So I would have to face them alone.
Even there in the depths of despair, I was honest enough to admit I did not fear the deed itself, it was the fear of not knowing how would I act, like a whimpering cowardly cur or would I face it with brave unbowed countenance.
Thus began the tale of the most dreadful challenge I faced. I should warn this is not for the faint hearted, close this page or forever suffer the consequences.
I had heard the tales of the brave knights of yore. The fabled warriors of the round table who went forth with a smile on their lips facing the most fearsome dragons and monsters. A quest from their Queen meant nothing more than a task to be simply carried out whatsoever the outcome to their own personal selves. Yet those tales did not build up my fortitude, I was but a simple commoner, yea the queen had personally asked me to take care of this small (hah!) problem. I too like the knights of old would gladly lay down my life for my queen, but what she was asking me was something infinitely worse than death.
She had summoned me to her chambers and asked if today I was ready for the one task I had never done. She said "I know you have been a faithful, loyal subject, a slave who has fulfilled my every wish, Brave Sir now I ask you the greatest sacrifice" I simply stared at her beautiful self and heard myself say "Yes My lady, whatever is thine desire".
She replied with an earnest smile “Good Sir, understand this. I do not ask you to do anything I have not done myself. Yes I do know that you know not of such things and this is an Olympian endeavor to you, but I feel true and confident about you".
I filled with pride at my fair Queen’s word, after all if she thought I was fit for this who was I to dispute.
She went on "Tonight I have to go far from the kingdom, I leave the entire future of this realm in your hands. Deep down in the dungeons await your undertaking, acquit yourself well and you will be amply rewarded” She looked deep in my eyes and said “beyond your wildest dreams”. Well I’m a pretty wild dreamer so could imagine the rewards but her next words were like splashes of cold icy water “Be aware that you have to keep your wits with you, this mission require 10 heads, 20 arms, eyes at the back of your head, a cool presence, organized thoughts, quick mind and swift tongue".Filled with trepidation at her words but unable to deny the request I simply held silent. She smiled at me pityingly as she added “Understand if you can last the day, you are safe; though known to sometimes attack at night, they are not nocturnal, but at the crack of dawn ready yourself anew for the battle”.
“I just ask you to last these two days and I will back before the moon touches the sky morrow night, so fair ye well good sir". I smiled bravely at her and asked if she had a few minutes before she left. On her affirmative answer, I walked with all my dignity to the other room, latched the door and burst into wracking sobs. God Why, Why me?
There I was alone, buffeted by circumstances; the world was not a pleasant place. Was I scared? Godammit it I was, Did I break? Did I back down? Nooo....
I readied myself and went down to face the monsters, I knew they were two of them, they hunted in ravenous pairs. I stood outside the barred door and tried to listen. My blood curdled at what I heard. I could have withstood the growling, snarling or even screaming but they were giggling!!!
They probably smelled my warm blood and knew I was near by, a tasty entrée for them. Oh God the Horror the absolute Horror!
But the deed had to be done, and I swore to myself that by all I had in me, I would do the best I could.
I took a deep breath and stepped inside and the monsters started shrieking "Papa, Papa..........”.
Even there in the depths of despair, I was honest enough to admit I did not fear the deed itself, it was the fear of not knowing how would I act, like a whimpering cowardly cur or would I face it with brave unbowed countenance.
Thus began the tale of the most dreadful challenge I faced. I should warn this is not for the faint hearted, close this page or forever suffer the consequences.
I had heard the tales of the brave knights of yore. The fabled warriors of the round table who went forth with a smile on their lips facing the most fearsome dragons and monsters. A quest from their Queen meant nothing more than a task to be simply carried out whatsoever the outcome to their own personal selves. Yet those tales did not build up my fortitude, I was but a simple commoner, yea the queen had personally asked me to take care of this small (hah!) problem. I too like the knights of old would gladly lay down my life for my queen, but what she was asking me was something infinitely worse than death.
She had summoned me to her chambers and asked if today I was ready for the one task I had never done. She said "I know you have been a faithful, loyal subject, a slave who has fulfilled my every wish, Brave Sir now I ask you the greatest sacrifice" I simply stared at her beautiful self and heard myself say "Yes My lady, whatever is thine desire".
She replied with an earnest smile “Good Sir, understand this. I do not ask you to do anything I have not done myself. Yes I do know that you know not of such things and this is an Olympian endeavor to you, but I feel true and confident about you".
I filled with pride at my fair Queen’s word, after all if she thought I was fit for this who was I to dispute.
She went on "Tonight I have to go far from the kingdom, I leave the entire future of this realm in your hands. Deep down in the dungeons await your undertaking, acquit yourself well and you will be amply rewarded” She looked deep in my eyes and said “beyond your wildest dreams”. Well I’m a pretty wild dreamer so could imagine the rewards but her next words were like splashes of cold icy water “Be aware that you have to keep your wits with you, this mission require 10 heads, 20 arms, eyes at the back of your head, a cool presence, organized thoughts, quick mind and swift tongue".Filled with trepidation at her words but unable to deny the request I simply held silent. She smiled at me pityingly as she added “Understand if you can last the day, you are safe; though known to sometimes attack at night, they are not nocturnal, but at the crack of dawn ready yourself anew for the battle”.
“I just ask you to last these two days and I will back before the moon touches the sky morrow night, so fair ye well good sir". I smiled bravely at her and asked if she had a few minutes before she left. On her affirmative answer, I walked with all my dignity to the other room, latched the door and burst into wracking sobs. God Why, Why me?
There I was alone, buffeted by circumstances; the world was not a pleasant place. Was I scared? Godammit it I was, Did I break? Did I back down? Nooo....
I readied myself and went down to face the monsters, I knew they were two of them, they hunted in ravenous pairs. I stood outside the barred door and tried to listen. My blood curdled at what I heard. I could have withstood the growling, snarling or even screaming but they were giggling!!!
They probably smelled my warm blood and knew I was near by, a tasty entrée for them. Oh God the Horror the absolute Horror!
But the deed had to be done, and I swore to myself that by all I had in me, I would do the best I could.
I took a deep breath and stepped inside and the monsters started shrieking "Papa, Papa..........”.
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