《Becoming a Goddess: The Dragon God's Wife Book 1》


 Chapter 1

    Gods and monsters, and everything in between. And in the middle of that mess stood a handsome immortal. He opened his arms to me and his smile warmed my heart. A whispered word floated from his elegant lips.


    ¡°Anna.¡±


    I blushed. He was calling my name.


    ¡°Anna? Anna!¡±


    My head snapped backward and my imagination-clouded eyes cleared. The dingy room came back into focus and I found myself seated in my office chair. My desk and I were stuffed into a small dreary cubicle of grays and off-whites. The only benefit was the location. I was too far from the boss¡¯ prying eyes to catch his attention.


    However, I did have the attention of one very irritated coworker. She sported a long brown ponytail and a very deep frown on her face. ¡°Snap out of it, Anna!¡± she hissed at me. ¡°Even the boss makes the rounds now and then, and you know how the squealer is.¡±


    I sighed. I knew only too well as I partially turned my chair to look at the generic company calendar that was pinned to the gray wall. ¡°I know. That seminar on worker responsibilities is tomorrow.¡±


    My coworker put her elbows on my desk and lay her hands in her cupped palms. She studied the calendar and wrinkled her nose. ¡°That¡¯s just not fair. They shouldn¡¯t be able to make you work on a Saturday.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s either that or I have to take it after work and that won¡¯t fit into my schedule,¡± I pointed out. ¡°Besides, they are paying me for it.¡±


    ¡°Well, how about you have fun tonight to make up for tomorrow?¡± she suggested as she tugged on my sleeve. ¡°We could go to that new club and meet some cute guys.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m busy.¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Come on, just skip it this once, okay? I mean, you go there every Friday. Couldn¡¯t they give you one night off?¡±


    I smiled at her and shook my head. ¡°I couldn¡¯t do that to them, especially after I promised I¡¯d be there today.¡±


    She sighed and dropped her hand. ¡°It¡¯s really that important that you cook and clean for them?¡±


    I shrugged. ¡°It makes me feel like I¡¯m giving back. I was raised there, after all.¡±


    My friend set a hand on my shoulder and looked me in the eyes. ¡°One day you¡¯re going to make some guy very happy.¡±


    I laughed and shook my head. ¡°Probably not anytime soon unless an unmarried man comes to adopt someone.¡±


    ¡°Fat chance of that,¡± my coworker mused as she straightened. She still gripped my shoulder and some of her humor faded. ¡°Alright, I give you permission to abandon me to the wilds of stag dating, but you have to promise me you won¡¯t go through that creepy place.¡±


    I cocked my head to one side to look at her. ¡°It¡¯s not creepy. It¡¯s just an empty lot.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but there¡¯s something creepy about a lot that¡¯s never had anything on it,¡± she countered. She wrapped her arms around herself and shivered. ¡°The rest of that area has buildings except that. It¡¯s just not right.¡±


    ¡°What are you doing over there?¡± a voice shouted.


    My friend¡¯s face turned white. ¡°Gotta go. And remember your promise!¡± She scooted away to the wilds of the cubicle jungle.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a lot. . .¡± I murmured as I returned to my work. A long strand of hair tickled my nose and I brushed it out of my face. ¡°Gotta get it cut. . .¡± I muttered as I studied my reflection on the screen of my computer.


    A young woman with neck-length mousy brown hair stared back at me with equally mousy brown eyes. My face with thin but not narrow and the rest of me was built pretty much the same. And I was short. Frustratingly short. I was five foot three at best, and those were on my good days. I slouched on my bad days.


    ¡°Not exactly marriage material. . .¡± I murmured.


