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  "description": "An Unwelcome Visitor",
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  "writing": " \nFire and Ice\nChapter One - An Unwelcome Visitor\n© Cederwyn Whitefurr\nJuly, 2003.\nAll Rights Reserved.\n\nJessica wiped a hoof-paw across her brow and pushed back the old, faded\nscarf she wore, as she hefted the old, cracked handle of the woodcutters axe\nand with one smooth stroke, brought it down, the pitted head of the axe\nsplitting the log. Groaning, the young Whitetail Doe retrieved the split log\nand placed a part of it on the chopping block, then sighed and raised the\naxe again. A Doe's work was never done..\n\nJessica was an anthropomorphic Whitetail deer, dressed in a loose, well\npatched gown, that had the look of once being a thing of beauty, surely, a\ngown that only one of nobility would have been able to afford, yet years had\ntaken away the luster and vibrant colors, leaving the once majestic gown\ntorn, ragged and well-faded. Its long, billowing sleeves had been torn away,\nand the ruffle at the neckline had likewise been ripped off and long since\ndiscarded. Now, it was faded, patched with differing pieces of cloth, and\nits hem was threadbare with long tears along it.\n\nHer fur was a soft, pale brown down the back of her neck and back, with a\ngrayish/white from the underside of her chin, down her throat, and barely\nvisibly through a slit in the front of her ragged gown, down the inner\nthighs and ankles. Her wide set eyes were red-rimmed from the sweat that\ntrickled down into them, and her ears lay folded back against the back of\nher neck, as she hefted the heavy axe once again, then breathed out and\nswung it down onto the log.\n\nWith a splitting crack, the log broke apart and she paused, gasping and\nstretching, her spine crackling as she stood upright. Kneeling, she began to\npick up the split logs, then hear ears perked up and flicked to and fro, as\nshe heard a distant sound that was not a natural part of her deep forest\nhome. Blinking her wide-set, deep brown eyes, she lifted her head up to the\ntrees and her ears flicked again, this time the raucous caw of a raven told\nher more in that short, abrupt cry, than she wished to know. Putting down\nher axe, she hurriedly gathered what she could and fled back into her small\nstone and earthen cottage. Quickly, she looked around at her meager\npossessions, then frowned and reached up above the door and retrieved an\nancient sword, which hissed from its scabbard. Holding it in both paws, the\nDoe walked back outside, her face set in determination to defend her home\nfrom this intruder, should he be hostile.\n\nExperience had long taught her to be wary of strangers, and she was\ndetermined not to give up her home or her life, cheaply.\n\n*\n\nFrom down the dim, sun-dappled forest trail, came the clip-clop of a strong,\npowerful horse, its hoof beats thudding down against the forest loam. As it\nhove into view, it was revealed to be a large breed of horse, its head,\nneck, chest and rump barded in heavy plate armor, an ornate surcoat covering\nit down to the knees. Astride the war-mount, sat a human man, dressed in\ngleaming full plate armor, a large kite shield with a rearing unicorn emblem\non its front, a large, heavy lance replete with pennant flapping in the thin\nbreeze that swirled and eddied through the trees.\n\nThe man was Sir Kathis, Knight Errant and Dragon Slayer. Over a dozen\ndragons had met their fates at his hand; he had the skull's hung outside his\ncastle to show for it. Across the kingdom, his reputation and fame were well\nknown. Many a maiden had begged for his hand in marriage, but he had refused\nthem all, as he knew, with each Dragon he went to face, it might very well\nbe the last time. It sent a thrill of adrenaline through him each time, as\nhe closed on his foe to do battle, the niggling doubts in his mind that he\nmight actually fail - and quite possibly - die.