A change of plans

After an exchange of letters, my scribe has decided to switch projects for November and work on a different story for this month. Ask her for further details or a summary of the letter.

We have received terrible news. The shephard Zadok found a young girl on the hills. She had both ears cut off and suffered instrumental injuries. After treatment, she informed us that the town of Anyah had been overrun by men with long greyice knives, who rode gigantic beasts and slaughtered the inhabitants. Four of our own--Gurion, Shaqed, Zadok, and Elihu--have gone out to investigate further, and we expect reports from them tomorrow.

Life in NaNoLand.

Yesterday was the great Feast of Winds, in which we join together in the great song of Acai and remind ourselves of the King's faithfulness. Elizabeth also wishes me to tell you that our daughter Abigail turned fourteen and is thus eligible for apprenticeship if we so chose.
Elizabeth: I think it would be good for her.
Micah: If you'll pardon me, I must finish this task. In any case, our scribe has informed us that she is visiting some strange place called "NaNoWriMo," and will thus be taking dictation at a breakneck speed (whatever that means). But she has learned some things about my past that I would fain hid, and thus I ask you to turn away if she mentions them.

Restrung

Scribe's note: please disregard previous update "Family Portraits." 

It is my privilege to introduce my family to you. The woman on my left in this portrait is my wife Elizabeth, and to her left is our daughter Abigail, who recently turned fourteen and is considering an apprenticeship with me. Off to our right is my son Joel, who disappeared four years ago and has not been seen since. We know he is not dead, but his rose has turned grey; I fear he has fallen into darkness.

Four-Formed Note

Thorn and petal
the breath rises, falls--gasps!
second voice unfolds
now exhale
--direct transcription of traditional Roni'ith song

Sharps and flats
The songs bends and twists
Tune the instrument
before the song begins
--culturally-accurate translation

Change is the tuning-string before the performance
--Roni'ith proverb

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Scribe's note
Between classes today,  I've pruned certain elements from my story. The town of Naveyl is undergoing time alteration and Micah is experiencing incompatible memory disorder. With an open weekend ahead, I hope to clarify the situation by Monday.

Greetings from the scribe

I apologize for the long delay on new posts, but as I mentioned previously, I was unable to access this site for three weeks and am currently stuck in a mire of uncertainty regarding the fate of certain characters.

Micah:We are all in the King's hands, whatever you may say or believe.

Micah, you shouldn't even be accessing the internet. It has things that could make you sick. I'd best log off before you seize control.

A Notice

My scribe Galadriel will be unable to access this site from August 4th through the 25th, but most likely will not be back on until the 27th or later.

The Tale of Acai, as told by Micah to Abigail

“Listen, Abigail. I have a story to tell. It is about the King, about his Enemy, and about the roses that mark his love.” Ilifted his voice in a chanting rhythm. “This is the Lay of Acai, one of the best-loved songs among the Roni’im. Though there are many versions of Acai’s story, the oldest say she was orphaned by a fire when only eleven years old. She left her home and wandered through villages, ignored by many and teased by some. One day as she was traveling, she met a stranger at the well. His travel cloak was crusted with many days’ worth of dust, bugs, and leaves, but he smiled at her. ‘Are you thirsty, Acai?’

“‘How do you know my name?’

“’We’ve met before,’ the man began pulling the bucket up. ‘Give me your cup and I’ll fill it.’

“Acai reached into her pack for her clay mug. The man finished pulling up the bucket and poured water into her mug. Acai drank deeply, ignoring the droplets trailing down her chin like rainbow gems in the sunlight. The stranger drank from his cupped hands, letting the rest slip through his fingers. ‘Are you hungry?’ he asked.

“’All I had today was a crust of bread.’ Acai looked at the stranger. ‘And I don’t think you’d have anything better.’

“The man laughed. ‘Come with me; there is a feast waiting for you.’ Acai shrugged and followed him up the hill to a long, low house. When he opened the front door, she gasped at the sight. Wooden platters of vegetables surrounded fish fillets and dripping roasts. Baskets of warm bread and juicy fruit completed the display, with pitchers of creamy milk, fresh juice, and cool water sitting on the side. The man pulled back a chair. ‘Sit down, don’t be shy. There is more than enough. Don’t worry about saving any for tomorrow; you can stay as long as you want.’

