Post by Samielleus Prince on Dec 28, 2007 14:52:48 GMT -5
(Needs editing so if you find errors or think something could be worded better, by all means post)
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The Allegory of Spirit’s Thread.
I: Prince and the Fallen Star
Prince Among Spirits looked to his beloved master, The Great White Star, with an empty heart. He dragged his hooves lightly across the virgin snow as his winged subjects rested in his great, golden antlers. Everything in the forest of the beloved ones was perfect. There were no predators there, no sky to be seen over the great fronds of the lavender-skinned trees. But often, Prince Among Spirits would wander far from his princedom, far from the safety of the wood to look upon the sky where The Great White Star dwelled. It was so beautiful, and outshined all little pinpricks that lingered at its back. In the world of endless night it was the closest thing anyone below had to daylight. Prince upturned his ocean-colored eyes to look upon its glory and praise it, for it was as majestic as it had always been, and always would be.
But Prince was not so majestic. His white fur seemed to carry more dirt in its long, sweeping tresses. His golden antlers were littered with the Cardinal’s nesting and the rain’s stain. His hooves were covered in wetness and fallen leaves. His usual yellow sheen had all but faded away and the light pixies that often braided flowers into his mane dully rested in his dirty fur. He averted his gaze as he began to cry. The Great White Star leaned forward, showing his face to the most beloved Prince.
“Prince Among Spirits, why do you look away from me? Show me your happy eyes of green and blue. Show me the clouds within them that linger as my own do.” The Great White Star sighed. But Prince did not raise his head; only to shed more tears in the night. The Great White Star called to him again, coaxing him to answer until he moved his mouth to speak.
“I am filled with longing.” He sighed turning his vision back to the loving visage of The Great White Star. “I am not content.”
“But my Prince, you have everything you need. I have given you and your family a great forest to dwell in. The wolves cannot come where you tread. The bears cannot come to steal your honey. Your sisters and brothers are always by your side. How can you be filled with discontent?” The Great White Star outstretched its arms as Prince sank to his knees. It placed its light-filled hands upon his snowy shoulders as his tears began to flow faster.
“Because I saw them, those beautiful flyers, your winged ones. When I came one morrow to look upon you they were there, singing. I saw them in their grace and in their glad servitude. Am I so loathsome as not to be by your side, Great White Star? Why must I linger here when there is so much beauty beyond the clouds?” Prince Among Spirits sobbed. The Great White Star stroked Prince’s shoulders as it uttered a soft chuckle at his words.
“But my Prince, theirs is a life of servitude. Though glad they’re lives are not their own. You are free to wander wherever you wish, do whatever you like, consort with whomever you choose. My winged ones must tend to me and to my will, and all I ask of you is to visit me here, in the land of the wolves, and gaze to me with your beautiful ocean colored eyes. Once a morrow you must come, the rest of the time is yours. Why would you be so discontent?” The Great White Star asked once more. Prince bowed his head further before lifting a loving gaze to the star. It smiled, not needing to hear any words. Prince’s eyes spoke a language few could understand but The Great White Star understood. For many years Prince dwelled in contentment until, gradually, desire grabbed hold of his gentle heart. The fine does, who always fancied the strongest, never choose him for his lack of brutal bloodshed. Each rejection made him a little more fragile, a little less confident. All of the diverse foods of the forest began to taste the same. All of the water became stagnant in his mouth until the forest itself seemed to tarnish. Then, worst of all, envy began to stir in his soul as he watched the blessed winged ones sing and dance in perfect contentment despite their servitude. Bitterness lingered on his tongue and a growing resentment welled up in his ocean-colored eyes.
“Very well, but you must prove yourself worthy of being one of my many servants. You will have to go, far from the forest into the mountains where the bear and the wolf roam freely. You will find a great lake at the foot of the wolves’ mountain. At the center of this lake you will find a great pearl; it is a fallen star, long lost to the sky. You must gather up the star and return it to its place, so that I may go and rest for a while. To do this will prove your nobility in my sight, for if your heart is pure and your will is strong, no fangs will find you.” The Great White Star leant down and placed a gentle kiss upon Prince’s forehead. A golden diadem formed where its lips touched. Prince’s aura instantly changed from one of lament and bitterness, to one imbued with purpose.
