Red World Trilogy

by V. A. Jeffrey

  "Your Greatness, this prophet Ilim, I believe he is the one behind the destruction of the temple in Galieh. The people are up in arms over it. Before I left, a great, wrathful crowd had chased Abulom out of his house and tore him limb from limb for his false sayings. He promised nothing would happen. Well, look now." Said Caullas to the queen.

  "I know." Said the queen. "It pains me to think upon it. I shall repay what Ilim and that witch have done to your city. In gold and silver and in precious jewels, I shall repay it. I shall find him and when I do, I will make him wish he had never lived and I will take all his essence out of him and have him preserved with me when I ascend and he will forever remain my servant. I shall cut him off from his god and he will serve me."

  Chapter Fourteen

  He whirled around barely missing Rhajit's sword then he came in, slashing at the brawny warrior's chest. The warrior blocked Rapheth's sword with an old wooden shield and deflected it, forcing Rapheth's sword arm down and then he came in and jabbed his groin.

  "You win." Rapheth was nearly out of breath while the older man barely broke a sweat. They'd been at this for an hour.

  "Better. Better than in weeks past but if you want to beat me you will have to move faster than that." Rapheth felt exhilarated. Such a comment from Rhajit was a compliment. He was the best sword fighter Rapheth had ever seen in action. He took a rest while Rhajit called Ephron forth and they practiced. Shukala, tired and resting on a bench set his own wooden sword aside.

  "I am not sure how useful this is for myself, Rapheth." He said.

  "Why?"

  "I am the son of an official. My father was the royal cartographer in Jura. He worked for King Semdulla, King Kufun I's father. He wants me to follow in his footsteps. Next year I will be studying under a cartographer. I do not know many cartographers who need to wield a sword." Rapheth just shrugged.

  "Well, you never know Shukala. Stick with me and you may find some use for it, yet. Sometimes Divine Purpose places us in what seems a strange position but we do not know the end of it until the time comes."

  "A ridiculous thought if I ever heard one." Said Rhajit. He had manged to pin Ephron to the ground and throw his sword out of his hand.

  "What do you mean, ridiculous?" Asked Rapheth.

  "This Divine Purpose. A man makes his own way in the world. What need he of any gods to do it for him?" The others looked at him, surprised. Rapheth spoke up.

  "Well of course, a man may choose his own way. But he may choose his own way or he may choose to walk a path that follows Divine Purpose. It is his choice."

  "What if it is only in his own mind that some divine purpose is there in the first place?"

  "Look here now, sir! You blaspheme against God! You insult even other gods," cried Ephron.

  "What is that to me? One of them is the same as any other." Rhajit said, looking bemused.

  "The First One is not the same as any other. And they are all his sons, some dutiful, others not. Of course, things may be in one's own mind but too many coincidences are not imaginary. That is when you know that other forces are at work." Rapheth said. Ephron scowled at Rhajit.

  "Oh? And who told you that?"

  "My father did. The one who hired you. He is a prophet."

  "And who listens to prophets these days? I am sure he is sincere. But other forces could simply be the events of what we know now as history." Rhajit said, looking at him expectantly. Rapheth was not prepared for this and wasn't quite sure of what to say next.

  "Well, if my father were here he could explain it better." Rapheth said, thinking hard. He nodded, as if talking to himself. "Most things simply are as they are. You are right about that. But sometimes an intervention happens from Above when Purpose needs to be carried out or fulfilled. Some things are too coincidental for there not to be some sign of a working out of Purpose."

  "Those who question what is holy question the natural order of things! They question all that should never be questioned!" Said Ephron.

  "You speak like a foolish boy." Said Rhajit to Ephron.

  "Call it whatever you like but only a fool questions the gods and even more fool to question God."

  "Am I now? A fool because I question the gods you believe? What else have they told you to believe? Eh?" He swung the sword nearly swiping Ephron's face. Ephron exploded in anger and threw his own sword at his head, nearly hitting Rhajit." Rhajit laughed easily but Ephron did not and turned and stalked off.

