A short story - continued part 7

The Queen continued, "Prince Shafiq, you are entrusted with this quest and Princess Belle. Her safety is paramount. I, your mother and your Queen, am charging you before God and all, to bear this responsibility with your life. The King of the Land of the Two Rivers, Belle's father, and I conferred many years ago, before his death. I knew since then of the visit of the angel and the gift of the amulet and the warning from on high. The White Mare, Belle, serves me well, a gift from your father to me. I return her now, she is yours. Let her bear you to safety. Kadeen come forth. Kadeen is not just a gatekeeper, Belle, but a prophet. Hear him, both of you." Kadeen stepped forward and was dressed now in formal attire as a wise man and prophet. Kadeen began to speak, "Prince Shafiq and Princess Belle, you will reign one day as King and Queen of the joint kingdom of the Land of the Two Rivers and the East, the Land of the Dawn, if you complete your quest. Beware young Prince, obstacles lie before you. Princess Belle, always keep the amulet that the angel left you and trust the White Mare's counsel. On your journey, both of you help one another with unstinting love and trust, for things will at times test you. Your quest is to prepare for the great battle to uproot and throw down the evil King from under Mt. Damavand, Asmodeus and his consort Lilitu. The first part is before you, to recruit the Daughters of Astarte, the Warriors of Lady Ishtar, as the guard and phalanx of Princess Belle. Prince Shafiq you will lead, but always heed the voice and counsel of the Princess, for she is your equal and royal in her own domain. As you go, both of you, but you Shafiq, most of all, beware of of Aêšmi, nephil-demon daughter of Asmodeus. Numair and Maysa', for this is the White Mare's name, and well fitted to her proud gait to carry you safely Belle, will be waiting for you saddled and ready in the morning to leave on your road's journey. Now I give my blessing in the name of the Almighty God." Kadeen blessed them, having finished, and turned and sat behind the Queen. The Queen said to Belle and Shafiq, "Now you both have a long road and will start early. Go to the rooms prepared for you and rest well until before dawn. Tommorrow I will bid you goodbye at your quest's beginning." The courtiers led the Princess and Prince to their rooms for the night.

* * *

Aêšmi was hungry, ravenous in fact. She prowled, menace in her every move. Like a demon cat that she was, she moved swift and silent. She was hunting in her cat form. She stopped for a smell was in the air, blood of a mortal man. Her hunger was intense, even painful. She did not notice the high presence of the angel of God watching her. It was for Shafiq to conquer this one, the angel's mission was to protect Princes Belle. It was for this reason that the angel followed the demon daughter, to prevent harm to the Princess. Aêšmi hunted all day and at early evening she found where the trail of scent led her to. A simple merchant upon the road, unsuspecting in his cart, his horse whinnied nervously at the unseen presence of Aêšmi, the merchant went on unknowing his danger.

Aêšmi stepped out on the road, in her form as a seductive woman, and beckoned to the merchant and said,"coin for an evening's pleasure, sir?" The merchant licked his lips and said, "woman, you are clothed well and I see not much to know your charms." Aêšmi cast aside her dress and the gossamer veil clung to her frame. The man sat forward with a start, seeing how alluring she was, and said, "how much?" She said, "you be the judge afterward." He replied, "come up to my cart and let me lift you up here inside." As she approached, the horse turned aside as far as he could. She stood at the bottom of the cart's step and the man grasped her with his hands to lift her up, not knowing beforehand the ripping of his hands the gossamer would cause and the excitement that would provoke of the succubus.

The horse had broken harness and ran. The succubus had fed.

* * *

Belle and Shafiq had adjoing rooms with balconies that were side by side. Neither being sleepy, both were outide looking at a beautiful full moon and gorgeous stars above. Belle turned on her balcony toward Shafiq on his and said, "my leige, you are indeed a Prince of this house, I know now, how do you think we will rule a joint kingdom?" Shafiq would only say, "when soft and gentle beauty of soul and heart which has held mine forever, is secure upon a throne, then shall be." "Good night sweet Shafiq, we must leave early tommorrow," the Princess said with a deep and solemn smile. She turned and went to her room and bed. Shafiq said, "tommorrow my Princess, and God bless your sleep." Shafiq turned to his room, entered and sat upon his bed stool and thought long and with reverent countenance, before laying his head upon his pillow to sleep.

