Sneak Peeps

   They approached what felt like an endless line of long alleyways, and they looked out on an open square. It went right up to the cliff edge, and had a white metal rail running along it. Sinclair turned to face them. “Alright this place has been designed to instil terror. You must not linger, walk alone, and do not speak to each other, do not smile, look terrified as you look upon it, walk to the far end slowly, and then head back here.” He pulled out a piece of chalk and quickly drew a cross on the wall. “This will make sure you all get the same alley. Walk into it without looking back, and walk very slowly until we all regroup. If there is trouble, head up the alleyway to the house with a black door. Knock four times and wait, the password is rose flower.”
Everyone gave a short nod, and now began to feel really nervous; the fear in Sinclair’s voice was quite real. He turned and led the way, walking at a very slow pace across the wide-open square, towards the start of the rail. Jade gasped as the cliff and the sea came into view, it was a drop of several hundred feet, into a bay filled with large jagged brownish rocks, which were battered and smashed constantly by the rough sea. The wind blasted over the edge, and into her face, she quickly lifted her hand and grabbed at her hat to hold on tightly.
   There off the coast, was the rough island of dark brown rock, and on top of it was a massive castle of shinning black smooth stone. She shuddered as she saw it, and it was easy to understand the fear that people felt. The black castle of Dunnottar was in itself very sinister and frightening to behold. She sensed pain inside her as she looked across, and without having to ask, she just knew many had died behind the walls of the castle.
   Her boots dragged on the floor as she walked, her hand on the rail to steady herself from the buffeting wind. Her eyes filled with tears as the wind tore at them, and yet she found it hard to remove her gaze from the evil work built by the Dark One. Jade had always been frightened of the Dark One, it was a joke around the group about how she peed herself when confronted by her, but she really did scare Jade in ways she had never discussed or would ever admit to them.
The tall black tower that grew out of the dark brooding building on its own was enough. The large black raven of cold stone that was the top of the tower instilled her with tremendous fear, as she looked at the pale blue windows for eyes, which seemed to look right into her soul. The beak was open, and in the depth of the throat, a dark sinister red light seemed to glow through two tall arched windows, and cast an eerie light onto the base of the beak, which had stone shard like teeth, and created a wide balcony, which she assumed was where the Dark One would view her prey.
She had always been tough and afraid of little; Jade had faced death and looked it in the eye without a care. The Dark One had a cloud of coldness and evil around her that Jade sensed, like her sister, she too had the ability to see deep inside to the heart of evil of Morgan le Fey, and what Jade saw was a terror so evil, her own heart seemed to freeze. She had spent hours alone with Rune talking about it, and on every occasion, she had shook and cried with the fear it brought up in her. The Dark One was Jade’s only real true fear.
   That fear returned to her, as she looked out knowing that she was inside that dark tall tower, she looked up at the shoulders of Rowan in front of her. The darkest fear in her heart was that he could be killed, and once again she would return to the life of a misfit and loner. Her quiet companion had filled the large empty hole inside her with love and warmth, he was the only reason she now wanted to live, and every moment alone with him, had made her life so much more complete and happy. Jade feared that one day the fight to remove the Dark One would cost him his life.
   Every night as she lay by his side, she knew it could be her last and she made the most of her life with him. The Dark One threatened his life, and from that all her fear was borne. Jade moved slowly forwards following Rowan, who looked from the castle to the long black bridge that spanned the stretch of cold rough sea to the headland. Row upon row of soldiers in black, walked out from the dark rock castle towards the base of the cliff and a wide deep cut ravine.
   They reached the end of the rail and passed the stern looking soldier with their heads down, slowly they crossed the square, and walked back down the street as the long line of viewers broke, and walked off in different directions. At the alley with the white chalk cross, they turned in. Rowan walked a few yards and then stopped by a door. He pulled Jade into his arms as she walked up. “I love you Jade of Avon, oh god that place is terrible, how the hell will we get into there?”
Jade tried to smile, but her heart was heavy. “I love you too, get me away from here Rowan, I hate this place.” He pulled her close and kissed her, and then slowly they walked a few yards. There was a horrible scream behind them, and they stopped and turned round. Jett stood watching from the corner.
   One of the guards had decided to take a dislike to a man, and he began to beat him severely. It was vicious and brutal, and the man’s wife screamed and pleaded for the guard to stop, he turned and began to beat up on her, as the other guards crowded round, and joined in the attack.
Jade’s eyes flickered green. “JETT NO… YOU MUST NOT DO IT!”

