*part three, The song of Avilion*
We made our way to the center of the village and called for all the citizens to join us there.
When all had been assembled, Lady Serenity repeated all you have just heard. They had to know everything if this was to work.
When she finished, there was a murmur of whispering, worried faces and frightened eyes. A voice spoke up, I think it was Lord Jeb, and said "What will you have us do then M'Lady? Surely we cannot defeat a god!"
Lord Malakh said "No, not defeat, but to live in peace unharmed"
He looked at them and said "We must all gather as one and walk into the woods to face her"
The crowd murmered again in fear but he held up his hand to quiet them and continued "We will be an army. But not one of war and weaponry, rather, one of peace and music."
Most of them saw then, the ones that still didnt were quickly informed by those next to them.
So formed the bards of Avilion. Lord Malakh, Lady Serenity, Drow Palmina and her sister Frankie took the lead, those with instruments close behind. Those of us without instruments joined hands and sung the song of the woodsmen from the north behind them.
We made our way through the trees, laughing and smiling at all the wonderful music til we neared where I saw the guardian. Then a chill came over us. We felt her there. Voices faltered and cracked, fingers trembled on strings, breath failed for the flutes. We had all but stopped our music as we entered the glade.
We didnt have to wait. She burst out of the brush hissing and spitting fiercely, her eyes two dead coals with diamonds in the center glittering at us with such hatred. Scales reflecting moonlight in a slick shine. I can assure you at that moment, several other heads became white.
Lady Serenity saw we had stopped and looked frantically at Palmina, who in turn nodded at Frankie. At the same time, lady Jane stepped forward and raised her hands upward to the stars lovingly, calling upon the keeper of light himself to help us.
As Frankie stepped towards the source of evil, she let her robes fall to the ground. Her dark skin bared, she stood before Helseuri fearless.
At the same time, behind her, we were suddenly enveloped in cool silver light that soothed us, loved us.
Palmina shouted "Play!! Sing as you did as children!! Do not wait"
And we didn't wait.. No. The light warmed our souls and took the fear. The notes of the instruments were pure and sweet, our voices clear and strong. As the music rose, Frankie's body began to sway.
We couldn't watch it, it was hypnotic, meant only for Helseuri. But before I looked away and resumed singing up at the stars, I saw her feet were not on the ground. Swaying slowly and turning, it was an enchanted dance for gods.
We sang and played for eternity it seemed, basking in the pure joy of it, when we heard a small cry and dared to look again in the direction of Frankie. She had stopped dancing, and at her feet was Helseuri, crumpled on the ground with her odd head in her hands. I think she was crying.
Then she spoke.
"Oh you blessed townfolk!! Long ago I was one of you." She smiled wistfully "I played a flute.. Oh how I loved to play it here in the wood! You have given me the gift of rememberance tonight. I had closed all memories for the worst ones were the ones that plagued me, filled me with hate. But the music.. ah, the music heals. I beg of you never to stop, for if you do, I fear the hatred will take me again, it is too powerful."
Lady Serenity smiled at her and said "We will never stop, this joining has brought such great joy to us all the music will go on through eternity, I assure you"
We all nodded in agreement and smiled at eachother.
"Bless you all then, no harm will ever come to you in these woods" and with that, she was gone.
So the drum circle here was formed, and the townfolk are compelled to come here every day and night to play them, and dance, and laugh, and somewhere nearby in the forest, there is a long sinewy goddess smiling and remembering a distant past.
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