Chapter 22

Kyrial and Falling Leaf

Many of the books are going to be lost on Kyrial and possibly on 'Leaf: they are arguments over interpretations of laws in the original Book of Eho. Most are over matters of faith unimportant to non-believers, but the author does take a stance against the persecution of elves and quotes the Book of Eho and Al-Aja's History to make that point.

The Book of Conspiracy is by far the most interesting chapter. It starts out as a polemic against the current Church of Eho, calling all of the priests heretics and the Patriarch a near-demon. It calls for a return to earlier times, in particular a destruction of the ley gates which are used for transport and trade all over Ehosia. The Second Prophet calls them a source of corruption, a temptation for the clergy.

"Contrary to the will of Eho the All-Seeing, the Sixth Matriarch willfully did construct the ley gates. And lo, they were at first seen as good, as they allowed much to be done that was never done before. At first they were given freely to the people, and the harm was the less. Then the priests began to collect tithes on passage between gates, for 'maintenance' and 'upkeep.'

"The longer the money came in, the more loathe the priests were to give up these foul gates. And then the priests who maintained the gates began to die, horrible wasting deaths, as the gates pulled the very lives from them. I have seen them die, in the visions granted to me by the All-Seeing One.

"No priest wished to die to maintain the gates. No priest wished the gates to fail. A new source of power was needed. Fell magics were employed to feed these ley gates, these leeches sucking the life from the lands. I have seen a jungle die, in my visions, to feed them. I have seen the desert form, and expand, and grow, until it swallows Ehosia and all of the lands around it as these demon-gates continue to eat and eat and eat... and the priests sit at the same table."

The two elves sat in silence after the cleric had finished. 'Leaf stood abruptly. "Let us tell the others of our findings, then."

Toshiro

Sam's reading speed (like most of the other priests') is incredible. Even though the work is in Ehosian, he skims the pages rapidly and delivers summaries to Toshiro. If the patron wishes to hear a word-for-word translation, he stops and goes over the text more slowly.

The first few chapters are of the beginnings of the Pearl Kingdom and its heathen roots, followed by the revelation of Eho to the Prophet and the subsequent conversion of the lands. One thing which catches Sam's attention are the random vignettes about the First Prophet, especially those concerning his dealings with elves. Elves lived in the jungles north of the coast, where the humans dwelt. The Prophet tried to bring the Word of Eho to them, but when they politely declined and explained their dieties to him, he backed down. His wisdom and restraint apparently endeared him to the elves, and there are several stories about his legendary chess games with an elf maid, which would last for a week or more.

A theocracy was formed by the First Patriarch, who claimed that he had been personally chosen by Eho to rule the people in his name. (Sam notes that, to this day, new patriarchs or matriarchs of Ehosia are chosen in an elaborate ceremony in which Eho is supposed to choose the proper person). The Patriarchs brought order to the kingdom, building public buildings and roads... and the ley gates. The first ley lines were established in the reign of the Sixth Matriarch.

"This next bit," Samuel comments, "is one of the things that we speculate got Al-Aja branded a heretic." He reads off a story of a terrible war in the jungles, begun by the Ninth Patriarch. The cause of the war seems to be territory acquisition. As the Ehosian forces rolled through the jungle, they annexed it for their kingdom. Although they fought against the elves, the "evil unnatural elf" sentiment doesn't seem to have been developed yet. The war was considered over by the end of the rule of the Twelfth Patriarch.

In a true tragedy of errors, the Ehosians seemed to not know how to maintain their new lands. The jungles shrank as trees were removed for timber and desert encroached. Within a few human generations, the jungle was gone and the desert was all that remained by the start of the Seventeenth Patriarch's rule. The jungle elves with whom the Prophet conversed long ago left with their jungle, either dead from the war or in exile.

The end of the book deals with Ehosia beginning to reach out to other nations, and its development in those veins. Al-Aja wrote this apparently about eighty years ago, just after the new war on elves was declared. While he finishes as a strong champion of Ehosia as a trading power and moral center of the One True Faith, he also uses his last chapters as a platform to voice objections to the bull "On the Unnatural Lives of Elves", citing the fondness of the Prophet for elves.

"Of course," Sam comments, "the Patriarchy declared that all his stories about the Prophet were nonesense, and the sources from which he claimed to have gotten them nonexistent. As your friend mentioned, he was burned as a heretic. They destroyed all of the books they could but, well... we have our methods. The so-called 'Second Prophet' began his or her writings not long after Al-Aja's death. When we have more time to examine our new acquisiton, we hope to perhaps find a link between the two, maybe teacher and disciple."

