And yet Belintar was not a true outsider. When he entered the Temple of Barren Womb at Ezel, he was welcomed by the six goddesses of the Sixths, each daughters of Ernalda that none of the priestesses had seen before but all recognized. When the priestesses welcomed Belintar to the Temple of Night and Day, he revealed that his own statue already protected the temple.
A common theory in the Holy Country (and incorporated into many prayers and celebrations) is that Belintar was a son or brother of Kethaa who was lost as the Gods War begun. His return gave unity and sacred revitalization to Kethaela - hence the title the "Holy Country."
This common belief is strongly criticized by many scholars (and several notable participants in the Tournament of the Masters of Luck and Death) as being without basis or meaning. Of course, this belief is certainly less ridiculuous than that offered by Mistress Bezogarg who once claimed that Belintar is Ezkankekko's "shadow self".
In short, the identity of Belintar and the nature of his power has been debated by scholars without conclusion since Belintar's arrival - and sometimes with violence. Who can forget the Identification Riots of 1582 when rival bands of scholars and scribes fought over Dregstor's Refuttal? Belintar himself once said all the theories about him are both true and false in equal measure. What matters is that the gods of the Holy Country - even mighty Orlanth - acknowledge Belintar's power and (at least some of his) rights.
Jeff
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