This is in response to a prompt over at Stephanie Ayers' Master Class. If you're looking for something to get you going writing-wise, check back with her once a week for something new.
This is a rewrite of a terrible piece I did a long time ago. It's still terrible, but it has improved over the original. Thanks Stephanie for giving me the inspiration to do some more work on this piece. It's supposed to be written in the vein of a fable.
The Tale of the Second Sun
A chill breeze blew from the ocean as the chief spoke loud and true.
“Gather round the bonfires. Warriors and hunters, drag the boats high upon the shore, for there will be no voyages tonight and they must survive the highest tide. Tonight is the longest night of the year. It is time for all to hear of the darkest time in our history. As the weak and weary Sun dives into the western waters, each island will light the bonfires and lift voices to the heavens to remind the divine Brothers of how they saved the world from Darkness. If we do not, the Sun may never return. This is a high secret and a sacred duty of our people.”
Every islander was there to hear the tale and partake in the ritual, from the newborn babes to the elders waiting for sweet death to take them.
The high priest spoke.
“The Brothers Jamahi and Jaustus are known by all. But back in the Early Times they were known by a different name. They were called the Sons of the Sun, because their father, Houri the Sun, was in charge of making the days. During this time the Brothers had a mutual friend named Bachshi. He was the peacemaker between the brothers.
“One day the brothers were fighting, as usual, and Bachshi was trying to intercede, as usual.
“The brothers were fighting over who owned the moons. You see, in those days, there were two moons in the sky. One was a warm yellow and one was a luminous silvery white. And the two moons chased each other across the night sky, just as the brothers chased each other over the waters and the earth.
“It was set long ago by their father that the yellow moon was Jaustus’s and the white one was Jamahi’s. The brothers fought about many things, but as far as the moons went, everything was well.
“But then their father passed away, and Great Houri the Sun, who was a glorious and rich green then, went away to the Dry Lands.
“The world grew cold as the brothers mourned the death of their father, each in their own way. Jaustus cried angrily and Jahami grew silent and distant. They tried to mourn for the traditional forty days and forty nights but of course there were no more days and this made them mourn all the more.
“The people of the world appeared before the brothers. 'One of you must take your Father’s place in the sky, or many things in the world would die and Darkness will rule. There must be balance,' the people said."
“There was no question of which brother would take their father’s place. Jahami was the eldest. But he was cold and aloof, nothing like their beloved father. Jaustus, on the other hand, was full of rage, and he took his anger out on his elder brother. Jaustus accused Jahami of not missing their father. Jaustus had always been closer to their father than Jahami, who often took long trips away from home. And thus the brothers fought. Neither one was in a compromising mood. Jahami, as the eldest son, asserted his right to replace their father. Jaustus demanded that he was the better successor and set about to prove it by strength of arms and emotion. Their battle raged fierce and bloody.
“Bachshi tried to intervene. He showed them that while they fought, everything around them was dying. But that did not deter the brothers from fighting. Bachshi told Jahami that he should let Jaustus replace his father. Jaustus had a fiery heat in his heart, like their father. But the Jahami would not listen. He lost his composure and slew Bachshi in a rare show of anger. As Bachshi's lifeblood spilled onto the ground, the brothers stopped their fighting, adding their grief over losing their best friend with that of losing their father. Their lights dimmed and the world grew even darker.
“Many creatures died during that time of Greater Darkness. They are lost to us forever. For the sake of all living things and in memory of their father and Bachshi, the Brothers swore never to fight again. Jahami was still cold and distant, but he agreed. He gave up his position as eldest son and let his younger brother take their father’s place in the sky. So that the world would keep on growing, Jahami stayed in the night sky and let his brother become the Sun.
“So today the Sun is yellow and hot and there is one moon in the sky at night, cold and distant. Plants around the world are green, to honor the memory of Houri, the First Sun. Much time has passed since the great compromise was reached. The Brothers are forgetful sometimes and feel anger toward each other. When one is in the sky, the other is away. Seldom do they ever share the sky together. But they agreed long enough, thanks to Bachshi, to save the world.
“And this is the tale of the Second Sun, always told on the longest night of the year. It is also know as the Tale of the Second Son. And this is a high and mighty secret indeed.
“It is our sacred duty to remember and remind Jaustus to come back, to warm our days with his light. He is hot-tempered, but he wearies quickly. So we will tend the bonfires all night long, and pray that Jahami in the night sky sees that the yellow light is good for all. He must remind his brother not to tire, to honor the memory of their father and come back to us and keep the world from darkness.”
Picture for today: Sun and Moon chasing each other...
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