This story is far different from any other tale I have ever posted. The only one that even comes close would have to be "Passing Of Value"--but even that one's similarities are superficial.
The framing story was actually referred to in my "Rendezvous With Destiny". The cental tale--the "legend"--is my attempt at a style which is extremely different from my norm: namely, quasi-biblical. Consider it a kind of "expiriment" on my part, which this contest gave me a major opportunity to engage in.
A note about the government structure "set up" in the legend: It's more or less based off of the structure seen in the Lela story in The Lives Of Dax. Note carefully the original intent I have the Framers give, concerning the Joined and Unjoined. It should frankly help explain why this "legend" isn't that well known among Trill culture.
Also, let me state that, when I describe I'nora, any percieved discrepencies in "subject-verb-number" are actually intentional. SEE: the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.
Special thanks to Cobalt Frost, for this opportunity. The tale is approx. 5,001 words.
Enjoy!
A man stands alone, contemplating many things. He is a father, alone for much of his current life, his family kept from him—and he can never return.
But here, for this night, he is not alone. For a small part of his family is with him—a small part, but a cherished part.
He sits by the window of his personal home, some distance from the rest of his world’s civilization, looking out into the evening, watching the falls, hearing the roar and the rippling of the purple water. It is majestic, powerful…and so oddly soothing.
It is time. He calls out a name—a simple, yet beautiful name, so dear to his heart. And within a moment, a young girl rushes to his side.
“Daddy?” she asks.
Such unconditional love, that he feels from his daughter. Such a contrast to the tragic clash with his wife—a clash which had forced him away from those closest to him. His daughter holds no bitterness, no anger with his not still being there. She loves him, dearly…and he knows she always will.
She will be here for a couple weeks, and he is certain to make them count. And he knows the perfect way to make this first night…a perfect night.
“Look out there,” he says, pointing out to the sky.
She presses her face against the window, peering out…and shaking her head. “What is it?”
“You see a star? Right…” he pointed, “…there.”
She looks out again, squinting a bit…and finally says, “I see it! I see it, Daddy!”
“Good—what do you say we go out, say…over the falls? I hear that’s actually the best view of that star.”
“Okay. But, Daddy…?”
“Yeah, Princess?”
“What’s so great about that one? I-I mean…it looks nice, but…”
He smiles, and puts a hand on her shoulder. “That’s your star.”
She blinks. “My star?”
He nods.
“I have a star?”
He nods again. “In a way. You were named after it.”
Her face lights up, and a warm smile comes to her face. “Really?”
“Really.”
They leave for the falls, and travel the bridge over the river, stopping at the middle. They look out over the falls, hearing the roar and the crash…seeing the white mist as the water plummets so far below.
Then, they look up. The father points out the star once again, and again the daughter laughs, in triumphant delight.
They stay there for a time, enough to see so many stars come out to join the first. But the Evening Star, the cause of such joy in the heart of father and daughter alike, still stands alone—still shines the brightest of all….
Later, they return to the house…but they stay outside, sitting on a chair which moves like a swing. She is by his side, snuggling close to him, resting her head. The father has his arm around her, as they both look up at the star.
“Daddy?”
“Hmm?”
“I wonder…how did the star get its name?”
He chuckles. “Well, it means ‘Evening Star’, so…”
“Oh,” she sounds a little disappointed. “Is…is that all it means?”
He smiles…and remembers a tale, from long, long ago.
“No…come to think of it, no. There’s…an old legend, I think. I’m not quite sure if it’s true or not—for all I know, someone just made it up to go with the name. It’s linked up with a big part of our history.”
Her smile grows, and her eyes sparkle. “Really?”
“Really. Still,” he sighed, “I admit, it’s not something most people know about. To be honest, I only found it by accident—I was researching something else, and just stumbled on it.”
The daughter pauses for a moment…and asks, “Tell me?”
The father’s smile grows…and he closes his eyes, remembering the legend. Finally, he is satisfied that his memory is restored…and he begins….
It is said that the history of this world was not marked by war—that what wars the many nations existing in our past had fought were not with one another. Rather, the “wars” concerned the taming of the vast wilderness—the dangers, the perils of Nature itself. It was an epic struggle between the many nations, and the cruelties of the wild—and the nations finally triumphed, when they united, and worked together.
