The worse part of London
the fog impossible
the depth of decay
well beyond deplorable
seedy and repulsive
ragged, dank and pungent
Drake's Black Swan
the filthiest tavern
in the wickedest part of town
a place best served
for outcasts
ingrates
foul-mouthed, fallen women
and drunkards
of the most unredeemable sort
hard men of the sea
chased inland
by the deeds
of their own
oft bloodied hands
exit one named Solomon Kane
dressed in drab black
with piercing blue eyes
that gleamed with vibrant life
beneath a heavy brow
at his waist
a shimmering green sash
holding fast two heavy
pistols
with a razor sharp rapier
sheathed by his side
a long sliver of steel
unforgiving and well used
he follows a trail long cold
until......
the ghastly pale
and gaunt features
betrayed scarcely a hint
at the burning in his nostrils
a man-hunter with fresh scent
still, the loathsome prey
was as yet not at bay
despite much effort
and cold steely determination
Kane took measured steps
calculating eyes
penetrating the London mist
What there?!
the desperate tones
of a woman pleading
"No, please don't take it,"
she cried to the hulking shapes
just a few yards away
apart from prying eyes
in the blackness of an alley
but Kane could see
and his pace quickened
long legs striding silently
like a panther stalking
another blood feast
"Silent, fool woman!
Stand and deliver
that package you carry
I swear you horde it so dear"
"Aye!" joined his mate
"besides your flesh be firm
and that alone
promises to make
this night's work fondly done"
then Solomon Kane spoke
his speech clear and distinct
"Stand away Will Calton,
I'd prefer to see your eyes
whilst I run you through"
the criminal wheeled suddenly
his jaw dropped
with a hint of shudder
his garb spoke of the sea
with eyes dreadfully hard
yet his speech
was a'studder
"By the merry jaws of Satan!
It's none but Solomon Kane
himself in all his blackness
come to London Town"
To his companion
the name meant nothing
for he was brute
who'd never strayed
away from dry land
but with slow calculated caution
they both filled their hands
with steel long and deadly
and the play was on
Will Calton was first to fall
he dropped bleeding and numb
the other was skillful,
quick, strong and young
for awhile bright sparks
sprang from his angry blade
but the puritan was a master
and soon both thieves were undone
Kane glanced around
and found no one about
he wiped his sword
and put it away
enough work for this day
the lass was pretty
young and very clean
"What brings a fair girl
such as yourself
out on a night like this?"
"oh good sir,
you see my father is sick
I had to purchase
him medicine
and do it quick!
I can never thank you enough
but now I must be off
for there still remains
indeed a long walk"
She said her name was Susan
He said that his was Kane
and offered his protection
"Let the dead
bury the dead," he said
afore they left in a rush
her home was sparse
and humble in kind
Kane met the father
who was truly
near to death
the puritan was showed to the divan
and offered a bit of cheap wine
"I have one more request
please stay for the night
we have little else to offer
and this seems only right"
Solomon Kane accepted
he drank and fell asleep
it was a strange deep slumber
his first in nearly a week
"Sir?"
Kane awakened of a sudden
it was a little past dawn
a woman stood there
her face questioning and drawn
"Who might you be Sir?
And how came you here?
I let you in not,
and the door is secure"
his senses were keen
surely something here was amiss
the room
seemed strangely different
arranged at odds with last night
"Where is Susan
and her poor father Joe?
My invitation as guest
by them was bestowed"
the woman's thin features
grew ashen
she trembled very pale
her hands she wrung mightily
"Are you also sick pray tell?"
she shook her head
and spoke with great effort
"Susan was murdered
by ruffians in an alley
not very far from here
Our father died
a few hours later
from lack of attention I fear
It all happened
the same date as last night
only turn back
ten years!"
Solomon Kane rose
dumbstruck
and then took his leave
He'd been witness to a play
staged by ghosts
for his pleasure
conceived....
