City of IF

[dinranwen]

Come on people...give me more than just one vote!

I'll run this for a few more days before I close the poll.

*mutters* And I was really looking forward to that one option too...

[dinranwen]

Figures y'all would make me use the one option I didn't really want to use! Lol!

Poll's closed and a new chapter will be out soon...when I don't know, but soon.

[Liana]

Sorry Din! We still love you! *hugs din* besides it's the most interesting and funny choice. You should have some fun with it.

[dinranwen]

Chapter 4: The Truth, the Troll Truth, and Nothing but the Truth

As the door opened, Maddie found herself looking up very hopefully. “Are you here for the position of sectary?”

“Yes, mam,” Came the sickly sweet voice of the visitor. The applicant was wearing a hooded cloak with the hood pulled far beyond their face.

“The coat hook is next to the door, you may hang your cloak on it if you like,” Maddie said standing momentarily as she gestured toward the cloak hook.

“I’d rather not. I am rather cold.” The visitor said in a tune that almost made Maddie shiver.

“What’s your name?”

“Al`zbeta Malcquist.”

“I see,” Maddie said writing down the name.

“As part of your duties here you will be taking care of filling, making calls to clients, processing court orders, helping me with my field work, and scheduling our appointments. Do you have experience in any of these areas?”

“Yes, I have a very large family,” the stranger said their Scandivian accent coming slowly apparent. “In my homeland, as was responsible for the care of our younglings. Organizing our borrow chores. Cleaning, cooking, and general making sense of the chaos were also my duties. Working for you would be a piece of cake compared to that.”

“Have you ever been employed before?”

“No,” the accent was all too prevalent now in the stranger’s voice as well as the anger in her tone. “No one would give me chance.”

“Do you know why?”

“Prejudice. Pure prejudice. No one likes the old country. No one respects the old ways anymore.” Sighing the visitor tugged pulled down the hood of their cloak. “But most of all prejudice against me and my kind.”

The stranger was a woman as Maddie had expected from the visitors voice. Al`zbeta wasn’t really all that terrible to look actually, except of course for a very large broken round nose that seemed to have moles on its moles. Al`zbeta’s a pretty face despite her nose, and two intelligent green eyes gazed at Maddie almost sorrowfully as Maddie looked at her guest in shock. Her applicant’s hair as well was a little unusual. The girl’s red hair had been forcefully shoved into a ponytail where it puffed out behind her hair like a giant ball of yarn. One strand of her hair however seemed to have refused confinement as it daggled to the left side of Al`zbeta’s face. This strand was horribly matted, tangled, and knotted in a way that would have made any ordinary bad hair seem like a relief in contrast to having to sort out that tangle of a strand.

“You’re a troll!” Maddie said declaring the obvious.

Al`zbeta smiled as she tapped the side of her gigantic nostril, “It’s the nose. An unfortunate family resemblance that I’m afraid comes of being half southern troll and half northern troll. It must come as quiet a shock to you to see a troll in your office. Especially since female trolls have been outlawed from exiting the land of fairy since 1924 when a mischievous fairy tale troll mistakenly stole an actual human child from the land of real instead of the fairy tale version in the cradle next to it. But before you report me hear me out, surely one such as yourself who stands for justice to all Fairy Tales would be willing to do that.”

At a lack for words, Maddie simply nodded gesturing for the troll to continue.

Nodding her thanks, Al`zbeta continued. “First of all, I’m not here illegally. It is a little known fact that after one of our kinds performed an act of bravery of saving a human boy from giants invading his home, there was a council called to debate the rights of the Lesser Kinds. That’s what they call us, the lesser kinds,” Al`zbeta snorted in disgust and Maddie frowned her agreement, “Anyway, it was deemed that Trolls, giants, ogres, and other beings normally betrayed as villains would be given a chance to prove they were good. 15 hours of charitable deeds are required to certify goodness, and these certificates are awarded on an individual biases. Those who receive the certificate can gain a pass into your lands, and I worked very hard for mine I’m afraid.”

