Sunday, June 18, 2017

Salarik and the Priestess

THE BOOK OF PROPHETS:
---------------------------


   Salarik was a tax collector from the city of Uruk.  He disliked collecting taxes, for he was made to extort more than what even the elderly and poor were able to provide in payment to the Governor.  Salarik was a young unwed man of compassion.   He found no joy in his first office and sought to leave and move instead to the city of Lindol, west of Uruk.
   Salarik came to the southern gate of Mithar.  He knew Mithar’s main road led to the only bridge that spanned the River Luhun into Lindol, for the city lay divided by that which fed the Bay of Luhun.  On either side of Mithar’s main southern gate stood the statues of The Siblings; Serafym on the left, and his sister, Lyreah on the right.  About this gate, a market sprung up daily for only four hours.  From all over the land of Eriduah people came to buy and sell and barter their goods and wares.
   On this very day, when Salarik left his childhood home and profession behind, his life was forever changed.  He heard, amid the cries to buy this or sell that, a single voice rose which silenced them all.  It was the voice of the Prophet Nadan who spoke to the crowds denouncing the corruption of both the King of Mithar and the idolatress-priest of Lindol.  Upon Salarik’s arrival into the marketplace the one called Nadan, said, “Behold, for even the tax collector of Uruk has awoken from the lies perpetuated upon him to extort the poor no longer.  Yet both King and Priest still slumber under the delusion their people enjoy their heavy burdens, which their leaders refuse to carry themselves.  Such wickedness and deceit will not go unnoticed forever by God!”
   Startled at hearing such words spoken by the unfamiliar man, Salarik turned and confronted Nadan before the crowds, “Sir, how are able to say such things of me?  I have never laid eyes upon you nor set foot in this city before, and yet you cast my affairs in public.  You who freely shout bold words many only whisper in fear; why drag me into such matters?”
   “Salarik, son of Abalon, God knows you and the very hour of your death for upholding his glorious name before men.”  Nadan then added, turning to face the young man for the first time, “Follow me, and witness even far greater wonders than what you perceive now, that men shall be ever inspired to turn from their selfish ways and do right in the sight of Eru-Illuva.”
   The power of his words caused Salarik to feel humble.  With that, the young man from Uruk fell to both knees in awe and said, “I shall follow you always my lord as I am yours.  Never before have I heard commands apart from the battlefield sway the heart to be moved.”
   Some among the crowd were astonished by what they heard and saw.  But the Prophet Nadan said, “Arise and obey my word.  Go ahead into Lindol as your feet were leading you before you turned aside at meeting me.  In doing so shall you know for yourself that not only is it filled with wickedness but that I am Eru’s Word among you all,” at this, the very city of Mithar fell silent.  Nadan added, “Go.  The third priest you shall meet along your way will send you to a certain Priestess.  Upon seeing her you must say, ‘The Master of All forgives you.’  Before you depart in return to me you must conclude with, ‘In faith, you have already.’  Now go, as the hour approaches when many will turn aside from right thinking.”

   Not fully understanding all that he had been instructed, the young man Salarik did as he was told nonetheless.  After he left Nadan spoke, warning the crowds that pressed about him, “The day shall come when the young today will see, in their old age the very bell of this great tower fall from its perch.  On that day these very gates shall be cast down and you shall weep at the remembrance of my words to you this day.  For, such is wisdom only learned after much folly has passed; like the waters of shortcomings are long behind you in not following God.”