\n\n*\n\nJessica stood her ground, holding her sword in both paws, her arm's\ntwitching as she struggled to heft the heavy blade, yet her sweat ravaged\nmuzzle showed no fear, only a grim determination as the knight advanced,\nthen paused a dozen paces away, his gauntlet covered hand rising to lift the visor\nas he peered down from horseback at the Doe who wilted slightly, then as if\ndrawing strength from the very ground, raised the blade threateningly.\n\n\"Who are you, who comes unto my forest so armed?\" Jessica called out, her\nvoice quavering with the fear that crept into her body.\n\n\"Hold your tongue woman!\" Snapped the knight. \"Who are you, who dares to\ndraw steel against me?\"\n\n\"I answer to no-one, Knight!\" Jessica growled. \"This be my forest, and I be\nits protector and guardian. Now, who gives you the right to intrude on this\nforest, trampling through it like a raging Dragon?\"\n\nImpatiently, Sir Kathis marched his horse closer, and then stared down at\nthe Doe. \"I am Sir Kathis, Knight Errant, and Dragon Slayer. Now, move aside\nwoman, or I'll move you aside.\"\n\nDefiantly, Jessica moved to stand before the horse, whose ears suddenly\nflattened and it snorted, tossing its proud head in fear, then pawed at the\nground and stepped back away from her. Blinking, Sir Kathis fought his\nsuddenly panicking mount, barely bringing the powerful warhorse under\ncontrol.\n\n\"A Knight?\" Jessica snorted, then wrinkled her nose and spat on the ground\nbefore her, then glared up at the Knight. \"You have no business here Sir\nKnight - now, take your pretty little pony and leave my woods, and do not\ncome back.\"\n\nIncredulously, Sir Kathis stared down at the Doe, who stared back, her gaze\nblazing with a surprising strength that he found bewildering. Never in his\nlife, had he met a peasant, who had such strength about them, it was this\nthat intrigued him. Jessica continued to stare, but her scowl slowly faded\ninto a look of apathetic disgust, and she flicked a furtive glance up at the\ndarkening sky.\n\n\"Milady - \" Began Sir Kathis. \"I am a Knight, on the King's business, and I\napologize for intruding into your forest..\"\n\n\"King? King you say?\" Jessica snorted and threw back her head, then her\nlaughter pealed forth. \"I have no need of your pathetic King here. I care\nnot an ounce of wheat for your King, and I care even less for you Sir\nKnight! However - you won't make it out of these woods before nightfall,\nthat much I know. The least I can do, is offer you my meager home for the\nnight..\"\n\n\"Listen to me, you wretch of a stillborn fawn!\" Snarled Sir Kathis. \"I'll\nhave you not disparage my Lord's good name..\"\n\n\"No, you listen to me!\" Jessica suddenly snarled. \"I've lived in this here\nwood for twenty winters plus, Sir Knight.  I know what moves and stirs within\nits bounds, and even I know it'd be suicide to try and make it from here\ncome nightfall. You are welcome at my table this night, but you must leave,\ncome sunup. Either you accept, or you take that overgrown Shetland of yours,\nand take your chances. It matters not to me, except that I'd rather not have\nyour stinking, rotting corpse within the bounds of my woodland home!\"\n\nWith that, Jessica turned about and stalked back into her cottage, slamming\nthe door behind her. Astride his quivering mount, Sir Kathis blinked in\nstunned disbelief, then looked around at the growing shadows. Sliding from\nhis saddle, he petted his mount on the neck, and felt the great warhorse\ntrembling, its ears flattening, nostrils flaring and eyes showing the whites\nas they rolled in their sockets. Shaking his head, he unbuckled the visor\nhelm he wore, then lashed the reins to a small branch and moved into the\nsmall, but surprisingly warm cottage. As the door closed, the horse whinnied\nand reared, then squealed with a long, forlorn cry that echoed off into the\nforest..\n\n*\n\nInside the cottage, Sir Kathis stood, looking around at the crude furniture\nand meager possessions of the young Whitetail, who busied herself with\npreparing a delicious smelling stew that bubbled in a soot-black cauldron\nover a small fire.\n\n\"I wasn't expecting...guests.\" Jessica growled quietly, not even bothering to\nlook at the Knight. \"So you'll have to settle for yesterday's bread, some\ngoats milk and a wedge of cheese. I don't often get visitors out this way.\"\n\n\"With such a warm and welcoming greeting, I can see why not.