Part 2

Another scare had cast its stare

Once we had turned away.

The pale man’s eyes made shivers rise

As he went on to say:

 

‘It seems to me by how you move,

You’re new within this inn;

You’re new to hear the darkened walls

Resound with fear and sin,

 

And new to smell the gloomy air

Of punches, ales, and rum.

So say your names, if you don’t mind,

And where you two are from.’

 

We scanned the room of gruesome gloom,

And then looked at the man.

We took in air to calm our scare,

And then my friend began:

 

‘My name is Trent, and I’m who went

With James here to the mill

As daring sleuths to find the truths

Behind the tales of Hill.

 

We both are from Ekmillistrom-

A village near the moor

Where Mr. Hill had lived until

Cruel Death had cast its lure.

 

Now, if I may, without delay

We’d like some answers, too.

And so to close I’d like to pose

The very same to you.’

 

‘Then pose away, I wouldn’t mind.

I’ll say my home and name.

I must inform you, though, my tale

Is rather filled with shame.

 

But, first, your tale intrigued me when

I heard it from a friend

Soon after all the news had spread

That Hill had met his end.

 

Appalled I was to hear that tale,

And how such lies were told,

Discovering much more about

How hearts can be so cold.

 

You both had set your village straight,

And did before too late.

You taught your village how to love,

And not to fear and hate.

 

Now, as for me, my home is Tohr:

A town of melodies.

And though I’m quite the music man,

I’ve never been at ease.

 

My name is known by very few,

And cursed now by the Heavens.

My name has seldom stirred the air,

My name is Colin Devans.

 

I’m one who once had lost it all,

But that’s now half my dread.

For then the Devil came to me,

And said he’d raise my dead.

 

And that he did, but still I fear

The last of what he said.

For after three and thirteen years,

It’s I who will be dead.’

 

‘My word, what flummery you make!

Why do you scare these two?

There merely lads, for goodness sake,

So tell them what be true!’

-EDP