A Moment of Listless Piece

Life had been quiet for the family. Little word had come to them from their kin to the north, and business as usual kept them far too busy far too often.

Catrysa sat on her sofa, and peered out of the window into the grasslands of her home. Overhead, she could just make out the rhythmic slaps of course linen banners and pennants that flapped in the winds, clutching their poles that extended from the tops of the turrets and guard posts of the manor's stone wall. A sigh excaped her lips, and she looked back down at the flat board on her knees. The thick white vellum was still blank. She knew the sooner she got the pictures done, the sooner all her plans would be seen to, for the financers need their pretty little colored pictures, and yet each time she began to start on it, her mind would blank - filled with too many thoughts for it to settle on just one.

For the upteenth time, Catrysa slid the drawing pad away, up onto a shelf near by, and scooped up her journal. She flipped through its many pages, words and drawings penned long ago on its yellowing pages. She smiled as she ran a finger down the image of a tunic, the scralled name of her knight-trainer at the bottom of the page. She paused her musings, eyes trailing to her long, artfully kept nails, only to have her gaze drift up and away, to her viola and violin, each perched lovingly on shelves amid the various tomes she had collected over the years. Only the daily cleaning from the house's maids kept them from showing the dust that forms from lack of use. Catry's smile faded.

"You've been away from it all for too long, Catry," she chided herself softly, eyes returning to the still empty board. "But there are things that must be done first. If it works..." Her voice trailed off, her thoughts still too precious to be spoken aloud, even in the sanctity of her private rooms.

'At times like this, I wish I could capture all my memories before they flutter away on an arrant breeze.'

Stand Strong, song 2004.

(need a melody)

Nothing but a shield and sword
A simple peasant boy came by
To a land of blistering heat and summer skies
And there he stood his ground
Stand Strong - The Silver Spire.

Nothing but a shield and sword
More people came and wandered by
To his land; blistering heat and cloudless skies
With him they stood their ground
Stand Strong - The Silver Spire.

Nothing but a shield and sword
We fought the dark that came on by
To our land of blistering heat and stormy skies
We fought to stand our ground
Stand Strong - Our Silver Spire.

Nothing but a shield and sword
Light refused to say "Goodbye"
To this land of blistering heat and starry skies
And there we stood our ground
Stand Strong - Our Silver Spire.

Nothing but a shield and sword
Another year has past us by
In this land of blistering heat and summer skies
And forever stand our ground
Stand Strong - The Silver Spire.

Love Song Medley

Love Song Medley from Moulin Rouge
Episode One : Attack of the Diamond Dogs
A filk, by Dalan Trakand.

Sung by:
Ewan "Obi Wan Kanoli" McGregor
Nicole "Force Sensative" Kidman

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spoken:
The Force is a a many splendid thing. Wha-?
The Force lifts us up where we belong.
All we need is the Force.
Please, don't start that again.

(sung)All we need is the Force.
(spoken)A girl has got to eat.
(sung)All we need is the Force.
(spoken)She'll end up on the street!
(sung)All you need is the Force!
(sung)The Force is just a game.

I was made for teaching you, baby.
You were made to learn from me.

The only way of teaching me, baby,
Is to pay a lovely fee...

Just one night! Give me just one night!

There's no way, cause you can't pay!

In the name of the Force,
One night in the name of the Force!

You crazy fool,
I won't give into you.

Don't...(motions the Jedi Mind Trick) leave me this way.
We can't survive without the sweet Force.
Oh, baby. (motions again) Don't leave me this way.

(quirks brow at hand motion) Some people want to fill my mind with Jedi Mind Tricks.
(Jedi realizes his been caught!) Well, I look around... and I see (motion again) that isn't so.
(stifles a laugh) Some people just won't give up trying Jedi Mind Tricks.

(grins sheepishly) Well, what's wrong with that? I'd like to know.
Cause here we go again!! (motions repeatedly)
The Force will lift us up where we belong.
On a mountain high, where the Eagles fly.

The Force makes you act like you're a fool.
Throw your life away, for some hapless babe...

(interrupts) We could be Heroes!!
Just for one day.

You, you will turn Darth.
No! I won't.
... and I.... I'll have to fight you.

You should be my Pedawon!
I can't do that.

You should be my Pedawon,
And that's a fact.

Even though there's nothing
To keep us together.

I could teach you
How to build a light saber.

BOTH:
And we could be heroes
Forever and ever!

Once I teach you
How to build to a light saber.

Just because I-ee-I
Will always train yoooo-oooo-oou
I will always train you!

We're gonna be bad for the Republic...
...I can tell.

>.<' No more cookies before bedtime.

