Year 127 B.E.

A dark sky made its way inland from the sea. Though it was the season when the light of day rose early and lingered late, the usual radiance of morning was dimmed by a dark sky that seemed determined to release rain upon the coming day.

Father Liam Colonne stared out the window of the room where he and his grandson were quartered. The first sputtering of rainfall spotted the stone ledge where he stood. 'Choose me a robe fit for ill weather, my boy.'� Liam studied his own tired face in the window's reflection. The age lines cut into his clean-shaven face like deep caverns, which hid in their shadows the sorrows and horrors that can only come from experiencing a lifetime of war.

His ten year old grandson, Artemis, shuffled through the many robes that hung from a rack near the door.

Liam smiled. Artemis' dark hair and look of concentration reminded him of Luthien, the boy's father, Liam's son.

Artemis selected a robe and handed it to Liam. 'Even if you do get the treaty signed, will peace last?'� Artemis plopped down on the foot of the bed.

Liam ran old, wrinkled fingers through his long, gray hair. 'There may be some spillover battles, maybe even an uprising or two.'� Liam looked at the robe and nodded his approval. 'You must understand my boy that hate is a hard thing to overcome, let alone forget.'� He placed a hand on his grandson's shoulder. 'If peace is to be had on this day, it will ultimately come down to the Tribes and the Monoshites.'�

Artemis glanced at the robes still hanging and eyed the one his grandfather wore when he lived with, and fought for, the Tribes. 'Why those two?'�

'The Tribes and Monoshites are the two largest, most powerful factions and their hate for one another runs deep.'� Liam inspected the robe for minor flaws. 'The battles they waged against one another were longest the bloodiest,'� Liam said. 'The Unified Tribes live in the eastern-most desert'the only territory in all of Cardona never occupied by a foreign army during The Great War.'�

Satisfied with the robe, Liam folded it carefully and placed it on a chair. 'The Monoshites often allied with other factions in an attempt to overwhelm the Tribes, but every single campaign was forced back by the desert people's fierce savagery. They died by the thousands yet never yielded an inch.'� Liam pulled out a map from a pack lying on the bed, sat down next to Artemis, and traced an area with his finger. 'The Monoshites occupy the Dragon's Spine, here, just west of the desert.'�

Artemis looked up at Liam with a wrinkled brow. 'The Tribes sound like the strongest, so why didn't they win?'�

'They are strong, and in a strategic sense, they did win'they successfully defended their land. You see, the Tribes want nothing to do with the Dragon's Spine, and they couldn't care less about Monothist theology, or any other belief system not their own.'�

Liam slid off the end of the bed and dropped to one knee. He brought his face level with Artemis. 'I said that they won, yet the tribes lost thousands of lives. So you tell me, did they win?'�

Artemis chewed his upper lip before speaking. 'I suppose not.'�

'Good. You need to understand first and foremost that in war, no one ever really wins. Too many armies declare victory solely based who loses less or kills more, but winning and losing is not absolute; it's a matter of degree.'�

Liam patted a rolled scroll lying on the bed. 'This treaty we drew up cannot work unless the people choose to abide by it. Its real power derives from cooperation; it provides an answer to the desperation felt by those with nothing left. Religion be no longer be forced onto others and the militarization of religous factions will be outlawed.'�

Artemis nodded. 'What happens if someone breaks the treaty?'�

'That's a good question.'� Liam sat down again. 'The treaty itself has no real enforcement powers; it's really no more than a social pact.'�

Artemis picked up the parchment and unrolled it partially. 'A social pact?'� He began scanning the contents.

'Everyone understands that if one member breaks it, war will break loose again. Humanity cannot withstand the burden of another Great War.'� Liam placed an arm around Artemis and smiled. 'But now is the time to concentrate on you'the future of our order. Since your father was killed, there's much I have to teach you and time is short.'�

'Will I ever be as powerful as you, Grandpa?'�

'You, my boy, are the son of Luthien. You'll be stronger.'�

* * * * * *

Liam stood tall in his robe and tried in vain to read the faces of the assembled delegates. Known for his even temperament, and being one of the longest survivors, Liam was elected to serve the peace negotiations as the facilitator. It took an entire moon cycle for the all the delegates to formally state their piece. Liam knew that the call for a vote would be soon and so he had to make the most of his final opportunity to end two generations of war.

The rectangular gathering hall in what was formerly known as Coastal Castle provided the perfect forum for the negotiations. With space enough not to feel crowded, a high ceiling, and numerous exits and windows, the bickering and fighting between factions was kept to a surprising minimum. But despite the progress, Liam felt as if he could still slice the tension in the air with a dagger.

Liam ascended the steps to the speaking platform and stood behind the podium. He waited until the buzz of conversation ceased and absolute silence prevailed.

