As the Castle Fell

For every step I take toward the sun, the spark that lit the fire inside me dwindles. History slated on unforgiving stone erodes; A weakly chiseled dream. But I will remember it all, and tongues shall breed these words and hold them with intent. Oh, how we have fallen! Mighty and meek alike. We were once just, and strong. But greatness has cast down it's poisoned banquet and corrupted hearts that once bled for glory. It is with a bitter tongue I speak these words! Remember the reason we set foot outside of our city gates. Remember the certainty in your hearts; that we men would give people hope! Hope for life without malice. Hope for a life of freedom! A chance for prosperity! ...but what prosperity have we given? Short of the bountiful throng of arrows that have captured the eyes of this land and left it's people in fear? Does a just King rule with the might of fear?! Or does a King rule with compassion? I ask you men, you loyal few. What would you have me do? Would you have me slaughter this woman; this beautiful princess of her people and take her home as a prize for conquest merely because her husband was the one that stood in the way? Is her beauty the cost of her life? She has wronged not one of us, and yet you Brakkdus scoff at the thought of her surviving her King. Why? Here I thought men of honor followed me, I thought men of courage swung my blades! And, yet you fear this woman who could no sooner do you harm than your own from the bed that you left her in! No, Princess Xavia shall survive her King and remain here with her people. I refuse to conquer the land of a tyrant, only to settle for it's fallen ruler's morality! If that does not befit you, then surely I am not your King. -James Kelley 2013, All rights reserved Princess Xavia's Response I stand with humility before such valor My people have borne the burden of swords and arrows, they are silent with fear and trembling before you Which would be yours to burden them with once again yet you offer them freedom and me my life...when you could shame not only me but those who are entrusted to me I would prefer to fall upon the blades of your men than to become flesh passed amongst them the destiny of a woman who has became the chattel of a lost victory My blood be shed before such shame be cast upon me Yet you.... you have offered me back my Kingdom and restored my name Gallant your soul in the shadow of such a night beneath the dark stars where only the flames of a burnt, ashen city provide any warmth for my grieving people You have offered them hope through a frail vessel such as myself, such honor is seldom written upon the hearts of men in days such as these Your compassion is a light in this darkness these times inscribed with blood such is this age, when the voice of stones speak more gently than the hearts of men Dark are these days and black is the moon of these nights, in these lost reveries we journey through dreams that have become nightmares Yet strength has arisen in one man, a leader who throws light back at the fallen stars granting the nights a moment of solace for your honor has returned hope a light stronger than blaze of the midday sun And as I take back my broken people we shall take refuge in your kindness and in that light of lights shall we rebuild this Kingdom, our sanguine ties shall bind us and we will rise. I gratefully accept my life returned to me through your kind hands And secretly, within a whisper it is my prayer that when I look upon your countenance and the time comes that I shall gaze into your eyes again it shall be as the queen you have restored to her throne and to her people and who keeps quietly within the space between her heartbeats gratitude... and the hope that she will share her throne beside yous should you find her efforts and her heart worthy. (c) Katherine Wyatt 2013