“I’m now allowed free reign over here, but I’m afraid without work I cannot stay for long. No would hire me however as southern female trolls are known to be conniving, and by our mere appearance we attract men as servants even unwilling. Why even I attract ten male suitors who fought over who could clean a shoe that I had gotten muddy when I walked down the street the other day! Ridiculous, really, but we can’t change our natures no matter how hard we try, and believe me I’ve tried. This is why I came to you. All I want is a chance. Just a chance to prove that all trolls aren’t evil terrible nasty brutes who wouldn’t know a rock from a bird. So what do you say, will you give me a chance?”

Maddie smiled as she extended her hand to the troll, “You’re hired!”

“That’s all right, I understand,” Al`zbeta said making as to leave before her head suddenly snapped up as she realized what Maddie said, “What! I’m hired!”

“Yes,” Maddie laughed, “After all why not. So far you’re the only one to apply within even some experience to vouch for you and you seem just the person who would appreciate the importance of my work. Of course there are some things will have to see too, like getting you a working visa and seeing if we can come up with some solution for that natural attraction that female trolls have as most of my clients are male. But still, I’m willing to take the chance if you are.”

“Thank you. Oh thank you miss!” Al`zbeta said shaking Maddie’s hands furiously as her knotted tail snuck out from it’s hiding spot to wave like a cat’s tail behind her. “You won’t regret it, you won’t!”

“I’m sure, I won’t,” Maddie chuckling a little at the troll’s enthusiasm. “Why I don’t show the ropes so that you can get started first thing in the morning?”

“Why yes, what a great….” Al`zbeta’s enthusiastic voice dropped off mid-sentence as the troll’s eyes took on a concerned look. “I have to be honest without you Ms. Broomstick, there was another reason I came here.”

“Call me Maddie.” Maddie assured the troll as she turned to look the troll in her eyes.

“There has been trouble in our local troll community in the southern scandavian district of Fairy Land. I’m afraid it’s a little too delicate of a situation to be explained here, but we really do need your help. Will you come to my village to help my family before I start working here official?”

Before Maddie was able to answer, the door once again swung open to reveal Lexie who was tittering at the person she dragged behind her.

“Maddie I have the just the person for the job,” Lexie exclaimed proudly as she gestured towards her companion that was hanging on Lexie’s arm.

On Lexie’s arm was a young gentleman of 6’4’’ with brown hair that swept over a pair of sea blue eyes. A pair of broad shoulders, biceps that made Maddie’s mouth water, six pack abs, and all covered in a professional business suit that would have competed with Richard Greer’s any day of the week.

Maddie’s eyes almost popped out of her head as she resisted the temptation to fan herself with her hands. “I’m sorry Sir, but the position has been filled.”

“Such a shame that I could not weary myself beside such a gentle blooming rose as thee,” Lexie’s guest said in a voice that depicted the charm of a southern gentleman, “Yet if thy wouldest do me a favor to make me my heart swell, what would be the gentle maidens name’s? Praytell.”

Maddie was pretty sure her knees were knocking at this point, and she reached out to the chair behind her to steady herself. “I am Maddie Broomstick, and this is Al`zbeta. She will be my new assistant, Lexie.”

“Surely with much skill that didst beat me too the quick to slave from the lovely Maddie Broomstick,” the young man said to Al`zbeta but his blue eyes remained on Maddie.

The heat had been turned up. Maddie was sure of it.

Gulping, Maddie try to manage a smile without melting in the sight of those gorgeous eyes. “I’m sorry again, but the position has been filled. If you could see your way out,” Maddie said tearing her eyes from this handsome piece of man flesh, “Lexie, gather your things we’re going on a trip.”

“Where are we going?” Lexie said as she held on tight onto the guys arm.

“To the Trolls land,” Al`zbeta said speaking for the first time since the young man had arrived. “My family is need of Maddie’s assistance.”

“Oh, really?” Lexie said with her eyes glued on her companions face. At this point, Maddie was so jealous that she would probably break the chair she was holding onto if she didn’t loosen her grip on it. “Will it be dangerous?”

