A Novel
Emmanuel C. Flint
Emmanuel C. Flint
Published by Emmanuel C. Flint
Smashwords Edition
Copyright © 2011 Emmanuel C. Flint
Cover design and interior graphics by Emmanuel C. Flint
Library of Congress Catalog No. TXU001764676
ISBN 978-0-9847278-0-3
The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living, or dead, is not directly intended by the author. However, the lessons expressed in this book are real, along with the depicted injustices. Learn what you can from this story of true crime, and use it to overcome the darkness.
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website : http://daretosee.emmanuelflint.com
email : emmanuel.c.flint@gmail.com
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Table of Contents
Chapter
1 - 1 PI : You Dared to See
Chapter
2 - 2 PI : Forty Days In One Night
Chapter
3 - 3 PI : I Am Myself Again
Thank you for taking the time to read this pre-release sample of Know One Dared to See. Herein I have complied three sample chapters to give readers a taste of what to expect with the full version of this soon to be released mystery novel. These chapters reflect the mood of the psychological component in the story. As you read on you will notice that the chapters are not traditionally numbered. This is my way of not spoiling the book; you won't know how or when these chapters come into play until you read the full text. Hopefully, this will make the story a little bit more interesting and suspenseful for you, when you read the full release.
Please feel free to visit the official book site - http://daretosee.emmanuelflint.com; sign my guest book and I will happily notify you when the full novel is released (between late December 2011 and early February 2012 ). That being said - please enjoy the read.
Best Regards,
Emmanuel C. A. C. Flint
You Dared To See
"I can hear it in the distance. That... That incessant noise which breaks my peace and plummets me back into a world where I was once amongst the living. Tis how I feel - like a fly caught in the proverbial web. It was as if my passing had been planned and already calculated. By whom, I know not; but their devising of my peril is quite proficient – equal to what one would expect from well-acquainted backstabbers.
"That perpetual noise..."
"It is ever present and it creeps through every intelligible sound that a man could ever give ear to, in all his days. Nevertheless, this white dissonance has become the substrate of all foul echoes unto me; it continues to haunt me grievously. At its command my dreams cease and my rest doth flee from me. Was this the phantom noise that filled the ears of the ancients after the world was formed?"
When Josiah awoke from his sleep he looked around the bedroom, and saw nothing to serve as a distraction from his pains. Rarely did he leave his bed in the last eight days, except to eat and do that which his body required. Josiah gently rubbed the back of his neck, where it met the base of his skull.
“There are no new pains, but the old sores persist”, he thought.
This was his body's way of compensating for the taxing ordeals he was being subjected to, by the watchful neighbors. When Josiah laid himself down to sleep each night, his mind would not cease to factor the woes that had been exacted against him during the day. However, to his surprise each morning, his body became invigorated by his objectives. Therefore, he continued to work in his studio and endured the collegial sabotage, which had become a delicacy for his co-workers at the Blue Valour Sales Company.
It was several minutes into the third hour, and as Josiah sat upright in his bed he realized that he was immersed in silence, for the first time in weeks.
“Howbeit,” he pondered, “that I must desperately yearn for this...- the sweet absence of offensive sounds?”
He relished it for a moment, then he began to perceive the presence of a high pitched noise; this was the very same noise that vexed him for the past several nights. Then in a few seconds and without warning, the sounds of mechanical motors began to fill the air.
“Ah, so the waltz continues then?” he said in response to the menacing screams of engines, coming from what he envisioned to be large utility vehicles.
The mechanical grunts coming from the swarm of rogue automobiles caused some of the walls in his home to vibrate. Josiah began to reckon once again with the fact that when men such as the watchful neighbors allowed themselves to become consumed with disdain, they would readily sell their souls and discard their capacities for showing compassion. Being rather annoyed with the ruckus, Josiah spoke out in protest.
“Yes, these ones have cast away their humaneness, so that they may exercise the dastardly methods which wreak havoc against justice."
