It had been more than half a year since he had been here last. People had died or been saved. Temples had been destroyed and rebuilt. Portals had been opened and volcanoes had erupted.
Now Deepfrost approached once more, and as Leafchange neared its end it was a time of reflection, looking back at what had been gained and what had been lost, what he regretted and what he would change. Adam’s memory, and the song they had sung for Safrin in the Longheat twilight steadied him as he made the final approach to the shrine. Amalia’s hand in his had left a lingering warmth, a hope for a future still hidden in the stars, and Ronin’s support and friendship gave him courage.
It was a courage sorely needed, given the fear that Safrin had instilled in his heart at their last meeting. Amalia had given him much to think on though, and she was right that he would never know if he could make things right with beautiful, fearsome goddess if he didn’t at least try.
Still his hands shook as he laid out the offerings: a sweet bread that Amalia had helped him bake, with stars cut into its crisp, flaky crust; his last bottle of Valair cider; a poem he had written to honor the Lady of the Stars* on crisp white paper in his neatest script, silver ink on navy blue vellum in respect for the goddess it had been written for.
Kneeling before the shrine he bowed his head, voice quiet as he clasped his trembling hands tightly in front of him. ”Safrin, I am here to apologize for the disrespect I have shown you in the past. I don’t know if you will ever forgive me, but… If there is a way to earn it… or, if not your forgiveness, then at least your tolerance… If I can do so without forswearing my other oaths, I ask for a chance to prove my sincerity in this. Please.”
*Ode to the Starlight Goddess
When sunlight fades across the land
And cedes the sky to stars and moon
Far diamonds cast like grains of sand
Each light a traveler’s shining boon
Then know we all your time is nigh
Your eyes ablaze with distant suns
And to your honor give glad cry
From tongues of Old Gods’ faithful ones.
Voice to set the poets weeping
Chiming bells in each word breathing
Graceful as the gazelle leaping
Glory ‘round your brow yet wreathing
Hair as dark as midnight dreaming
(Sonnets to it, bards are penning)
Lips so red, like cherries seeming
Beauty beyond mortal kenning.
Now Deepfrost approached once more, and as Leafchange neared its end it was a time of reflection, looking back at what had been gained and what had been lost, what he regretted and what he would change. Adam’s memory, and the song they had sung for Safrin in the Longheat twilight steadied him as he made the final approach to the shrine. Amalia’s hand in his had left a lingering warmth, a hope for a future still hidden in the stars, and Ronin’s support and friendship gave him courage.
It was a courage sorely needed, given the fear that Safrin had instilled in his heart at their last meeting. Amalia had given him much to think on though, and she was right that he would never know if he could make things right with beautiful, fearsome goddess if he didn’t at least try.
Still his hands shook as he laid out the offerings: a sweet bread that Amalia had helped him bake, with stars cut into its crisp, flaky crust; his last bottle of Valair cider; a poem he had written to honor the Lady of the Stars* on crisp white paper in his neatest script, silver ink on navy blue vellum in respect for the goddess it had been written for.
Kneeling before the shrine he bowed his head, voice quiet as he clasped his trembling hands tightly in front of him. ”Safrin, I am here to apologize for the disrespect I have shown you in the past. I don’t know if you will ever forgive me, but… If there is a way to earn it… or, if not your forgiveness, then at least your tolerance… If I can do so without forswearing my other oaths, I ask for a chance to prove my sincerity in this. Please.”
*Ode to the Starlight Goddess
When sunlight fades across the land
And cedes the sky to stars and moon
Far diamonds cast like grains of sand
Each light a traveler’s shining boon
Then know we all your time is nigh
Your eyes ablaze with distant suns
And to your honor give glad cry
From tongues of Old Gods’ faithful ones.
Voice to set the poets weeping
Chiming bells in each word breathing
Graceful as the gazelle leaping
Glory ‘round your brow yet wreathing
Hair as dark as midnight dreaming
(Sonnets to it, bards are penning)
Lips so red, like cherries seeming
Beauty beyond mortal kenning.
