In Dreemlyn, that place somewhere between reality and oblivion, there is a valley about the size of one of those inland seas known as the Great Lakes. Here, the were-folk make their home. These Children of Diana were blessed with the ability to shift their animal forms for human. These are their stories, their legends, their myths…
The Shags
By Barbara & Bryant
The old were-panther bent low over the fire, and threw on a few more pieces of wood. The fire glistened off his sleek black coat, but his whiskers were gray, and his eyes had seen many sunsets. He looked at the young cubs; they had come to learn the history of the were-folk. He spoke quietly. “You young-ones know that there are tribes all over this valley. All the were-folk serve Diana, and they all have their own mission. We all have to get along, and help each other. Many special alliances have grown over time. I would like to tell you the story of how one of these came about.”
“Now, this was back in the days when the were-folk didn’t change as much as they do now. They mostly just stayed panthers or goats or sharks or bears or whatever their natural form might be. The changing just wasn’t as necessary back then, but that is a story for another day. Now gather around, young-ones, and listen.”
“There were in Diana’s Path many goat tribes, living near the eastern city, raising grain, tending herds, and doing various things. The were-goats all got along, and were friendly one with another. Except for one: they were known as ‘The Shaggy Tribe’;, or just ‘The Shags’.”
“The shags had a different kind of hair than all the other were-goats, and it made them smell funny. Plus, their horns were different, all curved around, and they walked funny too. So the other were-goats made fun of them, and pushed them around.”
“This saddened the shags leader, Walks-with-Sheep. He loved his people, and he didn’t like seeing them pushed around. So he gathered his tribe around him, and said, “We shall go on a quest, my friends. We will find a place, a place that is right for us, a place where we fit in.” Trusting their leader with all their hearts, the shaggy were-goats gathered their belongings and their shaggy young-ones and prepared for travel.”
“First he led his tribe to the sea, where the were-whales and were-sharks and were-dolphins play, but found it was much too wet there. Then he set off for the jungle with his tribe following along behind. There they found were-jaguars, were-parrots, and were-monkeys all quite friendly and nice, but it was so hot and damp. Just as with the sea it was just too wet there. You see there is nothing funny about the smell of a wet shaggy were-goat, oh no, nothing funny at all.”
“So they walked west through the veldt. This was were-lion country, but things were even worse there. The haughty were-gazelles mocked the shags unmercifully, using their long sharp ebony horns to poke the shaggy were-goats. So the tribe traveled on, into the desert. But it was too hot there too, and plus there weren’t any people there. At least they didn’t see anybody. Of course, other people did see them, but the desert tribes are shy, and don’t talk much.”
“Now they moved north, but there were too many farms in the west country plains, no room for them. They became disheartened. It was so very sad as they moved on– they began to feel nowhere would be home for them. In time they reached the northern forests. There were were-tigers and were-wolves, and were-bears, all very nice, but they made the shags very nervous.”
“So Walks-with-Sheep called his people together, and said “Baaaaaa” by which he meant “my people, it saddens me to say but we must return to our own lands. There just seems to be no place that is just right for us.”
“At that very moment, a wise old were-raven flew down and landed on Walks-with-Sheep’s head. He shook it off, and the bird landed at his feet, and looked up at him. And said in a way that demanded attention, “Cawwwwww” by which he meant, “would you come to our lands? They are up the mountains a way, but I think you would like them.” Crow language and sheep language being much the same, Walks-with-Sheep understood perfectly.”
“Walks-with-Sheep nodded, and smiled. He followed the crow with his people up the mountain where it got steeper and steeper. He was amazed at how nimble his people were; they could jump from rock to rock with hardly any clatter quite easily, he thought it was most remarkable. The young he-goats bounded up the mountains followed by the young she-goats, their happy laughter ringing through the mountains and making Walks-with-Sheep’s heart soar with gladness.”
“So this is the story of how the Shaggy Were-Goats discovered their very own home among the mountains and the crags where the were-ravens make their nests. Both tribes became very friendly, one with the other and both became very well respected by all the Children of Diana for protecting the valley from invaders that came over the mountains. Those curly horns have knocked around many an invader, and of course, nimble hooves make great weapons as well. You see there are no people as sure footed in the mountains as the shaggy were-goats.”
“And so the Shags discovered their true home place and lived happy and smiling forevermore…”
– Babs & Bry