    ¡°Why are you talking, Miss Roberts?¡± The sharp voice startled me and I whipped my head up. The sharp face of my supervisor glared at me from the opening of my cubicle. ¡°Do you have that report done that I asked you for yesterday?¡±


    I managed a tense smile. ¡°Not yet. I¡¯m just working on it.¡±


    She scoffed. ¡°That isn¡¯t what I saw. If you know what¡¯s good for you you¡¯ll focus on your work and leave the fraternizing for the weekends.¡±


    I had to bite my tongue to keep myself from spitting out what I truly wanted to say. ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡±


    ¡°See that you do,¡± she snapped as she lifted her nose and looked down her beak at me. ¡°And I expect it on my desk before you leave.¡±


    I didn¡¯t look up from my computer screen. ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll definitely have it done before I leave.¡±


    She strolled off to harass one of my coworkers. I settled my fingers atop the keys and sighed. ¡°Where¡¯s that Prince Charming when I need him?¡±


    I shook off those thoughts. No sense in wishing for a dream to come true. I had to make things happen. That¡¯s how the world worked.


    I got back to work but my daydreaming meant I was late getting in the report. By the time I stepped out night had begun to fall. The shadows stretched long and deep over everything as I wrapped my scarf tightly around my neck and began my journey through the concrete wilderness. The streets were busy with traffic and pedestrians as everyone tried their best to beat everyone home or to the bars.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.I turned off the well-worn paths and into the back residential areas. These had seen better days, what with their crumbling facades of brick and mortar. Only the imperiousness of their four floors gave a hint of their lost grandeur. Many of the windows were broken and replaced by the ever-economical plywood while others were completely neglected, allowing vagrants the opportunity for a nice free rest.


    My steps took me past a rusted chainlink fence, and through the diamond designs, I glimpsed the empty lot of my friend¡¯s warning. I slowed to a stop and stared at the abandoned property, forgotten by everyone, even the litterbugs. There were no cots or blankets strewn about the place, and what trash tried to get inside was blocked by the tall fence. A loose spot in the far corner of the fence ahead of where I stood tempted me. That was my usual entrance inside when I dared take the shortcut. It saved me two whole blocks of walking.


    My friend¡¯s pleading words echoed in my head. I sighed and continued onward past the loose links. In my distraction, I didn¡¯t see the faint white light that emanated from beneath the ground.


    My footsteps took me down that long block and to my destination. The journey¡¯s end was a square building some three floors high and a hundred feet wide. A tall stoop denoted its origins as coming from the late nineteenth century when the fog of industry blanketed much of the city. The windows were old but clean and the bricks chipped but washed. Even the stoop had been swept of leaves and picked clean of trash. A single word had been built into the bricks above the door: Orphanage.


    Many of the lights were on as I walked up those worn steps. I paused at the top and half-turned to look at the street. All was quiet and empty. Nobody would be coming today.


    The front door burst open and a half dozen small bodies threw themselves at me. I didn¡¯t stand a chance as they latched onto me, tugging my person in every direction. They were children and ranged in age from three to six. Their faces were clean but their hand-me-down clothes were patched in several places.


    ¡°You¡¯re here! You¡¯re here!¡± several of them crowed.


    ¡°What took you so long, Anna?¡± another scolded me.


    I laughed and grasped two of the hands that so lovingly held me. ¡°I¡¯m not that late.¡±


    ¡°Miss Wynn has been looking out the window for you to come for a really, really, really long time!¡± another chimed in.


    ¡°Not too long,¡± a kindly voice spoke up and a woman just shy of fifty stepped out onto the stoop. She wore a plain blouse and faded jeans, and her graying hair was tucked into a tight bun behind her head. ¡°Now all of you inside and don¡¯t drag poor Anna with you.¡±


    ¡°We were only trying to help her inside,¡± one of the children moped as she shuffled past Miss Wynn.


    Miss Wynn laughed and patted her on the head. ¡°I¡¯m sure she can handle the door herself but she¡¯d be glad to have you greet her any time.¡± The girl¡¯s face brightened and she nodded before disappearing inside. Miss Wynn turned her attention to me and clasped her hands in front of her. ¡°Thank you for coming. They do really appreciate it.¡±


    I grinned as she led me inside. ¡°It¡¯s no problem and I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll show their appreciation when they eat all my brownies before bedtime.¡±


    ¡°Brownies!¡± The cry came from every nook and cranny of the small foyer. Children rushed out of the woodwork, sprinting out of the wings and down the stairs.


