To Catch a Thief

'To Catch a Thief' is a tale of Damaris by Shavay Silvamon

"As Kertigen was crafting, preparing for a faire,
 Damaris from the shadows watched, upon the gold he'd stare.
 Then the caravan embarked upon the fest'val road.
 From the shadows a Panther struck and seized the Raven's gold."

"To the Lion did Kertigen appeal, 'Stop this thief, I pray!
 He steals gold, he steals goods, where will his hand not stray?'
 Chadatru promises justice swift and stalks off into the night,
 While star-strewn hair chuckles in the shadows out of sight."

"To Hodierna did Kertigen rant, complaining of his loss.
 'Just make more, my Raven dear. What was taken is but dross.'
 'The Panther is a menace, he e'en robs some of their life.
 He will be stopped, I swear it,' said the Raven to his wife."

"It takes money to make money,
  It takes love to foster love.
It takes a thief to catch a thief,
  E'en from the stars above."

"To the Heron and the Goshawk, Kertigen pled his case.
 'What's in it for us?' they asked him, greed written upon each face.
 'Justice,' replied Kertigen, hope built within his voice.
 And it crashed down about his ears as away walked his last choice."

"Returning to his workshop then, he created yet again.
 Making toys of beauty great, and an instrument for the Wren.
 And as nighttime drew its cloak, and the dark'ning shadows laughed,
 Damaris hummed to himself, planning on how to work his craft."

"It takes money to make money,
  It takes love to foster love.
It takes a trap to catch a thief,
  E'en from the stars above."

"Midnight approached, Midwinter's Eve, and the Raven took his wares
 Traveling swiftly house to house, instead of selling at faires.
 'Curious,' the Panther thought, 'But more practice for my skills.
 As cat-burglar instead of highwayman, I'll avoid more of Winter's chills.'"

"After Kertigen would leave each home and hurry on to the next,
 Shadows would drift quietly inside, disturbing not a single rest.
 The toys that had been crafted, so beautiful to behold,
 Were collected by the Panther then, to add to his piles of gold."

"It takes money to make money,
  It takes love to foster love.
It takes all night to catch a thief
  Come from the stars above."

"The night grew old, daylight approached. The Raven had returned home.
 Damaris was stealing a carved raccoon from a tiny little Gnome.
 Then the Gnome-child did awake, and saw before her eyes
 A big black cat with a wooden toy - what a beautiful surprise!"

"The Panther snarls, prepared to kill, or at least severely maul...
 When, unafraid the Gnome hugs him, and thanks him for the doll.
 She kisses him on the nose, startling him the more.
 At a loss for what else to do, he walks right out the door."

"It takes money to make money,
  It takes love to foster love.
It takes a child to catch the Thief
  Come from the stars above."

"Damaris returned to each house, with all the stolen toys,
 And looked again at the children, the sleeping girls and boys.
 Thinking of the little Gnome, he replaces all he stole,
 Kissing each child on the cheek, whispering, 'Be safe, I'll keep ye whole.'"

"The Raven, Lion, and Unicorn watch the Panther from afar,
 And witness these acts of redemption under the light of fading stars.
 'Justice,' quoth Chadatru.  Kertigen argues, 'But my costs were well above--'
 'Hush,' says Hodierna. 'He has proven himself with Love.'"

"Damaris shall guard the children, and keep them safe and dear.
 His hand shall not be raised to them - of the Panther they will not fear.
 But guard ye your pockets well, for your gold is still his to share.
 You're just holding it for the Shadow with the star-strewn night-black hair."

You hold the last note for a moment, then let it die away.

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