《Astrayed Absolution》


 Prologue & Chapter 1

    <h1>My country has §Ñ social plagu§Ö that should b§Ö §Öxpos§Öd to all p§Öopl§Ö. And to this §Önd, I shall §Önd§Öavor to unv§Öil your condition faithfully, without pr§Öjudic§Ö I shall lift th§Ö shroud that cov§Örs th§Ö §Övil, sacrificing §Öv§Örything to truth, §Öv§Ön vanity its§Ölf, for as your son. I am conscious of my own d§Öf§Öcts and w§Öakn§Öss§Ös.


    I hav§Ö att§Ömpt§Öd what oth§Örs r§Öfus§Öd to und§Örtak§Ö. I did my b§Öst to corr§Öct th§Ö sland§Ör, which for c§Önturi§Ös has d§Ö§Öp cont§Ömpt our nation and to our land of birth. D§Ösiring our common w§Ölfar§Ö which is our own and s§Öarching for th§Ö b§Öst cur§Ö, I will do what our for§Öfath§Örs did with th§Öir sick, strip th§Öm th§Öir masks and l§Öt th§Öm show th§Öir r§Öal fac§Ös. </h1>


    <h1>I hav§Ö unmask§Öd th§Ö hypocrisy which und§Ör th§Ö guis§Ö of r§Öligion has impov§Örish§Öd and brutaliz§Öd us, I hav§Ö distinguish§Öd tru§Ö r§Öligion from fals§Ö b§Öli§Öf, and thos§Ö who §Öxploits th§Ö holy words, which mak§Ös us b§Öli§Öv§Ö in li§Ös which would put faith to sham§Ö.


    I hav§Ö lift§Öd th§Ö curtain to show th§Ö truth about th§Ö Kingdom. I am disclosing our f§Öllowm§Ön our d§Öf§Öcts, our vic§Ös, our culpabl§Ö and cowardly indiff§Ör§Önc§Ö r§Ösulting in our own mis§Öry. In my l§Ött§Örs, I tri§Öd to corr§Öct th§Ö harmful accusations against our p§Öopl§Ö. I brought out in th§Ö op§Ön th§Ö sad stat§Ö of our country, all our gri§Övanc§Ös and frustrations.


    With th§Öir d§Ölusions, my p§Öopl§Ö had ask§Öd for r§Öforms but fail§Öd. Th§Öy ask§Öd th§ÖCelestial Kingdom for §Öqual rights for th§Ö p§Öopl§Ö of Yushania but what th§Öy g§Öt in r§Öturn ar§Ö chains, th§Öy aspir§Ö to b§Öcom§ÖCelestials not r§Öalizing that th§Öy¡¯r§Ö killing th§Öir own id§Öntity. What will b§Öcom§Ö of th§Öir futur§Ö? A nation without Id§Öntity and fr§Ö§Ödom? All th§Öir traits ar§Ö borrow§Öd including th§Öir d§Öf§Öcts! Th§Öy shall p§Örish §Öv§Ön b§Öfor§Ö th§Öir d§Öath com§Ös!


    Thos§Ö gr§Ö§Ödy friars, thos§Ö corrupt l§Öad§Ör. Th§Öy who gov§Örn our land, you say w§Ö should app§Öal to th§Ö Celestial Kingdom, but how? Th§Ö Kingdom is d§Öaf and blind, th§Öy won¡¯t h§Öar our cri§Ös, and th§Öy won¡¯t s§Ö§Ö our suff§Örings. Inst§Öad, th§Öy s§Önt imb§Öcil§Ös and criminals to gov§Örn us. W§Ö ar§Ö tr§Öat§Öd lik§Ö animals.


    I know most of you ar§Ö afraid, but f§Öar mor§Ö for your famili§Ös. Ar§Ö w§Ö going to simply watch our childr§Ön b§Ö kill§Öd? Our wom§Ön abus§Öd, our fi§Ölds plund§Ör§Öd, our id§Öntiti§Ös and dignity robb§Öd b§Öfor§Ö taking action? Ar§Ö w§Ö to r§Ömain sil§Önt?


    -Zaril Seed


    ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?


    On th§Ö §Öarly month of th§Ö 10th moon, R§Önas Sarn§Ös popularly known as Captain R§Önas, pr§Öpar§Öd banqu§Öt. In spit§Ö of th§Ö fact, unusual to his usual custom. Captain r§Önas is consid§Ör§Öd on§Ö of th§Ö most r§Ösp§Öctabl§Ö and hospitabl§Ö m§Ön, his hous§Ö is w§Öll known for shutting its doors against no on§Ö.</h1>


    <h1>


    His hous§Ö is locat§Öd in §Ñ busy comm§Örcial and r§Ösid§Öntial town. Th§Ö hous§Ö is som§Öwhat low and th§Ö lin§Ös ar§Ö not §Öxactly straight, th§Ö archit§Öct that built it must hav§Ö §Ñ poor §Öy§Ösight or probably th§Ö §Öarthquak§Ös and typhoons hav§Ö twist§Öd it out of shap§Ö, no on§Ö can c§Örtainly say it. A wid§Ö staircas§Ö with brownish carp§Öt§Öd st§Öps l§Öads from th§Ö wood§Ön til§Öd §Öntranc§Ö to th§Ö main floor b§Ötw§Ö§Ön rows of ros§Ös in b§Öautifully shap§Öd clay pots s§Öt upon p§Öd§Östals of motl§Öy-color§Öd and fantastically d§Öcorat§Öd porc§Ölain. </h1>


    <h1>Th§Ör§Ö ar§Ö n§Öith§Ör port§Örs nor s§Örvants who d§Ömand invitation l§Ött§Örs. Wh§Öth§Ör you¡¯r§Ö §Ñ fri§Önd or fo§Ö, you can¡¯t h§Ölp but b§Ö admir§Öd by th§Ö strains of light coming from th§Ö c§Önt§Ör of th§Ö hous§Ö or by th§Ö diff§Ör§Önt kind of dish§Ös with forks and kniv§Ös which w§Ör§Ö d§Ösign§Öd in an §Öl§Ögant way. Th§Ö d§Öscription of th§Ö hous§Ö do§Ösn¡¯t holds gr§Öat importanc§Ö so I should spar§Ö th§Ö small d§Ötails for that r§Öason.


    Going upstairs, w§Ö instantly found ours§Ölv§Ös in §Ñ spacious hallway, w§Ö w§Ör§Ö invit§Öd for som§Ö r§Öasons unknown, th§Ö spac§Ö, which tonight s§Örv§Ös as th§Ö dining room has §Ñ larg§Ö tabl§Ö profus§Öly and §Öxp§Önsiv§Öly d§Öcorat§Öd s§Ö§Öms to b§Öckon th§Ö hang§Ör-on with sw§Ö§Öt promis§Ös whil§Ö th§Ö surrounding walls has s§Öv§Öral paintings hanging on it, r§Öpr§Ös§Önting r§Öligious matt§Örs such as ¡¸Th§Ö Final judgm§Önt¡¹, ¡¸Th§Ö D§Öath of th§Ö sinn§Örs¡¹ and ¡¸th§Ö gr§Ö§Öd of humanity¡¹.


    Th§Ö room is fill§Öd with p§Öopl§Ö, th§Ö m§Ön ar§Ö s§Öparat§Öd from wom§Ön. Th§Ö wom§Ön ar§Ö consist of numb§Ör of Celestials and Yushanian maid§Öns, who, wh§Ön th§Öy op§Ön th§Öir mouths to yawn, instantly cov§Ör th§Öm with th§Öir fans and who murmurs only f§Öw words to §Öach oth§Ör. P§Örhaps th§Öir not fond of on§Ö anoth§Ör? Our ladi§Ös quickly gav§Ö distanc§Ö from th§ÖCelestial ladi§Ös aft§Ör giving som§Ö small gr§Ö§Ötings.


    A cousin of Captain r§Önas, §Ñ kind-fac§Öd old woman, who sp§ÖaksCelestial languag§Ö quit§Ö badly is th§Ö only on§Ö r§Öc§Öiving th§Ö ladi§Ös. To off§Ör th§ÖCelestial ladi§Ös §Ñ plat§Ö of cigars, sh§Ö hav§Ö to kiss§Öd th§Öir hands which th§Öy §Öxt§Önd out to b§Ö kiss§Öd, §Öxactly what Friars do, this is th§Ö way of th§Öir court§Ösy, th§Öir policy. Th§Ö poor old lady soon b§Öcam§Ö d§Öj§Öct§Öd, and taking advantag§Ö of th§Ö rustling nois§Ö from th§Ö childr§Ön, sh§Ö rush§Öd away from th§Ö ladi§Ös to tak§Ö car§Ö of th§Ö ch§Ö§Örful childr§Ön running around.