A short story - continued part 6

The marid Aêšmi, or former half mortal-half marid, was now a full succubus. Her former powers of mental terror and possession were still hers. However her appearance had now changed to a most seductive and deadly beauty. She was still a shape shifter as well; a very deadly combination. Her demon sight to see at huge distances and read minds and plant thoughts were all hers. Her need for blood, like that of all succubi was very real. Her physical strength was great.


Aêšmi stood before a mirror, peering from inside her eyes was the faint glint of the red light of the demon heart, and she had clothed herself differently than ever before. Now she was clothed not in dark and grey formless cloth as she had always, but in gossamer. The gossamer hung like a thin veil clinging to her frame. The finest silver white gossamer, like a spider's. But this difference was most deadly, all of the fibers were razor sharp strands. Mortal flesh could not endure their touch. Only the inhuman flesh of the succubus was immune from the nettle like stinging lacerations it would bring on the slightest embrace. She engaged one of her powers and willed to see Shafiq and Belle and to her dismay could not. Unknown to her was the fact that the prince and princess were in the presence of the Lady of the Morning and that presence prevented the marid-succubus' powers from penetrating anywhere near them. Aêšmi put her dress over this frail looking most devastating inner garment. That dress was the dark irridescent grey green false-heliotrope blue scorpion dress. It was a demonic shade of the color of what in the world lit by the sun was the color of the animal called a green scorpion. It had a flaming rouge and black scorpion on the back and red scarabs on both sleeves.

It was Shafiq more than Belle, who was in danger.

Aêšmi began her ascent to the surface and when she came to the gate that let out on the world of light, she invoked the guard, a hell hound, by the names of Lilitu and Asmodeus to let her pass, and it did. Above the gate was the dreadful symbol of the worm Ouroborous, the worm that eats its own tail and emerges to deceive.

Aêšmi went forth into the world of sunlight and began a serpent like hiss that ended with a purr like a kitten, "come to me Shafiq my darling, ...come to me my love."

* * *

During the feast, the counsel of the Lady of the Morning had been going on for some time. The royal Lady, Queen of the Dawn, draped Belle with the outer golden cloak of the Lady's own protection and reminded Belle of the importance of always bearing the amulet she had been given by the angel.

The Queen was speaking, "...may you be worthy my son of this lady, the Princess Belle, and escort her well in the quest that is set before you." Belle thought to herself, ' "my son." He is a prince, that I know, but of this house?'

-to be continued-

A short story - continued part 5

The White Mare was slightly in the lead and together she and Numair rounded the last bend to where the gate house that led to the castle was. Slowing, the two horses came to rest in front of the gate.

Standing there was the gate keeper, he spoke bowing, "Welcome Princess Belle, your highness. The Lady waits inside." Shafiq replied, "Thank you Kadeen. It is a good morning, is it not?" Kadeen bowed and said, "yes, your highness," opening the gate to let them through. Belle turned and looked at Shafiq, thinking 'Oh, "your highness."' She only said, "It is a good morning Shafiq, ...your highness," with a nod of her head and a smile. He replied, "A blessed morning Princess, shall we proceed, Belle?" She said, "of course, Shafiq, thank you." They rode up the pathway, long and winding. On either side of the pathway were rose gardens with myrtle trees lining the path. The myrtles were in blossom with long luscious purple red clusters. The roses were blossoming as well, deep velvet burgundy red and golden yellow and dark tyrian blue and snow white. As the horses walked up the path, Belle was looking at the myrtles, and it came to her mind the words of the Prophet Isaiah - "Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where briers grew, myrtles will sprout up. By this miracle the Lord shall be named for an everlasting sign of his power and love, that shall not be cut off." And she thought, 'but where is the Tamarisk tree?'

