The Dancing Veil is a journal written in character from the point of view of Ceraia Weaver, an elven Spinner from my original fiction story, Stalemate.
In the world of Taerion, elves are thought to be mythological creatures by most. However, the tales are most unflattering, so those that believe in elves, believe them to be evil. The origins of this belief rest in a magical catastrophe in Taerion’s history that eventually led to the belief that each use of magic steals a part of the soul until only evil remains. Elves, being naturally attuned to the magical world, thus became the demons of the world.
In the time of turmoil, after the catastrophe, a group of entertainers arose, lifting the people’s hearts and hopes once more. The came to be called the Spinners, weavers of tales, songs, dances, and more. They performed in elaborate costumes of veils and masks, beads, and bells. The mystery of a Spinner’s true identity came into reverence, providing the perfect cover for what few elves still remained. Eventually, the Spinners were woven into the people’s spirituality, regarded with as much esteem and power as priests and nobles, but with their own special protections. They became the avatars of their civilizations, symbols of culture, spirituality, and the arts. The only person allowed to see a Spinner out of costume, are other Spinners.
Ceraia was found abandoned in the woods as a toddler and taken under the wing of Spinner, Mikasis Weaver. Though he knew the tales of elves and the supposed evils of magic, he refused to believe such an innocent thing could really be evil. Knowing she would die if he left her, but could not go amongst humans uncovered. Mikasis claimed her as his daughter, and took to covering her, claiming she was horribly disfigured until she was old enough to be considered an apprentice Spinner.
However, the magical nature of elves is readily expressed in song. Unable to prevent obvious magic in her singing voice and instrumental tinkerings, Mikasis explained her handicaps as part of her disfigurement that crippled her ability to play and ruined her singing voice. Ceraia is well aware of why and attempts to over-compensate for these lost Spinner abilities with her dancing and story telling.
Early in life Mikasis, with his “daughter” were accepted as the official Spinners to a noble house away from the city and near the woods where Mikasis found Ceraia. She made close friends with the noble’s son, though the Spinner rules and mysteries have always kept them somewhat apart as well. Regardless, the noble house accepted her as their own, keeping her on as the house Spinner after Mikasis’ death, despite her handicaps.
The story of Stalemate picks up here. The journal is planned to follow whatever entries I am inspired to make, so they may not be exactly in chronological order.
The title was chosen because, as a limited Spinner, Ceraia mainly performs dances, sometimes using them to tell stories to entertain. However, more than one type of dance occurs in the story. The reference to veils was chosen to convey the scarves and veils that make up many Spinner masks and costumes, but also references veils in a figurative and ethereal sense. Finally, the plant-life in the theme represents the heavy connection to nature that Ceraia feels, a connection more powerful than she realizes. As a side note, I also liked the use of veil as one of Ceraia’s recurring fears are that she is or will become evil, scramble those letters and what do you get?
A hidden mystery…on the surface it seems redundant, but in this case, it refers to mystery that has yet to be fully realized and explored. In this case, for now, the mystery really is hidden.
