To Serve the Light (Part 1)

It was the Boomstick's song contest, and they sat at a table together, listening. Some were some moving songs, some were funny songs - all offered by brave souls willing to stand on the stage and sing before the gathered throng. Then it was her turn to share a song - or rather, chant, as her singing voice was (as her father had always teased) enough to make dogs and small bairns howl in pain.

It was a battle chant. A warrior's chant. One taught to her during her training days.
_____

Feeling your anger, feeding my hate
hurt, anger, raging; the pain to abate
vengeance a hunger, never to sate
already too late
already too late

How many the tears one person must cry
anguish and heartache, 'til rivers run dry
How many the wounds one person must try
to wither within as heart starts to die

Feeling your hatred, feeding my pain
over and over; endless refrain
angry words linger, driving insane
just more of the same
just more of the same

How many the times on person must try
reach out from within, clenched first to black eye
How many the scars one person must hide
don't bother to speak, it's all just a lie

Freeing the anger, freeing the rage
leave behind heartache; compassion uncage
forgetting the past, coming of age
just turning the page
just turning the page

So many the times one person must try
falling, still striving, pain slowly subsides
So many the scars one person defies
reach out from within; your heart soars the skies.
_____

"Sir Bernhardt was teachin me tha' chant," she told Skalagrim afterwards as they sat together drinking. She grinned softly at the memory of those days. "He made me chant it in time ta me axe strokes. In th' rain. An' pernounced perfectly, in tha' blasted human speak, too. Ach, 'twas a sore trial, that!"

"I dinnae know yer training was so harsh!" he exclaimed, looking awed.

Branny colored and laughed.

"Do ya still feel such hate an' rage in yer heart?" Skalagrim asked her softly after a moment.

The question surprised her. "Ach, nay lad. Nay," she answered with a rueful grin.

And she remembered how long it had taken, before she had understood the lesson of the song.