Day 30 – April 30 – NaShoStoMo Challenge – Part 2 – The Maiden of the Stars

Some more Airthai fiction for the second story...

Day 30 – April 30 – NaShoStoMo Challenge – Part 2 – The Maiden of the Stars


The lamps flickered as the door to the common room was pushed open. Outside the air was dry and still with summer. No fire was lit in the hearth. The man that stood in the door was on the short side. Shoulder length hair lay dark about his head though he had piercing blue eyes. In his hand he held a flute ready for playing, but bowed first before he brought the silver flute to his lips with a flourish and played a few notes. The song was well known here – it was called The Maiden of the Stars and told an old legend of the love of the elf Síldu and the maiden Ameragh who fell in love in the midst of war. A few went back to their games and drink. The tales of dragons and elves and maidens were not for grown people. Only the Fáll and the Keepers cared for old tales. Only the Fáll and the Keepers that lived in the past and the legends formed there.

The moon was fair, the sky was clear, no breath came from the east when Elven knight left the woods of green, and wandered forth to war...

The bard began his sad song and a space was made for him before the hearth where the whole room could see him. But one man turned away and stared at the mug of sweet wine in front of him. He wore the green cloak of the Keepers of Holt Haliern, his head covered by the deep hood. He closed his bright eyes for a moment against the pain and the memories that assailed him. It was as if the centuries had never happened.

In front of him loomed the great red bulk of the dragon Skáhag, rising from the cursed rent in the earth called Naeddre. The words of his master rang across the field, but was suddenly overcome by the sweetest sound he had ever heard. A young woman was singing to the dragon, the sword she carried lowered to the ground, her clothes stained with blood. But she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.

And there they met, two lovers crossed, by stars of heaven named, and stood he there, entranced by the song of the maiden of the stars.

The Keeper tore his eyes from the wine and looked at the man in front of the hearth, willing him silently to stop singing. Wishing he was somewhere else. Wishing he did not have to come to Éafod. That he had never left the northern woods seeking adventure. He placed a couple of coins on the table for his food and drink and stood to leave, hoping that he would be able to clear his head of memories outside.

Clumsily introducing himself to the young Wíslic... Their first, shy kiss... Their travels to the Keepers of Éamidtheo, the Keeper House that was now named after her...


But years of mortals short are cut, by illness or by sword, and maiden young was slain in youth and her song grew silent then.

He swallowed hard against the lump in his throat. No, he did not want to remember that far. He did not want to remember carrying her into Treddian. He didn’t want to remember the day her light died. He didn’t need to be reminded that he could do nothing to save her. That even the Elves’ healers could not save her that day.

“Sir? Keeper?”

The Keeper started and looked up. The room was silent. All eyes were turned to him. “Sir, you do not like the music? The Keepers are not pleased with the song?”

He swallowed again and tried to find his voice. “It is a beautiful song,” he said at last. “But I must leave.”

“Which Keeper are you now? Are the Keepers too good for us normal folk?” one drunk slurred far too loud.

The Keeper removed the hood to reveal his face. “I am Síldu, son of Elradt, Keeper of Holt Haliern.” He bowed in the way of the Keepers, his left hand upon his heart and left the room without looking back.

Outside, he lost himself in the darkness of the streets. At a fountain in the nearly empty market square he stopped and looked up at the stars. And prayed for the day he would be reunited with his Ameragh.