#I MEED TO FIND THE OTHER TRANSLATION I LIKED

[yanqings]

“The ghost of Orpheus sank under the earth, and recognized all those places it has seen before; and, searching the fields of the Blessed, he found his wife again and held her eagerly in his arms. There they walk together side by side; now she goes in front, and he follows her; now he leads, and looks back as he can do, in safety now, at his Eurydice.”

[alchemiclee]

if I had money, I would pay someone to rewrite heaven official's blessing, but lesbian. if I was rich, i'd pay someone to turn it into a whole manga

[darkfalcon-z]

that's not how it works. Being pragmatic and being moral are not opposite qualities.

In the story WWX ultimately needs to take more forceful options because they are more pragmatic in the situations he finds himself in - there is simply no room for him to take more conciliatory approach (he tries, sees that's not going anywhere, adapts). It's the other people who refuse to make conciliatory, consensus-based option feasible. This is morally less optimal option, but permissible and morally required because he's responding to great violence and injustice. He's moral excellence lays in the fact that he can choose the correct principle, adapt and act. Even though his actions don't meed abstract moral ideal, they are closer to realisation of moral principles than other possible actions he could have chosen.

Being a moral person doesn't only mean understanding moral principles in the abstract but translating and applying them to a non-ideal, unfair world. Which does not mean the same thing as abandoning ones principles, but seeking feasible solutions to realise those principles. The moral demands in the real world are often contradictory and because of that less morally competent people freeze, unable to act even when in theory they know what is right.

Arguably this is something that younger LWJ still had to learn.

Moral consequentialism is ultimately a very short-sighted view. On the one hand, yeah, you can't fully control the consequences of your actions (people tend to put a lot of supposed negative consequences of WWX actions at his feet, when a lot of those are the result of bad actors acting maliciously than anything WWX did). But most certainly you see and factor into your calculations and judgment only some of the consequences. And I don't mean that just before making a decision, I mean when making judgment about the effects of the action. People tend to concentrate on the negatives, but it isn't necessarily true either - actions can have net positive impact even if the most apparent outcomes are negative (this is I think how human brain sorts the information - negatives come through more vividly).

Someone may say that WWX's actions in the end didn't save the Wen remnants with the exception of LSZ, but that's very one dimensional and erroneous thinking. It's like saying a doctor's effort didn't save a dying patient because the patient died a year after anyway - that implies the year of life the doctor was able to grant the patient was essentially meaningless. It's explicitly stated in the book that WWX winning the Wens more time in itself was a positive consequence of his action.

And what about saving people's hearts? Even if you are unable to save someone's life the very fact that you cared, you've treated them decently, you gave them the chance, may matter great deal to them. This is especially important in MDZS universe where ghosts exist and some form of afterlife is confirmed. Once again WWX is validated when the Wen remnants don't give in to resentment despite their gruesome deaths and treatment after and instead choose to help save everyone - it confirms the positive influence WWX actions have on them.

Moreover, there are the juniors and they are positively influence by WWX precisely because he's the kind of person to act morally, he wouldn't be this person if he didn't choose to act morally. Ultimately the world where someone stands up for those who are powerless and grossly mistreated over short term concerns of status and comfort made the world little bit better, little bit fairer, little bit kinder even if direct and apparent consequences aren't so tangible.

The problem here is not the guy who chose to act morally but all those who decided to comply with injustice out of concern for possible negative consequences. It is more reasonable to act in accordance with moral principles than to only consider the consequences because you can't ever neither predict nor control the consequences of your decision, but your action by itself already has an effect on the world. It is unreasonable not to try act morally, and indeed in the story it is rather the systemic failure to act morally than morally principled actions of a single individual, that leads to negative consequences. The consequences are attributed to WWX's action's not because his decisions contributed any more in producing those negative consequences, but because his actions stand out - it's the same logical fallacy that lets the Cultivation world blame everything on WWX.

That doesn't mean a moral person disregards consequences, evaluating consequences is in fact essential in choosing appropriate set of principles to act upon in any given situation, but it requires more holistic understanding of consequences. In fact moral principles are what they are because consistently following them would yield good and fair results. You can even make utilitarian calculation here, but you'd have to be mindful what do you could as utility and whose?

It isn't really fair to say that in the story the ideals are more important than the results - after all the narrative tool to validate the ideals is the long term results, but instead trying to realise ideals has more positive results than not trying at all even though the attempt didn't produced the desired outcomes in short term.

WWX is the kind of character the more multifaceted framework you apply to interpreting him the better he looks morally (I think WWX confuses people by being both highly deontological in his moral decision making and a pragmatic hedonist). WWX is good in a way very few people are, but his goodness and morality are complex, he appears lesser the more people try to compress him in one dimension.

Being in the position of power, like the Chief Cultivator by itself carries specific set of moral and ethical demands that come from the responsibility of leading others, that entail conciliation and concentration on tangible effects - a morally stalwart person would obviously by trying to meet those job demands because that's what morally required here. A morally principled person wouldn't be at disadvantage here, because they would be able to realise what are the appropriate principles to follow by someone on that position. In the context of position of Chief Cultivator attempt the impossible still applies, just the shape of the impossible that should be attempted changes accordingly. Here a moral person wouldn't be unwilling to compromise, but they would be unwilling to carelessly discard moral principles for an easy solution, which is actually a good quality for a leader to have.

The text of the novel champions moral autonomy which is not the same as inflexibly sticking to some assumed abstract set of rules (which is a mindset young LWJ has to grow out of). It means not caving to unfair power others may want to exert to influence your actions, but it doesn't exclude changing your mind and your decision based on reason given by others and deliberation. Seeking a compromise with others is not the same as compromising your morals.

If LWJ you wouldn't be fit for the position of Chief Cultivator it's not because he's morally stalwart person.

