"As heads held high, graciously ask Lady Ciel to share a story to inspire us further. Lady?"
Ciel Sauveterre bows and greets the gathering, "Hello, my dear friends!"
"This sun's Celebration is one which I hold especially close to my heart for Oschon is mine own patron, and following the Wanderer's path has more than once saved me from the despair which comes from remaining too long in one place. Life itself is a pilgrimage, discovery, and wandering - albeit sometimes blindly. Â We needn't always know where we are going just so long as we keep moving."
Ciel pauses for a few seconds to reflect, and then continues with the actual story.
"'Tis said that not all who wander are lost, and such is true of M'lord Oschon. Â Though seldom would He stay in one place for very long, as the wind, He knew at all times exactly where He was, where He was going, and that whenever He arrived at His next destination He would get there precisely on time."
"Many an adventurer has been inspired to take to the road simply at His nod, though their paths ever diverge and take them elsewhere with or without His direction, and the road can still be a terribly lonely place for anyone."
"Sweet Menphina did Her utmost to keep Oschon company o'er the long nights and gave to Him the light of Her silver torch along the darkest paths, though this was something She could not do come dawn when She would have to take Her rest."
"She longed to do something more to keep Him company for there are always beasts which roam beneath the light of day, just as there are at night and so it was at these times, when He went on without Her that She worried for Him the most. Â She had yet to find a suitable gift in kind for the gentle stars He had crafted from Her lonely tears to keep her company in His own absence."
"Menphina pondered what to do until She could ponder no more and so She went to the only other one who knew Oschon best, His dear friend Halone within whose crystalline halls He would rest whenever He traveled north, and She asked of the Fury for ideas."
"Now, Halone being Halone, what else would She suggest but both a shield and a weapon? Â Menphina thought this strange at first, for She knew full well Oschon already carried plenty with His walking stick and the yew bow at His back, but these were no ordinary shield and weapon being offered as Menphina soon came to realize."
"Halone held forth a single nugget of purest gold and dropped it to the gleaming white floor of the hall. Â From this small piece sprung forth a new form, that of a gigantic lion with a shining coat of the same gold and eyes which shone with the light of Menphina's own companion stars."
"'Behold,' spoke Halone, 'For here have I given thee that which is both shield and weapon sacred, for his coat taketh neither arrow nor blade and his claws and fangs pierceth the strongest of armors. Â 'Neath the light of the sun, dear Oschon's company shall he keepeth, and by thine own feet doth he lie come dusk.'"
"Menphina stood in awe of the great golden lion and, elated by such immense generosity, quickly thanked Halone and departed with the beast by Her side. Â Dusk was soon to arrive and, with it, Her time with Her beloved."
"She soon found Oschon upon His path and took His hand, into which She pressed the same lump of gold Halone had presented before. Â He smiled to Her and asked, 'What hast thou brought me, my beloved?'"
"Curiously did He stare at the gold in His palm, uncertain of its meaning until it leapt away on its own and took on the form of the golden lion. Â He was surprised at first, and yet unafraid, and he lifted a hand to rest on the lion's mane."
"'As thou hast driven loneliness from me with mine own tears,' said Menphina, 'So too have I brought both companion and protector to shield thee from thine own loneliness, and from thine enemies when I cannot be as guide for thee.'"
"Oschon was speechless. Â As a Wanderer, He had kept little for Himself to avoid weighing Himself down and this gift was as powerful in His eyes as it was born of a tender thought in Her heart. Before Him, the lion was calm and gentle as a lamb, but He had no doubts as to its might."
"'My dearest, sweetest light," He said as he gazed into Her eyes, "'Long have I wandered content with thee through dark of night, and alone 'neath the sun do I guide those whose eyes longeth yet for the whole world. Â They that walk the path are ever mine companions, but there is and ever shall be a place for this lion, if not with me. Â For, thou must see, one such as he wouldst surely frighten away they that would follow mine footsteps.'"
"Menphina's heart sank, but She knew He was right, and a kiss placed on the back of Her hand chased away any hint of sorrow."
"'Come,' He said, 'Long hast it been since last I took rest in mine palace. Â Come with me, and there shall we find a place for the beast.'"
"And so they retreated to the floating city that was Nym, and there the lion would remain to guard all those who would dwell there. Â Over long ages, the Nymian Lion would become as a shield and weapon to mages and scholars alike, just as the ancient tomes and tablets discovered in recent cycles spoke of companion faeries and powerful magicks."
"In time, with the loss of Nym and her people these tales fell silent and became but shadows of memories. Â And yet, sometimes, if one stands over the misty valley of the floating ruins, beneath clearest sky and fullest moon, one may hear the distant call of the great beast awaiting the return of its masters."
Ciel finishes her story and bows.
"Thank you, everyone. Â Pray enjoy the rest of the Celebration."