Once you have tasted the Twilight, you will have a strong desire to Understand it.
BEING a place of both darkness and light, and yet both and neither of those, the Windlass Mountains are an unusual place for the traveler venturing through them, and there are treasures here to be found among its peaks for those bold enough to venture in search of them. It is said that there was once an ancient city here built by the Shining Ones, made of crystal and sapphire, and many adventurers have entered these mountains in search of it and the magics it holds.
Legend also has it that somewhere among these mountains lies a beautiful and romantic lake whose waters have many magical properties. In ancient times it was said that a door in a rock somewhere near this lake is found open upon a certain day every year. Those who have the curiosity and courage to enter are conducted by a secret passage through the mountain, which terminates in a small island in the center of the lake.
On this island is a most enchanted garden with the choicest fruits and flowers and a most wonderous Tree. The island is inhabited by Áine, a Being who is called Twilight’s GateKeeper. She is dressed in a fine grey robe, bound by a golden girdle; her hair is long, and wild, and the color of fire, like red gold; her face is pale and often appears melancholy; her eyes are oceanic blue, changing in color with the light or perhaps with her mood. She is often seen in a golden boat on the lake, combing her hair with a silver comb. She is ageless, timeless, and it is whispered among the inhabitants of the Isle of Dreams that she is very wise, and very magical. Do not mistake the Lady Áine as completely benevolent and harmless, however… legend also has it that some who have ventured into these mountains have never been seen again.
Travelers, the watch word here is “expect the unexpected”… in a land of Twilight, anything can and does happen. Teleportation and magic do not always act as expected, and it is thought that this is possibly due to the geology of the place. Legend has it, however, that these mountains are replete with the Old Magics which few remember or know how to work with, and there are old relics from a more magical time, and there are places among these mountains from both Memory and Dream.
+++ Look to this Book for further information as you progress through these mountains. Its pages are magical and new writings appear here from time to time to aid you in your journey. +++
May the Lady watch over you, and good luck!
THERE ARE VISIONS, THERE ARE MEMORIES
THERE ARE ECHOES OF THUNDERING HOOVES
THERE ARE FIRES, THERE IS LAUGHTER
THERE’S THE SOUND OF A THOUSAND DOVESIN THE VELVET OF THE DARKNESS
BY THE SILHOUETTE OF SILENT TREES
THEY ARE WATCHING, THEY ARE WAITING
THEY ARE WITNESSING LIFE’S MYSTERIESCASCADING STARS ON THE SLUMBERING HILLS
THEY ARE DANCING AS FAR AS THE SEA
RIDING O’ER THE LAND, YOU CAN FEEL ITS GENTLE HAND
LEADING ON TO ITS DESTINYTAKE ME WITH YOU ON THIS JOURNEY
WHERE THE BOUNDARIES OF TIME ARE NOW TOSSED
IN CATHEDRALS OF THE FOREST
IN THE WORDS OF THE TONGUES NOW LOSTFIND THE ANSWERS, ASK THE QUESTIONS
FIND THE ROOTS OF AN ANCIENT TREE
TAKE ME DANCING, TAKE ME SINGING
I’LL RIDE ON TILL THE MOON MEETS THE SEA.
*Night Ride Across the Caucasus – Loreena McKennitt
