Canto Twenty Five ~ It is a time beyond the recall of common men.
The mighty race of men who call themselves Clovis have committed a crime of near unfathomable consequence. In a region of their land unperceived by those lesser men they have enslaved for thousands of years, the Clovis stand convicted by the Angel Host that made them.
Their crime was of such a cataclysmic nature that the parameters of punishment have been determined by the Creator Himself.
No longer willing to acknowledge a king, as equals they wait the month’s long debate of The Host.
The first judgment is Samwiel’s. Proclaiming his right as the Framer’s Heir, though no longer the Angel King, he who is also called the Morning Star condemns the Clovis to an eternity of service to those they subjugated. He offers as his only hope of reprieve a confession. Alluding that this judgment may be passed over, Samwiel demands they be told how it was the Clovis learned of what they stole and nearly destroyed.
However, without they be allowed to answer, the Angel King Mic~lak~lor rescinds the opportunity. The judgment though is passed. No more their King, still was Samwiel first and mightiest of The Host. The Curse of the Morning Star, although administered in ways he not originally intended, will leave the Clovis in subjugation to the people of Life’s Lurien for all time.
It is by the wisdom of Garbethrial and Malachor that Samwiel’s edict is mitigated. A monarch shall be chosen from the Clovis to breed “never pure” with those lesser in their lands and thereby present a unified seat from which the debt may be commanded. Thus, in this way is the High Seat of Lurien born. Though its origins are forgotten by all but the Clovis, the blood of King Locke, last King of the Clovis and first High King of Life’s Lurien has never been absent from a house that administered that throne. The Curse of the Morning Star therefore, though its nature is utterly unknown by even the most educated of scholars, informs all the histories and destinies of those kings, queens and their families.
The second judgment is Mic~lak~lor’s. The crime of the Clovis was theft, but of a magnitude that dwarfed the imaginations even of their creators. When come to the brink of its destruction, Reality itself “shivered and near died”. It was therefore wholly unexpected that Mic~lak~lor’s penance was to give to them the responsibility of that which they so nearly destroyed. To the thieves themselves he charged the protection, until the end of time, of the very thing they stole.
Thus it was, in a way unforeseen, that Mic~lak~lor set into motion the chain of events that will lead Samwiel to risk All to attain All. “The last nipped twist”, that the throne of Lurien will never be held by a line of purity, but informed by the peasantry of Kingdom, is perhaps all that stands between The Morning Star, The Man and the ruin they would bring to Creation.
How it may accomplish this is known only to The Essence and as He has chosen to do so in the past, He has willed that it shall not be revealed to even Himself.

Canto Twenty Five

Contrition seems not for the strong,
for ‘tis when one feels in the wrong
that weakness feigns as though revealed
and so with one’s regret is healed.

But there are wrongs that will surpass 5
reconstitution as crushed glass.

~ ~ ~

They stood as one sans king or queen.
Arraigned as equals were they seen.

A time so long ago forgot
was that accursed day o’erwrought 10
repugnant at the crimes commit
and those convicted did befit
the judgment knowing that time keeps
revulsion not worse in its deeps.

Too distant to recall the tell 15
without the tale forever dwell
foremost in every breath they take
from then to their descendants’ wake.

No living man save Clovis born
now knows the ills achieved that morn. 20

Atrocities against The Light.
However may they be contrite?

Creation shivered and near died.

If at the brink they had relied
but solely on their arrogance 25
how then redeem such impudence?

How then recover what they stole,
for Aye undone and common soul
regret the words their Lords had spake?

To lose what even God won’t make 30
again and only they remain?

No, never could their hopes attain
redemption of the cosmos’ will
and they sojourn accursed still.

Their legends give no clear account 35
the numbers at the blackened fount.
The poisoned waters fouled and shamed
wept dirges they yet have not tamed.

They speak of Clovis vast in tell.
In horror cowering at the well. 40
Hard millenary tales allude
to breadth of them so darkly hued
as might appear an unwashed stain
upon the sweep of cold disdain.

Horizon to horizon laid~ 45
Earth’s Host from Heaven here arrayed.

It wait in judgment sorely bright
to reap a vengeance due The Light.

For He had come with grant for them.
Their right to justly men condemn. 50

The mitigated glare of man
in count of Clovis less than van
of Angel horde prepared to wield
the hammered verdicts He had yield.

