Twin Pillars in Dust
A fictional parable of siblings and bitter times
Once, deep in the wastes, and before the first bonecrafts, a brother and sister were born on the same dusk to clanless parents. There would be no pity if the land grew bitter or angry. If the animals died, no aid would come. No patron deity softened their steps, and they asked no favors.
Their parents loved both equally in all things, and taught them to thrive in the dusty wastes between the many gods and their chosen clans.
The boy was strong and tall with a mane like the sun and a smile that never cracked. The girl was slight and quick with hair like night, a mind sharp as knives, and deep black eyes that could water the wastes.
The twins stood tall and together in all things.
When their burrow had guests, the boy taught his sister to smile and to speak the sharp edge of her mind. The girl taught her brother how to hold his tongue and not offend.
When predators came as men or beast- the boy taught her how to plant her feet and use the ground’s strength to land a mighty blow. The girl taught him how to watch his enemy for frailty, know their weakest points and motions, and strike both deep and true.
When they came of age and sought mates, the sister taught him how to touch a woman so she did not shrink…
