Mercedes Lackey – song lyrics

AFTER MIDNIGHT

In the dead dark hours after midnight 
When the world seems to stop in its place 
You can see a little more clearly 
You can look your life in the face 

You can see the things that you have to 
Speak the words to true for the day 
In the dead dark hours after midnight 
Little friend will you listen and stay 

In the time when I never knew you 
I could view the world as my own 
I was God's own gift to his creatures 
And I wore an armor of stone 

I was wise and faithful and noble 
I was pompous, pious and cold 
I was cruel when I never meant it 
To cold to touch or to hold 

[Interlude] 

It was you who broke through my armor 
It was you who breached through the walls 
With your pain and your desperation 
How could I not answer your call 

How could I have guessed you would touch me 
And in ways I couldn't control 
How could I have known I would need you 
Or have guessed you have seen to my soul 

For as I taught you so you taught me 
How to love and why to care 
For your love had thawed my winter 
Taught me how to feel and dare 

When I looked tonight I discovered 
I could not against and oppose 
In the dead dark hours after midnight 
I learned that I owed you my heart

ARROW’S FLIGHT

Finding your center, not hard for a child 
But I am a women no battered and brawn 
Drawn out of balanced my gift has run wild 
Never have I felt so lone stand-alone 

Now all the questions that I did not ask 
Come back to haunt me by day and by night 
Finding your center, so simple of tasks 
And one that I fear I shall never set right 

Where has my balanced gone? What did I know? 
That I have forgotten in times ever flown 
Longer right, double light I cannot see 
For I've lost the hart of the creature called me 

Doubt shatters certainty fast as despair 
Guilt harbors weakness and fear makes me blind 
Fear of the secrets that I dare not share 
Lost in the spiral maze of my own mind 

Knowing the cost to us all if I fail 
Feeling that failure breath cold on my back 
All I thought strong now reveals as so frail 
That I could not weather one spiteful attack 

Where has my balanced gone? What did I know? 
That I have forgotten in times ever flown 
Longer right, double light I cannot see 
For I've lost the hart of the creature called me 

An arrow in flight must be sent with control 
But all my control was illusion at best 
Instinct alone cannot captain us all 
Direction must be learned and not merle guessed 

Seeking with purpose not flailing about 
Trusting in others as they trust in me 
Starting again from the shadows of doubt 
Gods how I fear of what I yet know must be 

Finding my center and with it control 
Disciplined knowledge must now be hole 
Knowing my limits are judging what's right 
Till nothing can hinder this arrow in flight

DARK AND STORMY NIGHT

It was a dark and stormy night or so the hearlds say 
The lightining stricking constantly transformed the night today 
The thunder or the castle 'round or thusly runs the tail 
And rising from the North East tower there came a fearful wail 

It was no beast nor banshe that the castle folk knew well 
No prisioner in agony nor damon traped by spell 
No ghost that moaned in penance nor a soul in mortal fright 
Twas just the Countess singing for she practiced every night 

The Countess was convinced that she should have been born a bard 
And thus she made the lives of those within her power hard 
For they must listen to her sing and smile at what they heard 
And swear she had a golden voice that rivaled any bird 

The Countess was convinced that she had wedded beneath her state 
And so the worst laugh fell upon her meek and mild mate 
Not only must the Count each night endure her every song 
But suffer silent her abuse be blamed for every wrong 

It was a dark and stormy night or so the bards have heard 
And so perhaps that was the reason why there was no stir 
When suddenly the music sceased, so when dawn raised his head 
Within the tower the servants found the Countess stiff and dead 

The hearlds came at once to judge if there had been foul play 
And questioned all those carefully to hear what they would say 
And one fact most astounding to them quickly came to light 
That every movement of the Count was vouched for on that night 

The castle folk by ones and twos came foward on their own 
To swear the Count had never once that night been all alone 
So though the tower had been locked tight with two keys to the door 
One his one hers the Count was plain exauled of guilt for sure 

At length the hearlds then pronounced her death as suiside 
And all within the district voiced themselves quite satisfyed 
It was a verdict after all that none wished to refute 
Though no one could imagine why she tried to eat her lute

DEMONBANE

Along a road in Hardorn, the place called Stony Tor 
A fearful band of farmers flees Karsite Border war. 
A frightened band of farmers, their children, and their wives, 
Seek refuge from a tyrant, who wants more than just their lives. 

Now up rides Herald Vanyel. 'Why then such haste?' says he. 
'Now who is it pursuing, whose anger do you flee? 
You are all of Hardorn, why seek you Valdamar? 
Is Festil no protection? Nor bide all his men too far?' 

'Oh, Vanyel, Herald Vanyel, we flee now for our lives, 
Lord Nedran would enslave us, our children and our wives- 
He'd give our souls to demons, our bodies, to his men. 
King Festil has not heeded, or he happends not to ken.' 

Now up speaks Herald Vanyel. 'The Border is not far- 
But you are all of Hardorn, and not of Valdemar, 
You are not Randale's people-can call not on his throne- 
But dammed if I will see you left so helpless on your own!' 

So forth goes Herald Vanyel, and onward does he ride, 
On Stony Tor he waits then, Yfandes at his side. 
With Nedran's men approaching, he calls out from on high, 
'You shall not pass, Lord Nedran! Nay I shall not let you by!' 

Now only Herald Vanyel stands blocking Nedran's way 
'Now who are you, fool nothing, that dares to tell me nay?' 
Now up speaks Vanyel his voice like brittle glass; 
'The Herald-Mage called Vanyel-and it is I you shall not pass!' 

Now there stand great Lord Nedran, behind him forthy men, 
With wizard there beside him he pales, and speaks again- 
'So you are Herald Vanyel-this place is not your land. 
So heed me, Herald Vanyel; and now turn aside your hand.' 

'Let be; I'll give you silver, and I shall give you gold, 
And I shall give you jewels fair that sparkle bright and bold, 
And I shall give you pearls, all the treasures of the sea, 
If you will step aside here, leaving these poor fools to me.' 

'What need have I of silver with sweet Yfandes here? 
And all the gold I cherish is sunlight bright and clear. 
The only jewel I treaure's a bright and shining star, 
And I protect the all helpless not just those of Valdamar.' 

'Now I shall give you beauty, women slaves and men, 
And I shall give you power, you'll never see again, 
And I shall give you mansions and I shall give you land, 
If you will turn aside this day, aside and hold your hand.' 

'Now beauty held in bondage is beauty that is lost. 
And land and mansions blood-bought come too high the cost. 
The power I have already-all power is a jade- 
So turn you back, Lord Nedran if of me you are afraid!' 

Lord Nedran backs his stallion, the wizard he comes nigh, 
'Prepare yourself, bold Vanyel, for you shall surely die!' 
The wizard calls his demons, the demons he commands, 
And Vanyel, Herald Vanyel, only raises empty hands. 

The wizard calls his demons, the sky above turns black. 
The demons strike at Vanyel, he stands and holds them back. 
The demons strike at Vanyel, they strike and hurt him sore, 
But Vanyel stands defiant, only to raise his hands once more. 

The sky itself decending now, upon bare Stony Tor 
Now hides the awful battle. The watchers see no more. 
The wizard shouts in triumph-too soon he vents his mirth. 
For Vanyel calls the lightning down, and smites him to the earth! 

The clouds of black have lifted; and there on barren ground 
Stands Vanyel hurt, yet victor, the demons tied and bound. 
He looks down on Lord Nedran; his eyes grow cold and bleak- 
'Now I shall give you, Nedran, all the power that you seek-' 

Now Vanyel frees the demons, and Nedran screams with fear, 
He sets them on the Karsites, who first had brought them here. 
He sets them on the Karsites, and on the Karsite land. 
They look down on Lord Nedran. And they do not stay their hand. 

Now Vanyel calls the farmers. 'Go tell you near and far, 
How thus are serves the tyrans who would take Valdamar. 
I am the bane of demons, their queory I defend. 
Thus Heralds serve a foeman and thus Heralds save a friend!'

