Cthulhu Cocktail

 

The new Cthulhu Cocktail is all the rage at Ugly Grace's

Oh, Dahlings! I went over to Ugly Grace's pub for a restorative and asked her to serve me her most sophisticated drink. She gave me this dreadful thing and I almost went into a swoon! Have you ever seen the like?

tempestletrope Isabella had never felt anything so powerful. There was a tingling warmth that spread all over her body. Her breasts heaved.

tempestletrope "You are the love I've always wished for," Rad whispered. Gently, he lay Isabella back on the bed. "I want you near always."

tempestletrope "I love thee so, Rad," Isabella sighed as her beloved covered her face and neck with kisses. "I lived not before this day."

tempestletrope Shyly and tentatively, Rad and Isabella drew one another close. Their trembling lips met and soon passion overtook fear.

tempestletrope "And your eyes are golden as the moon at its fullest, or the very sun itself," sighed Isabella. "I need you like the sun."

tempestletrope "Your eyes are like the glow from the Lamps of Zacag," Rad sighed, caressing Isabella's cheek. "Soft, mysterious, lovely."

tempestletrope "My equal, and, I can only hope, my love." "This is more than I could have wished for!" Rad breathed, embracing Isabella.

tempestletrope "Rad, perhaps if I saw you as my subject, your words would be presumptuous," she said. "But in my eyes, you are my equal."

tempestletrope Isabella cupped Rad's chin and gently turned his head so that he was again looking into her own tear-filled gray eyes.

tempestletrope Rad swiftly withdrew his hand and inverted his eyes. "I'm sorry, your majesty, I've spoken out of turn. Please forgive me."

tempestletrope "I've never felt this way before. I feel as if I would die were you kept from me. I need you as I need food and water."

tempestletrope Rad's hand gently caressed Isabella's. "I hope I am not too forward," he said, "but I have never known anyone like you."

tempestletrope "I will welcome you back to the Outlands with a joyful heart, whether as our stewardess or as exiled Princess," Rad said.

tempestletrope "I told my sisters tonight ere we retired that I would either be stewardess of the Outlands or an exile thereto."

tempestletrope "Padrac and Bianca will only end up in one another's arms anyway. However, it is me who is expected to bear Padrac's child."

tempestletrope "Of course he is technically correct, but I am no administrator, and Padrac and I do not love each other. Thus it is folly."

tempestletrope "My father believes that a marriage between Padrac and me will further strengthen the alliance between our kingdoms."

tempestletrope "Padrac is the son of King Oceanus of Jvaq. They were our allies in the Battle of Etuj, but their kingdom was weakened."

tempestletrope "My eldest sister, Rae, is wed to the Earl of Tuwuz. It is a good alliance, but my father wishes me to marry a prince."

tempestletrope "My father has always seen the triplets as our very own family. But the old laws say that a royal heir must be blood."

tempestletrope "Ulrik was one of our finest knights and Gaiane one of our finest doctors. And they were our friends. It was a great loss."

tempestletrope "Ulrik and his wife Gaiane were killed by marauders from Kmum during the battle of Etuj. The battalion was taken unawares."

tempestletrope "My sisters were adopted when I was a year old. They are the daughters of one of our kingdom's bravest knights, Sir Ulrik."

tempestletrope "Your words are wise," said Isabella. "And oh, I hate to defy my father. But what he wishes for me and my sisters is folly."

tempestletrope "This is a sad thing," said Rad. "A person ought to be allowed to marry whom he or she chooses. To do else brings misery."

tempestletrope "If not for this foolishness about the blood child needing to marry ere the adoptive ones, Bianca and Padrac would be wed."

tempestletrope "Let me explain. Prince Padrac is a fine fellow. But he and I are great friends. He loves my sister Bianca, and she him."

tempestletrope Tears came to Isabella's eyes. "I want only to be stewardess of the Outlands. I don't want to marry Prince Padrac."

