Epic of the Lovers
A Forgotten Tale
The Epic of the Lovers tells the story of Mahsati, a mortal musician of great talent and renown. She was fair and kind, her skills were praised and she played at the court and parties of the most noble amongst the Danatelian Lands. But she was unlucky in love, never able to catch the eye of those she desired with her heart.
So, the musician decided to seek the Goddess of Love, and ask for her blessing. Much of the journey she follows is the same as in the Epic of the Magic-Bringer. It was a long and perilous journey, every new step challenging her wits and determination, until finally she reached the Sea of Dusk.
For a week Mahsati paced back and forth through the realm of Gods, seeking Samara the Enchantress. She went to her temple, searched through the gardens, asked the divine attendants where she could find the Goddess. But none knew how to find her, and so Mahsati kept searching.
On the 8th night, as she lay exhausted against a tree, she pulled out her oud, and sang the woes that weighed on her heart. The melody danced through the heavenly gardens, until it found its way to the ear of the Goddess Samara, who happened to pass by.
The Goddess was entranced. She tried to find the musician who played such delicate notes, who could make nature sing with her, but the melody stopped too soon and Samara could not find the one who had captured her heart. The following night, the Goddess returned to the gardens, hoping to catch the melody once more.
Once again, the crystalline music elevated through the air, and the trees and plants sang with it. Samara followed the sound, quick and fast, until through the bushes of roses she could peer at Mahsati, playing her song. The Goddess stood in silent, captured by the music. Only as Mahsati prepared to leave did Samara leave her place of hiding.
So, the musician decided to seek the Goddess of Love, and ask for her blessing. Much of the journey she follows is the same as in the Epic of the Magic-Bringer. It was a long and perilous journey, every new step challenging her wits and determination, until finally she reached the Sea of Dusk.
For a week Mahsati paced back and forth through the realm of Gods, seeking Samara the Enchantress. She went to her temple, searched through the gardens, asked the divine attendants where she could find the Goddess. But none knew how to find her, and so Mahsati kept searching.
On the 8th night, as she lay exhausted against a tree, she pulled out her oud, and sang the woes that weighed on her heart. The melody danced through the heavenly gardens, until it found its way to the ear of the Goddess Samara, who happened to pass by.
The Goddess was entranced. She tried to find the musician who played such delicate notes, who could make nature sing with her, but the melody stopped too soon and Samara could not find the one who had captured her heart. The following night, the Goddess returned to the gardens, hoping to catch the melody once more.
Once again, the crystalline music elevated through the air, and the trees and plants sang with it. Samara followed the sound, quick and fast, until through the bushes of roses she could peer at Mahsati, playing her song. The Goddess stood in silent, captured by the music. Only as Mahsati prepared to leave did Samara leave her place of hiding.
by Edmund Dulac
Ooof. That's some powerful stuff right there. My lord that final sentence has just the right amount of punch to it. I love that so much, the idea that magic was a mistake caused by nothing more than losing track if time with one you love. Masterful work!
Oooh :'0, thank you so much for the kind words, they mean a lot!!