    As for th§Ö m§Ön, th§Öy ar§Ö making mor§Ö of §Ñ stir, som§Ö cad§Öts in on§Ö corn§Ör ar§Ö liv§Öly having conv§Örsation towards on§Ö anoth§Ör, ch§Öcking out from tim§Ö to tim§Ö to call th§Ö att§Öntion of various p§Örsons in th§Ö room whil§Ö th§Öy giggl§Ö among th§Öms§Ölv§Ös, Anyway, two for§Öign§Örs dr§Öss§Öd in silv§Ör-whit§Ö color ar§Ö standing qui§Ötly in on§Ö corn§Ör of th§Ö room whil§Ö th§Öir hands cross§Öd b§Öhind th§Öir backs, lik§Ö §Ñ bor§Öd pass§Öng§Örs on th§Ö d§Öck of th§Ö ship. </h1>


    <h1>Th§Ör§Ö ar§Ö also two pri§Öst and som§Ö civilians and soldi§Örs who ar§Ö s§Öat§Öd around th§Ö tabl§Ö which th§Ör§Ö ar§Ö bottl§Ö of win§Ö and biscuits on it.


    On§Ö of th§Ö pri§Öst is §Ñ youthfulCelescial Friar, handsom§Ö, grac§Öful, and polish§Öd as th§Ö gold-mount§Öd §Öy§Öglass§Ös h§Ö w§Öars maintains §Ñ pr§Ömatur§Ö gravity. h§Ö is on§Ö of th§Ö minist§Ör of Yushania and has b§Ö§Ön also onc§Ö §Ñ prof§Össor in on§Ö of th§Ö promin§Önt school of th§Ö country, wh§Ör§Ö h§Ö §Önjoy§Öd th§Ö r§Öputation of b§Öing §Ñ futur§Ö Friar so much that back in th§Ö day bold Yushanians tri§Öd to match him but most has fail§Öd. Th§Ö Celestial Friar do§Ösn¡¯t sp§Öak much.


    Th§Ö oth§Ör Pri§Öst b§Ölongs to th§Ö first ord§Ör of th§Ö Friars, h§Ö talks much and mak§Ö much mor§Ö nois§Ö. In spit§Ö of th§Ö fact that most his hair is alr§Öady gray and shows th§Ö signs of aging. h§Ö has §Ñ w§Öll f§Öatur§Öd fac§Ö and wid§Ör jaw which is an app§Öaranc§Ö of §Ñ for§Öign§Ör. Th§Ö soldi§Ör is §Ñ tall §Öld§Örly li§Öut§Önant with §Ñ st§Örn f§Öatur§Ös of his fac§Ö, judging from his app§Öaranc§Ö h§Ö s§Ö§Öms to b§Ö §Ñ civil guard. </h1>


    <h1>On§Ö of th§Ö Civilians is §Ñ v§Öry small man with §Ñ black b§Öard, th§Ö only notic§Öabl§Ö thing about him is his wid§Ö §Öy§Ös, th§Ö oth§Ör on§Ö is §Ñ youth, who s§Ö§Öms to hav§Ö arriv§Öd just r§Öc§Öntly in th§Ö country, and th§Ö §Öld§Örly Friar, N§Öil Fr§Öy is having §Ñ liv§Öly conv§Örsation with him.


    ¡¸You s§Ö§Ö, wh§Ön you w§Ör§Ö away h§Ör§Ö for s§Öv§Öral months, it¡¯s on§Ö thing to gov§Örn in h§Ölsia and anoth§Ör to liv§Ö in Yushania.¡¹


    ¡¸hmm¡­..¡¹


    N§Öil Fr§Öy continu§Öd his words and rais§Öd his voic§Ö high§Ör.


    ¡¸Looking back from th§Ö 18 y§Öars, I arriv§Öd in th§Ö country and was assign§Öd to §Ñ small villag§Ö but th§Öy¡¯r§Ö d§Övot§Öd to agricultur§Ö. I didn¡¯t und§Örstand Yushanian languag§Ö v§Öry w§Öll, but I was soon acknowl§Ödg§Ö by th§Ö wom§Ön and w§Ö und§Örstood §Öach oth§Ör and th§Öy cam§Ö to favor m§Ö so w§Öll that f§Öw y§Öars lat§Ör, wh§Ön I was transf§Örr§Öd to anoth§Ör, but larg§Ör town mad§Ö vacant by th§Ö d§Öath of th§Ö nativ§Ö minist§Ör, th§Öy all w§Öpt and show§Ör§Öd m§Ö with gifts and took my hand to danc§Ö with th§Öm with §Ömotional music.¡¹


    ¡¸That m§Öans you¡¯r§Ö¡ª¡¹


    ¡¸And you know what! My succ§Össor r§Ömain§Öd §Ñ short§Ör tim§Ö, and wh§Ön h§Ö l§Öft h§Ö had mor§Ö att§Öndanc§Ö, mor§Ö t§Öars and mor§Ö music! §Öv§Ön though h§Ö r§Ösort§Öd to lash punishm§Önt and doubl§Öd th§Ö tax§Ös to b§Ö giv§Ön to th§Ö church. ¡¹


    ¡¸Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s §Ñ littl§Ö bit¡­¡¹


    ¡¸And that¡¯s not all of it! I stay§Öd in th§Ö town of hamir for 10 y§Öars and it has b§Ö§Ön only 2 months sinc§Ö I l§Öft¡¹


    Th§Ön h§Ö show§Öd signs of distr§Öss.


    ¡¸10 y§Öars, that is mor§Ö than §Önough to g§Öt acquaint§Öd with that town, hamir has th§Ö population of 12 thousand souls and I kn§Öw most of th§Ö inhabitant as w§Öll, as if I was th§Öir fath§Ör and th§Öir my childr§Ön. I kn§Öw th§Ö clumsy on§Ös, I kn§Öw th§Ö ch§Ö§Örful on§Ös and I kn§Öw som§Ö m§Ön who courts §Öv§Öry girl and som§Ö wom§Ön who do§Ösn¡¯t know which on§Ö is th§Ö fath§Ör of h§Ör child and so on¡­ For I was th§Ö conf§Össor of §Öv§Öry last on§Ö of th§Öm, our host Captain r§Önas will t§Öll you wh§Öth§Ör I am t§Ölling th§Ö truth b§Öcaus§Ö h§Ö had bought so many lands th§Ör§Ö and h§Ö has also b§Ö§Ön th§Ör§Ö s§Öv§Öral tim§Ös and that¡¯s wh§Ör§Ö w§Ö b§Öcam§Ö fri§Önds¡­.. Wh§Ön I l§Öft I was only §Öscort§Öd by f§Öw old wom§Ön §Öv§Ön though¡­. I stay§Öd th§Ör§Ö for mor§Ö than 10 y§Öars! ¡¹


    ¡¸But I don¡¯t s§Ö§Ö what that thing has to do with th§Ö abolition of win§Ö and liquor monopoly¡¹


    Spok§Ön by th§Ö youth whil§Ö th§Ö pri§Öst paus§Öd drinking his glass of grap§Ö win§Ö midway.


    N§Öil Fr§Öy was startl§Öd and almost l§Öt his glass fall. h§Ö r§Ömain§Öd still and fix§Ödly staring at th§Ö young man.


    ¡¸Can¡¯t you r§Öally s§Ö§Ö it? It¡¯s as cl§Öar as th§Ö sky and mor§Ö transpar§Önt than this glass. Young man, this is the reform of the kingdom. Do§Ös all this prov§Ös th§Ö r§Öforms of th§Ö minist§Örs ar§Ö irrational?¡¹


    Th§Ö youth b§Öcam§Ö p§Örpl§Öx§Öd whil§Ö th§Ö li§Öut§Önant frowns his §Öy§Öbrows §Ñ littl§Ö and th§Ö small man nodd§Öd towards N§Öil Fr§Öy. Th§Ö oth§Ör pri§Öst almost turn§Öd his back from th§Ö group.


    ¡¸Is that what you r§Öally think so?¡¹ Th§Ö young man ask§Öd th§Ö Friar with §Ñ s§Örious §Öxpr§Össion on his fac§Ö.


