G Excerpt from the Stafford Section, Jonstown Library
When the world was young, the sons of Umath strode the earth to choose what wonders to take for themselves. Vadrus sought mayhem, Urox destruction, and Humakt Death. Orlanth, the youngest, was taken with the colorful and tickling life which sprouted from the bountiful earth.
Orlanth went to Ernalda Queen of Earth and said he wanted the earth as his.
Ernalda said,
“My earth? How flattering
That you, future king of the world,
Would want the soil
And its treasures.
You are wise, my lord.
Are you generous too?”
And Orlanth said,
“Orlanth Openhand
All gods can speak well of my generosity;
Especially you, Bountiful and Beautiful,
Take this, my bullroarer.
Roar it when you want me; I am yours.”
Afterwards Orlanth went to his brothers with his present, but when they looked closely the grasses and flowers upon it were whipped and torn about, scattered in all directions. The storm gods, tied of their plaything, tossed it back to Orlanth and laughed at his worthless gift. Angered when nothing returned to the bare earth, Orlanth returned to Ernalda and said,
“Liar! Perfidious Trickster!
No fishwife, no slave woman, should treat me
Like that! I am mocked, shamed, cheated.
I am also angry, powerful, and violent: the Thunderer!
Shall I show you my dread powers?”
And Ernalda said,
“Most powerful and horrible lord,
King of Creation and Render of Terrors.
Mercy please, let me repay you.
Twice the gifts I will trade back for my earth.
Are you just? Can you see value?”
Orlanth, not wishing to be unjust, agreed to accept two presents back for the return of the worthless and barren earth. Ernalda gave him his bullroarer first, and he was pleased since it was certainly a gift fit for him. The second gift was the corporeal love of the Great Goddess, a simple and ecstatic thing which Orlanth never suspected might exist. Awestruck and dumbfounded, Orlanth returned happily to his brothers. The other storm gods again laughed at Orlanth.
They said,
“Dupe and fool, women’s wiles
Will ever turn your head from sense,
Look at that present you gave the goddess!
Simple is he who makes deals without scrutiny.”
Their words seemed truth. The earth that had been blown bare was again covered over with luxurious growth. This time it was even thicker and richer, like the higher lands where trees had never grown before, or the dryer lands where grass had not been before. Orlanth was incensed. In a blind rage, with roarers roaring and hail pelting, he thundered to Ernalda again.
He said,
“Pitiless liar! Deceiver and foolmaker!
My heart will turn and my eyes will be opened
If I let you dupe me again.
That was not worthless which you took from me!
I was robbed. You are the Taker.”
And She said,
“Powerful lord, Shaker and Destroyer,
You abuse me, you are unjust.
I did just what you told me, I do not lie.
Would the land bless me if I were untrue?
Are you wise enough to see?”
And He said,
“I see many things: Each thing you give me
Is less in my hands than in yours,
Is not what you told me it was,
Is useless to me and mine.
I see black spots of anger before me.”
And She said,
“Great God, Keeper of Kin,
Clear the spots from your eyes: look again.
One half of the wonder is yours!
Your rain, fruitful wonder, spread my beauty,
Be worshipful: Help keep this bounty eternal!”
And He said,
“Great woman, bountiful bosomed,
Many tricks have you given,
Too many deceits have I taken,
Give me honor, give me Justice.
The Storm God’s anger is deadly.”
And Ernalda said,
“Have pity, Great God. Look again!
I need your aid for my bounty.
I need your aid for protection.
I need your presence for my happiness.
I am weak. I need help, I am yours!”
Orlanth, still wary, refused at first, but demonstrations of Ernalda’s powers convinced him of the value of staying. Shortly after, he accepted his fate. Ernalda and Orlanth then instituted the marriage vows and took oaths to the other. When Orlanth’s brothers laughed at him the god ignored them and knew the greater value of the sweet secrets of his wife.