549-553 (Ralquez: Everyman's notes)
xv: The Narrator Returns
At this time, I admit, I have forgot
to tell you of some characters you’ve seen.
Of Taladen’s fond friendship you know not,
and of the others by him, scarce a thing.
It could suffice to say that they were friends,
but that would leave you lacking many coats;
so, since I know how Wrenogal’s fate ends,
I can spare a few pages for some notes.
Do not forget: I am a brutish man,
and very much enjoy more brackish jokes.
So I will fill some gaps here, if I can;
reveal some collars, and remove some cloaks.
These are the four who chose to stay that day
when Zlyr, his loves and virtues, would betray.
xvi
Naerendal was appointed by the king
to watch his son and sister’s children o’er
their voyage, o’er their seaway wandering,
while wondering the heavy hearts they bore.
For a great war had ended recently,
and many ills had lingered since its close,
not least the bitter death they had to see
of their queen, and his love, by remnant foes.
Naerendal’s task it was to be their guide,
in waterways and ways more sage and wise.
He was good at it, too. The Wren would chide
me with the same words, echoed in reprise.
Figures he lasted longest. But a shame
he was not there when the reunion came.
xvii
The bard called Beyrg, the jester of the hall
where Wrenogal was born, whose yellow cap
assuaged the sorry states of each and all
the courtiers across the lordly map,
could cheer both angered and the most depressed.
His eyes knew grief, but were not so possessed.
And when so bright and colorfully dressed,
it was not difficult to be impressed.
I hear his death was maybe worst of all.
For even dismal odds die at the laugh
of one like him; and how he loved to call
a tragedy naught, cutting it in half.
The beasts that took him knew no laughter so.
And gone are all the jokes he used to know.
xviii
Zlyr had two cousins in Lewellen’s court:
the Wren of Lewellen, our story’s mark,
of whom we bear this tale’s epic report,
and Melody, whose words he used to hark.
Her eyes were soft and knowing, more than they
should have been—being young—able to be.
And just as kind and loving was her way
with words, to all those soft eyes e’er would see.
And boon she was to both her cousins hearts,
until her choices parted her from both.
Zlyr told her to return to better parts,
but Melody again refused his troth.
She would not rest her arm upon Zlyr’s right—
she would not see another palace night.
xix
Beloved Taladen, dear friends with both
the prince as well as Zlyr, his counselor,
chose fatefully the day he took the oath
to follow Wrenogal where’er he were.
For Zlyr loved Taladen as much as he
had ever cared for his dear Melody.
How terrible it was for him to see
that Taladen, too, would stay on that sea.
Perhaps that was the straw that broke the back
of the dear, noble champion he’d been—
the Red Hawk felt, for the first time, the lack
of those he’d thought his charm could always win.
But Taladen loved dear that traitor, too.
How much he longed their friendship to renew.