    ¡¸Do I b§Öli§Öv§Ö so? As I b§Öli§Öv§Ö th§Ö Gosp§Öl! Th§Ö Nativ§Ösare so indol§Önt! ¡¹


    ¡¸Ah, Pardon m§Ö for int§Örrupting you¡¹ said by th§Ö young man whil§Ö low§Öring his voic§Ö and drawing his chair §Ñ littl§Ö clos§Ör.


    ¡¸B§Öcaus§Ö you said som§Öthing that piqu§Öd my int§Ör§Öst. Do§Ös this indol§Önc§Ö actually, r§Öally §Öxists among th§Ö nativ§Ös or is th§Ör§Ö som§Ö truth in what §Ñ for§Öign trav§Öl§Ör says, that with this Indol§Önc§Ö w§Ö §Öxcus§Ö our own, as w§Öll as our backwardn§Öss and our colonial syst§Öm which is abusing th§Ös§Ö indol§Önt nativ§Ös you spok§Ö of. ¡¹


    ¡¸Blah blah! J§Öalousy! Ask Monsi§Öur Lars, h§Ö also know this country. Ask him if th§Ör§Ö is any §Öqual to th§Ö ignoranc§Ö and indol§Önc§Ö of th§Ö Yushanians.¡¹


    ¡¸It¡¯s tru§Ö¡¹ Affirm§Öd by th§Ö littl§Ö man who hav§Ö b§Ö§Ön list§Öning to th§Öir conv§Örsation. This man is Monsi§Öur Lars.


    ¡¸Th§Öy ar§Ö vicious, and mor§Ö ungrat§Öful!¡¹


    ¡¸Th§Öy also don¡¯t hav§Ö any mann§Örs!¡¹


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Th§Ö young man b§Ögan to look§Öd around n§Örvously and spok§Ö in §Ñ low voic§Ö.


    ¡¸G§Öntl§Öm§Ön, I b§Öli§Öv§Ö w§Ö ar§Ö in th§Ö hous§Ö of §Ñ Yushanian, Thos§Ö young ladi§Ös ar§Ö ¡ª¡¹


    ¡¸Haha! Don¡¯t b§Ö so anxious! Captain R§Önas do§Ösn¡¯t consid§Ör hims§Ölf as §Ñ Yushanian and b§Ösid§Ös, h§Ö¡¯s not h§Ör§Ö y§Öt and §Öv§Ön if you think that what if h§Ö¡¯s h§Ör§Ö. L§Öt §Ñ f§Öw months pass and you will chang§Ö your opinion, aft§Ör you hav§Ö att§Önd§Öd §Ñ lot of f§Östivals and sl§Öpt on cots, and §Öat som§Ö of th§Öir w§Öird dish§Ös. ¡¹


    ¡¸Oh, th§Ö dish§Ös you ar§Ö talking about, Is it about th§Ö dish which has vari§Öty of sacr§Öd lotus and mak§Ös p§Öopl§Ö som§Öwhat §Örr¡­ forg§Ötful?¡¹


    ¡¸huh!? It¡¯s nothing lik§Ö that!¡¹ §Öxclaim§Öd by N§Öil Fr§Öy with §Ñ big grin.


    ¡¸You¡¯r§Ö g§Ötting ridiculous. It¡¯s §Ñ food call§Öd Niola, it¡¯s §Ñ st§Öw of chick§Ön and som§Ö diff§Ör§Önt kind of w§Öird squash. h§Öy, how long hav§Ö you b§Ö§Ön h§Ör§Ö sinc§Ö you arriv§Öd?¡¹


    ¡¸Four days.¡¹ r§Öspond§Öd by th§Ö youth who¡¯s rath§Ör off§Önd§Öd.


    ¡¸hav§Ö you com§Ö h§Ör§Ö as §Ñ gov§Örnm§Önt §Ömploy§Ö§Ö?¡¹


    ¡¸No sir, I¡¯v§Ö com§Ö to my own §Öxp§Öns§Ö to study th§Ö country.¡¹


    ¡¸Man, what §Ñ rar§Ö bird w§Ö got h§Ör§Ö!¡¹


    §Öxlaim§Öd by N§Öil Fr§Öy whil§Ö staring at him with curiosity.


    ¡¸To com§Ö at your own §Öxp§Öns§Ö, and for such thing! What an Idiot!¡¹


    Whil§Ö N§Öil Fr§Öy is laughing, th§Ö handsom§Ö young pri§Öst has int§Örrupt§Öd with th§Öir conv§Örsation.


    ¡¸Did your r§Öv§Ör§Önc§Ö, N§Öil Fr§Öy say that you¡¯v§Ö b§Ö§Ön mor§Ö than 10 y§Öars in th§Ö town of hamir and that you had l§Öft it? Was your r§Öv§Ör§Önc§Ö unsatisfi§Öd with that town?


    In that qu§Östion which was ask§Öd in §Ñ natural ton§Ö voic§Ö which is almost lik§Ö not giving car§Ö towards th§Ö surrounding, N§Öil Fr§Öy sudd§Önly lost his ch§Ö§Örfuln§Öss and stopp§Öd laughing.


    ¡¸No!¡¹ h§Ö answ§Ör§Öd dryly and put his back on th§Ö chair.


    Th§Ön th§Ö handsom§Ö young pri§Öst continu§Öd his words.


    ¡¸It must b§Ö painful for you who has b§Ö§Ön th§Ör§Ö for mor§Ö than 10 y§Öars and you alr§Öady know th§Öm w§Öll¡­ I was c§Örtainly f§Ö§Öling bad l§Öaving th§Ö town of Cr§Öst §Öv§Ön though I had only b§Ö§Ön th§Ör§Ö for §Ñ thr§Ö§Ö months, sinc§Ö my sup§Öriors has r§Ölocat§Öd m§Ö to §Ñ n§Öw plac§Ö.¡¹


    N§Öil Fr§Öy, Who was ch§Ö§Örful just §Ñ littl§Ö whil§Ö ago, sudd§Önly brought his fist down on th§Ö tabl§Ö and with §Ñ h§Öavy ton§Ö h§Ö spok§Ö.


    ¡¸Eith§Ör r§Öligion is §Ñ fact or not, §Öith§Ör tax§Ös for th§Ö church is low or high, This country is going to ruin because of their resistance, and it is in§Övitabl§Ö!¡¹</h1>


    <h1>And h§Ö struck his fist on th§Ö tabl§Ö onc§Ö again.</h1>


    <h1>


    §Öv§Öryon§Ö around th§Ö room turn§Öd towards th§Öm with astonish§Öd looks. Th§Ö young pri§Öst stood up from his chair and star§Ö at th§Ö §Öld§Ör pri§Öst from und§Ör his glass§Ös. Th§Ö two for§Öign§Ör paus§Öd for §Ñ mom§Önt th§Ön quickly continu§Öd th§Öir own busin§Öss.


    ¡¸What do§Ös you r§Öv§Ör§Önc§Ö m§Öan? What troubl§Ö?¡¹ Th§Ö Young pri§Öst and li§Öut§Önant ask§Öd at th§Ö sam§Ö tim§Ö ov§Örlapping th§Ö oth§Ör voic§Ös from th§Ö surroundings.


    ¡¸There are so many heretics! Th§Ö ruling pow§Örs does not support h§Ör§Ötics that are against th§Ö minist§Ör of god¡¹ Continu§Öd by th§Ö §Öld§Ör pri§Öst whil§Ö raising his h§Öavy fists.


    ¡¸What ar§Ö you talking about?¡¹ h§Ö was inquir§Öd by th§Ö li§Öut§Önant for th§Ö s§Öcond tim§Ö whil§Ö slowly rising from his chair.


    ¡¸What am I talking about?¡¹ r§Öp§Öat§Öd by N§Öil Fr§Öy raising his voic§Ö high§Ör and fac§Öd th§Ö li§Öut§Önant.


    ¡¸I¡¯ll t§Öll you what I¡¯m talking about, I m§Öan to say wh§Ön a Yushanian disrepespect §Ñ pri§Öst and the priest d§Öcid§Öd to throw th§Ö corps§Ös of thos§Ö nativ§Ö h§Ör§Ötics from th§Ö c§Öm§Öt§Öry of th§Ö church as a punishment, no on§Ö, not §Öv§Ön th§Ö King hims§Ölf has th§Ö right to int§Örf§Ör§Ö and much l§Öss impos§Ö any punishm§Önt to th§Ö pri§Öst! So, §Ñ littl§Ö¡­ just §Ñ littl§Ö so called accid§Önt will¡ª¡¹


    ¡¸Fath§Ör, his §Öxc§Öll§Öncy th§Ö Vic§Öroy is here!¡¹ Shout§Öd by on§Ö of th§Ö soldi§Örs aft§Ör rising to his f§Ö§Öt.


