Story The Linder Legacy (Complete)
- Thread starter Kathy in FL
- Start date
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
we are BEGGING FOR MOAR PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!
OH PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Landcruiser
Contributing Member
Time to start reading the encyclopedia again to pass the time....
Jeepcats 3
Contributing Member
Rats, you made me look!!!!
Jeepcats3
Jeepcats3
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Same here.
DustMusher
Deceased
sigh ....... no moar story ......... am sad.
will volunteer to help edit. . .
DM
will volunteer to help edit. . .
DM
Landcruiser
Contributing Member
I started to write an ending to this story for Kathy... Just to help her out and all... But for some reason Chuck Norris coming in to beat everyone didn't seem to fit or feel right as far as the story development goes. I guess I'll just have to wait for the real author to come back to us. Will the real Kathy please stand up!... Or at least a kaijified Chuck Norris!
I've gone crazy, tried to bribe with goodies, tried to bribe with healthy food, cried, yelled, begged, and all those other things and nothing seems to be motivating Kathy to post moar story. I'm at a loss as to what to do. And I don't have Chuck's phone number!!
If there is anything more I can do to get MOAR, let me know....
but hurry before my crazy family comes back next week!!!!!!
If there is anything more I can do to get MOAR, let me know....
but hurry before my crazy family comes back next week!!!!!!
Sammy55
Veteran Member
(((kaija))) 
Hugs to you for your long-suffering waiting!
There's not much we can do except wait for Kathy.....................
I know it makes all of us sad, but I'm sure she'll be back soon with MOAR.
Until then, you (and all of us) have to have Patience........................before we become Patients! LOL!
Get ready for your crazy family and enjoy your time with them.
Maybe after Thanksgiving, Kathy will have more time to give us MOAR! If not, we'll start the MOAR shouting all over again!!
Hugs to you for your long-suffering waiting! There's not much we can do except wait for Kathy.....................
I know it makes all of us sad, but I'm sure she'll be back soon with MOAR.
Until then, you (and all of us) have to have Patience........................before we become Patients! LOL!
Get ready for your crazy family and enjoy your time with them.
Maybe after Thanksgiving, Kathy will have more time to give us MOAR! If not, we'll start the MOAR shouting all over again!!
The last chapter of this story was posted on September 24th so it has been two months of begging and bribing without any result.
I must declare my use by date has come and gone.
When the story resumes I will now have to go back to the beginning and start over so I have any chance of understanding this complex plot!!!!!!!!
Carlysle
I must declare my use by date has come and gone.
When the story resumes I will now have to go back to the beginning and start over so I have any chance of understanding this complex plot!!!!!!!!
Carlysle
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
On Oct 30 Kathy said she had 4 chapters to fix and she was very busy.
I know I still check often to see if a chapter is up.
I know I still check often to see if a chapter is up.
Well I figure that if I can wait for almost three years for her zombie story, I can wait for this one and her others to be finished.
I'm mostly just the type that wants it all NOW! lol! and I enjoy begging for moar... it's challenging to see how many different ways I can beg. but I don't want to make her feel bad about it so I'm trying to not beg so much but want to shift to encouraging her.
I'll keep checking because that day that there IS moar, and I firmly believe there will be, will be so joyful! And I'll be happy and excited for the whole time I read that Moar.... and then I'll be back to begging for moar because when we get moar, it makes us want moar.... and moar
a deliciously vicious cycle of moar and moar
hahahha!
So moar please Kathy ASAP
hoping you are well
I'm mostly just the type that wants it all NOW! lol! and I enjoy begging for moar... it's challenging to see how many different ways I can beg. but I don't want to make her feel bad about it so I'm trying to not beg so much but want to shift to encouraging her.
I'll keep checking because that day that there IS moar, and I firmly believe there will be, will be so joyful! And I'll be happy and excited for the whole time I read that Moar.... and then I'll be back to begging for moar because when we get moar, it makes us want moar.... and moar
a deliciously vicious cycle of moar and moar
hahahha!
So moar please Kathy ASAP
hoping you are well
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Kathy just saying hello I stop by several times every day but only post when I feel called to. I pray that the tasks of life are not taking away from the joy that your Lord wants for you. As Thanksgiving grows near take time to enjoy your family and give him thanks for the many gifts he has bestowed on you and yours.
May God Bless you and keep safe and in his will always. Kathy you are loved by many and will always be loved weather you post another chapter or not. Thank you for all that you given to us and for sharing your gift with us.
Wayne
May God Bless you and keep safe and in his will always. Kathy you are loved by many and will always be loved weather you post another chapter or not. Thank you for all that you given to us and for sharing your gift with us.
Wayne
maineforlife
Contributing Member
Looking forward to more. Hopefully an addition will come before my baby does.
Can't remember where I left off now so if this next chapter is a repeat, hopefully the next ones aren't. Finally unscrambled enough to post. Between work and irritation at the mess the manuscript was in it has taken me longer to get back to this than I wanted to. Thanks for believing in me and being patient ... silly but patient. (grin)
--------------
Chapter 75
"Allow me Child," said one of the Church elders as he got more comfortable as if to tell a story. "The Sheriff has told us what you know of your family's lore and we have heard what the Borderlander told you. Taking that information I can say that you are both right and wrong in your declaration of the veracity of both."
