All Entertainment OK

Online casinos are a lot different from their monolithic brick-and-mortar cousins. Unlike traditional casinos, online gambling can’t offer the glitz, atmosphere and free room upgrades that keep player feeling welcomed. Still, online casinos want to let their customers know they appreciate them. In lieu of a few freebies tossed as the players, online casinos offer something even better: free money.

That’s the poker bonus magic. To attract new players, Internet poker rooms compete for offering the best sign-up bonus. The bonus is often a match of your initial deposit up to a certain amount or percentage. For instance, a casino with a 25 percent bonus up to $100 means that a new player will get a quarter of his initial deposit up to $100 if he puts in at least $400 right off the bat.

Some poker sites simply offer a flat bonus rate, such as paying you $25 regardless of how much you deposit. Weigh the bonus offered against the quality of the poker site before you commit to the deposit. Do some research and check around online. The highest bonus in the world isn’t worth very much if playing at the casino is a horrid experience. Just find a site that’s right for you.

Online poker rooms don’t just want to attract new players; the best ones reward their loyal players. Often, sites will offer gamblers a certain number of points over time depending on how much money they’ve bet. Once a player has a certain number of points, he or she can urn them in for cash. It’s often not a lot of money, but any free money is better than none at all.

Several online casinos have standard sign-up bonuses and reward systems, but many sites like to mix things up every once in awhile and offer special promotions from time to time. Sometime, a player can find a better deal just by looking around. Some referral websites have worked out special deals with the casinos, and you can often find special deals through that site only that can’t be found everywhere else.

Another good place to look for poker bonus deals are gaming directory websites and poker review guides. If you can find a good poker message board, keep your eyes open. You never know who will find the next great deal to share with the rest of the computer literate poker community.

Tom Shannahan has been playing poker since he was 16. He grew up watching his father play with friends once a week. He currently writes part time for

In this article, I will discuss those optional extras are they optional or do you actually need them. If you want to read previous articles in this series start with How to buy a keyboard (Part1) at Mikes Music Room.

Having read this series of articles you have set your budget, you have seen and listened to your keyboard in the flesh, you have the features you want on your keyboard, so that’s it, your ready to start learning. Right? Not quite.

Now you need to deal with the dreaded optional extra. I do not have a problem with optional extras as long as that’s what they are and not necessary. An essential part of a keyboard is the power supply. Most keyboards in your price range use a plug in power supply and because some of these keyboards can be powered by batteries as well, some manufactures will charge you for the power supply and call it an optional extra. In my opinion, this is very sneaky and very naughty. Before you agree to buy a keyboard make sure the power supply is included in the price. My opinion on this is that if it is a deal breaker so be it. Power supplies can cost about £25.00 and this money can be used for other items you will need.

The next item you will need is a keyboard stand unless you want to place your keyboard on the dining table or the floor (not recommended). Normally you would leave the keyboard in the same place, so it is useful to have a stand. These can cost from £25.00 to £50.00 and I would recommend an adjustable height stand rather than a static stand. I would defiantly barter to get a stand thrown in with the price of the keyboard; it’s always worth a try. This of course should not be a deal breaker as the stand is an extra.

The above items especially the first one are important. Other less important items include a keyboard bench to sit on, not essential if you have chairs at home and an adjustable keyboard stand. A volume pedal and sustain pedal, which are connected to the back of the keyboard, normally using a jack plug. These will be rarely used.
Headphones can be useful for your families sanity during the early learning months.

Finally, the last item on my list is of course optional but I recommend you make it essential, and that’s keyboard lessons. Many music shops will offer a free keyboard lesson to get you started. These lessons are normally thirty-minute lessons and after your free lesson will cost between £10.00 and £20.00 per lesson. You will also need to buy music for your lessons, which again can cost £10.00 to £20.00 but this music should last from six to twelve months depending on how fast you can learn.

I hope this series of articles has given you sufficient information to buy a keyboard and start learning. If your unsure about keyboard lessons then try out my Lesson 1 e-book at Mikes Music Room which will get you started and you can download immediately.

About the Author
Michael David Shaw runs music websites mikesmusicroom.co.uk mikesmusicroom.co.uk and keyboardsheetmusic.co.uk keyboardsheetmusic.co.uk

No-Limit Texas Hold’em is a game unlike any other game you have played in your life. The skill required to be average is relatively simple. Taking your game to the next level requires to you unlearn all of the established strategy at the previous level. Starting hand requirements and pot odds literally go out the window when you are at the higher level. Most books will never detail higher level poker because most people simply won’t understand it. In order to become a great player, you have to take a lot more chances than the average tight-aggressisve tournament player. It is possible to win tournaments by playing tight conservative poker, but this is not the optimal strategy. The players who have the most success are picking up many uncontested pots. The best players play loose aggressive and could have any two cards at any time. They will call out of position with cards the books tell you is trash. They will raise with any two cards and win many pots. The higher level of poker requires that you forget about your own cards. Rather than knowing how to play each hand, you are trying to figure out how to play each opponent.

