The Lawful Realm of Kings
I am having a blast with this series. I have it all laid out its just a matter of putting thoughts to paper. so to speak.
In this series, Kathryn Finnegan purchases a beautiful antique pink sapphire set of earrings and necklace. Little does she know they are magical. A metal faceted gem that faded over time was the perfect accent to her gown. Little did she know this little faded gem was more than it appeared. After the masquerade ball at her work's party Kathryn cut her finger on the metal when she was taking it off. The blood then obsorbed in the gem and then boom she was teleported in time. She lands in the middle of nowhere. Rolling hills as far as the eye can see.
SAMPLE CHAPTER BELOW
Kathryn opened her eyes and what she found astounded her. For miles all she saw were rolling hills and scattered large prosperous trees. She glanced around spinning and spinning until she dropped to her knees dizzy.
“This can’t be happening?” She gasped. “What is happening?” Burying her face in her hands she counted to five then looked up. She was still sitting in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but the fresh air of what appeared to be summer. Behind her she heard voices and the ground shook as the thunderous hoofs from a small army of men on horses came to a halt.
“You there!” A man on a horse shouted leering down at her. Kathryn stared back terrified. These men were in full chain link armour carrying swords. “You are trespassing on private land.”
“What?” Kathryn gasped her voice barely audible.
“State your business.” He said. When she didn’t answer he pulled out his sword and pointed it down at her. “State your business or I will run you through.”
“Is this a joke?” She cried.
“I assure you that it is not.” He said. “Now, I am not keen on repeating myself so answer my question or I will have my men make you.”
“I—I don’t know where I am. I think I am lost.” Kathryn replied unsure of what to say.
“What is your name.”
“K—Kathryn.” She stuttered and gulped.
“Kathryn what?” he asked, when she didn’t answer he narrowed his eyes at her.
“Kathryn Smith.”
“Never heard of it. Where are you from?” He asked hopping down from his horse.
“New Hampshire?” she replied, her lips trembling.
“I have never heard of this place.” He eyed her.
“It’s in the United States.” She replied. “Where am I?”
“You are standing in the Kingdom of Galeriwan.” He said grabbing her arm. “You are coming with me.” He said and the mask in her hand fell to the ground as he tied her hands behind her back.
“Kingdom?” She questioned. “Are you all hired actors? Is someone pulling a prank on me.” She glanced around looking for anyone she recognized. “You got me, I was totally fooled.”
“Actors,” The man scoffed as he pulled her over to his horse. “Do not insult me.” Two other men hopped down and assisted him in getting her on his horse. “You will go before he King. He can be the judge of your fate.”
“Stop.” A woman came running towards them.
“My lady Winters.” He man turned and bowed. Kathryn watched as the woman spoke to the man privately. “I do apologize Lady Winters.” He said and snapped his fingers at the men and they grabbed Kathryn down from the horse. He untied her bindings and stepped aside.
“Thank you My Lord.” She said with a nod of her head as she took Kathryn in her arms. They watched as the men rode off in the direction they had come. The woman they called Lady Winters spun around shoving Kathryn away. “Where is he?” She asked pointing a dagger at Kathryn.
“Where is who?” She asked backing away and holding her hands in the air.
“What did you do with him?”
“I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t know what is going on or where the hell I am.” Kathryn gasped.
“You are a witch.”
“A what?” Kathryn replied. “Are you all insane?”
“My fiancé was here a moment ago, and then this strange storm whipped through the field. Now he is gone and you have taken his place.”
“All I remember—was standing on the street near the hall where I attended a masquerade ball, and then I was here.” She said looking around still in disbelief. “Pinch me.” She stepped forward grabbing the girls hand. “I can’t be awake I must be dreaming.”
“I assure you, you are not dreaming.” She woman said putting her dagger away.
“Then please explain to me what is going on?” She asked.
“That will be hard to do without knowing myself.” Lady Winters said with a heavy sigh. “We should go before you attract any more attention in that get up.” She said taking Kathryn’s hand.
They ran through the field to the forests edge, slowly they entered. Lady Winters raised a finger to her lips then pointed up. Kathryn wasn’t entirely sure what Lady Winters was pointing at but she remained silent all the same. A few yards in, they came upon a brown horse that was tied to a tree. Lady Winters hopped on first then held out her hand for Kathryn to join her.
“What is your name?” Kathryn asked.
“Gwendolyn.” She replied. “I am hoping my friend will be able to help you.”
“You’re friend?”
“Yes, it may take some time to reach him but I will send word before our journey.”
“Journey?” Kathryn’s gripped was a little tighter than she realized.
“Please—Lady Kathryn, loosen your grip.” Gwendolyn said.
"I’m sorry.” Kathryn let go and held on to her waist.
“You are not from around here are you.” Gwendolyn asked.
“Nope.” She breathed.
“You are not from this land are you?” She asked.
“Not even from this era.” Kathryn replied.
