HOME | DD

Description
These days young maidens are warned to ‘guard thy virtuous heart’, but many do not heed this warning and fall prey to villainous men. Such is the sad tale of Heartstone.

Once upon a time there was a powerful necromancer whose beloved wife had died suddenly.  The necromancer, in desperation, called his wife’s spirit from the grave with hope of one last glimpse of her beauty and to hear her melodious voice.
She had been a woman full of laughter and grace, but when she appeared her face was grim and worried, and this caused the necromancer to cry out in pain. “My love, why are you so troubled?”  Barely looking at him she answered, “For I fear our daughter will be tricked in giving away her virtuous heart too easily,” and she sobbed before her spirit faded away.

Indeed, the mother had good reason to fear for her child. Aslynn was young, beautiful, much too trusting, and an easy pray for swindlers. And her father was old and would not live much longer while he missed his dead wife so much.  The necromancer, believing that his wife foretold a devastating prophecy first beckoned the young child to him.  He then conjured up a dark stone and gave it to her.  She watched as the stone melted into a marvelous large glowing ruby. “This, my child, is your most precious possession, your Heartstone. Guard it well, and only give it to someone who has proven their worth. But beware, once you give it away, you cannot get it back unless the holder gives it too you.”

Aslynn nodded, and then the necromancer used his power on her, and instead of a beautiful young girl, now stood in front of him was an ugly ancient crone. “This is for your protection. Others will see your beauty and think you are not wise and will try to use you.  In this disguise you can practice the ancient arts and not be bothered. However it is not a true form, but an illusion and should anyone get too close, will see right through it.”

The necromancer then took his daughter far away to a magical oasis hidden in the rocky hills of a large desert. The oasis could only be reached through a narrow passage between the hills, and then a thick forest stretched out.  Towards the center was a cave where Aslynn would live, hidden by a waterfall and a crystalline pool.  Aslynn loved the place immediately and made many friends among the animals that lived there.  Satisfied, the necromancer left his daughter in the peaceful place he had made for her, and later passed on to be with his wife.

As it happened in a kingdom far away from Aslynn’s sanctuary, there were three princes. The eldest was regarded as the wisest man alive, and relinquished his title to live in a monastery.  The middle brother was the most charming and became a King whom everyone loved.  However, the youngest brother, Kamyn, who was wise and charming and skilled in the art of war, decided he would leave and seek his fortune elsewhere. With Kamyn were some of his closest friends and a devoted servant.

Kamyn and his little army traveled into nearby kingdoms and with his intellect was quickly able to take over.  As time went on he seemed invincible and word began to grow of Kamyn the Conqueror.  He was fair and just to his newfound subjects, and those that didn’t love him, feared him.  His kingdom and armies were vast, and Kamyn kept setting his sights on harder enemies.

Now it happened that Kamyn decided to attack the nomad King Bran.  Bran’s people lived near a great desert, and when they saw the Conqueror’s army approaching they fled into the sands.  Kamyn relentlessly charged after the people, but soon got lost in the whirling and shifting sands.  Only a handful of his closest friends and a devoted servant were able to stay together with him. They wandered in the sands, crying in thirst for water. Kamyn kept throwing his hands in the air and moaning for rain.  The servant spied some rocky hills, and the group thought that they might have some shelter from the wind at least if they ventured into the passage between the hills.

They kept moving forward as if something was drawing them into the hills.  When Kamyn stepped onto the thick green carpet of the forest he nearly fell over in shock.  Hunger and thirst then once again plagued their bodies.  Kamyn spied a hare and he lunged and grabbed it.  Before anyone could even make suggestions on how to cook the poor beast it squeaked “Please don’t eat me. If you spare my life, I will take you to the old crone who lives in this place.  She will feed you, and grant you a wish for sparing a friend of hers.”  The devoted servant then piped up, “Sire, I have a bad feeling about this place. I do not believe we should be here.”

