The Seduction
Dressed in the deepest, the darkest of blue,
Bright silver stitching, with cuffs at the sleeve,
The soldiers were proud in their Kingdom attire,
Above them were banners that flapped in the breeze.
The southernmost point of the Kingdom domain,
The forest, the meadow, between them, a ridge,
The Guardsmen, defenders, preventing pretenders,
Invading the Kingdom by way of the bridge.
The Outpost was rude, with a simple thatch roof,
Serving as a shelter, a checkpoint, and stable,
Supplied for a month, it was home to ten men,
Who casually chatted around a small table.
When suddenly out of the deep forest glade,
a woman approached them from out of the shade.
Jonathan Marcus was first to address her,
“I’m lost”, she confessed in an innocent manner.
Where did he come from? Jon Marcus would wonder…
She came from the dark, and walked under the banner.
Ebony tresses, a youthful demeanor,
Eyes summer blue and a creamy, white face,
Sheathing his weapon, Jon Marcus relaxed,
…As is kingdom custom, he offered her grace.
“Knock, knock! There is no danger here,
I can’t be seen as foe,
I only have a question,” came the hiss.
“Knock, knock! It’s clear that you’re in charge,
A question, then I’m on my way,
There isn’t any danger!” came the hiss.
‘Knock, knock!’ And then a compliment.
The Stranger backed away…
‘Knock, knock!’ This conversation
Will conclude another day…
“Don’t give another thought to this,”
So said the speaker of the hiss.
Monotony rules when no challenge is made.
The Stranger just watched from the cool of the shade.
She wore a smile upon her face and leaned upon the bridge,
She was known now as ‘The Damsel from the Glade’.
Jon Marc, again on duty, would again assess for threat,
But the woman reinforced the masquerade.
“Knock, knock! Hello, it’s only me.
Do I look like an enemy?
Sheath your sword, that’s silly,” came the hiss.
“Knock, knock! I’ll share a thing or two,
And you can do some sharing too,
Put down the shield! Be friendly.” came the hiss.
‘Knock, knock!’ Another compliment.
The Stranger backed away…
‘Knock, knock!’ This conversation
Will conclude another day…
“I’m not a threat, remember this,”
So said the speaker of the hiss.
Complacency rules as the light starts to fade,
and everything’s grey when it falls into shade.
Her fingers stroked the railing as she sauntered cross the bridge.
The Guardsmen yelled a greeting from their post upon the ridge.
The day was drawing to a close, the shadows growing dark,
The Damsel brought a friend along to meet her friend, Jon Marc.
“I no longer knock. You call me.
I’m invited. I’m your friend.
I live on your affection.” Comes the hiss.
“I fill up every corner that your carelessness permits.
I bring along the shadows.” Comes the hiss.
The Guardsmen now are blinded,
They applaud the enemy.
The talons of the wicked rise,
In mounting treachery.
Returning from a day’s patrol, the Outpost was a welcome sight,
The fires, usually ablaze were strangely cold, despite the night!
A chill ran up Jon Marcus’ spine, he urged his horse a little faster…
Closer…faster
Closer…faster
At full gallop, horse and master...
The moon, the golden orb of light,
Horror met him at the sight,
The men were down!
They lay in mud,
Left for dead
And bathed in blood.
“Show yourself!” Jon Marcus yelled.
His sword was high, his colors flew.
From the shade, he heard a laugh…
“Our victory belongs to you…
I bet that you remember this…
A cackle from the evil hiss.
The shock. The realization. And the frantic, growing fear…
The laughter of the hiss resounds.
The enemy is here!