XXXVIII.
The goddess let the air stay still, with only the faint, warm wind
Of early spring brush along the undergrowth. Her story; she knew,
Could give away details abundant. Her goals, thus: to skew
This tale yet believable remain. Dilute – chiefly, skimmed
Shall this story be. Choosing wisely her beginning’s spring,
The events known to every man, be it poor or mighty king.
All this to either bore or irritate and most, to rescind
The questioning doubt which took root in Ríona’s mind whirlwind.
XXXIX.
“Of spring rains and summer storms, one could dream eternally…
A tale of time and of passage, bereft of peace, of mind.
Two silhouettes did merge as their shadows had intertwined-”
Annoyed and defeated, Ríona let out a breath cheerlessly:
“Perfect, thou art of no help as usual…” and began to take
Her leave, standing up from the cobbled bench. No wish to partake
In Aurianne’s game of mockery. In response, she quickly
Hit back with a remark both grating and nonetheless motherly:
XL.
“Patience, my dear! Though thou seem’st to think thee know’st all,
Thou know’st not where this tale of mine leads.” Her aura seemed to pass
Across onto the other shoulder, continuing to amass
Her narrative: “Two silhouettes came from that blessed hall
Of the Innerworld’s Void on that faithful day. Now ancient, long
Forgotten history – save for this old, astute mind’s song!
We had always been meant for greatness, but they did us stall
In those times of Amber’s Domain, when we were but a thrall!”
XLI.
Content with the spirit’s meanderings Ríona was not
And swiftly jumped in again: “Get on with it, please! For the love
Of all that is holy!” The continuous interjections of
The youth were partially the goal which the goddess sought.
To safely skip and omit what she pleased, but withal annoyed
She’d act: “Ah! Again, with thy interruptions! Thou destroyed
A poor and frail spirit’s tale! Have it thy way!” Thus, the plot
She did not want to proceed, abjured and inwards she did trot.
XLII.
“Wait, no! Please linger still for I’m sorry! I shan’t be a child
No longer and shall listen to thy tale but please don’t go!”
Cried Ríona and thus, the goddess relished the moment so
And promptly gave her rules of engagement to leave her tale undefiled:
“Thou shalt not interrupt henceforth! I shall tell my tale to thee,
And upon any hitch or halt my tale shall stop. Agree?”
The youth merely shook her head in accord without a wild
And errant spoken word. With swiftness she perched on the bench beguiled.
XLIII.
“Let’s not remain unhurried and carry on. My fabled rise
Assured was not!” the goddess rendered her words in succour.
“In early years of my existence, my life painted in demure
Light of a wondering wisp, gliding on meadows below clear skies
Stolen story; please report.
Of the Inner and Outer worlds. A fledgling spirit, full of ardour;
Much like thyself; but lo! For one shall find their world grow harder
Once all the rules are revealed, far removed from the fables’ cries
That erstwhile were pledged! At times life’s change is slow, then ere thy eyes!”
XLIV.
“I revelled in those hidden, closed off corners of the land,
Those nooks and crannies which laid unfound for vast stretches of time.
Thus, I quickly became the patron of hidden groves. Not prime
But a lesser sylph, which gave boons and gifts to a daring brand
Of folk – Those bold enough to seek my blessings’ benefit!
Oh! The meanderings of life are fickle; no elegist
Am I; alas, to sing a psalm for my sanctuaries grand!
Vast were atrocities; both by flow or by someone’s hand”
XLV.
“A cave in here, an earth’s shake there; floods which ravaged my spaces,
So carelessly hid them and then dismantled. No more did they bring
My flock the comfort they deserved! No more did they to me sing,
And no more did they decorate them with their murals and graces!”
The goddess’ passion grew as she reminisced of those times
Which were now but a mere echo in a pond of long forgotten rhymes.
Taking a few moments of peace, attempting to find the traces
Of where her chain of thoughts was traversing and turn them into phrases.
XLVI.
“Thus, with but a few remnants of my essence; at dawn of people-folk,
I learned of deeply hidden secrets without an origin
In natural virtues. They hid deep beneath and deep within
The hearts of men, women, child or elder. ‘Twas there I could stoke
The growing fire, spread my wings, and weave my web of lies.
But think not my path was clear! The fire’s touch was under a guise
Of false accord and tyranny gave chase; and to invoke
His prideful rule, Krouth challenged all… and all he did provoke!”
XLVII.
“‘Twas he who made lives of us patron goddesses misery.
He made us concubines of his celestial court and clan
And under his command, we toiled and travailed for the mortal man,
Never permitted to do as we pleased with our powers of witchery.
This drudgery; thereupon, tainted our hearts and souls with hate
And mind mist! His reign interminable, his lust one could not sate!
So ravenous for power was he, he strode t’wards me blindly
As a fool, when I laid there waiting to indulge in my trickery!”
XLVIII.
“That night a tyrant fell to his knees and begged for mercy,
Alas, such goodwill was never on the cards! His burned bridges
Finally caught up to his fiery fate! Oh, his cries were like riches
Taken from the highborn and given to the peasants!” Her spree
Of sharpened words as a deluge, atypical of Aurianne.
In a split second, she quickly found control and recalled her plan.
But I digress, his fall became my rise and the rest? History.
Curious, dost this lore sate any of thy mind’s inquiry?”
XLIX.
This tale left Ríona of words bereft, awestruck and bemused.
Lost in her thoughts, bedazzled at such lost lore none would find
Even in deepest of dreams. Not a single question was left on her mind
Leaving the pair in a meditative silence. Unmoved,
They stayed on that garden bench where many an afternoon had been spent
And whilst the young lass couldn’t hide her glee, the goddess sent
Herself into a mood of complacency, as she refused
To believe her slight slip up could ever be against her used.
