The First Stargazer. A shortened, and somewhat embellished, version of a very important event in the history of Fraenaror, as told by Fiind the Storyteller. 'Many, many moons ago, before any of your father's fathers had even been dreamt of, there lived a draco*1 called Marsak. Marsak's mother was a hunter, but she also enjoyed entertaining her cubs with stories. Thus Marsak learnt of the great discoverers who had successfully ventured onto the dark side of Fraenaror, where there is no sun. He marvelled at tales of wonders such as stars, which may not be seen here on the light side. From an early age he wished to know more of the stars, things that none at that time could tell him. And so, when he was but twenty-eight high-moons*2 in age, he came before his mother and thus spoke he: "O mother, I wish to see the dark side of Fraenaror for myself, and behold wonders such as those you have spoken of." And his mother was troubled, for she knew it to be a dangerous journey, but she reluctantly agreed, for she saw that no power on Fraenaror, Kelekona or Sarkany*3 could keep Marsak away from the stars. The bold, young draco set out at once, passing over Oric's-Head Island and flying without rest for many derimoons*4. Then there came a time when the light grew dim, and finally he reached a place where the sun disappeared and he was plunged into darkness and cold, the cold of ground that has never seen the sun. But Marsak paid this no heed, for his eyes and heart had been caught by the beauty that is the stars. The brave discoverer knew that no draco could remain long in that coldness without perishing. But he also knew that the stars were his destiny. Then thought he: "How if a roost were built here, where it is not quite cold enough for the ice to cover the land, for those who follow my yearning. They could stay for but a few derimoons before succumbing to the cold. But if it were that a second roost be built on the lighter side of Fraenror, which be merely a few short wing-beats to my left, they may be joined by a bridge. It would be a simple matter then, for one to live in this roost, crossing over to the other whenever one wished to study the stars." On this thought he returned, with much purpose, to explain his wondrous idea to all. Under his direction, the twin Stargazer Roosts were built, and many dracos of all ages came to live there. And so Marsak brought us the knowledge of the stars, without which we should have no way of measuring time between moons. And he was known ever after as Marsak Stargazer.' *1 Draco: the dominant life-form on Fraenaror; very large, warm-blooded, winged and lizard-like. *2 Twenty-eight high-moons = approximately twenty years. *3 Kelekona and Sarkany: Fraenaror's twin moons. *4 One derimoon = approximately one day. (c) Copyright Hespa. This work may be downloaded, but may not be printed, altered in any way or presented as thy own work.