They came to a rivers edge and stopped. Gwendolyn clicked her tongue and the horse slowly made its way across. The rushing water buried the horse up to its belly. Once across they picked up speed and it wasn’t too long after that that Kathryn saw the tall towers of a grey stone castle up ahead. Her eyes widened in disbelief where was she and how did she get there. This has nothing like anything she has ever seen before. Not in person at least.
“You have got to be kidding me. I must be dreaming this can’t be real.” She looked up as the approached the large wooden draw bridge. “Are we in England?”
“What is England?” Gwendolyn whistled and a guard looked down. He nodded then let the bridge down and opened the cast iron gate.
“Lady Winters has returned.” He announced.
“We must hurry.” She said stopping outside a stable and getting down. “They mustn’t see you dressed as such.” They ran together up the cobble stone path towards the castle doors. As they quickly hurried through the castle halls nodding and greeting people along the way someone called out to Gwendolyn.
“There you are darling.” A woman said walking towards them. Kathryn grimaced then bit down on the inside of her lips.
“Mother,” Gwendolyn replied spinning around to greet her. “Sorry I was out with Philip and I lost track of time. I will just head to my chambers and clean up before supper.”
“Sounds good darling, will Lord Williams be joining us today?” she asked fussing with her daughters hair.
“No—” she said grabbing her mother’s hand and pulling it away from her face. “He is on a journey of some sort and his cousin Lady Kathryn will be joining us.”
“Kathryn,” she questioned. “I was not aware of any cousin named Kathryn in his family.” She glanced over her daughter’s shoulder.
“Well—I do believe that she is on his mother’s side . . . a distant cousin—twice removed or something of that nature.” She stammered.
“I see—”
“We shall see you at dinner mother.” She said and quickly disappeared with Kathryn in hand. Once in the privacy of Gwendolyn’s room, she locked the door and ran over to the window shutting the heavy drapes.
“Quickly before we are interrupted again.” She stood behind Kathryn and looked for the laces to untie the corset only to find something she had never seen before. “How does this contraption work?”
“Oh you just unzip it.” Kathryn replied.
“Unzip it?” Gwendolyn parroted.
“Yes.” Kathryn reached as far back as she could unzipping as far as she could reach.
“Oh—” Gwendolyn gasped then took the tiny metal device in her finger tips and pulled down, fascinated by its nature. “This is much easier.
“Yes.” Kathryn chuckled.
When she slipped out of the dress Gwendolyn stared at her confused again. She touched the lace of her bra, surprised. Kathryn arched a brow then shook her head. “Running out of time remember.”
“You are quite right.” She said and turned.
They stood in front of a large wooden wardrobe filled with dresses of all colours. Kathryn folded her arms across her chest and stared wide eyed.
“These are beautiful.” She said.
“Which one do you fancy most?” Gwendolyn asked.
“Honestly I don’t know. I have never worn anything like it before. I’m more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl.” She chuckled then shrugged when she saw the look on Gwendolyn’s face. “Never mind. How about this one.” She said pulling out a beautiful renaissance style dress in soft velvet green and white silk material.
“This will look quite lovely on you. It will bring out the green in your eyes.” She said with a smile.
“Thank you.” Kathryn said then lifted it over her head. Gwendolyn helped her with the dress then they stood in front of the mirror together.
“You have lovely red hair. The colour is vibrant. We should put it up for dinner though. Come sit, I will braid it for you.” She said taking her hand.
When everything was all said and done a knock came at the door and a males voice spoke.
“Gwen are you decent?” he asked.
“Yes, Alexander, I am.” She said and stood. “Alexander is my brother.” She said looking over at Kathryn who stood next to her. Alexander entered swinging the door open, still holding the knob as he greeted his sister.
“Mother is asking for you.” He said with a sweet smile.
“When isn’t mother asking for me.” Gwendolyn replied with a heavy sigh. “I’ll be right out.” Alexander nodded then glanced at Kathryn briefly but when she smiled at him his head jerked and he stared.
“Who is this rare beauty at your side, sister?” he asked his voice hollow and shaky. A smile formed across his lips that she had not seen in a long time.
“This is Lady Kathryn.” She introduced. Alexander stepped forward, bowed then took Kathryn’s hand, his lips gently brushing the top, her breath escaped as the warmth of his breath touched her skin.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Kathryn.”
“Pleasure is all mine.” Kathryn whispered. Gwendolyn grabbed her arm and pulled her away.
“We will meet you in the dining hall.” Gwendolyn replied.
“Very well.” He bowed again then exited.
“He is dreamy.” Kathryn exhaled.
“He is to be wed this fall.” Gwendolyn replied.
“Thats a drag.” She pouted. "Figure of speech where I'm from, means bad news."
“Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but you entered our world a few months too late.” She chuckled. “We should hurry before they send out the cavalry.” She linked her arm with Kathryn’s. “Now just a few things . . . it’s probably best you don’t speak much, considering you do not sound at all like you are of any relation to any family in Galeriwan.”
“How am I supposed to do that?”
“If anyone attempts to talk to you especially my brother, I will interject.”
“I’ll do my best.” Kathryn sighed.