  "Come back here, boy! We are not finished!"

  "Yes we are! You are a vagabond, an unruly, good-for-nothing here to start trouble. I come from a respectable family. Touch me or think to learn me again and you will regret it!" Ephron shouted. Rhajit's face grew dark and he stopped laughing. Ephron left.

  "Ephron!" Shukala called after him but Ephron did not turn back. Rapheth touched Rhajit's arm.

  "Ephron has a fiery disposition but a short memory. Do not think to take to heart his words. But truly I say to you, I believe Divine Purpose brought you here for a good reason."

  "Bah!" Rhajit spat and went into the one-room house, next door.

  "I wish Ephron would not blow up so quickly." Said Shukala.

  "I think those two are cut of a similar cloth, as mother would say." Said Rapheth.

  "Yes, but on different sides. Who ever heard of questioning the gods and the First Pillar Himself? I have to agree with Ephron. That is the talk of a crazy man."

  "True." Rapheth said but he wondered. There could be any number of things to make a man think in such a way. What were those things? He wondered what lead Rhajit here and what the man had seen in his life to make him question what people naturally knew were true.

  . . .

  Rhajit sat in the back of his humble one room house sharpening his real blades and thinking. Thinking on many things that disturbed him, angered him. He had always been a man, alone. Nothing had changed. The strong scents of a large pan of onions cooking and many other savory scents mingled with the faint scent of rubbish. He'd left the front door open to let in the slight breeze. A group of pigs stood, rooting along and eating the refuse off the street. He looked at them longingly. He would have to kill one of those feral pigs one day. Food for a few months. The meat would also make a decent gift to Zigal who had been so generous to him. His mind switched back to the odd argument. Why did people care about the gods? It was not as if they cared about anyone. There were great temples and shrines dedicated to them and all for what? It was the reason he left his own people in the desert. He would make his own way on his own terms and he would have nothing to do with bowing to elders and shaikhs. Or to gods.

  And yet, there had been that time he was in the arena with the lions. He thought he felt strength flow into him from some place. It was an odd feeling, like being amidst a fast running stream with water rushing over and under except he felt renewed vigor and strength. But it could have just been his imagination as well. Rhajit carried his sword and sharpening stone to his stool outside in the back of the house.

  "No, the gods do not care about us. That is sure." He said with finality.

  "Are you alright, there, or do you need someone in the flesh to talk to?" He heard a woman's voice and turned to see Zigal, pouring some broth from a large bowl into the pan. She was once again in her usual place, the open air kitchen along the back of the house getting the evening meal ready.

  "I am sorry madam. I was lost in thought. I did not see you there."

  "Deep thought, it would seem. No shame in that."

  "You talk to a man in public you do not know well and it does not bother you?"

  "And why should it bother me? We are not among the traditionalists. People here do not pay close attention to things like talking. It is elsewhere outside this neighborhood, especially outside of Rhuctium that you must show caution." She said. Rhajit lifted a brow.

  "So, this Ilim. . . you and he are-"

  "No. Our arrangement, while unusual is not in that way. I am a housekeeper. I keep things clea
ned and organized so that he and the boy may study and read."

  "Do you read?"

  "Why do you ask?"

  "The boy, Rapheth. He told me it was you who taught him his first words."

  "I did. I read verses of the Holy Aishanna to him. I used to be a scion of the Desert Mothers."

  "Is that so?" He looked around and lowered his voice. "You are not afraid to be in the city?"

  "Not here. Yet. It is mostly in Jhis where we have problems. Here, as long as I keep to this neighborhood among those who support a return to the old ways I am relatively safe. But as you know, as a man who knows the world, there is no such thing as complete safety."

  "So I am curious Zigal. This Divine Purpose. Rapheth mentioned it. What is it? Do you believe it and why?"

  "I do. Promise me something Rhajit." She looked at him and lowered her voice until it was nearly as deep as his own. Her eyes shined intensely. She had his attention.