    ¡°Easy! No running or you won¡¯t get any brownies!¡± Miss Wynn warned them.


    ¡°You know what to do, troops!¡± I shouted. The kids scuttled into a line in front of me and gave me crooked but sincere salutes. I walked up and down the line inspecting them. ¡°Dirty hands, dirty face, clean, clean-¡± I stopped in front of a short boy of five who bowed his head and crossed my arms over my chest. ¡°Jasper, what are you hiding?¡±


    Jasper lifted his face and revealed a large cut on his cheek. ¡°The cat got me.¡±


    I knelt on one knee so we were at eye level. ¡°Did you pull the cat¡¯s tail again?¡± He bobbed his head. ¡°You know he doesn¡¯t like that.¡±


    ¡°But I was just trying to catch him to brush him,¡± he whimpered.


    I set a hand on his head and ruffled his hair. ¡°The cat doesn¡¯t understand that. That¡¯s why you have to be gentle. Now how about some brownies?¡±


    ¡°Yeah!¡± the kids shouted.


    ¡°After you all clean up,¡± I added as I stood. Those with dirty digits and faces scurried off to obey.


    Miss Wynn smiled at me. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you to it then. Good luck.¡±


    I laughed. ¡°I¡¯ll need as much as I can get.¡±

 Chapter 2

    ¡°When will it be done?¡±


    ¡°I want the spoon!¡±


    ¡°I want the spoon!  You can have the bowl!¡±


    ¡°Nobody gets the spoon or the bowl,¡± I reminded my little helper as I oversaw the brownie preparations.


    The old kitchen of the orphanage was worn but clean, or at least it was before I started my cooking class.  Now the place was covered in sugar and cocoa powder.  The smell, however, hinted that our efforts were not in vain.


    One of the kids stood in front of the oven with his back bent and his face nearly plastered against the glass.  ¡°Are they done yet?¡±


    I clapped my hands on his shoulder.  ¡°Your nose will be done before them, now scoot over to the table.  We¡¯ll try them there.¡±


    The kids didn¡¯t need a second invitation but hurried over and climbed into their chairs.  They craned their necks as I opened the oven door and drew out the large pan of chocolate goodies.  Steam rose from the batter and the scent wrapped around me.  I cut the goodies into even squares and set them on paper towels which I divied out to the eager children.  They dove into them like starving wolves and soon not a single crumb remained on their makeshift plates.


    Miss Wynn came in with another half dozen kids of various ages in tow.  She stopped at the table and sniffed the air.  ¡°If the smell tells me anything it¡¯s that you¡¯ve outdone yourself this time.¡±


    I grinned down at the kids and ruffled the head of one of them.  ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to my little helpers here.¡±


    A little girl of six tugged on Miss Wynn¡¯s hem.  ¡°What about mine?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s still plenty left,¡± I promised her as I returned to the pan.


    Soon all the kids were at the long table munching away or happily licking the remains from their lips.  Miss Wynn stood beside me watching them with a soft smile.  She leaned toward me and lowered her voice to a whisper.  ¡°Thank you.¡±


    I shook my head.  ¡°It¡¯s my pleasure.  Really.¡±


    ¡°And theirs,¡± she added as she looked down at the kids.  Half of them were still licking the crumbs off their plates.  The other half were fighting over the cake pan.


    ¡°Lemme have it!¡±


    ¡°You had it last time!¡±


    Miss Wynn clapped her hands.  ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡±  Her tone was gentle but there was an underlying warning.  The children dropped the cake pan so fast it clattered to the table.  ¡°It¡¯s time to get ready for bed and that means baths and brushing.¡±


    The children slunk off their chairs and shuffled out the door.  I smiled and shook my head at their forlorn backs as they disappeared into the foyer and up the stairs.


    Miss Wynn¡¯s gentle hand settled on my shoulder and I turned to find her staring curiously at me.  ¡°You could go now.  They wouldn¡¯t mind.¡±


    I shook my head.  ¡°It¡¯s okay.  I promised I¡¯d tuck Sarah into bed tonight.¡±


    She sighed.  ¡°I know this sounds rather silly of me to say this, but you really do need to get out and see people your own age.  There¡¯s more to life than living in the past.¡±


    I wrapped my arms around myself and dropped my contemplative gaze to the floor.  ¡°I know, it¡¯s just. . .¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t think Mr. Right is waiting for you?¡± she guessed.


    I laughed and shook my head.  ¡°It¡¯s not that.  It¡¯s just, well, I feel like I¡¯m waiting for something.¡±  I grinned up at her.  ¡°I know that sounds stupid and it goes against what you taught me about making what I want happen, but that¡¯s just how I feel about this.¡±


    She patted my shoulder.  ¡°Well, if you should ever find what you¡¯re waiting for then you bring him here.¡±


    I rolled my eyes.  ¡°It might not be a guy I¡¯m waiting for.¡±


    Her eyes twinkled and she slid her hand off my shoulder.  ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡±  A crash and a scream came from upstairs.


    ¡°Miss Wynn!¡± a girl shouted.  ¡°Benny stole my shampoo!¡±


    The mistress of the orphanage laughed.  ¡°Never a dull moment.¡±


    Together we went upstairs to break up the fights and tuck many a bedcloth around a squirming child.  I was seated on the edge of Sarah¡¯s bed when the troublesome Benny scurried into the room with something clasped in his small hands.


    ¡°Look what Miss Wynn did with the sketch you made for me!¡± he told me as he thrust his prized possession in my face.


    The surprise was a picture frame and tucked into the frame was a sketch of the young boy.  I admired the simple but clean frame and nodded.  ¡°It¡¯s very good.¡±


    ¡°Benny!¡± Miss Wynn called.  ¡°Time to tuck you in!¡±


    ¡°Coming!¡± Benny shouted before he raced out of the room.


    Sarah stared up at me with those beautiful blue eyes of hers.  ¡°Can you draw me next?¡±


    I cupped her cheek in one hand and smiled down at her.  ¡°Not tonight.  Maybe next week, okay?¡±


    She nodded and snuggled deep into the covers, but a strange expression marred the sweetness in her eyes.  ¡°Anna?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sweety?¡± I returned as I tucked her into bed.


    ¡°Will I still get a second name even if I¡¯m not adopted?¡±


    I pulled the covers to just below her chin.  ¡°Of course you¡¯ll get a last name.  Everyone gets a name when they leave here, even if you¡¯re not adopted.¡±


    ¡°Do I get to pick my name?¡± she asked me.


    ¡°Well, you can, but the kids who leave here usually just take the name of the street,¡± I told her as I patted the sheets.  ¡°But don¡¯t you worry.  You¡¯ll definitely get adopted.  Now get some sleep.¡±


    She nodded and closed her eyes.  I stood and shut off the lamp by the bed before slipping out into the hall.  All was quiet and calm from the other dozen or so rooms.  Miss Wynn stepped out of Benny¡¯s room across the hall and sighed.  ¡°That Benny is so excitable.¡±  She paused and looked me over.  ¡°He reminds me of a certain little tomboy that used to hang around here.¡±


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.I grinned as we strolled downstairs together.  ¡°You¡¯ll have to tell me about her someday.¡±


    Her eyes twinkled as we reached the foyer and I took up my coat and scarf.  ¡°Oh, definitely.  I have many, many stories about her.¡±


    I laughed.  ¡°I hope they¡¯re not too incriminating.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps,¡± she teased as she opened the door for me.  I stepped up to the threshold and she clasped my shoulder in one hand.  ¡°Be safe out there and have a good weekend.¡±


    ¡°You, too,¡± I returned as I zipped up my coat and ventured out into the chilly night.


