The Man in Black

Ó Sara Dechance (Lilith MhicAoidh)

It was a beautiful summer day. People frolicking about without a care in the world. I myself had no worries. I sauntered about catching the eyes of many mundane young men. Their expression was that of amazement. A few peasants fancied to look my way a time or two. I too looked for a sight pleasing to my eyes. Then I saw him.

He was all in black. A knight I suspected. His friends surrounded a young girl not far from where I stood. I overheard their demands.

"Young lass, you have been hog tied. To free yourself, you must kiss all of us well or one of us very well. What price shall you pay?"

They chanted their demands as the circled her. Each of them eagerly awaiting her response. She bade them to stop. She reached for the man in black. His hands that had once been her prison now caressed her sweetly.

My own mind worked feverishly on a plan to become a player in their game. I set forth to get closer and busied myself with the removal of burrs from my skirt. I saw them approach and cleverly encircle me. Then, once again, they circled and repeated their demands upon me.

Silly men. You do not realize it is I that have caught you. An unaccompanied maiden preoccupied with the burrs in my skirt! Only steps away from your last conquest. Your rules were announced to all. Could you possibly believe I could not have heard? Never the less, I have you now. Hmm. I must not be too obvious it is the man in black that I fancy.

I closed my eyes and called upon my spirits to aid in my hunt. I felt each step of him as he marched. I could feel the radiance of his reddened flesh. His pulse was a roaring din to my fragile ears. My spirits would not fail me.

"Stop, please stop now."

Anxiously I stood waiting to see the work of my spirits. There he stood. The man in black appeared before me. Excitement overwhelmed my entire being. Was this indeed a sign of our fates?

I stepped forward to earn my freedom. Our eyes locked. Reality seemed distant. He was truly magnificent. Fire burned behind his dragon like eyes. The sun was captured in his skin. His sweet breath filled my senses. His hand took mine. I trembled. His lips consumed me. I felt his passion flow through each cell of my body. Every inch of my being wanted to give into him completely.

He stepped back. I was free. Or was I? He was the one I had chosen to set me free. Instead, he captured my heart. I felt weak. I was breathless. My only indication that I still lived was the ferocious pounding of my heart.

With a glance back, the man in black and his band of ruffians traveled on. They left dozens of hapless victims in their wake. The man in black was most treacherous. Each maiden to fall into their trap chose him to set them free. Each one was stricken, as was I.

How can I let it be known to him that I can fulfill his every desire? I must gather a group and trap him at his own game. I will summon the greatest strength within myself to assure that he chooses me. I want no other woman to have him.

At that point I had set out to find my friend who had also partaken in a hog tie with the man in black. She would most certainly help me in my hunt. Her child might also be a willing accomplice.

" Dame Janice! Come! I have a request! Please, I need your hands. I want to hog tie the man in black. He has stolen my heart with just one kiss. I wish to know what he will take next! Perhaps your daughter can be the other to entrap him. Will you help?"

"I know this man which you desire. He has left us all in lust. I will help you. However, my wee child might take some convincing."

"Wee child, how would you like to play a game with your mother and myself?"

A smile and a delighted giggle confirmed her position. We were off to snare the treacherous man in black.

"Lilith! Look there! Under the oak! He’s not alone, but I suspect we may trap just him."

Yes! Yes Janice, I see him! Come quickly, while we are yet unseen!"

Slowly we crept up on opposite corners. The three of us circled him. Quite a willing quarry was he. He sat there smirking, knowing he was trapped. We circled and chanted our demands. Of course he already knew them, but he sat quietly.

I have him! I know I will be the one! He may choose 1 or all, but I know I am the one! He reached for the small child, she squealed and giggled immensely. Gently he kissed her forehead. What a gentleman. He had kissed one. Therefore, he was free.

Kissing just one was not his intent. I turned to walk away, but his hand kept me. I looked back at him. This time the smirk was on my face. Our eyes met once again. I ached for his kiss. He pulled me closer. I gave in willingly. His soft, gentle lips pressed to mine. His hand kept mine. His other arm supported my weakened frame. I held tight to him so as not to fall helplessly to the ground.

An eternity passed. Our lips parted reluctantly. Passion filled our eyes. This time it was not my heart that was taken, it was my soul.

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