The Tale of Ryan Graystone (rough draft)

Night brought forth it's dark fingers as Ryan walked forth into it's blackness. The dreary sounds of the creatures rang forth throughout the cold forest. He had traveled for to long, he would have to make camp in the chill of the night. Flint sparked against steal as he lit his torch to stay off the nights' blackness. A suitable spot, somewhere high and dry he looked for, with none to be found.
Disheartened, Ryan braced his torch into the limb of a tree and began clearing a spot for his bedroll, this place was as good as any he thought. His heavy boot steps crunched through the foliage as he gathered fallen branches and logs for his fire. Such a recruit mistake, he thought to himself as he dragged the gathered wood behind him. To not make camp before dark was not like him, his thoughts were else where. Someplace far away now...

... Sun shined through her golden locks of hair as Ryan held her in his arms. She was the one for him, his one true love for the rest of time. The smell of her hair as it fell across his face, still lingered in his nostrils. This day could not get any better he thought, everything was perfect. Hand in hand they strolled through the dirt covered streets of cove and across to the Altmere. They were going to their favorite place to sit and talk at the edge of Coves' boundary. Things had been quiet, peaceful, never did the loving couple think of what would change their lives forever would find them on this perfect day...

...The fire of his campsite slowly began to grow, it's deadly dance of flames creeping up the bits of twigs and bark like a Way-watcher on the hunt. It's warmth slowly spreading as it's hungry flames slowly devoured their prey. He slowly added more food to the ravenous flames while laying out his bedroll over some pine branches. It was not his best work, but it would have to do for the night. Another log into the fire, his pack crumpled up underneath his head, he began to drift off. Off to a simpler time, a peaceful time. He twisted and turned on his bedroll, his eyes turning back to the flames...

... Flames lept from the forest, the loving couple turning to run away from the flames. Their feet taking flight as they gripped each others hands tightly. Out of the smoke Ryan felt a sickening thud slam into his chest. His lovers hand wrenched from his as he was forced back by the blow.
His eyes barely able to focus after the massive blow, he looked up as he heard her terrified screams above him. His eyes struggling to focus, her screams blood curdling, he felt a heavy foot against his chest. It felt like a giant hoof as his hands tried to stop it from holding him down. As he looked up towards her cries for help he came face to face with what held him down, a Minotaur. It'd foul breath crashed against his face, robbing him of his next breath. Fire filled it's black eyes as it stared down at him. With a heavy snort the minotaur stood up and held his prize high in the air above it's blackened horns. With a mighty swish of it's hoofed foot it sent Ryan across the open field and into the brambles. He could feel the heavy footsteps as the minotaur walked away with his love...

... The crackle and pops of the fire echoed in his ears as he laid there not able to sleep. He was healed now and had sworn to retrieve her and bring her back to Cove where she belonged, no matter what the cost. Tears formed in his eyes as he thought of her, his heart aching for her smile. It drove him forward, kept him focused on his task. Years of fighting came back in a flash on that grim day, never would he let them fade into the background again.
The moon cast its' eerie shadows amongst the trees, his weapon clutched in his hand, Ryan finally drifted off to sleep.

Morning climbed slowly through the blackness as Ryan stirred in his make shift bed. The early morning dew sprinkled as far as the eye could see, greeted him as he awoke. Rubbing his eyes and with a great stretch he turned to the dieing fires' coals, now blackened and gray. Stoking it up with fresh food and a soft blow from his lips brought the fire to life once more. A bit of tea and a few stale muffins made for a bland breakfast. But he could waste no more time to complete his self imposed quest. Hastily he rolled up his bedroll and kicked dirt upon the fire. Onwards he went, deeper into the woods after his prize.

Hours passed into days as he searched for the minotaurs lair. His heart heavy with the thought of finding her dead. Step after step he trudged on, deep in his soul he had to know, and avenge her either way.

