The Virgin and the Scales

“Come closer, children. Draw near so you can hear my words. Tell me, who knows the constellation above us? It should be clear, its stars are bright tonight.” The Astrion elder lifted his navy-robed hand and lifted the sleeve to the heavens.  

One of the Astrion children timidly lifted his hand. The Elder nodded and the child said, “It is Sincen, the Scales.”

“Good, child,” The Elder’s eyes crackled with electricity. “Children, why does Sincen glow tonight?”

“Because he is balanced,” the children chorused, their own eyes shining with lightning beneath their navy cowls.

“Exactly, and because of he is balanced we know that justice will be given, even in these dark times.” The Elder regarded the children gathered around the fire, then silently searched the grass around them for signs of Ghoulish fog, and was pleased to find none. He spoke to the children again, “Can anyone tell me why we say justice will be given beneath Sincen’s balance?” The Elder was met with silence and his eyes widened, “By the stars, what does Olcan teach you! Why don’t you know about Tarra?”

A different child spoke up after she had grown tired of her fellow’s silence, “He prefers to tell us about Marathem and Tathao.”

The Elder sighed, “Ah, the Feather and the Blades. Fitting, for these dark days. Sincen is well known because of another constellation- Tarra, the Virgin. We are here because of their convergence tonight.” His eyes crackled in delight as he saw Tarra shine brightly above them. The sight of the pair glowing by each other was always beautiful, casting a light that was brighter than the moon. This would be his third time seeing it in the sixty-four twelvemonths he’d lived, and it had never lost its majesty. “There she is, children, a span from Sincen’s left and above Dracon. Now, follow my finger. Here are Tarra’s skirts, now her hands, bent in prayer; and finally her head. Memorize this one, children, as you should with every star shape we’ve found.” The Elder lowered his hand and smiled as he saw the children trace the Virgin idly with their chalk-white fingers, a few even correcting their neighbors. Their attention drew back to him as he spoke again, “Do you know why they have a convergence?”

The children shook their heads. “Hhmph, we shall have to fix that,” the Elder said. Movement caught his eye. A robed figure walked toward them and sat on a tall rock at the edge of the fire. The Elder recognized him, “Hail, Astrionfound. You are lucky to have come tonight, for I am about to tell the children why tonight is important. Remind me, were you born this night?”

The children turned to look at the Astrionfound. He nodded, the mark of a branching lighnting bolt shining forth from his forehead. The Astrionfound’s blue eyes crackled with a different kind of lightning than the gathered Astrion. The Elder had only seen him a few times in the five twelvemonths the Astrionfound had been with them, but the shape of his cowl was familiar. He’d heard that beneath it was a draconic frill, like one of the Draconis who lived in Skydweller’s Forest.

The Astrionfound adjusted his cowl, revealing a yellow-scaled hand. He spoke in a voice with faint echo, “Yes, I was born this night forty twelvemonths ago.”

“Your name is Tarrasinc then?”

“It is the name I now claim.” Again, the faint roll of thunder could be heard in Tarrasinc’s voice, and the Elder wondered what race he hailed from. He couldn’t remember another race being a Stormcaller like them.

“Have you heard this tale before?” the Elder asked, prodding for more about the Adopted.

“Once or thrice,” Tarrasinc held up both sleeves of his robe, “I’ve told it myself once, and was heavily critiqued by the Vis-orc.”

The Elder laughed, “Oh, yes. The Vis-orc love Tarra dearly.” He remembered now who this Astrionfound was. A Phrygian, if he wasn’t mistaken. If he had heard right, the last one as well. He was growing too old to be retelling the tales if he had forgotten the only other Stormcalling race.

“Do continue, Elder,” the Astrionfound swept his hand to the children, “I have taken too much of your precious, allotted time.”

The children’s eyes returned to the Elder and he smiled, “Let me tell you, dear children, why tonight both Tarra and Sincen shine together in accord, as they do every twenty twelvemonths.

“Long, long ago, by the Sea of Midnight, there was a village called Ivoer. A woman named Tarra lived outside the village. She was a healer, and all who lived in Ivoer said she was beautiful to behold. One night as she was collecting her herbs along the shoreline, she saw a great flash. A crack of lighting struck the sand, and a man lay where it had struck. Tarra ran back to the village, and several men helped carry the stranger to her house.

“She nursed him back to health, and the village leader and several other curious folk visited when they could. They learned the man’s name was Nolen, and he was from far away. When asked where or any other question, he would shake his head and his countenance would grow so dismal that Tarra shooed out the visitors for fear her patient was growing further ill. 

“A twelvemonth passed and Nolen finally was hale. It was decided that he would help the fisherman in the village and that he would be a part of the village watch, ready to defend when needed. After a few months Nolen began to frequent Tarra’s house, finding every excuse to see her. Tarra was glad for these visits, for she deeply cared for Nolen. This often happens, children, when someone takes care of another for so long. A bond is formed without noticing, and it does not break easily.