“Very Dangerous, I’m afraid,” Al`zbeta said looking pointedly at Lexie’s companion.

“Then perhaps Michael can help,” Lexie said introducing her gentleman friend for the first time.

“I’m afraid not. The business is strictly confidential, only need to know.” Al`zbeta said giving Michael a glare that could have plastered paint.

“If it is dangerous, fair troll, then perhaps I best go. I would hate to see your fair companions get hurt while they help you. Maddie’s work is too precious to see it endangered or impaired,” again Michael was looking straight at Maddie with those deep blue eyes.

Maddie felt herself swaying and as she heard Lexie say, “Troll country is surrounded by beings who are not known to be friendly to two human girls, perhaps Michael should come, just for our protection, you know,” her will gave way.

Pulling Al`zbeta aside she whispered in the troll’s ear, “Why can’t he come? Lexie’s right you know, we may need his help on the way.”

Al`zbeta whispered back in Maddie’s ear her troll voice filled with distrust, “I don’t trust him. He hasn’t even looked at me once, and I’m telling you Maddie that isn’t normal for a mortal.”

((DP:

I have given your troll! Just don’t sue me if the troll wasn’t what you expected, I have even have the research to prove that Al`zbeta Troll is perfectly legit. *

So we have one Troll, who is too nice for her own good.

One handsome Shakespeare speaking southern boy who has knocked the sense out of both Maddie and Lexie out of their senses.

To add to the trouble, one of them, or both of them are the spy that the Complaint Department sent over. Which is the spy? Which one does Maddie Trust?

We have one dangerous mission with an unknown goal filled with unknown threats in an unknown territory.

The following decisions need to be made?

Does Maddie take the mission? *It has been assumed she will, but that can be changed at any moment.

Does Maddie trust Al`zbeta’s advice? Or does Maddie take the handsome Michael alone anyway?

What awaits Maddie when and if she arrives at the southern country?

What is troubling the Trolls?

What dangers lie in wait?

Speculation about who is the spy is welcome and encouraged!

*The misbehaving Dinranwen giggles* Have fun with this one!


* Btw, if even if you are a little disappointed, know this. Female trolls in Southern Scandivian Folk Lore were known to be the most cunning, conniving creatures on the earth. They were even sometimes even worse then their male counter-parts, if such a thing is possible. So you just chew on that for awhile.

[Lilith]

*fans self* Ow! Very nice and yummy, Din. I approve! Okay now that I got that out of my system, hmm.... Of course, the sweet, hot guys are never the trully good ones. He's gonna sabotaging the trip the whole way (and of course Maddie's gonna bring him along, man flesh he is)

[dinranwen]

Lol. *smiles at Lily* I thought you would like Michael, as when I wrote his describition I had you in mind.*

*However, if you spot a guy matching that describition you are to send him my way immediatly. I promise to be nice and share. After all, even good girls (ie. me) need some eye candy every now and again.

[Crunchyfrog]

Scandinavian trolls, eh?

Well maybe the southern scandinavian country (I am guessing this could be Sweden) is in the grip of a serious attack of the bad taste ABBA dress sense. And the Troll people are very badly hit.

The mission is to rescue the entire troll population from looking like this



















and restore their normal cultural habits and costumes. :D

Or something along those lines.... :lol:

[Kang]

Quote: Does Maddie take the mission? *It has been assumed she will, but that can be changed at any moment.

Does Maddie trust Al`zbeta’s advice? Or does Maddie take the handsome Michael alone anyway?

What awaits Maddie when and if she arrives at the southern country?

What is troubling the Trolls?

What dangers lie in wait?

Speculation about who is the spy is welcome and encouraged!

*The misbehaving Dinranwen giggles* Have fun with this one!

Intersting twist of events to address each of them.

Maddie does take the mission but She keeps very cautious. She may have a notion that there is a spy around her Maddie could take the advice and Michael too and she can spill the details to Michael ( which if he is the spy would make an interesting plot twist ) as for the souther country could be war or famine or something worse as for dangers I think being ambushed a few times would make for an interesting choice ( especially if it is the spy ordering the the attacks Muahhh)

[Liana]

geez Din! What a list. Michael would be the obvious choice for the spy but i think that the troll should be. Then she could report how good of a job Maddie does at handling the troll situation. Michael should go along though Maddie is a bit suspicious of him. Who can resist a knight in shining armor?

