A Myth Song in the Darkness

A Myth Song in the Darkness.

By Thomas Curtis.

“I am leaving Ganlyn, I couldn’t go without seeing you.” Climbing in through the window, her green tunic catching on a window hinge. “I heard a song sung in the square today.” She looked down on her deformed sister. and continued excitedly. “Remember when we used to climb down from the roof into your room.” Stopping, she looks towards her sister, a look of worry on her face. Remembering it was her fault her sister fell from the window, her dagger caught on the window casing, and she moved backwards, not knowing her sister was so close. And she lost her grip on the stone she was holding, “I’m so sorry.’

“Lowrein, don’t be silly. Of course, I remember. Father would get furious.” She would never forget that night, and she did blame her sister. But now, many songs are being sung as time always does. She knew it was just an accident.

“And mother would yell at Moulcum. thinking our dim-witted brother taught us this trick.” Walking to the desk, she gives her damaged sister a hug. “It told of a teacher who could fix damaged bone and muscle”.

“Lowrein.” There was a sharp tone in her voice. “There is no fixing this, I fell, and this is damage from that fall. You can’t change this.”

“Ganlyn, this man who sang it says he could not walk. After she sang her song, he was whole and could walk. And she taught him the song”.

“And when he sang this song in the square did the cripples in the audience get up and dance? What? Lowrein, I didn’t hear that,” she snapped at her sister.

“Ganlyn, you stop, you stop right there. If it wasn’t for my selfishness, you…” Lowrein turns her head away from her sister. “Ganlyn, I did this to you and I will…”

“Lowrein. Not another word. No more. We will not talk of this.” A tear runs down her cheek.

A broad smile spread across Lowrein’s face. “I love you, sister. I will learn this song. And I will sing it to you. You know I have a beautiful singing voice.”

“You do have a beautiful voice." And to herself, she added Healing songs are a myth, my dear sister.

For the next few weeks, she spent lonely nights at her desk. She missed her sister and was angry that she left, wasting her time on a myth. She caught the sounds from the village. Loud, happy voices. Lowering herself from the chair, she pulls herself across the floor and, grabbing the windowsill, pulls her broken body to look out the window. She could hear music and laughter from the village, and for a second, she smiled. She would spend a lot of time in Durpend Gardens. Singing seedlings to grow into beautiful flowers, her songs were strong, and the younger girls would follow her. Learning her songs. Her song for stopping cuts from bleeding was taught in the square. On Keair, songs were important, songs were part of life, scratching her way back to her desk, dragging her broken legs behind her. She continues to write. When it was time to go to bed, she gave a small click with her tongue, and a large-headed dog slowly got up and walked to Ganlyn. The dog was large. with short front legs and large, muscular rear legs. Its large head and neck had very short hair. When it was young, songs were sung to shape this animal to be a service dog. lowering his head. The young girl reaches up and wraps her arms around his neck. Lifting his head, he lifts her almost off the floor. He carries her to the bedroom. Taking a path, which he knew well, from her study to her bedroom was a complicated path. But he knew every loose board and every mouse hole on the path. The structure was old, and he moved slowly and with care. Avoiding the exposed nails on the worn floor, he carefully put his front paws on the bed so she could crawl on. “I love you, Kayraker.” he walked to the corner where his bed sat, and both Ganlyn and Kayraker could see each other and the room. Listening to sounds from the village, she sings herself to sleep with a song from her childhood.

Later that night, she can hear Kayraker complaining on his bed, whimpering softly. She hears Kayraker wagging his tail and settles down. She can’t move or call out, but she is aware of her surroundings. She can hear a soft voice singing unfamiliar words that do not make sense to her. But Kayraker settles down. And she relaxes and listens to the song being sung.

“Conria, conria almerid conria, douel rea conria. Mey sood aal conria. She listens to this song for hours, not knowing the words but trusting in them. The pain was horrible, but as long as the soft singing was heard, she was calm and unafraid. Once she thought she heard something fall and a small whimper. Kayraker lifted his head but settled down. This went on for an hour, the pain getting stronger and then subsiding. For a moment, she cried when her hip seemed to move, and then sleep.

When she opened her eyes, it was full morning, and huddled in the corner was her sister, crying. Without thinking, she stood up. and started towards Lowrein. Looking down, she crumbled to the floor, knowing this was not possible. In a panic, she looks towards her sister, who at this time was crying and laughing at the same time.

“I hurt so bad, Ganlyn. I was warned this would happen. And you look so confused, lying on the floor, go slow, you won't be perfect, but better. Gaylish said I can sing it one more time, but we have to wait six cycles. Well, aren't you going to help me up? I love you, sister.”.

And with shaking hands and from a position of standing, Ganlyn reaches out and lifts her sister and hugs her. “And I love you, sister.”