Leontthy knelt there, forehead pressed to his now cold hand. A hand that once
to his now cold hand. A hand that once
to his now cold hand. A hand that once cradled stars, now nothing more than
cradled stars, now nothing more than
cradled stars, now nothing more than stone. Her tears slid down the side of
stone. Her tears slid down the side of
stone. Her tears slid down the side of his marble fingers and fell to the
his marble fingers and fell to the
his marble fingers and fell to the earth, one after another, slow and
earth, one after another, slow and
earth, one after another, slow and steady as a funeral march. The grove
steady as a funeral march. The grove
steady as a funeral march. The grove dimmed. Even the moon, so often bright
dimmed. Even the moon, so often bright
dimmed. Even the moon, so often bright and watchful, seemed to draw back behind
and watchful, seemed to draw back behind
and watchful, seemed to draw back behind a veil of cloud. No lightning came. No
a veil of cloud. No lightning came. No
a veil of cloud. No lightning came. No god appeared because the punishment was
god appeared because the punishment was
god appeared because the punishment was done. Zeus had spoken. The swan had
done. Zeus had spoken. The swan had
done. Zeus had spoken. The swan had flown for the last time. And Apollo, god
flown for the last time. And Apollo, god
flown for the last time. And Apollo, god of light, was now a statue of silence,
of light, was now a statue of silence,
of light, was now a statue of silence, forever frozen in the moment of his
forever frozen in the moment of his
forever frozen in the moment of his final
final
final truth. Leontthi stayed long after the
truth. Leontthi stayed long after the
truth. Leontthi stayed long after the transformation finished, arms wrapped
transformation finished, arms wrapped
transformation finished, arms wrapped around what remained. She did not
around what remained. She did not
around what remained. She did not scream. She did not curse the heavens.
scream. She did not curse the heavens.
scream. She did not curse the heavens. There were no Spartans to hear her
There were no Spartans to hear her
There were no Spartans to hear her cries, no warriors to bear witness, only
cries, no warriors to bear witness, only
cries, no warriors to bear witness, only the wind, only the trees, and the stone
the wind, only the trees, and the stone
the wind, only the trees, and the stone figure of a god who had once loved her,
figure of a god who had once loved her,
figure of a god who had once loved her, not with thunder and fire, but with
not with thunder and fire, but with
not with thunder and fire, but with stillness. And now with silence,
stillness. And now with silence,
stillness. And now with silence, Leantthy never returned to Sparta. She
Leantthy never returned to Sparta. She
Leantthy never returned to Sparta. She left her armor where it lay beside the
left her armor where it lay beside the
left her armor where it lay beside the altar, removed her sword, let her
altar, removed her sword, let her
altar, removed her sword, let her warbound name drift away like smoke over
warbound name drift away like smoke over
warbound name drift away like smoke over the lake. The woman who had once stood
the lake. The woman who had once stood
the lake. The woman who had once stood tall among kings now knelt in silence
tall among kings now knelt in silence
tall among kings now knelt in silence beside a statue that would never move
beside a statue that would never move
beside a statue that would never move again. The grove became her world. Each
again. The grove became her world. Each
again. The grove became her world. Each full moon she returned, never missing a
full moon she returned, never missing a
full moon she returned, never missing a single one. She brought no offerings, no
single one. She brought no offerings, no
single one. She brought no offerings, no incense, no prayers, just herself and a
incense, no prayers, just herself and a
incense, no prayers, just herself and a memory. She would sit beside the statue
memory. She would sit beside the statue
memory. She would sit beside the statue of Apollo, fingers brushing the cold
of Apollo, fingers brushing the cold
of Apollo, fingers brushing the cold stone hand she once held in flesh.
stone hand she once held in flesh.
stone hand she once held in flesh. Sometimes she spoke. Sometimes she
Sometimes she spoke. Sometimes she
Sometimes she spoke. Sometimes she hummed a song he'd never heard, but
hummed a song he'd never heard, but
hummed a song he'd never heard, but somehow felt like it belonged to both of
somehow felt like it belonged to both of
somehow felt like it belonged to both of them. Other times she simply watched the
them. Other times she simply watched the
them. Other times she simply watched the water and said nothing. The villagers
water and said nothing. The villagers
water and said nothing. The villagers began to whisper. They said a woman
began to whisper. They said a woman
began to whisper. They said a woman haunted the hills, that she wandered
haunted the hills, that she wandered
haunted the hills, that she wandered under moonlight with eyes like distant
under moonlight with eyes like distant
under moonlight with eyes like distant stars. Some said she had gone mad.
stars. Some said she had gone mad.
stars. Some said she had gone mad. Others said she had been chosen. But no
Others said she had been chosen. But no
Others said she had been chosen. But no one dared disturb her.
one dared disturb her.
one dared disturb her. Years passed. Winters came and went.
Years passed. Winters came and went.
Years passed. Winters came and went. Empires shifted. Gods fell silent. But
Empires shifted. Gods fell silent. But
Empires shifted. Gods fell silent. But Leonthy remained. She grew older, but
Leonthy remained. She grew older, but
Leonthy remained. She grew older, but never frail. Her strength endured, less
never frail. Her strength endured, less
never frail. Her strength endured, less like a soldier, more like the roots of
like a soldier, more like the roots of
like a soldier, more like the roots of an olive tree clinging to the same patch
an olive tree clinging to the same patch
an olive tree clinging to the same patch of earth year after year, storm after
of earth year after year, storm after
of earth year after year, storm after storm. And still the statue stood.
storm. And still the statue stood.
storm. And still the statue stood. Apollo midneal, wings halfformed behind
Apollo midneal, wings halfformed behind
Apollo midneal, wings halfformed behind him, gaze fixed on the space where
him, gaze fixed on the space where
him, gaze fixed on the space where Leonthy always sat, a moment frozen in
Leonthy always sat, a moment frozen in
Leonthy always sat, a moment frozen in marble, untouched by time. Some
marble, untouched by time. Some
marble, untouched by time. Some travelers claimed the stone was warm to
travelers claimed the stone was warm to
travelers claimed the stone was warm to the touch, that if you placed your hand
the touch, that if you placed your hand
the touch, that if you placed your hand against his chest, you could feel
against his chest, you could feel
against his chest, you could feel something faint, like a heartbeat from a
something faint, like a heartbeat from a
something faint, like a heartbeat from a dream. And then, one final full moon,
dream. And then, one final full moon,
dream. And then, one final full moon, Leontthi came. She sat beside him longer
Leontthi came. She sat beside him longer
Leontthi came. She sat beside him longer than usual, laid her head gently on his
than usual, laid her head gently on his
than usual, laid her head gently on his shoulder, and never moved
shoulder, and never moved
shoulder, and never moved again. When the villagers came weeks
again. When the villagers came weeks
again. When the villagers came weeks later, they found her there, peaceful,
later, they found her there, peaceful,
later, they found her there, peaceful, eyes closed, lips curled faintly in a
eyes closed, lips curled faintly in a
eyes closed, lips curled faintly in a smile. Beside her, Apollo's statue
smile. Beside her, Apollo's statue
smile. Beside her, Apollo's statue shimmerred faintly as if lit from
shimmerred faintly as if lit from
shimmerred faintly as if lit from within. No one touched it. They built no
within. No one touched it. They built no
within. No one touched it. They built no shrine, no temple. But the legend grew,
shrine, no temple. But the legend grew,
shrine, no temple. But the legend grew, and now when the moon is full and the
and now when the moon is full and the
and now when the moon is full and the wind is still, some say the swan returns
wind is still, some say the swan returns
wind is still, some say the swan returns to the lake. Not to be seen, but to
remember. Melanian was not born under a
remember. Melanian was not born under a palace roof or amidst temple incense. He
palace roof or amidst temple incense. He
palace roof or amidst temple incense. He came into the world beneath a willow
came into the world beneath a willow
came into the world beneath a willow tree during a storm that split the sky
tree during a storm that split the sky
tree during a storm that split the sky in two. His mother, a midwife's
in two. His mother, a midwife's
in two. His mother, a midwife's daughter, swaddled him in a linen wrap
daughter, swaddled him in a linen wrap
daughter, swaddled him in a linen wrap as thunder rolled over the hills. Birds
as thunder rolled over the hills. Birds
as thunder rolled over the hills. Birds scattered, the rain danced, and the
scattered, the rain danced, and the
scattered, the rain danced, and the child did not cry. He
child did not cry. He
child did not cry. He hummed from the moment he could walk.
