This weeks tale.

The second tale: Ogdazh and the serpents skin

One day the mightiest warrior of the Kingdom, Tokrat the savage, burst in to the great hall of the castle and declared: "I Tokrat challenge Ogdazh, King, for his throne”.
Those in the great hall gasped, surprised by the boldness of the warrior. Tokrat, who had won many battles, slain many ennemies and had accomplished many feats beyond that of a normal man, had grown brazen and dared to challenge his King. He was confident that his rule would herald a new era of greatness for the Kingdom.The King who was present rose to greet the warrior and replied to his challenge."I accept your challenge Tokrat, mightiest of warriors. To prove your worth we shall have a contest, a hunt for the throne. He who brings the greatest serpents skin for all to see by nightfall, will be ruler." Tokrat smirked and left at once to hunt. The King however, spent the rest of the day in the hall and throne room tending to the affairs of his Kingdom. Those loyal to the King grew worried that he did not leave to hunt but none dared to question him.
By nightfall Tokrat had returned, bloodied and covered in sweat. On his back he carried an enormous and colourful snake skin: "This is the skin of the great snake of the four peaks, the most dangerous serpent in all Altai. No man has ever survived an encounter with it but I, Tokrat, bring it to you, people of our Kingdom, to prove my worth." He threw the skin on the ground and layed it out for all to see, the people of the Kingdom were astonished. Tokrat then turned to the King: "And what have you brought O King?" He asked defiantly.
The King, who was dining at his table did not even raise his head. He only raised his hand which began to glow with a golden light. The light grew brighter and brighter until it shone with the force of a thousand suns making all those present cover their eyes. The people thought the King was angry and that he would now punish Tokrat’s arrogance using the strength of the sun. But the King did no such thing, the light from his hand now faded completely and in the wake of its brilliance, hundreds of lavish snake skins now adorned the walls of the great hall. The crowd gasped, then stood to their feet and cheered for the King. Tokrat who was slowly spinning round himself, mouth opened in amazement did not realize that the King knelt before him, when he did the King said. "I have brought all the skins from all our lands to dress these walls, but none are finer than yours O King."
Tokrat stood speechless and the hall fell silent. Tokrat fell to his knees and quietly uttered. "No, it is you who are King, I am no match for your greatness and am not worthy."
The King rose and approached the warrior and said only this. "You are right, you are not worthy, for a true King never hesitates, now be banished from my Kingdom."

From the Legends of Altai Volume 1, The tales of King Ogdazh: Book of Divination copyright 2008