The One – Song 9: Darkness Rising, Segment 5

Originally published December 30, 2019...

After an interlude of Dragon Dreaming at the end of the previous segment, the MC “jolts out of sheltering warmth.” Hertwig remains engaged and concerned. The visit with Hertwig ends early in this segment, and the MC re-engages Skitch and Mim who wait like vultures outside Hertwig’s residence. Along with these two, our canine player, O’Gill, takes a larger part in the story, and adds non-human interest. More about him soon, as he joins the adventure.

In this segment, the MC tells another lie. It is up to you to judge whether this action is appropriate. In contrast, the MC also experiences remorse and shame. This contradictory set of actions makes for deep learning about how to “be” in the world. 

In addition, magic is afoot. Dragon presence foretells what is to come. Hertwig, himself, carries an air of fantastic intuition and eerie prescience. Everything feels poised, balancing on the end of a spear. The foundation for what’s coming next is laid.

 

 . . . I jolt out of sheltering warmth and fall

    away from dark wings and into pale light

    and there is Hertwig’s face up close to mine

            eyes full of sadness from some ancient place

    He, too, knows the illusion of safety

            all too well and hopes to help and shield me

    He knows the ploy I was sent to engage

            but also sees the truth risen in time

                    that I cannot steal what is not given

                    or take away what is already mine

“Go away now,” he says gently stretching

            a crippled hand to enfold my shoulder

“Come back tomorrow, and please bring O’Gill

Your acquaintances think to track me now

           but I know their intentions, and now yours”

“No! I could never steal from you Hertwig!”

“Not now, but short hours ago, you would have”

My face swells with shame to think of before

How weak I am and so prone to pressures

            of Skitch, and my own niggling, horrid needs

“Don’t worry. All’s pardoned, as you will see

            from the wild Dragon I have gifted you.”

Hearing this, my chin falls, shamed, to my chest 

                                                

“Please do return tomorrow as today

His kind tone eases my apprehension

            and bring the lovely O’Gill with you, too

            I have a good feeling that together

                        we three will have some luck finding your boat”

“Yes, I will come tomorrow with O’Gill          

            Thank you for the gift – the food – everything”

“Tsk. Tsk. No need to thank me – I am pleased

            to ease your path. Where I can, I will”

I turn to leave, Dragon in hand, safe and still

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I march down the darkened stairway, then stop

            taking in I’ve no clue how to get back

            but I see there’s no worry about that

                        as at the exit, loiter Skitch and Mim

                        out in the glowering twilight waiting

“Well, what did you get?” Skitch all but drooling

“Nothing really,” I lie again, and well

            Just bread and cheese and a short look inside”

“Good enough for just one day,” Mim chortles

            “We told you that you are the perfect con

                        with your lost-child looks and waifish manner”

They start to walk away, and I follow

            saying, “He wants me to come tomorrow”

“Perfect,” Skitch sniggers and saunters faster

“I want to bring O’Gill. He’s fond of dogs”

“Sure. Sure,” says Mim without hesitation

And with that, we make our way through the town

            Seagrace safe with me, no note from her throat

                        just lying secret, breathing and burning

                        as high streetlamps twinkle on gold and blue

At night, predictably, I dream Dragons

            nine of them including my sixth of nine

They do not frighten me circling above

            with the setting sun, nine to one again

Having risen early, but not so soon

            as O’Gill who stands alert at the door

            as if he knows today’s next adventure

The other three remain asleep, snoring

            as O’Gill and I slip out on our own

I am wonder-seized at an arousal

            that I do not comprehend, but O’Gill

                        prances, picks up his pace as we arrive

                        at the harbor streets and find the tavern

Doors are locked and no lamps glimmer inside

I do not know my way to Hertwig’s place

With that fact, I decide to turn toward fun:

            walking a dog at the day’s beginning

            and O’Gill trots, most certainly agreed

I let him lead and he follows his nose

            down to the shoreline where boats ride the swells

O’Gill’s nose scents dead fish, but I am wrong

            I follow him tracking some pungent trail

As O’Gill minds his doggish route, my thoughts

            wander to Hertwig who surely sleeps now

                        with green velvet and treasures around him

I’m sad about my purpose to rob him

            of his wealth, and now I’m feeling remorse

                        shamed at his gentle generosity

I cringe and feel guilty for accepting

            his kindness in the face of the planned con

            and now, Seagrace is mine, or I am hers

She lies wary in my pocket, judging

            me and my dishonorable doings

O’Gill trots faster – remaining on scent

I keep up, but barely, and I’m panting

O’Gill looks at me over his shoulder

            whimpers as if to say, “Can’t you smell it?”

I get lost in his enthusiasm

            wondering what drives his wakened urgency 

He guides us out onto a fingered pier

            out along the sea’s edge pressing forward

            passing tall ships and lean ships, all tied up

Few men on decks coil ropes and clean winches

            making ready to sail whenever winds

            favor bellowing canvas like sweet breath

O’Gill strains at his leash over the pier edge

            staring into the water, twitching his nose

I’m afraid we both will tumble headfirst

            into the sea, but he holds fast to the pier

I grasp his collar, hold him back, and look 

            over the edge – there, tied to a piling

                        Amazed! There’s my red boat, looking unchanged 

                        with sail folded and bound, reminding me 

                                    of Hart and our short journey together

I can’t reach her while struggling with O’Gill

            who seems to want to board her by flying

A ladder extends from pier to water

It’s boat or O’Gill, and I choose the dog

            because the boat will wait, while O’Gill won’t

I sit, legs dangling over the sharp edge

                        I’m still holding O’Gill, stroking his chest

                        and scratching his ears, cooing, “Good boy.”