    All was quiet and dark as I trudged down the steps and along the sidewalk to the corner of the block.  A tall street sign stood as a guide for lost travelers.  I paused and looked up at the sign.  Bold black letters spelled out the name of the street I had called home for many years.  Roberts Street.


    A soft but sad smile crept onto my lips before I stepped off the curb and made my way home.  However, the night still had an adventure left for me.


    I had gone a block when a car drove by close to the curb.  The sewers were as ill-kept as the buildings and the passenger tires crashed into a large puddle close beside where I walked.  The water flew up and soaked me to the bone.  I heard laughter from inside the car as the occupants drove away.


    I stood dripping wet on the sidewalk glaring at the rear taillights.  It didn¡¯t take long for my nose to detect the putrid odor of the water as it sank into my clothes.  I dropped my arms to my sides and sighed.


    ¡°Just great. . .¡± I muttered to myself as I trudged down the road.  ¡°Six blocks of this.¡±


    However, there was one option and I soon arrived at an impasse.  The crossroads led northward the long way to my home, but heading forward to the empty lot would cut off those two blocks.  The stench of my clothes decided for me and I hurried forward.  There was a loose spot in the fence on this end, courtesy of my past experiences and many a local kid.


    I ducked through the fence and into the empty lot.  The place had always been a little creepy, being empty for as long as anyone could remember, but now eerie silence seemed to wrap around me.  I almost tiptoed across the bare ground and my eyes flickered over the area as if I expected some wild animal to leap out of the shadows.


    What I didn¡¯t expect was for the ground to cave in.


    I stepped into the center of the lot and a cracking sound echoed beneath me.  My heart pounded in my chest as I looked down.  Huge cracks shot out from beneath my foot and raced in every direction.  I had only enough time for my body to tense before the ground gave way completely.


    Terror tore a scream from me as I tumbled into the darkness.  I landed hard on solid ground and the air was knocked from my lungs.  Dust shot up from beneath me and covered me like a dry blanket.  The two combined sent me into a coughing fit that didn¡¯t clear until the air did.


    That¡¯s when I saw the tree.


    I froze mid-cough and lifted my gaze to the grotto in which I found myself.  The hole was some twenty feet below street level and twice that in width.  Modernity had passed by the plant as pipes and electrical conduits slithered through the dirt walls on either side of the hollow space.  Standing in the center of the grotto was a short tree but the branches stretched out to the very edges of the hollow, creating an umbrella with its thin and fragile limbs.  The branches were covered by purple leaves that looked almost like petals, so bright and soft were they.  They even seemed to give off a gentle light that cast the whole area in its gentle glow.


    I climbed to my feet and gaped up at the tree.  I¡¯d never seen anything like it except in fairytales and legends.


    Something shimmered on one of its branches.  I squinted my eyes and beheld a small bright purple fruit in the shape of a pear.  It clung to the branch by its silver stem and the smooth surface shimmered in the strange light of the tree.


    I found myself unable to pull my eyes away from the mysterious fruit.  Before I knew what I was doing, my feet moved forward, propelling me across the empty ground and up to the tree.  I stretched out my arm and my hand wrapped around the fruit.  A strange but soothing warmth emanated from the pear as I wiggled it.  The fruit gave so easily that I stumbled back, cradling my treasure in both hands.  I opened my cupped palms and watched in wonder as the fruit pulsed with light.


    The glow brushed aside all the alarms going off in my head.  I raised the fruit to my lips and took a small bite.  It didn¡¯t taste anything like a pear, or any other fruit I¡¯d ever had.  The outside was soft and sweet but the center was bitter and hard.  Still, I couldn¡¯t help myself.  I closed my eyes and swallowed.


    A strange warmth tickled my toes.  I glanced down and my eyes widened.  The soft glow of the pear now emanated from my feet and was climbing up my leg.


    I screamed and dropped the fruit as I danced around trying to throw off the light.  The glow kept up its steady advance and reached my heart.  A sharp pressure struck me and the world began to spin.  The light covered my eyes and blurred my vision, adding to the chaos as I began to feel light-headed.


