A Starry Night Falls

*Though attributed to the skalds of the ancient Moonlytes, this piece was actually written by Obelin Torhans in 121 AC by the request of Highlord Charles Stone.*

"You know, no one's going to believe you," Elka said quietly with a sly smirk, tossing another log into the firepit. "The most beautiful woman in the world, she said? Isn't that awfully arrogant of her?"

"Could be," Helman said gruffly. "Could also be the goddess of these lands like she said. I recall her words, though it seemed a dream...'Take this land, and bring up your children in it. Make them strong warriors, able tacticians, wise seers, for it will be you who saves this world when it is at its darkest.' The gods favor poetry, do they not?" He chuckled, sitting down next to his wife. "You would of course recall why we came here, my love."

Elka's thoughts had wavered to a time in the past, when giants walked the earth and snow had fallen to the southlands, taking Hjalmsol and Kohara by storm. She had known of the lands, then, but now the tundra has receded and given way to the temperate lands of her sons and daughters. In her age, she prepared for the sweet embrace of the next life, but still took in what pleasures remained in her senescence.

"I remember. The dispute with Varag, you said. The chieftain of the Honarar."

"Aye, Varag. A real tough lot and a hard bargainer, to boot. If Kjalo can't negotiate with him, there's no use in trying. We were forced to move by the light of the stars -- that's how bad it got -- and that lass just came from nowhere and informed us that she's the queen of these lands and bequeaths it to us." He paused, looking up in the twilight. The sun had all but receded, leaving a dying red streak as its influence diminished over the horizon and the lady of the stars who had been so grateful for their arrival looked down upon them in the form of a full moon, as if to greet them warmly and wholeheartedly. "I hope that's the case. I know of no one living in these mountains but criminals and lepers."

Elka embraced her husband, looking into the vast breadth of the cosmos with him. The stars had just become visible, and at the same time the sun bade the world farewell and slept. "She sure is pretty, if that's her up there..."

Helman stood up then, and walked around the firepit for a time, stretching his legs. "I've heard musings, you know, Elka. Musings of old gods and new, what path we'll take. How do I know what is right? I was able to guide my men when we landed in Eymtot, but this is different. Migrating away from our former brothers, our brothers in arms to defend against the tyrannies of the godkin giants... it just doesn't seem right. That we should be leaving behind our way of life to be treated as outcasts." Arbitrarily, he picked up a rock and threw it as far as he could into the abyss beyond their camp, the dark that had been claimed after the sun departed.

"You should know that they trust you, Helman. The men have placed their faith in your leadership. If they would follow you through the wilderness when the most treacherous beasts may strike, in the dead of night when only the cold winds blow and the spiritmen wander aloof, then their loyalty is well-proven." Elka lied down on her back, motionless as she took in the beauty of the sky. "And with their loyalty comes a guarantee. A guarantee that no matter where we shall live, the guidance of the Stelmonts shall always be with them and their progeny till the world fades to black and nothing is left but these very stars we admire such." An audible sigh came from her, but it was not one of stress -- rather, it was of relief. "I know you must take your duties seriously, but relax for a time. We camp here until dawn. We can at least enjoy the night before we must move again.

Helman smiled, looking into the fire. "They trust me, you say? What if I were to gather the men and travel now, in the dead of night once more?"

Elka dismissed the notion with a wave of her hand. "You'd be mad. Loyal, perhaps, but even a loyal man faces adversity. Many families are likely having this exact same discussion within, as we speak. You can't blame them for doubt, can you?"

"Not at all, but the Honorar seek to repay a blood debt that we do not owe and we cannot afford to sit idle while they approach. Doubt is natural, but their vengeance is not. I fear they are spurred on by a hate that we cannot hope to equal, much less do away with." He looked to the moon once more, and suddenly he was inspired by the notion. "Elka, I wish for you to tell the shieldmaidens of our immediate departure. We travel by the light of the moon."

She was baffled. "I-- but why?"

"I have decided on our course. As I said, we travel by the light of the moon. Look, my love! Have you ever seen such a beam from her?" Motioning to the moon, it seemed as though it was as bright as the sun for a brief moment, brightening the entire valley with its gaze -- her gaze. "If these are truly her lands, we will make use of her promise. Sanctify your chosen people, moon goddess, for we are your Moonlytes..."

The rest is history -- Helman Stone woke up his men in the middle of the night and travelled with the Moonlyt Goddess's guidance up the Mountain's Tongue, taking note of the matrimony that is present between Mother Moon and Father Earth. The Son Mountain stood proudly, and Helman chose it as his home. So far away from the lands of Kohara, he was not sure if this was land was still the Eymtot his people had come ashore on, but he was certain it was his to keep. The Stelmonts designated the peaks the land of the Goddess's chosen people, living on the surface of all as children of their union and the products of their growth. The same moon that guided Helman has guided all of mankind, but surely, they were blessed; and continue to be so, forever under her watch.