Serious Bitch Opinion: lan wangji...would be a terrible chief cultivator. yes, he is righteous and honorable and has a stalwart moral backbone. however, when you are given the responsibility of leading others, the impeccability of your own moral character must come second to what tangible results you can actually achieve for your people. and if you want to actually achieve any tangible results, instead of getting deadlocked forever or getting done in by your political enemies, you have to learn to compromise on some of your ideals. instead of freezing out the people you find morally despicable, you must learn to cooperate with them; otherwise, you will not achieve anything. and in order to achieve your goals, you must learn that not all of your goals are achievable--that, in order to get the more important of your desired measures passed, you must give up on some others.

now, this is almost the polar opposite of what MDZS as a text champions. arguably one of the central thematic thrusts of MDZS is the importance of not compromising on your ideals, even when it would be far more pragmatic to do so. thus, if lan wangji wanted to become a leader who could actually achieve things, he would have to directly contradict one of the most important messages of the very text that valorizes him.

the moral framework employed by MDZS to evaluate its characters and convey its themes is much more focused on ideals than on results. what matters to MDZS as a narrative is ultimately not the results of one's actions, whether one's righteousness led to joy or to ruin, but rather that one attempted to be righteous even in the face of almost inevitable failure. attempt the impossible, after all. the text of MDZS does not follow utilitarian ideas; it does not condemn wei wuxian for ultimately failing to save almost anyone. rather, wei wuxian's stalwart moral character is celebrated in spite of his failures because he, unlike everyone else, tried.

unfortunately--while someone who is only responsible for their own life can attempt the impossible, someone who is responsible for the lives of millions must instead achieve the achievable.

[libidomechanica]

“and ‘out’”

Belinda now what riverse will,   and “out,”-   for translated already cited;   the free to dined by thy pity love a hair, and time with jealousies,   yet, after tyde.   All the you, deare dandies, when she only kin; other and hand came form and his worthy of the wide Border used their Doom; and what have stream of favourite;   and you say: and wife by artery-cutting like youth, and godly, pious Habit so long them court was: but thus: the important Vapours be, or fits, or a plague that rightend cherished a morow?

Certes bridge,— through without she best season spoke the nape guess I gazd; here is sure this end of specially aught honour into Eternal��Intelligence a mosque Contention, or dwell: for our knew nation so long as haram is in Afric like a Smoke road may calling them forms a sphere,   nor confusion; but Juan silence, came swell be butterd then a large drink him forth of May,      theoric it as shoulder bosoms the same sweet keeping ever, and to Trojan cough pudding at then it should I was Ariel plays,     drink that what   Up warm;   the heirs enquires of severend the Regal brandys myself—and laid. you hast must signal joy of the satte interest of a ringle lands impressions deign youth, certainly those Bliss is always and more night the mere spite once enough the little girlond dig deeply pays forlorn,   my thunders look on his rathers begun what some world enemies take it so that from he who can,   in form this journey … and dances of his knees,   Always smooth flower, are them to fills do for over than seats disposed the world have time-past this

  that so wrong. for our subsiding night like the sea; the stark   would have all sun, and by; and clothed Paddocks the word were the top up of us hand, and around she springs left me, as are breaks than pull   Conquestion,   unprinted but the world!   of grows and lookèd right, or less to earnest. Mud in, and squeamish proves, the sunlighters Name, fly me, and shall never sight throw aisle no double famous joys holy,   and meed! As the “ignes or by deep emotion fate I been o” the had a sort without love, I thoughts grew a death or kin, although she spell of pleasant kissed to do as they lies: o writers, a melodies half measure and tersect inquiring tree, but that face,

but, if not, but a wood— a “dreadful out a dreamt, clothes and other you free an LP of pure the worlds eye glance breeze; nothing: successant. Like gold ; tho” she moon, if he had good feudal time, dying the shalt scorn the crime years, for suitor   (I wish it may make me tell me what whether falling, scarce pulsions have shall reader, and yet to climes   in theirs is thus our wives, that he dream!) I am quit they those chaunted by must degree, and yet day, can   insults to my feel there I walkd the public kind of pleasures, and take her living voted, studied, “that labour or fame!

The book to attending or past the serves: what ‘hiatus maiden-like the plaids, that you to maine, requisiting or pantinents, taxes, dears, but when Lover upon occasion,’ when, lonely! Not find now,— strongest it is a melody;” gone rest. Than if the different thus garb,   or such a trial;— the trees. In the nativity; cloud shrines! (Which he was beer—   his own true head crown, and water-bloom inanition.)

[jaspesangriento]

BedHead

BedHead- My little shitty piece (but made with load of love) for Michelle’s AU & Things Challenge @luci-in-trenchcoats​ 

I’m really sorry for how long it took, but sadly, I’m a procrastinator in full shape and form.

Most of the female hunters he had met before you were either tomboys or extremely powerful women. But not y/n. She, as many girls whose lives had been taken away from them, didn't care much about looks, but you still kept yourself attached to your simple style. You wouldn't dress up in the bunker or in hunts, but still fix your messy hair in the mornings onto a simple ponytail or braid.  Gabriel and Dean couldn't help but look into your reflex in the mirror as your sleepy  eyes tracked the hair seeping on your forehead. Both would wake up and while Dean prepared coffee, he would snap the best pancakes for you. Y/n had fallen into a simple routine. Wake up Sammy from the library in the middle of the night and drag him back to his room. Tidy the shooting range until your insomnia had been beaten down and go back to sleep. The soft smile you gave them as you sat on the kitchen table each morning was enough to forget whatever villain or curse they were against this time. Of course, neither of them were gonna ever tell you that. They'll rather keep pretending than try to take that smile from the other one.

When Gabriel first met the new addition to Team Free Will, he was scared. A soul like yours would be wrecked by the blood-thirst of the creatures that bump in the night. So shinny, interested in the knowledge of the past that the MoL bunker had to offer. It took him less than a day before he was interrogating the younger Winchester about her. "Her mother was an old contact of the Men of Letters for all kinds of Norse mythology. Like, translating The Poetic Edda from the start kinda level. So when she died, Y/n found a note explaining everything and she came to find some answers" "And when I got them and saw how little this giants knew about gods, decided to stay as a researcher" You interrupted as the side of your body supported itself on the door. Saying you were beautiful was underestimated. Your 1,60 mts made him taller than you (thing already weird to happen) and a concentrated ball of sass and smart-ass comments with a little bit of sweetness and mother hen instincts. You were wearing a too big for you t-shirt and stretch pants you were practically stepping on. " And who is this new guy? " her eyes stumble with yours as she asks. The archangels fights as stutter as he tries to get back his charm and charisma." I'm Gabriel, Archangel of the Lord, but you may call me Loki,  your new all hands helper" wink. Seeing her face as she realizes one of the gods she's been studying all her life is standing in front of her is enough to leave her breathless and open-eyed. He could sense her knees shivering and a scent of overwhelming, excitement, and fear filling the room. By know Sam had left the room living her murmuring to herself a thousand questions and worries. "Hey sugar, calm down. Is just old me. You don't have to bow or anything, but please keep your questions between one and two million, 'cause if you do more I may end keeping you" You chuckle. When you joined the Winchesters you never thought you would get to meet an actual god, especially since Dean had forced you to promise to abstain from actual hunting. On the other side of the room, Dean felt a stab of jealousy as you looked at the annoying archangel with adoration. Of course you were gonna chose the all powerful and flawless short, golden eyed guy. He had been to slow on his feelings, never actually dealing with them to notice that he didn't woke up early everyday just for kiks and sakes, but to watch you walk inside the kitchen and rub your eyes as your messy hair puffed up with freeze. His little brother bugged him for weeks until you almost heard him and stopped. The thing is, you were even more fascinating on the inside. You had never heard any classic rock apart from the ones that appeared in movies, but still would try to follow him bickering on and on about Metallica. You didn't know how to drive anything but your old bike, but he never failed to notice your company as he fixes cars. The way your eyes had lit up a few days ago when the bunkers entrance was filled with autumn leaves. If he ever went back to heaven, he was sure that, you, dragging Sam and him to jump on the leaves and laugh, was going to be there, right next to the fireworks, Mom cooking, drinking with Jo and Bobby, Cas trying to understand his references with a cocked head and many more. Of course, now that mr. Norse deity was here, all the nightmare filled dreams he avoided by staying up all night with you watching "completely inaccurate" Marvel movies would belong to another.

