The song Empty Chairs at Empty Tables comes from the musical Les Misérables by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg with English lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. When I read Night's Darkness' very moving piece Soldiers, I immediately thought of this song and wanted to write a story based on it. Somehow I ended up with The Dream of a Summer's Day and a new, valued friend instead. However, when it came to the story, Dad always said, "If at first you don't succeed . . ."

Miserable

There's a grief that can't be spoken

There's a pain goes on and on

Earlier he had brought the crystal vial containing her blood to the Wall of Heroes. "Talas, Beloved," he whispered.

Later he had traced the already weathering name with trembling fingers. "Big Brother," he whispered.

Empty chairs at empty tables

Now my friends are dead and gone.

The bottle was empty. The barkeep had shouted, "Last call!"

Oh my friends, my friends, forgive me

That I live and you are gone

He trudged out into the snowy night to rejoin his ship.

The lonely barricade at dawn.