The silence was broken by the eldest, the last of the original council; one most had forgotten was one of the first dwarfs in Hozekan, as he was an introvert. In a slow, raspy, kind voice, Falinn Viden spoke, “May I please see the book, dear Wiltzer?”
Wiltzer stood and handed Falinn Viden King Salvare’s Book of Wisdom. For a moment, Falinn Viden focused only on the title, holding the leather book firmly with both hands. Laying it on the table in front of him, he softly ran his hand across the cover. All watched him as he opened the book. He slowly turned the pages as if searching for something he knew was there. Noting a place in the pages with his pointer finger, he moved it along as he read.
“Fear not my little children. I musts needs go to my father but for a little while. Though the darkness shall come, and shall take prisoner all of those who reject the truth, ye shall be a light unto them. Fear not when the darkness surrounds you, for you will not be overtaken, for even in death you are freed from its grip. Love one another, that ye may be comforted during the tribulations of this life. Forgive one another that ye may be able to love with a pure heart. When darkness comes, for even now it worketh, and the wicked one who brings it shows his scarred face, who was given the deadly wound but was healed by the dragon, know that it is the time of which Judarius spoke of the Ekleipsis.
“Fear not, for it will be but for a moment, yet flee to the place of hiding which shall be told you. Wait for my witnesses there, and then shall the daystar rise high above the darkness. Then shall I return with the glory and power of my father, and with my faithful servants of the ages. Ye shall see me coming and I shall quench the darkness from before the eyes of Erde. Then shall I bring you to New Erde, and ye shall be my people and I shall be your king. Faint not dear children, for you are forever in my heart and on my tongue to my father. I go to prepare you a place, whereby we may dwell, free of the darkness, forever.”
No one spoke. Shock filled each soul as they pondered the words and wondered how Falinn Viden seemed to know they were there. None of them had ever laid eyes on such a book, but it seemed as though the reading of those words had stirred the hearts of the emperor and council to consider what Wiltzer had told them.
“It has been a long time since I have read these words, for I had all but forgotten such truth existed outside of Hozekan.” A tear escaped Falinn Viden’s eyes, dripping down his cheek and falling to the page below. “My friends, there are no truer words and the time is upon us.”
Falinn Viden looked up, “Forgive us my people, for in trying to hide us from the Darkness it seems we have also kept you from the truth.”
Unrest in the Land of Erde
Mighty unrest now resided in the Land of Erde. Trachten, the Land of the Seekers, had been attacked and overrun with Gottlos and Ubils, with the setting up of the image by Jagare. Dartego’s last word was a warning to Ciafus and the Sealed at Kirche of the coming Ekleipsis. Nesal had been attacked from within by Labo, carrying both the mark and the weapon of the Darkness. Vandor and Kayla rushed toward Trachten in search for his grandfather MaZak and onward to Signum to speak to the Sealed, while recently met Wiltzer and his wife warned their dwarf brothers and sisters in Hozekan.
§ Trachten §
Known as the Land of the Seekers – being the place where the inhabitants of Erde visited twice a year to enquire into all that was new and different – Trachten was overwhelmed with disgust. Large, brute beasts, namely Gottlos, had taken captive all who had survived the rampage of Rubicund and their attacks. The Gibborims were there, awaiting the order to be given by their brother Jagare granting them permission to wreak havoc throughout all of Erde at their pleasure.
In Palvolin, of Trachten, a great image was raised, set there by Jagare, which towered above all the buildings of Erde. The iron Dragon, covering the core made from the clay of Oscuridad, was overlaid with gold. It stood massive upon its muscular legs, with its wings extended from side to side, head raised high with open jaws, showing its fierce teeth. Its tail sat on the ground, curling around to the front of its body, where the image continued with a golden-plated, iron Jagare standing strong, driving his sword into the heart of King Salvare’s Book of Wisdom beneath his feet.
Jagare stood facing the image with his brothers. His arrogance overwhelmed his soul, for he was proud beyond measure of his image. His desire was to conquer with the sword. Of all who dwelt in Erde, every knee would bow and every tongue would proclaim him as their majesty. There would be no mercy for the soul who dared not fall down and worship at the feet of the image, and confess Jagare king of Erde.