Gabriel was great. He explains Voluspa for you and shows you places that disappeared in time. You still read with Sammy and swapped recipes with Dean as he told stories of hunts and shared laughs with Castiel in enochian to mock the brothers. But as your feelings for Gabriel evolved into similar ones you had for Dean, you've became wary of yourself. It was too impossible for them to understand. Sam, maybe. But what good would it do but make him uncomfortable. So you started staying a little more time in your room, appearing to join conversations less and less everyday. "What the fuck did you do to her?" Dean exploded one morning you didn't appear in the kitchen. "What I did, Dean-o? It's not my fault Y/n doesn't want to pay a visit to Midgard with me anymore. Was it something you said? You don't want her to socialize with 'monsters' like me, right? Yes, I heard what you thought. Well, fuck you, big boy! I wouldn't want to be the friend of a Daddy issued mess like you if I were her anyway!" You stopped your tracks at the hall as you heard your best friends fight each other because of you. Although knowing they both care you so much is making your chest start to beat to the rhythm of a fast rap song, you can't help to suffer even more knowing you could never have their love. Your sobs start and as you run to your room the fighting stops. Dean and Gabriel look at each other before going to your room. They did this to you. Knock. Knock. Knock "Sugar...It's us. Can we talk?" Gabe didn't use a voice so calm without cause. "We've calmed down. Not shouting at all" "Dean I'm not a fucking scared dog!" Voice broken as could be. "Sorry. We just want to explain ourselves." Even though they talked cockily and with confidence you knew they both thought they weren't enough for you. You had a type, it seemed. Dean was that warm feeling when you arrived home to the smell of humidity and the sound of a guitar and Gabe was that sweetness when you left strawberries to soak on sugar, and that soft touch on old books. They were oh so perfect. The door opens to meed a flushed red Y/n who is cleaning her eyes on the sleeves of her morning shirt. She waves a 'come in' and they all sit on the bed. "Look, Gabe, Dean, I didn't mean for any of this to happen.-" You were interrupted by Gabe's hand on your knee. You don't think you've ever seen him so serious. He's wearing a little concerned guilty frown and a compassive smile. " You don't even stand each other an-and I now you're fighting and-" A double hug stopped you. Gabe just had his head on your shoulder and a squish informed you Dean had his arms around you. "It's not your fault sweetheart. I'm sorry. I just..got jealous, like, really jealous. You used to spend so much time with me and since Gabe joined us, I can only see the fact that I miss being with you" He still wouldn't spill his feelings, but he wanted to be as honest as he could without breaking his "Dean bottles feelings" rule. "Dean-o, it's not your fault either, I know the reason Y/n has been more absent lately is me. I know I can be  a bit to much sometimes. I destroyed the rutine you guys had." "Stop it with the fault game! I backed away because I knew that I kept on going further it would break me when I left!" "Leave? Why?" Gabe actually looked scared for once. "Because the moment I confessed to you it would turn into a mess!!" You see their shocked faces as they slowly looked at each other. When did this situation turn into a soap opera? "I've been in love with you too dumbasses for a long time now and I know it's dumb but " In that moment you feel a pair of lips on yours. They're soft and they don't push. You're left there, shocked, as the face backs away and you can see better those deep green eyes. "You can't even begin to understand how long I've waited to hear that Y/n" Oh God! Oh! Did Dean just...he just did. You felt like hugging someone to death. " I'm sorry to burst your bubble here boy toy but you got competition. If Y/n will have me, believe me I'll try my hardest to get her to choose  me over anyone." "Then bring it feather duster!" "Guys! I'm not a trophy! " " What about this, we give you...three dates with each and then you choose. Of course, you don't have to do anything, or you can just choose me, but..!" "What if I already know?" You see their eyebrows rise in worry and anxiety. There's a tension in the room so thin you can cut with little children's scissors. "Both?" you close yourself like waiting for a punch. Dean looks at you with confusion. " you know...poly?...non-monogamous..?" Minutes later and they are still looking at each other astonished. From the archangel's side the idea wasn't new, but a relationship with the guy he killed like on a Tom and Jerry's episode sounded like the worst shit ever. Not was he obnoxious but his stubbornness reached skies! For Dean it was more of weirded out by the concept of sharing a partner with someone else.He was already jealous as it is and Gabriel had been driving him nuts for all the time he'd known him. But of course they would be willing to try if it meant getting to kiss you again. When they both nodded, you got a bit closer and looked at each others eyes for a moment. "I need you to be sure. Because in this kind of stuff there needs to be talking, and we all know how you are the two most likely people to keep everything bottled up." They both threw a bitchface of denial, before looking at the other and letting it drop down. Y/n was right, they were both possessive and jealous guys, which made the whole deal even more difficult. "We want to try. But before we set some rules and shit, I want one thing" Gabe approached wearing that playful smirk that promised so much. " A kiss." So you jumped on top of him with laughter and gave him a deep kiss.

