What lays ahead is a novella developing Alex's relationship with Lori, and best of all, what happens to the danskin dollies when they run out of tricks up their gloves.
Most parts are PG, but there are scenes with drugs use, violence, and strong sexual content. And of course, many great traps and escape scenarios. So use your discretion.
There are 14 chapters. 1 is the exposition, 2-4 the development, and finally the action from there on. Allow yourself plenty of time. Grab a drink. Lock the doors. For......
All Good Things Must Come To An End
Judy Loomis - Her not so youthful partner, as she is now 22, and very proficiant.
King Alex - The Patriarch of the small monarchy of Tourenbourg.
Minister Elander - The King's right hand, who always tries to stay ahead of the game, and never misses a curve, especially from Judy.
Minister Berger - One of a Cabinet of 8 ministers to the King. He does not hide his displeasure with King Alex's decisions.
Frank - The engineer behind our heroines' superpowers. Now, he must try to get Crimescope up and working Europe. I hope he brought adaptors.
"The Tears Of Artemis"
Ancient Poem Transcribed from Tourenbourg Vulgate into modern Tourenbourgish by Minister Elander. Translated into English by her majesty Queen Buchanan.
Actaeon backed up against the mountain, where he led his soldiers in sacrifice to Artemis.
After the slaughter of 20 sheep, they turned around to face the invading Athenians.
The invaders' ships had landed, as their troops wandered ashore.
Their force was too much, having an army ten times the size.
But Actaeon faced his men, and annouced that since the Goddess was with them, they would have victory.
As they charged, Artemis' Nymph and friend Deione darted out with them, filling their hearts with unquenchable heroism.
Actaeon led the attack into the Athenians, splitting as an axe splits wood.
His sword cut through flesh before the invaders could react, as his guard pressed lances into the surrounding Athenians, their points ripping into necks and chests as they pushed through into their skulls.
Artemis called Deione back, seeing the invaders draw bows.
She sent a squall off the sea to pause them as Actaeon stopped with his men.
Then Deione blew a stone high up the mountain with her breath.
It rolled, creating an avalance.
As the Athenians recovered from the wind, they turned to see the Earth crashing in on them.
Artemis protected the Tourenders, as they watched their enemy burried alive.
Apollo also watched from afar, disturbed that his chaste sister would interfer on behalf of a mortal man.
He sent a scorpion out, who bit Actaeon as his troups celebrated victory and independence for Touren.
The Goddess watched, infuriated by her brother, but moved to tears.
Deione comforted her as the Toureners wept for their leader.
From "Tragedy and Triumph: The Soul Of An America Woman" by
Queen Artemis Buchanan
Concerning the Prophecy of the Regina Terra, two beliefs were held in the immediate post Roman days. First was that this was a pagan worship, and therefore wrong. But more persistent was the belief that the blessing on Touren by the Ancient Goddess was echoed by the Madonna as she stayed in the city. As to the authenticity of her residence, let's say that this Holy sight has a long history of miracles and visions.
So I assume that the reverance to Artemis' archetypal psychology and the worship of the Patron Saint do not conflict. It forms a double blessing, but one that can only be fully realized by a Queen of rare character. In olden days these traits were thought to be of royal blood. But history suggests that the Kingdom had fallen from grace.
Indeed, much is made of the long atonement of the nation, from its reforms from CounterReformation abuses in the 17th century until the rise of the Buchanans in the mid 19th century.
It was during Alexander the 7th's reign that he and his wife received several strong visions in 1935. They consulted the Bishop, who documented the contents. These are disturbing for the modern reader in accurately predicting the holocaust and Nazi atrocities in the USSR and the Greek Isles. But they explain the strange choices the Kingdom made in challenging Europe in 1938 and leaving the Roman church the following year.
Somewhere, it was believed that these events signaled the great warrior archetype to ascend the throne soon, and with that, the return of the blessings. But the original writings to define this candidate are confused at best.
It is known that she is a foriegner, not aware of the title. She had a charge or partner of equal ability and character. They practiced mercy and strength, striving for the highest virtues. The signal to the Queen approaching the kingdom would occur when the Queen and her charge save the essence of the title. Whether that is a person or a jewel, you can decide. I opted for the person. It also stated that her rule would begin after she saved the land and leader from unspeakable treason and calamity, preserving the soverienty of every citizen. The double meaning of that still shocks me.
A final note on the character. Much is written drawing comparisons between the chaste similarities of Madonna and the Artemis Archetype. And yet the original sources leave uncertain as to who must have these; the mentor or her charge. The ministers seemed all to anxious to preserve the blood line of the Buchanans. Needless to say, Alex and I didn't argue with that either.
Chapter 1