Azulon
It had tasted so good. Like nothing I had ever had before. The sauce was a little gritty but I hadn’t minded. But then, I had felt my body turn into lead and I remember asking her what she had done to me. I remember the look of regret and shame that crossed her face. Then, I dreamed.
When I woke up, my head pounded and my back ached. I had been poisoned. How did she know how to make a sleeping potion? I was about to ask her but I realized she was gone. A note sat by my head. I painstakingly sat up and read the note. What kind of decision had she made?? I couldn’t see why she had chosen the worst choice there was. She had said herself she had hated her life back in the kingdom. My hands shook and my chest hurt at the thought that maybe she had hated me too. But, I couldn’t let her get away. It wasn’t about the Elders anymore. I knew that she would regret her choice for the rest of her life if she made it back. I groaned as I stood up. Then, I slowly changed into a dragon and leapt out into the night sky. The moon was bright and gave me some extra light even though I didn’t need it. As a dragon, I could see clearly to the ground from over 14,000 feet. I flew into the desert and scanned the ground. I saw a flash of yellow and spun around. Of course, Liliana was wearing the magic cloak. I landed by the yellow and saw that it was her hair. She looked so peaceful in her sleep. Her face didn’t look quite so protected and it didn’t have that sad look about it. I gently scooped her and her small bundle up and took off into the air. She slept on all through the ride.
It was hard for me to imagine why she had wanted to go back to the kingdom. With her brother distant and cold, a busy mother, a father who didn’t want much to do with her, her betrothed her couldn’t care less for her. What kind of life was that? I supposed that it was a life much like mine. I was born into a high ranking family. My mother was the Empress’ lady-in-waiting and my father was one of the Elders. When I was born, they expected me to rule Celestinia one day. They had high hopes for me. That is, until they found out I could shift. I could still remember that day like it had happened only last week. I had just started the training that every dragon goes through to help determine what they would become, like a warrior, or a scribe. I remember I was practicing my tail blows. All of the sudden, I had felt immense pain and I stood in human form. I had immediately been taken to the Elders and my mother. I remember how scared my mother looked and how tired and sad my father was. They had exiled me to live alone in a cave and to only come to Celestinia for celebrations or dire emergencies. I shivered at the memory.
Liliana
I woke up stiff and cold. I looked around and realized that I was back in the cave. I expected to feel angry but only felt relieved. You sat with your feet dangling off the edge of the cave mouth. Your raven black hair shone with a blue-ish sheen in the rising sun’s light. I stood up and sat next to you. You were quiet and you gently swung your legs. I got dizzy looking down. You seemed to realize I was there and you turned your piercing blue eyes to me. You looked betrayed and you had no idea how sick that had made me feel. You stared at me as if trying to make me feel even worse than I already did. “I’m sorry.” I whispered. You grunted and shifted away. I sighed and the burn of regret seared deeper into my stomach. I tentatively reached out and tapped your shoulder. You turned around ever so slowly and your eyes were a strange silver color. I repeated, “I’m sorry.” You took a shaky breath and stood up. Then, you offered your hand to me and I took it with gratitude. I knew that you had forgiven me—somewhat. I didn’t know why I was so sorry for drugging you when you had stolen me away. But, I wasn’t missing the kingdom life. Maybe that was why. You led me over to a small cavern entrance that I hadn’t noticed before and you crawled in. I knew I was meant to follow you, but I felt a pang of fear. What would you do to me once I was inside? A horrible vision of my bones lying abandoned in this small inner cave with you washing blood of your hands crossed my mind. You could do it. But, somehow I knew you wouldn’t. I crawled into the cave and I could see your eyes glowing. I knelt down and gazed at you. It was quiet except for the quiet sound of the wind whistling outside. Then, you whispered, “I’m sorry your life here wasn’t good enough for you. I’m sorry if this offends you but I really didn’t see what the choice was. You said yourself that you hated your life in the kingdom. So, why did you leave? Look, Liliana, I want to let you go believe me. But if I did……Look never mind that. What was there for you in the kingdom that made you want to go back so badly?” Your eyes looked sad and cold as if they were waiting for my answer to warm them up. You were right. You probably already knew what my answer would be though. “I don’t know why I’m never good enough for anyone.” You whispered voice thick with emotion. “No,” I whispered back. I hesitated before using your name. “Azulon, no. I never ever meant that. I wanted to go back to the kingdom maybe for a sense of normalcy or to see my mother again. Maybe to try to get my brother back. I’m not sure. But please, I made a bad choice and I’m sorry.” My voice cracked a little at the end and your eyes softened. “How did you know how to make that potion or whatever that was anyway?” You sounded a bit impressed. I smirked and whispered into your ear, “That’s my little secret.” You made a sound of annoyance and got up. “By the way, you’ve been here a week.” You probably remembered that from my note. I nodded and all of a sudden, there came a sound like no other I had ever heard. It was a swishing noise that made my ears buzz combined with an unearthly screech. Your eyes widened and you yelled, “Go!! Get into your cavern and only come out if I tell you to!” You looked genuinely afraid so I jumped up and ran. I had only made it to the last wardrobe when something landed in the cave and made it quiver. I opened the door to the wardrobe and scrambled in. I left the wooden door open a little bit so I could at least hear what was going on. I heard something take a deep breath and chuckle throatily. “So, you actually did obey the Elders’ orders.”
