In the dead of the night
In the middle of the day,
Two dead boys went out to play.
They faced each other with their backs together,
Drew their swords and shot each other.
A deaf policeman hearing the noise,
Went out to quiet the two dead boys.
In the dead of the night Count Talomar Longden sat at his desk in the darkened study, quill in one hand and a cigar in the other. A single lit candle on his desk reflected red and yellow off the half-empty glass of port wine that was set slightly off to his right. He looked to be in no hurry as he slowly dipped the quill into the ink well and wrote in his journal.
-----
Rhy?Din, February 9th
In six weeks my dear wife and I will celebrate our first wedding anniversary ? if, of course, we are still married. As I think back over this year I am astonished by the frequency of our marital highs and lows; and perhaps if the ?highs? had not been so good, the lows would not now be so painful.
There can be no doubt of my love for Tara. It has permitted me to put up with the most insane year of my life and to come through it all smiling, for I find her idiosyncrasies to be a spice that flavors all the rest of my dull existence in this pitiful, mixed up land where I have chosen to seek refuge for a century or two. She has provided me with two beautiful sons that any man would be proud of. She has faithfully shared my bed and all that I have, and has brought me a joy that is far greater than I deserve.
Could such a love as we?ve shared bloom with such glory throughout the night only to fade and die with the arrival of the morning sun? Until recently I would have vehemently denied the possibility; yet, now, I fear I am an unwilling observer, a captured spectator watching the painful fading of that once glorious flower, helpless to do anything to save it, condemned to be little more than a witness of its death.
The election is over. I must admit that I found no little amusement in the quest for the glory, but at the same time being totally relieved in not actually grasping the goal. I had thought this would be something that would have given Tara and I a common purpose, not too dissimilar to when we intended to collar the entire population. However, I was wrong. She found more interest in a silly, vulgar pirate then in ruling the land ? which, by the way, is what I had intended to accomplish through the office. I?m surprised the Helston lady has not adopted the same objective ? or, perhaps she has. We shall see.
S.E.C.T.O.R. is thriving, and for that I?m thankful. The General Jimar Sinarath on Ares II is doing his job quite with admirable proficiency, as is Gaida here on Rhy?Din. Nevertheless, I think I?m to take a more active role once again. Our trade lanes currently comprise 239 planets and I?d like see it reach 300 by year?s end. I?ve sent Colonel Wil Savage to several space stations to see how S.E.C.T.O.R. might exert its influence, and it may be time for ?Longden?s Space Pirates? to once again turn their attention to this section of the galaxy?s Quadrant. There are people to damage, planets to destroy and wealth to be made.
And all this brings me back to my beloved Tara. Valentine?s Day is approaching. Of all the mortal celebrations, this is perhaps the most ridiculous. Why these people need a reason to be affectionate with one another is beyond me. Be that as it may, I shall obtain for my love the most wonderful sampling of dark chocolate delights that have ever been amassed on this side of the galaxy.
I think she?ll enjoy that.
----
The Count closed the Journal, leaned back and picked up his port.
His lips bore no smile.
In the middle of the day,
Two dead boys went out to play.
They faced each other with their backs together,
Drew their swords and shot each other.
A deaf policeman hearing the noise,
Went out to quiet the two dead boys.
In the dead of the night Count Talomar Longden sat at his desk in the darkened study, quill in one hand and a cigar in the other. A single lit candle on his desk reflected red and yellow off the half-empty glass of port wine that was set slightly off to his right. He looked to be in no hurry as he slowly dipped the quill into the ink well and wrote in his journal.
-----
Rhy?Din, February 9th
In six weeks my dear wife and I will celebrate our first wedding anniversary ? if, of course, we are still married. As I think back over this year I am astonished by the frequency of our marital highs and lows; and perhaps if the ?highs? had not been so good, the lows would not now be so painful.
There can be no doubt of my love for Tara. It has permitted me to put up with the most insane year of my life and to come through it all smiling, for I find her idiosyncrasies to be a spice that flavors all the rest of my dull existence in this pitiful, mixed up land where I have chosen to seek refuge for a century or two. She has provided me with two beautiful sons that any man would be proud of. She has faithfully shared my bed and all that I have, and has brought me a joy that is far greater than I deserve.
Could such a love as we?ve shared bloom with such glory throughout the night only to fade and die with the arrival of the morning sun? Until recently I would have vehemently denied the possibility; yet, now, I fear I am an unwilling observer, a captured spectator watching the painful fading of that once glorious flower, helpless to do anything to save it, condemned to be little more than a witness of its death.
The election is over. I must admit that I found no little amusement in the quest for the glory, but at the same time being totally relieved in not actually grasping the goal. I had thought this would be something that would have given Tara and I a common purpose, not too dissimilar to when we intended to collar the entire population. However, I was wrong. She found more interest in a silly, vulgar pirate then in ruling the land ? which, by the way, is what I had intended to accomplish through the office. I?m surprised the Helston lady has not adopted the same objective ? or, perhaps she has. We shall see.
S.E.C.T.O.R. is thriving, and for that I?m thankful. The General Jimar Sinarath on Ares II is doing his job quite with admirable proficiency, as is Gaida here on Rhy?Din. Nevertheless, I think I?m to take a more active role once again. Our trade lanes currently comprise 239 planets and I?d like see it reach 300 by year?s end. I?ve sent Colonel Wil Savage to several space stations to see how S.E.C.T.O.R. might exert its influence, and it may be time for ?Longden?s Space Pirates? to once again turn their attention to this section of the galaxy?s Quadrant. There are people to damage, planets to destroy and wealth to be made.
And all this brings me back to my beloved Tara. Valentine?s Day is approaching. Of all the mortal celebrations, this is perhaps the most ridiculous. Why these people need a reason to be affectionate with one another is beyond me. Be that as it may, I shall obtain for my love the most wonderful sampling of dark chocolate delights that have ever been amassed on this side of the galaxy.
I think she?ll enjoy that.
----
The Count closed the Journal, leaned back and picked up his port.
His lips bore no smile.