Sending Charley back

Plop! Another golden marble wriggle-rolled itself across the parquetry floor to fall heavily into the stairwell and down the side of the velvet runner into a small congregation of other such rounds of gold gathered at the bottom below.

The child laughed knowingly. She liked the sport, for the noise defied the quiet very nicely.

Her little tunic was slathered in something that had been caramel, and another that had been milk; and her face was grimy with a smile that could not have been bigger.

"You will have to return her,” Goober said as casually as he could make it sound.

Puck tossed another marble, the infant squealed and thumped her little fist out on the ground as if to stop it.

"Marley won't remember a thing ... she never does." he whined, as if taking Charley for the night might be just one of those things.

"It’s plain to see you're miserable my old pal. How’s about I get Charley back to her Mum and you go get yourself some proper think time."

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series

When a King enters Heaven

When a king enters into Heaven he is preoccupied with plans and foils; he drifts between those thoughts of his destiny's work, and how the world had shaped to his fancy.

It is not as it is with the experience of a commoner’s death - where the sweet peace falls and speaks to the soul. It is a restless banter in that final transition comes from one who just cannot let go of the power that he held.

Puck on the other hand, had stood at the end of many a royal bed to watch over the transition into yet, a higher office - and, as Robin of the Forest, his sympathies had been very much with this red-haired king. Ambition had teased him sorely.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series

Temperance

Temperance is the good measure of hopefulness:
That we do not feel pressed to engorge ourselves all at the one time,
But that we can save our moments, that there is a tomorrow,
And with that tomorrow will come more.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series

The Greatest of Kings

The kindly face of his Lord was familiar and His presence was most soothing also. As Richard laid his troubled heart before Him, he already felt that the answers to all things were now possible, and he was instantly calmed.

The greatest of Kings then spoke to him saying:

"The work of vanquishing evil is not yours alone dear Richard - and your merits so won, now add to the pot of all Men.

“For it is upon every soul to see and withstand the conceits that deride their kind.

"By your wish I can become, and by my will you shall now be - and all is well.

“Evil itself can only have presence when it is invited. Fear not, for its dominions are small and its reach, incomplete.
“We may go now."

And so saying he closed Richard's eyes who had swept out into a heavenly sleep.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series

Attack by a Vagabond Army

Sheriff Marc had stubbed his toe on a wayward lance protruding out from a dead man's chest.

He cursed audibly and then returned to his employ, examining the coffers brought forward by the taxationers of the county. They were showing to be more than ample and his garnishing would be prosperous this season.

His two cases were identical black leathered chests - save that one bore the King's crest, and the other, mysteriously, had nothing ascribed to its owner.

The next day the outward-bound coach sent to convey the monies was found abandoned at the side of a stream. The driver had maintained that he and his company were besieged by a vagabond army that had leapt out from the forest, released their horses, and taken the caskets fast away.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series

The Vision of an Ancient King

When the sweet delirium had intercepted the spaces of his mind, a vision of an ancient king had come to visit at his bedside. This King was not his father, nor a royal ancestor, but rather the King of all men.

He looked up with amazement.

There were two Knights in accompaniment, whose armours glammed with light; their countenance was young - neither male nor female, yet symmetrical and quite beautiful.

The great King appeared to glow as an aura of gold fell about the room streaming from Him.

Richard spoke feebly, "I have failed Thee. I now consent to death with the achievements vouchsafed to you and to the common good ... yet how can I now die, knowing that the evil still remains?"

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series 

The Arrow of Stag Horn

Richard turned his head from the spoon - feeding was no use anymore for his body, which now spoke to him with the tremors, saying that it was nigh time to give up.

These powers of sorcery had proved too strong against his fevered flesh. The dark prince had stuck him with an arrow; that prick had drained his life fast from him.

Regardless of distance in exile, his brother's demon had overcast that bow. More curious still, the arrow that had wedged inside his shoulder had been crafted from carved stag horn, and not metal.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Puck in Hell, Azlander Series