Darris Heeple, Sean A. Carmona [reading tree txt] 📗

Genuine
It was the only bit of light the Solid could see. It danced through the chandelier in the form of a rainbow, which made Drute Heeple realize just how dark the corridor was. Where is the light causing that rainbow coming from? He thought as he stood still, waiting to be summoned. In a room that is a dungeon of darkness, a rainbow is a queer sight to see.
His armor, reflecting the glow of the rainbow, stretched from the tips of his toes to the ends of his fingers. His helmet was in his arms. There was no need for the armor; he was in no danger yet but it was customary for Solids to wear their armor to meetings and on special occasions. Armor was given to the eldest male upon their twelfth birthday as a right-of-passage to show that the Solid had achieved manhood. Drute had been a man for a while. In fact, his son had already received his armor years ago, and his grandson would be receiving his in the next week.
Drute was so distracted in thought that he was oblivious to the huge wooden door at the end of the hall as it opened. It was the light that first caught his attention, and then two shadowy figures appeared. It took some time for Drute’s eyes to adjust to the light, but when they did he could finally see who was walking toward him. The first was a Solid much like him, but younger, and very strong. The second was a frail-framed Elgon with sleek hair and dark eyes. There was a graceful aura around the Elgon -as there commonly is when it comes to Elgons- but this one seemed to just glide across the floor as if he were wading in water.
“President Gorgal will see you now Solid.” The Elgon echoed in an almost melodic voice.
Drute’s nerves began to take over his body as the Elgon gestured toward the door. He did not know what to expect from the president of Gyrum. This man was the most powerful person in the world of Levion. He was the most charismatic and abundantly kind leader the State of Gyrum had ever seen.
The light hit him like a thousand knifes penetrating his eyes. The amount of white in the room was blinding and made Drute feel as though he was entering the presence of an angel, and then calmness began to envelope Drute, it made him feel safe and secure.
“Have a seat, Governor Heeple,” the Elgon said as he retreated to the right of a huge white regal chair that Drute had just noticed was even there. The other Solid took his place on the left side of the chair.
“It is a pleasure as always to make your acquaintance, Governor Heeple,” came a polite but very strong voice from behind the chair.
“It is always the Solid’s honor, most loyal of the state of Gyrum, to serve you.” said Drute.
“We have experienced each other’s company on several occasions, have served on the same party committee for seven years, and we even have a child with the same name. We know each other, Drute.” President Gorgal spun his chair to face Drute. “There is no need to be formal on my part.” Drute always thought he looked much like a Solid because of how broad and strong his shoulders were, but towering at seven feet nine inches, and with his lavender skin complexion, it was apparent to everyone that he was an Elgon.
“Just returning the kindness, old friend,” smiled Drute.
“What brings you this far away from Kalenor, Governor? The Gleeberry Festival is just around the corner.”
“I have some concerns from the province of Kalenor, Gorgal. The taxes are too high for the farmers tending the gleeberries. We may have to postpone or even cancel the festival because of it.” With this telling President Gorgal’s face saddened.
“It is not the intention of this governance to deprive the Kalenorians of their festivals.” With a sigh, he added, “However the tax policy of this regime cannot change. That tax money is to go toward the school system as was voted by the Grand Committee.”
A biased committee made up of your friends. Drute had to bite his lip to fight a retort. He then replied, “It is not as if anyone-I include myself-from Kalenor is against a prestigious gift toward our children’s education. It is just that a ten percent increase is a little steep for us to handle.”
The look on Gorgal’s face was of such utter sympathy, that Drute felt like a runt struggling to walk on his own. Gorgal sat back in his majestic throne of a chair.
“I mean this in the most sincere way; Science is what needs to be applied to these children. It is important that they know the truths about life. We cannot just fill their heads with fairy tales anymore- it is damaging to their intelligence.”
Gorgal’s lecture on Science made Drute feel as though he were a child.
The president continued, “The committee was formed out of the most intellectual people in each province. I believe Tren is a representative of Kalenor and I might add he is one of my greatest advisors.” A polite smile followed Gorgal’s soft voice.
Anger took control of Drute, “You know darn well that that committee was a creation of your own hand and that if you wanted to, you could overturn their votes!” Was the flustered reply of Drute. “No one said that science is a bad thing, we can gain remarkable insight from it, but that does not mean we have to take Terras out of the picture!”
A coy smile filled President Gorgal’s lips, “Taifer! Nilph! Will you please leave the Governor and me alone for a private conversation?”