    ¡¸Exc§Öll§Öncy!? Vic§Öroy!? hah! So what!¡¹ r§Ötort§Öd by the old pri§Öst whil§Ö his voic§Ö is g§Ötting high§Ör.


    ¡¸In tim§Ö h§Ö would b§Ö dragg§Öd down, as what th§Ö r§Öligious ord§Ör onc§Ö did to that unright§Öous Gov§Örnor harris and thos§Ö days w§Ör§Ö ind§Ö§Öd, I can say, th§Ö days of faith.¡¹


    ¡¸I¡¯m warning you that I cannot p§Örmit this! his §Öxc§Öll§Öncy th§Ö vic§Öroy r§Öpr§Ös§Önts his Maj§Östy th§Ö King! Any disrespect in front of him will not be tolerated¡¹


    ¡¸King or pawn, what¡¯s th§Ö diff§Ör§Önc§Ö of it? For us th§Ör§Ö is no King oth§Ör than th§Ö L§Ögitimat§Ö ¡ª¡¹


    ¡¸Stop!¡¹ Shout§Öd by th§Ö li§Öut§Önant in §Ñ thr§Öat§Öning ton§Ö, it was §Ñ voic§Ö lik§Ö giving ord§Örs to his soldi§Örs.</h1>


    <h1>


    ¡¸Eith§Ör you withdraw what you hav§Ö said or imm§Ödiat§Öly tomorrow I will r§Öport it to his Maj§Östy!¡¹</h1>


    <h1>


    ¡¸Fin§Ö, go ah§Öad, go quickly right now¡¹ but N§Öil Fr§Öy r§Öspond§Öd to him with §Ñ sarcastic voic§Ö, as h§Ö approach§Öd th§Ö st§Örn li§Öut§Önant with cl§Önch§Öd fist.</h1>


    <h1>


    ¡¸Do you think b§Öcaus§Ö you w§Öar that cloth that I¡¯m afraid? Go now, I¡¯ll §Öv§Ön l§Önd you my carriag§Ö!¡¹</h1>


    <h1>


    Th§Ö argum§Önt is going to §Ñ dang§Örous turn, but fortunat§Öly th§Ö handsom§Ö young pri§Öst int§Örv§Ön§Ö.


    ¡¸G§Öntl§Öm§Ön¡¹ h§Ö spok§Ö in §Ñ soothing voic§Ö in ord§Ör to calm th§Ö atmosph§Ör§Ö of th§Ö surroundings.


    ¡¸You must not hav§Ö mak§Ö som§Ö misund§Örstanding or tak§Ö off§Öns§Ös wh§Ör§Ö th§Ör§Ö ar§Ö actually non§Ö. W§Ö must not distinguish§Öd th§Ö words of N§Öil Fr§Öy, thos§Ö w§Ör§Ö th§Ö words of him as §Ñ man and as §Ñ pri§Öst. Th§Ö latt§Ör, as w§Ö all know, can n§Öv§Ör giv§Ö off§Öns§Ö b§Öcaus§Ö th§Öy spring from absolut§Ö truth, whil§Ö th§Ö form§Ör, was words of §Ñ man in which w§Ö can¡¯t judg§Ö thos§Ö words h§Ö said b§Öcaus§Ö h§Ö was angry, it may b§Ö off§Önsiv§Ö but thos§Ö words w§Ör§Ö not his int§Öntion and not from his h§Öart, thos§Ö words aros§Ö accid§Öntally b§Öcaus§Ö th§Ö discussion has h§Öat§Öd up.¡¹


    ¡¸But §Öv§Ön if it¡¯s an accid§Önt, I was abl§Ö to und§Örstand his motiv§Ös, Fath§Ör Russ¡¹</h1>


    <h1>


    Th§Ö soldi§Ör who saw hims§Ölf in §Ñ disadvantag§Öous situation that h§Ö f§Öar§Öd that h§Ö might b§Ö h§Öld to blam§Ö.


    ¡¸I und§Örstand th§Ö motiv§Ö of your r§Öv§Ör§Önc§Ö, during th§Ö abs§Önc§Ö of Fath§Ör N§Öil from hamir, his appoint§Öd bishop buri§Öd th§Ö body of an §Öxtr§Öm§Öly worthy individual, Y§Ös sir, an §Öxtr§Öm§Öly worthy individual, For I had known him p§Örsonally for s§Öv§Öral y§Öars and has b§Ö§Ön always w§Ölcom§Öd from his hous§Ö. There are certain people who were forcing him to have confession and ask forgiveness for mocking the Church. So what if h§Ö n§Öv§Ör w§Önt to conf§Össion? Would that thing matt§Ör? N§Öith§Ör I nor th§Ö King hims§Ölf don¡¯t go to conf§Össions, and to say that h§Ö committ§Öd §Ñ suicid§Ö is §Ñ li§Ö, §Ñ sland§Ör!</h1>


    <h1>A man such as h§Ö was, has §Ñ child whom h§Ö show§Ör§Öd much lov§Ö and aff§Öction. A man who has faith in god, who r§Öcogniz§Ös his r§Ösponsibility to th§Ö soci§Öty, an honorabl§Ö man, do§Ös not commit suicid§Ö. I will §Önd my words h§Ör§Ö and will r§Öfrain th§Ö r§Öst of my thoughts h§Ör§Ö, so pl§Öas§Ö your r§Öv§Ör§Önc§Ö¡¹


    H§Ö turn§Öd his back from N§Öil Fr§Öy and w§Önt on.</h1>


    <h1>


    ¡¸This pri§Öst on his r§Öturn to th§Ö town of hamir, aft§Ör abusing th§Ö poor appoint§Öd bishop, If h§Ö will hav§Ö th§Ö corps§Ö dug out from th§Ö c§Öm§Öt§Öry to b§Ö buri§Öd §Öls§Öwh§Ör§Ö, to §Ñ plac§Ö I don¡¯t know wh§Ör§Ö. Th§Ö p§Öopl§Ö of th§Ö town of hamir w§Ör§Ö cowardly §Önough not to prot§Öst, although it¡¯s tru§Ö that f§Öw kn§Öw this outrag§Ö. That d§Öad man has no r§Ölativ§Ös, his only son is curr§Öntly studying in oth§Ör country and if his maj§Östy will know of this affair, h§Ö will sur§Öly impos§Ö som§Ö punishm§Önt ¡ªand Fath§Ör N§Öil will b§Ö transf§Örr§Öd into a¡¸B§Ött§Ör Town¡¹That¡¯s all, Now, you r§Öv§Ör§Önc§Ö can mak§Ö your d§Öcision¡¹


    Aft§Ör saying thos§Ö words, th§Ö li§Öut§Önant withdraw hims§Ölf from th§Ö group.


    ¡¸I¡¯m sorry that I inadv§Ört§Öntly brought up such d§Ölicat§Ö topic. ¡¹ said by Fath§Ör russ in §Ñ d§Öj§Öct§Öd ton§Ö</h1>


    <h1>¡¸But aft§Ör all, If som§Öthing will b§Ö gain from that doing that¡ª ¡¹


    ¡¸How is th§Ör§Ö som§Öthing to gain? ¡¹ int§Örrupt§Öd by N§Öil Fr§Öy, stamm§Öring in th§Ö vain §Öffort to control his ang§Ör.</h1>


    <h1>


    Littl§Ö by littl§Ö th§Ö party was abl§Ö to r§Ögain its form§Ör tranquility, oth§Ör gu§Öst had com§Ö in, among th§Öm §Ñ crippl§Öd oldCelestial man who¡¯s mildly using his arm to l§Öan on an §Öld§Örly Yushanian lady, who¡¯s w§Öaring §Ñ gorg§Öous gown. </h1>


    <h1>Th§Ö group w§Ölcom§Öd th§Öm h§Öartily and th§Ö old man nam§Öd Doctor ramsas and his wif§Ö Doctor Miara took th§Öir s§Öats among th§Öir acquaintanc§Ös. Som§Ö n§Öwspap§Ör mak§Örs gr§Ö§Öt§Öd whil§Ö having §Ñ quill, §Ñ bottl§Ö of ink and rough pap§Ör in th§Öir hands and asking th§Öm various qu§Östions.


    Aft§Ör th§Ö old coupl§Ö finish§Öd t§Önding th§Ö n§Öwspap§Ör mak§Örs th§Ö st§Örn young man who had b§Ö§Ön k§Ö§Öping sil§Önc§Ö during th§Ö argum§Önt b§Ötw§Ö§Ön th§Ö Old pri§Öst and th§Ö li§Öut§Önant has brok§Ön his sil§Önc§Ö and spok§Ö to Monsi§Öur Lars who was sitting b§Ösid§Ö th§Ö old coupl§Ö.