“Hello to you too, Darius.” I heard you say wryly. I peeked out and saw a sickly green dragon standing in the mouth of the cave. It- Darius was still sniffing the air with a terrible dragon smile plastered on his face. I shivered as the dragon spoke again. “The Elders and the Empress (May she rule the skies forever) would like to meet your maiden. They will be expecting you in two days time in the Empress’ cave. You are to be there at dusk. Have an excellent rest of the day and…. Good luck.” He laughed again and I heard him take off.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Youth Group
Today I went to a youth group at church. I don't think I will be going back. Here's a few reasons why:
1. We had to sing a weird song about a deadly mushroom and other songs which involved complicated clapping sequences which I can never hope to master without a LOT of practice.
2. We played a weird tag game where the kids were flies and the deacon and priest were spiders and they chased us around the gym. (It was a little scary.:/ )
3. We had to help set up chairs in the cafeteria. That may not sound all that bad except for the chairs were sticky and hard to open. On top of that, we also had to wipe down the tables. Let me just say yuck.
Believe me, I'm not trying to sound like a negative Nelly here, but does all of that sound normal to you?
1. We had to sing a weird song about a deadly mushroom and other songs which involved complicated clapping sequences which I can never hope to master without a LOT of practice.
2. We played a weird tag game where the kids were flies and the deacon and priest were spiders and they chased us around the gym. (It was a little scary.:/ )
3. We had to help set up chairs in the cafeteria. That may not sound all that bad except for the chairs were sticky and hard to open. On top of that, we also had to wipe down the tables. Let me just say yuck.
Believe me, I'm not trying to sound like a negative Nelly here, but does all of that sound normal to you?
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Damsel
Azulon
The cobblestones made my feet ache even through my sturdy boots. The market was quiet and few people were there. I made my way to a meat stand and selected a bag of sweet meats, a few quail breasts, a few hard boiled eggs, and some lamb chops. As I paid for the merchandise, the man selling the goods leaned forward and whispered, “Have you heard? It has been said that Princess Liliana (may the Lord bless her) was stolen by a dragon!! Can you imagine?” I shook my head grimly and he continued, “Some say that Sir Kenneth, her betrothed, only pretends to love her for the crown. Can you imagine!! Her poor mother is literally worried sick. Queen Therese always did have a special bond with the princess though.” I couldn’t hear anymore. This news made my stomach feel queasy. I snatched my meat and stomped away. As I left I heard the butcher mutter, “A stranger not looking for gossip. Humph. Can you imagine?” I approached a small hut which I knew sold quality fruits and vegetables. The old woman greeted me and waved a hand over the fruits. The red raspberries and moist blueberries gave color to her brown hut and the gray mist. I gestured at the blueberries and she grabbed some for me and put them in a glass jar. She also took out a bottle of watered down wine and I dropped a few coins in her outstretched hand. I left her small hut and couldn’t resist stopping at a small building which sold books, parchment, old scrolls and writing utensils. The air inside was warm and smelled of ink and the musty smell of old paper. The man greeted me with a small nod and I paroozed the shelves. I picked out a stack of parchment paper embellished with purple accents, a plainer stack, a few quills and bottles of ink, and a scroll about the royal family. These were much more expensive than the food but I had a cave full of gems that I could sell if I ever ran out of money.
The castle looked grim and ominous in the distance as I flew away, my “groceries” in my talons. The sky was a strange blue-green color and it made me uneasy. My wings beat at the air faster and I felt a strange sense of foreboding. I thought of Liliana, cowering, powerless, in front of the Elders, her blue flecked violet eyes wide with disbelief and fear. I roared and I thought I could hear distant shouts from the far off kingdom. I paid them no mind. I had to get back to Liliana. I had been gone for three days hiding out in the kingdom taking note of the situations there. Something about the way her name sounded in my mind made my heart beat faster and my talons clench. I brushed that thought away and landed in my cave in no time.
