Chapter 20 and other stuff.

Finally finished chapter 19. I've got my vacation time and trying to work on my story.  I'm on Chapter 20 now and I think it's looking good so far.  I hope to at least have up to Chapter Twenty Five if not further finished by the time my vacation ends.  Plus going to do a few odd cleaning jobs around the house with the time off.

Aside from Ashes of the Fallen I have many other ideas for books and here is a sampling of one that I call Zmeij.

  "Zmeij is the rarest spice in all of  Erda.  Perhaps that is why this spice is a fairly recent discovery.  The discoverer is unknown; but what is known is that the spice had been found almost over two hundred years ago.  It was found that when the seeds of the rare Xmei  plant  were ingested that they granted  the ability to use the fabled sorcery of Ancient Legends. 

   A group of merchants and farmers began to consolidate their control over this crop and formed the now infamous Sorcer Guild.  However before they had gained the chance to completely consolidate their hold on Zmeij Spice cartels appeared to challenge their holdings.  Thus had been born the Zmeij Wars."-  History of Zmeij, Section I  by Alos of House Hameln.

   "Naturally he is getting on your nerves, darling.  After all, he is your husband.  Men never really grow up.  Why, only just this very morn I find my husband climbing a tree.  Imagine that a tree of all things.  He said that he wanted to personally check on the ripeness of our apple orchid.  I didn't believe him of course.  To be quite honest with you I think the aging fool just wanted to engage in this boyish pursuit for the pure silliness of seeing if he could still do it.  I mean surely that is something the orchid workers or some other servant could have easily attended."  The Grand Duchess Valeria of Arleon remarked to Lady Clarice.

  The young brunette noblewoman who had the honor of being the Duchess of Quarion, raised up her folded red bejeweled fan to slightly cover the "o" shape of shock her mouth had formed into, "Oh dear!  I hope my husband doesn't start climbing trees like some simian creature.  I mean what would people say to such outlandish behavior."

   Grand Duchess Valeria replied matter-of-factly, "Indeed.  Men are completely insensible creatures that never consider the consequences of their rash actions.  It is quite fortunate that We, the Fairer Sex, do not suffer from such foolish afflictions.  Prudence and proper decorum are always foremost in our sex, and which I feel one should not be shamed but rather take pride in the fact."

   Clarice lowered her fan away from her red painted lips, " There you are quite correct, Valeria.  Still what am I to do?   Would it not be proper for me to put an end to his foolish notions of taking up swordplay?  The other day he nearly knocked over one of mother's priceless vases that she had sent as a wedding gift in his bout of facing imaginary foes.  I don't know if I can stand this much longer."

   The Grand Duchess seemed lost in thought as she thought for several minutes before replying, "On the surface that would seem ideal.  Sadly ideals and reality rarely coincide with each other.  He is young and full of bravado this husband of yours.  In another time this pursuit might even make him seem rather gallant.  However, this is not the Zmeij War Era, and a Duke learning swordplay is quite scandalous, I must admit in this day and age.  But as I also said before your husband is quite young and thus not properly put into his place by you, and any attempts to curb his enthusiasm in his boyish bravado may only escalate his passion for it.  Dear me, you have quite the conundrum here, darling."

   "I must do something.  It is getting so bad that before I can go to sleep I find myself laying awake.  My usual thoughts of luncheon and dinner engagements, and planning out balls are unfocused and disturbed as nagging at the corners of my mind is that he might do himself a mischief, swords are rather sharp and pointy."   Lady Clarice confided.

   It was at this moment that he appeared with sweat plastering his dark locks to his brow, and in his white swordplay garment.  Lady Clarice wrinkled her nose slightly at the smell of sweaty cloth.   He looked a fine figure in white and quite dashing in Grand Duchess Valeria's iron gray eyes especially with that elegant sword hanging at his side.  If she had been younger and more moved by the flesh she would have regretted not being married to this young Duke.

   The Duke of Quarion bent down and gently kissed the side of his wife's brow, "I do hope I am not interrupting anything important."  He banally smiled at the two women sitting at tea.  He pulled out a chair and made to join them.  A servant, fearful of being punished by the Grand Duchess, quickly fetched a third cup and offered it to the young Duke of Quarion.