Murmur of the ghost

Helios sprawled casually on his chariot and gave the horses a final lash, steering them toward the stables hidden from human eyes in the heavens. The last rays of the sun, as if escaping from the mouth of a dragon, reflected a red-yellow stripe on the horizon. But few people recalled this god of light, or Zeus during a thunderstorm. Even about Dionysus at the lavish feast, no one said a word. The time of the pagan deities and their child heroes has passed. 

“Today I caught a devil-witch!” — could now be heard at the round table, while the other knights were vying to tell the king about their deeds. “Fairy... A forest monster”... brave voices were heard interrupting each other.

“Really, I'm glad to hear it!” King Tarthun said in a deep voice, standing up and pushing back his chair. “Thank you for all your stories. But It's time for us to finish our dinner, my dears. It's too late.” With these words, he left the feast and went to his royal chambers. Soon, the other knights followed suit. Only two stayed longer.

“Look what I got today.” The young man with the neck wound whispered as he took something out of the bag at his feet.

“Anki! Is that an apron?” the red haired guy exclaimed, raising his eyebrows.

“Hush, Brian, don't shout. Yes, it belongs to our cook Mary.”

“Don't tell me you stole it.”

“Anki smiled and nodded.

“But what have you sullied your honor for?” Brian whispered as his eyes darted from the apron to his friend's eyes, in which he still hoped to find an excuse for such an act.

“Don't just pretend to be a saint. All these moral codes are nonsense! Judge for yourself. Tomorrow morning Mary will be in tears looking for her apron. And I'm such a hero, I'll bring it to her, saying that I found it in the garden.”

“An apron in the garden? WHAT?”

“The tricks of the evil fairies, that's all.” Anki laughed and crumpled his find, putting it back in the bag.

Brian's eyes narrowed. “I don't get what you're up to.”

“This delicious cake, poured with honey syrup and stuffed with fruit picked in the garden.” Anki licked his lips. “A whole pie, not a slice at the dinner table. Just for me.”

"Gluttonous! Are you going to demand a pie from her in exchange for an apron?” Brian stood up abruptly, throwing up his hands so that he smashed the plate on the table, which fell to the floor with a crash, shattering into small pieces. Sighing, Anki picked up his bag of treasure, stood up, and took his companion by the elbow, leading him to the exit. 

“Why are you so impulsive? Now they'll come running here on the noise. Let's go through the corridors of the kingdom and calm down.”

Yanking his hand out of the grip, Brian looked at his friend from under his brows.

“Well, why immediately demand? Mary herself will give me a pie as a token of gratitude. You know knights should be rewarded for their feats, even the smallest ones.”

“But you didn't do anything outstanding! Liar!”

“Calm down, Brian, don't burn me with the flames of your indignation.” After a moment's hesitation, Anki continued: “I know! I know you're just jealous of me, of my agility.”

“What the hell are you talking about? Envy your dishonor?”

“You just don't have the guts and courage to do anything like that!” Anki laughed, pointing at his friend, repeating: “Coward, сoward, сoward...”

“Are you defying me?”

“Yeah. Try to prove me otherwise.”

“I… I…” Brian looked around, rubbing his chin. Accept the dare or become a craven in the eyes of a friend — that was the question that bothered him.

“I knew… You will not dare to go against your ideals.” Anki put his hand on the friend's shoulder. “Let's go, my little saint, to bed. Don't fret, I'll treat you to a slice of pie tomorrow.”

But Brian turned suddenly and looked him straight in the eyes: “I can get the girdle of the king's daughter Emily.”

“What a self-confident statement. Do you remember the story of Gawain from King Arthur's kingdom?”

Brian lowered his head remembering the brave knight and the shameful green belt around his neck that always reminded not only him but all living beings of his dishonor.

“You will be caught and this girdle...”

“No, they won't catch me.” Brian interrupted. “I will do it. Tonight. Wait for me on the third floor at midnight. Near the Emily's bedroom.” With that, he strode forward, leaving Anki behind.

Moonlight filtered through the castle's carved windows, filling the rooms with a mystical glow. The breeze, as if playing catch-up, swept through the maze of the corridors, making a hissing, hooting sound. There were rumors that it was actually a ghost, wandering around the castle singing a song telling its story:

I was a brave and noble knight

And served the king with all my spirit.

