Thunder Rider’S Burden

By Christopher Madonia

Daviot, a world of magic faces impending destruction by an ancient curse.
Magic has proved to be their ultimate undoing. Prophecy states that none
of their own would be able to stop The Cracking. The hero of prophecy
was awaited. A stranger arrives atop an iron horse, from a blinding light,
a stranger to all but the woman Liesh. Her dreams have been haunted by
this strangers face for years. He is the man to take up the sacred Sword
of Braelor and save the Davioti from their shortsightedness. He is Harley
Davidson. His past is fog of disjointed memories and illusive images. The
only thing real to him is his love for the woman Liesh. For this woman he
agrees to take up Braelors Sword to make things right. A magical stone
must be found and restored to stop their impending doom. The Stone
of Intent, instrumental in causing their plight, the stone was long ago
broken in two and hidden away. Upon the motorcycle that bears his name,
Harley and Liesh set out on a quest to retrieve the stone pieces, restore it to
its original state and call upon its power in an effort to avert catastrophe.
Their road is long and difficult. Evil influences scheme in the background
in the guise of the elders and Vellis the god of the dead. Influences
determined to stop Harley from completing his task. The would be hero
is forced to come to terms with his value system and inborn sense of right
and wrong as he counters each and every obstacle that they encounter, and
to chose between what he has in the here and now or what he left behind,
choices that will ultimately decide the fate of a world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 22, 2010
• ISBN: 9781462811991

Christopher Madonia

Who shall lead? A man can work from sun to sun but a hero’s work is never done. Prophecy states “Should the sun come up the day past doom, and the people’s soul escape its tomb, the hero of lore, must then surmise, a way to still the innocent’s cries. For those that hold the reins of power have proved the evil of the tower. The ring of steel and boom of thunder, will herald in a time of wonder. When goodness leads the people’s heart, a grand reunion can be sought, To bring together blood warm and cold, and restore to whole the land of old. For the casting off began the fall, the loss of magic to us all.” Prophecy has plagued the Thunder Rider since his arrival to the world of Daviot. The reluctant hero pressed into situations seemingly beyond his abilities copes, and conquers, succeeding where hope seemed futile. The Cracking averted Harley must now face a great evil, a secret, a perversion that preys upon the children of Daviot whilst the magical world of Daviot falters and the magic fails. Harley and his companions race to once again save the world of Daviot from its short sightedness. A demon horde, newly freed from their imprisonment behind the Haze, threatens the Davioti people. And the shadowy group known as the Castle Club plot and prepare to seize power… Who shall lead?

Book preview

Thunder Rider’s Burden

A Novel

Christopher Madonia

Copyright © 2010 by Christopher Madonia.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

84604

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Many, Many thanks to all that were instrumental to bringing my dream to life. To Melanie, thank you for you help editing and giving your input. To Anthony, thank you for sharing my love of fantasy adventure. To Makayla, thank you for that smile of yours that warms your Grampy’s heart, to all that read the draft for me and gave their comments and encouragement. To Scott, for his prodding and pushing to see the novel to it’s end. Also, to Harley and Liesh, for making your story one that is so easy to tell!

The Balance

She finds him there all gruff and dark. She is love and silk and light.

She knows the beast that takes her man, his need to make things right.

The scars he bears for none to see she touches with her soul.

Her love for him does save him from a life alone and cold.

Her auburn hair and shining eyes bring warmth into his world.

When the rage is past and duty done her arms will him enfold.

Her gentle ways do sooth the beast and temper judgment’s hand.

When horrors in the world around his rage for justice fan.

Her softness makes him stronger her reason makes him think.

When the cup of wrath he passes round for evil ones to drink.

That others need to fear him gives her cause for no unrest.

She knows what values drive her man that his intentions are the best.

Knowing all she does of him and loving all she knows.

The two of them exemplify, The Thorn that loves the Rose.

CHAPTER 1

Certain things are said to be certain. The sun sets in the west and rises in the east. Gravity keeps us all on the ground. Everything born dies. No good deed goes unpunished. These unavoidable truths have left many wondering, why? I never doubted the things I saw with my eyes, until now. My reality no longer follows the tried and true. Events of the past year have brought me to the knees of my soul. I never dream of again getting back the footing of security in my most basic beliefs that I once held as the touchstones of my life. My world is upside down. Let me explain.

