Harbinger of Heaven’s Whisp

Whisp is an Old English word describing the sound of wind—a faint sound, like the swishing produced by the faraway rustling of leaves. Also as a verb, “the whisping of waters” or a “whisp of rain,” meaning a touch of rain. The word echoes “whispers,” but not human ones. Rather, something like a faint rustling of words that gently echo within Kayin’s mind. His title “Harbinger of Heaven’s Whisp,” designates the announcer or bringer not only of Heaven’s whisperings, but also of Heaven’s wishes or Heaven’s message. His role is comparable to Delphi’s Pythia, except that he also takes on the function of a Delphian high priest, as translator of such messages into human terms. With “whisp” the author also meant to employ a phonetic relative of Will-o'-the-wisp, to bring to mind a phenomenon akin to the latter, namely “something (rarely a person) that deludes or misleads by means of fugitive appearances.” Additionally, such “whisperings” can be considered “mental suggestion or intimation figured as whispered speech,” likened to the voice of conscience (Oxford English Dictionary).