e were all in awe of the generosity of the reaper, but confused as well.  He never let up his tune and our spirits craved more of his melody.  It wasn’t long before the next gentleman took a step forward and began dancing to the soft violin as he spoke forth his final moments.

 

was a knight for my lord in Ivarstead.  I have been a fighter all my life and thrived on seeing justice dealt to the heathens and brigands that took advantage of our poor town's defenses.  I was training to even become a paladin and dedicate my life to serving a higher purpose and becoming a sword for the honorable divines.

 

was married to a beautiful maiden, Baily, who served as a maid for the maidens of the Baron of Ivarstead.  She was quite and always well poised.  She had a quick wit, which would always make the room laugh and she was so soft to touch.  She was truly the love of my life, and I courted her since my teen years and never had eyes for another.

 

he and I lived on our small farm house not too far from where we were both employed—Ivarstead.  She was cooking potatoes and vegetables for that night’s soup.  I had my last rounds to run around the village before my duty was over.  I took to my horse and quickly followed the perimeter as dusk was setting.

 

othing was out of the ordinary until about half way through my run.  I heard a brushing sound through the foliage that surrounded us.  I knew someone was there. I quickly dismounted and readied my blade and began uttering blessings and curses from the limited knowledge I had of the special Holy magic.  I called out for whomever it was to answer, but they answered only with silence—a sign of criminal intention.

 

he daylight was losing its war with the dark, which was now encroaching rapidly.  I felt imminent danger surrounding me, but didn’t know from which direction.  I cast Holy Light in multiple areas to shine on any enemies that may be hidden, but I only saw the occasional scared wild life scurry back into the shadows.  I breathed in a deep breath and dashed with my blade into the bushes growling as fierce as a lion—nothing was going to intimidate me. 

 

ight as I did this, I heard a bow string pull back.  I quickly ran towards and through the trees to make it harder for any arrow to land successfully.  I ran hurriedly to where I knew some rocks were, that I could hide near and wait for my stalker to reveal himself.  As I was heading for cover, I heard the whistling of an arrow fly just inches from my ear.  I quickly ducked low and rolled behind the rocks looking for anyone that I could see. 

 

then instantly heard noises coming from behind me and quickly turned to look.  It was then I saw the evidence that a pack of wolves was near by--dang my luck.  I started circling to the front, keeping as concealed as I could, and once again heard the bow string.  This time it was even closer.  They were fast…..   fast and quiet.  I waited to hear from where the shot would come from, but I was too late; it was already fired and impaled itself through my left, lower leg. 

 

t hurt so bad; I have been shot with an arrow before, but nothing like this.  I let out a cry of agony, hoping to boost my adrenaline as well.  I looked to see the arrow and never before saw one of this nature.  It had an evil and ugly looking tip.  The edge’s small curved teeth ensured maximum pain and damage for anyone who would try to pull it out.  A green liquid was running down from the tip into my open wound.  It felt like fire!   I tried moving, but I was paralyzed from the wound.  I dropped to the ground and started crawling for my life.  I wasn’t sure where I was crawling to, I was just crawling away from where I was.

 

heard the bow string once more…  I braced for impact knowing I had no way of dodging or repelling the arrow.  It wasn’t even a second before I felt the tip, rip through my upper-right shoulder.  I let out another cry of agony and rolled over as hard as I could, trying to break the stick.  I looked up and saw the same type of wicked edge, again with the same green liquid that caused the most unfathomable pain I had ever felt.  I tried pulling the arrow up and out, but already I lost the use of my right arm.

 

could feel my body tense as it started convulsing.  I threw my head back to see where I was and I could see my home…. I was so close to my den of safety--so close to lying in the arms of my wife as I kiss her softly, like so many times before.  How did I get here?  I once again rolled over with a limp arm and leg and slowly dragged myself to home, I knew I couldn’t make it, but I had to try.  As I rolled over, I heard the sound of a hungry wolf growling at its weekend pray.  I reached for my blade with my left hand and threw my shoulder back, rolling over once again to face upwards.  Right then the damn animal lunged at me from the side biting and tearing into my arm.  The wolf shook his head back and fourth aggressively taking as much as my arm as he could. 

 

hile still attached to me, I stabbed him straight through the chest into the heart with my left hand—killing it instantly.  It dropped what was left of my arm and I could see all the way down to the bone.  I dropped my blade and instantly started shaking uncontrollably.  I knew what was happening—I was entering into shock.  My mind was as sound and alert as ever, but no longer had any control of my body.  I couldn’t reach for my sword as I had wanted, but was left helpless for the rest of the pack to find me.

 

then saw yellow eyes piercing out of the bush and observing its surrounding before making his pounce right at me.  He jumped towards me letting out all of his aggression, and was met with an arrow in mid-flight.  The wolf yelped and fell not too far from my feet.  I saw the arrow; it was the same that was sticking through me.  The wolf started convulsing and yipping as his mouth started foaming.  He tried to get up, but the poison had already taken its hold.  He started chattering so hard he was gnawing the bottom of his own mouth.  Blood started seeping out of his ears and eyes.  It was a god-awful sight.  I heard steps approaching from behind me.  They stopped right above my head.  I was too tired and in too much pain to move.  I just wanted them to end it.  They knelt down and drew a dagger.  I was going to be slaughtered like a calf—not any way for a righteous man to meet his end.  This was a cold and calculated attack.  This was pure hate.  I felt the blade run across my neck….  It too, was jagged and damn sharp.  It ripped all the way through.  I tried rolling over to let the blood out, but I couldn’t.  I could feel it dripping down the back of my throat and I struggled for every last bit of air that I could take in.

 

looked to face my attacker and I saw the most exquisite figure that I had laid with many nights before.  It was Baily--my wife!  Her eyes were gleeful and a smirk of wicked satisfaction peered from the corner of her mouth.  How could she do this to me?  Why was she doing this?  What will I had to survive was torn to shreds when I saw her.  The pain of seeing her so delighted in my suffering hurt more than the wounds eating away at my body.

 

he pulled out a paper that looked like a list of names.  She dipped her pinky in my blood and crossed out something on that paper.  Was my name on that list?  Baily looked into my eyes and her cheekbones started sinking in.  A swirl of green and black magic engulfed her completely and dissolved away just as fast as it appeared.  Baily was no longer there, but a man stood facing in the opposite direction that she was.  He glanced down at me and took one last look from the corner of his eye.  That sly smile was displayed once more and he took off into the night.

could hear my name being called.  It was a cry of distress.  I must have fallen unconscious for a short amount of time.  My tears were already dried.  I felt the softest hand slowly stroke my face.  I looked up and saw Baily.  She was taking me into her arms and letting my head rest on her lap.  I felt her tears dripping down the side my cheek.  She asked me in a fearful and loving tone who had done this.  I looked up at her, and could barely utter the words………….   "you did".

 

then woke up in the same position with my head suspended in the air.  I was shocked, but had an understanding that I was no longer bound to the natural laws I once were certain of.  I got up and heard the music playing.  I followed it and then joined in this circle.

Continue. . .