EARTHSPIRIT

Earth Spirit feed our clan; 
Swift red dear for crimson mead. 
Air Spirit where you go, 
Teach us from beneath the green. 
Fire Spirit lightning’s power; 
essence of our shaman's soul- 
Water Spirit in the earth, 
Sent by Gods to cleanse and heal. 
Wind Spirit dancing high, 
Voices weave in rising song. 
Moon Spirit in the night, 
with your cycles rule our path.

EUMENIDES

What's packed in my hold 
Is dearer than gold 
Revenge is my cargo this day 
Ya' think you have won 
But when my job's done 
The fury will force you to pay 

My people weren't strong 
They've done ya' no wrong 
They just happened to be in your way 
You take what you seek 
Contempt for the weak 
And your battle feet came yesterday 

Like the coward you are 
You strike from afar 
And death is the harvest you reap 
For all we were brave 
No warning you gave 
My people ya' slaughtered like sheep 

Alone in the dark 
I lay near to my death 
With hate in my heart 
And with my final breath 

To whatever dodge 
Would listen if brave 
If they witnessed your crimes 
And they forced you to pay 

I'm Tera, long dead 
Old gods it is said 
Created the furies to fly 
Win justice to seek 
And revenge for the week 
On those of the law pass by 

Those gods heard my plea 
And granted to me 
The means of achieving my goal 
Oh I think they are just 
For to do what I must 
The fury they placed in my soul 

Transformed by her hate 
Now I am your fate 
The Gods chose a weapon of right 
The fury inside 
Will not be denied 
And I seek my vengeance this night 

I've stolen this ship back 
With weapons of war 
So you will not profit, as you have before 
Eluding you fleet 
Past your sentries I slip 
And the fury has guided me straight to your ship 

She steadies my hand 
Her tools I command 
Accounting you will not deny 
Your ship is in sight 
Of my fury lead flight 
And the fires of my vengeance burn high 

[breakdown] 

What's packed in my hold 
Is dearer than gold 
As dear as my people who fell 
When I ram in your side 
At the end of my ride 
This fury will send you to hell, to hell 
This fury will take you to hell!

F.A.P

Aren't I kind to allow you 
To live in my house 
Aren't I gracious to grant you 
The use of my chair 

Aren't I wonderful 
When I give you a dead mouse 
Aren't I utterly, totally 
Beyond compare 

And don't you admire 
The virtues you see 
In marvelous, lovely, 
Magnificent me-ow, meow, meow, meow 

I will carefully shed 
Just selected dark hair 
When I'm lying on 
All the white laundry you did 

And the white hairs will go 
Where I bother to lair 
On black velvet 
Where they can't be brushed off our head 

They look so much better 
That way you'll agree 
They'll remind you of lovely, 
Magnificent me-ow, meow, meow, meow 

If you try to insist 
That I live on dry food 
I will either look thin 
And pathetic and sad 

Or I just might do something 
Disgusting and rude 
Such as eat it 
Then throw up all over your pad 

Only chicken and liver 
And fish naturally 
Are fit for the pallet 
Of marvelous me-ow, meow, meow, meow 

I really don't understand 
Why you should look 
At anything else 
Or have things in your hands 

So I'll patiently lie 
On your papers or book 
To suggest that you treat me 
As my rank demands 

You really should pet me 
When your hands are free 
It's a privilege to fondle 
Magnificent me-ow, meow, meow, meow 

[Music] 

Or just when you're maddest 
At something I've done 
I'll go do something else 
That's so touching or sweet 

That's so charming, adorable 
Silly or fun 
It'll just knock the stocking clean 
Off of your feet 

Now you know you can't win 
So why fight it you see 
I know you're a sucker 
For marvelous me-ow, meow, meow, meow 

I know you're a sucker 
For marvelous me

FIRST LOVE

Was it so long ago now that we meet, you and I 
Both held fast in a passion we could not deny 
If my hands gave you life then your voice woke my heart 
From such simple beginnings what wonder may start 

Through my long empty nights through my cold lonely days 
How you comfort and cheered me, delight and amaze 
And your soft silver voice could charm life into stone 
My sweet mistress of music, my lady my own 

With your sweet song to guide me you taught me to care 
How to open my soul to both love and despair 
Though you wouldn't bright silver not warn flesh and bone 
I think no one could doubt you a soul of your own 

Through my long empty nights through my cold lonely days 
How you comfort and cheered me, delight and amaze 
And your soft silver voice could charm life into stone 
My sweet mistress of music, my lady my own 

And I know my own journey were to soon reach it's end 
I must to leave you with one I am proud to call friend 
How she opened my life when she opened my door 
Give her comfort my dear one when I am no more 

Through my long empty nights through my cold lonely days 
How you comfort and cheered me, delight and amaze 
And your soft silver voice could charm life into stone 
My sweet mistress of music, my lady my own 
My sweet mistress of music, my lady my own

FOR TALIA

The lady that I cherish is enamored of a fool 
A fool who lacks the wish, to speak his mind 
A fool who often wears a mask, indifferent and cool 
A fool who’s often selfish, dense and blind 

The lady that I cherish is enamored of a fool 
A fool too often wrapped in others cares 
Forgetting that is single mindedness is wrong and cruel 
To lock her out her gladly troubled shares 

The lady that I cherish is enamored of a fool 
Who sometimes does not value what he holds 
Until his loneliness comfirms for time his heart should rule 
And the comfort of her love around him folds 

But though he must have hurt her, without ever meaning to 
Her temper never breaks and never frighns 
And she forgives whatever careless things that he may do 
And loves him despite his thoughtless ways 

She only smiles and says that there is nothing to forgive 
And I thank God that she does so for you see 
I fear without her love and care this poor fool could not live 
The fool she loves and cherishes is me 
The fool she loves and cherishes is me

FUNDAMENTALS

Ground and center we begin 
Feel the shape inside your skin 
Feel the earth and feel the air 
Ground a center how and where 

Ground a center don't just frown 
Find the leaks and lock them down 
Baby games you've never learned 
Bring you pain you never earned 

Ground a center do it child 
If you tame that talent wild 
Girl you learned it in your youth 
Life's not fair and that's the truth 

[Instrumental] 

Ground a center once again 
You're not finished, I'll say when 
Ground a center in your sleep 
Ground a center till you weep 

Ground a center that's the way 
You might get somewhere someday 
Yes I know I'm being cruel 
But you're as stubborn as a mule 

Ground a center do it child 
If you tame that talent wild 
Girl you learned it in your youth 
Life's not fair and that's the truth 

[Instrumental] 

Ground a center feel the flow 
Can you tell which way to go 
Instincts not enough my friend 
Make it reflex in the end 

Ground a center hold it tight 
Damn it greenie that's not right 
Every tear you shed hurts me 
But that's the way it has to be 

Ground a center do it child 
If you tame that talent wild 
Girl you learned it in your youth 
Life's not fair and that's the truth 

Ground and center we begin 
Feel the shape inside your skin 
Feel the earth and feel the air 
Ground a center how and where 

Ground a center don't just frown 
Find the leaks and lock them down 
Baby games you've never learned 
Bring you pain you never earned 

Ground a center do it child 
If you tame that talent wild 
Girl you learned it in your youth 
Life's not fair and that's the truth 

[Instrumental] 

Ground a center once again 
You're not finished, I'll say when 
Ground a center in your sleep 
Ground a center till you weep 

Ground a center that's the way 
You might get somewhere someday 
Yes I know I'm being cruel 
But you're as stubborn as a mule 

Ground a center do it child 
If you tame that talent wild 
Girl you learned it in your youth 
Life's not fair and that's the truth 

[Instrumental] 

Ground a center feel the flow 
Can you tell which way to go 
Instincts not enough my friend 
Make it reflex in the end 

Ground a center hold it tight 
Damn it greenie, that's not right 
Every tear you shed hurts me 
But that's the way it has to be 

[Instrumental] 

Ground a center good at last 
Once again now grab hold fast 
Half asleep or half awake 
Both of us knows what's at stake 