[dinranwen]

Poll's up.

Note on the Poll.

Your options are basically deciding who's the spy, and wheither or not to take the Hunk of a man along.

Option one takes the Sweet Piece of Eye candy along, and it will make him our hero....eventually. *smiles evil*

Option two also takes Micheal along even though he is the bad guy and will therefore subtigue the whole trip.

Option three doesn't take Micheal along, and makes Al`zebeta the bad guy.

Option four takes Micheal along, and it makes Al`zebeta and Micheal work together as bad guys.

Option five presents the option that even if we don't take Micheal along, Al`zebeta isn't neccesirly the bad guy.

Psst. A little tip: Even you don't take Micheal along willingly he may just 'follow' the girls anyway.

[dinranwen]

Chapter Five: Pish Posh Tic Tock

((In which the author tried to come up with a great title and failed.))

“Oh hush, Al`zebta,” Maddie whispered fiercely to the troll whiling trying to maintain a flawless smile towards the gorgeous hunk of man flesh that just walked through her door. “You’re probably just jealous. Besides we may need a man on this journey.”

Al’zebta the troll just shrugged, and said in a monotone with a look of suspicion towards the handsome Michael, “It’s your funeral.”

“Michael,” Maddie continued in a voice that suddenly seemed all squeaky, and with knees that refused to turn solid from their Jell-O state, “We, the Truth for Hire Agency, would be more then willing to accept your help for the journey ahead, as I think that a strong man…” Maddie cleared her throat and blushed, “I mean, a man,” clearing her throat, Maddie finally said, “What I mean was…”

Michael smiled a perfect flawless smile with a glint off of white teeth that nearly blinded Maddie, Lexie, and Al’zebta, “I understand perfectly my dear,” then making a bowing motion, Michael once again clasped Maddie’s hand and gave it a tender kiss that nearly made Lexie explode as she turned steadily greener by the moment. Maddie seeing the fairy’s jealousy couldn’t help but smile over Michael’s head, “I’m afraid I require a day to prepare for a long journey such as traveling to the old troll country.”

“Certainly,” Maddie said somewhat breathlessly as Michael released her hand after holding onto it several moments after kissing her fingertips. “How about the day after tomorrow say around 7 am?”

“Perfect, my dear, simply perfect. My eyes shall fail for want of thy beauty my dear, but my valiant sacrifice shall be worth my efforts if I can but see your face for however long the journey we take,” Michael’s voice practically purred and Maddie’s knees threatened to send her crashing to the floor in a faint while Lexie could have reviled a cucumber for it’s greenness.

“Until then,” Maddie replied sadly both sorry to see Michael go, and sorry to see the way he comfortably wrapped his arms around Lexie who regained her color a little too quickly when Michael turned his attentions to them.

As she watched the pair exit, the door with Michael’s arm around the smug Lexie’s waist, Maddie silently steamed and somewhere inside her, a small voice was shouting for her attention only to be silenced by a louder voice that was counting down the hours to the next time she would see Michael.

“Maddie,” Al`zebta stated in a far off tone.

“Hmmm…” Maddie said tearing her mind away from a mental image which involved her dressed in white and intensely kissing Michael.

“You’re steaming…”

Snapping to attention, Maddie realized that indeed, her hair had begun to smoke in the beginnings of a full fire. Hastily putting it out by slapping her head violently, Maddie’s only thought as she heard Al`zebta laugh was that Michael wasn’t there to see.

~ ~ ~

Later that night:

A lone figure dressed in a trench coat and a wide brimmed feather hat sat in the back of a local coffee shop quietly listening to some a figure dressed in black pounding out lame poetry to the sound of a drum.

