A. Lee S.• Show poetry

"Sharpen your pencil purposefully... lead proved itself lethal far before you chose a page to tarnish."


That said....


“Twelve sons I will have!” he boasted. “It has been forecast within the Twin Trees. I saw twelve boys with each embracing me as their father though… in my mind’s eye I walked more in spirit than flesh.” Ossimer’s voice fell quieter with a tone more grave.

“The twelve grew, through many hardships, rising quickly as men and great was their adversity. Darkness rose from shadow as a plague to the heart; massive trees were hewn from the insight out and horrid winged beasts threw fire from the air until finally we gathered to stand as one and together we conquered the evil hoard that had amassed to depose our kind.”

Ossimer’s voice grew softer still. “Strangely, amidst the success of our campaign I began to further fade until, even in my dream, I hung but a whisper on the wind. My sons separated in search of me and soon it became apparent that the further they parted from one another, the more readily they perceived my spirit and guidance once again.” Ossimer paused, deep in thought but only for a moment.

“So it became decided that they should divide company and, each taking a vast sum of sacred timber with them, they went each unto their separate ways— and I followed then unto twelve distinct kingdoms. They were all so very different. Two framed a long peninsula, each an acting half of a colossal matching gateway. Three built giant vessels of the timber they were allotted and, once surrounded by water, they moved with the wind. Two others became tangled within the thickest of forests; one dangling from the topmost crowns of gentle, swaying giants; the other protected by a ever-darkening veil seemingly comprised of trees that grew wholly of shadow.

“Two other realms were cavernous. The first of these heralded a series of quiet pools that diminished in size and each bathed by shimmers cast from its cathedral crystal ceilings. The other cavernous dwelling lay modest in comparison; comprised of sandstone and only the vaguest of adornments and yet it struck no less hospitably as echoing throughout its numerous tunnels and chambers a most tranquil melody trickled like a river.

“Yet another kingdom ascended out of pristine desert sands. There was something different about this one. Appearing as a stronghold unbreachable, it boasted massive towers, hundreds of horses and the dead, decaying stump of a long forgotten tree. It was the tree that intrigued me for within it the essence of one of my son’s did seem to lie— though beyond that I could sense no more of him.

“Another realm, built of marble and granite, protruded as a castle from the broad base of a towering mountain range from which giant fledgling black birds glared from nests to mar the purity of its snow-capped peaks. The last kingdom proved most difficult to envision for it wandered with my imagination and hid no less often than Sol, our sun. Following water, chasing the moons, their dominion swept up all the grasslands for theirs was a territory that ran as the plains.” Ossimer was silent for a time though soon a smile did trump his creasings of face.

“I don’t pretend to understand these things that I saw— save one, for the truth of it alone stands clear in my heart. I will have twelve sons— twelve— beautiful and brave! Twelve— can you imagine it— twelve!”

To better commemorate his prophecy though perhaps solely of pride, Ossimer began the custom of threading small pebbles to hang from his ear with each new child Ktaryn bore; a practice adopted by many others as well, especially those Mekhali in kind. More than ritual they became quite the rage. While the men saw this as a way to glorify their own virility contrarily the women simply liked the way the beads danced beneath their lobes while the men toiled and sweat. Besides individual pet names such as my brood or the hatchlings, the strands on a whole were granted no title thus, upon beaded inquiries, one would point at specific beads before proceeding to holler as if calling for his children. No less comical, amongst the largest Mekhali broods a father could often been seen stroking an ear lobe in earnest whilst trying to decipher if a family member might possibly be absent.

Returning to Areth’s sudden outbreak of pair-bonding, it must be noted that the ways of Kessl courtship are not easily apparent. It came as a persistent thought or yearning; an inexplicable hunch or undeniable clairvoyance that someone was thinking of you. Experience any of the forementioned symptoms and it may very well be that you had gained the attention of a secret Kesslean admirer. Though upon their own planet it commonly took years for couples to admit the merest hint of an intended courtship, Raeben, with the guidance of Tarot, had taken measures to cure them of their inherent shyness. Even still they preferred to shroud all signs of fondness and thus oft times everyone, including Ossimer, was stunned by the admittance of a proclaimed Kessl match.

Gren was the first, boasting a Mekhali ancestry, to initiate a pair bond. Launching his repute for being exceptional, he married Tolana of predominately earthen descent. Immediately it became apparent that this was all the other Mekhali had been waiting for as, with the flood gates now thrown wide open, a strange wayward anarchy of the heart was loosed like a tsunami. Caught up in a racing tide of frothing lust and salty perspiration, the Mekhali wasted no time in overtaking the ensuing relationships and romances flitting and flirting about them.

In ways of affection the Mekhali were neither well-mannered nor courteous. There was shoving and there was pushing. There was grunting, groaning and a stampede of uncouth gestures. Well-aimed punches were doled out liberally and, occasionally, a scream of defiance— usually followed by an escape, a pursuit and then a most unceremonious tackle. These were the ways of Mekhali courtship and the other Firstborn were wise to concede a state of blind acceptance— while providing them ample room— primarily by fleeing.

Mekhali spawning rites aside, Gren and Tolana were not the only ones to pair bond from different ethnicities. Though congruent pairing was far more common there were many exceptions. Additionally, amongst the Firstborn of Areth there were many whose bloodlines, due to Mytya’s meddling, boasted of more than one specific origin. While a few stood plainly evident, others were concealed far too deep to even warrant speculation. Within this latter group there was also a select few who, still as yet, had not come to realize attributes and talents lurking dormant within them.

As more and more pair bonds became evident more and more Secondborn children sprouted forth and the spiders of Mari Mari were busy, busy indeed. Wrought amongst this influx of new offspring was even greater diversity as origins, appearances, character traits, gifts and talents became increasingly blended. The original Firstborn then became referred to as Elderkin or more formally, the Firstborn Elders.

(blah, blah, blah.... to seemingly infinity)