"All this is to satisfy their false prides and shallow ideologies.”
In truth, what really kept Josiah up at night - what made him lay upon his pillow in the darkness, as he reviewed the events of each day was that the townspeople were offending his sense of justice, and with impunity. Moreover, he remained just and steadfast in his ways; he did not retaliate against the offenders. Notwithstanding his desire to remove thoughts of vengeance from his mind, Josiah's was still preoccupied with trying to answer the glaring question.
“What have I done to these people, to deserve such a treatment?” Josiah had always considered himself to be a man of good moral standing. It saddened him that so many had conspired against him, seemingly in an act of wrongful vengeance. And so, in his deliberations he strove to be objective - never allowing anger to take hold, as he deconstructed the actions of the townspeople.
“What manner of men are these?” he said aloud.
“In the time that I have lived in this land, never have I seen such madness. It also seems that my neighbors approve of this commotion, because I have yet to hear them utter one word of protest against it. Furthermore, who commands these people? Could it be the owner of that voice I often hear coming from the darkness, in what I hope to be a waking-dream?”
Suddenly, Josiah recalled the famed old tales of a commander who wore a black priest's robe and dwelt in the city that sat upon the seven hills. This commander spoke not as the Lamb, nor did he exercise his authority as one who cared for Godly sentiments. Forasmuch as he did give power unto the scarlet colored Grendel, who had not the desire to compel its flock to go and sin no more.
“Can these unsettled men who drive around my house for some reason or another, be members of such a flock?” Josiah thought.
“There is a creed that all the general's priests learn through a diabolical form of subterfuge. Albeit, this creed is never spoken, they still spread its underlying message to the other kingdoms, with such fealty and precision. But the exact words escape me now...”
Be ye of a reprobate mind and let me pardon you like Caesar, so that ye may come hither again, with the same complaint; never knowing how to quench the lusts that dwell within your heart.
This was the creed that Josiah sought to remember. Perhaps his recollecting of stories from his childhood was altogether fitting for this occasion. Still, he pondered. “The hearts of the wicked can be quite foolhardy, like those of unruly children. Such people find comfort in rallying many to take part in their defunct causes, while they inconvenience those who have no wish to take part in their folly.”
And so, as Josiah lay on his bed, various thoughts filled his mind regarding the events that had transpired, heretofore. All the while there was something else that bothered him. Although he understood it not, he hoped that it was merely the result of some sort of fleeting stress.
In a few moments the sounds of the roaring engines began to abate, along with the rapid flashing lights that shone through his window blinds. Josiah took notice of it.
“Soon, they will resume their campaign because my mind still has reason within it. I imagine that they have stopped to evaluate the effect of their latest campaign, to see if it had any effect on my resolve to stay the course.”
“YOU KNEW!...”
Josiah hears a voice speaking to him and even though it filled his ears like the sound of the ocean, he noticed that it seemed to emanate from somewhere outside of his home. The voice was familiar because he'd heard it oft - each evening in the past fortnight.
“Does my persistent virtue and logic unsettle you?” Josiah replies.
“You groan because the substance and the meaning of my thoughts are like a two-edged sword that cuts through thy thicket of lies. Yes, yes, my logic and reason doth make thy efforts a spectacle - a shambles more so.”
Josiah waits for a reply. There is silence for a moment and in a few seconds the voice cries out again.
“Thou knowest, thou son of Chisom!”...“RESIST ME NOT!”
Josiah, retorted, “Resist thee? Thou mockest me demon!"
"It would be an embarrassment for me to admit that I should ever need to muster up the resolve to withstand thee. However, in all fairness hitherward, my sleep is gone from me. Therefore, I shall acquit myself of any weaknesses that might manifest in me tonight. For thou dwellest not in the light, thus, you cease to exist in any capacity that would sway my current disposition. So, be ye off to some desolate place, where thou shalt surely hear the sound of thine own voice resounding with the echoes of the catacombs."
