I’d written the entire poem only from Shani’s point of view, but now I’ve added in verses for Pania. Hopefully it will have shown that Pania is going to search for her friend and follow her into the gates between worlds.
From Stonebridge this tale will start,
the jewel of the Island of Many Names
Past Brockton it will be told,
the home of the skalds
Further south is the Mage’s Guild,
the academy known as Arcanum Bridge
An epic tale more than certain,
told throughout the land
One that should be known,
even by the farmers of the Brighten Fields
Beyond is the valley,
the place that rumours are spread
The Valley of Mists,
north of Mysteria
When night falls and the mist rolls in,
the world becomes as dark as sin
The light grow dim and the air grows thick,
it can send a shiver right to the quick
Travellers beware of the road to the mists,
more than one have felt death’s sharp kiss
The stories are as old as time itself,
this valley foreboding has claimed more than one elf
But still there are those that would seek to conquer,
their courage high and their wits stronger
Such is the tale of one such elven maid,
with jet black hair all set in a braid
Her snow white flesh would seem to glow,
her eyes sparkled with excitement for sure
An agile young thing who would seek out her fame,
fortune and glory, that was the game
It wasn’t the wealth of things to steal,
her goal was merely to look and to feel
To get past the locks and disable the traps,
unbind sacred books from their leather bound wraps
The satisfaction of a job well done,
to snatch a small prize and quietly run
That was the life of this young elf,
to conquer a goal and feel satisfaction in self
She’d listen to rumours and keep them in mind,
remember small riddles if she was in a bind
With rapier, short sword and daggers so near,
she learned to defend herself from things that would fear
And so it was the way on one such dark night,
that Shani would venture onto the road without fright
Prepared she was to face the unknown,
and tales she would tell when she returned back home
Filled with such confidence, she felt so alive,
the experience she have, her legend would thrive
So one dark night she set out on the road,
leaving behind her books and abode
She’d travel light and make certain she was ready,
her blades were sharp, her hands were steady
She’d keep close to the road, but deep in shadow,
she knew that others would try to follow
The road is quiet, even in the dark,
there is nary a sound, even from a lark
But there are dangers, sure enough,
bandits, brigands, cut throats, all rough
Such knowledge for Shani it did not deter,
she knew what she wanted, she’d take it for sure
So onto the road her feet did quietly walk,
not making a sound on grass or rock
From Stonebridge she’d start,
the jewel of the Place of Many Names
Past Brockton she’d go,
the home of the skalds
To the south she’d keep going,
to Arcanum Bridge
Knowing she was getting close with each mile she would go
It wasn’t long now, as she entered the Brighten Fields
Beyond was the valley, the place that she sought
The Valley of Mists, north of Mysteria
The road was quiet as she crept along,
not making a sound not even a song
Shani knew the dangers that were there,
to walk the Mysterian border was something of a dare
But a curious maid was what she was,
an elf who knew a noble cause
Cause and effect was how she saw it,
she’d mark her place as she saw fit
She crept along the tightening walls,
not far from the Rock Split Falls
The fog rolled in and it was thick,
her motions slow with each time piece tick
She began to question if this was a wise idea,
when sight was blind and the road not clear
In fact there was nothing to be seen,
The Valley of the Mysts would remain just clean
But she pressed on in her quest,
curiosity had gotten her best
The road grew more rocky as she stepped,
on hands and knees she crept
Her breath was ragged in part with fear,
what was in this fog so near
There was something in the distance that she could see,
what in this world could ever it be
She crawled faster toward her goal,
pushing back the fear that tried to grow
Rocks gave way to grass,
the fog didn’t feel like such a heavy mass
She pushed herself to her feet,
gazing into the mists for just half a beat
A light seemed to shine,
perhaps a lantern from an old mine
She could see it through the fog,
not very far, just a short jog
Her eyes did twinkle with anticipation,
this would be worth all her frustration
She stepped carefully into the clearing,
the call of the night owls nearing
A welcome reply to this valley so dark,
and she lighted her torch with a quick spark
Her eyes grew wide with what she did see,
nothing ever prepared her for a sight to bring such glee
Carved into stone with ancient runes,
nestled into the hills like rocks in sand dunes
She saw the most wondrous thing ever,
something told in history books never
They looked quite ornate and very old,
and Shani stepped forward with feet so bold
From Stonebridge she did travel,
the jewel of Island of Many Names
Through Brockton she went,
the home of the skalds
To the south she had gone,
to Arcanum Bridge
Just to see this wonderful sight
This valley, these ancients,
not far from the Brighten Fields
In this secret valley,
the place that she stood
The Valley of Mists, north of Mysteria
But Shani was not alone…
From Stonebridge this tale will start,
the jewel of the Island of Many Names
Past Brockton it will be told,
the home of the skalds
Further south is the Mage’s Guild,
the academy known as Arcanum Bridge
An epic tale more than certain,
told throughout the land
One that should be known,
even by the farmers of the Brighten Fields
Beyond is the valley,
the place that rumours are spread
The Valley of Mists,
north of Mysteria
When night falls and the mist rolls in,
the world becomes as dark as sin
There was another who found the gates
Was with Shani on that night
A call to adventure did she hear
And went forth without fright
Pania Alow had heard the tales
The stories of awe and wonder
How a bold new world lay beyond them all
With a people as loud as thunder
And Pania went forth into those mists
To share an adventure with Shani
Her most beloved friend and long time ally
They’d know each other since they were tiny
The Valley of Mists,
north of Mysteria
When night falls and the mist rolls in,
the world becomes as dark as sin
Pania wasn’t afraid of adventure unknown
So when Shani boldly stepped through the gate
The skald did know that she had to go
There was not time at all for debate
She’d sing as she went
To ease her own apprehension
Giving her steed a small nudge
She pushed back the fear and tension
Her pixie Verit stayed close by
Tucked inside the skald’s cloak
She held her breath as they began to enter
Feeling as though they might choke
The Valley of Mists,
north of Mysteria
When night falls and the mist rolls in,
the world becomes as dark as sin
Pania muttered a spell and a light appeared
Hovering just in ahead
Her horse drew nearer, feeling bold
as the skald, a poem she read
A sorrowful tale she’d often sing
One that eased the nerves
In hopes that she’d find her long time friend
Through the gate’s twists and curves
She steeled her heart
Pushed back her fear
Took a deep breath
And wiped away a tear
The Valley of Mists,
north of Mysteria
When night falls and the mist rolls in,
the world becomes as dark as sin
To go through the gates
One has to be brave
For one wrong step
Could send you to your grave
It is ancient magic
The kind you treat well
For if you’re not careful
You’ll find yourself in hell
The Elven Elders know of these portals
They tried so hard to keep them secret
But elves are curious and often will find
A secret found has no equal
The Valley of Mists,
north of Mysteria
When night falls and the mist rolls in,
the world becomes as dark as sin
From Stonebridge she did travel,
the jewel of Island of Many Names
Through Brockton she went,
the home of the skalds
To the south she had gone,
to Arcanum Bridge
Just to see this wonderful sight
This valley, these ancients,
not far from the Brighten Fields
In this secret valley,
the place that she stood
The Valley of Mists, north of Mysteria
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