by Lee Watts
Reluctant to arrest someone who played such a vital role in the survival of the Remnant, but seeing Aulani's point, Alexander paused in contemplation.
"I don't believe we can have him arrested," Yilib interjected referring to his datapad.
Alexander turned to him for an explanation.
"It says here, that for his efforts with the Remnant you gave the captain and his crew a full pardon for all past crimes."
"That's outrageous," Aulani fumed. "He ruined my life!"
The weight of the decision rested solely on Alexander. He didn't want to do anything that would upset Aulani but didn't see a way around it. Lamenting the awkward position, he hesitated before speaking.
"Aulani… I know this may sound hard, but I think it was the Elder's will for you to be on that planet. If it weren't for you, I would have drowned in that river the first day we met. Lord Canton wouldn't have found me, The Remnant wouldn't have survived the attack at Oosay, and the Realm would still be under Hegemony rule. I know the Elder doesn't cause bad things to happen, but I think He's worked in this situation to bring about great good. I'm sorry, but I can't have Captain LaRouche arrested."
Turning to the Council, Alexander gauged their reactions before continuing.
"I say we give him the information," he proposed.
"You can't be serious?" Baroness Montay snipped. "It's ludicrous."
"It may be," Alexander admitted, "but what does it cost us? If he finds nothing, we're out nothing. However, if the legend turns out to be true, this Great Weapon could make all the difference in the Realm surviving or not."
The baroness puffed and rolled her eyes but clearly wasn't going to call for a vote of objection. While the rest in the room seemed to think LaRouche was off his rocker, they saw little risk in merely giving him some coordinates.
Seeing the deal was going to get the go-ahead, Aulani tried to push her hurt and anger aside and suggested Jaiden should accompany LaRouche. She explained how they learned of the hidden prism in the wall of the ship from Christina, and if LaRouche was going to Acatus, then Jaiden was the absolute best guide they could possibly have. Alexander agreed, and the Council approved the suggestion. When Jaiden heard, he jumped at the chance to break the tremendous boredom he had endured since coming to Theera. Alexander was about to call Sosimo back in to give him the coordinates and offer Jaiden as a guide, but realizing this gave the pirate another chance to spout confusion, the king just sent a messenger.
"Alright, Yilib," Alexander said, "What's the next item of business?"
"The Assembly of Worlds, Sire," he answered.
"The Assembly?" the king replied in surprise. "What's there to discuss?"
"Two things actually - first, the candidates for the Chief Minister position."
"What does that have to do with the Realm?" Alexander asked. "We're not even in the Assembly anymore. The Realm lost its representation when the Hegemony took over."
"Nevertheless, I think you will find it interesting who is on the ballot to take over as the new head of the AOW... Salazar Yorin."
"Salazar?" Alexander blurted in shock. "How can he be running for Chief Minister? He doesn't even have a world."
"Yes," Yilib explained, "and he's using that as his main campaign point. Claiming no ties, he is seen as someone who won't favor any particular nation, and the claim is gaining him many supporters."
"This is outrageous," Alexander protested. "If he becomes Chief Minister, he'll turn the entire Assembly against us. We'll have no allies at all!"
"Which brings up the second point about the Assembly, Sire," Yilib added. "The Executive Summit is coming up shortly. Now that the Hegemony is out of the Realm, in some part anyway, the Realm should have its own representation at the AOW, so my counsel is to petition to rejoin the Assembly."
"Why?" Alexander questioned with a clear disdain for the organization. "I had a chance to take us out of the AOW years ago, and I didn't take it; that mistake cost me dearly, and I've regretted it ever since. If Salazar becomes Chief Minister, it makes it even worse for us. Why should we seek to reenter the Assembly?"
"Allies," Baroness Montay answered.
Alexander and the others turned to her as she continued.
"Sire, if we can get the Assembly's support, they could pass a resolution calling for the withdrawal of Hegemony forces from our occupied worlds. Since the Ramillie are a member state, it would force them to comply or face action from the entire Assembly."
