Emma dusted off her blue satin dress. She slowly rose from the dirt path she had fell upon, with determination blazing in her eyes. Focused, she tightly squeezed the grip of her sword. The blade caught a beam from the moon, and shone for a moment as she held it out in front of her. A taunting voice spoke, "You are alone. You had better admit defeat." Emma planted her feet more firmly and narrowed her eyes, to indicate she was prepared to fight.
"I am not alone. This fight cannot be won on my strength alone, and surely my Lord is fighting by my side."
"Fool! You speak of a dead man. It's ludicrous enough you are fighting on behalf of someone who has already been defeated, but to not even accept this defeat...well now, what sense is that?"
"You think I am mad? But alas, the great I Am is the ruler of this land. He has conquered this heart of mine, and there is nothing you can do to penetrate it My Lord lives."
"Lies you weave, indeed. Or perhaps, you are simply victim to those who first wove them. Either way, you are in need of enlightenment. Lay down you sword, and come dine with me. We can share a great future together. You are a pillar of beauty, my dear. I can make sure that the entire land knows of this, and that you may have pick of any man you desire...whenever you desire. Just come with me."
Emma felt the warmth of temptation dancing in her mind and for a moment let her guard down. It opened the ground for her supposed enemy to grow closer. A chill touched her neck and spread down her spine. Suddenly, she snapped back to her position and shouted, "I do not need the people of this land to bow to my beauty. I am merely a reflection of the one who created me. Let it not be me who they see, but rather my Lord."
"But what of suitors? You are but a humble servant to your Lord, poor and dressed so shabby. Is my offer of such a prospect wrong? Does not your Lord wish you happiness? Ah, but perhaps it was the many suitors...if I may offer just one, would it change your mind? Marriage is a respected constitution in your group of servants. Perhaps, this will please you. But please, drop your sword, and come with me."
"A husband would indeed be a blessing, but my Lord says he shall provide one when the time is right. I am but eighteen..."
Sensing a weakness in her voice, the sly Prince of the Night reached out his hand. "Come" he repeated, "I can see you doubt the provision of your Lord. You have right too. He told Margerie the same thing, and look at the spinster. She has fourty-three years and four cats to show for that promise. I care about your well-being. I want you to enjoy life and have all that you deserve."
Despite her best efforts to negate all he said, Emma found herself buying into his offering. "What would I have to do if I took this gift from you?"
"Ah, Emma, just be more open to my suggestions. Your Lord tells you not to speak to me or my army, but you do not even know what you're not listening to. You are missing out on some of the joys of life, that your Lord does not allow in his followers. Is it merely enough that someone who is dead, said long ago that you should not do something, to keep you from not partaking? What is it that you are gaining? Is he going to punish you? You say he calls you one of his own, and that he loves you. How could someone so loving punish you? What is there to lose? If all you say you believe to be true, then in your own logic, you really have nothing to lose. Your ties with him cannot be broken, and are guaranteed once you have signed the cross at the castle gates. What is holding you back?"
Emma lowered her sword, and the slippery prince grew close enough to breathe on her neck. His words seemed to be taking hold of her, and she found her knees growing weak. He began to whisper words of wealth into her open ears and it all poured into her willing mind. She let him take her hand, and allowed him to lead her down the moonlit path. The prince was smiling a brilliant smile, as some of his friends introduced themselves to Emma. Each pledged his loyalty to her and offered her a piece of the forbidden joy she had been closed to. It was all soaked into her mind, as the sword she had laid down, grew further in the distance. Her body felt so weak though her mind was full of all these new intrigues. Emma's braid began to unravel, and the blue satin dress started to fade, as she approached the dwelling of the prince's followers. The kingdoms had been divided long ago, she recalled. The Prince of the Night had had a disagreement with King Illumination. The King was angered and sent him away, with all of the other mutineers. Therefore, the kingdom had been divided. Her heart beat rapidly, as she grew near to the party. Everyone was rejoicing and doing whatever they felt pleased them at the time. Emma, despite the trance she had been under, was appauled at the immorality she witnessed. Everyone was naked, and unashamed of this fact. Wine was being passed around to those who seemed quite inibriated already. A spread of food was laid out, that seemed well picked over. Some people were moaning over the amount of food they had eaten, but did not leave. The realization of what she had done swept over her heart and she felt remorse. She looked over her shoulder, and saw that even though she had left her companion behind, he was still behind her. The Prince, perceiving he was losing Emma's confidence, pulled her into the herd of people. Her hair fell in tangled knots about her, and her dress was promptly ripped from her body. She stood naked amongst the strangers, who were curious about the new arrival. A gray-haired man, with several missing teeth hollared at Emma, and let out a whistle. She was cold, shivering and ashamed as her eyes met those of her Lord. He had followed her, stuck by her, even as she turned her back on him completely and left him in the dust. She immediately fell to the ground weaping. The Prince scoffed at this, and prompted the rest to as well. Out of the darkness, she saw an outstretched hand offer her a pure white garment. Eagerly she put it on. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted her sword. She lunged for it, just as one of the Prince's companions pulled a blade from his sheith. Emma lashed out with the sword, throwing all her passionate anger into each stroke. Triumphantly, she watched the first opposer run off cowering in pain. However, to replace him came two more. It took longer to send them running, but she managed to fend them off. Yet, four more came. She took a blade across the face, as one of the mutineers cackled. Blood trickled from the wound, but she pressed on, only to suffer another blow to her leg. "Where's your Lord now?!" Another mutineer sneered. Emma's heart sank as she realized she had again abandoned her Lord. She called on him to help her. One of the mutineers tripped her and sent her plummeting to the ground, another stood above her, ready to plunge the sword into her chest. A shimmering blade made an intervention, just inches from her body. A row of soldiers from King Illumination's army stood in between her and the dark army of the Prince. The mutineers backed off, and the Prince made some comment about how he just did not feel like fighting anymore and went back to his party, but you could see the fear in his eyes. Emma took the hand of her Lord to help her off the ground. He touched her cheek, the blood ceased its flow from the cut and she was healed. She stood before the Lord she had devoted her life to, and yet seemed to daily stray from. She asked his forgiveness for disobeying his commands, and for thinking she could win the battle alone. Emma knew that she had only made it through one day. As the sun began to peek over the horizon, she knew she had a new day to face. Emma hoped she would take hold of the victory she had in him, before she fell so far the next time. He assured her that the battles would come, but that he would always be there to fight by her side, if only she'd ask it of him. Weary, she found herself being carried by her Lord and Savior, on her way back home.
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