                                                                                                                                                   (HTTK 3. The Darkness of Dunnottar, The viewing platform)

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   The corridor was long and dimly lit; two grey walls led either side of the door. John and Martin separated, and made their way down the corridor to cover both sides. Martin slid with his back to the wall with his bow raised, the corridor veered off to the right, and he slowly moved down watching the path in front. His breath seemed to smoke out of his mouth, as it got cooler towards the bottom. He peered round at yet another corridor, which seemed to lead downwards on a slight incline.
John made his way to the top of the other side of the corridor. He popped his head round the corner fast, and looked left and then right. Silver glinted, and he pulled back, and waited for a few seconds and then looked again.
   A shinny suit of armour stood at the bottom of the long corridor, and several doors seemed to line it. Again, it was a dim and dull corridor; the feeling of bleakness from outside was a theme that had been continued inside. Robbie looked left and right, as John and Martin signalled back, Robbie read the signs, and looked at Rune. “Which way do you think? I think east and then north to get to the tower.”
Her eye’s flickered lilac. “I am not sure, she is in here, but there are a lot of things in here that are confusing. I suppose we should follow John, I don’t like the feeling from down there.”
   Rune looked down the corridor in the direction of Martin, as Una stepped out of the door. She looked in the direction of Martin and frowned. “Stay away from down there, only Jaz can talk to them.”
   Harry looked at Una with a worried look, he slid his glasses back on quickly, and kissed his pendant, Harry started to walk towards John very quickly. Rune smiled at Robbie. “Follow Harry, that way aint cosmic.”
   Robbie started to giggle, turned and whistled quietly to Martin. He shuddered in the cold, and came back up towards them. Robbie turned, and ran quietly up the corridor towards John and Harry. Harry with purple-mirrored glasses on, leaned around the corner and jumped back, he looked at Robbie. “Hey man! Its like split time.”
   Robbie looked at him. “Why?” Harry was off, as John gave a quick peep round.
   “Bugger, run lads… and lasses.” He turned, and shot off down the corridor. The growl of four tigers with handlers came down the corridor. It was not, actually a noise,        Robbie had ever heard, but somehow he knew it was enough to follow Harry and John. Rune looked up the corridor as Robbie sprinted down.
“Don’t ask just run.” The group needed no more persuasion, and turned and followed Harry and John as they sprinted past. They all flew down the long corridor at high speed, and straight round the bend, the corridor dropped away sharply, and the temperature fell, it was becoming darker as John peered ahead, he came panting up to a set of smooth dark double doors and stopped. John leaned on the wall and gasped for air as the others came running up. Robbie leaned against the wall and breathed deeply. “Just what exactly made that noise?”
   He lowered his head down and drew the air in. John looked up at him. “Not too sure what they call them… They are like enormous cats with stripes, they eat people.”
   Harry nodded wildly. “Uncosmic monsters man.”

                                                                                                                                                                       (HTTK Book 3 The Darkness of Dunnottar)

                                                                                                          ********

   The soldiers were dropping like flies as the pace eased, many staggered back and some ran away down the side passages. Robbie looked up for the first time as he came into the hall and he saw Mordred stood watching, he dropped back, and Keith and Steph closed the gap. John and Martin followed pulling used arrows out of the dead, and reloading their quivers.
   He could see the start of the stairway up, and Robbie ducked behind Bear and Smokes, and with a few fine cuts of the sword, he saw his chance. He leapt up on a fallen body, and cleared the gap on to the stair. His eyes met with Mordred’s as he walked slowly up. The black eyes gazed from under the black steel helmet, and the long curly white locks of hair hung down his back. He was filled with malice and evil, as he sneered at the Bowman who calmly walked up towards him. Robbie felt the calmness on him as he breathed and relaxed, he shook his free hand to loosen it, and slowly he composed himself. His heart still pounded in his chest, this was not going to be easy and he knew it. “You do not belong here Mordred; your time has been and gone.” His dark brown eyes burned above his blooded cheeks, and his long hair fell lank with sweat. Mordred gave a sneering sort of grunt for a laugh; he was not unlike his mother.
   “Well Woodchopper, I took a king in that time, you are hardly worthy of the fight, but my blade needs sport.” The dark blade of Dunnottar glinted very slightly as he raised it up, his cold malicious voice slipping across the floor towards Robbie like a rotten snake.
Robbie lifted the gleaming sword of Destiny up and for a moment, Mordred seemed to shudder. Robbie smiled. “You have met my swords brother I believe?” He turned the handle and the name on the blade was revealed to Mordred. It had an impact. “You have a black sword, it is hardly the spear you pushed through Arthur, and you will have to come much closer to kill me.”
   “I fear no blade in the hand of a woodcutter; I am the killer of men of quality.” His eyes did not leave the gleaming blade of Robbie’s sword, and the air around it seemed to be filled with the voices of a small and gentle people. Robbie stopped face to face with the son of the Dark One encased within the armour-plated suit, and Billy’s body. Below him, the sound of the battle continued, and yet loud as it was, in Robbie’s ears it seemed miles away. His whole body and attention now focused on the black armour and black eyes of Mordred.
   Robbie’s hand hung limp and relaxed, the moonstone handle of sword and dagger both seemed to shimmer as if knowing their time was coming. Robbie raised Destiny before him, and to his surprise two claw like blades slid out just above the hilt. He knew instantly that the sword was preparing for its own destiny; the claws would trap the sword and allow him to get close enough to use the dagger on the blade. Mordred raised the defiled black blade, and licked his lips ready for the taste of blood.

