Brand

 

Brand was once the patron of those who suffer unjustly. Though he had a cult, he was never known to intercede on behalf of those who deified him. Known as the slain god, it was he who was killed by the Kings of men when the Pretenders first came to Erenth. In vengeance for which, the other Pretenders went to war and decided to subjugate the Four Lands, consolidating them under their power.

Brand was sometimes referred to as the Son of Heimos, though he is not. The moniker nevertheless shows the great affection that Heimos had for the slain god.

Brand is depicted as a young man in his early twenties. He is always on his knees, pierced by a spear and clutching the shaft of it in pain. It is said that the depiction was less to arouse the pity and compassion of mortals and more to move the Pretenders on some matter that concerns mortals. The priests who invoked the idol of Brand, hoped to convince Heimos and others to recall their pain and take pity on those who also suffer.

The Princes of Erenes IV: The Rape of Beleseri and the Head of Mykrojurs

Alone of all the Princes of Erenes, Mykrojurs went into exile. He mourned deeply for the death of Brand and he despaired greatly for the kings of men. So he traveled into the mountains of the Land of Eastrun and there he lived among the giants as one of renown. One day, while walking along the mountain tops, he looked into the caves of that people and espied the giantess maiden, Beleseri, living among her people.

So stricken was he with her beauty that he stole among the caves at night and carried her off to his mountain redoubt. There he lavished her with every gift that his imagination could bear. Of men, creatures, plants and minerals he made gifts, but she would not consent to receive any of them, for she said that she was promised to another.

For two years and two days he made gifts of every kind, but still the virgin Beleseri, would not relent. So it was that eventually Mykrojurs entered unto her chamber and forced himself upon her until she was made to be with child. 

That evening Beleseri told the prince of Erenes that she would want only one gift, which she would receive with gratitude. Mykrojurs was elated saying, "I shall grant you two gifts of land, sea or sky -- whatever you ask."

So Beleseri asked for her freedom and the head of Mykrojurs. Which he granted to her that day. Beleseri used the riches of her house to entomb Mykrojurs and when her son Jondul became of age, she made a gift to him of his father's head.

The Princes of Erenes II: The Counsel of Heimos and the Deicide of Brand

When the chariot had come to rest upon the Aksus, Heimos, captain of the Princes, looked out upon the world of Erenth and declared that if man should heed their counsel, then the Princes would reward them. In return, the Princes would be as gods to them and protect them and keep them safe. And the people who were gathered there said, "Let it be," and paid obeisance.

Then to demonstrate their love and their trust, the Princes set aside the robes of their magnificence and the mantles of their regency; and they stepped foot upon the Aksus as if they were only the peers of men. But the kings of that time were savages and unlearned. They were jealous of the Princes incomparable wisdom and jealous of their luminous beauty and jealous of their immense power.

"If these Princes of Erenes come among us," they said, "we will have no more power forever."

So the kings of men attacked the princes and speared Brand, who was as a son to Heimos, the captain of the Princes. This kindled a great fury in Heimos who put on his robe of magnificence and the mantle of his regency. Then he raged with thunder and lightning and slew all of the kings who had come to him to pay obeisance.

Then the Princes of Erenes gathered around and their grief was great for the broken body of Brand, but the fear of their captain was even greater. 

"Let us each go out into the Four Lands, and tame the lords and kings of men, for they know only evil which they have learned from the Vyrum. Let us therefore go among them and show them a better way."

But Heimos could not be consoled in his wrath. He placed the body of his son, Brand, on a pyre made from the chariot and burned it upon the Aksus, while the princes slipped away in the darkness to fulfill their plan.

Mykrojurs went to the Land of Eastrun. Lamon went to Northrun, Umirra went to Southrun, Ris went to Westrun.