\" Sir Kathis\nreplied, as he lowered himself into a rickety looking chair, his armor\ncreaking.\n\nJessica paused, then glanced back over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing in\nanger. \"If you care not for my hospitality, then you're welcome to walk\nright back out that door. I didn't invite you into my forest, and I sure don\n't want you here, but since you are here - then perchance, the least you\ncould do is show a little respect.\"\n\nHer words struck Sir Kathis like a hammer, and he moved in his seat and for\na moment, actually looked chastised, before he cleared his throat and spoke.\n\n\"Milady - forgive me and my impudent manners. I meant no disrespect, its\njust that I've ridden the length and breadth of this Kingdom for many weeks,\noften without encountering another living person. I offer you my apology,\nand I swear on my name, that I shall do my utmost to respect your beliefs\nand shall not intrude on you anymore than I already have.\"\n\nPausing, Jessica sighed and her shoulders visibly slumped, before she turned\nabout and looked at the hard packed dirt floor, and furtively looked up at\nthe Knight, then her eyes dropped again.\n\n\"Apology accepted Sir Kathis, and I extend my own - it has been many, many\nwinters, since I had a male in my cottage. My only companion's have been the\nanimals of the wild woods, and my Nanny goat but she isn't much of a\nconversationalist.\" Jessica flashed him a weak smile, then slowly curtsied\nand held out her paw to him.\n\nSir Kathis accepted the paw, then raised it to his lips and let his lips\ntenderly brush her furred hoof-paw. Jessica blushed deeply beneath her fur,\nand then squeezed his hand. With a startled gasp, Sir Kathis grunted as her\ngrasp nearly broke the bones in his gauntlet clad hand, and Jessica blinked\nthen hurriedly snatched her hoof-paw back and spun away, busying herself\nwith the cooking stew. Sir Kathis removed his gauntlets, then looked at his\nleft hand, seeing the white indentations of where the chain gauntlet had dug\ninto his flesh.\n\n\"That's some grip you have milady.\" Sir Kathis acknowledged.\n\n\"It comes - from having to cut my own wood and other chores.\" Jessica\nresponded. \"Its been many winters since I.\"\n\nA choking sob caught in her throat and she swallowed, and then stirred her\nstew again, blinking away the salty tears. Sir Kathis blinked, then he rose\nand placed his hand on Jessica's shoulder comfortingly. Without warning, she\nsnarled and shied away, bursting into tears and fleeing to the small\nbedroom, whence she slammed the door hard enough to rattle the cracked\nplates on the rack above the fireplace.\n\n*\n\nConfused and uncertain, Sir Kathis sighed and walked outside, to tend to his\nloyal companion and mount, his mind whirling and churning with thoughts and\nfeelings he didn't understand.\n\n*\n\nIn her bedroom, Jessica threw herself down onto her straw pallet bed and\nwept bitterly, clutching a mangy wolf-skin stuffed with straw to her chest,\nas she wept. For more years than she could remember, she had pined for her\nlost mate, finally, she had resolved her grief and put it behind her then\nalong comes this Knight, all virtue, goodness and righteousness, everything\nher own mate had been.\n\nIt was as if a icy dagger had been plunged into her heart, all the dark,\nrotten blood of her grief bubbling and gushing to the surface in a wild,\nuntamed rush of emotions. Emotions she had fought twenty years, to banish\nand forget emotions she did not want, not then, and not now.\n\nTo Be Continued..\n\n",
