The King's Banquet 3/3

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He saw it then, rising tall in the distance. It was impossible to miss; a magnificent castle walling off the far horizon, its stones glowing ruby in the setting light. Stately towers seemed to uphold the sky itself. As he got closer he noticed the kingdom's emblem flying from a dozen different pennants: a key and sword crossed over the sun.

The King's Banquet 2/3

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His first inclination was to make his way as quickly he could to the throne room. If what Sir Ephraim had said was true, the King accepted visitors at all times. Yet as anxious as he was to meet the King, a number of things held him back.

The King's Banquet 1/3

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In a far off land there was a wealthy and prosperous kingdom. The King served his people well, offering them the very best life within his walls that he could. He ensured their safety, provided food and shelter, and made laws that were fair and just. The King loved his people dearly. In return, he only asked that they befriend him, visiting his palace from time to time.

Closing Time

It's been a month now since I met him, the person who changed my life forever. And when I say that, I really think I mean forever. As far as I can see, there's no going back on this relationship. He promises me that he'll never leave me, that his love for me is eternal. I've been wrong before, but boy, I hope this is true. I suppose I'm getting ahead of myself.

Checkers

The man’s fingers trembled as he held the cold cylinder to his temple. It had to be now. There was nothing left, here, at the end. Beads of sweat skittered down his forehead. His breath came shallow and rapid. Funny, how all the times he’d considered the unspeakable, he’d thought it would be easier; emotionless. Despair had drained away his feelings in the preceding months, yet now, in the end, they returned. Every suppressed fear, every joy denied the chance to bloom; they exploded in his head like a series of bombs. It hardly mattered. He had no other options, no escape. When you reached the end of your rope, all you had left was to hang. His finger tightened.

Coffee with Stan

I wiped a hand across my face as I put down the pen. I’d been at work on the coming Sunday’s sermon for two hours. Though it was only Thursday, I had made a long-term commitment to finish writing my sermons by Friday. This gave them time to marinate for a few days, allowing the message to sink into my mind. It also ensured a much less stressful weekend and provided time to spend with my family. Momentarily however, I was at a wall. The words wouldn’t appear on the page no matter how hard I stared at it. I decided it was time for a stretch.

Steam

The water that swirled down the drain was streaked with red. Randi watched it carry her pain away. Flowing from secret wounds, blood coursed down her body to the shower floor. There it ran in small scarlet rivers that turned pink in the water. And then it disappeared.

She showered every night before going to bed. It was where she found hidden relief; where blood flowed from cuts that no one could see. The steaming water poured over Randi and washed away the hurt.