The Song of Ceber
Argument: Ceber meets with Therdy to commission Fyrness's poem, but Therdy overtaken by lustful desire for the warrior hawkwasp cannot find inspiration. Instead he turns to the Clockwork Goddess Takara asking her to grant him Ceber. The goddess replies.
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Therdy
While Fyrness drew her plans on the conquered
Ceber came to Therdy and spoke,
“The Queen desires a song of victory
To make the gods proud of her actions here.”
Song-headed Therdy, defender of traditions
Had a mind to flattery, his words; his arrows,
Took aim amazing to animate Ceber.
“Fyrness desires but does not deserve!
Who won the battle? Who won the war?
Only club-feelered black Ceber,
Ceber tarantula slayer. Ceber orange-wing!
Who fought Apse and who flew away?
The Queen left you with the work.”
Honest Ceber, shocked said,
“Hush you. Who gives guidance?
Who led us to Valayis and water?
I did not. I couldn't have.
For her honor write!”
Therdy started, but no weavers moved his heart.
Thought he, “Ceber will be mine.”
For he desired her.
Elsalay comes suddenly on those with weak wills.
Offering meats to Takara
He in hubris said this to her:
“Goddess of Gears, I desire
An enemy of yours. She killed
steady-handed wise Apse
Who wore your banner with pride.
Give her over to me and in Elsalay’s grasp
I will ruin her for her favorite work.”
And the goddess spoke:
“For long I have watched as my brother has gained
power among the People, claiming for himself the privilege
of battle and strong wasps of the shield, yet
I have brought more cities of man and elf
down and fed their armies into my fires. Lands
depopulated, acres spoiled, legions of the helpless and bleeding
offering up supplication to any and all who will
listen, blind, unable to tell kin from killers, all
at my command. You will do this thing. Spoil
Terite’s bright child. When her wasplet goes unclaimed and
left a bastard, she will cease being Honest Ceber
and become Whore Ceber . Her fighting spirit will
vanish and I will claim her in the desert
as my own when all society has rejected her
and she cannot stand her own smell.”
His heart firmed against kindness
Therdy, god-cursed though he knew it not,
Drew his plans on guiltless, honest Ceber.
The Song of Ceber
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