They approached the castle of the Lady of the morning. Outside was an even more beautiful garden of snow white roses and one deep red rose in the middle. 'Oh! thought Belle, the Rose.' The horses stopped in front. Belle and Shafiq dismounted the White Mare and Numair and left them to wait. They walked side by side up the walkway to the castle door where Shafiq moved to the front and raising his hand said, "I have returned. Open to us and greet the fairest princess." Belle looking ahead at both the door and Shafiq, was calm and waited. The door opened and there were the ladies of the court of the Lady of the Morning, who moving around Shafiq, drew Belle inside with them, greeting her warmly, "princess welcome, welcome! Welcome good lady!" They escorted her in to the outer court room. Shafiq then walked up to her side and said to Belle, "it is time to enter the court of the Lady of the Morning, the Queen of the Dawn, and hear her counsel." The large double door in front of them opened and they all, in procession, walked through.

There upon a golden dais sat enthroned the most regal Queen that Belle had ever imagined, the Lady of the Morning, Queen of the Dawn. She was resplendant and beautiful, yet with gentle and goodly countenance. Shafiq led the way and Belle walked to his side. Together they stood in front with the courtiers arraigned around the courtroom. Shafiq and Belle bowed and said, together with one mind and voice, "good morning, your highness, we are at your service." The Queen rose and spoke, "Welcome young prince and princess to my house. We will speak at length, but first the feast."









-to be continued-

A short story - continued part 4

Upon the earth blessed by God, sitting astride Numair, Shafiq and Belle looked, wondering, at the White Mare. The Mare spoke gently and said, “follow me and I will show you the way. First, Belle dismount from Numair and come ride upon my back.” Belle did as she was bid. On they rode together, side by side.

* * *

The marid, Aêšmi, stood alone in her cave. She was before the foul altar, a version of that which was to take much life in the future across Oceanus away beyond the pillars of Hercules. Fitting, Hercules or Melkart of Carthage, man-god of pagan North Africa to which was offered living infants to gain power from the fallen star - Saturn, Satan. The Chacmool altar is what it would be called in the future in that other, distant land. These altars the same, blood drenched in offering to Lilitu of human sacrifice, that she would curry favor thereby from Satan to grant power to the Devil's own. Aêšmi looked down to hell and invoking the triple goddess, emanations of Lilitu, Isis the horned celestial cow and Mene of the earth and Hecate of the abyss, began the ceremony of the black light.

The triple goddess, this was the same as, by other names the Arabian triple goddess cast down by Muhammad’s witness, “There is no God but only Allah.” Muhammad’s witness cast down the three foul sisters - al-Lat, al-Uzzat and al-Menat of al-ilah the moon god, born the moon god by the sun goddess.


Aêšmi began the invocation holding the intaglio in front and slightly raised to her side, “come to me and unify heaven and earth in me all spirits of the Celestial goddess and Hecate of the depths, in me by the blood of the mystical palm of Karnak in the Mother of all goddesses of earth between, Mene, by Isis Queen of terror, and by our mother Lilitu grant me total surrender to the power of the black light.” The ka attached to her ba began a wail from deep within her as the unseen kabbalah serpent began to circle within her. The black light began to radiate from her eyes and she began to shake violently. Then suddenly it ceased and her appearance had changed completely. Before she had been plain and given to a grayish passible appearance as if haunted. Now this creature was radiant and sensuous and even beautiful and terrifying, but seductive in the extreme.

“Shafiq my darling,” the succubus purred, “come to me. . .be mine alone, what care you for that creature, Belle?”


* * *

Numair and the White Mare cantered down the road carrying their human cargoes. The White Mare turned her head to Numair and said, “would you like the gift of human speech?” Numair shook his head and neighed, as if to say, ‘of course!’ The Mare, simply said, “in the future.”

The four went on in silence for some time. Belle and Shafiq exchanged glances and smiles from time to time.

