Nice!
I hope ye'all don't mind if I add in. I been itching ta tell a tale for a spell now. So? If yah bend an ear dis here way, I'll give it a going to.
Lady Grey
"Now, I not be sayin' ta ye that this is the way it happened."
Jaycol started.
"Nor, will I be tellin' yah That this be the truth of it."
He said in all sincerity, the expression clear on his face. Shaking a finger in the air for caution. He tilted his head slightly to the right. Then
looking upon his gathered audience in such a fashion that dared them to believe what he was about to say.
" I only be telling ye this as I heard it, So?" He shrugs. "It may be true. Some say it is...., and they swears by it. But!... the story be told many times over 'fore it
ever reached these ol' ears. Jaycol said.
His face transgressing through an awry of expressions, bobbing his head to give animation to his every word. He presented himself in a manner of
seriousness. Yet, the playful gleam of his eyes and a slight twist of a grin showed he was toying with his audience as well. A trait that clearly
displayed his skill at spinning tales.
"Now, ... as I recall?"
He began questioningly. Pausing, to roll his eyes in pretended thought. His hand slowly caressing his beard as he waited for a stir of impatience
from among the listeners. Finally, after a few moments he noticed the reaction he was baiting for. With a loud bellow he began again.
"Ahhh! Yes, Now I recall."
His tone becoming stern as he finished the sentence. The look on his face scolding, demanding the attention of his unwary victim. Satisfied at his
success he quickly reverted his manner back to that of a playful story teller, and he began his tale:
Some say it was long ago, but,... not so long ago that it was forgotten. It was a time when the peoples were new coming to the lands of Ylliakum. When
the Kraa and the Lemurs had been settled. The Ten Towns of Kadaikos thrived in population and commerce. They learned the way of the sea to improve their
wealth and culture. Reaching out upon it's shores. Sea travel had become a trade that invited the young in search of adventure and fortune. Many found
themselves embarking into a life of wonder and peril as they left the safe shelter of civilization. For many, that life of wonder and wealth was to be short and
tragic.
Jaycol pauses for a moment, lowering his head to help set the mood of his tale. Carefully, judging the silence. He clears his throat quickly as he looks
up. Meeting the eyes of his audience, he continues...
The crystal's light reflected off the many particles and minerals that made up the ceiling of the great cavern. It gave an appearance similar to that
of the stars and worlds that can be seen at times in the skies of the outer levels. There were seven great gems or that arched in a slight curve. The scale
of each dramatically reduced from large to small in such a way that it appeared as brow in the sky. A formation that the sailors called "The Eye of Laanx."
It's fixed position allowed for easier navigation upon the sea. The illumination that was cast from them produced a eerie form of moonlight on most nights.
With each new season and turning point of the year. Their color was said to change as the angle of light that came from the crystal differed slightly.
So it was, that one night the moonlight reached out upon the world. Watching, or maybe seeking, reaching it's tentacles of light across the vast
darkness. When it seen it's own reflection in the tear's of a young Lemur maiden. Puzzled, it reached out further, piercing an open window. Illuminating the room where the girl laid. It surrounded her with it's light. Which sparkled from the folds of linen and the brightness of her hair. Such beauty is rare, it thought to itself. Even among the Lemur folk this girl was stunning. Her lithe form paler then most enhanced by the dim rays of lunar glow. It was her magnificent eyes that marveled it's attention. So wet with moisture from her sadness. So much torment and so much pain.
The moonlight watched the crying girl, studying this behavior that it found so strange. It caressed her heaving form as it rocked from stifled sobs.
It could sense no injuries, and therefore could not understand her pain.
The girl looked up for a moment, turning towards the window. The moonlight seen it's reflection there so clear, so bright. It reached out further, past
it's reflection entering into the inner being of the girl. Shock! Pain. It was something it never had experienced before. It was overwhelming. It was sadden
by what it found. Feeling remorse for her pain it summoned all the power of it's existence, and that which it could from the crystal. It took the girl from
the physical world into it's own. Becoming one presence, one being. But even it's power was limited against her broken heart. At times it released her spirit
out of pity, and at other times when it's powers waned from the changing turns of season her spirit could visit the physical plane for a time. It was so in
the dawn of day when she comes most. Her form only visible through the wetness of the morning mist.
" Moonlight gleamed across the darkened sky
Reflecting from the tears of a young maids eyes
It danced among the sway of laced curtain
Moving slightly to a gentle breeze"
"With it's lunar grace it surrounded her
Sharing the pale beauty of each other's form
It rejoiced in the company of one so fair
Enlightened by the moment they were joined"
"Reaching beyond the mirror of it's own being
It learned of the passions of life
Within an act of pity for her pain
It absorbed her into it's light"
As they have many times before. A young couple embraces at the pier, kissing each other passionately. With each passing moment they tightened their
arms about each other. Afraid and unwilling to let go. Making every second of their time together precious. Hoping, in some way to make it last forever.
Sadness shows in their eyes as they part. The call from the first mate loudly calling all to board. Sighing, they part in hesitation, their hands holding on to the very tips of their fingers. She sighs in reluctant surrender as he turns to pick up his gear. With a last quick kiss he turns to hurry aboard ship. She trails her hand through his hair, letting it glide down the length of his arm until again their finger tips part. He turns to her one more time with his sweetest smile before continuing up the gangplank. From the rail he waves to her. The loud bark of the mate startles him as he quickly jumps into motion and disappears.