Ground and center now it's sure 
What you have now will endure 
Give me what I have to do 
Healing hurts you know that's true 

Ground and center over, friend 
You won't break but now you bend 
Costly lesson high as a price 
But you won't care to learn it twice

GIL-SHALLOS

'Marry a doctor and raise some kids' 
That what your parents said 
They threw you out when you turned away 
To the life of a scholar instead 

Now you stand here watching the Keep of Dare 
With a thoughtful and worried brow 
You Patterson, what would your parents say 
of they could see you now 

The history scholar who came to dream 
Of a dark and haunted land 
Learned dreams were true of a wizard- 
Who came to beg for a haven he planed 

He'll hide in your world his infant prince 
You agreed without taking much thought 
But the dark came hunting across the void 
Adding you to the prey they sought 

He pulled you to safety, into his world 
The dark blocked all returned 
Since you were no wizard, then to survive 
The art of the sword you would learn 

Gone was the scholar who lived her life 
In the world inside of her head 
And in her place, a warrior made 
Gil-Shallos stood instead 

The royal guard took you to its ranks 
You grew tough and battle scored 
All trace of weakness was burned away 
Like a weapon that's tempered hard 

All the intensity you once paid 
For the search for knowledge and truth 
Has been re-aimed at survival now 
Taking with it the last of your youth 

Hunger and fear have stiffened your spine 
Hate is a fact of life 
Sleep brings only uneasy dreams 
Waking brings struggle and strife 

It was no magic that forced the change 
But agony, laughter and tears 
And your half in love, with that half mad mage 
Of easily twice your years 

But you've got a home with the royal guard 
And you wear their silver and black 
Do you wonder now if you had the chance 
If you'd still choose to go back 

And you pace the halls of the Keep of Dare 
With a troubled and pensive brow 
You Shallos lack what your old friends say 
If they could see you now

GOLDEN EYES

A shadow in the bright bazaar 
A glimpse of eyes where none should shine 
A glimpse of eyes translucent gold 
And silted against the sun 

This the clue, and this the sign 
That sets him on his quarry's line 
But she had seen him in a dream 
And now she's on the run 

Faster than a thought she flees 
And seeks the jungle's sheltering trees 
But he is steady on her track 
And half a breath behind 

She tastes his scent upon the breeze 
And looking past her shoulder sees 
He treads upon her shadow 
She fears the hunters mind 

So now she summons all her wit 
And every trick she knows to hide 
To make him loose the twisting track 
To throw him off her trail 

In woman form in leopard hide 
Folding leaping side to side 
She doubles back along her track 
And sees her efforts fail 

He stands before her, dark and grim 
Her terror now she can't suppress 
He blocks the only pathway out 
And will not let her by 

Her gold flanks heaving in distress 
Half woman and half leopardess 
To eye the side, no where to hide 
It's time to fight or die 

But what is this, to her amaze 
The man has thrown his gun away 
And quietly draws near her now 
A smile upon his face 

Before she thinks to run or stay 
His body blurs like soften clay 
Before her eyes to her surprise 
A leopard in his place 

[Interlude] 

The hunter they have sought in vain 
And now the talk of the bazaar- 
Is of the canny leopard pair 
A sight none will forget 

Who once has seen them near or far 
In sunlight or where shadows are 
And side-by-side they hunt and hide 
No one has caught them yet

HAWK BROTHER

Old memories are unfaithful things, they bind the strongest will 
The frightened boy I used to be, comes back to haunt me still. 
It's hard to be born different a stranger in you home 
To know that you may always have to face the world alone. 

Oh, Hawk Brother, stead fast friend; 
Cast you song upon the wind. 
With your sure and healing hand 
Draw the magic of the land. 

A boy who plays with magic powers, brings danger home to dwell. 
He does not have the discipline to tame his errant spell. 
I killed my faithless lover in- a moments blinding pain 
And sought to take my own life, so I would never kill again. 

Oh, Hawk Brother, stead fast friend; 
Cast you song upon the wind. 
With your sure and healing hand 
Draw the magic of the land. 

A passing Herald found me then, still bleeding almost dead. 
A friend of her's soon healed my wounds, and eased away my dread. 
In that silent vale of green my own self passed away 
And in his place a man was born, the mage you see today. 

Oh, Hawk Brother, stead fast friend; 
Cast you song upon the wind. 
With your sure and healing hand 
Draw the magic of the land. 

Seek magic for the comforting, it brings the week and poor, 
What hate destroys with bitter power, a healer may restore. 
I know the lore of darkness, it has touched my deepest heart 
But love can build a haven and give hope a place to start. 

Oh, Hawk Brother, stead fast friend; 
Cast you song upon the wind. 
With your sure and healing hand 
Draw the magic of the land. 

With your wise and gentle hand teach me so I understand.

HEALER’S DILLEMA

A child, the child of my heart though never of my name 
Who shares my gift, whose eyes though young are mine the very same 
Who shares my every thought whose skillful hands I taught so well 
Now hear the hardest lesson I shall ever have to tell 

Young healer I have taught you all I know of wounds and pain 
Of in the sit and of the herbs of blessing and of bane 
Of all the usage of all you gift all that I could impart 
And how you learned young healer put rejoicing to my heart 

But there is yet one lessoning I cannot give to you 
For you must find your own way there judge what is sound and true 
This lesson is the cruelest ever healer had to teach 
It is which you must do and there are those you cannot reach 

However creature gift there will be times when you will fail 
There will be those you cannot help, your skill cannot prevail 
When you fight Death and loose to him of what might yet be worse 
You went to find the wreak he left regards you with a curse 

The worst of all and harder still the times when its a friend 
Who looks to you to bring him peace and make his torment end 
What will you do young healer when there's nothing you can do 
I can give only council for the rest is up to you 

This only will I council you that if you build a shell 
Of armor close about you then you close yourself in Hell 
And of your heart should harden then you gift will fade and die 
And all that you have lived and learned will then become a lie 

As you must I have faces the fear the pain in dying eyes 
Sometimes I have told the truth and sometimes gentle lies 
As you will I have faces the times my skill brings no redress 
And wonder if my gift was truly meant to curse or bless 

A child your healing hands are guided by your healing heart 
And that is all the wisdom all my learning can impart 
You take this pain upon you as you challenge life unknown 
And there can be no answer here but one, and that's your own

HER FATHER’S EYES

How tenuous the boundary between love and pain 
How easy to mistake the first and learn the truth too late 
How hard to bear what brings to mind mistakes that we despise 
And when I look into her face, I see her father's eyes 

He tried to steel away my throne he tried to rule my life 
And I'm not made to forgive a cowed and cowered wife 
My love became my enemy who sought his Queen's demise 
And when I look into her face, I see her father's eyes 

Poor child, we battled over her as two dogs with a bone 
And I should not see his treachery in temper tantrums thrown 
I should not see betrayal when there's not but childish lies 
But when I look into her face, I see her father's eyes 

Now how am I to deal with this rebellion in my soul 
I cannot treat her fairly when my own heart is not whole 
I truly wish to love her but I'm not so strong or wise 
And when I look into her face, I see her father's eyes 

Only her father's eyes

HERALD’S LAMENT

A hand to wade along the road 
A laugh to lighten any load 
A place to bring a burden heart 
And heal the ache of sorrow's dart 

Who'd willing share in joy or tears 
And help to ease the darkest fears 
Or my soul like his own defense 
And all because he was my friend 

No grave could hold so free a soul 
I see him in the frisking foal 
I hear him laughing on the breeze 
That stirrs the very tops of trees 

He soars with falcons on the wing 
He hears the song that night birds sing 
Death never dared him captive keep 
He lies not there, he does not sleep 

[Solo] 

But there is silence at my side 
That haunts the place he used to ride 
And my Companion can't belay 
The loss that I sustained this day 

How bleak the future now has grown 
Since I must face it all alone 
My road is weary, dark and steep 
And it is for myself I weep

HOLDERKIN SHEEP SONG

Silly sheep, go to sleep 
We will watch around you, keep 
Though the night be dark and deep 
Nothing fast has dares to creep 
Go to sleep 