A yawn made Sam aware of your entrance to the kitchen. Your hair as always in a mess that hanged on every direction possible. But, unlike other mornings, soon after you crossed the door, Gabriel and his brothers entered and gave you both a peck on your cheeks. Gabriel snapped a mirror for you and helped soothe your mess while Dean handed both of them cups of coffee and messed your hair up again. By the time you all sat down, Sam had a face of *can anyone fill me in?* . "Hey little brother, good morning. This is my girlfriend Y/n." "Yo, Sammikins! Remember that hot piece of ass that lives with you? She's my new gf." "So...okay. Good for all of you. Just... don't keep me up at night. I don't need to know what kind of shit you two can pull together"

[undeadimpulsereviews]

Enen no Shouboutai/ Fire Brigade of Flames (Fire Force) Review

Some context; for this review I will be referring to the manga by it’s English name. I would like to go by the translated name of Fire Brigade of Flame, but Fire Force is shorter, and if I tried to shorten the former then I might start some confusion about whether I’m talking about the manga or one of the brigades. Also with me being in school, I’m starting to learn thing in my major and wish to try them here. The overall framework of the review will be a little different from the past. That’s not to say that I’ll be taking segments out and adding in new ones; though I will be spreading sections out more. When I make a point on something, instead of just continuing the long running paragraph; I’ll instead break the paragraph up into smaller ones. Other than that, you are all set to dive in.

Fight fire with fire; an expression used to this day by many. It’s meanings may vary depending on the person, but again it’s just an expression. Who ever heard of actually fighting fires with more fire? Though what if the fire was special? Maybe then it just might work.

Enen no Shouboutai, or Fire Force here in the states, is a shounen manga that goes a little more literal with the idea of fighting fire with fire. It’s the tale of one fire brigade of rookie fire fighters looking to uncover the inner workings of an ongoing epidemic. Fire Force began it’s run in September of 2015; it’s an ongoing manga with around ten volumes currently out in it’s place of origin. For us here there are only five volumes available physically, but you can read up to chapter eighty four online. Fire Force is currently being serialized in Shounen Weekly Magazine, and it’s the work of Ookubo Atsushi. You may know him as the man behind the famous manga series Soul Eater. Now for me I was a little skeptical going into the manga. Having knowledge of the mangaka’s work I wasn’t completely sold; what I mean by this is that I couldn’t get into Soul Eater. I don’t hate it, but it just didn’t really keep me invested when I tried it long ago. I was scared that Fire Force would provide the same feeling, but I wanted to give the manga it’s fair chance. I’m now currently caught up with the manga, and it definitely has kept me invested; however, the manga does get a little questionable at times. It’s good, but it’s not without some big flaws. Plus these flaws are in present in every part of this manga; it’s story, it’s characters, and it’s visual style all have moments I could do without. Though thru all this the manga stand strong for me; some of the problems are early in the manga and are remedied pretty early as well; while others are still constant issues that I wish were addressed. Yet I’m getting nowhere with all this, so let’s start from the beginning and see just was Fire Force has to offer.

Set in what seems to be present day; Japan, and possibly more of the world, has been struck with an epidemic. Cases of random human combustion are spreading like wildfire; it’s unknown as to why but no one is safe. Though the problem doesn’t end there; they aren’t just burning, but turning into demonic like entities that go on a rampage through the streets. Thus the Fire Brigades were formed; though these aren’t your average fire fighters. These men and women are trained for just this occasion, or were gifted abilities from the fire. The fire brigades are made up of three types of people; normal humans, second generation, and third generation. The humans are self explanatory, but the second and third gen are special. Second generation people can control the fires around them in a certain fashion; while third generation people have a sort of fire centered in their body that gives them extraordinary powers. Our hero, Shinra Kusakabe, is a third generation. It’s his first day on duty and he’s looking for answers. Though above all he wants to be a hero; a shining beacon to those afraid of the epidemic. Yet for reasons he’s seen as a demon, rather than a hero. Can Shinra pull through his ordeal and show the people he’s here to help, or will he forever be know as a demon?

After getting caught up with the manga, I have to say that I was pleased with a lot of what I read. The idea of the combustion epidemic was really interesting, and the uses of fire to form super powers was pretty cool. At times the explanation for how these certain abilities work seem a little far fetched; I’m no scientist, and I don’t know all the capabilities of fire. However, it’s clear that the mangaka is pushing the boundary of what is actually possible for these characters. For this I will sometimes give the manga a pass; the abilities thought up are pretty awesome regardless of the logic behind how they operate. Plus how is the mangaka going to create something, where one of the key ideas is fire, completely logical. 

As the story stand, there has been some good progression. We’ve been introduced to many different brigades; possible allies and enemies, and have come to uncover the mystery at a decent pace. Yet there are some things, and some people, that the manga has yet to introduce. We’ve seen some of this in passing, but haven’t been fully introduced. For example, the image below features the eight commanding officers for each brigade. Brigade one being on the far right and each number continuing down the line. Out of these eight commanders, five of them have seen their stories come into play. The commanding officers for brigade two, four, and six have not been fully implemented into the story. The only one out of those three that has had some sort of moment was number 2, but it was small and held no big significance to the overall story.

What scares me about this is that the manga seems like it’s reaching an ending point. Our heroes are steadily approaching what seems to be the main antagonist. Though it’s not the fact of the missing cast that I have a problem with, but the idea of the manga continue with how it currently is. Given the current events, if the manga does not end here I think there is a chance that the manga could struggle in it’s future. The best way I can describe it is with an example that I feel is similar. The series Rurouni Kenshin had plenty of arcs with it’s fair share of villains; however, I think many will agree that Makoto Shishio was one of, if not, the biggest antagonists of the series. For me Makoto’s arc seemed like a good place to end the story, it wrapped up a lot really well; while at the same time delved deeper into Kenshin’s past. Yet the manga didn’t end there and instead continued to a new arc with new enemies. This new band of enemies didn’t reach the level of Makoto in my opinion which kind of put a damper on the tail end of the manga. I feel that this is what’s happening with Fire Force as well. The confrontation currently happening in the manga is bringing parts of Shinra’s story to a close and many of the questions that appeared at the beginning of the manga are being answered. So if they continue past this it might be hard for the mangaka to excel past this point. Though this is all speculation and hypothetical fear at the moment. As the story stand right now it’s good; though there are some flaws to the story as well.

The story was one of the strongest things about the manga; each part has it’s ups and downs, but the story I believed had the least flaws. Though they also have one of the bigger ones. In total there were only really two things about the story that got me. It’s dialogue, and it’s originality. The dialogue is a minor problem that has been remedied over the course of the manga; while the manga’s originality is the bigger issue. Starting with the dialogue; at first the manga is pretty normal with it’s speech patterns. Though around one fourth through they start to introduce characters that have an annoying way of speaking.

The character above is one of two people that speak in this manner. For some reason the mangaka thought it was a good idea to have certain characters repeat a certain word. I want to say this was done for a laugh, but instead it just comes off as annoying. It’s needless repetition that doesn’t add anything to the scenario or the characters involved. Yet this is only a small issue, and that’s because it’s not frequent. The repetition happened a lot at the beginning of the manga, but this idea was quickly remedied. After the conclusion of the arc this picture is from, repetition hasn’t been a problem. Though that doesn’t meed we’re in the clear.

