Gremmio

by Kurt Maroske

Hanging over the pristine, ornate gardens of the Seradar, the moon watched in a silent guard of honour. The moon, being revered by the circle, was considered a symbol of both good fortune, and of ill, of health, and also of sickness, of life, and of death. The power of the moon was that of balance. Balance, and the knowledge of solidity. The moon wanes and waxes with the coming month, renewing itself with life, before once again vanishing to all but nothingness. All creatures could surely learn a great deal from the moon’s cycles, learning to wax and to wane, to give and to take, to keep ones life fresh, yet also to provide stability. Gremmio, of all people, should have known this…

Under the watchful eye of the moon, the shadowed figure slipped silently through rows and hedges, the shrubbery and the carefully selected orchids, of the Seradar estate. In passing, the caped figure’s gloved hands found a single rose protruding from the thoughtfully trimmed bushes. Without second thought, the figure had removed with silent precision the rose, and placed it upon the collar of his fine, silken shirt, as a token of good luck.

Looking gracefully upwards, the silent figure considered his task to be certainly a worthy one: To enter the home of the Seradar. Unperturbed by the difficulty of this proposition, Gremmio proceeded further into the palace grounds.

As the Moonwatch had passed, very few guards were posted about the estate of the Seradar. That did not decrease the lethality, however, of even the most minor of encounters. Making certain to avoid the notice of the few guards present, Gremmio crept ever closer to the palace itself. The majestic glory of the structure filled the intruder with awe, as the moonlight glistened about it’s ornate, crystalline features. So close now, that he could nearly touch the very crystal comprising the palace itself, Gremmio took assurance in the moon, his saviour, and it’s seeming closeness. Even though but a sliver of it’s radiance was visible through the blackness of the night, the presence of the moon was still felt by many….

Unfastening his pack, Gremmio searched in the darkness for what seemed like an eternity, narrowly avoiding the attention of the midnight watch. Finally, after thoughts of uncertainty and desperation, he removed the rope and fine, silver grapnel from the pack and gazed meaningfully upwards. His objective was now in plain sight, and he readied his rope for the ascent. His delicate fingers fumbled as he fastened the rope to the long, slender hook, shaking from both the evening chill, and the excitement of his undertaking. He began to stare uncertainly at the knot he had tied, until he could find the confidence to convince himself. ‘Yes’, he muttered assuringly, ‘it would hold’.

Taking a length of the fine rope in his gloved hands, Gremmio spun the device about his shoulder with a practiced ease. The breath caught in his throat as he saw the hook proceed upwards, through the canopy of the surrounding fauna, until he heard the reassuring ‘clank’ of the sound of his silver finding it’s mark against a marble-rimmed balcony of the palace. He tested the rope, once again with uncertainty, until he was assured that it would support his weight. Then, placing first one foot, and then the other, against the crystal face of the wall, he began his ascent.

Brushing through the canopy of overhanging branches, Gremmio swiftly made his way to the balcony upon which his rope was affixed. With a casual grace, he pulled his slender frame over the banister, and removed the grappling hook, tossing it effortlessly to the ground, so as not to attract the presence of the guards.

‘Now’, he spoke softly to himself, his words cutting elegantly through the cold, midnight air, ’the true challenge begins.’…

Straightening his cape, and gently smoothing his close-cropped beard, Gremmio pushed open the balcony door, revealing to the intruder the splendour of the room within. Stepping inside the well-carved, polished ebony of the doors, Gremmio took extreme care to avoid the ornate night-table to his right, and planted his feet firmly upon the exquisite carpets of the sleeping-quarters. ‘Ahem!’ he cleared his throat to announce his presence, ‘Gremmio has arrived.’

A figure stirred along one edge of the room, Gremmio’s unsubtle entrance seemingly unprepared for. ‘By Vorash!’ came an obviously feminine voice of noble-bearing, ’Wh-who goes there?’.