Kamyn though a moment and then released the hare. “We have no other place to go, and who knows? Maybe this old crone can adjust our fortune.”  After some time following the hare they came upon Aslynn’s home and the beautiful pool.  They all fell to their knees and drank greedily from the pool.

         Aslynn who had been making a stew deep in the cavernous cave heard talking outside.  She was at first very frightened as she knew her father had hidden her way.  But then her curiosity got the better of her.  She stepped out and saw Kamyn kneeling in front of her.  The others took a step back, for Aslynn appeared quite old and with warts all over her face.  But Kamyn had been looking into the water of the clear pool and saw her for what she was.  He stood up and went towards her.  Aslynn stood quite still as Kamyn reached out and cupped her face in his hands.  In that moment the illusion was broken and Aslynn stood there in front of them all in all her beauty.

Kamyn’s friends then hailed Aslynn, showering her with complements on her beauty while she fixed them large helping of stew. The servant crept up and whispered in Kamyn’s ear, “Sire, I have a bad feeling. We should not stay too long here.”  But Kamyn swatted away his words like annoying flies. As night fell everyone told stories by firelight, and Aslynn conjured a magical lyre that played and sang by itself.  Kamyn stayed near Aslynn all night whispering into her ear compliments.  Aslynn who had never had human company, and with Kamyn being so attentive towards her, she fell in love with him over the next week.

On the 7th day the soldiers were now well rested and aching for battle again. Aslynn had become much closter with Kamyn, and wanted to go with them, as she believed she would be his queen when he returned to his kingdom.  Aslynn, knowing that a large desert surrounded her, picked up an amphora and placed a spell on it so that it was always full of water.  She readied herself while to soldiers and Kamyn sharpened their swords.  The servant noticed Aslynn preparing to leave as well and went again concerned to his master. “Sire, this witch, you cannot make her your queen. Our people will not accept her.”  Kamyn laughed. “My dear friend, you have always been on a look out for my interests. This journey has been fruitful. And I still can ask the girl for one wish and then we will be done with her.”

Kamyn then approached Aslynn and said “Beautiful witch, I believe I am due one wish for sparing the hare’s life?” She nodded. “Then I want something that will guarantee my success in this battle and safely return to my kingdom.”  Aslynn paused for a moment and then pulled out the Heartstone she had in a pouch around her neck. “Kamyn, this is my most precious thing I posses, only the truly worthy can harness it for protection.”  Kamyn greedily took the stone and started to turn it over and over in his hands.

Aslynn felt a sharp stab of loss after she gave the Heartstone over to him. She started to talk to him about what his kingdom was like and asked how long it would take for them to return there.  He then started laughing. “You really think I would put you upon my throne? You are a stupid witch.” Kamyn then shoved her into the shallow end of the pool.  His soldiers then grabbed the never ending supply of water, and the servant picked up the magical lyre and they took off.

As she stood up and tears ran down her face she flung out a curse on Kamyn.  When the soldiers exited the narrow passageway into the sands, they were ambushed by the nomads and King Bran.  The soldier carrying the amphora of water dropped it, and the water spilled out of it continuously and drowned all but Kamyn and his faithful servant.  In the chaos they fled away from their enemy and continued running away in the darkness. They could hear King Bran searching for them and tried to be deathly still.  But then the servant stumbled over a rabbit hole and dropped the magical lyre which burst into song. It didn’t take King Bran long to find them and kill them.

When Kamyn lay dead on the sands, King Bran noticed the blood red ruby glowing around his neck. He then picked it up and took it with him.  Now it is said only the truly worthy can hold the Heartstone for long, and tales of it changing hands in relation to the rise and fall of kings is common. And it is said that a beautiful woman is always near the holder of the Heartstone, deeming the holder worthy or not. So far she is still searching.

Afterward

This story is loosely based off of true events. It is about women who believe they are in love but then are abused by their soldier boyfriends/fiancés/husbands when they return from Iraq. And it is about the quest these women undertake to try to find love again after betrayal.