Once Upon a Time, Song 2004.

Once Upon a Time
words and melody by: Catrysa Trakand
with much loving help and support from: Dalan Trakand


Tell me again how with you I'll touch the sky.
Tell me again how in dreams you make me fly.
Tell me again how it is I make you feel.
And tell me how can this be real.

I know I need to hear you say,
but the words just got in the way.
It's the only thing I fear;
The only thing I don't want to hear:
You and I,
Were merely....
...Once upon a time.

'I love you.'

Letters from a Friend

From:"anastacia_lightlock"
Date: Sun Sep 26, 2004 10:51 am
Subject: Penned

The weary barroness sat at her desk late at night with the candle
dripping slowly beside her. The frangrance of white roses surrounded
her as they did her room. The light flicker a tad. She rose her
hand over the gem to her left. Instantly one of her many servants
appeared out of nowhere. "Yes, please prepare my bed as I will need
my rest after I'm done here and send for a messenger after you have
completed your task." It seemed that the little things still took a
lot out of her and she knew that the travel she had done had not been
kind to her health. Death can do that to a person.

Anyway, the deed at hand. She picked up the pen and delicately began
the dance onto the parchment.

"To the Lady of House Trakand:

I have meant to write to you sooner but alas, I tend to feel a
little weak these days. First business I would like to address is my
thanks to you for returning me to my husband and quite honestly
helping return to the living. Death is never becoming to anyone but
from my understanding, you made it a more bearable experience.

I would also like to extend some gratitude to some of the other
members of your household. I recently made a trip with my husband up
to the City-State of Drandmir, my old residence to see the knighting
of our dear friend Kelsar. My health still hasn't been completely
returned to me. Keject who I believe is a member of your household
never let it pass his attention to make sure I was more comfortable.
And Cairun kept me in stitches with laughter and laughter sometimes
can be the best medicine. Therefore I would like to extend this
appreciation for everything your household has done for me although I
truly do not think words could be enough.

In your service,
Baroness Anastacia Lightlock
House Hollowfist"

Stacia hand barely was able to move the pen away before just dropping
completely. She felt like she really had no control. The messenger
appeared in the doorway. The servant girl came to Baroness
Lightlock's side and helped her up. "Yes I need you to deliver this
to Trakand Manor. There is no rush to do it tonight as I know it is
late but please do it first thing in the morning." Without a word
the messenger bowed and vanished with the letter. The servant aided
Anastacia to the bed.

Ongoing Writing: Where the Arrow Flies

Where the Arrow Flies
by: Catrysa Trakand

The sun rose over the palace aides. A lazy guard stretched and yawned.

"I hate third watch," a guardsman commented, rubbing a ruddy fist into his eyes.

A sword's length away, another guard sighed, "Well, it's almost over." He rolled his shoulder, "The weather's changing."

The was a laugh, "Good old gramps. A better weather vain you never will find." The rest of the wall-guard laughed, while below their long sought after replacements moved out from the castle barracks.

********************************************************************

Rachel Ardent, a young soldier of sixteen, walked with the Dawn's Guard, as she had called them since she was old enough to walk into site of the castle on her own. Her father had been a guard. And his father, and his father. But she was the first woman in her family to become a guard. Not that a guardswoman was anything special, but her family was a bit backwards in that respect. A soft smile, and she begun the climb to the top of the palasaide. 'Today, like everyday. As exciting as the first,' she repeated silently to herself, like a morning prayer.

"Hey, Ardent," a gruff voice called out. An older guardsman, grey beginning to pepper into his hair of thick black locks, his face a sun-weathered red-brown, grinned at her. "You got a rain coat?"

Rachel chuckled softly, remembering his name, "You think I'm going to need it, Melendez?" She stepped to his side, a lean frame towering a full head over his stockier form.

He looked up and winked. "I don't, but Gramps does. Complaining about that shoulder again."

"Oh is he," Rachel replies questioningly chuckling. Thumbing over her shoulder and back toward the barracks adding with a coy grin, "Then sounds like I should head back to my bunk and grab my coat!"

Ongoing Writing: War of Hearts

‘War of Hearts, Part One’
by Catrysa Trakand
Tourney Date: June 14, 2003 – Silver Spire MidReign

Crats: Edana Delaney of Hollowfist and Sage Dragoria
Note: The original was written by hand. In typing it to electronic format, some names have been reworked, grammar and spelling corrected, and details changed to better fit the flow of the story.

Memories drift past my eyes
Of light and dark
Of joy and sorrow...

