by Richard Wood
But let me tell you Jesse, “This Elder is a very shrewd dealer of people. I myself have had dealings with them, he is a powerful man. It’s wise to speak very respectfully to him. Seeing this Elder can be a very intimidating experience Jesse. Let me speak very honestly with you now. I need you to listen very closely to me, because once we are with Ra’ah I will not be able to advise you”.
“First of all Jesse, never come before Ra’ah with the notion that you can outwit him. He will see right through you. He has an amazingly keen eye Jesse. The giant sees everything. Always look into his eyes, Ra’ah respects a man who isn’t afraid. When he is talking never look away. He will see that as a sign of great disrespect. Most of all Jesse, never turn your back on him. For this he will kill you”. The Emissary leans toward Jesse and says earnestly, “Jesse, Son of Eli, do you see what I’m saying? Jesse, you must see and understand that with Ra’ah, looks mean that everything”. Jesse shakes his head and replies, “Yes sir, I do understand. I must never turn my back on Ra’ah, always look the Elder in his eyes, and speak respectfully so that he sees that he is being honored. I will remember sir”. The Emissary nods his head and replies, “Good, you’ll do fine then Jesse. I know that you will be OK. I’ve seen you stand in the face of some very difficult situations today, so I’m convinced you’ll be OK”.
Pointing to the left, the Emissary says, “See the fortress on that hill?” “Yes”, Jesse replies. “Well that’s where the Elder Ra’ah lives”. Jesse puts his left hand above his eyes protecting them from the sun’s glare. On the hill he sees a huge complex. It looks perfectly square. A white building with a slightly gray pitched roof. Around the fortress is a lush green landscape filled with trees and what appears to be vineyards. It was such a beautiful sight. An Emerald in the dry lands. The Emissary slaps the palms of his hands on his knees, straightens his back and says to Jesse, “He built the fortress with his own hands, the place is amazing Jesse. But so is the Elder Ra’ah. He can be a very frightening sight Jesse”. Jesse nods his head and says, “Yes sir, I understand. I see Ra’ah’s fortress and understand his size and strength. I know how he uses it all to intimidate all who see him. But I also understand that makes him feel alone. His closest friend is his shadow, rather than fear him, I feel compassion for him. I have never known anyone that lonely before. I hope to learn from my time with the Elder, how to better understand those who are suffering from this pain. I’m not afraid of his size sir, but I will show him the respect he deserves”. Together they all three continue their trek toward the fortress.
Jesse continued to glance at the fortress. The closer he got, the more impressive it became. It was without a doubt the largest complex he had ever seen. Nothing he had ever seen compared with it. As the wagon roles Jesse remarks, “I’ve never seen walls made of white stone before, it’s beautiful how the light shines from it”. Looking straight ahead, the Emissary replies, “Those are not stones Jesse, they are bricks Ra’ah made himself. He makes them from the crushed bones of his enemies. It took him many years to form enough bricks to build his fortress. Ra’ah doesn’t have many living enemies Jesse, but is dead ones are with him every day”. Jesse lowers his head and exhales and his head shakes. The idea of living surrounded by the bones of your enemies is a darkened thought Jesse doesn’t want to spend time thinking about. Jesse raises his head and says with a determined voice, “OK, let’s go see Ra’ah and deliver this load of supplies so I can get paid and get back home with my father and mother”. He whips the reins again and the horse speeds up.
Jesse looks back behind him and sees most of the village people standing and watching. They seem to be talking to one another. Some are shaking their heads, while others stand with their hands raised giving shade to their eyes. The Emissary speaks up as Jesse watches, “Most of them don’t believe they will ever see you again”. Jesse smiles at Pala and asks, “Are you OK, Pala?” “Yes Jesse”, he replies. Jesse asks Pala in a kind voice, “Pala how do you feel about going to the fortress of Ra’ah with us? Would you like me to drop you off here then come back and get you when we’re done?” In a slightly nervous voice Paula replies, “Today Jesse I’ve seen many things. As you approached our village, you stopped your wagon and showed me great kindness. I’ve seen you stand in the midst of death threats from Elders who you only show kindness to. You were tempted by great beauty but Jesse, I never saw you fail once. It was amazing Jesse. You welcomed me on your wagon and inviting me to your home, no Jesse, I do not want to be dropped off. I will stay with you no matter what may happen to me. Thanks to you Jesse I feel like I have a future, whatever happens we’ll see it together.
The Emissary continues to explain to Jesse the history of Ra’ah and the village of Duesburg. As he turns to look at Jesse, he sees a young man who looks more confident than ever before and asks, “Jesse why are you not afraid of the giant or Ra’ah?” Looking straight ahead Jesse says calmly, “I never travel alone!” The Emissary looks slightly confused, as Jesse was alone when he was on the road to Duesburg. Jesse continues, “I have many great friends who travel with me. You can’t see them sir, but they are here. They have been with me and my whole life”. The Emissary’s eyes focused instantly on Jesse. The things he has seen today confirms the boy’s statements. Jesse continues to speak, “They have always taught me that fear is a sickness. The disease that first attacks your mind, works its way down to your heart and stomach and finally steals your body’s strength. It’s for that reason I refuse to let it poison my life”. The Emissary looks at Jesse with a perplexed face. If he has never heard a man speaks so wisely, but here a boy outwits the Ancients. This boy’s ability to stand in the midst of hostile threats is greater than any of the generals of Scarland.
