“An example of how your curiosity might endanger you. Your mystery creature led you where it wanted. You must exercise caution. Strength lies in numbers, Kael Brelgson. When you have numbers at your disposal, use them,” stated Granu.
“I wasn’t afraid,” said Kael sulkily.
Granu shook his head back and forth with a wry grin on his face. The absurdity of the scene struck Kael. This giant man crouched in a ball under a stunted tree. His disembodied head grinning at the boy and floating in the darkness created by Granu’s cloak and the moonless prairie night.
“Why do you grin at me so?” asked Kael.
“It is humorous for me to think that you were unafraid of the unknown, yet are so obviously afraid of me,” smiled Granu. “A creature of unknown origin coaxes you into the tall grasses and toys with you, but your true fears lie here in front of you. On the other side of this tiny tree.”
“That isn’t true, I’m not...” defended Kael.
“The Keltaran aren’t the monsters you’re taught about, Kael,” replied Granu.
“I never said ..”
“Prejudice is taught. Hatred is learned,” interrupted Granu. “All of Avra’s creatures are born pure of heart. We aren’t born with hatred in our hearts, but with the potential for hatred. The forces of evil and Amird plant the seed when we are most vulnerable. If it’s watered with the anger and hatred of others, it will grow. Why do you fear my people?”
“You come from the mountains and murder Zodrians and destroy our villages and towns,” replied Kael defiantly.
Granu smiled once more.
“Have you ever spent a winter in the mountains, Kael?”
“No,” came the reply.
“It’s cold, bitterly cold. We own huge herds of mountain goats and sheep. We breed and raise this stock. It is our life, our means of sustenance. They provide food, clothing, and milk. They often seek the valleys to find forage and shelter in the winter months. We must head into these valleys to gather our wayward herds. Often, your people claim these animals as their own,“ said Granu.
“That is no excuse to raid and pillage villages,” interrupted Kael. “Perhaps these villagers were unaware this stock was yours.”
“Believe me. In the beginning, every effort was made to provide this information. The stock is branded. Their horns are often clipped to prevent injury. There is no mistaking a Keltaran sheep for a wild ram. Your people look down on us as no more than savages. To steal from a savage is no sin. We’re less than human and treated as such,” replied Granu.
“I thought you Keltaran were the superior ones. Lords of battle. War over peace. You raid our villages to steal,” snapped Kael.
“I’m not the first person to tell you to look past what you’re taught and expand your vision. I’m sure I won’t be the last,” stated Granu. “Would you like to hear the same story from a different point of view? Would you like to hear the story of the Keltaran and then judge history with a more open mind? A ruler happily gathers information, for you cannot rule from a position of ignorance.”
Kael bit his lip. The others might wonder where he went. However, to sit here and steadfastly defend his people, when he was acutely aware he never really considered the conflict, was wrong. He showed his own ignorance if he refused to hear the Keltaran out.
“I’ll listen,” said Kael.
“Good,” said Granu. “The mother of my people was a maiden named Gretcha, a Zodrian princess.”
“I know of Gretcha,” said Kael proudly.
“So,” smiled Granu. “You already begin to see things from a different perspective.”
“Uh, yes, I guess I do,” said Kael.
“What do you know?” asked Granu.
Kael quickly recounted all he learned from Teeg concerning Awoi, Amird, and Gretcha. As he finished, Granu smiled.
“An even-handed telling I must say,” said Granu. “I will further your education on this matter.”
Hrafnu was no ordinary child. He possessed even greater size and strength than that of his mother. It was said that he could fell a full-grown oak with three swings of his ax. His intelligence was supreme as well. He studied the habits of the mountain rams and goats and soon tamed and bred great herds. Mother and son were never in need. The world outside their peaceful valley continued on its way and the mother and child lived a simple, happy existence.
When Hrafnu was old enough, Gretcha told her son all she knew of the world. She told him of the Zodrian kingdom and the cities and towns full of people to the South and East. Hrafnu grew interested and longed to see such places. Gretcha told Hrafnu how she and her son were different from the rest of the human race. She told him of people’s fear and ignorance. Hrafnu heard and understood.