Everything was as it should’ve been. No scorch marks on the wall or bones littering the ground, just the whisper of pages being turned. I changed into a human barely noticing the burning sensations that ripped through my body for once. “I’m back!” I called out. I heard a soft thud and then I heard her hands scraping the rough rock coming down. She manifested from behind the waterfall and walked over to take a look at my bounty. I set the merchandise down though I kept the scroll about the royals in my pocket. She made sounds of appreciation at the blueberries and then announced, “I would like to try my hand at cooking.” I studied her carefully but her face was dead serious. “I don’t have any cauldrons or pans or anything that might be very useful for cooking, you must realize. Besides, what do you know about cooking?” she looked mildly insulted and shrugged. I didn’t object though. I wanted to see what this princess could come up with. I chuckled quietly and then started to build her a fire.
Liliana
I don’t think you suspected anything. You certainly didn’t look like it. You probably hadn’t even known that I had found a recipe for a sleeping drug in the dragon book. This would be my chance to escape from you. My stomach churned and I felt even worse, knowing how kind you had been to me. Well, as kind as a kidnapper could be I suppose. I set to roasting two quail breasts over the fire and making a sauce of blueberries and the wine you had gotten. I also added some honey, a few drops of swamp water I had found secretly placed in the hollow front cover of the book, some tree bark that I had found stuck to one of the old dresses, and a bit of finely crushed ore. It was an unlikely sleeping powder, but the book said it would work. As soon as the quail looked cooked, I put it on some fine silver plates and embellished yours with the poisoned sauce. I had made a small bowl of sauce with no powder in it and this I poured on my own quail. I handed you your dish and you dug in. You sighed with content when you were done and I still picked at my food. “Liliana? What did you…?” He trailed off and his eyes closed. He leaned back and hit the floor of the cave with a resounding smack which I knew would hurt tremendously when he woke up. I hurriedly ate the rest of my meal and searched for shoes. I found some light slippers and warm, leather riding boots. I put on the boots and also tied a sturdy looking apron around my waist and put my leather gloves in the pocket. You slept through this all. Then, I filled the perfume bottle with water again and put salt on the sweet meats. Hopefully, it would keep them from spoiling too quickly. I wrapped these in a lacy handkerchief. I grabbed the dragon book and put my beautiful white cloak on. Then, I made a bundle from my green cloak and I walked towards the mouth of the cave. Before I left though, I grabbed a few pieces of stationary, an ink bottle, and a quill. On one of these I wrote a quick note which read:
Dear Azulon,
I’m so sorry it had to be like this. I think that under better circumstances, you and I might’ve been good friends. But, that can not be the case. You have stolen me away from my home and everything I’ve known. I don’t think I can live with you for the rest of my life. I feel terrible about this. You have taken care of me and fed me and protected me for however long I was with you for. I will be grateful to you for that much. Please do not be too angry with me. I know that is an idiotic thing to say but I truly do think I will come to miss you. This is a difficult choice I have made. It was either going back to what I knew and hated, or living in a cave for the rest of my life. I will tell of your kindness all throughout the kingdom. Fare thee well.
-Liliana
I left the note by your head and then smoothed your floppy hair from your face. For a moment, I almost turned around and unpacked my things. But, I knew that I had to try to escape one more time. I turned back to the mouth of the cave and made the long, strenuous way down to the foothills. They were a little bit warmer than they had been four days ago. Still, I shivered and put my gloves on my bloodied hands. I walked with more determination although I didn’t feel what the speed of my walk portrayed. After what seemed like only a few minutes, I stood in the desert. The orange sand blew around in stinging clouds and it was deathly quiet. I walked forward, the sand whipping my cheeks. I narrowed my eyes against the high sun and I quickly changed into my thin slippers. Again, although the desert was huge, it felt like I had only spent maybe fifteen minutes in it before I arrived at a desolate black land. It seemed that I had skirted the swamps completely. There were a few charred, bone white trees and I could hear eerie howls coming from the depths of the Dead Land. Did I really want to risk wandering through the Dead Land as it was getting dark? I decided I didn’t and gave myself some distance between where I would sleep and that cursed land. Then, I popped two sweet meats into my mouth and took a sip of water. Then, I lay down on the sand and watched as the desert turned indigo at twilight. Then, I closed my eyes.
