Welcome to
the first Worldbuilding Wednesday of 2013. This legend from the world of
Airthai is about the race of shape-shifters called the Tellerassar. To read
more about the Tellerassar, the kingdom of Guldargan, and king Markus, follow
the links at the bottom of the post.
Why the Tellerassar’s Cry is so Mournful
 |
| Photo by Sias van Schalkwyk |
It all
happened on the day on which Ikaira, fleeing the Kingdom of Guldargan with his
people, was trapped in a gorge near the Great River, which flows across the
breadth of the Midlands of Airthai. A clear river flowed from crevices at the
far end of the gorge, the water cutting deep into the light coloured rock as it
rushed towards the Great River. Ikaira realized that there was no way for his
followers to escape and that they would all surely perish at the hand of King
Markus’ soldiers who were by this time driven mad with bloodlust for their
hunted quarry. He called out to the Creator, begging him to save his people
from Markus’ wrath.
They
watched with horror as the soldiers approached, and some of Ikaira’s followers
tried to climb up the steep sides of the gorge, but all slid on smooth boulders
or loose rocks and fell to the bottom with horrible cries. Again Ikaira prayed
and begged, joined by his people, for they saw their deaths approach.
Even as
they pushed the women and children to the back of the group a mist began to
form around them. The strange mist rose from the deep waters, becoming thicker
and thicker as it rose until the group was hidden from sight. Each of Ikaira’s
followers felt a strangeness overcome them as their bodies changed and moulded
to the forms of eagles.
 |
| "Morning Mist" by Cbcs |
Ikaira and
his followers beat their wings and soared into the sky. But the archers among
the soldiers of Markus nocked their barbed arrows and shot a volley towards the
mist and, when the eagles rose above the mist, another volley was ordered.
Only six of
Ikaira’s followers were hit, but among them was Alaila – the young woman Ikaira
dearly loved and to whom he was engaged. With a shriek she fell from the sky,
turning back into her human form. Ikaira saw her blue-clothed form disappear
into the fog above the river.
Driven back
from the river by the soldier’s arrows, Ikaira’s followers headed north at the
command of his call – the language that they all could now understand. But
Ikaira stayed behind, landing on a tree on the edge of the cliff, his heart
broken in countless pieces and unable to understand why he had been saved and
Alaila had not. When his breast could contain the grief no longer, he threw his
head back and shouted her name to the heavens even as his voice was wrecked
with sobs. This mournful call became the cry of all Tellerassar.
 |
| "Water and Rocks" by Stephen O'Neill |
And to this
day the Tellerassar’s cry as it flies above rivers and lakes haunts all those
who hear it. It is even said by some that Ikaira still lives on in a ghostly
form, always returning to the gorge and the river where Alaila perished, still
seeker his love. Only when he at last finds her would his soul finally be at
rest.
A real fish
eagle Tellerassar...
In the next Worldbuilding Wednesday: The
Daughters of Alaila
More Worldbuilding:
No comments:
Post a Comment