The story behind the story
The Voltai mountains are referred to in the John Norman series of Gorean books as the " Red mountains". The Upper Fayeen river is referred to as "lazy ". An easily comparable place on Earth is a region of the desert southwest in the United States, the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona and accompanying Oak Creek Canyon. A land of blistering heat and brutal cold.
This is the story of the Voltai. The Upper Fayeen River. And my story...as well. For all I claimed. And willed into existence. By measured diligence, year upon year.
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The immediate surrounding land of the Fayeen river are a bit lush.
The farther from the river, the more arid the land becomes.
There is no guarantee of a deep snow pack in winter, nor the fierce drenching thunderstorms of summer.
Water is precious in this place on Gor.
Even when used for soothing decoration, it is never ever deliberately wasted.
The unparalleled beauty of the sky above the Voltai mountains at night.
When the stars are shining bright and only the prison moon is in sight
atop a sacred peak.
And where is here?
East of the Thassa, west of the winds.
East of the Thassa, west of the winds.
I am Lady Kyrielle .
You were expecting...... ?
This is a working home and lands. Seasonal work is now available for those who wish it.
I pay :
25 copper per full day's work, plus meals. I cook reasonably well, I make basic good food.
Spring water, milk and black wine are the only beverages I offer.
In the event you don't like my cooking :
Fishing is permitted.
Release what you don't need to eat.
Hunting is NOT now permitted on my lands.
We are now within the first seventeen hands of the spring thaw.
Camping in designated areas only.
Don't overstay your welcome.
Be polite, be respectful.
I will be the same.
Welcome..........to my Voltai Mountains Home.
Beautiful private spaces in those places none would ever think to look.
For guests
a series of connecting cottages and communal bathing tub have been built in the peace of the trees.
Summer resting places.
Ground level cottage
Two remain at the edge of the tree line.
The removal of two ground cottages created enough land for more gardens.
with a recirculating fountain in case of severe drought.
The Ayurvedic Healing Herbs Garden,
is thriving.
is thriving.
The second ground level cottage,
" among "
" among "
The climbers and fragile fragrant herbs now have protection from the voracious herbivores.
A comfy vulo coop & tool shed filled in the space with nothing feeling crowded.
High in the Voltai
farther than anyone ever dares to go
A secret
none have ever seen.
Faces carved in rocks below
The constant flow
Her tears attempt to erase.
....
those who grasped.
With callous hands to take.
what was there all along
......Simply for the asking.
The secret though.....remains just the same
I know.......where the wild horses play....
Indeed it is so.
They are not simply drawings on the walls of caves.
They live in poverty who do not believe.
These are my lands.
Many depend on them for their sustenance.
Don't take more than you need.
Above all
DON'T POLLUTE
This was a choked muddy yucky stinking mess when first I claimed these lands. The flow here a trickle.
Now, as you will see below, it is a thing of beauty. The Anasazi Tribe lent many hands.
Now.....all this are lands and a most beautiful river where all who live here thrive.
Phelan's Gates.
Down river of my home, the settlement of the Anasazi tribe, with whom I have a long standing trade agreement. The entire Anasazi tribe disappeared from the desert southwest in Arizona several hundreds of earth years ago.
Whew !! THAT mystery solved !!
They are a reserved people, very skilled, very artistic. Their dialect flows like gently flowing water.
Instead of cave dwellings in the side of the cliffs as they did on earth, they live in abandoned clay insect mounds which they've turned into beautiful homes.
Expert with the spear, the bow and arrow, they are a peaceable people. Until they are not.
Aren't we all.....