hummed from the moment he could walk.
hummed from the moment he could walk. Music followed him. Streams whispered
Music followed him. Streams whispered
Music followed him. Streams whispered melodies when he knelt to drink. Leaves
melodies when he knelt to drink. Leaves
melodies when he knelt to drink. Leaves trembled in harmony as he passed. He
trembled in harmony as he passed. He
trembled in harmony as he passed. He didn't need instruction. Sound belonged
didn't need instruction. Sound belonged
didn't need instruction. Sound belonged to him. By 10, he could mimic any bird
to him. By 10, he could mimic any bird
to him. By 10, he could mimic any bird call and weave it into song. By 16, he
call and weave it into song. By 16, he
call and weave it into song. By 16, he played the liar with such grace that
played the liar with such grace that
played the liar with such grace that even hardened warriors paused to listen.
even hardened warriors paused to listen.
even hardened warriors paused to listen. He sang of rivers, of lost brothers, of
He sang of rivers, of lost brothers, of
He sang of rivers, of lost brothers, of fields before war, songs that filled
fields before war, songs that filled
fields before war, songs that filled men's eyes with tears they didn't know
men's eyes with tears they didn't know
men's eyes with tears they didn't know they had. People called him a gift, a
they had. People called him a gift, a
they had. People called him a gift, a miracle, a child of divine breath. He
miracle, a child of divine breath. He
miracle, a child of divine breath. He never claimed it. Melanian traveled from
never claimed it. Melanian traveled from
never claimed it. Melanian traveled from village to village, sharing his music
village to village, sharing his music
village to village, sharing his music without coin or pride. His voice calmed
without coin or pride. His voice calmed
without coin or pride. His voice calmed fevers. His cords softened hardened
fevers. His cords softened hardened
fevers. His cords softened hardened hearts. He once played for a dying child
hearts. He once played for a dying child
hearts. He once played for a dying child who, upon hearing his lullabi, smiled
who, upon hearing his lullabi, smiled
who, upon hearing his lullabi, smiled and drifted into death as if it were a
and drifted into death as if it were a
and drifted into death as if it were a dream. But not all ears that listened
dream. But not all ears that listened
dream. But not all ears that listened were mortal.
were mortal.
were mortal. One spring evening, as he sat beside a
One spring evening, as he sat beside a
One spring evening, as he sat beside a glimmering river and strummed a tune
glimmering river and strummed a tune
glimmering river and strummed a tune about starlight, the very air around him
about starlight, the very air around him
about starlight, the very air around him changed. The wind slowed, the water
changed. The wind slowed, the water
changed. The wind slowed, the water stilled, even the frogs silenced their
stilled, even the frogs silenced their
stilled, even the frogs silenced their song. And then they arrived, the muses.
song. And then they arrived, the muses.
song. And then they arrived, the muses. Nine of them, stepping lightly from
Nine of them, stepping lightly from
Nine of them, stepping lightly from behind the veil of the world, cloaked in
behind the veil of the world, cloaked in
behind the veil of the world, cloaked in light and sound, each carried her own
light and sound, each carried her own
light and sound, each carried her own essence. history, tragedy, dance, epic
essence. history, tragedy, dance, epic
essence. history, tragedy, dance, epic poetry, and more. Their eyes were not
poetry, and more. Their eyes were not
poetry, and more. Their eyes were not kind, not cruel, just knowing. They
kind, not cruel, just knowing. They
kind, not cruel, just knowing. They listened, and then to Melanian's
listened, and then to Melanian's
listened, and then to Melanian's astonishment, they sang back. Nine
astonishment, they sang back. Nine
astonishment, they sang back. Nine voices in perfect harmony, older than
voices in perfect harmony, older than
voices in perfect harmony, older than language. Melanian closed his eyes, and
language. Melanian closed his eyes, and
language. Melanian closed his eyes, and without thought joined them. His voice
without thought joined them. His voice
without thought joined them. His voice didn't echo theirs. It evolved them.
didn't echo theirs. It evolved them.
didn't echo theirs. It evolved them. When the last note fell into silence,
When the last note fell into silence,
When the last note fell into silence, even the stars seemed closer. One of the
even the stars seemed closer. One of the
even the stars seemed closer. One of the muses, Colli, eldest and most stern,
muses, Colli, eldest and most stern,
muses, Colli, eldest and most stern, touched his brow. "You are not
touched his brow. "You are not
touched his brow. "You are not ordinary," she said. "You are a vessel."
ordinary," she said. "You are a vessel."
ordinary," she said. "You are a vessel." And thus began the legend of Melanian,
And thus began the legend of Melanian,
And thus began the legend of Melanian, the bard whose voice would shake the
the bard whose voice would shake the
the bard whose voice would shake the heavens. From that night on, Melanian
heavens. From that night on, Melanian
heavens. From that night on, Melanian was no longer just a gifted mortal. He
was no longer just a gifted mortal. He
was no longer just a gifted mortal. He was touched, marked, whispered about.
was touched, marked, whispered about.
