Hey, I'm back again with a new chappie. Sorry it took so long but I had a hell of a time. It started, of course, the week before my birthday. How could it be different. Well, for more than four months ago I had an accident with my hand, nothing special … I thought, but it went on hurting for quite some time (by the way not very comfortable when you have to write tests). Well, after four months my doctor said that it is not normal that it hurts so long. To make it short, a tiny piece of my bone is now missing for the rest of my life, my hand still hurts from time to time (because the cartilage and the tendons are damaged, but at least that will heal … it only takes some more months. ) and I got a medical treatment consisting of injections which made me tired for days. To get this treatment I had to travel to another city, Munich (two hours by train). Because the surgery takes place only on Monday and Friday in the morning, I had to miss school (Really bad thing, don't you agree? ^_^ Well, I would have been more happy if I hadn't have to learn all the stuff, because of the damnable A-Level.), and I had to sleep over at a friend of my mother, who is a bit … strange, to be polite. I like her, most of the time, but every week … that's just too much.

Did I already mention the flu wave raging trough the population of my town? First my father, then me, then my mother, then my friend … right after I finally recovered from the injections. That sealed my week of holidays.

Then the tests began … every week at least one, sometimes two. Between, or at the same day, oral tests during the lessons, papers, reports … I NEED A NEW LIFE!

I have a little special for you at the end of the chapter, a little compensation. AND I've improved the old chapters. So you see that I haven't been lazy all the time.

But today, I've slept 15 hours straight last night (with two brakes for the toilet, combined with stepping on my dog's chewing bone *OUCH*, which of course lies in front of my bed, exactly where my feet are touching the ground) and feel well enough to finish this chapter. Here you go.

~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#

Chapter 33:                                           The old hag

Hush … can you see it?

The day has left you behind. And the wind enwrapping you …

Hush … can you feel it?

Close your eyes …

Can you feel … the melody through the dark of night?

Sleep … you are not alone. You are watched. Dream on, little one.

The life, it's calling out to you. But you are still asleep … yet.

We are waiting for you. Your calling didn't stay unheard. You'll know when it's time … and we will be there.

Don't be afraid. The future won't go easy on you, we know, but we are there. And you will do what you are born to do. So don't be afraid, little one, everything will be fine.

The future will be an open book to you.

And he will come to you.

He will take you with him.

He will show you the way.

Soon, little one, soon …

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sam was staring at the raising sun, the soft and yet intense colours at that cold winter morning. It looked like one of those romantic pictures of landscape her mother had favoured so much. She still remembered that Lady Charis had liked everything which had to do with nature. That was one thing she had in common with her father and the rest of their people. The absolute love and devotion to nature. Lord Victor's youngest sister had been known for being outdoors nearly the whole day, if it was possible. And although she used to stay in the sun for hours her skin never became as dark as those of other people. It was of a faint golden shimmer, which Sam had inherited like most of her mother's appearances. With her honey blond hair, her amber eyes, the golden shimmer of her skin and her friendly, carefree nature, which seemed to make her glow from the inside, Charis was the light of her parents' and siblings' life. Not even the years at the convent had been able to change that. When she came back she might have behaved like a lady should do, but she had never been tamed completely. And so one thing led to another

On a visit home from convent, shortly after her 17th birthday Charis had stolen away from the castle of her family and had ran deep into the pine forest next to it. She never got lost in there … until that day. She didn't loose her way, no, but her heart. To the man she met there.

She had once told her daughter that his deep dark eyes had enchanted her from the moment on she had laid her eyes on him. He had been travelling through Tortall and he had never intended to visit the people living in Pinehollow. But as he had crossed the deep forests of the fief he had suddenly found himself confronted with the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was like the sun. He himself was a man of the shadows, of the deep forests and the silence, a man of a friendly yet calm character. He seemed to be the complete opposite to her. Dark brown hair, moss green eyes and a tanned skin, tanned from wind and weather of being outside most of his life.

