The way of the warriors

Those familiar with the stars and constellations know that Greek and Arabic mythology is richly present on the starry sky. But do they know that such nations like Magyars (Hungarians) with their turbulent past have their heroes and legends there too? To know more about the legendary “hadak útja” (the way of the warriors) of székely (szeklers) people from Transylvania, read this short story.
When the sun slips below the horizon and stars begin to turn on their eternal lights, the familiar dim white band appears across the sky. For Hungarians and especially for székelys from Transylvania (szeklers) this brings up some distant memories and a sudden whisper through warm summer nights, “hadak útja” (the way of the warriors). According to the legend when Csaba, Attila’s youngest son (Attila was the fearless warrior and leader of Huns), was retreating from Europe back to east for reinforcements, left behind the székelys in the mountainous region of Transylvania. They were left there to guard the land against numerous enemies and wait for Csaba to return and together reclaim their lost empire. According to ancient rituals they communed to the fire, water, air and earth, then they swore to help székelys whenever an enemy is around even if they have to come back from the end of the world. Csaba’s armies marched on but not long after they descended on the other side of the mountains when the neighbouring nations became hostile and three times they tried to fight the székelys away. The earth shook and trembled, the rivers ran screaming towards the eastern seas and the winds blew above the endless steps a cry for help. And three times Csaba’s armies turned back, fought the enemies and saved the székelys. For endless years then székelys lived and prospered in this land what after generations became their sweet home. For long time nobody dared to stand up against their strong arms and their protective invisible forces. However the passing years brought the old hatred of the surrounding nations back to life. They united once again and rose against this little nation speaking such a different language. The invincible armies of Csaba were long gone and the oath forgotten, they thought. The battle was fierce, the székelys fought bravely but the enemy was overpowering. The bright star of the székelys however never sleeps. In the midst of that grim battle they recalled the sacrifices and oath they made long time ago and this memory was carried up to the heaven. And while the fight was still on the winds carried strange noises from the sky. They became clatter of hooves and rumble of weapons and soon magnificent warriors on horses appeared on the sky. Csaba’s army who saved the székelys three times came for the forth time. In silence they advance in long ranks like ghosts among the stars white sparks flying around them and where the sky meets the snowy mountains they came down and bundled out the enemies. No one could stand up against them, no one staid to harm the székelys anymore. And the way Csaba and his army came and went on to save their kinsmen extends across the sky like a hazy white band. This is the “hadak útja” (the way of the warriors) most remembered by székelys from Transylvania.