Bubbles poured from the sulking figures lips as he slowly raises his head to withdraw a colorful plastic bubble-blowing pipe. As light hits the figures face, a slightly greenish complexion, and slightly green slick hair, revealing him Mr. Franklin, head of the complaint department of M.F.T.A.L. Idly playing with the bubbles from his pipe, not even a half interested glance is sparred by Mr. Franklin as the bell above the door of this shabby place announces a new arrival interested in purchasing bad coffee and equally bad poetry.

The sound of jeans on a leather cushion was heard as the newcomer slowly slid onto a stool next to Mr. Franklin.

Mr. Franklin is very careful not to look at this newcomer as a waitress comes by to take the jeans wearing newcomer. Mr. Franklin listened as the person next to him ordered a coffee, black as tar, from the waitress.

“That’s a dangerous order sir,” Mr. Franklin said out of the side of his mouth carefully looking everywhere but at the person next to him.

“Who said I was going to drink it,” came the pointed response of a voice that bore the trace of a southern accent.

“Wise decision in this place. And your late 017-9.”

“I’m never late 1-A. I had to escort my date to her house.”

“Are you in?”

“As in the door as the proverbial camel was in the tent.”

“Good. Do you have your orders?”

“Down to the last dot and period.”

“So why are you here? I told you to come only if you had trouble,” Mr. Franklin said in an easy tone as he blew another set of bubbles from his pipe.

“One of them doesn’t like me.” The southern voice said as his seat announced a nervous shift in position.

“So, should be no problem to one of your, shall we say, Charm?”

“She’s a troll, sir?”

“What a troll! Blast! How she get in?”

“Had the good-doer certificate sir, all perfectly legal.”

“Double blast those ‘give the bad guys a second chance no good do-gooders!’” Mr. Franklin swore turning the air around him temporarily pink. “The troll suspects then.”

“Yes. In addition, she’s resistant to my charms to boot. There is good news sir…”

“Go on, get on with it,” Mr. Franklin said with some impatience nearly looking at his visitor, a deadly mistake in his business.

“The Troll is taking Miss Broom on a trip to save her country from a trouble she could only describe as horrible.”

“Ah, and your going with them?”

“Do I ever not?” Came the smug reply from the jeans wearing.

“What do you need from me then, a monster or two? Perhaps arrangements to send the Troll on a vacation?”

“Nothing of the sort, I intend of fulfilling my mission. And the best way I can see is to make sure Miss Broom,” the Jeans wearing said in a low menacing tone while using the code-name for Miss Maddie Broomstick, “Is ruined is to make sure that she fails this mission. I will take care of making sure she fails, but what I need from you is a monster. Something I can easily defeat without making it look to ‘easy’ if you know what I mean. Once I gain these ladies trust, I’ll have them eating out of the palm of my hands.”

Mr. Franklin tapped his chin as he listened carefully to the name of the next poet who was to perform, an irate fairy godmother by the sounds of the name of Miss Periwinkle. “I think I can arrange that. Anything else?”

“Not at the moment, no. I think I can take care of a fairy, a troll, and a human girl by myself, thank you. After all, I am if nothing else, Charming.” The jean wearing laughed an otherworldly laughed threatening to send Mr. Franklin twirling at the speaker with a glare that could have penetrated walls.

“Hush, 017-9! Do you want people to hear? Nevertheless, despite your confidence, I’m sending you with a wristwatch,” Mr. Franklin sliding a silver Timex to the southern accented jean-wearing person next to him.

“A wristwatch? What I am supposed to do with it? Keep time?”

“There’s an imp inside it ding-bat! Simply pull the pin and twist it counterclockwise for three full revolutions counter clockwise to unleash the hatch. I’ll wear a similar one, and if you need to send any messages to me, simply give your imp the message, and I’ll see you get whatever you may need.”

“Very well,” the southern voice said putting the wristwatch with a snap. “One last question, what are my ‘limits’ on this mission?”

“None, save that Miss Broomstick remains alive to experience the humiliation and any lawsuits that may pursue her for the rest of her life.” Mr. Franklin smiled as he heard the tale tell ding of his associates smile, “And do enjoy yourself, old chap, for my sake.”

