Castle Prose (Prose Universe challenge by SalingerTwain - continuation)
Chapter Two: Behind Closed Doors
Ancient Writing: The Whisperer’s Sonnets
Chapter IV:II
Shall I relinquish to thee, a winter’s storm?
Hell is cold in thy empty void.
The heart does long the peace of death,
Yet the brisk northern howl of — nothingness?
Darkness blinds the cruel crystalline eyes,
From hate will burn and frost immortalized.
Thou harsh winds cut more brutal than blade
Blood can’t drain, yet life remain?
The blizzard white in no way clean.
Will not wash the sin off thee
Thou curse of vengeance blocking heaven’s shine.
“Human rule has had its time!”
Will life endure — the spite of thee?
The call: “To Arms;” gives meaning to breathe.
***
In the dark shadows at the back of the small tavern, the two men whispered secrets hidden from those who might question intentions. The undersized bar where politics were often on the menu,— always tied to the emotions of strong opinion, and where policies were continually questioned,— seemed the perfect place to vent possible conspiracies. But here, talking the end of days was deemed the highest order of ‘nut job’ and relegated to only the bravest of souls willing to press agenda to gain followers.
The hour was late as the two men sat across from each other with tall steins full,— and only a small candle in-between to ease the darkness of the seemingly empty establishment.
SalingerTwain took a swig of his ale as he stared at the page from the very old leather bound book. “What the hell is this all about?”
“It’s prophecy dude,” Replied JamesMByers.
“Looks like a bunch of gibberish to me.”
“It’s talking about the Ice Queen and Domination.”
“Tell me more.” SalingerTwain leaned in with anticipation.
“She’s coming soon.”
…Twain stared back down at the page. “Humm…. I don’t see it. How are you getting that?…Ice Queen, Dominatrix, cumin:— so, it’s an erotic poem?”
“Nooo,”—James… winced running his parted fingers through his hair in frustration. “She’s not a Dominatrix. She’s determined to summon — ‘THE DARKNESS.’”
Salinger… looked out from the corner booth to the window at the front of the establishment,— nodding, “Looks like incantation achieved. What’s so bad about that? I have trouble sleeping during the day anyway.”
“Not the night, night you idiot: ‘THE DARKNESS.’”
“Ohhh, we’re talking a knight here. A dude called Darkness. What can one Knight do, even if he is a badass?”
…Byers sighed with disgust. “Not a person or Knight. It’s all about an encompassing evil.”
Salinger… studied the words.— “I only see darkness mentioned with eyes? How are you coming up with–— ‘THE DARKNESS?’”
“It’s right there in the prophecy, ‘Thou curse of vengeance blocking heaven’s shine.’”
…Twain‘s right eye arched high. “I think that’s open to interpretation.”
James… raised his hands above the table, palms up, moving them passionately. “Dude, the prophecy is in soliloquy from the heart…” closing his right fist to his chest. “…bending to the inevitable doom of destiny, or taking a stand —that is the essence of what gives life purpose.” His fist came down hard on the oak surface; “The Ice Queen’s rule will consume all.”
Salinger… took a swig of his ale, wiping the excess from his mouth with sleeve. “So why is her rule evil? What’s her political agenda?”
“She doesn’t have a political agenda.”
“So she wants to rule, but has no political agenda? That might not be a bad thing.”
…Byers shook his head in disbelief. “The domination’s not about ruling. It’s about bringing on ’The DARKNESS.’”
“So she wants everybody to get a good nights rest? That platform sounds pretty good to me.”
“Nooo,” …Byers moaned in frustration. ‘THE DARKNESS’ is a metaphor for unearthly evil.”
“Why? When I think of darkness, I think sleep.”
“I guess because bad things happen at night.”
“And bad things don’t happen in the daytime? Maybe she’s going to bring ‘The LIGHTNESS.’” …Twain placed his hands on his cheeks. “Ewwwww! I‘m scared.”
