From: erisande@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Kryst the Philosopher)
Subject: Castle : Life Beyond II
Organization: Quitters Inc.
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 08:04:42 GMT

	If the story bores you, please do not be afraid to raise your
opinion.
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				Life Beyond II
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Prologue

	Moniford sat in his study, reading the histories of the madman
which had written of the going-ons between the court jester, Laue
Darrkwood, and Princess Melanie while speaking of the staff of
Worfengraff as a present to her father, the king, on his birthday.
The madman believed that the disappearance of the Princess is due to
Laue.  Moniford, tired from the day, fell unconcious before his window.

	One of the king's guards came to the king and spoke of an evil
outside the walls.  The king called for Moniford and glasses of wine.
A second guard arrives telling news of the Madman's death and hands
the king the last of the writings of the dead man.  The king, unable
to read, waits in his throne room for Monifords arrival...
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	"Your Majesty," Moniford bowed to the king.
	"You make me laugh!" chucked the king, "You know I do not ask
of you to bow before me!"  He clapped Moniford on the back, "We are
friends, and we have been for a long time, I would not ask that of
you."  After a moment of silence, the king spoke in a hushed voice,
"Moniford, I have been told of a great evil outside the walls of this
castle.  Did you see anything of importance out there while you were
studying?"
	Moniford shook his head, "I had little time to think of such
pleasures, Quint.  I had my face buried in a book for some time.  Yet,
I did peer out before I came here, and I saw nothing of importance.
Nothing out of the ordinary for the falltime."
	The king creased his brows, "A guard of mine told me of this,
and I was about to leave to see it for myself, yet I wished to wait
for you.  I thought you might have some insight on this if you would
see it for yourself."  Moniford nodded to the king.  The king reached
over beside his throne, "I also have a bit of news to tell you.  Our
man, which we kept in the dungeones below, has passed to the God.  The
one who had written the text is now gone from us.  but I have been
given his last writings, and I wanted to present them to you for
further study... that is, if you have the time."
	Moniford slumped a bit, but caught himself before the king
could see it.  To read more manuscript was an honour, yet it also
meant more long days of studying, "Yes, M'lord, I shall."
	"Ah, good!  I have not had time to delve into it myself, but I
fear that would be more of a waste of time.  I have not the eyes you
do for understanding written things.  I fear I would miss something
you might catch.  'Twould be a waste of time."
	Moniford understood.  This was not the first time he had read
something for the king.  And until the king learned how to read for
himself, this would not be the last time.  "I shall do my best."
	"Yes, you always do.  Now.  To the castle walls where we might
see this 'evil' for ourselves!"
	Moniford began to read the last of the mad documents as he
walked outside to the walls.

				- - - - -

	Klouse grunted to his wife in disgust, "What are you saying,
woman?!  I can not believe my ears!  In the name of holy Ulin, I
should hope you would take that back!"
	Laure laid her head down on the table and began to cry, "But I
am not good for you!  What have I done for you in the past years that
I may hold dear?  Nothing!  Nothing, I tell you!"  She lifted her head
to look at her husband and spoke quietly, "I can no' cook, nor keep
your home cleaned.  And blessed Ulin, I can no' bear your child you
wish for."
	"Love, 'tis not this important to me... you need to..."
	Her voice rasied over his, "Not important?  I hear you pray
for the chance to the Gods every night in our bed, yet you tell me
this is not important?"
	"Damn it, lady!  Listen to me!"  He lowered his voice once
again, sorry he had raised it to her, "I love you.  That I will for
the rest of my given life, and I will not have you thinking otherwise.
You are too important to me, dear.  So precious to my life, you are!
I would be feared if you left m' side.  I would be a poorer man if you
were to leave, and I can not handle that.  I just would not be
complete."
	His eyes took in her person.  He loved the dress she wore,
though it was only a piece of cloth she had sewn together for cover.
It draped around her shoulders, and played on her small frame
beautifully.  He desired to be in her arms once again for a moment...
to touch her delicate white skin and to feel her bosom against his
chest.
	"Lady, I tell you what I feel.  Those words are truth.  If I
shall leave your side, or you leave mine, it would only be by God's
demand."
	Her tear stained cheeks glittered in the daylight, as she
reached for his hand.  She choked on her words twice before she could
speak them correctly, "Then may I ask to have another try?  Maybe we
will receive a son this time."
	"You may always have my promise to be able to do so."  He
smiled with love and picked her up with his arms to carry her to the
bed.  They made love many times before drifting to sleep in each
other's arms. 

				- - - - -

	"I don't see anything."
	"Nor do I, Quint."
	King Quint turned to face Moniford with a puzzled expression
upon his face, "But my men would have no reason to lie to me, would
they?  I have always been able to trust them as friends.  But why else
would someone tell me something which is..."
	"He was right!"  Moniford grasped the king's arm and turned
him to face out beyond the walls, "Look over there."
	Quint squinted in the sun for a time, "Nothing...  I see..."
Quint's eyes widen in shock, "The blackness upon the land!  Is that
what you speak of?"
	"That is it.  But what in the world could have..."  Moniford's
eyes opened wide along with his jaws, "Ulin be praised!  Might it
be..."
	"What, my son, what?!
	"Dear, dear Ulin!  What have you brought on us this day?"
	Before the king could ask any more of the man's thoughts,
Moniford was out of sight, running to his study.  The king was
fortunate to have not seen the face of Moniford, for it was pure
terror.
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End of 'Life Beyond II'					Erin Anderson
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-- 
He waits to hear her say 'forgive',
but she just drops her pearl-black eyes
and prays to hear him say 'I love you',
but he tells no more lies.
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