The cobblestones made my feet ache even through my sturdy boots. The market was quiet and few people were there. I made my way to a meat stand and selected a bag of sweet meats, a few quail breasts, a few hard boiled eggs, and some lamb chops. As I paid for the merchandise, the man selling the goods leaned forward and whispered, “Have you heard? It has been said that Princess Liliana (may the Lord bless her) was stolen by a dragon!! Can you imagine?” I shook my head grimly and he continued, “Some say that Sir Kenneth, her betrothed, only pretends to love her for the crown. Can you imagine!! Her poor mother is literally worried sick. Queen Therese always did have a special bond with the princess though.” I couldn’t hear anymore. This news made my stomach feel queasy. I snatched my meat and stomped away. As I left I heard the butcher mutter, “A stranger not looking for gossip. Humph. Can you imagine?” I approached a small hut which I knew sold quality fruits and vegetables. The old woman greeted me and waved a hand over the fruits. The red raspberries and moist blueberries gave color to her brown hut and the gray mist. I gestured at the blueberries and she grabbed some for me and put them in a glass jar. She also took out a bottle of watered down wine and I dropped a few coins in her outstretched hand. I left her small hut and couldn’t resist stopping at a small building which sold books, parchment, old scrolls and writing utensils. The air inside was warm and smelled of ink and the musty smell of old paper. The man greeted me with a small nod and I paroozed the shelves. I picked out a stack of parchment paper embellished with purple accents, a plainer stack, a few quills and bottles of ink, and a scroll about the royal family. These were much more expensive than the food but I had a cave full of gems that I could sell if I ever ran out of money.
The castle looked grim and ominous in the distance as I flew away, my “groceries” in my talons. The sky was a strange blue-green color and it made me uneasy. My wings beat at the air faster and I felt a strange sense of foreboding. I thought of Liliana, cowering, powerless, in front of the Elders, her blue flecked violet eyes wide with disbelief and fear. I roared and I thought I could hear distant shouts from the far off kingdom. I paid them no mind. I had to get back to Liliana. I had been gone for three days hiding out in the kingdom taking note of the situations there. Something about the way her name sounded in my mind made my heart beat faster and my talons clench. I brushed that thought away and landed in my cave in no time.
Everything was as it should’ve been. No scorch marks on the wall or bones littering the ground, just the whisper of pages being turned. I changed into a human barely noticing the burning sensations that ripped through my body for once. “I’m back!” I called out. I heard a soft thud and then I heard her hands scraping the rough rock coming down. She manifested from behind the waterfall and walked over to take a look at my bounty. I set the merchandise down though I kept the scroll about the royals in my pocket. She made sounds of appreciation at the blueberries and then announced, “I would like to try my hand at cooking.” I studied her carefully but her face was dead serious. “I don’t have any cauldrons or pans or anything that might be very useful for cooking, you must realize. Besides, what do you know about cooking?” she looked mildly insulted and shrugged. I didn’t object though. I wanted to see what this princess could come up with. I chuckled quietly and then started to build her a fire.
Liliana
I don’t think you suspected anything. You certainly didn’t look like it. You probably hadn’t even known that I had found a recipe for a sleeping drug in the dragon book. This would be my chance to escape from you. My stomach churned and I felt even worse, knowing how kind you had been to me. Well, as kind as a kidnapper could be I suppose. I set to roasting two quail breasts over the fire and making a sauce of blueberries and the wine you had gotten. I also added some honey, a few drops of swamp water I had found secretly placed in the hollow front cover of the book, some tree bark that I had found stuck to one of the old dresses, and a bit of finely crushed ore. It was an unlikely sleeping powder, but the book said it would work. As soon as the quail looked cooked, I put it on some fine silver plates and embellished yours with the poisoned sauce. I had made a small bowl of sauce with no powder in it and this I poured on my own quail. I handed you your dish and you dug in. You sighed with content when you were done and I still picked at my food. “Liliana? What did you…?” He trailed off and his eyes closed. He leaned back and hit the floor of the cave with a resounding smack which I knew would hurt tremendously when he woke up. I hurriedly ate the rest of my meal and searched for shoes. I found some light slippers and warm, leather riding boots. I put on the boots and also tied a sturdy looking apron around my waist and put my leather gloves in the pocket. You slept through this all. Then, I filled the perfume bottle with water again and put salt on the sweet meats. Hopefully, it would keep them from spoiling too quickly. I wrapped these in a lacy handkerchief. I grabbed the dragon book and put my beautiful white cloak on. Then, I made a bundle from my green cloak and I walked towards the mouth of the cave. Before I left though, I grabbed a few pieces of stationary, an ink bottle, and a quill. On one of these I wrote a quick note which read:
Dear Azulon,
I’m so sorry it had to be like this. I think that under better circumstances, you and I might’ve been good friends. But, that can not be the case. You have stolen me away from my home and everything I’ve known. I don’t think I can live with you for the rest of my life. I feel terrible about this. You have taken care of me and fed me and protected me for however long I was with you for. I will be grateful to you for that much. Please do not be too angry with me. I know that is an idiotic thing to say but I truly do think I will come to miss you. This is a difficult choice I have made. It was either going back to what I knew and hated, or living in a cave for the rest of my life. I will tell of your kindness all throughout the kingdom. Fare thee well.
