Don’t Fear the Reaper – Christmas Special

Hey guys, thought I’d give you a little something special for Christmas, hope you enjoy it :grin:

For those who read this without being familiar with my story, be mindful that there are a few spoilers.

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Carol of the Bells

Twas deep in the night, in the city of Roselake.

All silent and white, not a good soul awake.

But the streets were not empty, for shadows appeared.

They ran and they hushed, into windows they peered.

Cracked open the glass and took what was prepared

For Christmas Eve with the children to be shared.

The king’s men did nothing, had no mercy to spare

For the people of Roselake, and their allnightly mares.

Yet there was a dark figure that had more than enough

Of too little joy, pain, and life that was rough.

Almost all people feared him and screamed at his sight

But still he protects them with all of his might.

Tis the Harbinger Hall who brings them much joice,

The sugar cane scythe his weapon of choice.

With him are winter veil Lily, Moira and Grim,

Three little fairies far from proper and prim.

Hunted by evil their prospect is dire,

A thorn in the side of king and empire.

“Go find him and catch him and strike him down!

No one goes against me in my own town”

“Send one or send ten, send one hundred men.

We’ll meet them and beat them and judge them then.”

So if you’re hungry or cold, if you curse the whole world

If you suffer injustice, see sorrow unfurled

Have no turkey, no pudding, no bells and no choir

Have not even chestnuts over the fire

Find hope in the thought that you’re not alone

Cause they’ll shield you from harm, to marrow and bone

And if you feel warm and ate more than your share

Drink chocolate in safety, love the clothes that you wear

Think of those who tremble from the winter’s cold

Fear demons and bandits, fear morality sold

It’s important for all to know and remember

There’ll always be darkness, in June or December

But this is the time to be reminded

Not by fear and anger to be blinded

Of those in the darkness that fight for the light

Fight during this day and this merry night

Fight without reward or glory or wages

Fight like Hall, for you, children of all ages

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“Big sis, is he real? Really, really real?” A girl among the group of children asked. They sat in a dimly lit room, huddled together for warmth.

“Of course he is.” A young woman smiled at her, her pale skin shining in the flickering candle light. The dark suit she wore stood in contrast to the children’s torn and dirty clothes. Some had rags tied around their feet. Bags had formed under their eyes, but they glanced around nervously, as if not daring to fall asleep.

A bit of straw lay on the hard stone floor of the cellar they had chosen as a hideout. They looked up to the young woman, but one of the boys lowered his gaze. “Nobody is out there to help. We’re alone.” He clenched his tiny fists and suppressed a sob. “Papa said they’d protect us. Mama said so too. But they’re gone now. Everyone’s gone.”

More children began to sniffle and rubbed their eyes with their stained sleeves. In the streets above them, steel clashed and magical explosions rocked the ground. The scent of burnt flesh and blood made them sick and the screams of the dying filled them with terror.

Nobody had bothered decorating the streets this year. There was no fireplace or smell of freshly baked cake in the warm house. No singers, no presents, no, not even games in the snow. This year, there were only tears.

“Don’t worry.” The woman went down to one knee and put her hand on the shivering boy. “My friend is up there. He’ll push the fighting away so you can escape. And once you’re outside the city, you’ll be safe. I’ve seen the others waiting for you.”

“Really?” The boy’s lips trembled. He seemed like he wanted to believe her, so very much.

The woman smiled once more and nodded. “If you listen closely, you can hear him even now. Hear the sound of his chains.”

The children’s ears perked up and they glanced toward the ceiling. A small window allowed them to glimpse at the full moon and a handful of snow-covered roofs. After a while, through all the fighting and death, the faint sound of bells reached them. “There it is, kids. He’s out there.”

The little girl who spoke up first pulled on the woman’s sleeve. “He’s a good guy, right?”

“Of course he is.”

“How do you know?” The boy grimaced, still unconvinced.

“Simple.” The woman chuckled. “He’s my harbinger after all.”

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With that I wish all of my readers, new and old, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I’m really grateful for your continued support and hope you’ll come back next year, because I certainly will :D