Something did not feel right, the forest was to quiet suddenly. Ryan gripped his weapon as he brought it out to his side. All of his senses were on high alert as he crept forward. Eyes dashed to and fro as he moved carefully onwards. This feeling was not new to him, many a battle with the Yewish Way-watchers had honed his alertness. Nothing moved, not even a leaf as he stood there.

A mighty crash and a thunderous roar came at him from his right. The sudden shock as he felt the Minotaurs' spear pierce through his side stunned him. His eyes wide with disbelief and pain, never had a wound been this deep before. The familiar snort from the minotaur rumbled through his ears nearly drowning out a delicate voice. Her voice, still she lived, his face grew a peaceful smile. He heard her delicate voice once more as his eyes met hers for the last time.
"We shall eat well tonight my love" she said. A low grunt and a heavy snort filled the air as Ryan looked to her, her belly swollen with child, the beasts child, was the last he saw of her. With a mighty grunt the minotaur thrust the spear. The spear raced through his innards and out the other side...

...his journey ended...


*this story to be finished and added to The Stories of the "Dark" Woman*

A Paladins' Thoughts...

Sweet smell of tangled hair,
A soft kiss upon thy lips,
the taste of bitter love upon thy brow.

Sunshine sparkles in thine eyes,
Tender dreams lost,
speak nay a word,
all is said,
with the sweet smell of tangled hair.

To some we might have journeyed for a lifetime,
to others we have just begun,
tho day by day we struggle on,
we fall silently,
we weep and start again...

Pain and glory fill our eyes,
as yet another foe dies,
to some a journey done,
to others one just begun.

Hold thy tongue,
whisper nay a word,
can you hear it calling?

It calls for some,
it calls for all,
yet do we listen to the call?

Whisper nay a sound,
utter nay a word,
it stands amongst us,
calling...
calling...

Shields clash,
swords sing,
the music of death surrounds you,
the tear of flesh,
the subtle fall of a tear,
the sounds of death surround you,

A simple laugh fills your ears,
silenced at the tip of a blade,
For no one can hear the the sounds of death,
as they surround you...

Without evil,
there is no good,
Without good,
there is no evil...

Silence fills the soul,
deafens the ears,
the warmth of a blanket in the cold,
the baking of flesh in the heat,
time takes it's toll,
as silence fills the soul...

Knowledge of ones self,
gives you great strength,

Knowledge over ones foes,
gives thee power over ones self...

Whisper of a mornings dawn,
the icy breath of the nights' kiss,
peace surrounds the battle,
the battle surrounds the peace.

Whisper of a mornings dawn,
tell me a tale of days long gone,
bring forth the morning sun,
fight away the icy breath,
of the nights' kiss...

The soft kiss of the morn's dew,
the sweet smell of it lingers in thy thoughts,
A lovers' embrace,
Holding you close.

Their smile warming the day,
comforting through the night,
children laugh and play,
warriors fight and die,
so that the morns' sweet dew,
and a lovers' embrace,
can be felt by all,
like a soft kiss of morning dew,
this is why,
we live and die...

one step closer,
is one step to far...

heart torn in two,
two halves of a whole,
yet it is over one...

For the smell of sweet tangled hair...

Roses' Ordeal (a slowly growing storyline)

(part 1)
Rose stirred slowly, her head pounding from the battle upon her ships deck. She slowly opened her eyes, but only a blackness surrounded her. There was no light to be seen anywhere. Slowly she tried to stand, only to be stopped abruptly as she did. Cold metal bars greeted her hand in the blackness. She followed them around, searching for the opening of her small cage. Her fingers found the heavy chain and lock that held her in. The rancid smell of vomit and feces filled her nostrils as her senses slowly came to her, the heavy feeling of fear and heartache pressed at her from every direction. Aching from head to toe, she laid there on the cold, wet ground, trying to figure out what had happened.
What seemed like hours passed, she couldn't take it anymore, she screamed at the top of her lungs. Nothing, not a thing at all except her own voice screaming back at her. Had she been left there, thought to have been dead? Her mind ached as she strained to see and figure things out.
The cold dampness dug it's fingers deep into her body, making her hurt even more. The blackness rang out with noise, the sounds of keys rattling against a wooden door pounded in her ears. "Someone had heard my scream and are coming to rescue me." she thought to herself. The latch of the door slapped open, the creak of the hinges sent shivers down her spine as it opened. Light tore into her eyes as it peeked out around the doors' edge, quickly she shielded eyes with her hand.