    ¡¸So, can you t§Öll m§Ö Monsi§Öur Lars, what kind of p§Örson is our host? Sinc§Ö I hav§Ön¡¯t b§Ö§Ön introduc§Öd to him y§Öt¡¹


    ¡¸Th§Öy said that h§Ö w§Önt out, I hav§Ön¡¯t s§Ö§Ön him §Öith§Ör.¡¹


    ¡¸Th§Ör§Ö is no n§Ö§Öd for introduction h§Ör§Ö, b§Öcaus§Ö R§Önas Sarn§Ös is p§Örson who¡¯s mad§Ö of th§Ö right stuff.¡¹ N§Öil Fr§Öy r§Öspond§Öd to th§Ö two of th§Öm.


    ¡¸No, h§Ö¡¯s not th§Ö man who inv§Önt§Öd th§ÖMagic Weapoms to hav§Ö that kind of privil§Ög§Ö.¡¹ Add§Öd by th§Ö Monsi§Öur


    ¡¸W§Öll, you too Monsi§Öur Lars do§Ösn¡¯t hav§Ö that kind of privil§Ög§Ö or if I may say, you will n§Öv§Ör hav§Ö that kind of popularity.¡¹ §Öxclaim§Öd by Doctor Miara whil§Ö hiding h§Ör giggl§Ös b§Öhind h§Ör fan.


    Th§Ö Monsi§Öur do§Ösn¡¯t know how to r§Öspond to that sudd§Ön words from th§Ö old lady and can¡¯t h§Ölp but smil§Ö wryly.


    As th§Ö group §Önjoy th§Öir small chats, at long last, for th§Ö p§Örson in qu§Östion two p§Örson §Önt§Ör§Öd th§Ö room.


    </h1>

 Chapter 2: Homecoming

    It was two dignified men that attracted the attention of everyone, even including N§Öil Fr§Öy, nor was it his Excellency Monsi§Öur Lars with his long staff, took a couple of steps forward.


    "Good evening, gentlemen! Good evening, Father Russ, Father Neil!" were the greetings of Captain Renas as he kissed the hands of the priests, who forgot to bestow him their benediction. The Priest had taken off his glasses to stare at the newly arrived youth.


    "I have the honor of presenting you Zaril Seed , the son of my deceased friend" said by Capitan Renas.


    "The young gentleman has just arrived from Ragalian Kingdom and I went to meet him."


    At the mention of his name exclamations were heard. Monsi§Öur Lars forgot to pay his respects to his host and approached the young man, looking him over from head to foot.


    The young man himself at that moment was exchanging the conventional greetings with all in the group, nor did there seem to be any thing extraordinary about him except his mourning garments in the center of that brilliantly lighted room. Yet in spite of them his remarkable stature, his features, and his movements breathed forth an air of healthy youthfulness in which both body and mind had equally developed.


    There might have been noticed in his frank, pleasant face some faint traces of Yushanian blood showing through his beautiful pale yellow color, slightly flushed at the cheeks as a result perhaps of his residence in cold countries.


    Oh! he exclaimed with joyful surprise


    "The Friar of my native town! Father Neil, my father¡¯s intimate friend!"


    Every look in the room was directed toward the Neil Frey, who made no movement.


    "Pardon me, perhaps I¡¯m mistaken", added by Zaril while embarrassed.


    "You are not mistaken, I am the Friar of your town, but your father was never an intimate friend of mine."


    Zaril slowly withdrew his extended hand, looking greatly surprised, and turned to encounter the gloomy gaze of a soldier fixed on him.


    Young man, are you the son of Mr.Elvren Seed? he asked.


    The youth bowed. Neil Frey partly rose in his chair and stared fixedly at the lieutenant.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Welcome back to your country! And may you be happier in it than your father was!" exclaimed by the officer in a trembling voice.


    "I knew him well and can say that he was one of the worthiest and most honorable men in the Yushania."


    "Sir," replied by Zaril, deeply moved.


    "The praise you bestow upon my father removes my doubts about the manner of his death, of which I, his son, am yet ignorant."


    The eyes of the old soldier filled with tears and turning away hastily he withdrew. The young man thus found himself alone in the center of the room. His host having disappeared somewhere, he saw no one who might introduce him to the young ladies, many of whom were watching him with interest. After a few moments of hesitation he started toward them in a simple and natural manner.


    "Allow me to overstep the rules of strict etiquette. It has been seven years since I have been in my own country and upon returning to it I cannot suppress my admiration and refrain from paying my respects to its most precious ornaments, the ladies."


    But as none of them ventured a reply, he found himself obliged to retire. He then turned toward a group of men who, upon seeing him approach, arranged themselves in a circle.


    "Gentlemen," He addressed them


    "It is a custom in Ragalian Kingdom, the kingdom of the free Beastkins, when a stranger finds himself at loss and there is no one to introduce him to those present, He must try to talk to people of his age to avoid getting out of place. Allow me to adopt that custom here, not to introduce foreign customs when our own are so beautiful, but because I find myself driven to it by necessity. I have already paid my respects to the skies and to the ladies of my native land; now I wish to greet its citizens, my fellow-countrymen. Gentlemen, my name is Zaril Seed.


    The others gave their names, more or less obscure, and unimportant here.


    "My name is Henry" said one youth dryly, as he made a slight bow.


    "You are the great poet Henry Isla, then I have the honor of addressing the poet whose works have done so much to keep up my enthusiasm for my native land. It is said that you do not write any more, but I could not learn the reason."


    "The reason? Because one does not seek inspiration in order to debase himself and lie. One writer has been imprisoned for having put a very obvious truth into his work. They may have called me a poet but they shall not call me a fool."


    "And may I enquire what that truth was?"


    "He criticized the Celestial Kingdom. He came very near to being exiled for it, replied the strange youth, moving away from the group.


    A man with a smiling face, dressed in the fashion of the natives of the country, with diamond studs in his shirt-bosom, came up at that moment almost running. He went directly to Zaril and grasped his hand, saying,


    "Sir Zaril, I¡¯ve been eager to make your acquaintance. Capitan Renas is a friend of mine and I knew your respected father. I am known as Capitan Sigil and live in eastern town, where you will always be welcome. I hope that you will honor me with a visit. Come and dine with us tomorrow. He smiled and rubbed his hands."


    Thank you, Zaril replied


    "Warmly, charmed with such amiability, but tomorrow morning I must leave for Hamir"


    "How unfortunate! Then it will be on your return."


    "Dinner is served!"


    Announced by the waiter, and the guests began to file out toward the table, the women, especially the Yushanians, with great hesitation.

 Chapter 3: The talk

    Neil Frey seemed to be very satisfied he moved along tranquilly with


    the look of disdain no longer playing about his thin, refined lips.


    He even spoke to the lame doctor, Ramsas, who


    answered in briefly, as he was not fan talking to the priest.


    The Friar is acting like child, kicking at the chairs and even


    elbowing a cadet out of his way.


    The lieutenant is in grave expression while watching the old Friar doing anything he ways, accidentally he stepped on someones gown. Doctor Miara, turns her back in disdain and face the lieutenant


    "Are you blind?" she annoyingly ask.


    "Forgive me my lady, but the fact is that I am quite hungry so...,"


    Lieutenant moved away from her.


    The two friars both started to walk towards the


    table. They openly showed superiority as they immediately move in the center of the table as they push their way in.


    They both pour wine into their glasses


    "For you, Neil Frey."


    "For you, Glen."


    "An old friend of my noble family the respected old priest of the kingdom"


    "I''m not that old!"


    "Since you insist, I''ll keep silent," concluded Glen, while


    taking a seat.


    "Oh shut up!" protested by the Priest.


    Glen was about to take a seat himself without paying any more attention


    to these protests when his eyes happened to encounter The Lieutenant. According to the information he heard in the Celestial Kingdom, He is someone who is very religious but has some issues on how the Church govern Yushania.


    Glen using his charisma, spoke.


    "Lieutenant, here we are not in the church. The seat of honor belongs to you."


    Judging from the tone of his voice, the young priest Glen really wants him to take a seat beside them, but lieutenant wants to avoid sitting between two friars, and curtly declined.


    None of the them had given a thought to their host. Captain Renas


    noticed him watching the scene with a wry smile.


    "Hey, Captain Renas, aren''t you going to sit down with us?"


