THE QUEST FOR THE DEMON KING'S CROWN
© Copyright 1998 Yale Sam Wahl

TALES OF SAMNAN

~~~ Prolog ~~~

Samnan, older, much to say
Before he'd let life fade away
Retold many tales of an earlier day
In words poetical.
With mind still sharp quick to recall
The fast descent nearly his downfall
But let him start whence started all
Long ago., during Festival .

A TALE OF JADE
THE QUEST FOR THE DEMON KING'S CROWN

~~~ I ~~~

Samnan, young warrior, not yet renowned
Traveled north for the Festival bound
Entered the largest inn he found
In search of comrades bold.
As the last survivor of his clan
Gone to their forebears to a man
He was left his tribe's historian
As once had been foretold.

Samnan's sword when it was blessed
Guaranteed victory in any quest
Forged with the souls that it possessed
As though they'd never died.
While scanning the dingy sweat soaked room,
He felt the sword his clan's heirloom
Warm comfort given in darkest gloom
Perched ready at his side.

Three warriors slumped all disarrayed
At corner table with an archer Jade
"An ale for my hearty friend!" they bade.
Samnan momentarily lost.
Jade's sincere eyes her guileless face
Her innocent spirit out of place
Her movements smooth such elegant grace
She sat there with legs crossed.

~~~ II ~~~

He joined them in their circle seated
Heard many tales now oft repeated
Of noble quests and foes defeated
While in search of a Demon King,
With a crown of gold rare jewels inlaid
Thought cursed by magic none dismayed
Too young and crafty to be afraid
But for one, no one owned a thing.

They forged a bond with no dispute
Showed him a map detailing the route
That led to a fortune in demon's loot
Cursed crown would soon be theirs.
They talked that evening until moonglow
Admired his sword, and let him know
That Jade was skilled with dagger and bow
And could manage her own affairs.

But as all perused the crinkled map
Sharp pain coursed through his right kneecap
Jade nodded curtly, whispered "Trap!"
And he was to be ensnared.
Despite the trust among them built
To get his sword blood would be spilt
With no remorse or apparent guilt
His life would not be spared.

~~~ III ~~~

He peered at Jade his heart unsure
But when her eyes flashed fire pure
He knew they'd bonded would endure
As one if there was a fight.
The schemers struck and his sword flashed
Jade's dagger blurred throats deftly slashed
Then out the door they quickly dashed
And escaped into the night.

To nearby woods in a breakneck run
Pulses pounding breathing as one
Safe for now, their retreat done
Jade thought about her choice.
Though both naive with too few years
Each could soothe the other's fears
Sharing as equals respected as peers
Speaking in one voice.

But Samnan thought of different things
Of all the goods that success brings
To be the envy of powerful kings
And he didn't yet need a queen.
He looked again couldn't help but stare
What he desired stood right there
What the future'd bring didn't know or care
He was caught right in between.

~~~ IV ~~~

She grasped his hands as they calmed down
"There is a festival in this town."
She laughed and wildly whirled him around,
"We've got the night to kill!"
Didn't take much effort or appeal
Entranced by her contagious zeal
The sheer excitement made him feel
Drawn by her force of will.

Watched the revelers shoulder to shoulder
She leaned on him already the bolder
His desire for her began to smolder
What's played if not by chance ?
Reaching out he touched her face
Held her gently soft embrace
And in that open public place
They began to slowly dance.

Twirling lightly Samnan's ego broke
Such powerful feelings did Jade evoke
She touched his lips neither of them spoke
Not a thing left to pretend.
Their dancing spirals did decrease
And soon enough did movement cease
Simply held each other what glorious peace!
A moment to never end.

~~~ V ~~~

The rest of Festival they did scheme
To share the crown, retire and dream
Easily done working as a team
With a plan they did devise
They wagered who would reach it first
Ignored the fact the crown be cursed
Just let those demons try their worst
To come reclaim their prize.

They knew the risks, felt very brave
It was the challenge they did crave
Found the safest way to search the cave
Demons never braved the light.
But a messenger came to call him away
An urgent journey of less than a day
Must depart now! No time to delay!
Should be back by the next night.

His heart screamed to him "Do not go!"
But for what reason he didn't know
Not privy to what fate would bestow
He would always wonder why
He implored her "Will you wait for me,
However late that I may be?
Please don't act impulsively!"
Through tears they hugged good-bye.

~~~ VI ~~~

Back much much later Jade not in town
With others she had started down
To that nearby cave where lay the crown
She was never one to stall.
Though he was angry for her haste
He sensed the dangers that she faced
He didn't have any time to waste
Must get there by nightfall.

He reached the cave his sword gleamed bright
Then shimmered coldly in failing light
Hammering heartbeat focused for fight
No time left to prepare.
Raced down the path a nightmare scene
Heard chilling screams off walls careen
Caused by some horror yet unseen
Awaiting him down there.

Sprinting, stopping he nearly missed
Mad horde of demons snarled and hissed
But in the end none could resist
The swiftness of his blade.
Viciously did he hack and slash
'Til all lay dead gone in a flash
Alone now, sobbing, no panache
Oh Jade...Oh Lord...he prayed.

~~~ VII ~~~

Deeper he went was suddenly dealt
A thumping blow he barely felt
Mad King of Demons left a welt
That would take days to heal.
He blessed his sword and brought it down
Shattered demon and magic crown
Lost all feeling .... started to drown ...
In pain ..... that was .. sur..real..

Too slow to wake too late to save
He found her body in that cave
Unleashed an emotional tidal wave
And far into the night
To his deity he did supplicate
Please reverse her cruel and unjust fate
But she remained in her terminal state
Though he tried till dawning light.

He brought her back up to the sun
What happened couldn't be undone
No thoughts of battles that he won
He mourned the one he lost.
His heart was empty his soul was black
He vowed to go through hell and back
Sign any deal or cold contract
Gladly ante up the cost.

~~~ VIII ~~~

But though he knew with certainty
He shouldn't chase what couldn't be
Be it by dark necromancy
Or kind amnesiac.
While he did try his very best
To soothe his grief and let her rest
Each thought of her that he repressed
Brought scores more roaring back.

He stood before the Demon King's cave
More mortal now not quite as brave
As he felt before he couldn't save
Jade's life that dreadful day.
Still bound to her he then decreed
He'd never leave a friend in need
And would honor whatever was agreed
Then started on his way.