Wooly heads, have no dreads 
For we'd rather seek out beds 
And our eyes are full of lead 
And we long for hearts and steads 
Have no dreads 

Do not fear 
We are here 
Though this watch is lone and dream 
Lacking all in warmth and cheer 
Till the morn' again draws near 
We are here 

In the night, stars shine bright 
And the moon is at her height 
Lending us a little light 
Nothing comes to give you fright 
Stars shine bright 

With the day lean away 
Leaving you to breathe the day 
Are the shepherds watch you play 
Keep you safe from all that preys 
Lean away 

Silly sheep, go to sleep 
We will watch around you keep 
Though the night be dark and deep 
Nothing fast has dares to creep 
Go to sleep 

Oh Oh Oh 
Oh Oh Oh MMmm

JIREL OF JOREY

Once a spy rolled boldly 
Into Jorey Town 
Seeking someone to question 
At length 

To see how her people faired 
In Jorey'shand 
And to judge for him self 
Jorey's strength 

Behind lay a man 
Who would make himself king 
Oh waiting the spy's 
Word to go 

So he asked of a guards man 
Who is Jorey's Lord 
And the man said a maid 
Don't you know 

[Chorus:] 

She is Jirel of Jorey 
No man is her master 
And well she protects us 
Indeed 

For with her sword above us 
We fear no mage nor blade 
No injustice nor 
Overlord's greed 

Once the rest of her men 
Into hell's guard she rode 
From that place no one ever 
Returned 

And yet she came back 
Hell's guard's treasure she'd won 
And in hell her men's capture 
Soon burned 

Would she lay neared to death 
At the hands of our foes 
From her bed she was stolen 
Away 

She was taken by darkness 
Himself for his bride 
And yet Jirel stands with us 
Today 

[Chorus] 

When conquered she went 
Into hell for a means 
To slay that foe 
And free her men 

And when she found 
Her enemy's spirit bound there 
Then to free it 
She went back again 

When a foul wizard ambushed 
And slaughtered her guard 
She leveled his keep 
To the ground 

And then traveled in realms 
Of the fairy and worse 
Till at last that damned wizard 
She found 

[Chorus] 

Much taken aback 
Qas the spy by the speech 
And he wasted no more time 
That day 

But saddled his horse and left 
Jorey at once 
Rode in haste to his master 
Away 

The lord heard his news 
And then said they are strange 
These words of a guardsmen 
Unknown 

But he who would rule 
Does not squander his strength 
So I think we'll Jorey 
Alone 

[Chorus]

LAMMA’S NIGHT

All waning moon conceals her face 
Behind a scuttling wind torn cloud 
She wraps herself in its embrace 
As in a tattered cloke 

The wind is waiting in the trees 
The lens are warped and bent and bared 
I stand within my circle now 
To deal with what I hold 

Wonderer of wizard kind 
I was until a month ago 
The headman of this village came 
And begged that I should stay 

'For since our wizard died,' he said 
And why he dies we do not know 
We have no one to weave our spells 
And keep the dark at bay 

His house and books are yours my lady 
If you choose but to remain 
His offer was too tempting 
To be lightly set aside 

I'd wearied of my travel 
Being plaything of the sun and rain 
This was the chance I hoped for 
And I said that I would bide 

Perhaps if I had been a man 
And not a maid perhaps if I 
Had been less lonely less alone 
Or less of magic for 

Whatever weakness was in me 
Or for whatever reason why 
Something slept within that house 
That my own presence woke 

A half seen shadow courted me 
Stood close at hand by my side 
It left a lover's token 
One fresh blossom on my plate 

I woke to danger, knew the young 
Magician still to earth was tied 
And tied to me and I must act 
Or I might share his fate 

I found a spell for banishment 
The page then turned but not by me 
The next spell differed by one word 
Of few strokes of a pen 

The first one I had seen before 
The spell to set a spirit free 
The second let the mage born dead 
Take flesh and live again 

Now both these spells were equal 
In risk to body and to soul 
And both these spells demanded 
They be cast on Lammas Night 

And both these spells of spirit 
And of caster took an equal toll 
But nowhere is it written 
That I the spell is of the light 

Can it be wise to risk the anger 
Of the Gods in such a task? 
Yet who am I to judge of who 
Should live and who should die 

Does love or duty call to him 
Is his kindness to me all a mask 
And could I trust his answer 
Of I dared to ask him why 

So now I stand within the circles 
I have drawn upon the floor 
I have no further answer 
If this spirit's friend or foe 

To God's sign has been granted me 
Though I have prayed for often 
Nor can this moment answer if 
I'll tell him come or go

LAWS

The laws of the street why it's grab all you can 
For there's nothing that's true, nothing lasts 
The law of the dodger is learn all the dirt 
The most pious of priest have their past 
The law of the grifter is cheat the full first 
Or the one who'll be cheated is you 
But the law of the herald is give all you can 
For some day you may need a gift too 

The law of the liar is there is no truth 
It is all shades of meaning and greed 
The law of the hopeless is never believe 
For all faith is a hallowed out reed 
The law of the empty is that nothing more 
Life is nothing but shadow and dare 
But the law of the herald is seek out and find 
And the law of the herald is care 

The law of the hunted is guard your own back 
For the enemy strikes from behind 
And the law of the greedy is trust no one else 
Hide and hoard anything you may find 
The law of the hater is crush and destroy 
And the law of the bigot is kill 
But the law of the herald is faith, hope and trust 
And the strength of the herald's will 

All these laws I have learned from the first to the last 
From the ones who would teach me their truth 
And for many the ones who taught anger and fear 
But the ones who taught hope, they were few 
And I ask myself which is the law I must take 
Bidding truth like as a hand fits a glove 
And I chose and I never looked back on that day 
For the law of the herald is love

MAGIC’S PRICE

Every year Companions Choose, as they have done before, 
The Chosen come with shining hopes to learn the Herald's lore. 
And every year the Heralds sigh, and give the same advice- 
'All those who would hold Magic's Power must then pay Magic's Price.' 

Oh there was danger in the North-That's all that Vanyel knew. 
An enemy of power dark sought Heralds out-then slew. 
But only those with Magic's Gift were slain by silent rage- 
Till Vanyel of them all was left the only Herald-Mage. 

Yes, from the North the danger came, beyond the Border far- 
The Forest did not stay Dark Death, nor did the mountains bar. 
And Vanyel cried-'we die, my liege, and know not why nor where! 
So send me North my King, that I may find the answers there!' 

Then North went Vanyel -not alone, though 'twas of little aid 
A Bard was like to be to him; and Stefen was afraid- 
He feared that he would fail the quest, a burden prove to be- 
Dared not let Vanyel go alone to face dark sorcery. 

So out beyond the Border there, beyond the forest tall, 
Into the mountains deep they went that stood an icy wall- 
To find the wall had cracked and found there was a passage new, 
A path clean cut that winding ran a level course and true. 

This path was wrought by magecraft; Vanyel knew that when he saw 
The mountains hewn by power alone, a power he felt with awe- 
But to what purpose? Something moved beyond them on the trail; 
They watched and hid-and what they found there turned them cold and pale. 

An army moved in single file, by magic cloaked and hid- 
An army moved on Valdemar that marched as they were bid- 
A darker force than weaponry controlled the men and place, 
For Vanyel looked-and Vanyel knew an ancient evil's face. 

Then Vanyel turned to Stefen, and he told the Bard to ride 
To warn the folk of Valdemar-'They call me 'Magic's Pride.' 
It's time I earned the name-now go! I'll hold this army back. 
Until the arms of Valdemar can counter their attack.' 

So Stefen rode, and so it is no living tongue can tell 
How Vanyel fought, nor what he wrought, nor how the Herald fell. 
The Army came-but not in time to save the Herald-Mage, 
Although the pass was scorched and cracked by magic power's rage. 

They fought the Dark Ones back although they came on wave by wave. 
No trace they found of Vanyel, nor of his Companion brave- 
They only found the focus-stone, the gift of Stefen's hand- 
Now blackened, burned, and shattered by the power that saved their land. 