-Liliana
I left the note by your head and then smoothed your floppy hair from your face. For a moment, I almost turned around and unpacked my things. But, I knew that I had to try to escape one more time. I turned back to the mouth of the cave and made the long, strenuous way down to the foothills. They were a little bit warmer than they had been four days ago. Still, I shivered and put my gloves on my bloodied hands. I walked with more determination although I didn’t feel what the speed of my walk portrayed. After what seemed like only a few minutes, I stood in the desert. The orange sand blew around in stinging clouds and it was deathly quiet. I walked forward, the sand whipping my cheeks. I narrowed my eyes against the high sun and I quickly changed into my thin slippers. Again, although the desert was huge, it felt like I had only spent maybe fifteen minutes in it before I arrived at a desolate black land. It seemed that I had skirted the swamps completely. There were a few charred, bone white trees and I could hear eerie howls coming from the depths of the Dead Land. Did I really want to risk wandering through the Dead Land as it was getting dark? I decided I didn’t and gave myself some distance between where I would sleep and that cursed land. Then, I popped two sweet meats into my mouth and took a sip of water. Then, I lay down on the sand and watched as the desert turned indigo at twilight. Then, I closed my eyes.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Samhain
Those Irish never cease to amaze me with their rich folklore and legends. Samhain (possible pronunciation: sow en) was Ireland's Halloween where the fairy mounds open up and the people perform many strange and superstitious traditions like putting a perfect ivy leaf in a cup. If the leaf hadn't spotted or dried up overnight, the person could expect twelve months of good health until next Samhain.... But anyway, I tried to write a Samhain poem from a fairy's point of view. Tell me how you like it!
We sprint over the tops of long meadow grasses.
We leave a trail of dew drops and summer behind.
The moon paints the land with orange light
and pipe music fills the air--
though its not ours.
Not yet.
Ivy leaves sit in cups
and apple peels litter the ground-- foolishness.
We stalk through the barns, but
there's nothing there for us.
No, nothing there for us.
It is time, time for us to
steal the poor frightened humans away-
And we do.
Magic swirling, the glade is ours.
Banshees' wails add to the trill of our
faerie pipes and flutes
and the tambourines and timpany drums ring out into
the night.
The taste of honey on our lips,
feet pounding the earth,
a honeysuckle and lavendar fragrance
pollutes the air.
Shouts of joy and icy laughter,
we are happy,
these human souls are ours now, trapped forever
in the world of the Sidhe,
Samhain has gone well
and we melt into the shadows until
the next time Lord Samhain's song of the dead
fills the air
and the End of Summer courses through our veins.
Until next Samhain.
We sprint over the tops of long meadow grasses.
We leave a trail of dew drops and summer behind.
The moon paints the land with orange light
and pipe music fills the air--
though its not ours.
Not yet.
Ivy leaves sit in cups
and apple peels litter the ground-- foolishness.
We stalk through the barns, but
there's nothing there for us.
No, nothing there for us.
It is time, time for us to
steal the poor frightened humans away-
And we do.
Magic swirling, the glade is ours.
Banshees' wails add to the trill of our
faerie pipes and flutes
and the tambourines and timpany drums ring out into
the night.
The taste of honey on our lips,
feet pounding the earth,
a honeysuckle and lavendar fragrance
pollutes the air.
Shouts of joy and icy laughter,
we are happy,
these human souls are ours now, trapped forever
in the world of the Sidhe,
Samhain has gone well
and we melt into the shadows until
the next time Lord Samhain's song of the dead
fills the air
and the End of Summer courses through our veins.
Until next Samhain.
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