In years long since past, the Gods were closer to the people than they are now. It was then not unusual for D'haris to lead soldiers to victory in his own form, nor did Tellis refrain from teaching husbandry to the farming peoples. The land and the people were enriched by this sharing, and the Gods themselves prospered under direct worship, drawing strength from their image in human eyes.
All Gods have their own proper spheres of influence, whence others may not trespass, although it is the charge of all to protect and cherish the peoples beloved of the Creator. Lorelei, goddess of the human heart and its passions, walked more among the people than most. Her temples were found in all corners of the world, and so then was she.
As Lorelei walked among her people, she was smitten by the form of a young shepherdess, fair of face and graceful in her bare feet as she stood above her charges. She shone with goodness and love, so that the goddess could not but covet her as a priestess.
In her own fairest form did the goddess approach the woman to entreat her to lay aside her stave and to go to lead a temple dedicated to the glory of love. The woman looked upon Lorelei with undisguised loathing and rejected her offer in ringing tones. "Should I then be first among your harlots, and through lack of virtue lose my own true love? Never will I so much as look upon your house of bawdry, unless I should be magically stuck down and made victim to your satyrs!"
A single tear tracked the goddess' flawless face as she saw, for the first time, this image of herself in human eyes. A darkness followed her as she searched the land for any who held another vision. And it was with a heart as cold as ice that Lorelei cam to her brother god D'haris. She told him of her rejection and he was enraged at the insult. With no further question of his sister's will did he call the Hounds of War to him. He gave her leave to use them to take her vengeance, asking only that she call them back to him when she was satisfied.
The goddess of the passions of the human heart loosed the Hounds of War upon the land of the misfortunate shepherdess and her dearest love. Civil war raged, and the flock was scattered. A plague descended and carried off full half the population. Men died horribly at the hands of enemy and friend alike, and blood ran red across the countryside.
At last, even for love of his sister, D'haris could countenance no more and called the Hounds to heel. Fat and sleek and prideful did they pad at his side as he sought Lorelei. She stood on a high mountainside, and in the pool before her was reflected all that she had wrought.
"Have you gone mad, my sister, that you should stray so from your Purpose before Augeren?" he reproached her. The goddess raised her tear-ravaged face and smiled most bitterly. "Have I done so, my brother?" she asked. "I but reflect the human heart."
"Your worshippers are strong young soldiers, who bring you spoils of war and share their vitality with you willingly. Your temples are filled with generals and retired veterans who glorify your name and glow with the honor of your service. And so you are as your people make you -- victorious, strong, fearless and warlike."
"My temples are frequented by harlots and lechers, satyrs serve as priest at my worship. My temples are staffed by the misbegotten bastards of those who feel only momentary lust, and they fight among themselves for power and position. There is nothing of love or kindness flowing in my temples, only hatred, bitterness and jealousy. How then am I to be other?"
In despite of the horrible thing that Lorelei had done, D'haris was moved to pity and forgiveness. "I will make this wrong right again, my sister, though you like not my methods." And she looked him full in the face and dared him to do his worst, for little else could harm her already broken heart.
Again did D'haris unleash his Hounds, with terrifying effect. In a single day the God of Change had thrown down all of the temples consecrated to Lorelei in all of the Twelve Nations, and had slain or driven forth those who perverted her worship. He entreated Cedaes to take those groves for her own and cleanse their poison. Lastly did he go in an unfamiliar form to a goodwife in a small village of what is now Kenuri, where the gods are most closely worshipped to this day.
In his sister's fair form did D'haris appear to the goodwife, who traded in medicines and spellcraft for her village. He showed her the making of charms to attract or repel the love of another, and simples for enhancing the beauty of form and face. Perfumes of rose and lily he gave to her, as well as the secrets of laughter and lowered lashes to gain a man's eye. In this way did D'haris create the first wisewoman dedicated to the Love aspect of his sister, Lorelei.
If it takes many years for the human heart to recover from grief and sorrow, it takes centuries for a goddess to recover her power and Purpose. Lorelei's worship has the fewest followers in all the Twelve Nations, but those wisewomen are more dedicated to her than even the Priests are to their chosen patron. In time, the goddess of the human heart will once again come among the people, and she will be in our own image.Copyright Jennifer Doran, 1999. All rights reserved.
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