Darkman

Samuel's Song - Part Two of Two

By Jeremy Carr

April 06, 2003

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And so two decades have passed. The vision Samuel gave me, the vision that led me to murder him, played itself out to perfection. The valorous warriors who became my generals, the wise scholars who became my advisors, and the most beautiful princess who became my queen each entered my life as if from a dream and took their rightful place at my side. My kingdom has grown steadily, my humble tower becoming but a part of my now famous stronghold. As my influences spread more lands and baronies came under my command, and it was on this first day of spring, just over twenty years since that fateful night in the forgotten chamber in the recesses of my nearly forgotten tower, that I became King.

I was elated when the crown was placed upon my brow, but my mood has turned despondent. I have been a just ruler over all my servants and people, but my original sin and heartless murder of Samuel stir doubts in my soul. After the grand ceremony and feast I left my queen alone in our chambers and headed to my old tower. I climbed to my old chambers where I had first heard the tone of the Devil’s Harp. Samuel’s song has haunted me throughout the long years, never forgotten. I found an old bottle of wine on the dust coated table, opened it and took a drink. It is soured, no longer savory or in any way enjoyable, but I drink of it anyway. It is a small penance to pay. And it is so, drunk on spoiled wine and miserable memories that I will spend my first night as King.

* * * * *

Dreams of woken dragons and laughing Devils.
Confused, I awake to dreaming, Samuel’s song shaking the tower around me. The vibrating tone threatens to shatter all it touches.
"Ghouls!" I cry, lunging from my chair and stumbling to the corridor, "Demons and Devils! Why do you return to me on this day of passage? Why do you torment me when I have finally come to fulfill the vision with which you cursed me? Will I never be free of my sin? Of my conspiring? Leave me to my peace!"
The stairs are dark, my hands grip desperately at the walls as I delve deeper toward Samuel’s chamber. I unknowingly reach the bottom and send myself sprawling to the floor as I reach for steps that are not there. In the darkness I can see a hint of light. It comes from Samuel’s chamber. The long sealed door stands ajar and there are candles glowing within. The stench of old air, death and decay hangs heavy in the corridor, wafting slowly from the makeshift tomb.
"What ghosts are you?" I demand, scrambling to my feet.
I enter the chamber, the Devil’s Harp is in full spin. I am instantly enraptured. There is no vision of my royal court, no future vision of my conquests or defeats, just the same vision that has haunted my dreams for twenty years – Samuel above me, fire in his eyes, sword in hand.
My vision is torn asunder by a series of loud crashes and I can see the machine tearing itself apart in the gloom. Pieces of wood and cord flying all around me, one strikes me on the head and all goes dark.
A gentle shaking awakes me. I can hear a voice far away.
"My lord, my lord, wake up. It is time to realize your vision."
I open my eyes slowly. Gloom still hangs heavy around me, the stink of death still in the air. There is a figure over me and it speaks with gentle tones. It reaches for a candle and brings it between us, allowing me to see it’s face.
"SAMUEL! Oh, my dearest Samuel! You have come to haunt me and I am glad. All the days since I wronged you I have wished I never looked upon your infernal machine! I knew it was evil the first time I heard it’s tone, but I could not resist it’s power. Oh, poor Samuel, I cannot explain how sorry I am, how deeply my actions scarred me, how I wish to have it back to do again."
"I am not Samuel, my lord."
"Surely you are! I may be aging, but I know your face. I have never forgotten it."
"I am not, Samuel, my lord."
"No, but his ghost come to haunt me."
"I am no ghost, my lord. I am Samuel’s son."
"What? Samuel had no son. Surely this is some sort of rouse."
"Please, my lord, lay still. Samuel never knew of me, for I was but a glimmer in my mother’s womb when your treacherous blade struck my father dead. He did not live long enough to learn of me. You saw to that. And through all these years I knew, and I have waited for this day for a long time."
"You knew? How could you know? No one knew?"
"You overestimate your servants’ loyalty, my lord. When you ordered these chambers sealed it was too curious for them not to investigate. When one of them entered and saw my father’s body freshly dead and still bleeding upon the floor, it was all too obvious what had happened. Word got back to my mother, and when I was very young I was told of your treachery. I have come for vengeance."
He stands tall before me, the candle dropped thoughtlessly to the ground, lifting his sword slowly above his shoulder.
"Did you look upon it, Samuel’s son? Did you look upon your father’s creation? What of your future?"
"I did not look, my lord, for you have shown me what such visions can do to a man."
I close my eyes and hear the soft whistle of the falling blade.

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