There is nothing for miles, save the wide plain, wet grass beneath your feet, the sound of silence in your ears. The new sun casts a warm orange and pink glow over everything, tickling the undersides of the clouds with gentle fingers.

A horse with two riders stands unmoving, watching the birth of the sun.

One is a young man, his golden hair thrown over his face, his eyes glittering with laughter half concealed.

The other is a woman, young and pretty, half a smile on her lips, a kiss waiting to be claimed.

She sits behind him, her head leaning on his shoulder, arms around his waist. They breathe together, her lose hair rippling down her back. She can feel the warmth of his body beneath her cheek, hear the beating of his heart, the answering rhythm of hers.

‘And so, my dearest,’ says the man quietly, ‘here I am at the very end. Did I tell it well?’

She smiles the smile that is in her heart. No more pretending. No more hiding. She is herself and only herself.

As is he.

‘Yes, you did,’ she says, her chin bumping his neck. ‘You told it uncommonly well, I thought. But there is only one thing...’

He turns to her, holding her arms so he can look upon her face, even though he has memerised every constellation of freckles to perfection.

‘What is it?’

She glances up at the sky. ‘It’s a warm morning,’ she says quietly, remembering their evening by the bonfire.

He laughs. ‘And may I ask what you mean by that?’

She looks him in the eye, daring him to laugh.

‘I really do think that, after everything we’ve done together, I’d quite like to be a bit naughty for once.’

And, for decency’s sake, you must leave us now.

No one’s perfect.

But we are wonderful.

RATE THIS CHAPTER!

Author guidance for This story

**THIS IS MY NANOVEL 2010**

When King Roald of Disnarta is murdered, the kingdom falls into turmoil. The rightful heir to the throne flees, fearing for his life, the suspicion of murder fallen upon him, and his cousin takes the throne.

The Lady Beatrix must choose her side and stand by it, as must all in Disnarta.

But when you don't know who might turn and betray you to the enemy, how can you decide who to trust... ?


This is the latest draft (for the old draft, go here: http://www.protagonize.com/story/the-pillar-of-marble) of a story I've been writing and planning for absolutely ages (lets just say that my handwriting on the first few drafts is barely recognisable as mine!!)

Only now have I actually taken it in hand and have planned it out very properly, so hopefully my planning will pay off!

I have checked, and although I have already written lots of this story before, I can still do this for NaNoWriMo because I'm re-writing it all from scratch, and not using any old drafts in this one. Just to let you know =]

Currently this has no title, so suggestions are welcome =)

Apart from that, I really need critique on this one! If you've got a story burning for critique, drop me a comment and I'll see what I can do!

Thanks everyone =)
~West xx

updated Nov 3 '10 by Westrina