Silvertip Mountain Outside the night wind keens and wails

You’re quite right, actually. It was once believed that the Moon Owl had never shown distaste for a living beast of the land until Kojall and his kin came along. You will be surprised to know that the Moon Owl favored Carog in this display of might and magic, the bard assured Cluny with a small nod.

The Moon Owl met the wolf and bear on the day of decisions. She watched them with their massive shapes and stated that she could not see a clear winner. Without a victor, neither would be granted the power and prestige they desired. To those who felt pride, such a claim was heinous and deceitful. The Taggerung was not certain how he would have responded to the words of the Moon Owl. Surely if he had gathered rock and tree to carry upon his back for a month, he would have felt the sting of regret at being told that there was no victor.

Kojall did not accept her word. He was furious with the decision and claimed that he would not walk away from that place until a true victor had been decided. Carog seemed to agree but did not have a way to prove such things, so the bear stood by and watched as the wolf approached the mountain boldly.

Kojall did not hesitate. He gripped the stone of the mountain between his fangs and pulled. The muscles in his throat and chest burst with the effort, but he was able to rip the mountain from the ground and lift it into the air. Carog watched with anger as Kojall placed the mountain upon his back and turned smugly to face the Moon Owl and the bear.

What say you now? He demanded of the two. Carog was furious, he looked to the Moon Owl with rage and claimed that such an action could not be considered, that their trial had ended. The Moon Owl bowed her head and said that the wolf had claimed victory in his final display. Kojall had earned his place among the animals of power.

Taggerung eyed Cluny warily, wondering how the Scourge might find the outcome of the story.

The Moon Owl stripped the land from Carog’s back and returned him to the size of his kin. Carog cursed the wolf and vowed that he would have his revenge, in time. The Moon Owl was still displeased with Kojall. The final wish of the goddess was that Kojall should carry the mountain upon his back until his dying day. He did just that.