- This story is part of a collaborative project with additional talented writers. The previous chapters can be found here: https://theprose.com/post/438830/tag-list-and-schedule
All of the sights of Little Dafford had left Brian in awe, but nothing like the training grounds of the warrior army. Once he stepped through the iron gate that Coban opened, he observed sparring matches of a good hundred warriors, all armored with protection that was on par with the iron walls that surrounded the vast dirt grounds. Brian had not seen much combat in his life besides a few fist fights in his school days, but instead of being overwhelmed by the mighty men and women battling around him, he felt more determined than ever to join their ranks.
The pair finally reached a large roundhouse, and Brian followed Coban in. A tall, lanky man sat up on a cot and smiled at Coban.
"Lad! I thought I gave thee the day off? Or do ye have a recruit for me?"
"He requested an audience with you." Coban groaned. "My brother dumped him on me, and insisted I answer his questions. The bloke wouldn't drop the prospect of being trained to fight as a warrior. Can you deal with him? My apologies Master Ravok."
"Nonsense son, the more the merrier!" Ravok chuckled. "Leave 'em ere, and I'll size up his potential."
Coban bowed down, then ran out as quick as he could. Ravok arose from the cot, and walked to the corner of the room where the cries "Sword Up!" were coming out of a crystal that flashed various bright colors. Ravok put his hand on the crystal, and it reverted to a bright white before going silent.
"Sorry, figured better turn off thee game so I could hear ye out." Ravok said warmly as he approached Brian.
"That was a game?" Brian asked. "I assumed that was a battle!"
"Nah, just an old game where two teams are trying to get thee other's king. The crystal there taps into locations where games get played, and I listen to 'em to relax."
"So, like a radio broadcast?"
"Never heard of a radio, that some kind of magic from ye village?"
"Yeah, some kind of magic." Brian replied.
This is really the leader? He seems too laid back compared to everyone outside.
"Anyway, you're the leader of the warriors? Pardon me if I sound a bit rude, but you seem a bit different from the others out there."
Ravok looked at Brian incredulously before letting out a great belly laugh.
"Don't believe in me skills eh? Alright then, take me on if ye think ye can!"
"Hold on, I have no training! Forgive me, I didn't mean to upset-"
"Upset? Hardly! I've seen much on the battlefield far more upsetting. I have nothing to prove, just want to see what ye may bring to the army. Here, let me give ye something to help."
Ravok stomped his foot, and a hole opened up in the floor. A shelf emerged from the opening in front of Brian. The shelf was decked with various armor, helmets, shields, and weapons.
"Go on, feel free to borrow from me armory." Ravok said cheerfully. "Everything here is imbued with magic, and will enhance ye abilities."
Brian donned a matching steel helmet, chest plate, and a long sword. Ravok wasn't bluffing, as Brian now felt like he could take on ten armies thanks to the magic from the gear. He turned to Ravok, who then carried over a handful of white powder, which he then proceeded to spread around Brian.
"Before ye face me, let's see how ye fare in a farce battle."
"Farce battle?" Brian questioned.
"The substance around ye will simulate a battleground, and a foe of ye choice." Ravok explained as the powder evaporated into a fog that surrounded Brian. "Ye thoughts will be read, and the battle ye envision will appear. Don't worry, tis merely an illusion, but a fine way to measure fighting skills."
Brian was surrounded by darkness, and one of the fiends that had previously tortured him stood before him, wearing his wife's face and smirking.
"After I play with you, I'm gonna gut you and deliver your insides to your lady." The monster laughed cruelly.
"Not this time!" Brian screamed, charging at the beast. He felt amazing as he lunged, not only feeling faster and stronger, but fully aware of how to use the sword he held, even without proper training. Magic truly is an amazing thing.
"Awwwww, so the hapless fool thinks he can take me now, huh?" The monster mocked as Brian drew closer. "No matter what enhancements you hold, you are noth-"
Brian sliced the monster's head off, apologizing to Sarah under his breath. He continued slashing the headless fiend until a bloody pile of gore was all that remained. The darkness cleared and the creature remains then vanished. Brian then found himself looking at a grinning Ravok a few feet ahead.
"The gear ye chose approved of ye, well done indeed! Now come at me lad, and face a real opponent!"
"Aren't you going to equip yourself?" Brian asked.
