2012年11月12日月曜日

Heian Romance: 1. Shadow in the palace



Recently I’m so bored and so had decided to write a short story. Use this opportunity to pass time and refine my English language. It’s a simple romance set line in the 11th century Heian period of Japan. Basically I know nothing much about this period’s history or culture, so don’t query me about it. Also, since it is “refine English language” that we are talking about, so you won’t expect to see 100% no grammatical error passage. Other than that hope you guys take it easy and enjoy the story. Thanks~


1.Shadow in the palace

The Heian period, it is the time, where the rich, the courtiers indulge in wine, songs, gambling day and night; while the poor suffers, begging their whole life for a decent meal, a place where they can warm themselves over the long harsh winter. Between the heaven and hell there stands a level where people refuse to speak of it. They called it the taboo zone. This is a grey world where the offspring of the union between the courtier and the lowly live. These people were looked down by everyone, even the poor; for they do not fit anywhere in the society.

***

It is the ladies in waiting’s job to blow off every candle in the palace every night before they gone to bed.

“What is that place over there?” asked the younger lady in waiting to her older superior while pointing towards a lighted old, shabby, isolated quarter at the deep end of the palace.

“I don’t know. We are prohibited to go there, so let’s just leave it alone then.” said the older superior.

“But the light is on isn’t it? Aren’t we supposed to blow off every candle in the palace?”

“Except that! Listen, you better don’t try goofing around that place! That is where the shadow of the palace lives! The shadow will come out every now and then to hunt for its meal. Though I haven’t seen the shadow in person, but they said it consumes human and animals’ souls. Cadavers can be found everywhere around that quarter.”

“……”

“Speaking of cadavers, did you smell that pungent smells?

“I do!! Run!!”

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