Snippet #1704512

The birds that she had delivered unto her people served in ways that were unimaginable to most. It was not just the aid that they delivered to the humans that made them valuable. No, it was that all that they saw Arianrhod too could see. At times they would fly far and wide from their people in search of things of interest or even to ensure that safe travel was ahead. At most times there was little that brought the goddess' attention to the world below, but now she had cause to watch. Little conversations were seen, particularly where the trade route with the harpies had been placed. Words of war came to her. And the knowledge of what exactly had brought it about.

For now... she did nothing. It was none of her concern. She had far more vested in her people and no need to send them off to aid or hinder the fire god. No, instead she began to settle more firmly above the main monolith, blanketing the sky in her dense, shading clouds and a cool wind that invigorated those who stopped there. So it came to be that with time the old ones, and even those that had suffered dire and crippling injuries began to settle. So too did those who simply did not hold the wanderlust that was meant for the nomads. It began with a few clusters of people that milled about but soon became so much more. As the various nomadic tribes visited it began to come about that things were built. Stalls for trading items were created to the south of the soaring stone that praised their goddess. They held quills and various cloaks and hoods created from feathers, beaded necklaces and charms that came from the harpies along with the arrows, bows and knives that were available to trade. It could almost be considered that these stalls were a warehouse of sorts, keeping the surplus ready for those that may need it.

Soon it came to be that a new animal was brought to the scrublands where her people roamed. She brought to them great beasts that possessed large curled horns that arched forward from their skull, sharp ends pointed forward. They were covered in thick hide and had bodies similiar to that of a smaller buffalo but for their faces which were actually bird shaped complete with broad beaks though with fur instead of feathers. From their backs sprouted enormous wings that could support their hefty build in flight along with anything they may need to carry. More than anything, they were ample food for the people of the land as they had litters of calves rather than singular ones and one full grown adult could feed a tribe, nomadic or otherwise, for long periods of time. To the north of the great stone they had begun to create basic stables and overhangs where they kept those of the adult animals that they could breed. So it was that meat became a more steady source, supplied to the nomads that paid a visit and could afford to trade for such. And nothing was wasted. Hide was kept as well as bones along with horns that soon came to be used as a way to call on the harpies when calls were amplified through them. So too was the lengthy fur that covered the front half used. These things soon made more clothing and jewelry, exotic goods when combined with the feathers and baubles that they soon became to be known for.

At the great stone itself, the goddess was known to appear to her people, whispering words of encouragement and aid. They began to worship more properly, abasing themselves before the stone for but a simple sign from Her. And she gave it sparingly. She would advise them on things such as breeding of animals and gathering things. She would even advise them on spreading the word of her strength. Most activity was during the great yearly trade meeting that took place there, her people still delighting most in the open world of the scrublands. No closed temple was raised around the stone, but the thought was there regardless. It was a grounds of worship. It was during one such meeting that she whispered to those that roamed the furthest south and typically held the trade route with the harpies.

"I have an important task for you," she spoke to the Chief of the particular nomadic tribe that called themselves Sa-Sani. "Split amongst yourselves and keep half in your normal lands. Continue to contact the harpies as you should and further offer them tribute and let them know that in times to come they may well be needed as protection or warning against those that would harm any who are among our people. Even moreso, give to them some of the new beasts so that they will not known hunger when other food sources are low. For the other half, I wish to further the domain that bears witness to my power. Send them out to the tribes of the fertile plains east of the mountains, particularly those that do not already worship one of my siblings. Any of those you come across, give them gifts. Just a small bit of course. Tell them that should they desire more to erect a shrine in my honor and worship the goddess of air. Once they have, direct them in how to trade with those of the scrublands and ensure they wear upon them the feathers of my birds. Should you be met with hostility, do not fight directly unless there is no choice. Either call upon the harpies to deal with them entirely or come to them in the dead of night to kill them in their sleep. None will underestimate you." Perhaps it was a harsh way to deal with any who may mindlessly attack her people, but she hoped to begin a spread of respect now that her people knew of her kindness.

"Should you come by chance upon those that worship my sister, the goddess of water, treat them kindly. Offer to them the same as what my brother has. The opportunity to trade. Should they wish not to, then leave them as they are. Do not attack, but certainly defend if they should try to do so. Now go, deliver to your tribe my words." With that, she was pleased that with hope her reign would spread further.

As the nomads that worshipped her developed they no longer came to survive. They came to thrive and be entirely happy with their lives. It was pure freedom that they held, the freedom to do as they wished and to go where they would. Soon they came to dance in their everlasting joys and to sing out to the heavens songs of the air and most of all... freedom. From hide and wood they created drums that could hold the beat of their melodies, or announce their presence. So too did they make more with the beads they gathered and various jewels. Even flutes were brought into existence along with other primitive wind and percussion instruments. With these they would likely cause a certain amount of envy in those that knew nothing but work and fighting. After all, these people could do as they wished and they did, all while bearing the love and worship for their goddess.

So too did their abilities with bows and knives develop. The did not fight amongst themselves, but during the yearly visit to the Monolith it came to be that they would have grand contests of skill with marksmanship as well as a Great Hunt to see who could bring in the most new livestock with extra points awarded to those who did so without killing. To do this they came to simply tie two large stones at the end of thick hide to cast at the legs of the creatures to entangle and topple them. In otherwords, they had bolas. They were weighted enough to bring down these beasts that were simply known as buffalo down even when in flight.

When a bird came to her, and one that was not of her creation she was not entirely surprised. While she may have mostly kept to herself in the north she knew it would not be long before someone would contact her. Besides, she had heard whispers of war though not the entire story. The phoenix was allowed to come to her with no trouble as she took its message. The idea of helping him in his war was quickly dismissed. There was little she could do and even less still that she would want to do. Already she had begun to have contact with Belleger's people, and to forge an alliance against him would not do well for her even with the harpies as protection. The idea a trade of knowledge however would not be too hard to do. If nothing else, it would be showing an equal opportunity to everyone. Either way, she would not show favorites. "Take this message back to your Master," she whispered to the phoenix. "Tell him that I will not come to his aid in his war. He may use the air in his area as he wishes, but I do not desire needless deaths of my people. However, should he wish to encourage a trade agreement between my people and his then he may do so. While the war is ongoing we may trade items through a carrier system of sorts. Once it is over however, assuming all settles well enough we will arrange a meeting directly between our lands. Unless he wishes to offer something else there is nothing more I will give him. Should he build a shrine in my name however things may be different. For now, this is what I give to him. He must be the first to offer something of use." Her words came as they were, with no gifts. No, the key to her continued success was to not cause waves with the other gods. They would all recieve equal treatment from her. For now at least.