The Fate of the Garden

[Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi]

[Much like the lengthy poem that preceded it, handwritten copies of this lengthy poem find their way onto the shelves of libraries and bookstores. Once again, a few copies are left with an herbalist beyond the Well, to give guidance and inspiration to the Kulamet. Other drafts with occasional odd notes are found in farther-removed and secret places.]

The Fate of the Garden

Sister Amélie of the Sisterhood of the Sibylline Vine
Speaker for Kula

Maribeh 1, IY 7787

Third Edition

Verses One to Four: Life is made by B'aara, and the Demon, Pra'raj, fails to slay it before the Wyld sees it grow. Then, B'aara's works. Then, Kula's works. Then, the Martyrs' works.

In ancient days, of distant lore;
No verdant green was seen before;
B'aara the Mother, sought without;
And wept Her tears to Life devout;
In barren lands, these waters flowed;
Edutu marked its canyon road;
From sorrow, holy, light of Life;
Though balanced on the edge of knife;
For angry Demon cast His gaze;
To burn away the seed in strife;
The Wheel to meet His evil blaze.

With body wracked by bitter pains;
B'aara kept safe the growing strains;
And Life in all its myriad forms;
She gave anon to meet the storms.

For Kula, Wyld, did relieve;
The Mother from her music's breve;
With guiding hand and bidden thanks;
She lead them from Edutu's banks.

But recognizing newfound fate;
The Martyrs stood, repose ornate;
Commanding cycle then to be;
From Life, to Death, in grave degree.

[Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi]

Verses Five to Eight:  The Garden grows through all the expanse of the Great Desert, Kula meets Warad and challenges Him. Then, Warad's works. Then, Izdu's works. Then, the Sabotage's works.

For then did Kula far and wide;
Sow verdant growth on paths beside;
But found pursuit upon Her path;
Turned She to face with Garden's wrath;
The hooded form that matched Her stride;
But stayed Her blow and spoke, empath:
"What here are you, O Cowled One;
Who walks these virgin sands with me;
That n'er before have tales been spun;
Of Life and Wyld's ways shall be;
Forever known as Bel-Ishun."

And answering the fierce demand;
The Wand'rer spoke without command;
He stated plain that She would know;
Warad, His name, Her paths to grow.

O'er years made green were all the ways;
And sages asked of Her in praise;
By Izdu's hand, the Ashfolk, taught;
Of treasured, verdant knowledge caught.

But paths they carved to verdant groves;
Were not for mortals, all in droves;
So Sabotage did shine false light;
And hid from them most potent sight.

[Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi]

Verses Nine to Twelve: The Garden is cursed by Pra'raj and much of what it was becomes the Great Desert. Then, the Wyrm's works. Then, Agaslakku's works. Then, Urrazir's works.

But heed, O Pilgrim, not in vain;
Pra'raj does malice Wheel's refrain:
"Attend this world of goodly folk;
My scorching gaze shall soon upturn;
No B'aarat waters now shall cloak;
Ambition's rot shall see them spurn;
The Wheel with blasphemies invoke; 
Devour'd in blood, and strife to churn";
And pressing down in dire heat;
The Demon offered but deceit;
Though blazing light was bound to Ring;
The verdant land felt Thirst's new sting.

Not then to be outdone by Sun;
Of midnight clad, the Wyrm was glad;
In hastening the Garden's fall;
Reply to noble groves in squall.

But rising then the sturdy Wheel;
Would bear up axe with burnished zeal;
And hew the great and monstrous Wyrm;
Afore the End, the Soldier firm.

And through the many centuries;
The Foes saw their advantage seized;
For Wroth had bidden them to fates:
To pass never the Ring'd gates.

[Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi]

Verse Thirteen, the Last:  Kula teaches the wounded Garden to adapt, that it might defend itself, and swears vengeance upon the Enemy.

Aghast, the Wyld, in verdant speech;
Encamped upon the desert vast;
The wounded land sought She to teach;
Her Fury cast through godly eyes;
"Foes' victory is in the past;
Though changed you are, with thorns' disguise;
And those of Me take up the the sword;
My Garden, desert, shall arise";
Foretold: In action, Truth applied;
The Pilgrim's Gift shall reach the world;
The New we greet anon in stride.

[Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi]

[A second edition of this work is published and appears where the first edition was previously available.]

// The original is still available in game via notes. //