Tears of Adamas: A New Old-Fashion Fairy Tale Short Story Read Free

prisoner by the King of excess, had spread like dandelion fluff on the wind. It whispered her name in his ears, as he slept by the fire in his encampment. All the next day, he gathered men to fight, and all the next, he schemed and planned for the freedom of Adamas, and perhaps, usurpation of the King.
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                  “How is it, wench, that you can betray me? After I brought you into my home, gave you food and clothing, a pillow for your head and a father for your heart?”
                  “You would dare to assassinate the kindest man in all the world in the name of your greed. You would enthrone yourself as King and wage your torments upon me—again, all for your greed. What you deposited in me, that you received out of me. You sowed only bitterness and darkness, and forgot the food of love and kindness.”
                  As Adamas words rebounded from the hard heart of the King, the revolt that roiled below in the cobbled streets spilled into the castle courtyard. Poneros rushed out of her chamber, sword drawn, and bounded down the grand staircase and into the roiling fray. He charged the brave knight, and the two engaged in the fiercest of battles. One by one, the King’s guard fell prey to the mob, until only the Knight and Poneros remained at odds. All the Knight’s kith and kinsmen gathered round about to look on at the spectacle of battle. Finally, after many wounds to both of them, the Knight disarmed King Poneros, and held him at bay at the point of his sword. As the Knight’s arm drew back for the killing blow, a voice like the tinkling of glass stayed his thrust.
                  “Stop! Please! I prithee, do not slay my lord and my king!” Adamas stood at the head of the stairs.
                  The Knight saluted the maid with a gracious bow. “My lady, your King is a cruel, wasteful man. While he stuffs his belly to overflowing thrice a day, his people starve in the streets.”
                  Adamas nodded sadly. “Tis true, sir Knight. Greater than most, I know of his cruelties. But how better are we if we repay his cruelty with yet more cruelty?” she asked as she floated down the stairs.
                  “And what sentence would you deem acceptable, my lady?”
                  “Three things, and only three, I would ask. First, I beg my freedom, for my loss will cost him dearly. Second, that he be turned out of the domain, for the loss of his sovereignty will cost him more. And third…”
                  But the maiden never finished her demands. The King lunged at her and wrapped his fingers about her throat. The Knight charged forward, but Poneros eyes grew wide like saucers and his final breath gurgled in his chest. His body fell away and tumbled to the floor. A diamond-handled dagger dropped from Adamas’ bloodstained hand. Sparkling tears pooled in her crystalline eyes as they pleaded forgiveness for the death of the King.
                  “My lady…” gasped the Knight as her body swooned and he caught her in his arms. Scooping up her tiny body, he followed a waiting maid to Adamas’ chamber and laid her upon her bed. The maid staff scuttled and scurried to attend her. Presently, the girl’s eyes fluttered open to behold the Knight worrying the rug bare with his pacing.
                  “You must have a name,” she said and startled him from his brooding. “I cannot call you Knight.”
                  He knelt at the side of her bed and bowed his head. “I am…my name is Gennaios, and I am truly no knight. Only a man, a simple, common man, who would fight for a better life.”
                  Adamas reached out her hand and Gennaios lifted her to her feet.  “And you, common man, Gennaios, did you wage this invasion to become king?”
                  “No, my lady.