The Song of Sarawaq the Magnificent

Gi Larik De Sara Waq Culanofira

 

The Song of Sarawaq the Magnificent is the national myth of the Perfidian civilisation, perhaps analogous to the Illiad of ancient Greece, the epic of Gilgamesh or the Nieblungenlied. It was a very important text to the Perfidians, and was copied many times and widely distributed. It therefore exists in a very complete form, and tells the story of Valubani, Prince of the Sara, and the ultimate origins of the founding of the Perfidian civilisation.

 

Below is how the Song begins

 

How Valubani grew to be a man

This is the song of songs, the song of the most renowned warrior, Prince of the Sara people, foremost amongst men, hero, leader and poet. 

He was born in the farthest East to a noble family, and he was called Valubani, Son of the Wolf, as his father was called Valulipa, Wolf Mountain. His father was the Waq of a great hoard of warriors and horses. They were called the Sara, they spoke a language called Perfida, and all men feared them. All the surrounding peoples had to bring tribute to Valulipa, for fear that otherwise he would take what he wanted from them by force of arms. 

Valulipa Waq had a store of treasure so vast that, however much he gave to his nobles and chieftains, it never diminished. He brought his son Valubani up to be a great warrior, a fearless horseman and a leader of his people. No boy in the Sara camps could beat him at archery, wrestling or horsemanship. 

Valubani’s mother was called Stamufari, Dream Star, and she was the fairest woman of all the lands, with whom no-one could find fault. From his infancy she taught him many things - above all that he must be brave and strong, and lead his people when his time came, but also that honour is as important to a leader as courage, and that it is not the way of the warrior to harm innocent people..

 All the prominent lords of the Sara acknowledged without dissent that Valubani would be the first War Chieftain and Waq when Valulipa died. 

When he first became a man, he was given a helmet of the strongest iron with fine copper decoration, a mighty shield with iron boss and bands, and a powerful sword called Drakobari, Dragon’s Fire. He had a great charger to ride, a war steed called Sitori, Victory. Many times he rode out with the Sara hoard and raided many lands. 

He and Sitory responded to the war trumpets with pride and valour, Valubani brandishing Drakobari and singing out war cries, and Sitori snorting and pawing the ground eagerly. 

His upbringing was strict and disciplined, but no material thing that he desired was denied him, and no-one but his mother and father commanded him. Valubani wanted nothing other than to be a great warrior and leader to the Sara people. Riches and fine clothes meant nothing to him, only honour and leadership. 

Leading the raids into enemy territory was his greatest pleasure, and stealing the horses of his enemy an unparalleled joy. When he drew Dracobari his warriors roared with great strength, and his enemies quaked in mortal fear. 

His enemies were afraid even of his horses, and nothing pleased him at the day’s end more than roasting a goat plucked from their flocks and drinking plundered wine.

How Valubani entered the great forest

Valulipa Waq summoned all his vassals to his hall, and received their year’s tribute - gold, silver, furs, amber, cows, sheep, chickens and goats. The year had only just begun

and there was snow on the earth and ice on the rivers. As his vassals dispersed, he shared the tribute that they had brought with his lords and kinsmen. 

“Hark, men of the Sara - Spring is coming and there will be no war this year. Our vassals are obedient, and our enemies have been beaten for now. We must remain vigilant, but nothing threatens our land at present.” 

All the folk of the Sara were glad and they feasted upon the choicest meats and the best of the wine. 

Then Valulipa said to his son, “My boy, you are a man now, although still young, and no danger draws near this season. Go abroad with your companions, hunt and explore, and be free of care for a while.” 

Accordingly, Valubani gathered together those of  his companions who were the best hunters, young men and women, and told them to prepare to go out into the country, to hunt and roam freely. 

The band prepared for a few days away, put on their hunting clothes, then mounted their horses and rode off. They had supplies of food and wine and plenty of arrows for a great hunting party. After three days they came to a great expanse of woodland, which they deemed ideal for the hunting of deer. Into the woods they rode, and soon Valubani spied a white hart, the like of which he had never seen. He swiftly gave chase, but the hart was fleet of foot and led him further and further into the woods which became ever thicker and darker. 

