by Ryan McCall
But his disciples took heart at what had occurred. They wandered far and wide, spreading the message of Varos and the Creator, they did so until the time Varos had appointed arrived.
They converged with thousands of followers to the furthest eastern point of the land and at the fall of the night, the brightest of moonlight fell upon the disciples and bathed over them. Then as the crowds looked up they could the spirit of Varos in the light, descending towards them. At his landing he said only these words, ‘Let the Creator guide your shape,’ and his disciples bent to their knees.
The youngest of them, Davil asked, ‘Are you here to stay?’ Varos replied, ‘I have taught you everything there is to know of the Creator. Go now and spread the message far and wide, so that all throughout the world would know as well.’
And Varos waved his hand, a path of light passed over the entire crowd. And those with illnesses were cured, those with injuries were healed, those with ailments-lifelong held, were made whole. Then Varos lifted upwards to descend into the heavens and returned to his place at the Creator’s side.”
Isaac stopped speaking there to see the faces of his flock. They were enthralled, the tale of the Miracle of Varos always did that. Isaac felt something deep inside him when reading or listening to it, there was no doubt that it was the shape of the Creator himself. He closed the dark-black leather book on the stand in front of him. His copy of The Caelein, the holy book of the Church of Varos, was well-worn. He had owned it, since he was eleven years old.
Isaac continued his sermon, “The Miracle of Varos is a moving tale. As I can see how it affects us, the prophet’s teachings and sacrifice gave us our church and our chance at salvation with the Creator. These are changing times we live in.
This city, this entire nation has adopted the way of science. So much emphasis is put on the expanding engine driven mechanisms-those driven by flare-rock and the wave of electrical device which we now use. But we must never allow these advances to let us set aside the teachings of Varos, as far too many have.
Our ancestors watched these developments with fear and thus they made a new home for themselves to the east, in a new land of plenty across the seas. A home which they had to fight to make their own, the Kordate Union; a nation whose rule of law is based on the teachings of Varos. The church elders of the time saw fit to move themselves to this new land which had been divinely given to them by the spirit of Varos. But they did not forget this land and the loyal Varonites who chose to remain. To them and passed on to us, is the task of keeping the faith of the Creator alive, despite the discrimination we face each and every day.
I am proud to be the cleric of such loyal and good-hearted folk that keep Varos alive every day in Alkos by being here. After you leave today I would ask that you try to think of one other way in which you can help spread further word of Varos in your daily lives. It doesn’t need to be something complex, something as simple as small words to friends and family that may not keep with our beliefs. Try to let them see the same light and faith that you yourself have seen and in time the shape may take root in their heart. May the Creator guide your shape and your words.”
And with that sentiment he was finished, he made the Gesture of Varos with his hands, the one that had first been made by the great prophet in the passage he had been reading. His flock began to exit the rows and make their way out of the church, while Isaac began to tidy up and collected the weekly donation tithes. As he was opening the door to his office he heard his name.
“An excellent sermon, Isaac,” someone said from behind him. He turned to see the High Cleric of Varos for Alkos City, Ethan McSheora, standing there. He smiled at the middle-aged man. The high priest had a kindly looking face with rounded spectacles, and like Isaac he was wearing white and silver priestly robes.
“High cleric sir, it is good to see you,” said Isaac. “Do you mind if I take care of this first?” he asked, and moved the box of money up and down to draw Ethan’s eyes.
“Of course,” replied the older cleric “I’d prefer to speak in your office. It’s a more appropriate place for business discussions. Out here should be reserved for matters of faith and our shapes.”
Isaac nodded in agreement and held open the door to his office for the senior priest. Ethan thanked him and walked through, Isaac closing it behind them. He then moved to the south wall and began unlocking the safe where he kept the collection tithes
The high cleric sat down in the arm chair at Isaac’s desk and asked, “How have you been Isaac? I haven’t seen you in, oh, how long has it been?”
“About a month sir,” said Isaac, as the safe clicked for the final time and opened. He took the money out of the box and placed it inside, then relocked the safe. “I’ve been well, still keeping my flock in good order.” He was proud of his loyal flock.
“Yes, so I’ve seen. You’re one of our best clerics you know. Your church has the highest attendance records in the city and your sermons are inspiring,” said Ethan.
“Thank you sir,” replied Isaac, pleased at the compliment.
“You’ve heard of the problems we’ve been having with the Kartecs lately?” asked Ethan.
Isaac frowned. Kartism was the one of the major elven religions, dominant in Ze Feros and their church frequently clashed with that of his own. The vast doctrinal differences aside, both churches claimed that their belief system was the one and only true religion and all others were heretical. That fact alone was enough to create animosity between them. But Isaac had not heard about a particular problem of late.
“I’m afraid I haven’t,” he replied. “I must be behind on the latest events.” He wondered what the development was.
“That’s fine,” said Ethan. The older cleric explained further. “The Kartecs have been pestering for the right to allow their disgusting practices to be allowed within the city limits, in particular their religious use of that dreadful mind-altering tarcaine.” Isaac nodded, the Kartec religion, used the drug in religious ceremonies, claiming that it allowed them to be one with their god-king.
“Several our more active members decided to take it upon themselves to stage protests outside the Kartec churches. Unfortunately one of the protests resulted in violence. The city watch made arrests on both sides, but the damage was already done. I’m afraid the government will be conducting an investigation and I fear it will penetrate the sanctity of our churches. But if we must operate under such oppression then that is the Creator’s will. It is times like this that we know he is testing us.”
Isaac smiled and Ethan continued. “Though I disagree with the violence, the fault of this lies with the Kartecs for attempting to enforce their values upon us. The brave men and women that organized the protests are to be commended. If the Kartecs have their way, this nation would be nothing but an outlet for Ze Feros, imposing their hedonistic and immoral values and drugs upon us. They would corrupt our youth away from the sacred shape of Varos and the Creator.”
“I agree,” said Isaac. The Kartecs were more immoral than any of his own atheist fellow Alkons.
“Good,” said Ethan. “We must take action if we are to prevent this moral decay. We need strong leadership for our church in order to take this fight as far as it needs to go. Now when I say fight, I of course do not literally mean fighting with weapons. I am a man of peace as the shape of Varos teaches us. I mean fighting with good deeds, fighting with political action and fighting with inspiring words, such as those that come from you.”
“I am only a cleric, but whatever I can do in service to Varos, I will willingly do so,” replied Isaac.
“I want to arrange for you to be involved in public events, as a speaker,” said Ethan. “I plan for our church to organize more protests. This time under control so that there will be no violence and I need a cleric such as you to be the voice of guidance.”
Isaac was overwhelmed with gratitude. “I would be honored sir,” he said in a gracious tone.
“Excellent,” said Ethan. “In
order for our protests and organizations proceed, we will also need protection. In case the Kartecs decide to turn violent again.” Isaac nodded, but was hesitant about this part of the older cleric’s plan, depending on what ‘protection’ meant, it could inflame the protests.
The older cleric must have seen the worried look on his face and laughed. “Don’t look so concerned Isaac. I’m not talking about anything illegal, nor I am proposing we do anything as drastic as hiring mercenaries. There are Varonites who agree with our cause and aims, but are also skilled in other areas. There is someone I would like you to meet. She should have arrived by now.”
Ethan stood up and opened the door to the office, he glanced back at Isaac. “She’s here, waiting in the back seats as I asked. Come Isaac, she’ll be eager to meet you.”
Isaac followed Ethan out the door. There was a woman in plain, brown clothes seated at the back of the church. Her brown hair had grey streaks and flowed behind her shoulders. She stood as Ethan approached and clasped his left hand.
“High Cleric McSheora, it is good to see you,” she said.
Ethan put his right hand on top of hers and said, “Inissa, thank you for coming.” He looked over at Isaac. “This is Cleric Isaac Gall, one of the most talented speakers of the words of Varos I have ever had the pleasure to know.”
The woman stepped forward and clasped Isaac’s hand in the same manner.
“Pleased to meet you Cleric Gall,” she said. “I’m Inissa Renoch.”
Ethan said, “Inissa is a member of my congregation in Oldtown. She has made significant donations to the church over the years and is held in high regard by many members of our church.”
“I stand with High Cleric McSheora. We cannot stand back and allow the Kartecs invade our homes with their perversions,” said Inissa. “If your words can inspire not only our church members but also others then we may be able to stop their agenda. However the more reactionary elements amongst the Kartecs will not be pleased at this. So I have offered my organizational skills and network of like-minded Varonites to provide security for your speeches.”
“I see, well that sounds wonderful,” said Isaac. “I hope that we can work together to keep the Creator’s shape within the city.”
***
After discussing the details with the two clerics, Inissa stepped out of the church and into the street. The sky was dark-grey and the light drizzle from earlier had turned into a heavy downpour. She lifted her umbrella and opened it to prevent from getting soaked.
The morning had passed and although it was a weekend, the streets were still busy with the traffic of the steam trams and horse drawn carts.
Inissa walked in a north direction towards the Keys district until she arrived at the Mikono Tojitsu Academy. The girl at the front desk nodded at her as she went past. Inissa came regularly enough to discuss business that all of the staff knew her face. She knocked on the closed office door and Mikono said, “Enter.”
Inissa opened the door and stood in front of her employer. “It went fine,” she said. “The good clerics are all too willing to stand up to the Kartecs, they despise them.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm. Cleric McSheora was more interested in money than his religious beliefs.
Mikono chuckled. “I told you they would. They hate everything the Kartecs stand for.”
Inissa frowned, not quite convinced.
“What is it? You’re still having doubts?” asked the kitsune woman.
“I…,” said Inissa, hesitating, she had doubts about the plan. “Look, I know the Varonites will push back to stop tarcaine exemptions for the Kartecs. They make a strong enough base of the voting constituency that the government still has to pay attention to them, certainly more than the elves. But don’t you think we’re throwing fuel onto a smoldering fire? I don’t want to be caught in the middle if it turns into an inferno.”
“You don’t trust your own fellow Varonites?” asked Mikono.
“I may have may have been raised in that church and I believe in both Varos and the Creator. But I also know what can happen when religious devotion gets taken to extremes. The moderates end up on the backbench and the fanatics take over. Isn’t that the whole reason Tal Feros and Ze Feros are separate nations? The elves had one prophet, but couldn’t agree on the meaning of his message. The result was a century long religious war that tore them apart,” replied Inissa.
“Not to mention how the Varonites would react if they knew the money and support was coming from drugs and prostitution. They would turn on us instantly.”
“Thank you for that lesson professor,” said Mikono in a sarcastic tone. “I’m well aware of the potential for violence and it’s a risk I’m willing to take. Besides isn’t that why you and your followers will be doing what you can to keep everything under control?”
Inissa replied, “Yes, true.”
“Good,” said Mikono. “We keep tarcaine out of the hands of the Kartecs and ensure it remains illegal. Then we all keep making money. Speaking of which, I want you to head out to Surrin with Liam tonight. My supplier from the south is bringing in a shipment. You need to meet him there and bring it back to the city.”
“Why Surrin?” asked Inissa. It was a long way to go for a drug shipment.
“He works at the Night Circus. And before you ask, yes that’s exactly how he smuggles his shipments. He’s the elephant trainer, so he has plenty of large carts to transport and hide the drugs,” said Mikono.
“I presume we’ll be taking the flare-rock carriage then?” asked Inissa. Flare-rock was a mineral that was found in Kangur. It produced greater energy than coal and for longer periods of time. A few of the rail companies were starting to convert from coal, but it’s location on the frontier of agorid land kept the price high. The first series of flare-rock powered carriages produced by the Green River company were all the rage in Alkos City. Barus had convinced Mikono to purchase one.
“Of course,” said Mikono and narrowing her eyes at Inissa.
She instantly regretted her question. Mikono didn’t like to be asked obvious sounding ones like that.
“How else would you have brought back the drugs? That carriage needs to start being useful as more than a gimmick. Especially considering how much it cost,” replied Mikono. “One other thing, the supplier’s been jittery the last few deliveries. I have no idea why, but it concerns me. I’ve called in an old favor for muscle to join the two of you.”
Wonderful, an idiotic gangster thought Inissa.
“And where do I meet this muscle?” she asked.
“He’ll be waiting for you and Liam at the north gate,” said Mikono. “He’s an old acquaintance of mine, one of the Red Knights.”
“Impressive,” said Inissa, “a Red Knight, you certainly aren’t messing around.”
The Red Knights were an infamous mercenary company and were well known for having the best soldiers in their ranks.
“There’s a lot a stake and I don’t want anything to go wrong” replied Mikono. “No mistakes.”
“As you say, Mikono. I will make certain everything runs smoothly,” replied Inissa.
“Good,” replied the kitsune. “You had best get going now. It could take a while for that carriage to start up.”
Inissa nodded and excused herself. She couldn’t help but shake a strange feeling that something was going to go wrong. Call it a vibe, instinct or an innate magical ability but whenever she felt like this, chaos would follow. She pushed the feeling down and tried to ignore it. At least for tonight, backup from one of the Red Knight mercenaries should be more than enough to take care of anything that went wrong.
Chapter 13
Brenna and Snar were waiting for several hours before there was activity from the house. It was night by the time their quarry emerged. “There,” said Brenna, pointing out the man she had seen earlier today. He was emerging with an older, distinguished-looking woman. “We need to follow the two of them.”
Snar nodded and the two watch officers followe
d the other pair, maintaining a discrete distance. The two figures walked through several streets until arriving at another building. A set of double doors large enough to fit a train through covered the street side. The pair entered at a small door beside the larger ones. Brenna put her hand up, and stood in place.
“Now what?” asked Snar. He sounded impatient.
“We wait,” she replied. “If they don’t come out soon, we go in.”
No sooner than she had spoken and the large double doors creaked and slowly slid open. Brenna ducked behind an unoccupied tram stand and gestured at Snar to join her. He made his way behind, the mass of his bulk barely able to hide. Brenna craned her neck around the corner to see what was happening.
A large powered cart was being wheeled out by workers and the two they had been following were climbing up to the control section. “Dammit,” said Brenna.
“What is the problem?” asked Snar.
She pursed her lips together. “That carriage is powered by steam.”
Snar took a quick look and then ducked back down. “I’m afraid not sergeant. That cart is a more recent invention. From what I can see, it appears to be one of the new flare-rock powered engines. I recognize the design, it’s from the Green River Engines company.”
She was impressed at Snar’s general knowledge. “If they’re taking a flare-powered cart they must be making a pick-up or delivery of drugs. But we can’t stop them without knowing which. If they don’t have any drugs on them, we’ll have to let them go and we’ll have tipped them off we’re on to them. We’re going to have to follow them.”
“That could be difficult, given the speed with which one of those carriages can reach,” said the agorid.
Brenna nodded. “My guess is they’re heading out of the city. If we want to keep up with them we’ll need our own transport.” She looked Snar up and down. “The watch can requisition horses fine, which means I’m sorted. But what about you? Can you even ride a horse?”
