Alwin Journeys North to Meet Tonild
Alwin having brought peace to the southern tribes is names "Great Chief of the South" and settles among the tribe of his grandfather Wilheard. He forms a new military comprised of units intermixed from each tribe. This protective force is sworn to protect both the river captains and the roads to ensure the peace is maintained. During the next ten years the southern tribes flourish and become the dominant force of the Bothelm. In the northern lands however drought, disease, and famine have caused the tribes to dwindle.
A visiting merchant tells Alwin of their plight, especially the remnants of his father Beornstan's tribe. A handful of survivors that were not transformed into devils returned to the land but struggle despairingly to hold on. Alwin being the rightful heir of the tribe has sympathy for the people. Feeling honor bound to redress the wounds caused by Beornstan gathers a group of warriors and has them load carts with grain, meat, and water. They begin the journey north leaving at dawn, to their amazement they arrive the next day at the break of dawn, thus Alwin gains the title "Dawn Traveler". Alwin offers the food and water to the suffering tribe asking naught in return. Beornstan's tribe is suspicious at first but unwilling to turn down the supplies invite Alwin and the warriors to feast with them.
Alwin rapidly impresses his father's old tribe, proving through numerous feats of strength and arms that he can outmatch any of their warriors. Beornstan's tribe recognize Alwin as his successor and name him chief, Alwin accepts and settles among the tribe while the southern warriors return home. Alwin is content to lead his father's tribe and consinders giving up the title of "Great Chief of the South", to contemplate he partakes on a hunt unattended by his warriors or shamans. He treks into the wilds for three days and eventually encounters a great stag. Stalking the stag, Alwin follows the creature to the bank of a river. As Alwin prepares to loose an arrow, killing the stag, he is struck blind by the sun. When his vision returns Alwin discovers he is standing in a glade of yellow flowers surrounded by shahapet, friendly nature spirits connected to the underworld.
The shahapet explain that they were sent by the protector of the underworld, Aethelu. Aethelu has learned from the recently deceased about the problems tormenting the people of the northern lands. She is concerned for her sister, Tonild, who has been named chiefess and beseeches Alwin to travel north to her tribal lands. Alwin awakes upon the edge of the river bank recalling the vision, he is skeptical of Tonild, for it is told that she slew Beornstan, father of Alwin. After three more days of contemplation Alwin decides that his duty to the people outweigh his fear of Tonild.
Alwin gathers the tribe of Beornstan and leads them north passing the "House of Shamans". Here he meets the aged Pleghelm and upon recounting the words of Aethelu is asked by Pleghelm to allow the shaman to accompany him. Alwin and Pleghelm and the remainder of the tribe travel to the lands of Tonild, passing during the hours of dawn arriving the next morning, a journey of many miles. When Alwin and the tribe arrive Tonild gathers her warriors and begins preparations for battle but Pleghelm offers to go as envoy and speak with her. The next morning Pleghelm accompanied by Tonild visit the camp of Alwin alone and unarmed.
Alwin has a feast prepared from the food his tribe has brought, this causes a shock to Tonild whose people have suffered severely from the famine. She takes only bread and water stating she will not eat what is not offered to her people. Alwin makes haste to offer the food to her people and has carts prepared. Tonild is uneasy but unwilling to turn away relief for her people invites them into her village. When Alwin and Tonild arrive the tribes join in a great feast and the two chiefs finally discuss the catastrophe that has struck the northern tribes.
Tonild tells Alwin that she has taken her Pegasus Fribengest to scout the clouds. She continues to explain that these clouds have become laden with water but refuse to rain being greedy and unwilling to share their wealth. Tonild believes that she given time she could force the clouds to release the rains but during this period her people would be left without her protection. This she is unwilling to do since their are large numbers of piatek, beaked lions that prowl the tribes broders and threaten her people. It is her duty to fight the piatek and keep her tribe safe.
Alwin acknowledging Tonild's plight makes an offer, he will use his ability to travel the dawn brining a large army, along with supplies from the southern lands. Alwin and his warriors would then protect the Tonild's people while she flew to the sky to force rain from the clouds. Tonild's pride however is to great and she is unable to agree to Alwin's request leaving the feast. Later that night, Tonild is visited in her dreams by her sister Aethelu who counsels her sister to agree with Alwin, for Aethelu fears that without action the ranks of the underworld will soon swell with the dead and rebel against her. Taking solace in Aethelu's words Tonild consents to Alwin's decision.
Alwin returns the next morning with a host of southern warriors and carts of food and drink. Alwin's warriors position themselves to defend the tribe while Tonild's people continue to eat and drink replenishing their health. Tonild then mounts Fribengest and takes to the sky brandishing Liegetu she charges the clouds who relent and begin to release their rain. As Tonild dashes among the clouds spilling water down over the crops she is again met by a divine tressym. The creature explains to Tonild that she has flew to near the heavens and therefore must remain in the sky unable to return to her people. Tonild, in her anger, slashes the clouds with Liegetu releasing bolts of lightning and pounds her shield creating loud rumbling thunder. Eventually Tonild calms and asks the tressym for one favor, that she may speak with Alwin before she departs into the heavens.
Tonild being granted her chance to speak by the tressym addresses her people. She tells Alwin that he has shown great courage and wisdom passing to him rulership over her people. Her words spoken Tonild retires to the heavens. Alwin now named "Great Chief of the South" and with control over the majority of the northern tribes is thus named "King of Bothelm". Having united the northern and southern tribes he reigns in peace for many years. As his death draws near he is visited again by both Aethelu and Tonild, the two goddesses offer to guide Alwin into the sky so that he may forever guide the sun on its daily journey and bring peace to all the lands he sees. Alwin gratefully excepts and his soul, protected by Aethelu is taken by Tonild riding Fribengest brought to hang upon the sky, the brightest star of heaven guiding the sun's journey to bring each dawn anew.
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