    I crumpled to the ground and fell on my side.  The last thing I saw was the tree as its light faded and darkness took us both.

 Chapter 3

    My head felt like I¡¯d taken one too many shots of the bottom-shelf rum.  I shifted and it felt as though sharp needles pricked every part of me.  A whimper escaped me and I curled into myself to escape the discomfort.


    A soft breeze kissed my cheeks and soothed my aching body.  I risked opening my eyes and found myself staring at a brilliant blue sky.  A few wispy clouds floated past the bright sun.


    How long was I out? I wondered as I eased myself onto my arms.


    A thick strand of silver cobweb draped itself over my face.  The soft touches tickled my nose.  I frowned and brushed it away but the cobweb returned and brought friends.  Every time I moved more of them appeared until I realized the ¡®webs¡¯ were really strands of silky smooth hair.  I cupped a generous handful in my palm and blinked at the unfamiliar fibers.  They glistened in the sun like a freshly made web touched with dew.  I gave them a pull and winced as pain shot through the top of my head.


    ¡°What are you doing in my gardens?¡±


    The deep, even tone came from my right.  I whipped my head about and found myself staring at the most beautiful man I¡¯d ever seen.  He stood over me and his height was a few inches above six feet.  He wore an elegant Asian-style robe with many silver silken layers that glistened in the bright sun overhead.  The edges showed off a brilliant scarlet cloth of such fine silk that it shimmered like water.  His hair was as bright as his ¡®coat¡¯ and the silky strands reached down to his butt.  He had alabaster skin and a set of perfect black eyebrows, one of which was raised as he studied me with his dark eyes.


    He also had the most indifferent expression I had ever seen.


    My mouth flopped open a couple of times and I was even more dumbstruck when I noticed my surroundings.  I lay on a wide terrace that overlooked a set of small stairs and a small square pool was at the end of the platform.  The stairs finished at a wide and very white stone path that came to a crossroads some twenty feet away.  The path parted in three different directions and each of those led to an arch flanked by high walls of bright stone.  Everything was a brilliantly clean white color.  Not a speck of dirt was out of place nor was a smidgen of dust to be found.


    My heart pounded in my chest as I sat up.  The long strands of unfamiliar hair slid over my breasts and pooled in my lap.


    My naked lap.


    I looked down at myself and my mouth fell open.  My clothes were nowhere to be found.  A rising steam of terror and embarrassment boiled up within me.  I screamed and tried to cover myself with the thin strands of hair.  They performed about as well as a silken curtain but I couldn¡¯t hide all my assets.


    A robe fell over my shoulders and I eagerly wrapped it around myself.  A quick tie across my front and some of my modesty was returned to me.


    My scream must have been impressive because two guards with spears hurried through one of the arches.  They both wore helmets with face guards and sported padded chest and waist armor along with shin guards.  The pair stopped at the foot of the stairs and their confused eyes fell on me.


    ¡°We heard a noise, sir!¡± one of them reported to the man who stood over me.


    The man turned to them and used a smooth gesture of his arm to indicate me.  ¡°This woman screamed.¡±


    One of the guards squinted at me.  ¡°Who is she, sir?¡±


    ¡°I do not know.¡±


    The guard¡¯s eyebrows crashed down and he tightened his grip on his spear.  ¡°Then she is an intruder, sir?  If she is, we must take her with us.¡±


    The handsome man didn¡¯t get a chance to reply before a tall, thin man with a sharp face sauntered into the gardens.  He wore a flashy set of purple-colored robes of various hues.  There wasn¡¯t a speck of white to ease the eyes as he scurried over to us with curiosity in his eyes and a condescending smile on his lips.


