Quest of the Heart: Chapter Three

A Friend in the Dark A soft screeching sound over head brought me back With Grey Bane in hand I swung quickly around When I saw what it was I broke out in laughter The little guy flew to my hand making no sound ‘Twas ‘Hugo’ my good Lady Wife’s favored owl “And how came thee here my fine little friend?” He turned his head sideways, screeched once and flew off He bade me to follow him for he had help to lend Did he follow his master to this awful place? Was he awaiting my arrival to guide me? It did not matter it did me good to see him He was here to be my eyes where I could not see Down into the ice-cold castle he led the way With care I tread the stairways ice-covered and shear My breath froze before me I was chilled to the bone But my love warmed my heart and kept my mind clear We came to a gate and an old rope bridge beyond It stretched long over a wide bottomless pit Hugo did not pause he kept on with his quest With a stout heart for my Love I took to cross it The ancient bridge creaked and groaned with each step I took Large icicles broke and plunged into the abyss Swaying hard in the wind blasting through the rift I came to some broken planks, had to jump, and missed… In that instant time seemed to move in slow motion Without thought I swung Wolven Stave over my head Falling through the hole I caught the rope on both sides I then heard a snapping sound that filled me with dread The bridge split in two hurling me towards the far cliff Hugo swooped down, grabbed the bridge and spread his wings wide With great effort he slowed me down as I struck Keeping me from being smashed on the mountain side Slowly I climbed up what was left of the bridge With Hugo screeching and flying all around At last I came to the top and an opening A pitch-black tunnel descending under ground Hugo flew through the hollow with renewed vigor In the stygian blackness naught could I see With my hands on the wall and Hugo as my eyes I made my way by sound as he guided me I traveled blind bumping walls tripping on stones A cold, dank tomb, walls closing in, I wanted to run In this catacomb I thought I would go insane If it were not for Hugo I would have done Suddenly a blinding light appeared before me In it I saw Gennifer, my dear Lady Wife Vladius held her close in unholy embrace With raised dagger and depraved smile he took her life I reached out in horror to stop the vicious deed But in vain my hands passed through the ghastly scene A heart wrenching scream loosed from the depths of my soul “GENNIFER, MY LOVE! ” I roared and fell to my knees... In that instant I was struck by a wing in the face Hugo had broken me free of Draco’s heinous spell Weeping I slowly came around to my senses Badly shaken I arose from my contest with Hell Again my little friend had saved me from a fall He let me rest but a moment then bade me on For time was waning and not in our favor Wolven Stave as my crutch I stumbled along It seemed ages had spent, I in total darkness When I felt a sharp breeze and thought a light did see I was wary, my mind subject to deception I would not trust my eyes I would let Hugo lead Approaching the beam grew intense hurting my eyes I squinted to see as I stepped into the light Quitting the passage for a vast white cavern Ice-covered with colossal hanging stalactites