When you can play your opponent, your hand doesn’t really matter. You are trying to find weaknesses within your opponent’s strategy that you can exploit. Against a calling station, you simply play tight aggressive poker. Against a good player, you can find spots where it is tough for him to make a call. Many players are unable to make tough calls for the remainder of their chips. Your willingness to push your opponent off marginal hands is an extra edge that you can exploit. Focusing on your opponent’s tendencies may take some time to get used to. It is very mentally draining at first and requires a lot of trust in your reads. At first, you will be losing a lot of pots but stick with it. Eventually your reads will be automatic and it will be like playing your opponents with their hands face up.

Napoleon Will is a self-published author and semi-professional poker player. He updates the poker review and strategy site
mypokerstart.com mypokerstart.com

The Polish language is often considered one of the most difficult for non-native speakers to learn, and one of the reasons cited is the difficulty foreigners have in pronouncing Polish words and phrases.

However, this shouldn’t have to be so. Polish is, after all, a very phonetic language, and almost every single word is pronounced exactly as it is written (there are a few exceptions, but not many).

The Polish alphabet is very similar to the English one, with only some extra accent marks and unique letters. However, some of the letters which are the same in both Polish and English are pronounced differently, and this can lead to confusion among English speakers learning Polish.

The 32 letters of the Polish alphabet, with both upper and lower case, are: Aa, Ąą, Bb, Cc, Ćć, Dd, Ee, Ęę, Ff, Gg, Hh, Ii, Jj, Kk, Ll, Łł, Mm, Nn, Ńń, Oo, Óó, Pp, Rr, Ss, Śś, Tt, Uu, Ww, Yy, Żż, Źź, Zz. Notice that Qq, Vv, and Xx are not present in the Polish alphabet (more information about this in the second part of the article).

There are quite a few more vowels in the Polish language than in English. The Polish vowels are: a, ą, e, ę, i, o, ó, u, y. There are also several digraphs (two or more letters pronounced as one sound) in Polish, some of which have very unique pronunciation.

Once you learn how to pronounce the 32 letters of the alphabet and the digraphs above, reading Polish will become very simple and straightforward (understanding what you’re reading may take some more work, however). For the sake of simplicity, I’ve presented a table below with an explanation of all the letters and digraphs and their pronunciation.

A a The Polish “a” is a lot softer than the English “a” sound, and sounds a little higher than the “ahhh” sound you make at the doctor’s office (there is no corresponding English sound; you should listen to a Polish speaker to learn it correctly)

Ą ą Sounds like the American English “ow” in the word “own” with a deep French accent (again, this is a uniquely Polish sound)

B b Pronounced exactly like the English “b”

C c Pronounced as the “ts” sound in English

Ć ć This letter is pronounced as the “ch” in the word “cheese”. Beware: people will tell you that “ć” and “cz” are pronounced the same; any native speaker will tell you this is not true!

D d Pronounced just like the English “d”

E e Pronounced just like the American English “e” in the word “let”

Ę ę This sound is absolutely impossible for a foreigner to comprehend unless they hear it in person… it starts like the English “eh” and ends with an “wwww” sound with a thick French accent (please ask a Polish speaker to pronounce it for you to learn it correctly)

F f Pronounced just like the English “f”

G g Pronounced like the English “g” in the word “green”

H h Pronounced like the “h” in “hello”

I i Pronounced exactly like the American English “ee” in “bee”

J j Pronounced like the “y” in “yesterday”

K k Pronounced exactly like the English “k”

L l Pronounced just like the English “l”

Ł ł Pronounced exactly like the “w” in English

M m Pronounced just like the English “m”

N n Pronounced just like the English “n”

Ń ń Pronounced like an English “n” but with the mouth spread wider apart (like the Spanish letter “ñ”)

O o Pronounced like the American English “o” in the word “more”

Óó Pronounced as “oo” like in the American English “cool”

P p Pronounced exactly like the English “p”

R r Is pronounced with a roll of the tongue and lips in a circle, sounding like an engine running… “rrrrr” (much like the Spanish “r”)

S s Pronounced just like the English “s”

Ś ś Pronounced like the American English “sh” sound

T t Pronounced exactly like the English “t”

U u Is pronounced “oo,” exactly the same as the Polish “ó” letter.

