Tendaji Lore and Legends
Tendaji is full of myths and legends of its past.
Beasts of the Past
Aisha wasn't the only being to be created in hopes of stopping the toxins that changed the world. Though as with all things they never made it to where they were supposed to go. Some had been stolen and taken far away from their homes. Others in the form of tiny embryos broke free of their restraints and roamed the land. Each being was one of a kind, rare, at first delicate but as they absorbed the toxins in the air and ground their bodies became hard and they quickly adapted to live in the new world. They did not care for the three races that existed in Tendaji and hid from them fearing for their lives. Though they were spotted from time to time they were considered no more than myths and legends though the legend of their existence circulates in stories to this day. They are the legendary beasts of the pasts.
Aisha wasn't the only being to be created in hopes of stopping the toxins that changed the world. Though as with all things they never made it to where they were supposed to go. Some had been stolen and taken far away from their homes. Others in the form of tiny embryos broke free of their restraints and roamed the land. Each being was one of a kind, rare, at first delicate but as they absorbed the toxins in the air and ground their bodies became hard and they quickly adapted to live in the new world. They did not care for the three races that existed in Tendaji and hid from them fearing for their lives. Though they were spotted from time to time they were considered no more than myths and legends though the legend of their existence circulates in stories to this day. They are the legendary beasts of the pasts.
The Indiwaigo
Before the land of Zena was covered in snow there was a creature lurked throughout the mountains devouring the wind tribe. Hauling its long body along the ground with its powerful front legs it would swallow its victims whole and its hunger never seemed to abate. Bergchi the mighty goddess of the wind seized and fought the monster, but soon discovered its hide was tougher than any metal she had every come across, her weapons useless against it. So instead she used a trap to capture the mighty Indiwaigo and sealed it in the dpeths a mountain. Using magic the creature now sleeps in a deep un-awakening sleep, but it is every spring when the sun manages to warm the frozen earth it is believed that is when it shifts in its sleep, its movements cause the mighty avalanches in the area. Tales of the Indiwaigo are often told to scare young children and to keep them close to home and to avoid going into the dangerous parts of the mountain.
Before the land of Zena was covered in snow there was a creature lurked throughout the mountains devouring the wind tribe. Hauling its long body along the ground with its powerful front legs it would swallow its victims whole and its hunger never seemed to abate. Bergchi the mighty goddess of the wind seized and fought the monster, but soon discovered its hide was tougher than any metal she had every come across, her weapons useless against it. So instead she used a trap to capture the mighty Indiwaigo and sealed it in the dpeths a mountain. Using magic the creature now sleeps in a deep un-awakening sleep, but it is every spring when the sun manages to warm the frozen earth it is believed that is when it shifts in its sleep, its movements cause the mighty avalanches in the area. Tales of the Indiwaigo are often told to scare young children and to keep them close to home and to avoid going into the dangerous parts of the mountain.
The Legend of the Bringer of Fire
Tale Version
The nights are cold and dark on the Tale, and once upon a time the Leaf Tribe had no way to defend against it, huddling together in a communal hut. One elder grew tired of this and decided, as was his wont, that something should be done. He sent four of his own: a Prentice, a Healer, an Archer, and a Mage out to find a way to bring the light and heat of day to the darkness of the savannah's night.
They journeyed across the tale, asking all they met about a way. The Mage asked the stars what they should do: “You must find the sun's child and plead with it” they said. The Archer asked the beasts where they should go: “To the great flat cave” they told him, “But beware; it will eat you if you anger it.” The Healer asked the plants what to say: “Tell it your plight, do not lie to it.”
The prentice... heard nothing, but followed the others.
They reached the flat cave, a strange place of stone with glass eyes and metal teeth. It was littered with bones and the mouth was not dark like most caves, but glowed with a warm light. The four wandered inside. The light was warm and comforting until they reached the large room where the creature made its lair. It glowed, a creature of gold and white, with fire- red crystal wings. It looked at them with its brilliant eyes and growled... not one of threat, but one of curiosity.
The mage's eyes were sensitive and his nerves frayed from the trials of the journey. He panicked and leapt forward, a spell in hand, Earth thrown like a javelin at the creature. It broke against its glowing crystal hide, and the creature looked down upon the mage and breathed flame onto him before the others could react. It turned to the others, calmly, and curiously growled again.
The archer stepped forwards. “Greetings great one...” they said, looking sadly at the remains of his friend. “We did not mean to attack you.”