Accelerate through the apex of the curve. The crown in the road and inertia will act against the friction of the tires and keep the rider on his way. Horsepower versus the rider’s guts. Devil may care, balls to the wall. WFO (wide #*@%!^& open). I lived that way, loved that way. My reality imbedded in the physical interpretations of my five senses. Seeing is believing. Hearing the truth of a thing. Touchstones. Taste for life. Stopping to smell the roses. I did all of the above and was happy. Then I saw the light. Not in the metaphorical sense of things. I saw the light.

It came out of nowhere. It left nothing in shadow, all encompassing and all revealing. It took me by surprise. I was riding my bike, my blue Dyna that is, minding my own business winding through the back roads of Kansas City. Ever see that shimmer on the road that seems to float just above the pavement on a hot summer’s day? This was nothing like that. The road seemed to end and the horizon split apart. The sky erupted in a blinding white gash. The sound of my bike ceased to exist. No more could I feel the reassuring thrum of the 88 cubic inch engine between my legs. The sometimes-annoying tingle in my hands from the vibration of the handlebars was gone. My reality as I knew it was over, replaced.

As the front tire and forks contacted the torn horizon, my sense of smell seemed to become intensely acute. An odor of ozone overwhelmed me. The hairs on my hands and forearms stood at attention. An eerie chill enveloped me as the rest of my iron horse succumbed to what I now refer to as the spatial tear. That was my last memory of my old reality. I had no idea of the events to come in the following days and the decisions I would have to make. My value system and my human convictions would be held to the fire and come up wanting.

I must have lost consciousness, yet never laid the bike down. My next recollection following my encounter with the light found me sitting crossed legged on the ground with two days beard growth on what had been a clean-shaven face. She’s going to kill me I thought. I’ve never been away from home over night without her knowing my exact whereabouts. Hell, I didn’t even know where I was. Worse, I didn’t know who she was.

The ground beneath me was a sand of sort, blue in color. It reminded me of what one might use in a reptile cage. It was fine to the touch and puffs of wispy dust boiled around my feet as I stood and walked. My bike stood some distance away on what appeared to be a stone platform. I expected it to be covered with dust, but found it to be clean and shining, cleaner than I ever kept it. With the reassurance that Big Blue was OK, my mind turned to my next priority, food. Why was I not hungry? Facial hair had never been a strong point for me, furry everywhere else, but a beard was not easy to come by for me. I had to have been razor-less for days to be this bristly of face. Why wasn’t I starving, or thirsty for that matter? I usually drink like a fish, always a big gulp or coffee in hand.

Vertigo, dizzy, on my ass again. Did the horizon just shift or was I suffering some inner ear imbalance. Just sensory overload I guess as I think back on it. The sand, the blue sand. The blue bike, blue clean bike. Nothing made sense. I looked around to see my surroundings begin to come back into focus. Trees, brown and yellow, golden roots buried deep in the blue sand. A crimson sky dotted with white puffy clouds. I crashed. That had to be it. I’m down at the bottom of a pit in the blazing sun, torn and twisted at the foot of a burning bike. Meatloaf said it so well. Yeah, I crashed and this is hells waiting room. I always knew I’d go to hell but had hoped for something more fire and brimstone. Not this Dr. Seuss mind-screwing place. How did I not notice the sky and trees before? Sensory overload, little bits at a time. I’m obviously not Pentium equipped. More and more the details of my new reality came into focus. Smells from some child hood memory accosted my olfactory senses, a circus tent or perhaps Stuckey’s, pecans and manure, gasoline and asphalt, sweat and ozone.

My ears rang with the sound of thunder. The sky was clear, though crimson in color. The ringing subsided and was replaced by the barely perceptible peeps of what in my old reality would have been a bird, but unlike any bird, I’d ever encountered, beak and wings, but no feathers to be seen. Leathery skin covered the body and reflected the glare of the sun off its muscular form. I came to know that what I refer to here is called a minor dragon. The size of a bald eagle or sea hawk the creature eyed me awkwardly and flew off.