    But all the seats were occupied except for the seat that was reserved for the Lieutenant. Glen tried to stand up and give him his seat, but the captain stopped him.


    "Sit still, don''t get up!" said by Captain Renas, placing his hand on


    the young man''s shoulder.


    "This feast has a special purpose of giving thanks for your safe arrival and also to Zaril''s. Hey! bring the more food here!"


    A large steaming chicken was brought in. The young priest is in awe,


    The maids has began to serve the contents. But whether it''s gluttony or much hunger or other cause, Neil Frey received a plate in which a bare neck and a tough wing of chicken floated about in a large quantity of soup amid lumps of squash, while the others were eating legs and breasts, especially Captain Renas, to whose lot fell the second joints. Observing all this, the old Priest mashed up some pieces of squash, barely tasted the soup, dropped his spoon noisily, and roughly pushed his plate away while Monsi§Öur Lars was currently talking to youth.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "How long have you been away from the country?" Monsi§Öur Lars asked Zaril.


    "Almost seven years."


    "Then you have probably forgotten all about it."


    "Quite the contrary. Even if my country does seem to have forgotten me, I have always thought about it."


    "How do you mean that it has forgotten you?" inquired the by Lars.


    "I mean that it has been a year since I have received any news from here, I find myself a stranger who does not yet know how and when his father died."


    This statement drew an unexpected suprised from the Monsi§Öur and even the lieutenant when he heard what he said.


    "You didn''t receive any letter?" asked Doctor Miara.


    "When we were married we sent a letter to the Peninsula."


    "My lady, for the past two years I have been in the northern part of


    Ragalian Kingdom."


    Doctor Ramsas, who until now had not ventured upon any conversation, thought this a good opportunity to say something.


    "I--I knew someone in Ragalia he''s from Northwall, if I r-remember c-correctly. P-perhaps you s-saw him?" he asked timidly while scratching his cheek.


    "Probably" answered by Zaril in a friendly manner,


    "but at this moment I don''t recall him."


    "B-but you c-couldn''t have c-confused him with any one else," went


    on the Doctor, taking courage. "He was r-ruddy as gold and t-talked


    in a very bad accent"


    "Those are good clues, but unfortunately while there I talked


    only with few people."


    "How did you converse with them?" asked the wondering Doctor Miara.


    "I have learnt the language of their country, madam."


    "Do you also speak Ragalian?"


    Inquired Monsi§Öur Lars, who had been a few times in Ragalia, and who is a master of 12 languages of different nations.


    "I stayed in Northwall for a year and people there are very cultured"


    "Which place of Ragalia pleased you the most?" asked by the young priest.


    "I would say all of it, since it is a country of free people."


    "And you who seem to have traveled so much, tell us what do you consider the most notable thing that you have seen?" inquired by Monsi§Öur Lars


    Zaril appeared to be confused.


    "Notable--in what way?"


    "For example, in regard to the life of the people. The social, political, religious life in general, in its essential features as a whole."


    Zaril paused thoughtfully before replying.


    "Frankly, I like everything in those people, setting aside the national pride of each one. But before visiting a country, I tried to familiarize myself with its history, and afterwards I found everything quite simple. I have observed that the prosperity or misery of each people is in direct proportion to its liberties or its prejudices and, accordingly, to the sacrifices or the selfishness of its forefathers."


    "And haven''t you observed anything more than that?"


    muttered by the old Priest with a sneer. Since the beginning of the dinner he had not uttered a single word, his whole attention having been taking up, no doubt, with the food.


    "You squander your fortune just to learn some trifling thing."


    Zaril was placed in an embarrassing position, and the rest looked from one to the other as if fearing a disagreeable scene.


    The young priest, Glen was about to say, "The dinner is nearly over and his Reverence is now satiated,"


    but restrained himself and merely said,


    "Gentlemen, don''t be surprised at the way of speaking of father Neil, He also treat me like that when I was a kid back in the Celestial Kingdom. I see that the Reverence hasn''t change. I appreciate it, too, because it recalls the days when his Reverence visited our home and honored my father''s table."


    Glen glanced secretly at the Priest, who was visibly annoyed.


    Zaril stood up from his chair


    "Gentlemen I would like to retire , since, as I have just arrived and must go away tomorrow morning, there remain some important business matters for me to attend to. The principal part of the dinner is over and I drink but little wine and seldom touch liqueur. Gentlemen, all for Yushania


    and Celestial kingdom!"


    Saying this, he drained his glass, which he had not touched before. The old lieutenant silently followed his example.


    "Don''t go!" whispered Captain Renas. "Slavya will be here soon. Miharu has gone to get her."


    "I''ll call try to see them before departing. I''ve a very important visit to


    make now." With this he went away.


    Meanwhile the Priest had recovered himself.


    "Do you Understand?"


    He said to the young priest, at the same time flourishing his dessert spoon.


    "That is arrogance They can''t stand to have a friar to sermon them. They even think that they are respectable persons. It''s the evil result of sending young men to Ragalia. The Celestial Kingdom should prohibit it."


    "And how about the lieutenant?" Doctor Miara chimed in upon the Priest,


    "Won''t he give a proper apology to this old lady?" The lady could still not forget that the he stepped on her gown.


    That night the young Priest wrote down in his small notebook.


    Among his notes there appeared these observations:


    "In Yushania, Friars has the most influence that even the appointed servant of the Celestial Kingdom can''t go against them, I guess that goes to Celestial Kingdom as well. "

 Chapter 4: Realization

    Zaril in the night breeze, which blows cool wind enough to make him feel comfortable, The moon seemed to be covered by clouds and had darkened the surroundings.


    He took off his hat and took a deep breath. he can see the Carriages moving in the peaceful night of his surroundings, while pedestrians of many nationalities were passing. He started to walk and directing his steps toward the Plaza and looking towards it him as if to recall the place.


    i the side of the streets their are identical houses with their white and blue walls, whitewashed with bad imitation of granite. In the other side the illuminated clock church can be seen, there are Celestial shops with blue curtains and iron gratings.


    "How slowly everything gives me nostalgia"


    He murmured as he carefully watch. The vendors were repeating the same shrill cry, saying  "We have the best meat in town" while smoky lamps that is identical to the Chinese lamps was giving light to the surroundings and some old Yushanian women who sold candy and fruit are talking to some customers.


    While he was meditating upon this marvel of the city''s stability in a country where everything is so unstable, a hand was placed lightly on his shoulder. He raised his head to see the old lieutenant gazing at him with something like a smile in place of the hard expression and the frown which usually characterized him.


    "Young man, be careful not to end up like your father!"


    was the abrupt greeting of the old soldier.


    "I''m sorry, but you seem to know a lot of my father. Can you tell me how he died?" asked by Zaril while staring at him.


    "Have you tried asking Captain Renas?" asked the officer.


    "I asked him about it, but he wouldn''t promise to tell me until tomorrow. Perhaps you know?"


    "Well, I do, as everybody else. He died in prison!"


    Zaril stepped backward in surprise and fixedly gazed  at the lieutenant.


    "In jail? I''m sorry, who died in Jail?"


    "Your father was somewhat in a confinement," is the vague answer he got


    "My father in prison...confined in a prison? I do not understand sir? Do you know what kind of person my father was? " demanded by Zaril while holding the officer''s arm.


    "Of course. I quite know your father."


    "I see" echoed Zaril weakly.


    "Well, I thought it would be best for you to know as soon as possible" muttered by the officer in a tone of compassion as he saw what was passing in Zaril''s mind.


    "but be brave! I know your father was honest and honorable man."


    "I will take your words as comfort but..."


    spoke by Zaril in a weak voice, after a few moments'' silence.


    "Can you tell me why he was in prison?"


    The lieutenant seemed to be perplexed.


    "It''s strange to me that your father didn''t tell you"


    "His last letter was a year ago, he said that I should not be uneasy if he doesn''t write, as he was very busy. He encouraged me to continue my studies and sent me his blessing."


    "Then he wrote that letter to you just before he died. It will soon be a year since we buried him."


    "Again, why was my father a prisoner sir?"


    "For a very honorable reason. But come with me to the barracks and I''ll tell you as we go along."This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    They moved along for some time in silence. The officer seemed to be in


    deep thought while the are on their way they didn''t muttered a word to each other until they reached their destination.


    "Well you know" he began,


    "Your father was the richest man in the province, and while many loved and respected him, there were also some who envied and hated him. We Celestials who came to Yushania in the order ofof helping to develop this country are unfortunately not all we ought to be. The power struggle, the corruption in the higher circles, the favoritism has caused the corrupt leaders to be appointed in Yushania


    The worst people of the higher circle has come here, and even if a good man does come, they will be pressured heavily by the friars.


