The Path of Discipline
Ar-Hun had been the Nah-kell on Geeshna for over three cycles and was starting to feel his age. Pale pink clouds drifted aimlessly on an atmospheric breeze but held little hope of bringing shade or water as the twins suns shone brightly in the sky. A wave of vertigo overtook him even though he was standing still. He sweated in his red robes and brushed the long yellow hair from the left side of his body. He was grateful for the braid on his right side as a warm wind caressed his forehead. He steadied himself on his cane and carefully walked over the rocky terrain headed for the temple in the Central City.
Ar-Hun was considered by many to be a master of protology and theogony. Many Kersh sought his council and wise advice, second only to the J’esh Nah-kell. While a Nah-kell’s words were always educational, Ar-Hun was blessed (some would say cursed) with an odd sense of irony and humor. He enjoyed his studies and continually tried to better himself in the eyes of the Grinlach.
Today was a day like any other. He rose at the first sunrise, unfurled his robes and got dressed. He recited his morning prayers and ate breakfast with some of the citizens of the Central City. Ar-Hun received visitors every day and enjoyed helping his people not only to become worthy of the Grinlach’s love but also understand what that love entailed. The Nah-kell was pleased each time someone made a correct decision in their lives that brought them closer to ascension to Nishvak. While Ar-Hun’s duties as Nah-kell never ceased, this was his calling so he never thought ill of it.
The life of a Nah-kell was difficult. While they were well respected by the Kersh, most citizens would not choose to follow such a life-path. Every detail of the Nah-kell’s life was written in the Tam-kor, the Holy Texts. From when they first awoke in the morning to when they fell asleep at night, every aspect of their day was defined. The Nah-kell was to wear red robes with three folds in them. Hair was to be parted down the middle of the scalp and should never be cut after the start of Qui-lan. The left side was to be left loose and the right to be bound in a braid with a holder dividing the braid into 3 sections. Strict laws were in place for food consumption and prayers of thanks were to be said at every meal. Prayers were a constant part of the Nah-kell’s life to help keep them pure. There were prayers of gratitude for every occasion including after excretion. As the physical link to the Grinlach, it was imperative that laws were followed without personal interpretation.
While a few like Ar-Hun had chosen this life-path, the vast majority were assigned the position by the J’esh Nah-kell. It was the exalted J’esh Nah-kell who gave instructions on how the laws of the Grinlach were to be followed through regular meetings with the over 400 planetary Nah-kells on Kersh worlds. It was he, and only he, who was equipped interpret the Tam-kor to work in modern society. Though the vast majority of the people followed the teachings of the J’esh Nah-kell, there were a few on even fewer worlds that did not worship the Grinlach. These people were not punished by their fellows, but instead were used as an example of a life unfulfilled. Even if these poor souls believed they were happy, they would never ascend to Nishvak and so their lives had no meaning.
Ar-Hun slowly entered his temple and was quickly approached by a disciple. A ship carrying unclean beings was destroyed in orbit high above Geeshna but several creatures had successfully transferred to the surface on Spen-Val’s farm. Several citizens near that location heard an alert. The war party had already been dispatched.
There was a small fair happening in the central square to celebrate the birth of a son for one of the prominent families. The news of intruders could cause panic within the city, but the Nah-kell remained calm. Saying a quick prayer of thanks to the Grinlach for allowing the people to be tested again and show their strength in the face of an enemy, Ar-Hun instructed his disciple to prepare for a ceremonial purification.
The soil had already been fouled by the trespass of the outsiders. He would lead his disciples to affected area and perform the cleansing ritual. Spen-Val was a good and honest man who understood the tarnished crops would be burned to purify the land. Before this could take place, the Hao-Le would need to be brought to the Sacred Pulse for purification.
Ar-Hun gathered nine of his disciples and walked through the blessed alcove to the Sacred Pulse. Each disciple withdrew a bottle from their green robes and poured the Lim-nar onto the platform. Ar-Hun recited the purification prayer and waited for the war party’s arrival. No news had come, but the Nah-kell knew that his people would be victorious. Like the laws of the Grinlach and his faith in them, there was simply no doubt.
The previous J’esh Nah-kell in the Vix-nar dynasty designed the Sacred Pulse. It was said that he received his instructions directly from the Grinlach. As Kersh soil was imbued with the spirit of the Grinlach and the Kersh people, an outsider’s mere presence was enough to stain that sacred soil and thus purification was mandated. The Sacred Pulse carried the Hao-Le away from the soil via an anti-gravity beam. In this manner, it was as if the soil itself spat the outsiders from the planet. The fires of the Grinlach in the atmosphere would burn away the foulness of the Hao-Le until nothing was left of them at all. It was at this point that purification was complete.
Within minutes of readying the Pulse, word came down from the warship in orbit that the outsiders had been found and were being brought to the Nah-kell for purification. Ar-Hun saw the war party approach, led by Rena-Kam, the fiercest warrior of all the Kersh. Five men followed him dragging a bloody bundle of remains. The war party had done well.
“Brave men. You honor the Kersh people by your deeds.” His purple eyes smiled at the war party.
“Wise Nah-kell”, said Rena-Kam bowing, “we thank you for your words and offer these bodies as gifts to the Grinlach. The outsiders shall no longer foul our world.”
“You have brought forth the bodies of the Hao-Le. The Grinlach will be pleased by your service.”
Ar-Hun’s disciples took the bodies from the war party and arranged the parts upon the Pulse. Even the dogs of the war party stayed silent as the ceremony began.
“The Grinlach are present within our soil and are angered by the stench of the Hao-Le. They spew forth these outsiders and cast them off our world so that we may once again be pure.”
The Sacred Pulse was initiated. The familiar hum filled Ar-Hun’s body with a love and respect for the Grinlach. He felt safe in this physical manifestation of the gods. As the outsiders were cast out of Geeshna by the Grinlach, he allowed himself a surge of pride to swell within him.
The ceremony concluded with a closing prayer of thanks. Ar-Hun and his disciples next would travel to Spen-Val’s farm to further purify the land. He returned to his temple long after the suns had set.
The Nah-kell rose at the first sunrise, unfurled his robes and got dressed. He recited his morning prayers and ate breakfast with some of the citizens of the Central City. The life of a Nah-kell was difficult, but through discipline and love for the Grinlach, this was the only true life-path for him. It was a day like any other.
The Master of All Paths Page 3