Sunday, July 25, 2010

The Lonesome Death of John Obscure

For those who did not know, there was a murder in Stonegate a few weeks back. Briefly, one of Her August Majesty’s handmaids was found dead. It was soon determined she had been poisoned. The evidence pointed not only to a groom as the killer, but indicated Her Majesty, not the handmaid, was the intended victim. It was not long before the groom, John Obscure, was arrested and charged with the murder of the handmaid and the attempted murder of our Queen.

John confessed, in front of me and other witnesses, and that, along with the overwhelming evidence, left little doubt as to his guilt. He was subsequently condemned to die for his crimes. Extenuating circumstances, including a plea from his mother, led to several stays, but at last all hope faded and the day arrived. We gathered in the square at Wickford, and the crowd seemed in a festive mood. As the onlookers became restive, our Queen sent me, accompanied by a young guard named David, to fetch the prisoner.

John was at times morose, at times defiant. He protested his innocence, until I pointed out he had confessed. He claimed he had been drunk at the time, and I reminded him that the Romans, whose aqueducts and roads may still be seen, centuries after their departure, say “in vino veritas,” or, “in wine there is truth.” A wistful smile crossed his face as he asked if I thought the same held true for mead…

The back of his shirt was ripped and bloody by the time we reached our destination, I having needed to prod him with the tip of my sword in order that he not displease Her Majesty by tarrying. We arrived in the square and he was placed in the stocks as Allure spoke with him on last time.

It is said that in the moment of death the condemned’s life passes before his eyes. I cannot speak for his life, but here is a sampling of his last few minutes:

A villager takes a bite of melon from her picnic as executions always make her hungry.
A Lady smiles and greets another Lady
A princess closes her eyes, her body shivering at the thought, not wanting to watch
A Lady stands back, not wanting any blood on my dress
A Lady covers her mouth with her hand
A Lady starts to feel a bit woozy
A princess whispers to a Lady," So what’s going on?"
A villager looks away
Allure Somme looks at John, then gives him a wicked smirk, and then slowly raises her right hand high in the air.
John Obscure locks eyes with the Queen and gives a sweet knowing smile
Lord Albion says, “by your command, Highness”
A Lady grabs another Lady's hand to help balance and support her.
A Lady: whispers: thank you
Allure Somme sighs then looks at Zeb and briskly snaps her thumb down.
Lord Albion pulls the block loose, allowing the blade to fall
A Lady turns her head as the blade drops, unable to watch
A princess squeezes eyes shut tight, sticking fingers in her ears
A princess gasps as the man dies
A Lady stands close with her Queen
A princess gasps, a hand shooting across her opened mouth!
A Lady hears the blade cut through the neck and gasps
A princess cries: “oooo!”
A princess gasps
A Lady cheers
A groom stands, watching all the blood
A Lady swallows hard
A Lady shudders, the condemned's man's final words echoing in her mind
Allure Somme: “Its done, finally my maid can rest.”
A princess closes her eyes and sheds a tear

And so, in no more time than passes between heartbeats, passed a man, a mother’s son, perhaps a brother, perhaps a father, but in the end a traitor to his Queen. Let all who contemplate such treachery look upon the bloodstained platform in the Wickford Marketplace and imagine themselves kneeling as the blade comes whistling down.

~ Baron Albion

(Actual transcript of the event, all names omitted but Allure, myself and the condemned)

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