Sam never knew if it had been their differences that had drawn them towards each other or their similarities. She had been to young to be interested in such things, but one thing she remembered, although she hadn't understood in when been told it. They chose each other not only because of their love, but their freedom as well. Lord Allister had never tried to dominate Lady Charis, and neither did she. They had accepted each other like they were and didn't intend to change the other. Sam couldn't tell how they did it, but sure as hell, they did.

And so did it happen that Lady Charis of Pinehollow had never been introduced to the court and instead become the Lady of Oakswood in the foreign country called Unauwen.

And there she had met him, who should cause her and her family the greatest pain.

Sam still remembered they way her mother had sung for her, the way she had embraced her and stroked her hair, the way she smelt. Every time the memory came back to her, grief gripped her in such an intense way that she felt the urge to vomit. She trembled from the inside out and the only way to stop this weakness was to suppress everything which had to do with it.

Sam's eyes burned, screaming for tears that wouldn't come. Her mother had been the sun, her father the life and shadow, but she, Sam, was ice, cold from deep inside. But she knew, she felt that there was fire even deeper inside of her, waiting for the day to break free. Like magma deep inside the earth, and she feared the day she would loose the control she had built around her inner self for so long. She didn't know who she was. She knew her title, her birthright, but she didn't know what she would become. It was difficult. Galina had explained to her that she would find her way automatically, that she didn't need to fear taking the wrong path, that she would be shown it in time. But somehow Sam knew that she was different from those before her. Everyday she lived on in the royal palace of Tortall, she felt that she was drifting apart from the fixed way of her ancestors. There was a new way, a new possibility to live which she still couldn't catch or name. But she could feel that there would happen something nobody had ever thought could happen. Her people started to question the clan system, especially the role of the clerical clan, and she herself felt the same way. She knew something was in motion. In her lifetime it should be decided if her people would change their ways or not. And she couldn't fight the feeling any longer that she would play a major role in this decision. But how could somebody meant to be death soon change the ways of the living?

Destiny! Destiny! Destiny! Destiny! Destiny! Destiny! Destiny! Destiny! Destiny! Destiny! Destiny!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Oh great mother Goddess! This place is just … awesome!" Lee stared in awe at her surroundings, unable to tear her eyes away from the sight. She found herself at a loss of words.

Sam only smiled at the younger girl but couldn't contain astonished facial expression herself. As far as she knew the village had been founded about nine months ago, but had developed greatly. There were lots of new houses, each of them made of stone and wood, with two floors, balconies and flat roofs. But what made the sight so impressive was the immense amount of flowers and plants. There were many different climbing plants all over the buildings, shining brightly in their different autumn colours. In the gardens around the houses beautiful flowers competed for the girls' attention, next to bushes and trees full of fruits. Pets and wild animals were running free between the houses, giving the place an even more peaceful appearance. The birds were singing brightly, the bees were humming busy to gather all the nectar and the smell of forest, flowers, fruits and fresh baked apple pie filled the air. It was like diving into another reality, like one of those fairy tales. A world so perfectly peaceful like a dream that could never become reality.

"And in a place like that you grew up?" Lee had finally found her voice back.

Sam sighed and shook her head in denial. "No. I grew up in a castle, but if you can imagine an atmosphere like that transferred to a castle, than you know how I grew up until I was five. There were several small towns and villages around my home, so I could see how normal … I mean not noble people lived. I love the way my people live. It's so peaceful."
Lee nodded. "Yeah. The village doesn't seem to be cut out of the forest by force, it seems to be a living, breathing part of it. But where are the people living here?"
"Harvest I guess. The forest is full of fruits, nuts and mushrooms at the moment. Do you see the building in the middle which is built like a circle? With the tree in the middle? That's the centre of the village. There lives the head of this tribe. There we have to go."

Both girls urged their horses to trot towards the building in the middle of the village.

Lee grinned happily. "Great! Let's go. I wonder how these houses are looking in the insides. Thanks again for taking me with you. What a pity that Nat couldn't come with us."

