The Ballad of Lenore (Part 17)

My stomach sunk to my knees

The guards knew not who they held

We carried him into the building

The sanctuary for their unwell

We laid him on the first sheeted table

A group of healers approached

A tall lady gasped, I knew it was her

I begged, "Lady Vesomere, forgive our encroach"

"Is that Gaston?" she asked, unbelieving

"Yes, Lady, I plead for your mercy.

He bleeds his life out to save our House."

I moved to the side to let her see

His torn face was ghastly, bloody and pale

She motioned to her attendants

They gave her cloths and potions

She proceeded with her treatments

"Thank you, kind Lady!" I sighed in relief

Then Elandon stepped through the door

"Who lies on that table?" he asked

"It is Gaston, my brother, Elf lord."

"Lady Ulwen, you need not suffer him."

She said, "It was a long time ago, 

I regret the strife from a drunken mistake

I cared for him once, you know."

"This is your domain, it will be as you wish.

But he must leave as soon as he's well

We all must gather to travel to war

And the sylphs must be tamed by a spell."

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 16)

As we turned to head for the staircase

Dawn's glow was filling the sky

The lights streaked then to the south side

From the trees there, a torturous cry

The lights were attacking a lone man

Who had stumbled out of the trees

"Stop it!" I screamed to the angry sylphs

And they obeyed, they listened to me

I ran as fast as I could down the stairs

And through the Great Hall's doors

I pulled open the outer jeweled portals

Racing to the gate I'd passed through before

I shouted up to the gatesmen 

"Let me out, that's one of my men!"

They looked dubious, but did as I asked

Two guards followed me out to the glen

A man lay in the snow, face bloody

His cloak was tattered and torn

I stopped in shock, it was Gaston!

In Baylen heraldry his armor was adorned

He said "Lenore!", and then he passed out

We carried him through the gate

How did he pass through the haunted forest?

And why? For a sister he should hate?

"His wounds are bleeding, they must be bound

Where can we take him for care?"

"The infirmary is this way, Baylen daughter

Under direction of the Lady Vesomere"

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 15)

"Could I send them to fight the orcs?" I asked

Rosephron shrugged and said

"We've never seen them obey a call

Nor even any blue, green or red."

Elandon said "Try asking them."

I closed my eyes and thought

"Will you go to the Grimrocks Valley

And destroy the orc army dreadnought?"

The sylph lights hummed and divided

Into separate colors atop trees

We all held our breaths, they flew above us

And formed patterns revolving over me

I could tell, not sure how, but I knew

They wanted to be led to the place

I'd need to travel myself directly

Colored rune lights played over my face

Elandon said "I hear them, too.

They look to you to lead

Our House will travel with you.

Our warriors will march to your need."

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 14)

In the hands of Rosephron

A huge and musty book

He opened to the middle page

He turned it to me and said "Look."

Then Rod pointed to a rune and said

"Tell me what you see."

The rune stood up, out from the page

And pointed straight at me

I looked down upon myself

On my armor, face and hands

Were shining runes, like in the tome

Connected with glowing strands

Well, I guess I always knew that

They are my power to make be

I shine those runes a-purpose

Not always do they see

"They are what drive the sylphs

They read you like a book

And you are writing the story

Trust your power, no need to look"

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 13)

Rod said to me "I am sorry to hear

Your father's health is worse

I had hoped to see him again

Our houses' separation a curse."

"The time has come for that to end."

I said. "The orcs prepare for war.

If they take us down, they'll come for you next.

Fight with us, keep them from your doors."

"Are you sure you need us?"

Elandon said with a smile

"An army of sylphs is no small thing

And in the hands of a child."

I did not know how to answer that

They didn't always heed my call

They unnerved me deeply, truth be told

But never will I let Baylen fall

"I don't think I'll make any plans around them

They've only two days ago appeared

They have no stake I can see in this fight

Ghosts can't be depended on, I fear"

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 12)

She directed me to the tower stairs

We climbed a very long way

Eight levels I counted, windows throughout

So many bright ghostlights, like day

We came up to the tower roof

I could see their citadel as a whole

Never beheld such  grand dwellings

Made Baylen Keep look like a rabbit-hole

Elandon stood with mages five

All chanting strange-tongued charms

Orsen was there. No one saw us

All eyes turned skyward in alarm

I thought at them "Go to the forest, please"

All the lights whirled into the trees

Then everyone turned to look in surprise

In answer I said, "Yes, they did that for me."

"When I walked the forest with them

They'd back off if I asked them to

My mare was shy, I had to dismount

Leave completely they would not do"

The mages began to all talk at once

I couldn't catch one word

Elandon waved his hands for quiet

"This is Lenore, who holds the Bear Sword"

To me he said " This is Arlen, Rosephron,

Hoven, Haylor and Rod

They weave the magic that's kept us safe

But this many sylphs have them awed"

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 11)

"When were you attacked!?" she asked, aghast

"I was 15. My father saw me walk away

My brother writhing on the floor

Everything changed that day"

"My father could do nothing official

His mother had been a Princess of Llyr

In private, he gave him a stiff beating

After that, Gaston stayed clear"

"And I was sent to Ainsbridge

Five years training as a knight

Every step Gaston sunk, I was raised up

I took to war's arts with delight"

"I thought Father only indulged me

Knowing the wild thing that I am

Never at home in ladies' circles

Now the Bear Sword is in my hand"

"I had always kept hoping

Gaston would straighten up and fly right

He'd been kind to me when I was little

And firstborn is King by right"

"But absolutely, no one but he

Objected to my father's choice

His scandals will be his only legend

All Kings acknowledged me in one voice"

"Everything would be different

If not for the thrice-accursed orcs!

