Manrique’s Moonlight Madness: A Tale of Dreams and Delusions
Manrique’s Moonlight Madness
I. The Dreamer
Noble Manrique, born amidst war, remained engrossed in a troubadour’s letter. He ignored the castle’s bustling courtyard where grooms tamed foals, pages trained hawks, and soldiers sharpened their weapons. His mother would often inquire about his whereabouts, only to receive vague replies from servants. Manrique cherished solitude, often seeking solace in the cloister, by the river, or among the rocks, lost in his poetic dreams.
In solitude, his imagination flourished, creating a world of fantastical beings. A poet at heart, Manrique struggled to contain his boundless thoughts. He saw spirits dancing in the embers of the fire, heard mysterious voices in the river’s flow, and perceived supernatural beings in the clouds and forests. He loved all women fleetingly, captivated by a blonde tress, red lips, or a swaying gait.
His delirium led him to spend sleepless nights gazing at the moon and stars, pondering the possibility of other worlds and the beauty of their inhabitants. He yearned to witness their splendor and experience their love.
II. The Templar Ruins
Near Soria, a bridge spanned the Duero River, connecting the city to the old Templar convent. Though abandoned, the ruins of the towers, cloister, and gardens remained. Overgrown with vegetation, the untamed beauty of nature prevailed.
One warm summer night, under a full moon, Manrique wandered through the Templar ruins. As midnight approached, he glimpsed a white figure flitting through the darkness—a woman. He pursued her, convinced she was the embodiment of his dreams.
III. The Chase
The mysterious woman vanished among the trees. Manrique followed, convinced he heard her footsteps and the rustle of her dress. He searched frantically, catching glimpses of white, hearing whispers in the wind, and detecting a unique perfume. His pursuit led him to the rocks beneath San Saturio church, where he spotted a boat on the river, carrying a slender, white-clad figure. Believing it to be the woman, he raced towards the bridge, hoping to intercept her in the city.
IV. The Search
Despite his efforts, Manrique arrived at the city gates just as the boat reached the opposite shore. Undeterred, he searched the dark, winding streets of Soria, his ears attuned to every sound. He stopped before a stone mansion, drawn to a soft light emanating from a window. Convinced his unknown resided within, he waited until dawn.
When the doors finally opened, Manrique questioned the squire, only to learn the house belonged to Don Alonso de Valdecuellos, a wounded knight recovering from battle. There were no women in the house, and the light came from Don Alonso’s bedside lamp. Manrique’s hopes were dashed.
V. The Obsession
Manrique’s obsession intensified. He continued his relentless search, his imagination conjuring images of the woman’s blue eyes, black hair, and melodious voice. He believed she was his soulmate, destined to reciprocate his love. He returned to the Templar ruins, hoping to find her again.
VI. The Revelation
On another beautiful night, Manrique revisited the Templar gardens. He saw the white figure once more and gave chase. Reaching the spot, he froze, a tremor coursing through his body, before erupting into a loud, horrible laugh. The white, floating object was merely a moonbeam filtering through the trees.
Years later, Manrique sat by the castle fireplace, lost in a vacant stare. He had lost his mind, his dreams shattered by the elusive moonlight. He dismissed love, glory, and happiness as mere illusions, his life consumed by the pursuit of a moonbeam.