“It was laughable,” Josiah thought, “but, at the same time my weary body could not muster up the strength to bring forth one chuckle - not even one. Nevertheless, this voice that sounds like a man but speaks like a devil instead, continues to bombard me with false doctrines; it offers nothing more than lies and double-talk that make my soul quiver. And still, he continues on in his ramblings, even though he sees that my hunger and sleep have left me. What a blessing it is that I can still remember the day and year. Yes, it is the twenty-sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord: two thousand one hundred and ten.”
“I know that reason still abides with me. Thus, I have speculated that the voices I hear are merely the banters of despicable persons from outside my home. For reasons I cease to fathom they continue to take pleasure in projecting foul words at my abode. However, mingled within their diatribe of falsehoods and slippery lies, are half-truths that prompt my consideration; whereby I expeditiously bring about their well-deserved dismissal.”
For about the space of an hour all is silent, except for the permeating white noise that Josiah hears. Then the voice from the darkness speaks to Josiah in a soft tone.
“Why do you not serve me like the others?”
Josiah does not respond immediately, because he realizes that in its current tone, the voice sounds somewhat familiar to him.
“Do I know this voice? Is this not the voice of a man that I know?” As he thinks on the matter the voice suddenly cries out.
“NO! STOP! ANSWER ME NOW, JOSIAH!”
“JOSIAHHHH, why do you not serve me as the others do?!”
“For I have traversed the earth to find those that I can enlist in my causes. You have defied me and you have dared to see the truth behind my efforts. You have dared to see my affliction and my wretchedness before the Most High, as one who was cast down from being the Star of the Morning. You dared to see the invisible strings that I use to writhe my servants about; I cause them to bend and to trip nicely before thee - committing all manner of abominations, so that you might indulge, and relinquish your armor resolute. You dared to see me as I was, instead of seeing me for what I can be for you. I desire to be 'I am' in thine eyes! Thou hast resisted me well, even after I dispatched my Lieutenant Fear against you, to array his hypnotic effects before thee. Yet, thou didst not deem him worthy of your attention. Nor did thy heart skip to the beat of his hypnotic serenade!”
“You dare to bite my hand even though I have fed you; notwithstanding that I gave you forty and four times the acuity of thy sight. I bequeathed you the ability to capture all that thou seest, and to maintain all thy memories in vividness, for many days. Thine days are with thee always in thy mind, and your recalling of events is never dull. Have I not made thee one of the greatest men upon the earth, JOSIAH?!”
Josiah puts his hands over his ears, and begins to shake his head in response to the words that the voice spoke.
“Enough!"
"Cease to refer to me as if thou knowest me, demon! Get thee hence, and return no more, to trouble my soul!”
“This night draws on...
"My heavens..."
"It is interminable.”
Dawn was approaching and Josiah had not managed to get even two hours of rest on this night. He suddenly remembered that he would have to go to work in several hours, at the Blue Valour Sales Company. The mere thought of this was dreadful to him, seeing how he lacked the strength to alight from his bed for something as simple as a glass of water; forasmuch as his throat was parched. He maintained the hope that he would be able to fall asleep before noontime, so that he could work his shift which began at the ninth hour.
“That one who spoke to me from the shadows, as if he were the prince of darkness, ceases to understand that he hath no power over my mind. The demon was undone at the very moment I realized that the tentative success of his plan was dependent upon me being afflicted with a consternating fear. I do in fact fathom at this point in time that I am not a victim. No, I gather that I am a target; a target never ceases to have power over the outcome of events, even unto his own destiny. This is perhaps what makes the owner of those dark sayings very nervous, I suppose."
"Ah, this brings me to the reason why that demon tends to become wroth when I repeat his lies, over and over in my mind. The point and fact is that I listen to what he says, whilst I harbor nothing less than the utmost intent to unravel his lies; I listen to all of it, and have done so for the past several days.”
“Hmmm...”