They united when one man—Jalen Fas, the young, joined leader of the Nation of Trillius, a righteous man who served I’nora with all the delight of his heart—called all the rulers of all the nations together in council.
“Brothers and Sisters,” he said, “You know of the histories of all our peoples—how each and every one of us has struggled against the wild. These struggles have tested us—and by the grace and blessing of I’nora, we have survived. But why should we only survive, when we can triumph over what forces dare to test the mettle we have proven, time and time again? Why should we allow ourselves to be prevented from taking what is ours—the many tunnels and caverns of which we are all aware? Far be it for I’nora to not desire us to remain so stagnant! For when They created the two races, did They not give them the sacred mandate: the symbiont, to preserve knowledge and wisdom and revelation for all time…and the host, to be fruitful and to multiply, and to dominate this world, to be stewards and rulers, to the best of their ability?
“Brothers and Sisters, you know what all our scouts have seen, era after era—those brave souls who could not be sent in great numbers, lest they attract the monstrous and the untamed. They have traversed this world, and found many wondrous treasures—treasures which we all, but not for the wilderness, could use and channel, which would bring us, one and all, to new heights, new discoveries. Surely I’nora placed these treasures—the minerals, the materials in caverns and mountains—for us all!
“Now, Brothers and Sisters, hear my call. We have been separate for so long, due to the wilderness which seeks to keep us divided. For if we remain divided, so shall it remain untamed, and hostile.
“So, then, my Brothers and Sisters, as surely as I’nora lives, I feel Their will compelling me to action. I have called you all together for this purpose: that we may unite, and conquer, and subdue the wilderness which has so long scorned us. Let us clear roads through the wilderness—one, than many—and let them lead us to the caverns and the mountains. Let us expand the borders of our respective nations, with the roads we have cleared leading the way. Let us make new settlements, within those new borders—colonies, to provide rest for those who proceed to tame the wilderness around them. Let us expand, until we reach the mountains and the caverns—and let us then dig, and extract, and mine for the treasures to help us fulfill the commission of I’nora.”
The council were one and all pleased with this proposition, and they proclaimed as one that it would be Jalen, with the wisdom of Fas, to lead them in this endeavor. For was he not a man of righteousness, who dealt with them only with the greatest honor and integrity?
And I’nora blessed them in this great alliance. For it was not five years before the first highway reached the first cavern. And provided there were the treasures the nations needed to expand their colonies and their villages, and to create cities.
And so the nations prospered, and within two hundred years, they came to achieve, one and all, great prosperity, and dominance over the wilderness. It is then they came to ask, “Each of our nations have become great and prosperous. Shall we, then, dissolve this alliance, which has brought us such great prosperity? Or shall we cement our unity, and exist all as one?”
It was then that Norlan Fas—the descendant of Jalen Fas, and the heir to the wisdom of the symbiont of Fas; a young man of great wisdom and devotion to I’nora—called the leaders of all the nations together in council, and spoke:
“Brothers and Sisters,” he said, “You know how my ancestor, Jalen Fas, called all the nations together, before this world began to be tamed. You know the reasons he gave: how the divisions among us, promoted by the wilderness, allowed the wilderness to remain triumphant.
“Now, then, we must ask one another if such a similar challenge would face us, in the times to come. For as our nations grow, so the challenges it faces also grow in kind. As I’nora blessed our endeavors till now, have They not made clear the message which They have given? With unity comes strength, and with division comes weakness. We united shall stand; we divided shall fall. Individualism makes one strong; unity of strong individuals keeps them strong.
“So, then, Brothers and Sisters, do not err in your endeavors, and proceed to test I’nora’s commission. For the day may come when a challenge will arise—a challenge far too great for any of us to bear alone—and on that day, we must be prepared. Let us, then, continue—and may I’nora continue to bless us, in our striving to fulfill Their will.”
The council agreed with the words of Fas, and proceeded to form a new government. The nations became states and provinces, all sovereign over their own territory, yet centered as one new nation under the blessings of I’nora—indivisible, and forever. It was decided that to honor Jalen Fas, who had first united the nations, the province-nation of Trillius would serve as the holding place for the capital city of the world—a new city, to be named Leran Manev. And so the world came to have a new name: Trill.