When Prince Among Spirits returned to his home his heart was in frenzy. He would set out to find the fallen start, but first he had to prepare. He didn’t know what the fallen star would be like. Would it be hot, would it be angry? The Great White Star loved him. It would never hurt the gentle Prince, but that did not mean this fallen star was so benevolent. Prince pondered his mission with excitement in his eyes as he nibbled on the low hanging leaves. While he dusted the grime and grit from his golden antlers, the light pixies came to attention and began cleaning the dirt from his fur. Prince’s snoozing sister, who slept among the roots of a great tree, roused beneath his shaking hooves. She stretched a moment before inquiring as to why her brother was in such a state of exuberance. Prince told his little sister the tale and she too felt her heart fill with joy. But Ice was a very crafty creature and she was wary of the task.
“Why would you wish to do such a thing? You are exhaled in this place. Mark my words, if you join the winged ones, they will treat you as I treat my meals.” She sighed. But her Elder brother, Prince, did not heed her words. Ice insisted she join him in his trial, as a second set of loyal eyes is always good to have. Once the pair was ready they left the shelter of their home for the great planes. The snow covered hills offered little or no protection from the many eyes buried in the rolling hills. The Great White Star was not there to guide them; instead the dark sky offered little light at all. Their breath was like clouds in the air as they passed hill after hill, the wolves’ mountain far away in their sight. Soon Prince grew sluggish and tired but he did not stop. Ice ran to and fro, looking for any blade of grass or weed beneath the blanket of snow. Though she herself was hungry, her brother’s welfare was in the forefront of her mind. There were no mice to be seen and all of the rabbits were well within their dens.
They traveled for many a morrow until they came upon it: the great forest at the foot of the wolves’ mountain. By then Prince and his sister were famished. Luckily for Prince the lush pine fur and other lasting foliage were bountiful but for his poor sister, there was hardly anything to eat. Her tiny stomach growled in anger, waiting to be fed but there was no meat. Prince knelt beside his sister and allowed her to ride on his back.
“Don’t worry sister, I’ll find you some supper.” Prince assured, with his strength renewed. They traveled deeper into the trees, which were spread farther apart than the ones in their home forest. One could see clearly through them, which provided great vantage points for the hunters and little protection to the hunted. Prince kept his head close to the ground, listening with his keen ears for any small vibrations under the snow. He sniffed a spot for a moment before jutting his snout deep into the coldness. There he found a small snake, in a near frozen state. Though it was nearly asleep the snake hissed, as the warmth of Prince’s mouth roused it. The venomous creature nearly struck Prince in one of his precious eyes, but Ice put an end to it. She quickly leapt from her brother’s back and crushed the Snake’s throat in her jaws. Prince felt a pang of sadness in causing the innocent snake’s demise but he sister was pained with hunger and he knew he had to act. He wished upon The Great White Star that the snake would die quickly and its spirit find itself in a better station in the hereafter.
After Ice finished devouring the snake the pair continued on. About midway into the wolves’ forest they heard a great moaning. Despite Ice’s warning, Prince followed the sound to its source: a giant bear, bleeding in the snow. He had grey fur mixed in with his brown coat and his once luminous eyes were dull. One look at the elder brought a terrible pain within Prince’s chest. The bites and clawed gashes were from the wolves, but the bear did not go quietly into the night. There, in the stained snow behind him, lay the bodies of three sacred white wolves. The great bear moaned again as another wave of agony rushed forth from his open wounds. Prince took a step forward, causing ice to nip at his heels. She did her best to ground him, but she was too small and his will to speak was too great.
“Dear brother bear, what has happened to you?” The great bear, though blinded by age and wolf bites, could smell Prince. He knew the creature that addressed him was but a humble forest dweller. Though he was hungry, he could not move a claw to strike Prince. The great bear bitterly grinned as blood trickled from his snout.
