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For Kellen and TAO
The Steeplewood Forest
The Spring
The shadows of early evening are filled with high pitched squeals and laughter and the dancing movements of the colors of fall as the younglings flit excitedly around their visitor. A few echos on the tones of the blade dance still sound faintly in the cool air. Seeing the flushed smile on Kellen’s face, Jasper winks at Sylvas who has gathered a small chorus of the youngest sprites around himself. At Jasper’s signal, they fly suddenly upward in an explosion of color and laughter out of which speak several high pitched voices, “DEFINITELY NOT A DWARF!”
A few of the boldest younglings gather around Kellen hoping to be allowed to see and touch his blade. “My thanks, friend,” Jasper smiles as he looks up at the tall visitor. “That was some of the best sport the younglings have had in at least a season.”
THE GROVE
For the second time today, the notes of an unusual song have sounded within the air of the forest and Claudia’s eyes meet those of Miriam. Miriam rises silently, hoping that the pause in TAOWolf’s speaking will be long enough for her to discover the source of the unusual music. She hums softly over the basin. Claudia had mentioned that Jasper’s laughter had blended with the notes she had heard earlier. Soon the air above the basin holds the colorful movement and peals of laughter of the younglings as well as the image of an elf whose blade pierces the air with a kind of music.
Seeing that the others have now turned toward her, Miriam gives full voice to the melody of her own incantation and the images and sounds move away from the basin to form a life-sized tableau for the others in the Grove.
“So many visitors we seem to have lately,” Ligeia smiles.
“And with such gifts!” Claudia adds.
Ullalume simply smiles placidly at the sight before her and Iphigenia nods in approval.
The women laugh together at the ‘Not a dwarf’ chorus from the younglings and as Miriam drops her voice into a softer key the visions dance once more over the basin before disappearing. She concludes her own song with a soft howl into the evening air followed by a whispered command.
Rejoining the group, she smiles at TAOWolf and apologizes for the interruption. “Please continue,” she says softly, traces of song still lingering in her voice.
The Spring
The sounds of water flowing from the spring into the pool dance merrily between the excited words and playful laughter of the sprites and their visitor. And a bright silver mist joins this dance. A low and musical howl sounds within the mist and sings for a few moments alongside the voices of this place. Jasper breaks off his words to Kellen in surprise, an expression of delight shining on his face. “Argus!” The younglings cry. “Argus has come!”
Turning once more to Kellen, “It seems that others have appreciated your talents as much as we have.” The bright silver mist swirls slowly together and the howl takes on the tenor of a deep and friendly growl. Soon the mist is no more and a large wolf soon stands among the excited sprites, its fur shining like polished silver.
[ 07-16-2002, 03:25 PM: Message edited by: Cyril Darkcloud ]
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