W w Pronounced like the English letter “v”

Y y Pronounced like the “i” in the American English word “dim”

Ż ż This sound is not present in English. It sounds like a combination of a rolled “r” and a “z”

Ź ź This sound is also not present in English or the Western European languages. It sounds like a “ż” with a higher pitch; it is sometimes incorrectly transliterated as “zh”… this does not reflect the actual translation.

Z z Pronounced just like the English “z”

Find more articles about the Polish language on the website of SlovoPol Group at slovopol.com slovopol.com. SlovoPol also provides professional low-cost Polish and English translations. Martin Cheslak is the author of this article, and has all rights to its distribution, except those granted to articlesbeyondbetter.com.

Texas Hold’em and Omaha Poker resemble each other in that it is a game played with five community cards but there are differences between the two games, the major difference is that the hands in Omaha are usually much better, since you get to choose from 9 cards in total.

Omaha poker is fun, easy to play and here we will cover the basics you need to know.

Omaha poker has two variations of play only; Omaha High and Omaha Hi/Lo split. Omaha Poker can be played with betting ranging from a structured Limit game to a No Limit or Pot Limit. For ease of understanding, we will discuss Omaha High here.

Rules of the Game

Omaha poker is very easy to learn.

Omaha poker has structured betting. $2/$4 are about the lowest limit you find. Some games may be 5/10, 10/20 or higher.

For our example here, let’s use a 3/6. 3/6 means the minimum bet is $3 for the first two rounds of betting and the minimum bet is $6 for the last two betting rounds. These same limits are also applied to raising.

As every casino supplies a dealer, one player is designated as a ‘dealer’. This dealer is who acts last during each betting rounds. A “Button” (signifying marker) is used to identify the ‘dealer/. The button is rotated to the left after each hand.

In stud poker, all the players ante each round. This is not the rule in Omaha. Instead, blind bets are made to generate the starting pot just as in Texas Hold’em.

Playing Omaha

Two “Blind” bets are put up or “Posted” to start the game. As in Texas Hold’em, the player immediately to the left of ‘dealer’ puts up or “posts” the small blind. The small blind bet is half the minimum bet.

Therefore, the small blind for the $2/4 game is $1. The player to the immediate left of the small blind then posts the big blind. The big blind will equal the minimum bet; or $3 for this game.

No more money is put up to start the hand by the other players. As the button rotates around the table, each player will in turn act as the big blind, small blind and dealer.

The Game Routine – Flop, Turn, River and Showdown

When the blinds are posted, each player is then dealt four cards face down . The small blind player receives the first card, so the dealer gets the last card. Now the first betting round begins. The player to the left of the big blind either puts in two dollars to “Call” the blind bet, or puts in four dollars to “raise” the big blind. If he has a bad hand he will fold

The betting then goes around the table in order until it reaches the player who posted the small blind. The small blind can call the bet by putting in one dollar (since a dollar bet was already posted). The big blind is last person to act, and if no one has raised, the dealer asks if he would to. Big blind then, has the option to raise or just “check.” (do nothing)

After that, 3 cards are dealt face up on the table. These cards (and part of play) is known as the “Flop.”

These are the ‘community cards’ and can used by all the players. The next betting round will then begin with the first active player to the left of the dealer. As expected, the minimum bet in this round is again three dollars.

As the betting round is completed after the flop, the dealer ‘burns’ (turns over) another card face up in the middle of the table. This is called the “Turn.” Now however, the minimum bet is now $6, which as above, start with the first active player after the dealer.

After the turn betting round for the turn, the dealer burns the last (5th) card face up. This is known as the “river”. The final betting round then starts with a $6 minimum bet.

If the play becomes head to head with only two players, the raises are unlimited. Otherwise there are usually three or four raises maximum during all betting rounds.

The Winning Hand

To find out who won, all the players are obliged to use two of his hole cards and three cards from the “Board” (forming the highest five-card hand possible). The winning hand is then determined.

Many times two players will tie, and if that happens, they will split the pot between them.

While Texas Hold’em is the more popular game. Omaha poker has much to recommend it and you should check it out.

Remember

In Omaha poker each player is dealt four cards, before another five cards a dealt face up on the table. This means each player has a total of 9 cards from which to form his best five card hand. But in Omaha the best five card combination Must include two cards from the hand and three cards from the table, making it a challenging and fun game.

For more FREE info

On net-planet.org/games/poker.html Play omaha poker and tips and strategies to win in all major online casino games visit net-planet.org net-planet.org.