"How so Sir?" I asked, happy as ever to receive a lesson from one of the Brothers. "What did I miss?"
He smiled and told Nat. "A sponge she is. I wish more of my students were this eager." Returning to my question he explained. "You were correct when you said that the truth was likely a tale that took some from both sides of the stories told to you. You were incorrect in assuming that there was no way to find the middle ground where the true facts lay."
"Sir?"
"Patience. A little mystery never hurt anything," he said with a kind smile. "Now, the first thing you will need to understand is that the study of the archane is not something that either the Church or the University encourages. Too many that have, have been swayed to evil and used the knowledge to abuse their status and those under their care. But that is not to say that a select group of Brothers well-armed against such temptation - as well as accountable to one another in prayer and actions daily - does not study it so that fact can be discerned from fiction. Also so that when someone carries a tale, we can usually discern where that tale originates or how it might have been twisted so that we can reveal the original truth. Knowledge, like a coin, is not in and of itself a bad thing, it is how it is used and spent that can be evil."
"In this case the study of the Darkfriars was not something that needed to be studied on a daily basis as we knew they had all passed from this life; but we kept the knowledge of them secure so that no one else could take up their name and reputation as if they had never fallen or been defeated."
I asked, "So the ... the order that calls themselves the Priests of the Damned defeated the Darkfriars?"
"No, actually that was a group of select military men who refused the notoriety of the deed seeing it to be their duty and honor to root out the worst of the worst enemies that would destroy their land. They saw the giving of death as a sometimes necessity, not something to be bragged about."
"This particular group held a dozen fine men. Despite the government to which they owed their allegiance to having fallen during the Days of Destruction, these men continued with their call to duty to deal with those that no ordinary protector could expunge. These military men did not eradicate the Darkfriars entirely, but did cut out the heart of their group and ran them into the desolute places and away from those they would persecute. It was a larger militia made up of different men that followed the Darkfriars to complete their destruction only to find that the remnants of the darkfriars had run headlong into a group of corrupted individuals that did the deed for them. The texts, sketches, and ancient pictures that survive from that mission are in a file that is held in a special vault beneath the Regional University. Having reason to study that file and others similar to it on occasion so as to ascertain the veracity of some translated texts, I recognize the story that the Borderlander told to you."
"But," I started hesitantly. "I am only just hearing this. And only just told Nat. How did you know you would need to be here to hear this story?"
"Brother Nat and I have been conversing at some length concerning a puzzle that the Sheriff had put to him. The symbols of the darkfriars is but one part of it so I refamiliarized myself with the facts ... and what we know of the Priests of the Damned since that time."
"They've really been around that long?" I asked.
"Yes, since the Chaos though they were - and still are - a very small sect compared to what you know as the Church."
"And they really practice ...?" I was hesitant to repeat yet again all of the corruption that I suspicioned them of.
"Yes," he sighed showing his age. "Think of it as a form of control. They tell their people the lie that there are no consequences for their lusts and pleasures, that their dark god rejoices with them. And when the consequences spring forth down the generations they rationalize them by saying that the corruptions are actually blessings. They are a twisted people who cling to their beliefs because without them ... without them they would have to recognize the corruption of their souls and it would crush most of them."
"Most of them? Not all?"
"Not all. Some are still strong enough to search for the truth. It appears that perhaps that is the stage that your Borderlander is in."
"And the others?"
"The others are evil and it makes no difference to them that they follow a false god because they do it for the pleasures of the flesh rather than for their soul which they care nothing about if they even believe in its existence."
I let his answer soak in then asked, "And this particular Borderland sect did descend from the Harpers?"
He nodded. "Yes. And no. It is true that some of the earliest leaders were descendants of Solomon Harper but we are each answerable for our choices and Solomon Harper is not accountable for the choices his children made during adulthood. But the entire population of that sect would have died out almost before a generation was out if other s had not joined with them."
"And the prophecy?"
"That's a little murkier but I believe that I have some clues."
--------------
Chapter 75
"Allow me Child," said one of the Church elders as he got more comfortable as if to tell a story. "The Sheriff has told us what you know of your family's lore and we have heard what the Borderlander told you. Taking that information I can say that you are both right and wrong in your declaration of the veracity of both."
"How so Sir?" I asked, happy as ever to receive a lesson from one of the Brothers. "What did I miss?"
He smiled and told Nat. "A sponge she is. I wish more of my students were this eager." Returning to my question he explained. "You were correct when you said that the truth was likely a tale that took some from both sides of the stories told to you. You were incorrect in assuming that there was no way to find the middle ground where the true facts lay."
"Sir?"