   Down the winding streets of the city of Mithar, the young man named Salarik headed north.  At the gate; that led to the bridge which crossed into the southern portion of the city called Lindol, the boy saw a priest.
   Seeing the new comer’s clothes as one who was outfitted like those from the village of Uruk, the crimson-robed priest asked, “Welcome stranger, are you come to revel during the festival of the gods of Lindol?”
   Salarik answered, “No. No, I came only to visit and see for myself the wonder I have heard about your grand seaport.”  The former tax collector continued.  Pressing among the many who entered Mithar by that bridge, Salarik joined the throngs venturing north into the white city.  Coming to the other side, through Lindol’s southern gate, the boy was greeted by a second crimson-robed priest.  Again, seeing a stranger he was welcomed, “Have you come to revere the Holy Vala amid the nine temples of Lindol, my friend?  Which temple of the gods may I direct you to?”
   This time Salarik spoke up, “None of them for I am a follower of the Prophet Nadan, I have come to see your idols for myself.”
   At that, the priest turned aside and had nothing more to do with Salarik.  Those about the priest suddenly began speaking among themselves in low voices against the Prophet and cursing the stranger.
   Salarik gave no heed to them and went on his way as before.  He marveled at the polished tiles that lined the very streets of Lindol.  They were in stark contrast to the older portion called Mithar.  The city of Lindol had white marble buildings with many pillars and arched windows, detailed statues adorned the many pooled fountains which swam with fish.  It was a marvel to behold, for the sunbaked-bricks of Uruk were a village by comparison. 
   The young man, Salarik stood before the many-pillared temple of the House of Melthross, the god of wine and gatherings.  He saw a third crimson-robed priest at the foot of the temple’s grand stairs.  Amid a crowd of worshipers the priest was chanting as he poured a libation of red wine of a phallic symbol of Melthross.  Upon seeing the country dress of the young stranger, the priest shouted, “Behold, see here comes one from Uruk to praise you oh Lord of wine and lust-filled passions!”
   At this Salarik boldly denounced, “Nay, for no I am not you drunk priest.  For the Lord of All things is not controlled by his base organ nor made foolish by strong drink such as you.  I serve his Prophet Nadan and not a stone image of man’s pride.”
   Upon hearing that the priest burst into laughter surrounded by the silenced crowd, then said, “Then silly boy, you would do well to avoid the Harlot Priestess Yavelna.  For she serves the Goddess of Pleasure!  Many a man has eagerly dived between her hungry thighs, and even more are the babes she has pushed out to sacrifice to the fire god Nudor!”  With that, the crowds joined the priest in laughter and ridicule of Nadan and his messenger youth.  

   Salarik, the third follower of the Prophet Nadan turned aside and went in the direction to which the third priest had pointed.  In time he came to a temple painted red and draped with scarlet veils.  The smell of strong perfume and lavender incense filled the air about the temple of prostitution.  All about the temple and in its high court, Salarik saw for himself the naked bodies of men lying with men and women with women all mingling with one another upon pillows and moans of passion.  Atop the high steps of the red temple of the goddess, Nyeirdah stood the Madam Priestess Yavelna.  Upon seeing the youthful stranger below she called out seductively, “Oh son of Uruk, come and lay with me, and bathe your cares away in the arms of our fair Lady!”
   Salarik only stood in silence watching the things before him.  Again the Harlot Priestess called for the stranger to enter her palace.  But the boy saw that the beauty of the much older woman had long since faded, and her white powdered face was flaking away to reveal her true weariness.  Salarik looked upon her with grave pity.
   He then recalled the words of Nadan, “I forgive you.”
   Puzzled, she asked, “What was that you said, my dear?”
   “The Master forgives you,” Salarik said.
   “Who forgives me what,” the priestess inquired?
   “The Lord forgives you for having murdered all your children and casting them into the fire.  He forgives you for lying with those who do not belong to you, and he calls you to do such things no more.”
   It was at that very moment, that the weight of all those neglected years began to eat away at her all at once; and the strong-willed woman fell upon the ground and wept like a forgotten child.  She sobbed for a long time as those about dressed themselves and gathered about in astonishment and wondered what had transpired.  After a long, while the Red Priestess called down the steps of the temple to Salarik, “Take me to your master that I may thank him for releasing this burden from me as I shall leave this place and follow him.”

   But Salarik only replied, “In your faith you already have.”  With that, he turned aside and left the city of Lindol for the southern gate of Mithar.