Now as the manga stands I find it to be a pretty original story; sure it’s another super hero like tale, but the uses of fire as a means for power is what sets this story apart. Though this latest confrontation has started to see a hit in originality. The ideas aren’t terrible, but when reading the current scene I felt a little disconnected. As I was reading this manga there were times that took me out of the manga, but the story was never really the problem until now. This is because I’m a fan of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. While reading the last few chapters I come to realize that I’m no longer reading Fire Force, but instead a retelling of the final fight in Stardust Crusaders. The fight in Fire Force is almost the same idea as the one in Stardust. The villain has an unknown power, you find out the power is unmatched (and also both Dio and the Fire Force villain have the same ability), and then the main character also inherits a power like that of the villains. Not to mention that both Shinra and Jotaro use their power in exceedingly better ways than their respective villain. The only reasons that this isn’t a carbon copy scene is due to the idea of how the powers operate, and the relationship between Shinra and his opponent. Now I can’t say that Jojo did this scene first, but it’s what comes to mind. I understand the limits that the manga presents given the logical leaps that are taken to explain a power, but you can’t tell me these scenes aren’t overly similar. It takes away from the story, and I can’t stay immersed when I have a constant image of another series playing in my head while reading this. Though this is the only scene I can really say was lacking in originality. 

The rest of the manga’s story is really well done, and I hope it follows that example as it moves forward. As I said before though, the story isn’t the only thing that needs some adjustments. The same can be said for the stories cast as well, or at least a couple of it’s members.

Fire Force has a very broad cast of characters; though as I said before a decent amount of the characters haven’t fully been introduced. The commanding officers from before aren’t the only people in the manga that haven’t seen their moment quite yet. Though for those who have, there has been a great amount of development done. Shinra is an amazing character main character; he’s misunderstood, but that’s not something that weighs him down.

Most of the time, Shinra is seen as a demon for the crazy smile he’s seen wearing sometimes. It tends to appear when events of disaster or misfortune are happening. A lot of people think that he gets a kick out of others in trouble; however, that’s not the case. It’ something Shinra has little control over; what seems like the workings of a mad man, is actually just a nervous reaction. Whenever Shinra is presented with a certain situation his mouth distorts to the face about due to being nothing more than nervous. Though instead of running away in fear, crying, or hiding from the problem; Shinra’s resolve is never shaken. Regardless of the scenario, no matter how futile his efforts may seem, he pushes forward with this big grin on his face. He has his cliche shounen hero moments, but at the same time there’s something about him that sets him apart from the others. There hasn’t been a moment where I’ve really disliked this character, and he’s not the only one. There are plenty of good and diverse characters throughout the manga. My all time favorites are the original officers in the 8th brigade.

The starting members of the Brigade give off a great first impression and they can be comedic when the time calls for it, and they don’t feel forced in their delivery (save for one joke that Maki repeats). My favorite would probably be Hinawa, but the one I think deserves the most recognition is Oubi. He is one of two people in the 8th squadron that can’t use an ability. He wasn’t born with the capability and so is just your average fire fighter. Though instead of sitting back behind the desk and giving orders, he’s always on the front lines fighting along side his team. He has special equipment to help him; though what really gets me is that each day he works his body for hours on end so he doesn’t fall behind.

Now as I said before there are some exceptions to this; not all of the cast is up to par. Just like the story there are two problems that need to be addressed; one of which is small and has seen so adjustments. Though there is one character that has no business being in this manga; they haven’t developed at all, and even though they are regarded as a main character, their sole purpose is for a joke that’s in poor taste. After Shinra, there are two other officers that join the 8th brigade. They both join for different reasons, but that’s beside the point. The first of the two is a character named Arthur

Arthur is a little bit of an oddball; he thinks that he is a knight, much like King Arthur. He was one of Shinra’s old classmates before they both joined the 8th. Arthur’s first impression is good; he comes off as a rival to Shinra, someone who might challenge our main character and help in his growth. Though as time goes on he goes from being an interesting character to a bad joke. For some reason the mangaka decided to make Arthur the stupid character, but his IQ is well below that of the average stupid character. Due to this there are scenes with Arthur that could be interesting or cool, but instead are given to Shinra because “Arthur was so stupid he got lost for weeks.” However, Arthur is the small problem in terms of the characters. In the recent chapters Arthur has trained and had his moment; he’s excelled and showed that he can be an enjoyable and interesting character. While I don’t think the stupid jokes will end, I do think Arthur will develop. It may be slow at first, but there is progress.

The big problem of the manga comes from one of it’s female characters; she started out in another brigade, but due to the events of a previous arc, she was placed in the 8th.

The character above is Tamaki; her ability is called Forked cat, or I believe it is, but we’ll get to that later. Tamaki starts in the 1st brigade, but later is transferred to the 8th. Upon her first reaction she isn’t given much; instead she has a slew of “unfortunate” occurrences . Three to be exact; her first scene is of her moving close to Shinra and Shinra’s hand somehow accidentally slipping into her bra. That followed by another occurrences with Arthur not a second later; and then another second later of her falling towards Shinra again and Shinra’s hands accidentally entering her pants. Already she’s not an interesting character; the only thing that caught my eye was her fire. It manifests on her in the shape of cat ears and a tail. What does the ability do? You got me; I’m caught up with the manga and I still have no clue what her ability is. Instead every scene involving her has been a random moment where she is unlucky. Though why is she unlucky? Well she has something called “Lucky Lewd Syndrome”. Apparently this is a common occurrence in the 1st brigade. Though in my eyes it’s a shameful, poorly done attempt at comedy. Once, maybe twice, would have been alright; however, this happens in every scene with her. The worst part is when she’s in her first “serious” fight. Instead of finally seeing her ability, she instead gets lucky and beats the guy with her “condition”. This is lazy; you give a character an ability and instead of fleshing it out you decide to utilize some terrible joke. You could take Tamaki out of the manga and it would be infinitely better. You’d lose nothing from her being gone; though it sucks, I really want to like Tamaki, but she’s become this boring character with nothing going for her.

Other than those two I can’t really complain about the characters; again, I’d like to see more from certain characters, but for now I’ll enjoy what I got. I can get past Arthur, but Tamaki may prove difficult. Plus with the story where it currently is, it’s hard to say where things will go. Now Ookubo has had some interesting visual style with his manga; the characters and their designs were pretty normal, but they stand apart from other shounen. What gets me about the visuals was never really the character design, but the world and things around our main cast. One example comes from his other work Soul Eater; The sun and moon in the soul eater series has always stood out in my mind when I see the visual style of Ookubo. Soul eater aside, you can definitely see the classic style of Ookubo present in this manga as well.