The boy grew into a man. Gretcha taught him everything that Awoi taught her. Hrafnu learned to track the great grizzled bear and what mountain berries were edible. She taught him how a snowdrift might become a shelter during the fiercest storm, what herbs cured common ailments, how to make bows and arrows, tools for cutting lumber and shaping it. Often Hrafnu improved upon the knowledge he acquired.
One day Hrafnu returned to his valley from hunting. He noticed the chimney of their cabin produced no smoke. As he entered the cabin he saw his mother lying on her bed. She looked gray and ill. He knelt beside her bed.
‘Mother, what’s wrong?’ questioned the alarmed man.
‘I’m dying, my so,’ replied Gretcha smiling.
Hrafnu hung his head and sobbed. The old woman ran a hand thru his thick hair.
‘Do not grieve, my love. I lived a long life. Much longer than most,’ said the old woman. ‘I go to join your father in the hands of Avra. This is a day I longed for.’
‘I .... I won’t know what to do. I’ll be lost without you,’ cried Hrafnu.
‘No, you will be set free without me, my gift. For that is what you are, a gift from your father to me. He knew he would leave me, so he gave you to me in order to fill my life with joy and happiness. My days were blessed from the day you were born. Now you must enter the world and make your mark.’
‘How am I to do that?’ asked Hrafnu. ‘What am I to do?’
‘I don’t know, my son, but Avra will guide you. Stay true to what I taught you and you will triumph. You are special, over all other humans. Remember that.’
Gretcha spoke the truth, for she was nearing one hundred years of age and her son neared eighty, yet he bore the look of a man in his twenties. He inherited the long life of his father and lived for centuries.
‘I go now to spend an eternity with my love,’ whispered Gretcha. ‘Live a good life and know that we wait for you to join us.’
The old woman gave a long sigh and breathed no more. Hrafnu’s head fell into his hands and he sobbed deeply.
The giant buried his mother in their valley and resumed his life. Years turned to decades and he saw and spoke to no other being. He grew lonely. Hrafnu reflected on the life of his mother and father. He wanted desperately to honor the way they both lived. He determined to contribute to the world the way his father contributed. He left his valley and went out to view the world.
Amird’s control left its mark on the kingdom of Zodra. The city grew rapidly. This growth required more land and more supplies to sustain the great metropolis. War and conquest became the focus of the kingdom. Power struggles within the city were the norm. Assassination and murder reigned in the court of the castle. As Zodra’s power grew, so too did the scope of her reign.
This is the world Hrafnu encountered as he emerged from his valley. After trekking hundreds of leagues from his home, Hrafnu came upon a scene of chaos. Zodrians had raided a small mining village the night before. The men and boys from the village tried to defend their homes, but the Zodrians slaughtered them and pillaged the town.
Hrafnu stepped from the woods to find the smoldering remains of this tiny village. The women of the town were gathering the bodies of their husbands and sons and dragging them away for burial. Children ro
amed the streets crying. Hrafnu knew his size and appearance would frighten the villagers, so he promptly fell to his knees, lowered his head and extended his palms upward. Nevertheless, many of the women and children fled in terror.
‘In the name of Avra, I come in peace and seek only to help.’ shouted Hrafnu.
One young woman was a strong believer in the ways of the Creator. She watched Zodrians butcher her entire family while she hid in a cellar corner. The young woman could stand no more. She walked confidently into the village street and called to Hrafnu.
‘You come too late creature. All is gone. Nothing remains. All that is left for you to take is our lives, a commodity of scant value that we shall surely lose as the bitter winter approaches. Be gone from us and leave us in our endless sorrow.’
Hrafnu’s heart filled with sadness for these women and children. The bold young woman spoke the truth. With no supplies, the winter surely would take most of them. Hrafnu determined to follow in the footsteps of his father.
‘I carry no weapons and am not a violent man. I offer my services to you. Anyway in which I might help, I shall. I can help you rebuild your homes. I am proficient with medicines and herbs and may be able to heal the injured among you. Anything you ask,’ said Hrafnu.