“Look,— we need to take a stand against the Ice Queen. She’s got over nine thousand followers and each seal of the 68 broken will bring death and destruction in their wake. She’s like a sand flea whose bite will mean the end of the world.”
“Oh, I see now, you’re an animal rights activist. I agree, hunting baby seals is really bad.”
“No, not seals,— seals as in locks to contain or hold in.”
“So, there’s 68 seals that have invaded the canals and she has to hunt them because they’re disrupting shipping?”
“Seals,— not mammals.”
“But I was taught seals were mammals. You probably don‘t believe in any leather goods either. Is that why your vote isn‘t… What’s the Ice Queen’s name again?”
“sandflea68.” …Byers mumbled under his breath.
“How do you get ‘Ice Queen‘— from sand flea? — sounds more like a beach-loving sun-worshiper.”
“I didn’t pick her name.“
“Well who did?”
“Probably her parents.”
“And they named their kid Sandflea? What were they thinking? Carrying a name around like that had to build character. She would have to have a strong constitution. Besides, I thought sand fleas were fictional?”
“Oh, she’s real alright. She’s a beautiful seductress, that weaves her spells to entice and enchant the wayward souls caught in her web of deceit.”
“First she’s a biting flea and now a spider, Which is it?”
“Dude, it’s just an expression.”
Salinger… smiled wide. “This all sounds like a lot of propaganda to me: a no nonsense ruling seductive sun-worshiper dominatrix, enchanting in her feminine wiles. And the whole package comes without a hidden political agenda? I’m sold. Loved the sales pitch. Where can I find her? Tell me, are you her agent or her campaign manager?”
James… shook his head. “I don’t believe this. The prophecy’s warning death, destruction, and you’re ready to jump from the battlement to the flagstones in her path, yelling, “Trample me, Trample ME!”
…Twain chuckled and turned away spying the beautiful view hanging over the bar-top, grabbing something from a shelf behind. “Hey bar wench, bring me and my friend here another round.”
“Dude, that’s rude.” James… whispered with a frown.
“Nonsense,— you need to lighten up. She works in a tavern for Christ’s sakes. They’re use to it.”
The waitress, InLoveWithWords slipped from her perch and turned to her last patrons of the night. “We’re closing up.” There was a strong look of distain in those fiery brown eyes.
Salinger… snapped his fingers. “Brew-ski,— chop, chop, don’t keep your customers waiting.”
…Byers, shook his head no,— “Dude?” and then to the waitress. “I’m just fine miss.”
InLove… looked over to the bartender, CreativeChaos, who slid a fresh stein …Words’ way with a wink.
As the bar-goddess approached the duo, James… inched away — to the back of his bench seat.
Salinger… sat smiling at the gorgeous view.
InLove…’s eyes burned cruel and emotionless as she dumped the ice cold ale over the annoying patron’s head and slammed the pewter mug down on the table, “We’re closed;” and stormed out leaving the front door open.
“You can see yourselves out,” CreativeChaos barked from behind the bar and turned out the oil lamp and then moved toward the upstairs lodging.
Salinger… stared at his friend, “Shit, I guess that was last call.” Then turned his head and watched …Chaos leave.
James… licked his fingers and doused the candle. Blackness encompassed the duo.
Everything went still.
“What’s with — “THE DARKNESS?——
James…?———James…?———Anybody? ”
Nothing but silence.
“Dude, I’m cold. Now I could really use a hot shower. Can someone please light a lamp?”
Through the open door a chilly breeze sweeps across the floor carrying with it a few snowflakes. The frosty beer magnified the winter wind as Salinger… stood still staring at the open door. It appeared a huge storm was rolling in.
“Hum, I guess it’s time to blow this joint:— Bedtime‘s calling me.”
****
Chapter 3:
https://theprose.com/post/169506/castle-prose-prose-universe-challenge-by-salingertwain-continuation
Chapter 1: