Time to Remember (book)

A Time To Remember

A True Account of the New Temple's Ceremony of Mourning and Remembrance of Those Who Had Gone Before

By Daerlynn Soulmyste

Introduction

I write this today, so that the deeds, words and memories of those that fought for us so bravely in both the Gorbesh War and the War with Sorrow are not forgotten. Since, for this ceremony, I was specifically asked to remember those that fought the Gorbesh, this work is dedicated to Wren, and to all of the Defenders of the Lute.

This is a true account of the actual Mourning and Remembrance Ceremony at the dedication celebrations of the new Temple in the Crossing. As such, it is partly poetry, partly song, and partly actual words of the participants themselves.

Part 1 - Gathering

We are gathered together today to mourn.
But not only to mourn, but to remember.
To mourn, and to remember, the former Temple upon this site.
To mourn, and to remember, those who gave of themselves in past wars.
To mourn, and to remember, those people that have touched us.

Those people that, if even for one brief moment,
have added their thread to the Tapestry of our Lives.
To mourn, and to remember.... and to Honor.

For those of you who may not know, the old Temple fell and was razed during the Gorbesh's final assault on the Crossing.

The Gorbesh had come, seeking Peri'el's Lute,
the Chalice, and a Bardess.
Especially a Bardess.
A Bardess named Wren.

I was asked here to present a work, a portion of which was to mourn the old Temple and to honor those that have fallen in our past wars.

Sometimes a Bard can honor with her own words, adding lofty eloquence and artistic license to events in the past. Other times, a Bard will do better to step aside, and let the past speak for itself.

I have chosen to do the latter. What you will hear in this first part will be the words of the participants, the heroes if you will, echoing through the years.

Part 2 - The Beginning

Imagine, if you will, the scene.

A city surrounded by the enemy
Besieged, harried
War horns blare continuously.

Heroes guard a Lute deep inside the sewers
Dark,tense
Water dripping continuously.

And a Bardess, in hiding.
The city besieged because of you...
and yet you don't know why.
Nightmares and visions inhabit your sleep.
Citizens counsel turning you over
to the enemy.

Can you imagine the horrible loneliness? And yet... she sings this song.. Only hours before the end. (Song by the Bardess Wren)

Sorrow Spring, will the rain never cease
Red Winter puddles before weak weary feet
We hold to our song and courage increase
Lest hope depart with our body's defeat.

Does the loss of a feather doom the fall of a bird?
Does the loss of our lives mean a tacit downfall?
Do the cries of the fallen go ever unheard?
My brethren and sisters, let us lift up our call!

My Lady, the music grows great in our hearts
Our hold to our lives still stronger this day
Let the lute sing with us who sought but to start
And seek each moment to learn how to play...

To play the song of Life on the strings of thy power
A music that comes from your gift and bless'd song
A song we hear grows stronger this hour
A chorus of One, our faith is still ... strong.

And as Wren said in those final hours, I now say to you.... Sweet peace follow you.

Part 3 - Besieged

And now, in their own words.. Beckah, Dreamheart, Dredded, SanYves, Solmeron.. let us watch the fall of a city and remember the brave men and women who fought for us in this war.. and in all wars.

"The horns had been sounding ... a message is delivered to the city. Hand over Wren, or we attack in 30 minutes."

"Horns now sound outside. It is about five minutes until the General's 30 minutes will be up. We pray for more miracles."

And then.. at the appointed time...

"The Temple has blown up!"

"The center of town is burning. The living and dead alike are being thrown over the city walls."

"Oh, sweet Hodierna, a pile of dead beyond counting.. Crossing is lost.. about Wren and the Lute.... I know nothing.

"They are butchering everyone."

And.. what of the Lute watch?.. those defending Peri'el's Lute? Let us turn to Dreamheart.. in the Lute Room.. as Crossing burns..

"As the Gorbesh declared the Crossing theirs... They also came to where we guarded the Lute."

"One by one, Bards first, we were drug out."

"Only a few remain here,... there is no way to know whom the Gorbesh will drag next,"

"There is nothing that anyone can do about it if they come for you."

"I am close to tears and frustrated. I wish I had better news."

"We have failed."

Part 4 - Crossing Falls

And though the Lute at that time was saved by a miracle of Faenella, later to be stolen.. Wren was not so fortunate..

"We stood guard over Wren as she slept.
She woke briefly, sang us her song,
She wished she could attend Sunnie's wedding,
and went back to her troubled sleep."

"When the Gorbesh arrived,
it was just like the Guard at the Lute watch
One by one we were dragged away..."

"No one saw what became of Wren's little sleeping body in the bed."

And then, later...

"Sallyanne snuck into the Crossing and reached Wren...
...just as she died... "

And thus, the Crossing fell.

Let us now observe a moment of silence to all of those who fought for her in honor, for those defenders of Crossing, of the Lute.. and for Wren... And let us not forget the valiant men and women of this last war, the War against Sorrow. Let us remember the Dwarves of Stone Clan, the defenders of Leth Deriel, of Riverhaven.. all of those who truly gave their last full measure.

Part 5 - The Ash and the Willow

This song is dedicated to all of those that we have known, that have gone on before us. That made our realms what they are today.

To those that contributed their threads to the tapestry of our life and yet.. are no longer with us.

To them I give, The Ash and The Willow.

The ash and the willow, the maple and oak
stand guard over green silent mound
All is silent, not a word is spoke
yet listen closely, and music is found.

The wind's soft whisper, a stream's playful bubbling
the soft creaking branches of trees
The music plays softly, not at all troubling
Nothing plays in the minor of keys.

The maple and oak, the ash and the willow
stand guard o'er me as I cry
I lay down beside you, green mound is my pillow
as I sing to you my last lullaby

Each note wakes memories as weeping I sing
and the leaves rustle gently o'er me
Soft whispers laden, my voice softly breaking
as I know I must go leave you be.

The ash and the willow, the maple and oak
stand guard in a small silent grove
I stand by you gazing, not a word can be spoke
as I say good-bye to you up above.