“THEN WHY DID YOU COME?” replied the creature, its rumbling voice sending the rocks around it whispering.
“We came to beg you for a boon.”
“OF WHAT SORT?”
“We wish for light to guide our ways in the night.”
“THIS I CAN GIVE YOU.”
“We would appreciate...” continued the archer politely.
“I WILL GIVE YOU WHAT YOU SEEK FOR A TASK THAT YOU DO FOR ME.”
The archer's grief burst at the seams. “How can you say that we must do something for you, when you took our friend from us?!” said the archer, anger seeping into his voice. “You are the one that owes us.”
“HE ATTACKED ME. HE PAID THE PRICE. THE DEBT IS SETTLED. OURS IS A DIFFERENT DEBT. I WILL GIVE YOU LIGHT FOR A FAVOR.”
“That is unfair!” shouted the archer, “He did not deserve to die!”
“HE DID” said the beast, eyes narrowing, “MANY DIE THAT DO NOT DESERVE IT.” His growl grew louder.
“Take the deal...” said the healer, lightly touching the archer's arm.
“Fine. We will do it.”
“GOOD. YOU WILL BRING ME THE SILVER FEATHERS OF A MOON-BIRD, MY RIVAL WHICH ROOSTS ATOP MY HOME. DO THIS AND I WILL GIVE YOU A PIECE OF THE SUN AND ITS SECRETS”
“The piece first.” snarled the archer, belligerently.
The beast’s eyes narrowed and the archer was consumed in flames. As his burning body fell to the ground, the beast looked at the healer.
“GO.”
The healer and the prentice left as fast as their feet would take them and climbed the tall stone spire. At the top, there was a great silver bird. As night fell, it awoke, but the prentice managed to snatch a good deal of tail feathers before they both beat a retreat. They hid in a crevice until it ceased hunting them. The healer looked upon the feathers with interest: they were brilliant, shimmering silver. The healer wanted them, desired them... and pocketed all but two. The prentice said nothing, simply followed the healer back to where the Sun Beast waited.
“DID YOU BRING THEM?”
“Yes.” said the healer, offering the two feathers, and hiding the rest.
“IS THIS ALL OF THEM?”
“Yes.”
The beast's eyes narrowed. “AND THE MOON BIRD, IS SHE DEAD?”
“Yes.” said the healer.
The beast breathed fire onto the healer, who vanished in a blaze, leaving the feathers they had offered and the feathers they had pocketed. “YOU LIE.”
The beast turned to the prentice, cowering in the corner.
“I SHOULD KILL YOU, TOO. YOUR ALLIES WERE PITIFUL: THEY PANICKED AT THE FIRST SIGHT OF DANGER, THEY ALLOWED ANGER TO DESTROY THEM, AND THEY GAVE IN TO GREED AND LIED. TELL ME, YOUNG ONE, WHY SHOULD I SPARE YOU.”
The Prentice gulped.
“I will not lie. The bird lives.” She offered the feathers on the ground.
“These are what we took from her as she woke.” She bowed before the creature.
“Do not kill me. I believed them right, as they were my elders, but I learned from them. I will not give in to fear. I will not give in to anger. I will not give in to greed.”
She straightened, hands supplicating.
“I beg of you to offer me that which we sought: a light for dark places, warmth in the cold. My three friends died for this, and I wish not to return empty handed.”
She stood resolute.
“Should you send me on another task, I will do it.”
The beast looked at her.
“AND IF THIS TASK KILLS YOU? AND IF I DO NOT HONOR OUR BARGAIN AND EAT YOU INSTEAD?”
“If I die, better that I die than return empty handed. You are a great and magnificent creature of great honor and conviction. If I die, by your task or by your hand, then I will die knowing that you will uphold your bargain and bring the light to my people.”
The beast contemplated the prentice for a moment, leaning down so that its nose touched her, and stared into her eyes.
It huffed, its breath warm and smoky.
“YOU HAVE LEARNED. YOU ARE WISE.”
It drew back.
“YOU HAVE EARNED IT BY YOUR WISDOM AND ABILITY TO LEARN.” said the beast, exposing its stomach, “TAKE YOUR REWARD, MY HEART. “
The prentice stepped back.
“I will not harm you, great and noble creature.”
The beast was surprised. “YOU WILL NOT SLAY ME? THOUGH YOU HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT AND THOUGH YOUR FRIENDS LIE DEAD BY MY CLAWS?”
“No.”
The beast rolled back over.
