Clan of the Claw

A Little Power
S.M. STIRLING

And so Rantan Taggah spoke and the way was open. But he walked in blood and wept. “Why,” he demanded, “have you abandoned us in this forsaken land?” But there was no answer and the call to arms came again. There was no rest for three days and three nights. Then when the demons had been cast asunder, the Dancer Enni Chennitats told Rantan Taggah to sleep and he did. In his dream Assirra appeared. She stood tall with golden fur and eyes that glowed with the green of Spring. Around her the earth sang and stirred, bringing forth an unending vista of great fields of grass and grain in which countless herds grazed. “Lead our people home,” She commanded. “Go West and take them to the promised lands. Lead them and they will be free.” And Rantan Taggah knew that there was not greater need than to be free. So he sharpened his claws and regained his faith. On the next day he told the clan of his vision and Enni Chennitats Danced it until all understood and agreed. And so the people began to be free. – The Book of Mrem, verse forty-two