Suddenly startled, Belle looked quickly at him and said, “A chill just went through me Shafiq.” Unknown to Belle, that was the moment of the full possession of Aêšmi and her ceasing to be human at all.

Smiling, Shafiq said gently to Belle, “Do not fear, I will let no harm come your way, princess.”

“It is not myself for which I fear, but you brave knight. Do be very careful of perilous beauty, Shafiq.” She said very somberly.

He marveled at her and said, “I shall my princess, I shall.” And on they went, the midday sun beaming down on them in a soft and kindly light.












-to be continued-

A short story - continued part 3

Shafiq and Belle rode Numair in search of the White Mare for several days, making camp at night where Shafiq set up a small tent from a roll he packed on Numair. He stood guard outside while the Princess slept safe and undisturbed within.

* * *

Under Mt. Damavand, in the dark cave lurked the marid, Aêšmi, the daughter of Asmodeus. She plotted against Princess Belle night and day. One midnight, her father entered and spoke to her, "Aêšmi, come and make obeisance to me," he commanded. She bowing low stood mute. Continuing he said, "since the day that I came in to your mortal mother and begat you, Lilitu my consort the Queen mother and I, have had great plans for you one day. Since the unnameable Anointed one came and threw our power down we have been hard put to cause harm in the world. We thought we had kept a large portion of the Arab sons of Ishmael and many others under our dominion, but the fierce One over all, whom we have sworn enmity against, sent the Prophet, His messenger, and freed them from us by the word he announced to them."

A serving demon stirred from behind the prince of hell.

"The time has come." Asmodeus announced, "Lilitu sends her greetings and this charmed intaglio for you to use against Belle, the sweet and innocent Muslimah princess and her knight Shafiq." The demon serving Asmodeus came forward and read from Queen Lilitu's scroll, "Daughter of the black light, by the power of the sacrifice of your mortal mother upon your birth couch, to our King the fallen star, were you consecrated to me. Now arise and take the Intaglio of Hecate and proceed to the destruction of the Princess, Belle Lumière, and the Kingdom of the Two Rivers." Aêšmi took the Intaglio and scroll and stood silent. Asmodeus and his train of demons turned and left.

* * *

Upon the world blessed by God and lit by the great lights He put in the heavens, Shafiq and Belle rode on. One day as they rode they came to a well. Shafiq dismounted and retrieved water for Numair. Taking a cup he filled first, he offered it to Belle still upon Numair's back and said, "blessed Princess, you ride most gracefully and so quiet, please take this for your thirst." She replied, "gracious and polite knight, I thank you." Drinking deeply, she handed him the cup back. He took it from her hand gently and then drank from it himself, looking up and smiling at her. He mounted again and they rode on. Suddenly a voice deep, gentle and calm said, "is it I you look for?" Standing in the road was the White Mare, light of heaven radiating about her in the cool early morning.




- to be continued -

A short story - continued

The princess had been asleep.

Gradually Belle woke with a slightly quizzical but warm feeling. A gentle Mare had been in a dream and it spoke! "Belle, find me and I will take you where your and the young gentleman's quest awaits you both."

Rising, Belle dressed and warmly, as it was only spring and chill was oft in the air. She dressed in a blue long clinging thick silk lined linen tunic and long warm riding pantaloons. Her warm white and blue embroidered cloak was around her and a long thick winter hijab and she decided to put on her riding boots, the soft golden chamois, just in case she met the white Mare. And 'must not forget my gloves,' she thought of the gloves, also golden chamois, and she put them in her cloak pocket. She did not forget to take her riding whip.

Belle packed a backsack and she opened her door and stepped into the hall and walked to the foyer in the front of her home. Taking a hiking staff, she opened the front door and down the curved walk to her garden she walked with resolve. She opened the gate that yesterday she had greeted the young gentleman at and without stopping went out on to the road.

The young gentleman, who was actually a prince, had dreamed as well, a dream he had many times before. He dreamed of Princess Belle riding her horse during summer very early in the morning while dawn's first light barely touched upon her visage. It was always as if she were far off and he couldn't get to her.

