Hesper's Wizard

“Pathfinder stop!” The harpy’s voice is ancient song,

“Near this dark oak you do not belong!”

“This is a space only for me and never you!”

“You walk your walk on a path untrue!.”

Her almond eyes became glowing rubies that lit up the night,

A wondrous beauty and horror, Serviel gasped at the sight.

He had heard the poems and the tales, but still he felt fear,

Yet he was a Pathfinder first, and his mission was clear.

Yet the strange bird whispered calm into Serviel’s ear,

A strange little magick song.

“Tell her she is the one made unnatural here,”

“At Dark Oak she does not belong.”

So brave Serviel spoke as the bird did advise,

And silver tears welled up in the harpy’s sad eyes.

She sighed a musical sigh and stared a thousand miles away,

How Serviel felt, no words could say.

“Ask for her riddle, by the Gods you are slow!”

“I just may tell Satrina you know!”

So brave Serviel did ask as the bird did advise,

And even greater sadness welled up in her deep ruby eyes.

The harpy bowed her head then shook it twice,

When she looked at Serviel again, her face was not nice.

“Tell me this Pathfinder most bold!”

“How can one winnow the gravel from gold?”

“What word is a tool for grading sizes of rock?”

“Yet forms a smooth question for the mind to unlock?”

“How can you cut the lightest chaff from the grain?”

“What is used in some harvests but never in rain?”

“What means spreading throughout, describing many a flaw?”

“What word roots from harvest, yet describes errors in law?”

“You have only a swift moment to answer me well,”

“Or your brave life is forfeit at the sound of my bell.”

In a sharp talon she held a golden bell to the sky.

And she released yet again, a sad, musical sigh.

She looked hopeless, fierce, and beautiful, all in one,

Serviel just knew he was now undone.

“Well, have you anything useful or clever to say!?”

Said that loud bird on his shoulder in a shocked sort of way.

“This pitiful riddle is not even worth the name!”

“As a conundrum it’s fairly weak and lame!”

“Go on now Serviel, speak well to this lovely beast!”

“Just give her the simple word she is seeking at least!”

The stellar jay chuckled loud and whispered just one word,

And Serviel could not believe this rude bird.

The bird whispered loudly some more; it could not be true!

Yet brave Serviel answered as the bird instructed him to.