“Why do you wish to know, little stag? Am I so pathetic now that not even the tree- eaters run from me?” The great bear coughed. Prince shook his head and took a step closer.
“Not pathetic great bear just hurt. The fact that you are still alive after being wounded by the sacred pack is commendable. But I feel that your family should be here with you. Why are they not by your side?” Prince looked through the spaced trees. No sign of bull or sow was present. The great bear gently shook his head.
“My family cast me out. Too old, to blind, and too weak. A young bull has taken my sow and mauled my children. They are the ones who left me for the wolves. And as you can see they were right.” The great bear hung his head. Prince came closer still until his snout was well within striking distance. Ice held her breath as her brother began licking the great bear’s wounds. The great bear smiled and raised his claws. Prince did not move as the ominous claw hung above his neck.
“You are too trusting, young one. I could have you now if I wanted.”
“I know I am. But you have no will to harm me, do you?”
“No I do not. Why harm you when I have fresh meat behind me? But you will learn distrust as I have, for your own sake.” The great bear coughed. Prince nodded in agreement.
“You are wise, great one, but I am young and I am stupid. This I know. Someday I will be wise and strong but for now kindness I can offer to others freely, for I’ve never been bitten to be shy.” Prince said. The bear rested his bloodied claw on Prince’s back and leaned back against a knotted tree.
“What is your name, boy?” The great bear grunted as Prince began licking a large gash on his shoulder.
“I haven’t a proper name. The Great White Star calls me “Prince Among Spirits” though. And you sir?”
“My people once called me “King”. Perhaps it was not a proper name either.” King coughed. Once King’s wounds were dry, Prince helped him onto his paws again. King shuttered a moment before limping towards the bodies of the wolves. “If you wait for me to finish my supper I will lead you safely on. Where it is you are headed anyway?” King asked, motioning for Ice to come to feast with him. Ice bowed her head to King and accepted his offer with an air of caution.
“We are going to the lake in the center of the wolves’ mountains. There is something there I must retrieve for the honor of The Great White Star.” Prince nodded. King chuckled to himself a moment through his chewing.
“I will not set paw or snout near that place. I can lead you to it but no further.” King said, taking another bite of his once attackers. When King’s meal was done the three resumed their journey. When the forest was exhausted, and the trees ended, the great sight of the wolves’ mountain came into view. King and the pair parted ways then, as Prince and Ice carried on. The face of the mountain was treacherous, twice as wet and covered with show as the plains. Ice was actually quite energetic in the frozen powder, often stopping to wait for her sluggish brother. The wind whipped so harshly that several light pixies were thrown from him. Ice was able to pick them out of the snow and place them back in the warmth of her brother’s fur. When they reached the mountain’s summit they met a mother mountain goat and her two children.
By then Prince was once again very tired, and there was little to eat on the wolves’ mountain. The two kids bleated for their mother at the sight of such strange creatures. The little mountain goats had never seen anything like them. The mother mountain goat bleated and with an angry stomp she lowered her head, great bronze horns exposed.
“Who are you who trespass on this mountain?”
“I am called Prince and this is me little sister, Ice. We don’t wish to linger long, only to pass on to the great lake.” Prince assured. But the mother mountain goat did not raise her head.
“You have no right to go there, loathsome thing. Go back the way you came and I pray the sacred wolves make quick use of their fangs.” She growled, moving to knock the pair off the mountain. But Prince had horns of his own, and though he was weak, he would not give up on his quest. The two did battle, horns locked upon horn, neither giving an inch. It was the sounds of the kid’s screams that broke the battle. For there, with one of the children pinned, was Ice. She had her teeth round the tiny neck, one easily crushed by her strength. The other kid stood there, frozen, unknowing if he should help his brother or run to the safety of his mother’s udder.
“Stop this nonsense now, mother goat, or I’ll destroy him. Let us pass and I will let your child live.” The mother mountain goat knew better than to charge on the slippery peak. She reluctantly relinquished her death-lock with Prince and allowed him to step passed her. Ice was right to her word, and released the babe before scampering off after her elder brother. The mother rushed to her child and brought him close to her bosom, leaving the other child where he sat, still frozen with fear.
