Time Keeping (November 3009) [Open]

Singing down the street he went, Faelon walked the cobbles of the sixth level, a small girl upon his shoulders, and a boy running ahead of him in the cool air. Faelon sung to entertain them, making dramatics as he went. He was on his way to the stables, though it was his day off duty, he needed to check upon the horses and the stablelads. He never really had a day off, for the one in charge must always keep watch over his charges, and Faeldor lived for his work, though more and more often of late he grew wearied of the constant demand. For all to run smoothly, one must give instruction. It was not a difficult task though, merely a time keeping one, and his brother and sister enjoyed seeing the horses. Perhaps he would take them to visit the young colts of the past spring. They would enjoy seeing them; especially his sister. He began a new song as he walked:

“The lark now leaves his watery nest,
And climbing, shakes his dewy wings;
He takes this window for the east,
And to implore your light, he sings,
Awake, awake, the morn will never rise,
Till she can dress her beauty at your eyes…”

Faeldor reached up and flipped the girl down over his shoulder, now carrying her in both arms to the side. “It won’t be too long and you’ll be too big to ride atop me,” he said. “Perhaps I need to get you your own horse, before you outgrow playing horse with me.” Faeldor laughed, for his sister was bright eyed this morning, giggling at his own comments.

“Fael, finish the song,” she asked quietly, laughing to herself. She enjoyed her brother’s singing, and his attention, for it was not everyday that she had a chance to venture with him outside of their home. And she knew this song well, for Faeldor was often singing her songs; of princes and faeries, and adventures and lovers, and firey dragons breath! And perhaps he spoiled her a bit, for the affection he gave her. He kissed the girl's cheek, and continued on, as they approached the stables. His brother had already entered, though he knew the boy would not cause trouble among his brother’s work. Faelon knew better than that.

“The merchant bows unto the seaman's star,
The ploughman from the sun his season takes;
But still the lover wonders what they are,
Who look for day before his mistress wakes…”

As he came to enter, Faeldor finished the end of the song, singing more quietly now, for not to disturb the others who may be at work, and even so not to embarrass himself. He must seem a strange, carrying about an eight-year-old, and singing a courting song to her. But Haliel did not care what he sang, as long as he sang a song to her.

“Awake, awake, break through your veils of lawn,
Then draw your curtains, and begin the dawn.”



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_{*poem by Sir William Davenant, 1600s}