Dark Skies

[Xarkly 17299]

Spoiler

 

 

 

On the 14th of the Grand Harvest, following the death of King Tobias of Courland, a number of pamphlets circulated throughout notable human settlements, handed to heralds to pass out, along with a convincing sum, and pinned indiscriminately to taverns and homes alike. Many were soaked and destroyed by the fierce winter rain, but those who survived read the following, in a flowing, cursive hand;

 

___________________________________________________________

 

It is neither Crow nor Eagle that rules the sky.

 

The Crow may fly higher for a time when its winds are most favourable, but the Eagle soars too, striking down the Crow in the name of their bitter rivalry. Yet while they may compete for superiority, in truth neither of them will reign supreme - not in the end. In reality, it is storm clouds that rule our skies; swathes of menacing clouds, as dark and as foreboding of the abyss, that herald nothing but bloodshed and bitterness.

 

Yet none seem to see these clouds. Men glance skywards, and see only glory, pride and a chance to fly higher and dominate their foe. The Eagle and the Crow see only victory over one another. They fight their battles and win their wars, spewing their vitriol in a bid to convince themselves that they are, ultimately, somehow superior over their foe. Even when one is dominant over the other, the Crow and the Eagle continue their fight, committing acts of hatred and violence, all in the bid of maintaining their newfound heights.

 

It is these acts of rampant hatred that perpetuates the cycle, instills hate in both Crow and Eagle alike, and condemns both to endure countless more conflicts, both large and small, in the future. Only a fool would believe their war is over now. Indeed, at this time the Eagle may rightly dub itself the proud victor, vanquisher of the wicked Crow , but it is with a heavy heart that a wise man can look to the future and see the storm clouds, the true foe, and recognize that war will rear its ugly head once more. When the Eagle fell, so long ago, it was the Crow who spread its wings in victory, and now, at this very moment, it is the same Crow that has been humbled by the Eagle, and consumed by hatred. Even the Eagle, utterly triumphant, beholds its foe with a heart of spite and scorn.

 

If neither Eagle nor Crow can control their own dark hatred that dwells in their fractured hearts, instilled by this cursed cycle, then it is until the end of time that they shall fight this battle, spilling blood and trading thrones until they forget the root of this conflict. Does both Eagle and Crow seek for their children, and their children’s children, and all their descendants, to grow up in this bitter cycle, where both sides struggle both in the shadows and on the battlefield to best and oppress the other? Do thy wish to see their kin fall in a future battle, when they have forgotten why they are truly fighting? Do they desire to have their brothers struggle and fall in battle, only to be doomed to fight the same battle again in the future, with more bloodshed and more death?

 

It is no easy task for a Crow to forget the wrongdoings of the Eagle, and vice versa, yet if they cannot forget, then they must understand, and use that as the cornerstones of a new era of peace that must be constructed, if they are to withstand the impending storm clouds. It is paramount that both Crow and Eagle understand that to continue to struggle is to damn both skyfarers for generations to come; the Crow and the Eagle must fly astride one another, their hatreds left behind in the name of peace and progression.

 

Yet, this time is far into the future indeed. The intensity of hatred between Eagle and Crow will surely damn them to war once again. But when the time comes to walk that trodden path, pray they remember, that it is they alone who perpetuate this cycle. It is easy for the Eagle to look to the Crow and acknowledge its wrongdoings in order to justify violence, but now is not an easy time -- now is a time for wisdom, where both Eagle and Crow must fly in clear skies.

 

Think on that, whoever you may be, until the warhorns call us to do the same old song and dance.

 

______________________________________________________________________________________

 

[B 173]

"what did he mean by this" questions Charles H. reading his pamphlet.

[Treshure 5817]

A studious Ronald reads the pamphlet.

"War is useless... damns further generations... in the grand scheme, pointless... 

Could have been summarized in a few sentences, really. Can't expect the general public to read all this jargon!"

[appealing 8]

"We come as crows"

Says An Old Raevir named Bohuslav, reading the pamphlet by flickering candlelight. He kisses the Orthodox cross around his neck, then throws the pamphlet into his hearth.

[OzYmandi 647]

Leofrick gazes upon the paper after reading it, thinking out loud.

"Was that supposed to be a critic?"

[KeatonUnbeaten 1103]

"**** off you dirty crow *****."

[Heero 4092]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.