The Game

The mist seeped through the woods, blanketing the earth. Dew danced and shone on the leaves and branches,like emeralds in the firelight, only to spill themselves upon the soft, moist earth. All was quiet outside the small cabin, the creatures of the day still nestled in the warmth of sleep. Whilst those of the night wandered off to safe havens. Yet in the cabin burned a single candle, feebly chasing the shadows of the room, desperately tyring to keep vigil over the young woman and her babe. "Tis almost dawn my little one." the woman whispered, more to herself than the sleeping child. For it has been many days since her love had departed and he was overdue at home. The wax dripped upon the table, spreading like blood from a wound. The woman would nay look at it for she remembered the words spoken to her the day her husband left. A strange, yet beautiful, woman appeared at the door shortly after her love departed, bearing only the those words and the candle. "Light this candle mortal one for the wick be life or death." With that the stranger departed only to disappear in the mist like a fleeting shadow of the eye. The woman looked at the candle thinking," if I nay light this candle, a life might be spared. Tis could be mine loves life I spare." So she sat it upon the table and thought no more of it for it chilled her to the bone. That night as she prepared to retire, the candle burst into flame and there began its decay. For three days now it has burned, for three days she has sat with her child, praying every noise she heard was her love returning. But alas, this morn all hope has withered and she sits still in mourning for her lost love. At the same momment, the man, weary and hungered, made his way through the forest he once knew so well. His thoughts of his wife and child spinning in his head only to be interrupted by yet another wrong turn. Desperately he strove on through the thick mist and when he felt as if he could not take another step, he saw a flicker of light in a clearing ahead. Hope flooded his veins burning hotter than his aching muscles, and he ran to the edge of the clearing thinking he had found his home. Only he came upon two figures, one a woman, more beautiful than a sunset, with long flowing hair and who shone with bright radiance. The other, a bent and twisted form, black as night. This "man" with knarled bones reached for what looked like dice and with a flick of his wrist, he layed them out. For a momment, all was silent, then the woman cried out, "Tis done, tis done. I've won, I've won!" said Life in Death. And with that arose and made her way into the forest. The hunched figure slowly raised himself up and looking towards the man, shot him a wistful look. "One out of three ain't bad." he said, then disappeared into the mist. The man stood perplexed, forgeting his wife and child but for a momment. Then as quickly as the figures had left, the mist peeled back letting the morning sun in. He saw that he was but a stones throw from his home and with a joyful heart, ran to the door. He threw open the door to find his beloved sitting at the table, child in arm. "My love, I have returned!" And when she did not reply, he saw the cndle flicker breifly, then die. For hope had kept the candle burning and when she gave up, it died and so did she. It was only his love and hope that kept him alive. Or, was it chance and a throw of the dice?