“Oh, I will,” the southern voice confirmed as he slid off the seat and walked out the door his coffee untouched, “I will.”

~ ~ ~

That Friday, two days after Maddie met Michael; Maddie was beginning to have her doubts about this trip and her new male associate. Several cups of tea, one giant barrel of chocolate ice cream, several crappy musicals, followed by a brief obsession with a tread mill, and a magical shopping spree that left her pockets empty and nothing useful in her closet for the trip had a tendency to turn a person to the retrospective.

For example, was it wise to be going on this journey anyway? As much as Maddie loved her new sectary who made handling clients like Peter Pan and Dr. Frankenstein’s monster so much easier to handle, not to mention the paper work that troll could do given an hour’s worth of quite and peace, Maddie still had her doubts. For one thing, despite the pestering, the nit-picking, the coddling, the pleading, and almost down right begging Maddie had done over the last day, Al`zebta had steadfastly refused to tell Maddie what was bothering her home village. All the troll would say was that it was simply too horrible to tell. If it was too terrible for a troll, what made Al`zebta think that she can handle it?

Another thing, was all this trouble over Michael really worth bringing him along? Maddie had spent the last day glaring, fuming, smoking, blazing, melting, boiling, going, and generally making a fool of herself in public over the southern spoken Shakespearean Michael. Not to mention the hair splitting, the glares, the all too polite smiles, and near misses that involved Maddie and Lexie barely managing not to strangle each other out of jealousy. I mean, was it worth losing your best client/worker/friend over a guy?

Then, Maddie saw Michael coming down the street as she leaned out of her second story office to gaily obverse the sunny day. Her heart nearly stopped, and a whistle involuntarily escaped her causing Lexie and Al`zebta to rush to the window.

Sun glinted over off silver chain mail tunic that covered Michael’s gorgeous chest overlying a light blue long sleeve tunic edged in dark blue that brought out the color of his eyes. Traveling downward, Maddie’s eyes greedily took in the tight pair of black breeches Michael wore, the bronzed edged breastplate, the blue edged calf-guards, the knee high clinging black leather boots, and the double edge broad sword that swung unsheathed against Michael’s thighs from its position in his belt. A shield bearing a single fleur-de-lies on a green checkered white field completed Michael’s apparel as it hung on his left arm by straps that only a accented the buff muscles Michael possessed all over his physique.

Maddie could practically feel her mouth watering.

What made this picture so awe-stopping perfect was the gorgeous white stallion Michael rode. The steeds neck arched high and proud as it step high clearing showing itself off to the crowds who had gathered to stare at Michael’s appearance. The horse was all tacked out with a light brown leather saddle trimmed it a light blue. All along, the beautiful tack was blue ribbons, bows, and tassels that bounced of the stallion’s steamy white side. The horse was almost beautiful as Michael, and that was saying something.

Yet what made Maddie’s heart stop its track and her mind cease from its anxious worrying were the steeds whose reigns were tied to Michael’s saddle horn. Behind the male stallion, decked out in simple lady like tack in the English saddle, four mares trotted submissively. A dark almost black quarter horse, a rich brownish red roan, a dabbled grey, and a hazelnut colored chestnut stepped politely down the street.

Clearly, Michael had thought ahead, Maddie thought, suddenly looking with some disappointment to the supplies they had brought.

Al`zebta had simply brought the colorful carpet bag she had brought with to the city of Edition, and Maddie was also simply packed with a saddlebag’s worth of clothes and a couple of saddle bags worth of supplies as Al`zebta had claimed it would only take two days to reach her home land in the far off old country of the trolls.

This was in serve contrast to Lexie who had brought large bags stuffed to the brim. Maddie had a sneaking suspicion that Lexie had gone shopping yesterday too, and that unlike practical Maddie, Lexie had brought every alluring article of clothing she possessed. Maddie fumed over not bringing at least one of those nice, if a tad sheer, dresses she had bought, or perhaps even that new nightgown. Oh well, hindsight is 20/20.

