chapter III - the stars

chapter III - the stars

a young, naive shepard's boy caught sight of the ladder.
deciding to break suit of his mundane routine, he went investigate.
he crossed the meadows and pastures, drawing closer to the man-made marvel
but as he approached the ladder began to deteriorate into ash,
as he quickened his pace from a brisk walk to lightening fast dash.
arriving at the foot of the ladder just as the last few feet were carried off by the crisp summer breeze.
he leaned into to inspect the ashes.
encased within the remains, he saw something shimmer - a crown.
the young shepard's boy picked up the crown and hastily made his way towards the castle's gates,
where the guards brought him to a halt.
'what business do you hold commoner?' said one guard in a cold, almost robotic voice.
'i came across a this crown amongst some cinders and ash.
if i am not mistaken it is awful similar to jewel that rest upon the head of your majesty.'
the boy presented the crown in all it's golden, glowing glory.
'that sounds terribly elaborate boy! are you sure your hands are not covered in the cold blood of regicide?'
the guards took hold of the boy and dragged him into the castle.
'princess! princess!' cried the guards.
awoken from her slumber by the unholy noise that was travelling down the hallways and into her room,
the princess trudged out of her chamber and towards the main hall.
'what is it causing so much commotion? what is all the ill noise about?'
'this boy comes baring the crown of your father!'
'and you suspect murder? foul, bloody murder?'
'well, yes princess. he claims to have found it buried within ashes and burning coal.'
'release him. i know the boy well, well enough to know he has a non-violent nature and a golden heart.
speak now boy, but do not breathe a lie.'
so the Shepard boy recreated the event that had come to him obtaining the gem.
'and my father was nowhere to be seen?'
'no princess.'
'what was the source of the ashes?'
'i saw a ladder turn to dust from afar princess.'
'a ladder...?'

the events of the previous night replayed in her head.
the confession of her desire and her father's unutterable will.
the princess feel into a deep, glooming depression. black and nothing filled the void which she perceived her life as.
with her father gone and the moon sleeping, she cried.
like water from a fountain, tears began to flow. collecting within her hands like a dam.

'affection has fallen beneath the cracks in the floorboards,
gathering in pools, watching us from below.
our heartache and mistakes are a cinematic masterpiece.
yet affection, our emotions learn nothing from these experiences.
no matter how hard it is on them and their family.
but us, looking down on our emotions is hypocritical.
for no matter no many times we falter,
this prison of consciousness keeps throwing the same underhandedness and trickery at us.
to which we blindly stagger to. it's become a home for you and i...
what is life with love?
god, divine spirit? are you listening to me?
please, i need a guiding light. i need help.'