They need a leader now, not Gaston

And I need all alliances to work"

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 10)

Right back into my armour

Out the window, against a dark sky

Hundreds of lights, all different colors

It was shocking how many did fly

"Are there always that many?"

I asked of Oriel

"No, and usually only white"

Her manner was tense, I could tell

I lifted my arms, she girded my sword

"Oriel, why have our houses not met?"

She answered with a furrowed brow

"Elandon and your father forbade it."

"The Lady Ulwen Vesomere

Accused your brother of rape

Gaston Baylen denied it all

But bruises blacked her neck's nape."

I was stunned, almost protested

Then remembered the night that I

Had to give him a knee in the crotch myself

I was sickened, could not meet her eye

"Small wonder they did not tell me

But it would have been useful to know

He tried that trick on me one night

I left him screaming in pain from my blow."

"The Bear Sword stands for justice

You kindly girded to me

Gaston will answer for both crimes now

The Lady Vesomere is believed"

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

The Ballad of Lenore  (Part 9)

The stair seemed to rise forever

But finally we came to the room

Oriel offered to help with my armour

Out the window, I saw three sylphs loom

"Don't worry, they can't get in

They've never broken the charm."

She expertly loosened the ties and straps

Sliding the steel from my arms

As I removed the corselet

She offered a nightgown of lawn

I shook my head, I prefer none

"Goodnight then, we'll call before dawn"

"The mages will want your help

At a ceremony for night's end

The midwinter sun is changing

A conjuring is needed to fend."

"Whatever you need, at your service."

Said I, near asleep before I lay

Deep and dreamless, but only a moment

"It is time." I hear Oriel say

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 8)

Oriel had a gracious manner

She gestured up to the stair

Where stood a huge marble gryphon

On guard with a great marble bear

We smiled, I knew what she meant

Our families are set in stone

Danger felt is danger shared

We'll litter the ground with their bones!

"Why are you not called Princess?" she asked

"Your parents were High Queen and King."

"My father did not want to marry me off

By law, no strife could I bring"

"The Coastal Kings are a contentious lot.

Every one of them would kill to rise

I'll not be a bone in a pack of wolves

In this, my father was so wise."

"Gods bless them, though, they've joined as one

Prepared for the coming storm

All fighting armies mustered now

The Wakening Bear is formed."

"But all assembled soldiers

Look to be barely enough

The orcs have been breeding for too many years

And winter campaigns are so rough."

"They never come when convenient." she said

We'll be canceling the Winter Games."

"Have them in the Grimrocks Valley." I said

Count orcs' heads to honor great names" 

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 7)

"Dozens of sylphs accompanied me

My knights were bloodied, beat back

I bade them make camp at the edge of the field

I took the courier's pack"

"The ghosts, they wanted me to come with them

I cannot say how that I knew

Or why they attacked and harried my men

They're your neighbors, perhaps you do?"

"They are inexplicable." he said

"But they can read the hearts of men

No live wood can be taken there

Travelers disappear, now and then"

A frosty chill went up my spine

Orsen came and sat next to me

"The mages are all keen to meet you now

When you've eaten and slept, we'll see."

Though the food set before me was wondrous

Large trout from clear mountain streams

I suddenly felt my exhaustion

Between bites, I fell into dreams

I was back home, the Baylen Keep

The orcs were at our gate

I cried out, and woke myself up

Staring down at an elvenwork plate

Elandon's hand was on my shoulder

"Oriel, my niece, would you take her upstairs?

It is a long, cold path with sylphs through the forest

She's worn out with duties and cares."

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

  

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 6)

A footman bowed, and offered to take

My bags, my cloak and my sword

That I might dine in civilized mien

To keep a weapon, untoward

I surrendered gracefully

Felt and showed no mistrust

To win their aid, I'll win their hearts

Only reasonable common menace be crushed

I sit, Elandon speaks again,

"Does your father know you are here?

It is astonishing you travel alone

And carry the Sword of the Bear."

"My father knows of age, 

And old wounds' agonies

No, he lies insensate

But he entrusted the Bear to me."

"How did your half-brother like that?"

He grinned, obviously well-informed

"He blew up in rage and took to his bottle

Only himself does he harm."

"I'm sure that is what your father intended

When he passed the duty to you.

But to travel our forests unaccompanied

Seems less than wise to do."

