The Boy With Wings

Chapter 12 ~ Fates and Muses

I stood before the fire as I sat on a log staring into the deep embers. Visions arose from the sparks as they danced in the night. Each one sings the songs of the Muses. Inspiration of stories and dreams long forgotten. The more I stared into the embers, the clearer the image became. The voice of Morpheus singing in my ear, "May your dreams become stories, your stories reality, and your reality blessed by the ancients."
    As I watched the fire three women came into view. One young and beautiful with copper skin, black kinky hair placed in a messy bun with a few strands framing her dark brown eyes and rosy lips. Her body curvy with an elegant shapelyness to it. She wore a white greek like toga with a golden pin.  Another of the women was old and frail. She had gray hair streaked with shining silver that was long and fell from her head as if a waterfall. Her eyes were gray with specs of blue. Her lips pursed and her face wrinkled and full of experience. She wore a dress that was old and tattered as if it had been through the falling of worlds. The third woman was neither young nor old. She was shapely and full of concern. Her eyes were green as lakes of Emerald, her forehead creased with pondering and worry. Her hair was blond and streaked with silver. Her lips rosy and full. She wore a dress of white roses and flowing fabric pinned by a bronze pin.
    Between the three sat a loom tall and wide. The first woman wove thread, vibrant and full of life and color. The second woman held scissors that had cut many things, but had an air of sacredness. The third woman wove a beautiful tapestry with images of a young boy in a suitcase, a tree planted by his crib, a golden light flowing from him and dimming as he got older. The three began to sing in unison, " One born of fire, ancient is he. The Phoenix Rising, his name be. Ashes he comes from, to ashes he returns. Reborn each life, a message in him burns. As time turnest forward, the ashes will burn. When time arises, the phoenix will return. We three sisters have seen him time and time again. The fates have declared it, a boy of destiny. One whose dreams ring loud, and pierce the mortal veil."
The three women looked at me as the vision began to fade and a beautiful woman arose from the flames. "I am Calliope, The one with the beautiful voice."
"Interesting but why are you here?"
"I was sent by the fates, as were my sisters. We were sent, as you are a child of the Muses. The one with the heart of fire, and the mind of water."
"What does that mean? And who are you?"
Her soft and angelic voice almost sang her words, "In time you shall see. And as I had said, I am Calliope, the Muse of writers. I am the oldest of my sisters, and gift the hearts of many with eloquence and poetry. Speak to me when words seem to leave you, and I shall inspire you." With those words she was gone as quick as she had come.
Next blossomed a woman short and rotund, but with elegant features, "I am Clio, muse of History." She smiled and raised a scroll above her head, "I record history for all to know, I live by fact and truth. For all that you must know, speak to me and I will whisper truths in your ears." With a crack from the fire she was gone.
A pink ploom of smoke swirled upwards and a tall woman with chocolate skin and a golden dress appeared. "Hello my child, so sweet and pure, I am Erato, muse of love poetry." She began to play the strange instrument in her hands and sang, "Love is true and love is pure. I need you but you need me more. Stand by my side and we shall fly. Sweet is the music of love. When your heart must sing, but no words will come. Think of me darling, and let the words be sung. I will stand by your side as one of the nine, we shall be there in your hardest of times. So sing little one, for the truth is near, sing little one, for you are my dear." Her voice faded away as she disappeared.
"This is an extremely strange experience, I haven't even had a chance to talk." Suddenly music began to come from the fire again as the flames got larger flickering into a silhouette of a woman.
"Hear me now, and hear me well."  The voice was soft and melodic, " I am Euterpe, I am the muse of music, hear my voice among the flames, sweet be the melody. You can hear all around, in the wind, the fire, the sand. You can hear me in the mountains, and out among the sea. I am all around, just listen and you'll find me. I stand in glory and grace." She lifted a flute and it began to play as she continued to sing, "I know that you feel lost, and ever so alone. Don't be afraid my darling, for we are here for you."
I began to lull to sleep as the beautiful silhouette became a clear woman then vanished. I was awoken by the clashing of swords and the banging of drums.
From the fire rose a muscular woman with large shoulders, wild long hair, and a shredded dress. Over her face she wore a tragic mask. Her voice cracked through the air, "I am Melpomene! Muse of Tragedy. I am the inspiration and the recorder of tragedy. You have seen me through much of your life. The stories of war and famine, the hatred, anger and despair. You have seen me in your youth, you have seen me in your years grown. For all that is good comes tragedy. I am the child of sorrow, for the tales I tell are not of joy, but the deepest truth of human nature. But from Tragedy, from tragedy comes strength." With a clash of swords she melted into the flames.