"The Assembly's not known for taking much action except for endless debate," Alexander grumbled.
Yilib leaned forward to speak.
"Your Highness, I still believe it prudent to rejoin the Assembly. It would give the Realm legitimacy in the eyes of other worlds and so aid in trying to open negotiations. I think the Realm's ‘renegade state' status is one of the main reasons for other power's reluctance to reestablish trade and partnerships with us," Yilib argued.
Alexander ran a hand over his head and rubbed the back of his neck as he let out an agonized breath.
"I really don't want to do this," he lamented.
"I know, Sire," Yilib said, "but sometimes, for the good of the Realm..."
Alexander looked to his mother, who regarded him with empathy. From their expressions, it was clear most of the Councilors believed it a good idea and awaited the king's decision. He paused, thinking there had to be another way, but it seemed the option before him was the best path.
Regretting it even as he spoke, Alexander approved the idea, all the while wondering if he was making the same fatal mistake twice.
CHAPTER 28
"…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." – Hebrews 13:5
(1,000 years ago)
SNAP! Another crack of the cutting whip stung across Shania's bared back as Koraden continued the interrogation. The Guardian's front was pressed against a wall with her chained arms stretched above her head.
"HOW DID YOU KNOW OF THIS PLACE?" the Dridmor demanded.
Again, she defied him with silence.
SNAP!
"ARE THERE OTHER GUARDIANS WITH YOU? ARE YOU ALONE?"
A small smile crossed the battered woman's face, and her eyes seemed to see something far off.
"No…," she said softly, "Never alone."
Infuriated, Koraden growled while baring his teeth as boiling anger knotted in him and the black of his pupils spread to envelop both his eyes. Erupting in a fury, he howled as he resumed the assault with fervor. SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! Shania cried out in pain as he lashed at her in maddened rage. Koraden asked no more questions; it was no longer about answers, merely spite.
An hour later, the door of the primary cell creaked open as two Ramillie guards, supporting Shania's weight, brought her in and dumped her on the floor. Seeing her blood-soaked top covering and how she was drained of energy, one guard gave a lopsided grin and the other a half chuckle. They left then resealed the cage. Crossing to her was the feeble woman Shania spoke with during her previous visit.
"Guardian," she whispered, "are you alright?"
"I've had worse days," Shania said with a wince as she sat up. "Though…" she grunted in pain as she arched her back, "… not many."
"We thought you had escaped," the old woman said. "They came asking about you, but I swear, Guardian, we told them nothing."
"I know," she replied. "It was another, a frightened girl who was only trying to stay alive."
"This girl," the old woman questioned with interest, "what is her name?"
Shania told her, which caused the old woman to tear up and place a hand over her mouth.
"You know Pipaluk?" Shania asked.
"Yes, Guardian. I was friends with her parents and tried to help her after they were taken. I've often prayed for Pipaluk and asked the Elder to send someone to care for her. She was always a sweet child. I'm… I'm sorry she's done this to you."
"No, don't be sorry, Dear One. This isn't Pipaluk's fault. She told me about you. You're Elise, aren't y
ou?"
The woman nodded.
"Well Elise, I believe the Elder has answered your prayers. Out of all the people on this world, He led me to her. He allowed the girl another chance to hear of Elkanah's love for her. Don't give up on Pipaluk; she is on the precipice of a decision, and the more the dark spirits assail her, the more I know how close she must be to trusting in Him. The enemy wouldn't fight so hard if they weren't afraid of losing her, and if her eternal soul is saved through this then how light our persecution here for this short time. Now, more than ever, we should lift her up in prayer."
The old woman smiled, deeply touched by Shania's care for the girl.
"What? You claim you can see the future too?" came a mocking voice from farther back in the cage.
