A King's Dream

"Goats they are, my lord". The horsemen of Don Afonso said in jest as they rode back to the fireside after investigating the dust cloud on the hill

"Goats they are"... That is what demons are: goats.
I found one in dreams and took it upon my spear to slay it for the sake of my realm, that it may stop carrying the chained souls of my subjects. That was my mistake, my burden to carry.
- Tell me, brother Bento, may I confess to you under the hand of God?
The brother stirred the pot as his benevolent eyes sought me. - You see them still, lord?
The brother understood my tired nod as confirmation
- Know that you have not committed any sins. It is normal for men to feel mental dreads after many battles as you have. And if you indeed killed a demon in moor cloths then it merely justifies your campaign. Let not the Devil take hold of your soul for he is vengeful and cruel. You must remain steadfast, Lord.
My silence was enough to satisfy the brother… but my mind wandered still.

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It was a dark night and the moon shone with a green tint. Beyond the unnatural glint of my spear I saw the hateful creature standing on the deck of the ship. It traded rubies with a small man gaunt man, who delivered the chained souls of those I knew had not yet fallen. My breath froze as I recognized the garbs of my enemies cladding it.
Without a word I charged, spear piercing the air before me. Steel sang and flesh rent as my blow landed true. The fiend fell and his turban receded to reveal the horns that marked his kin. I stood above his pinned corpse and yet his smile wavered not and eyes glinted still; scarring my mind with a sign of yellow.
- Begone fiend, no more shall you torment me or mine. So say I under the hand of God.
I was wrong that night. Tormented was I ever since; for corpses clad in yellow now come unending, unsettled and undreamed.

The King stood before the gates of Lisbon, gazing at the marks placed therein in the night with his architect at his right hand.
- Have you seen it, my lord?
- Yes. I have seen the yellow sign