tempestletrope "I wish that my father was more like yours." "Your father is a good man. Just set in his ways. But my father is persuasive."

tempestletrope "It must be terribly difficult being a princess. But believe me when I say that my father wants to help you make this work."

tempestletrope "I'm sorry to hear that," Rad said gently. "Would you like to tell me what is troubling you?" "My father's expectations."

tempestletrope "I slept but briefly," Isabella said. "I only have difficulty sleeping when something is troubling me. And there often is."

tempestletrope To her relief, it was Rad. He bade her come into his chambers. "I'm sorry I frightened you," he said. "I couldn't sleep."

tempestletrope Isabella gasped and almost shrieked when she felt a hand on her arm. At first she thought it was her father, ready to scold.

tempestletrope Isabella noted the way that Ullv's arm was tenderly draped about his wife's body. She hoped one day she would find love.

tempestletrope Isabella peered in on each of her sleeping sisters. The door to the room where Ullv and Kaylynn slept was slightly open.

tempestletrope Unable to fall back asleep, Isabella took up a lantern and wandered into the hallway. She often found herself doing this.

tempestletrope The young princess of Xiumiqa drifted off to sleep under the watchful lavender eyes of the owl. She woke a while later.

tempestletrope An owl with snow white feathers landed on the windowsill. Isabella gazed at the owl in wonder. It had great lavender eyes.

tempestletrope Isabella could hardly sleep. She nestled under her quilt, looking out the window at the snow. She heard a wolf's keening.

Officezilla isn't working right. Had to recopy all of my previous Twitter posts for my novel. Terribly annoying, Dahlings! tempestletrope

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Having a nasty reaction to those damn fragrances in the hair color. Damn stuff doesn't color the gray. The word for future dye jobs: HENNA!

tempestletrope "Still, there is the problem of the evil wizard kind Oceanus," said Ebba. "I wouldn't want Bianca enslaved by him."

tempestletrope "Truly, if you wish to, Bianca, I would speak on your behalf," said Isabella. "Padrac is a fine lad, but like a brother."

tempestletrope "'Tis a shame you can't be the one to wed Padrac, Bianca," Idony speculated. "You are much more suited to do so than Isa."

tempestletrope "I like going into the country well enough," said Bianca. "But I prefer returning to the palace after a few hours."

tempestletrope "You really want to be a stewardess of the Outlands, Isa?" Ebba asked. "Oh yes! Really, I've been acting as one for months."

tempestletrope "Perhaps Ullv--Mr. Longrider--can talk sense to him," Isabella said. "He's very persuasive and thinks me a fine stewardess."

tempestletrope "I think you ought to be able to do as you wish, Isa," said Odila. "But I don't imagine that Father will ever agree to it."

tempestletrope "Well, you're a fool to pass up Padrac even if his father is crooked," said Bianca. "He's a fine catch for any maid."

tempestletrope "I don't want to be trapped in some stuffy old palace married to a man that I don't even love." "I agree," said Idony.

tempestletrope "I've no intent of wedding Padrac or anyone else," Isabella said. "I wish to become Stewardess of the Outlands."

tempestletrope "But he wants more than an ally," said Odilia. "He wants a puppet. He will try to take control once Isa and Padrac wed."

tempestletrope "The kingdom of Jvaq has been in decline since the Battle of Etuj," said Idony. "Oceanus wants a strong ally like Xiumiqa."

tempestletrope "But open your eyes. King Oceanus is looking for another kingdom to ally with and his intent is takeover of territory."

tempestletrope "Bianca, we're not saying anything bad about Padrac," Isabella insisted. "I like him well enough. Even he isn't aware."

tempestletrope "Padrac is a pawn in his game," said Odila. "And so would Isa be if she marries Padrac." "You're all fools," sniffed Bianca.

tempestletrope "He's an evil wizard," Ebba whispered. "That's what Rhianon said. He wants to influence Father. He's up to no good."

