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<DIV>>During the next time of quiet riding in the coming days, Ben'Dar pulls his horse up alongside Strie'bog. >Matching Strie'bog's horse's pace, the two ride side by side for some time. Ben'Dar seems to be >silently making a decision about something. After a long silence, Ben'Dar finally turns and hesitantly >says, "I have given thought to the blessing you gave during the fight with the giant. I can sense that there >is wisdom and goodness in you Strei'bog. But I know very little about you and about your >background. I know even less about "Cernunnos" (he stumbles over the unfamiliar word). But I would >like to learn more. Would you tell me more of yourself, your home, and about this "Cernunnos"? </DIV>
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<DIV>"I have travelled in your lands Ben'dar, but they are still a mystery to me. Mayhaps we can learn from each other. I come from the forests in land of the Vassa. The Vassa are a peaceful people, and aided in teaching me, but I was not born of their people. As I said, they are a peaceful people, who respect the cycles of life, but they know how to fight. They are surrounded by many who would take their fertile lands, and so they have learned to defend themselves, sometimes by means your people would call dishonest. Honor among the Vassa is not like the honor among the Zen'da. It is not battle prowess that is sought, but a well lived life. Yet, as I said, I was not of their people, though I learned their love of life, and was loved by them. I was raised in the forests, not in the villages, for it is there that my mother can be found. As for my father, he was from Dawan. He came as a missionary, but discovered that the Vassa already had a love for Manu and Omael, for life. They also respected the spirits of the forest, who call Cernunnos father. Some of the Vassa devote their life to the forest, to Cernunnos, while others are devoted to the teachings of Omael and Manu. My father and mother grew to understand each other, and the different aspects of Cernunnos, Manu and Omael. Yes, both of my parents were holy people, dedicated to the gods and community. My path was similiar, and though I hold the Dawan teachings as sacred, it is to Cernunnos that I hold devotion. It is to the honor and glory of Cernunnos that I sing."</DIV>
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<DIV>"As for Cernunnos, he is best described as the Lord of Nautre, the Undying One. He is the Lord of Life, its patron and protector. In this way, he and Omael are brothers. Cernunnos's court of spirits seek to protect life, and are enemies of Kototh, his servants and children. This at least is a start. Among the Vassa, I am a teacher and holder of history. Unlike others, we do not bind our histories into books to be forgotten, but like your people, keep it alive through song, dance and story."</DIV>
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<DIV>"I feel that there may be another question you may want to ask. If I am a teacher of my people, why have I travelled? I am looking for a cure; a cure to heal a wounded heart. My father died protecting my mother. His death was a blow to my mother, and she is now weakened. As I mentioned, enemies surround the Vassa, and her wound leaves them vunerable. So, I have been sent to find a cure."</DIV>
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<DIV>"Why have you travelled so far from your home?"</DIV>
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