A scream pierced the silence of the dawn, a sharp shrill cry. It sang of heartache and stopped as suddenly as it began.
Liana bolted upright in her bed, shaking off the haze of dreams that clung, still, to her mind like a frightened child. Her heart racing, she glanced down at the sleeping face of her daughter; the only living link to her husband, dead these six years past.
Shaken and unable to fall back asleep, Liana rose quietly, and stole down to her living chamber, brushing back her sleep mussed hair.
‘Silly,’ she mused to herself, the cool water she splashed on her face refreshing, ‘It’s just a stupid dream. It doesn’t mean anything.’

---

“Enter,” a deep voice rang from inside the command tent. A young page, hardly more that two hands of years, peeked gingerly into the lantern lit interior. “Set your message on the table and see Cook about a meal.”
The camp commander sat behind his desk. A tall man, his hard eyes never once left the maps spread out before him until after the page’s departure. Steel colored eyes regarded the wood and leather scroll case for long moments, before his sword-calloused hands took it up. He turned it over a few times then broke the wax seal. A yellowed parchment slid into view.

Lord General Treven,
It does my heart good to know your men are in good spirits. The siege on El’emor is complete; the Ruling Lord surrendered. Take Redmond Castle before the end of Lithia Night’s Festival. My forces, the ones not holding El’emor Palace, are camped at Bilberry Bridge. We will march on Redmond in two fort nights. I will meet you at the palisade wall before the new year.
High Priest Savit’ha.

‘Redmond Castle,’ Treven sighed, setting the letter alight with the small flame of a nearby candle. ‘We’ll have to raze the village New Crown to get there in time.’ He pursed his lips, eyes narrowed, ‘A reprovisioning, then.’

---

Midday rapidly approached. It was the worst time of day, as far as Liana was concerned. She paused in her work, and looked about the lazy field of grain. She was the first to notice the odd shadow on the horizon; a shadow drawing nearer with each breath.
“Crelad,” she called, a hand over her eyes. “Do you see that?”
Crelad, a man of some two and half pairs of hands stood and moved to Liana’s side. He too drew a hand over his eyes, and studies the horizon a moment. He frowned, “I don’t know. Let’s go to the watch tower.”
A nod, and Liana set down her hoe to follow him to the village’s only means of defense: the watch tower.

---

“Can you tell what it is,” Liana asked, worriedly peering over the Militia Captain’s shoulder.
“It looks like a... like a... mod,” the captain replied, trying to bring the shadow into focus. “There’s quite a large number of them. Wait, some are holding banners.” Stunned, the captain stops, bringing the spyglass from his eyes. Liana opened her mouth to ask, but the captain breathed, “It’s an army.”

---

“Mama! Mama, I’m scared,” Tulle’s cries broke into Liana fear-numbed heart as she pushed her child toward the village’s matron.
“Don’t be. Everything will be alright, Tulle,” Liana lied, trying on a brave face and finding it an ill-fit. Lacking gazes with the matron, Liana said not a word; the matron knew. She nodded and replied, “Of course, Liana. God keep you safe until next we met.”
Liana turned her face as her daughter was led away. One look, she knew, and her resolve would crumble to the fear she felt choking her. She turned and strode to the locked chest; the chest that once belonged to her husband.

---

“How should we attack, General,” asked a young corporal, sitting fancy in his saddle. Dark hair swept back over his broad shoulders, Treven could only eye the lad with disgust.
He snorted a response, an irritated sneer breaking his stormy expression, “It’s a village, Corporal. A farming village. March in and seize the church. If they fight, burn everything.”


Memories drift past my eyes
Of light and dark
Of joy and sorrow
And I can’t, but close my eyes
To the tears
Of joy and sorrow...

Ongoing Writing: Healing Trials

**A note about this work: This is a work in progress. It only gets typed on every so often if at all. One day, the full story will be told, and then taking down for publishing and submission to the Kingdom's History Books. Until then, enjoy.**

(9/10/2003):
T'Quenyshaa had never done anything spectacular. A young elfess, she travelled to Silver Spire to study at the academy. She hadn't her family's way with trees and the creatures of her woodland home. She was rather bland and unamazing, as far as elves go, even when compared to humans. Especially when compared to humans.

Daily, T'Quenyshaa found herself awestruck by the speed at which her human classmates learned.

"Really, T.Q! It's not all that difficult," her lab partner said, his voice exaperated. They had been working on measuring out an herbal tea to help a young child sleep through a battle with the pox.

T'Quenyshaa frowned, her fine brows drawing toward the fine bridge of her nose, while her lower lip stuck out in a tiny pout. She stared at the dried leaves and powered roots on the table before her. 'If only they were alive,' she mused to herself. 'They just don't smell right like this.'

