A children’s story
I’ve not written for a while here - and I am changing tack! Today I am going to post the first chapter of a children’s story that I have been putting together. It is loosely based on the story of Sleeping Beauty using the challenge to find and awaken her as the story line:
What came before
In a magical time faraway and long ago a young couple, Evenstar and her husband, led a peaceful land. They came from a long line, generations, of guardians and their soon to be born child too was destined to hold this role. They ruled in partnership with other beings, most particularly Soarwing, the Eagle, whose sight was not only with her eyes, and the Elders.
The seed of our story was planted when Evenstar’s young husband tragically died the day his child was born, for this cued Morveena, Evenstar’s cousin, to come into the picture with force. Morveena was a woman born of a high priestess and a wizard who was the younger brother of Evenstar’s mother. She took from her genes much power, magic and long life without age. She was, however, human, possessing more than her fair share of greed and hatred. She wanted to hold power. If there had been no issue from Evenstar’s partnership, Morveena would have been next in line for guardianship. The birth of the child was more than she could bear.
The day of the birth and the death, folk came together to remember, and to bless, name and offer gifts to the child whose life was blighted from birth. This tiny girl was called Newday, named thus to symbolise the dawning of light after much tragedy. Evanstar did not realise at the time just how appropriate that name would turn out to be.
All were there. Soarwing predicted that the child would rule for many, many years over a tranquil prosperous land. She gave her powerful protection drawn from the depths of the earth that would remain with the child and shield her throughout her life as solidly as mountain rock. She also gave her the gift of knowing her allies’ skills and how best to share them, a talent which would grow with her years.
The Elders were not present but their wishes were translated to the throng by Soarwing. The Elders were the ancestors of the land, those whose lives had passed, but whose memories and influence lived on. They were not physical beings like you and I, they could not be seen, could not proclaim or rule. Their lasting presence in the land was felt in two ways. They shared their wisdom with guardians through council meetings, so justice would always be meted with the weight of years of knowledge. And they also blessed the new born of the land and gave them gifts pertinent to the lives that were mapped out ahead of them.
The Elders sent Newday the sound of sleep like the deep rhythm of earth, this child would be acutely in tune with earth and her cycles and thus have a deep connection with her and all creatures that lived upon her. This was a powerful gift indeed, one which would allow Newday to rule with innate understanding and wisdom.
Morveena saw these gifts of protection, diplomacy and leadership from Soarwing and instinctive empathy from the Elders. Above all, her desire was to rule over this land, she did not wish for this wisp of a child to stand in her way. Her outrage led her to come quickly forward from the shadows to cast her curse. Newday could not be completely dispensed, the blessings protecting her were too powerful, but she could and would do as much damage as she was capable of. Against the strong earth magic of Soarwing and the Elders, using powers of the air, she gave Newday a Gasp of Oblivion to be breathed over her the day she came of age. Newday may live, but she would sleep in unconsciousness, captive from waking by thorns.
Cast too soon however.
Still mourning the death of her beloved husband, Evenstar was staggered at the vindictive Gasp cast upon her beautiful baby. Her gift had not yet been offered. Gathering all her strength she counter-acted the curse. She summoned the four elements: earth to cradle Newday in comfort and warmth as she slept; air to give her dream-action, the power to reach others in their sleep; fire to give her the strength to call on their aid; and water to allow the flow of emotions of hate, fear and vengeance to be gathered in a pool of forgiveness. With the power of elements Newday would one day be saved by one of pure heart and good intention.
Despite Morveena’s curse the child and her mother lived happily for a number of years. But on her fourteenth birthday the child met an old woman who lured her to woods on the pretence that she would find the mystical Unicorn there. Instead, Morveena, (for that is who the old woman was in disguise), breathed the final breath of the Gasp of Oblivion.
A breath from Morveena’s lips closed Newday’s eyes, a breeze slowed her heartbeat, a wind placed her in the centre of an impenetrable forest.
The girl was covered in a star quilt that bound her in place in the strange context of a bed in a mile of thorns. The bed was the result of the girl’s last gift – the cradle that would hold her safely until she should awake to return to her world.
Power did not come to Morveena quickly. Evenstar and Soarwing were both long lived so Morveena only ruled after many years of just, wise reign by the pair before they passed to the Elders’ realm.
Farsight, Soarwing’s daughter, was unable to work with Morveena and like many others attempted to hold on to the old ways, but still the land descended into neglect. There were a few who were called by Newday to help, one of Morveena’s persuasion, hoping to gain kudos through waking the girl, the others may have had good intention but their hearts were not entirely pure. Evenstar’s magic held true. It was many years, perhaps a hundred or more, before our part of the story begins.
Love London 2008
This year the recycled art show will be held at London Zoo, launching on May 29th. In conjunction with London Sustainability Weeks the whole thing lasts until September 5th.
Anthony Wilson is curating the exhibition again and you can submit work through his Sculpture Mad site.
2008 Asian International Exposition on New Energy Technology and Equipment
Here is information on an April 2008 Conference in China. This Conference is approved by Ministry of Science & Technology P.R.C and supported by National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China, it will be hosted on Apr. 27th -29th, 2008 Beijing International Convention Center, PRC. For detailed information visit: CCEF Expo
There will be an International Peak Conference on Chinese New Energy Development and Application at the same time, both events provide platforms for communication and exchange with other domestic and foreign companies and lots of business opportunities.
The latest technology, equipment and development trends will be on view to Chinese and worldwide enterprises.
Dating Tip For Woman
American Single Personal
Dating Service Matchmaking
London Dating Agency
Iwantu Dating Service
Free Single Chat Site
Hide Who I D Like To Meet Code
Adult Dating Free Site Totally
Adult Web Dating
Uk Free Dating Site