“One day Nolen had an argument over fishing prices, and was attempting to express how he felt his captain was being cheated from his gold. Without warning thunderous lances from heaven struck the earth, and burned down a few ships and buildings. The town then learned that Nolen was mad, his mind broken by something in his past and it would lash out in destructive force. 

“Nolen was like us and Tarrasinc behind you: a Stormcaller, one of the races blessed with the lightning gift. Heed me well, children, our gift is gracious but also harmful. Nolen was mad, and it is a fearful thing to fall into a Stormcaller’s hands.” The Elder paused, and eyed the children. He thought he saw a strangle yellow glow pass Tarrasinc’s eyes, but thought it was nothing. “Keep your anger in check, young ones. We can be damaging in rage.

“Nolen was brought before the Seven Judges, and tried for his actions. They ruled him guilty. At the convincing of the gracious judge Sincen, Nolen was only sent out of Ivoer, but still remained part of the village. He built a home for himself a third of a league from the village and every day he went into Ivoer to work and left as soon as he was done. He only stopped to see Tarra if she happened to see him. She would insist that he come in and eat, saying with a laugh, ‘You aren’t eating enough, Thunderwalker. I fear you may waste away slow and alone in that home of yours.’” The children laughed and the Astrionfound’s eyes crackled with glee at the Elder’s voice. The Elder even laughed at himself, his deep voice booming, forgetting the dangers that may surround them. He didn’t sound like a young woman, no matter how hard he tried.

Once the laughter died down, the Elder continued, “Nolen would oblige, despite how tired he was. He felt refreshed in Tarra’s presence and her voice seemed to be a balm for him. Often it was late into the night when he would leave, then he would scarce fall asleep to wake the next morning for the boats. Months passed, and the town’s fear for Nolen faded. Their trust was reestablished with him, for when he was in one of his fits, he would find the quickest way outside the town. If he was on the boats, he would ask to be set adrift and be recollected the next day.

“Yet, Tarra saw all of this and it worried her. During the times she was not going about the village and visiting the sick, the healer was pouring over her mentor’s notes or asking traveling traders for books. She wanted to know how to cure Nolen’s madness, and was desperate for an answer. High and low she searched, and she realized that she would not find anything in Ivoer. She decided to leave and visit the cities of knowledge of her time. Before she left, she told Nolen, ‘I am leaving, Thunderwalker. Hopefully to find a way to help you. I shan’t be gone longer than a twelvemonth. Please, dear Nolen, keep my house cleaned and make sure the garden stays weeded.’” A few of the children giggled at the Elder’s voice again, but many were too enthralled in his words.

“‘Must you leave? My madness is bearable,’ Nolen asked her and took her hands in his while adding, ‘You shall be missed.’”

“‘By others, perhaps not, I have never been well loved among our village,’ Tarra said, looking away.

“Nolen responded softly, ‘I will miss you.’” At this a few of the children groaned and the Elder smiled. Children remained the same, no matter how many he told the stories to. 

He continued, “Tarra repeated, ‘I shan’t be long,’ and walked down the road with a heavy heart. Nolen felt the weight of everyday she was gone. The other townsfolk called him ‘listless’ and he often took night watches to keep his mind busy. As he was asked, Nolen would weed the garden and clean her house, often after his madness fits.

“He was on the nightwatch when Tarra returned, a twelvemonth to the day she left. He saw her before she reached the edge of Ivoer, and he ran to meet her. He took her to her house and guided her through her garden, saying, ‘Here is your garden, it is in bloom. And your house should be as clean as you left it.’

“Tarra was amazed. She had only been gone a twelvemonth, and Nolen had added to her garden. Thornflowers of red and white were planted in bushes, making rows for the flowers and herbs he planted. She saw a flower she’d never seen before, and asked, ‘What’s this?’ while picking up the blue flower.

“The light of the moon shone on them, and the constellationless sky twinkled as well, for in those days they constellations had yet to be formed. ‘I call it Researcher’s Will,’ Nolen said, as he impressed her hand around the flower and pressed it to her chest, ‘I named it after you.’ Tarra looked away from the flower and Nolen, but Nolen gentilly turned her face to look at him. ‘Why is your countenance lowered, Tarra?’ he asked.

“‘I found nothing,’ Tarra whispered, ‘Nothing in these lands can heal your mind. I don’t deserve your gifts.’

“Nolen laughed, and the crackle of thunder rose up in the distance, ‘I have made peace with it, dearest Tarra. I shall be content if I have you, even if my mind still becomes clouded.’ Nolen looked her in the eyes, ‘Would you have me?’

“Tarra smiled and said, ‘You do not know how often I have wanted to hear those words this past twelvemonth. Yes, Nolen, I would be happy to be your wife.’ The young couple rejoiced, and like two young fools Nolen ran with Tarra in his arms to the Seven Judges, announced their engagement, and set the time for their marriage. Ivoer was happy to see their joy, but many feared in the depths of their hearts for Tarra, and wondered what would happen if Nolen were to go mad with her close by.