“Now I shall get myself up, and find something to quench my thirst.”
Josiah rises from his bed with much effort and slowly walks toward the kitchen to get something to drink. He does not turn on the lights because the ambient moonlight was illuminating the rooms on the west side of his home, just enough for him to safely make his way down the corridor. When he arrives at the kitchen he opens the cooling unit, and takes out a glass pitcher filled with water. He takes a drinking glass from the cupboard, places it upon the counter, and pours half a glass-full of water for his purpose. To give it some savour he drips two drops of lemon juice in the cup. He drinks the water slowly and just as he begins to feel invigorated by it, he starts to feel a strain in his eyes. He dismisses it, assuming that it was just another side-effect being brought on by a dire lack of sleep. He continues to drink then suddenly a sharp pain takes hold of him. He stops drinking and his hands begin to shake.
!SKKRSHHHSH!
Josiah drops the drinking glass on the ground and it breaks at his feet. He winces because of a growing pain he feels in his head.
It was unbearable for him and the horrid sensation seemed to be climaxing, second after second.
“AAAAAHHHHHHHH!”
“What manner of sorcery is this now?!” he yelled.
Josiah, grabs his head to see if he could assuage the source of the pain. However, he could not feel any tender points, other than the already healing sores behind his neck. Suddenly, he hears a high pitched noise.
!VVVVVVRRRRNKKKRRRSSSSHHH-nnnnnnnNNNNNNKKKSSSSHHHH!
...
Without warning both the pains and noise ceased. Their discontinuance gave him some relief, but Josiah became discomforted, yet again. The kitchen was now unusually dark. So, he waived his hands in front of his face and realized that he could not see anything. Not even a spec of light from the moon was visible to him. In a few seconds Josiah began to feel the strength drain from his body. His arms dropped and became lifeless as he stood motionless - unable to move.
!Fffff-FDMPP! Kssshsh!
Josiah falls to the ground at full force, after his weakened knees give way. He lays there unconscious, atop the broken glass, in silence.
...
“Surely, he has given up the ghost? He has departed from this world!”
“Calm yourself!”
“Hush! He is not dead! It is the reaction that I expected. Soon he will awake, having no knowledge of what has befallen him.”
These words were spoken by what seemed to be two strange voices coming from the distance and outside of Josiah's home. One of the voices continued to say,
“It will take time for it to work its course, and then we shall make note of all things that emanate from him: past, present and future.”
Forty Days In One Night
At first it felt as if he was floating in the air, and then he began to feel the weight of his body pressing against the cold smooth floor of the kitchen. As Josiah came-to, he could not feel his arms or legs, nor was he able to move his head. For about five minutes he lay on the floor motionless - watching the moonlight shimmer upon the many pieces of broken glass that were all around him. It took some time, but it was almost instantaneous when it happened; Josiah's limbs flexed and spasmed. There was a slight discomfort, but in a few seconds his arms and legs began to function once again. In time he endeavored to raise himself up, with much care. As the flesh on his face lifted from the floor, he noticed that several pieces of glass had been caught in between the two contrasting surfaces. When he was able to stand, Josiah took three steps over to the kitchen counter and leaned upon it.
!SKRMNSSSHHH!
!SKKRSH!
ssssSFffffSHHH!
As he swept up the glass from the kitchen floor, Josiah pondered.
“Perhaps this glass resembles the state of my temperament, as of late? Shattered and in disarray... What was that horrific pain that took hold of me, causing me to loose control of my senses?”
After regaining full control of his facilities, Josiah took a few moments to clean the glass from his hands, clothes and face. Presently, he stands in front of the bathroom mirror, as he inspects some minor cuts on his chin. It takes him five minutes to finish cleaning the small wounds before he ventures back into the kitchen. There he resumes the task of sweeping up the remaining glass shards from the ground; he deposits them in the kitchen waste bin afterward. Surprisingly, Josiah felt no lingering head trauma - what one would expect, after experiencing the kind of episode that rendered him unconscious, about two hours ago. However, he did notice that his right eye twitched slightly. The upper left corner of his vision in this eye now had a rainbow-colored tint over it, which flickered from time to time.
