The Song of Asena

An excerpt from "The Herald of Som"

When Som had made all the realms and all the creatures in them,

He sought to enjoy His creation by spending time amongst it.

All creatures labored in their own way,

But there was one who did not know her purpose.

Asena came to Som and asked,

“What is my purpose?”

Som replied, “To walk with me.”

And so Som walked, and Asena walked with Him.

But Som’s strides were so great

That Asena could not match His pace.

“Master,” she said, "I cannot keep up with you.

How can I fulfill my purpose?”

“Ah, dear one,” Som replied,

“I will give you speed and endurance unrivaled so you may walk with me.”

And so Asena walked every step with Som, never faltering and never tiring.

After a while, Som stopped walking to rest.

So Asena asked Him,

“Master, you no longer walk.

What is my purpose?”

Som replied, “To keep me warm.”

And so Som sat to rest, and Asena sat with Him.

But the night came, and such freezing winds blew

That Asena had no warmth to give Him.

“Master,” she said, “I cannot keep you warm.

How can I fulfill my purpose?”

“Ah, dear one,” Som replied,

“I will give you heat unparalleled so you may warm me.”

And so Asena became clothed in beautiful flames of blue and kept Som warm.

After a while, Som reached out His hand and stroked Asena’s fur.

But daylight had come, and the cold winds had gone.

“Master,” she said, “I do not know my purpose.

At first it was to walk with you,

Then it was to keep you warm.

But now I do neither,

So what is my purpose?”

“Ah, dear one,” Som replied,

“I gave you speed and gave you heat so that you would stay near.

Your purpose is to be loved by me.”

And Asena knew that she was loved endlessly.

“Master,” said Asena, “Your love is boundless, and I cannot keep it to myself.

May I share it with another?”

And Som, being greatly pleased with Asena, made for her a mate,

And she and her mate begat the wolves that roam free,

Which begat the hounds that walk with mortals.

And they were all beloved by Som.

And so Asena is known as The First Companion and The Great Mother of Wolves.

- Ragyle Fitz Allerdyne, Songster of Fymtonstahd

---

Thanks for reading! This piece is a bit of in-world lore around the mysterious being called Som and one of his servants, the fiery blue wolf named Asena.

As a bonus to my paid subscribers, the below section has some minor spoilers around my fantasy novel The Herald of Som and the inception of Asena as a character.