Valubani would not give up the chase for he was determined to take the white hart as a trophy, but he gradually became separated from his fellows, who could not keep up with him. 

As good a huntsman as Valubani was, the white hart proved elusive and eventually escaped him. He had been utterly taken up with the pursuit, but now he realised that he was alone and completely lost. He sat down upon a fallen tree and considered his best course. Just then a white bird flew near and, to his amazement, he discovered that he could understand the bird’s song. 

“Take this path out of here, Prince, and you will come to a great city.” she sang, pointing the way with her wingtip. 

Having no other way, Valubani followed the path that the bird had shown him, and after several hours, came to the edge of the wood. It was much warmer here than it had been in the lands of the Sara, and as he rode further on until he eventually came to a broad river. There being no bridge, he followed the river downstream until he came to an orchard. It was by now late afternoon and he had not eaten for hours, so he dismounted, tethered his horse, and picked some apricots and figs. After he had eaten the fruit he wandered into the orchard and found a nanny goat eating windfalls. 

He caught the goat and milked her, collecting the milk in his helmet and drinking it to slake his thirst. 

“Now I must wash out my noble helmet, for it must not stay soiled with this milk.”, he thought. Walking back down to the river, he rinsed the helmet and dried it with some leaves.

 

How Valubani met the River Maiden

 

He wandered along the riverbank until he found a large flat rock to sit upon. He sat in the sun for a long time, just watching the river and the sacred herons as they stood so perfectly still. 

Suddenly he saw ripples in the water and a flash of long yellow hair. To his amazement, the waters broke revealing the head and shoulders of a water maiden. He had never seen any creature like her before - living under the water, as she did, away from the sun, her skin was very pale, her hair was light yellow like the sand on the river bed, and her eyes were as green as the water.

 

“And who are you, young huntsman? I know all the men that come down to the river but I have never seen you here before.” she asked.

“I am Valubani, Prince of the Sara, and earlier today I was hunting with my fellows. But I do not know this land and got lost in the forest until a little bird showed me a path that has led me to your river.”

The nymph smiled. “This river is called the Danfel - it is not mine but the god of this river is my father. My sisters and I live here with him. 

So tell me - what do you plan to do now? I can’t believe that you are content just to sit here forever”

 

“The bird that I met in the forest told me that if I followed the river, I would come to a great city. I want to go there as I have never seen a city. The Sara live in wooden longhouses and felt tents. My father has a wooden hall and that is the biggest building I have ever seen.”

“The bird told you the truth,” she said, “follow this river downstream and you will come to the city of Danfelgor, which is ruled by a just and mighty Gorak. 

Wait a moment.”

 

The river sprite plunged deep down under the water, fleet and graceful as an otter. After a few moments she reappeared, holding up a fish which wriggled and flashed in her hands.

“Here,” she said, “here is something that will ensure that you will be welcomed in Danfelgor.”

Valubani waded into the water to take the fish from her, but he was careful not to touch her, as he had heard that such water spirits are not always to be trusted.

“Thank you,” he said, “but how will a fish ensure that I am welcome there?”

“Only take your sharp knife, open the fish, and you will see the worth of what I have given you.”

 

Doing as she bade him, Valubani immediately saw inside the fish’s belly a heavy ring, curiously worked of pure red gold. He had seen such rings on the hands of the Sara nobles, and knew it must be valuable. He did not know - and neither did the nymph tell him - how powerful the ring would be in the hand of its rightful owner.

“Take the ring with you, but keep it hidden until you see the Gorak himself in Danfelgor. It belonged to his wife, but it was lost many years ago, and now she is dead. Give it to him, and he will be greatly indebted to you. But show it to no-one but him, neither speak of it to anyone.”

“Now I must be gone - follow the river young Prince. Ride on and find your destiny. Farewell.”

With that she disappeared under the green waters as quickly as she had come.

 

Valubani sat back down on the rock, holding the ring in his hand. It took him several minutes to overcome his surprise at what had just happened to him, and he wondered for a moment if he had imagined it. But, of course, the ring was real, and the fish lay at his feet. Recovering himself, he hid the ring in his wallet and made a small fire. Sharpening a stick to use as a spit, he grilled the fish - after he had eaten it he made a rough shelter where he could sleep that night.

