Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Short Story

The darkness of night had a burnt look to it as flames licked at its underbelly. They had come quickly, setting fire to the castle and slaying those that rose to oppose the intruders. In the barracks, listening to the clashing of weapons that sung out through the halls, sat a lone soldier. Tears trickled down his face and into a glass of wine. On the desk in front of him sat a gold necklace that sparkled against the flickering candle. His helmet hung on a post above, looking down upon the man like omenous spirit. In one hand he held a faded picture of a young female, in the other he held her last letter. Hours seem to pass by as he hopelessly stared at the picture. The sounds of war echoed around the chambers and continuously grew louder. After what seemed like an eternity he sat the letter and necklace on the table and wrapped them in a fine cloth. A simple note 'To My Love' was tied to it. Slowly, he retrieved his helmet and placed it on his head. He stood, took a sip of his tear stained wine and walked to the door of the barracks. Opening it with a loud creak the sound of metal on metal swamped the room. He turned, looked back at the table that still danced with the flickering candle and frowned at the small sack of his most treasured items. With a strong will, he drew his sword and greeted the fight with grim determination. That night many lives were lost but the battle was won...but it was too late.

In a small town, deep into the king's woods, sat a young lady who awaited the arrival of the volunteers to the imperial legion to come marching home. One greying day, her prayers were answered as a group of ironclad men rode in from the horizon. She smiled as she watched them pass her by, surely one of them were hers. One by one they passed and she was left standing alone. She stode there, confused at first. One of the other arrivals saw her there. Walking up to her, he slid a small bag into her hand and gently closed it. As he walked away, the woman opened the bag with trembling fingers. The cloth slid through her hand like fine silk as it opened to reveal a letter in her handwriting and a golden necklace that glittered in the fading sun. Tears streamed down her face and struck the necklace. The tears gathered around a phrase that had been etched into the gold. 'My life so yours will go on, my love for all eternal.'