“As the day approached Nolen continued to visit Tarra after the day’s work. They would talk about their upcoming wedding and which of their houses they would live in. Nolen often stayed far later than he should have, and the town became aware of it. Rumors were whispered about the young couple, but none dared bring up their charges to the Seven Judges.

“Three nights before the wedding, Nolen and Tarra were talking as usual. Without warning Nolen began uttering words Tarra couldn’t understand and a distance shone in his eyes. He flailed about her home, crushing anything that came in his path. Lightning danced outside the house and over the town. Black clouds rolled over the sky and rain poured down in droves.” The Elder saw movement ahead of him. A Watcher eyed the Elder, his robe covered in armor. The Elder held up a hand, telling him he wasn’t finished, but would be soon. He glanced up to the stars as he continued, “Tarra tried to stop him in his rage, but the effort was fruitless. Her clothes were torn by his strength and she was cast aside. Tarra gave a cry, and Nolen stopped his destruction. Yet still he babbled mad with eyes gone to the stars. Tarra held him in her lap, and tried to console him.

“The villagers of Ivoer knew how the storm that broke over them came to be, and the nightwatch was sent to find Nolen. They came to Tarra’s house and stepped inside when they found the door blown open. When they saw Tarra, hardly clothed and with Nolen in her arms, they assumed the worst. They dragged her and Nolen before the Seven Judges, whose hall lay by the sea. All the town demanded they be killed for fornication, as the law in Ivoer demanded. All Seven Judges were summoned because of the size of the crowd. The gathered mob gave testimony and Tarra was given no voice to speak or explain herself, but was silenced swiftly and harshly. Nolen could not give a defense either, for where his mind lay was beyond speech.

“When it came time for the Judges to decide their fate, six called that Tarra and Nolen were guilty. Judge Sincen rose to give his judgement, but first addressed the crowd, ‘My people, it is late. Would not rested minds make better judgements?’ But the crowd called for Tarra and Nolen’s death. Sincen asked for a bowl of water, and ceremonially washed his hands. ‘The judgement of my fellow Judges is not mine, let it not stand on my record. How can I with good conscience declare them guilty when I have not heard the accused speak? Exile them instead, let the Maker decide their fate.’ Sincen looked to Tarra with grace and Tarra felt comforted underneath his eyes. ‘Go in peace, child. May the Maker shelter you.’

“The crowd listened to Sincen’s words, and the Judges then oversaw the crowd as they put both raving Nolen and weeping Tarra onto a raft with naught but a blanket. They set the raft onto the Sea of Midnight and Tarra rose, clutching the blanket to herself, saying, ‘I am a virgin, despite your claims.’ Thus do we call her the Virgin constellation.” The Watcher eyed the Elder again, and the Elder nodded and rose to his feet.

“That is why Sincen and Tarra shine in accord every twenty twevlemonths: because Sincen was the only one to believe Tarra, though he only saw her face. It is said that when the Maker rose them up to be their star-shapes, they became good friends.” He looked to the heavens, and sighed. What he wanted the children to see was yet to pass, but sadly these dark days held him back. “It is said that Tarra survived the exile, and in a new land she began her life again. Thus we call the shining of Tarra and Sincen ‘The Beginning.’ As for Sincen, he went to become the most just judge on the earth, because he remembered the false judgement given to Tarra. Thus he shines when balanced, and she shines in accord with him every twenty twelvemonths. The tales of Sincen’s adventures are for another night, however. Our Watcher must guide us home.”

The children groaned, then silently shuffled to thier feet and followed the Watcher. The Elder threw dust over the fire and watched it sizzle out. He could find his way back to Ender on his own. He looked up, to see the shining of Tarra and Sincen one last time. The next time it would happen, he likely would be too old to see it.

“Is it true?” Tarrasinc asked. The Elder looked down. The Astrionfound had not moved from the rock.

“Is what true?” The Elder asked tenderly.

“That the sign above us, the one I was born beneath, it means ‘Beginning?’”

The Elder nodded, “Yes it is, and it is often used when speaking of a journey.” He looked up again, and saw a streak of light passed through Sincen and Tarra, and rested for a few fleeting heartbeats in Tarra’s hands. He smiled, glad to see Tarra and Sincen’s full majesty one last time.

Tarrasinc laughed, “Even in the heavens, she still watches over Nolen.”

“Yes, Tarrasinc, she does. Please don’t tarry long, Tarrasinc. The Ghouls’ servants wander at night.” The Elder walked toward the path the Watcher had taken the children.

“I am aware, Elder,” Tarrasinc whispered. Once he couldn’t hear the Elder’s steps, he removed his cowl and bared his scales to the night’s wind. ‘The Beginning,’ was it? Tarrasinc counted the ten stars that formed Tarra, and the fourteen that formed Sincen, tracing their patterns in his mind. He wondered if he would go on a journey, and save this land.

Was this truly a new beginning for him?