Trial by Combat (Page 4): Notwithstanding the feelings of trepidation expressed by Jolly Roger, I believe the stunned reaction to The Dark Lady's beauty, as portrayed so skillfully by...

RobertW Loc: Breezy Point, New York

Notwithstanding the feelings of trepidation expressed by Jolly Roger, I believe the stunned reaction to The Dark Lady's beauty, as portrayed so skillfully by TP, will create that moment of helplessness on Jack's part that will allow the dark Lady to fulfill her plan for the overwhelming defeat of any action that Jack could be planning.-------(And I wholly agree with John Lawrence------I don't think TP is going to leave all his rapt readers in the lurch by having the Dark Lady lose this battle)

Ol' Frank Loc: Orlando,

I am sure that the training she has already received will be enough to dispatch a mere man, mortal or not. She is probably on her way to the next portion of Wicked Witch Training program and will soon graduate with highest honors. All she has to so is really look at an adversary to vanquish them into Greenland forever. Of course, should the situation really be our of hand, she can always call her sister for a little help and advice. Nobody stands a chance with the two of them.

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

My heart beats faster when reading this story. The dark lady will prevail because her eyes capture your soul and slay your ability to resist. Looking forward to the next chapter. Thanks for the entertainment.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

boberic wrote:

I just had a very frightening thought (yes, I do have a thought every now and then). beware of either Madame P or the Dark Lady, approaching you and after touching your face say the word "THINNER". --Check out the Steven King novel of that name- Witches will do such things. You will never eat a Strawberry pie quite the same way ever again. Your portraits are allways excellent. The Saga continues.

Thanks, boberic. A frightening thought, indeed. The only one that worries me more is should they touch me and say 'Idiot.' I'm not far above water there to start with. As I recall, it took the fellow in King's book a year or more to get dangerously 'thin.' Should they curse me with 'idiot,' I'd be on shaky ground in about fifteen minutes, if that, lol.

Glad you're enjoying the story and images. And it's not over yet.

Thanks for your fun comments and visit, they're always very much appreciated!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Snap Shot wrote:

Randy, she's armed, ready, able and deadly determined! Great job!

Thanks, Bill. I certainly hope she's up to the challenge. But this is no ordinary demon she's chosen to fight, and she could find herself in serious trouble in very short order. It would be a shame to lose her, so young and beautiful. Well, beautiful. She IS over a hundred. Still, I could see dating an older woman... LOL

Thanks for the kind words and visit, they're always much appreciated!

carlysue Loc: Columbus

I see no cause to doubt this strong and beautiful dark lady. She exudes calmness,sensuality and confidence. Her eyes show determination,not veering but total focus. No waning,helpless violet,she! And no remorse for Jack! His evil ways demand no mercy! Smash and Mash him! Bash and Thrash him! A mighty whack and his skull will crack! Disconnect him and vivisect him!
Oh,wait a minute. That was another story and now I have those song lyrics worming about my brain. But all tales need a minstrel and a lute. Do you play the lute,Randy?

jpgto Loc: North East Tennessee

carlysue wrote:

I see no cause to doubt this strong and beautiful ... (show quote)

Nice Carlysue.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

Great photo and story. I started to write a crime story but this is all the farther I got. It went like this.--- Ok there copper this is a rod you feel in your back. Make one false move and it's curtains. It's a curtain rod. I know, sometimes I even hate myself.

nanaval Loc: Cornwall

Treepusher wrote:

Thank you, Val. What's happening on the streets of Whitechapel? The world wonders, and so do I! I won't know until I put up the next image and see how the story develops--or ends... Will Jack rip her up, or will she turn out to be an even bigger monster than he is?

We'll find out.

Thanks for your kind comments and visit, always very much appreciated!

All I can say is that The Dark Lady knows what she wants to do, plus she is a WOMAN!!!!!! with a lot more years of experience than he has. He has no chance against her...

carlysue Loc: Columbus

jpgto wrote:

Nice Carlysue.

My brain just goes off uncontrolled sometimes,Jeff.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Mile wrote:

How exciting go girl you will get that dirty rotten demon. Girl Power.

Thanks, Mlle! She needs a cheering section, as I don't think her confidence is all that high. First time against a major demon, you know. Anyone would have doubts. I'm hoping she'll give a good account of herself in the fight to come. But it could go either way--there's no sure thing when you're battling demons!

Thanks for stopping by and sending some support her way. I'm sure she's really grateful, and would say so herself, if she wasn't so busy at the moment. It's much appreciated!

jpgto Loc: North East Tennessee

carlysue wrote:

My brain just goes off uncontrolled sometimes,Jeff.

Nah, creative! LOL

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

RobertW wrote:

Notwithstanding the feelings of trepidation expressed by Jolly Roger, I believe the stunned reaction to The Dark Lady's beauty, as portrayed so skillfully by TP, will create that moment of helplessness on Jack's part that will allow the dark Lady to fulfill her plan for the overwhelming defeat of any action that Jack could be planning.-------(And I wholly agree with John Lawrence------I don't think TP is going to leave all his rapt readers in the lurch by having the Dark Lady lose this battle)

Thanks, Robert. I appreciate the support here. But I don't know what's to happen. I'm as mesmerized by the action as anyone else. I can't believe our beautiful prospective Dark Lady could lose the fight, but demons are no slouch when it comes to battle, as anyone can tell you, and this is no ordinary demon. Most demons are content to annoy people, and happy enough to leave it at that. This one likes killing, and not just killing, but nasty killing. He won't be easy to defeat, and I don't know if she has the stuff to do it. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

Thanks for your visit and kind comments, they're always much appreciated!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Ol' Frank wrote:

I am sure that the training she has already received will be enough to dispatch a mere man, mortal or not. She is probably on her way to the next portion of Wicked Witch Training program and will soon graduate with highest honors. All she has to so is really look at an adversary to vanquish them into Greenland forever. Of course, should the situation really be our of hand, she can always call her sister for a little help and advice. Nobody stands a chance with the two of them.

Thanks, Frank. A real confidence builder for our prospective Dark Lady! Sounds like it will be no contest, and I hope for her sake that's so. But underestimating an opponent is a good way to lose a fight. So we'll see whether or not she has an easy go of it, and soon.

Thanks for your positive comments for her, and thanks as always for your visit. It's much appreciated!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Flyerace wrote:

My heart beats faster when reading this story. The dark lady will prevail because her eyes capture your soul and slay your ability to resist. Looking forward to the next chapter. Thanks for the entertainment.

Thanks, Flyerace. I certainly hope you're right, but I suspect this won't be the walkover some are saying. Jack's no ordinary demon to be vanquished in a trice. He's going to be trouble, and let's hope as a first-time demon fighter, she's ready to handle him

Thanks for the encouraging words for her, and we'll see what develops.

Thanks for stopping by, it's always much appreciated, and glad you're enjoying the story!