1 Prologue
Constance Powers walked across the green field to the columned edifice that rose before her. There was a small group of people gathered around a young man and woman. They were garbed as in ancient times and the couple wore white robes with old trim. As she came closer she realized that she was looking at.. herself. A ceremony of sorts was going on, at one point she and the young man held out their right hands and their palms were cut so as to bleed. Then they were bound together with linen.
The air shimmered as she tossed in her sleep and another picture formed before her eyes. She and the man were together once more, but they were older and were having a celebration of some kind.
Then a sharp wind blew and the air shimmered once more. This time she felt a cold chill of foreboding. She was once again with the young man only now it was in times of knights of the realm. His appearance was that of a great knight and she, by all appearances, a tavern wench. He was begging her to go with him and she refused saying that she had to protect her home, indicating the tavern. He kissed her quickly, mounted his massive warhorse and rode out admonishing her to "Take care!"
The next moment saw her witnessing the attack upon her tavern. She fought like a man with sword & spear, but in the end, she was bested and the enemy had her ready to run her through with his broadsword, after which as usually happened, he would have her. These marauders did not care if the women were living or dead. The young man rode in time too see her in the grasp of this barbarian. He charged down on them and took the man's head with one swipe of his sword! As the horse came to a halt he slid out of the saddle and dropped on his knees at her side. He held her in his arms and begged her to stay with him. "I love you," he sobbed, " do not leave me. I am so sorry that I left you alone!" She looked at him, through him, and said, "We will see each other again. It is our destiny." With a fading breath, she whispered, "Hold my love … until then." Moments later, she died in his arms.
- ¥ -
Connie woke with a start … her heart was pounding and she was drenched in a cold sweat. The dream again…it was coming more often now and each time it ended the same…
There would be no more sleep for her this night. She did not wish to relive this dream again.