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