dapple

 The three strangers unburdened themselves of a year’s journey. 

A fire invited words cast to the crown of stars, as if the drifting phantoms behind would seize their year and lift it to the Hall as paean to its troop or drag it down to shadow land. A freedom in the fire to know no judgment or recognition. Burnt up. 

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The first knew hunger for a year. 

Wrecked upon the Rock of the Chalice, he swam alone of his sword brothers to the Endless Shore and learned its name. Sieged by the sun, he fought the sand and barriers to nowhere. And in surrender he rejoined the waves. But the Headless found him a fish on their way to war. 

Enslaved they feasted upon his strength, oars and ropes their teeth. They met a foe of fiercer mean in harbor to the Gate. Fire and blood foamed the water, as all alliances shattered for the hope of breath. And our weary storyteller, through deeds left in his hollow eyes, escaped carnage for another mighty swim. 

In terror and near madness, he found a wood to rebuild himself. The promise of a wild beast of this yellow wood wandered the hills and met a few knights errant and hunters fell. His solace grew cracked with curious interlopers. Some met their end, some wandered below as he flew above, and some met a wild tale of myth to carry for their life. 

Until she wandered the yellow wood and walked its dappled floor, fey on fey. And his madness met purpose. His life breaking on another Rock, he followed as his reason climbed out from the pit of his gut. But his first willed step drove the doe to flight. Her void brought the truth of his months lost. Lost found, he nearly shattered once more. Yet the shining fleeing one bound him to light. A straight and piercing light of cutting blade, but a healing laceration of diseased flesh. 

Renamed, he left the yellow wood. Revisaged, he despised his purpose. New reason knew achievement would bring hate. So he went everywhere but where he longed. So he fought upon the walls of the Candled City. He led a party through the Pale Desert, losing them to their greed for the Seven Princes’ land. He relit the Peace Torch in the Maimed King’s palace. He hunted the Ever-Dying One and they traded eyes. But it did not take his Vision from him. 

The first knew hunger for a year.

by Justin Gerard

(To be continued…?)