| The Betrayer Chapter Eight Gristorn, formerly a Pollyne settlement, now converted into a processing center for captured Quagmirians that would either be used as slaves on Quagmiria � or that would be shipped off to serve in space. In the corner of the detention centers, Sie Sor and San were doing what they could to relax in such filthy conditions. �I told you to let me do the talking.� Sor stated. �Don�t be too hard on him. The young ones always want to see the good over the bad.� San added. Sie merely looked at the Quagmirians around him. There were children from all kinds waiting for the end to come. The faith that brought the spark of hope to them had gone out. �You okay Sie?� Sor asked. Sie looked over at him and nodded. �Sor � trouble.� San stated. The two monks were quick to their feet. Sie looked over and saw what San was referring to. A small group of Pollyne and Ecoseeds were heading their way. �Rumor has it that the bug thinks he�s the chosen one.� A Pollyne asked. His voice was burly and was missing two of his six appendages. Sie slowly got up and calmly requested that the monks step aside. �I make no such claim. I am merely one of the children. Just as any of you are.� He replied without any brevity or malice. The Pollyne glared at him. San and Sor stood ready to intervene should trouble arise. �But-but they say you claimed that you prayed in the Great Life Tree.� He stated. �I did.� He replied. �But the tree has become defiled. Evil specters chase away any that go there. One of our elder sages went mad when he sought to pray in the tree. But you stand here as though nothing had happened.� He stated in mild bewilderment. �Much of what I saw did affect me. I would be lying if I said otherwise. I saw C�antoras � heard voices � but I remained true to the decrees of the apostles. Then the images and voices stopped.� He replied. �Do you believe this punk?� an Ecoseed said in disgust. They were about to strike Sie when the Pollyne raised his hand to hold them back. They looked at him in disbelief and walked away. �He believes him.� San whispered. �Shh.� Sor retorted. �Tell me � what did you see? After the images and voices?� he asked hesitantly. �I saw a place of wonder. It looked much like Quagmiria before the rain of tears � when the Great Life Tree barely touched the clouds and then I saw the first children. They stood twice as tall as us and looked as though they possessed the apostles� blessings.� He recounted. The Pollyne sat down before him. �Our sages tell us that the tree is defiled. They say that it will not be holy again until we cleanse C�an and his minions from our holy lands. The sages lead many battles and lose many lives.� He commented. �The first children don�t want holy war. Such war is what caused the rain of tears. They want peace. Not with C�an � but within Quagmiria and without. If the fighting does not stop � if the hating does not stop � C�an and his kind will always win.� He stated. San and Sor sat down and listened to Sie talk. �But how can there be peace? How can there be no hate when C�an causes such suffering on all the children. I lost four brothers when two C�antaris hatched. I lost two arms almost my voice. How can there be peace?� he asked seriously. Sie knelt down before the Pollyne and relaxed. �I will not say these are not dark times. I will not say that C�an is not evil and that he does not wears death and suffering like a cloak. Both of these are true. But when the apostles first gave this lifeless world to the first children � life was hard too. But their faith in the apostles and in themselves made them strong. They turned that lifeless world into paradise.� He began. A few more made their way over and sat down to listen. �When the holy wars ripped our people apart � turned brother against brother. There was hate � suffering � and loss like none had ever seen or known. The sorrow of this caused the heavens to open up and wash our world in their tears. This was not done to punish us. It was done to wash the evil away � to cleanse the dirty so that all could be clean again. Life was hard then � but our people pulled together and once again made our world a place of wonder.� Sie continued. San and Sor looked and saw that everyone was now sitting and listening to the Insectorr speak. �When our people lost all hope and turned their eyes to the stars. Many believed that we had turned our backs on the apostles and their sacred beliefs. But I do not believe that was true. It made our people stronger. Many felt isolated and angry after the rain of tears � yet all flocked together to bring out was buried in the hearts of all of us. The apostles are not in the temples � they are in the hearts of us all.� He stated. �But what about C�an and his monsters?� one asked from the crowd of listeners. �Many believe that he and his kind are punishment. I can not believe that our apostles � those that gave our dead world life � would condemn their children to eternal pain and suffering. They are here to test us � just as the lifeless desert tested the first children � and if we fail this test � we will lose more than our homes � we will lose more than our world � we will even lose more than just our lives � we will lose our faith and our souls. In this dark time � now more than ever � we must be true to the teachings of the apostles.� He answered. �Are you the chosen one that has been prophesized by the sages?� a voice asked. �Many have asked me that and the answer is no. I am just one of the children. I am no more special than any who are here or any who are out there.� He concluded politely. It was then that he noticed the size of the crowd he had attracted. �Your modesty is equal to your faith. How is it that you are here?