                                                                                                                                                              (HTTK 3 The Darkness of Dunnottar. Meeting Mordred)

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   “Shouldn’t we get Crystal something green to wear?” Jade gave a chuckle.
   “Are you kidding, when the black army see bright white coming towards them they run like hell, the cold arm of Miss Frosty Knickers there terrifies them, she has become one of our secret weapons. I dressed Saff in all white last week and the soldiers bolted before she was within half a mile of them.”

                                                                                                                                                                                        (HTTK book 4. On the battlefield)
                                                                                                             ********

   The smoke drifted, and the mist cleared, and in amongst the twenty thousand dead of the black army, a violet figure walked alone. General Franklin watched as the sky was darkening. Rune raised her hands into the air. The woodsmen in the front lines went down on one knee and bent their heads forwards.
General Jarrod watched Rune as she threw back her head speaking out her charms and from each of the dead soldier’s of the black army, small white lights floated up, and they streamed into the sky in long lines heading into the clouds and out of sight. Franklin watched fascinated “What the hell is she doing?” General Jarrod watched as a tear formed in his eye.
   “She is sending the souls of our men into the other realm where the Dark Mistress can not get at them, and use them to raise the dead, and make them fight again.” Franklin pulled down his binoculars in surprise.
   “Can she do that?” Jarrod smiled and nodded.
   “She can, she is the violet witch… Bless her.” It warmed his heart knowing the Dark One would not be able to corrupt and control his dead men. General Jarrod watched her closely and he saw the tears in her eyes as she looked upon his own dead soldiers. She was beautiful, kind and showing huge compassion to his men, and he felt the first doubts of his command rise up inside him after twenty-five years of service.
Conflict in him rose quickly. She was his enemy and yet as he watched the delicate and gentle girl walk through the battlefield and wave her hand, so his men sunk into the ground, he felt for the first time in his life he had encountered something that meant more in his life than his job or status. Rune taught General Jarrod the true meaning of humanity, and he felt utterly ashamed. He left the field of combat shortly after and sat on his bed in his tent with pictures of a very beautiful but heart broken face in his head.
   He felt a great sense of shame rise inside him for all he had done in his part to destroy the woodland people. He had witnessed the evil and torture that had been put on the people of the woodland. He had seen the slaughtered women and hanging bodies for years. It had always been easy to ignore it and look the other way, telling himself it was what happened in war. Never once had he thought of his enemy as real people, the gentleness and kindness shown to his men by the enemy overwhelmed him. Rune’s tear filled eyes haunted his mind, and after a lifetime of inflicting the evil of his Dark Mistress, he felt it was too much.
    He was overwhelmed with guilt as he raised the gun to his head, he felt the barrel push into his temple, and his finger moved on to the trigger, he closed his eyes and pulled the trigger. It gave a loud click, and Jarrod let out a big sigh of disappointment and opened his eyes. He jumped as he saw the violet figure stood before him. Rune smiled and took her finger off the firing pin. She crouched down before him and he saw the life and love in her eyes that sparkled before him. “I am life, and I do not think yours should be wasted so easily.”
   He swallowed deeply as he looked her in the face. “My dear lady I have commanded evil, I am ashamed of what I have done to your people.” She smiled at him.
   “You have seen wisdom after a long life, and yet knowing this you wish to end it? Tell me General, would that not be the most evil thing to do when understanding has finally come to you? You feel the guilt of your life and yet you will do nothing to undo the harm you have done?”
He was captivated by her softly spoken words. “What can I do, one man against so many?”
   Rune took his hand in hers and opened the palm, she looked up at him “You do not believe one man can bring hope and make a change for the better of everyone?” A small violet flower appeared in his hand and burst into bloom. “One man can change the world, and one man will. You should watch and listen to my hooded man. He will bring great changes for the better of everyone. Go to Caernarfon, there is a sage there who will need the help of a strong man, talk to him for he will lead many back to the green world. Throw away your uniform and feel the freedom of the trees above your head, end your life in peace and at peace my Dear General.”
   Two tears ran down his cheeks as he looked on the face of love and compassion, he felt worthless before her, and yet she gave him a strange hope. He nodded to her and she wiped his tears from his eyes and smiled. “Your men have found peace and are happy to be free of the fear and darkness that controlled them; they have entered the realm of my father of creation and they are happy, she will not find them. You will be protected from her, so leave here before dawn.” Rune waved her hand across the General and he glowed violet for a moment.
   “Will I see you again My Violet Lady?” Rune gave a little giggle and she pulled her hand from her pocket and placed a blue butterfly in his other hand.
   “Give this to the Sage, he will know who sent you and that you are true to him. Help him, and we will meet again for I am the lady of the woodland realm and I walk where all life is spared.” Rune faded away and left the General alone in the tent sat on his bed, he gazed in wonder at the small blue butterfly and then looked at the half-cocked pistol on his bed. The small plant in his hand opened more blooms and he smiled as he looked at it.

