Mercy is the Keeper of lyrics and as such when she is grown she will be trusted with storing and repeating hundreds of years worth of Songs and adding her own to the neverending stream of song stories woven throughout time. These songs are in every Guardian of Lyrics' mind, the flow through each of their minds constantly moving. A Keeper must learn to access and control this torrent of information for it can be overwhelming to one who is not prepared for such an onslaught.

Mercy could feel the edges of a dream ecscaping her as her eyes opened upon a new day, she stretched her toes out under the duvet feeling its softness. She glanced at her clock wondering at herself being up before her alarm went off, "oh no!" she exclaimed, the clock read 8.55 she was supposed to be in class at 8! "Not again" she muttered to herself. She flung the covers back and leapt out of bed, her feet hitting the cold floor with a smack. She ran around her room getting ready, tugged on her boots, grabbed her sachel and was out the door in a flash.

The halls were empty, everyone being in class so she ran the whole way there and skidded to a stop outside the classroom door. She smoothed her dress down and tapped on the door, "come in?" came a weathered sounding voice, she open the heavy wooden door gave a small smile to the teacher and scuttled to her seat. "And what makes you tardy today Mercy?" her teacher asked her with a sigh, "my alarm didnt go off Sir, i'm so sorry i know i was late yesturday uum and the day before but i genuinly dont know how it happend" she apoligised looking down at her desk, "oh so no flying frogs this time?" he asked her referring to yesturdays excuse with a twinkle in his eye, she just smiled at him and started to get her books out of her sachel knowing she wasnt in trouble now. Mr.Murlow continued what he was saying before her interruption, he really was a great Teacher although maybe a bit soft ecspecially with her. Being her Grandfather helped with that mind you. She studied his face, the familiar lines and white hair, a few extra of each seemed to appear everytime she saw him and she wondered at his age, you know he would never tell anyone. When she was little she used to think he had been alive forever but now she didnt believe that even if he did say it, she chuckled to herself as she focused upon his lecture.

After an hour of listening, reading and yet more listening Mr.Murlow revealed he was going to sing one of the oldest songs in Lyrics Guardians memories. He closed his eyes, face going completely still and they waited and waited and waited. This wasnt right, Mercy got up slowly from her chair and started towards her Grandfather. Suddly his face distorted and he let out a scream, his eyes shot open and stared straight ahead. Mercy could see silvery tendrils swirling around his eyes, tears streaming down them and she knew what had happend, he was lost in the songs. She screamed to the nearest Keeper "go get Lady Vilia!" and ran to get the emergency supplies from the cabinet. Her fingers fumbled with the latch but she got it open, reached in side and grabbed the little tin just as her classmate was returning with Lady Vilia. "Help him!" she screamed at her "he's stuck!", Lady Vilia bent her head to his and looked into his eyes, her own clouding to a deep purple. After an agonising 3 minutes she pulled away looking stricken, she turned to Mercy looking into her eyes "i'm so sorry, he's lost. I cannot reach him" she said. Mercy stopped crying for the first time since the incident happened, she crinkled her brow in confusion, "but you can reach everyone" she stated, lady Vilia did not reply her now pale purple eyes full of sorrow. Mercy couldnt believe what she was seeing, she refused to, she knew she could save him! She sat on the floor and closed her eyes, those around her assuming with sorrow but no she was going after her Grandfather. she was not loosing her only living relative!

she could feel the edges of the songs open up to her as she connected with some loose lyrics flowing around her, she held on but she lost it. Breathing deeper she tried again, this time grabbing onto the begginnings of the same song her Grandfather had brought forward. she knew she shouldnt, knew how dangerous it was but she couldnt find another way in. She gave it a tug and it pulled her in, she panicked a song had never pulled her before! She fought to control its widely flailing tendrils curling around her head getting tighter, she felt herself getting weaker. A blue haze was coming towards her, filling her vision and touching her mind, she felt her grandfathers presence with her. With joy she reached out for him and he clasped her mind with his, she pulled him tight to her and started to withdraw from her trance. Her eyes flew open desperatly seeking her Grandfather, seeing him standing from his chair she relaxed and lead back on the cool floor exhausted, she closed her eyes in relief and felt herself drifting off.

Mercy opened her eyes to the sound of her Grandfathers singing, she moved her hands and felt the familiar softness of her duvet around her. She turnt her head and saw her Grandfather sat in the seat next to her bed, she smiled at him a bit embarressed of what she had done, connecting with him so in her mind. She knew she shouldnt have gone after him, untrained as she is but she just couldnt let him go, she didnt relise how much she loved him until she as about to loose him. Lost in her thoughts she felt a hand on hers, she looked up to see her Grandfather leaning over smile at her. "What you did" he began, "i cannot put into words the danger of it, i also cannot put into words how happy i am you did. I do not encourage it in the future though kiddo! You're so like your Father you know? He was always getting into trouble and being late, that seems to be an inheritable trait nowdays" he said chuckling. Mercy laughed and got out of bed, her Grandfather caught her hand once again, "Lady Vilidia needs to see you" at her look of alarm he hastily added, "just to check you over, she did so while you were sleeping but she just wants to double check when your awake", he smiled at her and got up to leave. Mercy overwhelmed with todays near loss ran over to him and threw her arms around his shoulders laughing as he nearly toppled over, "i'll see you later kiddo" he said grinning and with a pat on her head he walked into the bustling hallway. Mery watched him going smiling to herself and shut her heavy bedroom door. After about 5 minutes of dawdling brushing her hair she decided she best go see Lady Vilidia for this check up, she grabbed a lollipop to suck on the way and once again entered those familiar hallways.