Part IV: The Princess of Ugal

(Day 22 of 3rd moon. Year 198)

"It's nights like these that stir the mind and cause the will to wane.
"The wind whips whispers on the air which bring both fear and pain.
"And like a god I ride the gale, and like a god my life is stale,
"And so both wine and pleasure time combine to form this fleeting jail.
"Darkness, hear these my cries for peace, for Day does not respond.
"And Rain, you are my one release, like magic in a wand.
"The stars still hide amid the clouds, my thoughts reside within the shrouds,
"I waste away much like today, and now, alone, am free of crowds.
"Oh Night bring forth a maiden fair, a reason castle held,
"For in the day this perfect bay is all but quite dispelled.
"I own the world, or much of it. Beside an empty throne I sit.
"I wish to share my glory there, for single men are like a pit."

(Day 23 of 3rd moon. Year 198)

Awake. Bright cheery day enters from the gate,
And so the shadows of the night all but dissipate.
Forgotten are the weary words, muffled now by dreams.
The sun is playing music upon the flowing streams.
Gaiety and song of birds is all that's to be heard,
And yet the soul does not take flight, for it is not a bird.
'Flight ignites a dreamer's dream that earth can not ignite,
'And so the want of womenfolk belongs but to the night.'
Eight and twenty riders the courtyard now did join.
'Of what be there intention? Be war, or help, or coin?
'Doubtless they are strangers, come from a distant Keep.
'But who could be that beauty? She makes me want to weep.
'Careful, lad, she could be false. We men will never learn,
'For women hold a tempting thing for which our hearts do burn.'
Beside him sat an empty throne when they did meet that morn.
She smiled as she looked on him. His heart from him was torn.
And thus the Princess of Ugal began her stay with him.
Who knew the future for them both could be so bleak and grim?

"I wish no thing than just to bring good tidings now to thee.
"My father's land is vast and grand, and I a share to see.
"My brother here is kind and dear, and so we ask for peace,
"For you maintain a hefty claim in land and gold and fleece.
"Our father ill, dare we wait till he passes from our sight?
"And so we ask that we may bask within your friendly light.
"What gifts of gold or treasure old have we to so bestow?
"Just virgin youth and certain truth I'm all you need to know.
"We come to bind a pact here signed, thus joining us to you.
"The choice is yours: Open your doors, or do what you will do."

"Fair One, your words are eloquent, your voice so soft and sweet,
"And yet I fear inside myself you do intend deceit.
"For come you do, as if alone. The morning dew still grasses' throne.
"A fool I'd be to not now see you are but throwing me a bone.
"You offer much within yourself, yet still I hesitate.
"For pacts so formed in hastiness do tend to dissipate.
"And what of me do you pursue so that you seek me as you do?
"What motivates? Who instigates? I say your years are far too few."

"You do perceive as weaver's weave: Correctly, without thought.
"My king, know this: My precious kiss can not be sold or bought.
"I would not for much gold or more give up my one prized jewel.
"Young I may be, but you can see, I am no earthly fool.
"No, no one bade by coin or blade that I to you should cleave.
"And so please know, I will not go, nor could you bid me leave.
"If I must wait as poisoned bait, one day to be thrown out,
"Then that I will, and longer still, until you've no more doubt.
" 'Tis love, my king, that I here bring, and love until I die.
"And if it's true one's false to you, you'll know it wasn't I."

Now one pauses, questions rise. Strange turns unfold as veils.
'What exactly is your zeal? Beauty before her pales.
'And so I sit and think of her, and not her prod or goad.
'So lost am I within her eye, I feel much like a toad.'
No time was wasted to decide, and so the two were wed.
On top of everything that day they also took to bed.
Perhaps 'twas rushed. Perhaps unwise. Perchance it was zany.
Queen from girl in recklessness is how she came to be.
Rife with thoughts of happiness the two did sleep and yawn.
Such was so that first long night, but not for Prince of brawn.
Too much was lost; he couldn't find a way to now expel
Untold griefs and grievances that thrust him into hell.
Virtue was lost. Virgin no more nor less since they were wed.
Whirling thoughts so stole his sleep to commandeer his head.

(Day 5 of 4th moon. Year 198)

"Your husband, yes?
"Now can you guess
"Why we are met here?
"I can not bear
"To not still care.
"You are yet my dear.
"Please hear my plea:
"I do love thee.
"How can we be near?
"I love you so.
"This pain does grow.
"Love is like a spear."

"You know I do still treasure you as brother and as friend.
"But your outcry must simply die, our marriage must now end.
"Brother you are and I the star that gains us back our right.
"So bear with me and you will see my love for you is bright.
"It's not for him I play his whim, but you, for you I do.
"I love you still, and husband will the future name to you.
"But for this time this pantomime must hold as if it's real.
"But your caress will mean no less once castle back we steal."

"Why not this day?
"He had his way;
"Now let's take our own.
"Your whoring done.
"He had his fun.
"Let me change the tone."

"My brother, no. That will not flow. Too soon they will not buy.
"We wait in peace. For now we lease. But then, in time, he'll die.
"And then, in grief, just like a leaf, I'll sadly take command.
"And then my dear this pain and fear will fade into our land."

"You know not love,
"You white wing'd dove,
"Thus I take my leave.
"My lonely nights
"No more with rights
"Cause us now to cleave."

On heal he turns.
The one who yearns
Will find a way to fill
The things he lacks
Like grain in sacks
If even he must kill.

(Day 23 of 4th. Year 198)

Two weeks had past
And now at last
She stood within his room.
His bed was cold.
His meal was old.
Just candlewick and gloom.
He'd really left.
He was bereft,
But she could not believe
He'd run away
And wouldn't stay
Until he had reprieve.
How dare he go?
She'd like to know;
His mother, sister, wife.
He followed her.
He worshiped her!
She was his all, his life.
So all alone
And fin'lly grown
He'd truly shaken free.
Yet bitterly
She thought: 'He
'Owes everything to me.'
Yet conscience stab,
Like sword or jab,
Her self-made thought gave way.
"Oh gods," she sank
To wooden plank,
"Oh gods, he did not stay!"
So in that room
Her honeymoon,
The plot to take back all,
Ended in grief
Without relief
For the Princess of Ugal.