Sometime later while I tried to get a grip on my perception of what I was beginning to believe was insanity or a comatose delusional dream state, a voice broke my stupor, a very familiar voice. I can only describe her as an angel as she crested the hill behind the stone platform where my bike stood. Auburn hair and almond shaped caramel eyes and pouting smile. I knew her, yet I had never seen her before, in my life. A small girl, Elvin features, little pointed ears, upswept eyebrows, and somehow she seemed not to touch the ground as she walked towards me. I found that I could not speak. She came to me, smiled, and took my hand in hers. We walked together to the house where she had been caring for me.

I was worried about you. she said, You shouldn’t wander off like that. I had no idea what she was talking about, but something in her voice told me she spoke the truth. She had my welfare in mind. She is my touchstone in this reality. Her name is Liesh. She had found me several weeks prior sitting on my bike in the middle of this place. Liesh calls it Daviot. Daviot, my new home, my new reality.

CHAPTER 2

As the days passed, my ability to speak returned. I learned more about this place. The Davioti were a kind and wondrous people, talented and artistic, musicians and artisans, poets and philosophers. I felt so out of place. The extent of my abilities tended toward the mechanical and the physical. The Davioti had no need for things mechanical, they had magic. It was nothing unusual to see a group of children playing catch with an opalescent ball of flame or manipulating the clouds to take on the shape of animals or faces. The magic was everywhere. Sickness was a thing of the past. No illness had afflicted these people in over a hundred years. The old ones had seen to it that all things unpleasant had been eradicated from this world.

I always thought, somewhat pessimistically, that one could never appreciate the good without experiencing some things bad. The Davioti need not experience both ends of the emotional spectrum. They enjoyed a carefree lifestyle most would sell their soul for. Why was I anxious here? Liesh said that I would adjust in time. She would take me to see the elders. They had a request for me. She would not say what, but I could tell it made her uneasy. Liesh and I had become close over the last few months. My memories of my previous reality proved elusive. I had to be reminded of my own name. I’d almost forgotten how to ride my bike. Sleep was also difficult to come by. Someone from my past was calling out to me in my dreams, a woman, I think she is my wife. I can’t remember. When Liesh is around, I don’t want to remember. Liesh fills my life, she saved me.

I had taken a job with the local Peacekeeper force. I don’t really know why they are needed, as the Davioti are such a laid back and lawful people. But I suppose that all societies have their troublemakers. Order must be maintained. Besides, tending garden is not my cup of tea. I seem to remember having a firearm in my past, a pistol I believe. The Davioti Peacekeepers carry wooden batons that render the victim unconscious with just a touch and without causing any permanent damage. They don’t work on me for some reason or other. I patrol the west side of town, the business center, three nights a week and two mornings. They don’t pay much for anything here, work or merchandise. No need for lots of money when you have magic. Needs or wants are met at the drop of a hat with a simple wave of the hand and slight incantation. Utopia?

Why did I feel something was amiss? What brought me here? Who were the elders and why did they want to see me? What did Liesh find so troubling about their request? I would find out soon enough. The end of the month was when my meeting with the elders was scheduled to occur. In the mean time Liesh and I grew to be very close. The voice that cried out to me in my sleep never quieted but I was hopelessly drawn to Liesh.

Remember the minor dragon I mentioned earlier? That’s Travis, he’s Liesh’s pet. I guess for the first few weeks or so after my arrival I was quite incoherent and confused. I wandered off several times. Liesh had instructed Travis to keep watch over me and fetch her if my condition changed or if I got into trouble. I guess that was the day my fugue broke. Travis fetched Liesh and she took me home and began to fill me in on what and where I was. Minor dragons are not rare in fact; many people keep them as pets. Only a few however have the blood of the Emperor. The Emperor was a magical dragon and thus had abilities not common to all dragons. Those of his direct decent have remnants of those magical abilities. Travis is one such. Travis is sharp as a tack. I’d had dogs before that were smart but none ever showed the intellect and understanding that Travis presents. I swear he understands every word I say. He has become a constant companion and bodyguard.

