Weeks have passed since I've seen my beloved. 4 maybe 5 weeks..I can not remember. One day melts into another in an endless stream of nightmarish scenes. Aimlessly I wander through the halls of the castle. The echoes of my footsteps are a painful reminder of how very alone I truely am. I am but a ghost in my own lands. A phantom whose passing leaves a chill. The people who see me say little. They choke on their words as I pass, noting how pale and weak I have become, refusing to eat and sleep. Only venturing out to gather the supplies I need to maintain the realm, I endure the well wishes of many and the hurtful remarkes of the unkind. All I can focus on is holding on until Steven is well. To keep things familiar for his awakening. And pray he will rise from his bed soon. Day and Night without creasing I hear the Shaman chanting over my beloved's weakened form accompanied by a steady painful drumbeat. I am forbidden to see him while their powerful magics are unleashed. As I meander about in an near trance like calm, I am reminded of another time.. another kingdom where I was left alone. My People had all but deserted the Kingdom of Melvaunt. Silently I waited.. in the uppermost chamber of the northern gatehouse of Horizon. Horizon.. one of the prized desert cities of the Tribunal. I was mocked daily or perhaps it was the heated desert wind that whispered ... "Winnowill of Melvaunt.. Kingdom with no land..No Leader... No People." Climbing the stairs to the roof of the Castle, I turn my gaze westward over the wall toward the Palace. The Palace built around the Tree of Life where the ailing body of the King gains some stability from being in it's proximity. I close my eyes and concentrate on the drumbeats and the chants of the healer. A strange wind blows across my back and whispers in my ear. "Winnowill... Does this seem familiar? Until you embrace who you are.. you will always be alone.. Silently waiting." I have heard this voice many times and always chose to ignore it. But this time.. I wept. Just as the tears trailed down my face landing on the rooftop, the drums stop. The Palace doors swings open and out rushes a gangly young messenger sent to find me.. shouting.. " THE KING IS HEALED " " THE KING IS HEALED " I lift my face toward the sky and whisper.. "Thank You All-Father" and collapse. |