‘Why princess,’ came Gremmio’s over-confident reply,’ ‘tis but I, Gremmio, scion of the DeinochI do not believe that my visit has come unannounced?’

‘GUARDS!’ screamed Helena, still unaware of Gremmio’s position, but aware of his presence in her chambers, ‘INTRUD-‘

A black, velvet glove silenced the princess’ cries for help. Struggling against the Deinoch’s touch, Helena’s arms flailed wildly, buffeting Gremmio about the face.

‘Princess, I believe that you are mistaken. Please allow me to explain my actions.’ Hushed Gremmio’s soft, soothing voice, from beneath the torrent of flailing limb and gouging nail. ‘Please princess, please...’

By now, Gremmio’s hand was removed from Helena’s mouth, and had begun to caress he short, fiery-red hair, offering comfort to the startled princess.

‘Please’, responded Helena sharply, retracting herself from Gremmio’s caress,’ speak, if you must, and be done with you, lest I am forced to summon the guards.’

And with that note, there came a sharp rap on the door to the princess’ chambers, as if Helena had summoned the guards with the merest of thoughts. ‘Princess!’ came a deep, disembodied voice from beyond the locked door,’ What is the commotion?’

Her sight now accustomed to the darkness, Helena could see a grim look sweep across Gremmio’s handsome features.

‘Please, princess’, Gremmio asked in a soft, pleading voice, without losing his air of nobility, ‘I am at your mercy...’.

After a moment of doubt, Helena left Gremmio alone on her plush, velvet bed, donned a rich, purple nightgown, and opened the door, a sliver of light from the corridor penetrating her bed-chambers. ‘Please, excuse the disturbance’, came her alluring, regal voice,’ ‘twas but a nightmare. With the commotion surrounding house Seradar of late, I’m afraid that my sleep has been most fitful.’ The princess offered her subtle smile to the guard as way of compensation, and closed the door softly behind her. Her gentle composure was soon replaced, however, by a aura of both anger, frustration and embarrassment as she turned on her heel to face Gremmio. ‘Now, Deinoch, explain your presence, lest I have another ‘bad dream’, and the guards need be alerted again!’

‘Ahhh…. Fair princess, even in your temper, your jovial nature can find safe passage to the surface…’ mused Gremmio with a smile, after propping himself from Helena’s bed, seemingly unperturbed by the nature of their encounter. With a bow and flourish, he reintroduced himself, ‘Gremmio, m’lady, of house Deinoch.’ Gremmio, in mid-bow, extended his hand to Helena, who kept her hands firmly placed on her hips.

‘And you have entered my chambers, violated this sanctuary, for what, Gremmio of Deinoch?’ Asked Helena, seemingly unimpressed by Gremmio’s impertinence.

Offended by the refusal of Helena’s hand, Gremmio continued to explain his reasons for entering the palace of the Seradar. ‘Well, now that we have been formally introduced’, continued Gremmio, his frivolity unfazed by his rejection,’ you are surely pondering my motive. Well ponder no longer, good lady!’, exclaimed Gremmio, his gloved hands a seeming outlet for his expressive nature. ‘My motives are all noble, I assure you!’ A smirk came to Gremmio’s fine lips, although Helena failed to find any humour in the Deinoch’s comments.

‘Oft have I seen you in passing, m’lady, although never have found an opportunity to approach you.’ Gremmio’s smirk was replaced by a look of sincerity. ‘I believe that I have found a chance now, dear princess.’ Gremmio awaited, eyebrows raised for Helena’s response.

‘And so, Deinoch-‘

‘Please, m’lady,’ ‘Gremmio’’,

‘Gremmio,’ Helena continued with a sigh,’ you have stolen into the estate of the Seradar, intruded into my quarters, for what? To seduce me?’

‘Please…’, chuckled Gremmio, ‘you make it sound so sinister!’