When Ice and Prince found themselves at the bottom of the mountain their exhaustion became evident in their sluggish steps. Still their resolve was great; Prince for the love of The Great White Star, and Ice for her foolish brother. The two carried on until a haunting sound halted their steps. A choir of wolves began, one by one, paying homage to their own great celestial body. The Moon wolves were white, revered, and the most feared creatures in the entire world. They stood in a circle around the great lake, heads towards the sky as they uttered their song. In the center of the lake was a great black light, both terrible and wondrous. Prince and Ice did their best to hide but their scent was quickly detected. Within a moment or two the 20 wolves each knew of their presence and their bellies could always stand some more meat. Beyond their wall of tooth and claw lay the great lake, where Prince’s prize waited.
“Sister, get on my back and grip tight.” Prince whispered as he knelt as far as he could without resting on the ground. He could feel his sister’s frantic claws tearing at his skin but he gritted his teeth without an utterance of pain. As the wolves drew closer he bowed his head and said a small prayer for the blood that would be shed if the white wolves sought his meat. His golden antlers shown in the moonlight as the wolves drew closer. The largest one, the great wolf mother known as Moon, halted her children’s steps. She approached the pair with a raised brow.
“Greetings strangers; I imagine you have good reason to set hoof and paw in this place, or you have no idea where you are.” Moon licked her lips, though noticing that Prince was not trembling in her presence. His antlers were as steady as Moon’s fangs were sharp.
“The Great White Star has given me a trial. I intend to complete it. The fallen star in the center of the lake will be mine, at the cost of my own life or yours. Please tell your children to leave, for I will not.” Prince warned all the while Ice keeping her eyes at the rear. They were completely encircled by Moon’s children.
“The Great White Star you say? Rubbish. We only answer to the glorious Moon and that trifle in the lake is ours. You may only take it if you can gore us to the last, but you will not!” Moon roared as her children struck. Prince knocked one flying with his rear hooves, trying desperately to create an opening in the wall of wolves with his antlers. They bit into his legs, and his flanks, but the wolves were not without losses. Ice leapt from her brother’s back onto the head of Moon, and with her nimble claws gouged out both of her eyes. The momentary distraction of the mother wolf’s howls allowed Prince to scrape past his attackers onto the lake. Ice leapt from the head of moon to return to her spot on her brother’s back. Bloodied tresses of fur were there to greet her as she dug her claws into his flesh in order to stay stable as he charged towards the lake. The wolves were fast, but Prince speeded on, occasionally kicking one that got too close.
With a rush of energy Prince burst into the chilly lake. The children of Moon came to a stop along the frozen bank, for they knew better than to trespass on the shores where the fallen star dwelled. Prince did his best to keep his head above water as Ice scurried onto the top of his forehead. She clung to the golden diadem that rested on Prince’s brow. Just as it seemed they would drown, Prince felt ground beneath his hooves again. He ambled onto the bank where the fallen star glowed black and terrible. After looking so much blood, Prince sunk to his knees and felt his inner warmth grow cold. Still, with pained tears in his eyes he rose, and stumped in the direction of the fallen star.
“My sister, I can’t lift it by myself. Lend me your paws; push the star into my antlers so I can better scoop it up.” Prince breathlessly spoke. Ice, though weak herself nodded and moved to the opposite side of the fallen star. Prince lowered his head and placed the tips of his antlers into position as Ice began to push the star out of its casement. As soon as the star was moved it grew, burning the antlers of Prince and the paws of Ice. The pain was too much for either of them to bear as their forms were engulfed by the arms of the fallen star. But their spirits were left unharmed as forms began to return to them both. Fingers replaced claws, bare skin rested where fur once was, and upon their backs came great wings. When the transformation was complete, they were left on the tiny island naked and forever changed. Stranger still, the endless night that was their existence began to grow light as the fallen star rose to its proper position with its sister, the ever present moon. The siblings witnessed the first daybreak of their lives and were filled with joy.