Two days before the meeting, I was in the business district making my rounds when Liesh came calling. She had a basket tucked under her arm and a smile from ear to pointed ear. I met her with a warm embrace, lifting her up off the ground and spinning around. She laughed and demanded that I put her down. Her pout made it impossible to refuse her. We spread a blanket on the rim of one of the fountains in the mall courtyard and began to set out a picnic lunch. Did I mention that the Davioti do not eat meat? Bad news for me cause I seem to be a carnivore born and bred, I’d kill or die for a cheeseburger.

Liesh set out two plates of greens and fruit, also wine and cold tea. The tea was an herbal variety that I mentioned liking once and now she prepares it all the time. I have a thermos of it every time I leave for duty. I began to eat some of the greens and sip the tea. I could see that she was up to something. Liesh reached into the bottom of the basket and pulled out a shirt. It was a pale green pull over with three buttons at the front and bloused sleeves. I had described it to her a week or so ago on one of our walks along the river, telling her about the heroes of my childhood. I had always pictured Robin Hood wearing something like it. She must have spent her evenings, while I was on patrol, making it. She might actually be feeling the same things I was.

We sipped tea and wine and talked for some time. Patrol duty was not something anyone took too seriously. Liesh inched her way closer to my side and soon we were sitting with our backs to the fountain, her head resting on my shoulder, her hand in mine. All was well in my world. A shout from behind interrupted the conversation. Liesh turned in the direction of the voice and the smile disappeared from her face. It was Gabe, Gabe Windsor, a self styled suitor for the hand of the lovely Liesh. We had talked of him in the past; she really didn’t think much of the man. Gabe however thought the world of himself. He was a braggart to be sure and an ass of unequaled perfection. Only his silence lent itself to the thought that he might be somewhat intelligent. His opinions and ideas seethed of bigotry and foolishness, his compassion for others markedly minuscule and hoarded. I guess what I’m trying to say is that nothing would please me more than to spend an afternoon kicking his arrogant ass. He had made it quite clear that our friendship, Liesh and mine, was dangerous at best and blasphemous at worst. I couldn’t change how I felt, I prayed she couldn’t either.

Liesh, Gabe began, What are you doing with this outworlder? The elders will not be pleased, besides they have plans for him. You’ll only be disappointed.

What was that supposed to mean? Liesh must have had some idea as she lowered her head and looked away. Gabe began to speak again when for some reason I just couldn’t resist the urge to belt him. It all happened so fast; one minute he’s running his mouth, the next he’s on his back out cold in the grass. A real two hit fight, I hit him, and he hit the ground. Liesh stifled a giggle, if somewhat halfheartedly and impishly hid behind my back. I took her hands in mine and held them. She began to laugh, slowly at first, but the more she peeked at Gabe’s unconscious form the harder she laughed. We were beginning to draw attention from shopkeepers and patrons so we proceeded to pack up our basket and left for home.

Upon arrival, I grabbed an arm full of firewood before going in. Liesh entered the house and emerged again with Travis. She let him off tether to hunt and we sat on the wood bench by the door watching his lithe form swoop and soar over the adjoining field. I again found her hand in mine and all was well in my world. What did the elders have in mind for me? Why would Liesh be disappointed? I would find out soon enough.

CHAPTER 3

The big day started with me waking to the aroma of what has become my favorite breakfast food. Liesh served me a steaming bowl of oatmeal with sliced fruit and honey. The tea was hot and sweet, the sun shone through the kitchen window. Liesh stood by the door sipping tea and wasn’t talking much. The morning sun shown through her gown presenting to me her silhouetted form enticing and exciting. I must admit I was staring. She turned to me and feigned a smile, and turned away. The look on her face spoke volumes. She was concerned with what Gabe had said that day at the fountain. I needed to comfort her but what to do alluded me. I punted. I got up from the table and walked up behind Liesh. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her close.

What’s the problem? I whispered in her ear.

Liesh put down her tea and put her hands behind her head and buried her hands in my hair. She tilted her head back and said, You’ll be leaving now.

Leaving? I replied. Why would I be leaving?

She turned to me her eyes wet and began to sob. The elders are going to ask a great deal of you today. she whispered. I fear for your safety. She turned away.

