Silk and Steel

On the bank of the river Talay wept a queen of silk and steel.

Her tears dripped into the gentle water as she cried, rippling the light of the noonday sun. The soft current carried them away, far down the river into Raladryel, the city of the queen’s birth. As they wandered through the city, her tears brightened and cleansed every water to be found, a gift to the people of her beloved home. It was a gift indeed that held away darkness and disease, one that without, the city would crumble and all within her walls would die.

For as long as the queen cried, Raladryel would live.

And live they did, and shine and flourish for a hundred years after their queen broke the silken chain that bound their land to the dark. It is whispered that the silver sword of Talay, with which the chain was broken, still lies in the river, caressed by the very tears it had caused to be shed.

For as long as the sword was safe, the queen would live.

And live she did, and safe it was, for a hundred years... until her tears ran dry and the river stopped, and the sword was raised from the still waters at the hand of a silken king.