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by Annelore Oseruyka of the House of the Ivory Scroll Elotheans long told of a prophecy of a chil..."

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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.

Tales of Thealrew -- Origin (book) - Revision history

ZUERCAT: Created page with " The Tales of Thealrew -- origin by Annelore Oseruyka of the House of the Ivory Scroll Elotheans long told of a prophecy of a chil..."

ZUERCAT: Created page with " The Tales of Thealrew -- origin
by Annelore Oseruyka of the House of the Ivory Scroll Elotheans long told of a prophecy of a chil..."