Hello all! First off some (humourous?) drabbles. Afterwards there's a (the third) rather depressing one.

The doors

Merriman pointed 5 spread out fingers at the great Doors. Nothing happened. He walked over and pushed at them. Still nothing. He rammed them with his shoulder but the force keeping them closed was far stronger than the besieging Dark. He swore, his shoulder throbbing. Not even the Lady would able to open them. He swore and again and cursed himself for not remembering to oil the ruddy hinges.

(a version of this was posted on DiR100)

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The horse

The stallion seemed to be in a playful mood. He stood on his master's foot while the man was trying to saddle him and had the satisfaction of hearing the his master swear sulphurously. He trotted away a few paces away then stopped, looking back at the tall man holding the bridle and saddle in this arms. The man sighed. It was going to be one of those days. Giving up on his horse, the Rider dumped the equipment on the ground in disgust and started Walking.

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Warning : "Forgive me" may not be suitable for youngsters.


Forgive me

A DiR "What if " ..

Will looked at Mary's happy sleep-waking face and ached that she should be in a such a place. Because of me he thought miserably, because of what I am and because she is my sister..

Immediately following this thought came a silent message from Merriman, telling him - reassuring him - that it was not his fault but that of the Light's. But this was a cold comfort. He gripped the signs on his belts and felt a burning, burning cold.

The Rider smiled his cold smile again and extended is hand. "It is time for your bargain Will Stanton. Give me the signs and we will release your sister."

Will looked again at his sister and, unbidden, Hawkin's words from earlier came into his mind. "You people are good at risking the lives of others but I do not think that Will Stanton would enjoy watching his sister die." It was true. Maybe the Old One didn't care, but the eleven year old boy did. He looked at the Black Rider and then at the swollen Thames and saw Mary's fate written clearly there if he refused to surrender the signs. She'd die - his sister- drowned, and when the body was found, it would be cold and swollen with water, her blonde hair entwined with river mud and weed and framing a lifeless white, white face. Mary would be gone by his fault. Gone forever. Would he ever have the courage to tell his parents – his mother – that her youngest had killed one of his sisters?

His heart broke, defeated. Head bowed, he unbuckled his belt and gave his precious charges to the Dark. As he did so he prayed for forgiveness and with all his heart that his sister would never know the price paid.

As always, reviews are welcome.