Chapter 2 "The Voice Within"

In a matter of seconds, Majesty arrived and slowly bowed for me to ascend to my rightful position. I never felt more comfortable on any place within the kingdom than I did straddling this powerful beast.

I could not count the number of times my father would threaten to kill Majesty and make her one of his offerings for another celebratory feast. Although that was the most powerful potential punishments I faced, it was just one of his many torments he would often send my way.

I had gone no more than a mile or so before I heard my brother's horse...Evil...He had come our way just to laugh at and taunt Majesty and I.  Evil was a brilliant gray creature with beautiful gray eyes and a long flowing dark gray mane which could easily steal the eyes of many.

Although the most cherished offspring, Damien was not the firstborn of our father. We looked nothing alike, nor did we share the same DNA or charisma. He had brilliant gray eyes just like father, and while mine were gray, they did not penetrate the soul of any creature in the kingdom like Damien or my father's did.

Damien instilled fear in every creature throughout the kingdom, for he would often mistreat anyone or anything for seemingly no reason at all. But, he was father's most beloved and father never let a chance go by to ridicule, mock and mimic me. Nor did he ever pass up an opportunity to boast about my brother and his accomplishments.

I spent an inordinate amount of time in my little home which was separated from the palace where my father and Damien lived. I never wandered to far from that which was comfortable to me, and there were times when the only solace I could find was my dreary home and The Bleak Forest.

I was cast out from the palace when I was only ten years of age for I was singing, simply singing...on and within the palace grounds. For a short time, I mainly slept in The Bleak Forest but there were times when I would find a cobblestone sidewalk where I would pitch my small tent.  I built my little home with scraps of cedar wood and other building materials I found scattered about the Palace when it had been built.

I had nowhere to look but inside myself. I had no one to sing to but myself.  I had taken the badge of scorn and ridicule and covered my heart with it. I did not stray too far from my refuge.  It seemed that not only did my father and brother despise my presence, but most of the dark angels avoided me when possible.

I filled my little home with inanimate objects that I would sing to.  I had to sing softly and tenderly even inside my own home ever mindful that my father could visit me any time. 

I was certainly not the only one in the kingdom that suffered from the scourge that was their father's disdain.  I often found them wandering in The Bleak Forest where they would gather and talk about their miserable existence in my father's kingdom.

I had a Voice that was very small and many in the kingdom assumed that I had no voice at all.  I lived or should I say existed within my four walls with no flesh to sing to. Nor did I carry any emotions within me other than those which my father had inflicted upon me.

I needed to find The Voice Within me, before I could begin to share it with the dark angels who meandered deep within the forest grounds. I knew that I could not find my voice until I was ready to share it with others.

For several years I searched for my Voice within seemingly to no avail. But once I found my voice within, I took Majesty and we headed directly for The Bleak Forest.  Although my talents were few, there were some that were powerful such as the gift to create.  While I sat upon the grounds of The Bleak Forest, I imagined a wooden instrument made of mahogany wood which was prevalent in the forest. 

I then took some clippings from Majesty's mane and formed six strings which were placed on top of the what I called a fret board. I played and played the strings but was not able to find the sound that I was looking for.  Then I chose to hollow out the wooden object and place a hole right above where my fingers could gently pluck the strings.

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