Post by King Adam Aberdeen I on Jan 22, 2012 3:37:47 GMT -6
"Ye ne'er grow up!" said of him who indulged in a childish past time to bring her to heel...
In time, Adam returned to the window where he found contemplation so easy… and in her words, he could do nothing but chuckle. “Grow up? As King Ah deem nae reason tae…” And when she joined him at the window, a strong arm wrapped about her waist and pulled her close. The pair now stood at the “Window of Contemplation” as it was teasingly known…
"N' I ne'er wish it tae change. Ne'er a thing.." He chuckled and gave her a squeeze. “It is written in the annals of the archives… Change is but the constant; the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix…” Adam had chosen the symbol of the Gryphon for his banner…
FLASHBACK:
Despite their mixed whimsical appearances and names, Gryphons remain unique creatures, embodying a legend and mystery all of their own. He remembers the days when he chose the Gryphon…. That diverse symbolism and distinctive characteristics attributed to these true monarchs of beasts have earned them a place in the world's history to stand apart from all other creatures, mythical or otherwise.
Was it accident that he chose the Gryphon as his banner? Or was it a destiny, predeteremined by fate, or by the witches of old pagan belief that Bess held close? Few had the greatness to bend history itself… and Adam and his beloved Bessie Eve merely desired to be free and have a place of their own… but each of them involved in events in Skye, added a bit of flavor to taint those events, and in that, changed a small portion of events… and in the collective of all those acts were written the history of this generation. “….and we have changed the world and entered much into the annals of history…”
FLASHBACK:
Sea-green eyes veered away from his beloved Bess, out the window, toward the southwest, where Lake Manor lay… the home of Dmitrii Zurban… And a memory from a winter of recent past… The two men sitting before a hearth, the roaring fire warming them… Adam and Dmitrii… King and WeaponMaster… two best friends... drinking ale enjoying the freedom they have earned… In a portion of the evenings conversations, the two men discussed emblems their families had chosen… and though all knew of the Aberdeen mascot, Adam knew not how Dmitrii acquired his.
There are other fantastic creatures which bear a resemblance to Gryphons, in either appearance or symbolism, which scholars, endearingly call "wonder birds"… and have catalogued those mythical animals with the Gryphon at the head of that classification. Those marvelous birds of myth and legend are found all across the world, their appearance and symbolism dependant upon the varying cultures and eras. Whether they carry gods upon their backs, or are simply birds of gigantic size, these creatures fly thru the imagination to mystify and astound.
FLASHBACK:
Adam chuckles remembering the stories Dmitrii told him of his country. And he would simply glance down at his beloved wife who had laid her head upon his shoulder as they stared out the window. “I had simply reflected upon the stories Dmitrii once told me about a Firebird…” and then he began to tell her of what his memory has resurrected…
And again he chuckles… with a glance to Bess. “Yae mus’ think mae insane, aye M’love? For Ah stand at th’ window, an’ even this bae only a window to mae thoughts an’ soul…” he pauses and kisses her forehead… “All these wonder birds seem ta embody all we are… The gryphon bae a symbol o’ sun, wisdom, vengeance, strength, an’ salvation… th’ strength of the Lion, the wisdom of the Eagle, the vengeance of deeds done against our land and people, and salvation there of… and Dmitrii’s Zharptitsa…” he inhaled… “The Firebird bae our quest to get where we are naew…” then he looked out the window again… “There bae one more…” and he exhaled slow and long, only to quickly inhale and continue speaking…
“This th’ Phoenix which Ah ponder naew…” and he begins to expound upon what he knows…
He twists his neck a bit, like he has always done before approaching an important subject, such as oratories in Parliament, or writings to foreign peers, or even attempting to tell his beloved Bess just how much he loves her. “Sometimes Ah wonder how in th’ future, say in 500 years, the so-called ‘History’ will look like. Will people bae burrowin’ around the archives, or looking for witnesses tae some past events th’t we did, or were part of… like we did?” [/color]
In time, Adam returned to the window where he found contemplation so easy… and in her words, he could do nothing but chuckle. “Grow up? As King Ah deem nae reason tae…” And when she joined him at the window, a strong arm wrapped about her waist and pulled her close. The pair now stood at the “Window of Contemplation” as it was teasingly known…
"N' I ne'er wish it tae change. Ne'er a thing.." He chuckled and gave her a squeeze. “It is written in the annals of the archives… Change is but the constant; the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix…” Adam had chosen the symbol of the Gryphon for his banner…
FLASHBACK:
“Four and a half days? They must have several people who worked thru day and night to get them this quick. May whatever God they believe in bless them.” His hands shake nervously hoping all would be well with his new items, as he wanted the transformation to be complete in time for departure. He began with the material. Laying piece by piece upon the bed, in no certain order he took note. Folded neatly was solid black surcoat with the gold male gryphon upon the chest, similar to the design upon the shield. Beside it was a wide black belt, with gold painted gryphons evenly spaced upon it. The matching black breeches would be loose and to the just below the knee, fitting well into the tall, black leather boots with heavy soles. Laying to his left upon the bed was a heavy white wool gambeson he would wear under his haubrek. To his right, lay a pair of heavy black leather gloves and the steed’s body cover of black, the gold gryphon upon its flanks. A black cape with gold braid was neatly folded directly in front of him. And under that was his black standard with the gold male gryphon upon it. A smile of content spread across his newly shaven face.