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The Allegory of Spirit’s Thread.
I: Prince and the Fallen Star
Prince Among Spirits looked to his beloved master, The Great White Star, with an empty heart. He dragged his hooves lightly across the virgin snow as his winged subjects rested in his great, golden antlers. Everything in the forest of the beloved ones was perfect. There were no predators there, no sky to be seen over the great fronds of the lavender-skinned trees. But often, Prince Among Spirits would wander far from his princedom, far from the safety of the wood to look upon the sky where The Great White Star dwelled. It was so beautiful, and outshined all little pinpricks that lingered at its back. In the world of endless night it was the closest thing anyone below had to daylight. Prince upturned his ocean-colored eyes to look upon its glory and praise it, for it was as majestic as it had always been, and always would be.
But Prince was not so majestic. His white fur seemed to carry more dirt in its long, sweeping tresses. His golden antlers were littered with the Cardinal’s nesting and the rain’s stain. His hooves were covered in wetness and fallen leaves. His usual yellow sheen had all but faded away and the light pixies that often braided flowers into his mane dully rested in his dirty fur. He averted his gaze as he began to cry. The Great White Star leaned forward, showing his face to the most beloved Prince.
“Prince Among Spirits, why do you look away from me? Show me your happy eyes of green and blue. Show me the clouds within them that linger as my own do.” The Great White Star sighed. But Prince did not raise his head; only to shed more tears in the night. The Great White Star called to him again, coaxing him to answer until he moved his mouth to speak.
“I am filled with longing.” He sighed turning his vision back to the loving visage of The Great White Star. “I am not content.”
“But my Prince, you have everything you need. I have given you and your family a great forest to dwell in. The wolves cannot come where you tread. The bears cannot come to steal your honey. Your sisters and brothers are always by your side. How can you be filled with discontent?” The Great White Star outstretched its arms as Prince sank to his knees. It placed its light-filled hands upon his snowy shoulders as his tears began to flow faster.
“Because I saw them, those beautiful flyers, your winged ones. When I came one morrow to look upon you they were there, singing. I saw them in their grace and in their glad servitude. Am I so loathsome as not to be by your side, Great White Star? Why must I linger here when there is so much beauty beyond the clouds?” Prince Among Spirits sobbed. The Great White Star stroked Prince’s shoulders as it uttered a soft chuckle at his words.
“But my Prince, theirs is a life of servitude. Though glad they’re lives are not their own. You are free to wander wherever you wish, do whatever you like, consort with whomever you choose. My winged ones must tend to me and to my will, and all I ask of you is to visit me here, in the land of the wolves, and gaze to me with your beautiful ocean colored eyes. Once a morrow you must come, the rest of the time is yours. Why would you be so discontent?” The Great White Star asked once more. Prince bowed his head further before lifting a loving gaze to the star. It smiled, not needing to hear any words. Prince’s eyes spoke a language few could understand but The Great White Star understood. For many years Prince dwelled in contentment until, gradually, desire grabbed hold of his gentle heart. The fine does, who always fancied the strongest, never choose him for his lack of brutal bloodshed. Each rejection made him a little more fragile, a little less confident. All of the diverse foods of the forest began to taste the same. All of the water became stagnant in his mouth until the forest itself seemed to tarnish. Then, worst of all, envy began to stir in his soul as he watched the blessed winged ones sing and dance in perfect contentment despite their servitude. Bitterness lingered on his tongue and a growing resentment welled up in his ocean-colored eyes.
“Very well, but you must prove yourself worthy of being one of my many servants. You will have to go, far from the forest into the mountains where the bear and the wolf roam freely. You will find a great lake at the foot of the wolves’ mountain. At the center of this lake you will find a great pearl; it is a fallen star, long lost to the sky. You must gather up the star and return it to its place, so that I may go and rest for a while. To do this will prove your nobility in my sight, for if your heart is pure and your will is strong, no fangs will find you.” The Great White Star leant down and placed a gentle kiss upon Prince’s forehead. A golden diadem formed where its lips touched. Prince’s aura instantly changed from one of lament and bitterness, to one imbued with purpose.