"Hey! Are you paying attention?"

Startled from her thoughts, the young elfess looked up at her lab partner. 'Trevyn,' she reminded herself, before her breath caught in her throat. Trevyn was nearly glowering at her.

"You're the worst lab partner I've ever had," he stated rudely before turning away to mix his tea to present to the professor.

T'Quenyshaa blinked a few times, unnerved by Trevyn's outbrust. 'Human emotions are so strong,' she whimpered silently, her eyes once again returning to the lab instructions they had been given, and the ingredients the professor had provided. 'Which one is the ground willowbark?'

Tell Me Again, Song 2002.

Tell Me Again
By: Catrysa Trakand
Unique Melody

Sitting on the edge and thinking,
Would you catch me if I fall?
And if I threw myself,
Would you still reach out for me?

I used sit and cry, all by myself,
But now you've sat down by me,
You give me strength...

REFRAIN:
Tell me again, how you'll never leave my side,
And tell me again, how with you I'll touch sky.
.....

The Sad Knight, Filk 2001.

The Sad Knight

by Catrysa Trakand
To the Tune of "Baa Baa Black Sheep"

Sad Knight
Sad Knight
What happened to your heart?
Torn, ma'am
Torn, ma'am
Torn and ripped apart

Torn by my mistress
Torn by my king
Torn by the little boy who just defaced my name

Sad Knight
Sad Knight
Why now do you cry?
Evil
Evil
Has cause my king to lie

He lied to his mistress
He lied to his court
He lied to the little boy next in line to him

Sad Knight
Sad Knight
What now will you do?
Quest, ma'am
Quest, ma'am
For a staff of crystal blue

A touch to his forehead
A touch to his heart
This will release him from the evil spell

Sad Knight
Sad Knight
What have you in your hand?
The staff, ma'am
The staff, ma'am
This staff will cure the land.

A touch to his forehead
A touch to his heart
A touch of a smile to his tired face

Sad Knight
Sad Knight
Why cry now, Sir Knight?
Evil
Evil
Has now fled from our sight

The Christmas Quest, Poem 1999.

The Christmas Quest
By: Catrysa Quintopar Trakand

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Realm
There stood in the clearing one lonely elm

The stockings were hung from the mantles with care
The elm tree's druid had blooms in his hair

The populace was sleeping all snug in their beds
While visions of tourneys danced in their heads

When deep in the forest there arose such a clatter
The people all ran to see what was the matter

"Whoa Dasher! Whoa Dancer! Whoa Prancer and Vixen!
Stop there Comet, and Cupid, and Donner, and Blitzen!

Down there to the clearing, my faithful reindeer
I promised the missus an elm tree this year!"

He hopped from his sleigh and dug through his sack
And produced a wood axe which he strapped to his back

Out from the clearing the druid did shout
"Help everyone! There's a woodsman about!"

And so, with a cry, Silver Spire did charge
And rushed to aid the druid with the fat man at large...

To each separate base, the teams' steps did fall,
And when each team yelled, 'Ready,' the reeve made his call

With timing so perfect, like King's Knight takes Pawn
The reeve raised his hand to call out, "LAY ON!"

To the shouts of, "BA HUMBUG," the troops there were rallied
Sir Rue called for the surrender, which Santa did not heed

As the battle begun, Santa rubbed his hands with glee,
"No thanks, Your Majesty, I want that tree!"

Santa was generous with his sack of toys
Which he gave to all the young Silver Spire boys

To one young barbarian, new to the field
Santa gave a brand new axe from him to wield

Then to the centaur with orange fletched arrows
A new hackey sack that he can kick with his toes

Try as he might even Augustus did fall
And Santa gifted him with a shiny new ball

To Pendragon and Orin, a gift they could share
How sweetly they did cuddle their new teddy bear

Sir Rue was a good boy, an exemplary knight,
Santa made sure Rue's stocking was filled all right!

But to the druid, Santa did say,
"I just want one tree. Stay out of my way!

I made my great list, and I read through it twice,
But I found out you're naughty, you're not very nice!"

With a flash of cold anger, Santa then tried
To fill the druid's stocking, Lo, Santa cried,

"Blast you, silly tree-huggers, you could never be right,
Why don't you have a stocking tonight?"

"To keep you from filling it with coal," he replied
Then caused the great Santa with roots to be tied

Not five minutes later, after Santa was freed
There came cross the field the scent of cookies and mead

The young brave barbarian, new axe in his hand
Left a plate of cookies for Santa on the sand

Back and forth, the battle did sway
'Till Silver Spire drove him back to his sleigh

Heaving a sigh, with his elves all in flight,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"