‘If you wish to help, then bury our dead!’ scoffed the young woman.
Dozens of bodies lay throughout the village. Hrafnu rose and calmly moved forward. Those who lingered to hear the conversation fled and hid in what remained of their homes. The young woman stood steadfast as Hrafnu approached. He bowed low to her.
‘As my lady command,’ said the giant.
Hrafnu worked for the remainder of the day and half the next, stopping only to eat and drink a small meal from his supplies. Dozens of graves were dug at the end of the town. Hrafnu reverently carried the fallen bodies of the townsmen and boys to the graves and set them to rest. He said a small prayer over each and commended their souls to Avra.
When Hrafnu laid the last body to rest, he knelt in the new graveyard and bowed his head in prayer. When he looked up, he was face to face with the bold young woman.
‘I do not know where you come from, friend,’ said the woman, ‘but your heart is full of kindness. Thank you for helping us in our hour of need.’
‘Tis what Avra calls on us all to do for others,’ said Hrafnu.
‘What is your name?’ asked the woman.
‘I am Hrafnu, son of Awoi.’
‘Bless you Hrafnu, son of Awoi. I am Uttren,’ said the woman.
Upon seeing the task complete many of the others lost their fear of Hrafnu and emerged from hiding places. Soon, with the help of Uttren, Hrafnu was binding broken limbs and applying healing herbs to cuts and bruises. He stayed in the village for a week and the women learned his gentle nature and kindly manners. All who knew him lost their fear of the giant. On the seventh day Hrafnu addressed the villagers.
‘Winter approaches. If I read the signs properly, it will be harsh. You stored no food, cut no wood. Hunting will become difficult as the herds wander further south. There is not enough shelter standing to house all of you. You told me the soldiers came before. They will come again. You must leave, or you will all die.’
‘And go where, Hrafnu? A group of women and children alone in the wilds? I and several of the others can take care of ourselves, but what of the children? You accomplished so much for us, but your suggestion holds no merit. I would rather the whole of us huddle in one small building than wander the wilderness,’ cried Uttren.
‘I know of a solution to your problem,’ said Hrafnu. ‘Come with me, to my home. It is two weeks march from here.’
Hrafnu described his valley. He talked of its clear streams full of fish, the great herds of mountain rams he tended, the immense lodge he built after the death of his mother, rooms full of wool, mountains of stacked firewood.
‘I offer you life, and ask for nothing in return,’ stated the giant.
The group left the next morning. It was a hard march on the children, but with Hrafnu’s help all arrived safely. They settled in shortly before the onset of a particularly nasty winter. It arrived early and stayed late. The group held strong in Hrafnu’s lodge, supported by his vast storehouse of food and supplies.
Three years passed and the women remained. Life was good in Hrafnu’s valley. Every summer the giant roamed the outskirts of Zodrian territory and tried to help the orphans of war. Men, women and children received his kindness. Often he returned to the valley with those in need. His people accepted the needy and the population grew.
After the third summer, Hrafnu returned to his lodge. New buildings stood throughout the valley. The herds grew and winter corn was ready for harvesting. The residents greeted Hrafnu cheerily. He entered the lodge and sat at the great table, weary from a long march. Uttren entered and asked all others in the lodge to depart. She sat opposite Hrafnu and stared at him.
‘Uttren, I was away too long this summer. I miss the valley. How fare you?’ said Hrafnu.
‘Not an unpleasant looking man. A bit oversized, but no one is perfect,’ stated Uttren to herself. ‘Yes, it is what it is.’
‘What did you say?’ questioned Hrafnu as he raised a tankard of cold ale to his lips.
Uttren snapped out of her deep rumination. She stared at Hrafnu but this time directed her comments to him.
‘We are to be wed after the harvest, Hrafnu son of Awoi,’ stated Uttren.
‘WHAT?’ spluttered Hrafnu, spraying ale across the room.
Uttren stood and put her hands to her hips.
‘I said “We are to be wed after the harvest”. Did you not understand or does the concept not appeal to you?’ demanded the woman.
‘No .. I ... uh.’ mumbled Hrafnu.