He slackens his pulling, relaxing now

            lying down, panting gently at my side

Together, we gaze out to the east where 

            red, burgeoning sun rises up pristine

I stay long in this light realizing

            what this means – we can leave now – any time

            but I remember why, by chance, I’m here

Twice told: I have found my boat with the help 

            of O’Gill, and I must visit Hertwig

No sooner do I recall his kindness

            than the man himself totters down the pier

When he’s still a way off, he shouts, “Good day!”

“So, he found her!” He means O’Gill’s shrewd snout

We rise up to greet him, all smiles and wags

“Yes, but how did you . . . but how could you know . . .

            that we and it would be on this one pier

“Is that not why I said, ‘bring the good dog’?”

Hertwig smirks and chuckles, feigns a glance over

            pier edge where Hart is tied, as if he knew

                        not what might be there, but of course, he does

“Go down and have a look. I’ll hold the dog.

“Yes. Thanks. I will,” I hand O’Gill’s leash to him

“But how did you know?” I ask scuttling down

            the ladder, coiling the line, and board her

“I didn’t know she was here, and I looked.

            So, how could you possibly know all this?”

“Oh, I have my ways,” he says impishly

“It’s all still here,” I shout back up to him

            “But wait, there’s more here than I left behind

            It’s like something magical happened here”

“I told you about all that yesterday. 

            It is true magic that the Dragon brings”  

I am skeptical except when I search 

            the storage box, I find jerky, hard tack, 

            candies, oats, sugar, flour, salt, and much more

“Where did all this come from!?” I ask smiling

I scoot up the ladder, beaming, and bend

            to ruffle O’Gill’s ears while Hertwig laughs

“Say someone wants the pleasure of helping

            to weigh your anchor and sail toward those stars

                        you believe are out there waiting for you.”

I can’t help myself as I throw my arms

            around Hertwig’s middle as O’Gill jumps up

                        to get in on the excitement and pats

“You did all this!?” I demand and back off

            to see him grinning, so pleased with himself

He is positively glowing with pride

“But did O’Gill actually find her?” I ask

“Just some drops of meat juice from the tavern

            to the boat,” he explains. But the boat, well,

            that’s another story for another time                            

“Now it’s time for O’Gill’s reward,” he says

            pulling a meaty bone from a red bag

            that has just mysteriously appeared

He takes a knee and presents the treasure

            to O’Gill whose tail wags furiously

“How can I ever thank you?” I ask him

“Never think of robbing me again, please!”

My face flames red and I hang my head low

“I am so sorry. I lost myself with those three”

“So easily as that?” Hertwig probes me

“I think I’ve learned my lesson,” I offer

“And what would that be?” He’s unrelenting

“Stick to the compass that points the right way”

“Not bad, but you can go deeper,” he tests

I pause and consider what I know now

O’Gill munches happily on his bone

I see the answer is standing right here

            in the form of this old and ugly man

                        grown suddenly pleasing, truly handsome

“Trust the good inside.” I say, hugely humbled

“Much better and not bad for a youngster

            You know we wander this long course alone

            Thus, I have heard many times from good sources

            Still, life can be lovely at its beginning

                        in its middle and at its ending, too

            Life is short, limited and quick to pass

            Live like your hair is on fire – no less

            When we draw back the veil from the world

                        listen with the ear of your truth-telling heart

                        the better path always reveals itself

            You can feel this in your bones and sinews

            This is what follows like a white shadow

                        a path that others envy but can’t see

            This is what frees us from the great bondage 

                        of regret and rids us of sorrow, too”

            All is quiet now except the muffled harbor sounds

                        ascending into this day of departure

I am humbled, yes, and hope that shows him 

            the gratitude I can’t find words to say 

            for all the gifts given in just one day

This makes me hesitate, wanting to stay

            with this teacher who may just be the one

                        but I know I must launch myself headlong

                        and the call of the distant sea is strong

                                    the top of my head feels the fiery burn

                                    and I know I must go, if only to return

Background:

This segment is a story of honesty ad betrayal, intended harm and intended aid, and if you will, good and evil. This segment also reaches a choice point wherein the MC has the freedom to stay in the current situation, or to leave, once again into unknown territory. Isn’t it true that we all face such choices periodically? Stay where we are, or head for the hills? Deal with the people in our lives or leave them behind? Depart from loved ones, settled situations, and/or material support? The choice point here involves serious thought and consideration of the blank space that is the future. Perhaps most important, is the character of Hertwig who represents, perhaps, the first warm and welcoming presence in the MC’s life to date. Will experiences allow a long-term bond to form. The end of the segment answers that question in a double path.

Exploration 1: What is the “illusion of safety” referred to at the beginning of this segment? Is it a condition of existence? Is it a false concept?

Exploration 2: Why does Hertwig help the MC? What does he expect in return?

Exploration 3: Do you think the MC will return to this city in the future?