They only found the foemen who into the woods had fled 
And each one by unseen, uncanny powers now lay dead. 
As if the Forest had somehow bestirred itself that day- 
Had Vanyel with his dying breath commanded trees to slay? 

And still the forest of the North guards Valdemar from harm- 
For Vanyel's dying curse is stronger far than mortal arm. 
And every year the Chosen come, despite the old advice- 
'All those who would be Magic's Pride must then pay Magic's Price.'

MEDIC

Another year goes by 
Another transfer and I go 
To seek another world that 
Holds no faces that I know 

Another sky, another star 
Forgive me that I flee 
You try to breach the barrieors 
Between yourselves and me 

Now leave me to my silences 
And let me live apart 
I'll heal your battered bodies 
Don't try, to touch my heart 

I know the things you say of me 
You think that I don't hear 
You call me Iron Maiden 
Well how can you know I fear- 

The day that always comes 
That means my visit here must end 
The day I cease to heal a wound 
And start to heal a friend 

So please don't offer me your hands 
The sooner we must part 
I'll heal your battered bodies 
Don't try, to touch my heart 

There was a time I didn't vale 
Myself in homage night 
When I had friends and lovers 
And the days we shared were bright 

But our ship fell and foundered 
In a stormy alien sky 
Amid the shattered wreckage 
I could only watch them die 

So please don't wake the memory 
Of the pain it must impart 
I'll heal your battered bodies 
Don't try, to touch my heart 

[Interlude] 

Now I have worn my armor tight 
Ever since that day 
No lovable friendships worth the pain 
Of tearing it away 

As long as you are faceless 
I can heal the hurts I see 
But as soon you have faces 
Your wounds cut into me 

So let me wall you out 
And let no breaching start 
I'll heal your battered bodies 
Just never touch my heart

MEETING

She dances in the shadows 
Like a shadow, is her hair 
Her eyes hold midnight capture 
She is perilous fair 

A wood lark sing the measures 
That her flying feet betrays 
She dances in the shadows 
Like a dream of darkling gray 

He sings in summer's sunlight 
To the cloudless summer skies 
His head is crowned with sunlight 
And the heavens match his eyes 

A wild wood seems to listen 
To the singer's gladsome voice 
He sings in summer's sunlight 
And- all who hear rejoice 

She dances in the shadows 
For a doom upon her lies 
If the sunlight shines upon her 
The shadow dancer dies 

And on his line is this cursed 
Late that once that day is spared 
In sleep like death he lies 'till 
Once again the night has fled 

One evening in the twilight 
That is neither day nor night 
The time part bred of shadow 
And partly born of light 

A trembling shadow dancer 
Heard the voice of love and good 
That sang a song of sunlight 
Through the gathering evening mood 

A spell it cast upon her 
And she followed in its wake 
To where sun singer sang it 
All unheeding by her lake 

She saw the one that she must 
Love until the day she dies 
And bitter tears for bitter love 
The shadow dancer cries 

He saw her and he loved her 
And he knew his love was vague 
For he was born of sunlight 
And must be the shadow's bane 

So weather curse could claim him 
Then he shed one bitter tear 
To know his only love must 
Also be his greatest fear 

So now they meet at twilight 
Though they only meet to part 
Sad meetings, sadder partings 
And the breaking of each heart 

What blame then if they pray for 
Time or death to bring a cure 
For the sake of bitter loving 
None the less they will endure

MIS-CONCEPTIONS

I've got a unicorn's horn 
In the middle of my forehead 
And the antlers of a stag 
On either side 

I've got pointed ears 
That are something like a deer's 
Or something like an elf's 
I can't decide 

I've got long green hair 
To match my flowing emerald mane 
That turns red with the oak trees 
Every fall 

With my goat like eyes 
It comes as no surprise 
That I've got feathered eyebrows 
And that isn't all 

[Chorus] 

My mother never talks about that orgy 
And I can't really blame her, much although 
I'd love to read the guest list for that party 
And if there's another one like it, let me know 

Well my vampire's fangs make kissing kind of awkward 
Like the set of gills implanted in my neck 
But my chest and arms, aren't the least of all my charms 
They somehow came out human, what the heck 

I've got phoenix wings well rooted in my shoulders 
And I hope you like legs, 'cause I got four 
The furry forward pair, would make a lion stare 
Because they end in dragon claws that wreck the flour 

[Chorus] 

I suspect my body's mostly like a centaur's 
Though my fur is somewhat tiger like you'll find 
And if you'd fear that my legs in front were weird 
You should only see the pair that walk behind 

'Cause they start off looking something like a horse's 
But they're covered up with feathers not with hair 
And they end in hoofs like an antelope's which proves 
That there's nothing that the traffic will not bear 

[Chorus] 

Now my tail is really something very special 
Though you wouldn't think so seeing it at all 
For it's long and green, like my hair and mane you've seen 
And like them it turns red with every fall 

But beneath that hair, which is really quite attractive 
The stinger of a mantacore is hid 
So you surly see, when you look at all of me 
That I really wish I knew, what would they did! 

My mother never talks about that orgy 
And I can't really blame her, much although 
I'd love to read the guest list for that party 
And if there's another one like it, let me know, 'cause I wanna go 
If there's another one like it, let me know

MUSINGS

How did you grow so wise so young 
Tell me Hearld, tell me 
How did you grow so wise so young 
Queen's Own Queen's Own 

Where did you learn the words to say 
To take my pain and guilt away 
And grant me strength again today 
To sit upon my throne 

How can you be so brave so young 
Tell me Hearld, tell me 
How can you be so brave so young 
Queen's Own Queen's Own 

How do you over come your fear 
To know my path was never clear 
While knowing death walked ever near 
Would chill me to the bone 

How can you be so kind so young 
Tell me Hearld, tell me 
How can you be so kind so young 
Queen's Own Queen's Own 

To see the best and not the worst 
To sooth anger, pain or thurst 
To always think of others first 
And never self alone 

Where did you learn to love so young 
Tell me Hearld, tell me 
Where did you learn to love so young 
Queen's Own Queen's Own 

How did you teach your heart to care 
To touch in ways I would not dare 
Where did you find the cougage, where? 
Oh how you've grown

MY LADY’S EYES

My Lady's eyes are like the skies 
A soft and sunlit blue 
No other fair could half compare 
In sweet midsummer hue 
My Lady's eyes cannot disguise 
Her tender, gentle heart 
She cannot feign, she feels my pain 
Whenever we must part 
(Instamental) 
Now while I live I needs must give 
Her all my love and more 
That she may know I worship so 
This one that I adore. 
And while away, I long and pray 
The days may speed, and then, 
I heartward hie, I flee, I fly, 
To see her eyes again. 
(Instamental) 
My Lady's eyes, each glance I prize, 
As gentle as a dove, 
And would that I could tell her why 
I dare not speak my love. 
Too high, as far as any star 
Her station is to mine, 
Too wide that space to e'er embrace, 
Beneath her I repine. 
(Instamental)

NIGHTBLADES

They come creeping our of darkness, and to darkness they return. 
In their wake they leave destruction; where they go, no one can learn 
For they leave no trave in passing, as if all who watched were blind 
Like a dream of evil sending, 
Nightblades passing, nightblades rending, 
Into darkness once more blending 
Leaving only dead behind. 

First a threat-and then a death comes in the darkness of the night 
And a dozen would-be allies have begun to show their fright. 
When the nightblades strike unhinderes, and can take a life at will, 
There's no safty in alliance 
And much peril in defiance 
It is best to show compliance 
And the Karsite ranks to fill. 

The chief envoy summons Vanyel, for one ally still seems brave 
And the treaty may be salvages if Vanyel this life can save. 
Herald Vanyel feigns refusal, senses one would play him fool; 
Thinks of treachery in hiding, 
Lets his instincts be his guiding. 
His own counsel he is biding 
He'll be no unwitting tool. 