“THEN I GIVE YOU MY FLAME INSTEAD. RETURN WITH IT TO YOUR TRIBE. FAIR WELL, YOUNG ONE.”
It breathed smoke upon her, and she felt fire burning in her veins.
The prentice returned, white of hair, to the tribe, and then knew the secrets of fire and light.
The secrets killed her as they spoke them, but from then on, the Leaf tribe has been able to bring the safety of sunlight to the nights of the village.
It is said the beast slumbers now, awaiting the return of the fire it lent.
The nights are cold and dark on the Tale, and once upon a time the Leaf Tribe had no way to defend against it, huddling together in a communal hut. One elder grew tired of this and decided, as was his wont, that something should be done. He sent four of his own: a Prentice, a Healer, an Archer, and a Mage out to find a way to bring the light and heat of day to the darkness of the savannah's night.
They journeyed across the tale, asking all they met about a way. The Mage asked the stars what they should do: “You must find the sun's child and plead with it” they said. The Archer asked the beasts where they should go: “To the great flat cave” they told him, “But beware; it will eat you if you anger it.” The Healer asked the plants what to say: “Tell it your plight, do not lie to it.”
The prentice... heard nothing, but followed the others.
They reached the flat cave, a strange place of stone with glass eyes and metal teeth. It was littered with bones and the mouth was not dark like most caves, but glowed with a warm light. The four wandered inside. The light was warm and comforting until they reached the large room where the creature made its lair. It glowed, a creature of gold and white, with fire- red crystal wings. It looked at them with its brilliant eyes and growled... not one of threat, but one of curiosity.
The mage's eyes were sensitive and his nerves frayed from the trials of the journey. He panicked and leapt forward, a spell in hand, Earth thrown like a javelin at the creature. It broke against its glowing crystal hide, and the creature looked down upon the mage and breathed flame onto him before the others could react. It turned to the others, calmly, and curiously growled again.
The archer stepped forwards. “Greetings great one...” they said, looking sadly at the remains of his friend. “We did not mean to attack you.”
“THEN WHY DID YOU COME?” replied the creature, its rumbling voice sending the rocks around it whispering.
“We came to beg you for a boon.”
“OF WHAT SORT?”
“We wish for light to guide our ways in the night.”
“THIS I CAN GIVE YOU.”
“We would appreciate...” continued the archer politely.
“I WILL GIVE YOU WHAT YOU SEEK FOR A TASK THAT YOU DO FOR ME.”
The archer's grief burst at the seams. “How can you say that we must do something for you, when you took our friend from us?!” said the archer, anger seeping into his voice. “You are the one that owes us.”
“HE ATTACKED ME. HE PAID THE PRICE. THE DEBT IS SETTLED. OURS IS A DIFFERENT DEBT. I WILL GIVE YOU LIGHT FOR A FAVOR.”
“That is unfair!” shouted the archer, “He did not deserve to die!”
“HE DID” said the beast, eyes narrowing, “MANY DIE THAT DO NOT DESERVE IT.” His growl grew louder.
“Take the deal...” said the healer, lightly touching the archer's arm.
“Fine. We will do it.”
“GOOD. YOU WILL BRING ME THE SILVER FEATHERS OF A MOON-BIRD, MY RIVAL WHICH ROOSTS ATOP MY HOME. DO THIS AND I WILL GIVE YOU A PIECE OF THE SUN AND ITS SECRETS”
“The piece first.” snarled the archer, belligerently.
The beast’s eyes narrowed and the archer was consumed in flames. As his burning body fell to the ground, the beast looked at the healer.
“GO.”
The healer and the prentice left as fast as their feet would take them and climbed the tall stone spire. At the top, there was a great silver bird. As night fell, it awoke, but the prentice managed to snatch a good deal of tail feathers before they both beat a retreat. They hid in a crevice until it ceased hunting them. The healer looked upon the feathers with interest: they were brilliant, shimmering silver. The healer wanted them, desired them... and pocketed all but two. The prentice said nothing, simply followed the healer back to where the Sun Beast waited.
“DID YOU BRING THEM?”
“Yes.” said the healer, offering the two feathers, and hiding the rest.
“IS THIS ALL OF THEM?”
“Yes.”
The beast's eyes narrowed. “AND THE MOON BIRD, IS SHE DEAD?”
“Yes.” said the healer.
The beast breathed fire onto the healer, who vanished in a blaze, leaving the feathers they had offered and the feathers they had pocketed. “YOU LIE.”
The beast turned to the prentice, cowering in the corner.