Turning back her attention to the road, Maddie found Michael had stopped in the middle of the street below. Doffing an imaginary cap, Michael gave a graceful half-bow in his saddle, “Fear not my ladies, your companion has thought of everything save that which you need to cloth yourselves for decency sake, though I have no doubt that you would be splendidly dressed in naught but your skin and beauty to save you from red checks.”

Maddie blushed. If only she had brought that nightgown, that tattered black one or that red one with the straps. Blast. Blast. But boy, was he gorgeous. Maddie found herself slipping downward until her chin was on her hand and she leaning out the window in a hopelessly girly way.

“In addition to food to satisfy our bellies, I have also brought you steeds upon which you can ride, and a dabble grey to bare your stuff. Bring only what you need, however, my pets, for I do not wish to over bare that gentle mare. I await your descent, my ladies”

Maddie noticed with some satisfaction that Lexie was casting a backwards glance of dismay at her stuff.

Waving a hello and goodbye, Maddie shouted, “We’ll be down in a moment….Michael.” Maddie’s voice lingered over Michael’s name almost unwilling testing it, tasting it, and pulling it out to its full extent for just the pleasure of saying it.

Walking into her office, Maddie grabbed her saddlebag and found her hand hesitating over the foodstuff. Michael had said he had everything. Glancing towards the window once more, Maddie’s hand snatch the bag of food without a second thought. It never hurt to be prepared. Sometimes what men thought of as food…well, yes it was better safe then sorry.

Minutes later saw the ladies stuff on the grey, and the ladies seated rather precariously on their steeds. None of them save Al`zebta had ever ridden before and they were less then assured at Michael’s claim that it was easier then ridding a bike.

“Which way, my dear troll?” Michael said in a low but commanding voice.

Al`zebta could not help the snap in her eye nor the low growl in her throat at Michael calling her a troll, but said nonetheless, “South out of the city. I have faster means of transport awaiting us near the south gate.”

“Faster,” Michael said unable to disguise the slight panic in his voice, “How so?”

“Portals. My cousins, some rehabilitated trolls, have set up a portal outside the city to the south for trolls going to and from Edition to the Old Country. The portal should dump us out within one or two days journey from home.”

“Should?” Maddie’s voice quavered as she vainly tried to steady herself on top of the flighty roan she had mounted her legs gripping the barrel of the horse in pure panic as her hands tried to find a grip while trying to maintain the hold on the reigns that Michael had assured was the correct position for this type of saddle.

“Portals are never accurate unless all the people going through them have a very accurate picture of the place they are going to. Yet, I have traveled this way before with an agent from M.F.T.A.L., a completely incompetent fool who had no idea what difference there is between a southern troll and a northern troll. I had no trouble with him at all save that, we did travel a little bit more to the west then we should have. Still I confident that I can do it, and this time I brought pictures for everyone,” Al`zebta said kneeing the quarter horse she rode with confidence towards the others horses. Handing each of them a either a badly taken picture or a very accurate watercolor, Al`zebta finished by saying, “If you study them while we ride, and memorize the picture for the portal, we should be safe.”

“But what about the horses,” Michael said hastily, “I’m afraid that the horses will not cooperate about going through a portal. Is there no other way?”

“Several, actually, but the portal’s the quickest and most accurate. Not to say the least painful. I can also cast a minor flying spell on the horses, although I don’t know how long it would be before I tired out in the casting with the four horses to carry. At best, I can save us a day’s worth of travel, perhaps two, but we would still have a weeks worth of journey ahead of us if we traveled that way. And of course, there is always the Book. All major cities have one, and although the system is a tad bit outdated, I’m sure we can find where the Book is located in Edition and take advantage of it. A small matter of looking in the index and appendix to make sure we head to the right place, year, date, and country would all that would be required. The Book would almost be able to dump us right where we’re going, leaving us only a mild walk. But I’m afraid we would have to leave anything we can’t carry behind.”

“And the disadvantages?” Lexie creaked as her wings fluttered furiously to maintain the balance she tentatively held.

“Like I said it is an outdated system. People stopped using it a long time ago as it is a slight discomfort to have your body separated into parts to the size of a single letter on a page, having them sent through time and space, and then resembled together again at an eye watering pace.”