A choir began to sing and a lovely woman who looked like an angel floated down into the flames, as she spoke a chorus sang her words, " Here I stand before you now, Polyhymnia, I am the muse to all that's sacred. I am the muse of hymns and sacred poetry. You have used much in youth, standing strong and standing tall. I am here for you. I have not much to say, but that you are loved, call on me and I'll be there." In an elegant ball of light she vanished.
Sparks began popping from the fire, as six beings made of fire formed around the pit and began to dance, they circled and moved to the beat of drums, the heat from the beings was scorching, they began to sing and chant in latin until they leaped and crashed into each other as a thick, curvy woman appeared with a long white toga and a Lyre. She leaped from the fire and began to play and dance. She spoke in rhythm, "Hello sweet child, so swift and graceful, I am Terpsichore, the muse of dance. I know I'm your favorite of them all. When you were young we would dance and dance, dance the whole day long. We were swift and we were lite, what a gift it was. The feelings you have while dancing so sweet, using your dance to escape the world. Dancing so gracefully across that stage. Gentle and true, beautiful and pure. So graceful are you and yours." With a great leap and a turn she was wisped away in the flame.
In a burst of laughter the next muse came in a comic mask, a white toga and a shepherds crook. In a cackling voice full of laughter, "I am Thalia, ha ha ha, I am the muse of comedy!" She balanced on her head as she performed, I am the source of laughter and fun, Shakespeare knew me well!" She put her hand by her cheek and whispered, "At least on what he didn't steal" She began hopping around and bursts of laughter came from every direction.
Feeling frustrated my hand shot out and I grabbed the hook and yanked her towards me, " What is going on? Why am I seeing all of you? What is this show being put on for me? Make it make sense!"
She began laughing, harder, and harder. "Answers will come, little one, patience is key, for then you will be free!" With a wink she burst into fire crackers.
Suddenly stars started to flow out of the fire, one by one, faster and faster. They streaked to a center until there was a woman in a midnight blue dress covered in stars. She held a compass in one hand and a globe in the other. "I am _____, Muse of Astronomy and youngest of the sisters. I am the inspiration of science and the universe that echoes in your heart. I have been with you every time you look up in the sky." She waved her hands and stepped forward from the fire. The other eight sisters appeared one at a time all smiling. In unison they sang, "Hello sweet Romeo, son of Fire and Water. We are the muses who have loved you so long. We have inspired and guided and swiftly protected. For deep inside of you, you are one of us. You inspire transition, change, and creation. You, like us are a muse of the light."
The nine muses sang from around the dancing flames as one stepped forwards giving me an acorn necklace. It had a bronze top and was made of rainbow Tigers eye. When I put the necklace on, the acorn glowed. The glow began to spread over me and I began to transform. My clothes turned into leather and a shear cloak in the shape of folded wings grew to the floor. Marking shimmered on my face and arms. A laurel wreath of gold grew on my head. The muses began to sing, " Oh come now, come now voice so sweet! Journey up and through to us we meet! Muse of creation oh so true, speak your truth and the acorn grew. Plant it deep and let it grow, water the seedling oh so small." They went on for several verses. When all was done they all layed down to get some rest.
Calliope came and sat by me as I pondered what just happened. "Sweet Romeo, how are you feeling?" She spoke softly, "I know a lot just happened but are you understanding what we were saying?"
"I-I-I think so?"
"What are you confused about?"
"What do you mean that I am a muse?"
"Well exactly that. You have been inspiring people since you were a lad. You are a muse of creation. I can not tell you what your purpose is. But I can tell you that what your purpose is, may not be the purpose you think. You have gone on an amazing journey and it honestly has just begun. You may have a few wonderful experiences, but oh will have a lot of work to do once you wake up."
"I just feel so lost. As if nothing I do is enough."
"Welcome to the club. That is human nature my dear. Your spirit may be great, but your body is still human. Maybe don't focus on what you do wrong, but instead what you do right."
"That is easier said than done."
"I know love, but keep trying." She got comfortable on the ground, "You are worth more than you know." She closed her eyes and began to hum.
The sisters began to sing with her humming, "Guten Abend, gut' Nacht!