tempestletrope "Of course it isn't that he's a wizard that's the problem," Isabella said. "Why, we've many wizards in this kingdom."

tempestletrope "His father is a wizard," said Ebba. "Least that's what I overheard Rhianon saying to Vjeko. Rhianon is a seer, after all."

tempestletrope "Padrac is all right, but his father is not shooting straight," Isabella said. "Anyway, I don't want to marry anybody."

tempestletrope "But what possible appeal could the Outlands have when you have suitors to choose from?" Bianca asked. "Specially Padrac."

tempestletrope "I don't want to upset anybody," Isabella sighed. "But I love the Outlands. They're filled with the true beauty of life."

tempestletrope "Isa, why do you insist on going to the outlands?" Idony asked. "You know it upsets Mum and Daddy. Why would you want to?"

tempestletrope ping.fm is letting me down again. At least all of my posts are going to Twitter but not to Blogger or Facebook.

tempestletrope The triplets, Idony, Bianca, and Odila, stood quietly at the foot of the stairs. "Well, come on, let's talk," said Isabella.

tempestletrope Ebba held little Yana in her arms. The 12 year old was serious, grown up beyond her years. "I'm glad you're safe," she said.

tempestletrope Somehow Tabea could sense the true nature of others. Rad was gentle and playful and wouldn't mind entertaining her a while.

tempestletrope "Come see my room," Tabea insisted, pulling Rad's sleeve. "I've the very best toys. I've horses, dragons, knights, maids."

tempestletrope "You must all stay here tonight," Queen Gyda insisted. "Oh, what a lovely fabric this cloak is made from. Very unusual."

tempestletrope "Of course, Sir Longrider. You are in my deepest gratitude for bringing my daughter back to me safely. Come, let us speak."

tempestletrope "Good majesty, may we speak as men, and as a landowner to his monarch?" Ullv asked in a fashion humble but not submissive.

tempestletrope Isabella opened her mouth to protest but a look from Ullv quieted her. It wasn't a threatening look, but a gentle warning.

tempestletrope "I am grateful for your returning my daughter to me Sir Longrider," said King Neacel. "But she oughtn't have been there."

tempestletrope "No-one could have anticipated it, Majesty, not even I. And I have dwelt in the Outlands for all of my life."

tempestletrope "Your daughter was at the edge of the outland forest returning home. Fortunately, my wife, son, and I were there as well."

tempestletrope Ullv bowed low before Isabella's father. "Your majesty, I am Ullv Longrider. 'Twas an awful storm that struck quickly, yes?"

tempestletrope Isabella's mother and sisters greeted her with tearful embrace. Her father glared at her. "Girl, you've terrified your mum!"

tempestletrope Bellus excitedly hurried a bit ahead to announce the unexpected arrivals. "Your majesties, the Princess is here!" he gasped.

tempestletrope "Well, don't just stand there looking a fool, Boy," said Sabella, Bellus' aunt and one of the chief guards. "Bring them in!"

tempestletrope Bellus stood staring, wide-eyed and slack-jawed, at the peculiar lanterns and the carriage, seemingly untouched by weather.

tempestletrope "Yes, Bellus. These good folk from the outlands happened upon me when the storm hit. They have kindly brought me home."

tempestletrope "Princess Isabella!" proclaimed Bellus, a young guard not much older than Isabella. His indigo eyes widened with surprise.

tempestletrope All too soon, they had arrived at the palace of Isabella's family. The carriage was met by heavily armed guards.

Catching Up

Oh, Dahlings, I fear that ping.fm has let me down! I must catch you up on the story before I continue. Here is everything that was published on Twitter before I became overwhelmed with mundane duties and had to leave off for a while. Oh, the sorrow of being an upper echelon forced into the life of a peon. I do suppose it builds character, however.

"To me, the call of the wolf and owl is a song. It is not something to fear. I only wish I knew more about the forest."

