[i]Odo the Elk and the Sun Chase[/i]
[quote=Udild the Younger, druid of the shrine of Tanux, ca. 103] Now I shall chroncile a pleasant tale that I heard performed once by a northern shaman, much different from other Treefaith creation stories. It is about Odo the Elk, variously known as the "Hunt-Prince", the "Antler-Chief", and the "Tall Man", among other epithets, who the northerners patronize above all other gods, and who is unknown to other tree worshipers. 

Odo takes the form of a giant elk with the head of a man, or a giant man with the head of an elk; in either case, his head is crowned with a bristling mass of antlers. His coat was of a pure, untarnished white, save for when it was painted with the blood of enemies or human sacrifices. He rarely appears before human eyes, for the sight of him is said to drive one blind or mad or both. Thus, he consorts with the mortal realm through his voice, or by mounting a shaman or druid wearing the ritualistic elk headdress. Ynndyron war-captains often wear antlered helms in the hopes of being mounted by the god during combat, for above all Odo is the god of the hunt, of pursuit, of swiftness, and of war. 

He is the brother of the father-tree Rud, who created the earth, and played an important role in the creation. After Yed and Heb, the seeders of the primeval forests, complained that the trees would not grow due to the overwhelming darkness of the earth, Odo concocted a plan to get Idd the Fish-God to release Ala the Sun-Goddess from her watery prison so that she could light the world once more. Idd had coveted Ala, for above all he loves bright and shiny things, so isolated is he in his mansion of coral on the bottom of the sea; thus, he had leapt from the waters, swallowed Ala, and taken her back to his mansion in his belly. Odo's plan was very simple. He would chase Idd from the water up onto the seashore, where he could not breathe, and thus Ala could climb out from his belly and into the sky. 

The first phase of his scheme was successful. None was more frightening than Odo when he was enraged, nor more swift, nor more tireless. He pursued Idd across the world on the sea floor, through the darkest and coldest depths, until he had nowhere else to flee to except for the open air. But when Idd had beached himself, Ala did not emerge from his belly. 

"Ala, Light of the World, my dearest sister, why do you remain in this dimwit's stomach? Why do you not return to your rightful place in the skies, so that the great trees can finally turn their leaves up to your light?" Odo asked. 

Deep from within the Fish-God's belly came a soft voice in response, "Odo, Battle-Lord of Heaven, my dearest brother, I do not wish to leave. I have grown accustomed to the darkness, and comfortable within my fishy mansion. And besides, I have become enamored with Idd, my gaoler, my tormentor, and my prince. Has ever there been a more gallant display of affection than his flight from you across the very face of the world? He loves me, my dearest brother, and I love him. I will not leave him, for this is the watery palace of our love." 

At that, Odo gave a hearty laugh, so raucous that the world's mountains shed their snow caps in thunderous avalanche. But in fact his mood was quite sour. Stamping his hoof, he cried, "Foolish, foolish thing! Do you not understand the words that are coming out of your mouth? Do you not recognize how silly you sound? How selfish? How childish? I cannot believe my own ears, given to me by our lord-brother Rud, who created the earth. Come out from there this instant, or I shall show you the meaning of wroth!" 

But Ala refused, blinded by love as she was, "No! I shall not! You shall have to force me! I will quit my lover's stomach only if impelled on pain of death!" 

Odo smirked mirthlessly, and said, "So it shall be, my dearest sister!" 

Then, suddenly, he kicked Idd in the belly, so that Ala was flung from the Fish-God's bowels and into the air. She gave a sad cry, and endeavored to return to her lover's mouth, but Odo thundered towards her, brandishing his cruel crown of antlers. Ala, shrieking, leapt into the air once more, and Odo stormed after her, crying, "Run, my dearest sister, or you shall have to make a palace amongst my antlers!" Thus they dashed upward into the sky until they brushed the lowest silver bells and boughs of Rud's great trunk, the outer precints of Heaven. There, in the sight of her lord-brother Rud, and still menaced by Odo's antlers, Ala demurred. She wept hot, bitter tears that fell from the heavens and with their heat carved the first caves beneath the earth. 

"You are the victors, oh dearest brothers. In solitude and sorrow shall I light the world once more, just as you so ardently wished," she said. 

Rud was content, but Odo, seeing the ardor in his sister's tears, took pity upon her. Out of Rud's hearing, he went to his sister and whispered, "Rud is tired, and soon he shall sleep. For a time he shall have no knowledge of the happenings of the world beyond his silvery leaves. Act as if you are still resisting, and I shall give chase once more, and for a time you may be with your lover. But do not let Rud catch you beneath the waves, or he shall be wroth, and the world must be lit, so that the trees my offer up their leaves to heaven. I cannot understand your love, dearest sister, for Idd is fat and ugly and he stinks to high heaven, but I do not wish to see you weep any longer." 

Ala embraced her brother, and gave him kisses. Then, nodding his head, Odo cried, "Foolish, impudent girl! You continue to defy your lord-brother's will? I will chase you to the ends of the earth if I must, but I will catch you!" 

And thus the chase began anew, and thus it is every day and night that Odo and Ala, tricking their lord-brother Rud, stage their drama and descend beneath the water so that Ala can pass a few hours with her beloved. But how a third conspirator joined their masquerade, Tia, the Moon, is yet another tale. 
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