Forbidden is my love for you
Though the feelings are deep and strong
You and I – we belong to another
So being here with you is so wrong.

Yet passion keeps me coming back
I want it from you more and more
The chemistry is electric between us
You fill my being deep down to the core.

You have such a hold over me
Your power – it rushes through my veins
I’m addicted to you – just like heroin
And this feeling is why I remain.

We’ll continue to meet in secret
And carry on this passionate affair
Sometimes I think it’s all worth the risk
If we were caught, I just wouldn’t care.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my husband
And I know too that you love your wife
The consequences are unimaginable
Discovery would cause all sorts of strife.

But the magnetic attraction it draws us
We get lost amid its might along the way
How much longer can our forbidden love continue?
When it could be found out any day.

But until such a time may arise
We must enjoy the times that we share
For if they should come to an end
I cannot say that I wouldn’t care.

Life would be so less bearable
If I could not feel you inside
So, for this reason, my love
Our attraction we’ll continue to hide.

**Not written because of personal experience! Just a good imagination!**

I have a really good imagination, which can sometimes be a hindrance, but it is what helps me with inspiration to write my poetry, which I do as a form of relaxation and to give pleasure to others that read it. I write about everyday occurrences and events that have either happened to me or to others. I write about everyday occurrences and events that have either happened to me or to others. I had my first poem published in a magazine when I was 10 years old.

I have been writing poetry for many years and regularly have it published in print. My poetry is published by Forward Press and in many other publications. So I’m now putting my poetry online. I publish my poetry on my Blog jo-hale-poetry at jo-hale-poetry.blogspot.com/ jo-hale-poetry.blogspot.com/ and on 8hop.com 8hop.com/profile.php?user=johale My poetry on 8hop.com. I also have information about my poetry at squidoo.com/jo-hale-poetry squidoo.com/jo-hale-poetry. I’m married to my husband Peter.

Flying Stars or Fei Xing is a powerful form of Feng Shui derived from the famous Xuan Kong Fengshui. It is an Analysis of the Five Elements and Star Combinations (representing certain energy patterns) that occupy every building. Each new year these annual stars change, Qi (energy) shifts happen, bringing good and bad energy with them - thereby producing different effects.

In February 2004 all the Feng Shui Energy Patterns underwent huge transformations to the NewAge of Land Luck called Period 8 Energy Cycles. It means that a large scale evolution of the human race with completely new energy dynamics has started. The significance is that the new, vibrant energies of Period 8 impacts on the buildings differently than before and energies that were previously activated now need to be remedied, in order to reduce any bad effects from the past influences.

The Flying Stars Chart or the 9-Grid Meteor Plan for the Ding-Hai, Year of the Female Yin Red Fire Pig or Boar has been plotted and the effects of their energy patterns are analyzed. The analysis also contains suggested remedies/cures for reducing the impact of negative energy and recommended enhancers for increasing and improving upon the beneficial energy of the year.

For the remedies/enhancers to be effective, they should be cleansed, energised, blessed and programmed not only for the particular individual/family but also for the specific purpose/problem. They should also be placed in the indicated location.

The direction in which your main door lies is very important to any form of Geomancy, including Feng Shui & Vaastu Shashtra. The primary reason for this is that the air currents and energy flow in and flow out through the mouth of the main door. Thus you receive positive energy for the year, if the main door faces a direction of auspicious stars or meteors (powerful energy bodies) and receive negative energy for the year, if the main door faces a direction of evil stars or meteors. In case negative impacts are forecast, you can simply offset the negative energy by installing the recommended remedies there. Any or all of these remedies can be reused for the coming years, the only thing is that they should be repositioned according to the new year.

Please note that the effects may be felt in varying degrees depending upon the exact compass degree of the main door.

ANNUAL FORECAST & REMEDIES FOR FLATS/HOMES/OFFICES/FACTORIES WITH MAIN DOOR FACING EAST : An year full of opportunities. By making use of them effectively and by working hard, you can prosper. There will be many joyful events to celebrate : marriage, pregnancy, birth of a child, celebration of a promotion or pay rise, receiving a honour, inauguration of a new business branch, launching of a joint venture, gains from earlier investments, etc. All of those involved in sales, marketing, education, entertainment industry, designing, research and development, pubs and bars, will prosper. Metal based industries including jewellers and goldsmiths will not do good.

There are severe indications of arguments and conflicts among the family and friends, with even trivial matters leading to disruption in harmony, spoiling of inter-personal equations, dissensions and in some cases, even divorce. Display the combined statue of the Dragon & Phoenix in the South West of your bedroom. Some members of the household could suffer from infectious respiratory diseases or other problems related to lungs, bones, throat and trachea. You may display a Water Fountain outside of your main door, to promote career.