“I SHOULD KILL YOU, TOO. YOUR ALLIES WERE PITIFUL: THEY PANICKED AT THE FIRST SIGHT OF DANGER, THEY ALLOWED ANGER TO DESTROY THEM, AND THEY GAVE IN TO GREED AND LIED. TELL ME, YOUNG ONE, WHY SHOULD I SPARE YOU.”
The Prentice gulped.
“I will not lie. The bird lives.” She offered the feathers on the ground.
“These are what we took from her as she woke.” She bowed before the creature.
“Do not kill me. I believed them right, as they were my elders, but I learned from them. I will not give in to fear. I will not give in to anger. I will not give in to greed.”
She straightened, hands supplicating.
“I beg of you to offer me that which we sought: a light for dark places, warmth in the cold. My three friends died for this, and I wish not to return empty handed.”
She stood resolute.
“Should you send me on another task, I will do it.”
The beast looked at her.
“AND IF THIS TASK KILLS YOU? AND IF I DO NOT HONOR OUR BARGAIN AND EAT YOU INSTEAD?”
“If I die, better that I die than return empty handed. You are a great and magnificent creature of great honor and conviction. If I die, by your task or by your hand, then I will die knowing that you will uphold your bargain and bring the light to my people.”
The beast contemplated the prentice for a moment, leaning down so that its nose touched her, and stared into her eyes.
It huffed, its breath warm and smoky.
“YOU HAVE LEARNED. YOU ARE WISE.”
It drew back.
“YOU HAVE EARNED IT BY YOUR WISDOM AND ABILITY TO LEARN.” said the beast, exposing its stomach, “TAKE YOUR REWARD, MY HEART. “
The prentice stepped back.
“I will not harm you, great and noble creature.”
The beast was surprised. “YOU WILL NOT SLAY ME? THOUGH YOU HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT AND THOUGH YOUR FRIENDS LIE DEAD BY MY CLAWS?”
“No.”
The beast rolled back over.
“THEN I GIVE YOU MY FLAME INSTEAD. RETURN WITH IT TO YOUR TRIBE. FAIR WELL, YOUNG ONE.”
It breathed smoke upon her, and she felt fire burning in her veins.
The prentice returned, white of hair, to the tribe, and then knew the secrets of fire and light.
The secrets killed her as they spoke them, but from then on, the Leaf tribe has been able to bring the safety of sunlight to the nights of the village.
It is said the beast slumbers now, awaiting the return of the fire it lent.
Alkidike Version
Long ago, nights were forever dark in the jungle. Only the glowing fungus lit the way, and Alkidikes harbored a secret fear of what lay in the darkness behind trees. They tried to banish the dark with glowing spears, sticks with sharpened points dipped in the glowing resin of the trees... but these faded and the alkidikes were left to feel every vibration as if it was a threat. The Warriors huddled together in camps, each pretending bravery, each filled with fear.
The shifters were better off, with the light of the stars and moon to comfort them in their canopy home.
Aisha felt the fear of her people, and wished to help them. She felt the sun on her leaves and realized that what they needed was a sun that they could bring into the darkness with them. She awoke a great beast sleeping in her roots and asked it a favor: She had given it roots to eat and comfort it as it slept: so now it must help her bring the sun to her people.
The great beast, a giant lizard with scales of amber and rust crystals and eyes of gold, understood. It crawled sleepily from its cave and up the tallest tree in Jahuar. Though it towered above the rest, it was not enough to reach the sun, no matter how the beast grasped at it. But it had to return the favor to the Great tree; it was bound by its promise. So it wished, and from its back, great ruby wings grew, and it flew to the sun and bit into it. Its belly filled with fire, and it fell to the ground. It was gravely injured, but it brought fire back to Aisha and gave it to the Alkidikes returning to its slumber, its task fulfilled. It is said that it still sleeps, warming Aisha's roots with its glowing belly.
Long ago, nights were forever dark in the jungle. Only the glowing fungus lit the way, and Alkidikes harbored a secret fear of what lay in the darkness behind trees. They tried to banish the dark with glowing spears, sticks with sharpened points dipped in the glowing resin of the trees... but these faded and the alkidikes were left to feel every vibration as if it was a threat. The Warriors huddled together in camps, each pretending bravery, each filled with fear.
The shifters were better off, with the light of the stars and moon to comfort them in their canopy home.
Aisha felt the fear of her people, and wished to help them. She felt the sun on her leaves and realized that what they needed was a sun that they could bring into the darkness with them. She awoke a great beast sleeping in her roots and asked it a favor: She had given it roots to eat and comfort it as it slept: so now it must help her bring the sun to her people.
