The Land of Grimney - The Illustrated Adventures of Cora Pearl, aged 12

The morning air was warm and moist, carrying the heady fragrance of the forest. There was a stillness. Occasionally a bird would call out from a tree-top, to be answered by another in the far distance.

The leaves of a nearby bush were disturbed by something Marlen could not quite see. As if she could see the shadow, but not what was casting it.

Then, Marlen saw her arms. Golden and glistening. She stood up, trying to sort out the memories of the night before. trying to remember how she got here.

Something glittered amongst the tree roots. Marlen reached down and picked it up. It was a broach, but the design was like nothing she had ever seen. It was as if it was constantly changing. Constantly in motion. Not that she saw it alter it's form in any way. She just had the uncanny feeling that it was somehow alive.

_________________
Love all, forgive all, show mercy, condemn no-one.
May the King's peace be upon your body, mind, soul and spirit.
May love and joy be ever with you.

http://www.waycyber.com

Marlen carefully pinned the brooch to her soiled and faded dress, as the clasp was fastened the shifting shapes and colours in it's strange surface seemed leak and run into her dress making it almost irridescent. She drew her breath in sharply as a sensation that the dress was caressing her swept over her body...