 

How Valubani came to Danfelgor

He awoke shortly after daybreak, sprung up and plunged into the river, swimming for a few minutes to wake himself up. Then he waded back to the bank, dressed himself and saddled his horse. With a new day ahead of him, he rode in the direction the nymph had told him, hoping to see the city before too long.

By mid morning he started to see farms and small settlements, and he encountered peasants that looked up at him and nodded without smiling. After a while he asked a farmer driving past in his cart if he was on the right way to Danfelgor.

“Oh yeah,” said the farmer, “keep straight on down ‘ere, and yer be there soon enough.”

 

By about midday, he saw in the distance the stone towers and walls of Danfelgor. He had never seen stone buildings before, nor any human construction as big as this great city. On he rode until he got to the massive gate of Danfelgor, which was guarded by soldiers holding fearsome halberds and with swords by their sides.

“Ho-up! Who goes there? Make yourself known if you would enter here.” cried the Serjeant of the Watch.

“I am Valubani, Prince of the Sara, come in peace to see the great Gorak.”

“Are you now? Well in that case, I must send for the Keeper of the Royal Keys. Please wait here.”

 

Presently an older man with a long beard and fine linen robes came out through the gate.

“Young man, you say you are a prince, yet you come alone and in hunting gear.”

Valubani told him the whole story of the hunting expedition, the white hart, and the talking bird. 

But of the water maiden, he said nothing.

“Well,” said the Keeper of the Keys, ”your dress and accoutrements are certainly of very good making and by the way you speak Perfid you are a nobleman at least, so please enter in.

Under more normal circumstances, and having had due prior notice, we would have organised a better reception, but as it is I must consult the High Chancellor. The Serjeant will conduct you to a nearby inn, where you will be able to rest and refresh yourself. The ale there is very good, I can assure you, and I recommend the roast beef.”

 

The Serjeant led him to a fine old inn, called the Tiger’s Head, where his horse was taken through to the stables, and Valubani shown to his room.

“If the Prince will come down when he's ready, we will be pleased to provide ale and whatever he would like to eat.”, said the landlord of the inn, a stout clean-shaven man with a red face, a sleeveless coat that reached to his knees and a cheerful expression.

Valubani was not particularly weary, but he could not resist laying down for a while - he had never seen a bed so big and comfortable before, and the feather pillows and quilt were a marvel to him. He had a wash, and regretted that he had no change of clothes, but he was thirsty and hungry so he went downstairs anyway.

The inn was old but spacious and very comfortable, the ale was indeed good and Valubani ate plenty of the roast beef, a delicacy he had never had before, as the Sara people only ever boiled beef.

He offered to pay but the innkeeper said it was all taken care of, thank you very much.

 

How Valubani came to meet the King

After two days a middle aged man came into the inn asking for him. He was wearing clothes that were clearly costly, but of a design that seemed very strange to Valubani, and were quite different to the clothes all the other Danfelgorians were wearing. The man announced that he was the Chief Equerry to the Court, which seemed to be some kind of title, and bowed before he spoke to Valubani.

 

“O, Prince, Hail to thee, I am expressly commanded by the mighty Gorak to convey to thee his most ernest salutations and his dearest desire that thou should come with alacrity into his regal presence, that he might acquire thine acquaintance, and enjoy discourse with thee.”

Valubani had never heard such talk, but gathered with some difficulty that this meant that the King wished to see him, and that the courtier would take him to the palace.

The courtier bowed again with a sweeping gesture, and asked Valubani to accompany him.

 

They walked together through the bustling streets of Danfelgo, passing fine houses, shops, the stores and the warehouses of merchants, a busy marketplace and several taverns. The Heron banner of Danfelgor was flying everywhere, Everybody that Valubani saw seemed so prosperous and content - even the old people were sprightly and active looking.

Eventually  they arrived at the palace gate, which, like the city gate, was heavily guarded. This time however, the guards immediately opened the huge gate and parted to make way for Valubani and the Chief Equerry. Indeed, the Serjeant even saluted them with his sword.