The Essence did not speak to man, 55
but clarified what It had ban.

“What men usurped and could not keep
will not return. In vain you weep.
My trials are not but mine to ween
and naught I change of that unseen. 60
Them punish as you deem it fit,
but leave the flesh inviolate.”

And so the vengeance of the horde,
though yet allowed, did not accord
with what in rage it might have been. 65

Thus, here it was the end begin.

‘Twas Mic~lak~lor who spoke the terms
and grudgingly Samwiel confirms.
His leave he’d grant surrend’ring task
in spite he of The Essence ask. 70

Ere that, the Dawnstar openly
had want they be restrict. His plea
concerned The Will grant them at birth
as like to theirs. Not bound to Earth.

“I’ll suffer them returned to core 75
of nature as was meant before.
Free Will to choose as ours innate
must wisdom bear. They vindicate
my stance once more. Remove this flaw
lest worse achieve than what we saw. 80
Or else exstinquish now The Flame.
Do not be blind to all they maim.”

Those in support had cried aloud
and Clovis shrank from hostile crowd.
The Host had risen furious 85
in wrathful lust penurious.

If left unchecked, admonishment
were vain and thus mankind be rent
asunder by their panic, hate.
But ere shouldst fall a voice bid, “Wait.” 90

A whisper come of Mic~lak~lor
distinctly heard above the roar.
His brandished spear was all of gold
and tempered as men’s steel ninefold.

The span of mighty wings were black 95
when wide he spread them from his back
as if to drive home hard a point.
Within the hush he seemed anoint
with quietude that calmed The Host.
Samwiel as well had held his boast. 100

Near endless seeming were their ranks.
Like sands upon a sea shore’s banks
and yet, the silence was profound.
Samwiel’s old envy more compound.

A single stroke of ashen wings 105
lift Mic~lak~lor above the springs
that, virulent, seeped thru the grass.
Blades browned and curled, but did not pass.
Last Death is not so easy grant
though yearned for by scathed beast and plant. 110

Above them high, yet higher still
did Mic~lak~lor rise by his will.
The pinion’s span held bleak aloft
had kept him there with flutters soft.

His ageless eyes, forlorn and deep, 115
scarce held aback his doleful weep.
The words he spoke were not to man
and were his first since trial began.

“From this we are commanded veer
and I for one stand ‘twixt my peer 120
and these of our inventive mind.
We will not slaughter this man kind.”

Revolving slow, his languid arms
seemed lifeless spite both free of harms,
for much was lost by all, not least 125
this Lord whose woe yet has not ceased.

Unseeing gaze swept aggregate
as women, men and children wait
upon the Angel Lord’s first term.

The cinder flakes from wings confirm 130
proximity of risk he took.
It trailed him as stardust forsook.

And when he spoke to men, his palms
turned with frail life as seeking alms.

“Your deeds agone in time so vast 135
you had no tales to bring from past
were you when first you struck the stone.
Your sojourn in the waste alone
was over and though debt not paid
the salt was weak. For so ‘twas laid. 140

You struck and life began for you.
Will one among you say, ‘Not true?’”

The Angel’s voice when broke was hurled
that grief be felt thru all the world.

“We made thee! Did we harm thee well? 145
Was this new life e’en dark as Hell
Samwiel has built in gloried might
within the shadowed realms past light?
For this we grant to thee our flame?”

And Clovis shrank in poignant shame. 150
Samwiel drew nigh with purpose felt
and paused before a man who knelt
obeisant though not as thrall.
His gentle voice was heard by all.

“We spoke afore though brief small lord. 155
Their king, you yet sowed no discord.
I know this now. You willed restraint.
Speak ‘gainst them and we’ll cleanse thy taint.”

Above them Mic~lak~lor stirred swift.
“Samwiel, I offered not to lift 160
their debt by any word or deed.
You overstep. ‘Tis best you heed.”

He did not turn, but spoke aloud.
His scowl to ground within man’s crowd.

“I need not wait for you to face 165
my right to grant this man my grace.
Though you would not, I yet will know
how learned this mob where they must go.”

He rose as swiftly as his wrath.
Exuding flame. “These men ne’er hath 170
the chance to learn this knowledge true,
for none still live to say. Did you?