She watches for him still. Waiting until the ramp is taken down and the last rope is removed from it's mooring.As the ship drifts from the dock she
quickly turns away and runs through the crowd. She reaches the hillside surrounding the bay and watches as the ship moves out into the sea. For hours she
stands there waving at times, hoping that he will see her from the deck while he does his tasks. Nightfall will approach before she leaves as she will wait
until the ship disappears from her site. As the days would pass she planned to return to this spot everyday to watch for the ships to come in.
It was on the first night that she awoke in fear, close to the turning of dawn. Dressing quickly she ran to the hillside where the day before she
had watched the ship sail out to the sea. In the the morning's mist and the spray of the sea she strained to see out into the darkness. Lightning flashed in
the distance. Thunder rolled loudly after piercing light. The wind howled cruelly in her ears, pushing her back from her stance. The cold blasts wore to her
bones as she yielded to the pressures of the coming storm.
The storm raged on for days. Some say it was the wrath of Laanx come down upon them. The winds tore the roofing from the houses as it beat against
the coast. The worst in years they said at the tavern. As each day she made her way against the weather's torment for any word of incoming ships. She found
herself praying to Laanx every moment she thought of her sailor at out at sea. She offered what little she could in sacrifice with each prayer given for him
and his mates.
Finally, as quickly as it came the storm passed. The town would spent days upon the repairs of the damage it had caused. She spent her time helping as
she could about the town, with the folks she knew and some that she didn't. Always there would be a moment she would face the way of the sea and whisper a
prayer. Those that would see her do this would in the own way offer prayer for the souls of those they knew. When she had some time before the coming of
nightfall she would go to the hillside looking over the bay and watch for the ships to come in. With each trip her heart filled with emptiness, like a knowing of dread. She fought against the feeling and replaced it will hope, which she shared with others during the days. The old sailors looked upon her with sad downcast eyes as they listened to her words. In their experience they knew more the truth of the matter, but reluctant to share their thoughts to all but each other over a quieted whisper and a glass of ale.
From the hillside she walked slowly towards the rows of houses. Lost in her own thoughts. It was as she neared her place of boarding that she first
become aware of her father's saddened face. She froze as if she was struck down by Laarnx himself. Her body numb of all feeling as the emptiness exploded in
her heart. She stepped no closer. She didn't need to hear the words he had come to say. She already knew them. In shock, she watched for a moment as her
father approached. Her head shaking involuntarily against her own denial. her vision faded to darkness.
She awoke in her bed in the dark of night. The worried whispers from the lower floor muffled in lowered tone. She looked to the window as the
moonlight shines it's brightness into the night, the gentle sea wind blowing softly into the open pane. She watched unfeeling as the curtains danced to the
warm summer breeze. Tears welled up into her eyes in pain of her loss as she fell back into the softness of her bed. She cried. Her heart felt so heavy with
each thought of him. She could picture his face as he smiled at her. She thought of the the last time they kissed at the pier, how pure their love felt as
they had. It was at that moment she noticed the moonlight as it seemed to brighten up her room where she lay. She turned to the window but for just a moment and her pain was gone.
Morning came. Her Mother discovered an empty room as she brought up some food. She screamed into the rooms emptiness as she opened the door. The men from outside the house ran to her side as she knelled in anguish. In closed breaths all she could do was point into the empty room. Stunned, her father moved quickly into the room. Seeing no sign of their daughter. He approached the bed where she had lain. There, laid out as if it was worn lay her empty bed gown.
Picking it up he walked to his bereaved wife. Kneeling beside her, they embraced each other at their loss.
"Under the morning call of the sea birds
Two young lovers embraced
Sharing their feelings without words
Silent longing etched upon their face"
"The moment lasts forever
Too soon, forever passes
In that moment shared with each other
Was given a life's time of passion"
"Slowly, unwillingly, they part
Stopping for one long last glance"
Stories came in with each ship. They flooded the taverns every night as the sailors drank their fill. Of a figure of a crying young lady that they
had seen somewhere along the coasts. Sometimes during the storms, as they traveled the dangerous coastline.But most of all during the gloomy thickness of the morning fog. The tales differed with each telling, but one thing seemed to remain the same. Somehow, they all felt that in some way the ghostlike figure of the mists had protected them and guided them home, or to some safe port.
Now they say, when they talk, that if you were to sail into troubled water. Look! Look hard for the Sorrowful Grey Lady of the mist, and offer her your
prayers. For those unfortunate enough not to see her, will never see port again. And, as all tales go, and to this very day, no ship ever coming into port will
ever say, they never seen the 'Sorrowful Lady Grey."
"Oh my sorrowful Lady Grey"
"Let the morning breeze stir the sails
May it be enough to bring us home
To the shores we have so longed to see
and into the arms of ones we love"
"Many times have we thought of this day
as the the waves rocked this vessel of our trade
returning to a land that is always so distant from us
and to the life of which we no longer yearn"
"Let the hearts of those we love hold us dear
As we sail the coastline in search of safe port
glancing in hope as we pass rocky shores
praying for a day without storm"
"Oh my sorrowful Lady Grey"
"Hear my prayers this day if you may
As we near the land of our fathers
Let the waves from your salted tears
carry us home safely without sway"
"Give us the joy that you once had known
So long ago when in your heart you knew
That the vast dark waters of the churning sea
Was sending your sailor back to you"
"Let the pain you find in your aching heart
Be the light that guides us safe from harm
From that which lurks to crush us from beneath the waves
And spare for our families your sorrowful fate"
"Oh My sorrowful Lady Grey"
"Remember now that dreadful day
Hear my prayers if you may"