The council then looked to Norlan Fas to be the first ruler of Trill. But Norlan was greatly distraught, saying, “I’nora forbid! That I should claim for myself what I would not dare to achieve! Shall I unite the nations of this world with words of individualism, only to crush those dreams through being a man of tyranny?”
But the council made clear that they trusted only him, and he relented, on the condition of the construction of a civil government, which would not entrust in one person all power. And so the existence of the council was retained, and as they planned to assemble such a government, to Norlan was given the powers of executive, to lead the nations until all would be finished.
Now, Norlan had married a woman whom he loved dearly, who then conceived, and gave birth to a daughter. And the daughter, who was called the princess of the world of Trill, had become a woman of great beauty and compassion. And Nalron had raised her with honor and righteousness, and she showed great wisdom beyond her years. It was said of her that she would be destined for such greatness—that she would follow in the footsteps of her father, and rule in his stead.
On a day of great sorrow, as the new government was being formed, Norlan came to rest through exploring in the mountains of Ayai’leh-hihr. In the presence of fellow travelers, he fell, and breathed his last. And the wisdom of the symbiont Fas perished with him.
And so it was that the responsibility of leading a world fell to his daughter, the princess, who was then a girl of twenty. She was deeply distraught over the loss of her father, whom she loved, and intended to refuse the council’s plea for her to reign in her father’s stead.
She left the city, and walked for some days, until she came to the top of a great waterfall, which would be forever known as the Fall of Stars, across and above which was a bridge of great strength. She stood alone at the center of the bridge, and looked down upon the falls as evening came. And for her, the coming darkness of the night was as the growing sadness in her own soul. For she was only a child; how could she take upon herself the responsibilities now entrusted to her? How could she live up to her father, whose death had been so sudden, so meaningless?
It was then that she wept, her tears falling down to join the path of the falls. And as the stars were to begin to appear, she resolved that she would follow her tears, and throw herself down, that she might embrace an end to the misery which life had forced upon her.
But she froze, as she felt compelled to look upward. And behold, she saw three bright points of light descending, and growing—as though the stars themselves were falling…and falling to her.
And the lights came, and enveloped her in their glory. And she heard a voice—a single voice, which sounded to her ears like three.
“Speak, daughter,” said the voice, “and tell me of what you seek.”
“Who are you?” she asked, her soul filled with the greatest wonder.
“We are I’nora,” said the voice, “who guided your ancestors, and your father.”
And the princess became very frightened, and fell to her knees, covering her face in shame, for she, a mortal, had seen They who were the master of all.
But I’nora said unto her, “Do not be afraid, daughter. We have seen you, as you walked in the ways of your father Norlan, our servant…and we know that your desires are pure: to see justice and peace for all peoples, and to see an end of all strife and pain. We have been with you since your birth, guiding you in these desires of your heart. For it was for this purpose which we prepared you: that you would finish your father’s work, and guide your people into an age of prosperity, far greater than that of the present time.”
But the princess said, “I’nora…I am not worthy of such an honor as this—that you would appear to me, and anoint me in such a manner. For I am only a child, without strength or power of her own. How can I lead them? How can find favor with them, as my father had—and how can I fulfill what you desire of me?”
And I’nora said, “Who was it that created you, daughter? We formed you, in your mother’s womb, knowing full well what it was you would be called upon to do. Now, daughter, ask for what you wish, and it shall be given to you.”
And the princess said, “I am your servant and handmaiden, I’nora. What you ask, I will do. Only give me the wisdom and the discernment to face what lies ahead. Guide me, in all I say and do, that I will not destroy what my father sought to create. For I am afraid, and cannot do what you ask alone.”
I’nora was pleased with the nature of her request, and with her great humility. And They said, “Daughter, your humility and your faith has made you open for our blessing. And so, we shall grant you this request, and more. We shall be with you, and guide you, as you fulfill your destiny. And when you have succeeded—when all that you are to do has been done—I shall send my messenger unto you, and you shall return to this place, to be rejoined with your father, whom you love, in the world beyond.”
And the princess wept once again, but with the joy of knowing that all would be made right.
