Yves found no answers, and the incessant waves of tumultuous questions threatened to pull him under. Midnight voiced her disappointment and anger through aggressive whining, but he was perfectly able to tune out her protest in anticipation of the soothing melody from the feathers. Given the recent events, Yves felt he damn well deserved a feather, thank you very much.
He took of his gloves, which were essential for working with arcane tomes and an invaluable habit of any wizard who had made educated experiences with handling artefacts. With care, he plucked the enchanted feather from its leather case. It was a vibrant blue with a soft, velvety texture. Just the sensation of finally touching it made Yves shudder. It had been so long. He had waited for so long. He had waited for much too long. As his fingertips brushed its delicate fluff, a tingling sensation coursed through them. The feather began to absorb his energy, but it was so subtle that he would hardly notice if he were not intensely fixated on the sensation.
He brought the feather to his lips and blew gently, and a beautiful melody filled the air. Yves had stood to keep the feather out of Midnight’s imminent reach, but as soon as the melody emerged, he lost all strength in his legs. He did not make it to the alcove but simply melted onto the floor.
As silken threads
A swirling, swelling
Their bond
A mesmeric symphony
Whispering warmth
Ever-changing schema
Sweeping over
Solace past
A distant shore
Washed away
Each note, a step
Yves slipping, sinking
As he descends
Burden disappears
From flesh to soul
The weight of existence
Torn from this world
A yearning mind
Neither quest nor triumph
Not kinship, or desire
Yves, in this realm
Finds
the notes unfurl
sensuous whirl
a captivating embrace
of celestial grace
in profound serenity
enigmatic melody
surrender rewards
worldly trifles, towards
where burdens part
the aching heart
into depths unknown
the spirit forlorn
the song grows deeper, entwines
dissolves in arcane lines
warmth cascades
lightens and fades
all that ever holds
In solace unfolds
could so enthral
love’s fervent call
of ethereal descent
endless serenity, purest content
As silken threads
the notes unfurl
A swirling, swelling
sensuous whirl
Their bond
a captivating embrace
A mesmeric symphony
of celestial grace
Whispering warmth
in profound serenity
Ever-changing schema
enigmatic melody
Sweeping over
surrender rewards
Solace past
worldly trifles, towards
A distant shore
where burdens part
Washed away
the aching heart
Each note, a step
into depths unknown
Yves slipping, sinking
the spirit forlorn
As he descends
the song grows deeper, entwines
Burden disappears
dissolves in arcane lines
From flesh to soul
warmth cascades
The weight of existence
lightens and fades
Torn from this world
all that ever holds
A yearning mind
In solace unfolds
Neither quest nor triumph
could so enthral
Not kinship, or desire
love’s fervent call
Yves, in this realm
of ethereal descent
Finds
endless serenity, purest content
[Please find here a rendition of the poem turned song]
A Note From the Future

Dear Travellers,
while this page had been published in 2023, this is a note written in February 2025.
At this point of writing,
TGW HAS JUST BREACHED 500 PAGES!
I am thrilled by how far the story has come, yet at the same time, it still feels like a collection of beginnings. There is so much more I want to tell.
As a token of appreciation, I would like to share the first song I created for the narration — a composition based on the poem about the Feathers of Varna. Please find the song with the media player above.
While no earthly melody could capture the artefacts’ irresistibly enchanting sound, I hope this simple rendition brings a bit of variety to your reading experience.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
The Duckman
Pages: