One upon a time there was a tree that owned a coffin-
"Well that makes no sense. Really now. Shoo. I have things to do."
The tree didn't own the coffin. It was the coffin. The coffin was made out of wood.
"I said leave."
You see the coffin was made for someone like you. Someone that was always move, move, moving. Never taking a moment to sit and listen to little water sprites-
"That's very nice, thank you."
One day he was cursed with dysentary. He got it every single day for the rest of forever. He was bedridden, couldn't court a single lady. Of course naturally it fell that he never had sons and since he was an only child, he was the last of his line-
"That seems rather specific, don't you think?"
That wasn't even the end of it! Then giants came and squashed him. Squashed him right dead. Multiple times. He was flat enough to slide under a rug or behind a nice tapestry and-
"Are you done yet? You're quite in my way."
AND HE GOT SHOVED IN A COFFIN.
"Okay."
The sprite huffed off, clearly defeated. Lock felt rather clever for that one.
Wrath rather liked it here. It was peaceful, quiet, and the setting somehow managed to soothe away his worries, clearing his mind of everything that had happened, giving him a chance to just rest. He would remember this spot, he told himself, and would remember to bring Na'ima here, next time, so that they could sit together and share in this blissful ambiance.
The quiet, however, was interrupted. Wraths eyes had just drifted closed as he sat on the bank when the voices whispered at him, rousing him with several rapid blinks and a clearing of his throat.
"What was that?" He asked, while eying the spirits warily. "A story, we have a story to tell!" came their excited reply.
He stared at them for a long moment before saying, "Well, go on, then."
"Deep in a dense forest, somewhere far away, there resided a tree in a clearing. It was not a remarkable tree in anyway, save one trait, for hanging on one of its branches was a lantern, one that burned as brightly as a star, and who's light never faded in even the slightest way.
It was said that the lantern and tree both were enchanted, and that if one could find the tree, and take the lantern, it would lead it's new wielder to a great treasure.
Many tried, all fuelled by their greed, but only to fail. The tree remained hidden to them.
But then, one day, a poor, poverty stricken boy who's family had all perished during a great sickness rage had swept his town, fled into the woods in his grief. He became lost quite quickly, unsure of the path he'd taken, every step taking him in more confused circles.
Soon it grew dark, and the boy grew frightened. He could hear the animals that howled and growled, could see the glowing eyes that followed him as he walked. It became cold, and he shivered, all while wishing he had a weapon, and a means of starting a fire to keep warm.
He believed that he was to die.
But, when all hope seemed lost, he saw in the distance a bright light, one that called to him, bidding him to come near. He followed that light, which grew from but a pinprick to a glowing ball encased in glass.
"You found me." A voice whispered to him, the trees leaves rustling though there was no wind. "You are burdened with great need, and even greater pain. Place your hand upon my bark, and I will soothe you."
The boy, unable to help himself, did as he was told, and soon he felt a sense of peace sweep through him, calming his worries, sapping away his pain. Things no longer seemed so sad, or so dire. Eventually, he drew his hand away, and nodded, uttering a single "thanks." to the tree, who seemed to bend towards him in a bow.
"Now, take the lantern in your hand. It will guide you to something of great worth."
Again the boy did as he was bid, removing the lantern from a bough, the light instantly becoming brighter still, a beam of it shooting out in one singular direction.
The boy, of course, followed the light, and all form of dangerous creature seemed to melt away, cowed by its glow.
And at the end of the beam, a shield, glowing in the light, glittering with jewels, shining silver and bright, leaning against a rock. The boy hurried over, reverently placing his hand upon its surface. The shield called to him, much like the lantern and the tree had, and the moment he touched it, he knew, that this shield was meant to be his. It was not something to be sold, to turn a quick penny, but something to be cherished, looked after, and kept by his side to the end of his days.
That boy, one day, grew up to be a knight. A rather famous one, in fact! He was a great man, and a defender against the evil that threatened the lands until his dying breath."
That appeared to be where the story ended, and yet wrath continued to stare, awestruck, hoping for more.
But the spirits were finished. They had no more to tell him, at that time.
OOC
My character's name: Wrath (Rathsvith is full name but does not go by this ever) Character's journal link:here! BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER: Long dark hair often pulled partially or fully back, dark beard, dark tanned skin, brown eyes, very tall and very muscular (think viking like) avvy ref! Rank of character Great Knight (Red)
Yuki hung by the edge of the lake, gazing out at the beautiful, clear water before him and the lights of the little sprites flitting around the surface and soon around him as well.
He was smiling at the tiny creatures, and nodding softly at their offer of a story.
Good thing he seemed keen to listen, because apparently a story was coming either way.
"Once upon a time, there was a tree. It wasn't just a regular old tree, but an enchanted tree! It was a tree that could grant wishes, if the person who discovered this tree was pure of heart.
One day an elderly woman had been wandering in the forest, searching for food for her village. The village that she lived in was very bad off, you see. Even more than most other villages. They had been attacked by a dragon several weeks before, and the beast had destroyed many of their homes and almost all of their crops! So, the woman and other people of her village had to go out every day, from dawn to dusk, searching for wild fruits and greens or else they would surely starve without enough to feed their families!
Well, the poor old woman was very tired when she came upon the tree, and so she sat down in a dip in its roots to rest her eyes for a little while. She felt safe there, and the pure aura of the tree protected her while she slept.
When she awoke, she realized that dusk would be falling soon, and that she needed to get back to her village or risk being lost in the dark forest alone. She wept over her meager collection of the day, feeling immensely guilty that she had let herself fall asleep when she had work to do.
"Oh, whatever will I do? I have so little to take home. I wish I had the means to help my family and friends, for I am becoming too old and weak to travel day after day!"
She noticed, as she rose and groaned at the ache in her old bones, that within the crook of the tree's lowest branches there was a folded slip of parchment. She did not recall seeing that before, and her curiosity made her reach for it. When she investigated it, she realized that it was a map! How strange! Where had it come from? Where did it lead?
Taking the map back to her village, she had confidence that she had found something important, and so she had! The map led to the hoard of the very dragon that had destroyed their village. Fortunately, when a group of the villagers investigated the map, they had taken their weapons and strongest men. They slayed the evil shadow dragon and claimed the riches that it had hoarded in its lair!
With the gold and precious stones that they collected, they could afford aid to help them rebuild their homes and buy food and supplies to replenish their crops.
It was a happy ending! I do so like stories with happy endings, don't you?" The sprite giggled joyously, flitting happily around the knight's head before she darted away toward someone new.
Reply
