The Tale of the Brothers

The story of Greater God Khonda and his Cursed brother, Melaak, is still passed down from generation to generation, more so near the Ebonwood. It is thought that the 'Day of Burdens', which is celebrated in the winter season, was started because of this exchange. The Tale of the Brothers is a favorite story told during the celebration.

The tale as told by those of Ebonguard:
"Melaak, so full of rage, came to the garrison alone. He stood in front of the gates and screamed his brother's name - Khonda - a name we had never heard. Nokyiita, came out from Ebonguard alone to confront the enraged Lukar, heavily sick with the Curse, against the wishes of the Guard. Everyone could hear the shouting, Melaak was so full of hatred for the kind Priest - but Nokyiita didn't have a drop of it in him for his brother. He spoke softly, so softly we could hardly hear it!

"'Melaak,' he said, 'you are of my blood. You did for me what I would have done for you, if I had been the elder one. I thanked Zyitalan every day for your sacrifice, and I prayed for you. The burden you carry is one of love; it saddens me so to see that love turned into hatred. It is the Crimson that turns your gaze red and that blinds you to our bond.'

"Melaak only grew angrier, his brothers words were like dry tinder to an infant flame. We heard him scream, 'Our bond?! It is because we are of the same blood that I am Cursed and you are a Staeri in Lukar furs! Zyitalan did not save you, I did! He is no god in my eyes; he is just the babbling of these gray skins!"

"The kind Priest remained silent a long time. Melaak was angry, we all knew that, but Nokyiita also knew this rage blinded him from being able to understand the blasphemy he shouted! To shame Zyitalan was something the kind Priest could not look past.

"Nokyiita asked his brother, 'Do you truly have so much hatred in you that you shun the very god that has led me here to save you?' 

"Melaak snarled, the sound like that of an enraged hound. 'To allow the Crimson to exist is to show me there are no gods. No god would allow the Curse to burn their world and rot their people!'

"'I pity you,' Nokyiita told him, 'not because you carry this curse, though I know it does burden you so. I pity you for you have closed your mind to help, to hope, and that is why you have become the beast you are today. Zyitalan would cure you, if you would accept his teachings.'

Other Tellings of the Tale
A bard song about the exchange is still sung in present times and is called 'The Song of [the] Brothers'.