Liam began without preamble, 'Though few of us are left to remember, this war spawned from the differences between religious men'men who thought themselves moral, their causes just. Disagreements yielded to fights, which grew into battles, then wars. Did those long ago architects of future devastation divine two generations of war and millions dead? If so, would they have followed this ill-fated course?'�

Liam shook his head and dropped his eyes briefly. 'Did they ever wonder if the cost would be too great? Looking back, as we do now, we ask ourselves these same questions and can't help but wonder how we, as a civilization, avoided these inquiries for so long.'�

Liam paused. 'It is now too late for such questions!'� he cried. 'We no longer have the luxury of time or reflection! Now is a period of consequences! Spiritual ideals have confused themselves for moral values and plays for power have become the righteous path!'�

Liam raised a passionate fist in the air as the fire of his inner momentum built. 'Senseless battles are repeatedly suffered in an attempt to prove who's God is stronger'who's God is morally just. Entire civilizations are ruined and millions of lives have been destroyed. Most claim that they fight solely to protect the innocent.'� Liam slammed his fist onto the podium with a thundering crack. 'But who anymore can call themselves innocent when the survival of our race is at stake?'�

The audience drew silent and still.

'We, as a people, have lost our way. We have perpetuated the sins of those who came before. The concepts of Good and Evil are now defined by the winners of the most recent campaigns.'� Liam gripped the sides of the podium with his hands and leaned forward slightly. 'We, as a race, have torn ourselves asunder!'�

In the ensuing silence, Liam ran his stern gaze across the faces of the audience and saw that nearly everyone dropped their eyes, unable to meet his stare. 'It is time for a new way,'� he continued. 'We cannot survive if we continue to repeat the mistakes of the past.'� His words carried the tone of a disappointed parent. 'How did we let it come to this?'�

The only sound heard was a piece of paper sliding over wood as Liam produced an un-rolled scroll from behind the podium. 'It is time to measure victory by how many are saved, rather than how many are lost.'� He held the parchment high over his head. 'This treaty will help ensure that all religious tenets, now, and in the future, will not be forced upon other peoples. We can still practice and believe freely, but war in the name of religion, faith, or whatever name happens to define God, will from now on be outlawed!'� He slammed the parchment onto the podium, which caused a popping sound to echo through the hall. His expression was alive with a terrifying wildness.

Liam controlled his breathing to calm himself. Oddly, at that moment, he noticed a large crystal window directly in his line of sight on the far wall behind the seated audience. The storm allowed for no sunlight to enter through the window but he could see how the wind violently slammed rain against the transparent crystal, which was thick and it kept out all sound. Liam pointed into the audience in a way that seemed to single out every individual. 'We are a people of many faiths and this treaty challenges each of us to find common ground.'�

After a long, heavy silence, the audience burst into a thunderous applause.

Liam took a drink of water. It was strange to hear a roar other than a charging army or in victory after a hard-fought battle. Strange indeed, he thought, how five hundred people from over a hundred different factions could stand and applaud as one.

Liam gazed at the stormy window as the audience settled back into their seats. It was time to call for a vote.

A man who sat in the center of the audience near the front remained standing. 'We never wanted anything to do with your war!'� The man's name was Aeros, the head delegate of the Atheistic regime. It was immediately apparent that he directed his shout at the Cavlinist, who sat a dozen rows to his left and slightly closer to the front.

'So you say!'� yelled the Archsage of the Calvinists who rose from his chair. 'And it's everyone's war, though we strive to be a people of peace!'�

'Were you a people of peace when you burned and pillaged our villages? Were you a people of peace when you slaughtered our women and children?'� Aeros spat back.

Liam sensed the coming attack an instant before it was delivered. With a quick wave of his hand, a luminescent blue glow surrounded Aeros.

Aeros barely had time to register the blue light that appeared over his skin before a line of silver energy slammed into his chest. The impact launched him into the surrounding delegates, tumbling over more than a few. The silver blast was quickly burned away by the protective blue glow.

A circle of space quickly opened between the Archsage of the Calvinists and Aeros.

The Archsage immediately raised his hand to conjure a defensive warding against the expected counter-attack.

None came.

Aeros rose to his feet with a burning vengeance in his eyes.

Liam ran to the front of the platform and injected his voice with a deep tone of power. 'It was my warding that saved your life Aeros, son of Paul. Honor me now by staying your rage.'� Liam's eyes glowed with blue fire as he turned his attention to the Calvinist. 'And you will stay your hand and take your seat, else prepare to feel my full wrath here and now.'�

The blood drained from the face of the Archsage as the circle of space around him widened even more. He knew that a threat from Father Liam Colonne was not something to be taken lightly and despite his status as an Archsage, he would surely lose the engagement. The Calvinist lowered his hand and sat.