Liesh, I began, What could they possibly ask that would make me want to leave this place? I turned her around, grasped her by the shoulders and with my right hand I smoothed her hair back behind her ear, and looked into her eyes. Liesh, I could never leave you, I think I’m in love with you. Her sobbing became a flood of tears.

She buried her head in my shoulder and said, I love you too. I just held her. Neither of us spoke, time didn’t permit the exploration of our mutual confession. Instead, I left the house and walked to the temple.

The day was clear and cool. The town’s people were going about their business as usual. Several times, I caught a sideways glance from a passerby, could the entire town be better informed of the coming events than I? I suppose, after all I was the new kid in town having only been her for four months or so. I continued my journey to whatever fate had in store for me courtesy of the city elders. I wondered if I would ever see Liesh again. The look on her face as I left the house haunted my mind. Could it be that so soon after finding love in this new world that I would lose it because of the needs of a group of people I’d only just met? I stopped short of the temple and looked at the fine stone work and stained glass that clearly denoted the importance of the building. I would not lose Liesh; I decided that then and there. I was determined that no matter what is asked of me, any amount of risk to my relationship with Liesh would be too much and I would respectfully decline.

Twenty-nine stairs preceded the ebony doors that led to the elder’s council chamber. A guard stood solemnly at the door. I had patrolled with this fella, his name was Brinus Brinus I said to him. How are you today?

Brinus looked in my direction momentarily then replied, The elders await you inside.

I was taken by the curtness of his response. He’d been such a kidder whenever we patrolled together. We’d spent one evening’s patrol setting flaming bags of dung on the doorsteps of some of the more influential towns folk and watching as they stomped the packages out. I know it was juvenile but it was fun. Brinus attitude to me this day made me wonder, what did he know that I didn’t?

The doors swung inward and the light from the outside spread a path on the floor into the chamber. Beyond the reach of the light was blackness akin to the darkest of night. Only a flickering candle in the distant background gave me a focal point by which to navigate the darkened room. I entered not knowing if I should speak. I didn’t have long to wonder. A booming voice requested that I come forward. As I progressed into the darkness the floor beneath my feet lit up on each side of me, creating the illusion that I was walking down a runway of sorts. Some thirty or forty feet further into the room I came to a table at which the elders sat. The table was of the same ebony wood as the entry doors as black as pitch, so highly polished that the reflections of the elders in its surface seemed to float amidst oblivion. Five wizened old men sat behind the table, all with white hair and beards of varying lengths and eyes that spoke to the wisdom behind their years.

The man in the center, an extremely tough looking old bird, stood and with a booming voice began.

Thunder Rider the prophets of old spoke to us of your arrival long ago. Prophecy takes its own time to reveal itself. We only observe and accommodate. Legend speaks of a time of great need for the Davioti, a time when one of our own kind would not suffice. A hero would come riding the thunder to bear the burden of our past sin and cleanse the path to our future.

I turned around to see who he was talking to. He continued, Our sin is grievous Thunder Rider, we need your help.

I was just beginning to adjust to the weirdness of my new reality. I thought that in time I could call this place home. The weirdometer just got cranked WFO.

By now the one question running through your mind must be, Who the hell are you? Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Harley Davidson. I don’t remember where I came from and sure as hell don’t know where I’m going.

I stood there in front of the elders, the village idiot. My silence was interrupted by the grumbling of the elder body. I guess they expected a response. I looked them down and cleared my throat, Guys, I think you have me confused with someone else. I’m no hero and sure as hell in no position to remedy the sin of your past. I can’t even remember where I was six months ago. Hell, I owe all I am and have to Liesh and the kindness of the Davioti people. Sure I’d like to repay your hospitality and collective kindness, but I don’t know how I can be of assistance in this matter.

Tirin, the youngest of the elders stood and made his way around the end of the table and took me by the shoulder. He directed me towards a bench off to the side of the room away from the disgruntled faces of the other elders.

Thunder Rider, may I call you by your given name? I nodded my consent, as if giving permission to a peasant to speak.

He began again, Harley, I know none of this makes sense to you right now. If you will allow me to show you some things, I believe I can quell some of your doubts. The old ones spoke quite vividly of your coming in the books of prophecy.

