To the Winged Rings
A place where even pigs sing
Mainly because they don't know anybetter
As clouds begin crying with ill weather
By the time we make it to the door
We're soaked to the bone by thedownpour
Stepping inside, the hustle and bustle
The poor souls dragging their knuckles
No magic in their blood
So they can't even perceive
The magical creatures
By which they're deceived
To them it simply might as well be
Their friendly neighborhood speakeasy
Just regular Joes running the show
But they're actually goblins
And the poor saps don't even know
Business as good as it's ever been
As he drains the life force ofthey and them
He then sells it all to thehighest bidder
He's filthystinking rich, but he's no quitter
It's not the moneythat gives him his kick
It's the power, thethrill... the act of getting rich
We walk up to the bar
The bartender speaks
Her voice rough & hard
As at the tail end peaks
“Far from home.
This ain't no place for kids.”
A tall, petite goblin woman
If it weren't for her face she'd bebeautiful
A crooked nose and gangly teeth
Green skin as her odor seethes
My mana is strong so I get the fullestof clear pictures
Down to her life's story
And her identical twin sisters
At her stench my stomach pits
“I'm here to see Vito.” Isay
Instantly, her emotions spiral into afit
“Excuse me?!” She snaps
“You will address the Don withrespect.
Unless you'd rather bleed in excess.”
“Fine,” I reply “DonVito. Where is he?”
She looks to the left and gives a nod
Signaling the bouncer to hit me hard
Large like a troll
In a leather jacket, old
The instant he's on his feet
I let loose as at the pressure
The walls creak
My mana emitting from my eyes
Makes him freeze as he dies inside
“I'm only gonna ask one moretime.”
As the wood begins splitting down theline
“Where's the Don?”
My tone heavy – My presenceheavier
My glare bearing down, heavy on her
“Margret.” Sounds a voicefrom the back
As contrasting against the light
His shadow's black
Four feet tall with long pointed ears
Skin colored green
And fangs designed to shred and sheer
“This young man's an esteemedguest.
You will treat him as such
With due respect.”
Don Vito Goblione – Head of theGoblin Mafia
All over the world – No one'sreputation is larger
Than that of Jack Frost & The GobFather
“Nathan, to what do I owe thisunexpected visit?
Where's your teacher?”
My heart aches as his question hits
“Gone.” I say, my tone dry
“She finally kicked the bucket?”
He gives a twisted smirk
“I don't know whether or not Ishould cry.”
“No, Vito.” I reply
Swallowing the disrespect
“I mean that I don't know whereshe is.
I need a room for the night for me andthe kid.”
Vito looks at the boy with eyes ofgreed
“This boy, Nathan.
Might I ask where ever did you findhim?”
My verbal rebuttal nails him on thechin
“That's none of your concernVito.”
“If you can't tell me that much,”The Goblin begins to hiss
“Then tell me why I should giveyou a room?”
Retaliating with a kidney shot
He thinks he's got me caught
“Because dear Vito,” Ireact unphased
“It's time to pay up. Your debtis great.
I can knock off a portion.
All you have to do
Is give me a shower, a bed, and a room.
It's better than continuing to owe Jackher due.
For just a day, what do you say?”
A scowl on his face
He knows that he's lost
I see his wheels turning
Weighing the cost
“One day.” He says forcinga smile
“Make yourself comfortable for awhile.”
“Thank you Gob.” I give anod
As he stomps away with his stubbylittle bod
“When you see your teacher,”He adds one last thing
“Tell her she still owes a visitto the rings.”
“I'll do that.” I reply
As a goblin leads us up the stairs
A stench, fowl, lingers on the air
The smell of greed and backstabbers
There's something Vito liked –Something he's now after
I'll need to be on guard
As the dynamics have shifted
Old alliances can no longer be lifted
To a place of trust or even honor
Trust too easily & we'll be goners
As we settle into the room
And lay down in bed
Leo's voice echoes in my head
“Your friend is nice to let usstay here.
But why did he look at me like that?”
He asks, his voice echoing fear
Whatever The Toll is...
Am I really prepared to protect him?
As we both fall asleep
Eyes heavy and dim
Tomorrow, I'll need to come up with aplan
Whatever it takes
I need to do what I can
I gave his father my word, my bond
And that will stay with me, foreverlong
Trial12: Setup
As I rest in the realm of dreams
There are glowing red eyes
That, at me, beam
From a face shrouded in shadows dark
He says
“You will be forced to fulfillyour part.
The contract was not kept.
Yet another broken promise from Seersinept.
I will take what is mine,
What I'm owed
And you will suffer beyond time.
This gate will not hold me forever.
You will suffer better together.”
Then an image flashes before me
A group of people screaming
And mourning
Flashes of pain, tortured souls
Women and children
What the hell is this world?
“Take a good look.” Thevoice presses on
This is where you too belong.”
One last flash, my heart racing
As I see what they're all facing
A massive gate
Guarded by a beast
My body urging to make the leap
Over the souls tormented and burned
The gate calls to me as my heart yearns
I suddenly wake with hallowed breath
I wipe my face now covered in sweat
I look beside me where Leo should be
My body now further panicking
“Leo?” I call
Scrambling out of bed
Rushing downstairs, pulling a shirtover my head
“Leo?!” I call searchingevery room that I pass
Reaching the first floor bar at last
Suddenly, the stench of greed saturatesthe air
Vito...
He betrayed me and everything that Icared
I rush out the door
Out onto the street
At a sidewalk table
Leo & Vito eat
I rushed to judgment
My panic now subsiding
Forcing a smile I say
“So, this is where you werehiding.”
“Hi, Nate!” Leo callsthrough a mouth full of food
“You gotta try this!
Mr. Vito makes great pancakes.
They're really smooth!”
“The secret's years of training.”Vito gives a fang filled grin
“It also helps that I know how toread people.
I know what they like.”
He looks at me alerting me that heknows
“Especially impetuous young men.”
My pulse quickening
“Leo,” I say “Go backup to the room.”
“Aw why?” The boy saystaking another bite of food
“I need to talk to Mr. Vitoalone.”
“Ok, fine.” He groans
Then he heads back up the stairs
Finally alone, “You really