Description
These days young maidens are warned to ‘guard thy virtuous heart’, but many do not heed this warning and fall prey to villainous men. Such is the sad tale of Heartstone.

Once upon a time there was a powerful necromancer whose beloved wife had died suddenly.  The necromancer, in desperation, called his wife’s spirit from the grave with hope of one last glimpse of her beauty and to hear her melodious voice.
She had been a woman full of laughter and grace, but when she appeared her face was grim and worried, and this caused the necromancer to cry out in pain. “My love, why are you so troubled?”  Barely looking at him she answered, “For I fear our daughter will be tricked in giving away her virtuous heart too easily,” and she sobbed before her spirit faded away.

Indeed, the mother had good reason to fear for her child. Aslynn was young, beautiful, much too trusting, and an easy pray for swindlers. And her father was old and would not live much longer while he missed his dead wife so much.  The necromancer, believing that his wife foretold a devastating prophecy first beckoned the young child to him.  He then conjured up a dark stone and gave it to her.  She watched as the stone melted into a marvelous large glowing ruby. “This, my child, is your most precious possession, your Heartstone. Guard it well, and only give it to someone who has proven their worth. But beware, once you give it away, you cannot get it back unless the holder gives it too you.”

Aslynn nodded, and then the necromancer used his power on her, and instead of a beautiful young girl, now stood in front of him was an ugly ancient crone. “This is for your protection. Others will see your beauty and think you are not wise and will try to use you.  In this disguise you can practice the ancient arts and not be bothered. However it is not a true form, but an illusion and should anyone get too close, will see right through it.”

The necromancer then took his daughter far away to a magical oasis hidden in the rocky hills of a large desert. The oasis could only be reached through a narrow passage between the hills, and then a thick forest stretched out.  Towards the center was a cave where Aslynn would live, hidden by a waterfall and a crystalline pool.  Aslynn loved the place immediately and made many friends among the animals that lived there.  Satisfied, the necromancer left his daughter in the peaceful place he had made for her, and later passed on to be with his wife.

As it happened in a kingdom far away from Aslynn’s sanctuary, there were three princes. The eldest was regarded as the wisest man alive, and relinquished his title to live in a monastery.  The middle brother was the most charming and became a King whom everyone loved.  However, the youngest brother, Kamyn, who was wise and charming and skilled in the art of war, decided he would leave and seek his fortune elsewhere. With Kamyn were some of his closest friends and a devoted servant.

Kamyn and his little army traveled into nearby kingdoms and with his intellect was quickly able to take over.  As time went on he seemed invincible and word began to grow of Kamyn the Conqueror.  He was fair and just to his newfound subjects, and those that didn’t love him, feared him.  His kingdom and armies were vast, and Kamyn kept setting his sights on harder enemies.

Now it happened that Kamyn decided to attack the nomad King Bran.  Bran’s people lived near a great desert, and when they saw the Conqueror’s army approaching they fled into the sands.  Kamyn relentlessly charged after the people, but soon got lost in the whirling and shifting sands.  Only a handful of his closest friends and a devoted servant were able to stay together with him. They wandered in the sands, crying in thirst for water. Kamyn kept throwing his hands in the air and moaning for rain.  The servant spied some rocky hills, and the group thought that they might have some shelter from the wind at least if they ventured into the passage between the hills.

They kept moving forward as if something was drawing them into the hills.  When Kamyn stepped onto the thick green carpet of the forest he nearly fell over in shock.  Hunger and thirst then once again plagued their bodies.  Kamyn spied a hare and he lunged and grabbed it.  Before anyone could even make suggestions on how to cook the poor beast it squeaked “Please don’t eat me. If you spare my life, I will take you to the old crone who lives in this place.  She will feed you, and grant you a wish for sparing a friend of hers.”  The devoted servant then piped up, “Sire, I have a bad feeling about this place. I do not believe we should be here.”

