"If it please ye, M'Lord, it is my honor ta present ta ye a Poet of great
reknown." Rose stepped aside as Fay came forward for her turn and hoped that Cole and the others
were having luck with their mission.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I took a deep breath and stepped forward. One rather awkward curtsey later, I raised my eyes
to the throne where the dark lord sat, still tall and imposing, even though he was seemingly
a little more relaxed after Rose's story and Adeline's ballad. I hoped I could live up to
the previous performers.
"My Lord," I started, my voice sounding stronger than I felt. "It would be an honour to
entertain you with some verse of my own invention, if you would be so kind as to give me
subject that interests you."
Venger looked intrigued for a moment. He gave a malevolent smile and looked down (for really, where else was there for him to look!) and considered me.
"Well, Poet, if you are as renowned as your companion claims, you should be able to forsee
my wishes, and how I would desire to be entertained."
"My Lord," I replied, "I am no Psychic, but I will do my best to summon words that you will find pleasing." I lowered my voice, and offered a small prayer up to whichever diety might chance to listen.
The Lost Lover
Long, long ago, on a night such as this
He lay alone in his chamber awaiting her call
A-willing her presence for a most secret tryst
For they were lost lovers, deceiving them all.
As he waited he pondered the way of his life
A-hiding his love from the rest of the Realm
All those who had guessed he had damned into Hell
No place by his side for a love at the helm
Venger looked mildly thoughtful at my words, perhaps pleased that I'd chosen to touch upon a subject that may have some meaning. On the other hand, I didn't want to press the subject in case my instinct was wrong and there really was no soul to the...man? I risked another few lines:
"O Mistress of mischief" he whispered, impatient
"Ascend to me only, O lover of mine"
He lay back and waited, this "man" with a penchant
As floors they did tremble and worlds realign
She came to him swiftly she took him and trod him
As was in her nature, to rise and then fall
She used him, abused him, contorted his body
Pandora corrupted, she heeded his call.
(I paused dramatically, looking again to see if Venger had reacted)
(Drawing breath)
At last it was over, this torture unholy
To him it was paradise, a love near divine
His mistress, the darkness, descended, so none see
Her visage so viscious, recaptured in rhyme.
And far far away, another is waiting,
Far away from the man she once knew so well
The true lost love with a soul full of darkness
Will he ever return, her heartbreak to quell...?
I paused. Venger looked down at me. "A pretty verse, girl, though the end be full of foolish sentiment." He gazed at me for a monet, as if calculating how much he thought I knew. Had I touched him? Only he could tell. For my part, I was glad it was over.
((OK Bubbles, strut your stuff-I tried to get him in the mood as best I could! *G*))