“My brothers, the time has come for you to bow down to the image, which I have set up. For, in this image shall we conquer Erde, and bring every soul under obedience to their new king. I shall be the almighty king and you shall serve me as my right arm.” Jagare turned to face his brothers – all but Desgosto, who he slew aforetime. “At the sound of the chants of the heks of Oscuridad, may each soul pay reverence to the image or endure the fire of the Dragon.”
At the rising of the sun, reaching noon, the heks began their chants. The sound of harmonic hums could be heard in unison with unknown tongues. The smooth, soft sound gradually increased to a constant octave of medium tone. It was simple, yet hypnotizing, seeming to move within one’s mind and spirit.
“Jagare, have you gone mad? What need do we have with an image to bow down to, and the silly chants of these witches?” questioned Abejoti. “I have doubts these things will serve us any purpose in bringing the people of Erde to grabble at our feet.”
Jagare turned in disgust, “Why must my own blood doubt and defy me at every turn? Shall I be worshiped by Erde if my own kinsmen do not treat me with due reverence?” Snarling in anger, he cried, “Rubicund, come forth!”
From behind them, opposite the image, came forth the magnificent beast. He had been there all along, merely hidden from the eyes of the persons he watched. His power was unknown, his strength unmatched, his countenance feared. Standing above the height of the image, fiercer than any image could portray, he covered the sun, causing a shadow to drape around Jagare and his brothers.
Jagare’s brothers tensed and held their stance still. None dared to move or speak as the Dragon towered above them. With smoke flowing from his large nostrils and the rumbling of the furnace within his bosom, his large emerald eyes sparkled, focusing directly upon Abejoti. The other brothers sensed its thoughts and slowly stepped backwards, ever so lightly. As the Dragon lowered his mighty head their pace increased.
Abejoti turned to Jagare, as the Dragon drew nigh, “Have you no mercy for your own blood?”
“I no longer share blood with you, dear Abejoti; for my blood doest come from the Dragon, and in that blood do I have life and power.”
With that said, Abejoti looked back to the Dragon to meet his end. The flames from the jaws of Rubicund, the beast from Kriminala Pasaule, of whom little was known but much was feared, engulfed Abejoti. His cries could be heard over the chants of the heks, and though these brothers were mighty men, chills still raced down their grimy muscular backs.
Jagare turned to the brothers, lamenting not over what had just transpired, “Cry not for Abejoti, for I have sent him to the bowels of Erde, to be tormented with Desgosto. Tell me this day, whom will ye serve? Will it be self or will it be king Jagare?”
The brothers voiced their obedience to Jagare. “Well then, hear ye not the sound of the heks? Bow down to the image which I have set up, and prove your allegiance to the almighty of Erde.”
Obedience was followed by the brothers. It was but the beginning, whereby all of the Gottlos, Gibborims, and servants of the Darkness bowed the knee to the Wicked One. They professed him as lord of Erde, swearing obedience, and receiving the mark; if by chance, they did not already bare it. This day was for the servants of Darkness, but tomorrow and hence forth would be the fate of all who dwelt in Erde.
§ Signum §
In Signum, inside the walls of Kirche, the Sealed met to ass
ess the concerns of the recent knowledge of the Land of the Seekers and the rising talk of the Ekleipsis. Word had arrived from villages around Trachten, that indeed, there was a great army dwelling there. News of small Gottlos’ groups tormenting some of the neighboring villages, taking their maidens and children, and slaying anyone who opposed them was also brought forth.
The council room was full front to back, elbow-to-elbow with men and women of the Sealed. Those who were currently in Signum, along with those notified from the surrounding villages had gathered to hear the words of Ciafus, the Auctoritas. The air was full of voices of the current stories concerning Trachten, the Gottlos, Jagare and his brothers, and the Ekleipsis, along with ideas and thoughts as to what should and should not be done. Even as they mingled, there were those of the Sealed who were presently moving to warn the people of Erde, to tell them what they needed to do and to where they needed to go.
