F eatures
Night Lights by Emily lemire staff writer
The rain roars quietly outside my window, Cool drops pelting the sidewalk far below. The wind whistles somewhere around the building, Its aimless tune conducting the water, Redirecting its path. The horizon is inundated by a purple flash. A blink-and-you-miss-it moment of glory. That draws me, careening to the glass, Icy marble under my hands, Cold ghosting across my nose, As I lean forward. The electric pulse of downtown lays not far away, Blinking red eyes, Steady orange gazes, And foggy white orbs Soar above the streets, Twinkle in the distance. A welcoming blur, Now blue, now red, now purple. A trail of lamps hover above the river, Flowing along in their rush from place to place. Sparks pierce through the mist flowing beneath the street lamps, Large drops of light Forming, hesitating, falling Burning bright for an instant, Doused by darkness.
The Lorian
Feb. 28, 2019
5
Book Review:
The Ashes of London by Ervin yahr staff writer
Set in the midst of the 1666 Fire of London, this historical detective fiction novel stands as a great representative of what British literature has to offer, even to this day. Taylor’s 2016 novel follows Marwood, as he must avoid the implications of his family while solving a murder case and periodically crossing paths with Cat, an abused woman on the run from her own family. Not only are the likes of Marwood, Cat, Dr. Wren, and other characters features of the story, but London itself acts as its own character of the story.
St. Paul’s has fallen in the fire, bringing the city along with it and forcing the people to come to terms with the state of their space. A number one “Sunday Times” bestseller, “The Ashes of London” works not only as a crime thriller when following Marwood, but a harrowing story of escape from sexual and emotional abuse when told from Cat’s perspective. The parallel story-lines of the novel not only leave the reader desiring more from each story, but offer relief from the stress of the thrill and a chance to establish one’s own theories. The Fire of London burned bright, but the aftermath burns brighter.
Short Story: The Red Beard Every romance story is told the same way. A prince dragged away by the cold and heavy waves, and Red by Sarwan moghamis rescues the princess, and they live happily ever after. Beard jumped in after her. The two were cast away staff writer This story is much different from the others. This is a on the Lost Island. As weeks passed, Red Beard and story of a man who finds the light to his dark heart after Miranda remain trapped on the island. A relationship kidnapping the woman who guides that light. slowly formed between the two, as they built a raft Henry Richards was taken in by Captain together. Blackbeard as a baby. Blackbeard raised Henry to Meanwhile, Gretchen took command of become the most feared pirate that has ever sailed England, spreading her darkness and bringing the seas. horror to the good people. Upon hearing about In a castle, far away from open sea, a beautiful the dark doings of Gretchen, Miranda was girl was born. The girl grew up to become the determined to return home. Red Beard refused most loving Princess Miranda. Her servant, to do anything, breaking the bond they once Gretchen, carried a dark feeling of resentment shared. Miranda took the raft and returned to toward Miranda. Gretchen had her own secret the kingdom, but she was tricked and poisoned underground cave where she practiced dark by Gretchen; Miranda was cursed with the sorcery and planned to take over the kingdom. disability to age and feel any sort of emotion. She As years passed, Henry grew up to be a ruthless, was eventually locked in a tower. blood-thirsty pirate. After realizing that he carried the Red Beard was finally rescued by the Silver Dragon, but black spot on his left hand, Blackbeard chopped off the affected after hearing Miranda’s predicament, he had to choose between limb and sent Henry to the dungeons. During his years as a prisoner, her or sailing after Blackbeard to gain his revenge and become the Henry grew thick, red facial hair. During this time, he planned his greatest pirate. revenge against Blackbeard while creating a steel hook to replace his The choice was clear to him. Red Beard jumped off the ship and lost hand. swam his way to the kingdom, where he faced Gretchen in a duel. He Once he escaped, Henry stole a captain’s uniform and hat from managed to defeat Gretchen and save the kingdom. He then found the corpse of a past prisoner. Henry then stole a pirate ship from the Miranda. Out of true love, he took her curse away by transferring it to Chinese, the Silver Dragon. After seeing the horrors done to his fellow himself. Miranda awakened, learning of his noble sacrifice. No curse prisoners, he returned to the dungeons to free and add them to his was able to stop the great love they shared, so they got married. crew. Henry was later recognized as Captain Red Beard. As centuries passed, Red Beard remained cursed, watching The crew members planned to kidnap Princess Miranda because everyone he once knew age and die. By the year 2007, Red Beard they were in need of treasure. Red Beard sailed to the kingdom and became the richest man in the United States. Today, he lives among committed his evil deed. As a powerful storm hit the sea, the ship the new world, with all the wealth any man could ever want, yet he is struggled to stay on its course. Miranda fell off the ship and was still missing the one thing that made him whole: Princess Miranda.