‘Listen to me, Hrafnu,’ growled Uttren. ‘I have overseen this valley for three summers now. When you are gone, I rule in your stead. I order work details. I decide when to harvest the summer crop. I decide when the sheep are to be shorn. I choose which ewes to slaughter. I settle all disputes.
‘I am of marrying age and I want to bear a child. If you neglected to notice, there are not many men to choose from in this valley. You are kind, generous, and provide for all I shall ever want or need. Besides, I love you and can think of no other man I would rather share my bed. We will be wed or I will leave the valley.’
Hrafnu stood and bowed. A broad smile crept across his face.
‘We will be wed, fair Uttren,’ said Hrafnu.
‘On the day we met, you asked me to order you and you would do anything I asked,’ replied Uttren. ‘You remained faithful to that pledge for three years. I will order you no longer, my husband.’
Uttren rose and for the first time bowed politely to Hrafnu. She too allowed a broad smile to widen upon her face. She spun and stepped lightly from the lodge into another beautiful day in Hrafnu’s valley.
Uttren bore Hrafnu many children. All of the children mirrored their father’s size, strength and intellect. Years passed and the population in the valley grew. Hrafnu traveled less and less, for the demands of his own lands called for attention. Many of the people he ruled harbored hatred for the Zodrian kingdom, but Hrafnu preached tolerance. Many lost loved ones at the hands of Zodrian raiding parties, but Hrafnu emulated his father and forgave. When Hrafnu reached one hundred and eighty three years of age, Uttren died. The giant buried her in the valley next to his mother and mourned her the rest of his life.
Hrafnu’s longevity and that of his offspring molded the look of his people. Some of his sons outlived three wives and fathered many children by all of them. The population in the valley grew. Some of his sons took their families to neighboring valleys, but maintained close ties with their father. All of Hrafnu’s people deferred to their father’s judgment on important matters. The kingdom of Hrafnu spread along the foothills of the Western mountains.
Zodra also grew. The city now stood as the capital of a great and spreading nation. Surrounding cities were referred to a
s the capitals of the provinces. The monarchy gave dukes and barons a share of power in order to keep the nation unified. Their early brutality faded as time took them further and further from the influence of Amird. The citizens of Zodra bridled at the life of fear they lived under. Uprisings in the provinces and at home caused reform. Often, particularly harsh or unpopular rulers were thrown out of the castle, and a respected duke was installed in his place. In this way the royal family of Zodra changed many times over the years. Peace and civility ruled the kingdom.
As Zodra grew, and Hrafnu’s people spread across the land, it was inevitable that they should come in contact. Stories of giants roaming the mountain lands spread throughout Zodra. For years the Zodrians reported these sightings and myths sprang up concerning the race of giants. Boastful woodcutters and miners embellished their peaceful encounters with Hrafnu’s people and the fear of the giants grew. More and more of these encounters turned violent. Hrafnu’s people quite often ran from their attackers.
Hrafnu preached peace. He was the first of my order, a teacher in the ways of Avra. He coaxed his people to show patience and turn from their attackers. Many of Hrafnu’s people died from encounters with the Zodrians. Often they were unarmed and unskilled in the ways of warriors. They were simply cut down and paraded through Zodrian villages as trophies by their attackers. Again, in order to build their image, these attackers embellished the fierceness of these giant, peaceful shepherds.
Hrafnu prayed and agonized over the fate of his people. He was a follower of his father Awoi and his Creator, but he was also the leader of a people. The population grew and a clash with the Zodrians was inevitable. Some of his sons called for war to protect themselves. They armed themselves with crude weapons.
Hrafnu decided to avoid disaster. He convinced his burgeoning population to head further into the hills and mountains. The valleys held too much danger. His people were already great trekkers and the strains of hiking through the mountains held no consequence for them. When encountered by Zodrians, the Keltaran merely climbed the nearest slopes and disappeared from view. The Zodrian cavalry were unable to follow and would not give chase on foot even if they could. The Keltaran found safety in their mountains and learned to love them.
The Merchant and the Menace Page 25