"Perhaps I bumped my eye against my shoulder, or the floor?"
“It will eventually subside,” he thought.
“YOU KNEW!”
Josiah turned when he heard the voice for the first time since he regained consciousness.
“This voice dares to utter another word, still?"
"What?! Answer me?!” Josiah yelled out.
He was becoming enraged because he now understood that the owner of the voice cared not for his well-being.
“For the space of an hour I did lay upon this floor, atop those crystal-like razors - in this twilight. Yet thou still mockest me with thy bantering?!
“Tell me demon! What is this thing thou sayest that I know?!”
The voice ceased and did not reply to Josiah's demand. Josiah shook his head in mild frustration because of the voice's non-reply. Several minutes ago when the voice spoke, Josiah noticed that it was louder and more menacing than before. It echoed within the recesses of his mind, so much that his eyes brought forth small tears, when he heard it. Josiah sighed and stood in the kitchen, recounting all the words that the voice spoke on this night. Josiah calmed himself and gathered his strength. Then he closed his eyes and began to pray aloud.
“Lord, I know not what this voice desires of me. Nevertheless, hear me now, as I have resolved myself to be vexed by it no longer.”
“As the Saviour did many times, I will simply put forth the truth of The Word to vanquish this evil that has come against me. Even though I suspect that these voices spring not forth from the nether regions, I still call upon thee for aid. Therefore, be my witness as I overcome the temptation of being driven to fear, anger and strife. Help me overcome, so that I may feel the weight of that crown of glory upon my head once more."
Josiah unclenched his hands, which were rather tensed just moments before. Then he held them outward and at waist level, as if he were ready to receive something. He continued to pray shortly after.
“Be with me now Lord, as I go into the valley of the shadows; the place where the ways of the death-dealers are upheld, as they continue to prey upon the weak and the helpless.
"And so demon, I shall reply to thy earlier claims, regarding my gifts, talents and health. Hear my answers to thy pronounced benedictions.”
“Depart from me thou wicked one. For you blaspheme the Lord and seek to take credit for the marvels that He has worked in me all my life. You have watched me like the vulture - waiting to see if my soul will corrupt, so that thou mayest feast upon its vapors. Yes, you have seen how I use my talents to glorify God. Ye take pleasure in the work of my hands and find such things to be of great value..."
"Images, sculptures, paintings -"
I know it to be so. For in times passed you have swayed the hearts of men with these things. You compelled them to stray from the Lord and to worship idols instead. Thou hast failed to glimmer in my eyes at all, let alone to the extent that I should ever call thee master or 'I am'. Nay, my talent shall not be your ally. Therefore, I say unto you most foul and evil one; thou shalt not temp the Lord, nor should you tempt His worthy servant!”
“On the matter of gain and daily bread, you mock God, in thinking that material gain brings glory to a man. Alas, you cease to understand that the Lord is not very mindful of you; He is mindful of His Children instead. And He has promised that when one such as I seeks Him first and above all else, many-a-blessed things shall be added unto me.
"And so, I reject your claim."
"For as it is written, thou shalt not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God!”
“You mocked me once, twice even, but then you mocked me the third time when you made a claim to my body and health. You did say, Most Foul One, that the sharpening of my sight and memory is your blessing unto me.
"Tell me then?"
"How will the trauma-induced madness that you have tried to impute, prove profitable unto me in the end?! You mistake me for one of the occult; I do not abide by such ways. Nor do I wish to emerge out of the ashes, and be as the rising phoenix – a sinister symbol of how order came from imposed chaos. Is not the phoenix another idol that ceases to glimmer in the eyes of God's elect? As for the serenade of thy Lieutenant Fear, I harbor no love for the evil whispers that my neighbors have round about my dwelling-place. This business of projecting skull-rattling statements at me from their arcane places, to disquiet me - it has become quite cumbersome. I am not impressed by your efforts, nor do I yearn for the fruits of thy labours. Thou hast surely forgotten that you are nothing more than the loathsome creature that was cast down upon the earth by God's backhand, Michael."
