Ken Tregoning

In the mist of times long since past before mortal man trod the earth, there was a Realm ruled by winged beings, angelic creatures, nymphs, and fairies, Satyrs, Pixies and such.

Now this story is about one extraordinary and very beautiful creature by the name of Lerah Ethereal, a Diogin of the Angel form. Her role in the realm is to guard the path to mortality. It is forbidden for any Entity to enter the Gates of Mortality, punishable by extreme torture and shunning from all who inhabit the realm, although the pathway is covered by the lake of tears surrounded by seraphin doing penance on bended knee ever watchful sentinels ready to call Lerah at a flitch’s whim. Indecently, a flitch is a defunct imp made powerless and left to live by its wits and by any means available to help it survive, The Flitches were caught testing the waters edge, of the lake of tears looking for the path leading to Gates of mortality, so they had their powers taken away.

Such was the story of the Ogres who once were amongst the most beautiful creatures in the Realm. But by stealth and deception they lured and captured Lerah within the catacombs, by feigning that help was needed. Walling up the exit, they fled towards the Gates of Mortality. Sadly for them they were caught by Lerah. Her powers of perception and intervention were legend amongst all. She could summon powers beyond belief. It is said that the Ogres’ punishment will last a thousand eons. I know they will regret their ventured past, such hideous and cruel creatures they now are, that inhabit the wet dank dark regions of the Netherworld, only to venture out to feed on and torment lost travellers.

It’s known that Lerah alone has the power to traverse time to the future and to visit the realms of mortal men and women to make amends and help those in spiritual angst. Lerah amongst the Diogin is often sought to solve most magical catastrophes. When all else seems to be of little use, Lerah’s powers seem to come to the fore.

I have heard many stories about Lerah’s powers some are mysterious and some rumours ushered amongst those of the Gnomes and Elves say they stir fear so they are told in quiet whispers, Lest Lerah should overhear, Her one dislike is being accused of being ruthless,
It is also said that Lerah took pity on those that came after the Ogres but only some.

As for escape from the netherworld, none save a few of the Unicorns ever escaped down the path to mortality. As punishment the Unicorns lost their beautiful horn and became mortal horses to carry and haul for mortal man, who someday would inhabit Earth eons into the future.

There were few lowly dissenters from the Unicorns’ plan to reach the land of mortality. His name was Acarus the Unicorn. He rebuffed the others for their folly, standing his ground watching as they were chased down through the Gates of mortality. For this he was rewarded by Lerah who saw the tear in his eye. As she knew his heart was pure, she raised her arms and Acarus became Icarus the flying horse, such were her powers.

It sometimes happens in our lives that we might see an Angel: When we are at life’s darkest time, the Netherworld comes to walk amongst us for only the pure at heart or those shattered with grief seem to attract Lerah’s attention. She administers her comfort and succour. All are without equal amongst mortals.
Lerah of the Diogin Angels, when you see her you will know you cannot hide the truth from her, for as her golden hair streams with weightless abandon and as her eyes look so deeply into your soul, it almost hurts to look back at her, all will be revealed you cannot keep a secret from Lerah of the Diogin, She with the body of a Woman and the spirit of swift Justice and mercy.

Lerah is a most beautiful creature, and it is written in the creed of the Diogin that one day a mortal will find the path between the Netherworld and Earth and lay claim to the hand of Lerah and on that day the ogres will have served their time in purgatory and be returned to their former selves.

Ah, such is the stuff that dreams are made of, shhh! there is a secret but I will share it with you another time, about yet another creature from the Netherworld.

Written by
Kenneth R Tregoning Treg

Inspired by the artworks of Rose Moxon