Who told them why they walked the waste?

Who told them where it yet was placed?

If you choose not to know these things 175
so be it thus. Keep black your wings.

But I, Samwiel, the Dawning Star
of Morn will not from this be bar!

What is your name O, fallen man?!”
“‘Tis Locke. Locke of the House of Fan.” 180

“Then you shall be their monarch still
though o’er them but a king of swill.
Vast hordes of people you enslaved
that you might have the ease you craved.

To them I will you serve utmost. 185
Yea, you and all this paltry host.
This I command. The Framer’s Heir.
No will of theirs be let forswear.

This debt you’ll pay ‘til Time’s last thrum.
Or else speak now how you are come!” 190

“Enough!” he cried, The Angel King
and swiftly lowered to the ring.

“Contend not with me, Mic~lak~lor.
Contend not and my patience sore.”

Samwiel was wroth. His eyes had bled. 195
His wings were high and wide and red.
Near shorn at last of plumage white.
Mail dwindled due prepotent blight
of flame and heat that built his land.
‘Tis there he caused a throne to stand. 200

“I must my brother. You are wrong.
‘Tis now past worth to know how long
they pondered where it might have lain
or elsewise tidings did obtain.
For now the law is mine alone. 205
For this and more they’ll not atone.”

A coldness pulsate ‘twixt the kin
until at last, Samwiel gave in.

“So be it.” His great wings were closed.
“But ponder what I have proposed.” 210

And Lord Samwiel was no more there.
For Angels are of Earth and Air.
Of Rock and Cloud. Of Beast and Tree.
Of what men may and may not see.

Garbethrial it was who spoke 215
the next and with her words invoke
those days long past when man’s first crimes
came near to breaking early times.

Then more addressed tribunal’s cause.
They long debated without pause. 220
And men in need of rest had slept,
for nothing else of ease they kept.

The Clovis had wait destiny
in abject doom’s disparity.

At length it was, though suns had set 225
and risen times so men forget,
the Angel Lord prepared for them
the penance grant of Host’s contemn.

“You have no choice, yet I will give
the chance to claim how you shall live. 230
The Lord Samwiel spoke truest word
when he did cause our fears be heard.
The eons have indeed passed o’er
all men since they posed Time’s first war.

But Angels live not as men do. 235
Time’s passage weights not us as you.
Since ancient number of mankind
stood forth in war to sanctum bind
has been to us as if ‘twere now.
Your minds will never grasp the how. 240

We weave our souls to now and here.
Our lives are laced with what is near
that as one dwells in other’s muse
the greater learns to better choose.

You are, each one, made of our hands 245
as well those lesser in your lands.
Perhaps ‘twas wrong our glories grant
so few of you by numbers scant.

A people chosen, but know this~
All men were made to share our bliss.” 250

And each of them, each gender, age
was haunted by a sinful wage.
The treatment bitter, cruel and base.
Misuse of men they’ll not erase.

Small men who saw them live as gods. 255
Brief lives let forth to dampen sods
for masters tilled who dwelt on high.
A cold and unrelenting lie.

“‘Tis time.” He said. “Amends mandate
spite crimes no soul could expiate.” 260

As Mic~lak~lor strode thru their mass
he looked not on the thing he pass.
Where Lord Samwiel once stood, he had
and looked instead on iron clad,
tall, kingly man who yet no trace 265
of trembling fear had cross his face.

Contrition bright, enduring, true
empowered his unprideful hue.

At once the Angel spoke to all
and heard he was come nigh The Fall 270
that roars beyond the world’s last edge
to enter void on past the ledge.

“An epoch ends and so anew
will these events shape all we do.
This land within your lands I hide. 275
‘Tis here your numbers will abide.

That which you took and brought to loss
is clear revealed~ Bound fast to Joss.
I will not have it suffer move.

So it remains that you may prove 280
the faith Samwiel thinks foolish lent
is laced throughout with right intent.

He would you die or least regress.
Beware his words I now compress.
You shall in sooth remain their King 285
and all your folk shall service bring
to those you subjugated long.
‘ ‘Til time’s last thrum’ you’ll pay this wrong.

Samwiel was first. His thoughts oft law.
He quailed as I from what we saw.” 290

The eyes of Mic~lak~lor flared white.
Angelic herald calling bright.