Next the light steel and leather armor. One piece at a time, he laid it out upon the bed, examining each piece. Then one by one, he put it on, tightening each strap a if he was leaving this very minute, until every piece was on, including the black padded coif, haubrek, chainmail, and helm. To the right was the horse’s chanfron, a black leather-covered, steel faceplate. The final piece was the small black shield, the gold gryphon emblazoned upon it. He was sure that the style armour may not set well with Bess nor the other knights, but of course, he was not the usual knight of a realm.
The transformation complete, with total satisfaction, he removed and stored all the pieces in the closet. Closing the door to the closet, he muttered… “Now ye bloody Ainglish, the Scots shall be yer undoing and fear the most… and ah be one o’em. The Gryphon of Inverness, I, Adam O’Aberdeen, shall aid my country when she needs me most.”
Despite their mixed whimsical appearances and names, Gryphons remain unique creatures, embodying a legend and mystery all of their own. He remembers the days when he chose the Gryphon…. That diverse symbolism and distinctive characteristics attributed to these true monarchs of beasts have earned them a place in the world's history to stand apart from all other creatures, mythical or otherwise.
Was it accident that he chose the Gryphon as his banner? Or was it a destiny, predeteremined by fate, or by the witches of old pagan belief that Bess held close? Few had the greatness to bend history itself… and Adam and his beloved Bessie Eve merely desired to be free and have a place of their own… but each of them involved in events in Skye, added a bit of flavor to taint those events, and in that, changed a small portion of events… and in the collective of all those acts were written the history of this generation. “….and we have changed the world and entered much into the annals of history…”
FLASHBACK:
One time, shortly after his transformation, he stopped by the Ruffian to see his family. In the room, the boy saw the man, he had come to know, all in black a strange animal upon his chest. He took Aodhan in his arms and showed him the new covering and standard. “It’s a Gryphon, son. It’s a symbol of sun, wisdom, vengeance, strength, and salvation…strength of the Lion, the wisdom of the Eagle, the vengeance of deeds done against our land and people, and salvation of Scotland.” A lot of words for a boy of four, but words of reassurance for them both, as he began to go into detail describing why he chose the gryphon, and of the man’s new name. “That’s right son, we are all Aberdeens now.” The boy rejoiced in what his Da told him…and in the new toy he received, a wooden gryphon to play with while he lived in the Castle.
Sea-green eyes veered away from his beloved Bess, out the window, toward the southwest, where Lake Manor lay… the home of Dmitrii Zurban… And a memory from a winter of recent past… The two men sitting before a hearth, the roaring fire warming them… Adam and Dmitrii… King and WeaponMaster… two best friends... drinking ale enjoying the freedom they have earned… In a portion of the evenings conversations, the two men discussed emblems their families had chosen… and though all knew of the Aberdeen mascot, Adam knew not how Dmitrii acquired his.
There are other fantastic creatures which bear a resemblance to Gryphons, in either appearance or symbolism, which scholars, endearingly call "wonder birds"… and have catalogued those mythical animals with the Gryphon at the head of that classification. Those marvelous birds of myth and legend are found all across the world, their appearance and symbolism dependant upon the varying cultures and eras. Whether they carry gods upon their backs, or are simply birds of gigantic size, these creatures fly thru the imagination to mystify and astound.