Display the genuine, energised photographs of “Feng Ji, the 2007 TaiSui” and the “TaiSui Protection Talisman for 2007″ in the North West and carry their miniature versions in your pocket or wallet, to minimise the negative impacts of the year.

Door Mat Colour for the Main Door : Green on the outside.

IMPORTANCE OF TAISUI TaiSui, a very important aspect of Chinese Astrology, is popularly known as the Grand Duke of Jupiter. It is an intangible energy body of war-like nature that should not be disturbed. The TaiSui or the Year Authority is a commanding post that has total control over that particular year. The Chinese Lunar Year Cycle has 60 years and so there are 60 TaiSui, with every year having a different TaiSui. For 2007, “Feng Ji” is the TaiSui and he is situated at North West. Do not install any moving objects like Fish Aquariums or Water Fountains in North West, this year. Do not dig, construct, renovate, redecorate or repair in North West this year. Do not drill or even drive a nail in the North West wall. Do not shift or relocate to another place, this year. Do not chop trees. Display the genuine, energised photographs of “Feng Ji, the 2007 TaiSui” and the “TaiSui Protection Talisman for 2007″ in the North West and carry their miniature versions in your pocket or wallet, to minimise the negative impacts of the year.

Janarrdhana Guptha is an Energy Consultant, Kabbalah Energy Numerologist, Crystal Master, Vaastu/Fengshui Researcher & Clairvoyant Karma Reader. His speciality is permanent Karma Energy Correction through custom-built Crystal Energy Fields. His E-Mail :

It would be likened to a disembodied
Blind spirit—
Wandering through unlit space!

If not for the swish of winds
Around my—
Soft, warm naked face…!

Silent sounds roars from the dead
Embodied in stone-darkness—
Inside Kuelap’s Fortress

Here lost souls, wail for peace
Ripping and sweeping in madness
With fitful gusts

As I regained my frozen feet
Felt the pounding of his heart beat
It halted…

Shuffled was their sacred ground
Of which they laid
From Horizons Dawn

I assured them from whence we came
We would not disturb them
Ever again…

Thus, he abruptly left back into his
Abode, stoned-darkness
(This Roaring dead soul)!…

#1300 7/28/2006; written at El Parquetito, Miraflores, Lima, Peru

Note: When I was in the Chachapoyas (Northern Peru), on the mountaintop in April of 2006, I visited the grand fortress of Kuelap, next to Machu Picchu, it is the grandest site in Peru, here I was with an archeologist friend, and a few others. Thus, the spirits are alive here, and are mad of the disturbance being caused them, so they told me, and so I told my team. The site is a pre-Inca site, that overlooks a valley, and river, most beautiful, not too easy to get to. A car can make it most of the way, providing there are not a lot of floods along the dirty dirt and clay roads, and there are many, many of them. And once at the site, you will have a small walk to its location, a guard, and tour guides are there, usually.

See Dennis’ web site: dennissiluk.tripod.com dennissiluk.tripod.com

For centuries, the American flag has been a symbol of freedom and pride in the United States. Ever since 911, they have become fixtures on many more houses and buildings across the country. It was as if our flag was letting us know that we are still one people and will remain standing strong against the enemy. Seeing our cherished flag blow in the breeze, gave a sense of comfort to so many after that terrible tragedy, as it still does today.

If you are an American, you surely know the story of how Betsy Ross sewed the original stripes and thirteen stars back in 1776, although no one really knows for sure who designed it. Some speculate that it was Betsy Ross herself who drew up a pencil sketch at the request of George Washington. However, most historians believe it was a New Jersey congressman named Francis Hopkinson, and that even though Betsy Ross was the seamstress who did sew the first flag, she was mistakenly given the credit for designing it also. Further, they don’t even think George Washington was present when the request for the flag was made to Mrs. Ross.

According to records of correspondence that transpired between Mr. Hopkinson and the Board of Admiralty in 1780, it was written that he had indeed designed the flag while serving with the Continental Navy Board. And he was hoping to be compensated for his contribution and efforts. After a lot of back and forth between Francis Hopkinson and many departments of the Congress during that time, he never did end up being compensated, but they also never denied that he was the actual designer either.

Apparently, the original flag’s stars were not designed to be in a circle either. That was done by a painter named Charles H. Weisgerber who recreated the scene of the meeting with Betsy Ross on canvas. For many, many years, the stars on the flag actually showed up in all different kinds sizes and formations as it was left up to the flag maker’s discretion to place them as they wished. But Francis Hopkinson’s original design had the stars drawn in a staggered position just as they are on our present day flag. It wasn’t until the Executive Order on June 24, 1912 that the precedent was set for a consistent formation of the stars on the United States flag.