The Emissary is full of questions. “Please stop the wagon Jesse”, he asks. “I have several questions I need to ask”. Jesse pulls on the reins and the wagon comes to a stop. Jesse knows the Emissary’s required to gather any information that can be useful to the king. The Emissary is beyond impressed by the authority of the young man. The Emissary is a man of great authority in Scarland yet this young man has no fear in him at all and shows only respect. The Emissary turns to Jesse and looks man to man to the boy and begins, “I have known the Elders of this village for many years. They are all very prudent, wise, and noble people. But today I saw in all of them a viciousness and hatred they have never shown before. Today this village will bury four of its greatest leaders, all of these Elders have lived here longer than I have lived. And today they’re dead. I saw an Ancient’s choir member brutally murder his master. It takes these choir members years of dedication to learn to sing his thoughts. It’s beyond them to ever consider causing him pain. Jesse please tell me how so many decent people could turn to evil so fast? I am at an impasse as to how to explain these events to our king. And these friends you say you travel with, where are they? It’s obvious someone is with you but no one can see them. Your life is filled with things that can’t be explained. Can you please give me some answers as to what is happening here today?”
Jesse looks back at the Emissary with eyes full of compassion and regret. Compassion because he knows the Emissary is ordered by royal decree to record all he sees and hears. Regrets because the Lights of Elamor have always told him to never reveal his secret until the proper time. Jesse nods his head and begins, “My friends have always been with me. They are as real as my mother and father but they are a part of my life that I have sworn by a sacred oath never to reveal until the proper time. I’m sorry sir, but I cannot tell you any more about my great friends. As for the Ancients, their deaths are the work of Quygon”. The Emissary raises his right hand waving it back and forth and says, “Wait a minute, that’s another thing. How do you know the name of Quygon? That name has never been officially released. Who else knows about him?” Jesse smiles back and says, “My friend’s sir. They know everything. They know more about the dark lord than you or your royal court could possibly realize. The Emissary looks back at him totall
y frustrated. This boy’s life and words are easy to see but impossible to understand. He shakes his head and says, “Ok Jesse we better keep on moving.
Jesse whips the reins and the wagon is off again. As they get closer to the fortress of Ra’ah they begin to see the ornamental posts that indicate the beginning of Ra’ah’s property. The posts are all made of metal and have a very familiar design. A closer look and Jesse realizes, they are his father’s design. Jesse mentions to the Emissary, “I think my father made these posts”. The Emissary replies with a still, frustrated voice, “Your father's work is very well known Jesse. He lived with the Forseeans for many years. Your father and Ra'ah have a history together. Your father is known by many people not only for his metal work but also because of his greatness as a man”. Jesse nods his head joyfully. “Yes”, he replies. “My father is the best man I know. I hope one day to be just like him. No other man I know loves his wife like my father loves my mother and no boy ever had a better dad. In our village, my father is honored as the wisest of the Elders. My father has always taught me to be the best I can be. He has always said that being good enough isn't good enough”. As the Emissary listens, his respect level for the boy and his family grows wildly.
The closer they get to the fortress of Ra'ah the Emissary expects to see a sign of hesitation in Jesse but there is none. The boy’s posture is straight, his attitude is light, and he has a smile on his face. The boy shows no outward sign of worry, tension, or stress. In fact, as they approach the fortress entrance, Jesse shows joy. He's bubbly, light spirited and smiling. The Emissary is perplexed and asks Jesse, “Why are you so happy?” Jesse raises his eyebrows smiles big and says, “One more stop here at the fortress of Ra'ah then Pala and I can go home!” The Emissary jerks around to see Pala. He was so involved with this conversation with Jesse he totally forgot there was another rider on board. “Pala is going back home with you Jesse?” “Oh yes sir”, Jesse replies. “He is now a part of my family”. Pala smiles joyfully. Being a member of a family was only a dream. He never expected it to actually happen.
As Jesse reaches the entrance to the fortress, he pulls back on the reins. The horse comes to a stop then raises its head and softly whips its tail. Both Jesse and the Emissary climb from the wagon and begin walking to the front door. On the ground the Emissary looks at their shadows. His is larger and taller than Jesse's but the truth is, the boy with the childlike shadow is already a bigger man than he could ever be.
As he is walking Jesse turns and says, “Pala aren't you coming with us?” Pala smiles and replies, “Yes Sir Jesse!” He joyfully jumps from the back of the wagon and runs up behind them. The truth is, Jesse wants Pala close to him so that he can better protect him. He has no idea where Quygon is right now but he knows he will try to possess Pala's body and use it. Pala doesn't know yet just how loved he is by Jesse but he will see it in the future. Pala will spend the rest of his life honoring that love with great devotion to Jesse and his family.