And then she looked—and the night was as it had been.
The framing story was actually referred to in my "Rendezvous With Destiny". The cental tale--the "legend"--is my attempt at a style which is extremely different from my norm: namely, quasi-biblical. Consider it a kind of "expiriment" on my part, which this contest gave me a major opportunity to engage in.
A note about the government structure "set up" in the legend: It's more or less based off of the structure seen in the Lela story in The Lives Of Dax. Note carefully the original intent I have the Framers give, concerning the Joined and Unjoined. It should frankly help explain why this "legend" isn't that well known among Trill culture.
Also, let me state that, when I describe I'nora, any percieved discrepencies in "subject-verb-number" are actually intentional. SEE: the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.
Special thanks to Cobalt Frost, for this opportunity. The tale is approx. 5,001 words.
Enjoy!
Star Trek
"The Evening Star"
A man stands alone, contemplating many things. He is a father, alone for much of his current life, his family kept from him—and he can never return.
But here, for this night, he is not alone. For a small part of his family is with him—a small part, but a cherished part.
He sits by the window of his personal home, some distance from the rest of his world’s civilization, looking out into the evening, watching the falls, hearing the roar and the rippling of the purple water. It is majestic, powerful…and so oddly soothing.
It is time. He calls out a name—a simple, yet beautiful name, so dear to his heart. And within a moment, a young girl rushes to his side.
“Daddy?” she asks.
Such unconditional love, that he feels from his daughter. Such a contrast to the tragic clash with his wife—a clash which had forced him away from those closest to him. His daughter holds no bitterness, no anger with his not still being there. She loves him, dearly…and he knows she always will.
She will be here for a couple weeks, and he is certain to make them count. And he knows the perfect way to make this first night…a perfect night.
“Look out there,” he says, pointing out to the sky.
She presses her face against the window, peering out…and shaking her head. “What is it?”
“You see a star? Right…” he pointed, “…there.”
She looks out again, squinting a bit…and finally says, “I see it! I see it, Daddy!”
“Good—what do you say we go out, say…over the falls? I hear that’s actually the best view of that star.”
“Okay. But, Daddy…?”
“Yeah, Princess?”
“What’s so great about that one? I-I mean…it looks nice, but…”
He smiles, and puts a hand on her shoulder. “That’s your star.”
She blinks. “My star?”
He nods.
“I have a star?”
He nods again. “In a way. You were named after it.”
Her face lights up, and a warm smile comes to her face. “Really?”
“Really.”
They leave for the falls, and travel the bridge over the river, stopping at the middle. They look out over the falls, hearing the roar and the crash…seeing the white mist as the water plummets so far below.
Then, they look up. The father points out the star once again, and again the daughter laughs, in triumphant delight.
They stay there for a time, enough to see so many stars come out to join the first. But the Evening Star, the cause of such joy in the heart of father and daughter alike, still stands alone—still shines the brightest of all….
Later, they return to the house…but they stay outside, sitting on a chair which moves like a swing. She is by his side, snuggling close to him, resting her head. The father has his arm around her, as they both look up at the star.
“Daddy?”
“Hmm?”
“I wonder…how did the star get its name?”
He chuckles. “Well, it means ‘Evening Star’, so…”
“Oh,” she sounds a little disappointed. “Is…is that all it means?”
He smiles…and remembers a tale, from long, long ago.
“No…come to think of it, no. There’s…an old legend, I think. I’m not quite sure if it’s true or not—for all I know, someone just made it up to go with the name. It’s linked up with a big part of our history.”
Her smile grows, and her eyes sparkle. “Really?”
“Really. Still,” he sighed, “I admit, it’s not something most people know about. To be honest, I only found it by accident—I was researching something else, and just stumbled on it.”
The daughter pauses for a moment…and asks, “Tell me?”
The father’s smile grows…and he closes his eyes, remembering the legend. Finally, he is satisfied that his memory is restored…and he begins….
* * *
It is said that the history of this world was not marked by war—that what wars the many nations existing in our past had fought were not with one another. Rather, the “wars” concerned the taming of the vast wilderness—the dangers, the perils of Nature itself. It was an epic struggle between the many nations, and the cruelties of the wild—and the nations finally triumphed, when they united, and worked together.
