I found it humorous and fitting that I spent my evening in my room dining on oxtail soup; although it was far tastier and more robust than anything the cook at the inn provided. We always got the broth that was left over after she’d ladled the thick chunks of meat and vegetables to the paying guest.  The occasional chunk of meat and vegetable were far and few between. The bread the estate’s bakery produced was light and crusty and the sweet butter couldn’t be compared with.  It struck me for the first time that I’d been eating organic the entire time I was there. Even my watered down oxtail soup and crusty stale bread at the inn had been free of preservatives.  Between the clean food, fresh air, and enforced exercise, I had to admit I felt better.  I wondered if the benefits of this lifestyle on my body would teleport with me into the future or if I’d return to the Jane I was prior to my little adventure.I’d decided to

The sun was setting.Elizabeth and I sat huddled together in one of the oh-so-familiar cages they placed their witch trial victims in to await hanging. It was dark when Vivian captured me the first time and tossed me into the confines of death.  I’d had little opportunity to really inspect the cell’s composition and structure.This one appeared pretty much like the other.  The bars were made of iron and spaced eight to ten inches apart.  It was fortunate that none of the captive’s height exceeded six feet or they wouldn’t have been able to stand upright. The cage was slightly more crowded than my previous prison, making it difficult to tolerate the stench of dirt and sweat that was inevitable on such poor mistreated creatures as we.The one difference I noted in the construction of the iron cell block was a major one and probably sealed our fate.  Elizabeth managed to rescue me by slicing through the leather hinges on

After a tasty and hearty breakfast, I joined Lady Helen in the forest for some private instructions on how to be Lady Margaret, as well as to give her an idea of my magical powers and wisdom. She was more than a little surprised to discover how limited my knowledge was in comparison to my potential.  I did my best to explain what life in the twenty-first century was like and how the magical arts became an underground fad over the centuries; only to start resurfacing as acceptable a few years ago.  Even with the resurfacing, the acceptance was still not widespread, but at least no one was hanged or jailed for practicing it.My tutor was overcome with emotions as she embraced the concept of being able to perform magic and worship in the open without being hanged and not exercising that right.  It was something she just couldn’t fathom.  The thought of people taking for granted the gifts of the gods and goddesses was almost as distressing as being hange

My conversation with Elizabeth proved enlightening and fascinating.  She admitted to me that she loved a vampire named Patrick.  She was actually discussing becoming a vampire as well, but agreed to wait a few more years so that she and Patrick would be more compatible in age when it happened.  It seemed Patrick was much older than she when he was turned and felt self-conscious about the age difference their bodies displayed.  That, in itself, I found fascinating.  Unfortunately, she told me, just like there are good and bad people, there are good and bad vampires. This was something I knew firsthand.  It seemed Patrick was on the side of right when he came up against wrong and he didn’t survive.  Since no one was aware of their relationship or the fact that Patrick was a vampire, Elizabeth was forced to mourn in silence.  Our conversation was her first opportunity to speak her pain.I held her close while she wept for her lost lo

Duncan arrived at the encampment with the dawn.  He was furious with Vivian; as well he should be.  When I managed to calm him down enough to be cohesive, I filled him in on the conversation I’d had with Helen. He listened intently without one interruption. When I’d finished, he paced the floor of the little cottage with his hands behind his back and his head held low in thought.“I have often thought back on the night I was attacked and wondered about it.  Nothing added up.  Vivian was angry with me, true, but it made no sense for her to damn me to a soulless eternal life. I witnessed her work her wiles on men who felt it wise to seek female companionship elsewhere. She was amazing at it and always accomplished what she set out to do.  My rejection of her was given only once.  For her to give up so easily just did not seem something she would do.  I expected more from her,” he said.“Helen and I believe