by Allen Werner
Didian’s whole body shuddered and his eyes lost color. It was the first time the imp nearly lost his composure and balance.
Slowly, Viridian started to work it, her hand gliding from the base to the tip and back again. “I will meet with your Lord,” she whispered.
Didian was having difficulty speaking. “Yes … My Lord … My Lord Ophis will be … will be pleased.”
Viridian gave the creature’s erection one firm squeeze before letting him go completely. She walked away from the bird-creature leaving him shaking and unfulfilled. She stopped before reaching the door, her backside still facing him.
“When and where shall we meet?”
Didian seemed a bit miffed and it took a moment to regain his composure. He put his legs back together causing the appendage to disappear. “Tomorrow night, just after dark. Take a small water craft to the reefs near Baiae and disembark by yourself at the pier called Hell. Follow the footpath to Lago d’Averno. We will be celebrating at the Temple of Apollo. Do you know it?”
‘I have heard of it. What are you celebrating?”
Didian, fully recovered from his unfulfillment, rolled the shoulders of his wings. “We honor Pan. There will be wine and food, song and lovemaking.”
Viridian rubbed her hips, the incredible warmth generated by Didian’s body still lingering inside her hands. “Tell Lord Ophis I look forward to meeting him.”
Didian slowly extended his wings not wanting to startle My Lady again. Viridian heard the sound and turned to watch him.
‘My god, he’s magnificent.’
The black wings of the imp created a shadow over the whole patio.
“Remember, My Lady, the invitation is for you and you only.”
With one downward thrust, a powerful wind created by the imp’s wings thrusted Viridian’s long black hair behind her. The imp released his hold on the railing and shot up a few feet in the air where he hovered for a moment. “I will be there, as well. I hope you may be persuaded to finish what we began here tonight. I may yet, surprise you, My Lady.” Didian’s red eyes flared before another sweep of his enormous wings sent a tremendous gust of wind her way.
Viridian nearly lost her balance this time.
Didian flew off over the ocean, dodging playful between the erect Farogoli.
Viridian ran back to the rail over Tiberius’ Drop and watched the black imp sail off in the horizon. He seemed to grow larger the further away he flew.
Viridian didn’t stir or release her grip on the rail until the creature was completely out of sight and the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks below was all she could hear.
Smiling, she placed her right hand between her legs, two fingers rubbing vigorously the freshness.
“I’m going to be a queen,” she told herself, breathing heavy, sweating. “I’m going to be a queen. I’m going to be a whore and a queen. Fuck you, Rugerius. I’m going to be a queen.”
Viridian came.
And with this, the third day ended.
CHRONOLOGY - CHAIN OF EVENTS
1124
Sinibaldus born
1127
Meliore & Tancred Fabbro wed
1128
Avenel Fabbro born (Meliore/Tancred)
1130
Gherardus Fabbro born (Meliore/Tancred)
1138
Turstin Fabbro born (Meliore/Tancred)
1154
Francis Whitehall born (Constance/William)
1155
Frederick Barbarossa becomes Holy Roman Emperor
1157
Gherardus Fabbro weds Bertina
1159
Sinibaldus’ mother dies
1160
Turstin Fabbro weds Druda
1161
William Whitehall executed in Warwick
1162
Milan Rebellion opposes Emperor Barbarossa
1164
Pero de Alava born (Maria/Blassilo)
Rugerius Fabbro born (Bertina/Gherardus)
1165
Anti-Pope Paschal III run off
1167
3rd Crusade invasion of Egypt
1169
Talento Fabbro born (Bertina/Gherardus)
Bertina Fabbro suffers stroke during labor
1170
Meliore and Tancred Fabbro assassinated
Avenel Fabbro leaves Parthenope
Gherardus Fabbro becomes Lord of Parthenope
1173
Francis Whitehall in the Outremer
1175
Rugerius Fabbro & Bergus of Brindisi kill Dugaro
1178
Viridian born
1181
Pero’s father Blassilo dies
1182
Francis Whitehall and Midonia wed
Tomas Fabbro born (Druda/Turstin)
1183
Anne Whitehall born (Midonia/Francis)
1184
Whitsuntide – Germany – Pero & Francis first meet
1185
Pero treats with Geoffrey Wolfe for Francis Whitehall’s services
Merle Gilmore begins rebuild of Warwick Castle
1188
Gherardus and Sinibaldus first meet
Sin Circus sets up tents near Herculaneum
1189
Turstin Fabbro arrested
Sinibaldus designs sanctuary prison in The Eagles Forest
1190
Guidus Salvatore becomes Provost of Parthenope
Emperor Barbarossa dies. Son Henry VI becomes new Emperor.
1191
Viridian’s parents die in shipwreck. Moves to Parthenope.
Rugerius Fabbro promoted to Castellan of Parthenope
Dato Fabbro born (Druda/Turstin)
Celestine III becomes Pope.
November
1193
Pero de Alava’s Imperial appointment at Capua begins
1195
Battle of Alarcos
Spring
1197
Floods in Campania region
June
1197
Anthea Manikos arrives in Parthenope
Anthea and Pero first meet in chapel in Parthenope
August
1197
Pero and Anthea announce engagement, travel to Spain
28
September
1197
Emperor Henry VI dies.
Throne contested for by Philip of Swabia &
Otto of Brunswick
8
January
1198
Pope Celestine III dies. Innocent III successor.
February
1198
Pero returns from Spain with new trade agreement
20
March
1198
Banquet to honor Pero held in Parthenope.
Pero breaks Rugerius’ jaw and is expelled.
12
August
1198
Provost Guidus Salvatore rides all night to deliver a letter to Pero from Gherardus Fabbro.
13
August
1198
Secret meeting held beneath Castel dell Ovo.
Pero de Alava, upon receiving letter from Gherardus Fabbro, curses God, breaks engagement to Anthea Manikos and rides for Eagles Pass.
Rugerius Fabbro and a militia of mercenaries’ lay siege to Capua and kill everyone except Francis Whitehall and Guidus Salvatore. The two men manage to escape down a privy pipe.
Pero de Alava attacked on Eagles Pass by wolves and bears.
Losing everything, Pero lands in Ithaca, a sanctuary prison surrounded by enchanted creatures.
Prisoner Turstin Fabbro tells Pero all about his family, the Fabbro family, and their dark secrets.
DAY ONE ENDS
The Crystal Crux – Blue Grotto is the second novel in The Crystal Crux series authored by Allen M Werner.
Allen lives in Southeastern Wisconsin with his wife, Susan.
They have three daugh
ters, three grandchildren and a loving host of self-proclaimed extended children and grandchildren.
Ready, set, run …