“Acai did not need a second invitation. She dipped her hands in a basin of water that was to the left of her setting before drying them on a nearby towel. She filled her plate with steamed beans, half a chicken breast, and a loaf of strawberry bread. ‘It’s good,’ she commented. ‘Just like my mother…’ Her face crumpled. ‘Like my mother made.’

“The man knelt by her chair and laid his hand on her shoulder. ‘What happened, Acai?’

“’There was a fire in the barn. Father was trapped…we heard him screaming. Mother tried to save him, but it spread to the house. My sister couldn’t get out.’ She buried her head in the man’s cloak. ‘Ma’or… I couldn’t stay. But I didn’t have anywhere to go.’

“The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. Acai took it and dabbed her eyes. ‘Thank you.’ She looked up at him. ‘You look familiar. What’s your name?’

“’I never said, but I think you can guess.’ He loosened his cloak, revealing a design of three crimson roses on the hem of his white tunic. ‘I am the King.’ He pressed a three-budded rose lay into her palm.

“Acai stared for a moment. Then she flung herself into his arms, weeping with joy and pain. No one knows how long she wept, for the King’s embrace is outside time and without parallel, and neither words nor music may describe it.

“‘My family,’ she whispered. ‘Where are they?’

“ ‘In my garden. Oh, it is beautiful beyond imagination. The Melody whispers in every wind and the colors are greater than mortal eyes may see.’”

Tears trailed down Abigail's cheeks. The story soothed some unknown wound deep in her soul, a healing balm for an ancient ache. I took a cloth from my sleeve and wiped my eyes. I didn’t say anything, but merely waited.

“Is there more?” Abigail asked.

“Yes. At that moment, the door slammed open. Remember that I said the King has an enemy? This enemy, called Deathroot, burned with hatred as he saw the King embraced Acai, and was determined to destroy her. When he entered the house, his steps sounded like thunder. ‘Well, well, what a pretty sight.’ But the King did not answer.

“’Leave my daughter alone,’ the King replied.

“Deathroot snatched the rose, drawing thin lines of blood down Acai’s palm. ‘This is what I think of your precious daughter.’ He dropped the blossom and ground it beneath his heel.

“The King sprang to his feet. ‘You have no power here. Leave us!’

“ ‘Why would you want such a scrawny waif?’ Deathroot blasted a discordant phrase that shook Acai like a leaf. The King sang a simple tune, a child’s chant that took Deathroot’s strongest notes and wove them into its own melody. Melodies clashed like oil and water or fire and ice.

The King’s song filled the room like rain filling the desert. Finally, Deathroot fled. The King touched Acai’s cheek.

“ ‘Are you hurt?’ He plucked the trampled rose from the floor.

“ ‘Not much.’ Acai gazed into the King’s eyes. ‘Who was that man?’

“’He is not a man, but Deathroot, my greatest enemy. He knows I am stronger than he is, so he attempts to hurt me by wounding my beloved children.’ The King held Acai tightly. ‘But nothing can change my love.’

“Here the oldest of the lays end, and the others splinter into different legends. Some say that Acai’s rose was darkened by blood, and is the origin of the King’s Emblem, but the Emblem is older than the Lay. Others claim that the King took Acai to his garden forever, while some say she had a brief visit before she found a new family. A few wild tales say that she still wanders the world, waiting for a time known as the Mem, but those are dismissed by most as inventions of eager storytellers. ”

“And Deathroot?” Abigail swallowed uneasily.

“He is still active.” I answered grimly.

Insights: Blueberries and Love

Galadriel walks into the room, merrily humming to herself, and sets a ice-cream bucket of blueberries on the counter.

Galadriel

Hello. I just discovered some things about this story while I was picking blueberries. Repetitive jobs tend to do that to me--if I'm lucky. See, originally Elizabeth dies of Kadosh at the end of the first section, but now--oh, I've worked out how Micah can survive to the end of the story, and who stands up to the invaders.

(giggles in a high-on-inspiration way)

So, I'm sorry, Elizabeth, you are going to have such a moment of awesomeness. And then die.

(giggles, stops, wonders if she should be doing this)

Sorry. It's just that--

Micah walks into the room.

Micah

What is so funny, my scribe?

Galadriel

Um...nothing. Would you like some blueberries? Not as good as raspberries, but still delicious. I froze 20 cups today. All before 9 am, I'll have you know.