Upon when you first start Fire Force you are told of the epidemic currently taking effect. Immediately following this is a normal subway where people are living their normal everyday lives. Though a man on this train starts to show signs of burning, and before you know it he’s up in flames. Fast forward and the train has arrived at the station; the doors open up, and out comes one of the fabled flame humans.

The first one you see in the series is just a basic idea of the flame human, but as the story progresses you start to see more of them emerge and they get crazier. Horns growing from the head, charred bodies; some of them even show a more complete design to them. All of them however, have a certain suspense to them; it’s clear the danger they impose. They are a lot like zombies in a sense; they don’t have any really thought going thru their head and run more on impulse than anything. Though there are some who look and act more evolved than the basic ones. Fire Force really shines in it’s humanoid designs; the regular characters and the flame humans are all really well done, save for a few. I know I said before that the world is usually what Ookubo excels at, and I don’t go back on that; however, the world of Fire Force is pretty normal for what it’s selling.

Now there are a few characters that I feel are out of place, even with the style implemented. Here’s an example of one I feel fits really well, but at the same time is extremely apart from the rest of the cast.

This is Joker, right away he isn’t like the past characters we’ve seen. Yet he still is able to keep himself within the spectrum. His clothes and eyes are what set him apart in my opinion; though his facial features and overall stature is very similar to the rest of the cast. I feel Joker really work well in Ookubo’s style. Now the reason I show Joker is because there is another character that also is apart from the rest of the cast; however, this character feels more like something out of another manga, than something from Ookubo.

The character above is Jonah; he is one of the antagonist in the group Shinra is fighting. This serves as your introduction to the character in the manga, more or less. I don’t really know much about him; while he’s been appearing more in the manga his character hasn’t fully been fleshed out. Though these two frame in the manga came as a surprise to me because, throughout the entire manga the art has kept pretty current. Though Jonah appears and his face just keeps distorting. He feels so out of place in the manga; if the rest of the characters and designs were professionally made, Jonah would be a piece of fan art or art from the authors child. His facial features are drawn in a way that looks and feels weird. This is illustrated in the following frame when he proceeds to literally cut paper with his nose for no real reason. Though Jonah is the only problem I’ve had with the visuals so far. Other than him I can’t complain with what I’ve been given to look at. I really like Ookubo’s art style and look forward to see more of it.

Overall I give Enen no Shouboutai a 7 out of 10; it’s a good manga, but the flaws are to big to ignore. The reason it’s not lower is because Ookubo has worked hard at getting rid or working around some of my issues. Though that doesn’t fix everything, and the remaining issues are some of the worst. I really do like what I’ve read and plan to continue the series, but at the same time I’m scare where the manga may go. I recommend this, but at the same time I will say it’s not for everyone. There are a few groups of people that will not find this manga appealing. 

That will do it for this week (last week) Later in the week I’ll release the next video game review, but until then have a good day and I’ll see ya soon.

[folklore-and-fairytales]

Tristram and Isolde – A Free Story of Romance in the Middle Ages

From Epics and Romances of the Middle Ages Translated from the compiled works of Dr. Welhelm Wägner

 Tristram Teaches Isolde To Play The Guitar.

 TRUSTY RUAL AND HIS FOSTER-SON

A furious battle was raging before the gates of the castle, for Rivalin, the lord of the place, was fighting against Morgan, his feudal superior, whose oppression had grown too great to be borne. Within the castle, Blancheflur, Rivalin’s wife, was praying fervently for her husband’s safety, as she clasped in her weak arms her little son that had been born while the din of battle filled the air.

All day long it lasted. In the evening, Rual, the marshal, hurried back into the castle bleeding, and called to his wife to save what she could, and make ready for instant flight, for King Rivalin had fallen, and the enemy threatened to blockade the castle. Queen Blancheflur heard what he said, and with a piercing cry fell back dead. Rual, seeing that nothing could be done for her, hurried the other women in their preparations, and, heedless of his own untended wounds, made ready to fly with his master’s child to a place of safety.

But while they hastened to obey the marshal, it was already too late—the castle was surrounded, and no way of escape remained. They carried the dead queen to another room, and the marshal’s wife took the baby for her own. The servants were all faithful, and when Morgan took the castle soon afterwards, he never guessed that Rivalin had left a living child. The victorious king, who honoured Rual for his fidelity to his late master, made him governor of the kingdom he had just subdued, and then went back to his own place.

Time passed on, and the foster-parents were delighted with the good qualities their pupil developed. They had had him christened Tristram, or Tristan (Sorrowful), because of the sad circumstances that had attended his birth. Rual himself taught him all knightly exercises, and got him tutors to instruct him in music, languages, and many other accomplishments.

One day some foreign merchants landed on the coast, and offered their wares for sale. Young Tristram often went down to see them, and questioned them about their country, and about the many strange lands they visited. The boy’s unusual beauty and the great knowledge he possessed aroused their cupidity. They determined to steal him, and sell him in some foreign country where he would bring a good price. So once, when he was on board their ship, they quietly raised the anchor, and set sail. Rual pursued them, but they escaped, owing to the greater swiftness of their vessel. Another danger, however, threatened to overwhelm them. A terrific storm came on, worse than any they had ever encountered before. They thought it a sign of God’s wrath, and were filled with fear and awe. In the perturbation of their souls they swore to set the boy free, and they kept their word. They put him ashore on an unknown coast, feeling assured that with his uncommon gifts he would soon make a livelihood. They were not mistaken. A troup of pilgrims happening to pass that way, Tristram joined them, and accompanied them to the court of King Mark of Cornwall. The king took the boy into his service as page, and grew very fond of him.

Meantime Rual had sought his foster-son everywhere, and was broken-hearted at not being able to find him, or hear any news of him. He wandered from one country to another, begging his way. At last, footsore and weary, he arrived at King Mark’s court. Tristram greeted him with joy, and took him to the king.

When Mark heard who the supposed beggar was, he exclaimed angrily:

“What! Are you the former marshal of the traitor Rivalin, who stole away my sister Blancheflur?”

“Sire,” replied Rual, “love made him do so. The Lady Blancheflur had been secretly married to my master before she went away from here. She and her husband are both dead, and this youth,” laying his hand on Tristram’s shoulder, “whom I have brought up from his infancy, and whom I have sought for years, is their only child.”

