Tales of Thealrew -- Origin (book)

The Tales of Thealrew -- origin
by Annelore Oseruyka of the House of the Ivory Scroll

Elotheans long told of a prophecy of a child blessed by the gods who would rise to do great things. Every parent hoped their child would be the one, seeing in birthmarks, easy births, hard births and any other potentially significant "sign" the possible mark of the prophecy.

At last, a child was born with what seemed an unmistakable sign -- cat-slitted amber eyes. The news quickly spread from village to village. Great scholars of every field presented them- selves to the child's parents, offering their services for the child's training.

As Thealrew (for that was the name given him) grew, his teachers were astounded with his natural talents in every area. Whether in warfare, music, philosophy, magic or any other discipline, everything the child did, he excelled in, surpassing even the skills of his tutors.

When he came of age, a group consisting of the leaders of a number of local villages arrived at his parents' home. They consulted with his parents briefly; Thealrew heard their whispers, then saw his father nod at him. He approached the group, and all sat down as his parents left the room.

There was an uncomfortable silence, during which Thealrew wondered what this consultation might be about. He had grown accustomed to village elders seeking his advice on one matter or another, but never had he been approached by several from different areas at the same time. Finally, one stood, bowing slightly to him. Thealrew nodded back.

"Your reputation has grown throughout this area. All who know of you have acknowledged the blessing of the gods upon you, in evidence by your wisdom and maturity beyond any we have seen before. Your counsel has always been sought and welcomed in times of need. The people of our villages have started speaking of what greater good there could be from having such guidance routinely." He paused, glancing around the small room at the others assembled there. They nodded, as if assenting to what he had said. As he opened his mouth to speak, Thealrew cleared his throat, and then spoke up.

"You are asking my leadership of your village?" Thealrew asked softly.

"We all are, blessed one. We would unify under your direction. What more peaceful and noble kingdom than one which willingly --"

"Kingdom?" he interjected. "Your villages have existed in peace with each other under your individual elders for generations. Why would you wish such a change?"

"What greater could we do than to have such a one as you guiding all of us?"

"I could not do such a thing," Thealrew replied, and as the others gathered there started to rise in protest, continued, "You say you would willingly submit to me. But what of future generations? Who is to say what my sons may be? Or if I have none, what then? Once established as a kingdom, would you be able to go back to individual villages, or would someone step in to try to seize power? No, my friends," he added quietly, "I could not risk what may come. I thank you for such an honor. I hope you understand."

After some time in silence, those in the group looking at each other uncomfortably, one spoke up. "It will be a disappointment to our people," he said, "but surely they will acknowledge the wisdom of your decision." The rest nodded in agreement.

The elders shared the midday meal with Thealrew's family before returning toward their homes, each seeming to have come to peace with the decision. Thealrew breathed a sigh of relief as the last one left. That night, however, uncertainty crept into his thoughts. He felt certain what he had done was right; but what exactly was his path to be? This, he knew, he would need to discover.

A few days later, he left his parents' home to seek this answer. His quest took him to a nearby mountain which his village had always considered sacred. After cleansing himself in a shrine at the base, Thealrew started his climb. As he climbed higher, he could feel a certain quietness filling him. At the very point where he felt it most, he stopped, and sat down to wait.

Visions swirled through his head. He saw children crying, holding empty bowls. Mothers grieved as sons left them, hands on the hilt of a blade. Fathers wept as they hurried their families away from a burning village. Finally, his mind cleared, and a quiet voice echoed around him.

"What did you see?"

"Despair," he replied in a whisper. It had been this fate that he had feared when he had heard the elders' request.

"What would you see?"

"Hope. Peace."

Slowly, a sense of calm returned to him.

The voice finally concluded, "Then go and bring that which you would see into being."

For a long while, he sat unmoving, absorbing this, wondering what his next step would be. Then he rose and climbed down the mountain, returning to his parents' home. Thealrew gathered a few things -- some clothing, a sleeping mat, a bowl and cup, and his father's armor and blade. Resolving to travel the villages of his people and lend help where needed, he bid his parents goodbye, and set out to fulfill his destiny.

Things were unsteady for Thealrew at first, as each village he entered hoped he would make it his home, and would encourage him to stay as long as possible, sometimes trying to grant him a posi- tion of leadership. He never accepted, but refused with such humility that the inhabitants, though disappointed, were never offended. Gradually a pattern emerged, and the towns grew to understand his ways, gladly accepting his presence for as long as he stayed, and making certain he was well supplied when he left.

Many are the tales of Thealrew's wanderings; indeed, every village seems to have at least one account of a particularly memorable visit, whether his aim was to destroy marauding bandits, revive a crop that seemed doomed to fail, or heal an elder. Some border on the mythical, such as the tales of a raging storm which calmed as he arrived, but even these serve to tell what great reassurance his presence was to those around him.