Shania peered into the shadows to see the speaker. Stepping into the light revealed a sneering, grimy-faced male in his mid-forties. The scowl on his face matched his tone of voice. Shania regarded him coolly.
"I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future," she assured.
"You Elderites are the biggest idiots in the galaxy," the man replied in disgust. "You pray, and you suffer, for what? Nothing. There is no evidence of an Elder. There's no afterlife, no eternal punishment or reward, nothing. You suffer for faith in something you can't eat, can't wear, can't use, or even see."
Shania looked at the bitter man with pity.
"How wrong and deceived you are," Shania said. "I feel sorry for you."
"Sorry for me? Why feel sorry for me?"
"Because you have no faith, no hope. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. My heart breaks for all those who believe the great lie that there is no Elder who loves them."
"Nobody loves me, Sweetheart, and by the look of your back, nobody loves you either. It's a cruel universe, and you'd best learn to look out for yourself because no one else is going to. So, spare me your pity. As far as I'm concerned, all there is, is here and now so you might as well take what you can."
"That's Lamar," Elise explained. "He was caught stealing food."
"And why shouldn't I," Lamar spat angrily. "The Ramillie didn't grow it; they didn't harvest it. I wasn't stealing from them; they already stole it."
Lamar's powder blue skin evidenced his alien heritage.
"Where are you from?" Shania asked.
"Pelara. The Ramillie rule my world the same as they do here - the same they do everywhere in the whole blasted galaxy. I served on the ship of Master Chiranjiv. We arrived days ago. When some Ramillie in the Citadel caught me taking from the scraps they left behind they threw me in here, but my master will reclaim me."
"No, he won't," came the voice of Seer Rew.
"What do you know you, crazy old man?" Lamar mocked. "You're stuck in here with the rest of us."
"Your master isn't coming for you, but they are and for others too," Rew prophesied. "You and the others are for the Rhia."
"The Rhia?" Lamar questioned. "What's that?"
"Beasts," Elise answered. "Horrible beasts the Ramillie use for sport. Sometimes the prisoners are cast into the great desert and try to make it to the other side, but after a few days, the Rhia are released to hunt them. I've heard the guards talking. They say the hunt keeps the Rhia strong. In a way, it is a better fate, a quick end instead of lingering in here to die."
Distrusting, Lamar looked to Rew then tried to ease the concern by dismissing the claim as false. Huffing, Lamar slunk back into the shadows of the cell.
"Seer, when will they come to take the prisoners?" Elise asked.
"Tonight."
"Am I to be among them," she wondered.
Rew nodded.
Excited, Elise turned to Shania.
"Then you must take my place, Guardian," she insisted. "I will give you my cloak, and they'll think you're me. You could get away."
"I can't do that," Shania declined. "There is water and good land on the other side of the desert. I've seen it. The journey would be hard, but it could be made. If there's a chance for you to get away, then you must take it."
"Guardian, I am old and weak. I doubt I would last a single day among the dunes, and my life is not as important as your work. The other night you mentioned other Guardians are coming. If you could get away, you could bring them here and save the others, save Pipaluk. I beg you, take my place. Let me give her one more chance."
"Mrs. Elise?" came the quivering voice of a young girl.
The prisoners turned to the cell door. On the other side of the bars, with tears streaking her face, was Pipaluk.
"Pip," the haggard woman said, hobbling her way to the door. "Sweet Pip, oh, I wish you didn't have to see me like this."
"Mrs. Elise, I-" Pipaluk heaved from the tears, "I thought you were dead."
She reached through the bars and clasped the old woman's hands.
Rew helped Shania stand, and they made their way to the bars as Elise and Pipaluk were reunited.
"Why?..." Pipaluk sobbed.
"Why what, Little One?" Shania asked.
"Why… why are you all still caring for me when I'm... I'm the reason you…" her tears flowed freely and words were choked out by her throat.
"Because we love you," Shania answered.