was touched, marked, whispered about. The muses had chosen
The muses had chosen
The muses had chosen him. In the quiet folds of Mount Hel,
him. In the quiet folds of Mount Hel,
him. In the quiet folds of Mount Hel, where few dared to tread, they invited
where few dared to tread, they invited
where few dared to tread, they invited him into their sacred circle. There,
him into their sacred circle. There,
him into their sacred circle. There, beneath ancient trees and skies
beneath ancient trees and skies
beneath ancient trees and skies unclouded by mortal ambition, Melanian
unclouded by mortal ambition, Melanian
unclouded by mortal ambition, Melanian learned not through lectures, but
learned not through lectures, but
learned not through lectures, but through
through
through experience. Colli, muse of epic, taught
experience. Colli, muse of epic, taught
experience. Colli, muse of epic, taught him how to bend a story into sound. Cleo
him how to bend a story into sound. Cleo
him how to bend a story into sound. Cleo whispered the histories of nations into
whispered the histories of nations into
whispered the histories of nations into his ears as he slept. Turpsora danced
his ears as he slept. Turpsora danced
his ears as he slept. Turpsora danced barefoot through leaves while he played
barefoot through leaves while he played
barefoot through leaves while he played beside her, his fingers learning the
beside her, his fingers learning the
beside her, his fingers learning the rhythm of wind and body. Ute laid her
rhythm of wind and body. Ute laid her
rhythm of wind and body. Ute laid her flute across his palm and said only,
flute across his palm and said only,
flute across his palm and said only, "Listen." And he did. He absorbed not
"Listen." And he did. He absorbed not
"Listen." And he did. He absorbed not just melodies, but truths. The kind that
just melodies, but truths. The kind that
just melodies, but truths. The kind that lived between words. The kind that
lived between words. The kind that
lived between words. The kind that mortals rarely noticed but felt. In the
mortals rarely noticed but felt. In the
mortals rarely noticed but felt. In the hush before a storm, in the ache of
hush before a storm, in the ache of
hush before a storm, in the ache of longing, in the gasp of a child at first
longing, in the gasp of a child at first
longing, in the gasp of a child at first snowfall, the muses gave him not power
snowfall, the muses gave him not power
snowfall, the muses gave him not power but perspective. And they asked for only
but perspective. And they asked for only
but perspective. And they asked for only one thing in return. Sing for them. Them
one thing in return. Sing for them. Them
one thing in return. Sing for them. Them meaning mortals. The lost, the weary,
meaning mortals. The lost, the weary,
meaning mortals. The lost, the weary, the proud and broken. Those who needed
the proud and broken. Those who needed
the proud and broken. Those who needed to remember that beauty still existed
to remember that beauty still existed
to remember that beauty still existed even in suffering. That song could be
even in suffering. That song could be
even in suffering. That song could be both balm and blade.
both balm and blade.
both balm and blade. At first, Melanian obeyed. He performed
At first, Melanian obeyed. He performed
At first, Melanian obeyed. He performed in city forums and quiet fields, played
in city forums and quiet fields, played
in city forums and quiet fields, played before kings and beggars alike. His
before kings and beggars alike. His
before kings and beggars alike. His songs stitched broken hearts, stirred
songs stitched broken hearts, stirred
songs stitched broken hearts, stirred revolutions, mended fathers to
revolutions, mended fathers to
revolutions, mended fathers to daughters, and enemies to uneasy peace.
daughters, and enemies to uneasy peace.
daughters, and enemies to uneasy peace. But as his gift grew, so did something
But as his gift grew, so did something
But as his gift grew, so did something else. Ambition. He began chasing sounds
else. Ambition. He began chasing sounds
else. Ambition. He began chasing sounds the muses hadn't taught, notes no god
the muses hadn't taught, notes no god
the muses hadn't taught, notes no god had touched. In the stillest parts of
had touched. In the stillest parts of
had touched. In the stillest parts of the night, he would write alone,
the night, he would write alone,
the night, he would write alone, drafting fragments of something beyond
drafting fragments of something beyond
drafting fragments of something beyond language. A song that could bend time,
language. A song that could bend time,
language. A song that could bend time, still the wind, and bring tears to
still the wind, and bring tears to
still the wind, and bring tears to stone. A final song. He told no one, not
stone. A final song. He told no one, not
stone. A final song. He told no one, not even the muses, because some part of him
even the muses, because some part of him
even the muses, because some part of him no longer wanted to share the divine. He
no longer wanted to share the divine. He
no longer wanted to share the divine. He wanted to surpass it. And the muses,
wanted to surpass it. And the muses,
wanted to surpass it. And the muses, ever watchful, saw the change, not in
ever watchful, saw the change, not in
ever watchful, saw the change, not in his fingers, but in his eyes, the way he
his fingers, but in his eyes, the way he
his fingers, but in his eyes, the way he looked beyond them, as if destiny owed
looked beyond them, as if destiny owed
looked beyond them, as if destiny owed him more than
him more than
him more than admiration. And in the distance, fate
admiration. And in the distance, fate
admiration. And in the distance, fate stirred slightly. Because no mortal
stirred slightly. Because no mortal
stirred slightly. Because no mortal walks beside the divine forever without
walks beside the divine forever without
walks beside the divine forever without cost, Melanian withdrew from the world.
cost, Melanian withdrew from the world.
cost, Melanian withdrew from the world. He left behind the applause, the
He left behind the applause, the
He left behind the applause, the requests, the gifts from kings, and the
requests, the gifts from kings, and the
requests, the gifts from kings, and the adoration of cities. He stopped
adoration of cities. He stopped
adoration of cities. He stopped performing in public, stopped teaching
performing in public, stopped teaching
performing in public, stopped teaching students, even stopped speaking to the
students, even stopped speaking to the
students, even stopped speaking to the muses. Some claimed he had fallen ill.
muses. Some claimed he had fallen ill.
muses. Some claimed he had fallen ill. Others said he had died. But in truth,
Others said he had died. But in truth,
Others said he had died. But in truth, he had gone to the shadowed slopes of
he had gone to the shadowed slopes of
he had gone to the shadowed slopes of Mount Helican, deeper than any mortal
Mount Helican, deeper than any mortal
Mount Helican, deeper than any mortal had ever gone, where only echoes of the
had ever gone, where only echoes of the
had ever gone, where only echoes of the old gods stirred. There, in a cave lined
old gods stirred. There, in a cave lined
old gods stirred. There, in a cave lined with crystals that sang when touched by
with crystals that sang when touched by
with crystals that sang when touched by light, he began composing the final
light, he began composing the final
light, he began composing the final song. It came to him in pieces.
song. It came to him in pieces.
song. It came to him in pieces. Sometimes in sleep, sometimes in
Sometimes in sleep, sometimes in
Sometimes in sleep, sometimes in thunder. Sometimes in silence so deep it
thunder. Sometimes in silence so deep it
thunder. Sometimes in silence so deep it frightened him. He didn't write it. He
frightened him. He didn't write it. He
frightened him. He didn't write it. He found it like a secret hidden between
found it like a secret hidden between
found it like a secret hidden between the folds of reality. The melody refused
the folds of reality. The melody refused
the folds of reality. The melody refused to stay still. It changed when he
to stay still. It changed when he
to stay still. It changed when he breathed, twisted with his heartbeat. It
breathed, twisted with his heartbeat. It
breathed, twisted with his heartbeat. It was not a song for performance. It was
was not a song for performance. It was
was not a song for performance. It was truth in sound. He heard the birth of
truth in sound. He heard the birth of
truth in sound. He heard the birth of stars in its opening note. He felt the
stars in its opening note. He felt the
stars in its opening note. He felt the deaths of empires in its fall. It was
deaths of empires in its fall. It was
deaths of empires in its fall. It was not sad. It was not joyful. It simply
not sad. It was not joyful. It simply
not sad. It was not joyful. It simply was. He labored for months, maybe years.