The great beast, a giant lizard with scales of amber and rust crystals and eyes of gold, understood. It crawled sleepily from its cave and up the tallest tree in Jahuar. Though it towered above the rest, it was not enough to reach the sun, no matter how the beast grasped at it. But it had to return the favor to the Great tree; it was bound by its promise. So it wished, and from its back, great ruby wings grew, and it flew to the sun and bit into it. Its belly filled with fire, and it fell to the ground. It was gravely injured, but it brought fire back to Aisha and gave it to the Alkidikes returning to its slumber, its task fulfilled. It is said that it still sleeps, warming Aisha's roots with its glowing belly.
Shifter Version
The shifters lived in the canopy. Their nights were rarely dark and terrifying, but in their village they did miss the light of the sun. They wished they could have both moon and sun, silver and gold, black and white.
But they could not.
Even at this point, they warred with the Alkidike women, who called the beasts of the jungle to hassle them.
One night, the trees were lit by a great, glowing shape: a great lizard, orange and crystalline, flew above on wings of red crystal. It charged into the camp and fought valiantly, losing many but eventually defeating it. In its wrath, the creature roared and became an incarnation of its fiery determination and primal fury. It immolated and became a brilliant, pulsing crystal, setting the tree on fire, to be quenched by the rains. A young, clever prentice took the crystal heart and held it to her own. And then she knew that it was a piece of the sun itself, it's fire, it's light, it's love and its fury. She brought it with her to the understory when she wished to explore, and its light banished the hungry darkness. One day, however, a mischievous Radaku stole it from her and she wept for she was fond of the item and it had helped her so much.
But it had whispered its secrets into her mind when she had held it, and she realized she knew how to bring the sun into the night of Jahuar. She returned to her village with this knowledge and was then known as Sun-holder, the teacher of fire.
The shifters lived in the canopy. Their nights were rarely dark and terrifying, but in their village they did miss the light of the sun. They wished they could have both moon and sun, silver and gold, black and white.
But they could not.
Even at this point, they warred with the Alkidike women, who called the beasts of the jungle to hassle them.
One night, the trees were lit by a great, glowing shape: a great lizard, orange and crystalline, flew above on wings of red crystal. It charged into the camp and fought valiantly, losing many but eventually defeating it. In its wrath, the creature roared and became an incarnation of its fiery determination and primal fury. It immolated and became a brilliant, pulsing crystal, setting the tree on fire, to be quenched by the rains. A young, clever prentice took the crystal heart and held it to her own. And then she knew that it was a piece of the sun itself, it's fire, it's light, it's love and its fury. She brought it with her to the understory when she wished to explore, and its light banished the hungry darkness. One day, however, a mischievous Radaku stole it from her and she wept for she was fond of the item and it had helped her so much.
But it had whispered its secrets into her mind when she had held it, and she realized she knew how to bring the sun into the night of Jahuar. She returned to her village with this knowledge and was then known as Sun-holder, the teacher of fire.
Sauti and Zena Version
Once upon a time, the sun itself came to a woman of the wind tribe and had a child by her. This child had pointed ears, golden skin, and golden hair, and was a source of comfort and joy to all that met her. She lived in the mountains and came down to the wind tribe bands that came through her pass, and to the ice tribe when they visited, offering rare and wonderful things to them.
But Sauti and Zena were cold, and the people desired warmth.
The elders of both tribes decided to journey to her and ask her of the sun's secrets.
“I cannot tell you.” she said, sadly, “For my father will be angry.”
They begged and pleaded.
“I cannot tell you. I am sorry but I cannot.” she said, smiling sadly.
Their people were suffering, so they threatened her. They threatened her with rocks and sticks, knives and arrows.
“I am sorry, but I cannot tell you still! My father will be angry and will bring destruction down! I wish no harm upon you!”
They relented and apologized, and camped outside her cave home to discuss.
She stayed awake, watching them both as they shivered in the chill winds and tried to sleep.
Quietly, she stole out and made the first fire to warm them. They slept better, but the Elder of the Ice Tribe had been awake and had seen. He told his friend and the two elders agreed that they must learn it.
They pestered her all day, and all night, and for another day as well.
She finally relented.
“I will teach you this, but you must be careful! My father will be angry!”
She taught them how to make fire, and how to use it safely, and they brought it back to their tribes. There was much awe and rejoicing at the tongues of heat and light.