At this point in time, the facts about who designed it are not really as important as the fact that the American flag continues to proudly wave, representing liberty and justice, for all!

Want to know more about the history of our

.5

It was when the child was six years old, war broke out between the Northern Kingdom, and the Western kingdom, and Prince Dnumiunc was slain by one of his Generals, and his bones were brought to the throne chamber of King Niobla, and he picked out one, to have it inscribed, and silver tips fixed firmly on to it, and used as a mixing tool for his wine. It was during a gathering between he and his generals, they talked about warring with the South, and now that the Northern Kingdom was weak (although not crumbling), they’d not come to their rescue should they attack the Southern sphere of influence, then they’d enslave the kingdom, use their gold, and men to dominate the Northern Kingdom, and perhaps, just perchance, take on the Eastern realm. Awe, it was all circling in his head like thunder and rain clouds.

It was in this same hall a week later, the generals met with King Niobla, when he asked Florencia to come into the drinking hall, where all were feasting and wine and ale drinking and joking, and she did obey—un-cheerfully, and upon approaching the king said, “What is it that my sovereign ruler wants of me, that you would have me come to such a despicable place like this, and look at your drunken face, and your devil rats, that do your bidding?” She was not kind with her words, and the King looked smugly at her, his eyebrow went up.

“You insult me, and my generals, perhaps I should have one of them take you to bed and see if he can tame that wicked tongue of yours, they have done this in past times, and are quite good in tactical warfare, perhaps even better than I, which one would you choose,” he asked.

“Oh choose me,” said the old fat general, “I will give you male twins, “ and he laughed, and they all drank more wine.

“No,” said a tall thin general, “do not take the fat one, he will kill you with his belly in the way, take me, I will give you a strong male to rule the kingdom in time when you are old, he will protect you from your husband.” And they all held their bellies laughing and pouring down more wine and ale.

“So you see,” said King Niobla, “you have all these brave generals, although one remains quiet, and one of those killed your father, I have here in my hand, this silver tipped bone, with his name on it, Prince Dnumiunc, so who would you pick to be your new bed partner?”

“I have a child, but they would all be better than you, and I have my God, and would not soil my soul with such an answer.” Said the Queen.

“Here, take this bone and stir my wine,” and he held up his silver chalice, in one hand, the bone of her father in the other, “I said take it, or I will have your daughter removed from your presence, and taken to another outpost of our kingdom.” She hesitated but she knew he would do as he said.

Her heart was bleeding, and every inch of her wanted to murder him, but she took the bone, and stirred his wine, tears coming down her face, “I curse you, you will lay in Hell and beg the demons to let you glance through their magical mirror of water to see me, and I will be vomiting on your grave.”

“Be gone before I have the generals rape you on the table, for a show.” And she left, to see her daughter in her room.

6

It was two years later when the Queen could take no more, she was either to run, and hide from this mad king, or kill herself, or kill the king himself. He had now taken over the Southern Kingdom, and his plans were going quite well. And she knew it was just a matter of time before her mind would break with hate and revenge for his blood. Yet she was used to him, and there was something unknowing in her fiber that leered out for him, was it hate or a dead kind of lust, or something shielding, how could it be love, lest it be coated with worms, she told herself. She would miss him, if he was dead, so she assessed, but she would die with anger while he lived, and one can learn how to live with naught. And he had her father killed, and all the sins he put upon her house, and her: vengeance, the settling of scores, her mind could not rest until it was so, it was the only healer, and as she sat in her room she asked Adlitolca, her maid to come in.

“Is not your lover, the supreme guard in the kings throne room?” she asked.

Adlitolca was taken back a ting, she didn’t realize the Queen was aware of him as being her lover, and she said shyly, “Yes my Queen he is.”

“Why do you not marry?” asked the Queen.

“Oh, he says he is too young, and does not want to be burdened with a wife and child.” Said the Maid.

“Oh, I have a plan, tell him to come into your room at midnight, and I will be there, and persuade him to marry you, or be put to the sword.”

The maid was astounded to here such good tidings, and rejoiced, and kissed the hand of the queen. There perhaps was not a brighter day in her life. And she agreed eagerly to do as she was told. And at midnight, Suedereo came into her room, but on the bed said the queen.

The Queen whispered, and the room was pitch black, one could not see the others face, “Why, Adlitolca, do you have it so dark in here, I can’t even see my hands.” Said Adlitolca’s lover.