As Ciafus entered the room, silence rippled through the crowd. He took his seat at the table with the council, which had been pushed to the far end of the room, being there were not enough chairs to accommodate all of the people. To the rear of the table, there behind Ciafus mounted to the wall, was a large map of Erde with a red marking located near the top north east portion. Many took note of it, for most had never seen such. A large copy of King Salvare’s Book of Wisdom lay upon the table in front of Ciafus. Next to the King’s Book sat a smaller book, having the cover engraved with Geheim.
§ §
“Geheim” was not a word used by the people of Erde, nor was it a term that many had ever heard. In fact, it was both a name and a place which had been hidden well since the departure of King Salvare to Himmel, the kingdom of his father King Allmachtig many years ago. It had been a well-guarded secret, known only to the Auctoritas, the council, and the souls who had chosen to work and live in Geheim since the beginning.
Geheim was created as a place of refuge for the people of Erde from the Darkness. It dwelt to the east of Signum, along the Liban River, through the Ascuns Forest, past Nesal and Breckenly, deep into the Cadas Mountains, nourished by Lake Szikla. The Great Awakening came before it was stable enough for the inhabitants of Erde, but it had since been strengthened and supplied, if ever there were a need; for Jagare and his brothers did yet live.
§ §
Ciafus addressed the people, “Dear Council and Sealed of King Salvare, it appears that the time of the Ekleipsis is indeed at hand. Witnesses around the Land of the Seekers have yielded clear evidence of a mighty army of Gottlos stationed there, along with the Dragon known as Rubicund. We have dwelt in a shadow of peace since the falling of Jagare, but now that shadow wishes to pull us into the Darkness. The time has come to share with all of you the secrets which those who watch over your souls have thought it best to keep hidden for the sake of protecting the people of Erde.”
Ciafus opened the Book of Wisdom as he continued, “As you should all well know, King Salvare did proclaim, ‘When darkness comes, for even now it worketh, and the wicked one who brings it shows his scarred face, who was given the deadly wound but was healed by the dragon, know that it is the time of which Judarius spoke of the Ekleipsis.’”
Looking up from his reading and taking hold of the book entitled Geheim, Ciafus declared, “Today I must tell you of the place called Geheim, and we must move at once to warn the people of Erde to move them to safety. It is at Geheim that we must wait; for it is written, ‘flee to the place of hiding which shall be told you.’”
Turning through the pages of the Book of Wisdom, he continued reading, “When the darkness of the wicked one shall come, and the shadows shall seem to block out the light, flee from the sounds of mesmeration. Take not the mark nor kneel to any image, but run to the land where the dragon cannot fly. But stay not there, for it will only keep thee for but a time. Continue past the regions of knowledge, that you may be covered by the hand of Erde, and nourished by her tears.”
Once again, staring out across the people, Ciafus proclaimed, “Dear brothers and sisters, we must move the people of Erde who still give allegiance to King Salvare, and those who have not taken the mark of the Wicked One to Geheim. Geheim lies through the Ascuns Forest where the Dragon cannot fly, and into the Cadas Mountains whereby Geheim lies outside of the knowledge of Erde. There, covered by the mountainous hands of Erde, we shall be nourished by her tears of Lake Szikla.”
A voice from the crowd asked abruptly, “And how long do you suggest we stay there Ciafus? Why are we to believe Jagare will not discover such a place?”
Ciafus flipped back the pages, finishing the previous passage, “‘Wait for my witnesses there, and then shall the daystar rise high above the darkness. Then shall I return with the glory and power of my father, and with my faithful servants of the ages. Ye shall see me coming and I shall quench the darkness from before the eyes of Erde. Then shall I bring you to New Erde, and ye shall be my people and I shall be your king. Faint not dear children, for you are forever in my heart and on my tongue to my father. I go to prepare you a place, whereby we may dwell, free of the darkness, forever.’”
Murmuring filled the room, echoing loudly against the acoustic walls. Disagreement, questions, belief and unbelief, found themselves clashing one against another, failing to listen to what was heard, along with faith, logic, understanding, and opinions facing off for battle from each individual.