Father sun looked down and saw that the people no longer looked at him with such relief and joy when he crested the horizon in the morning. He asked his daughter why this was, and she lied, telling him he did not know. He believed her, until his friend, the moon, complained to him one dawn.
“Lord Sun, this is not fair. You rule the day, and I the night. But now you have given pieces of yourself to the people so they can hold you in the night as well. I cannot be angry because of the joy it gives them, but I thought better of you than to take what is not yours!”
The sun was surprised and saw for himself the burned charcoal and tinder.
He was angry.
“I will punish them for their insolence!” he promised the moon.
That day the ground rumbled and the mountains spit fire at the sun's wrath. The people ran in fear as ash and fire blanketed their villages and tents.
The sun's daughter knew what was happening, and knew she had to stop it.
She turned into a beautiful beast with scales of brilliant crystal orange and wings of ruby red and flew up to pacify her father.
His wrath burned even her and she fell into a great lake, its water quenching her flames.
The sun was startled from his wrath and the tremors subsided.
Bergachi, queen of ice, took pity on the dying girl and froze the lake so that her flames would no longer fade, and she would be able to sleep forever in ice until her light was needed again.
The sun forgave her, and forgave the people for using his light, in memory of his daughter, and his weeping at her doom and lasting sleep blanketed the sky with ash and blackness.
It cleared, but Sauti's air had been stained yellow by his sorrow.
And since then, wind and Ice tribes have had fire... and have paid respect to the great frozen lake that houses the shrine of Bergachi, for the sun's daughter sleeps there.
Once upon a time, the sun itself came to a woman of the wind tribe and had a child by her. This child had pointed ears, golden skin, and golden hair, and was a source of comfort and joy to all that met her. She lived in the mountains and came down to the wind tribe bands that came through her pass, and to the ice tribe when they visited, offering rare and wonderful things to them.
But Sauti and Zena were cold, and the people desired warmth.
The elders of both tribes decided to journey to her and ask her of the sun's secrets.
“I cannot tell you.” she said, sadly, “For my father will be angry.”
They begged and pleaded.
“I cannot tell you. I am sorry but I cannot.” she said, smiling sadly.
Their people were suffering, so they threatened her. They threatened her with rocks and sticks, knives and arrows.
“I am sorry, but I cannot tell you still! My father will be angry and will bring destruction down! I wish no harm upon you!”
They relented and apologized, and camped outside her cave home to discuss.
She stayed awake, watching them both as they shivered in the chill winds and tried to sleep.
Quietly, she stole out and made the first fire to warm them. They slept better, but the Elder of the Ice Tribe had been awake and had seen. He told his friend and the two elders agreed that they must learn it.
They pestered her all day, and all night, and for another day as well.
She finally relented.
“I will teach you this, but you must be careful! My father will be angry!”
She taught them how to make fire, and how to use it safely, and they brought it back to their tribes. There was much awe and rejoicing at the tongues of heat and light.
Father sun looked down and saw that the people no longer looked at him with such relief and joy when he crested the horizon in the morning. He asked his daughter why this was, and she lied, telling him he did not know. He believed her, until his friend, the moon, complained to him one dawn.
“Lord Sun, this is not fair. You rule the day, and I the night. But now you have given pieces of yourself to the people so they can hold you in the night as well. I cannot be angry because of the joy it gives them, but I thought better of you than to take what is not yours!”
The sun was surprised and saw for himself the burned charcoal and tinder.
He was angry.
“I will punish them for their insolence!” he promised the moon.
That day the ground rumbled and the mountains spit fire at the sun's wrath. The people ran in fear as ash and fire blanketed their villages and tents.
The sun's daughter knew what was happening, and knew she had to stop it.
She turned into a beautiful beast with scales of brilliant crystal orange and wings of ruby red and flew up to pacify her father.
His wrath burned even her and she fell into a great lake, its water quenching her flames.
The sun was startled from his wrath and the tremors subsided.
Bergachi, queen of ice, took pity on the dying girl and froze the lake so that her flames would no longer fade, and she would be able to sleep forever in ice until her light was needed again.
The sun forgave her, and forgave the people for using his light, in memory of his daughter, and his weeping at her doom and lasting sleep blanketed the sky with ash and blackness.
It cleared, but Sauti's air had been stained yellow by his sorrow.
And since then, wind and Ice tribes have had fire... and have paid respect to the great frozen lake that houses the shrine of Bergachi, for the sun's daughter sleeps there.