Garbed in black slips Herald Vanyel to their last lone ally's keep; 
Over wall and into window, past all gates and guards to creep. 
Past all gates and guards-no magic has them wraped in deadly spell- 
They are drugged, and they are dreaming. 
Some foe strikes in friendly seeming- 
See-a metal dart there gleaming! 
Vanyel knew the symptoms well. 

Now he hears another's footstep soft before him in the dark 
And he hastes to lay an ambush while the nightblade seeks his mark. 
Now he waits beside the doorway of the ally's very room 
And the nightblade, all unknowing, 
With a single lamp-beam showing 
To a confrontation going 
Not to fill another tomb. 

Out of shadows Vanyel rises and he bars the nightblad's way. 
He has only that slim warning-Vanyel has him soon at bay. 
When the guards have all awakened, then he bares the nightblade's face 
And all minds but his are reeling 
When he tears off but concealing- 
And the envoy's fave revealing- 
Brings the traitor to disgrace.

OF CABBAGES

I've always been a farmer and 
My heart's bound to the land 
The earth's deep roots, are in me blood 
She answers to my hand 

I grow the best damned cabbages 
You ever hope to see 
And once upon a moon struck night 
I watched the dancing sheep 

Their music came before them 
And it pulled me from me bed 
It flowed like cool wine on the breeze 
And got inside me head 

It made me drunk and sober both 
It made me sing and cry 
It made me want to weep and dance 
And dream that I could fly 

And then their voices, caroling 
Like bells, like birds, like rain 
In words I almost understood 
In joy to near to pain 

The songs were like the ones you hear 
In dreams but can't recall 
That fill you mind in slumber 
But with dawn you loose it all 

And then they came so wondrous bright 
So quite beyond compare 
With stars shine in their eyes 
And silver roses in their hair 

Wrapped with an aching beauty 
Sweet and bitter, crystal light 
A beauty that ya' fear to see 
But fear to loose the sight 

I saw them at their dancing 
Leaping air and silver flame 
And conscience, all to conscience 
Of my clumsy mortal frame 

I watched them at their dancing 
Life light footed, full of grace 
With my legs of wood and feet of lead 
Stood rooted in me place 

[Interlude] 

I am a farmer bound to earth 
I know what I do well 
I'm mortal and I'm common 
Like the cabbages I sell 

There's virtue in a canage 
Even elf's eat, I suppose 
But once just once, I wish that I 
Could grow a silver rose

OTHERLOVE

I need you as a friend, dear one 
I love you as a brother 
And my body lies beside you while 
My heart yearns for another 

I wonder if you understand 
Beneath your careless guise 
I seem to sense uneasiness 
When looking in your eyes 

I need your help my friend and I 
Had sworn to stand-alone 
How foolish were the vows I made 
My present plight has shown 

But don't mistake my need for love 
However strong it seems 
For while I lye beside you 
Someone else is in my dreams 

I wish that I could know your thoughts 
I only sense your pain 
An ease behind the smile you wear 
A haunted sad refrain 

I would not be the cause of grief 
I've often told you so 
Yet there's a place within my heart 
Where your love cannot know

PHILOSOPHY

Oh what's the use of living if you never learn to laugh 
Why look at me I grub down among the riff and raff 
But you won't catch me glomming 'round with out a hint of smile 
And if I have to do a thing I do it right with style 

Cause if your gonna be the one 
To take that tight-rope walk 
And if your gonna be the one 
Who makes the gossips talk 
If it's your job to be the one 
Who always takes a chance 
And if you have to cross thin ice 
Then cross it in a dance! 

Now take the time that I was borrowing a thing or two 
The owner of the house walked in, well what was I to do? 
I bowed and said 'Don't stir yourself' before he raised a shout 
Thanks for your hospitality, I'll find my own way out. 

Cause if your gonna be the one 
To take that tight-rope walk 
And if your gonna be the one 
Who makes the gossips talk 
If it's your job to be the one 
Who always takes a chance 
And if you have to cross thin ice 
Then cross it in a dance! 

I just come up a chimney, I was black from head to toe 
Climb to the art to find a watchman well wouldn't you just know 
But in the dark he took me for a demon I would bet 
Cause when I howled and went for him, I bet he's running yet 

Cause if your gonna be the one 
To take that tight-rope walk 
And if your gonna be the one 
Who makes the gossips talk 
If it's your job to be the one 
Who always takes a chance 
And if you have to cross thin ice 
Then cross it in a dance! 

Take my Companion, did you know I thought to steel her too 
This pretty horse out in the street, no owner in my view 
I grabbed the reigns and hopped on board I thought I was home free 
Until I looked into her eyes...and now the joke's on me 

Cause now I'm gonna be the one 
To take that tight-rope walk 
And now I'm gonna be the one 
Who makes the gossips talk 
Oh it's my job to be the one 
Who always takes a chance 
And if I have to cross thin ice 
I'll cross it in a dance!

SHADOW STALKER

It was just a week till Sovven, and the nights were turning chill 
And the battle turned to stalemate, double-bluff, and feint and drill 
When a shadow drifted northward, just a shadow, nothing more. 
No one noticed that the shadows grew all darker that before. 
No one noticed that the shadows seemed to creep into the heart, 
But from then the fight for freedom seemed a fool's quest from the start. 
All the hopes that they had cherished seemed unreasoned and naive 
Nothing worth the strength to pray for, or to strive for, or believe. 

And the shadows stole the sunlight from the brightest autumn day, 
As they sang a song of bleakness that touched every heart that heard 
As they whispered words of hopelessness, all courage fled away, 
And they wove a smothering blanket over all, that lived and stirred. 

Herald Vanyel came upon them, and he sensed a subtle wrong, 
And there was some magic working; deeply hidden, yes, but strong. 
And it moves and worked in secret, like poison in the vein 
Like a poison meant to weaken, this was magic meant to drain. 
Herald Vanyel saw the Shadows, and they turned their wiles on him 
For one moment even he began to fell his spirit dim- 
But he saw their secret evil, and he swore e're he was done 
He would stalk and slay these Shadows, and destroy them one by one. 

Herald Vanyel, Shadow Stalker, hunted Shadows to their doom 
They turned all their powers upon him, turned away from other men 
And although they strove to take him, he unwove their web of gloom. 
So the Shadows fled his anger, their creator sought again. 

Herald Vanyel faces the Singer who had sung them into life 
And she sang to him of grief and loss that cut him like a knife. 
And she sang to him of self-hate, and she wove a net of pain 
With her songs of woe and hopelessness bent to be Vanyel's bane. 
'So now what is there to strive for?' was the song she sang to him. 
And the shadow came upon his heart, the world grew gray and dim. 
But the Singer of The Shadow did not know the foe she fought, 
Now how dear he held his duty, nor by what pain power was bought. 

Herald Vanyel looked upon her, and he saw through her disguise 
And she strove then to seduce him into death or madness sweet. 
Herald Vanyel looked within him, and he saw her songs were lies, 
And he gathered up his magic then, her powers to defeat. 

Herald Vanyel raised his golden voice and sang of life and light, 
Of the first cry of a baby, of the silver stars of night. 
Herald Vanyel sang of wisdom, sang of courage, sang of love, 
Of the earth's sweet soil beneath him, of the vaulting sky above, 
Sang of healing, sang of growing, sang of joy and hope and dreams, 
And the Singer Of The Shadows felt the death of all her schemes. 
It was then she tried to flee him, but his song and magic spell 
Struck her down and held her pinioned and she faltered, and she fell. 

Then the Singer Of the Shadows saw her Shadows shatter there, 
Saw her lies unmade before her, saw her darkness turned to day 
And how empty and how petty was the spirit then laid bare- 
Like her Shadow then she shattered, and in silence passes away.

