The Marakese

The Tusker goats

Ilvandir took Ilkir out for a walk that day. The hefty man and his accomplice went on the snow with feet submerged under it. Ilvandir moved a huge chunk of snow every time he moved. Ilkir tread behind him getting occasionally splattered by the snow. He wiped the snow of his face, but he persisted walking behind Ilvandir. He did make the path a lot easier for him to walk on. Where are we headed towards? asked Ilkir. You will see, replied Ilvandir. They walked and walked, and what was supposed to look like a hundred miles. But they only covered a very short distance in all reality. Ilvandir broke a sweat even in this cold weather, while Ilkir was fresh as ever. AS time went on by, Ilvandir had realized that he had underestimated the distance. He was growing tired and weary. He bent down and rubbed his knees. Ilkir went and stood next to him. 

"I think it is time" he said to Ilkir. Ilkir stood there looking at the horizon as the sun set. Ilvandir called out names in an unknown language. It was not dwarvish for certain. Ilkir looked all around for something to happen. By now Ilvanidir was shouting the names out, that even the snow caps on the small mountains around them trembled and melted. What are we calling? asked ilkir. Ilvandir continued to call out the name in a loud manner. All the air in his inconceivably large lungs were being drawn out. From atop the ice caps, sled down large animals, two of them. Ilkir was astounded and froze as he had never seen anything like it. The animals sped at them at a fast pace and Ilvandir's calling out mellowed by then. He was merely whispering towards the end. Ilkir stood there afraid and excited at the same time, as he marveled at the Tsuker goats. Ilvandir leapt forward and sat atop one of the goats. He did not pet it nor show it any affection. Ilvandir saw the goats as a mode of transport and the goats too accepted the same. Ilkir tried to move close to the goats and he was kicked by the one of them. Ilvandir grew into a bug laughter. Ilkir got up rubbing his back. That was not funny, fat dwarf, he said to Ilvandir. Ilvandir ran at him with the goat and kicked him down, not too gently. This time Ilkir took a long time to get up, and this time he knew better to keep quiet. "Get acquainted" said Ilvandir to ilkir and sled the snow capes. Ilkir stood there not knowing what to do. The goat stared at him and it made Ilkir a bit uncomfortable. Come here goat! he said in a whispering tone. The goat did not move. He whispered come here goat and moved ahead. The goat steered a few feet back. Ikir moved ahead slowly. The goat this time came and kicked him onto the ground. This time when he fell, he got a bit unconscious mostly because of the cold. Ilkir took his time to open his eyes. And when he did finally manage to open his eyes, he would swear that the tusker goat was standing there in front of him, grinning. Ilkir got up and dusted himself. He looked around to see, if Ilvandir was around and the dwarf was nowhere to be seen. Ilkir cursed  him. The goat was there grinning and came forward.  And again Ilkir would swear that the goat would tilt its head to suggest him to get on it. Ikir got on top of the goat , and the goat did the rest. All Ilkir had to do was to hold on to it. It sped along the icy glades crossing peaks and paths at will. The large tuskers were shining under the moon now and afar he could see another object moving at a rapid pace. Ilkir could not see clearly now but he accepted goats eyesight's were better than his. Hooyah! said Ilvandir as he met ilkir on the path. The two goats sped along the path. Where are we going? asked Ilkir. You will see! replied Ilvandir and sped ahead. Ilkir getting grip of the animal, or so he thought, steered it to go faster. 

Ilvandir stopped at the edge of the summit. Ilkir made his way there and got down from his goat. Ilvandir sat on his firm and saw the distant lands. Ilkir tried to see what was there. As much as he tried to spot another miracle, he simply could not. He stood there knowing something would come up, and so waited patiently. Many a moments passed and Ilvandir kept his eyes firmly on  the horizon. So did Ilkir, as his feet slowly sunk into the snow. Finally the eyes of Ilvandir lit up. He knew what was coming up in front of him. As Ilkir's eyes were firmly set, the green moon began to show up. It illuminated the skies and it was a sight to  behold. Ilkir knew he had seen a miracle none like this when the green moon was in full effect. The green rays combined with the dark skies danced and swirled. And through the middle of the grand illumination, the dwarfen angels danced to the tune. Calling out to them. Ilvandir closed his eyes and prayed to the gods.  "I hope my son is fine wherever he is" he said at the ending and opened his eyes. " We pray to different gods, but in the end we all pray the same "Thought Ilkir and he himself said a prayer. To the dwarfen gods or the other ones.  He opened his eyes and Ilvandir was already turned the other side. Ilkir too got on his goat and they left.