A Celani's Sorrow

By: Greyda Posted on: April 28, 2004

The blessings of the gods are my curse... Sarapis grants me life beyond mortality... yet not above mortal agony...

* * *

There is an old tale of young Jaruvian girl called Serraen, whose beauty and wit were said to far surpass that of any woman who had ever lived. People came from far and wide to seek out her presence, forsaking their patrons in favor of her counsel, praising her graces and claiming she was even fairer than the Gods. The Garden grew uneasy with her fame, knowing that a mortal should never be compared to a Divine, and it was resolved that she must learn her place.

The Celani Delanadel was sent to afflict the girl with an incurable disease, that she would be horribly disfigured and cast out from the world she knew. But as he began to follow the girl, he realized that she no more welcomed the public's attention than a warm summer's day welcomes snow. Though many worshipped and adored her, she was lonely and wished simply to find true love. As Delanadel silently observed her day after day, he fell in love with the maiden and could not bear to carry out his orders.

And so Delanadel revealed himself to Serraen and took her away to an island surrounded by endless seas, where they spent a year together, far from mortal or Divine scrutiny, and Serraen finally found the great love she had always desired.

By now, the Gods had noticed that the fervor over this troublesome girl had died down and, very pleased indeed, went to visit Delanadel and thank him for his work. But as they descended to where the Celani lay sleeping, they were horrified to find, wrapped in his arms, the very girl they had sent him to destroy. Outraged, they banished Serraen to the mountains of the far north, where she was forced to wander alone.

Time passed and the girl was forgotten by mortals, and Delanadel retreated to the Garden to nurse his aching heart. One day as Lady Selene was visiting with Her followers in Her temple, a loud sobbing came from nearby, and She went to investigate who could be causing such a disturbance. Huddled on the ground was the wearied form of Serraen, who had travelled great distances in search of her Celani.

As she sobbed, Serraen begged the Goddess of Love and Beauty to help her, asking only that she be allowed one last kiss from Delanadel, and if the Gods so wished it, she would leave and never return. Lady Selene's heart was moved, and implored Sarapis to reunite the couple. Serraen was brought into the Garden, where she was granted the gift of immortality, that she and Delanadel would ever be a testament to the power of love.

* * *

How convenient it is for the Gods to... adjust... the truth to serve their purposes. A happy ending makes for a reasonable, moral tale, no? Such a spin is put on these... myths...

The first moment I saw Serraen, I knew why people spoke of her so. She had not the radiance of an immortal, but her beauty stirred in me feelings no mortal nor Divine ever had. Her smile was so warm, her greeting so intimate, she lacked the distance, the aloofness each of the Divine exhibited towards mortals. Perhaps this was why the men and other mortal races found her irresistable.

As the story goes, yes, I loved her. I disobeyed the Gods and took Serraen away, rather than poison her beauty as I was bidden. I arrogantly thought my plan flawless, and though it is forbidden that a mortal and immortal should unite... for a blissful year nothing separated us. Together we watched the horizon and thought of forever.

But cruel fate had other designs.

I awoke on the golden sand, Serraen curled in my arms, dreaming with a faint smile on her lips. It was quiet, the ocean's surface glassy, the water lapping softly on the beach where we had drifted to sleep under the past evening's moonlight. As I brushed a wisp of hair from Serraen's cheek, she opened her eyes, murmuring softly as sleep subsided.

Her gaze wandered away, and the fear I saw next in her eyes chilled me to the core of my being. Turning to see the source of her terror, I was struck dumb with the vision of the entire pantheon of Gods assembled on the shore. Sarapis loomed at the front of the group, His eyes blazing in anger.

Gesturing vehemently towards Serraen, He turned away and Lady Selene stepped forward. I held tightly to my love, but as the Goddess approached I was compelled to release her. Looking closely into Serraen's eyes, Selene nodded, took her by the hand, and vanished. Before I could utter a word in protest, there came a flash of light, then soft darkness... and the world of mortals was lost to me forever.

* * *

Years pass by and I tend to matters in the Garden, restricted from ever leaving again. Some days I look down through the ethereal mists to see my beloved, serving in the temple of Lady Selene, and she looks content... at peace... even happy at times. I dare to think I may heal and in time, forget her, knowing she has found happiness. But on rare occasions I catch her stopping and gazing up to the heavens, the wind gathering her whispers, words spoken only to me, and my heart breaks once more for her.