The Return of the Bards
Once there was a magical kingdom coveted for its rich tradition of art and culture, named Eiron. The kingdom was known throughout the seven realms for its scholars, its scenic beauty, but mostly, for its bards. It was said, “A tale untold by an Eiron Bard remains untold forever”. The bards were regarded as sacred conduits through whom the tales of gods, heroes, legends, union and heart wrenches flowed to influence the hearts of mortals for generations.
There came a dark time when the brother of the fair King, consumed by jealousy and power hunger, staged a coupe. The kingdom fell into his corrupt hands. This brute loved power and loathed art. He sought to create a kingdom with no influence of art and culture so that the populace could focus solely on their king. His first step was to eradicate the bards. So began the purge, silencing the voices that stirred hearts, the banishment of the bards.
In the absence of the bards, Eiron lost its spark. The colors looked a little less vibrant, the laughter sounded a little less joyful. Particularly, the king's sister, Serena, a patron of arts herself, suffered. Seeing her plight, her loyal servant, Eldon, thought of a brilliant plan. He had secretly saved a baby bard during the purge, intending to raise him as a warrior poet, to bring back the glory of Eiron. The boy was named Lyre.
Years passed, and Lyre grew up oblivious of his true identity. Eldon, though, constantly stirred his interest in music and tales. Lyre loved the secret lessons by Eldon, but never understood their true purpose until his eighteenth birthday when Eldon revealed the reality of his existence and his destiny. Overwhelmed with the urgency of his legacy, surprise soon turned into determination for Lyre. He knew what he was meant to do.
Meanwhile, the tyranny of the usurper king intensified. Utterly confident of his control, he challenged the kingdom to present someone capable of making him appreciate art. If anyone succeeded, he promised to return the kingdom to its rightful heir, not believing such a person could exist. Lyre saw his opportunity. Secretly, with Serena’s assistance, he accepted the challenge.
A hush fell over the crowd gathered in the grand courtyard as Lyre, garbed in a hooded cloak, walked in with no more than an ancient bard’s lute. Doubts swarmed the audience, ridicules filled the air. However, as Lyre strummed the first note, an eerie silence set in, and everyone froze in anticipation.
Lyre sang of Eiron’s past glory, of valiant heroes and epic battles, of powerful gods and charming legends, of idyllic loves and heartbreaking betrayals but most importantly, he sang of the joy of the simple art of storytelling and their role in binding the kingdom with unity and love.
As the last note of his melody faded away, he looked at the king. Hushed whispers swept through the crowd and reached a crescendo before all fell silent again. Then, to everyone’s surprise, a tear trickled down the king’s face, followed by an uncontrolled flow. He wept openly, moved beyond words by the power of a true Bard of Eiron. Realizing the beauty he had nearly destroyed, the usurper, defeated by Lyre’s melody, abdicated the throne, true to his word.
Eiron was returned to its rightful ruler. Serena, with Lyre by her side, worked tirelessly to restore the kingdom to its former glory. They sent word across the realm inviting the surviving bards back, promising safety and respect for their craft. They established music and storytelling institutes to ensure the bard tradition lived on.
In the end, Eiron regained its aura as the artistic hub radiating warmth, love, unity and influencing other kingdoms. Bards shared stories across generations, igniting hearts and minds, solidifying their legendary status, that when they told a tale, it remained alive forever. Lyre, the warrior-poet, continued his legacy, reminding everyone of the power of art, of stories, and of music, proving once again that, indeed, a tale untold by an Eiron bard, remains untold forever.