The Spinner’s Writ: The People Are Born, Part 3
While we feasted,
another Child came to me
and said, “I am Hand and Knife.
Show me your wounds.
I will heal them.”
I looked upon her odd
countenance and gasped.
Her right eye was orange
while red flames
danced in her lashes.
Her left eye was icy blue
while frost gathered
and melted in her lashes.
Her robe shone like a mirror
and I saw the People reflected there.
I looked upon myself in her robe
and saw a terrified visage
succumbing to horrid pain.
Her left hand bore a knife.
Her right hand bore a ewer of water.
I stretched my unclad feet
towards the Child.
She cut away the dead skin
with her knife
and poured water on my feet.
The wounds washed away
like dust in a stream.
She laughed and departed.
Once we had concluded our feast,
a Child stepped forward.
Her dress was woven from rain.
An unseen sun shone through her
raiment and her shawl was a rainbow
draped on her shoulders.
A multitude of jewels set in gold
adorned her wrists, throat, ears and nose.
She smiled at each of us in turn
and joy filled our hearts.
She said, “I am the Lady of Rain.”
She then sang four brief notes,
each a clear crystalline tone
that shivered the air.
Pine, Fawn, Cloud and Worm
left the table.
They carried instruments
that had not existed moments ago.
Dulcimer, flute, tagelharpa and drum
accompanied Fawn’s voice.
We were enchanted by
their sudden performance.
The song finished,
they set down their instruments
The Lady of Rain smiled and said,
“Music will always please me,
as much as any jewel.”
Singing softly to herself,
she departed.
The musicians returned to the table
Cloud took her seat next to Trunk.
She smiled at him and he slapped her face.
She cried out in surprise.
Trunk raised his hand to strike her again.
A Child stepped forward
and said, “No more.”
He wore a golden circlet upon his brow,
but was clad in leather clothing.
A coat wrought from furs
kept him warm.
He carried a bow, the quiver at his hip.
Dangling from his other hand
was a fine chain suspending a pendulum.
He said, “I am Wise Vengeance.
I will judge this matter,
as I am responsible for justice.
Why did you assault this woman?”