CXLIV.
The divine spoke softly: “Kaitríonne Eleanoir
Of House Whotrin, firstborn of Chieftain Audar and the sacred
Chiefess Eleanore. I ask thee, why wouldst thou have me awakened?
Surely, not for trifles such as the rites of a fallen peer?
The recent evets between thee, him and thine heart sharing invitee:
My dearest lady; hast left thee devoid of company,
Barren; hast she not? Thou wishest to speak… so speak and I will hear!”
Her essence began to gather as she gently did draw near.
CXLV.
The demigoddess remembered her teachings, kept her eyes closed,
Her breath calm in the presence of deathly divinities,
Despite such forthcoming demeanour in morbid activities:
“Our Lady Raven, it is as earnest as I have proposed!
I only wish to give the closure which his legend deserves!
Won’t you grant me this mercy?” she felt the tugging on her nerves
From the breezy air but steeled herself, remaining composed
And hoping that the ghostly Shepherd would remain unopposed.
CXLVI.
The divine chuckled in pity: “Oh, thou art a poor child,
Indeed! To toil and make such passageway between the worlds,
For such an innocent request… Alas, migrating birds
Bring with them spring, so too is sacrifice by burden beguiled!
Thy coming couldst cast a shadow dark upon the land once more.
The congregation of the flow that has been brought ashore…”
She trailed off, puzzled, as if only now seeing the reviled
Realization of what might envelop the world defiled.
CXLVII.
“Certainly, thou mustest know on what the Wicrow feed?”
The goddess herself was taken aback in sheer horror.
Ríona’s hair stood on end as she began to shiver.
It could not be so, or could it? Her thoughts picked up in speed
As she began to remember her lax practice of magick
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These past few weeks: the initial disturbance of the erratic
And biting flow barely a footnote! For answers she plead
While trembling fearfully: “What have I done?! A grave misdeed?”
CXLVIII.
The Margrave replied, simply: “Thou hast followed thy destiny…
I shall make the forthcoming preparations; this dawning
Hath come too soon, sooner even than Aurianne’s warning!
Open thy eyes, my kin-in-kind!” She demanded solemnly.
Ríona obeyed, opening her blue, horror-struck eyes,
Finally gazing at the Deathly Divine’s youthful guise.
Between them still laid the body of the Tsar in serenity,
Which would soon turn into a flaming display of revelry.
CXLIX
The short-statured divinity gazed over her shoulder,
Her golden braid loosely hanging, as she spoke unsparingly:
“Thou shalt gaze into the azure flames of this pyre drearily.
Within this blaze thou willest see his memories smoulder,
Reminiscing of the Dark Days: let this horror prepare thee
For what is to come, friend.” The goddess finished her decree,
Began walking back t’wards the Innerworld’s divine border,
Remarking: “I’ll make these events known to each heeding beholder!”
CL.
As the flames burned, Ríona gazed at the atrocities
Which the Tsar had to endure and commit in his fight against
The hordes of the Wicrow. The sacrifices that were commenced,
Thousands of people-folk given to the monstrosities;
Men, women, and children alike, perished beneath the onslaught
Of the wicked beaks. More and more fell and into their ranks were brought,
Becoming our bane, matching our wits with their ferocities.
Such terrifying acts were revealed in all his stories.
CLI.
The penultimate vision that met her gaze sent chills down her spine:
The Tsar stood still, alone in the field of death and demise.
People-folk, kin-in-kind, Wicrow and even gods likewise
Laid side by side, dead or dying. The end of many a bloodline.
A figure approached his gaze; the face of her father Audar,
Which was still young and unweathered, on his arm barely a scar.
The demigod looked him in the eyes and made a cruel sign:
“Find your own damned champion!” Thus, left empty was the front line.