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
Copyright © Jeff W. Watson | Year Posted 2020
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