Face of Stone

By Robert Curtis

“The Face of Stone” is a fantasy fiction novella about a man who must find and save the woman he meets and falls in love with in his dreams from a demon’s desperate attempts to take her down to Hell. She can not tell him where she is, or where she was from. She is only allowed to convince him that she loves him and wants to be with him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eTreasures Publishing
• Release date: Dec 27, 2010

Robert Curtis

Robert Curtis is a former attorney who, in the course of his career, taught law as well as working with various intelligence and security services and large international commercial enterprises. His work gave him a unique insight both into the world of international business and banking and the operations of security services.Robert travels extensively both by air and by road from his bases in New York and Europe, gathering material for his writing.Robert has an abiding interest in martial arts which he practiced internationally and taught for many years, having had such eminent instructors as Mitsusuke Harada (Karate), Kenshiro Abbe (Judo & Aikido) and Kazuo Chiba (Aikido) as well as a pupil of Yukio Tani who, in turn, was a pupil of Jigoro Kano, the founder of modern Judo. In addition to fast cars and martial arts Robert enjoys clay pigeon and pistol shooting as well as climbing and paragliding.

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Face of Stone

by

Robert Curtis

United States of America

© 2008 – Robert Curtis

All Rights Reserved

No part of this book may be copied, printed, sold, or distributed in any manner whatsoever, including, but not limited to, compact disc copies, without express written permission from the publisher. This book is produced in electronic format, and the laws covering copyrights applies to this document in whole.

Published by eTreasures Publishing at Smashwords 2010

eTreasures Publishing

4442 Lafayette St.

Marianna, FL 32446

This book is entirely fictional and bears no resemblence to any actual person or place, in content and cover art, therefore, is based solely on the author’s vivid imagination.

This volume of work is dedicated to my wife, Ronwen, who for more than the past three decades has come to mean more to me than any other person I have ever known. As this story relates, were it necessary, I would likewise reach into hell to save her.

From the Author

I have been writing poetry and fiction for over three decades. This particular story has evolved, over many months, from a poem I wrote a long time ago. I have included portions of the original poem in the text.

Bob Curtis

Face of Stone

by

Robert Curtis

Smashwords License Statement

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One

The face of stone

With a tear in her eye

Silently awaits the day

When true love shall come

And free her soul

And carry her tenderly away.

The Pharaoh was dying. All of Egypt knew it, and they were already mourning his loss. Preparations were being made to help the great leader in crossing over to the Kingdom of the Dead. The Priest of Pharaoh was at his side, as he always had been. The Priestess of Osiris stood off in the background, deftly waving the burning incense. Tears were running down her cheeks in a constant stream as she maintained her official composure.

I suppose it always comes to this, for all men, regardless of their place and position, Pharaoh commented with a raspy voice, trying to conceal his pain in conversation.

It does, eventually, for all, the priest replied.

What is it like to die? Pharaoh inquired, a unique seriousness in his tone of inquiry.

The priest of Pharaoh, the ruler’s closest friend and confidant, looked down into the face of his dying friend and replied, One cannot say, until one has been there.

But haven't you been close...at least once? Pharaoh asked.

Yes. But `close' is not the same as death.

No comforting insight, then, I suppose.

Only that you find your final relief from the trials of this mortal life, the priest assured.

You have been so much more than a confidant, Pharaoh said, You have been a friend.

It has been an honor, the priest replied, with a slight bow.

A misty gray smoke began to appear at the foot of Pharaoh's bed. It began to billow and spread! Then, out of the center of the mist sprang a demon-like creature. Its red eyes flashed, its jaws gaped, its razor sharp teeth poised as if for the kill!

It leaped onto the foot of the bed and rose up on its hind feet to its full eight foot height. Pointing its talon-claw at Pharaoh, it bellowed deep and loud, I have come for you! I have come to collect on the agreement we made concerning your cry for help to Osiris during the last campaign of the Upper Nile war. I turned the armies of your enemies away - and now I own your immortal soul!

The priest stepped forward, his ceremonial dagger drawn in defense of Pharaoh and defiance of the beast. The demon blasted the dagger from the priest's hand with a breath of hot air from its nostrils. Pharaoh reached for the sword at his side.

It is futile to resist! the demon laughed, I have come for you, now!

Suddenly infused with the strength he knew in his younger years, Pharaoh lifted the sword that lay beside him high above his head and cried with enraged triumph, I have satisfied our agreement in my many acts of good since our meeting, as we bargained in the beginning! Osiris, himself, has promised me peace and one gift of life!

I shall have you and your gift! the demon growled, None shall stop me, not even the great Osiris! I am Thoth, protector of the gateway of the Land of the Dead. No one has yet, nor shall ever pass by those darkened doors into the light once they have made the journey from mortality into the night. I shall have your head impaled on a pole at the gateway!

A crash of thunder sounded. Flashes of white lightning flew from the blade of Pharaoh's sword, crashing down upon the beast. It roared and cried in pain as the light seared and burned its flesh.

Finally retreating, the beast bellowed its final vow as it leapt backward into the mist, I may lose you....but I shall defeat your gift of new life! I shall have my revenge!

The mist withdrew into a thick blackness until it completely disappeared. Pharaoh fell back onto one elbow from his sitting position. The priest relaxed his stance. The priestess cowered from the floor behind the head of the bed.

Are you alright, My Lord? the priest asked.

I am well enough, Pharaoh replied, with a deep sigh.

I expected this confrontation. I also know I kept my end of the bargain. The demon refused to accept his defeat.

The sword, the priest replied, has always been a curiosity to me.

Yes, Pharaoh replied, laying the sword back down by his side. When I am gone, it must be returned to its rightful owner.

I know, the priest replied, I shall take care of it personally for you.

A sword of the most curious workmanship. A true companion and friend in battle.

It is, the priest said. It is a sword of the gods.

Remember my gift to Miriam, Ramses gasped, his time growing short. Remember my dear Miriam.

It shall be done, the priest assured, with a warm smile. She was a good choice for this most precious gift.

She is most precious, Pharaoh whispered. Miriam...and Excalibur.

With this last expression, the Pharaoh died.

The room stood silent in reverent awe at his passing.

***

It was a bright, moonlit night. Miriam walked slowly along the bank of the Nile River. The wind rustled softly through the bulrushes, and there was a muted sound of crickets chirping in the distance.

Miriam didn't seem to notice the eternal movement and sounds of nature that surrounded her. Emotions of sorrow and fear consumed her.

It didn't seem to matter where she went. She could not escape what seemed to be the inevitable.

Ramses II