"Patience. A little mystery never hurt anything," he said with a kind smile. "Now, the first thing you will need to understand is that the study of the archane is not something that either the Church or the University encourages. Too many that have, have been swayed to evil and used the knowledge to abuse their status and those under their care. But that is not to say that a select group of Brothers well-armed against such temptation - as well as accountable to one another in prayer and actions daily - does not study it so that fact can be discerned from fiction. Also so that when someone carries a tale, we can usually discern where that tale originates or how it might have been twisted so that we can reveal the original truth. Knowledge, like a coin, is not in and of itself a bad thing, it is how it is used and spent that can be evil."
"In this case the study of the Darkfriars was not something that needed to be studied on a daily basis as we knew they had all passed from this life; but we kept the knowledge of them secure so that no one else could take up their name and reputation as if they had never fallen or been defeated."
I asked, "So the ... the order that calls themselves the Priests of the Damned defeated the Darkfriars?"
"No, actually that was a group of select military men who refused the notoriety of the deed seeing it to be their duty and honor to root out the worst of the worst enemies that would destroy their land. They saw the giving of death as a sometimes necessity, not something to be bragged about."
"This particular group held a dozen fine men. Despite the government to which they owed their allegiance to having fallen during the Days of Destruction, these men continued with their call to duty to deal with those that no ordinary protector could expunge. These military men did not eradicate the Darkfriars entirely, but did cut out the heart of their group and ran them into the desolute places and away from those they would persecute. It was a larger militia made up of different men that followed the Darkfriars to complete their destruction only to find that the remnants of the darkfriars had run headlong into a group of corrupted individuals that did the deed for them. The texts, sketches, and ancient pictures that survive from that mission are in a file that is held in a special vault beneath the Regional University. Having reason to study that file and others similar to it on occasion so as to ascertain the veracity of some translated texts, I recognize the story that the Borderlander told to you."
"But," I started hesitantly. "I am only just hearing this. And only just told Nat. How did you know you would need to be here to hear this story?"
"Brother Nat and I have been conversing at some length concerning a puzzle that the Sheriff had put to him. The symbols of the darkfriars is but one part of it so I refamiliarized myself with the facts ... and what we know of the Priests of the Damned since that time."
"They've really been around that long?" I asked.
"Yes, since the Chaos though they were - and still are - a very small sect compared to what you know as the Church."
"And they really practice ...?" I was hesitant to repeat yet again all of the corruption that I suspicioned them of.
"Yes," he sighed showing his age. "Think of it as a form of control. They tell their people the lie that there are no consequences for their lusts and pleasures, that their dark god rejoices with them. And when the consequences spring forth down the generations they rationalize them by saying that the corruptions are actually blessings. They are a twisted people who cling to their beliefs because without them ... without them they would have to recognize the corruption of their souls and it would crush most of them."
"Most of them? Not all?"
"Not all. Some are still strong enough to search for the truth. It appears that perhaps that is the stage that your Borderlander is in."
"And the others?"
"The others are evil and it makes no difference to them that they follow a false god because they do it for the pleasures of the flesh rather than for their soul which they care nothing about if they even believe in its existence."
I let his answer soak in then asked, "And this particular Borderland sect did descend from the Harpers?"
He nodded. "Yes. And no. It is true that some of the earliest leaders were descendants of Solomon Harper but we are each answerable for our choices and Solomon Harper is not accountable for the choices his children made during adulthood. But the entire population of that sect would have died out almost before a generation was out if other s had not joined with them."
"And the prophecy?"
"That's a little murkier but I believe that I have some clues."
Chapter 76
My fatigue, while it did not banish, was somwhat put at bay by the idea of unraveling the mystery the old man had plopped into my lap.
The elder began, "As has been ascertained, a curse of sorts was placed upon those that call themsleves The Damned. The curse was a verbal one and in the beginning held no real power. However, as with many such so-called curses, the power came not from the one that made it but from those that began to believe in it. At the time the curse was made the Harpers and the Linders were very powerful. The Linders for traditional political reasons which they have maintained and the Harpers because of its family ecompassing people like you and Brother Nat ... people not afraid of questioning and seeking truth even at the cost of your own egos. You follow the facts to build the story rather than conforming the facts so that it is your story that built. A find line but a definite difference nonetheless."
"I still don't see how that should automatically create a ... well ... what amounts to a myth. Look how the Harper family has found itself. Nat and I are the last and we've both agreed, for our own reasons, to give up what we were born to."
"And some see that as predesination. It would appear that no matter how your family has been attacked a certain percentage always survived ... and even thrived."
I snorted. "Attacked? A bit farfetched."
Nat placed his hand upon my arm and when I turned to look at him expecting censure what I found was deep concern. "Leeda ... from what we've discovered ... it would appear that some that we thought accidents or acts of nature were in fact intentional."
Thinking he referred to some things that had happened to me during our marriage I hesitated to speak long enough that I didn't need to. "The failure of the sinkhole was inevitable but ... but appears to have been helped along. That knowledge was secreted within some of the Waverly papers and correspondence with the then Guardian. It is also highly likely that the plague ..."
Horrified I whispered, "No ..."
