The prize

The prize

 

Under the oak tree in the courtyard, Philip held Tammy in his arms, and said, “By the mornings light, I shall return with the prize.” He kissed her with such passion even the wind let out a moan.

 

He climbed onto his horse, looked down at her and spurred the mount into the darkness. The wind blew hard as the shadows swallowed him; a flash of lightning marked his departure.

 

From the shadows, five shapes moved; four of them grabbed and bound her to the tree. A tall man stepped in to the dim light shining from the cottage, “When your love returns we shall take his prize.” She knew the mornings light would be their last.

 

One of the brigands’ rested his musket against the tree just out of her reach. All night she twisted her hands against the ropes, (her wrist became raw and blooded).

 

The mornings light crested the hill, off in the distance they heard Philips horse in the distance. Her finger inched towards the trigger. Blood ran down her fingers, the trigger barely at her fingertips. The blood made her finger slip off the trigger time after time. 

 

Philips mount now almost at the crest of the hill. She tried again for the trigger, again her finger slipped. Closer he rode; the brigands readied them self’s for the rider.

 

As he crested the hill, he saw her bound to the oak tree and the brigands in the courtyard. Her finger found the trigger and squeezed.

 

Her body fell limp against the ropes. Fire flashed in his eyes. Drawing his rapier, he charged them.

Like a demon, he slashed and parried. He ran one through the heart as he leaped from his mount. The horse reared and another brigand was dispatched under its front hoofs. Two of the brigands turned and ran. Lightning flashed and struck them down in mid-stride.

 

Now only the tall man and Philip stood in the courtyard. Philip thrust, the tall man parried. The dance began. Steel from the two rapiers flashed in the morning light. Sparks flew as the two crossed blades with each other.

 

Philip made a wild thrust, Tammy’s eye opened slowly as the tall man moved in for the killing blow. Philip slumped to the ground. Blood trickled out of Philips mouth as the tall man pulled his blooded rapier from Philips dyeing body.

 

The last thing the tall man saw was a flash of the horse’s hoofs.

 

The horse chewed Tammy’s ropes loose. Tammy slumped to the ground and crawled to Philips body. Philip moaned and reached in to his coat pocket and pulled out a leather pouch. Tammy opened it and cried.

 

With the last of her strength, Tammy helped Philip into the saddle. She sat behind Philip and they road off into the morning’s mist.

 

You may ask what happened to them. All I can tell you is that if you wait quietly in a mist that gathers in the mornings light, you may see them riding at the edge of a forest.

 

And what was in the leather pouch you might ask…that my dear reader not even I know.

 

P.S. If you happen to see them on such a morning…you can ask them. I for one will not.   

Reviews

[shallimarRose]

hmmm... very interesting write Ron.. I love the fact that you have no idea what was in the pouch. That's how I also fee when I write. Until the lines are written I know not what they will say. You were wise to not write the ending.. it leaves us wondering and in awe.. Enjoyed.. shallimaRose

[ron]

Thank you Rose. I was afraid some one would want to know what was in the pouch. I think it is up to each of us to discover that.