Fragment 38 – The Dance of the Blacksmith

Diaries The Saga Of Berra — Fragment 38

1626

Deep in the Temple in silence she waited
Sword-hand all broken and thinking of Sartar
Rose when the Temple was broken in silence
Saw how the Blacksmith danced Ending before her1No rite of the time would have had the Iron Lord dance before an audience. It is to be concluded this was in relation to the so-called Heroquest of Eril.

Silent the child of the sword for the dancing
Watching as Death showed her pure Separation
Hearing the chorus of birdsong and footsteps
Greeting the dawn with a new understanding

Seeing her Lord was asleep through the tumult
Berra stood guard over Temple and sleeper
Keeping her watch as her mind danced within her
Seeing the end of all things was as one Death

Nala came riding to ask for Death’s wisdom
Berra served then as a tongue for the Blacksmith
Cooling his words in the oil of her wisdom
Making them fit for the ears of Ernalda

Asking her Lord for permission to leave-take2Given the demonstrable fact of the defeat of a Death Lord while on business for which her temple had sent her, Berra had by this point no doubt paid her week of service to her Temple. Either she was asking D’Val out of politeness, or she wished to let him know the odd situation. This is not clear.
Berra ran3Possibly literally, possible demonstrative of light-footedness or eagerness of heart. down to the inn of Varanis4Notably, a strong and strengthening relationship.
Told them the words of the Blacksmith to Nala
How Eril’s quest should start new in the evening

Noble within her the heart of swift Berra
Falling to Yanafil Tarnils in questing
Slow were her feet as she ran to do duty
Broad was her smile as her feet failed beneath her

Not even Questing could find Berra wanting
She let her master be safe in his fastness
Holding the speed she had in her as stillness
Watching and waiting and losing Lord Eril

Hearing the words of Irllo reporting
Silently wept she for honour and Eril
Tears shed for sacrifice given to Sartar
Took inspiration from all he had suffered

What Really Happened


“And our fallback plan for if we end up in the Heroquest?” – Berra

“I don’t know nothing, but at least I got Chicken” – Rajar
“Any day we eat meat and live is a good day.” – Berra

After prayers, having already started out for the barracks, Berra pauses to ask D’Val, “What should I do if people believe in me too much?” Someone who could read human beings might believe she knew the answer already.

“Sztrive to be worthy.”

“I… think it is more than that. Someone has the wrong understanding of me. Needs me…” Berra looks off into the distance as she trails off. “But if I am needed, I should strive to be worthy of that, too. Thank you, Lord. I’ll be at the White Grape for the rest of the day.”

“Underthtood.”

  • 1
    No rite of the time would have had the Iron Lord dance before an audience. It is to be concluded this was in relation to the so-called Heroquest of Eril.
  • 2
    Given the demonstrable fact of the defeat of a Death Lord while on business for which her temple had sent her, Berra had by this point no doubt paid her week of service to her Temple. Either she was asking D’Val out of politeness, or she wished to let him know the odd situation. This is not clear.
  • 3
    Possibly literally, possible demonstrative of light-footedness or eagerness of heart.
  • 4
    Notably, a strong and strengthening relationship.