"Depart from me! You have failed on all counts."
“And so I say unto you false big brother; I shall serve the Lord, and only Him shall I serve, forever.”
Josiah opened his eyes and stood for an hour in the kitchen, in the same place where he said his prayer. He was silent and made not a sound, as not to miss any words that the dark voice might utter in reply to Josiah's show of faith. Although he anticipated a retort from the shadowy voice, he was comforted by the fact that it did not respond. Josiah turned his attention to the blinds of his windows and saw that the darkness of the twilight was beginning to fade. Dawn was approaching and although Josiah was happy to see the coming of a new day, he reckoned with the fact that he felt very weak. He went to go lay on his couch, in the living room. All the while he remained on-guard because of all the strange things he endured in the past eight days - a succession of sleepless nights
It was the first time in this period that it occurred. Josiah sat on the couch and slowly drifted into a deep sleep that lasted for several hours. Normally his dreams would be filled with many random episodes that were noteworthy, but incoherent nonetheless. However, he did not realize that the nature of his dream-states had changed recently. Josiah was now reasoning in his dreams with full potency, as if he were fully awake and cognizant. In today's dream, he sat on a wall that was by a sea shore. Josiah was looking at the water as it listed back and forth. Occasionally, a big wave would rise and crash upon the sand. As he sat on the wall in this dream, he pondered.
“At the mere mention of those three judgments against Satan, a great strength fell upon me, and it was more than I have ever been blessed with."
In that instant, wisdom filled my mind as the fountains of the deep filled the earth in the days of Noah. Ascended words of wisdom came forth in a new likeness - enveloped in a certain keenness that I have never spoken before. The Lord hath declared through the ages that vengeance is His. However, He has also declared that His children should remain vigilant. Forasmuch as we should be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Many might ponder if anyone could ever live by such a saying.
"Worry not... Ye shall see..."
"For the Lord hath charged me to accomplish this very feat, in these tumultuous times. He is merciful and He works marvels before our eyes, everyday."
Arc - Chapter 3 PI
I Am Myself Again
Morning had crept upon me like a thief in the night. I had been spared the continuous onslaught of neurotic pains, which I have endured hitherto. The succession of torments had been cast off like untimely leaves from a fig tree. I was renewed in the twinkling of an eye it would seem. Although, it would not have appeared this way to the mere observer; for me twas but only an instant between yesterday's night and this morrow. I rose from my bed and went straightway to the bathroom, so that I might bathe and freshen up.
In the shower the warm soothing water ran across the terrain of my callous skin, giving life to it once again - cleansing away the remnants of sackcloth likened ashes, sweat and tears. There was no longer a need for me to mourn over the deeds of this wicked generation. The blindness that caused me to burden myself with its perfidious ways had faded and gone yonder, into the vanishing point on the horizon. There such boding would remain at all times, while serving as a token of remembrance. Never again will I succumb to despair. For it shall remain beyond my grasp indefinitely. As such burdens flee, the sun prefers to send forth good tidings. I notice its rays spearing through the bathroom window as I exit the shower. Yet, I still pondered...
“No residual pains and no strange dark voices?”
“Thank God.”
I splashed some post-shave balm on my face and its satisfying sting was convincing enough. No - this is neither a dream, nor a fantasy.
“Hmmmm..."
"I am myself again.”
"Wait, today is Friday."
I hastily looked at my bedside time-keeper and saw that noontime was approaching.
“So, I must venture off to the Blue Valour yet again, in two hours or so?”