They united when one man—Jalen Fas, the young, joined leader of the Nation of Trillius, a righteous man who served I’nora with all the delight of his heart—called all the rulers of all the nations together in council.
“Brothers and Sisters,” he said, “You know of the histories of all our peoples—how each and every one of us has struggled against the wild. These struggles have tested us—and by the grace and blessing of I’nora, we have survived. But why should we only survive, when we can triumph over what forces dare to test the mettle we have proven, time and time again? Why should we allow ourselves to be prevented from taking what is ours—the many tunnels and caverns of which we are all aware? Far be it for I’nora to not desire us to remain so stagnant! For when They created the two races, did They not give them the sacred mandate: the symbiont, to preserve knowledge and wisdom and revelation for all time…and the host, to be fruitful and to multiply, and to dominate this world, to be stewards and rulers, to the best of their ability?
“Brothers and Sisters, you know what all our scouts have seen, era after era—those brave souls who could not be sent in great numbers, lest they attract the monstrous and the untamed. They have traversed this world, and found many wondrous treasures—treasures which we all, but not for the wilderness, could use and channel, which would bring us, one and all, to new heights, new discoveries. Surely I’nora placed these treasures—the minerals, the materials in caverns and mountains—for us all!
“Now, Brothers and Sisters, hear my call. We have been separate for so long, due to the wilderness which seeks to keep us divided. For if we remain divided, so shall it remain untamed, and hostile.
“So, then, my Brothers and Sisters, as surely as I’nora lives, I feel Their will compelling me to action. I have called you all together for this purpose: that we may unite, and conquer, and subdue the wilderness which has so long scorned us. Let us clear roads through the wilderness—one, than many—and let them lead us to the caverns and the mountains. Let us expand the borders of our respective nations, with the roads we have cleared leading the way. Let us make new settlements, within those new borders—colonies, to provide rest for those who proceed to tame the wilderness around them. Let us expand, until we reach the mountains and the caverns—and let us then dig, and extract, and mine for the treasures to help us fulfill the commission of I’nora.”
The council were one and all pleased with this proposition, and they proclaimed as one that it would be Jalen, with the wisdom of Fas, to lead them in this endeavor. For was he not a man of righteousness, who dealt with them only with the greatest honor and integrity?
And I’nora blessed them in this great alliance. For it was not five years before the first highway reached the first cavern. And provided there were the treasures the nations needed to expand their colonies and their villages, and to create cities.
And so the nations prospered, and within two hundred years, they came to achieve, one and all, great prosperity, and dominance over the wilderness. It is then they came to ask, “Each of our nations have become great and prosperous. Shall we, then, dissolve this alliance, which has brought us such great prosperity? Or shall we cement our unity, and exist all as one?”
It was then that Norlan Fas—the descendant of Jalen Fas, and the heir to the wisdom of the symbiont of Fas; a young man of great wisdom and devotion to I’nora—called the leaders of all the nations together in council, and spoke:
“Brothers and Sisters,” he said, “You know how my ancestor, Jalen Fas, called all the nations together, before this world began to be tamed. You know the reasons he gave: how the divisions among us, promoted by the wilderness, allowed the wilderness to remain triumphant.
“Now, then, we must ask one another if such a similar challenge would face us, in the times to come. For as our nations grow, so the challenges it faces also grow in kind. As I’nora blessed our endeavors till now, have They not made clear the message which They have given? With unity comes strength, and with division comes weakness. We united shall stand; we divided shall fall. Individualism makes one strong; unity of strong individuals keeps them strong.
“So, then, Brothers and Sisters, do not err in your endeavors, and proceed to test I’nora’s commission. For the day may come when a challenge will arise—a challenge far too great for any of us to bear alone—and on that day, we must be prepared. Let us, then, continue—and may I’nora continue to bless us, in our striving to fulfill Their will.”
The council agreed with the words of Fas, and proceeded to form a new government. The nations became states and provinces, all sovereign over their own territory, yet centered as one new nation under the blessings of I’nora—indivisible, and forever. It was decided that to honor Jalen Fas, who had first united the nations, the province-nation of Trillius would serve as the holding place for the capital city of the world—a new city, to be named Leran Manev. And so the world came to have a new name: Trill.