“Quiet!” shouted Ciafus to regain order. Heads turned, as silence was reached once again. “Dear people, ‘Fear not when the darkness surrounds you, for you will not be overtaken, for even in death you are freed from its grip.’ We are told to, ‘Love one another, that ye may be comforted during the tribulations of this life. Forgive one another that ye may be able to love with a pure heart.’ My friends please take heed to what the council has to say. There is much that must be done.”
§ Nesal §
In Nesal, as the bright warm sun broke over the trees, the sad songs of the night transposed into vengeful thunders and lightings. The village was enraged by the actions of Labo, for now there were wives left without husbands and children without fathers. The death of Labo was not enough, for the people cried out for more blood. They had searched for hours to find Sycress, Labo’s wife. If it would not have been for the dogs, she may very well have hid beneath her home till night to escape. The people demanded answers, of which she claimed to have none.
Two men held Sycress by the bell, which Nau had rung merely hours ago, while women of the village screamed out demanding she be put to death. Cries of, “burn the witch” and “kill the wife and mother of devils” could be heard from the mouths of some of the most thought-to-be chaste ladies in Nesal. Rumors of her marked husband and sorcerer son were violently being used against Sycress, as she wept and continued to deny having any knowledge of either.
Nau scarcely observed the vile words being spewed in the village, as Amashai pulled their children Hisum and Misal tightly to her. She buried their faces into her dress and tried to cover their ears with her hands. Sorie stood with Eslar, failing to understand why her husband Tindal was even giving ear to such desires of the people. Sorie was grieved and somewhat frightened by the recent deaths, yet she could not conceive how the lack of mercy toward Sycress would bring comfort back to Nesal.
The people were demanding that Sycress be burned at the stake as a witch. The law indeed gave authority to the council to hear such matters, and to execute punishment where necessary. The problem lied not with the law and punishment, but with the hearts of the people and their thirst for vengeance without first allowing the matter to be heard. There was no council, thus the people were restless. In their eyes, there was no one left to punish but Sycress, and Tindal seemed eager to hand her over to the people.
From the back of the crowd, an elderly bearded man came forth. Carrying a straight, smooth wooden staff, with his face covered by the hood of his tan cloak, he moved effortlessly between the screaming men and women. Standing between the crowd, before Tindal and
the two men holding Sycress, the man slid back his hood exposing his piercing eyes. The bearded man was Ashvar, and Tindal was most surprised to have the seer appear at such an inopportune time.
Standing in front of all of Nesal, Ashvar directed his thoughts to Tindal, “What is it thou doest, dear Tindal? Has your heart been seared by the cries of the people, that you can see only law without mercy? Are you ready to condemn a soul before the matter can yet be heard? Do you now hold the high office of the council, one who is to be a just man to the people, yet have allowed them to persuade you to do that which is unjust and against such law you claimed to uphold? Do you yet convict her within thine heart, because you are angry with another? Are your thoughts so clouded that you are unable to recall that which you have been taught by the wise men of old? Shall the laws of Nesal and the Book of Wisdom be laid aside, so that the people and their judge may have their unruly lusts fulfilled?”
He paused. With no response from Tindal or the crowd he continued, “Give not this woman over to death, for she is indeed innocent of the crimes of which she is charged. Shall the mother be punished for the sins of her child, or a wife for the sins of her husband? Let it not be so, for let every man be judged and punished for their own sins. For he that judgeth his neighbor by another man’s sins, let him also be judged by the sins of another.”
Turning to the people, Ashvar continued, “Do not forget mercy and grace, as you mourn and desire judgment against the wicked. For, would we not desire the same if we ourselves should be found within their grasps? Today I have come to warn the people of Nesal of the coming Ekleipsis, which lies but over the horizon in Trachten. There is much we must do, for the armies of Darkness do now prepare to destroy all light from the Land of Erde. Prepare yourselves you people of Nesal, for the Darkness cometh upon us. Let it not overcome your mortal bodies nor steal your souls, but let us dwell in the light; finding ourselves to be good and faithful servants to King Salvare and his Book of Wisdom.”
Ekleipsis Page 13