“Come over here,” said the queen, “you do not need your eyes only hands, feel by breasts, they wait for you.” And excitedly he came closer, and they lay together, and he was more haply than a schoolboy who won a priced sword.

Said the soldier, “You are more delightful than I have ever known you to be, more softer, you smell so great, and all is so perfect.” Then she lit a lamp, and Suedereo bellowed, “Queen Florencia…!”

“Yes, it is me, “ said the Queen.

“But why?” asked Suedereo, dumfounded.

“Do you not like what you had?” Asked the queen.

“Oh yes, it is above all I’ve expected. But why.”

“You will help me kill the king, or be killed by the king for taking me, and I shall scream for his supreme guards.”

“But how is a simple soldier like I to do such a great feat?” he asked.

“It will not be so great a feat, I will drug him, poison him, and he will be weak, and we will get Sihcimteh to assist you, he will put the sword across his neck, and slice it off.” Said the Queen.

The queen knew Sihcimteh had eyes for her, plus he had special privileges with the king, he could come and go where he pleased, he was one of three of his special guards that stood beside him most always, or behind him. Thus, he was called into the Queens chamber, when the king was off hunting.

“I have noticed,” said the queen, in a silk gown, the right portions of her body exposed, her long hair laying across her back and shoulders, “I say you have had eyes on me like a lion that was hungry these past years.”

“If I have,” said Sihcimteh, “it is because of your beauty, not that I would try and take you forcefully, lest I be a traitor to my king.”

“If I wished you to be a traitor to your king, would you?” Asked Florencia.

He hesitated, looked at her carefully, “Your beauty is beyond a mans dreams, and if I could be persuaded, it would be only if I had you by my side. I have adored you dearly, but knew you possibly prized the king; I would have killed him long ago, had I felt you would love me. But you accepted the king and have not left his side.”

“This is true, but not out of love, nor fear, but because of my child; I would have killed myself long ago to rid myself of this monster, but she has always brought me back to my senses, where would she be. Hence, my braver Supreme Soldier, it is not love you see, but a test of my devotion to my daughter. I have looked upon you as a mate; a fine fit for me, a love that could grow, a love that is somewhat. My heart would be grateful, should you take the sword to his head when he is asleep.”

“He is a brave soldier also you know, and no one to fool with.” Said Sihcimteh.

“Then you are scared, and weak and fear him.” Said the Queen.

“No, I do not fear him out of fear, but out of his skill to fight, he is equal to me, perhaps, but out of love for you, he will be dead if your desire is well planned, and from what I hear, your love for me can grow.”

“Suedereo, will assist, as I poison his wine, you and he will come into his bedchambers, and Suedereo will hold him, while you cut off his head.”

“And you will be my love forever?” asked Sihcimteh.

“Yes, yes, I will be your love, and love you as you please.” Replied Florencia.

7

It was the following night; Florencia went into the king’s bedroom, sat by him on the edge of his bed, gave him a cup of wine and stirred it willingly for him, with the silver tipped bone of her father.

“Why does the wild rat come in to see me, drink with me, have I tamed the witch in her?” asked the king.

“No, it is I, whom wishes to make love, I desire thee, and I have been lonely for touch.” Said Florencia and she handed him the wine stirred, and he drank it, and as she drank it, she hid his dagger under the bed, lest he use it on her, or who else may enter.

It was a moment later the king tried to sit up from his bed, he was a ting sick in his stomach, “What did you put in the wine?” he asked.

“Not a thing, just the bone of my father,” she replied.

“No it is not true,” and he sat up, looked for his knife, and hollered for his guards, and Suedereo and Sihcimteh came running in, Suedereo jumped on him, held him tight, but the king was strong, pushed him over his body, spotted the dagger under his bed, leaned over to get it, and took one glance at Florencia before he grasped its handle of ivory, and said “You devil’s witch …” and Sihcimteh’s sword sliced right through his neck, and his head fell to the floor with a thump, as his body laid jerking as if it was electrified, across the bed.

In heist the Queen filled up a small caravan with the kingdom’s treasure, and headed east, there was a new king in the Eastern Kingdom, and she felt conceivably she could ask for asylum there, buy asylum that is, with a portion of her treasure, providing that is what the king desired, and she knew all kings desired gold and silver, and whatever else may go with it. He was young, and perhaps he had interests in her likewise, and that could be to her advantage.