  "What?"

  "I must have your word or may I be struck down dead. Do not tell a soul what I am about to tell you." She lowered her voice to nearly a whisper.

  "I am Rhajit Ka' Mahaj.You have my word and my oath." He was intently listening now.

  "That is enough then. Years ago I escaped here, from Jhis. I served the first queen, before the usurper took power. I was her most trusted maidservant."

  "Queen Diti." He said. She nodded.

  "I came with her from the citadel when she left to marry King Khalit. She and all the elder scions had a mission from the start - to make sure that the favored son of Khalit would survive. This son will fulfill the prophecy in the holy scriptures. He will bring peace to the land. She died, mysteriously, and so it was left up to me to save the child from certain death. I took the baby and fled away and after a few years came here to raise him."

  "But why this child? Did not the king have many sons?"

  "He did. But this one was the son of a king and a queen. He would not be here if it were left up to the usurper but he is here. Purpose can be discerned by those who can see it. To others it simply seems like a string of strange events or happenings but not to those who have eyes to discern it. In order to discern it you must be willing to see with your mind, with perception, and not with your eyes. Looking with your eyes you will always remain blind, deaf and dumb to it. Prophecies are being fulfilled as we speak. Temples are burning, plagues are rising again, great acts are being done and the warning of the coming destruction of Jhis will happen. It is near. Do you think Jhis can continue on as it is? Think of how disastrous things have become there already. Do you think it can continue without consequence?"

  "Perhaps. Perhaps not. Many places are full of disharmony. Many lands rise and fall."

  "True, but as a blind man cannot see, so it is with everyone else not listening to the times and the seasons. But those who are willing to listen God reveals His Purpose to such ones. You cannot see it because you do not believe or obey, so it remains closed to you. I perceive that you are a Karigite, are you not?"

  "I am."

  "Then you are familiar with the Law and the Writings?"

  "Somewhat."

  "Stay with us, Rhajit. Ilim is on the high Red Path but he sends another man in his stead to finish Rapheth's training and rearing. Stay with us and you will see the Divine Purpose reveal itself to you and to everyone. Stay with us long enough and you will see it for yourself and perhaps you may believe then." Rhajit looked skeptical but he remained silent and continued sharpening his weapons. He did not care for the prophet or his ravings but he did respect him. Perhaps when this new man comes he would question him.

  "So this is what keeps you here raising a boy that is not yours? Some prophecy? Why did you even bother to save him? Why is he special?"

  "Loyalty to the blood of the Reshaim. That is what keeps me here. He is of their blood through both the king and the queen. Loyalty is what keeps me here. I want to see the child grow up to become strong and great. To see him bring peace, justice and harmony back to the kingdom. To bring back the supernal greatness this kingdom once was, long ago. He will do it. I know it."

  "Spoken like a true mother." He said quietly. Rhajit did not say what kept him here. He was in hiding but now that the king was dead, why? It did not matter anymore that he had run away from his duty and position as the king's champion but he had other demons. The fires! Fires. He buried the thought again. He hated the unbidden voice. It frightened him and there was a nagging tug of guilt he could not escape no matter what he did. Guilt. It was a new emotion and he did not know how to handle it. He caught Zigal gazing sidelong at him and he got up and went inside.

  . . .

  Rapheth slipped out alone after eating his meal. The early night air felt good. He was now secretly on his way to a meeting or a salon, as the philosopher had called it. He had no idea what to expect but it was a brand new experience and it excited him. And the library! He was most keenly interested in learning its secrets. After half an hour of walking he could see the upper city, where the truly wealthy lived and where the most important temples and the most important schools were located. He hiked over the long bridge that spanned the wide canal, joining the upper city and the lower city.

  They were meeting in the grove once again. This time it was alight with lanterns. The garden and grove of Lady Quala housed not only the grounds to one of the most venerable schools in the city but a shrine to the ancient patroness of the city who on her death later became worshiped by some Rhuctiumites as a minor goddess.