"Yes Leeda. In my own grief at the time I ... I ... the information was kept from me and then they thought that they'd been mistaken and simply swept their original concerns under the rug thinking nothing further of it."
"How did you come by this knowledge? Surely if it had been so serious someone would have ..."
The Sheriff spoke up. "Widow, this involved politics ... very high level politics."
I glanced at him then almost became physically ill. "Don't. Don't say that ... that he ..."
The Sheriff kneeled down and took my hands. "No. Not that. Though I ... I wouldn't put it past the family at this point." The Chancellor was extremely puzzled then paled at his brother's implied criticism. The Sheriff ignored him. "I would appear that the former mayor of Waverly played an even deeper game than we gave him credit for. This poison runs deep and far and tracing it back has revealed how insidious the infection has been in Tentuckia by those calling themselves the new crop of Darkfriars."
My mouth was so dry I could no swallow but one thought would not be quieted. "They died. Because of me. All of those innocent people died because of me. Somehow they knew of my husband's designs, his plans, even though they make no sense in hindsight. Someone knew and ... and took action to prevent him gaining what he sought."
My fatigue, while it did not banish, was somwhat put at bay by the idea of unraveling the mystery the old man had plopped into my lap.
The elder began, "As has been ascertained, a curse of sorts was placed upon those that call themsleves The Damned. The curse was a verbal one and in the beginning held no real power. However, as with many such so-called curses, the power came not from the one that made it but from those that began to believe in it. At the time the curse was made the Harpers and the Linders were very powerful. The Linders for traditional political reasons which they have maintained and the Harpers because of its family ecompassing people like you and Brother Nat ... people not afraid of questioning and seeking truth even at the cost of your own egos. You follow the facts to build the story rather than conforming the facts so that it is your story that built. A find line but a definite difference nonetheless."
"I still don't see how that should automatically create a ... well ... what amounts to a myth. Look how the Harper family has found itself. Nat and I are the last and we've both agreed, for our own reasons, to give up what we were born to."
"And some see that as predesination. It would appear that no matter how your family has been attacked a certain percentage always survived ... and even thrived."
I snorted. "Attacked? A bit farfetched."
Nat placed his hand upon my arm and when I turned to look at him expecting censure what I found was deep concern. "Leeda ... from what we've discovered ... it would appear that some that we thought accidents or acts of nature were in fact intentional."
Thinking he referred to some things that had happened to me during our marriage I hesitated to speak long enough that I didn't need to. "The failure of the sinkhole was inevitable but ... but appears to have been helped along. That knowledge was secreted within some of the Waverly papers and correspondence with the then Guardian. It is also highly likely that the plague ..."
Horrified I whispered, "No ..."
"Yes Leeda. In my own grief at the time I ... I ... the information was kept from me and then they thought that they'd been mistaken and simply swept their original concerns under the rug thinking nothing further of it."
"How did you come by this knowledge? Surely if it had been so serious someone would have ..."
The Sheriff spoke up. "Widow, this involved politics ... very high level politics."
I glanced at him then almost became physically ill. "Don't. Don't say that ... that he ..."
The Sheriff kneeled down and took my hands. "No. Not that. Though I ... I wouldn't put it past the family at this point." The Chancellor was extremely puzzled then paled at his brother's implied criticism. The Sheriff ignored him. "I would appear that the former mayor of Waverly played an even deeper game than we gave him credit for. This poison runs deep and far and tracing it back has revealed how insidious the infection has been in Tentuckia by those calling themselves the new crop of Darkfriars."
My mouth was so dry I could no swallow but one thought would not be quieted. "They died. Because of me. All of those innocent people died because of me. Somehow they knew of my husband's designs, his plans, even though they make no sense in hindsight. Someone knew and ... and took action to prevent him gaining what he sought."
Chapter 77
It was too much yet I had no choice but to accept it. Those before me would not lie; certainly Nat would no; not even to protect what most would call my sensibilities. But then that niggling doubt, caused by the words of the old man, tried to worm its way inside my thoughts. I slammed my mental heel down on the vermin and put it to a well-deserved death.
I stood up and slowly walked to the window, looked out and saw that the day was setting yet again. I'd had no sleep but I knew that for a while at least sleep would be an illusive beast for me to hunt.
I gathered my shredded nerves and in the silence of the room said, "Or perhaps I am being melodramatic to take it so personally. If indeed our family was conspired against for generations I cannot be the sole object involved here."
I heard approval from one of the Elders as he said, "Very good my Child, very good. Shocked you may be but you are still willing to use logic to avoid the hysterics. And the answer to that is yes, you are not the sole target that was sought; but, being the last Harper able to begat ... or at least the last to carry the name Harper able to do so as you do have cousins on the paternal side though distant in relation ... you are the current focus, much more narrowed down since you are the last."
Slowly I nodded. "So, we know that the Waverly family ... or at least Rom's father ... had some reason to do what he did. Do we know why?"