"No need, I am protected enough." Ravok smiled. "Ye have shown me what ye can do, now give me ye best!"
Brian was worried that he could truly maim Ravok with the power he held from his armor and sword, but he assumed that Ravok wouldn't agree to this without some kind of enhancements of his own, even if he was only wearing a simple leather shirt and trousers. He felt the same level of skill that he had felt during the mock battle a moment ago as he charged at Ravok.
"Impressive approach, now use thee sword lad!" Ravok said as he stood his ground, even without a weapon of his own at his disposal.
Brian swung the sword involuntarily as instructed. Ravok smiled as he ducked under the strike. He then lunged at Brian and tripped him, knocking him to the ground. Ravok caught the sword that slipped from his opponent's grasp, and pointed it at his neck.
"This gear is incredible, and made me feel incredible." Brian said with awe, as Ravok lowered the sword and helped him up. "But I still had no chance against you. Please tell me, was there a special magic that you used just now?"
"Nay lad, just me own personal strength from training, along with the blessing of the great Lyrane!"
"Lyrane? Who's that?"
"Our God of strength and courage of course! Me and all the warriors in our army possess Lyrane's blessing. As long as we keep his favor, we triumph in any battle, even without magic!"
Brian stood in awe once more, remembering Olban's revelation of the gods of his world earlier. So Lyrane is one of them....
"Please Ravok, train me and allow me to join your forces." Brian pleaded softly, bowing down before Ravok. "I wish to tear apart the monstrous bastards that tortured me. I am getting up there in age, but I wish to have one more adventure, and if you teach me and help me seek Lyrane's blessing, I know I could be worthwhile to you and your army."
"Stand up lad, don't bow to me!" Ravok said sharply, his smile fading. "The only one worthy of thee worship is Lyrane, and his brethren!"
"Of course, I apologize." Brian said as he stood up meekly. "Please, will you help me?"
Ravok gave Brian a kind smile but shook his head.
"I'm sorry lad, but I cannot."
"But why?" Brian asked in a dejected tone.
"Forgive me bluntness, but training ye would be a waste. Ye showed great skill with the enhanced armory, but that is all ye currently have. Tis true I could strengthen ye, but without the blessing of Lyrane, it wouldn't be enough."
"Is that it?" Brian replied with slight annoyance. "You don't think Lyrane will bless me?"
"Nay lad." Ravok answered solemnly. "Lyrane would smite ye on thee spot."
"He would? Why?"
Ravok pointed to Brian's chest and gave him a woeful look.
"Ye heart. Tis full of rage and self-fulfillment when it comes to ye desire to fight. Lyrane would never approve."
one of these days
another one will come along
if you believe it you'll see it
your fault really
squeeze your eyes tight
dispel all doubts terrors
you had power all along
to bring love into living
bullshit really
my will cannot compel
others to want need me
ache for bone coupling
warm to breath smell
on in their parted lips
finger touch delirium
squeezed tight shatter
none of these days
Panic
I blink because I am tired of my open eyes
I could close them but I’ll see that face no matter why
so I lie, like I have witnessed death at night
I was almost out of the room of my lies
when it blew me off so hard
I started flying
I was so high and it was all grey
almost devastating; utterly terrifying
like being struck by thunder
an icicle that pierces your heart
in and out
and makes you fear each blink
death might anyway reach out
and empty your brain
weaken your smile and your bones
and choke you, making you scream out for help
but you won’t be able
to function an inch according to your will
and your eyes will start bleeding in the form of fearful tears
and everything starts shaking
like an earthquake was better than the disaster happening
and everything in you starts breaking
as you tremble to death
clatter and shatter
your teeth start to chatter
as you place your hand on your chest
in hopes of inhaling something real and not red
but it hurts so much you would want to die
but then you think of it and would want to find reasons to survive
'cause the rain destroys barriers when you don’t build them strong
and your nails scratch walls as you walk on the sharp ones
you slowly lose all your time and all your patience
you would run away
for no one will help
because they think it’s easy
or a little bit hard
but it just might be the saddest movie
or another losing war
so you fall on your knees and beg and beg
for it to rest, pause and stop
but something that’s is meant to feed on you
will not go until you rot
and you try to scream and shout some more
and it does loosen you up to some core
and you try to inhale the deepest you can
in hopes of smelling something sweet to pretend
and your eyes search for someone or something
so that you could steal their peace and store it in
and breathe a little livelier and not sense death this close
as your breath starts to shorten and close
and you close your eyes to escape this lie
which feels like your only reality
and you bury the pain and try to jump high
even when you are sinking in
and you see a little light through a hole somewhere in the middle
while you lie frozen in the dark and tremble till there isn’t any movement
the light melts the ice that froze in you
and you open your eyes a little wider to see the bluest blue of the ocean
where you start swimming better and come close to the surface of the water
you’ll never be the perfect lover, friend, sister, or daughter
and you realize what the word looks like when you finally come to the surface
while the water still drips from you
and you become a part of the waves
that follows you in a cab when you walk on the road
and you keep on possessing your rain and absorbing sadness in the storm
that bleeds even when you close your eyes or leave them open
to witness the darkness that is never stolen
because when you feel like dying again,
you’ll hold the hand of a broken
whose face won’t leave your thoughts even at night when you’re closed in
under your own skin
with someone broken
you're chosen
Wingless Freedom 2
Never a day passed
when he wasn’t there
watching the rose
white star birds
grazing in the cloudy air.
