(Heaven's BBS)

[stonebird]

From: Dali
Date: October 22nd

(The burned room in her tower needs some t-l-c. Sansa has her soulless shinki helping her hang new draperies - quite a feat considering the size of the windows.)

I have my - Dali's - followers to thank for all of this fabric. I wondered if I should ask them for such a strange offering, but I do not regret it.

(She will make it up to them, somehow. Dusting off her hands, she pours two drinks, handing one to Eteri.)

Are there any rideable horses on the Far Shore, by chance? As I do not have a carriage or other means of conveyance, I must rely on walking otherwise.

(Especially since she is not fond of using magic unless push comes to shove.)

- no, thank you, Eteri. (Her expression softens at something the shinki says.) I can learn or sit sideways.

Comments

[stonebird]

Yes. She isn't cruel unless, of course, said hunter happens to have...ah...courted her? Then she can be a bit petty.

[unlucky7]

Wait, that sounds like an interesting story. Do you know it?

[stonebird]

Let me find the story... (There is a lengthy pause as she copies what is written; Sansa is accustomed to this sort of work. Copying pages from books was one way in which she learned how to write as a girl.)

"The most well-known of these stories involves an affair between Dali and a legendary hunter named Betgil or Betkil. Dali selects and pursues Betgil, and gives him a token of her favor ("a bead, ring, or charm"). She demands that he abstain from the touch of mortal females, including his own wife. For a time he is faithful to her, and as a result his hunts are always fruitful. Eventually, he breaks his vow with a mortal woman - most often his wife, but occasionally his sister-in-law - and this woman steals the goddess's love-token. In a rage, Dali transforms herself into a white deer or chamois and lures Betgil from his village to the top of her mountain. The path closes or crumbles behind him, forcing him to continue forward until he reaches the peak. There, the deer transforms back into Dali, who angrily confronts Betgil about his betrayal and the loss of her token. The path crumbles further and leaves him hanging by one hand and one foot. Dali disappears, leaving Betgil to either jump or fall to his death.

In some variations of the Betgil story, he is accompanied by the legendary hunting dog, Q’ursha. He is trapped on the mountain for several days, and eventually Q'ursha insisted that Betgil kill and eat him to survive. In some versions he goes through with it. In others, he kills the hound but cannot bring himself to eat him. Finally, in other versions, he sends the hound to his village for help instead. The villagers come to his aid and throw ropes to him, but Dali's mountain grows taller and taller and the ropes cannot reach him. Again, he falls to his death."

[unlucky7]

[Ginia takes her time reading the story. It's an interesting one that raises questions. Did Betgil willingly enter the arrangement or was he forced into it by Dali. If he entered the arrangement of his own will, breaking his vow and losing the love-token falls on him alone. But if he was forced, then the terms were unfair in the first place. And did Betgil's wife have any say in the situation? Never mind the additional party of his sister-in-law. She considers the angles as she reads and rereads the story, ultimately writing back with:]

A very interesting story. Thank you for sharing. Dali is an interesting deity, one who takes rules and vows very seriously.

Poor Q'ursha.

[stonebird]

(The world may never know! Sansa thinks the entire arrangement and following fatality was...over-dramatic. She has no intention of following along with her goddess's more lustful side.)

She is and her stories tell much about the Georgian culture and people.

I agree. Hounds are so often mistreated or taken for granted.

[unlucky7]

In the versions where Betgil does not eat Q’ursha after his sacrifice, it's a great dishonor to him. Better are the versions where Q’ursha survives though. He is a good dog to accompany his master, but that does not mean he should die for his master's faults.

[stonebird]

I prefer it if he survives. Some value the loyalty of a dog over a dog's life, but I don't. They feel as we feel and to pretend otherwise is to be willfully blind.

[unlucky7]

Do dogs fall under your domain? A pity if they don't; you would take good care of them.

[stonebird]

Hunting dogs would surely interest Dali - and wolves too. We raised hunting dogs at Winterfell - my home. I admire them.

[unlucky7]

May I ask what Winterfell is like? It is interesting hearing about where others are from. ["Because I can't remember my world."]

[stonebird]

Winterfell is -

It's a very old castle. It was once the home of the King of the North. My family has lived there for generations and most of them are buried in a crypt underneath.

There is a godswood on the grounds and that is where my father would go to pray.

[unlucky7]

You're royalty then?

What is a godswood?

[stonebird]

I am a noble, technically, though the blood of kings and queens does run in my veins.

It is a grove of weirwood trees. They are common all across Westeros, but in the North, it is where we pray to the Old Gods.

1/2

[unlucky7]

What are the Old Gods like? Are any of them represented here?

2/2

[unlucky7]

I'm sorry, I'm asking too many questions and taking up your time.