But once my mind was foully blight,

Unconsciously, defiled my courtly merit.

But few people paid attention to the melodious murmur. Yet the wind-ghost did not despair and continued his musical concert for the stone walls, the cellars overgrown with moss, the creeping beds and for the shining moon, which every time with a high smile enjoyed this tune. However, this time it was interrupted by the drumbeat of footsteps. Brian walked confidently to the very spot where his friend was waiting for him. Over the past time, having drawn an approximate scheme of the princess' room in his head, the knight of honor has already managed to assess the risks, think through plans and escape routes. “Curtains are a great place to hide, a belt can be found in the chest, the main thing is not to bring extra underwear.” The young man thought to himself. But Anki's voice interrupted his musings.

“A brave lion goes hunting.”

“Please don't be clownish!” Brian replied.

“Well, well, I'll be right around the corner, watching and waiting for you with your trophy.” With that, Anki patted his friend on the shoulder and went to his concealment.

Brian was left alone. With slow steps, he made his way to the door behind which was his treasure and the sleeping guardian, who could wake up at any moment and, screaming like a siren, could reveal him. The thought buzzed in his head like an annoying fly, but he tried not to pay attention to it, smoothly pressed the door handle and crawled inside.

I wished to implement my plan,

To the smallest shards I thought it out.

But, unfortunately, forgot to take into account

The maidens' beauty that so much attracts the men.

The ghost sang its song, blowing into Emily's bedroom like a draft, then circling around, it gently kissed the girl on the cheek with his cold breath, which made her shiver and burrow even more deeply into the blanket. This movement startled Brian, causing him to flatten himself against the wall. “She's still awake. I'm dead.” went through his head. But the girl's snoring made him doubt his assumption. And after a few minutes, emboldened, he took the first step forward the chest which was placed near the head of the bed. One more and one more. And now he is already at the goal.

“Good job. Check if she's asleep.” He instructed himself and turned his head in the direction of the lying body. The moonlight illuminated the girl's face, giving her skin the color of white sand that even seemed to glisten. Her hair lay curled on the pillow like flowers in a spring field. “I would like to cut one of these flowers as a souvenir,” thought the knight. And his hands involuntarily reached for what he wanted. But before he could touch her curls, her eyes opened wide. He could see her oak-colored irises, and the black centers of her eyes were like holes that beckoned him to the depths of her soul. 

Animal terror gripped the knight. He clenched his fists to keep from screaming, but his nails dug into his skin, forcing him to loosen his grip. He continued to stand until he felt the breath of the girl on his neck, who had risen from the bed and was standing in front of him. 

“Do not execute your superiority. I... I... you know.. I heard a noise here.” He tried to justify himself. But the girl did not listen to him and, turning around, she went to the door and disappeared behind it.

“She probably went to the guards or even worse - to the king.” With that thought, his heart began to pound, making a sound like a hammer striking an anvil in a blacksmith's shop. “She'll tell them that I snuck into her chambers. I'll be hanged.” With that, he ran out of the bedroom, heading for his friend. 

“What happened? Where did she go? Did she see you?" Anki rained down questions like a waterfall.

Covering his face with his hands, Brian answered. “She saw me. What should I do now?”

“I don't know, it's none of my business.” Anki replied sharply. “I'd better get out of here, or I'll get in trouble." But Brian stopped him by taking his hand, looking at him with pleading eyes.

“Sorry, I have nothing to help” - this was the answer of a friend who, having freed his wrist, was already in a hurry to leave. Left alone, Brian slid down the wall, already hearing a couple of footsteps coming around the corner.

“Nanny, I don't remember getting there. What happened to me?” 

“I don't know, honey. You're not even wearing shoes.”

“Nanny, am I sick?”

“I don't know, my lovely, maybe an evil demon got into you and tried to make you look ridiculous.”

“Oh, no.” 

“Don't worry, I'll stay with you.” With that, the bedroom door slammed shut and the ghost whispered its last tune as it flew past the young man, almost tangling in his hair like a net:

In the pursuit of glory, my honor was lost,

While friendship is put on an infinite pause,

And those with whom I thought I was close,

Turned into crumbs of dust, in my memory froze.