#5 The secrets of the vaults
My raven ancestors have always been carefully keeping notes of the realm, the different elementals, the kingdoms, special occasions, interesting decisions and fates – it serves as our lore, inspiration and guidance for future reigns, future leaders and elementals. To falsify the historical notes was considered a very grave crime, not only in the present against your peers, but consequently also a crime against all future generations. This is why ravens took great care to ensure what they noted down was truly the truth.
When I’m stationed in Ravnea, my own kingdom, I tend to spend much time in the old vaults, both reading and observing the in-progress transformation of old scrolls to a more modern information system. Magic and ‘technology’, as Queen Venla refers to it. I find it fascinating, and I’m impressed with the speed at which you can find what you’re searching for. It was a little tricky to at first grasp the concept of search criteria and how to properly index and categorise information, but there have been great improvements since last I visited the vaults.
For some reason I seem to dig deeper and deeper into ancient times. Some of these ancient texts are excessively difficult to read, and I’m led to understand that they describe the events from a time before the ancient wars. From what I can see this realm was very different back then. As the wars slowly began, there was a term ‘skilja’ in the old language, which translates to separate, to divide or to limit. The old kingdoms weren’t ruled by fear, they were ruled by togetherness. Still there was a strong individualism where each person was encouraged to hone their special talent to contribute to the whole. It’s not until later that this interpretation of honing talents is transformed into something more materialistic and rather means success at the expense of others, thus spurring violence and instability.
In this later state the separation is mentioned, and being so caught up in this wheel of seeking fame and prosperity leads to further diversion – a creation of a dream, and which the person cannot easily snap out of.
So, first was a time of connectedness, then a time of separation. I suppose we are again trying to connect – perhaps to ourselves first and foremost.
Feathers and lore,
There’s much, much more,
//Ást
Wild orchids
I didn’t realise walking would take so long. Ravens don’t normally walk for long stretches. We fly. But since Linnea and her father don’t fly, walking is our only option. For a long time, I’ve had no choice but to accept my circumstances. This is just the same. I just have to accept what is […]
#16 A veterinarian
Summer nights are bright, the sun merely kissing the horizon. I’ve taken a seat on the tiny front step to the small cabin – and as I sit here I let my eyes wander. The red painted wooden houses, and the small yard in the middle – then the tree line closing this place in […]
#15 A moment to myself
Travelling by wing is infinitely better than travelling by machine. And you all know how I feel about changing into my raven skin after centuries trapped in it. Still, this is freedom. I find myself rethinking the ways in which to be imprisoned, and I wonder if perhaps my sister is too – somewhere in […]
#14 Maybe we should fly
Pizza lacks enough meat to satisfy my raven and is completely drenched in melted cheese. Remind me to never have it again. My stomach is still rebelling, and it’s known to be made of steel. It might also be the means of travel upsetting my stomach. I’m no longer trying to follow the road with […]
#13 What if it’s a trick
Everything is a flurry of motion. Linnea is here, then there. Making more calls. Someone’s at the door collecting a set of keys to her ‘practice’, and by the time Linnea’s father shows up, she’s all set and ready to go. I’m impressed, despite myself, of the efficiency completely disguised by chaos. “Ást, Hräsvelg, this […]
#12 And then they were four
“I need to make a few calls,” Linnea says, and goes to collect a strange, flat device. When she flicks her fingers over the glass surface it lights up in different colours – just like magic. I study it, pondering what she means with making a few calls. Are we visiting people? A beep is […]
#11 “I thought she was dead,” Linnea says.
Linnea’s eyes grow impossibly wider, and at first I’m convinced Hräsvelg’s appearance crumbled what little progress I’d made with Linnea. But she takes a few deep, strengthening breaths, then looks between the two of us. “Wow,” she says, and shakes her head. Her hair is even lighter in colour than Queen Venla’s, and it’s tied […]
#10 The realm of machines
The morning sky is the same, yet different. Another realm – it’s such a strange and uncanny feeling to be here. I’m further from home than I’ve ever been. “Where to?” Hräsvelg asks me. I can’t believe he’s still here, and yet, undeniably he is. He kept the fire going all night, then he got […]
#9 Please steal me away
We’ve stayed the night at the Gränstorp central inn – a small, quiet town where reality wears a crack. A good night’s sleep has at least restored some of my patience. Still, I don’t blame the innkeeper for the wary looks he’s giving Hräsvelg. My ‘companion’, despite the large variety of elementals visiting this small […]
#8 Friend or foe?
I’m still staring at him – this stranger that I’ve apparently flown into unwittingly. I can’t wrap my mind around how it happened. I was so careful reading the winds and the landscape – I should have noticed another flying creature. Well, I’m supposing he flies, how else could he have been up there in […]