Betsy the Cow

Created by: Brianne A.Alcinoos of EGoV
Registration Number: MS823
Creation by Mage

Walking along through the dark night, Brianne pushed forward with her pack over a shoulder, a can dangling from one of the loose straps, and a rope in her free hand that was tied to something behind her.  The clearing she had been making her way towards was just up ahead; the land she was in was Taeglish, within the Kingdom of Guardian, home to the guild she belonged to.

As she moved into the clearing, the other end of the rope mooed at her.  Turning back, she scratched behind the big cow’s ears tenderly.  “Oh Betsy, this is for the best.  You’ll get to see more of the world this way.”

Turning once more to the clearing, she dropped Betsy’s rope to allow the cow to munch on some grass, while she began to pull items out of her pack.  The tin can was set out along with a large collar with a quartz stone set in it, a small statue, and two small round ornate containers.

Humming to herself as she looked at the dark sky overhead, the moon was a few days past when it had been full.  She needed the moon for this, and while it had taken her a few days more than she would have liked, the moon’s presence satisfied what was needed. 

Coaxing Betsy to stand in the center of the clearing by use of a carrot, she moved the small statue to face north, quietly whispering, “Mah, great god of the Moon, I ask you to watch my actions to night and listen to my words as I give gifts to this cow, one of your own.” 

Her quiet prayer completed, she picked up the tin can and pried off the lid.  Inside, the can was filled with a tawny brown paint.  Next, the two small containers were brought over.  The first was a portion of powder containing dirt and other basic earthly elements that had been blessed by a priest of the god Mah.  Adding this to the pain, she stirred it with one hand while the other opened the next container.  This one held ground flakes of rock crystal – to aid in drawing power from the earth in connection with the quartz crystal she had also brought.  Taking some of these flakes, they were added to the powder as well.  Once the ingredients were stirred will with one another, she gave another carrot to Betsy before fetching her paint brush and dipping it into the paint.  The color of the paint matched with Betsy’s spots upon her body, and as Brianne made her way around the cow, painting over her spots with the enriched paint, she softly sang to Mah, the god she wished to extend part of his power to this animal:

Dio dell'OH qui sopra, così luminoso e rotondo (Oh god above, so bright and round)
Ora consideri prego me come canto voi questa canzone (Please look upon me now as I sing to you this song)
Porto questo regalo di terra,  (I bring this gift of earth,)
Una mucca - una dei vostri propri; (A cow – one of your own;)
Chiedo a voi la benedico così, (I ask to you bless her so,)
All'operazione di un altro del sussidio. (To aid another’s task.)
Li proteggerà e manterrà, (She will protect and keep them,)
Ogni volta che la flangia denominerà. (Whenever the bell shall call.)
Così vogliate sentono le mie parole, (So please hear my words,)
E veda i miei atti, (And see my deeds,)
E give Betsy il regalo, (And give Betsy the gift,)
Per proteggere quello che serve. (To protect the one she serves.)

Watching the paint as she moved around it, finally painting over the last spot just below her right ear, she took note that the paint was not staying on the fur of Betsy, but almost seeping into her very skin.  It made her skin crawl to note this, but she took it as a good sign as the paint and brush were set down before the small statue of Mah. 

Steps carried her back to the last of the items and moving to stand in front of Betsy, she gave her one last carrot, the last carrot she would get while she was free.  “You’ve always been good, Betsy, always.  I pray you will be good for your next owner as well.”  And slipping her arms up about the cow’s neck, she fastened the leather collar in place with the quartz crystal dangling down from the front of it. 

The crystal shimmered in the moonlight, bringing a smile to Brianne’s lips as she pulled out a cowbell from a small pouch at her waist.

Ding, Dong – Please bless this beast,
Dong, Ding – Mah, god above watching down
Ding, Dong – Betsy shall be the master
Dong, Ding – In the art of defense.

~March 21, 2006~