He reached into the sleeve of his robe and produced a leather bound tome. The cover was worn and weathered, the pages fragile and stained by the passage of time. We sat on the bench and Tirin proceeded to open the book to a page marked by a piece of silk ribbon. The ribbon was black.

I watched intently as he carefully lay the ribbon aside and placed his index finger on the page pointing to a verse. He read, Upon the thunder will come the savior of the yet to be. To rectify the err of our indiscretion. His gaze will freeze the heart of the wicked and his blade will sever the sin from our souls. He will call upon the thunder with the flick of a wrist, as he sits in judgment atop the wheels of justice. To the depths of this world has our hope been entombed. Only the Thunder Rider can free the heart of the people and ensure their survival past the seventh season of the beast. Without him the sun will fall and the sky grow dark forever more, our world torn asunder. Tirin looked up from his book and waited for a response. I gave him none. Harley, can you not see the truth of it? You are the Thunder Rider the old ones spoke of.

Prophecy to me is like your horoscope, if you read it enough you can make it fit any circumstance you might be experiencing. I know that my bike is just a machine and the thunder he speaks of just the sound of the exhaust pipes. A flick of the wrist equates to the twisting of the throttle. And of course, I’m so confused. I would have my name on the tank of MY bike. Right? I’m so confused. My head started to hurt. Liesh come take me home!

Tirin was still awaiting a response. He placed the ribbon back in its place in the book and closed it. I was still speechless, yet knew that I’d better say something. I didn’t mind being the village idiot, but not the mute village idiot. I opened my mouth and spoke, what issued forth took even me by surprise. I will do whatever I can.

A collective sigh escaped the body of elders, and instantly I knew I had once again put my foot in it. Something tells me I did this a lot in my past. A past I have no recollection of.

Almost on cue, two ladies dressed in blue wait staff garb entered the room. They led me from the elder’s chamber out into the corridor. I was still reeling from my response to their request. We walked down a hall lined on both sides with torches and doors. None but one of the doors had a handle, this door could be opened by anyone. The doors without knobs were only accessible to those possessing magic, magic specific to the room’s occupant. These were the dormitories for the elders to be. These young mages in training were to take the place of the current elders as they passed on due to old age or misfortune.

Each door had a unique rune engraved on its surface that denoted the magic name of the mage whose room it was. Liesh had once told me that each mage set a web spell at his door that no other mage could pass through. What they could possibly have to protect from others was beyond me when anything one might desire could be acquired through magic.

I guess I was lagging behind as one of my guides felt it necessary to take me by the elbow and hurry me along. Finally at the end of the hall was the door with a handle and lock. The older of my female guides produced a key from her apron and unlocked the door. I entered to find the biggest bed I’d ever seen. An oak armoire stood along one wall, doors open, displaying an enormous array of clothing and boots. I guessed they were of my size by design. Belts of varying widths hung from pegs on the inside surface of one door the other was adorned with several hats. I hate hats.

The ladies scurried about the room opening the drapes and pulling back the bedding. I think they expected me to stay here. To either side of the bed stood a small chest with a drawer and door, a lamp on each. The wall by the door was lined with shelves containing books and maps along with figurines and what knot’s. An array of knives was displayed on one of the lower shelves along with belt sheaths to fit. Left of the bed, between the windows stood a cabinet about four feet tall and a foot wide and deep. An unusually heavy clasp and lock secured its contents. I was sure I did not want to know what it housed. It was then I heard the door close. I turned to see that the ladies had left and had laid out several outfits for me to choose from. I looked at their suggested choices, forest green shirt and tan pants, blue shirt and tan pants, red shirt and tan pants. Not very stylish I thought to myself. I went to the armoire to find that it was not an armoire at all but the entrance to a very large walk in closet.

I seem to remember not liking to shop, but what the heck, I went in to checkout the selection. I meandered down the wall lined with racks of shirts and pants, dresses and gowns. I found in one section an entire wardrobe of leather ware. Now we were talking. After several minutes, I emerged clothed in the most comfortable black leather pants and tunic I’d ever worn. Not that I had been a big leather wearer before, I think. The pants fit well yet in no way hindered my movements and I must say made my butt look good.