Gods of Garran

The Gods of Garran: Chapter 3

A novel by Meredith Skye

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Inside the tsirvak of the Sand Plain, Morrhan and his little brother, Norbi, bowed before the earth crystals. By custom, the clan to paid homage to the earth-gods. Since the death of the Borrai, a hundred years ago, each clan worshipped the gods in whatever way they saw fit. Shaheak priests saw to the spiritual safety of the clans.

"If the gods are dead, then why do we worship them?" Morrhan's ten year old brother asked him.

"The priests say that the Borrai only sleep. One day they'll awaken again to defend the us."

Norbi looked thoughtful. "I've heard some people say that such ideas are ridiculous. They say that the gods are gone forever. And that we need new gods."

Morrhan had heard such talk too. "I disagree," he said. "The gods will help us—they have to. The spirit of the gods were hidden in a god-stone. When the time is right, it will be found."

Long ago the Chanden came and destroyed the Borrai with their sky-flames. Before the Borrai died, their spirits retreated into a god-stone to be brought forth at a later time. The shaheak Riddich hid the stones and died later at the hands of the invading Chanden. The location of the stone was lost forever, though there was a poem handed down through the generations, a riddle that spoke of the god-stone.

Stone calls to clan

And fire shall awake

Wind shall descend

And sweep 'cross the lake

Where is the head,

with pow'r to set free?

The stand of the dea

shall rest 'neath dark sky.

Fountain shall break

Alone in the mist

the Mountain shall shake;

Borrai shall enlist.

Morrhan had told Norbi this poem many times. No one knew the meaning of the poem. There was much speculation on the location of the stone. Many had tried to find it and failed.

"You think they find the stone and once we have Borrai again ... the new Borrai will defeat the Chanden for us?" asked Norbi.

Long ago, the Chanden had either destroyed or taken over their ancient cities—such as Urrlan and Karther—and the more habitable areas of the plains.

"I hope so," said Morrhan.

All who resisted the Chanden and their laws were arrested and imprisoned. A hundred years later, the Garrans' will to fight had weakened. Many of them now lived in the cities, working in the mines or factories. Despite long hours of labor the Garrans remained poor, treated as trespassers on their own lands.

Norbi followed Morrhan out of the shrine.

"Morrhan," asked Norbi, "can you come with me to the Black Hills to hunt crystals?"

Morrhan hesitated. The crystals were valuable—a month's worth of food—but difficult to find.

"No, not today, Norbi," said Morrhan, not with so many warriors gone.

"Why?" the boy insisted.

"It's dangerous out there. And it's my duty to watch the tsirvak while Father's away hunting."

Wild beasts and poisonous snakes roamed the Black Hills—among other things. Also, the Chanden sometimes ventured out from their stolen cities, growing bolder each season. They hunted in groups both for the lithe four-legged eke beasts or the huge, horned orvallin, one of which could feed Morrhan's tribe for weeks.