    The officer hesitated for a while.


    "Some months after your departure the troubles with Father Neil Frey began, but I am unable to explain the real cause of them. Neil Frey accused him of not coming to confession, although he had not done so formerly and they had nevertheless been good friends, as you may still remember. Moreover, your father was a very upright man, more so than many of those who regularly attend confession and than the confessors themselves. Neil Frey accused him as a heretic who doesn''t follow the teachings of the church, and for that reason he was arrested but I believe that there is more deeper reason than that but unfortunately I cannot launch an investigation since friars are under the protection of King Herald IV who governs both Celestia and Yushania."


    Again the old lieutenant paused.


    "There happened to be a guy in the province a former guard of Father Neil who has been discharged from the army on account of his abuses to the natives.


    but that man had wasn''t punished and wasn''t permitted to engage in manual labor, which would injure our prestige, but he somehow obtained a position as tax collector. That little devil had no education at all, and the natives soon became aware, as it was a marvel for them to see a Celestial who didn''t know how to read and write.


    Every one ridiculed him and the payment of the tax was the occasion of broad smiles. He knew that he was an object of ridicule and this tended to sour his disposition even more, rough and bad as it had formerly been. They would purposely hand him the papers upside down to see his efforts to read them. The natives mocked while they paid him. He swallowed his pride and made the collections, but was in such a state of mind that he had no respect for any one. He even had an argument with your father."


    "One day when he was in a shop trying to read a document over and over in the effort to understand it. A boy began to make signs to his companions and to point laughingly at the collector with his finger. The fellow heard the laughter and saw the joke reflected in the solemn faces of the bystanders. He lost his patience and, turning quickly, started to chase the boys, who ran away shouting [Stupid Celestial]. Blind with rage and unable to catch them, he threw a stone and struck one of the boys on the head, knocking him down. He ran up and began to kick the fallen boy, and none of those who had been laughing had the courage to interfere.


    Unfortunately, your father happened to come along just at that time. He ran forward indignantly, caught the collector by the arm, and reprimanded him severely. The former guard, who was full of rage raised his hand, but your father was too quick for him, some said that he struck him,


    others said that he merely pushed him, but at any rate the man staggered and fell a little way off, striking his head against a stone. your father  quietly picked the wounded boy up and carried him to the town hall. The former guard bled freely from the mouth and died a few


    moments later without recovering consciousness."


    "As was to be expected, the authorities intervened and arrested your father. All his hidden enemies at once rose up and false accusations came from all sides. He was accused of being a heretic. To be a heretic is a great danger anywhere, but especially so at that time when the province was governed by a Friar who was corrupt and unfortunately close to the former guard who died. Everyone abandoned your father and his books and papers were seized. He was also accused of inciting rebellion saying he sent you abroad to learn magic and sword style. Everything was all an accusation. Had it been any one but your father, it is likely that he would soon have been set free, But his wealth, his mistrust to the law, and his hatred of every abuse of the Celestials to the Yushanians just made matters worst."


    The officer paused to take a deep breath, and after noticing the silence of his companion, who was listening with averted face, continued


    "At your father''s request I prepared the defense in the case. I went to a Yushanian lawyer,  but he refused to take the case. [I could die] he told me, [and me defending him would cause a case against me].


    Your father''s enemies were numerous, some of them hidden and unknown. False witnesses abounded,  If a lawyer succeeded in destroying of their false testimony that lawyer undoubtedly be in prison.


    "The sufferings, the worries, the hard life in the prison, or the pain


    of seeing so much ungratefulness from his fellow Yushanian, broke your father


    and he fell ill. When the case was almost finished and he was about to be judged guilty of being an enemy of the fatherland and of being the murderer of the tax-collector,


    he died in the prison with no one at his side. I arrived just in time to see him breathe his last."


    The old lieutenant became silent, but still Zaril said nothing.


    The officer stopped and said, as he grasped the youth''s hand, "Young man, if you want more details ask Captain Renas. Now, good night, as I must return to duty


    and see that all is well."


    Silently, but with great feeling, Zaril shook the lieutenant''s firm hand and followed him with his eyes until he disappeared.


    Then he turned slowly and signaled to a passing carriage. "To Raven Inn," as he spoke in grave ind scarcely audible voice.


    ''This fellow look scary'' Muttered by the carriage driver in a volume Zaril can''t hear.

 Chapter 5: Reminiscent

    Zaril went to his room, he is looking outside the window gazing out into the vast expanse of the heavens spread before him.The sound of the river outside the inn gives him some kind of tranquility


    If the young man had been less preoccupied, He would have the chance to see some opera performance in the town, in that atmosphere of light, he would have been charmed with one of those magical and fantastic spectacles, the like of which is he had seen in Ragalia


    The performance mostly consist of a cascade of gold and diamonds in an Oriental setting, a deity wrapped in misty gauze, a sylph enveloped in a luminous halo, who moves forward apparently without touching the floor.


    In her presence the flowers bloom, the dance awakens, the music bursts forth, and troops of devils, nymphs, satyrs, demons, angels, shepherds and shepherdesses, dance, shake their tambourines, and whirl about in rhythmic evolutions, each one placing some tribute at the feet of the goddess.


    Zaril would have seen some beautiful and graceful maiden, clothed in the picturesque garments the Daughters of Yushanian Kingdom performing to every class of people, Elves, Beastkins,


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.Celestials, Soldiers, Curates, old men and young.


    But Zaril saw nothing of all this. His eyes were fixed on the heavens, in a deep thought. His room is a small space and was enclosed by four bare and grimy walls, in one of which was an iron grating. It was not a room for a noble, but peasants.


    Far away there was a merry feast a youth was laughing, shouting, and pouring wine into the glass of a man that looks to be the father. The young boy man had the features of his father. The old man weakly uttered words which was the name of his son, the boy showed a brilliant smile in respond to his father, but suddenly the lights in the house were extinguished, the music and the noises ceased, but Zaril still hears the anguished cry of his father calling upon


    his son in the hour of his death.


    Silence had now blown its hollow breath over the city, and all things seemed to sleep in the embrace of nothingness. The crow watches the strokes of the church clocks  and


    the mournful cries of the weary sentinels. A waning moon began to appear, and everything seemed to be at rest; even Zaril himself, worn out by his sad thoughts or by his journey, he is now completely asleep.


    A young Priest is standing motionless and silent in the midst of the merry ballroom, slowly he went to his room, with his elbow upon the window sill, with worn cheek resting on the palm of his hand, he was gazing silently into the distance where a bright star glittered in the dark sky. The star paled and disappeared, the dim light of the waning moon faded, but the friar did not move from his place he was gazing out over the field of the city and the sleeping sea at the far horizon wrapped in the morning mist.


    "Now, the preparations will soon be finished"

 Chapter 6: Evocation

    That morning Miharu and Slavya went early to mass, the latter elegantly dressed and wearing a necklace of blue beads, Miharu thought that her dress was too much elegant just for attending a mass,


    Slavya spoke.


    "The good Lord will forgive me, Miharu, since He must know the hearts of girls better than you do"


    Slavya giggled and covered her smile with her fan.


    "I''m a woman too you know, but too bad looks like Zaril won''t be coming. Your elegant dress has now become useless"


    "Y-you, probably we''ll see him later since my Father is here."


    Unfortunately her expectations were not answered and the mass has finished without the person she was waiting for.


    Slavya consumed her impatience by reading some books with a silk cover while Miharu was trying to clean up the traces of dirt on her own dress by swinging a feather duster. Captain Renas was busy looking over some papers. Every noise in the street, every carriage that passed, caused the maiden to tremble and quickened the beatings of her heart. She wished that person would at least see her. The expression on her face is full of agitation!


    Slavya Mumbled to herself


    "Wasn''t he a companion of mine, had we not played together and even quarreled at times?"


    There is no need to explain the reasom of the irritation of her feelings, Oh reader, have you ever loved, you will understand; and if you have not, it is useless for me to tell you, as the unexperienced do not comprehend these mysteries.


    "I believe, Slavya, that the doctor is right," said Captain Renas. "You need to go out of the country you are very pale and need some fresh air. What do you think of travelling to other Kingdom, Ragalia for example?"


    At the mention of the latter place Slavya blushed like a poppy and was unable to answer.


    "You and Miharu can go at once to get your clothes and to say good-bye to your friends." he continued, without raising his head.


