Page 1793

((Memorial Day Special -- Page 12 of 12))
“According to the tale,” Dimas went on, “Lhutwë ‘claimed us as his very own kin.’ Supposedly, he began treating us like his children. It is said that this was a long-held desire of his, to have children. And soon after this kinship began, Lhutwë spoke thus: ‘I shall bring to you the sea, for it will make you strong, and strength will bring you peace. And all those who believeth in me shall partake of my fountain; and all others, should war exist in their hearts, shall know my wrath.’”

“Whoa,” said Madison. “That sounds pretty serious.”

“Yes. The fable goes on to say that, by Lhutwë’s command, a great fountain arose out of the earth, and the land was overcome with all manner of water. Lakes and seas flowed forth from the bottom of the fountain, and clouds full of rain billowed from its peak. The story even claims that this fountain was the source of all water in the world--not just the water in our territory. Our water was considered the most sacred, of course, being closest to the fountain, but all water in the world was kindred to us and to the fountain.

“However, the waters were far from a blessing. At first. The land changed so dramatically that our people struggled to adapt. Many despaired and even cursed Lhutwë for what he had done. But in time, we did adapt, and just as he said, we grew strong, and we grew peaceful. For a time.

“Disputes broke out over who should lead us, over whether we should even have a leader. And our people fought. Blood was shed. And Lhutwë grew angry with us. He had protected us from outsiders for many years, but now he was troubled, because he did not know how to protect us from one another.”

Madison figured she should say something to demonstrate she was actually listening. “That sounds rough. What did he do?”

“He took his fountain away from us,” said Dimas. “According to the story, he raised the Waress Mountains in order to seal the fountain’s power so that we could never use it against one another again. That is also where the name ‘Waress’ comes from. In the tongue of my ancestors, it means ‘war’s end.’”

“I see.” Madison wasn’t sure what she was supposed to take away from any of this, but she didn’t care all that much. She just didn’t want him to stop talking, really.

“Unfortunately,” Dimas went on, “that is where the fable begins to break down.”

“Oh?”

“How it ends depends on whom you ask. As some tell it, Lhutwë abandoned us because of our foolishness. They say he could not abide war among his children and so simply disowned us, leaving us to our fates.”

“Pretty harsh.”