Kamyn though a moment and then released the hare. “We have no other place to go, and who knows? Maybe this old crone can adjust our fortune.”  After some time following the hare they came upon Aslynn’s home and the beautiful pool.  They all fell to their knees and drank greedily from the pool.

         Aslynn who had been making a stew deep in the cavernous cave heard talking outside.  She was at first very frightened as she knew her father had hidden her way.  But then her curiosity got the better of her.  She stepped out and saw Kamyn kneeling in front of her.  The others took a step back, for Aslynn appeared quite old and with warts all over her face.  But Kamyn had been looking into the water of the clear pool and saw her for what she was.  He stood up and went towards her.  Aslynn stood quite still as Kamyn reached out and cupped her face in his hands.  In that moment the illusion was broken and Aslynn stood there in front of them all in all her beauty.

Kamyn’s friends then hailed Aslynn, showering her with complements on her beauty while she fixed them large helping of stew. The servant crept up and whispered in Kamyn’s ear, “Sire, I have a bad feeling. We should not stay too long here.”  But Kamyn swatted away his words like annoying flies. As night fell everyone told stories by firelight, and Aslynn conjured a magical lyre that played and sang by itself.  Kamyn stayed near Aslynn all night whispering into her ear compliments.  Aslynn who had never had human company, and with Kamyn being so attentive towards her, she fell in love with him over the next week.

On the 7th day the soldiers were now well rested and aching for battle again. Aslynn had become much closter with Kamyn, and wanted to go with them, as she believed she would be his queen when he returned to his kingdom.  Aslynn, knowing that a large desert surrounded her, picked up an amphora and placed a spell on it so that it was always full of water.  She readied herself while to soldiers and Kamyn sharpened their swords.  The servant noticed Aslynn preparing to leave as well and went again concerned to his master. “Sire, this witch, you cannot make her your queen. Our people will not accept her.”  Kamyn laughed. “My dear friend, you have always been on a look out for my interests. This journey has been fruitful. And I still can ask the girl for one wish and then we will be done with her.”

Kamyn then approached Aslynn and said “Beautiful witch, I believe I am due one wish for sparing the hare’s life?” She nodded. “Then I want something that will guarantee my success in this battle and safely return to my kingdom.”  Aslynn paused for a moment and then pulled out the Heartstone she had in a pouch around her neck. “Kamyn, this is my most precious thing I posses, only the truly worthy can harness it for protection.”  Kamyn greedily took the stone and started to turn it over and over in his hands.

Aslynn felt a sharp stab of loss after she gave the Heartstone over to him. She started to talk to him about what his kingdom was like and asked how long it would take for them to return there.  He then started laughing. “You really think I would put you upon my throne? You are a stupid witch.” Kamyn then shoved her into the shallow end of the pool.  His soldiers then grabbed the never ending supply of water, and the servant picked up the magical lyre and they took off.

As she stood up and tears ran down her face she flung out a curse on Kamyn.  When the soldiers exited the narrow passageway into the sands, they were ambushed by the nomads and King Bran.  The soldier carrying the amphora of water dropped it, and the water spilled out of it continuously and drowned all but Kamyn and his faithful servant.  In the chaos they fled away from their enemy and continued running away in the darkness. They could hear King Bran searching for them and tried to be deathly still.  But then the servant stumbled over a rabbit hole and dropped the magical lyre which burst into song. It didn’t take King Bran long to find them and kill them.

When Kamyn lay dead on the sands, King Bran noticed the blood red ruby glowing around his neck. He then picked it up and took it with him.  Now it is said only the truly worthy can hold the Heartstone for long, and tales of it changing hands in relation to the rise and fall of kings is common. And it is said that a beautiful woman is always near the holder of the Heartstone, deeming the holder worthy or not. So far she is still searching.

Afterward

This story is loosely based off of true events. It is about women who believe they are in love but then are abused by their soldier boyfriends/fiancés/husbands when they return from Iraq. And it is about the quest these women undertake to try to find love again after betrayal.