was. He labored for months, maybe years.
was. He labored for months, maybe years. Time bent strangely inside the cave. He
Time bent strangely inside the cave. He
Time bent strangely inside the cave. He ate little, slept only when the music
ate little, slept only when the music
ate little, slept only when the music allowed it. He would weep one moment,
allowed it. He would weep one moment,
allowed it. He would weep one moment, laugh the next, as though the song
laugh the next, as though the song
laugh the next, as though the song played through his soul instead of his
played through his soul instead of his
played through his soul instead of his hands. And when it was finished, the
hands. And when it was finished, the
hands. And when it was finished, the world changed. Birds stopped mid-flight.
world changed. Birds stopped mid-flight.
world changed. Birds stopped mid-flight. Trees leaned toward the windless
Trees leaned toward the windless
Trees leaned toward the windless mountain. Streams went quiet. The sky
mountain. Streams went quiet. The sky
mountain. Streams went quiet. The sky itself held its breath. And far above,
itself held its breath. And far above,
itself held its breath. And far above, in the marble chambers of Olympus, the
in the marble chambers of Olympus, the
in the marble chambers of Olympus, the gods turned their heads. Even the fates,
gods turned their heads. Even the fates,
gods turned their heads. Even the fates, who never looked away from their
who never looked away from their
who never looked away from their weaving,
weaving,
weaving, paused. Cloth whispered, "A thread
paused. Cloth whispered, "A thread
paused. Cloth whispered, "A thread trembles."
trembles."
trembles." Lisus frowned. And Atropos, whose shears
Lisus frowned. And Atropos, whose shears
Lisus frowned. And Atropos, whose shears never hesitated, set them down. They
never hesitated, set them down. They
never hesitated, set them down. They listened. The song did not demand
listened. The song did not demand
listened. The song did not demand worship. It did not beg to be loved. It
worship. It did not beg to be loved. It
worship. It did not beg to be loved. It simply revealed everything. When the
simply revealed everything. When the
simply revealed everything. When the final note faded, even the cave refused
final note faded, even the cave refused
final note faded, even the cave refused to echo it. As if the world knew to
to echo it. As if the world knew to
to echo it. As if the world knew to repeat it would be a crime. The gods
repeat it would be a crime. The gods
repeat it would be a crime. The gods waited. The muses waited. They expected
waited. The muses waited. They expected
waited. The muses waited. They expected Melanian to return to offer this wonder
Melanian to return to offer this wonder
Melanian to return to offer this wonder to the world, but he didn't. He hid it.
to the world, but he didn't. He hid it.
to the world, but he didn't. He hid it. And in doing so, he set a different
And in doing so, he set a different
And in doing so, he set a different music in motion, one of silence and
music in motion, one of silence and
music in motion, one of silence and consequences. When Melanian emerged from
consequences. When Melanian emerged from
consequences. When Melanian emerged from the cave, the world felt smaller. The
the cave, the world felt smaller. The
the cave, the world felt smaller. The skies, once so vast, seemed pale beside
skies, once so vast, seemed pale beside
skies, once so vast, seemed pale beside the echoes of the song still humming in
the echoes of the song still humming in
the echoes of the song still humming in his bones. People rushed to greet him.
his bones. People rushed to greet him.
his bones. People rushed to greet him. musicians, poets, even priests. They
musicians, poets, even priests. They
musicians, poets, even priests. They begged to hear what he had written, to
begged to hear what he had written, to
begged to hear what he had written, to feel whatever power had moved the
feel whatever power had moved the
feel whatever power had moved the heavens. But Melanian said nothing. They
heavens. But Melanian said nothing. They
heavens. But Melanian said nothing. They asked again. He smiled
asked again. He smiled
asked again. He smiled faintly. Not
faintly. Not
faintly. Not yet. Only the muses saw the shift. They
yet. Only the muses saw the shift. They
yet. Only the muses saw the shift. They came to him one dusk, stepping from
came to him one dusk, stepping from
came to him one dusk, stepping from starlight like breath from a liar. Their
starlight like breath from a liar. Their
starlight like breath from a liar. Their robes glowed with inspiration, but their
robes glowed with inspiration, but their
robes glowed with inspiration, but their eyes held warning.
eyes held warning.
eyes held warning. You were chosen to carry beauty, said
You were chosen to carry beauty, said
You were chosen to carry beauty, said Arato, soft and sorrowful. But beauty is
Arato, soft and sorrowful. But beauty is
Arato, soft and sorrowful. But beauty is not meant to be buried, added Cleo. You
not meant to be buried, added Cleo. You
not meant to be buried, added Cleo. You must sing it, whispered Collopy.
must sing it, whispered Collopy.
must sing it, whispered Collopy. Melanian bowed his head. I will not see
Melanian bowed his head. I will not see
Melanian bowed his head. I will not see it cheapened. They flinched as if he'd
it cheapened. They flinched as if he'd
it cheapened. They flinched as if he'd struck them. You think mortals unworthy?
struck them. You think mortals unworthy?
struck them. You think mortals unworthy? Turpsi asked, voice trembling. You think
Turpsi asked, voice trembling. You think
Turpsi asked, voice trembling. You think you alone are its guardian? He met their
you alone are its guardian? He met their
you alone are its guardian? He met their eyes, not with rage, but with something
eyes, not with rage, but with something
eyes, not with rage, but with something colder.
colder.
colder. Possession. Yes. Silence felt like
Possession. Yes. Silence felt like
Possession. Yes. Silence felt like winter between them. "Then you are no
winter between them. "Then you are no
winter between them. "Then you are no longer ours," said Collapy. "Not because
longer ours," said Collapy. "Not because
longer ours," said Collapy. "Not because you created something beyond us, but
you created something beyond us, but
you created something beyond us, but because you hoard it." He said nothing,
because you hoard it." He said nothing,
because you hoard it." He said nothing, and they vanished. Still, the gods
and they vanished. Still, the gods
and they vanished. Still, the gods waited. Even Zeus, who rarely concerned
waited. Even Zeus, who rarely concerned
waited. Even Zeus, who rarely concerned himself with mortal affairs, paused his
himself with mortal affairs, paused his
himself with mortal affairs, paused his thunder to listen. Even Hades tilted his
thunder to listen. Even Hades tilted his
thunder to listen. Even Hades tilted his head in the depths. They waited for a
head in the depths. They waited for a
head in the depths. They waited for a single note, a whisper, a fragment.
single note, a whisper, a fragment.
