Two Brothers

Original poem written by Ademal!

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Two brothers on the ice. One mighty. One small.

The ice squealed under foot, fissures and cracks spinning off into the distance as the rival siblings danced upon.

With a great stomp of his feet and heave of his arms, the smaller threw his blade at the larger. In his accuracy he sank the blade through and through his brother's skull. In his frenzy he sank his foot through the ice.

His brother fell. Down. Then through.

Two holes in the ice. One mighty. One small.

Summary

In the isolated and frozen reaches of the north, the local peoples of the land tell a story of two brothers. It is told by the elders of the many tribes, often on the cusp of nightfall. It is a story about rivalry, about a break of trust in family. The original explanation behind their battle on the ice is lost to the ages, and so the myth of the brothers is used instead as a lesson of love and forgiveness.

Should there be conflict within the tribe, within a family- there will be the telling of this story. No matter the basis of the rivalry, the death and betrayal each brother caused the other is met with fear of succumbing to the deadly waters.

Historical Basis

What could have happened to immortalize this myth into spoken word, learned and repeated throughout generations of people? Perhaps there really was a rivalry between two brothers so intense so as to have one commit murder. No matter the origin, it is still held as one of the countless legends told amongst the people of the north. The pain, the sense of betrayal that echoes through the minds of many; it is as heart-wrenching as the tears of the elder who warns her grandchildren of the dangers their fights in the north will bring. Many can only hope these younger ones will heed her words, as they had done so before.

Spread

The frozen water in Iledrith's northernmost lands is deadly, yet sacred. The tribes that live in this harsh area rely upon the animals that call the oceans their home, and they could not live without it. Yet, this source of survival does not come without costs. Every year, children drown, fishermen go missing after a trip, and death is sure to claim the souls of anyone who is unlucky enough to fall underneath the near constant layer of ice. Therefore, this legend follows the icy winds of the north, whispering to these tribes of the ancient danger accompanied by conflict.

I loved my brother. With all my heart. He was my second half, he was.. my better half. But he betrayed me. He has brought pain, suffering, and a devastation upon this family that will never be fixed. He must pay. My dear brother.. How I loved you so. I only hope Iliana forgives the sin I am about to commit. I am sorry. Forgive me in your next life, as I will you.