SIGNY MALLORY

She's captain of the Norway 
With a thorn in Union's side 
Protector of Pell station 
And a source of grudging pride 

Left the Mazianni with a price upon her head 
And stayed to guard the stations that the company left for dead 

They say she doesn't think about 
The lives that she has lost 
They say when Norway goes to fight 
She doesn't count the cost 

But once she's planed a course, she never recons wrong or right 
So why does she stare sleeplessly into the dark of night 

Chorus: 
Captain Signy Mallory has no soul they say 
The captain of the Norway has a heart of frozen clay 
And on the bridge of the Norway 
She throws men's lives like dice 
Captain Signy Mallory, her eyes are fire and ice 

They say for Norway's captain disciplines an iron whip 
It's worth your life to break her rules and dock her of the ship 
But no one seems is under her command but if that's so 
Then why do her troops cheer her when she passes them below 

They say the captain has no crewed emotions to control 
Just and iron fist, an iron will and an iron bandit soul 
They say she shows no mercy they say she never can 
So why is Norway refuge for a burned out Union man 

[Chorus] 

She's captain of the Norway 
And a thorn in Union's side 
The Mazianni fear her 
She's the heart of Norway's pride 

And stationer of Urchinter from far and back to Pell 
No for Mallory all Norway would fight demons out of hell 

[Chorus] 
Captain Signy Mallory, her eyes are fire and ice

SUN AND SHADOW

What has touched me reaching deep? 
Piercing my in-sourceful sleep 
Darkling lady do you weep? 
What is the cause of your grief? 

Why do tears of bold men pain 
Bathe my heart in bitter rain 
What is this longing? Why this pain? 
What is this spell you are weaving 

Sunlight singer, morning spear 
How I long for what I fear 
Not by my will are you hear 
How I wish I could free you 

Gladly in your arms I lie 
But I dare not come you nigh 
For if you touch me I shall die 
If I were wise I would flee you 

Shadow dancer, dark and fair 
Lady that I love too well 
Won't you free me from the spell 
That you have cast around me 

Star-eyed maid beyond compare 
Mists of twilight in your hair 
Why must you be so sweet and fair 
How is it that you have found me 

In your eyes your soul lies bare 
Hope is mingled with despair 
Sun-moon lover do I dare 
Trust my heart till keeping 

Sunrise means that I must leave 
Moonrise steels your soul from me 
Nothing behind us but agony 
Nothing before us but weeping 

Sun and Shadow, dark and light 
Child of day and child of night 
Who can set our tale aright? 
Is there no future but sorrow... 

Will some power hear our plea 
Take the curse from you and me 
Grant is peace or set is free 
Dare we to hope for tomorrow? 
Is there no future but sorrow?

THE COLDDRAKE

Young Vanyel once awakened from, a dream of death and fear. 
If he should choose to be a mage, his doom would then draw near, 
Of future filled with suffering was all that he could see 
And so he made a choice to leave k'Treva there then flee. 
Into the winter's bitter cold he hurried on that day, 
His mind was numbed and chilled and he could scarcely find his way. 
When pondering his haste made choice he thought then to return, 
But a magic cry for mercy made his frozen spirit burn. 

Silver and amethyst the Colddrake hunts for prey, 
Its glowing eyes can hypnotize and steal your soul away. 

He caught the cry of magic then and followed it where is led, 
And all the while a helpless anguish echoed in his head. 
He came upon a holding in a sheltered forest vale, 
Destroyed in ruthless fury by a monster cold and pale. 
A woman and her children huddled near the Colddrake's paw. 
Her husband lay in shreds beneath an unforgiving claw. 
The beast entranced her victims neither looking left nor right, 
She knew for well the peasants had no way to run or fight. 

Silver and amethyst the Colddrake hunts for prey, 
Its glowing eyes can hypnotize and steal your soul away. 

Then suddenly a man stepped fourth, a pitch fork in his hand, 
As if alone he'd face the beast, and bravely take a stand. 
Though old and frail he could not bear to watch his kinfolk die, 
He was the only chance they had, and he was bound to try. 
The man thrust his weapon deep into the Coldrake’s side, 
He knew his life was forfeit and there was no where to hide. 
As Vanyel watched, the monster killed the farmer where he stood. 
Distraction broke the calling as the old man knew it would. 

Silver and amethyst the Colddrake hunts for prey, 
Its glowing eyes can hypnotize and steal your soul away. 

From hiding then did Vanyel spring, rage forcing his attack. 
He shielded all the peasants and he forced the monster back. 
With magic drawn from hidden nodes, he flung the Colddrake high 
And watch it's broken body plummet from the winter sky. 
Courage of the simple folk can move a man to tears, 
Or give him strength to face a foe and conquer all his fears. 
So Vanyel made a choice that day, he never would regret; 
A farmer taught a lesson that the mage could not forget. 

Silver and amethyst the Colddrake hunts for prey, 
Its glowing eyes can hypnotize and steal your soul away. 

Silver and cardinal lay on the snow that day, 
For young Vanyel unfroze his spell and chose the mage's way.

THE FACE WITHIN

The weapons master has no heart his hide is iron cold 
His soul within that hide is steel or so I've been told- 
His only care is for your skill his only love is own 
And where another has a heart he has a marble stone 

That's what the common wisdom holds but common is not true 
For there is often truth behind what's in common view 
And so it is the herald’s task that didn't truth to win 
To see behind the face without and find the face within 

He goads his students into rage he drives them into pain 
He mocks them and does not care that tears may fall like rain 
He works them when they're weary and rebukes them when they fail 
Cuts them to ribbons with his tongue as they stand meek and pale 

But will our enemies be fair nor come on us behind 
And will they stay their tongue or in their words a weapon find 
Or wait till we are rested before making their attacks 
Or will they rather beat us down and then go for our backs 

But he has no compassion does not care for man nor beast 
And when a students gone he does not notice in the least 
And no one calls this man their love and no one calls him friend 
And none can judge him by his face or what he may intend 

But I have seen him speak the word that brings hope from despair 
Or drop the one word compliment that makes the students care 
And I have seen his sorrow when he hears the death bell cry 
His soul deep agony of doubt that nothing can deny 

For on his shoulders rests the job of fitting us for war 
With nothing to give him a clue of what to train us for 
And if he fails it is not he that pays but you and I 
And so he dies a little when he hears the death bell cry 

And now you know the face within hid by the face without 
The pain that he must harbor all the guilt and all the doubt 
The weapons master has a heart so grant his stony mask 
For you and I aren't strong enough to bear that kind of task

THE HERALS’S CREED

I pledge this day my sword, my heart to build and help preserve; 
Although I'm if my life apart from those that I must serve. 
The laws of truth I will obey in every thought and deed, 
Stand fast while others turn away, upon The Herald's Creed. 

I vow to heal the wrongs I see as long as I shall live. 
My heart will guide me faithfully and teach me how to give, 
I'll render way as best I can and to those who are in pain 
And by the strength of my own hand restore the peace again. 

The deeds of those who lived before, have bound my life to their's. 
Their legends open up the door and taught me how to care 
The touch of my Companion's thoughts bring friendship, song and joy. 
It is upon that love has wrought and time cannot destroy. 

I swear to guard and keep the crown defending all that's just, 
No force will ever bring it down, this is our sacred trust. 
My path is clear before me now, my choices all are made 
In Honor's name I take a vow to face life unafraid. 

Upon my soul I make a vow this light will never fade.

THE SHADOW-LOVER

Shadow-Lover, never seen by day, 
Only deep in deams do you appear 
Wisdom tells me I should turn away, 
Love of mist and shadows, all unclear- 
Nothing can I hold of you but thought 
Shadow-Lover mist and twilight wrought. 

Shadow-Lover, comfort me in pain. 
Love, although I never see you face, 
All who'd have me fear you speek in vain- 
Never would I shrink from your embrace 
Shadow-Lover, gentle is your hand 
Never could another understand. 

Shadow-Lover, soothe me when I mourn 
Mourn for all who left me here alone, 
When my grief is too much to be borne, 
When my burdens crushing-great have grown, 
Shadow-Lover, I cannot forget- 
Help me bear the burdens I have yet. 

Shadow-Lover, you alone can know 
How I long to reach a point of peace 
How I fade with weariness and woe 
How I long for you to bring release. 
Shadow-Lover, court me in my dreams 
Bring the peace that suffering redeems. 