Sam chuckled mischievously. "Yeah, the poor boy has to … assist his knightmaster. Lord Duncan has a meeting with several ladies and he wants to impress them with his, I quote, 'handsome and attentive squire'. Poor Nat has to serve drinks, sweets and be nice to some braindead bimbos, as he calls them, with too much time and no taste at all. He told me that he had to listen a two hours conversation about the right method of using a nailfile once, while Lord Duncan had a … conversation with the third lady in the room. He's always devastated after such an event. Lord Duncan calls it being sociable."

"What kind of conversation can a man possibly have with such a woman?"

"You talk about Lord Duncan. Well, as far as I know a 'conversation' for him is a synonym for making out."
Lee blinked. "Pardon me? Making out with one lady while two others and a squire is in the same room?"

"He isn't very petty in that case. The worst is that lots and lots of ladies are throwing themselves at him because is rich, single and handsome. You should think they had at least a bit dignity. Well, maybe I'm too harsh with them, you could say that's their job. Getting married I mean. But even then … they should know that Lord Duncan is not an easy prey. I'm just happy that I don't have to do that. I won't ever be another number in a womaniser's collection. I've sworn this to myself."

Lee sighed. "I wonder who will finally make it."
"Huh?"

"Lord Duncan. I wonder who will finally tame him."

Sam blinked and frowned deeply. "Sure, he needs a heir, someday, but tamed … well, maybe you are right with that. " She laughed shortly. "Maybe he will get a real dragon of a wife. There are enough matchmaking mother in this world, I'm sure that at least one of them will be successful to lure him into the yoke of marriage."

Both burst out in laughter.

"It's nice to meet two happy young girls at such an wonderful day. May I ask the reason for your presence? I think I know it, but do you?"

Both girls turned their head toward the voice on their right, Sam's hand already at the handle of her sword, just in case.

"Calm down girl. I don't intend to hurt you. You can leave your sword where it is, no need to get violent." The old woman chuckled amused. "I see, you have grown a lot, little Oakswood. Do you remember me?"

Sam frowned confused. She eyed the woman warily and asked: "Should I know you?"

Lee examined the woman as well. She reminded her of an old, gnarled tree, full of wrinkles. She was clothed in a wide cape, leaning on an strange looking stick, with a crystal on its knob. She looked somehow … ancient … not from this world, belonging to fairy-stories and legends. If she had magic, no matter what kind, she was what children all over the world imagined when they heard the world hag. But she seemed rather friendly, not threatening at all. Well, if that said something. But for Lee it seemed to irrational that something bad could exist in a village like this. Lee tried to scan the old woman for magic, but she couldn't really grasp it. It was confusing, not describable, but in its strangeness somehow related to Sam.

Sam dismounted her horse and walked towards the woman. When she stood in front of her, the woman brought her stick between the two of them, bringing the crystal in the height of Sam's eyes. Sam saw something like dark clouds moving under the surface. She shivered lightly.

"I see the past, I see the present, I see the future. I have the gift of the second sight, like your family, little Oakswood. And more. I can see that the course of time has been changed, by powers greater than ours. You will fight the battle of light and darkness once again. The time isn't how it should have been. You were destined to live in peace, and you were destined to change your world. But someone decided different."

The crystal started to glow colourfully, and Sam felt more and more drawn into the whirling sensations, loosing herself in the debts of the magical tool.

"Your task is still the same, only the circumstances have changed. You will find yourself on a turning point of time. Soon. And it will be you and only you who will decide the fate of your people. The fate of your people, and all the others. Will you be a slave like your ancestors, or will you brake free, living like you were meant to be?"

Lee watched Sam's body stiffen. Suddenly the horses began to move unruly, and Lee felt herself growing uncomfortable as well. 'This is the oldest magic I've ever seen.' She blinked at that thought. 'But … how do I know?' Suddenly she noticed the people surrounding them, watching the scene in front of them intently. Lee turned back to watch what happened, not knowing if she should interfere.

The old hag continued talking in riddles. "Yes, I see, she's the right one. I was right. She's his other half. We still have a chance. We only have to bring them together in time."

Suddenly Lee heard Sam scream out. "NO! Don't leave me!" She watched the older girl breaking down on her knees, pressing her hands in her palms as if in great pain, eyes squeezed shut tightly. "Don't leave me, don't, don't leave me." Sam chanted quietly, rocking herself back and fort, the old hag towering above watching her with pity and compassion.