"Status. Power. What else? He has been ... questioned ... by a Church inquistor and it took nothing more than the suggestion of social and political ostracism to cause him to spill what we believe to be everything he knows. Apparently he has been - or at least feels - abandoned by those he had thought would be his rise to much loftier status. He confessed as much for revenge against those he had believed in as he did to save his own skin. His son, the current Mayor, Turner is his name, was present though hidden from his view, and heard it all and was much devastated by his father's actions. He has already asked to have church counselors come to minister to the family he now heads. A wise move on his part even if it is only for appearance sake."
"Be that as it may, to what purpose beyond status and power. There has to be something more to it than that."
"For Waverly, no. But for those that manipulated and used him the goal was to minimize your presence, keep you from begatting by whatever means necessary even if it meant taking a direct hand in your death though that did generate some fear in the opposition since you had survived so many attempts while your husband lived."
I stilled and glanced at Nat from under my lashes. He looked terribly sad and I immediately went to him. "Don't Nat. Please don't."
"How can I not? I should never have allowed it. The marriage was an abomination from the beginning."
"Nat, how many times have you told me of God's authority? How many times have you told me that He allows a great many things we simply do not understand? If the marriage hadn't been in His plan then it would not have happened. I cannot fathom the reason for it but happened it did. Perhaps I won't find out until I am in His presence after this life is over but I am content to let the past lay where it died. And I came out of it a stronger person, a person that can now face what is before us, and I do not think I could have without the experience."
Nat briefly closed his eyes and then said, "Ex ore infantium." I did not take offense at him saying out of the mouth of babes as Nat would always look at me like that to some extent. He placed his hand on my head briefly and then sighed. "I would still have given my life to prevent you from such pain."
"I know. But God didn't want that of you. So let it be. And let us move on. While I may have had no say in what befell me up to this point, I have to believe that it is all for a purpose. And I believe that in a very odd sense the old man was right ... the end is near and if I am to be part of it then God must have some plan for me to take His part in it and have some deeper understanding of His wishes because of what I experienced."
It was too much yet I had no choice but to accept it. Those before me would not lie; certainly Nat would no; not even to protect what most would call my sensibilities. But then that niggling doubt, caused by the words of the old man, tried to worm its way inside my thoughts. I slammed my mental heel down on the vermin and put it to a well-deserved death.
I stood up and slowly walked to the window, looked out and saw that the day was setting yet again. I'd had no sleep but I knew that for a while at least sleep would be an illusive beast for me to hunt.
I gathered my shredded nerves and in the silence of the room said, "Or perhaps I am being melodramatic to take it so personally. If indeed our family was conspired against for generations I cannot be the sole object involved here."
I heard approval from one of the Elders as he said, "Very good my Child, very good. Shocked you may be but you are still willing to use logic to avoid the hysterics. And the answer to that is yes, you are not the sole target that was sought; but, being the last Harper able to begat ... or at least the last to carry the name Harper able to do so as you do have cousins on the paternal side though distant in relation ... you are the current focus, much more narrowed down since you are the last."
Slowly I nodded. "So, we know that the Waverly family ... or at least Rom's father ... had some reason to do what he did. Do we know why?"
"Status. Power. What else? He has been ... questioned ... by a Church inquistor and it took nothing more than the suggestion of social and political ostracism to cause him to spill what we believe to be everything he knows. Apparently he has been - or at least feels - abandoned by those he had thought would be his rise to much loftier status. He confessed as much for revenge against those he had believed in as he did to save his own skin. His son, the current Mayor, Turner is his name, was present though hidden from his view, and heard it all and was much devastated by his father's actions. He has already asked to have church counselors come to minister to the family he now heads. A wise move on his part even if it is only for appearance sake."
"Be that as it may, to what purpose beyond status and power. There has to be something more to it than that."
"For Waverly, no. But for those that manipulated and used him the goal was to minimize your presence, keep you from begatting by whatever means necessary even if it meant taking a direct hand in your death though that did generate some fear in the opposition since you had survived so many attempts while your husband lived."
I stilled and glanced at Nat from under my lashes. He looked terribly sad and I immediately went to him. "Don't Nat. Please don't."
"How can I not? I should never have allowed it. The marriage was an abomination from the beginning."
"Nat, how many times have you told me of God's authority? How many times have you told me that He allows a great many things we simply do not understand? If the marriage hadn't been in His plan then it would not have happened. I cannot fathom the reason for it but happened it did. Perhaps I won't find out until I am in His presence after this life is over but I am content to let the past lay where it died. And I came out of it a stronger person, a person that can now face what is before us, and I do not think I could have without the experience."
Nat briefly closed his eyes and then said, "Ex ore infantium." I did not take offense at him saying out of the mouth of babes as Nat would always look at me like that to some extent. He placed his hand on my head briefly and then sighed. "I would still have given my life to prevent you from such pain."
"I know. But God didn't want that of you. So let it be. And let us move on. While I may have had no say in what befell me up to this point, I have to believe that it is all for a purpose. And I believe that in a very odd sense the old man was right ... the end is near and if I am to be part of it then God must have some plan for me to take His part in it and have some deeper understanding of His wishes because of what I experienced."