  "writing_bbcode_parsed": "<span style='word-wrap: break-word;'> <br />Fire and Ice<br />Chapter One - An Unwelcome Visitor<br />&copy; Cederwyn Whitefurr<br />July, 2003.<br />All Rights Reserved.<br /><br />Jessica wiped a hoof-paw across her brow and pushed back the old, faded<br />scarf she wore, as she hefted the old, cracked handle of the woodcutters axe<br />and with one smooth stroke, brought it down, the pitted head of the axe<br />splitting the log. Groaning, the young Whitetail Doe retrieved the split log<br />and placed a part of it on the chopping block, then sighed and raised the<br />axe again. A Doe&#039;s work was never done..<br /><br />Jessica was an anthropomorphic Whitetail deer, dressed in a loose, well<br />patched gown, that had the look of once being a thing of beauty, surely, a<br />gown that only one of nobility would have been able to afford, yet years had<br />taken away the luster and vibrant colors, leaving the once majestic gown<br />torn, ragged and well-faded. Its long, billowing sleeves had been torn away,<br />and the ruffle at the neckline had likewise been ripped off and long since<br />discarded. Now, it was faded, patched with differing pieces of cloth, and<br />its hem was threadbare with long tears along it.<br /><br />Her fur was a soft, pale brown down the back of her neck and back, with a<br />grayish/white from the underside of her chin, down her throat, and barely<br />visibly through a slit in the front of her ragged gown, down the inner<br />thighs and ankles. Her wide set eyes were red-rimmed from the sweat that<br />trickled down into them, and her ears lay folded back against the back of<br />her neck, as she hefted the heavy axe once again, then breathed out and<br />swung it down onto the log.<br /><br />With a splitting crack, the log broke apart and she paused, gasping and<br />stretching, her spine crackling as she stood upright. Kneeling, she began to<br />pick up the split logs, then hear ears perked up and flicked to and fro, as<br />she heard a distant sound that was not a natural part of her deep forest<br />home. Blinking her wide-set, deep brown eyes, she lifted her head up to the<br />trees and her ears flicked again, this time the raucous caw of a raven told<br />her more in that short, abrupt cry, than she wished to know. Putting down<br />her axe, she hurriedly gathered what she could and fled back into her small<br />stone and earthen cottage. Quickly, she looked around at her meager<br />possessions, then frowned and reached up above the door and retrieved an<br />ancient sword, which hissed from its scabbard. Holding it in both paws, the<br />Doe walked back outside, her face set in determination to defend her home<br />from this intruder, should he be hostile.<br /><br />Experience had long taught her to be wary of strangers, and she was<br />determined not to give up her home or her life, cheaply.<br /><br />*<br /><br />From down the dim, sun-dappled forest trail, came the clip-clop of a strong,<br />powerful horse, its hoof beats thudding down against the forest loam. As it<br />hove into view, it was revealed to be a large breed of horse, its head,<br />neck, chest and rump barded in heavy plate armor, an ornate surcoat covering<br />it down to the knees. Astride the war-mount, sat a human man, dressed in<br />gleaming full plate armor, a large kite shield with a rearing unicorn emblem<br />on its front, a large, heavy lance replete with pennant flapping in the thin<br />breeze that swirled and eddied through the trees.<br /><br />The man was Sir Kathis, Knight Errant and Dragon Slayer. Over a dozen<br />dragons had met their fates at his hand; he had the skull&#039;s hung outside his<br />castle to show for it. Across the kingdom, his reputation and fame were well<br />known. Many a maiden had begged for his hand in marriage, but he had refused<br />them all, as he knew, with each Dragon he went to face, it might very well<br />be the last time. It sent a thrill of adrenaline through him each time, as<br />he closed on his foe to do battle, the niggling doubts in his mind that he<br />might actually fail - and quite possibly - die.<br /><br />*<br /><br />Jessica stood her ground, holding her sword in both paws, her arm&#039;s<br />twitching as she struggled to heft the heavy blade, yet her sweat ravaged<br />muzzle showed no fear, only a grim determination as the knight advanced,<br />then paused a dozen paces away, his gauntlet covered hand rising to lift the visor<br />as he peered down from horseback at the Doe who wilted slightly, then as if<br />drawing strength from the very ground, raised the blade threateningly.<br /><br />&quot;Who are you, who comes unto my forest so armed?&quot; Jessica called out, her<br />voice quavering with the fear that crept into her body.