Though distant, the valleys saw travelers regularly. Most followed the tunnels, charting obstructions, floods or other problems. Boldest among these vagabonds would be those that climbed over the mountains. One such soul was the start to the problems.
Exhausted from days at high altitudes, he found a strange valley filled with water. Thinking he’d gone mad, the hiker tried to climb down carefully. As one does when too tired, he overestimated the ease of getting down the slope: He tumbled down.
His body was found by a lone woman.
When he awoke, his injuries had been tended to and some food had been left. Grateful for the kindness, the traveler spent his time recovering. He learned of the Goddess who had found him and tended to his wounds before bringing him to his caretaker.
Time had passed and the naivete of youth had left the Goddess. She continued to hone her craft and produced tools that were incomparable. However, she’d also taught others her art to shape stone to metal. Her tools were traded among the mountains as relics that granted great boons.
The traveler saw the Goddess only once and was smitten instantly. Her strength and capable mind were evident to all. Once healed and thankful, the traveler sought to return home. Facing the rough path over the mountains more carefully, the traveler returned to his home in the Kingdom with tales of what he’d seen.
These stories would grow with each retelling till they reached the capital. Where, the recently crowned new King heard the story in passing. Thinking it was some wild story dreamed while too high up, he disregarded it.
There were more pressing issues at hand. The tanks were unusually half full due to a drought but a recently discovered underground lake had helped alleviate some of the pressure, though moving the water had been slow. It had not affected food stores much yet.
In addition, there was pressure from some of the major families to grant them ownership of valleys to help ensure that they were run properly. Of course, they’d also require a dispensation of troops to keep order, or so they claimed.
Days of deliberation had come to a standstill. Nobody had made any progress.
Then, the story from far flung merchants reached the Castle. Tales of a Goddess made manifest became the topic of idle chatter. What began as speculation was silenced with a single comment. A foolish suggestion given weight by unspoken frustrations; The King should claim the Goddess and make her his Queen.
The idea was silly. Selfish and arrogant. Yet, something about it spoke to a commonality that they could support. To save their would-be Queen from the savages from afar. Hearing this cry, the King dispatched scouts to begin the hunt.
Soon the Kingdom was united by the desire for a Queen who had been known as a Goddess.
Yet, none had told the Goddess of their decision. Only a desperate, scared pilgrim crossed the mountains. Feeling he owed the Goddess for saving his life, the traveler warned the Goddess of the Kingdom’s intentions.
Unafraid, the Goddess brought the Traveller before the others. The people pleaded for her to prevent the attack. Fearful of what the others would do to them, some wanted to offer her as a sacrifice.
Then, the Goddess spoke. She told them she would not cower and would welcome them into their lands as she had done all the rest. That so long as they sought not to harm another soul, they would not be harmed in kind.
With her declaration made, the Goddess returned to her forge. In hushed voices, she whispered to the unseen asking for their guidance in something she had no idea how to do, fight.
A tunnel was dug with almost alarming speed. Time trickled by and each strike of a pick measured out the moments to what would be considered inevitable. After a time, both sides began to dig towards the other. Eager to know the truth.
When they could hear the other side digging, both sent messengers for their leader. Such as it was, the King and Goddess met as the diggers on both sides broke through. It took some time for them to clear a passage large enough for them to meet.
Armed with only her hammer, the Goddess asked their intentions.
The King pointed his family’s spear and declared his claim on the Goddess of rumor. Then he promised the safety of all in their lands if she was brought forth. He stated plainly that the Goddess would be his to help him unite the lands and lead their people to glory.
The Goddess asked what good glory would do? You couldn’t eat it, use it to make something or even keep you warm.
Stunned at the declaration the King stood in silence.
The Goddess identified herself and then did as the unseen friends had bid her in her dark hours where no other could hear. She reached out and asked for an ally to help. Someone to do what she could not.
Air swirled, sending all but the Goddess fleeing backwards. Then, crouched low in the tunnel was a beast. A large monster with red eyes and a fanged maw. Its sudden arrival scared the King’s soldiers. The workers behind the Goddess shuddered and slowly sunk into the crevices in every rock
Determined not to show fear, the King thrust his familial weapon. With a snap of its maw, the summoned monster crushed the head of the spear. Then swallowed the remnants before hissing in fury that sent all fleeing.
When they were alone, the monster lapped at the Goddess’ cheek affectionately. Shortly after that, the tunnel was collapsed by the Kingdom. Unfortunately, their control of the neighboring valley was short-lived since the summoned monster was able to easily clamber over the mountain. Thus began the war.