Micah

I suppose. But I doubt that's why you're laughing so hard

GALADRIEL

I learned something about you today. Well, you, Joel and Abigail.

Micah

And what might that be?

GALADRIEL

The strength of love. That's what this story is all about. Joel needs to learn that nonresistance in love is not weakness, while Abigail needs to understand that love can make you stand up for others when you wouldn't stand up for yourself. And you--

(pauses...)

needtolearnthatemotionsshowlovemorethanwordssometimes

MICAH

I don't understand that last sentence.

GALADRIEL

You're very good at sharing words of wisdom, but sometimes people just want you to listen. As in, not saying anything. Not even songs.

Micah

Hm?

Galadriel

Words can't solve everything.

Micah

That is why there are songs.

Galadriel

Yet is it not a saying, that what is not word is song, and what is not song is silence?

Micah

How do you know this?

GALADRIEL

Elizabeth.

Micah

That does sound like something she would say, certainly.

Galadriel stuffs another handful of blueberries into her mouth.

GALADRIEL

Want some?

Micah

No, I have other tasks to complete.

(Micah departs)

GALADRIEL

Good. I couldn't wear that daft grin in front of him.

The Tale of Seneh

The King rejoiced in the company of Ahava and Avidan, coming often among them to instruct them in the ways of wisdom and enjoy the beauty of their song. Oft times the Abir would come as well, yet only when the King was present did they have discourse with the twain, preferring otherwise to merely observe the new-made marvels of the world.

Now it came to pass in that one of the Abir rebelled against the King, seeking all glory for himself. The rebel’s name has ne’er been spoken since that day, and it has perished from all memory, save the King’s. And since that day, he has been known as Deathroot, and his followers are called the Rovinih, those in opposition to the Roni’im. Deathroot entered into the world, seeking to claim it as his own, yet most of all he did wish to destroy Ahava and Avidan’s happiness.

Yet the couple knew none of this, and continued to live in joy and peace. Ahava gave birth to a child, a son. Some say that he was hatched from an eggshell, or delivered by Abir. Other legends tell of a beast that ascended to become a man, or a blossom enclosing a child. But oldest songs claim it was a simple birth, yet without the pain that is the lot of women. The king held the child in his arms, and the Abir sang a song of welcome.

Deathroot saw all, gnashing his teeth. Yet he bided his time.

When the boy was just beginning to walk, Deathroot entered the garden, concealing in his garments a single rose saved from the destruction of his soul. For the Abir have not roses as men do, though their soul is shown in that form. Yet their roses have not thorns, for they bear not the sorrows of men. And at that time the thorns were not sharp, nor did they cause pain. Ahava and Avidan greeted him warmly, seeing nothing strange in an Abir’s visit.

Encouraged by this success, Deathroot returned, again and again, always disappearing when one of the Abir—or the King himself—visited. Under the name Eli, he became close in council with Avidan and Ahava, until—without noticing it—they anticipated his visits with greater joy than the King’s, always seeking his council first. So it came to pass that one day, when their son was chest-high to Avidan, Deathroot sparked his plan.

In those days all the roses were one color—deeper than black, richer than crimson. Known as King’s Heart, they were honored as symbols of his love. Yet Deathroot pulled out his own blossom, having cast illusions to make it shine as gems in the sun. “Wherefore do these things of beauty have thorns, which have no purpose nor cause pleasure. See, mine bears them not, for they are the mark of feeble men.” And he spoke cunningly unto them of heaven’s wonders, of newborn stars and mighty mountains, glistening light and wonders beyond mortal ken. Though all he spoke was true, yet it twisted the yearning of every man—the longing for union with the King—to evil purposes.

Lured by his words, Ahava spoke first. “What must we do?”

“Cast away these thorns. Cut them off, and burn them in the fire. Only then shall you be free.”

Ahava and Avidan followed his decree, and so great was their fall that Ahava guided her son to cut away the thorns, and Avidan gave him the flaming brand to start the fire. At first they knew now what they had done, yet the thorns began sharp, digging into their palms and releasing blood that dripped onto the wood. And the smoke of that fire reached the nostrils of the King.