“Is that all?” Maddie questioned nearly slipping out of her saddle this time to the satisfaction of the roan that was nickering in what sounded suspiciously like a laugh.

“Yes, but it is the quickest way besides using a portal,” Al`zebta said with a glare that should have wrinkled Michael up on the spot.

“Ladies,” Michael said with deep concern pointedly ignoring Al`zebta heated glare. “Let’s not be so hasty. I have prepared for a week of travel. Considering the horses’ discomfort that would arise in the use of a portal, the horses fear in flight, and the discomfort we would experience using the outdated Book, I say we take the long way. It would be much safer and perhaps a more comfortable journey despite being long.”

Batting her eyes, Lexie finally managed to find a way to control her horse through twitching her wings in the way she wished to go sidled up along side Michael’s stallion. “I’m sure whatever you think is best, Michael.”

Maddie could feel her face turn red and start to steam, but taking a deep breath turned away from the origin of her jealously towards Al`zebta. “What do you think Al`zebta?”

“I think,” Al`zebta said slowly her accent coming through clearly as the troll spoke slowly and carefully as if to do otherwise would cause her to burst. “That we should take the portal. It is the safest way. But it’s up to you Maddie.”

“Yes, Maddie,” Michael purred batting his eyelashes as he idly fiddled with one of Lexie’s purple curls. “What do you think? The Editors know I’ll faithful stick to whatever you decide, and where ever your beauty leads.” This speech though directed at Maddie was said while Michael looked directly at Lexie causing Maddie to reach hastily up with a wet finger and thumb to extinguish the flame that had begun to burn on one brown end.

Taking a deep breath, Maddie made her decision.

((Sorry about the Delay. I had a lot of trouble writing this one when inspiration hit me...so to speak along side the head.

As for the DP: What route do they take? The Portal? Flight? The Book? Or the Really, Really, Really long way?))

[Lilith]

*drools* The really, really, really, really, really, long way... so as to ascertain that the hot hunk is actually the bad guy.... but still hot. :cool:

[dinranwen]

*decides to give Micheal to Lilth the next holiday, If-day, Christmas, or her next birthday which ever comes first*

I would give him for you to play with Lilth, but I sort of need the guy.

I'm sort of loving every minute of this. Instilling my own view of love, which that it sticks totally revolting and gut wrenching horrible, by distorting the opposite end of the exterme is kinda becoming fun.

Thanks for the suggestion. Any others before a poll.

Btw, Lily, Abousutely Love Your New Avie. All she needs is a pair of really cool fair wings and it's you babe!

[dinranwen]

Poll's up.

[dinranwen]

Only one vote....seriously. I think I need to take a vacation or something....

Poll will run for a week or so more. Feel free to vote.

[Lilith]

Dinranwen wrote: *decides to give Micheal to Lilth the next holiday, If-day, Christmas, or her next birthday which ever comes first*

*squeals in joy* YAY!...

Oh and duh.. the really, long way! OF COURSE!

(sorry I kinda forgot to vote until now.. *winces*)

[dinranwen]

And it's a tie! Anyone care to break it for me?

Or do I need to break out a jackhammer?

[NeverNeverGirl]

i voted the really really long way too as this gives us a chance to check out the rest of the land. there must be heaps of exciting characters to meet and heaps of ppl to help (or colledct) along the way thus building up the bad ass rep.

[dinranwen]

NeNe raises an interesting point.

Poll's closed, chapter will be up in a few days.

Any suggestions on who and what our characters should encounter?

[NeverNeverGirl]

They should encounter Sirens, Pirates and religious velots... no really i dont know - i leave it up to you DIn

[Liana]

mmmmmmm..... I'm sorry that i missed the poll. though my choice won anyway. I can't wait for the next chappy.

[dinranwen]

[color=darkblue]*frowns* Is this thing still here, I thought I asked politely if it could be escorted to rust, crumble into dust, and fade into oblivion in the Achivies.

Oh, well, I see what I can do to this thing......