(c) 2024 The Eclectic SNOWber Productions
All rights reserved, the logo, scarfed, pipe-smoking polar bear, maps, 
and images are all the works of the author.
No "AI" was used in the story conception!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Monday, May 29, 2017

The Song of Voices

THE BOOK OF PRIESTS:
---------------------------

    It had become the practice of the holy priests to burn incense inside the Great Meeting Hall of Mithar, early in the morning hours.  Just before daybreak, the priest would open its great round door and ceremoniously chant songs about the Great Departure and one day hope of their kin's savational return.  Lamenting prayers began afterwards and then the morning call to prayers for the city dwellers to come forth.  At the first call, the people would stand, where ever they were found walking or called to rise from their slumber if in bed and to face the bay's seaward gateway toward the west. 

………………………………….
1   SONGS OF GALADIR
(For Lord Symordare)
Come now and remember the Dead,
For he loved life to its fullest,
breathing in adventures grave and small.
Many paths and lives he wove,
Among the fabric of his own;
A tapestry of interest and caring,
a life of seeking and sharing.
To remember him is to recall
Yourself for we all, here shared
In some brief measure, a smile
before his passing joy and days.

………………………………….
2   MORNING LIGHT
   “Beyond the Sun and Moon peaks
far from the rim of the world
our departed kin are forever
remembered lost from us.
   Hope we do ring out our bell
and beacon light shone forth
the way back to us may they
someday welcomingly return.”

~ Lord Vethdema, First High Priest (GD2)
………………………………….
3   SING UNTO HIM
Let us come and eagerly sing
   For GOD sang first of us,
And now we of Him!

No face or limb has He
   Yet the warmth of smile,
And strongest arm we know.

Always the loving teacher
   Forgiving and willing us to grow,
And opening His knowledge.

He is the One above all others
  The Angels were as children unto Him,
And we His humbled servants.

Let us come and early sing
   for God sang first of us,
   And now we of Him!
………………………………….
4   TOO LATE
Through all the sorrows and pain
I have seen amazing wondrous things;
Hail the unseen hand of Him,
Who moves my heart in faith.

Death, loss and crippled weaknesses
There has been love, compassion, and empathy;
Hail the unseen hand of Him,
Who moves my heart in faith.

Fear, helplessness and lonely doubt,
The Lord’s joy shines through;
Hail the unseen hand of Him,
Who moves my heart in faith.

Keeping a smile in our soul
Even when they are lost on our faces;
Hail the unseen hand of Him,
Who moves my heart in faith.

Knowing, believing, sharing and doing
For tomorrow it may be too late;
Hail the unseen hand of Him,
Who moves my heart in faith.
………………………………….
5   THE MOST HIGH
The Most High sees the most low
Water rats, street folk, none
Are far from his watchful gaze;
He whose name is unspeakable.

On the great or small fishing boat
Poor broken home or grand tower
The master of all is maker of all;
He whose name is unspeakable.

Father unknown and mother wayward
Brothers too many for count among the streets;
No matter excuse or reason there is,
God’s purpose always prevails above all.
………………………………….

6   ABOVE ALL
God is the One and Always
We who follow Him are His children
And glory in His way of peace
We call others to follow in joy.

The Lord is Above is good.
No one can command another
To surrender to his path of learning
But the elite who draw close
To God are obligated to shun the fallen

The Lord above is good.
Encourage the weak to endure
For like the desert many fall away
Do not become weary but thirst
More for His understanding than water.
The Lord above is good.
………………………………….
7   TO KNOW HIM
I shall raise my voice unto God
For who else knows my inner desires
There is a yearning within that burns
Since childhood has that search been ongoing
As though others cared nothing of me
They seemed distracted in this numb life
As all I ever wanted was more of the next
Where shall my answers be found if not in him?
For the grand architect knows His children
My inner voice cries to know Him
Yet men fail in desire, but for more power
Their strivings have never fulfilled my heart.
………………………………….
8   BLESSED ONE
May the Blessed One grant us Hope
May the Blessed One grant us Mercy
May the Blessed One grant us Joy
For the Hope, Mercy, and Joy
Of the
Holy Blessed One alone
Can be granted
By Him alone.
We praise the Unspeakable Name
Unspeakable because of our unworthiness
And inability to comprehend His greatness;
Blessed Be The One and Always.
………………………………….
9   STAND FIRM
The wicked fall by the thousands
Even at the gate of terror they flee
Before the righteous who do battle
With naked faith in truth before the liar.

The Tower stands firm
Illuva-Eru’s hand is on the King!

The four Houses raised the good
But the best are grown to build
Catch, compose and teach others
The Truth, accurate knowledge and Way.

The Tower stands firm
Eru’s hand is upon the King!

Strong minds and will control
The servants to fulfill the Lord’s
Will as they are His strength
Righteous servants venerate His Name.

The Tower stands firm
Illuva’s hand supports the King!

Stand firm in opposition to hate
When persecuted by evil be strengthened
As tested one are like steel swords
Endure the making of a spiritual servant.

The Tower stand firm,
Stand firm for The Tower!
………………………………….
10   MIGHTY BEYOND
You did not make the changing leaf,
The warring ant or the collecting bee.
You had nothing to do with the clouds,
The making of a rainbow or morning dew.

Mighty beyond reason is GOD.

Where were you when the sea was filled,
The fish given armor or gull’s their wing?
How did you alone craft the mountains,
Fashion valleys or design forest trees?

Mighty beyond reason is GOD.

Neither you nor I performed these works,
They are beyond the very thoughts of any.
How arrogant we are to forget GOD
We frail thoughtless things need humility.

Mighty beyond reason is GOD.
………………………………….
11   ALWAYS IN HEART
Rain or Shine I will praise Him
In sorrow or joy is He worthy
Mountains or valleys is He forever
Death and birth are in His hands.
Who am I not to speak of God?
Who are you to silence me?

There is nothing we can do better
For who among us can create an ocean
Build the sky or light the stars
None among us can boast of being good;
Yet, we are always in His heart.
~O’bajuth; The Reluctant Prophet
………………………………….
12   LIFT UP
I lift up my voice to you Oh Lord
the maker of heaven and earth
for I am but nothing in comparison.
Before a thunderstorm is a dragonfly
Weak and hindered in flight
Or against the gale at sea
is a gull made to seek landfall.
None can withstand your hand,
Oh Creator of all that is, for
even in death, you are there
in death, you humble our arrogance
our bones are crushed to ash.
Praise forever your most High
and sacred unspeakable name for
truly unknown and beyond our thoughts
known only to yourself as we all kneel someday.
Before your handiworks, we pale,
in solemn awe, we stand in frailty alone,
unable to comprehend your might.
Gratitude beyond words for allowing us
the briefest aromas of understanding that
you are even there and forgive our faltering
disbeliefs as we strive in this life.
………………………………….








(c) 2024 The Eclectic SNOWber Productions
All rights reserved, the logo, scarfed, pipe-smoking polar bear, maps, 
and images are all the works of the author.
No "AI" was used in the story conception!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .



The Holy Staff

THE BOOK OF PRIESTS:
---------------------------

      1 THE Priest Vethdema was injured in a fall one day.  After he fell down the stairs of Varlendur he cut a thin branch from an orchid tree and used it as a staff.  Thereafter he walked with a limp of his right foot.  The orchid staff was passed to the successor, Nolmithlon.  Upon his death bed, Nolmithlon cut a braided lock of Vethdema’s hair; later he fastened it to the staff.  The third priest, Aeradreth did the same with Nolmithlon’s braided hair and all those who followed in his footsteps.  The priest thereafter wore a single braided strain of hair on their left side in honor of Vethdema, the first High Priest of Mithar.
   2 IT was also Aeradreth who cut and polished the great spiraled trench into the wood grain of the staff.  He embellished the spiral groove with the sigils of the Priest’s House, and their names were written in Sinenya.  The script thereafter was used only by the priesthood.  It was Malladek who carved the top of the staff, and his successor Nal Kahass who wrote The Blessing verse atop the raised spiral rib.  The sixth priest was Shayna and he wrote the verse and designed at the base.  The seventh priest, Yelomen carved the hoof at the bottom tip, thus completing the embellishments of the staff.
   3 JUST as the Scepter belonged to the King this staff belonged to the High Priest and became the symbol of The Priesthood.  Each priest wore a white vest-tail in front, this was sashed, and a heavy dark-blue robe was worn over this. Such was the dress and manner of his office.  Each priest added prayers and rituals and devised new aspects of ceremonies for the formal occasions so the people would be ever mindful of the times and seasons worthy to be recalled.
   4 THE Day of Alno'Ilmana, (The One's Purpose) was the third day to the third week of the third month of the year.  No formal work was allowed, by order of the king, and a day of rest to remember that God was above the King, and the King was to favor his people on this day.  Feast and royal stores were freely opened up unto the people.








