Inkheart
JUST LIKE FIRE, BURNING OUT THE WAY
IF I CAN LIGHT THE WORLD UP FOR
JUST ONE DAY WATCH THIS MADNESS
COLORFUL CHARADE NO ONE CAN
BE JUST LIKE ME ANYWAY
IF I CAN LIGHT THE WORLD UP FOR
JUST ONE DAY WATCH THIS MADNESS
COLORFUL CHARADE NO ONE CAN
BE JUST LIKE ME ANYWAY
She watches the gathering in silence, those that approach, the ones that speak. Maxence doesn't take long to speak his piece in a booming voice. A welcoming, plus the naming of his court hierarchy. Avdotya, Seraphina, Torstein. None of these surprise her, not even when the king lists his champions. Bexley, Leviathan.... Inkheart. Again none of these names surprise her, including her own. After all, she's not even sure she's heard mention of other sages in the Day Court. Warrior after warrior, sure. Sages? She doesn't bother to glance around at the gathering. Though her face remains calm and stoic, she's smiling satisfactorily inside.
Maxence lists a whole bunch of rules, and she listens, making an effort to commit them all to memory. She's sure she will end up breaking one or more of them at some point, but in the meantime, she will toe the line. She glances around her, watching the reactions of the crowd. A couple of new faces have appeared, no one she recognizes from travels. Everyone seems to be exchanging glances, looking at each other. Idly the dark mare wonders what might be communicated in those glances, what those silent thoughts are.
Her sleek ears perk up as Maxence asks her to lead them all in prayer. She dips her crown, a purr rumbling through him. In her deep velvety voice she says, "Gladly, my King." She may not be 100% behind him every step of the way, but he still had her support, and she would play the loyal citizen. Inkheart moves toward the center of the dais, daring to step up next to, maybe a few inches in front of Maxence as she faces the crowd. She is the queen of the spiritual kingdom. The Friesian wonders what Maxence will have to say about her boldness, or if he will care at all. As she spoke, passion infused in her voice, she is careful to meet the eye of anyone who dares to lift their eyes to her. It's a kind gaze, but firm.
Thou risest! Thou shinest! the heavens are rolled aside!
Thou art the Greatest of Gods, thou art the All-comprising,
From thee we come, in thee are deified.
Thy priests go forth at dawn; they wash their hearts with laughter;
Divine winds move in music across thy golden strings.
At Sunset they embrace thee, as every cloudy rafter
Flames with reflected color from thy wings.
O Thou Perfect! Thou Eternal! Thou Only One!
Great Stallion that fliest with the flying Sun!
Between the Evergreen Pines that risest, young for ever,
Thine image flashing on the bright celestial river.
Thy rays are on all faces; Thou art inscrutable.
Age after age thy life renews its eager prime.
Time whirls its dust beneath thee; thou art immutable,
Maker of Joy, thyself beyond all Time.
Thou passest through the portals that close behind the night,
Gladdening the souls of them that lay in sorrow.
The True of Word, the Quiet Heart, arise to drink thy light;
Thou art To-day and Yesterday; Thou art To-morrow!
Homage to thee, O Solis, who wakest life from slumber!
Thou risest! Thou shinest! Thou radiant face appears!
Inkheart finishes the prayer, stands for a small moment of silence, then backs behind Maxence. Her gold eyes glimmer, her heart and spirit feeling full and alive.