"Yes, it will be her."

~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#

OK, I made this chapter shorter as I originally thought. But it would take even longer and I thought you would prefer it this way. I hope you like it. But I have to say I didn't plan it this way. One of my problems with this chapter was that I was unsure how to create the first contact between Sam and her people in the village. And after a whole month of pondering and brooding over the plot and my possibilities I've finally gotten a new idea,

I really don't know how long it will take me to update the next chapter. I feel kinda burned out from school and so on. Hardly any creativity left. I promise I'll do my best, but school is more important at the moment, can't help it. My mom promised me that I could travel to London after passing my A-Level. Isn't it great? I'm so looking forward to it. I love travelling.

For anybody who is interested:

I told you about the ball our class had to arrange. Well, if you want to see pictures of it, go to www.asgball.info. As soon as you arrive, click on the enter to (surprise, surprise!) enter the site.

Then if you click at B03 (left side the picture with the blonde comic figure) you can see my classmates and me in all our beauty. *cough* (beauty, riiiight.) But first you have to click on the first line under Momentaufnahmen [snapshots], left column, which says   //bilder vor/ während/ nach dem Ball  [pictures before/ during/ after the ball]

There are several pages with photos. Second page, first line, the last picture with the three blondes … guess who is me? (The one in the middle. ^_^) Don't blame me for the strange design (of the page, not me), I have some classmates who are responsible for it.

If anybody is wondering about the huge amount of alcohol, in Germany we are allowed to drink what we want at the age of 18, and beer at the age of 16. The ball was allowed to people who are 16 and older. But to be serious, nobody really cares if a 16 year old is drinking something harder than beer, and sometimes younger kid were able to sneak in, although we tried to avoid it.

PAR (Paris 2002) (under Momentaufnahmen Fotos by Rausch, Fotos by Mike Green) and BER (Berlin 2001) (again under Momentaufnahmen -- Gallerie #1) were school-trips our class has made over the past years, and the photos are of a lot of drunk people. Don't look at them! Believe me! If you don't want to see drunk people AFTER consuming alcohol ….. not very pleasant sight ….. not suitable for children ….. not even suitable for me ….. just don't look at it. I'm serious. (I'M NOT ONE OF THESE PEOPLE. I haven't been in Paris with our class, and I didn't join those people during the trip in Berlin. There are some normal people in our class. I was with them.)

We were in Berlin during the time of the Loveparade, maybe you've heard from it. You can see some pictures of it, but be prepared, some of my classmates are showing their naked backsides in between. I warned you.

There are a few pictures of Paris mixed with those of my drunken classmates. You wanna see? How strong is your stomack?

My school: www.asg-passau.de. One of my math teachers created this. Blame him. By the way, on the left side Unsere Lehrer [our teachers] The rest isn't very interesting I guess.

Wanna see the town I live in? www.passau.de

On the right side: click on Webcam am Rathausplatz (little picture under the Japanese flag) you can see the place before our town hall, LIVE, with other words: BORING. Hmm ….. back at the main page, click Virtueller Rundgang durch Passau (second on the blue list, counted from down). There you can chose English as the language. Not very long, but hey, they at least tried.

Hmmm, pictures of the spring flood 2002 are on www.passau.de/aktuelles/hochwasser/fotos

The flood in August, the one I once mentioned on www.hochwasser-passau.de [the first picture is from 1899, you have to click on Seite1, Seite2 and so on, on the left side. Pictures during and before and after the flood. You can see a lot of Passau that way.]

Did I ever mention that we have a flood every spring and every autumn? Well, not THAT hight, but some houses are continually flooded. Well, with three rivers flowing through the town, what can you expect?

OK, if really anybody wants to know more about my city, I could be persuaded to write about its history and stuff like that, but if you are not interested in it, I won't bore anybody about it.

So if you have time and patience, I've tried to describe it as detailed as possible, concerning that hardly anybody of you speaks German. Anymore questions? Just ask, mail, and review.