<br /><br />&quot;Hold your tongue woman!&quot; Snapped the knight. &quot;Who are you, who dares to<br />draw steel against me?&quot;<br /><br />&quot;I answer to no-one, Knight!&quot; Jessica growled. &quot;This be my forest, and I be<br />its protector and guardian. Now, who gives you the right to intrude on this<br />forest, trampling through it like a raging Dragon?&quot;<br /><br />Impatiently, Sir Kathis marched his horse closer, and then stared down at<br />the Doe. &quot;I am Sir Kathis, Knight Errant, and Dragon Slayer. Now, move aside<br />woman, or I&#039;ll move you aside.&quot;<br /><br />Defiantly, Jessica moved to stand before the horse, whose ears suddenly<br />flattened and it snorted, tossing its proud head in fear, then pawed at the<br />ground and stepped back away from her. Blinking, Sir Kathis fought his<br />suddenly panicking mount, barely bringing the powerful warhorse under<br />control.<br /><br />&quot;A Knight?&quot; Jessica snorted, then wrinkled her nose and spat on the ground<br />before her, then glared up at the Knight. &quot;You have no business here Sir<br />Knight - now, take your pretty little pony and leave my woods, and do not<br />come back.&quot;<br /><br />Incredulously, Sir Kathis stared down at the Doe, who stared back, her gaze<br />blazing with a surprising strength that he found bewildering. Never in his<br />life, had he met a peasant, who had such strength about them, it was this<br />that intrigued him. Jessica continued to stare, but her scowl slowly faded<br />into a look of apathetic disgust, and she flicked a furtive glance up at the<br />darkening sky.<br /><br />&quot;Milady - &quot; Began Sir Kathis. &quot;I am a Knight, on the King&#039;s business, and I<br />apologize for intruding into your forest..&quot;<br /><br />&quot;King? King you say?&quot; Jessica snorted and threw back her head, then her<br />laughter pealed forth. &quot;I have no need of your pathetic King here. I care<br />not an ounce of wheat for your King, and I care even less for you Sir<br />Knight! However - you won&#039;t make it out of these woods before nightfall,<br />that much I know. The least I can do, is offer you my meager home for the<br />night..&quot;<br /><br />&quot;Listen to me, you wretch of a stillborn fawn!&quot; Snarled Sir Kathis. &quot;I&#039;ll<br />have you not disparage my Lord&#039;s good name..&quot;<br /><br />&quot;No, you listen to me!&quot; Jessica suddenly snarled. &quot;I&#039;ve lived in this here<br />wood for twenty winters plus, Sir Knight.&nbsp;&nbsp;I know what moves and stirs within<br />its bounds, and even I know it&#039;d be suicide to try and make it from here<br />come nightfall. You are welcome at my table this night, but you must leave,<br />come sunup. Either you accept, or you take that overgrown Shetland of yours,<br />and take your chances. It matters not to me, except that I&#039;d rather not have<br />your stinking, rotting corpse within the bounds of my woodland home!&quot;<br /><br />With that, Jessica turned about and stalked back into her cottage, slamming<br />the door behind her. Astride his quivering mount, Sir Kathis blinked in<br />stunned disbelief, then looked around at the growing shadows. Sliding from<br />his saddle, he petted his mount on the neck, and felt the great warhorse<br />trembling, its ears flattening, nostrils flaring and eyes showing the whites<br />as they rolled in their sockets. Shaking his head, he unbuckled the visor<br />helm he wore, then lashed the reins to a small branch and moved into the<br />small, but surprisingly warm cottage. As the door closed, the horse whinnied<br />and reared, then squealed with a long, forlorn cry that echoed off into the<br />forest..<br /><br />*<br /><br />Inside the cottage, Sir Kathis stood, looking around at the crude furniture<br />and meager possessions of the young Whitetail, who busied herself with<br />preparing a delicious smelling stew that bubbled in a soot-black cauldron<br />over a small fire.<br /><br />&quot;I wasn&#039;t expecting...guests.&quot; Jessica growled quietly, not even bothering to<br />look at the Knight. &quot;So you&#039;ll have to settle for yesterday&#039;s bread, some<br />goats milk and a wedge of cheese. I don&#039;t often get visitors out this way.&quot;<br /><br />&quot;With such a warm and welcoming greeting, I can see why not.&quot; Sir Kathis<br />replied, as he lowered himself into a rickety looking chair, his armor<br />creaking.<br /><br />Jessica paused, then glanced back over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing in<br />anger. &quot;If you care not for my hospitality, then you&#039;re welcome to walk<br />right back out that door. I didn&#039;t invite you into my forest, and I sure don<br />&#039;t want you here, but since you are here - then perchance, the least you<br />could do is show a little respect.&quot;<br /><br />Her words struck Sir Kathis like a hammer, and he moved in his seat and for<br />a moment, actually looked chastised, before he cleared his throat and spoke.<br /><br />&quot;Milady - forgive me and my impudent manners. I meant no disrespect, its<br />just that I&#039;ve ridden the length and breadth of this Kingdom for many weeks,<br />often without encountering another living person. I offer you my apology,<br />and I swear on my name, that I shall do my utmost to respect your beliefs<br />and shall not intrude on you anymore than I already have.&quot;<br /><br />Pausing, Jessica sighed and her shoulders visibly slumped, before she turned<br />about and looked at the hard packed dirt floor, and furtively looked up at<br />the Knight, then her eyes dropped again.<br /><br />&quot;Apology accepted Sir Kathis, and I extend my own - it has been many, many<br />winters, since I had a male in my cottage. My only companion&#039;s have been the<br />animals of the wild woods, and my Nanny goat but she isn&#039;t much of a<br />conversationalist.&quot; Jessica flashed him a weak smile, then slowly curtsied<br />and held out her paw to him.<br /><br />Sir Kathis accepted the paw, then raised it to his lips and let his lips<br />tenderly brush her furred hoof-paw. Jessica blushed deeply beneath her fur,<br />and then squeezed his hand. With a startled gasp, Sir Kathis grunted as her<br />grasp nearly broke the bones in his gauntlet clad hand, and Jessica blinked<br />then hurriedly snatched her hoof-paw back and spun away, busying herself<br />with the cooking stew. Sir Kathis removed his gauntlets, then looked at his<br />left hand, seeing the white indentations of where the chain gauntlet had dug<br />into his flesh.<br /><br />&quot;That&#039;s some grip you have milady.&quot; Sir Kathis acknowledged.<br /><br />&quot;It comes - from having to cut my own wood and other chores.&quot; Jessica<br />responded. &quot;Its been many winters since I.&quot;<br /><br />A choking sob caught in her throat and she swallowed, and then stirred her<br />stew again, blinking away the salty tears. Sir Kathis blinked, then he rose<br />and placed his hand on Jessica&#039;s shoulder comfortingly. Without warning, she<br />snarled and shied away, bursting into tears and fleeing to the small<br />bedroom, whence she slammed the door hard enough to rattle the cracked<br />plates on the rack above the fireplace.<br /><br />*<br /><br />Confused and uncertain, Sir Kathis sighed and walked outside, to tend to his<br />loyal companion and mount, his mind whirling and churning with thoughts and<br />feelings he didn&#039;t understand.<br /><br />*<br /><br />In her bedroom, Jessica threw herself down onto her straw pallet bed and<br />wept bitterly, clutching a mangy wolf-skin stuffed with straw to her chest,<br />as she wept. For more years than she could remember, she had pined for her<br />lost mate, finally, she had resolved her grief and put it behind her then<br />along comes this Knight, all virtue, goodness and righteousness, everything<br />her own mate had been.<br /><br />It was as if a icy dagger had been plunged into her heart, all the dark,<br />rotten blood of her grief bubbling and gushing to the surface in a wild,<br />untamed rush of emotions. Emotions she had fought twenty years, to banish<br />and forget emotions she did not want, not then, and not now.<br /><br />To Be Continued..<br /><br /></span>",
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