 

 

Inside the gate, the palace grounds made a complete contrast to the busy streets of Danfelgor. 

Everywhere there were tiled pavements and courtyards, each with its own tinkling fountain. All was quiet and calm, and everyone moved with a sense of purpose, as if everything in the palace was carefully organised. Valubani was impressed at the fineness of dress of the inhabitants of the palace, which was clearly of very high quality, but without ostentation.

 

He was taken to a quiet courtyard with shaded cloisters, and asked to wait. Valubani was glad of the shade as it was a hot day. He did not understand how it was warm and sunny on this side of the great forest when in the lands of the Sara it had been early Spring and still cold, with snow that had yet to melt. He was brought some iced water with pieces of some kind of unfamiliar fruit in it, which he gratefully drank..

Eventually, another courtier wearing the same kind of clothes as the Chief Equerry came to him and using the same kind of elaborate speech, announced that he was a Gentleman of the Bedchamber, and asked Valubani to follow him into the presence of the mighty Gorak.

 

They entered the main part of the palace building, walking along a magnificent hall with statues, frescos of heroic scenes, stained glass and a painted ceiling depicting many images of the gods. At the far end of the hall was a pair of elaborately carved doors of dark wood that reached from the floor almost to the high ceiling. In front of the doors stood a group of what Valubani took to be lesser courtiers, wearing similar but less elaborate versions of the costume of the Chief Equerry. They all made sweeping bows and two of them opened the tall doors, which gilded open with an ease which Valubani found surprising.

 

The Chief Equerry came out to greet Valubani, bowing with his arms spread in front of him, and ushered him into the Royal Reception Room.

“Your Serene Majesty, I crave thy indulgence that I may presume to introduce to thy Grace, Valubani, Prince of the Sara, who has favoured us with his visit to thy Baldanfelgorvik. All hail to thee, Highness.” he said as he turned and approached the throne where the Gorak was seated.

Valubani was surprised to see that the Gorak was dressed far more simply than his courtiers, wearing just a simply cut linen robe and a plain linen shawl loosely draped around his shoulders.

 

“Aha,” he cried, “Valubani! Where have you been? I was expecting you yesterday for dinner!”

The Chief Equerry spoke before Valubani could explain that he had simply been waiting at the inn until summoned.

“Oh, Supreme Lord - the Prince was waiting upon thy pleasure, but the protocol is extensive, and the etiquette must be followed - unfortunately the High Chancellor had matters of state to attend to, so the procedure was somewhat delayed.”

“I see,” said the Gorak,  “so be it. 

You may leave us now, for I wish to speak privately to the Prince.”

Words cannot express the disappointment on the Chief Equerry’s face.

“Of course, Majesty - just as you command.”

 

Once he had left the room, the Gorak turned to Valubani and smiled.

“Welcome to Danfelgor, Valubani - my name is Baldan and I am the Gorak of the Baldanfelgorvik. It is very good to see you here - it has been so long since I saw a member of your family. 

I don’t know if you have ever heard, but my father and your grandfather knew each other well, long ago.

Our peoples, the Danfelgorians and the Sara, are related and we speak the same language, Perfida, so we have no problem understanding each other.”

 

“Thank you,” said Valubani, “I am glad to be here. I have never seen anything like your great city before, nor your wonderful palace. I had no idea that you knew my people or my family, but I am, of course, glad that you do.”

 

“So, where have you been these last two days? Where did they put you?”

 

“I have been in the Tiger’s Head - my horse and I have been well looked after.”

 

“Ah yes, I know the Tiger’s Head - I go there in disguise sometimes…

Well, anyway,they should have got you here much more quickly, but never mind now, I suppose. We will sort you out a guest room later, and I will send a groom to the Tiger’s Head for your luggage and your horse.”

“I haven’t got any luggage there, but I would be grateful if my horse could be looked after.”

“Is he a good horse?”, asked Baldan.

“Oh yes, he’s my very best hunter - I would hate to lose him.”

“He will be as safe in the stables here as anywhere in the world, so fear not.”