Standing in front of the door Jesse is surprised to see his father's craftsmanship. The hinges, knob and nails all show his father's own design. Jesse turns to the Emissary and with a big smile says, “Look, this hardware is all done by my father!” The Emissary replies, “Oh yes Jesse, that's right. Did you know that your father has hardware in the kings' royal palace?” Jesse turns quickly to the Emissary with an astonished look on his face then says, “My father never told me that”. The Emissary nods proudly, “Your father's work is very well respected, not just Paradore but all over Scarland”.
Jesse turns back to the door and raises the heavy metal door knocker and drops it against the metal plate bolted to the door. An echo is heard throughout the fortress. A minute goes by and Jesse does it again. Once again, a loud clunk is heard echoing through the fortress. Seconds later they hear a lock being turned and the huge door opens. Behind it stood a middle aged woman. She stood about five and a half feet tall. The woman was dressed in a light gray, slightly tattered dress that hung below her knees. She had a light blue apron and leather sandals. She looked at us then said briskly, “Master Ra'ah has been expecting you, please come this way”. As Jesse passed the threshold, his eyes quickly adjust to the darkened room. It was an enormous room at least sixteen feet tall. The walls were made of a fragrant red cedar, the floors were white and brown marble with silver specs all throughout. Though room was cooler than the outside temperature.
Along the full length of the wall directly to the left of the entrance, from floor to ceiling hung every kind of weapon imaginable. There were spears from eighteen feet long on down to three feet. There were battle axes also from various sizes. Some with axe head metal and others metal at full length. There hung shields, battle hammers, swords and daggers and many weapons he didn't recognize at all. The Emissary points toward the wall and tells Jesse, “This is just a small amount of the weapons that Ra'ah has taken from his enemies. Only a very few ever get to see the weapons that were awarded to him after battles. Those are kept in caves beneath the fortress, some of his most prized possessions”.
The servant woman waits patiently as the Emissary finishes then says, “This way please”. She looks over to the Emissary and says, “It's been awhile since Master Ra'ah has visited with you Master Spause, he will enjoy seeing you again”. “Thank you”, the Emissary replies. As a he nods his head to her respectfully, she casually leads them through the spacious room and down a darkened hallway. The hallway was lined on both sides with a tapestry of a forest scene filled with trees and plants that Jesse didn't recognize. At the end of the long hallway, there was a huge door made up of what had to be the largest tree in the forest. Though rings started in the middle of the door and work their way out through its full fourteen feet of surface.
From behind the door, Jesse heard the thundering voice of the giant, “Master Spause, you brought with you Jesse the son of Eli”. Jesse looks over to the Emissary with a questioning gaze. The Emissary looks back at Jesse and says, “I told you Master Ra'ah sees everything. Now remember Jesse, always look him in the eyes and never turn your back on him”. The servant woman turns the knob and pushes against the door using her whole body. Slowly it swings open. As the door continues to open, Jesse sees the statue of a lion in the attack position standing next to what looked like a throne. On the other side of the throne is another lion in a different attack position. Jesse begins to realize Ra’ah’s fortress is designed to intimidate his visitors. At Jesse's left he sees the biggest man he could have ever imagined walking and taking his place at the throne. After settling, his thunderous voice rings out. “Come in son of Eli, you are permitted”. As Jesse walks into the giants' throne room he sees the Ancient much clearer. He was a very old man but not like the others, his body was strong and very muscular. It looked as though his hands were huge enough to crush a full grown bull. His fingers looked like limbs from an oak tree and his torso looked like it was cut from solid rock. There was nothing about this Ancient that showed any sign of weakness. He looked to be in every way a warrior champion.
As Jesse scanned the room he saw that the lions were both carved from the same stone. A lustrous black stone with long veins of gold running from the front of the lions' all the way down to the tips of their tails. The giant’s feet rested on a foot stool that seemed to be polished ivory. He was wrapped in a toga style gown made of a heavy white silky fabric. His legs were so powerful that it looked like he could stomp a hill into a dust cloud. The most impressive thing about him though was his powerful eyes, they looked like giant eagle eyes. As Jesse's eyes met the Ancient's he instantly felt a sense of desperation, like the child lost in the dry lands surrounded by wolves. No other man had ever triggered fear in the heart of Jesse before. Instinctively, Jesse knows that this is a defining moment in his life.
Instantly Jesse's mind goes back to his very first meeting with the King of Elamor. He remembered standing next to the King who was so huge that Jesse thought his shoe was a wall. Yet the King of Elamor, in his gracious ki
ndness, stood unmovable, purposely protecting Jesse from the release of his authority. Ra'ah was next to nothing compared to the King and he knows that the King of Elamor stands watch over him. Suddenly the fear in Jesse's heart melted away and in its place came an unspeakable peace with the reassurance that Jesse is not alone. Jesse breathes in deeply. As the air fills his lungs his posture softens, his muscles relax, and a look of peace fills his face. He is no longer impressed by the opulence of the fortress but rather understood fully that it was another of Ra'ah’s attempts to intimidate and control. The whole fortress is a visual symbol of his authority over all he says he controls. Again, the words from the Lights of Elamor filled his soul, “Always remember the greatness of a man is not measured by the things that own him, but by the values that live in his heart”.
