The Ballad of Lenore (Part 19)

Gaston then fell silent, sullen

He was going to make me ask

"How is our father?" I said quietly

"He's awakened, set me to this task"

I did not think he came for concern

But happy to hear his news

"Will he accept Elandon's help?"

"He's angry, you knew his views"

"No need to carry on a feud

You've apparently been forgiven

You must go back and have him see

Our need for allies, orc-driven."

He tried to rise from the pallet

But groaned, and broke open his wound

Fresh blood darkened his neck's bandage

As I pushed him back down, he swooned

Oriel said "It's beyond him."

I knew he'd need more than one day

A healer rushed up to attend him

I stood back, out of the way

(to be continued)

©Kiku Koibito poem 2016

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 18)

"The mages need you," Elandon said

"Your sylphs must be contained"

I followed him back to the tower

Unsure of how they'd be reined

Up top, we could not see them

The ghosts had faded away

Rod said, "They've settled into the woods

We'll meet back here at end of day"

We ate a hearty breakfast

Back inside the Great Hall

Oriel and I agreed to spar

The action would lift my pall

We dodged and feinted with cudgels

She scored with several swift blows

Now bruised, but far less anxious

I excused myself to go

I made my way to the Healer's Hall

Oriel accompanied me 

Gaston was awake, face bandaged

Only one eye could be seen

"The Lady who saved your life," I said

With your one eye, did you see?"

"She forgave me as I begged her pardon

Bleeding on bended knees"

"She should have given you her knee"

Said I, "You must leave as soon as you can

"Will the House of Elandon join us?"

He asked. I said, "Yes, that is the plan"

(to be continued)

©Kiku Koibito

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