 

“Now, as I said, I was informed of your presence in Danfelgor andI thought you would be here last night, but the palace officials always make sure that their protocols and etiquette come before everything... 

They hold these hereditary positions for life, passed down from father to son, and they will accept no change. Everything must be done as it always has been. The joke is that these traditions are nothing like as old as they believe…

Be that as it may, I have told them, you know, for example, that their daughters should also be eligible to take up these posts, but they won’t agree.

I actually suspect that they cannot find girls who are willing to take it on -  they would have to undergo endless training until they know every word and every gesture, and at the end of it, the job must be crashingly boring. I feel sure that the girls find more productive things to do.”

 

“But you are the Gorak, surely you could command the courtiers to change, or you could just abolish their positions?” 

“Oh, but they would be so upset - It is all they know - they wouldn’t be capable of doing anything else. And then what would we do with them?” Baldan laughed. “They don’t annoy me that much really - most of the time I just ignore them, and I very rarely participate in their little bits of play acting any more.”

 

“Anyway, it’s nearly midday - have you had anything to eat yet? I haven’t, I know that much,       and I’m starving”

Valubani shook his head - “No - the Tiger’s Head is very comfortable and the food is marvellous, but they forgot to offer me any breakfast.”

“Ha - they didn’t forget, Valubani. In Danfolgar we don’t normally eat until noon. Come along, and let’s go down to the kitchens and see what they have for us.”

 

They left by a small door to the rear of the Reception Room, and took a spiral staircase down into the basement, where Valubani could smell wonderfully savoury aromas of cooking. Entering the vast kitchen area, they were approached by a huge man dressed all in white.

“Good morning, my Lords,” he said, spreading his hands in a welcoming gesture. “ You must be hungry?”

The Gorak laughed - “How did you guess? Now, Kitchenmaster Peliks, this is Valubani, Prince of Sara, and he is even hungrier than me.”

The Kitchenmaster smiled, and gestured towards an open door.

“Please do me the honour of coming into my office, and we will get you both something that you will enjoy.”

“With the greatest of pleasure, Peliks, but please send the Footman of the Kitchens up to the Chamberlain’s office, and inform him that we will not be requiring the formal luncheon that I know he will very soon be advising you to prepare. Ha - he will be so cross.” said the Gorak, laughing once more.

 

Inside the Kitchenmaster’s office, which was larger than Valubani had expected, was a table and four chairs.

“Please sit down, and have a glass of wine - I shall soon be back.”

The Gorak reached for a pitcher and two glasses and poured out some wine of a deep golden colour.

“Welcome once more, Valubani.”

“Thank you so much, Majesty - here’s to your health and long life.”

“And to yours. No-one, ever, eats better than at the Kitchenmaster’s own table, I promise you that. 

Now, before we go on, you must call me Baldan - that is my actual name. My regal name is much longer and I won’t bore you with it.”

 

Presently, a young man in cook’s garb brought in three plates with a large boiled lobster on each, followed by dishes of steamed asparagus and new potatoes. A large sauceboat of melted butter was placed on the table, along with another pitcher of wine.

The Kitchenmaster returned and sat down.

“Very well,” he said, “I hope all is to your liking.”

“Excuse me,”said Valubani, “but what is this fearsome creature, with its crimson armour and mighty claws? Is it a newly-hatched dragon straight from the egg?”

“No, no - it’s called a lobster. It is a sea creature, like a giant prawn.”

“Oh, I see,” Valubani replied, not seeing at all, for he had no idea what a prawn was either.

 

So good was the food that they ate almost in silence until everything was finished. Valubani had never eaten anything like it, and the wine was beyond any he had ever tasted before.

“How was that?” asked the Gorak.

“I have never eaten anything better, thank you.”

The Kitchenmaster beamed all over his face, and rose to his feet.

“I look forward to the honour of seeing you at my table again soon.” he said.

“You certainly will.” said Valubani, with a huge grin.