Liam straightened his robe while the circle of space slowly closed and the delegates regained their composure. 'It was a fight not unlike yours that stole the life of my son Luthien''� He pointed at Artemis who stood wide eyed in the first row. ''his father! How many more fatherless sons need there be?'� He looked softly at Artemis. 'How many more children would be raised without a father's guidance, wisdom and love?'�

Liam stared hard at the Calvinist. 'My son's dying words were spoken to me through the look in his eyes as he died. It's tragic enough that I outlived the seed of my future, but it's worse yet that in his dying eyes I read his life's story of regret and sorrow.'� Liam paused. 'This confirmed my failure as a father.'�

Liam held his gaze on the Calvinist though his eyes filled with water. 'But I also saw something else in my boy's eyes just before the light in his life dimmed his eyes forever.'� Liam forced the words through the lump in his throat. 'I saw forgiveness. With his dying thought, he granted a silent forgiveness.'� A lone tear escaped his eyes and ran down a crease on his cheek. 'No, he didn't forgive my failings as a father, he forgave the Monoshite assassin who slew him.'� Liam ripped his gaze away from the Calvinist and looked instead at Aeros. 'He forgave his killer so that I might stay my vengeance as a father.'�

Liam looked upon the crowd. 'Through his forgiveness, I saw a pathway to peace.'�

Liam then held his hands out before him, palms up. 'There is blood on all of our hands,'� he continued. 'I am old and my life will soon descend over the great horizon. As a young man, I defended my people until we became only what you now see. For a long period after that, I hardened my heart and fought for other factions.'� Liam paused. 'Since Luthien's death, I've dedicated my efforts to peace. Most of you know this already, but I remind you again to emphasize that no one, myself included, is blameless here.'�

The emotion in his words commanded absulote stillness from the audience.

'We have warred ourselves into near extinction.'� He walked back to the podium and picked up the treaty. 'Collective ignorance is now our most dangerous enemy!'� He blew out a long sigh. 'Atheistics, Animists, Monoshites, Naturalists, Calvinists, and even the Unified Desert Tribes'we have each seen thousands of our own die and we are all to blame.'�

Liam deliberately walked around the podium and stepped off the platform into the first row of delegates. He smiled and placed his hand on the shoulder of Artemis. 'Are we going to continue on as we have until you are next?'� He pointed at the Calvinist. 'Will your way of life be naught but a memory in another twenty years, like the Polar Mystics of the far north are now?'�

The Calvinist inclined his head slightly in understanding.

A Monoshite with a battle-hardened face stood and cleared his throat causing the audience to crane their heads back and to the right. 'This has been beaten to death for weeks,'� 'Let's just call for a final vote.'� Before Liam could concur, the Monoshite continued, 'We, the Monoshites, will sign the treaty as long as the sand-scum of the east signs it as well. And I don't mean that they sign first, but concurrently. We also want their delegate to personally promise to abide by it, here, today, for all to bear witness.'�

The audience collectively turned to the two hooded people who stood alone in the far left corner opposite the Monoshites. The taller delegate drew back his cowl to reveal a bronze face and a thick mane of black hair that rested loosely atop his shoulders.

The Monoshite opened his mouth to continue, but a threatening look from the Tribal Leader held him fast.

The desert man stared hard at the Monoshite but remained still.

Liam could hear his own heart beat as he watched. Curiously, his eyes were again drawn to the crystal window. The rain had stopped, and despite that it was just past mid-day, the sky still loomed dark as though it were the coming of night.

Just as the nervous tension of the Monoshite was about to release in the form of more harsh words, the desert man stepped forward. 'We'll sign the treaty concurrently, and honor it so long as its terms are not violated.'� He spoke with a hard and commanding voice.

'Then it's settled,'� Liam said with a tone of finality. 'Who else will become a signatory to this treaty?'�

The Naturalist delegate stood and gave Liam a firm look. 'For our children, and the continuation of our way of life, and because we grow tired of war, The Naturalists will sign as well.'�

One by one, each of the delegates stepped forward and signed the treaty. Two generations of war, millions dead, and countless other atrocities ended with the beginning of a new faith, a common faith, a faith different in kind. Those who survived The Great War placed their faith not in any God, but in words written on a piece of paper'words that would remind everyone for ages to come of the devastation wrought by The Great War. All would forever be reminded of what came before. After the treaty was signed, it was officially sworn.

In the end, there was no grand celebration, nor even cheers. Instead, the delegates quietly went their separate ways. Many returned to homes and families for the first time in decades. It was a time to heal, and for most, it was a first opportunity to forge a new beginning.

Liam and Artemis were the last to exit the Grand Hall. To Liam's immediate surprise, he stepped out under a sky of radiant sunshine.






