| At this Poseidon nodded sagely and looked down upon Dreba compassionately. �Dreba, most honourable of your people, your words are ones I have heard before, and your sentiment one I understand. But although there is much in this land that is wrong, there are those who would prey on other people, those who would cause the destruction of knowledge and those who would drag the dead back from the grave to torment the living. These acts are the acts of the mortals. There are few acts that an ancestor, no matter how dark, undertakes without it being the result of a mortal�s act, and there are few horrors that are not brought about by mortals. I would be wrong to bring down my wrath upon the mortal races; the most heinous of acts would not justify the intervention of one such as me. All I may do is empower those of faith with a little of my power, so that they may attempt to make things right, but most of all, all I may do is look forward to the mortal peoples of Edreja�s realisation that the dark is folly, and to step towards the light.� At this Dreba�s face was filled with understanding and he sat upon the rounded bottom of our conical to contemplate these truths. While he sat Veron, most strong of belief of our company spoke up. �Great Poseidon, I know by the faith in my heart that you are here, and have always been here, long since the creation of Edreja, but across Edreja there are many Ancestors, there are many who would claim that theirs is the domain over the waves. We have argued and fought with these heretics to defend the truth. Surely these must be false claims, no Ancestor could rule this land but you. Please Great Poseidon, tell me, are these beliefs false?� For a moment it was as if a great burden had been placed upon our liege and he bowed his head in great sorrow. �Oh Veron, most devout of my followers, your words trouble me greatly. I should warn you now to never make war upon these faithful again. What they believe is their own belief. The freedom of each mortal to follow the creed of whatever ancestor he chooses is sacred. It is not your place to decide whom they should follow, never let it be so, not unless they cause harm to those you protect. Then it is no longer a matter of faith, it is a matter of injury. Never fight because of faith, for another�s faith is not yours to judge.� At this Veron looked puzzled and spoke up once more. �Great Poseidon you have not answered my question.� Poseidon looked down upon Veron and smiled, full of knowledge and said. �No Veron, I merely answered a different question from the one you were expecting� At this Veron too sat to contemplate this new wisdom. I decided I would speak and so put forth the question that had brought me upon this quest. �Great Poseidon, my question is not one of faith, it is one of judgment. How do you judge a man? What qualities make a man great in your eyes, what aspects should we uphold?� He nodded when I had finished asking my question and smiled down upon me. �Odessus, so wise for your years, it is a good question.� With this he brought forth from beneath the waves his mighty trident, a weapon that shone like gold. It�s three blades pointing to the clouds above like three shining towers in the sun. �A good man should carry the three virtues, like the trident it is carried by one base, but it has three aspects, each as important as the other. The first is Passion! A man must be passionate, he must find passion for life, passion for love, passion for knowledge and when needed even passion for war. For passion proves he is alive. Next he must have Strength, in all things. Strength in his body, strength of mind, and strength of conviction. For strength will keep him alive. Lastly he must have Honour! He must keep honour in all things, honour in speech, honour in love, honour on the battlefield and honour in the home. For with Honour he shall lead a good life.� At this I felt myself overcome by the truth of his words and was compelled to sit and consider them, it was only by force of will that I witnessed Francisa, most humble of our fellowship, stand and look Poseidon in the eyes and ask. �Will there ever truly be light?� At this Poseidon lent towards our little boat and I observed the Lord of the Sea whisper to Francisa. �Only if we all try young Incantor, only if everyone tries.� With that I found myself overtaken by the contemplation of the truths revealed to me and fell into mediation of them, I recall vaguely witnessing Poseidon�s magnificent form sink below the waves, and when next I was aware we had washed up, back upon the beach we had departed from, the only sign of our journey the wisdom we had gained, and the memory of his voice in our ears. Blessed be those who are welcome within my lands, For they are my children. Blessed be those who recall my teachings, For they are my children. And Blessed be those who pass on my words, For they are my children. |