The Nine Kingdoms Trilogy by Lynn Kurland is a most engaging fantasy romance featuring the master assassin Morgan through her journey from skillful killer to graceful dignitary. Book 1 finds Morgan forced to carry a singing magical sword to the king. An easy task for some, a loathsome task for Morgan as she hates the King and abhors magic in general.

The only enjoyable part of this journey is her motley group of companions and her new attractive acquaintance, Miach. Morgan is funny, fierce and enjoyable. Her companions are Ha-Larious and the sweet relationship between Miach and Morgan is three dimensional, realistic, familiar and comforting; like wearing your favorite sweat pants drinking hot cup of coffee and sitting by the fireplace with a good book. It is Miach's point of view of the relationship that makes my stomach flutter.

Don't go into this trilogy looking for “Lord of the Rings”, instead, let yourself be wrapped up in a warm tale reminicent of a Kristen Britain or Robin Hobb. Lynn Kurland took me on a journey and I enjoyed every darn minute of it.

I heard the barely audible rustle of my captors' wings before I felt the rush of wind announcing their arrival. The blood flowing down my arm felt warm. A drop fell from my hand splashing onto the stage near her black leather boot. Her foot seemed to have appeared out of thin air but I knew better. 

The roar of the crowd had ceased and the drummer sat frozen with arms up ready for the down beat.   I allowed my eyes to drop from the drummer once again taking in the black high heeled leather boot that wrapped around her calf as if she were born with them on. I followed the zipper on the outside of the boot up to her thigh where the shoe ended and her silken skin was revealed. 

Her muscular thigh was inviting and the color of light coffee. Wide hips were covered in short leather shorts that continued up her flat stomach. I followed her body line to her nearly flat chest, deceptively dainty shoulders and long neck. The satisfaction of seeing such a creature brought most to tears at the first glance of her perfectly angular face, high cheek bones and almond shaped eyes. 

Shalah, Master Commander of the Death Consortium. The perfect beauty and the perfect weapon stared through me waiting for me to attack. I did not. 

“Baylor, you have run out of places to hide.”

I stayed silent.

“Release the heart, half breed!”

I did not respond.

“SURRENDER!”

The air around us sparkled as if glitter had fallen from the sky, flowing together and apart with the signature of  grey magic, the magic of the dual minded; the magic of half breeds.

Shock and understanding gave me courage and renewed faith in my mission. Shalah realized too late how easily she gave me the information I needed to succeed. Her break in concentration created a ripple through her spell and I slid through the hole it created.

“Stop him!”

I ran past the collapsed corpse of my victim and placed his heart safely in my shirt running to the parking lot. I jumped in the passenger side of my waiting vehicle. My driver sped off, looking back and forth from my shirt to the road.

“She’ll simply reanimate him; I don’t understand the need to take the heart.”

I offered no explanation, so we rode in silence while I avoided the glare from the young man behind the stirring wheel. A glare through all too familiar almond shaped eyes.

The mass of disappointed minions huddled outside of the venue, weary of begging for tickets from less dedicated late attendees. Tears streamed down the faces of the zealots who reeked of seasoned body order and fresh marijuana and had obviously followed the band on tour.
 

I watched all of them from my perch on the wall separating the amphitheatre from the rest of the surrounding farm land. I felt their need, their passion. I tasted it on the wind and let the pulse of their combined heart beats fill my senses.

 

I felt the presence of those hunting me. It had taken them many days to catch up, my prey is too close for me to be taken before I make my kill.

 

The lead singer posed on stage, arms wide and his silhouette looming over the audience. The lights pulsed to the beat of the song while the audience sang all the words clapping on cue. Their chosen savior seduced until the audience could no longer remain clothed, flinging shirts and underwear like offerings on an alter.

 

I gathered my legs beneath me and flung myself toward the stage. The 300 foot drop was no challenge letting the wind guide my approach. My prey recognized me. The taste of his fear on my tongue was delightful. Flexing my claws I made sure the stage lights caught their full length, I moved swiftly toward the lead singer. Accepting me as special effects of the show the clueless audience cheered in the same rhythm as the still beating heart in my hands.

The truth is that this past year has been difficult.  It has been a great time for me to study human behavior and to also study my goals, state of mind and to attempt to define my place in the world.

I have so many emotional suitcases to unpack and I am still in the throws of that personal exploration.

I hope all of you have a wonderful day....we shall regroup soon.


 

Hello my lovelies. I am back and so is Sexy Saturday so here you are.  Drool at your leisure!

11th December 2007

AN EMBUGGERANCE