Death was tired, that just goes without saying really. It was a full moon and this always played havoc with his old bones. Shivering he crossed the moors alone and weary. As he crossed the horizon …he is Death and if he wants to cross an horizon I am not going to stop him are you ? he cursed his job.
As he hobbled on he was truly regretting that he had allowed his apprentice to have the night off and take his horse out for a ride. Death pondered once again the pros and cons of upgrading to a car or a helicopter but the last time he had mentioned this to the man upstairs he had been told in no uncertain terms that scary horses were, what was expected and scary horses it would remain for himself and his three apocalyptic brothers.
Suddenly he saw the sign in the distance, it looked to any passing mortal , like an unusual pub sign. It was in fact an empty frame in which a wizard’s hat was suspended. This to the informed, indicated the presence of an Enchanted Tavern.
Tonight Death had an usual job. One of this earth’s oldest soothsayers had come to the end of a very long and busy life. The chap , Nigel by name , had overseen many a century of wars, evil doings, shady deals and even shadier politicians and of late a Brexit . It was the Brexit that had been the sight too many for Nigel.
Nigel sat by the fire in the huge and yet cosy hostelry surrounded by old friends and old foes, eating a sumptuous meal of steak and ale pie and chips. A huge bottle of Malbec sat on the table in front of him.
It had been noted by the regulars that Nigel had absolutely nothing to say tonight . This was most unusual for him because he was always telling tales of death destruction and dystonian futures. Not tonight Nigel was on a mission to eat his dinner and drink as much wine as was un-humanly possible.
As the door blew open, Nigel put his knife and fork down , and as clearly as he could with a mouth full of meat and pastry, addressed the Spectre as he entered. “Your early, Death me old friend. I ‘ave not finished me dinner yet”
No one bothered to look around as Death entered and approached Nigel’s table. “Calm down I am here now and I am quite happy to sit awhile and enjoy a rest , it’s bloody raw out there. ” Death replied as he plonked a large egg timer down on the table between himself and Nigel. “We have time enough for you to share a pudding with me while we let the sands run out.I have never diddle anyone out of anytime. ”
Taking an empty glass off of a passing barmaid Death poured himself a good measure of wine. He sat down , groaning loudly and took a large mouthful which ran straight through him and unto the sawdust floor.
Nigel and Death finished the meal, the wine and a spotted dick and custard then sat in silence watching the last of Nigel’s life drain away. As the last grain of sand fell on to the large pile laying in the lower part of the timer Nigel let out a huge belch and stepped out of his body. Death dragged himself up out of his warm and comfy chair.
As they left the tavern, no one took any notice of them. Death, though not a frequent visitor never caused a stir. Outside the two spirits looked up at the sign and the cloudy sky. “Before we go” said Nigel ” Who’s hat was that ” Death looked at him in shocked surprise and replied “You mean,you, the greatest soothsayer of all, don’t know” Nigel looked Death straight in the eye sockets and hissed “Na , if I knew I wouldn’t ask ya would I.” Death grinned , to be honest he had a permanent grin. Slowly he he guided Nigel away and out of earshot and replied ” Well I suppose it doesn’t matter now it belonged to ……………………
Back inside the tavern everything went on as normal …or what passed for normal in those circles. The cleaner sighed as he cleared up the sticky mess of food and wine that Death had left in his wake.
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This is my entry for