I stopped for a moment, looked around my home and noticed how the sun crept into it. It was as if it had a desire to take refuge in my abode. Out of curiosity, I pulled back one of the curtains that covered the largest window in my bedroom. I looked out of the window and beheld the city of Rostonia. It stood in its place, remaining unchanged and immovable. Like a hawk, I scanned the cityscape and finally saw it for what it was: broken, corrupt and full of deceit. I imagine that many of the ancient Prophets felt as I do now, during their incumbent days of crying out in the wildernesses. For when the abominations and sins of men runneth over, and out of the cup, there is a staining of all the tapestries in the house. Thus, the way of the wicked becomes the law of the land. On this wise I say that this place is destined for a perilous unraveling – long overdo in fact. The constituents of this province have no honor and they have no shame.
“Hmm...”
Retrospect is sobering and at the same time it can be a catalyst for rage. I have not ceased to deliberate over the anguish that I have endured at the whim of the people in Rostonia. I gather that they might jest or brag about the matter, seeing how they stood against a supposed foe and cast him out of their midst. Perhaps when this generation has passed and all things concerning these proceedings are carried on as legends, some might ask,
'"That one named Josiah, from the house of Chisom; was he a victim of our united strengths?'”
I will never allow such a title to be imputed upon me. I would surely abdicate it and cast it away like a tattered cloak, full of defenseless wounds. Never-I-mind with these thoughts of vulnerabilities and frailties, for my frame hath changed much in these past weeks. Yes, but to know this thou must look closer, and to no avail of yours, if thou hast a profane heart. For if you were able to perceive my new nature, you would know that I now stand as one who has triumphed over the abyss. Therein, I was primed in the canyon of the death-blows. Hear me now and understand that I no longer stand as a mere man, but as a Titan.
I seek not to shed blood; nor do I aim to deprive unwitting children of their treacherous fathers.
“What business have I, in the making of widows?”
Let the women be as Wisdom unto their husbands, so that their houses shall remain untouched when I take the field. My only relic for battle is my shield; this is the hardened truth that I use to deflect the sky-darkening arrows of attrition that fly forth, at the sound of the battle-cry. When they reach their highest arc in the air, I watch - awaiting their descent. Then I crouch down and raise my shield above my head.
"Like the sound of hail against tempered bronze..."
I can hear them now, even - the rattling of a thousand clinks being deflected and held at bay. Such are the heckling and disparaging words that are intended to trouble my soul. When the cantankerous hailstorm of attrition passes I shall raise myself up and hold my ground, as I defy the profane hordes.
"Come forth if thou darest..."
I will answer each and every blow that was struck against me. Moreover, ye shall surely flee when I resolve to let loose that brazen creature that is most fierce.
"'Which creature,' some might ask?"
There is a creature I know of and it can induce the most consternating effect upon anyone who has dared to challenge the reign of equity in this kingdom. This creature is most peculiar, in its mannerisms; it looks not upon one's face as it carries The Balances - arrows that are tightly clutched in its claws, always. Furthermore, it possesses wings that are both broad and great in appearance. If any person becomes privileged enough to be embraced by this creature, he or she would surely be granted the power to achieve wonders in this land. Howbeit that the same creature can turn one's dreams into a vision of misery, when its mighty principles are offended? This creature that I speak of is the Eagle, in the justice seal of the United Territories of Amerigustus. Soon, I shall blow the mighty trumpet and the gatekeeper shall let the creature fly loose throughout this land. I imagine that the Eagle has not spread its wings or run its course since the dawn, of the days of Nyne L'leven.
I bear them no ill will for the misdeeds that they have wrought against me. However, the truth must be told and the Eagle will render each of them their reward by way of the arc-law. Shall each offender's knees smite one-another as those of the Babylonian king, when that divine hand wrote upon the wall?
'Mene, Mene Tekel Upharsin,' were the words, as I recall them from the scriptures. Albeit, we know that the reckonings of all evil works are the same in their ends. Thus, I simply say...
“My path has been set, and only the
penitent men shall pass.”
Thank you for reading!
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