Chapter 78
Unfortunately for my peace of mind I was to get no closer to the truth or His plan at that moment. The Elders were feeling their age and needed to recuperate if they were to maintain their health. Nat too was suffering - some of the suffering was of his own making but most of it was fatigue and lack of proper diet. The Chancellor was as conflicted as I had ever seen him. He looked more ill than anyone in the room. And the Sheriff only stood because his anger kept him stiff and upright.
Taking the part of hostess though by rights it should have been someone else's duty I sent staff here and there to prepare meals and rooms for the Elders and for Nat. Then passing the Sheriff I whispered, "Say something to him. He needs you and it is your duty as a brother no matter your position as Sheriff."
His mouth tightened and I was sure that he would refuse but he unbent sufficiently to cross to where the Chancellor stood. The Sheriff walked him from the room and I was just seeing to the last of everyone's needs when he returned an hour later.
"Leeda," he whispered.
I turned to him and went to come to him but he backed up. "I ... I ..."
I shook my head. "This is not like you at all. You are obviously as fatigued as the others and should take a moment to eat and rest."
"Should you not have already done the same?"
"I'm afraid I selfishly hoped that you would let me know how the others were. Tosha? Mrs. Linder? Your brothers?"
He shook his head once again and as if in great pain asked, "Why would you even want to?! By all the Saints, Martyrs, and Dead Innocents. Leeda ..."
Carefully I crossed so that he wouldn't feel the need to back away again. "Foolish talk that is," I told him gently. "Because they are your family ... and what affects you ... affects me."
All the stiffness seemed to leave his bones and if a chair had not been right beside him I think he would have landed on the floor. As it was I worried he was going to topple from it. He bent so far his head was in his hands. Concerned I took the last few steps and bent down in front of him. "Sheriff?"
"By all that's Holy. If it is the last thing I do Leeda I will prove myself man enough for you. I swear it. Just give me time to prove it."
"Still with the foolish talk. You already are. If I had any question of it, your steadfast support during this time has won me over."
"I said nothing."
"You couldn't. You aren't just the man in front of me but the Sheriff of Tentuckia. But ... you still managed by presence and gesture that my greatest fear was not going to happen."
"And what fear might that be? I'll slay it."
"Again, you already have. My greatest fear was that ... that you wouldn't give me a chance ... wouldn't believe me ... and that ... that ... the glimmer I have felt would die."
"Glimmer? Hell, I feel a raging inferno. The only reason my heart is still beating is because you are still here. When I found out ..." He shook his head and abruptly stood but then swayed.
"Sheriff! Here, sit. At least eat a piece of fruit. When is the last time you have had any sustenance?"
"Aye. Too long. And you too. I will eat if you will."
He drew me to a small table - the same table where we had share the cocoa only days before - and upon it sat a tray of fruit, cheese, and small crackers with cold sliced meat on the side. He placed some food upon small plates while I poured us a bracing cider.
Finally I asked, "What did you mean? When you said that when you heard? Heard what?"
He sighed. "I left a couple of little birdies to keep an eye on things while I was away. This damned gala had the potential for trouble written all over it and I wouldn't have stayed away except this business kept me longer than expected as we'd finally begun turning over answers ... Nat and I. Had your cousin the slightest inclination he would make a find Investigator; he is tireless when he is on a quest."
"Yes. It is why I worry about his health sometimes. I'd say he needs a wife but he has no inclination."
"He explained why he cannot begat."
"Begatting has nothing to do with it," I said with absolute conviction. "There are women that fear it or fear rejection because they cannot begat themselves. They would love a man like Nat in their lives. No, it is that Nat has no inclination. His bride is the Church and the work he finds there. I just hope that eventually there is someone that will watch after him as I have tried to when he would let me."
The Sheriff insisted on placing another cracker with cheese and meat upon my plate and then said, "Leeda, my birdie got word to me as soon as they could but I still had some miles to travel. I would have spared you if I could have. I cannot believe Tomas ... all of them ... my God, even April ..."
I put my hand on his arm. I had taken such comfort from him brushing me in the same way through the day that I had hopes to bring him comfort as well. "I don't know the whole of it but at least in Tomas' case it was a poisoning of sorts that caused him to act as he did."
"James doesn't have that excuse," he said trying to hold onto his disgust by will alone.
"No, but Tosha ..." I couldn't keep that deep hurt out of my voice. Of them all, even knowing the deep distress she was in, she was the one that hurt me the deepest. Trying to retain my composure I said, "Tosha is his bride. I don't know if it was a love match in the beginning but I strongly suspect it became one shortly thereafter. If she lives they will have a long, difficult road and will need a great deal of counseling. A Chancellor cannot risk a wife that is able to be swayed in such a fashion."
Some of the wind went out of the Sheriff's sails. "Aye. He is hanging on by a thread. On top of it all he knows that should Tomas ... die ... or become incapacitated that he would inherit the mantel of responsibility Tomas now wears. Even if the babe m' sister in law carries is born healthy and whole James will be regent until the babe is old enough and trained enough to take their place in society, and that's assuming the child is a boy."
