text: [Themes: Fiction, gender-neutral protagonist, moral choice, epic, conversation, sexuality choice, Mythology, storytelling, gilgamesh]
  
  "He found the knowledge at the heart of the
  universe;
  Returned, and cut his story into stone..."
  
  (Press any key to continue)
  
  [Author's Note: The people had always gathered on moonless nights to hear the stories, since the time of their ancestors' ancestors. The heat of the fire and the glow in the storyteller's eyes made the past present, and the path to the future clear. The power in the telling was immense, subtle, divine. What man would dare subvert it?]
  
  > Y.
  I am your eyes and hands within the story. Direct me with commands such as EXAMINE THE BAG, GO OUTSIDE, LISTEN, or FIGHT HIM. Single word shorthand like FIGHT or BAG will often suffice. Some single words will be highlighted to bring them to your attention. Type them to
  shape the story to your will; some of the possible choices will be seen in the header bar above. Time only advances when you give a command or type LISTEN, which it is sometimes wise to do.
  
  Other useful commands include REPEAT, to remember what was recently said; STORY to see the choices you have made; INVENTORY to see what you are holding; WAIT to let the time pass; UNDO to take back your last turn; and GREET, MOCK, PRAISE, TALK TO or ASK ABOUT to interact with characters.
  
  More information about this story is available by typing ABOUT.
  
  Press any key to continue.
  'Whom The Telling Changed' makes use of emphasized words to
  indicate useful options to pursue. Typing one of these words helps to advance the story in the direction you desire. Please choose a style of emphasis which displays clearly on your interpreter:
  
  1) The emphasized words appear in this fashion.
  2) The emphasized words appear in this fashion.
  3) The EMPHASIZED words appear in THIS fashion.
  4) The emphasized words appear in this fashion.
  5) Emphasis off.
  
  > 3
  Style SET. You may change this setting using the STYLE command.
  
  Note that you are not limited to typing emphasized words to interact with the story. Other actions may be open to you at any time.
  
  Press any key to begin.
  The people have always gathered on moonless nights to hear the telling, since the time of your ancestors' ancestors. The heat of the fire and the glow in the storyteller's eyes make the past present, and the path to the future clear. Tonight the stars are bright, but the minds of your people are troubled. May the words of the telling guide your way.
  
  The walls of your tent glow yellow in the lamplight, your simple possessions casting flickering shadows on the wall. A straw bed; some skins of water, oil, and wine; a small, guttering lamp--it is simple, but it is enough.
  
  The symbol of your occupation hangs from the central support of the tent.
  
  > examine the symbol
  Which do you mean, the medicine bag or the copper dagger?
  
  > Medicine bag
  A small leather medicine pouch hangs from a long strap, bulging with curative herbs.
  
  > look at the dagger
  This copper dagger is as long as your forearm, with a round pommel and hardened leather grip.
  
  > take the bag
  The leather strap feels cool and familiar in your hands as you take your medicine bag down from its place.
  
  > take the dagger
  You carefully take your lover's weapon down from the wall and study it thoughtfully for a moment.
  
  > About yourself
  You are a healer, nothing more. These have always been your people, and you have always been theirs.
  
  You are carrying your lover's copper dagger, your medicine bag and the storyteller's feathered circlet.
  
  > look at the circlet
  Countless weeks were spent collecting the delicate feathers and weaving them together to make this circlet. It is light as air in your hands, and seems to glow in the lamplight.
  
  Lowered voices speak softly from somewhere outside your tent.
  
  > listen
  The lamp crackles softly as it burns. Somewhere distant is the sound of muffled voices.
  
  > look at the bed
  A simple bed of furs and straw.
  
  > examine the lamp
  This small oil lamp is made from cured hide and a reed wick. You made many of these from the sheepskins you traded the merchants for last moon. The small flame glows brightly, leaving dancing black streaks in your eyes if you look straight at it.
  
  > take the water
  Water for your hands, oil for your lamp, wine for your thirst. You need none of them now, but knowing they are there brings comfort.
  
  > Exit
  You step outside into the warm night air.
  
  It has been night for many hours, but the air is still warm, and the stars are a million brilliant fires above you. Nearby are the vague outlines of your neighbors' tents, but on this moonless night only the distant glow of the fire pit seems truly alive.
  
  In the darkness a few feet away, Sihan and Saiph talk quietly in strained tones.
  
  As you approach, your enemy grows silent. Your love turns to you with a look of relief and reaches out a hand.
  
  > examine Saiph
  Saiph has his father's tall strength and the bearing of a leader. His grace and bold demeanor draw others to him, though few know of his quiet and gentle side underneath.
  
  > examine Sihan
  Sihan is beautiful; you have always thought so, as have many others. Her long black hair seems to swallow up her face in the dark of night.
  
  > take the saiph's hand
  You clasp Saiph's strong hand and turn to Sihan with a frown.
  
  "What business have you here?" you ask her coldly.
  
  Sihan tosses her hair and fixes her sharp gaze on you. "I came to see if Saiph is truly a man of action and not only of words," she says levelly. "But I see that, like you, he is counted among the cowards and the weaklings. I have no more to say." She turns and vanishes into the darkness without a sound.
  
  > talk to Saiph
  "I care for you more than you know," you say, kissing Saiph on the cheek.
  
  Saiph frowns. "Her heart clamors for war with these NEWCOMERS," your lover says, "and was upset to find I do not share her views. We shall see if your ENEMY has better luck at the TELLING." He looks up to the stars, and adds, "It is a good NIGHT for it."
  
  > Newcomers
  "Have you heard the news?" he asks. "Young Ada found traces of a camp less than an hour's walk from here, and more than half a day from their FIRES in the valley. SIHAN and her friends are already sharpening their spears and preparing for war," he says darkly.
  
  > Enemy
  "Sihan has been asking all the warriors to support her plan to attack the newcomers," your love says. "She is convinced they are planning to murder us all in our beds at any moment. She is so sure of herself; how nice it must be to have such conviction in one's own superiority."
  
  > Telling
  "It is almost time," your love says seriously. "I wonder, what story will we hear tonight? The people are buzzing about the newcomers; perhaps the teller's story will be about them."
  
  The time is not right to speak about that.
  
  > Fires
  "The moon has waxed and grown small again since they arrived," Saiph murmurs, holding you tightly. "Why don't they come to us? Why do they hide when we send our emissaries? They must know the unrest they're causing in us."
  
  > NIGHT
  Saiph points up at the night sky. "See how bright the stars are," he says, "as if the gods themselves gather round our fire to hear the teller's story."
  
  Saiph glances towards the fire pit and takes his dagger from you, sliding it into its familiar place at his waist. "Let us join the gathering and hear the story," your love says lightly, and turns to the FIRE at the center of the village.