Chapter 6: Smoke and Flame | page 7

Maeve wasn’t listening to Coldhand. The tale of the Nameless was a story every Arcadian knew, sung by mothers and fathers before a child’s wings could bear her, and one of the most important of their history.

“In the stillness before the world, there was only Erris All-Singer, first god of my people,” said Maeve. “The Singer grew lonely, for there was no one to hear his music. So Erris created three other gods. From the soft down feathers of his right wing, he made Aes Cloud-Dancer. She was beloved and wife to her creator. From the strong pinions of his left wing, Erris created Anslin Sky-Knight to watch over the Singer and his bride. Anslin was the first knight, guardian of life and father to ways of the warrior.

“Taxed by his endeavors, Erris All-Singer created the last from the sweat of his brow and only half his heart. Contented by Aes and Anslin, the Singer gave the third and final goddess no name, no purpose. This new goddess was furious with her creator for his inattention. The Nameless fled the light of heaven and fled into the shadows between, swearing revenge upon the other gods. So long she remained in the dark places, that her wings turned black as night.”

It felt good to tell the old stories. For a moment, it was like Maeve was home. As though the White Kingdom still stood, as though everything wasn’t gone, as thought she wasn’t the last survivor of House Cavainna in the universe. She could almost hear her father’s voice in her ear and feel his great, strong wings holding her protectively close. Coldhand was listening, attentive, though not absorbed by the story.

“As the seasons turned, Erris sang and Aes danced to his every song. She danced for him every dance she could imagine until her heart and her feet ached. Anslin grew to know every note, every step of every song and dance. In time, the spark faded. There was nothing new. Aes and Anslin came to Erris and asked him to create others, creators of new songs and new dances. But the arrogant All-Singer refused, for he believed his creations already perfect.

“So the Sky-Knight and Cloud-Dancer conspired to make the eldest grant their wish. When Erris called upon them once more, Aes refused to dance a single step and Anslin covered his eyes with his wings, refusing to watch. Until Erris promised to create others, they would not serve him. In fury, the Singer turned his back on them.

“Erris’ great heart grew lonely for his bride and his friend. It was in this time of sorrow that the Nameless came to the All-Singer. With wings soft as whispers and hair golden as the dawn, she came in Aes Cloud-Dancer’s guise. In lover’s arms, the Nameless embraced him. Weeping for relief and joy, Erris consented to all she asked. He would create a new race, as Aes and Anslin had asked, but the deceptive Nameless asked for one thing more.

“‘My love, these new children’s lives must end,’ she told him. ‘Else they, like us, shall learn all that there is to know and grow cold and still as stone. Let them end, let them die before they grow weary of every dance and song. Do you give me all that I ask? Do you give me death?’

“‘All, my beloved!’ cried Erris, consumed by passion.

“The Nameless threw off her disguise and spread her raven black wings before Erris. ‘You have granted me the domain of death, All-Singer and father of life,’ she sang triumphantly. ‘You have made me the darkness to your light, your eternal rival! Let the new lives end when I call them to me. You shall watch every life fail and fall into black nothingness and remember that to which you condemned me!’

“Erris All-Singer was filled with rage at the Nameless for her trick. With a single word from the god’s lips, the Nameless’ wings fell away to ashes, leaving her naked and shivering, bound forever to the earth. But the Singer could not take back the promise he had given her, the dominion of death. As Erris wept, the Nameless fled, running as a low beast upon bare feet.

“Erris called Aes and Anslin to him and confessed his terrible deed. ‘I have been tricked. I cannot bear to create life only to let your Nameless sister take that life away. I will give our new children death, for I must do as I have sworn. But I will give them power, too, a gift I have not even granted you.’

“‘You have given us power, beauty and strength,’ said Aes to her husband. ‘What other power can you give to your creations?’

“‘I will give them what only I have ever known, the power to create life. New life, born of love. Perhaps by the gift of life, they will forgive death…’”