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Crocefisso

Crocefisso

Posts: 1,385 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
~Chapter V:
Four monarchs sat round a table, their fears not only expressed through their choice of words, but also by their expressions, gestures and intonation. These four monarchs each represented a racial group of the realm; there were four groups, wands, swords, pentacles and cups.

The cups came from the west. Their lands were blessed with rainfall, the water here was fresh and unsullied, and the ground was so fertile that it was covered in vineyards which produced the finest wine in the realm. The pentacles came from the east. Such was their shrewdness in business that their lands, which possessed no natural beauty or resources, became rich through the trade of others, and the pentacles amassed large fortunes. The swords came from the north. Their forte was fighting – they possessed great strength, wielded the finest swords and their prowess on the battlefield was the subject of many popular stories and songs. The wands came from the south. It was magic that they had a reputation for, magic which they cast with large wands made of ivory. This magic was known to be formidable, and many, even swords, steered well clear of arcane influence.

Thus the four monarchs were seated. Cups, pentacles, swords and wands looked at each other as they sat around the table. The King of Cups said.

“This Fool is causing commotion in my kingdom.” He was clearly agitated, and directed his next comment at the King of Wands. “Word has it that a Magician is helping him. Are you trying to betray us, Wands?”

“Of course I’m not! This Magician of which you speak is a renegade, he belongs to no race. He and some others have brought this Fool into our land.”

“But how?” The King of Swords, who was always a little slower, interjected.

“The Fool is from an alternate reality,” explained the King of Wands, “And therefore it’s quite easy for anyone with a decent grasp of magic to transport him here.”

22-May-2010 19:21:07

Crocefisso

Crocefisso

Posts: 1,385 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
“So he was a wand, the one who brought him here?”

“No."

"Prove it.” The King of Swords was looking suspiciously at the King of Wands, who returned his gaze with incredulity. A brief silence followed, until the King of Pentacles stood up nervously and announced.

“My money’s with the King of Swords.” Accordingly, the King of Cups added his thoughts.

“I bet my wine on his idea too.” With that, the King of Wands was chased from the room by his fellows, who scorned and screamed, fearful that he was the one who brought the troublesome Fool into their realm. Cups, pentacles and swords chased the King of Wands over hills and under rainbows, through rivers of mercury and over hills of copper. Eventually he arrived back in his own land and slumped underneath a fig tree, breathing heavily as he did so.

First and foremost, the King of Wands slept a little. He slept a long time, and only awoke when a fig from the tree fell on his head. In front of him was a small, red creature with horns and claws. Its eyes were small and green, they glowed like malevolent emeralds on a twisted face adorned with a vicious smirk. It was the Devil.

“It seems you’ve been blamed for the work of the Magician, hmm??” The Devil said in a mocking, cold tone. Like a feeble dog, the King of Wands nodded.

“Then let me help you. I can make sure the other Kings pay for their deeds. I can make sure they are sorry. All I ask for in return is a piece of the Moon.”

“I see.” Deep down, the King of Wands was nervous, but he needed to defend himself from the other Kings, and so he accepted the offer.

“There is one more condition. I don’t want any part of the Moon. I want his tear.” And with that the Devil disappeared into a cloud of ash which settled at the King of Wand’s feet. What have I brought upon myself? He wondered, and a single tear rolled down his own cheek.

22-May-2010 19:21:41 - Last edited on 22-May-2010 19:22:16 by Crocefisso

Amoraten

Amoraten

Posts: 2,774 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
I really enjoyed reading your two last chapters :D

I love the way in which you are tying philosophical debates into the overall developing story- I mentioned before that this story deserves much closer scrutiny from the reader to begin to see the developing themes.

The story is also beautifully told, "The juxtaposition of Sun and Moon in the sky, eternal in their grandeur and simplicity, created an atmosphere of utter serenity in which all connotations were reduced to nothing and the mind was returned to a primal sense of validity without the need for existential ponderings". I particularly like this opening setting.

I am really enjoying seeing how this develops- you write far more quickly than I can :D

Looking forward to reading more chapters with gusto :)

24-May-2010 18:24:36

Skirata605

Skirata605

Posts: 390 Silver Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
First and foremost my philosophical friend, I deeply enjoyed this collection of words. The dialogue moves along briskly, the imagery is intuitive, and the content deliciously original. The light brushwork of comedy (or perhaps it is your style which is so conversational and jovial) somehow adds to the already potent message.

Bravo, and Brava!

31-May-2010 17:58:50

Crocefisso

Crocefisso

Posts: 1,385 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
~Chapter VI:
As they floated dreamily through the star-speckled nebula, Moon and Sun did not know how to feel. Twice now they had seen Star, and she’d seen them, at their very worst in terms of behaviour, always during an argument. Not only that, but she always arrived at the most intense, heated part of the argument. The Moon asked the Sun if he thought Star thought badly of them.

Of course not, he replied. How could she? It is only natural for any being to disagree with another at any given time, and for the other being to disagree with the one that disagrees. In this way, debates, which are what have, are completely natural. Star has no reason to think badly of what is natural. The Moon pointed out how killing was natural, but people think badly of it.

Once again, Moon, the Sun said, You have not thought things through. Killing is natural when nature and other factors make it a necessity for survival. Have you not observed those who live below? Their behaviour, their ways, their innate wish for peace which they are incapable to fulfill because something, not their natural instinct, has driven them to uproar.

Quietly, the Moon agreed, unable to fathom the Sun’s logic due to his naivety. Fearful of voicing his thoughts, the Moon started to think Star liked him. He saw the way her eyes levitated towards him, he often obsessed over her slender figure, and he was convinced he – not Sun, or World – was the one she felt affection towards. Whilst Sun sang to himself in a strange tongue, his voice deep and lyrical, Moon quietly pondered and, contented in his thoughts, began to believe his mere speculations. Over time, this belief fermented into a total and utter confidence and, eventually, a certain superiority complex. Desperate for acceptance, the Moon welcomed this new persona. Below them the World spun merrily.

31-May-2010 20:05:46

Crocefisso

Crocefisso

Posts: 1,385 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Sun, the World called. Why is it that Star appears occasionally and fleetingly?

Sun replied: I don’t know. World glided away, seeking an answer. All of a sudden, Moon shone brightly and with an expression of jubilation opened his mouth wider than he ever had before.

Sun, he said in a slightly annoyed way, You actually know nothing and merely pretend to know things. Every time I would try to make a point, you blast over me, as if you’re the centre of the cosmos. You say you know everything, yet you know very little, and that is why Star can never like you – especially when compared with my good looks.

As is normal, the Sun was enraged by this unprovoked and unreasonable comment. He glared at the Moon, his eyes blazed with the fires of incredulity and rage, and Moon returned the glance, though it scared him to do so. Neither of them noticed Star appear in a flurry of water and light in a nearby asteroid belt. Finally, the staring competition ended with Sun’s thunderous reply.

I, he said, Do not claim to know anything! I do not believe in such things as right and wrong, nor do I think I know things, but I am able – at least, I think I am able – to formulate free and independent thoughts and opinions which I am all too happy to put across. If these come across differently; though this is unfortunate, it is entirely down to your own faulty perceptions, and it does not warrant such an unprovoked attack.

31-May-2010 20:06:30

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