pages, and stick them into the computer tonight, and see if I cant get this thing going!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

How is this going to work

So there are tons of stories in my head, just begging to get out. I write all the time, just to make them leave my brain.

So I figured, I dont plan on publishing them, so why not post them on the internet so no one will read them here either?

There will probably be a few stories going on at once, when I get this all going. I'm sorry if the stuff in my head is awkward or weird, but thats the way I am.

Thanks for reading.

Tergniw Yoj