XXIX.

  A teeming of flowers surrounding the small enclosure,

  All vibrant and lush, ranging from yellow to blue, to white;

  And circled with short walls of stone, lit up by lantern’s light.

  Ríona found some little joy in her solitude, as the azure

  Hue of flow warmed her vexed cheeks. Youthful still, but wise enough

  To know when to call a day. She found her life to be so rough,

  Despite all the attainable commodities from over

  The seas. She had stormed off and began to retain her composure.

  XXX.

  Continuing her preoccupied gaze at a blue flower,

  Noting the chrysanth’s growing bud, and the faint, fragrant smell

  That emanated outwards, marked Young Cutter’s coming spell

  Of youth – of love and growth, as the winter’s drought it would shower

  With downpours of torrential rain, and perchance the gods would gift

  Her town with boons of abundance. The folk’s demeanour would shift

  T’wards radiance and dance, and festivities of the late hour.

  Soon even the songbirds will her cherished seclusion sour.

  XXXI.

  Reflecting upon those events from a few moments ago,

  Ríona thought the goddess found the whole ordeal bizarre,

  But ask her, she would not. The two souls had been keeping far

  Away from one another ever since the two had a row.

  No doubt her father was still scornful, but it mattered not

  To her, for she saw it all differently, yet still, she fought

  Back any guilt that could creep into her, fester and grow.

  The question of history irked her mind, and answers were slow.

  XXXII.

  Indeed, the solitude that circled her was flawed, she felt

  The presence of the Goddess always there, always close by

  Her own soul. This time she marked her luck, the spirit did not pry.

  To say she hated her would be unjust, such cards were dealt

  To her before she entered the game of life and besides,

  To say and imply Aurianne is not one who Ríona guides,

  Especially, with a motherly caress which calmed and melt

  Away all sorrows. Such were now the skills under her belt.

  XXXIII.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Gazing into her rational mind’s space, she found her sense.

  To mock the coming warmth of spring would be of little aid,

  And from whence this thought came bemused her. Was she being swayed

  By the goddess’ intrusion again? Shaking her head in suspense,

  Before inquiring inwardly: “Listen’st thee? Of course, thou art…

  Why would’st thou not be?” She muttered, hoping discourse would finally start.

  Yet still, no voice answered. The goddess toying at her expense,

  Beckoning her to speak her mind, and let this game commence.

  XXXIV.

  She let out another breath, straightened up and said with a tone

  Displeased: “I have scoured each of the libraries of Kaés,

  I’ve pored o’er each and every book of the celestial press,

  I’ve studied under scholars who’ve picked it clean as a bone!

  Yet… not one know’st thy past. Thou art an enigma to me

  All whilst share we a body whole, all whilst share’st not thee

  Thy story, knowing mine full well. Astounding! Thy well-known

  Titles all hold true, at the least!” She ended with a groan.

  XXXV.

  The silence now became shrouded in utter fragility

  And slowly in the corner of her eye, Ríona saw a mass

  Of phantasmal nature take form stepping onto the grass

  From behind one of the stony pillars, draped in antipathy:

  “Thou art vile and sharp with words, indeed, though rarely dost thee bite!

  Thy demeanour of recency’s breath…” the goddess blunt in her slight:

  “Impulsive, Quarrelsome! Disobedient… Futility

  Of all this; the worst of traits – Rebellious thy symphony!”

  XXXVI.

  Contempt now simmered betwixt the pair as tensions grew and grew,

  And Aurianne’s demeanour, sharp as ever, knew precisely

  How to cut deepest; still tenderness’ touch could put it lightly.

  Thus, the blaring silence was brought to a close long overdue:

  “Mute for three phases of the moon yet seeks answers on a plate!

  Indeed, reminds me of another…” her tone did not berate.

  “Thou shouldn’t be so ‘lone in thy turbulence and turn to

  Such scholar work – though impressive. Alas, a fated avenue!”

  XXXVII.

  In ire Ríona scoffed and crossed her arms, looked away

  So the goddess would not be in the periphery of her gaze,

  Then muttered in defeat: “You never answer a simple phrase

  T’wards me directly… You meander, you plot, you convey

  Through sheer allegory! Why can’st nothing be simple with thee?”

  Aurianne took a deep breath and drew nearer: “One day will see

  Thee witness beyond the dark when I shall all my secrets betray!

  For now, perhaps through a truthful tale, let me thy fears allay.”