Mit Rosen bedacht,
Mit Näglein besteckt
Schlupf unter die Deck.
Morgen früh, wenn Gott will,
Wirst du wieder geweckt,
Morgen früh, wenn Gott will,
Wirst du wieder geweckt.
Guten Abend, gut' Nacht!
Von Englein bewacht,
Sie zeigen im Traum
Dir Christkindleins Baum.
Schlaf nun selig und süß,
Schau im Traum 's Paradies.
Schlaf nun selig und süß,
Schau im Traum 's Paradies."
As they sang I began to doze off. When I doze off I was floating above my bed as I watch my mother crying. At least I think it was my mother. I have been having a hard time remembering. The woman brushed her hand across my face, and I faintly felt it. I was about to leave when she began to speak, "Oh my sweet Romeo. What happened? WHy did you try to leave us?"
I thought about what she meant, "Why did you try to leave us? What does that mean?"
"I know life can be hard and you didn't feel heard, but trying to kill yourself is not the answer."
The shock that crossed my face was electric, "I tried to kill myself?" I tried to listen to more, I needed to know more. Suddenly I was pulled back to the muses.
Calliope looked at me gently, "Are you okay sugar plum?"
I rubbed the tears from my eyes, "Yeah." I then noticed Sandrianna was with us. "Sandrianna, You're back!"
"Well of course moon pie!" She gave a giant grin, "I AM your fairy godmother."
"You were just gone. And then there was a weird experience with a fire and meeting the muses. I am so confused!"
Her dress rustled as she came towards me, "its ok my darl'n. You have some things to learn. This is all part of the process."
Calliope chimed in, "We are all here to help you on your journey. But we are short on time, so we must hop to it! Terps sister, will you come here please."
Terpsichore danced on over, "Yes? How can I inspire you today?"
Calliope smiled, "Young Romeo here needs some help finding his spark for dance again."
"Lovely! Let's begin!" She sang. "Alright Romeo, starting position."
I moved my right arm above my head, and left arm to the side. I pointed my toes and began to dance. It was rough and not very elegant but I was dancing. We started with no music but then the muses began to play and suddenly Orpheus had joined us and was singing. The more I danced the more it came back to me. I could feel sparks inside my heart till my whole body began to warm up and glow.
We danced for what felt like hours but apparently it wasn't good enough. Terpsichore rose her hands up and yelled, "Stop,stop, stop!" She walked up to me and stared into my eyes, "What's wrong Romeo?"
"What do you mean?"
"You aren't embracing the full magic. I can see you, you want to but you are stopping yourself."
"I am scared."
"Don't be! Let go and just feel yourself."
I nodded, "Ok. I will try." I crouched and listened to the sounds around me. I listened to the ocean crashing, the rocks falling, and the wind whistling. I listened to the drums as they began to play. I took a deep breath of salty air and felt the coldness on my body and in my lungs. I removed my shoes and felt the course but refined sand between my toes. With every beat I began to move. My heart beating in rhythm with the drums. I feel a fire left behind with every step as I begin to glow again.
As I danced flames began to dance around me. The sun was rising beyond the ocean and the new light mixed with the fire light creating an array of colors. With the dancing the ocean began to dance with me. I was surrounded by water and fire that swirled around me. Suddenly enormous wings of fire buds from my back and I landed on the ground.
Terpsichore began clapping, "I knew you could do it love! I am so proud of you!"
"What did I do?"
"You unlocked part of your ancient self! Through the power of your ancestry. I am so proud of you!"
Calliope laughed, "and just in time! Sandrianna, you know what to do!"
The muses all gathered around, "Remember that we are always with you. Call on us and we shall be there." With a final good bye the muses sang as Sandrianna grabbed my hand, spread her wings, and flicked her wand. Like a rocket we were off.
Before us was a glorious door made of pure oak, lovely vines, gems placed in the wood. There was a design of a phoenix emerging from an egg burned into the door. The beauty was unparalleled. I looked to Sandrianna, "SO what now? Are you leaving me?"
Sandrianna smiled, " You go through the door. When you need us, we will be there. But this part of your journey you have to do alone. Just know we love and support you."
"I am scared, What if I can't handle what's about to come?"
"You have survived this long! YOu are strong. Just fight for what you believe in and do your best. No matter what others say." She hugged me, "It is ok to be scared, courage is facing your fear. Now go, and do great things."
With a deep breath I pushed on the door and walked through.