People were laughing, crying, speaking silently to one another or merely standing in reverent silence all around her. Most seemed to be reaching out for loved ones, holding them close as though to make sure it was not all a dream, so that if the bubble burst and the nightmare returned, they would åt least be together. Maea glanced around, feeling somewhat out of place where she stood by herself. The light emitted from the beautiful bird was too strong for her failing eyes, she could not look at it for long before the pain became intolerable, but... looking at those gathered around was rather painful too.
She was just about to turn and leave when a familiar tune reached her through the murmur of voices. A lullaby she had heard so many times before, one she used to sing herself when there was no one else around to hear. Maea paused and turned to see who it was that sang, and found herself humming along with the words; quietly at first, but more boldly when no one interrupted. Come the second verse, she raised her chin and joined in, her voice deep and clear and full of emotions the could never have expressed with word alone.
"Wings like a storm and eyes like a fire
See as the bird flies higher and higher
Bringing light to the world below
Setting Caido all aglow!
Spark Bird, Spark Bird, light our way!
Make the Long Night bright as day!
Spark Bird, Spark Bird, come this year!
Yours is the song we long to hear!..."
Suddenly she did not feel quite as alone anymore; there were others here who had endured same as she, who knew what a miracle this truly was... The Outlanders could never understand, not truly. They had seen one LongNight, the Naturals had lived a lifetime of them, and not once har anyone come to save them from the darkness and the terror before.
Not until now.
She was just about to turn and leave when a familiar tune reached her through the murmur of voices. A lullaby she had heard so many times before, one she used to sing herself when there was no one else around to hear. Maea paused and turned to see who it was that sang, and found herself humming along with the words; quietly at first, but more boldly when no one interrupted. Come the second verse, she raised her chin and joined in, her voice deep and clear and full of emotions the could never have expressed with word alone.
"Wings like a storm and eyes like a fire
See as the bird flies higher and higher
Bringing light to the world below
Setting Caido all aglow!
Spark Bird, Spark Bird, light our way!
Make the Long Night bright as day!
Spark Bird, Spark Bird, come this year!
Yours is the song we long to hear!..."
Suddenly she did not feel quite as alone anymore; there were others here who had endured same as she, who knew what a miracle this truly was... The Outlanders could never understand, not truly. They had seen one LongNight, the Naturals had lived a lifetime of them, and not once har anyone come to save them from the darkness and the terror before.
Not until now.