The council then looked to Norlan Fas to be the first ruler of Trill. But Norlan was greatly distraught, saying, “I’nora forbid! That I should claim for myself what I would not dare to achieve! Shall I unite the nations of this world with words of individualism, only to crush those dreams through being a man of tyranny?”
But the council made clear that they trusted only him, and he relented, on the condition of the construction of a civil government, which would not entrust in one person all power. And so the existence of the council was retained, and as they planned to assemble such a government, to Norlan was given the powers of executive, to lead the nations until all would be finished.
Now, Norlan had married a woman whom he loved dearly, who then conceived, and gave birth to a daughter. And the daughter, who was called the princess of the world of Trill, had become a woman of great beauty and compassion. And Nalron had raised her with honor and righteousness, and she showed great wisdom beyond her years. It was said of her that she would be destined for such greatness—that she would follow in the footsteps of her father, and rule in his stead.
On a day of great sorrow, as the new government was being formed, Norlan came to rest through exploring in the mountains of Ayai’leh-hihr. In the presence of fellow travelers, he fell, and breathed his last. And the wisdom of the symbiont Fas perished with him.
And so it was that the responsibility of leading a world fell to his daughter, the princess, who was then a girl of twenty. She was deeply distraught over the loss of her father, whom she loved, and intended to refuse the council’s plea for her to reign in her father’s stead.
She left the city, and walked for some days, until she came to the top of a great waterfall, which would be forever known as the Fall of Stars, across and above which was a bridge of great strength. She stood alone at the center of the bridge, and looked down upon the falls as evening came. And for her, the coming darkness of the night was as the growing sadness in her own soul. For she was only a child; how could she take upon herself the responsibilities now entrusted to her? How could she live up to her father, whose death had been so sudden, so meaningless?
It was then that she wept, her tears falling down to join the path of the falls. And as the stars were to begin to appear, she resolved that she would follow her tears, and throw herself down, that she might embrace an end to the misery which life had forced upon her.
But she froze, as she felt compelled to look upward. And behold, she saw three bright points of light descending, and growing—as though the stars themselves were falling…and falling to her.
And the lights came, and enveloped her in their glory. And she heard a voice—a single voice, which sounded to her ears like three.
“Speak, daughter,” said the voice, “and tell me of what you seek.”
“Who are you?” she asked, her soul filled with the greatest wonder.
“We are I’nora,” said the voice, “who guided your ancestors, and your father.”
And the princess became very frightened, and fell to her knees, covering her face in shame, for she, a mortal, had seen They who were the master of all.
But I’nora said unto her, “Do not be afraid, daughter. We have seen you, as you walked in the ways of your father Norlan, our servant…and we know that your desires are pure: to see justice and peace for all peoples, and to see an end of all strife and pain. We have been with you since your birth, guiding you in these desires of your heart. For it was for this purpose which we prepared you: that you would finish your father’s work, and guide your people into an age of prosperity, far greater than that of the present time.”
But the princess said, “I’nora…I am not worthy of such an honor as this—that you would appear to me, and anoint me in such a manner. For I am only a child, without strength or power of her own. How can I lead them? How can find favor with them, as my father had—and how can I fulfill what you desire of me?”
And I’nora said, “Who was it that created you, daughter? We formed you, in your mother’s womb, knowing full well what it was you would be called upon to do. Now, daughter, ask for what you wish, and it shall be given to you.”
And the princess said, “I am your servant and handmaiden, I’nora. What you ask, I will do. Only give me the wisdom and the discernment to face what lies ahead. Guide me, in all I say and do, that I will not destroy what my father sought to create. For I am afraid, and cannot do what you ask alone.”
I’nora was pleased with the nature of her request, and with her great humility. And They said, “Daughter, your humility and your faith has made you open for our blessing. And so, we shall grant you this request, and more. We shall be with you, and guide you, as you fulfill your destiny. And when you have succeeded—when all that you are to do has been done—I shall send my messenger unto you, and you shall return to this place, to be rejoined with your father, whom you love, in the world beyond.”
And the princess wept once again, but with the joy of knowing that all would be made right.
And then she looked—and the night was as it had been.