Curious.... and somehow not surprisng, considering some of the 'revisionist' teaching prior to the Uprising at home... Toshiro thought. "I would be more surprised if you do not," he said as he digested the Priests words. "It is not all that uncommon to have a follower usurp the mentor and to rewrite teachings that don't fit the usurper's woldview. No," he mused. "Not uncommon at all....."

Toshiro continued. "As to finding a somewhat more knowledgable authority of Al-Aja, I might beable to locate one but for him to reveal himself could be dangerous. Especialy with the current state of affairs in Ehosia. Purges, missing documents, destroyed and stolen books.... some of which we are looking into right now...."

That was rather blatant, Kimura, Toshiro scolded inwardly, and stupid. But it may create the opening needed.

Sam looks at Toshiro oddly. Perhaps some more language problems, he muses. "Honorable sir, I'm afraid I don't understand you. The Second Prophet upholds and supports the teaching of Al-Aja, for one thing. We were more interested in comparing the texts for stylistic similarities, to see if perhaps the Second Prophet actually studied under Al-Aja or was just someone who stooped to pick up the dropped banner."

"If you know a scholar who would be interested in studying these tomes, he or she is most welcome here, and we would do everything in our power to safeguard the individual. But we will ask no one to put themselves at more risk than they are willing to endure."

"Ah.... I misunderstand you, it seems." Toshiro replied. "From what you read, Al-Aja was branded a heretic when he condemned the anti-elf actions. It sounds to me that members of the clergy that had a problem with this speech despite past writing of Eho's friendly relations with elves. But there is one thing you may be mistaken on- if the Second Prophet teaches Al-Aja's writings, why was he branded a heretic and a majority of his works removed from sight of the faithful? Ca-my friend mentioned this when he left Ehosia and said the current dogma does not resemble the original teachings; they are more a rewritten parody of sorts. Strong in preaching the faith but not the pure original version- more like a custom fit to a particular persons vision of what should be canon....."

"Do you see my thinking? One so in favor with the church gets branded a heretic for commenting on the fact that for some reason, centuries old friendship with the Fae becomes a feud and genocidal war? Especially when there was suppoesedly outstanding relations prior to the great change in doctrine? Somewhere there is a connection between the two and I am willing to bet it has to do with the Second Prophet and whomever was in charge of Church Law or creation of doctrine at the time of scism. It seems to me that only makes sense.....

But then, I am merely an old swordmaster who knows nothing of gajin politcs and the formations of religions....." Toshiro smiles at this last bit.

"Ah, honorable sir, perhaps you are thinking that the title 'Second Prophet' denotes acceptance by the Church of Eho? So sorry to have misled you. No, that is what the author of these works has dubbed him or herself, and so we also refer to him by it. I believe it is an attempt to call attention to the discrepancies between the Word of Eho revealed to the First Prophet and the current teaching of it. Or perhaps, if this is all as you say, Eho has truly sent a Second Prophet to help his Church. It is precisely because the Second Prophet continues to teach along the lines of Al-Aja that he too is considered anathema."

Sam rubs his chin thoughtfully. "It would be nice if it were a Second Prophet. Maybe the sun-priests would become a little less zealous about killing us heathen northerners. They have such nice books in Ehosia... your friend even mentioned that he had read one as a child. Imagine! A land where there are enough books that children may paw them and drool on them and read them. How marvelous!"

"Hmmmm.... If the Church still teaches the words of the First, why the persecution and genocidal tactics against the elves? As I understand your readings, the clergy should still be following the original writings and the teachings. In this, it cannot be for the orignal texts and teachings preached unity and peace with the elves of the forest, not hatred..... Al-Aja mentioned this and he then branded a Heretic, correct? Seems to me that what you have there might be flawed or whomever is supplying you with the information could be wrong. Tell me, have there been any thefts of works from here?"

Toshiro paused in his speech, attempting to choose the right words to convey his thoughts. In a lower voice he continued "We have stumbled into a smuggling operation involving books and religious texts. Some have come from here while others may have come from other sources. The three 'gentlemen' we questioned about it are currently in the local jail- at least they were earlier. I have a problem with the destruction of knowledge, not quite as big a problem you would have but one none the less. I and my associates want to help end this thievery. It is hoped that we may ask for help in our quest in return.... provied we are able to stop this thief."

Toshiro folded his arms, awaiting whatever Sam may have to say for good or ill. There... it's said. Now do we get locked away as accomplises or does he consider our offer to help..... and what is happening with the others? I hope Cael has not slipped as to what he is; the reception may not be great...

Sam shrugs at the first statement. "I've never been to Ehosia or heard their teachings, just read the books. How their priests present or slant the information is beyond me. And the Book of Eho itself says next to nothing specifically about elves, although it does contain the now-infamous 'creatures with unnaturally long lives' clause. All of the stories about Prophets and Patriarchs entertaining elven emmisarries are in Al-Aja, and none of the sources he claims to cite have been found. I suspect that, when I get to read the work of the Second Prophet, if there are any stories about elves and Ehosians, I will find that they will be taken directly from Al-Aja's work."

As he continues, Samuel gets paler.

"Theft? Smuggling?! Oh my. Oh dear. This is why you really wanted to see the Head Librarian, isn't it? Oh dear. There could be, I suppose... we only do a complete inventory once every two or three years... a text could be removed and no one might miss it for days, weeks, years... how could anyone... steal... oh my. Let's go see her now. We'll get your friends."

Together Again

'Leaf is thoughtful for a moment, staring at a point just past her nose. "That is the truth," she admits. "The humans do rely heavily on those gates. Modern Ehosia depends on them. I have no order to exterminate the Ehosian people or nation. But their plunder, and the evils of their leaders, must also not continue. I am not sure if these are separate issues or not. The Second Prophet seems to link the gates explictly to the corruption of the clergy. From studies of human behavior, however, I would guess it was from the benefits provided by the gates rather than the gates themselves."

"If the two issues can indeed be separated, then a new power source for the gates might solve many issues. Failing that, an alternative which accomplishes the same result may work. But if the gates themselves are somehow corrupting, I can see no recourse but to destroy them. Perhaps Ehosia would see the wisdom in confining itself to the territories it possessed before the arrival of the gates." She stops talking before she can make a snide remark about the chances of the humans showing any sort of wisdom at all and chided herself for the irrelevant thought.

An agitated Sam, Toshiro in tow, interrupts the group's discussion. "Please, please, this way, please... Chief Librarian, this way... the book theft, you know... oh, you might have mentioned it sooner..."

Everyone has spent much of the day having books read to them, and the sun is going down. Latara notes it with some dismay. "Oh Gwenhwyvar, I must get back home. Mother will need my help for tonight's preparations. We will leave someone behind to guide you and Kyrial to the Dance, if you still wish to come." Taking her leave of the party, she darts out the main doors.

Sam leads the group across the main entrance, past the Reference desk, which is in the process of closing up. You wind your way through a grid of desks, set out for public readings and discussion groups. Finally, he takes you down a hall on the other side of the room and knocks on one of the doors there.

No answer.

Sam smacks his forehead. "She's probably putting the finishing enchantments on the Second Prophet book. Stairs, this way. We're going down to Acquisitions."

At the end of the hall are indeed stairs leading down. Glowstones give good light at you hurry down them into another hall. Sam stops by a door marked, 'Acquisitions' and opens it.

A few words with the cleric there confirms that the Chief Librarian and some other high priests were indeed in the Prep Room and would be done soon. Sam drags the group off, away from the Acquisitions man. "So, do you have any other information about these thefts? Did you... did you get any of the stolen items back?"

"Only one item," Toshiro replies. "It currently is in the possession of one of our priests... who is still at the inn. I will endeaveour to get it back to you within the hour, if possible."

Looking over at Kryial, Toshiro makes a request of her. "Would you go back to the inn and get the scroll? It might prove vital to identifying our quarry; I wish I had thought of it sooner..."

Suppressing a glare at Toshiro, Kyrial nods. What am I, his servant?

Leaving in the direction to the inn, she stops as soon as she's out of sight. Glancing around to make sure nobody sees her, she summons the scroll to her, then spends the appropriate amount of time taking the wings of a moth that flew too close. Ah, a beautiful sunset.

Returning to the library, she hands the scroll to Toshiro. "You owe me a glass of wine for this."

"A price I am willing to pay," Toshiro replies as he turns to Sam. "This is the item the bandits we caught were after. None of us opened it ot my knowledge so what it contains is a small mystery." Handing him the tube, he continues, "The only ones who know for certain are the original thief and his help."

Sam gets very pale, and then very red as he examines the markings on the outside of the scroll. He starts tapping his foot as he waits for the Librarian to finish.

The enchantments are finally completed on the new book, and the doors of the Prep Room swing open. One priest has the new book in the 'distance grab' used here and is ceremoniously parading it up the stairs, where he will shelve it. The other priests emerge, speaking quietly and in good spirits. Sam immediately approaches a surprisingly young-looking woman with long, curly dark hair. Her skin is somewhat browned, as if with a light tan.

With nearly frantic gestures, Sam leads her over to the group, waving the scroll about wildly. Calmly, she takes it from him and examines it carefully. Her thick brows knit together.

"Let us go to my office," she states, and you all trudge back up the stairs, back down the hall, and back to the door Sam first knocked on.

"Aylestra Clearwriter, Librarian," she introduces herself. "This is somewhat grave... this document was removed from my own office, here. Please, who are you and how did you come by it? I see two outlanders, and perhaps two Dark Ladies, but an Oghmite will be the first to tell you not to judge a book by its cover. What goes on?"

"Well," Toshiro begins, mentally choosing the proper words to say. "While encamped, several bandits attempted to get into a cart owned by one of our number. It seems this item had been placed in the cart to hide it and was unwittingly taken by us before the thieves could secure it for sale. When they attempted to get it, my associates and I caught them and after a few questions, managed to learn that there's a thief somewhere among you with access to tomes and scrolls of some import."

Toshiro looks Clearwriter in the eyes, his own expression blank. "We have no knowledge of what the scroll contained; judging from Sam's reaction and your own, I imagine its contents are quite important. After viewing the precautions taken here with reguards to the library's content, whomever took said pieces must be skilled. Once learning of the problem posed to yourselves, it was felt important that we alert someone here as to the thefts," Toshiro finished.

"Placed in a cart," Aylestra muses. "Odd. This scroll is a sacred gift from Oghma. It will show the reader, if he is of proper mind, some important truth, usually related to the faith. It was kept," she waves a hand at a rack of scrolls behind her.

"I thank you for returning this, but a few things are confusing me. Most of our clerics prefer the cloistered life, here in the Library with the books. I'm having difficulty imagining someone leaving without being noticed, with the scroll, and finding your cart to hide it in. Moreover, I don't recall hearing any word of a group of your... distinction being in town earlier. Whose cart was it, again?"

Cael interupted before Toshiro could respond. "Forgive our elder companion. Sometimes he forgets things." Damn Jade are all alike. They'd take all day to spit it out. "The cart belongs to one of your own who was traveling with us, a Brother Brygund. He was very tired after dealing with the midnight burglary attempt, and is resting back at the inn." He eyes Kyrial. "In fact, he was supposed to be watching over the scroll. Kyrial must be better than I thought, not to wake him when she recovered it...."

"Brygund is with you!" She makes a little gesture in the air. "Thank Oghma. We were very worried about him... he should have returned days ago. That explains much, if the cart left from these very walls... let's see, he was sent out for more parchment and inks... who was helping provision that cart..." She turns to check another scroll rolled up in the rack on the wall behind her.

"Ah... yes. This is..." She scans the paper. "Disturbing. Just when you think you can trust someone... I think I see the culprit's name before me here. This shall be dealt with this night."

She pauses, and touches the sacred scroll. "If we've ever needed some divine guidance, this would be the time. I can't think of a time in our history when such a thing has happened..." Tentatively, after a few whispered words of prayer, she unrolls the scroll.

She reads it, rereads it, then rolls it back up. "Oghma has spoken," she says, sounding slightly dazed. "Samuel, bring in the History of Al-Aja, the Second Prophet text, the Book of Eho, and return this gentleman's book." She indicates Cael. "Quickly, Sam." He dashes off.

"Oghma said nothing at all about treachery in his holy place. Oghma... Oghma wants you to have these books." She is staring slightly off into nothing, faint shock registering on her face. Suddenly, she regards Cael with earnest intensity. "I beg you... please, treat them well."

"You're giving us what?" Cael exclaims, his eyes wide. "But... but.... There must be some mistake." Cael pauses, to compose himself.

"We are going to have enough trouble when we head into Ehosia. As it is, we have to figure out some way to disguise ourselves, since Toshiro is the only one who would not be killed on sight by the priests. Him they'd question first. But at least that'd be quick. If we're found with those books, we're doomed to a slow and painful death... staked out in the Great Desert. Or burned, along with those books...." Eho, what is it that you want of me? You ask of me too much...

The Librarian shrugs. "I cannot command you to take them. I have just been told to give them to you. If you do not wish to have them, place them on the Reference desk on your way out. Though we do have an idiom here... 'May as well be hanged for the sheep as for the lamb.' You were already carrying one heretical text and in the company of two - three? - elves. Could they really punish you any worse for having a few more books?"

Falling Leaf makes a bitter little noise halfway between a cough and a laugh. "They lack imagination. I think, Cael, it would be the Fury of Eho either way."

Puffing slightly, Sam returns with the requested books floating before him. They come to rest on the desk, and Aylestra makes a few gestures to undo the enchantments on them. "Easier to unmake than to make," she murmurs. "Well... I believe that is all, isn't it? We are indebted to you for uncovering this cancer within our walls, and rest assured we shall deal with it immediately. If we can ever aid you in matters of research, please do return."

With a resigned sigh, Cael takes the offered books. While a small part of him feels elation from holding original copies of these important texts, he mostly feels as if he just signed his death warrant.

Oh, Eho, I hope I'm doing the right thing...