Back before the Gods War, but after death came into the world., Esrola was a sister of Ernalda, and was the wealth of the land – its crops and its livestock. Many courted her, each in their own way.
The Evil Emperor did not hold with others having choice – so he just sent his herald, Angdartha to Esrola to tell her to present herself to the Emperor for him to see if she would make a suitable wife or concubine.
At this rudeness Esrola refused, and Angdartha was so upset at the insult to his master that he kidnapped Esrola, of course taking her basket with her. Esrola did not fight this – it was not her nature, that belonged to Maran Gor. She did not run away and hide, that became the nature of Asrelia and Ty Kora Tek in their own ways. She did however protest loudly. Unfortunately, none of her previous husband protectors felt up to challenging the Emperor's representative.
When Angdartha presented his prize to the Emperor, he could not see beyond the many husbands Esrola had been with and refused her, instead gifting her to Angdartha as a suitable wife, as it was clear he could tame her.
When she was made his wife, Angdartha decided that her bounty would be just for himself and his master's people. All those who lived outside his masters rule could make other arrangements. This was fine with the crops, which being static could not be moved and naturally obeyed. However, those disobedient people instead lived on the livestock instead, and this misuse of his property angered Angdartha.
Thus he sent his servants to go kill his property rather than let it be misused. This was unexpected – and many animals were hurt and some killed before anyone could do anything. However, Yinkin was a friend of the people and, for all he could not confront the well armed servants, he could lead or herd to animals to safety hidden from the servants. This, with some difficulty, he achieved, and the place of safety was with Vorela the Animal Healer, a daughter of Ernalda, who, from her deeds that day earned the title of Animal Healer.
This was the final straw for Ernalda – not one usually to act on her own behalf. It happened that Angdatha was grey, fat, with a long neck and a braying voice – not entirely unlike a goose. He was, as with all the Emperor's people, sensitive to mockery. So Ernalda thought on this, and made the Goose Dance, and taught it to the people.
Angdartha grew most irate with this mockery and demanded it ceased but Ernalda replied it would continue until Esrola was returned. Eventually Angdartha could stand it no more, and decided in his anger that he would return Esrola, but in little dead pieces. Thus his servants delivered the remains of Esrola to Ernalda in Esrola's basket, expecting her to despair. Ernalda did not – she knew great secrets, and one was how to bring Esrola back to life. She buried Esrola in the Earth, herself, and let it be known that the field in which she did this should be watered by the mourning tears of those who regretted her passing. All the people mourned her loss, watered the field, and there grew up from the earth the reborn Esrola, free once more.
-- Kevin Blackburn Kevin_at_...
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