FLASHBACK:
In a Kievan Rus accent, Dmitrii told Adam of the Zharptitsa (zhar [fire] ptit sa [bird])… The firebird of Kievan Rus lore, described as a large bird with majestic plumage that glows brightly emitting red, orange, and yellow light, like a bonfire that is just past the turbulent flame. In some stories, the form of the Firebird is usually that of a smallish fire-colored peacoke, complete with a crest on its head, jeweled eyes, and tail feathers with glowing "eyes". The feathers would not stop glowing if plucked, and one feather could light a large room.
“Your Majesty, my symbol comes from the Zharptitsa…” Noticing the look on the King’s face, he pauses attempting to translate the word… “Da… Firebird... Um, typically, stories of the Firebird are associated with difficult quests, usually upon the bidding of a father or king … Because of my trials with my true Father in my early years, is the reasoning I took it as my symbol…” he pausesagain well aware the King, and those necessary know the story of his true Father and Mother, Katlyn’s mother… “In the stories, the quest is usually initiated by finding a Zharptitsa’s lost tail feather, at which point, the hero, the victim of beatings and practical jokes from his brothers, escapes his murderous brother and father and pursues a dream across many dangers. The hero sets out to find and capture the live bird and in doing so, he must face many foes and seemingly insurmountable odds and defeat them with his skills, strength, cleverness, and kindness. The Zharptitsa is a marvel, highly coveted, but the hero, initially charmed by the wonder of the feather, eventually blames it for his troubles.”
Adam chuckles remembering the stories Dmitrii told him of his country. And he would simply glance down at his beloved wife who had laid her head upon his shoulder as they stared out the window. “I had simply reflected upon the stories Dmitrii once told me about a Firebird…” and then he began to tell her of what his memory has resurrected…
And again he chuckles… with a glance to Bess. “Yae mus’ think mae insane, aye M’love? For Ah stand at th’ window, an’ even this bae only a window to mae thoughts an’ soul…” he pauses and kisses her forehead… “All these wonder birds seem ta embody all we are… The gryphon bae a symbol o’ sun, wisdom, vengeance, strength, an’ salvation… th’ strength of the Lion, the wisdom of the Eagle, the vengeance of deeds done against our land and people, and salvation there of… and Dmitrii’s Zharptitsa…” he inhaled… “The Firebird bae our quest to get where we are naew…” then he looked out the window again… “There bae one more…” and he exhaled slow and long, only to quickly inhale and continue speaking…
“This th’ Phoenix which Ah ponder naew…” and he begins to expound upon what he knows…
A phoenix, the mythical bird with a colorful plumage and a tail of gold and scarlet (or purple, blue, and green according to some legends).
Unique in life, the Phoenix has no brothers or sisters, nor mother or father. She gives birth to herself. This bird will live anywhere from 100 to 12,954 years, though the most common life span for her is 500 years. Nearing the end of this time frame, the Phoenix feels the weight of time and knows that her end is near. So she builds herself a nest of spices, herbs, leaves and twigs atop of a date palm and rests inside of it, her wings outstretched. Soon the heat of the sun will ignite the nest, and both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes. Yet under the evening stars, life awakens inside of the ashes, and from which a new, young phoenix or phoenix egg arises, reborn anew to live again… and with the morning sun, a young Phoenix will fly from the nest, to greet the new day and it's new life… It is said that the bird's cry is that of a beautiful song… and all of the birds of the air fly behind it in homage.
Of course, there are variations to this account at varying periods of history. The Phoenix's ability to be reborn from its own ashes implies that it is immortal, though in some stories, the new Phoenix is merely the offspring of the older one. Also, the new Phoenix embalms the ashes of its old self in an egg made of myrrh… and in very few stories, they are able to change into people.
He twists his neck a bit, like he has always done before approaching an important subject, such as oratories in Parliament, or writings to foreign peers, or even attempting to tell his beloved Bess just how much he loves her. “Sometimes Ah wonder how in th’ future, say in 500 years, the so-called ‘History’ will look like. Will people bae burrowin’ around the archives, or looking for witnesses tae some past events th’t we did, or were part of… like we did?” [/color]
