Poetry

Poetry
By Topaz

Azure's Song

I am the color of the sky,
made bright with dawn, Sunrifter's golden light.
I shine in streams and lakes and pools of water,

in rare and precious gems of sterling worth.
I am the bird that bears on wing a song,
the indigo of springtime blossom's eye.

I serve as Valorn's watchful eye,
walking the ways between the earth and sky,

and on my lips a greeting and a song
to lift the heart and make its burdens light.

I find no soul of Valorn lacking worth.
My heart is fresh as rain and pure as water.

From tidal sands and ocean's water
to mountain peaks where soar the eagle's eye,

I rush to battle, and behold the worth
of courage, fearless death beneath the sky.

I bear the glint of mighty iron's light,
the sweetness too of food and drink and song.

I am the rallying battle-song
to call the hero-hosts, who roar like water
down on the darkness, cleansing it with light
that dazzles Balthazar's unwelcome eye,

first of defenders under Valorn's sky
to show the foe what valiant death is worth.

The Mighty Ones declare my worth,
and praise my works of fable and of song.
My tales are heard beneath the midnight sky,
Sunrifter's noon that dazzles on the water,

by tavern fires to soothe the sleepy eye,
and in the spider-cavern's eerie light.

To fight the dark and serve the light
are my true path, my being and my worth,

to guard the weaker with a loving eye
and meet the hardest battle with a song.
As barren deserts bloom near springs of water,

I flower always under Valorn's sky.

Let Cory's Light re-echo with my song,
its worth renowned o'er Trinald's land and water;

my eye still smiles upon you, blue as sky

Korba the Faithful

Korba the Faithful! Many know that name
Of great renown and well-deserving fame;
Rogue now, but once a cleric's robes he wore,
Bright Bearer of the Light in days of yore.
As Julia's minion found he strength and joy;

The Radiant Slayer's might he did employ.
He spoke, and Xia answered laughingly,
Earning for him the Ring of Levity.

From end to end of Valorn's boundaries,
Across the deserts, mountains, rivers, seas,
In maps and scrolls his skillful hands provide
The Paths of Light and every hero's Guide.
Here may I write these lines to him, and raise
For him a song of high and worthy praise.
Upon this hero's life, in war and peace,
Let blessings fall like rain and never cease.

T'yandra Stallheart

I tell the tale of T'yandra the Holy,
bold battle-cleric, blessed with bravery,
held in honor by the heroes of Valorn.

In the strife of the Seals a seeker was she,
who risked her life with righteous courage,

the good right hand of holy Elijah.

Joining the quest of the Queen's rescue,
with might of Ben, brightness of Cory
she took the field; the foes feared her.
By the fire of Miranda she fought and conquered,
worthy servant of the strong Warbringer.

The pen of this Poet praises her gladly;
the High Queen's grace grants her welcome.

Myna

The demons came to Ryndall, a burning, deadly horde,
and Cenny stood against them -- a valiant rogue is he --
until they all were vanquished, defeated by the sword,
but he was struck by demon-dust, and soon he could not see.
In pain and darkness he was bound, who once was whole and free
the nimble rogue now groped his way; a sword he could not wield.
But still he smiled and greeted friends and kinsmen patiently:

not every act of courage is upon the battlefield.

Twas only holy Myna to whom his grief outpoured,
as to the gods for healing he prayed on bended knee.
She searched to find a cure for him; she travelled and explored,
then to the temple she returned, most unexpectedly.
And to the Royal Guards she said, "The gods have heard my plea,
so now for me and Cenny let the temple be unsealed,
for what is needed I have found, and it is here with me."

Not every act of courage is upon the battlefield.

"What is it that is needed?" Thus Cenny now implored,
"This ancient ritual will drive the dark away," said she.
Within the inner temple her fervent chanting soared,
and holy power filled the place, and made the darkness flee,

the demon evil burned away like mist upon the sea.
In radiant light they stood -- and Cenny rose up whole and healed,

but blindness fell on Myna as she whispered, "Me for thee."
Not every act of courage is upon the battlefield.

O holy Ben and Cory, who caused the world to be,
behold the cleric Myna, in honor bright revealed!
May Kane bestow upon us all such wondrous bravery:
Not every act of courage is upon the battlefield.

A Song for Cenny

A lantern's fire will burn through darkest night,
through any story cloud or falling rain.
Still it shines forth, for so the gods ordain

that light will conquer darkness, glimmering bright.

Of Cenny Konxovar I now endite;
in Valorn's army he does not fight in vain,
but strikes with strength and courage, evil's bane,

the foe of darkness, cleric of the light.

He bears the gods-light burning through the dark;
his is the power that makes the darkness flee,

that heals the wounds where evil leaves its mark;
singing with triumph, a zither in his hand.
So Cenny Konxovar will always be
a fire in Valorn, a light in the land.

About Korba

Light, once new-born, lingers forever;
coming from Cory, it cannot die,

but is shaped anew in shadowy places,
strange, unexpected, yet still the same.

In any guise, the gods' blessing
follows the faithful, the flame-bearing light.

Hymn to Cory

I sing to Cory who calls the Light,
Bright one of Sunrifter, blessing-bestower!
Let those who love him be lifted in praise,
none shall usurp him in knowledge and wisdom!
The morning sings to him, mighty bestower;
Noontime acknowedges him, never overcome;
stars he summons, to shine on us mortals.
To the Lightbringer's Grace I give this song.

Warrior's Song

Come, Warrior, stand beside me in the fray.
Our eyes alertly watch the charging foe;

our partnered swords will keep them still at bay.
Ultimate blades of Light and War, they glow,
and deal the darkness death with every blow.

Come, let us hunt together. Loud and clear
The Dead Zone calls, where you and I will go,

and make the Horrors flee from us in fear.

Come, let us heed the Crier's call today;
when danger threatens we must not be slow,
defending towns and townsfolk as we slay

the evil hordes descending, row on row.
Death on the deadly gladly we bestow,
and meet their loud laments with songs of cheer.
What brings us joy will bring the demons woe,
and make the Horrors flee from us in fear.

Come, walk with me upon the Warrior's way.
In knowledge, strength, and honor let us grow.

Our Queen's commands we hasten to obey;
the mighty gods we humbly seek to know.
So let us join our fortunes, high or low,
by word and deed new-promised every year.
Our strength like shields and armor let us show,
and make the Horrors flee from us in fear.

O Mighty Ones to whom all mortals owe
allegiance, this our prayer vouchsafe to hear:

may we the foes of Valorn overthrow,
and make the Horrors flee from us in fear.

Ellyana

Excelling all in arts of gentleness,
Leader of guild where twilight dwells serene,
Lady of Valorn, swift to heal and bless,
You cherish all things growing, fresh and green;
A cleric more devout may not be seen.
Nor are you far behind when battles call;
As your attack the fiercest demons fall.

Sorynn

See the sister, strong and faithful,
Often observant, obliging when needed,
Rich in loyalty and righteous fervor,
Yet in gentleness greatly gifted,
Never failing in needful courage,
Nor in striving in the name of Shieldwall.