"Mrs. Linder is well?"
"Surprisingly so. I just left her and she wants to see you. In her words, 'Dear God, we owe her a debt that cannot be paid. Tomas would have died of an overdose without this whole blow up.' She's ... well she more than any of them is taking a ... well ... she's awful damn prosaic all things considered. I'm not sure what to make of it."
I nodded. "We all have our mantel of protection. For now Mrs. Linder is taking the path that attempts to mend the most. I believe we should follow her example."
"What?! After all that you've been through?!"
"Easy Sheriff. Do not take this the wrong way but as I see it there are two paths before us. I prefer to take the one that brings the least amount of pain in the long run. Forgiveness is not something we do for others but something we do for ourselves. If I've learned nothing in this almost year since my husband's death, I've at least begun to see that. When we don't forgive others we fail to find forgiveness for ourselves and there is needless pain and confusion ... and it is of our own making."
"Bah!"
"You think? Then puzzle this out for me Sheriff. Had I forgiven Rom and Fan for what I considered their transgression it is very possible that I would have seen the plot without it having to be explained to me. Instead I held onto my hurt feelings. At the very least I would have escaped the lonely existence that was just a continuation of what I had experienced in my marriage."
A moment passed and then the Sheriff sighed. "Dammit, stop having so much commonsense. I wish to hang them all and to hell with the consequences. You make me feel churlish for wanting such."
Unfortunately for my peace of mind I was to get no closer to the truth or His plan at that moment. The Elders were feeling their age and needed to recuperate if they were to maintain their health. Nat too was suffering - some of the suffering was of his own making but most of it was fatigue and lack of proper diet. The Chancellor was as conflicted as I had ever seen him. He looked more ill than anyone in the room. And the Sheriff only stood because his anger kept him stiff and upright.
Taking the part of hostess though by rights it should have been someone else's duty I sent staff here and there to prepare meals and rooms for the Elders and for Nat. Then passing the Sheriff I whispered, "Say something to him. He needs you and it is your duty as a brother no matter your position as Sheriff."
His mouth tightened and I was sure that he would refuse but he unbent sufficiently to cross to where the Chancellor stood. The Sheriff walked him from the room and I was just seeing to the last of everyone's needs when he returned an hour later.
"Leeda," he whispered.
I turned to him and went to come to him but he backed up. "I ... I ..."
I shook my head. "This is not like you at all. You are obviously as fatigued as the others and should take a moment to eat and rest."
"Should you not have already done the same?"
"I'm afraid I selfishly hoped that you would let me know how the others were. Tosha? Mrs. Linder? Your brothers?"
He shook his head once again and as if in great pain asked, "Why would you even want to?! By all the Saints, Martyrs, and Dead Innocents. Leeda ..."
Carefully I crossed so that he wouldn't feel the need to back away again. "Foolish talk that is," I told him gently. "Because they are your family ... and what affects you ... affects me."
All the stiffness seemed to leave his bones and if a chair had not been right beside him I think he would have landed on the floor. As it was I worried he was going to topple from it. He bent so far his head was in his hands. Concerned I took the last few steps and bent down in front of him. "Sheriff?"
"By all that's Holy. If it is the last thing I do Leeda I will prove myself man enough for you. I swear it. Just give me time to prove it."
"Still with the foolish talk. You already are. If I had any question of it, your steadfast support during this time has won me over."
"I said nothing."
"You couldn't. You aren't just the man in front of me but the Sheriff of Tentuckia. But ... you still managed by presence and gesture that my greatest fear was not going to happen."
"And what fear might that be? I'll slay it."
"Again, you already have. My greatest fear was that ... that you wouldn't give me a chance ... wouldn't believe me ... and that ... that ... the glimmer I have felt would die."
"Glimmer? Hell, I feel a raging inferno. The only reason my heart is still beating is because you are still here. When I found out ..." He shook his head and abruptly stood but then swayed.
"Sheriff! Here, sit. At least eat a piece of fruit. When is the last time you have had any sustenance?"
"Aye. Too long. And you too. I will eat if you will."
He drew me to a small table - the same table where we had share the cocoa only days before - and upon it sat a tray of fruit, cheese, and small crackers with cold sliced meat on the side. He placed some food upon small plates while I poured us a bracing cider.
Finally I asked, "What did you mean? When you said that when you heard? Heard what?"
He sighed. "I left a couple of little birdies to keep an eye on things while I was away. This damned gala had the potential for trouble written all over it and I wouldn't have stayed away except this business kept me longer than expected as we'd finally begun turning over answers ... Nat and I. Had your cousin the slightest inclination he would make a find Investigator; he is tireless when he is on a quest."
"Yes. It is why I worry about his health sometimes. I'd say he needs a wife but he has no inclination."
"He explained why he cannot begat."
"Begatting has nothing to do with it," I said with absolute conviction. "There are women that fear it or fear rejection because they cannot begat themselves. They would love a man like Nat in their lives. No, it is that Nat has no inclination. His bride is the Church and the work he finds there. I just hope that eventually there is someone that will watch after him as I have tried to when he would let me."
