The Bar Maid’s Tale

By: Bethanie Ehrhardt

In medieval times in the eastern lands of Germany, before order was strict, but aloft. A small kingdom ruled by an old king, who ruled for many years. But in the time such as these kingdoms were invaded, and change of power so parlous. Under the power of this king were seven loyal knights, young and foolish in their righteousness. They protected the farmer’s fields and women from drunken morons.

The day came when a strong, young invader appeared and took the kings throne with a swift mighty blow. The Angels wiped and sung of woe from above from the lost king. Angered the seven knights rose against this fiend that threatened their way of life. The invading king took on the seven knights with an army of seven legends. They fell hard and fast among the legend, taken away never to be seen again.

All gave way to the invading king and his power over their land. Except one, the wife of one of the seven knights that disappeared, so heartlessly. Her blood ran hot with vengeance and rage for this invading king that shattered her world and took her husband from her. Her knight, her husband had stolen her heart years ago as soon as he sat at the bar and smiled at her. Hot tears streaked down her burning cheeks as she boiled with rage. The night’s cold air sting her hot raging form and turned and left for home. The hours pasted as her thoughts calmed, and plots began to formed among her thoughts. She broke out into a huge smirk and starred up at the castle with vengeance in mind.

The sun rose golden and bright in the crystal sky as if it were to be a great day. It had been a week since the invasion and no blood had been spilt, it was almost calm among the people. The invading king had sent soldiers to guard the town saving some people business as several fiends had been imprisoned and put on trial for punishment.

The people grew happier over time, even praising him. But as the people did such deeds, a foul plot formed in the bar maid’s head, taking in none of the changes or behavior of the townspeople.

The crow of the rooster echoed against the hills, the next day. A woman wearing a cloak eyed the castle as she approached her swaying figure was sharp and defined. The guards looked on soulful at her s she stopped before them. “Great mighty sirs, I’ve come to bare grand gifts of glory upon our king. Their shine is pure as my intentions that only our king deserves. Please, let me past. Oh mighty knights that have done us such good.” she flatter the knights and the king with a crocked smile. The guards compelled, even directed her where she must go.

She entered the castle, slowly and roughly climb the stairs up to the hall. She followed the tunnel like hallway that led to the throne room. She meet another pair of knights, she did the same as she did to the other knights, her flattery and good nature towards the king worked once more.

The doors opened to reveal a man on top of a copper and cherry wood carved throne with a long strip rug that ran from the doors to his trone. The man was like stone, his hung like a veil over his face. Unlike, his frame his eyes were a soft blue like the sky. He offered the woman a smile, who stood unchanged by his appearance.

She bowed and gave him a crocked smile. “My lord, I bare several gifts for you”, the king nodded as if to continue. “ First gift is the finest silk in our town, make by seven of are most skilled spinners.” she announced as she presented the king silk.

“The second gift are a hundred red rose for your future years of ruling our kingdom.” She spoke poetically to him as she set the roses before the king.

“A sword of silver and steel ores, hard and beautiful at the same time… swiftest in your hand it shall be… A fitting end you think by a sword of such power for vengeance, is it not….” She said in a silky voice, the king gazed at the sword at the thought. “… for the death of a lover so close that it tore you apart from the inside out wanting nothing, but to see the fiend that cause it to bleed until he was drained!” Her voice strong and venomous as the cloak fell away to reveal the Bar Maid in all her fury.

The king leaped up in shock as the sword plunged deep with his mighty frame. The hot crimson blood spilt to the floor staining the roses and rug as he slowly slide back into his throne. Life still sparked within him as he realized what she spoke of and frowned deeply. “I killed no one… All become prisoners, unless… they have killed someone…”

“But you killed the king and his seven knights.” she snapped back at him.

“I didn’t.. the king was my grandfather… he was sick, but told no one, not even his loyal knights. When the knights came I was at his side and he had collapsed… My own guards seized the knights for the threat against my life…. I planned on releasing them…this week.. I..” His words died on his lips as his eyes shut and his soul past to the heavens.

She stood gapping as the knights came in and seized her. The king’s death was almost poetic with the roses at his feet and silk wrapped around him, and sword deep and gleaming in the light surrounding his form.

The bar maid on the other hand was ironic and sad as her husband watched. The townspeople roared in rage at her as they set her up for her hanging. The trap released and her neck snapped and her life left her. The knight stayed until every one was gone, and approached her lifeless body and placed a kiss on her cold cheek and whispered, “Vengeance is a sin, but may god have forgiveness and have an expiation for my guardian angel.” He turned and left as the light disappeared from the sky, ending this day and tale. Vengeances solves nothing, but it does make things worse, so heed my words and the bar maid’s tale.