� the Pollyne asked curiously. Sie smiled and sat down. �It happened shortly after me and my friends left the Great Life Tree�� Sie began. Everyone listened entranced as he began to tell his tale. *** Roughly two days after the three had left the Great Life Tree, the three had stopped for a small rest. Since his leaving the tree, Sie had not spoken much. His thoughts were on restoring the tree and saving what was left of their precious world. �The chosen one hasn�t said much in almost two days � should we be worried?� San asked curiously. Sor looked over at the Insectorr that the great sage had sent them to protect. By the look of it, the young Quagmirian was praying again. �He�ll be fine. If half of the children his age were as true to the teachings as him � I think our world would be a better place.� Sor replied. �I remember a time when that was the case � it led to holy war.� San added. �To the best of my knowledge � wasn�t the main cause of that the order of the holy Book of Origins? The three sects believed that they were created first and as such were more important?� Sie asked curiously. �Sie � I had no idea you were listening.� San commented. �I was just meditating when I heard your discussion. Am I right or was there more to it than that?� Sie asked. San and Sor looked at each other. �We � we can only speak for our sect. During those dark times � much was different. In a simplistic sense � what you say is true � but the root went much deeper than just envy. Each sect wanted to be father over the other two. Each sect believed that they knew the true apostles� design.� Sor began. �Sometimes � even the sects couldn�t agree. Some Krokos wanted to rule over Swamplop � some Swamplop wanted to rule over Krokos, Some Ecoseed wanted to rule over Pollyne � some Pollyne wanted to rule over Ecoseed. And yes, at that dark time � there were even such barriers between our respective families.� San continued. �Had the rain of tears not stopped the fighting � all of Quagmiria would have perished for our collective sins. To say that is was just over the book � I don�t think it captures the true darkness that overcame our people.� Sor concluded. �Forgive me if I trivialized that dark moment in our history. I just can�t understand how such chaos could exist in the harmony that was Quagmiria.� Sie commented respectfully. �We were not trying to make you feel bad or put you down. After all, if one doesn�t ask questions � one cannot get answers. According to our sect, the books according to Crabytese and Insectorr, the war began when the other two sects grew tense towards each other. Our sect sought to mediate � but the aggression of the Swamplop and Krokos � and the anger of Pollyne and Ecoseed � made such negotiations impossible. We attempted to remain out of the war but were pulled in when we began getting attacked by both sides.� San stated calmly. �Of course, the other sects have different interpretations � and such is what keeps us at odds. Occasionally some of us try to see it through their eyes, but rarely do they give us the opportunity.� Sor added. �No wonder the first children wept.� Sie commented. �Indeed. So, now that we have your undivided attention � where are we going and how are we finding our elusive prophet?� San asked seriously. �I don�t know where we are going yet. The first children told me that Parisitica felt deeply betrayed when the children turned on each other. They told me that they would talk to him in the hope that they could convince him to grant me an audience.� Sie answered. �That doesn�t leave us with much to go on. So do we just fly around until we collapse?� San asked. �No. The children said that they would guide me. They said that they would give me signs that would lead me to a place where I might be able to meet with the lost prophet.� Sie answered. �Signs can be very misleading.� Sor warned. �The children want me to succeed. So long as I am true to the teachings of the apostles. So long as I am true to others � and so long as I am true to myself � the true path will always lead me to where I must be.� Sie commented. �That is very profound.� San replied. �It�s also very true.� Sie replied. �As enlightening as all of this is � we still have to find out where you are supposed to meet with the prophet.� Sor stated. Mere seconds later some of the branches fell from the higher trees. The three scattered out of harms way. They then watched as the branches got caught and twisted in some of the vines. They were more than a little shocked when they saw the branches held up by vines. The broken branches were in the shape of an arrow that pointed west. �I think the children heard you.� San commented. �Are they trying to help us or kill us?� Sor replied in mild shock. �We had plenty of time to get out of harm�s way. Besides, I think they wanted to make sure that we departed in the right direction. You have to admit, it would be rather difficult to misinterpret that sign.� Sie commented. He raised his hand in the sign of the apostles to the sign that was sent to guide them. The two monks did the same. They said a quiet prayer and flew off in the direction the first children had pointed them in. *** Some time later, after what felt like hours of flying, a small-secluded village came into view. Sor and San gestured for Sie to land with them. The Insectorr was unsure as to why they were stopping, but decided to do s they asked. �Why are we stopping? There is a village just up ahead.� He stated. �That is a Pollyne nest. As of late they have grown away from the other children. Bitterness has left them cold � colder than C�an and his minions. It is best that we go around.� San stated. �Such beliefs will only hurt our people more. If a child pulls away from his brothers � the fathers and brothers do not step away � they try harder to pull the child back.