But through day and night the radiant vision of her face demurely behind her veil brought peaceful contemplation to his soul.

Inspired as he always was by the vision of her serene countenance he leaped from his couch where he had been asleep and grabbed his coat and cap and ran to his horse, Numair, and saddled him and began to ride.

They rode for some time. Then the prince saw Princess Belle up ahead. The Prince's horse cantered up to where Princess Belle was walking and slowed to a stop, gently neighing. The Prince doffed his cap and said, "Peace and a most blessed and good morning to you Princess Belle."

She answered him, "Good sir, it is you, Peace and a good morning to you. You have me at a disadvantage, though, as I know not your name."

"At your sevice noble Princess, I am, 'Shafiq Nur al Din Taymullah bin Wajih' your humble servant, Princess Belle Light of Heaven." said the prince, smiling.

"Shafiq, I need your help, do you guide me now if you can. I must find the White Mare, the Lady of the Morning's gentle steed and omen of good." the princess asked him with trusting smile.

Extending his arm Shafiq said, "take my arm and mount behind me upon Numair, who is honored to carry you." Numair neighed and shook his head in agreement. She clasped Shafiq firmly and they rode off in search of Abir, the White Mare of the Lady of the Morning.

-to be continued-

A short story

There was a lady, an elegant lady. She was pure of soul and gentle of heart. Grieved and angered by the wrongs she saw, she spoke out.

Terrible threats were levied against her by agents of the evil-doers. She blanched not at all. She continued her crusade. She had a coterie of female athlete warriors to go with her into battle. One of their number of the phalange de Astarte-Ishtar here shows their resolve against the enemy.

All men of good conscience and love of wisdom supported the noble lady and her heroines and even went before them to battle the foe. A mighty archangel from God was sent to help them in this holy war.

And now the scene is set.

The story...


"Daddy,daddy, do you see the light!" exclaimed the King's daughter.

"Yes dear," said the King, "it is God's angel come to talk with us."


"Greetings and peace to you," the angel saluted them.

"Welcome and it is good that you are here," the King, bowing, greeted the angel of God.

"I have come to warn you," the angel went on to say, "that the evil Queen of Hell, the consort of Asmodeus father of demons, Lilitu, has sent one of her children the most diabolic Persian female marid from the tall peaks of Reshteh-ye Alborz from under the dark of the mountain of the gods Qolleh-ye Damavand, Aêšmi-daeva Síyáh-Chál, the maiden of the black pit, to abduct your beautiful daughter ضوء السماء la belle lumière la princesse de Mésopotamie. The maiden Aêšmi would then take her place."

"What can I do?" exclaimed the King.

"Fear not said the angel, for I have brought the golden ring of protection, the amulet of the morning star on golden chain, for the safeguarding of your daughter." Giving it to the King the angel concluded his message for which he had been sent, "Keep it with her and she will be safe." Saluting the King, the angel ascended back to heaven.

The King said to his daughter, "Belle, keep this chain around your neck always to bear this amulet from the Lady of the Morning for your protection. Promise me dear."

"I will daddy," she said.


Many years passed and Belle grew into the lovliest and most gentle and soft flower of the two rivers there had ever been. Truly a Queen of Mésopotamie when her time should come.


One day she was picking roses in her garden and a stranger rode up on horseback and doffed his cap and said, "most fair maid, grant me but a short vision of you and I have seen paradise."

She replied, a bit, but not too much disturbed, "Good sir, you are bold enow and what should I say to your flattery?"

He, dismounting his steed with a bow and a flourish looking steadily with eyes of clear light into her beautiful eyes, breathed in the morning mist, "grant me to but know you and my life's quest is sure."

She suddenly, recognizing the good heart she had dreamed of from afar, caught her hand around the amulet about her neck and reassured that this meeting was most blessed, said, "I must go now, but do come again to my garden's gate and wish me good day, as I do you now, fair gentleman, welcome and well met."



-to be continued-