Saga of Rivers and Shadows: Restitution
Soundcloud link: https://soundcloud.com/wizardofwestmarch/saga-of-rivers-and-shadows-restitution
She has escaped from under the Shadow’s sway, and wanders the land, lost and in pain. Found by a soldier, he brings her before the king, who offers to punish his subject that abandoned her. Yet, instead her pain gives her compassion, whether deserved or not.
The structure of the poem is known as a Ghazal. An Arabic style, it keeps a consistent syllable count per line, and every couplet ends with a repeated word or phrase. An echo that keeps everything on track. Feeling her pain even as she offers herself up to save them all, despite the pain that wracks her soul. Because she is more than her pain. Because she is greater.
Restitution
She made her way beyond those lands, lost and broken and torn.
Even as she searched her soul for answers. Pain beyond pain.
A soldier found her wandering there, took her to the king,
he heard her plight, learned about her lover. Pain beyond pain.
He was summoned before the king for abandoning her
while she listened to his claims of weakness. Pain beyond pain.
The king offered her recompense for his subject’s failing
but she merely bowed, shook her heavy head. Pain beyond pain.
Pain born of the shadow’s foul deeds must be met sincerely
not with the rage he inflicts like a wound. Pain beyond pain.
So next they gathered to find everything left to try
and break the shadow’s hold on the lost land. Pain beyond pain.
They had learned of a gem hidden in the heart of his hold
that anchored his power under his will. Pain beyond pain.
But how would they steal it away from him there at his seat
when she knew her place in this grand affair. Pain beyond pain
A need began to blossom and form until it took her
past her own ache and beyond that lit room. Pain beyond pain.
She could call upon her darkly won gifts and bring about
restitution for those without a hope. Pain beyond pain.
To go back into that place where those memories linger
she might not even survive her own mind. Pain beyond pain.
But all those people who held out against despair needed
to be saved from the shadows and she could. Pain beyond pain.
She offered her newfound power as it was to sneak in
and steal his hold on this world and their kin. Pain beyond pain
Her former lover decried this, feared of asking too much
yet she denied him, needing this to heal. Pain beyond pain.
The king seemed uncertain but offered no alternatives
and so she promised to steal his power. Pain beyond pain.
With her heart heavy she slipped out that night to sacrifice
her heart for this world that healed her briefly. Pain beyond pain.