single note, a whisper, a fragment. Nothing
Nothing
Nothing came. Melanian kept the song locked
came. Melanian kept the song locked
came. Melanian kept the song locked inside himself. Not written, not
inside himself. Not written, not
inside himself. Not written, not recorded, not shared. He called it
recorded, not shared. He called it
recorded, not shared. He called it sacred, but sacred things, when sealed
sacred, but sacred things, when sealed
sacred, but sacred things, when sealed too long, begin to sour. He performed
too long, begin to sour. He performed
too long, begin to sour. He performed other pieces. They were still beautiful.
other pieces. They were still beautiful.
other pieces. They were still beautiful. Audiences wept. Crowds cheered. But he
Audiences wept. Crowds cheered. But he
Audiences wept. Crowds cheered. But he knew, and so did the divine. Something
knew, and so did the divine. Something
knew, and so did the divine. Something was missing. And worse, something had
was missing. And worse, something had
was missing. And worse, something had been stolen. The song that could stir
been stolen. The song that could stir
been stolen. The song that could stir the fates, bend time, and touch the gods
the fates, bend time, and touch the gods
the fates, bend time, and touch the gods themselves, was buried beneath his
themselves, was buried beneath his
themselves, was buried beneath his pride. He told himself he protected it.
pride. He told himself he protected it.
pride. He told himself he protected it. But the muses, watching from afar, saw
But the muses, watching from afar, saw
But the muses, watching from afar, saw the truth. He had chained the divine to
the truth. He had chained the divine to
the truth. He had chained the divine to his ego. And the gods who endure
his ego. And the gods who endure
his ego. And the gods who endure madness, war, and worship without
madness, war, and worship without
madness, war, and worship without blinking do not abide theft. And so one
blinking do not abide theft. And so one
blinking do not abide theft. And so one night the wind turned still. The stars
night the wind turned still. The stars
night the wind turned still. The stars went quiet, and a curse began to bloom.
went quiet, and a curse began to bloom.
went quiet, and a curse began to bloom. Not with fire, but with memory. The
Not with fire, but with memory. The
Not with fire, but with memory. The curse came softly. No thunder, no divine
curse came softly. No thunder, no divine
curse came softly. No thunder, no divine wrath from Olympus, just a dream.
wrath from Olympus, just a dream.
wrath from Olympus, just a dream. Melanian lay beneath an open sky,
Melanian lay beneath an open sky,
Melanian lay beneath an open sky, cradled in the same silence he had once
cradled in the same silence he had once
cradled in the same silence he had once treasured. Sleep pulled him gently into
treasured. Sleep pulled him gently into
treasured. Sleep pulled him gently into darkness. And there, waiting, was the
darkness. And there, waiting, was the
darkness. And there, waiting, was the song, the final song. It returned,
song, the final song. It returned,
song, the final song. It returned, clearer, richer, impossibly perfect. He
clearer, richer, impossibly perfect. He
clearer, richer, impossibly perfect. He heard notes he'd never written,
heard notes he'd never written,
heard notes he'd never written, harmonies he hadn't yet imagined. It
harmonies he hadn't yet imagined. It
harmonies he hadn't yet imagined. It lifted him through stars, wo him into
lifted him through stars, wo him into
lifted him through stars, wo him into oceans, unspooled the very fabric of
oceans, unspooled the very fabric of
oceans, unspooled the very fabric of meaning. He wept in joy, in awe, in
meaning. He wept in joy, in awe, in
meaning. He wept in joy, in awe, in surrender. And then mourning, gone. Not
surrender. And then mourning, gone. Not
surrender. And then mourning, gone. Not faded, erased. No memory, not a note,
faded, erased. No memory, not a note,
faded, erased. No memory, not a note, not a name. The melody he'd written with
not a name. The melody he'd written with
not a name. The melody he'd written with his soul, felt in his bones, was gone
his soul, felt in his bones, was gone
his soul, felt in his bones, was gone like mist at sunrise. At first he
like mist at sunrise. At first he
like mist at sunrise. At first he thought it a cruel trick of sleep. He
thought it a cruel trick of sleep. He
thought it a cruel trick of sleep. He grabbed his liar and tried to recall
grabbed his liar and tried to recall
grabbed his liar and tried to recall even a single
even a single
even a single progression. Nothing. He strummed
progression. Nothing. He strummed
progression. Nothing. He strummed wildly, offkey, frantic, nothing. That
wildly, offkey, frantic, nothing. That
wildly, offkey, frantic, nothing. That night, he returned to his bed early,
night, he returned to his bed early,
night, he returned to his bed early, heart pounding, and the song returned,
heart pounding, and the song returned,
heart pounding, and the song returned, more radiant than ever. He sang along in
more radiant than ever. He sang along in
more radiant than ever. He sang along in the dream, tears streaming, fingers
the dream, tears streaming, fingers
the dream, tears streaming, fingers dancing through light. It felt real. He
dancing through light. It felt real. He
dancing through light. It felt real. He could remember it within the dream. But
could remember it within the dream. But
could remember it within the dream. But once again, with dawn's first breath
once again, with dawn's first breath
once again, with dawn's first breath gone, Melanian began keeping candles lit
gone, Melanian began keeping candles lit
gone, Melanian began keeping candles lit through the night, scribbling notes in
through the night, scribbling notes in
through the night, scribbling notes in the dark. He begged his mind to retain a
the dark. He begged his mind to retain a
the dark. He begged his mind to retain a phrase, a rhythm, a single image. But no
phrase, a rhythm, a single image. But no
phrase, a rhythm, a single image. But no matter what he tried, it vanished again
matter what he tried, it vanished again
matter what he tried, it vanished again and again and again. He stopped playing,
and again and again. He stopped playing,
and again and again. He stopped playing, refused to perform. Crowds dwindled,
refused to perform. Crowds dwindled,
refused to perform. Crowds dwindled, friends left. His home grew dusty and
friends left. His home grew dusty and
friends left. His home grew dusty and cold, but none of it mattered. He had
cold, but none of it mattered. He had
cold, but none of it mattered. He had one obsession now. Remember the song.
one obsession now. Remember the song.
