Broken Soul

Written by Emi Kennedy

Two soldiers fought over this field. Before there was a Daridel, before there was a time that mattered to mortal minds. Eternity was once young. Back then Raeyaredin bound all things together. Two soldiers fought for Ascetars whose names they knew not. 

One warrior had lost much. After losing his home he came to this field to win it so his family and his family’s families could rest in the land. The other warrior had long ago fled to this field. Never knowing war, but wishing to avoid it, he found the farthest land he could and now defended it.  

With anger and great strength one warrior struck down the other. He claimed the prize he thought so dear. But without careful concern for his actions he’d become that that he feared. From that day the land was stained red and no passing night did the crimson streak ever fade.

The soldier grew grey with grief and soon could stand his home no longer. He left and traveled and walked as far as feet could take him. He traveled until stone met river and wept into it hoping the currents could carry away his sorrow. There, a spirit of the river watched. A serpent who flowed like the waters and voice was of clouds spoke and said “Serii, you drop your water from your eyes and it falls and binds with my own. I now feel your sadness. Why do you weep?”

“I have taken a life which should not have been mine to take. Doing so I have become what I fear. I have fought and killed another that could have been my brother. I am sorry river spirit. I cannot stop my tears.”

“This has caused your heart great grief. Do you wish your mind peace? I can give this to you so we both may rest. Travel until stone meets sea and then until the sea meets sky. There you will find one who sings to the moon. Bring her to where you have slain your brother and your heart will be made new.”

So the soldier left. He walked until stone met sea, and sea met sky. Just as the river spirit said, there he met a woman with a body half serii and half spirit. She sung a song as the soldier approached. He spoke saying “I have taken the life of a serii and caused myself great pain. You must come to our field and sing where he rests. Only this can heal my heart.”

The moonsinger laughed saying, “I cannot walk your lands, I will perish if I sing there. Why does this cause you grief, your kind freely take the lives of your kin?”

The soldier weeped, “I thought only of my own desire and in my fear of pain, I have caused another harm. My soul weeps. Only your song can heal my heart.”

The woman shook her head saying once more, “I cannot help you. Once I sing there I will perish.” and left diving into the sea.

The soldier could not bear his sadness another day and followed the sea spirit in secret until she rested. There he fought and captured her. He would bring her back to the field and there she would sing to heal his heart. So he traveled until sky met sea and sea met stone. The whole journey she wept for she knew she would perish once she sung.

The sea spirit spoke on the shore saying, “I will sing for you, only once if able. But when I pass and your heart is new, carry on my song in my stead.”

The soldier stopped realizing the sorrow in his heart had only grown on his travels back. He released the woman and she fled into the sea. Saying nothing he traveled back to the River spirit. “Great River spirit, I could not capture a moonsinger and have her mend my heart because in healing myself I would hurt another.” 

“You have grown wise in your travels. But without her song your wounded heart will fester.” The spirit spoke with concern.

“Then I shall wear the scar as a lesson. If I should forget its meaning, I pray the rot claims me.” The soldier bowed to the river spirit.

“So be your choice. Go knowing the peace in mind you have was taught from your own heart. Return to your people with a mind made new.” The spirit commanded and disappeared. And so the soldier left, and lived the rest of his days happily in his field, sharing all he’d learn with any traveler who would listen.