"Ahh good, Our "guest" is finally awake." the heavy voice chuckled. The bright light from the lantern tore into her eyes like a dagger. She shielded her eyes as her eyes tried to adjust to the sudden siege from the light. Two pairs of hands grabbed at her as the sounds of the keys rattled against the metal of the cage and lock, the sound of the chain clanging against the bars echoed throughout the cave.
With little effort, the hands that gripped her pulled her from the cage, dragging her across the ground. Her clothing, tattered and torn did little to protect her bits of exposed flesh as it scraped and scratched across the rough floor. Her eyes barely began to slowly adjust to the light. she could see the cave walls and ceiling, her heart sank. A gruff voice grumbled as the hands shackled her to a heavy wooden beam. Her eyes adjusting more to the light as she started to look around. A blindfold stripped eyes once more of lights.

"Where is your treasure?" bellowed the gruff voice.

"What treasure?" she responded.

"You lie! Tell me where you hide it!" yelled the gruff voice as she felt a searing rush of pain across her face from a gloved hand. The metallic taste of her own blood bit at her tongue as she spat it out.

"I have only what was on my ship." she replied between spits of blood.

"I desire your most precious treasure you speak of in your diary you useless woman. Give me it's location and spare yourself even worse then you just received." growled the gruff voice. Rose knew what he spoke of as he mentioned the words, but she could never tell him that it was not gems or gold that was the treasure, but her only true treasure, her innocence. For what seemed hours, the gloved hand hit across her face and body as she continued to plead that there was no real treasure, she even resorted to telling the gruff voice it was her books that she called her most precious treasure. But it was to no avail, a heavy hit from the gloved hand knocked her out...


(part 2)
She awoke slowly in the dark cave, her eyes almost half swollen shut from the torture she had received. The rancid smell of vomit and sweat filled the air. She could hear the screams over the cracks of whips as she looked around in the dimly lit cave. The distant flickering of lanterns and torches cast shadows across the walls. Rose sat huddled in the corner of her rusty cage, her body aching. Was this how it was going to be, what were they going to do to her, these thoughts raced around in her cloudy mind. She could barely think straight.

What seemed like hours, she sat as she tried to clear her mind, but as she relaxed and started to gain ground, the aching, a crack of a whip, or a scream of agony would stop her. A loud crash of a door shook her to her core. Bright flames of a torch ripped into her eyes through the darkness. The familiar rattle of keys and the raking of the metal chain on her cage filled her ears. They were back. Rose felt the strong gloved hand grab her ankle. With seemingly little effort, the gloved hand pulled her from the cage. Two more sets of hands grabbed a hold of her arms. Her eyes slowly began to adjust to the bright light of the torches. She could make out the shape of the man who had a hold of her ankles, but could not see much detail.

The gruff voice resounded in her ears as the gloved hands forced her against a heavy wooden beam. The blow nearly knocking the wind completely from her chest. “So, are you going to tell me now where your treasure is, or do I need to continue hurting you until you do?” Roses’ mind raced, she knew what would come next. She had no true treasure like what they sought, only her innocence, her purity. The snap of the whip in the air made her jump. They were not satisfied with her truthful answer to their question. Pain raced through her mind as the sting of the whip ripped deep into her backs flesh. Screams of her own agony ringing in her ears. Lash after lash tore into her body, she quickly lost consciousness…


Rose awoke once again in her cage. Dried blood held what was left of her shirt to her torso. She lay face down on the cold stone floor and bars of a cage. This was not the same cage she had been in before. Slowly she opened her eyes, the dimly lit room barely visible. The shapes of vials and flasks danced in the flickering light as she tried to sit up.

