Stains of Blood and Ash

[Richelieu]

I enjoyed that.

[SKILORD]

Thanks for the comments scratch and Rich.

[unscratchedfoot]

Yes this is unpredictable. And well-written to boot.

I only wish it had a happy ending.

[SKILORD]

Well, that really depends on your point of view.

To a Christian the ending shouldn't be sad at all, as Christopher himself says, "This prison will no longer hold me."

Even if you're not a Christian doesn't it follow that since all must die then it is best to die happy? Christopher wasn't terribly upset at the prospect of death.

If it makes you feel better you can add the following sentance to the end of every book or short story that you read that doesn't end with the death of the protagonist. "And then later he died."

unless of course the main charcter was female, then you have to make such changes.

'And they lived happily ever after.'

'But then later he died.'

only honest ending you can have, scratch.

[PLATO]

Originally posted by unscratchedfoot
I only wish it had a happy ending.

It does. One of the reasons the story carries such power is that it trancends the humanistic definition of life. Christopher has asked himself the age old question, "Is there nothing more?" and found the answer to be, at least for him, "Yes, there is." To die under these circumstances would be a happy "ending" for all, I believe.

[ChrisiusMaximus]

As a Christian the character had achieved what many have not, he had turned his enemy to God!

He had if you like educated the Mongol. To spread the word and help to convert others, to harvest new souls to the faith would have been one his biggest motivations in life. As such he would have been very happy and felt safe in the knowledge that God would protect him and would be pleased with him.

A difficult subject matter to convey, and yet so well written and delivered here.

[SKILORD]

Thanks PLATO and thanks Chrisus.

proud to be able to make myself understood.

[Nylan-Nolan]

Good Job!

This is professional work! Good luck to you in your contest!

[SKILORD]

Thanks man.

[unscratchedfoot]

Gentlemen, I guess I'm just an absurdity or something odd, but for me being dragged across rocks by a horse is not my idea of happiness. All the same, if that's what you are into then all the power to you.

[Nylan-Nolan]

Well, it was kind of a happy ending, because he was "released from his earthly prison". He finally got to go home.

[SKILORD]

I got this baby back from the contest people, it recieved an 'Excellent' rating, (it was only a few points shy of the top rating, but that's because I sent them a really harsh, almost completely unedited version).

Anyways, it did well, but didn't win me anything. :shrug:

[ChrisiusMaximus]

well it was truly excellent so well done from me

[SKILORD]

Any scholarship money, then, Chrisus?

-

Donj't worry about it, UNC-G isn't so bad cost-wise, I'll be able to handle her without it.

[ChrisiusMaximus]

SKILORD I would like to help you if I had the means, but you would have to get in the queue behind my four kids

Im dreading putting them all through Higher education as it is