Pitchfork and Pen—A Christmas in Kismera

Ki MacKinnon, one of the most feared warriors in all of Kismera, gazed at her husband with a soft expression that belied her reputation.

This was not the first time Ki had noticed Drace looking distracted and melancholy.

Dark Lord of Kismera (cont’d)

 

Chapter Nine

Drace and Ki came down to the main hall an hour later dressed for traveling. Both carried bedrolls, packed saddlebags, and their sword belts.

Dark Lord of Kismera (cont’d)

Morning sun was just starting to stream through the open windows when Estelle bustled in. She tripped over Drace’s underwear by the door.

Dark Lord of Kismera (cont’d)

After a hot bath, Drace felt he no longer smelled like a goat, and with the liniment Estelle had given him, he felt less sore. He realized how much he missed things like aspirin, antiperspirant, and aftershave.

Dark Lord of Kismera (cont’d)

Ki looked up at him questioningly while her hands continued to move over him. He stilled her hands by covering them with his own. She made a sound of protest.

Dark Lord of Kismera (cont’d)

Ki spotted something and pointed, “See, just there, two bison beasts.”

Dark Lord of Kismera (cont’d)

She quickly did a slender braid on each side of his head that pulled his hair away from his face to behind his ears. She pulled a big needle and some yarn from her apron pocket, pulled all of his hair back and sewed the lot of it into a tight queue.

She came around to survey her work. “Now you look like a proper fighting man!” she exclaimed.

Dark Lord of Kismera (cont’d)

Chapter Eight

Estelle bustled into Drace’s room at dawn the next morning. He was on his stomach asleep with one arm under his pillow, the other by his side, palm up. His dark hair covered most of his face.

Dark Lord of Kismera (cont’d)

“I should not have lost my head like that,” Drace whispered, referring to more than just the kiss. “I don’t rough-handle women.”