    ¡°My dear Emperor Eastwei!¡± he cooed as he reached the guards.  ¡°I heard a commotion as I was passing by and just-my goodness!¡±  His attention had fallen on me and his mouth fell open.  ¡°Who is this young woman, My Lord?  I have never seen her before.  Is she an intruder?¡±  He didn¡¯t wait for a reply but puffed out his weak chest.  ¡°Well, if she is I will take her forthwith to His Majesty for judgment!  Guards!  Seize this woman!¡±


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.I couldn¡¯t understand what he was talking about but the tone was far from friendly.  The guards marched up the steps and each of them grabbed one of my arms.


    ¡°Let go!¡± I pleaded as I was dragged to my feet and hauled down the path by the pair.  ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything wrong!  I don¡¯t know how I got here!  I don¡¯t even know where here is!¡±


    The man sneered at me.  ¡°How can anyone mistake the heavenly realm for anywhere else?  Whatever reason you have for invading the emperor¡¯s palace, you will be justly punished!  Take her away!¡±


    The guards were far too strong and I could only stumble along in their unbreakable grasp.  The skinny man followed behind us with his chin held high and a supreme expression of satisfaction on his face.  I was half-dragged through the completely unfamiliar place.  It seemed to have many buildings and paths, all made from the same pristine white stone and dotted with gardens and gazebos.  The place was a veritable maze of narrow paths and wide sidewalks, however, and I soon became lost.


    My ¡®guides¡¯ knew where they were going and led me onto a very wide boulevard.  The street itself was lower than either side where a few wide walks followed the main path.  Gardens abutted the rear of the walks where the trees shaded the sides.  Behind those were thirty-foot walls of the white stone, and beyond those I glimpsed the roofs of many buildings.  Wherever I was, it was a massive place.


    A few people chatted on the wayside walking path.  They, too, were dressed in immaculate robes and all wore their hair long, even the men.  None of them featured the same brilliant red as the man I had met.


    They ceased their conversation as I was paraded past them.  ¡°What news, Pampir?¡± one of them spoke up.


    The pompous leader of my incarceration lifted his chin a little higher.  ¡°I have caught an intruder.¡±


    A gasp rose from the group and one of the women shook her head.  ¡°Surely not!¡±


    He swept an arm toward me.  ¡°As you see.  I am taking her to His Majesty to question her about her intentions and seek a harsh punishment.¡±


    Some of the group tagged along while others hurried away, no doubt to spread the false narrative set up by my scrawny accuser.  Nearly naked and confused as I was, my indignation arose at the thought of being introduced to these strangers as nothing more than some intruder intent on some horrible deed.


    More people assembled on the side paths, no doubt lured by the lurid tales of their companions.  They gawked and pointed at me, and I shrank under their attentions.  Pampir puffed out his chest and strode to the front of our little party.  He sauntered so leisurely that the guards holding me were forced to slow their own pace lest they crash into the puffed-up peacock.


    The chatter among the dozens of people was like the buzzing of bees.  Pampir walked through the noise like the queen enjoying the fruits of his fame.


    I glanced ahead at where he led me and saw that the avenue led to a large palace.  Dozens of wide steps led up to a large portico that covered a pair of closed doors.  I was marched up the stairs with the crowd eagerly following on our heels.  Another pair of guards stood watch on either side of the entrance and at our coming they stepped into Pampir¡¯s path.


    ¡°What business do you have here?¡± a guard questioned my captor.


    Pampir stretched to his full height which was barely above my own.  ¡°I bring important news to His Majesty and need an audience with him.¡±


    ¡°His Majesty is in council at the moment,¡± one of them replied.


    Pampir frowned.  ¡°But I have brought with me an intruder into the sanctity of His kingdom!  She must be judged before him!¡±


    One of the doors opened and a man stepped out.  He was nearly six feet tall with flowing silver robes and a warm smile on his ovular face.  His long black hair draped down to mid-chest and one of his perfectly-kept fingers sported a ring of intertwining gold and silver coils.  His eyes were dark and playful, but they showed a spark of intelligence in their depths that showed he wasn¡¯t all games.


    He stepped aside and swept his arm toward the interior.  ¡°You may allow them to enter.¡±