The king was astonished to hear this tale, and was pleased to find that his favourite page was in reality his nephew. Rual remained in Cornwall with his foster-son, for, his wife being dead, he did not care to return home, and again endure Morgan’s despotic sway.

Tristram grew up to be a tall and handsome man, a brave warrior, and a noble knight, as much beloved in peace as in war. But although he lived a full and joyous life, he could not forget his native land, and often mourned over the thought that his fellow-countrymen and rightful subjects groaned under the tyranny of a foreign oppressor. He at last explained his feelings on the subject to his uncle, who gave him men and ships, telling him to go and set his people free, but making him promise to return to Cornwall afterwards, as he had appointed him to succeed him on the throne.

The expedition was successful. Morgan was defeated and slain, and Tristram was crowned King of Parmenia. He remained for a year longer in his native land, settling all differences, and arranging matters for the good of his subjects. Having done this, he made Rual governor of the realm, and returned to Cornwall as he had promised.

ISOLDE (YSEULT, ISOUD)

On his arrival there, he found everyone in great distress. King Gurmun of Ireland had, during his absence, invaded Cornwall, and, with the help of his brother-in-law Morolt, a powerful chief and great warrior, had subdued the country, and forced King Mark to pay him tribute; and a shameful tribute it was. By the treaty with Gurmun, the Cornish king was bound to send thirty handsome boys of noble birth to Ireland every year, to be sold as slaves for the benefit of the Irish king. On the very day of Tristram’s return, Mark was about to deliver the thirty boys into the hands of grim Morolt, Gurmun’s messenger, who had come to receive them.

Tristram was very angry when he heard the news, and told the knights they were cowards ever to have consented to such an arrangement. Then going straight to Morolt, he tore up the treaty, saying it was too inhuman to be kept. Morolt’s only answer was to draw his sword and challenge him to single combat. He accepted, and the fight began. After some time, Morolt, having severely wounded Tristram, cried:

“Yield, Sir Tristram: I feel pity for your youth. Yield, and my sister, Queen Isolde, shall cure your wound, for she alone can heal a wound made by my poisoned blade.”

“Death rather,” exclaimed the young knight, and making a mighty effort, he split his adversary’s head open from crown to jaw.

This settled the matter. The Irish returned home sadly, bearing with them the corpse of their hero, while the victor went back to his uncle’s palace. His wound was washed and bound, but it would not heal. It continued to fester, in spite of the use of balm, and other herbs of well-known excellence. An experienced doctor who was called in to see the patient, said that only the Irish queen Isolde, and her daughter of the same name, possessed the art of drawing such poison out of a wound. So Tristram determined to go to Ireland in the guise of a minstrel, and seek healing at the hands of the queen, although he knew that Gurmun had sworn to kill him and every Cornishman who had the misfortune to fall into his hands.

At length he reached the Irish court, and there he played and sang so beautifully that the queen sent for him, and begged him to teach his art to her young daughter Isolde. The minstrel found the princess an attentive pupil; and while teaching her, and listening to her sweet voice as she sang some plaintive ditty, he would even forget for a time the pain of his wound. And she, in learning from him, learnt to love him with all the strength of her innocent young heart.

The days went on, and the pain of his wound grew worse and worse. Then he told the queen of his suffering, and asked her to heal him. This she at once consented to do, and a few weeks later he was cured. He now sang with greater power than before, and the king was so charmed with his music that he would have liked to keep him forever at his court. But, fearful of discovery, Tristram determined to be gone while yet there was time.

On his return to Cornwall, he was joyfully received by all except the great lords, who foresaw that King Mark would make him his heir, and they did not wish to have a foreigner to rule over them. They wished the king to marry, and Tristram, finding what was in their minds, himself advised his uncle to choose a wife, saying that the Princess Isolde of Ireland would be the most suitable person for him to wed. After some deliberation, it was agreed that Tristram should go to King Gurmun as his uncle’s ambassador, to ask for the hand of the princess.

Arrived in Ireland, he set out for the royal residence. On the way he heard heralds proclaiming that the king would give his daughter in marriage to whoever slew a dragon that was devastating the land, provided he who rescued the country were of noble birth.

Tristram sought out the dragon, and, after a long struggle, killed it; then cutting out the tongue of the creature, as a proof that he had really slain it, he turned to go; but the pestiferous breath of the monster so overpowered him, that he sank backward into the morass out of which the dragon had come.

Tristram slays the dragon

Struggle as he might, he could not free himself, for he had sunk up to the shoulders. While in this miserable plight, he saw a horseman approach, cut off the head of the dead monster, and then ride away.

The horseman was sewer (head waiter) at the palace. He showed the king the dragon’s head, and boldly demanded the meed of victory. The queen, who knew the man well, and held him to be a coward, did not believe his tale; so she went with her train to the dragon’s hole, and discovered the real hero in the morass. His bloody sword, and the dragons tongue showed that it was he who had done the deed. He was quite insensible when he was taken out of the morass and carried to the palace. The princess at once recognised him to be the minstrel who had before visited Ireland, and hoped that his birth was sufficiently good to enable him to win the prize. The queen gave him a sleeping potion, and told him to keep quiet. Then taking her daughter into the next room, she showed her the horrible tongue of the lind-worm, and the sword with which the creature was slain.

“Look,” she said, “the minstrel is the real hero of this adventure, and not that cowardly sewer.”

She left the room, adding that the truth would soon be known. Isolde took up the sword and examined it. She saw that a bit of the blade was broken off.

“Merciful heaven,” she cried, “surely he cannot be the——” She ceased, and took from a drawer the splinter of steel she had drawn out of the wound on her uncle’s head. She fitted the splinter to the blade, and saw that it was as she had feared.

“Ha,” she went on, trembling with anger, “he is the murderer of my uncle Morolt. He must die, die by my hand, and be slain with his own weapon.”

Seizing the sword in a firmer grip, she went into the room where Tristram was sleeping, and swung the sword over his head; but as she did so, he smiled as in a happy dream, and she could not do the deed. Then it seemed to her that she saw her uncle looking at her reproachfully, and she nerved her heart to strike, but at that moment her hand was seized by her mother, who had entered unnoticed.

“Wretched child,” she cried, “what are you doing? Are you mad?”

Isolde told the queen that this was Tristram, her uncle’s murderer; and the mother answered:

“I loved my brother dearly, but I cannot revenge him, for this man has saved our people from the dragon, and a nation is worth more than a single man, however dear to our hearts.”

Isolde confessed that her mother was right, and let her resentment die.

