The Messenger's Heart

By Richard Paul

A tale of young love set on the border of Faerie.

William Dunn, messenger for Thegn Owain of Connah's Quay, is returning from an undertaking on his Lord's behalf when he finds himself caught in a deadly storm. In desperation, he seeks sanctuary at a secluded inn, hidden away deep in the woods.

During his stay, he discovers secrets both wondrous and disturbing, delightful and dangerous. All discoveries pale, however, to that of the innkeeper's daughter, Elly. Soon he cannot help but strive for her heart.

Yet the striving shall not be easy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 7, 2016
• ISBN: 9781326591175

Book preview

The Messenger's Heart

The Messenger's Heart - By Richard Paul

A foul night marred by rain,

About a weedy, dark, dank, slippery lane

In wild woodland,

Where a luckless traveller struggles to stand

Or stir his hands or legs to work and wade

Through the profane, pitch-black squall there at hand.

He stumbles on till his wander-worn feet trip

And into mulch he slips.

Amidst the mess of mud and leaves he lies prone

And tarries long for woe;

But then down the dark strip he marks a bright glow

'Onwards go,' a voice whispers as the light skips.

Once more he stands upright

And feels his limbs move after the light.

He cannot help but heed,

For all his travails, his legs pick up speed.

And aye, indeed, his steps are sure despite

The ruthless night that grabs all in its greed.

A bog's proud stench grows fouler with each yard,

Each breath is beastly hard,

All the same the wandering young man must grin

To mark the dim, thin

And not too far outline of a dwelling,

In fact an inn, set near secluded pines and tar.

The light fades swift away,

The youth marks shuttered windows, barred till day.

He bangs on the door,

A night in this storm he'll not likely endure.

'Open your door good people! Let me stay!

I'll gladly pay twice or thrice your price or more!'

There's almost no pause ere the door opens wide.

'Come in, come in and bide

Beside the fire, you'll find your death out there!

Come in, come in and share,

Here inside, our heat and our humble fare

And leave your cares to rot in the rain outside.'

He sees no light therein

Nor feels aught of lovely fire near his skin

But gladly obeys

The kindly old man's voice he heard and waits

No more in hated squall but enters the inn,

And the din without seems at once to abate.

And too, at once, with a surprising haste

A fire is raised,

And strangely soon the room