When Prince Among Spirits returned to his home his heart was in frenzy. He would set out to find the fallen start, but first he had to prepare. He didn’t know what the fallen star would be like. Would it be hot, would it be angry? The Great White Star loved him. It would never hurt the gentle Prince, but that did not mean this fallen star was so benevolent. Prince pondered his mission with excitement in his eyes as he nibbled on the low hanging leaves. While he dusted the grime and grit from his golden antlers, the light pixies came to attention and began cleaning the dirt from his fur. Prince’s snoozing sister, who slept among the roots of a great tree, roused beneath his shaking hooves. She stretched a moment before inquiring as to why her brother was in such a state of exuberance. Prince told his little sister the tale and she too felt her heart fill with joy. But Ice was a very crafty creature and she was wary of the task.
“Why would you wish to do such a thing? You are exhaled in this place. Mark my words, if you join the winged ones, they will treat you as I treat my meals.” She sighed. But her Elder brother, Prince, did not heed her words. Ice insisted she join him in his trial, as a second set of loyal eyes is always good to have. Once the pair was ready they left the shelter of their home for the great planes. The snow covered hills offered little or no protection from the many eyes buried in the rolling hills. The Great White Star was not there to guide them; instead the dark sky offered little light at all. Their breath was like clouds in the air as they passed hill after hill, the wolves’ mountain far away in their sight. Soon Prince grew sluggish and tired but he did not stop. Ice ran to and fro, looking for any blade of grass or weed beneath the blanket of snow. Though she herself was hungry, her brother’s welfare was in the forefront of her mind. There were no mice to be seen and all of the rabbits were well within their dens.
They traveled for many a morrow until they came upon it: the great forest at the foot of the wolves’ mountain. By then Prince and his sister were famished. Luckily for Prince the lush pine fur and other lasting foliage were bountiful but for his poor sister, there was hardly anything to eat. Her tiny stomach growled in anger, waiting to be fed but there was no meat. Prince knelt beside his sister and allowed her to ride on his back.
“Don’t worry sister, I’ll find you some supper.” Prince assured, with his strength renewed. They traveled deeper into the trees, which were spread farther apart than the ones in their home forest. One could see clearly through them, which provided great vantage points for the hunters and little protection to the hunted. Prince kept his head close to the ground, listening with his keen ears for any small vibrations under the snow. He sniffed a spot for a moment before jutting his snout deep into the coldness. There he found a small snake, in a near frozen state. Though it was nearly asleep the snake hissed, as the warmth of Prince’s mouth roused it. The venomous creature nearly struck Prince in one of his precious eyes, but Ice put an end to it. She quickly leapt from her brother’s back and crushed the Snake’s throat in her jaws. Prince felt a pang of sadness in causing the innocent snake’s demise but he sister was pained with hunger and he knew he had to act. He wished upon The Great White Star that the snake would die quickly and its spirit find itself in a better station in the hereafter.
After Ice finished devouring the snake the pair continued on. About midway into the wolves’ forest they heard a great moaning. Despite Ice’s warning, Prince followed the sound to its source: a giant bear, bleeding in the snow. He had grey fur mixed in with his brown coat and his once luminous eyes were dull. One look at the elder brought a terrible pain within Prince’s chest. The bites and clawed gashes were from the wolves, but the bear did not go quietly into the night. There, in the stained snow behind him, lay the bodies of three sacred white wolves. The great bear moaned again as another wave of agony rushed forth from his open wounds. Prince took a step forward, causing ice to nip at his heels. She did her best to ground him, but she was too small and his will to speak was too great.
“Dear brother bear, what has happened to you?” The great bear, though blinded by age and wolf bites, could smell Prince. He knew the creature that addressed him was but a humble forest dweller. Though he was hungry, he could not move a claw to strike Prince. The great bear bitterly grinned as blood trickled from his snout.