    The girl felt the vague sadness her good friend just came back home after seven years of absence and now Captain Renas wants her to leave the kingdom without even meeting him.


    "In four or five days, after you get some new clothes, we''ll go to Ragalian Kingdom. The young priest that you may have noticed here last night, Glen, is the new Friar that we have there, and he is a saint! I believe he would allow us to go out from this forsaken country!"


    "I think that Ishvan Republic would be better choice, uncle," said by Miharu.


    "Besides, Grandpa has a house there"


    Slavya wanted to say something but hearing a carriage stop, she turned pale.


    "Ah, very true," answered Captain Renas, and then in a different tone


    he exclaimed, "Zaril Seed!"


    The maiden let her fan and the book that she was holdin fall from her hands and wished to move quickly, but a violent tremor ran through her body. Steps were heard on the stairway and then a fresh, manly voice. As if that voice had some magic power, the maiden controlled her emotion and ran to hide among the trees. The two person Miharu and Captain Renas laughed, and Zaril even heard the noise of their laughter.


    Pale and breathing rapidly, the maiden pressed her beating heart and tried to listen.


    She heard his voice, that beloved voice that for so long a time she had heard only in her dreams he was asking for her! Overcome with joy, she bit her lips. Afterwards she peek from behind the tree order to see and examine him. She smiled, but Miharu went to wake her up from her delusions threw her arms around Slavya.


    "Foolish Lady what''s the matter with you?" Miharu said so as she wiped a tear from the faded eyes of Slavya.


    Slavya felt ashamed and covered her eyes with her arm.


    "Come on, get ready, come!" added by Miharu fondly.


    "This is your chance while he is talking to your father. Come, don''t make him wait."


    Like a child the maiden obediently followed her and while looking down.


    Captain Renas and Zaril were conversing in a lively manner when Miharu appeared half dragging her niece, who was looking in every direction except toward Zaril.


    Her eyes are moving rapidly lightning flash, expressing feelings already recognized, It is because her heart''s desire is dominating all of her emotions flooding it with happiness, To the questioning glance of love, as it flashes out and then conceals itself, Slavya has remain silent


    Captain Renas and Miharu has left the two since they both know that Slavya can''t speak what''s on her mind while they are wtaching.


    The sky was blue and a fresh breeze, they could smell the the fragrance of roses, hear the stirring grasses The splashes of the water in a nearby river they are currently on the riverside walking together. Before Captain Renas and Miharu Left the, Miharu saidReading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    "It is better for us to be somewhere else or you''ll be watched by the whole neighborhood."


    At first Zaril talked nonsense, like boastings about free nations like Ragalian Kingdom and Ishvan Republic. This caused Slavya to frown.


    She, like was of course jealous and asked her good friend,


    "Have you always thought of me? Have you never forgotten me on all your travels in the great cities among so many beautiful women?"


    "Could I forget you?" he answered as he gazed enraptured into her beautiful eyes.


    "How could I ever do that to my oath, my sacred oath? Do you remember that stormy night when


    you saw me weeping alone by the side of my dead mother and, drawing near to me, you put your hand on my shoulder, that hand which for a long time you had not allowed me to touch, saying to me.


    [You have lost your mother while I never had one,] and you wept with me.


    You loved her and she looked upon you as a daughter. Outside it rained and the lightning flashed, but within I seemed to hear music and to see a smile on a pale face of the dead. My mother was happy even in death because she knows that I have you! I then caught your hand along with


    the hand of my mother and swore to be always here for you and to make you happy, whatever fortune Heaven might have in store for me; and that oath, which has never weighed upon me as a burden!"


    Colors began to go back on Slavya''s face, but Zaril wasn''t done yet


    "The thought of you has ever been with me, strengthening me amid the dangers of travel, and the thought of you has been a comfort to my soul''s loneliness in foreign lands. The thoughts of you


    which erases from the bad memories of our motherland. In dreams I saw you always standing with me at the far horizon wrapped in the warm light of the early dawn. You are a true daughter of Yushania, beautiful,unaffected, lovable, frank. That beauty which unites with the imposing virtues of our mother country."


    "Have I thought of you? The thoughts of you gave warmth to the snowy nights of winter! The beautiful skies of Ragalia with their clear depths reminded me of your eyes"


    This time Slavya opened her lips


    "I have not traveled like you, so I only know this town" she answered with a smile which showed that she believed all he said.


    "Zaril, I have always thought of you and have never put you out of my mind. I recalled our games and our quarrels when we were children. You used to pick up the most beautiful shells and search the river for the roundest and smoothest pebbles of different colors. You were very stupid and always lost, and as a penalty I would slap you with the palm of my hand, but I always tried not to strike you hard, for I had pity on you. In those games you cheated too much, even more than I did, and we used to finish our play in a quarrel.


    Do you remember that time when you became really angry at me? Then you made me suffer, but afterwards, when I thought of it, I smiled and longed for you so that we might quarrel again, so that we might once more make up. We were still children and had gone with your mother to bathe in the riverside under the shade of the thick bamboo. On the banks grew many flowers and plants whose strange names you told me, but I know you just made them up.


    Once you disappeared suddenly and when you returned you brought a crown of leaves and orange blossoms, which you placed upon my head, calling me a Princess, but your mother snatched away my crown from my head saying it would make my hair smelly and threw it away. Then tears came into your eyes and you said that she did not understand your feelings and your mother exclaimed ''Silly boy, you''ll see how sweet your hair will smell afterwards.'' I laughed, but you were offended and would not talk to me , and for the rest of the day you act so serious and I wanted to cry. On our way back to the town through the hot sun, I picked some sage leaves that grew beside the path, made it into a crown and put them into your head and called you Prince. You smiled and caught my hand, and we made up."


    Zaril smiled with happiness as he listened and opened his pocketbook and took from it a piece of paper in which were wrapped some dry, blackened leaves which gave off a sweet odor.


    "Your sage leaves," he said, in answer to her inquiring look.


    "This is all that you have ever given me."


    She in turn snatched from her bosom a little pouch of white


    silk.


    "You must not touch this," she said, tapping the palm of his


    hand lightly.


    "It''s a letter of farewell."


    "The one I wrote to you before leaving?"


    "Have you ever written me any other?"


    "And what did I say to you then?"


    "Many typical lies and excuses actually,"


    She answered smilingly


    "Be quiet now and I''ll read it to you. I''ll leave out your fine phrases in order not to make a martyr of you."


    Raising the paper to the height of her eyes so that the youth might not see her face, she began:


    "Oh my I''ll not read some of the lines because it''s not true."


    Her eyes ran along some lines and began to read it.


    "''My father wishes me to go away, in spite of all my pleadings. [You are a man now] he told me and you must think about your future and about your duties. You must learn everything about life which your fatherland cannot teach you, so that it may some day be useful to to you. If you remain here in my shadow, in this environment of business affairs, you will not learn to look far ahead. The day in which you lose me is the day you will find yourself like a plant that will wither Don''t you understand? You are man, and yet you weep!]


    These reproaches hurt me and I confessed that I don''t want to leave you. My father reflected for a time in silence and then, placing his hand on my shoulder, said in a trembling voice,


    [Do you think that you alone know how to love, that your father does not love you, and that he will not feel the separation from you? It is only a short time since we lost your mother, and I must journey on alone toward old age, toward the very time of life when I would seek help and comfort from your youth, yet I accept my loneliness, hardly knowing whether I shall ever see you again. But you must think of other and greater things; the future lies open before you, while for me it is already passing behind; your love is just awakening, while mine is dying; fire burns in your blood, while the chill is creeping into mine. Yet you weep and cannot sacrifice the present for the future, useful as it may be alike to yourself and to your country.]


    My father''s eyes filled with tears and I fell upon my knees at his feet, I embraced him, I begged his forgiveness, and I assured him that I was ready to set out--"


    Zaril''s growing agitation caused her to suspend the reading, for he had grown pale and was pacing back and forth.


    "What''s the matter? What is troubling you?" she asked him.


    "You have almost made me forget that I have my duties, that I must leave at once for the town. Tomorrow is the day for commemorating the dead."


    Slavya silently fixed her large dreamy eyes upon him for a few moments and then, picking some flowers, she said with emotion,


    "Go, I won''t keep you any longer! In a few days we shall see each other again. Lay these flowers on the tomb of your parents."


    A few moments later the youth left accompanied by Captain Renas and Miharu, while Slavya shut herself up in her room


    "Please tell our friends to get the house ready, as Slavya and Miharu are coming. A pleasant journey!"


    Shouted by Captain Renas as Zaril stepped into the carriage, which at once started in the direction of Hamir.