  Injep spied him immediately and welcomed him.

  "Ah! Rapheth! I am so glad you could come and meet with us. Please, sit down and relax. It has been a hot day. Bring him something cold to drink!" Injep called. There was a good-sized group gathered and lyres and flutes was playing while most of the people there were huddled off into their own little circles. Some gazed coolly at the newcomer but most ignored him. Rapheth, was not put off by the chilly reception. He had come to learn at the feet of this new teacher and to gain access to the Library of All Schools. What knowledge did he have in store for him? A young man brought him a glass goblet of iced star wine. He gulped it down, tasting its effervescence and enjoying the sensation. It was sharp and slightly sweet, a rich delight.

  "Have you ever tasted star wine before?" Asked Injep. Rapheth found himself feeling a little sheepish.

  "No. It really does taste like you are drinking the stars."

  "It does. Some of us were just discussing a dangerous thing. Rulership. Specifically, rulership at the capital and the corruptible fabric of kingship, with no one to check the king's hand." The very idea hit Rapheth like an unexpected arrow.

  "But who would check a king? Unless it is a god, for are not kings put in their places by a god?"

  "Are they?"

  "It would seem so to me."

  "That is assumed by most. It is not unusual and it would seem that the king is in his place by divine right-"

  "And it has been that way for aeons of time-" interrupted another instructor, an even older man.

  "-but recently that sacred line," Injep said with slight scorn "has been broken. You know of whom I speak." Injep said to his peer.

  "Who do you mean? Not the Red Kings? Surely?" Said the other instructor.

  "We do not even have to go back that far. Before the current ruler there was a previous usurper before her. He even married her."

  "Right. He killed the ruling Kushigyar of the capital and took over. But even then, how do we know he was not sent by a god to take over?" Said Rapheth.

  "Interesting. Go on." Said Injep.

  "Well, I was just thinking that he could have been sent or driven by some supernatural purpose." Said Rapheth.

  "Perhaps. But in usurping the proper order of things would such a king be legitimate? And why should men accept such kingship by force and violence?"

  "I do not know. A good question." Said Rapheth.

  "And it could just as easily be his own will and might and personal p
urpose to have power instead of attributing such things to gods."

  "But we do not see the spiritual realm. I imagine they could very well plant ideas in a man and make him think it is his own." But would his god do such a thing? Did he not have his own will?

  "That word, imagine. How do we now this is not an idea that is not imagined?"

  "I have seen some under the power of a god work great feats." Said Rapheth.

  "Tricks." Shrugged Injep.

  "Maybe. Or maybe it is only for those who really understand."

  "Ah! The esoterica. There are many esoteric ideas and works that are derived from them. I am sure you have heard of alchemists, have you not?"

  "Yes."

  "Of course regrettably, they are banned here but there is a special class of alchemists called thaumaturgists. They too can use such power."

  "Thaumaturgists?"

  "The men who fold time and air." Said the other man.

  "Yes. And no intervening gods. This power they wield themselves."

  "Where can I find such men?"

  "You would have to go to Egi, or to the far north. Or to the library." Injep said, smiling.

  "When can I visit? How can I get in?"

  "You must be invited young man and I shall do just that, but you cannot be allowed in unless it is on certain days as a student of mine - if you consent to be one, that is."

  "Yes! I would like to study!"

  "Good. I shall make arrangements for you to visit the library. If you can come on the sixth day of the next week, then come. I appreciate a bright mind no matter the station. There are wonders there you may only dream of until you see them. You seem like a young one who is poised for higher learning."

  "Well, at the temple we learn much about the Law and the Writings, even history and poetry."

  "Ah yes. The Aishanna. It has quite beautiful poetry within it. And part of history as your people see it. I think you shall find that a whole world will open up to you, that there is more than you know from your tiny, closed quarter of the world. Just in this city alone there is a world you do not imagine. Your Aishanna tells you a sliver of the knowledge out there."