Soaring beyond sight
to appear once again.
The Fairy Terns
miracles of nature
this child was their life-long friend.
Over time, he was welcomed
following the pattern they flew.
from sky to sea
and back again
he was immersed in sunlit blue.
When he got married
they attended the rites
dazzling the couple
with flawless ballets
of graceful, inspired flight.
When his first child was born
they celebrated the birth
by directing sunlight
to enfold the infant
endowing its soul with mirth.
When his marriage ended
and his heart was broken
they hovered near him all that day
singing a song
too sad to be spoken.
When his son died in the war
and his soul was beyond healing
they wept rainbow tears
of impassioned color
to reflect what he was feeling.
Then, one day he came
and they weren’t there anymore.
He waited and watched
but they returned not
to the sky nor to the shore.
Afterwards he became depressed
when he knew his dearlings were gone
he felt deep inside
that they no longer loved him
so he made himself move on.
Many years later
after he drove everyone away
the cancer came
his breathing slowed down
his life-force a fading grey.
Slowly his limbs failed him
and he knew the end was near.
So he asked some neighbors
to take him back
to the beach which he held so dear.
They did as he wished
and left him alone.
So, there he remained
from dawn to dusk
till his body became like stone.
As his eyes began to close
he suddenly heard a sound.
Looked up and saw dozens
of Fairy Terns
slowly circling round.
One by one they descended
and covered him with their wings.
They took his pain
upon themselves
like fluttering heavenly kings.
As they flew off again
to the faraway lands
he held the last one gently
and wept
precious jewels into the sand.
The Sunlight was fading
as he let it be.
And when it flew away
He closed his eyes
as his body set his spirit free.
Who Am I When No One is Around?
Voices call
from down the hall.
I’m sure I don’t know them at all.
Yet still my heart is called to days
I locked myself in stalls
and prayed.
Just asking for a simple glance
From boys I didn’t stand
a chance with.
Truth, I feel still like that girl
who knows she’s not
fit for this world.
A voice just said he’d ask her out.
Oh, back in high school I would shout
and call for pity for a heart
too scared, too shy, too sick
to vouch.
For me my heart is much to weak
for leading on, for simple streaks
of best behaviour (still no-good).
No man should love me.
No man should treat
me with kindness without pay.
However, if one chose to stay
I'd be a perfect little girl
with begging eyes,
with spiral curls.
Oh why,
oh why,
must I still cave?
To simple lines.
To re-used phrases.
All those tropes I’ve grown to loathe...
Still deep inside
I’m so alone.
So I will bat my eyes and plead
for any man that will concede
to take me on as burden woe
to work me ’till I have no soul
and will I be so fulfilled then
when ring is placed, when vows are said.
When in a house I’m wast’ing way
and wondering if another way
could have been carved
had I not feared
The life, a woman,
so congealed.
That did not center on a man
I know some do it
I know some can...
I’ve friends that love women as well
and love though daily they face hell.
To Hell I’ll surely go as well
for with a man I’ll never dwell.
A worse thought I could not conjure
when to depths my mind oft wanders...
Lost amid the mazes dark
of hurtful past,
of wounded heart,
of crying soul,
of past begin.
Oh why,
Oh why,
Do I always cry?