“Ah, good. You are awake.” spoke the gruff voice. Rose turned towards the voice, but saw nothing. She looked around trying to see the owner of the gruff voice but to no avail. “You wrote of your treasure, and I desire it, give it to me and you will not be harmed anymore.” the gruff voice continued.

“I told you the truth, there is only my writings and family. That is my most precious treasure.” she spoke with a ragged breath. Suddenly out of no where came a heavy blow. Her head screamed with pain as the blow landed on the top of her head. With a sickening thump she hit the floor of her cage and then, blackness…

*This story to be added to The Stories of the "Dark" Woman*

Eternal Journey...

...As I walk slowly onwards along this endless journey with you,
tell me that you truly do love me,
and nay playing me the fool.

This ancient heart is dark and cold,
can you truly love it as you say you do?

This ancient spirit longs for happiness,
yearns for the warmth of love.

Shrouded in darkness I walk alone,
do you dare to walk with me?

Strayed from the path of good,
evil incarnate,
I sleep while others are awake,
I feed upon their fears,
I feast on their life.

Shadows mask my every movement,
help keep me safe.

Hold close my body it is cold,
the warmth of your touch reminds me of a life long since gone for me,
one I can only wish to regain.

Every step I take is with caution and fear,
for death lurks close behind me,
within me,
can you see it?

Forever my soul shall be forced to walk this way,
will you walk forever by me side,
or will you fade into the cracks of my life,
leaving me once again,
cold and forgotten,
lonely once more in my eternal wanderings?

Fear not my curse,
that which only you can bring upon yourself,
I shall not damn you with it,
unless you truly wish it.

The smell of death and newborn life feed my hunger,
driving me slowly insane,
as I walk onwards,
alone.

Alone until someone crosses my endless path,
and joins with me,
if just for a little while,
in my eternal journey...

My eyes tear...

My eyes tear,
my heart aches,
for the words I long to hear,
I don't know how much more I can take.

I need you near,
I need you here,
my soul consumed by you,
I know not else what to do.

Your soft hair in my face,
takes me to a magical place,
next to you in this endeavor,
I will be yours forever.

Our day draws near,
our hearts feel no fear,
to be with you,
is all I want to do.

My body shakes,
as my heart awakes,
next to you,
I know our love is true.

Your sweet lips I miss,
I need your sweet kiss,
my eyes tear...

My heart aches,
for the word I long to hear,
I don't know how much more I can take,
my heart feels like it's going to break,
I love you my dear,
as my eyes tear...

Your...

Your heart called out to mine,
and made it sing.

Your friendliness and openness,
and the way you make me feel welcome,
wanted.

I love you so,
my heart yearning for your touch,
your scent,
your warmth.

Your gentle soul caressed mine,
and made it dance.
Your sweet love,
making me strong,
filling me with purpose,
giving me strength.

I want you so,
my body wanting yours near,
close to it.

Your body held mine,
and made it feel.

Your arms embraced me,
giving me warmth,
making my body melt into yours,
allowing me to be free.

I need you so,
my life mingled with yours...

...Forever...

*this poem was inspired by a friend of mine, Roman in Germany. His kindness and caring gave me this warmness inside, and I just had to write about it. He plays the character Sean Llyonadhadd on an online game we both play.*

A journey together...

Quiet and safe is how I feel in your embrace,
warm and fuzzy from your kiss,
peaceful and happy as I sit beside you,
our journey has just begun...

The sweet smell of your hair calms me so,
your hand in mine,
a perfect fit,
you are my sweet breath of life,
the happiness I feel around you proves that,
where shall our journey go...

The touch of your lips to mine,
electrifying,
just one smile from you and I feel like a god,
the twinkle in your eye lets me know you care,
our journey will never end...

Stay with me,
my hearts desire,
let our happiness grow,
let us plant the seed of love
and watch it grow,
Together...