Posted by Counselor Agamemnon on July 06, 1999 at 15:42:43:

[This is my first post on the message board, this story is more roleplay like then anything else, but I think a counselor, should have some amount of that in him or her. This is really just a fourth of july counselor story. So take this story in stride, don't jump to conclusions, because if the board is interested, I wouldn't mind doing a series of parts to this story. I will take fiction and non-fiction and mix them together, to make a great story. I will try to include my fellow Pacific Counselors, unless they get mad at me *smiles*.]

And so my story begins, the morning of July 4th...

"Counselor Agamemnon?"

"Counselor, I must recommend you get up...or else...other methods must be taken."

My sleep was slowly interrupted by an unfamiliar deep voice. My eyes remained shut, for I had little interest, in seeping out into the world of terrible nightmares. Real nightmares. Yesterday had passed much as the day before had gone, except that the silence seemed deeper; the air grew heavy, and the trees had become dark and gray. It felt as if thunder was brewing. Light was fading fast, even during the brink of the afternoon. I was sitting on the step of the Counselors Guild in the north side of Britian, my feet cold and tired from walking and then that's when I felt something. The hood of my robe, flew back by a gust of wind. The passage ahead where usually just wizards practiced their art at the mage shop, seemed to be miles away. Tis' was no spell, or trick by the mages, as the cold air flowed over them as well. The mountains behind my back, seemed to be trying with their deadly breath to daunt me, to make sure I kept my back turned from the secrets of the high places, or maybe just to blow me away into the darkness ahead, I could not decide. However, why should I by so self centered, that I would think, this sign was meant for me...but it was...I knew it, I could feel it. I only knew that I had come to the end. I could see very little now. Great black shapeless masses and deep gray shadows loomed above me and led a path ahead, but now and again a dull red light flickered up and under the lowering clouds. No other way would I gain peace, but to sleep, to rid me of these horrible memories.

"Wake up!"

My eyes opened to see four orc soldiers of greater stature, swart, slant-eyed, with thick legs and large hands. They were armed with short broad-bladed swords, not with the curved scimitars usual with Orcs. Upon their shields they bore a strange device: a small white pentagon in the center of a black field; on the front of their iron helms was set an opening which showed off their faces. Their skin seemed almost un-orc like, smooth like a human, but I could tell by their clothing, that it must be three soldiers, coming for me to request help. All of a sudden though, I got the cold feeling, that I would be the one requesting help.

"Haaaaappppppyyyy Fourth of July!!!!", came a grave ringing shout from the orcs.

A marching music began like solemn drums, and above the rolling beats and booms there welled voices, singing high and strong. Suddenly the helmets flew off their faces, to reveal, that they were not orcs all along, but my fellow counselors. A prank, a trick, and a celebration. I began a whole hearted laugh, but in the inside, I was being torn apart, I still could not forget the images from yesterday, and they would forever haunt me like the heart of darkness itself. It was not Necromancy or even a trick, like the one just performed, but something far worse...something I cannot describe. I smiled politely, and as I looked up at Senior Leading Counselor Mayhem, he saw the fear in my face, as the rest of the "smurfs" surrounded me, sparklers in their hands. I sat against the hard wood of the back of the bed, my eyes barley open. Mayhem handed me my robe from the bedstand, I had taken off the blue and gold, before I went to sleep, as I held it, he looked at my hands almost exactly as I did, to see them shaking, moving about like a soilder about to go into war. Angles are bright still, but for some reason, I had a feeling the brightest had fell.

"Foolishnees!" I said, "Prudence is one thing, but discourtesy is another. I am old. If I may not lean on my stick, at least let me lie in bed in peace..." I took a deep breath, as I looked at their sad faces,"Thank You though Counselors...it was a interesting surprise"

"The devil himself could not pronounce a title more hateful to mine ear."- Young Siward
[Macbeth: Act 5, Scene 7]

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