The sky is dark. I vaguely remember a time, oh so long ago, when I could see beyond the dark into the stars. I long to see beyond the stars again. I long to have this curse lifted, to be forgiven, to set things right again. To be at peace.

I know I don’t deserve a second chance. But I take every opportunity anyway. The festival seemed as good a place as any to try my luck...but having spent so many years in exile like this, I had pretty much given up hope.

Then, he heard it. He heard my song, my *true* song, and I realized that I wouldn’t have gotten a second chance if there hadn’t been any hope. And I let myself go in that hope, let myself float in it and dream that all my wrongs would be appeased through this young, clever noble. I coaxed him out, played upon his lust for knowledge, planted the necessary seeds to let him save me.

I never meant for things to become so dangerous. I hadn’t realized just how much I had poured into that song on that day. I hadn’t realized that others had heard pieces of it and were just as intrigued. I hadn’t realized that the darkness would come for me again. I’m such a fool.

I can take no part in this. I can only guide him, and hope that I can lay enough clues to keep him alive. I never meant for his companions to get involved, I never meant to let things get so dangerous, I never meant for a lot of things to happen. Somehow, everything comes back to my mistakes.

I won’t let this world crumble again. Even if I cannot take part, I shall help and guide as best I can. I will right my wrongs.

When this is over, it will make quite a ballad.