Arcana: Everway Family Legends Project

The Shepherd Mages

A Crookstaff Family Legend

by Paul King

Many years ago, before the the birth of the mason who cut the first stone for the first wall of the first house in the City of Everway, there were four mages. It was so long ago that nobody remembers their names but we know that they were four and that each had his or her own magic.

One day they met in their high tower, full of excitement.

"I have spoken to the Sun and there is a New Power in the World," said He of Fire.

"I have spoken to the Mountain and there is a New Power in the World," said She of Earth.

"I have spoken to the Sea and there is a New Power in the World," said She of Water.

"I have spoken to the Four Winds and there is a New Power in the World," said He of Air.

"If we find the New Power and serve her she will share her might with us," said He of Fire.

"If we find the New Power and serve him he will share his strength with us," said She of Earth.

"If we find the New Power and serve him he will share his wisdom with us," said She of Water.

"If we find the New Power and serve her she will share her knowledge with us," said He of Air.

"Let us find and serve the New Power," said all four at once.

And so they set out into the world. They visited many strange lands and had many adventures, but they did not find the New Power. After many years there was only one realm they had not visited.

He of Fire leaned on his iron-shod staff. "We are coming to the land of the Crow-Brothers who murder travelers and leave their bodies to feed the ravens. I can outfight any ten of them but there are ten tens of them and I cannot defeat them all."

She of Earth replied, "I know a way to beat them."

When the mages came to the fort of the Crow-Brothers the warriors came at them with drawn swords, but She of Earth unleashed her magic and the warriors fell to the ground, wracked with pain.

"To bring life is a greater pain and a greater battle than bringing death," she said. "Show your mothers the respect they deserve."

After a while the Crow-Brothers recovered enough to speak.

He of Fire asked them "Do you know where we may find the New Power?"

"We know nothing of Powers, we leave such things to the Moon Priestesses," replied the Crow-Brother.

"The New Power will need warriors, come with us to find her and serve her," said He of Fire.

"We are the Crow-Brothers, we serve only ourselves," the Crow-Brother said.

As the mages left, He of Fire told them "You serve yourselves now, but the day will come when you will serve the New Power."

She of Water leaned on her brightly painted staff. "We are coming to the land of the Moon Priestesses who trap travelers in their Dance of the Tides. I can out-dance any ten of them but there are ten tens of them and I cannot dance around them all."

He of Fire replied, "I know a way to beat them."

When the mages came to the Temple of the Moon Priestesses, the Priestesses danced out to meet them. But He of Fire was ready and he began to dance the Sun Dance. The Priestesses fought back with their dance and their power was great. They dragged the Moon across the sky to cover the Sun but they could not keep it there. In the end their Dance was broken and they fell to the ground.

After a while the Priestesses recovered enough to speak.

She of Water asked "Do you know where we may find the New Power?"

"We know nothing of any Power but the Moon. We leave all other knowledge to the Scribblers," replied the Priestess.

"The New Power will need priestesses, come with us to find and serve him," said She of Water.

"We are the Moon Priestesses, we serve only the Moon," the Priestess said.

As the mages left, She of Water told them, "You serve the Moon now, but the day will come when you will serve the New Power."

He of Air leaned on his rune-carved staff. "We are coming to the land of the Scribblers who will tell us nothing unless we beat them at the riddle-game. I can out riddle any ten of them but there are ten tens of them and I cannot answer them them all."

She of Water replied, "I know a way to beat them."

When the mages came to the Library of the Scribblers, the Scribblers came out to meet them with scrolls and pens.

Then She of Water asked them a riddle that had never been asked before. The scribblers turned to each other. Then they turned to their scrolls. A day and a night passed before the Scribblers gave up and asked for the answer. When she of Water told them they spent another night and a day arguing.

What was the riddle? I don't know and it doesn't matter. By now it has been asked so many times that it is no longer new and anyone could answer it.

After a while the Scribblers stopped arguing long enough to speak.

He of Air asked, "Do you know where we may find the New Power?"

"We know nothing of any Power or anywhere you haven't been, except for a village of leather workers down by the river bank," replied the Scribbler.

"The New Power will need scribes, come with us to find and serve her," said He of Air.

"We are the Scribblers, we serve only knowledge," the Scribbler said.

As the mages left, He of Air told them "You say that now, but the day will come when you will serve the New Power."

She of Earth leaned on her rough oak staff. "We are coming to the leather workers. They seem to be having some sort of festival. I think we'll have to join in although you all look rather ill. Is it that peculiar smell? They seem to like the tug-of-war and I can out-pull any ten of them but there are ten tens of them and I cannot out pull them all."

He of Air replied, coughing, "I know a way to beat them."

When the mages came to the village of the leather workers, the leather workers did nothing--they were too busy enjoying their simple festival. She of Earth challenged them to a tug of war. The head villager replied, "we have heard what you did to the Crow-Brothers and the Moon Priestesses. You must promise not to use magic to help you pull." The mages agreed and the rope was prepared.

Just as the referee dropped his grimy handkerchief, He of Air called up a wind that blew the stench of the tannery away. The leather workers were so amazed at the smell of fresh air that they forgot to pull and when the mages heaved at the rope the villagers all fell over into the mud of the river-bank.

After a while the leather workers had all managed to stand up.

She of Earth asked "Do you know where we may find the New Power?"

"We know nothing of any Powers at all" replied the head villager.

"They are not worthy to serve the New Power," said She of Earth to herself, and the mages left, walking upwind.

The mages walked along by the saltmarsh where sheep were grazing. They knew of nowhere else to go; they had been to every village in every Realm and they had not found the New Power.

Then they saw the shepherd, and although the shepherd seemed normal enough to their eyes they could tell the shepherd was more than mortal.

"She radiates energy like the Sun. Surely she is the New Power," whispered He of Fire.

"The tread of his feet echoes through the earth. Surely he is the New Power," whispered She of Earth.

"His spirit shines like a star. Surely he is the New Power," whispered She of Water.

"She has the Secret Signs of Greatness upon her. Surely she is the New Power," whispered He of Air.

As one the mages knelt before the shepherd, and as one they spoke. "Great One, how may we serve you?"

The shepherd thought a while and then replied, "I would be most grateful if you would look after my flock while I am gone. I must go away, but I cannot leave them unwatched."

The mages lowered their eyes and replied, "Great One, we are honoured by your trust and we will do as you ask." And when they looked up the New Power was gone.

So the mages took their staves and shaped them into shepherds' crooks, and since that time they and their descendants have been the true guardians of this place, in the name of the New Power.

And now, granddaughter, be quiet and eat your mutton.

The Shepherd Mages copyright © 2000 Paul King, used with permission.