My period. It's coming soon?
I have lost track.
I’ll ask the moon.
The moon betrays me, as does all.
When deep I trust,
through shall I fall.
So birthday cakes and bright balloons
I hope will greet me in my room.
A party I’ve planned for myself.
A gift I’ve hidden on the shelf.
Inside, a note whose print reads just
“You need not marry
you’re on the cusp of
greatness dear!
Oh, don’t you see?
You’re close to finding
who you're to be.”
So when the families scream and shout,
and he curses you:
Shut them out!
For a feeling is valid
if it is there.
Though no one sees it.
No one cares.
I care,
like women you don’t know.
For you don’t realize
How far this goes.
There are women held
and women caged
and women trapped in rooms of rage.
Dear, you are not the first to feel
the weight of life that grinds your wheels
and hate that drags you
down,
down,
down.
Its not your burden,
leave that town.
To seek bright lights of cities glow.
The castles pink.
Each bathtub, rose.
Of sweet, kind looks on the metro.
Love, hold their doors and speak their retro-
active regrets.
For you know
a secret kept just grows like mold.
A never ending tow’r of tears
can never lift you,
He won’t hear.
He does,
I should not speak that way
He's not forsaken you that way.
While women fight though life unheard
He’s sent us roadkill, sent us birds.
Each image of a lovely thing
that we don’t get.
We’d never sing
the songs in keys of chickadee.
No we’re not listn’ing
You and me.
But
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A heart does ring!
Is it a friend?
Is it a thing
that’s sold on shelves in hardware stores
or on TV?
Do we need more?
I need not march if I shall die
with no one with my name who’ll cry.
The other women who have died
to let me sit here sit and to lie.
I shall not be a sour girl
Of hateful heart
desires, cruel.
I’ll live more kind.
I’ll live more soft.
I’ll live more loud.
I’ll live more oft.
I’ll be a woman who can say:
"Voices, who cares
what you say."
Love’s Death
Choice of words
Choice so obscure
Obscure mind
Obscure line
Line of sight
Line the sky
Sky that fell
Sky of poems
Poems for you
Poems that bled
Bled from soul
Bled for time
Time and laughter
Time well-spent
Spent so freely
Spent with you
You now busy
You now gone
Gone from me
Gone for good
Good things end
Good things die
Die like stars
Die so dark
Dark with despair
Dark falls over
Over my love
Over my spell
Spell is broken
Spell went wrong
Wrong was financed
Wrong plus tax
Tax my patience
Tax my effort
Effort so earnest
Effort was wasted
Wasted rough drafts
Wasted tears
Tears that choke
Tears that stain
Stain the memory
Stain the sheets
Sheets can strangle
Sheets that cover
Cover with soil
Cover a grave
Grave of love
Grave that's haunted
Haunted
Love
The Farewell
And if only
I find her
on my last day on earth -
at the train station
before her train disappears
into the fog.
That's how I'll find her!
I'm waiting for you,
my heart.
Through all time and
all lives -
all worlds.
Only you exist.
You will recognize me by
my love -
you will find yourself
in my love -
look into my eyes, NOW!
Now go my heart.
I love
you.
Stronger than Death
Once belonged together,
changed my soul forever,
against us was time,
only left me this rhyme.
You wrote me letter after letter,
some from tears were wet,
became part of me, the better,
all my years I kept.
Your picture,
in me,
forever,
you,
I always,
will
remember.
Read your lines of letter,
again and again,
felt like being together,
again and
again,
could hear your voice
when I laugh,
and feel your choice is my
path.
Felt many lives pass,
since I met you,
bear many earths mass,
until I get you.
When grown
old,
the beloved ones passed,
your letters I
hold,
your thought be my
last.
Through letters,
through time,
to a place exist,
will wait,
in mind,
until death resist.
The longing for youth,
it comes with a cost,
not seeking the age,
it is the person we lost.
Cruelty of life,
isn’t it
so,
everyone you love,
you have to let
go.
Our love,
older than time,
you
are,
always mine.
Our love,
wider than space,
in it
engraved,
is your grace.
If reborn,
hereby sworn,
at lifes toll,
will find your soul.
In my paintings,
live forever,
every color shining,
you to remember.
In my poems,
the reason words rhyme,
will torment language,
YOU,
in every syllable
to bind.