And so it was that their game gave rise to Civilization. People lived for the first time as a Society. Commerce was practiced free of tax, Government followed without imposition, and Celebration performed without obligation. There was equality for all in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

But then there were Needs.

Need to make things uniform and simple.

And so too a need to define Truth: Correctness, Righteousness, and Goodness.

"Thou shall not!"

Commerce imposed a standard of Trade. Government enforced the statute of Discipline. Celebration inculcated proper Conduct.

Thus, the Coin was invented. Made to be the standard of trade. A copper disc that on its lustrous surface the words" "To give and take, without sacrifice," were inscribed. This is the motto of a fair market. It is correct.

Thus too, the Sword was forged. With it, discipline was enforced. A silver blade with the words: "Follow, without choice," etched on it. This is the code of law and order. It is right.

And thus, the Icon was designed. Proclaimed the supreme guide of life. A golden book with the word: "Sacrifice," written in it. This is the doctrine of faith. It is good.

To all human needs there are obligations to counter, to restrain, to impede. "You take what you pay for! You take, and you must pay! You pay for what you take!" But these conflicts between need and obligation inherently create imbalances. These are a result of human differences, for not all Humans are equal, each individual varies in his/her necessities and the power of acquisition. Each person has a different interest, a different ability, and a different opportunity; these are the means by which power is gain.

And power will be gained by the privileged: the ambitious, the astute, and the fortunate.

Whomsoever becomes powerful becomes proud. They will thus define ambiguous differences so as to segregate themselves from the weak: "Different in Class, different in Culture, different in Creed."

Whoever is weak, is envious. They will claim indifference so as to state equality: "Common in Class, common in Culture, common in Creed."

For all these reasons: Power will shift. And powerful individual will claim reign over the Institutions: Commerce, Government, and Celebration-to rule over the weak. There will be abandonment, accusations, betrayals, bigotry, blackmails, castigation, cheating, conspiracy, contempt, curses, enmity, false witness, fights, hatred, instigation, lies, malice, murder, neglect, persecutions, prostitution, rapes, rivalry, seductions, subversions, vices; all to attain needs where obligations restrains.

The Merchant will want to control Commerce, the Soldier to lead Government, and the Priest to conduct Celebrations.

To want more power-to keep more power-to make others loose power-to feel in need to gain power-becoming indignant-finding support to increase power-force submission-establishing control-ignoring the need of others-forcing obligations-inciting disruption-reacting violently-offending-subjugating. Shifting again and again: the balance of power.

Such competition will continue indefinitely; the simple Society of free Commerce, free Government, and free Celebration will never be again. Institutions will take alternating control, and so great leaders will rise and fall. Some will be able politicians, others avid dealers, and yet others astute charlatans. And it will happen again as it has before, that such a persuader will present him or herself as the salvation for the troubling population when Society is at its highest disarray, be it through the power of the Coin, the Sword, or the Icon.

THE SCENTED ONE