"But… but I've done so much wrong. I… I serve the Ramillie… I informed on you… I-"
"You have done no worse things in the site of the Elder than any of us have," Elise consoled. "We love you and want you to know the love of the Elder. We've all made errors Pip, but the Codex says, While we were yet in error, Elkanah died for us. You don't have to be perfect, Pip. No one can be, but the Elder loves you anyway."
"She's right," Shania added. "Salvation of the soul is neither earned nor retained by merit. It is a gift; you can either accept it or reject it. Those who have given their heart to Elkanah love you because they are forgiven their errors, not to be forgiven of them."
"But… but I'm scared. What if they find out? I… I couldn't survive in there. It's too much for me."
Shania began reciting passages of the Holy Codex. The girl did not recognize the words as quotes, but the Elderite prisoners did, and the recitations filled them with strength and encouragement.
"But rejoice," Shania began, "inasmuch as ye are partakers of Elkanah's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." Pausing, the Guardian smiled upon noticing the comfort the scriptures provided the believers. Warmed by the effect of the Codex and feeling the presence of the Elder working, she continued reciting. "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed." Turning to Pipaluk, Shania shared the story of the Elder's love for her.
"For the Elder so loved the worlds, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
"But…" Pipaluk whispered between her grief, "I hear the Dridmor can take your soul away."
Shania smiled warmly and reached one arm through the bars, cupping the girl's face and brushing away a tear. Again, the words of the Codex were all she needed to say.
"Neither death, nor life, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of the Elder, which is in Elkanah."
"I want to be loved, Shania," Pipaluk choked out. "I want someone to love me like that. "What must I do to have that kind of love - that kind of faith?"
"Admit and turn from your errors and trust in Elkanah as your means of salvation, and He will send the Spirit of the Comforter to you, and you will receive the things you seek," Shania answered.
Then Elise softly added her favorite words of the Codex, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness… and faith."
Humbling herself in that dark place, Pipaluk poured her heart out to the Elder, asking forgiveness of her errors, and giving her heart
to Him. Reaching through the bars, Shania clasped one of Pipaluk's hands and Elise the other while all three wept tears of joy.
"WHAT'S GOING ON?" came an angry voice interrupting their rejoicing.
Quickly withdrawing her hands, Pipaluk turned around and saw a Ramillie guard standing in the doorway.
"You heard me, Slave! Speak!"
With her head low and avoiding eye contact, Pipaluk began a stammering explanation, but annoyed, the guard quickly told her to shut up and leave the cell area immediately. Pipaluk glanced back to Shania and Elise but dared not say anything. Hurrying past the scowling guard, she ascended the stairs. Elise looked to the Guardian and smiled. They could do what they wanted to her now, and it wouldn't steal her joy, Pipaluk was safe, for eternity.
In the middle of the night, a squad of red armored Ramillie guards came to the cell calling out the Elderites and other prisoners selected for the Rhia. Due to the prisoners' many infections, the guards were reluctant to touch them and knew none by face. One of the guards read the roster of those to be cast into the desert. When Elise's name was announced, a hooded figure hobbled forward and joined the others set to be cast into the dunes. Concealed within the shadows of the cell, Elise smiled, in a single day she had seen Pipaluk come to salvation, and also served as a means for a Guardian to complete her work. Indeed, the Elder had answered her prayers.
Knowing the importance of Rew's escape, another of the prisoners gave his cloak to the seer. Lamar was among the few non-Elderites chosen for the hunt, and Shania wondered if he would betray the escape plan. However, Lamar was too concerned for his own life to bother revealing them. As the prisoners were escorted out of the Citadel to serve as prey for the Rhia, Shania noticed the large, wooden stakes jutting from the ground. The carcasses of prisoners who tried to double back toward the Citadel were chained to those stakes. It was a warning to any contemplating such a trick that the agony they faced for such an infraction was a far longer and worse fate than a quick death being consumed by the ravenous Rhia.
