Azlan Before Me, Azlan Beside Me

Richard stood in the morning's dawn light looking into the space where the Azlan had lain and had spoken to him on the dewy grass.

This session had left him with a contentedness ... and he felt as though this strength of peace and knowing would never leave him, no matter what contest or circumstance should follow.

Such meetings are private and there are few accounts in public record given, but suffice to say that the instruction King Richard received had come to him because of his honest heart that was open enough to receive it.

He truly was a noble man - who had thought himself both troubled and weak - and had downcast his own opinion of himself so dangerously that the Azlan had now come to remedy this.

And now he was uplifted again and he thereafter honoured his emissary - he soon changed the royal coat to depict this beloved Lion who had, beyond all meta-physicks, made himself known to him.

And although he could not give explanation to this royal signature that now bore three lions, he would privately say to himself (and his children to follow):

"Azlan behind me, Azlan before me, Azlan beside me."

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series

The Golden Corona

Oh Golden Light of Christ anoint my head

And read my mind as thoughts unwind

Of battles' roads and life unkind.

Please heal my soul and faults in all.

My wit's rebound as I here stand

In this, the light of the holy crown.

Quenched in the morning's opportune

Reviving my selfhood with the beauty of dawn

Take me now! Please take me now!

For the purity of first light is bliss

And surely the whole point of faith is just in this:

-Not that we believe ... but that we ask of He to have faith in us.


-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series

Disappeared into the Night Air

"Black Marc" Robin so named the Sheriff to himself in thought - and then saw the anger flicker sharply across the brow - it was then clear to him that he had the skill to read his thinking.

"No" he flatly and finally said.
So saying, he and his men to follow, simply vanished before the Sheriff could speak again. They disappeared into the night air completely.

"No?" the Sheriff repeated questioningly in disbelief. And then screamed again "No!" He was outraged to be disobeyed and then left bluntly like that.

"Nooo!" his voice echoed now so loud throughout the forest that the birds vacated the trees and the moths flew in spurious clouds away from their bushes.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series

The Black Sheriff

[Circa 12th century]

"Give it to me", the Sheriff snarled viciously - his eyes flamed, his hand outstretched.

Robin's men took a step backwards; they always moved together as though they shared in the one thought. They stood tall, appearing defiant.

Robin scanned his features. He did not clearly understand the fearsomeness of this single man's presence.

He, the Black Sheriff, had put to death entire families, taking their lands and livestock, without drawing sword or breath himself. He was known as the Lord of Debt and Death; one who held even the King most fearfully terrorised.

Mortal or Fey? He seemed to be neither. Robin was now feeling the pressure of his will and persistence – and he was tiring of this tedious complaining.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series

Back in the World

There was an ever-so-slight point at the top of Puck's ears that would peak up when he began to be really interested in hearing something.

It would often worry Marley that nothing she seemed to say could get a rise out of him in that way.

But when she came home from Saks to tell him of the unusual young man who had approached her, she could see that his curiosity burned brightly for this information.

At last, Marsden was back in the world, and he was making himself known. His vanity had drawn him out, Puck thought to himself – knowing that this devil relished recognition. He also had the attitude of one who is invincible and fear free.

Puck had wondered to himself, across the ages - if this annoying demon enjoyed his elaborate manipulations erratically or for reason? Did he work to a purpose or a whim? He could not tell.

He preferred to think well of folk, as most won fair regard; but history had taught him that the spirit inhabiting Marc-Marsden-Forsythe was cleverly cruel, and his ambition always chose that road which would take Humanity to the very edge of hardship and ruin.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series

Aptitude Markers

Phoenix Rising was now keeping e-records of every player's results and providing a direct feed of the scores to the internal bureaus of major governments. Statistics were streamed into intricate corporate lists, collated for commercial evaluation also.

Although being just a game, these 'aptitude markers' and 'appetite preferences' were building valuable profiles.

Employment bodies and universities drew from the names from the higher percentiles - secretly.

It was noted that men invested many more hours than women with the games - across every culture. Their appetite for competition and skilful challenge, along with the adrenalin, was more arousing; however, this too was regarded as advantageous professionally and academically, indicating levels of advanced concentration, perseverance, reflex and response, mental agility and decision-making.

This was invaluable information, whilst the lower-end scorers had their names marked for menial work and eventual imprisonment. Health records were kept in case of organ "donation" later down the road.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series

Silver Notes

Twelve small perfume bottles sat in the window of Saks's newest display.

This was a fine day for Marley. Nervina had engineered her scents with Triton (an Elvish horticultural advisor) distilling signature base oils from orchids and mixing extractions from wild flowers so rare, that the world was yet to know them.

The twelve perfumes characterised a complete seasonal year with its range floating between the assorted warm and cold notes - of musky and fresh; creamy and spiced; pure and complex fragrances - all evocative of Nature's sensual expirations.

Marley had named the range 'Silver Notes' and so far both women and men could not get enough of these whisperings of the forest. The reviews raved favourably, saying that they exuded vitality, even from inside the bottle.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series