Shadow-Lover, from the Shadows made, 
Lead me into Shadows once again. 
Where you lead I cannot be afraid, 
For with you I shall come home again- 
In your arms I shall not fear the night. 
Shadow-Lover, lead me into light.

THREES

Deep into the stony hills 
Miles from town or hold 
A troop of guards comes riding 
With a lady and her gold 
She rides bemused among them 
Shrouded in her cloak of fur 
Companioned by a maiden 
And a toothless sated cur 

Three things see not end 
A flower blighted airith bloom 
A message that miscarries 
And a journey that is doomed 

One among the guardsmen 
Has a shifting restless eye 
And as they ride he scans the hills 
That rise against the skies 
He wears both sword and jewels 
Worth more than he could afford 
And hidden in his baggage 
Is a heavy secret horde 

Of three things be wary of 
A feather on a cat 
The shepherd eating mutton 
And the guardsman that is fat 

Little does the lady care 
What all the guardsmen know 
That bandits ambush caravans 
That on these trade roads go 
In spite of tricks and clever traps 
And all that men can do 
The brigands seem to always sense 
Which trains are false or true 

Three things are most perilous 
The shape that walks behind 
The ice that will not hold you 
And the spy you cannot find 

From ambush bandits screaming 
Charge the pack train and its prize 
And all but four within the trade 
Are taken by surprise 
And all but four are cut down 
As a woodsman fells a log 
The guardsmen and the lady 
And the maiden and the dog 

Three things hold a secret 
Lady riding in a dream 
The dog that sounds no warning 
And the maiden who does not scream 

Then off the lady pulls her cloak 
And armor she is clad 
Her sword is out and ready and 
Her eyes are fierce and glad 
The maiden makes a gesture and 
The dog's a cur no more 
A wolf sword made and sorceress 
Now face the bandit horde 

Three things never anger 
Or you will not live for long 
A wolf with cubs 
A man with power 
And a women's sense of wrong 

The lady and her sister 
By a single trader lone 
Were hired out to try to lay 
A trap all of their own 
And no one knew their plan except 
The two who rode that day 
For what you do not know 
You cannot ever give away 

Three things is its better part 
That only two should know 
For treasure hides who shares your bed 
And how to catch your foe 

The bandits growl a challenge 
And the lady only grins 
The sorceress bows mockingly 
And them the fight begins 
When it ends there's only four 
Left standing from the horde 
The witch the wolf the trader 
And the women with the sword 

Three things never trust in 
A maiden sworn is pure 
The vows a kings has given 
And the ambush that is sure 

They strip the trader naked 
And then whip him on his way 
And to the barren hill sides like 
The folk he used to slay 
And what of all the maidens 
That this bandit raped and slew 
So as revenge the sorceress 
Makes him a women too 

Three things trust above all else 
The horse on which you ride 
The beast that guards your sleeping 
And your shield mate at your side

VRONDI’S EYES

A mage rode forth from Karse one day, a-fleeing for his life 
He bore his staff beside his ancient sword and jeweled knife. 
He made a camp with in a grove where much to his surprise, 
A drift upon a sea of mist he saw a thousand eyes. 

Eyes, white unblinking eyes 
As blue as the sky. 
No mage can pass our borders 
And escape the Vrondi's eyes. 

A dark and wicked sorcerer who'd made a bloody pact 
Came on a sleeping holding and the folk, there in attacked. 
No sooner did he weave his spell and roused their anguished cries 
Then all but once he felt the glare of disembodied eyes. 

Eyes, white unblinking eyes 
As blue as the sky. 
No mage can pass our borders 
And escape the Vrondi's eyes. 

A witch of doubtful breeding and a crud collective taste 
Fled from the executioner’s across the trackless waste. 
But Valdamar was aware that witch quite suddenly grew wise, 
She cursed the day she felt those unrelenting eyes. 

Eyes, white unblinking eyes 
As blue as the sky. 
No mage can pass our borders 
And escape the Vrondi's eyes. 

So if you deal in magic better watch your step my friend, 
There's risk for you in Valdamer which you can't comprehend. 
The Vrondi search for magery, they are the Heralds' spies 
And nothing can elude their vigilant, unresting eyes. 

Eyes, white unblinking eyes 
As blue as the sky. 
No mage can pass our borders 
And escape the Vrondi's eyes. 

Eyes, white unblinking eyes 
As blue as the sky. 
No mage can pass our borders 
And escape the Vrondi's eyes.

WEB OF LIGHT

Web of Power, Web of Light raise my magic's hand, 
From a node of acient file far beneth the land. 
Called by forces stong and sure to this final test. 
Joining Hearlds North and south with those from east to west. 

Challenge not this Web of Light, oh mage of dark designs. 

Lay your stones before you, mages trained and skilled. 
They will form the pattern of the web of that we must build. 
This our parting gift to generations yet to be; 
A trap to warn of magic that no mortal eyes can see. 

Challenge not this Web of Light, oh mage of dark designs. 

You are we who felt the touch, of magic's guiding light. 
You were still in years ahead, are those prepared to filght. 

In our circle one last time we need to raise the par, 
That must endure when flesh is gone and light the darkest hour. 

Challenge not this Web of Light, oh mage of dark designs. 

In our circle one last time we need to raise the par, 
That must endure when flesh is gone and light the darkest hour. 

Challenge not this Web of Light, oh mage of dark designs.

WIND’S FOUR QUARTERS

[Chorus] 

Wind's four quarters: 
Air and fire 
Earth and water 
Hear my desire 

Grant my plea 
Who stands alone 
Maid and Warrior 
Mother and Crone 

Eastern wind blow 
Clear blow clean 
Cleanse my body 
Of it's pain 

Cleanse my mind of 
What I've seen 
Cleanse my honor 
Of it's stain 

Maid whose love 
Have never ceased 
Bring me healing 
From the East 

Southern wind blow 
Hot blow hard 
Fan my courage 
To a flame 

Southern wind be 
Guide and guard 
Add your bravery 
To my name 

Let my will 
And yours be twin 
Warrior of 
The southern wind 

[Chorus] 

Western wind blow 
Stark blow strong 
Grant me arm and 
Mind of steel 

Let our own both 
Caught and long 
Mother hear me 
Where I kneel 

Let no weakness 
On my quest 
Hinder me, 
Wind of the West 

[Music] 
Northern wind blow 
Crow blow cold 
Sheave my aching 
Heart in ice 

All around my 
Soul enfold 
Crow I need not 
Call you twice 

To my foes bring 
Cold of death 
Chill me north winds 
Frozen breath 

[Chorus] 

Maid and warrior 
Mother and Crone

WINDRIDER UNCHAINED

Windrider, fettered, imprisoned, and pinioned 
Wing-clipped by magic, his power full drained, 
Valdamar's Heir is defeated and captive, 
With his Campanion by Darklord enchained. 

Darklord of shadows his fetters is weaving 
Binds him in darkness as deep as despair, 
Mocks at his anger and laughs at his weeping 
'Where is your strength now, oh Valdemar's Heir?' 

Darklord has left them by shadows encumbered, 
Darshay and Windrider trapped in his gloom, 
Deep in his prisons, past hope, past believing, 
Heir and Campanion, will this be your tomb? 

Out of the shadows another draws nearer, 
Out of the twilight steals one furtive light. 
Shadows dance pain, while the Light sings despairing, 
Drawn here by Darshay and Windrider's plight. 

Power new-won have the Singer and Dancer, 
Power to shatter their curses at last- 
Power that also could free the sad captives; 
Power to break the bonds holding them fast. 

Heart speaks to heart in the depth of the darkness 
Grief calls to grief, and they falter, afraid- 
Why should they sacrifice all for these strangers? 
Then new compassion sends them on to aid. 

Dancer in Shadows, she weeps as she dances, 
Dancing unmaking the shadow-born bands. 
Sunsinger now through tears gives up his power- 
Sings back the magic to Windrider's hands. 

Spent now, the twain fall unseen into shadow 
Gifted to strangers all that they had gained. 
Darklord returnes, and by fear is confounded- 
Flees the advenger, Windrider unchained!