Upon her arrival, it was she hoped, the King was pleased with her beauty, and asked if the two soldiers that came along with her, had interest in her. She assured him they were only interested in the treasure, no more. And the king assured her, he would be interested in both her and her treasure; and her being a queen (a queen at one time that is), she perhaps could be a queen again. He seemed to understand her killing of the King, knowing the long story of her oppressed life by him, but asked if this was his fate equally, should he trust her. And having expressed all this, he asked her to think about how much of the treasure he’d leave the two soldiers.

It was that very day—forenoon, Sihcimteh came busting into her room, bellowing, “Your love has faded to nothingness, what is this I hear, whispers around the kingdom, you and the king will be one?”

Florencia looked at him, unshaken, gave him a glass of wine, “My love,” she said, “the kingdom talks because they wish to talk, I sat with the king and told him I wanted safekeeping and I’d pay dearly for it, I have a daughter you know, and it is true, my life would only burden you, it has with all men, although I’ve only known a few, and the few I’ve known seem to love war and killing, is this what a man is made of? Take a fourth of the treasure and go South, or North.”

Said Sihcimteh angrily, “It was always you I wanted, no more, and I will not let you go for any king, be it of the East or the West, or any kingdom, we shall die together if we cannot live together, I will not be separated.” And then he started to sway, “You poisoned my drink, you little devil rat, come here.”

She hesitated, next, tried to flea, but he grabbed her by the hair, “You drink the rest,” he demanded, and she threw it to the ground. “No,” he said, “you will not escape me, I love you and we will die together, and he cut her throat, and she said, “Yes, yes…we will die together.” And they did.

Afterward

Florencia’s Heart

Who is to know another’s heart? Many think they do, only to find out they were mistaken. In the account at hand, perhaps the queen didn’t know men, nor the king women; once the old, had warn off, the King would grow on her—so he thought, and perhaps he was right, he did grown on her; on the other hand, perchance, he forgot her spirit—sweet looking, with a bitter heart that never had a chance to heal with his disposition; it couldn’t had been any other way, she was given a dreadful scar, and it never left, nor had it (I repeat) a chance to mend; he had forgotten all her despair, and abortive endeavor to nurse back to health the wounds between them, but he had mistaken them for challenges.

No, no indeed, he didn’t know her dark side, and by and large, he could no longer hurt her. It was as she once said, “When it is hot, the king never gives shade.” She said it in a hushed tone, to her maid, said it as if her life had become pointless; and through the sheer prevarication of events (state of affairs) she could not live the dream within herself, dreadfully disappointed; furthermore, he had forgot about a woman’s needs (or perhaps never knew them), to touch the heart, fill her dreams, and know her depth and limits; yet he gave only new sorrow on top of old sorrow; nor did he see her vessel sinking.

If she could have, she would have said something good to leave matters as they were, she wished to, something that would release her mind: something that said: I see a spark of hope in him. But she didn’t see this, what she saw was a snake, and there wasn’t any medicine for his bite, which is what she saw, thus, her mind became lost in the placid death of evening; an evening of planning, that would undo the harm he could cause in future time. She had come to the conclusion, she was not going to change humanity, but she could unburden her soul.

Florencia’s face was still beautiful after several years, yet you could see a rough and heavy appearance being molded here and there on that face, a light color to it, too light, for a healthy countenance; perhaps from years of troubling sadness. She had thought at one time (possible from a passionate desire, I would guess) to cling to something concrete; in a world of dark shadows, it seemed meaningful, but she was learning all men live under a self interested umbrella of sorts, it was their nature to war, as it was for a woman to love, and care take, or want to; in both cases, most always, anyways; hence, she had not found one that had not. And yes, at this point and time, she was bone dry, her marrow sucked out of its foundations, its roots severed.

We all wonder how our death will be, but Florencia had hers figured out, or at least she thought so, most details were looked at, each corner reviewed, and as we now know, she was not indecisive when it approached her.

11/16-18/2006 [Written in Lima, Peru] at the Café, and home.

Index of Characters and *Places:

Princess Florencia of Drabmol (Queen of Remora)
Also know as: Florencia of Drabmol (The North Kingdom)
Prince Niobla of Remora (the West Kingdom)
King Nitsuj, of the Eastern Kingdom
King Dnusirut, of Drabmol (Northern Kingdom, grandfather to Princess Florencia)
Prince Dnumiunc, of Drabmol (his brother slain by Prince Niobla of Remora)
Prince (became king) Niobla of Remora (Western Kingdom)
*St. Sebastian Church 1539 AD/San Jeronimo, Peru (Mantaro Valley)
Maid: Adlitolca
Boyfriend: Suedereo
Special Guard to the King: Sihcimteh

See Dennis’ web site: dennissiluk.tripod.com dennissiluk.tripod.com