‘And sinister it is!’ Came Helena’s response. ‘Give me a single reason as to why I should not summon the guards, and have you imprisoned, with the other Deinoch trespassers?’

‘Because….’ Began Gremmio.

‘Because?’ questioned Helena, seemingly enjoying the Deinoch’s predicament.

‘Because I present you with a gift, m’lady’, replied Gremmio, removing the rose that he wore about his collar, and presenting it to Helena, ‘For you. From the finest gardens of the Deinoch.’ Gremmio bowed once more, his cape trailing behind him.

‘And it was obviously important for you to hand-deliver this superbly grown testament to Deinoch horticulture, Gremmio?’ Mused Helena, her stoic resolve giving way to a slight smirk.

‘Exactly, m’lady. I found it fitting to hand-deliver such a beautiful gift, to the only being to share such beauty….’ Helena’s cheeks gained a slight crimson hue as Gremmio spoke, matched well by the confident smirk worn by the Deinoch.

‘Well, Sir Gremmio’, came Helena’s charming voice, coming to understand Gremmio’s true intent,’ now that you have completed your errand, you may return to your OWN bedchamber’s. Shall I ask the captain of the guard to escort you?’ This time, it was Helena’s lips that parted into a faint smile.

‘Why Lady Helena,’ queried Gremmio, seeking to continue the banter between the two nobles,’ surely you would prefer to sample the other delights of the Deinoch, to come to appreciate fully our kind?’

This comment seemed to have struck a particular nerve in Lady Helena, who turned to avoid Gremmio’s gaze, and walked briskly to the balcony.

‘Alas, I have already seen the temptation of the Deinoch….’ Remarked Helena, whilst leaning against the banister, her eyes longing silently towards the moon.

‘Ah yes… Ophyllian’, Replied Gremmio,’ I had heard as much. You do realise that he is unobtainable?’

Helena nodded her response to Gremmio’s question.

‘But, enough of such foolish thoughts, longing for one whom you can never hold. After tonight, all thoughts of others will be stricken from your mind, fair one.’ Offered Gremmio slyly.

‘Ahhh… the ever confident Gremmio.’ came Helena’s sombre response,’ I had heard as much-‘

‘So you are aware of me?’ interrupted Gremmio quickly. ‘If so, then how could the thought of another have crossed your mind? Surely, my reputation proceeds me?’

‘Yes’, replied Helena, her voice brightening,’ the reputation of a fool and a womaniser. Why would one of my standing be romantically interested in one such as you, Deinoch?’

‘What you should truly be asking of yourself, m’lady, is what one such as Ophyllian could offer to one of your standing? His heart is that of the warrior, not that of the lover….’ Gremmio’s voice trailed off.

‘As opposed to you, I presume?’ Asked Helena, once more blushing, her thoughts of Ophyllian seemingly disappeared.

‘Why Ophyllian would stand not a chance against one such as myself, m’lady.’, answered Gremmio, swiftly drawing the rapier fastened to his side. ‘Why my rapier wit and venomous tongue could dispatch even the most overwhelming of foes’, he continued, thrusting and parrying wildly with his blade, in a battle against an invisible foe. ‘

‘Ah, but I would not stray too close to a tongue of venom, rascal Gremmio, lest the poison affect me.’ Offered Helena, in an attempt to quell Gremmio’s raging display of emotion.

‘A wise one, you are, and beautiful also, Lady Helena’, mused Gremmio, once again offering his hand to the Seradar princess, this time receiving the touch of Helena in return. ‘But, you must ask yourself one question, I believe’, continued Gremmio, whilst kissing the back of Helena’s palm’, would one so wise, fall for one that she could never truly love, or be loved by in return?’

And without another word, Gremmio removed his hand from Helena’s, stood on the banister of balcony, and jumped to the garden below, landing with a dull thud. ‘So long princess!’ came a cry from the darkness.

And with that, Helena was left alone on the balcony, pondering her emotions, awaiting the sunrise.