one obsession now. Remember the song. The muses stood at a distance, watching
The muses stood at a distance, watching
The muses stood at a distance, watching with sorrow. He was given a gift, said
with sorrow. He was given a gift, said
with sorrow. He was given a gift, said Otterpe, and he chose to cage it. Now he
Otterpe, and he chose to cage it. Now he
Otterpe, and he chose to cage it. Now he is the only one who will hear it, said
is the only one who will hear it, said
is the only one who will hear it, said Polyhimnia. And never remember,
Polyhimnia. And never remember,
Polyhimnia. And never remember, whispered Cleo. It was not vengeance, it
whispered Cleo. It was not vengeance, it
whispered Cleo. It was not vengeance, it was balance. Melanian would hear the
was balance. Melanian would hear the
was balance. Melanian would hear the song every night for eternity. But it
song every night for eternity. But it
song every night for eternity. But it would live only in dreams. Each sunrise,
would live only in dreams. Each sunrise,
would live only in dreams. Each sunrise, it would slip through his grasp like
it would slip through his grasp like
it would slip through his grasp like water through cracked hands. He would
water through cracked hands. He would
water through cracked hands. He would never stop chasing it, never stop
never stop chasing it, never stop
never stop chasing it, never stop hoping. And in time, hope would rot into
hoping. And in time, hope would rot into
hoping. And in time, hope would rot into madness. Because what torments a bard
madness. Because what torments a bard
madness. Because what torments a bard more than forgetting the greatest song
more than forgetting the greatest song
more than forgetting the greatest song he ever knew, and knowing it still sings
he ever knew, and knowing it still sings
he ever knew, and knowing it still sings without
without
without him. Melanian stopped counting the
him. Melanian stopped counting the
him. Melanian stopped counting the nights. They bled into each other, an
nights. They bled into each other, an
nights. They bled into each other, an endless loop of ecstasy and loss. Each
endless loop of ecstasy and loss. Each
endless loop of ecstasy and loss. Each evening he slipped into dreams where the
evening he slipped into dreams where the
evening he slipped into dreams where the final song embraced him like a lover
final song embraced him like a lover
final song embraced him like a lover returned from war. And each dawn he woke
returned from war. And each dawn he woke
returned from war. And each dawn he woke alone, screaming, weeping blank. At
alone, screaming, weeping blank. At
alone, screaming, weeping blank. At first, he tried to outwit the curse. He
first, he tried to outwit the curse. He
first, he tried to outwit the curse. He hired scribes to sleep beside him,
hired scribes to sleep beside him,
hired scribes to sleep beside him, begged seers to extract fragments from
begged seers to extract fragments from
begged seers to extract fragments from his mind. He sang to mirrors, hoping his
his mind. He sang to mirrors, hoping his
his mind. He sang to mirrors, hoping his own voice would betray some hidden
own voice would betray some hidden
own voice would betray some hidden memory. Nothing worked, and slowly he
memory. Nothing worked, and slowly he
memory. Nothing worked, and slowly he began to
began to
began to fray. He stopped eating. His robes hung
fray. He stopped eating. His robes hung
fray. He stopped eating. His robes hung from a body gone hollow. His fingers
from a body gone hollow. His fingers
from a body gone hollow. His fingers trembled when he reached for his liar,
trembled when he reached for his liar,
trembled when he reached for his liar, the same instrument he once cradled like
the same instrument he once cradled like
the same instrument he once cradled like a child. Strings snapped under his
a child. Strings snapped under his
a child. Strings snapped under his shaking hands. He didn't fix them. He
shaking hands. He didn't fix them. He
shaking hands. He didn't fix them. He didn't need them anymore. Because in
didn't need them anymore. Because in
didn't need them anymore. Because in sleep, the music still came. It became
sleep, the music still came. It became
sleep, the music still came. It became his only purpose, the only place he felt
his only purpose, the only place he felt
his only purpose, the only place he felt whole. and waking became a punishment.
whole. and waking became a punishment.
whole. and waking became a punishment. He cursed the sun, smashed his windows,
He cursed the sun, smashed his windows,
He cursed the sun, smashed his windows, sealed himself in a room with no light.
sealed himself in a room with no light.
sealed himself in a room with no light. But still the song left with the
But still the song left with the
But still the song left with the morning. When he emerged, he no longer
morning. When he emerged, he no longer
morning. When he emerged, he no longer resembled a bard. He was wildeyed,
resembled a bard. He was wildeyed,
resembled a bard. He was wildeyed, gaunt, his once golden voice now roar
gaunt, his once golden voice now roar
gaunt, his once golden voice now roar from nights of desperate humming. He
from nights of desperate humming. He
from nights of desperate humming. He wandered from village to village like a
wandered from village to village like a
wandered from village to village like a beggar, not for coin, but for memory.
beggar, not for coin, but for memory.
beggar, not for coin, but for memory. "Have you heard it?" he'd asked
"Have you heard it?" he'd asked
"Have you heard it?" he'd asked strangers. The song with no beginning
strangers. The song with no beginning
strangers. The song with no beginning and no end. Have you heard it in your
and no end. Have you heard it in your
and no end. Have you heard it in your sleep? People pied him at first, then
sleep? People pied him at first, then
sleep? People pied him at first, then feared him. Some threw stones, others
feared him. Some threw stones, others
feared him. Some threw stones, others fled. He began to sing fragments in the
fled. He began to sing fragments in the
fled. He began to sing fragments in the streets, random, frantic bursts of
streets, random, frantic bursts of
streets, random, frantic bursts of melody. They made no sense to others,
melody. They made no sense to others,
melody. They made no sense to others, but to him they were clues, keys, pieces
but to him they were clues, keys, pieces
but to him they were clues, keys, pieces of a shattered mirror he could almost
of a shattered mirror he could almost
of a shattered mirror he could almost almost reassemble, but every time it
almost reassemble, but every time it
almost reassemble, but every time it slipped through his fingers. He laughed
slipped through his fingers. He laughed
slipped through his fingers. He laughed when he failed, then cried, then laughed
when he failed, then cried, then laughed
when he failed, then cried, then laughed again. And every night the song came
again. And every night the song came
again. And every night the song came back, shimmering, whole, just out of
back, shimmering, whole, just out of
back, shimmering, whole, just out of reach. The muses watched, not with
reach. The muses watched, not with
reach. The muses watched, not with anger, with mourning. He had once been
anger, with mourning. He had once been
anger, with mourning. He had once been their finest vessel. Now he was a
their finest vessel. Now he was a
their finest vessel. Now he was a cracked jar, overflowing only when no
cracked jar, overflowing only when no
cracked jar, overflowing only when no one could hear. And in that descent, the
one could hear. And in that descent, the
one could hear. And in that descent, the song he'd hoarded became the thing that
song he'd hoarded became the thing that
song he'd hoarded became the thing that unraveled him. Not with fire, not with
unraveled him. Not with fire, not with
unraveled him. Not with fire, not with wrath, but with
wrath, but with
wrath, but with silence. Melanian no longer lived in the
silence. Melanian no longer lived in the
silence. Melanian no longer lived in the world. His body walked through it. Yes,
world. His body walked through it. Yes,
world. His body walked through it. Yes, but his mind was elsewhere, caught
but his mind was elsewhere, caught
but his mind was elsewhere, caught between dreams and daylight, past and
between dreams and daylight, past and
between dreams and daylight, past and present. A song only he could hear, and
present. A song only he could hear, and
present. A song only he could hear, and only when it was too late to hold. He
only when it was too late to hold. He
only when it was too late to hold. He wandered barefoot through cities that
wandered barefoot through cities that
wandered barefoot through cities that once hosted him like royalty. Children
once hosted him like royalty. Children
once hosted him like royalty. Children who once sat at his feet now ran from
who once sat at his feet now ran from
who once sat at his feet now ran from his shadow. His name once sung in praise
his shadow. His name once sung in praise
his shadow. His name once sung in praise became a warning. Don't end up like
became a warning. Don't end up like
became a warning. Don't end up like Melanian. He slept where he could, under
Melanian. He slept where he could, under
Melanian. He slept where he could, under trees, in empty chapels, sometimes in
trees, in empty chapels, sometimes in
trees, in empty chapels, sometimes in the doorways of ins whose keepers once
the doorways of ins whose keepers once
the doorways of ins whose keepers once begged for his presence. He no longer
begged for his presence. He no longer
begged for his presence. He no longer asked for food, only a place to rest,
asked for food, only a place to rest,
asked for food, only a place to rest, only the dream. The curse never failed.
