Wards and Charms
Astra moved about the grove and the crystals lightly, dancing almost. She stopped here and there at different crystal formations to hang some of the warding charms she had painstakingly carved the nights before. As she stopped again she ran her thumb over the piece of wood in her hand. The crisp edges of the carving pressing into her skin slightly as she ran her thumb over the old rune for protection. She started to turn the piece of wood over in her hands, looking it over closely. The frost like pattern of the bark and the pale color of the wood. She traced a finger across the grain of the wood, the bends and twists of the lines telling the story of how the tree grew. She closed her eyes, remembering the stories of the tree. Of how it bloomed for new queens and new heirs. The stories of it being the heart of the city.
As she pressed the piece of wood between her hands she lowered her head. “Please...please let this work. Let this keep them safe” She sighs softly as she moves to hang it from the crystal before her. She stops to think of more memories to share with the crystals. Her father crouched over his desk, plans for ships scattered around him as he happily called out that he finally figured out what the flaw was in the design. Her sister skipping along the street and singing pretty off key but with such enthusiasm you just had to smile. She remembers her mother, hobbling around her little garden. A smile on her face as she just went through normal, everyday things. As she reached into the bag hanging from her belt she felt around and it slowly dawned on her that it was empty.
“That is it. First batch all set out.” She looks around, rubbing at the back of her head for a moment before just kicking her shoes off. She starts to walk around the grove. Under the trees and between the crystals. At first it started as humming. Soon after the words of a song began to drift from her lips.
“♪The Road goes ever on and on, Down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, And I must follow, if I can, Pursuing it with eager feet, Until it joins some larger way Where many paths and errands meet. And whither then? I cannot say.♪” She begins to move around the grove again. Her eyes closed as she just listens to her voice and the sounds of the wood.
“♪Roads go ever ever on, Over rock and under tree, By caves where never sun has shone, By streams that never find the sea; Over snow by winter sown, And through the merry flowers of June, Over grass and over stone, And under mountains in the moon.♪” She began to run a finger across the crystals of the largest stand of them as she begins to sing louder.
“♪Roads go ever ever on Under cloud and under star, Yet feet that wandering have gone Turn at last to home afar. Eyes that fire and sword have seen And horror in the halls of stone Look at last on meadows green And trees and hills they long have known.♪” Astra’s steps bring her to a large tree in the grove and she finds herself sliding down its side to rest against it.
“♪The Road goes ever on and on Out from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, Let others follow it who can! Let them a journey new begin, But I at last with weary feet Will turn towards the lighted inn, My evening-rest and sleep to meet.♪” Astra let her head lean back to lie against the tree. The comforting, warm feeling of the grove chasing away the shadows and nightmares that had been plaguing her and pushing her to work rather than take the time to rest and relax. A moment later and she was snoring softly, her chest rising and falling slowly. And the first hints of crystal began to grow into the carvings of her charms.
((little bit of story for the plot with @the-faceless-ffxiv and @neheon-kha ))
((And the song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B6dsfGazyI ))