“All list! To thieves I grant the spoils!”
Not least are men~ The Host recoils!

“To those who stole I leave the guard. 295
Let no resource be rash discard.
This debt shall be forever yours
and should you fail nothing endures.
No ease I grant. Not even Death.
You’ll watch ‘til we grant last drawn breath. 300

Naught you may do or think or feel
shall be, lest it serve common weal.
You’ll prosper that you better serve.
You’ll breed and forge. You’ll never swerve.
Yea, never! Be you shamed fore men, 305
on weary backs you’ll bear times ten.”

The wings of Mic~lak~lor were white.
They spread in mercy shimm’ring bright.

The Angel sentence radiate
a starlight shine that dissipate 310
such shadow as there yet remained
as though it had true life attained.

Therein the lands where Clovis ruled,
those lights from Heaven rare, bejeweled
diminished shone that men not wilt. 315
The lesser near and those in guilt.

But dampened seeming still they blind
as gaze held overlong would find.

Yet those in Clovis bondage sensed
but little of those stark events. 320
King Locke and his low convicts learned
but later that the skies had burned.

The tales men told of this have fade.
The day their Covenant was made.

“This last of things I cannot change, 325
though mayhap one day rearrange.
As I have said, Samwiel decreed.
The bound oblige and all their seed.
Struck low the masters. Slaves advance.
Deny them not at any chance. 330

There is no choice the King can make,
but as I promised you may take
this chance to claim the task to heart
or grudgingly endure your part.
What say you Locke? Speak for your folk.” 335

And then their spirit new awoke.
Like minded did they warmly stand
as one by one, strong hand in hand,
the trembling ceased and kindred each
gave silent answer with their reach. 340

“Behold Mic~lor, this can’t be done.
Wouldst have them beck and call? Each one?”

The Angels shift that they might see.
Garbethrial spoke quietly
in seeming peace as was her wont 345
and did not mean her words to taunt.

“Man’s numbers grow exceeding fast.
They cannot serve the first and last.
On past this edict burden lies.
Choose from men’s ranks one who decries 350
demands from them. These errant few.”

Once more debate around them grew.
“An envoy” or “advisor wise.”
“A one who could men civilize.”
“Of intellect.” “Of strength and heart.” 355
“A one to whose offspring impart
an office born and grant by trial.”

Again they argued such a while
that Clovis were informed to doubt
their fate be ever carried out. 360

They heard at last wise Malachor
who offered clearly reasons for
an arbiter come not at first
from people who due bondage thirst.

“Men kind come from a common stock. 365
Made innocent to thence unlock
the mysteries we saints allow.

To those Great Folk we did endow
a sense and love of loyalty.
But from the waste emerging free, 370
they came with naught of past accord.
Then fealty as misers hoard.

These lesser will not make one king
and seldom joint demands they’ll bring.”

He vouchsafe them an interlude, 375
then Malachor continued shrewd.

“All men seem like wise save this breed
who stood as one. As one concede.
The Clovis found inside a rich
and varied trust of each by which 380
they prospered, though but lean in waste.
‘Twas this true, faithful nature chaste
that bound past depredation’s grip
ensuring trusted leadership.

Choose from them so a sovereign 385
that it breed true and so remain
in this first line predominant
with no regard to small kings scant.”

The Host then wait on Mic~lak~lor.
Those judgments he impart afore, 390
though absent aims of perfidy,
yet bound with cords of tragedy.

The last nipped twist the King conceive
allowed a fray within the weave.

When come upon the brink anew, 395
that strand alone may hope undo
the ruin at denouement’s end.

Should interlope compel it mend...

“So it shall be. But one thing changed.
This High King will not stay estranged 400
of once enslaved no longer low
for such as that we would forego.

But from this first, bred never pure,
will come such Houses that will lure
diverse and widespread realms to count 405
with line of men that blacked this fount.

Thus, in this manner slaves again
be joined with these, their unknown kin
and from that throne command the debt.”

And so it was, soon to regret, 410
Samwiel seemed grant his way in all.
It shall be more than men who fall.

~ ~ ~

It was in blight wrought by the thieves
that Mic~lak~lor unknown achieves
the first true step on toward the last 415
and into the abyss is cast
a stone tied true with perfect knot
to drag behind what God had wrought.