                                                                                                                                                                      (HTTK Book 4 The Violet Witch and the General)

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   He sat down in his seat and gavel banged. “We will consider.” The council of twelve rose from their seats, and walked off behind bench through the door at the back. Father Warren poured a glass of water and carried up to the box where Sapphire stood dazed and confused not knowing what was happening. The Monk on guard looked at him. Father Warren gave him a look that blazed with fire. “I will give her this and you will not stop me. Even our lord was given a drink on his road with the cross to Calvary.”
   The monk nodded and stepped back as Father Warren sat slowly down, and he lowered her to the seat. Sapphire’s eyes tried to focus but rolled back.
   He held her gently and brought the glass to her lips. “Drink My Lady Sapphire it will ease your throat.” Her eyes seemed to focus just for a moment as she greedily drank down the liquid that cooled her burning insides. She gave a weak smile and the tears came to his eyes. “I am sorry My Lady I have tried.”
Sapphire fought hard inside to keep her mind clear, it was Rune’s voice that spoke from her lips. “Thank you Father, we have seen what you have done for us, we are indebted to you, she was not alone and that matters to us.” He gently leaned her back to the seat and stood up. Father Warren looked at the brutal looking monk.
    “When you are judged before your God. Your actions today will dam you; I hope you can live with that, these are innocent lives you are destroying.”
   He brushed roughly past the monk and walked back to his seat to await the decision. It was not long before the council came back. He had not expected a long wait.
The council walked with emotionless faces along the row to their seats, they sat and Bishop Holmes looked up as Saff was dragged to her feet with the other women. The Bishop looked up at them. “You have been found guilty of the crimes of devil worship and witchcraft, and as is written in our laws of the church you will have one final chance to renounce your evil ways and be spared. Will you all turn from the path of sin and embrace the Lord Christ as your saviour?” Two of the women fell to their knees and screamed.
    “We will, save us Oh Lord.” Sapphire swayed unaware of what was really happening. The rough monk shook her and slapped her face.
   “Listen to the Bishop, will you renounce Satan and follow Christ.” Sapphire’s eyes rolled in her head as she tried her hardest to focus through the haze of her mind.
   “Who? I do not know of him.”
   “Satan! Will you turn from his ways to the ways of good?” He patted her face rapidly and she blinked.
   “I know not of who you speak.” The monk turned with a solemn face and gave a nod to the Bishop. The hammer banged.
   “Lady Sapphire of Callanish, and Mary of Ashburn, you have failed to renounce Satan, and as a result you will be taken from here to the place prepared. At midday on    May first you shall be burned at the stake for your crimes against the good people of this land.” The gavel banged loudly as Father Warren shook his head in his hands.       “Take them away.” Bishop Holmes stood up and smiled as he faced the other members of the council. They all shook his hand except Bishop Stevens, who came down from the bench and walked across to Father Warren who was packing his notes into his bag.

                                                                                                                                                                                                          (HTTK 4 The test of faiths)

   Magic can work in the strangest of ways. It weaves and influence’s things without scent, smell or taste. It is as unseen as the air we breathe, and yet it is all around us working its special ways, and giving us the nudge we may need in the right direction. It hides some things, and reveals others, yet we are never quite sure how much of what is happening around us is the responsibility of the magic that works in our lives. I suppose if you think about it, love is very much the same.
   No one knows when love will suddenly jump up and touch you on the shoulder; you could be besides someone you have known for years, and yet as you look at them for the one millionth time in your life, you see them suddenly in a different light. That is the moment when the strange power of love weaves its spell and you suddenly know. However, there is also the first time that you see someone, and without understanding why, you know that without question you will love that person forever.

                                                                                                                                                      ( HTTK Book 5 the first meeting of Robbie and Runestone)