only the dream. The curse never failed.
only the dream. The curse never failed. Each night he fell asleep with trembling
Each night he fell asleep with trembling
Each night he fell asleep with trembling hope. And the final song returned.
hope. And the final song returned.
hope. And the final song returned. whole, alive, a perfect ghost. And each
whole, alive, a perfect ghost. And each
whole, alive, a perfect ghost. And each morning he woke to forgetting. The
morning he woke to forgetting. The
morning he woke to forgetting. The cruelty wasn't in the silence. It was in
cruelty wasn't in the silence. It was in
cruelty wasn't in the silence. It was in the memory of sound. He remembered that
the memory of sound. He remembered that
the memory of sound. He remembered that he had heard something transcendent,
he had heard something transcendent,
he had heard something transcendent, that it had meant everything. But he
that it had meant everything. But he
that it had meant everything. But he could no longer remember why. He began
could no longer remember why. He began
could no longer remember why. He began speaking to shadows, to trees, to the
speaking to shadows, to trees, to the
speaking to shadows, to trees, to the stars. Sometimes he would sing to
stars. Sometimes he would sing to
stars. Sometimes he would sing to strangers and demand they sing back.
strangers and demand they sing back.
strangers and demand they sing back. Convinced the melody was hiding in
Convinced the melody was hiding in
Convinced the melody was hiding in someone else's throat. Once he believed
someone else's throat. Once he believed
someone else's throat. Once he believed a child had hummed it in passing, he
a child had hummed it in passing, he
a child had hummed it in passing, he followed the family across two villages
followed the family across two villages
followed the family across two villages before collapsing in the dust, begging
before collapsing in the dust, begging
before collapsing in the dust, begging the boy to sing again. But the sound had
the boy to sing again. But the sound had
the boy to sing again. But the sound had been something else, something ordinary.
been something else, something ordinary.
been something else, something ordinary. He wept for hours and still each night
He wept for hours and still each night
He wept for hours and still each night the song returned taunting, embracing,
the song returned taunting, embracing,
the song returned taunting, embracing, divine. He tried to hum it as he
divine. He tried to hum it as he
divine. He tried to hum it as he dreamed, tried to wake mid melody, but
dreamed, tried to wake mid melody, but
dreamed, tried to wake mid melody, but the curse was clever. He could not move
the curse was clever. He could not move
the curse was clever. He could not move within the dream. He could not record
within the dream. He could not record
within the dream. He could not record it, write it, carry it, only hear it.
it, write it, carry it, only hear it.
it, write it, carry it, only hear it. And when he woke, emptiness. Some who
And when he woke, emptiness. Some who
And when he woke, emptiness. Some who saw him said he still hummed in his
saw him said he still hummed in his
saw him said he still hummed in his sleep. that if you placed your ear near
sleep. that if you placed your ear near
sleep. that if you placed your ear near his mouth at midnight, you could hear a
his mouth at midnight, you could hear a
his mouth at midnight, you could hear a music unlike any other. But only then,
music unlike any other. But only then,
music unlike any other. But only then, only in darkness. The muses no longer
only in darkness. The muses no longer
only in darkness. The muses no longer came. The gods stopped watching, and
came. The gods stopped watching, and
came. The gods stopped watching, and Melanian, once the voice of the world,
Melanian, once the voice of the world,
Melanian, once the voice of the world, now wandered like an echo of a song the
now wandered like an echo of a song the
now wandered like an echo of a song the world could no longer remember, and he
world could no longer remember, and he
world could no longer remember, and he could no longer
could no longer
could no longer forget. Melanian had grown thin as
forget. Melanian had grown thin as
forget. Melanian had grown thin as twilight. His skin, once kissed by
twilight. His skin, once kissed by
twilight. His skin, once kissed by golden light, was now pale and paper
golden light, was now pale and paper
golden light, was now pale and paper thin. His voice, what remained of it,
thin. His voice, what remained of it,
thin. His voice, what remained of it, was horsearo from years of whispers and
was horsearo from years of whispers and
was horsearo from years of whispers and wandering. He no longer searched for
wandering. He no longer searched for
wandering. He no longer searched for food, shelter, or even the song. He
food, shelter, or even the song. He
food, shelter, or even the song. He simply walked. One evening he reached a
simply walked. One evening he reached a
simply walked. One evening he reached a cliff overlooking the sea. It was quiet
cliff overlooking the sea. It was quiet
cliff overlooking the sea. It was quiet there. No towns, no roads, no curious
there. No towns, no roads, no curious
there. No towns, no roads, no curious eyes. Just the wind, the waves, and the
eyes. Just the wind, the waves, and the
eyes. Just the wind, the waves, and the stars slowly rising in the deepening
stars slowly rising in the deepening
stars slowly rising in the deepening blue. He sat curled against a stone, the
blue. He sat curled against a stone, the
blue. He sat curled against a stone, the seab breeze tangling what remained of
seab breeze tangling what remained of
seab breeze tangling what remained of his hair. He didn't weep. He didn't
his hair. He didn't weep. He didn't
his hair. He didn't weep. He didn't sing. He simply closed his eyes. And the
sing. He simply closed his eyes. And the
sing. He simply closed his eyes. And the dream came again. But this time,
dream came again. But this time,
dream came again. But this time, something was different. There was no
something was different. There was no
something was different. There was no delay, no mist to wade through, no
delay, no mist to wade through, no
delay, no mist to wade through, no struggle to hear. The final song was
struggle to hear. The final song was
struggle to hear. The final song was there from the beginning, full and
there from the beginning, full and
there from the beginning, full and clear. But it was not just sound. It was
clear. But it was not just sound. It was
clear. But it was not just sound. It was a place, a presence, a world built from
a place, a presence, a world built from
a place, a presence, a world built from music. Melanian stood within it,
music. Melanian stood within it,
music. Melanian stood within it, barefoot on chords that bent like grass,
barefoot on chords that bent like grass,
barefoot on chords that bent like grass, stars pulsing above in rhythm. The sky
stars pulsing above in rhythm. The sky
stars pulsing above in rhythm. The sky was a symphony. The wind sang in
was a symphony. The wind sang in
was a symphony. The wind sang in harmony. And he was not just hearing it.
harmony. And he was not just hearing it.
harmony. And he was not just hearing it. He was part of it. His own voice joined
He was part of it. His own voice joined
He was part of it. His own voice joined the song and it did not tremble. It did
the song and it did not tremble. It did
the song and it did not tremble. It did not forget. It soared. He saw every note
not forget. It soared. He saw every note
not forget. It soared. He saw every note he had lost. Every phrase he'd mourned.
he had lost. Every phrase he'd mourned.