� Sie commented. The two monks looked at each other. �I appreciate your ideology Sie � but these are hard times. The sages and monks that are there will be overtly hostile to those from our sect. Plus � it is rumored that some of the sages there are loyal to C�an.� Sor whispered. �So we are to let them drift away into the darkness and away from the love of the apostles? I respect that both of you are infinitely more knowledgeable in the ways of our world � but I can not ignore my heart. That is why I must go there.� Sie stated calmly. �Please reconsider.� San requested. �The first children pointed me in this direction. They must have done so for a reason.� He replied rationally. The two monks quietly groaned. Something told them that no matter how much they tried to reason with him � he would always circle back to that argument. �We will respect your request if you respect ours. If we do go there � let us do the talking.� Sor compromised. �I will not speak unless I am spoken to?� Sie asked. �Yes. These are hard times and sometimes idealists fall fastest. Let�s go.� San added. The three cautiously flew down to where the Pollyne settlement was. All around them the three could feel the intensity as the Ecoseeds and Pollyne glared at the outsiders. �Avoid eye contact if possible.� Sor whispered. Unfortunately � the advice came to late. Sie looked over and his eyes noticed an angry looking sage. He quickly turned away to talk to Sor, but as he did � the sage and several of his monks quickly scampered up the tree and intercepted them. �This territory belongs to Pollyne by the divine will of the apostles. Go back to your own pond Insectorr � and take your two pets with you.� The sage said in disgust. Sie was about to speak when the two monks stepped forward. �We apologize for inconveniencing you with our presence great sage. We will be on our way.� San said respectfully. �Great sage is a term used by your lowly sect � I am the exalted sage. I will not be addressed as one of your kind.� The sage hissed in disgust. San and Sor could tell that this was going nowhere. �Apologies then, exalted sage.� San corrected. �Hmph. You vermin are being awfully cooperative. What are you hiding?� he asked suspiciously. The monks around him stood ready to attack. �We are on a pilgrimage to find the holy plains. It is said in our lore that when the children left their home to return to the desert that they took up root in an open plain. Since the tree has been defiled by the presence of C�an. We hoped to find answers there.� Sor answered. The sage studied him closely but could see no overt signs of deception. �We have heard of no such plain.� He retorted. �Each sect has different lore. Ours makes reference to a plain.� He answered. The sage scuttled over and stood before San. �Why should I believe you?� he asked on the brink of anger. �Whether you chose to believe us or no � that is a decision that will be between you and the apostles. We did not come here for any hostile reason and we did not come her to anger you or your brothers and children.� San answered. The sage scuttled back to where his monks were. There was no doubt in his mind that these people were hiding something. His eyes glanced over at the Insectorr. Almost instantly he lowered his eyes. The sage smiled � the weak link in the chain was him! �What of you? What are you and your two comrades really up to?� he asked. Sie looked at the two monks that were with him. He knew that they wanted him to confirm their lie � but all he could hear was what the first children said to him before he returned. �I am sorry. We are on a quest to find the water prophet Parisitica.� He answered. �You seek to gain his favor?� the sage asked eagerly. �No. I seek his wisdom and guidance so that our people might be saved.� He replied. The sage looked at the Insectorr in disbelief. �You must think me to be foolish if you expect me to believe that. You say you seek to save our people � but once saved � you and your brothers would want to rule over us! Admit it!� the sage demanded. �I do not seek domination � not for me my brothers or children. I do not desire any to rule. The apostles created all to be equal � as it is said in the decrees.� The young Insectorr replied. Some of the monks behind the sage began to mumble. The sage quickly turned around and silenced them. �Bah � the decrees can be interpreted many ways. What of this fallacy that your friends spoke of? Does such a holy plain exist? Or was it just another Crabytese lie?� the sage demanded. �I am not fully knowledgeable in the lore of mine and the Crabytese. Such a place might very well exist. When I return from my quest � I will speak to our sages and ask their wisdom on all issues for which I have questions.� He replied calmly. �You tax my tolerance Insectorr. I know you are hiding something.� He hissed. �If you believe so � ask. I will not lie to you.� He replied. �A likely story. Fine � where did you come from?� he asked. �I came from the Great Life Tree.� He answered. A serious looked replaced the sage�s angry one. �The Great Life Tree? And just what were the three of you doing there?� he asked hesitantly. San and Sor sighed and shook their heads. The young Insectorr was digging their hole deeper and deeper with every answer. �I went there to pray.� He answered. All of the monks with the sage gasped. �Silence! You are a liar! The tree is defiled! C�an has build his temples near that once holy place and corrupted it. Any who pray there go mad or are chased away by the dark spirits.� The sage shouted. �I tell no lie exalted sage. I talked with the children at the tree.� He replied. �Lies! No! You are worse than a liar � you are a heretic! You are in league with that wretched demon that makes us suffer! Restrain them at once!� the sage ordered. The monks restrained the three. �Do as you feel you must. We all must answer to the apostles in the end.� Sie stated calmly. The sage glared at the youthful upstart and slapped him across the face. �You dare tell me that I will answer to the apostles? I save souls by teaching their will! It is you that will answer to the apostles! You and your friends! Take them to the temple for confession!� the sage ordered. The three were taken away. Once they were gone � one of the monks approached him. �Master � when our last sage prayed at the tree � before he went mad he spoke of a traveler. A chosen one that would save our people from the rule of C�an.� He mentioned. The sage glared at the monk. �You think that a chosen one would be one of their breed? Bah! If there was to be a chosen one it would be Pollyne. But no - the sage was raving mad. He knew not what he was speaking. Chosen one indeed. Go to the temple and pray to the apostles and beg their forgiveness for believing such foolishness.� The sage ordered. The monk bowed and hurried away. Just then the sage heard the sounds of people whispering. He looked down and saw that some passers by had heard the discussion. �Heed my words! No Insectorr will be the chosen one! The sage was mad! Go repent for even thinking such foolishness!� the sage shouted. All that were there hurried away. The sage looked over in the direction of the temple. Now there was another problem that he needed to resolve. *** In the temple, several monks were diligently watching the three. �I heard a rumor � way back when the old sage went mad. He spoke of a chosen one. A person that would be traveling by after he was gone.� One of the monks stated. They all looked over at the three. They were silently praying. �Could it really be him?� another asked. �His friends told lies. Had he agreed � they would have been on their way without any of us knowing better. But he spoke truthfully � even though he knew it would get him in trouble.� Another added. �You believe he prayed in the tree? How could he have? Our sage tried and went�� another began. They all slowly looked over at the three. �What if he is the chosen one? The exalted sage will execute them.� one pointed out. Someone was going to answer when the back door to the temple opened. The monks stood paralyzed as four C�antoras entered. �What?� one monk sated. �You have all been corrupted by this heretic and his friends!� a familiar voice stated. They watched in shock and disbelief ad their exalted sage entered and stood behind the C�antora. �Master? You betrayed your people.� One monk stuttered. �Did I? How is it that this temple still exists? I saw it � in a vision given to me from the apostles themselves. They said to aid C�an. They said that in time � their rule would be ended and when that time came � ours would be supreme. A pity that none of you will live to see that day. Take them.� the sage stated sweetly. Two of the monks tried to run but were executed. The sage walked over to where the Insectorr and glared at him. �Try to corrupt our people now � chosen one.� The sage whispered. �I will pray for your soul.� He replied. the sage slapped him and walked away. All of those present were restrained and were taken away. The sage smiled a greedy smile and dreamed of the day that all of his efforts would be rewarded. *** Back in the camp, Sie had finished his story. �Although he did turn away from the apostles � I still pray for him.� he said. �He betrayed you and sentenced you to die � yet you pray for him?� the Pollyne asked curiously. Sie smile and nodded. �It is easy to turn your back on someone. Whether he is ugly � stupid � different � or confused � we can not ignore them � even those that wish it. Those that stray from the true path need our help the most.� Sie answered politely. �You � you really are the chosen one.� The Pollyne stuttered. Sie was going to deny it when others began to agree. Not ten seconds later � all that were before him were saying the same thing � that he was the chosen one. �The great sage saw it � he was right.� Sor whispered. �He is the chosen one.� San added. �I wasn�t sure why I was sent her at first � now I know. It was so I could meet all of you. If I am the chosen one � then so to are all of you. For I am no better than any of my brothers. I am merely your equal.� Sie said with a smile. �That may be � but we still have to get out of here.� Sor stated. �Yes � there isn�t much time. The C�antoras will be here shortly. Come with me.� the Pollyne whispered. He gestured for the crowd to disperse a bit. Everyone split up to avoid attracting attention. He then led them to the corner of the camp and looked around. �The thorn vines are further apart here. I will pull them apart so that you can escape. Go as fast as you can � and may the apostles bless you all.� The Pollyne stated. He grabbed the vines and pulled them up. The three could see that the thorns were cutting his hands. �Stop watching! Go! Please!� he strained. The two monks nodded and crawled under the vines. Sie looked at the Pollyne. �You needn�t pray for me � because of you � I�m already saved.� He whispered. Sie made the sign of the apostles to him and crawled under the vines. Once all the way across � he released the vine and watched as the three rushed away. Within moments they were gone. He walked away from that spot knelt down and began to pray. Others warned him of the C�antora � but he didn�t care. He looked over and saw the C�antora walked his way. He lowered his head and closed his eyes. He quietly prayed for the safe journey of the chosen one and then he was then killed. |