To fully understand the reasons for this tale, you must first look at the past of the now barren and nearly empty kingdom. The mountains of desolate rock at a time were rolling hills, stretching far into the countryside. What is now an empty riverbed once carried pure, fresh, perfectly clear ground water. Birds, bees, everything for miles around, lived a quiet, peaceful life.
The reason for these miracles was in fact a girl named Calliope, no older than the age of fourteen. Now, because it is very strange that a young mortal would be the reason for an entire kingdom to flourish, you probably don't believe me. But let me put it this way; she is not a mortal, and she is not young. However, the goddess does prefer a form of youth.
She is one of the Nine Muses of old. Now if you haven't heard of the Muses, I guess this would be a good time to tell you. The Muses are deities of song and dance, and Calliope is the most powerful of them all. She is the eldest of the sisters, and the Muse of Song. Whatever she sings, whether love or hatred, joy or sorrow, is expressed by all things, alive or dead, everywhere the song touches.
She plays on a golden harp, and sings with a mellow voice. Her home is a castle, which lies on a hill, with many rooms and chambers. The castle was guarded by brave youths and knights strong of heart. Many men had tried to take her away, but the knights and peasants have always retrieved their goddess.
But there came a time where the scores of men and the defenses of the castle failed to protect their greatest treasure, and the consequences were disastrous.
At first it seemed as if the land could live on without Calliope, because her songs' effects still echoed through the kingdom. However, an invading army came and destroyed the remains of the once proud and majestic land.
But not all left...
to be continued
