Free Shadows of the Dark Crystal by J. M. Lee Page B

alone
    Making way through the bramble to Stonewood, his home
    Fair footsteps fall firmly as he fasts through the fen
    Lightning-born, Gelfling hero, our brave Jarra-Jen!
    Now Jarra-Jen, by the Skeksis, was truly adored
    And this eve he was laden with gifts from the lords
    Thanks for telling them tales of his travels abroad
    From Ha’rar to the North all the way South to Sog
    Now the Three Sisters rising, two bold and one meek
    Light the way for our hero as he reaches Black Creek
    But the cold wind dies still and he hears in the dim
    Monstrous breath heavy through pointy-toothed grin!
    Now Jarra-Jen, yea, he turns and he peers through the dark
    To see writhing black shadows in the tangled tree bark
    And out of the night hover two burning eyes
    The wicked horned mask that’s the Hunter’s disguise!
    Now the Hunter, he laughs with a hook-beakéd smile
    Picking his teeth with a bone all the while
    He steps closer and closer! Stars shine on his face!
    Jarra-Jen crouches ready–now the Hunter gives chase!
    Now through the Dark Wood, Jarra-Jen, yea, takes flight
    â€™Twas not in his plans to be dinner tonight!
    And the Hunter’s sharp maw snapping close at his heel
    Snatching with claws bent to make him his meal
    Now to the high hills of Dark Wood they fly
    Jarra-Jen, thinking fast, up an incline he’ll climb
    Now his toes at the edge of the cliff into black
    Seeing nothing below him, he—panting—looks back
    Now the Hunter waits behind him
    Jarra-Jen, he looks before him
    Knowing not what lies below him
    He looks to the stars above him
    Now holding his breath, Jarra-Jen drops his pack
    And slowly, before the dark Hunter attacks
    He handfuls of treasure and gifts from the lords
    Flings over his shoulders and into the gorge
    Now his bag has run empty, and the Hunter comes forth
    Jarra-Jen, his ears straining, now prays for his worth
    Eyes closing, mouth smiling, “I’ve heard you!” he breathes
    Now jumping outward, into freefall he leaps
    Splash!
    Up ahead now, above him, the Hunter cries “No!”
    Jarra-Jen, yea, he cheers up from far down below
    Drifting down the safe landing for which he’d prayed
    Where he’d heard treasure falling on calm river waves
    Naia hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath. She exhaled slowly and drew another one in. The song was over, and the Gelfling and Podlings alike threw their hands in the air and cheered for the triumphant Jarra-Jen. Even the Skeksis Lords had listened with keen interest, their counting finished. Lord skekLach had his big meaty hands steepled on the table before him, exchanging glances with Lord skekOk and finally giving a low guttural chuckle.
    Kylan turned and gave another flourishing bow to the head table where Maudra Mera stood with the lords, then gave a littler bow to his audience of children and Podlings. He handed his lute to one of the youngsters to play with until the children were, one by one, called home by their parents. With as sharp an eye and ear as they had listened to Kylan’s story, the lords at the table watched the children disappear in singlets and doublets, ready to be tucked in by their parents within their warm and cozy huts. When the square was nearly clear, with only Kylan and the single hearth keeper’s dark silhouettes against the nighttime fire, Kylan packed his lute on his back and approached the head table.
    â€œWe counted this one, hm?” Lord skekOk said, leaning toward his fellow as Kylan stood before them with another formal bow.
    â€œThank you for your ear. I’m honored that . . . ,” Kylan said. Some of his confidence had escaped, but Naia couldn’t blame him. Even her own courage suffered some withering in the presence of the Skeksis Lords, and she wasn’t even the one standing before them.
    â€œWith the mother-family, yes,” Lord skekLach said, as if Kylan hadn’t spoken at all. “Just two, just two in his old