Hamleto

A Hamlet story remade with my own alterations, set into a Japanese setting.

The stars cloaked the night sky as it glistened over the Genji Temple. The gentle breeze whispered across the long spear grass which circled the temple, and travelled through the trees waving their branches ever so softly. Captain Francisco was chosen to guard the perimeters of the temple for two moons, watching for any signs of intruders. Bushes nearby the entrance rustled and Francisco readied his blade for an attack. Private Bernardo emerged from the bushes, panting wildly. Recognising the private Francisco lowered his sword.

“What brings you here of such late?” he asked.

Standing straight the private saluted and replied “Sir...we saw...we saw the spirit.”

“We...?” Francisco asked as he scanned for any signs of others nearby.

“Aye sir, Marcellus, Horatio and I were patrolling at the Otori Bridge when the figure suddenly appeared to us.”

A stunned silence followed, as the news shocked Francisco. Spirits were the dead who cannot pass onto the afterlife, and walked the night seeking to harm others that have caused them the misery of their deaths. With the recent sightings of the spirit nearby the Town of Otori, villagers have been demanding protection from Claudius, who was Lord of Tenshin Island. The new lord of Tenshin Island responded by sending out small groups of his troops around the castle and towns, appealing to those in need. Shivers ran through Francisco’s back. Francisco walked up towards the private and placed his hand on his shoulders.

“Did you speak towards it? What did it say?”

His hands shook from the private’s shoulders. He was trembling, petrified from the sighting of the spirit that lurked among the living.

“The spirit... When its eyes lay upon me, it felt as if arrows pierced my heart. Horatio tried to converse with it, but had no luck. Not soon after the spirit merged with the river’s fog and dispersed into nothingness.

“Did not you say Marcellus also accompanied you? Where is he?”

“After...after the spirit disappeared something possessed him. He fell to his knees and grabbed his head with his two hands...like something inside his head was tearing his brain apart. He yelled...and...”

The private shook away from Francisco’s grasp and turned around, whelping.

“He unsheathed his sword and...Then...” he paused and stopped talking, wiping his tears.

Impatient Francisco grabbed the private and yelled into his face “He what?!”

“He sliced his own throat and collapsed into the river before I could catch him. He died right in front of me... My older brother...”

“Dear God. So the rumours of the spirit are true! Hamlet must know of this! Maybe he’ll know how to deal with this monstrosity and...”

“GRAHHH!!!!!!”  Bernardo interrupted as he fell to his knees grabbing his head, just as his brother had only moments before.

“Bernardo, halt your action and calm down!”

“STOP. TALKING. TO. ME. AND GET OUT OF MY HEAD! I AM NOT HAMLET!” Bernardo screamed as he drew his sword and slowly pointed the tip towards his chest.

“BERNARDO DON’T DO IT, STOP!” Francisco roared, but was too late as the private fell towards his feet, soaking his straw sandals in blood illuminated by the full moon.

Francisco lowered himself to pick up the dead body, and placed him against an old oak tree.

“May the Wind Convey your Soul to the Gods of the Afterlife” prayed Francisco closing the eyes of the deceased private.

His body, motionless but calm.

“He was so young, barely reached manhood. Too young for death’s grasp” Francisco whispered to himself as he rode off towards the Royal Family Castle, bearing tragic news for Lord Hamlet.

Author's Note

Just part 1, more to come (:

Please comment and help me improve ~

Reviews

[BLR]

There are words added that throw off the rhythm, just slightly. I noticed extra or missing punctuation. Other than that, I enjoyed the read and look forward to the next segment.