The Great Doom
This is but one of the legends of which people speak…
'en daʃeʋu nobe̞ ʃo̞ndʊ
tʏe ʃʊtʊ keuænu sale̞
en daʃeʋu nobe̞ dʊʃʊ
tʏe ʃʊtʊ nobe̞ dezu dotʃe̞'
Throughout the camp the words echoed on the breathes of cold wind that descended from the grey heavens above. Little drops of soft snow danced in the wind's path only to be burned by the dying heat left in the land and the fires lit by the knights settled below the stone ruins that provided them cover.
There in huddled by fire surrounded by his footmen and clothed in the tunic of a Hyrulian knight was Verdi son of Tanos of low lands of Hyrule. The enchanting words he song came from his lips. A weary stare possessed his green eyes. Verdi was staring into the dancing flames of the fire, as if the words had cast a spell over him sending him into a nostalgic trance. He continued his singing as the men around him began to eat the rations passed to them. A rather fat fellow, stout with long beard, approached Verdi.
'Singing ancient lullabies again Verdi?' the stout fellow jested. Verdi smiled, with eyes still transfixed upon the fire he replied to his lieutenant. 'I don't know about ancient, but they are my mother's and her mother's, and so on.' Verdi's gaze rested down onto his fingers which had been plucking imaginary strings while he was singing. A broken grin touched his lips. 'Those times seem so far away, they might as well be ancient.' he turned to his old companion in arms continuing, 'Have the men had their meals, Beran?' Beran son of Dahn nodded with a slow bob of his head. 'Yes, but the rations are small, every night our meals become smaller and smaller. I do not know how long we will last.'
Suddenly the wind picked up and it bellowed a fierce howl that marched through the camp, silencing all speech. All became quiet and watched each other's gaze. Beran coughed, awkwardly finishing his batch of meat. One of the younger footmen, who was using his tunic as a pillow against his shield spoke in soft mutterings, 'Do you think they will come tonight sir?' Verdi shook his head. 'I do not know young one. I do not know. They are certain to appear, as certain as night's rise. But their behavior is as mysterious as the cold winds, unknown and fierce. But I pray they do not appear this night.' The young man looked at his food looking for answers somehow. He spoke back, thinking some conversation would save his mind for anxious dark wanderings. 'Is that why you sing your song sir?' he questioned.
Verdi chuckled, 'I suppose so. It is ancient hylian in word. I only the words, I do not know their meaning. But, I like to think they are words of power and courage.' Verdi raised his hands gesturing them as if he held an instrument. 'In my youth I would play the lyre when I sang them to my children.' His grin decayed into a expression of sorrow and contemplation. 'Back in days of light before the great shadow.'
[To be Continued...]