A BOOK OF SCROLLS: Salarik and the Priestess

THE BOOK OF PROPHETS:

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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.

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