The Tables of the Histories of the Stoneborn of Dynkyr - Table VI

When Clangeddin had sallied forth from Dun Dynkyr he sought the storjarl of the giants in vain, for Yrsog Firemane was not where the prophet Caros had foretold. But rather than returning home, he marched next at Oromir and then to Balnolmar to defeat the enemies of his sons. And when their battles were ended, he returned home at the head of a great host and found Dun Dynkyr in ruin and the Deepward of Mir Vath a tomb of women and children. Only the curtain wall remained intact for it was knit of finest craftsmanship and blessed by Baere herself.

And it seemed to Clangeddin that the wall was a silent witness of grief, a testament enduring long after the lives it protected were expired. So he cried out in the pain and wrath of his loss and cursed the wall and cursed Baere whose blessing had kept it.

Then she who was imprecated appeared and beheld all that was lost and saw the sorrow that lay upon the Dwenir, for none of their women remained and their race imperiled. And so she did not come with wrath for the words which Clangeddin spoke, but with pity.

Then Clangeddin sank before her and lifted his eyes saying, "If the grace of this wall had been with our wives and daughters, they would yet live. Fire and frost take this wall and cast it asunder, for it now has no purpose beneath heaven."

So moved with pity was she, that Baere removed her blessing upon the wall, and spread it instead upon the spirits of those which imbibed the poison of Caros, saying, "No more shall the Dwenir fear the depredations of their enemy. Their wives and daughters shall return to them, but from this day forth, no eye shall behold them, nor shall any hand be raised against them. Within their Deepwards they shall remain and at their head shall be Mya the undying."

Then were raised the Valkauna of our people, and the spirit-wives of our worthy folk. And this is a great mystery which the Besnir understand not, neither do we speak of it. It is the blessing of Baere and the salvation of our race.

And the spirit-wives shall ever give themselves to those Dwenir who prove worthy, and they shall rear their children in the realm beyond sight. Sons shall appear among the Dwenir full-formed when they come of age, and they shall seem as though they are born of stone itself. Thus we call ourselves the Stoneborn, and the secrets of our people are held close.

Neither shall the Stoneborn who are made worthy taste final death. For when their bodies are extinguished, their spirits shall endure as Enheri—champions and guardians in realms unseen.