Monday, September 3, 2012

Fall of Winter

The last warm wind of the southern sea passed over the capitol of the Sapphire Kingdom, flowing north over the castle.  Through the windows it could hear the cries of the ladies in waiting, the sighs of the noble lords.  What it couldn't hear was the chamberlain's quiet contemplations of that night's events.  The queen had died a peaceful death after a long and fruitful life, but she had no heir to pass the crown to.  Without someone to wear the crown, the council would convene, mourn, discuss, then bicker over who should be the new ruler.  That bickering would assure dark times ahead.

The last warm wind of the southern sea passed on, following the messengers bearing these dark tidings.  Together, they rode north, but one by one the messengers took different roads until only two remained.  When the road could no longer went north, the two split.  One would ride to Celdine, the other to Bal Azar and beyond.

The last warm wind of the southern sea followed the road to Bal Azar, flowing toward its resting place in the cold northwest.  It kept this lone messenger warm, for his was the greatest of tasks.  He would ride to Bal Azar,where he would board a ship destined for Arenloch, the farthest reach of the Sapphire Kingdom.

The last warm wind of the southern sea filled the sails of the messenger's ship, hoping to make the journey swift and safe.  The dark waters were known for the many dangers deep below.  Given the urgency of their mission, the crew made a straight course for Arenloch rather than follow the coast.  That would be their folly.

The last warm wind of the southern sea grew cold as it pushed the ship north.  The dark waters watched and waited until the dark of night as the ship pressed onward.  It was on a cold and windy night that the waters swallowed the ship, the crew, and the messenger all in one, but the written declaration of the queen's death floated on.

The last warm wind of the southern sea grew weak, but it blew on the message, trying ever so desperately to deliver what the messenger could not.  Onward it floated on the dark lake's surface, the parchment soaking in the water.  The inks faded as the days passed, yet still the message survived.  It would not arrive in Arenloch, however.  The cruel waters watched and waited until only a day remained in the journey.  Finally, the message was swallowed itself.

The last warm wind of the southern sea continued its own journey alone.  Arenloch came and went below; its people enjoyed the last ounce of warmth within the breeze.  Beyond the city, within the forests north of Arenloch, a man fought a losing battle for his life.  The man fought with all his strength against the Herald - a giant cursed with immortality - who had come to recover his enchanted  axe.

The last warm wind of the southern sea died alongside the man.  They would be buried under the coming snows of winter.

The first frigid wind of the northern mountains flew southward, bringing with it that snow.

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