“Why do you wish to know, little stag? Am I so pathetic now that not even the tree- eaters run from me?” The great bear coughed. Prince shook his head and took a step closer.
“Not pathetic great bear just hurt. The fact that you are still alive after being wounded by the sacred pack is commendable. But I feel that your family should be here with you. Why are they not by your side?” Prince looked through the spaced trees. No sign of bull or sow was present. The great bear gently shook his head.
“My family cast me out. Too old, to blind, and too weak. A young bull has taken my sow and mauled my children. They are the ones who left me for the wolves. And as you can see they were right.” The great bear hung his head. Prince came closer still until his snout was well within striking distance. Ice held her breath as her brother began licking the great bear’s wounds. The great bear smiled and raised his claws. Prince did not move as the ominous claw hung above his neck.
“You are too trusting, young one. I could have you now if I wanted.”
“I know I am. But you have no will to harm me, do you?”
“No I do not. Why harm you when I have fresh meat behind me? But you will learn distrust as I have, for your own sake.” The great bear coughed. Prince nodded in agreement.
“You are wise, great one, but I am young and I am stupid. This I know. Someday I will be wise and strong but for now kindness I can offer to others freely, for I’ve never been bitten to be shy.” Prince said. The bear rested his bloodied claw on Prince’s back and leaned back against a knotted tree.
“What is your name, boy?” The great bear grunted as Prince began licking a large gash on his shoulder.
“I haven’t a proper name. The Great White Star calls me “Prince Among Spirits” though. And you sir?”
“My people once called me “King”. Perhaps it was not a proper name either.” King coughed. Once King’s wounds were dry, Prince helped him onto his paws again. King shuttered a moment before limping towards the bodies of the wolves. “If you wait for me to finish my supper I will lead you safely on. Where it is you are headed anyway?” King asked, motioning for Ice to come to feast with him. Ice bowed her head to King and accepted his offer with an air of caution.
“We are going to the lake in the center of the wolves’ mountains. There is something there I must retrieve for the honor of The Great White Star.” Prince nodded. King chuckled to himself a moment through his chewing.
“I will not set paw or snout near that place. I can lead you to it but no further.” King said, taking another bite of his once attackers. When King’s meal was done the three resumed their journey. When the forest was exhausted, and the trees ended, the great sight of the wolves’ mountain came into view. King and the pair parted ways then, as Prince and Ice carried on. The face of the mountain was treacherous, twice as wet and covered with show as the plains. Ice was actually quite energetic in the frozen powder, often stopping to wait for her sluggish brother. The wind whipped so harshly that several light pixies were thrown from him. Ice was able to pick them out of the snow and place them back in the warmth of her brother’s fur. When they reached the mountain’s summit they met a mother mountain goat and her two children.
By then Prince was once again very tired, and there was little to eat on the wolves’ mountain. The two kids bleated for their mother at the sight of such strange creatures. The little mountain goats had never seen anything like them. The mother mountain goat bleated and with an angry stomp she lowered her head, great bronze horns exposed.
“Who are you who trespass on this mountain?”
“I am called Prince and this is me little sister, Ice. We don’t wish to linger long, only to pass on to the great lake.” Prince assured. But the mother mountain goat did not raise her head.
“You have no right to go there, loathsome thing. Go back the way you came and I pray the sacred wolves make quick use of their fangs.” She growled, moving to knock the pair off the mountain. But Prince had horns of his own, and though he was weak, he would not give up on his quest. The two did battle, horns locked upon horn, neither giving an inch. It was the sounds of the kid’s screams that broke the battle. For there, with one of the children pinned, was Ice. She had her teeth round the tiny neck, one easily crushed by her strength. The other kid stood there, frozen, unknowing if he should help his brother or run to the safety of his mother’s udder.
“Stop this nonsense now, mother goat, or I’ll destroy him. Let us pass and I will let your child live.” The mother mountain goat knew better than to charge on the slippery peak. She reluctantly relinquished her death-lock with Prince and allowed him to step passed her. Ice was right to her word, and released the babe before scampering off after her elder brother. The mother rushed to her child and brought him close to her bosom, leaving the other child where he sat, still frozen with fear.