The Elgon named Taifer responded, “As you wish, most loyal to Gyrum.” He retreated along with Nilph.
The door shut behind Drute, and he realized that he was upset-no, furious- at Gorgal. Did he not understand the importance of the Gleeberry Festival? That it is an important tribute to Terras who had blessed them with a plentiful harvest? Even though most of the citizens of Kalenor did not believe in Terras anymore-they mostly just viewed the festival as a party- Drute and a handful of followers trusted in and believed that they would not be blessed if they did not show their respects to Terras.
Gorgal stood and cut around the table toward Drute. “Please my old friend; I must simply do what is best for the people.”
Drute shot up as he replied, “There are people in Kalenor!”
“Yes, but I must do what is best for the entire state of Gyrum. The Kalenorians are just one piece of that state.” Gorgal smiled and placed his hands on the desk. “The money saved for education will benefit Kalenor as well.”
“What about religion and respect to Terras our God. Is that not important to not only our province but all seven?” Drute was really starting to get worked up now.
“Then we must also think of the goblins, witches, and moon men who are getting their feelings hurt.” Gorgal chuckled at his joke. “I am only kidding, but it is well known that hardly anyone believes in those superstitions anymore.” Gorgal began to pace in front of Drute. “Besides, the Gleeberry festival in Kalenor, the Port Gathering of Breeland, and the Song and Dance Festival in Grendale are all just excuses to get drunk and engage in debauchery. Any significance in praise and worship to your God, Terras, has long been forgotten.”
“There are still a good number of us who believe and who choose to honor Terras with the festivals. Would it not be wiser to let the people vote than to trust some board that you have created?”
Drute was impressed that he had gained the courage to say the things he did. It was as if Terras himself was speaking through him. Was he?
Gorgal paused for a moment before speaking again, “Because we are old friends I will forgive your rudeness, Governor. It is because of the people that I make my decisions. It is why I created the committee in the first place. Now, because of that decision, all of the provinces have a say in what laws I will create.”
“Forgive me now for being rude Gorgal, but only Terras has the power to create.” Drute was sure now that it was not him speaking.
Gorgal sat back down opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a tall, bright red candle. He placed the candle in the middle of the desk, took out a metal contraption know as a sparker, and lit the candle. “Did you know that everything in this universe feeds off of a source? Plants feed off of sunlight. Animals feed off of plants. And mankind devours all things. How selfish are the Elgons, Solids, Magens, and Anims. Even this fire is devouring this candle, and when it is finished the candle will die.”
Drute didn’t know what any of this had to do with what they were talking about, but he continued to listen as politely as he could.
Gorgal began to concentrate on the candle as he continued, “The goal of life is to make it as memorable as possible.” At that moment small sparks began to erupt from the candle. In a slow progression the candle turned into a fountain of colorful sparks that resembled a firework. When it seemed the firework display would reach its climax, Gorgal blew out the candle, and everything stopped.
A smile spread across the president’s face,” Sometimes you have to blow out the light to prolong the life.”
Drute stood there for a moment transfixed on what had just happened. Then he reached in his pocket, pulled out a sparker and lit the candle on Gorgal’s desk. “We all need the light to more clearly see the danger in front of us.”
Drute then stood, bowed in a polite gesture, and began to walk toward the door.
Something caught his eye as he was leaving. It was the same rainbow that he saw in the hall. Where is that rainbow coming from? - was the thought he had before a ring of fire encircled him.
“I did not say we were finished,” came a shrill voice through the fire from the desk that Drute had just left. There, slithering toward him through the fire was a giant serpent. Drute, in fear, tried to run but the fire was too hot for him to find an opening. The snake began to wrap himself around Drute’s body, starting from his feet. Drute, tried to struggle free, but with every move he made the constriction became tighter.
“I am the great Gorgal! I will bring joy to this world and heroes like the one you think you are will not stand in my way. Everyone will thank me and beg me to give them joy, and I am the only one who can give it to them.”
Drute was beginning to lose consciousness; his breathing was slowing and with ever breath his bondage grew tighter. He prayed silently to Terras. Take away the pain. Let my death be swift.
Gorgal looked directly into Drute’s eyes, smiled and said his last remark, “Drute let me introduce you to darkness.”
The constriction loosened just enough for Drute to yell his final words, “TERRAS PROTECT MY GRANDSONS!”
Gorgal in the form of a snake struck and everything went dark. The very last thing Drute