He knew they were free to make their own choices, yet his anger mixed with sorrow. His tears are not as ours, for though he may appear as a man, his ways are beyond imagining. His tears are spoken of as the Sorrowful Rain, the Storming Cloud, the Mournful Violin and the Crushed Petals. Yet the Abir did not understand his sorrow, nor could they see the joy of hope.

In the garden, Avidan was the first to say what they all knew. “Fools we were, and fools we are, to exchange the glory and blessing of the King for pain.” They were too terrified to seek forgiveness; yet the King did not abandon them. He put on the likeness of a man, for they could no longer see his true form. When he entered the garden, they trembled in fear, but he took the thorns from their hands and stopped the bleeding with rose petals. The boy recovered first, staring up with huge eyes while his parents clung to each other.

The King spoke first, setting his hands on the child’s head. “Seneh.” he named the boy. Thorn. Judgment was passed in the name. He knew their wrong, yet he also knew of their love. “You have attempted to destroy the mark of my favor; therefore you must leave the garden, and can no longer walk with me daily. Henceforth all roses shall bear thorns as a testimony against you.” He said many other things, yet not all were understood, and some were lost. Yet he knelt and kissed them, and with tears in his eyes, ordered the Abir to rent the garden, setting them on a distant shore.

And on that distant shore, Ahava gave birth to her second child, another boy, and named him Mechudash. He was the firstborn of a fallen world, born in unimagined, unanticipated pain, and his birth is a byword for a rewarding but painful event. But there are times where pain brings only more hurt, and no healing at all, at least none that man can see, though there are others who can rejoice at the sight.

All shall be revealed and seen aright in the King’s presence.

Scribe's Note: After the First Tale of Men last week, I discussed some things with Micah, and learned that this story is a essential element of the Feast of Fields, though it is known by a different name. Therefore I share it with you now, before we move on to the next tale.

The First Tale of Men

This story is known to all Roni’im as “The First Song of Men” or the “Song of Beginnings,” but here the tale is told in prose, for my scribe cannot hear the song as easily as she can interpret words.
In the beginning there was nothing save the King. No darkness; no light.
No silence; no song. No red; no grey.
Then the King sang. As the notes of His song, the First Song ever sung, echoed throughout the Void, they took shape, and became the Abir. Stories say they appeared as ordinary men, yet that was not their true form. For they existed before the foundations of the world were laid, and their bodies are to ours as a candle flame is to a forest. But none have come openly since the fall of Ahava and Avidan, though that is another tale and may be told another time.
The notes were taken up by the Abir, and became even deeper and higher and longer and richer. The world unfolded like a garment new-cut from the loom. Hills and mountains, valleys and plains, the forests of the east and the deserts of the south, and the great sea, called the Endless, were all created, yet they were empty of living beings. So the Abir followed the yearnings of their hearts and created the beasts: leaping, crawling, swimming, flying, creeping, running, prancing; loud, quiet, short, tall, tiny, huge, ugly, beautiful-- all came into the world.
And the King began the Second Song, which created the roses. In those days roses were not as they are now, but had a different glory: strange, yet not more beautiful. For the thorns were not painful to endure, but glorious reminders of life. And they had a different name, a name which none now living know. It is said that each rose whispered a word, and the breeze through their branches was as the voice of many choirs.
As the roses sang the lyrics and the Abir the melody, the King descended to the world he had made. It is said in many songs that he took the petals of a rose and made of them a beating heart; poured the rushing waves through the veins; called down two stars from the heavens for eyes; molded the ears from soil; wove the lips from the strings of an Abir’s harp. Last of all, he breathed his own breath into them, on this all the tales agree. And so the man was made, and he was named Avidan, first made of all men. Avidan opened his mouth to join the songs, and his heart was lifted into the wonders of the world the King had made. But he felt the need for another, a partner to join voices and hands with.
Therefore the King cast Avidan into a deep sleep, and he awoke to find a new creature by his side. She was like him, and yet not so, a being of his own nature, yet different and grand. And he named her Ahava, beloved, for she was the greatest treasure of his heart. She took his hand and led him into a clearing where they joined hands in the First Dance. Roses sprang up where they stepped, and the sky shone clearest blue overhead. And there will never be another dance such as that, for they did not grew weary nor stumble, but clad their praise in movement and song for his glory. And so they were called the Dancers, but in after days the Roni'im, his song and his delight.
Scribe’s note: Yes, I have noticed the similarities to Tolkien’s Ainulindalë, but Micah has yet to read it. With writing rarely used in his world, he has a difficult time understanding the concept of ‘novels.’