(c) 2024 The Eclectic SNOWber Productions
All rights reserved, the logo, scarfed, pipe-smoking polar bear, maps, 
and images are all the works of the author.
No "AI" was used in the story conception!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Shay: The First To Come

THE BOOK OF PROPHETS:
---------------------------

THE BURNING MAN
   There was a poor farmer just outside the walls of the towered city, named Shay. One day Shay told his wife, Anya he was going to market for more supplies. Walking with a stick in hand Shay journeyed down the wall-stone road from Mithar to Lindol as was his custom. Up ahead was a single stranger. Shay thought it odd that there were no wagons or other people on the road, but he continued even so. From time to time the gray cloaked figure up ahead would slow down and turn to look back at Shay, all without a greeting or sign. Having his pointed hood up, no face could be seen.
    Shay called out, “Yo stranger, is there something wrong; something you need?” Suddenly to his shock the cloaked man burst into flames. There was no fright, no crying out or any reaction to pain from the stranger.   The man kept walking down the stone road as though nothing had occurred.   Several steps later, and still he continued walking down the road, albeit consumed in fire. There was no reaction from the torched man to the shock of the farmer Shay.
    Shay ran to the stranger to help put out the fire. He called out, “For God’s sake man – let me help you!”
   In that moment the roaring figure of the burning man was utterly extinguished. The only remaining form was filled with a boiling, wisp of smoke.  As the farmer approached and stopped, the once figure of a man calmly turned to face the sure-footed farmer and said, “For God’s sake”? Yes, yes you may help.  Stand still oh child of man and know before whom you are now standing for it is I myself; Illuva, the One and Always. I am that one you feared most, and in a lifetime have come to know the least. I call you, oh child of man to go and tell them who have corrupted the deeds of my name and they are warned to turn from their wicked ways!” With that, the smoke form was gone before the wide eyes of the poor farmer.  Shay stood all alone on the road.

   Rising from where he had been bowed in prayer, Shay realized he had just seen a vision.  Many wagons and people were passing along on either side of the stone road, going to and from both cities.  Looking down at the place where he was standing, Shay saw that the very paving stones were deeply scorched.  Passerby’s stared at him strangely.  One called out, “Fool, stop burning things!”
   Forgetting all else he returned home back to Mithar.  Upon telling what happened to him to his wife; Anya said, “You are very gifted and a blessed husbandman, but why would the Creator manifest himself so and speak to a poor man like you and not unto the king?”
   “Because,” came a voice from the doorway, “of your humility, my friend.”  It was Olma the candle maker.
   “Forgive me for not having yet purchased the supplies as you requested,” Shay said.
  “It is alright,” replied the merchant.  Entering the home upon Shay’s welcoming, Olma continued, “So, this visionary figure of yours called himself ‘Illuva’?”
   “Yes,” Shay did not back down, as his conviction grew, “Would you accompany me along the wall-stone road to see for yourself the place of meeting?  I did not burn the pave stones nor did another man melt them on that way.”
   “I do not know who burned them either, for all we have is your say so, and others will call you mad or a dreamer, perhaps both,” Olma said disbelievingly. Adding, “It is just a curious thing you call the Father of All as opposed to one of the Vala.  I mean-”
   “If you believe me or not is no care to me, I simply shared my experience.  If it makes you happy or offends you, that is no matter to me.  As for me – and my wife, we shall praise Illuva as the One and Always, for he far exceeds any of the Vala whom he sang into being.  They were his children and we his grandchildren.  The Vala made us but we were only gifts back to him from them!  Amazing as those angels are, they should not be worshiped as Illuva alone should be, for he is God!
 I had a vision once:
“I saw seven stars fall from the heavens, and they lay dead upon the ground.   Then something like unto a sheet of skin appeared blowing in the wind came and covered the fallen stars.  It came to pass that a great ocean wave washed them away for neither the sheet of skin nor the stars were to be found.  They had both become as whispered rumors as a forgotten nightmare is unto children.” Shay said as Anya embraced him.
   Olma replied, ‘I am not offended by the faith of your experience, Shay.  Not everyone has had your vision.  I have not had such, but you tell it as you wish I only give you caution is doing so.” Olma smiled and left the home, disbelieving in his heart.

