Back to Contests

The Dawn and the Dusk by Sulaei

Merit for May 2013

“Sit.” Lalina instructed of the young pupils who gathered about the flowing hem of her silvery robes. She waited until the small group of rambunctious children settled their squirming and readied themselves for another of her fascinating stories.

“Today,” she started in her purr of a voice that oft calmed even the most gruff of men and commanded attention alike, “we learn of war.”

Before she could utter another word the four boys in the group cheered in excited satisfaction, one fluid raise of her hand settling them once more.

“This is not just any war,” she continued, “but an intangible one, fought not with weapons, nor ended in bloodshed, yet can be even more devastating.”

Immediately the former excitement dulled to pouts, and she bit back an amused smile. “You will find this most interesting, I should think.” came her reassurances as she gathered up her robes and sank with ease into the plush, raven chair before them.

“Before man there has been war.” Pausing for the expected interruption and protest which never came she continued on, “This war is between the Light and the Darkness.” Another pause allowed her to skim those cerulean eyes over the children who seemed to have rekindled their curiosity.

Pleased, she began to paint a vivid scene for them as they listened with rapt attention, the girls wide-eyed and the boys eager, as such was their nature.

- - - - -

The sun breaks over the horizon and golden light spills across the lands, stirring the birds from their nests. Sing-song melodies fill the air and wings unfurl for that eager early bird to get the worm. Dew clings delicately to quivering green leaves and the fresh scent of moist wood and flora permeate the air with a pleasant aroma. All seems calm and surreal, perhaps even mystical with the low covering of faint fog that hugs and caresses the ground, seeming to crawl away with the shadows as the sun rises higher in the sky and warms the day.

At this moment the world seems at peace, calm and rested, though resentment brews in the beyond as the moon is chased into slumber while the sun claims its glory. In the passing of hours where that golden light burns with a hot warmth the cool rival in Her silvery grace reclaims the lands opposite the sun. Destined to chase one another in an eternal battle, they never let the other claim total dominance for long.

Though it would seem the sun’s light monopolizes the day the Night, in all Her cunning wiles, sends forth Her shadows which lie in wait within the corners, and more, cling to the footsteps of those who walk within the light, following and mimicking their every movement.

Some might argue that the battle of the daylight and moonlight is that of brawn versus wit, that it is the strength of the sun that denies the moon Her eternal blanket of inky blackness or the twinkling pepper of Her resplendent stars. Others would counter that though he drives Her out Night splays her fingers and stretches them forth, ever present within the unwitting daylight.

Within the corners, behind the drawn drapes, and in every darkened crevice do whispers filter from full lips. Some are utterances of pleasure, others sobs of pain hidden away in solace, and more, some are the coy and careful plans to deceive, usurp, and control. It is within Her realm that all manner of secrets are shared, and She hears all, offering Her soft whispers to those that would hear or the brush of comfort that comes with the coil of the shadows that wind about all it touches.

Eventually the sun tires from the continual drive and utter power that washes over all its heated light touches, and it fades into slumber, allowing the silvery pale light of the Night and Her moon to blanket the world once more. It is then that a different stir is felt, something mysterious, dangerous even, and yet seductive. Under the faint twinkle of stars glowing eyes blink and awaken, unleashing the predatory wiles upon the land and yet, amidst the stalking danger, there is unparalleled beauty.

The luminescent glow filters through treetops, beams of pale light giving a soft appeal to the young maiden or the fae that dance about in merriment and mischief. Devoid of the harsh rays that clash with the shadows in the everlasting battle, the darkness that swaths the land appeals to all manner of creatures, affording some reprieve from a hard day’s work, appealing to play and rest alike.

And so the battle rages on, the sun chasing away the radiant and seductive light of the moon and the Night reclaiming Her place once more after the passing of daylight hours. Though neither have won, the Night and Her darkness continue to listen and watch, infiltrating the presumptuous daytime hours wherever the shadows can seek purchase.

- - - - -

Having finished her short tale Lalina looks over the faces of the children, their eyes brimming with barely contained questions, leaving them practically bursting at the seams.

“What do you think the moral of this story is?” she asks them, slender fingers folded atop her lap as she lounges comfortably before them.

A fuzzy white hand shoots up from the young tae’dae boy directly in front of her and she nods with an easy smile, “Yes, Daviel?”

“My da’ says if you like a pretty girl you have to keep chasing her!” he exclaims, his words getting a guffaw from the other boys and scuff and upturn of noses from the girls, such was their age.

With an amused laugh Lalina shakes her head in resolve and presses her lips, “Be that as it may, that is not the moral of the story.” Pausing with only a modicum of seriousness on her features she looks about, “Anyone else?”

This time, tentatively raising her hand, the smallest fae bites her lip and the teacher nods at her to speak. Nervously she lowers her eyes and begins to immediately pluck at her own emerald robe, “I... I think um.” Sucking in a breath and glancing over at all of the eyes squared on her she blushes furiously, “I think... it means that you should be careful of what you say because you never know who could be listening.”

A soft, reassuring smile settles on Lalina’s lips and she nods, “Very good Maeya. That is a very good moral to this story. It also teaches that with perseverance one can learn how to overcome many obstacles, even if they seem impossible. If the Night chose to fully retreat and not leave any of Her shadows behind, she would never have ears to listen or eyes to watch.”

Standing slowly and smoothing her hands over her gown she adds thoughtfully, “We all must choose our side, at some point in our lives. Do you stand with the light, believing that you can conquer all by sheer force, or do you stand with the darkness, slipping in where there is weakness. Only you can decide if it is within the shadows that you walk, or within the burning light of day.”

Turning, as she often did at the conclusion of her stories, she left the children there likely perplexed at such sophisticated lessons, though it merely takes a seed to start the forest.