The Sheriff insisted on placing another cracker with cheese and meat upon my plate and then said, "Leeda, my birdie got word to me as soon as they could but I still had some miles to travel. I would have spared you if I could have. I cannot believe Tomas ... all of them ... my God, even April ..."
I put my hand on his arm. I had taken such comfort from him brushing me in the same way through the day that I had hopes to bring him comfort as well. "I don't know the whole of it but at least in Tomas' case it was a poisoning of sorts that caused him to act as he did."
"James doesn't have that excuse," he said trying to hold onto his disgust by will alone.
"No, but Tosha ..." I couldn't keep that deep hurt out of my voice. Of them all, even knowing the deep distress she was in, she was the one that hurt me the deepest. Trying to retain my composure I said, "Tosha is his bride. I don't know if it was a love match in the beginning but I strongly suspect it became one shortly thereafter. If she lives they will have a long, difficult road and will need a great deal of counseling. A Chancellor cannot risk a wife that is able to be swayed in such a fashion."
Some of the wind went out of the Sheriff's sails. "Aye. He is hanging on by a thread. On top of it all he knows that should Tomas ... die ... or become incapacitated that he would inherit the mantel of responsibility Tomas now wears. Even if the babe m' sister in law carries is born healthy and whole James will be regent until the babe is old enough and trained enough to take their place in society, and that's assuming the child is a boy."
"Mrs. Linder is well?"
"Surprisingly so. I just left her and she wants to see you. In her words, 'Dear God, we owe her a debt that cannot be paid. Tomas would have died of an overdose without this whole blow up.' She's ... well she more than any of them is taking a ... well ... she's awful damn prosaic all things considered. I'm not sure what to make of it."
I nodded. "We all have our mantel of protection. For now Mrs. Linder is taking the path that attempts to mend the most. I believe we should follow her example."
"What?! After all that you've been through?!"
"Easy Sheriff. Do not take this the wrong way but as I see it there are two paths before us. I prefer to take the one that brings the least amount of pain in the long run. Forgiveness is not something we do for others but something we do for ourselves. If I've learned nothing in this almost year since my husband's death, I've at least begun to see that. When we don't forgive others we fail to find forgiveness for ourselves and there is needless pain and confusion ... and it is of our own making."
"Bah!"
"You think? Then puzzle this out for me Sheriff. Had I forgiven Rom and Fan for what I considered their transgression it is very possible that I would have seen the plot without it having to be explained to me. Instead I held onto my hurt feelings. At the very least I would have escaped the lonely existence that was just a continuation of what I had experienced in my marriage."
A moment passed and then the Sheriff sighed. "Dammit, stop having so much commonsense. I wish to hang them all and to hell with the consequences. You make me feel churlish for wanting such."
Sammy55
Veteran Member
YAYYYYYYY, Kathy!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
kaija, nana nana boo boo! I beat you!! LOLOLOLOL
(Now I have to go and read the delightful new chapters!!)
ETA: Oh, Kathy..........these new chapters are wonderful, fantabulous, simply super great!! Again - thank you! thank you! thank you!
kaija, nana nana boo boo! I beat you!! LOLOLOLOL
(Now I have to go and read the delightful new chapters!!)
ETA: Oh, Kathy..........these new chapters are wonderful, fantabulous, simply super great!! Again - thank you! thank you! thank you!
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Siskiyoumom
Veteran Member
Thank you for being able to take the time to post the newest chapters.
I hold all the characters dear to my heart.
And reading your tale make my life a lot lighter.
Sis
I hold all the characters dear to my heart.
And reading your tale make my life a lot lighter.
Sis
goinpostal
Contributing Member
Thank you Kathy.
Matt
Matt
Weeeeeell we may forgive you this one time, but yes, this chapter is on page 14 or 15 I think. Not that I checked or anything.............
OH man! I must be tired.
Quote from chapter 75.
" "Leeda ... from what we've discovered ... it would appear that some that we thought accidents or acts of nature were in fact intentional."
Thinking he referred to some things that had happened to me during our marriage".
Wait! What? Isn't Nate her brother?
Quote from chapter 75.
" "Leeda ... from what we've discovered ... it would appear that some that we thought accidents or acts of nature were in fact intentional."
Thinking he referred to some things that had happened to me during our marriage".
Wait! What? Isn't Nate her brother?
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Nate is her cousin. Thank you Kathy.
beaglemama
Contributing Member
Thank you Kathy!!!!!!!!!
HuntingWolf
Membership Revoked
Oh, great!
Now everyone is now going to expect me to get another chapter up!
Thank you, Kathy!
Now everyone is now going to expect me to get another chapter up!
Thank you, Kathy!
Sammy55
Veteran Member
Oh, great!
Now everyone is now going to expect me to get another chapter up!
Now that you mention it...............we're WAITING for MOAR!!!
Landcruiser
Contributing Member
Wickedly cool as always! Unfortunately your stories are like caffeine, gotta have a constant supply or the headaches kick in.... More please....