   Two weeks later Olma and another man, Vethdema by name journeyed together from Mithar to Lindol for a council meeting to strengthen trade between to two cities. Olma relayed the story he had overheard the farmer Shay telling his wife, and he asked Vethdema what he thought of the matter.  As Olma was talking, the two of them came upon the very melted place of which he spoke.  The pave stones, that once made up the first outer wall of Mithar were deeply scorched.  The two men stopped where they stood.

  Before Vethdema could speak in turn, there suddenly came shaft of light from heaven bursting through the clouds.  Everyone along the road stopped as well to gaze upon the wonder, for in that moment a flaming stone was hurled to the ground below.  Out beyond the road beside Vethdema, the ground burst open wide with fire leaving a gaping hole twice as broad and deep as a wagon!  From the pit’s dying fire a pillar of black smoke rose up.  Before everyone, the boiling pillar of smoke took to shape of a man, not its form.








(c) 2024 The Eclectic SNOWber Productions
All rights reserved, the logo, scarfed, pipe-smoking polar bear, maps, 
and images are all the works of the author.
No "AI" was used in the story conception!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Order of the Sisters

THE BOOK OF KINGS:
---------------------------

THE SCRIBES
 1 TO list the Kings would also be to list their Royal Scribes for to see one you saw the other.  They were also called The Silent Sisters.  They were forbidden to speak unless spoken to, and if they did so only at the behest of the King himself; they were all girls.  Their age began at eight years, and solely in that office for the service and record of the King.  A sworn mandate was made in open court by the second Crown that no one, not even the King himself could touch or molest them upon penalty of death, as they were charged with recording history good or ill.
  2 SISTERS, as they came to be called, were strictly trained by the Scribe-Mothers.  They were former scribes in the service of the Kings.  Chosen and trained as early as six years of age, The Sister Scribes were a devout class unto themselves.  Their memories and words were a reflection of the law of the King they served and those before them as a reference of law before all.
  3 ONLY after they had fulfilled their office could a Sister become a wife if she so chose; however, relations with a man was strictly forbidden under her training and law of the third king.  There was no requirement as to how many could serve a single king or for how long.
      2 THESE are the listing of the Order of Scribes:
   2 THE first scribe of Mithar was the Watcher, Adoromeir, son of Lord Beirdan and the Lady Holmath.  The second scribe appointed was the Watcher, Nolmithlon; a sailor, shipbuilder, and apprentice of Cirdan.  He, in turn, was the Head Master over Lydia.

   3 LYDIA was the first to be called a Sister unto the Scribes, and those under her tutelage were thereafter called The Order of the Sisters.   She was called ‘Mother’ by her students.  Only those students who had been hand chosen and served as Sister-Scribes were raised to Motherhood to train other ‘daughter’ scribes.  Sisters who were not chosen to be royal scribes lived in the tower of Varlendur and worked as the copyist, transcribing The Grey Book.  It was later called The Book of Books and The Watcher’s Book.  They were the keepers of the Law and highly respected and feared among the people in conversation, for they could always be chosen by the King. 








(c) 2024 The Eclectic SNOWber Productions
All rights reserved, the logo, scarfed, pipe-smoking polar bear, maps, 
and images are all the works of the author.
No "AI" was used in the story conception!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .