It's hard times for former Amazonian Queen, Gabrielle. Once, her staff held the fate of high-born people and, on several occasions, the destiny of a entire nation. These days, though, it still holds the power of life and death, but only for slithers and other predators. Gabrielle was fortunate to have escaped with her life, after being overthrown by that treacherous upstart, Merrizon. She tried for several generalships for various monarchs, but none hired her; fearing that she might someday overthrow them--and, to be fair about it, she probably would have. Once a queen, it's hard to be something else. She tried just being a mercenary warrior, but got seriously injured in her first fight and, after that, her career just plunged down and down ,until half-starved, a local landholder took pity on her and hired her as a shepardess. She, for her part, didn't mention the queen business. Prospective employers usually laughed her out their doors, if she mentioned it. This was her last chance and she knew it. So for the past three years, here she is, herding woolies for tal Jayar. Being the last hired, guess who gets the night duty? Gabrielle has learned contentment. She likes the simplicity of the life, has regained her health, and--while the food is plain, it is also plentiful. Tonight, though, there is no contentment. The moon is full with a thin veil of clouds that the brightest stars still manage to shine through. A bit of a breeze, too, but the woolies are restless and uneasy. She feels through her feet the familiar, dreaded but still distant tremors--a stealthy shaking of the ground. Slithers are definitely up and about. They'll have visitors tonight. ************************************************** Credits: House by Mars Rebel; Queen Gabrielle, including clothing and textures, by gany78; Magick Hair; Bent Tree, Large Bent Tree, and Large tree by zxcvb; Bulky Oak with Roots by Lars Braad Andersen; Boolean Sheep, I think was by masamich; both ferns by unknown; Shaefer Daisies by varian; Long Grass and Grass Patch by Eric Smit; and Terrains by me. Thanks to all those artists, and thanks to you for looking and any helpful or encouraging comments. Regards, Jeremy