When Ice and Prince found themselves at the bottom of the mountain their exhaustion became evident in their sluggish steps. Still their resolve was great; Prince for the love of The Great White Star, and Ice for her foolish brother. The two carried on until a haunting sound halted their steps. A choir of wolves began, one by one, paying homage to their own great celestial body. The Moon wolves were white, revered, and the most feared creatures in the entire world. They stood in a circle around the great lake, heads towards the sky as they uttered their song. In the center of the lake was a great black light, both terrible and wondrous. Prince and Ice did their best to hide but their scent was quickly detected. Within a moment or two the 20 wolves each knew of their presence and their bellies could always stand some more meat. Beyond their wall of tooth and claw lay the great lake, where Prince’s prize waited.
“Sister, get on my back and grip tight.” Prince whispered as he knelt as far as he could without resting on the ground. He could feel his sister’s frantic claws tearing at his skin but he gritted his teeth without an utterance of pain. As the wolves drew closer he bowed his head and said a small prayer for the blood that would be shed if the white wolves sought his meat. His golden antlers shown in the moonlight as the wolves drew closer. The largest one, the great wolf mother known as Moon, halted her children’s steps. She approached the pair with a raised brow.
“Greetings strangers; I imagine you have good reason to set hoof and paw in this place, or you have no idea where you are.” Moon licked her lips, though noticing that Prince was not trembling in her presence. His antlers were as steady as Moon’s fangs were sharp.
“The Great White Star has given me a trial. I intend to complete it. The fallen star in the center of the lake will be mine, at the cost of my own life or yours. Please tell your children to leave, for I will not.” Prince warned all the while Ice keeping her eyes at the rear. They were completely encircled by Moon’s children.
“The Great White Star you say? Rubbish. We only answer to the glorious Moon and that trifle in the lake is ours. You may only take it if you can gore us to the last, but you will not!” Moon roared as her children struck. Prince knocked one flying with his rear hooves, trying desperately to create an opening in the wall of wolves with his antlers. They bit into his legs, and his flanks, but the wolves were not without losses. Ice leapt from her brother’s back onto the head of Moon, and with her nimble claws gouged out both of her eyes. The momentary distraction of the mother wolf’s howls allowed Prince to scrape past his attackers onto the lake. Ice leapt from the head of moon to return to her spot on her brother’s back. Bloodied tresses of fur were there to greet her as she dug her claws into his flesh in order to stay stable as he charged towards the lake. The wolves were fast, but Prince speeded on, occasionally kicking one that got too close.
With a rush of energy Prince burst into the chilly lake. The children of Moon came to a stop along the frozen bank, for they knew better than to trespass on the shores where the fallen star dwelled. Prince did his best to keep his head above water as Ice scurried onto the top of his forehead. She clung to the golden diadem that rested on Prince’s brow. Just as it seemed they would drown, Prince felt ground beneath his hooves again. He ambled onto the bank where the fallen star glowed black and terrible. After looking so much blood, Prince sunk to his knees and felt his inner warmth grow cold. Still, with pained tears in his eyes he rose, and stumped in the direction of the fallen star.
“My sister, I can’t lift it by myself. Lend me your paws; push the star into my antlers so I can better scoop it up.” Prince breathlessly spoke. Ice, though weak herself nodded and moved to the opposite side of the fallen star. Prince lowered his head and placed the tips of his antlers into position as Ice began to push the star out of its casement. As soon as the star was moved it grew, burning the antlers of Prince and the paws of Ice. The pain was too much for either of them to bear as their forms were engulfed by the arms of the fallen star. But their spirits were left unharmed as forms began to return to them both. Fingers replaced claws, bare skin rested where fur once was, and upon their backs came great wings. When the transformation was complete, they were left on the tiny island naked and forever changed. Stranger still, the endless night that was their existence began to grow light as the fallen star rose to its proper position with its sister, the ever present moon. The siblings witnessed the first daybreak of their lives and were filled with joy.