Year 116 B.E. (11 years later)

Artemis received the summons from his grandfather when he was a dozen weeks travel away. The urgency of the summons caused Artemis to return home in half that time. He entered their Grove home deep in the Cyhpil forest and knew something was terribly wrong when Liam did not come out to greet him. Artemis entered Liam's room and immediately, his worst fears were confirmed.

'Grandfather?'� Artemis whispered. He tried to keep the shock from his face as he entered Liam's room. Seeing the man who had been a father to him so weak and in obvious pain was almost more than he could bear. Liam looked to be a fraction of the man Artemis had known. His thin white hair was disheveled and stringy. His skin was pale and his eye sockets were sunken in like deep pits. He knelt by the bed and wondered how his beloved grandfather could have deteriorated so fast.

'Artemis'�It's good to see you, my boy.'� The words came out in a painful wheeze.

Liam peered at his grandson through heavy eyelids. 'You look strong.'�

Artemis shook his head as his lip quivered involuntarily. 'You summoned me to say goodbye, and I won't do it. I refuse to accept''�

'Let there be no lies between us,'� Liam said in a weak, raspy voice. 'I'm dying.'�

'C'mon Grandpa, you can't know''�

'Yes I can, and I do!'� The strain caused by his anger forced him to clutch the sheets in his frail hands. 'So listen, please!'� After a few deep breaths, Liam settled back into his bed and turned his head toward Artemis. 'There are but a few left who practice our ways, and most of them scattered long ago. I've taught you all I can in the time we've'ah''� Liam winced against some unseen agony. 'I leave the rest of your teachings to my writings and your experiences.'�

Artemis sat on the edge of the bedroll. He heard the words but his mind refused to leave the images of Liam in times past. It seemed only yesterday he had watched this same man shepherd Cardona into an era of peace.

He can't die, Artemis thought.

Liam coughed in an uncontrollable fit. Artemis, feeling helpless, re-adjusted the pillows.

'I've searched the future,'� Liam said in a deep voice, as if doing so would stave off another cough. 'I've discovered something that you must prepare for and guard against.'�

Liam struggled for every breath.

He clutched Artemis' wrist. 'Magic and faith will be forgotten. People will mistake them for the cause of The Great War. Newer wisdoms will replace the old.'�

Artemis shook his head. 'I don't understand.'�

Liam held his breath and squeezed his eyes shut momentarily before continuing. 'This void will be filled by a mass insecurity. The irrational will prevail when events arise that the newer wisdoms will not be able to explain.'� His body shook in another wild fit of coughing.

'Grandpa, you need to rest. You can tell me all this when you're feeling better.'�

Liam smiled through his agony. 'I'm afraid that time will never come, my boy. I should've told you this sooner, but I always assumed there would be time.'� His face crinkled into another wince, then morphed into a slight grin. 'Strange, after nearly one-hundred and forty-two winters, I now cling to moments.'�

Artemis could feel a sting in his eyes as they filled with water. Now it was he who winced upon hearing his grandfather's long wheeze.

Liam saw his grandson's face contort and squeezed his wrist even tighter. 'The irrational will become rooted in tradition,'� Liam continued, 'and faith will be mistaken for truth. These are the symptoms that forged The Great War.'�

Artemis removed Liam's hand from his wrist and took it into his own hands. 'Are you saying there's going to be another Great War?'�

'It will be a dangerous time. Something long forgotten will be revealed. The people won't know how to react so they'll call these revelations miracles and a new way of thinking will be born.'� He fought against a terrible hacking cough and lost.

When the cough finally abated, a sudden calm entered his eyes.

His grandfather was in less pain; Artemis knew what would soon follow. He lost control briefly as a sob escaped. He gripped Liam's hand tightly.

The gesture seemed to bring Liam back. 'The cycle will repeat. The only hope lies with those who remember. You, my boy, will remember'�and understand that beliefs stem from a source: a life, an event, or a series of small events'�which in the aggregate'�become something momentous. The treaty will fail'�I have failed'�to prepare.'� Liam labored to breathe between words.

Artemis squeezed his grandfather's hand desperately as the old man's grip slackened.

'Check the histories'�for the foretelling of a birth'�will leave a mark, a scar on the land. This birth'�will start a path'�consume everyone. It will be a time of risings'�tragic'�ascension. There will be no'�'� Liam's face reddened. 'Seek the birth!'�

Artemis barely heard his grandfather's final words. The grief he had been fighting so hard to hold in finally overcame him in a showering of tears. The lump in his throat kept any words he would speak buried.

Liam reached up with both hands and pulled Artemis'head down onto his chest. The weight of it forced the final exhale from his grandfather's pain stricken lungs.


Copyright © 2006 by Jeffrey A Brooker

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