As Ever Like the Sun & Moon at War

1- ☾☾☾

Pariah sits in wait of his release

by firelight with single guard on him.

He's taken time tonight to think a course

and hath decided for himself on what

he means to do when finally uncuff'd.

The fire crackles and it pops in sparks

as th'one who guards him stokes the dying flames

and places yet another log atop

to keep the light and heat it doth provide

as he is falling into slumber there                                10

upon the bedding whereon he is sat;

Lieutenant comes to him and offers tea,

so both of them assemble over flame

a rack on which they place a pot of tea,

and whilst it heats Lieutenant goes to fetch

two cups for them to pour their flavour'd drink;

of course Pariah knows that one of these

contains the sleeping drug as just they plann'd,

so when the tea is steep'd Lieutenant pours

first into one and hands it to the guard                     20

before his own which seemingly he fills

to only half to exit speedily.

The man accepts and sips it ignorant

of its effects on him somniferous,

and so the two of them enjoy a drink

before Lieutenant takes his leave for bed.

And soon the drowsy guard begins to slump

and snores an awful grating type of noise

that signals to Lieutenant that his drug

hath work'd its magic on the sleeping man.                   30

Returning to the scene Lieutenant pulls

a key out from his pocket which he holds

just out of reach of outcast's outstretch'd hand

before he slips it back into his coat

and draws a knife, revealing other plans:

"I've thought of our arrangement and have come

to better a conclusion than we two

did yesternight, when in excited mood

I listen'd to thy version of a plan;

but now I see more clearly that I don't                            40

require thee to do the deed at hand,

for only do I need to make it look

as though thou kill'd our Leader in escape,

and so I'll kill thee first and stab then him,

and then I'll leave thy corpse beside his bed

to make it look as struggle had ensued

and both of ye found death at th'other's blade."