Apollonius (Lord of the Talismans)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Edited By the Great and Powerful Grace*
...for surely I would ramble on and on and on...
 
 
Over the lands hovered in mist, walks one whom time let’s slip between the harsh held folds;
 
aging only in his knowledge in pace of the breeze.  Born before the time of Christ; journeying now through the age of knight, this so-called medieval day.
 
 
 
Apollo found himself in Hispania, Atlantic land of the Celts, realizing that when he reached one end of the world, conditions abruptly changes.  Having not been here for so long he could feel upon the wind, air of The Visigoth. His linin the perfect match for this climate sewn by the naked priests of Kemet, held fast by the overlaying blanket that kept him shrouded within his favoured secrecy.
 
The land rolled out its welcome mat of Mediterranean weather as he glanced to the sun for a time. It was a little past mid-day. He who casts no shadow felt it had drawbacks. Wishing to reach the woods down the distant hills before night he hurried forth.
 
He wished to converse with the birds, his favourite joy; their company were so much better than the night-time creatures for they knew the pleasure of good conversation. Whereas the latter were focused upon hunting and slipping unto shadow mid-speak.
 
They of the prowl have not the patience for travellers talk; He still believed he would have something worthy to say for his life whole, five years of silence still felt as yesterday, when known only his native tongue.
 
He cupped his hands and caught his speech, balling his fists throwing his voice. Up to the wind like a shot-put, hurled with its weight to the distant trees. Stroking his beard he paused and listened wondering if his strength was enough for them to hear.
 
As he started forward came the rustle of a cloud, coloured in black rainbow with cries upon the sky, twisting and diving swooping in dance as the fleet of the trees flocked to greet them.
 
As a witness to the grandeur a boy on a hill saw this feat and stood stuck within his spot, only after they all landed, did he take off, running towards home to declare what he saw; a man who controls birds with a magical skill.
 
The first to arrive were the kestrel, diving their way in, as an asteroid to land, they spoke in accordance  their knowledge of the man, passed down from generations from their hunting clan; they asked if it was true that he forged infinite magical tools, ones that maybe could protect of them too.
 
He spoke to them of olive, “bring me the fruit and sinew of your native borne tree, grains of sand from the edge of land and ash from the Maritime pine split by god of thunder.”
 
As they flew off he turned to the buzzards and the kites asking if feeding from flesh still felt right, they argued that they serviced the land keeping the old alive through their circling wing, their knowledge we gain and upon this terrain no debris is unsavoury.
 
Sickness spreading is downright unnecessary. Never would they change their ways he thought, still, he always tried.
 
He held a nightjar and bunting warbling and nuzzling saying, “You see almost the stretch of land as me. Tell me please, that Sanskrit still breathes? “
 
“Alas no,” they cried, “the final ways of it have died, within a pocketed few carry a gem or two but fluent is through, hole upon whole where only glorified Hindu make of its use.”
 
He shook his head, “I feared it so, it was dire when I left, such craft and finesse a kiss on the tongue, too soon falls upon none.”
 
Unpacking his wonders of alchemy saw the kestrel flying back their treasures held in claw and of beak dropping each bit at Apollo's feet. The last to dive had the ashes within.
 
Opening his beak for him to collect, he placed them in a vial of liquid which he held by its neck and his other hand he held under and awe was around; as heat came from the palm as blue as the purest sky.
 
Pouring the contents in a bowl he spoke lost words of man, preparing the other ingredients in a separate bowl. Using his mortar ground out juice and powder and again spoke tongues of man.
 
Combining these bowls saw a flash then wisp smoke and the smell of iron wafting the air as a cloud full of rain dissipated soon as it was near.
 
Hens clucked with excitement and feathers were ruffled as all who had amassed began to stir.
 
With an odd looking tool he formed a shape in symbol of tomorrow and tied it with string around an owl saying purposed direct and loud, “Heed the coming of man for you shall be safe if one of any feather wears this talisman, but if it is lost then numbers shall go for each bird will know peril upon the globe.”
 
They all agreed the owl was best and most responsible, swearing to guard it in all causes.
 
He lifted his belongings letting them guide, to where a nights home is, to there in the trees below another hill and push on he must to make before dusk.

Reviews

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Oh, such a story here my friend! I'm enchanted...and inspired; to write of fantasies and rolling hills and animals with personalities and so many things. I love the idea of this one, the concept, but you know my love of lore and myth. Your poetic stylings are never a disappointment.

[Souladareatease]

:) Thank You--I hope to do more on him...I used this as a prequel to that other Write (The wizard The War The Dragon The Pearl...same guy...different time......Ever Read of Apollonius? Neat guy...lots of tidbits about him...a lot of books....some damning...some supporting...he was a few years before that HeyZues guy.....Thank You for reading this long-winded Write :)

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Yep, have read a little about him, but as you said, he is one of those characters that sort of weaves in and out of a lot of different things. I like him, though, and the concept...write on and I will read!

[Rob Santana]

This is outstanding!!! Amazing piece of art.I hope you choose to write more like this.

[Pryde Foltz]

There is lovely flow to your pen. And you are brimming with wonderful ideas and imagery. I took love to write on birds. Pen on, Soul.

[Lydia Shutter]

A fascinating tale indeed. The personification is unique and so interesting. The imagery is colorful. You have created a wonderfully mythical story here. Absolutely magical. Lydi**

[Souladareatease]

Thank You Lydi :) very kind!!! never feel obligated to play "touchback" with comments...tit for tat I mean....I don't really play by those rules and I find them rather silly...sometimes I may be awhile before I get back to Your writes...or I may visit day after day....You know where I live so visit when the feeling strikes ok:)? never do I feel slighted if it takes awhile...their are many gifted writers here...and time is always a limited thing...we should always peruse as we want...gratification of "wants" is a rarity...I thank You Kindly for Your time ALWAYS!!!

[Lydia Shutter]

When I can, I read....and unfortunately I know I miss a lot of the good poems because they are not listed on the front page by the time I get there. However, as I just told someone earlier today, the poetry does not have an expiration date. No worries. Lydi*

[Souladareatease]

exactly:) I love Your Writes I will will always float by and visit my kind friend from time to time:)

[Sami Khalil]

I really enjoyed this magical story full of imaginative dialogues and ancient times of excitement and adventure done with a splendid language ...Bravo

[Souladareatease]

Thank You Sami :) I hope to write more in this vein someday:)

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...:)