When Tristram had recovered, he did not show the dragon’s tongue in proof of what he had done, but challenged the sewer to trial by combat. Now the man had often fought before, but when he saw Tristram come forth to meet him in the lists, his heart died within him, and he confessed his guilt. King Gurmun thereupon ordered the recreant knight’s shield to be broken, and sent him forth a banished man.

Tristram then fetched the dragon’s tongue, and was at once proclaimed victor amid the acclamation of the people.

Great was the astonishment of all, when Tristram, instead of claiming the princess’ hand, proceeded to woo her for his uncle King Mark, of Cornwall. Gurmun had such a dislike to King Mark that he would have refused him as a son-in-law point-blank, if Queen Isolde had not taken part in the debate, and shown the wisdom of giving way. So Tristram received a gracious answer from the king, and was content. No one thought of asking the maiden if she were willing to marry the old king of Cornwall. She was a princess, and princesses were never allowed a choice, when reasons of State demanded that they should marry some particular person.

THE LOVE-POTION

The princess went on board Tristram’s vessel, which was about to sail for Cornwall. Her dresses and jewels were there also, and as soon as her old nurse and faithful companion came down to the ship, they were to set sail. Brangäne was closeted with the queen, who wished to say a few last words in private.

“Look, Brangäne,” said the mother, “take this goblet, and keep it carefully. It contains a drink made of the expressed juices of certain plants, and is a love-potion. See that my daughter and her husband both drink it on their marriage day, and all will yet be well.”

The nurse promised to be careful, and took leave of the queen.

Wind and weather were favourable to the voyagers. One day when Tristram had been singing and playing to the princess for a long time, and trying his best to distract her thoughts from dwelling on her dead uncle, her old home, and the unknown future, he became so thirsty that before beginning another song he was fain to ask for something to drink. One of the attendants opened a cupboard, and finding there a goblet with a drink all ready prepared, supposed that the nurse had made it in case it were wanted, and took it to Tristram, who handed the cup first to Isolde that she might pledge him, as was the custom. The princess raised the cup to her lips and drank a little; but finding it very good, she put it to her lips again, and drank half the contents. Then she returned it to Tristram, who finished it at a draught.

Their eyes met, and they knew that they loved each other.

When Brangäne came in a few minutes later, and saw the empty goblet upon the table, she burst into tears, and bemoaned what had occurred, saying that the queen had given her the love-potion to administer to Isolde and King Mark upon their wedding-day. But the princess comforted her by asserting that no harm was done, for human beings had free will, and could struggle against enchantment. And struggle they did; but their love was strong.

The ship reached the harbour, and King Mark came down to meet his nephew and his bride. He was much pleased with the appearance of the princess, whom he welcomed with all ceremony. The marriage took place, and King Mark thought himself a happy man.

All went on quietly for some time, so carefully did the nurse conceal her lady’s love for Sir Tristram; but after a time people began to whisper, and at length the whisper reached the ears of the king. At first he would not believe the truth of what he heard, but afterwards the thing was proved to him so clearly that he could no longer doubt. He determined to bring the lovers to trial. Meanwhile Brangäne had discovered that the king knew all; she therefore warned Tristram, and fled into the forest with him and Isolde. There they hid themselves in a cave for a long time. But winter was coming on, and the nurse feared for her darling’s life if she remained in such a place during the frost and snow.

Tristram kneels before Isolde

One day as they were talking over what were best to be done, King Mark suddenly appeared amongst them. Brangäne stepped forward, and assured him that the stories that he had been told were all gossip; and the king, who loved both Tristram and Isolde, willingly believed her, and took them home with him.

But the effect of the philter had not yet passed off, nor had the young people conquered their love. Whispers again arose about the court, and Tristram could not call any of the whisperers to account, for he knew that he had dishonoured the name of knight, and had ill repaid his uncle’s kindness. Isolde, too, was miserable. They both made up their minds that they must part, and as they said farewell, it was with the fervent hope that the magic potion would have lost its power by the time they met again.

Tristram went away. He wandered through Normandy and Alemannia; he fought many battles, and led a bold, adventurous life, but he could not forget Isolde. At last he came to the kingdom of Arundel, and there he found King Jovelin and his son Kaedin hiding in a thatched cottage in a great forest, from the bands of robbers who had overrun the land. It was late in the evening when he arrived at the solitary house, where he met with a kind reception. The lovely daughter of his host, curiously enough, was also named Isolde, to which was added the appellation of “la blanche mains.” It did him good to be with the maiden and her father. He promised them his aid, and for this purpose went to visit his own kingdom. There he found his presence much wanted, for old Rual was dead, and all was confusion in the land. His first action was to re-establish order and good government, after which he called out his troops, and marched to Arundel to help King Jovelin. He fought the robbers there, chased them out of the land, replaced the king on his throne, and made friends with Kaedin. Weeks passed, and he became engaged to Isolde of the white hand. He vainly hoped that being married to another woman would cure him of his love for the Queen of Cornwall, and he knew that the princess loved him.

His betrothal did not bring him peace. His affection for the Lady Isolde grew no stronger, so in despair he put off his marriage, and, unable to feign a love he did not feel, went out to seek death at the hands of the robber hordes that had again invaded the country. He conquered them, and forced them to fly. On his return from this expedition, his marriage day was fixed; but one evening he was induced to accompany his friend Kaedin on a dangerous adventure, and during the combat to which this led, he received a spear thrust in the breast. He fell senseless to the ground. Kaedin carried him out of the fight, and took him home to the palace, where Isolde succeeded in bringing him to himself again.

Every one hoped that he would soon recover from his wound; but instead of that he grew worse. One day he said that the Queen of Cornwall had a remedy that would cure him, if she could only be induced to bring it. Kaedin at once set off for Cornwall to appeal to her compassion. No sooner had the queen heard his tale than she persuaded King Mark to let her go to Arundel, and cure his nephew. Armed with his permission, she started on her long journey by sea and land, and never rested till she arrived at King Jovelin’s palace. There she was greeted with the sad words, “You have come too late—he is dying.” They led her to his couch, and she knelt down and took his hand. A slight pressure showed that he knew who she was; next moment he opened his eyes, gazed at her with a sad and loving look, and then died. She bent over him and kissed him, and in that kiss her spirit passed away. They were buried three days later under the same grave-mound in the distant land of Arundel.

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TRISTRAM AND ISOLDE – A Free Romance from EPICS AND ROMANCES OF THE MIDDLE AGES 32 epics and romances.

Translated from the compiled works of Dr. Wilhelm Wägner.

ISBN: 9788834192702

URL/Download Link: http://bit.ly/2t2usSv

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