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

Epic Ballad, Part 5

The emerald doors were open

I strode into the Hall

The talking stilled, all eyes on me

If I hesitate a moment, I'll stall

Elandon sat at table's head

I made my way before

I set my bags down and extended my hands
"I am Lech Baylen's daughter, Lenore"

His eyes, blue ice, but oddly kind
Hair long, and white as snow
He took my hands gently and looked in my face
Who he could see I cannot know

"You have the look of your father
Yet bear your mother's bright eyes
You were much too young to remember me
Barefooted, towheaded, not five"

I did recall him, most vivid
A long-ago contest in rain
"I do remember the archers' tourney
You split Gaston's arrow in twain"

He smiled, "Sit beside me, dear girl
Tell me the news of your land"
I removed the petitions of the Coastal Kings
And placed them in his hands

He gravely nodded, passed them on
To a waiting elven scribe
History is served, requests are passed
Officially, tribe to tribe

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

Epic Ballad Part 4

I softened, let my anguish show

"Even he does not think he will rise.

The orcs will take no chivalrous pause

I mean to hand them a nasty surprise"

"The sylphs, they would not suffer

My loyal retinue to pass

They drove the winds with icy shards

Cut their faces like glass"

"I left them at the forest edge

The sylphs, they harmed me not

The winds quick stilled, I rode alone

They flew with me silent, unsought."

Orsen liked this little

His frown grew deeper yet

"I must consult the mages,

The sylphs are never well met"

"Enter now the Great Hall

Elandon will hear you there.

The elven court will sit to dine

Please join at our table to share."

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

Epic Ballad Part 3

The mists were finally parting

The sunken sun glowed gold 

A royal groomsman took my mare

To the stables, from the cold

I shouldered my leathern saddlebags

Bounded the wide granite stair

I hid my wonder at the place

Cared not of disapproval in the air

The castle doors were set in jewels

Swung wide at my approach

The frown of Orsen, his brother and heir

Held nothing but reproach

"So, House of Baylen remembers its kin," he said

"But only when it needs"

"Does House of Elandon remember its kin?" I said

"Or will you let us bleed?"

Orsen ignored the question

"Where are your attendants, Baylen Queen?"

"The High King of Baylen lived when I left."

Lightnings of rage pulsed in my veins

"No offense, brave daughter, truly I am

More than pleased to hear it."

Orsen backpedaled like a courtier

"I saw the Bear Sword, and feared it."

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

The sylphs set up a wailing

as I crossed the magic line

The elven keep is strongly charmed

They retreated in the pines

The guardian gatemen were silent

A nod to acknowledge my rank

I made my way across the square

At sight of him, my heart sank

The great arched window framed his form

It was him and no mistake

Elandon knew that I was here

Suffered me for my mother's sake

Generations of my house 

Have called and answered call

My father's father's father

Elandon knew them all

My father would be outraged

If he had but wit to know

I have come to seek the elven king

before the enemies grow

He lies upon his deathbed

the man who gave me his sword

He bid me protect his kingdom

I solemnly gave my word

But Elandon and he had fallen out

No one will tell me why

I've seen the orc camps by looking glass

We need warrior elves, I must try

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

I walked a crystal forest

In company of sylphs

as mist obscured the sun and sky

To the castle of the elves

A message bourne from lords of men

To beg Elandon's aid

The orcs do mass up in the hills

Maidens stolen and slayed

My allies grant me access

The silver-bound gate swings wide

I lead my mount in the fortress

My father's father's weapon beside

(to be continued)

©Kiku Koibito

Hoarfrost on young juniper.

Love the Little Things♥

Frosted sunflowers

Delicate crystalline lace

Only one morning

Art glass bowl, craftsman unknown♥

Eyes Full, Soul Sings

Sunset beauty

A parting gift of our star

who knows our sorrow

at the leaving

Glorious coverlet

Paint my dreams of tomorrow

The sunrise also

could be a masterpiece

But even if you don't show

sullen behind grey cloud

I'll never forget this moment

my heart clothed in splendour♥

Happy, shiny delosperma♥

Frosted asters

When Baucis and Philemon were offered a reward by the gods for the hospitality they'd shown them, they chose to die together, when the time came,so that one would not be left lonely without the other.♥

Frost fairies going at it♥

Delicate structures

Transient beauty

Caught between freeze and melt

Captured just in time♥

Asters, heavily frosted♥

Every molecule of you delights me, love

My life in the worship of your beauty

is profitably spent

If you would but smile at me once

Too rude, too rough to touch your delicacy

Soon enough the sun will have you

Evanescent soul, angel♥

If beauty falls

In the jungle, with no one

To hear it, did it?

“In your light I learn how to love. In your beauty, how to make poems. You dance inside my chest where no-one sees you, but sometimes I do, and that sight becomes this art.” 
― Rumi

Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York:
And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.
Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths:
Our bruised arms hung up for monuments;
Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings,
Our dreadful marches to delightful measures.
Grim-visaged war hath smooth'd his wrinkled front:
And now, instead of mounting barded steeds,
To fright the souls of fearful adversaries,
He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber
To the lascivious pleasing of a lute.

-Shakespeare, Richard III

From "Perennial Fiore" by Dale Chihuly