he had lost. Every phrase he'd mourned. But now he understood. The song had
But now he understood. The song had
But now he understood. The song had never left him. It had grown without
never left him. It had grown without
never left him. It had grown without him. It had become more than his hands
him. It had become more than his hands
him. It had become more than his hands could hold. He was not its owner. He was
could hold. He was not its owner. He was
could hold. He was not its owner. He was its witness. And in that final dream,
its witness. And in that final dream,
its witness. And in that final dream, there was no sorrow, no shame, no
there was no sorrow, no shame, no
there was no sorrow, no shame, no punishment, only release. When the sun
punishment, only release. When the sun
punishment, only release. When the sun rose, Melanian did not stir. The wind
rose, Melanian did not stir. The wind
rose, Melanian did not stir. The wind lifted softly around his body as if
lifted softly around his body as if
lifted softly around his body as if carrying away a final
carrying away a final
carrying away a final breath. A shepherd passing the cliffs
breath. A shepherd passing the cliffs
breath. A shepherd passing the cliffs found him later, peaceful, hands resting
found him later, peaceful, hands resting
found him later, peaceful, hands resting on his chest, as if cradling an
on his chest, as if cradling an
on his chest, as if cradling an invisible liar. There was no scroll, no
invisible liar. There was no scroll, no
invisible liar. There was no scroll, no recording. But above him, high in the
recording. But above him, high in the
recording. But above him, high in the coastal sky, seabirds flew in strange
coastal sky, seabirds flew in strange
coastal sky, seabirds flew in strange formations, almost like they danced to
formations, almost like they danced to
formations, almost like they danced to something only they could hear. And the
something only they could hear. And the
something only they could hear. And the sea for a moment sang, not in words, not
sea for a moment sang, not in words, not
sea for a moment sang, not in words, not in melody, but in something older than
in melody, but in something older than
in melody, but in something older than either, something he had finally
either, something he had finally
either, something he had finally become. Melanian was buried beneath a
become. Melanian was buried beneath a
become. Melanian was buried beneath a lone olive tree near the cliff where he
lone olive tree near the cliff where he
lone olive tree near the cliff where he last slept. No priest performed the
last slept. No priest performed the
last slept. No priest performed the rights. No crowds gathered. Just the
rights. No crowds gathered. Just the
rights. No crowds gathered. Just the shepherd who found him and a few
shepherd who found him and a few
shepherd who found him and a few villagers who remembered the stories.
villagers who remembered the stories.
villagers who remembered the stories. Faint echoes of the bard who once made
Faint echoes of the bard who once made
Faint echoes of the bard who once made the gods pause mid breath. There was no
the gods pause mid breath. There was no
the gods pause mid breath. There was no monument, only
monument, only
monument, only silence. But silence has a way of
silence. But silence has a way of
silence. But silence has a way of amplifying truth. In the years that
amplifying truth. In the years that
amplifying truth. In the years that followed, strange things were whispered
followed, strange things were whispered
followed, strange things were whispered across the land. Travelers claimed that
across the land. Travelers claimed that
across the land. Travelers claimed that if you passed that cliff under a new
if you passed that cliff under a new
if you passed that cliff under a new moon, you might hear a melody in the
moon, you might hear a melody in the
moon, you might hear a melody in the wind. Brief, fleeting, heartbreakingly
wind. Brief, fleeting, heartbreakingly
wind. Brief, fleeting, heartbreakingly beautiful. Not a full song, just a note,
beautiful. Not a full song, just a note,
beautiful. Not a full song, just a note, just enough to make you stop. Children
just enough to make you stop. Children
just enough to make you stop. Children began dreaming of music they'd never
began dreaming of music they'd never
began dreaming of music they'd never heard. Musicians would wake in the night
heard. Musicians would wake in the night
heard. Musicians would wake in the night with tears on their cheeks and no memory
with tears on their cheeks and no memory
with tears on their cheeks and no memory of why. And sometimes when a bard sat
of why. And sometimes when a bard sat
of why. And sometimes when a bard sat alone at dusk with no audience, a sudden
alone at dusk with no audience, a sudden
alone at dusk with no audience, a sudden cord would form beneath their fingers.
cord would form beneath their fingers.
cord would form beneath their fingers. Something not
Something not
Something not theirs, something perfect. They never
theirs, something perfect. They never
theirs, something perfect. They never remembered it by mourning. The musers
remembered it by mourning. The musers
remembered it by mourning. The musers said nothing. They did not curse another
said nothing. They did not curse another
said nothing. They did not curse another bard. They did not reclaim the song
bard. They did not reclaim the song
bard. They did not reclaim the song because they understood what Melanian
because they understood what Melanian
because they understood what Melanian had become. Not a warning, not a hero,
had become. Not a warning, not a hero,
had become. Not a warning, not a hero, but a vessel turned legend.
but a vessel turned legend.
but a vessel turned legend. A soul whose punishment was born not of
A soul whose punishment was born not of
A soul whose punishment was born not of cruelty but of refusal and whose
cruelty but of refusal and whose
cruelty but of refusal and whose redemption came not through sharing but
redemption came not through sharing but
redemption came not through sharing but surrender. The final song was never
surrender. The final song was never
surrender. The final song was never written down. It was never performed in
written down. It was never performed in
written down. It was never performed in amphitheaters or temples. It does not
amphitheaters or temples. It does not
amphitheaters or temples. It does not exist in scroll or scripture. But it
exist in scroll or scripture. But it
exist in scroll or scripture. But it lives in the quiet moments between sleep
lives in the quiet moments between sleep
lives in the quiet moments between sleep and waking. In the hush before a
and waking. In the hush before a
and waking. In the hush before a performer strums their first chord. In
performer strums their first chord. In
performer strums their first chord. In the way the sea sounds different when
the way the sea sounds different when
the way the sea sounds different when you're grieving. Melanian song became
you're grieving. Melanian song became
you're grieving. Melanian song became part of the world itself, not to be
part of the world itself, not to be
part of the world itself, not to be remembered, but to be felt. A whisper in
remembered, but to be felt. A whisper in
remembered, but to be felt. A whisper in the bones, a melody without words. And
the bones, a melody without words. And
the bones, a melody without words. And those who feel it even for a moment,
those who feel it even for a moment,
those who feel it even for a moment, never forget the silence that follows.
never forget the silence that follows.
never forget the silence that follows. They say if you stand alone on the right
They say if you stand alone on the right
They say if you stand alone on the right cliff on the right night with no one
cliff on the right night with no one
cliff on the right night with no one watching and the wind is kind, you might
watching and the wind is kind, you might
watching and the wind is kind, you might hear a sound that doesn't belong to this
hear a sound that doesn't belong to this
hear a sound that doesn't belong to this world. Just a fragment, just a breath.
world. Just a fragment, just a breath.
world. Just a fragment, just a breath. And maybe if you listen closely enough,
And maybe if you listen closely enough,
And maybe if you listen closely enough, you'll finally understand why Millennium
you'll finally understand why Millennium
you'll finally understand why Millennium never let it go.
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