Songs of the Reaver Clans, vIII

Songs of the Ghost Sea Reaver Clans

Compiled by Johannes Silvanus,

Chairman of the Committee for the Transposition of Indigenous Oral Traditions, Imperial University

Volume Three

[Note from the author: This final song concerns the introduction of time into Mundus, and depicts Shor in his capacity as a wily trickster god -- one who could extend the kalpa but for his betrayal and death. It is notable for its interesting blend of pre-Return totemism with an Old Empire understanding of the Nordic mythic cycle. For a summary of this scholarly framework, please consult Elonwe of Lillandril's inestimable volume "Cultural Eras of the Nords."]

So far does shrewd Shor, fox-furred

Seek goodness for his salt-flecked scions

That even [autarch] Alduin, despot dragon,

Sleeps fitfully, slumbers fearfully

But, bright bushed, shrewd Shor

Deepens the dragon's dozing

And boasts "Only the foxy god of Men

Can keep the world-hall standing"

Witnessed by the wild clan

Shrewd Shor seized the dragon's tail

And lashed tight the worthy world-hall

Weaving with time the waiting world

Revealing to none his secret schemes, Shor settled against the wolf

As hawk and moth upwards circled

And the Children fought and fucked

Knowing themselves safe by shrewd Shor's shift

But woe! Foul elves, unnatural, exist

Sneaking snake, wicked woodsman

Hating the hall, creation of the clan

Stirring the dragon, seeking death

And in deepest darkness, craven creatures

Cut cords and fastened the father of all

Secure to Sovngarde's shorebound keel

Drowning dead in the starlit surf of Sky

So did shrewd Shor, fine father

Die disgraced by dragon-doomed demons

The eternal world ended by envious elves

And mighty Man made mortal once more