Celebrations (Part 3)

To summarize, the majority of your world's holidays seem to be attempts to assuage guilt by restricting respect and responsibility to a few days a year, especially in relationships. The rest are merely justifications for lazy days and slacking work. The celebrations we do have in our world are meant to remind us of the King's care for us.

In spring, we have the Feast of Rains, commemorating the first discovery of the emeth, also known as the truthrose, and the first Shoshannah, Vered.

Summer opens with the Feast of Fields, an occasion to praise the King for his wonderful creation and tell the stories of making.

Autumn hosts the Feast of Winds, at which we tell the story of Acai, of all stories most beloved, for it tells of the King's concern for all his children, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.

Winter is the time for the Feast of Flames, where I tell the story of my namesake Micaiah, who stood firm under temptation and trusted the King in his darkest hour.

These are the Four Feasts of my people, though other celebrations may occur; these are the ones celebrated throughout the lands.

Family Portraits

I had planned to further discuss holidays, but a friend has painted portraits of me and my family, and my friend Galadriel says you might be interested.

Abigail, daughter of a friend of mine. Her family portrait is below.
My son Joel.
Keturah and her sister Abigail on the left, with their parents Tirzah and Arioch on the right.


The top of these two portraits is more accurate with tunic length, but the bottom is a better likeness of my wife. Both show my son Joel, my wife Elizabeth, and me.

Celebrations (Part 2)

To continue the discussion on celebrations and holidays, I will repost an interview I did with Micah on the occasion of Valentine's Day.

So, what do you think of Valentine's Day,

Micah: It's childish and slighly horrifying.

Why? I explained the historical background and significance...

Micah: I still don't understand how someone could have enough power to outlaw marriage, but what modern people have made of it is childish. Do they not understand what marriage and love really are?

So let's break it down. What do you think of the candies and cards?

While sweet things are nice, they are more meant for children or the ill. And cards I also do not understand. Our system of writing is rarely used, and letters are precious, not just gooey expressions of mush

Ah. Now for the big can of worms. Flowers and Valentines.

Micah: Let me try to explain. In your world, you have a symbol called a cross, correct? And this symbol is of great significance to believers, though other people sometimes treat it as simple jewelry, although less so when it is a crucifix?

Yes.

Micah: Now imagine a holiday where you doodled crucifixes on scraps of paper, handed out ones that were thrown away afterwards,and plastered you with advertisements to buy some.

Ouch.

Micah. Yes. That is why I find this holiday called "Valentine's" to be childish and more than slightly sickening. The holidays in our world focus on the King and the world he created, not mushy feelings.

What would your wife say about this?

Micah: She'd be slighly more sympathetic, but not much.

Celebrations (Part 1)

My apologies, but it seems the question-and-answer will have to wait for a later time. For today is the birth-date of my friend Galadriel, and she wishes to know how the folk of my world celebrate those times.

First of all, we do not have specific dates as your culture does. We observe the moon-cycles and seasons, and some even notice the solstice and equinox, but most days pass simply, as only days. When a child is born, we might mark the day by some significant event--the first rainstorm of spring, or the cutting of hay, and if special gifts were given, it would be when that day comes again.

But it seems to me that there is a significant flaw in your culture's way of doing things. Do you only honor the person on this day, or all year round? If you honor them all the year round, why bother with one particular day? Perhaps the closest ceremony we have is when a child's rose deepens hue and remains blossoming all winter, for then the child is a baby no longer, but a young one learning the ways of the King.

An Introduction

Greetings to all of you from the small town of Naveyl. I am Micah, named after the hero Micaiah of who of old refused the Rovinih. My joy and delight is Elizabeth, my wife and the mother of my son Joel, who is of an age to be apprenticed, for he seeks not to follow my vocation as the Shoshannah. I am intimately acquainted with all the families of Naveyl, but the children of Arioch are my special duty, as their parents died three feasts back. I hope, as the King allows, to become better acquainted with you all and instruct you in His mighty ways.

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scribe's note

Micah has used terms some of you may be unfamiliar with. In his next visit, I hope to interview him and clarify points that may be confusing.