Willow's End - Jera Skyspear
Elvish words/phrases linked to Glossary OR hover mouse to see translation.
Reformation

Between the Worlds, during the centuries on the Road while the Sithryn looked for a new home after the Sundering, perhaps only Evaynan's House of Silver Rose remained completely intact or perhaps not. Surely he who led the seeking, the Lord of the Green Silences, had the strongest house and the greatest need of any to exemplify stability.

But other, lesser houses, had not the strength. Many of these became scattered throughout the planes as some chose to stay behind on a world or otherwise ventured on their own. Yet remnants remained within the Green Silences under the Silver Rose leadership to continue the quest. Out of a desire for their own stability and eventual independence, some of these remnants made new pacts together and formed new houses from mutual or combined interests.

Jera was familiar with one such formation. Her parents had been among those present at the Sundering, so they understood the intent of Walking the Planes, even though it had oft seemed as difficult as the war torn home they'd left behind. But, there was always hope and the search continued.

Those remaining of Jera's clan were on the secondary search for others interested in a merger of resources and abilities. What they primarily brought with them was knowledge of working with light in all forms, calling upon the gifts of Elbereth. In the search, this house of light weavers, Anlanyakalan, came in contact with the remainder of a house of blade forging, Hyantamindas. These had lost most of their number from the Sundering itself, for all but a few had chosen to stay behind and supply the battle. These few, bone weary of it all, hoped to find more peaceful and creative uses for their fine work. Always with gratitude to Aule, they enjoyed working with stone and even moreso with fine metals, but no longer for the purposes of war.

On the surface there would seem very little to connect these two houses, but on a visited world where violent storms were ever-present, representatives of each house ended up at the same location, observing the natural phenomena of lightning's effects on metal ore. This tempestuous world was short on flora and fauna but long on rock formations heavily laden with precious stone and metal deposits. Obviously each house had an interest in different aspects of the lightning and ore relationship but very quickly they found their meeting point, perhaps even a common purpose.

The storm world was too inhospitable for any lengthy stay so the seeking proceeded on, but there was much time to research, to experiment, using the power available between the worlds to investigate ideas and essentially play with what the two houses had both found fascinating. They worked together quite well and even before a formal decision was made, they were effectively merged into one clan, knitted by their interests and mutual appreciation of gifts.

Thus a new house was formed, a new clan. Blending the light and metal work but not wanting to forget their origins, the new house came to call themselves Hyandakalan, The Blade of Light. Even the most adamant peacemakers among the former Hyantamindas had seen the beauty of this new name, for it referred not so much to a weapon, but to the jagged blades of lightning in the sky from which they would draw power into metal and from there work their own creations.

In the interim, Jera was born, during the peak of optimism at the discovery of new kinships and new possibilities for the future. Her father Uuringar, named for his brilliant eyes the vibrant blue of coldfire, was among the most gifted in working with lightning and though he refused a seat on the council of nine for the new house, he was asked to lead their efforts in regards to his gift.

Jera's mother, Kumori, was originally of a clan lost in the wars before the Sundering. Her name refers to the dark portion of the crescent moon, or that which cannot be seen. Although content to work in support of others she proved to be integral to the clan's tasks as well.

Kumori's primary fascination was language, particularly symbolic language and it was through this that she chose her daughter's name, the ancient rune for year and harvest. It spoke to the optimism she and her mate felt when they conceived Jera and some years later her brother Dagaz. For them, he was another sign of dawn on a new day. There was much hope and anticipation for the future.

Now what the new clan needed was a homestead. Like many others in the Green Silences, they once again began to grow impatient as the search seemed endless. But, the majority of this new house had determined that wherever Lord Evaynanvathallion may lead them, there would surely be metal ore buried within that world and lightning crossing its skies, and so, they prepared for when that time arrived. They would practice and develop their skills while waiting for a decision... for a home.

DHP © Jun 02 2002
with references by permission
from the writings of Bill West

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