"You will come to know more about it," Rad promised, taking Isabella's hand between his. She was struck by his sincerity.

"I will teach you all that I know about the forest and its creatures, Isabella," said Rad. "For I can see that you belong."

Isabella said nothing for a time. She just looked into Rad's golden eyes. He wasn't so simple as he presented himself to be.

Ullv and Kaylynn were talking softly. Isabella tried to hear what they were saying but found that she couldn't understand.

It was as if the couple was speaking another language. It was somehow familiar to Isabella, yet she could not place it.

It then struck her that similar words were used by the sorcerers and sorceresses that did the spells for the royal family.

Perhaps Ullv and Kaylynn were saying a spell to keep the travelers safe on their journey. But it seemed more a conversation.

Who were these strange, wonderful people? Isabella was sure they were more than they claimed to be. They were magical.

"If it isn't terribly rude of me to ask, Rad, won't you tell me of your ancestors? They seemed to know wondrous things."

"My ancestors came from the forgotten lands of Frup and Tvug in the Valley of Mxcd," Rad said. "These were great realms."

"Frup was a forest kingdom from whence my mother's people came. Tvug, beside an inland sea, the home of my father's folk."

"Even certain of the creatures and plants of the Kingdom of Frup could speak, and the people of Tvug communed with the sea."

"And the people knew how to make magical things, like these robes and the lanterns," Isabella said. "How sad they are gone."

"How were they destroyed, Rad?" Isabella asked, feeling almost as sad as if they were her own people. "Was there a war?"

"There was indeed," said Rad. "Magicians who cared more of power than peace created weapons and beings of destruction."

"These magicians came from the surrounding monarchies of Jma and Wyx. The people of Frup and Tvug fought valiantly."

"But eventually the invaders unleashed a force which destroyed the surrounding mountains. The destruction was unimaginable."

"Both the valley and the inland sea were filled with the rubble from the destroyed mountains. Almost all were killed."

"There were but a few survivors. They escaped to hide in other lands. The conquerors ruled through fear for many a century."

"Some of the rulers of the modern kingdoms are descended of these destroyers. But the great war has mostly been forgotten."

"I would like to explore the valley," Isabella said. "I would like to see what remnants of the lost world I could find."

"I don't think there is much to find," Rad said, "But I would like to explore with you. I have wanted to go for years."

"I don't suppose that I ever will go," Isabella sighed. "I'm sure my father wouldn't allow it. I hate being a princess."

"Don't give up, Isabella," Rad said. "And there are advantages to being a princess, I think. You'll find them, I'm sure."

"What advantages could there be?" Isabella sighed.

"You can use your title and wealth to help others," Rad encouraged.

Isabella supposed that this was true, but still couldn't help but feel that in many ways her title kept her trapped.

"I suppose you're right," she sighed. "But so far it only seems to keep me locked in a stuffy palace with stuffy suitors."

"I want to be a stewardess of the outlands. I want to explore the ancient ruins. I want to live a life of freedom and joy."

"And if I can in any way help you do that, I will," said Rad. "I promise it on my life. You deserve to have the best life."

tempestletrope Blast you, ping.fm! You didn't publish the last I don't know how many bits of my novel to my blogs. I will have to remedy!

http://ping.fm/5KdDK Here is a way to promote your lovely URL's, Dahlings!

tempestletrope Oh how dreadfully MORBID, dahlings! There is a program about death on this science channel. That is much more illsagorrey!

tempestletrope Oh how FASCINATING! This scientist has created working models of Jupiter in his lab to see what makes a gas planet work.

tempestletrope Curse my inconvenient impoverished status. I have to fluff my own lumpy pillows, Dahlings! The humiliation of it all!

tempestletrope Dreadful! A programme about an asteroid hitting the Earth. Surely this is far more up ursulaasteroidia's alley than mine!

tempestletrope So, Dahlings, the comment on my blog says that I am a great resource. Nothing says love like some early morning Spam!