Rukhal's Ascent

**Rukhal's Ascent** is a poem from the kingdom of Aute.

It was Telarkha's favourite lullaby.

## Lyrics (short version)

Long ago lived two gifted brothers

From the humble city of Pilamil.

Rukhal was the elder, a mighty carpenter;

Rekhal was the younger, a gifted architect.

One day as they went into the jungle

To find a lost friend who did not return,

They were attacked by an ogre

Who glared with his many eyes and jaws.

The ogre grabbed Rekhal by the leg,

And Rukhal chopped his arm with an axe.

Then, a beam of moonlight struck the ogre down,

Burning the monster and splitting it in half.

Out of the smoking ruin,

A woman of fine silver robes appeared.

She was not like what they had seen,

For who had pale hair at a young age?

“Thank you for saving us,” Rekhal bowed,

“But who are you, exactly?

You look timeless, yet unearthly.

As though you were a wraith.”

“I am no wraith, silly!” the woman giggled.

“I am Luinda, the white-haired maiden.

I live high up on the Moon,

Lighting through clouds to guide in the dark.”

“What do you want, fair damsel?” Rukhal asked.

“Would you like a new chariot?”

“Or a sculpture, a chest, or a platform to kiss your feet?”

Rekhal said these clumsy words to the white-haired.

“No, I do not want these,” Luinda pointed.

“Treasures are not what I seek.

All I want is you! Handsome Rukhal,

I love your beard and your well-built body!”

“I always wanted a lady by my side,” Rukhal smiled.

“But you seem like a ghost.”

“Do not fear, Rukhal,” Luinda reassured.

“I wanted someone to dance in Heaven.”

The mortal and the goddess held hands

As a cloud lifted them up.

His brother also saw a cloud beneath his feet,

Bringing him to a garden among the stars.

There, Rukhal danced with his silver lover

By the fountains and the black pines.

Rekhal was startled by another woman:

She was clad in black, her azure robes studded with gems.

“Who are you?” the brother yelped.

“Nerad!” the other goddess answered.

“I rule the New Moon, while my sister rules the Full Moon.

Let us rule the night, and fill the heavens with our beauty!”

Let the chariots roll

Across the deep heavens,

Rekhal and Rukhal

Dance among the clouds and stars.

Let the swans bear

The sisters Luinda and Nerad,

As they turn the Moon

While it hovers around the Earth!

## Lyrics (long version)

At the dawn of the world, when the first cities were formed,

There lived two brothers in the city of Pilamil.

The skies back then were empty and bare,

And monsters prowled at shadows everywhere.

Rukhal was the elder, a mighty carpenter;

Rekhal was the younger, a gifted architect.

Both built the finest chariots in the west,

Hailed by many for their creativity.

One day, the two brothers went into the jungle

To rescue a friend who failed to return from his hunt.

They were assailed by an ogre of many eyes

Who swatted Rekhal with his club.

The two brothers had to defeat the ogre:

Rukhal tossed stones and an axe at its eyes.

Rolling away from the ogre’s club,

He and his brother grabbed more stones.

The ogre grabbed Rekhal by the leg,

Only to drop him as his brother cut off his arm.

Then, a beam of moonlight impaled the ogre,

Burning the monster and splitting it in half.

Out of the smoldering body emerged

A woman of fine silver robes.

“Thank you for saving us,” Rekhal bowed.

“But who are you, exactly?”

“I am Luinda, the white haired maiden

Who dwells high up on the Moon.

I dance among the clouds and stars,

I light the way for the lost in the dark.”

“What do you seek to do, fair damsel?” Rukhal asked.

“Do you want us to build a brand new chariot?”

“Or how about a sculpture, a chest, or a platform?”

Were the words Rekhal spoke to the white-haired princess.

“No, I do not want these,” Luinda spoke.

“I do not want chariots, wagons, or handicrafts.

I want you: especially handsome Rukhal,

For I love your beard and your sculpted body!”

“I have always wanted a woman who could

Be by my side,” Rukhal smiled.

But you seem ghostly: your hair is white

And a trail of stars follows your feet.”

“Do not fear, Rukhal,” Luinda smiled back.

“I have always wanted a mortal

Who can dance with me and follow me

As we walk together in the gardens of Heaven.”

The mortal and the goddess held hands

As a cloud lifted them to the night sky.

“But what will I do without my brother?” Rekhal cried.

A cloud brought him up too.

Poor Rekhal howled as he was lifted up

Trembling as the lands spread open before him

Moments later, the two brothers landed on white tiles

Before trees glittering with sapphires.

Before long, another woman ran to Rekhal, embracing him.

She was clad in a blue dress, her hair as black as the night.

“Who are you?” the brother asked.

“Nerad!” The woman grinned.

“I am the goddess of the New Moon,

While my sister rules over the Full Moon.

Together, Rekhal, we rule the night.

The heavens shall be filled with our beauty!”

The two goddesses asked their lovers

Whether they would like to be married.

Both men agreed: but they requested one thing,

To visit their kin once every month.

Let the chariots roll

Across the deep heavens,

Rekhal and Rukhal

Dance among the clouds and stars.

Let the swans bear

The sisters Luinda and Nerad,

As they turn the Moon

While it hovers around the Earth!

## Autean lyrics

Nad thu zje-ka brimar tho

Wi Pilamil, o manth muino,

Rukhal thusmal, o daradthol garaz,

Rekhal iesmal, o kraththol loroik.

### Grammar

Long ago live-PAST brother-PLU two

From Pilamil, desc city humble,

Rukhal older, desc carpenter mighty,

Rekhal younger, desc architect talented.