How Valubani met the Princess

 

Valubani was given a large chamber, with an enormous bed and a huge bathtub. In it were cavernous hanging cabinets with many robes similar to those worn by Baldan and shoes of the softest leather. He had noticed that only the guards carried weapons inside the palace complex, and therefore he left his in the chamber, even though it felt very strange to be without them. The men of the Sara never went anywhere without a sword at the very least.

 

He was treated with the highest respect everywhere he went, and he saw the Gorak quite often, dining with him down in the kitchens several times. After several days a courtier came to him and told him that his presence in the royal chambers was required that afternoon. Valubani of course agreed to this, but he wondered what the King could want of him. At two o’clock a footman came to his rooms and conducted him to Baldan’s chambers.

“Ah, my Prince - good to see you. Thanks for coming. I hope it wasn’t inconvenient?”

“No, of course not - It goes without saying that I am at your complete disposal.”

“Good, good. Here, please sit down. Would you like some tea?”

 

They sat at a window seat that overlooked a beautifully tended garden. At first, Baldan made small talk, enquiring how Valubani was settling in, and if everything was to his satisfaction. 

After a while though he seemed to become a little more serious and asked Valubani how it was that he had come to find Danfelgor. Valubani told him the whole story of the hunting expedition, the white hart, and the talking bird. 

But of the water maiden, he said nothing.

“I see”, said Baldan, “so the white hart and the white bird led you to us. Is that right? These two? It is true that the great forest is full of magic, as you must have realised”

Valubani sensed that Baldan must know that there was more to the story than he had explained, and he remembered the water nymph’s words. It was to the King that he must give the ring.

“No, my king, there is more.” He told Baldan all about his encounter with the River Maiden, and drew from his wallet the ring.

“This, I believe, is yours.” he said, passing the ring to Baldan, “She said it was your wife’s, but was lost.”

 

The expression on the Gorak’s face was beyond description.

“Oh, that this ring should be recovered after all these years. This is beyond my dearest hope. The River Maiden gave you this? Oh my boy, I can scarcely credit this! Tell me all, I must know what happened.”

So Valubani told him all about the nymph diving below the waters, giving him the fish and how he opened the fish as she told him, and found the ring.

“She told me to give it to you alone, and to mention it to nobody but you.”

“But this is wonderful, wonderful. You cannot know what this means to Danfelgor.”

Valubani certainly did not know - to him a ring was just a ring.

“We need the Princess’ presence here straight away. The ring is her’s now that her mother is dead.”

Baldan rang a small bell, which caused a footman to appear almost immediately.

“Ask the Princess to attend us here at her earliest convenience. You are to tell her that it is of the greatest importance. We will await her here. Make haste.” 

 

Valubani and the king had some more tea, and talked about nothing in particular. There were questions in Valubani’s mind, but he had witnessed enough diplomacy in his father’s hall to know that it would be better to let the answers come freely once the Princess was with them.

After perhaps twenty minutes, a page entered the room and announced the Princess. The doors opened wide and she entered without unnecessary ceremony. No-one who saw her would ever take her for anything other than a Princess.

She approached the two men, smiled, and said, “You asked for me, Father.”

“I did, my dear, and you will be glad, I’m sure, that you came so promptly. I must introduce Valubani, Prince of Sara, who has brought us a gift beyond price. Please be seated.”

The Princess did as he asked.

“Valubani, may I introduce Pellae, my daughter, the Gorakain of the Baldanfelgorvik.”

Valubani rose and bowed his head slightly. “I am honoured to meet you, Princess.”

The King paused for a moment and then extended his hand towards Valubani.

“Pellae, the Prince has brought this back to us. It is a miracle.”

He held out his hand to Pellae and opened it to show her the ring.

 

“The ring that was your mother’s and was lost for so long has returned to Danfelgor. Take it.”

The Princess did so, and asked Valubani how he had come by it. Once again he told the story of the white hart, the white bird and the River Maiden, this time omitting nothing.

“But this is wonderful - we will never, ever be able to thank you enough - you will be a friend of Danfelgor forever.”

She smiled at the Prince, and in her heart she thought, 

“The ring has returned, and in such a manner - this has not happened by chance. The white hart, the bird, the nymph and this rustic Prince.

This is destiny.”

 

 This is the end of the First Scroll

 

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