Insidious Prophecy
By JH Terry
Copyright © JH Terry 2015
Table of Contents
Dedication
Book I: Thomas Reed
I Elziwarry Figg
II A Lost Traveller
III An Interrupted Jargon of Breakfast
IV Assembly and Delusions
V The Ravenous Dog and Mysterious Occurrences
VI House Selection and Bad Joke Reverberation
VII The Attraction of Food
VIII Baldeye’s Chamber of Malice
IX Mathematics, History and Art
X Researching and Confrontation at the Library
XI A Visit to the Recluses
XII A Horrible Truth Revealed
Book II: Tribulations
XIII Infinity Circle
XIV An Unexpected Visitor
XV Pete’s Cellar of Surprises
XVI A Yellow-eyed Creature
XVII Spiders, Funits, and an Otter
XVIII The Teal Abyss and Sherog
XIX The Black Door
XX Rufus Owens
XXI Thurgood the Thunderbird and the Portals
XXII Gone!
Book III: Gordana, at Last?
XXIII Awake and Asleep
XXIV Fox and Geese
XXV Farmer Lit
XXVI Walking in Lupo
XXVII A Meeting with the Professor
XXVIII The Rose Garden
XXIX The Council Meeting
XXX Dinner, Dancing, and Curious Developments
XXXI A Hurried Escape
XXXII The Legan Path and Future Odyssey
Unusual Name Pronunciation Key
Binlanese Genealogical Tree
Gordanese Genealogical Tree
Old Map of Altium (Separation of Provinces)
Old Map of Altium (Binlanese rule)
Present Map of Altium Provinces
Maps of Sudbury High
Dedication
This book is written in dedication to those who have suffered in their lives but through resiliency maintained the ability to love humanity. Life is not the absence of pain but the ability to take those negative associations to result in a positive outcome. An individual can take their circumstances into their own hands by understanding the ramifications of these events and how through self-reflection and treatment they can be improved.
Book I: Thomas Reed
I: Elziwarry Figg
It seemed as if Jolina herself were laughing at his plight. The sun shone intensely onto the desolate and arid landscape. The Earth seemed to be scorched with the very heats of hell. With each step he took he could feel the heat seep through his sandals into his feet's calloused flesh. Yet all he could do was walk forward for to rush or stop would only mean certain death.
If there were a slight wind it would at least make it bearable. Yes, if he just beckoned to Merolus for a breeze perhaps he would answer his wish. With pain he closed his sun burnt eyelids and held out his swarthy hands with palms raised upward to the Heavens. His mind was cleared of all thoughts as he folded his legs. As he levitated in the barren landscape of fiery sand his mind began to travel. Past earth he wandered into the dark space and began to fly past stars, comets, asteroids and planets. He traveled at the speed of light against the vast environment towards it's dark origins. Sounds began to die as life and energy became muted. Soon he was one with the dark with his presence no longer flesh but only his energy being. He glowed in a magnificent gold.
Suddenly he opened his eyes to see Merolus before him. He was dwarfed by the twenty foot figure in flowing robes of azure and white. Merolus had black eyes, a golden beard and golden locks that fell at intermittent intervals from out of his silver crown.
“Elziwarry Figg, what have you come to beckon of me today?” boomed the tenor voice.
“Merolus, your greatness, I have come to ask of you a favor.”
“A favor? What favor do you ask?”
“A breeze.”
“A breeze? Why do you ask for this?”
“Heldan has scorched the sands of Sahara which blisters my feet. I do not know if I can survive this heat.”
“And what concern is that of mine?”
“There is a message I have been asked to relay to a mortal on Etlen's orders.”
Merolus' eyes narrowed as he peered closely at Elziwarry. “Etlen's request hey?” Elziwarry nodded. “What is the goddess of wisdom and justice scheming now?”
“No scheming dear Merolus. Just a warning to a lady on her fate.”
“So why not ask Jolina to dim her hellish light?”
“As I am sure you know Heldan has many mortal enemies. This lady's husband is one of them. He wanted this lady as a concubine but fate gave her to his wife. Heldan wishes them to be punished. As sister to Heldan I believe that Jolina will not act against her brother, the God of Healing, Health and Death’s wishes.”
“So he terrorizes you to prevent saving her despite the Illustrious Code? A law that clearly states that no Titan will interfere with the free will of life?”
“Yes dear Merolus, this is correct.”
Merolus stroked his red beard as he continued to peer at Elziwarry. “I will always side with Etlen over that whoremongering Heldan. Yes I will aid your passage. I will pray to all so that your journey is not for naught. Go forward now.”
Elziwarry opened his eyes to see he was back in the desert. He lowered his legs back onto the ground and arms to his sides. He looked at the distance yet all he could see was the same desolation as before. Would Merolus keep his promise?
He heard it before he could see. Elziwarry turned his head around to see a storm brewing several leagues behind him. The wind had blown the sand up into the air causing a dustbowl. It seemed as if Merolus was not sufficed with only a breeze. Quickly Elziwarry tore from one of the tattered robes from around his waist and tied it around his mouth and nose. He hobbled forward. There was no place to shield him from the approaching storm. All he could do was go forward until it met up with him. Within moments Elziwarry felt the heavy wind blow against his thin frame. He peered around to see the dust storm tower miles above and to the side of him and quickly approach. He bent down and closed his eyes just before it hit him. The wind howled and swarmed around him uncontrollably. His ears hurt as the howling increased in pitch. He hardly noticed when a hand touched his shoulder. He opened his eyes to see Merolus.
“Come Elziwarry, let's make haste.” Elziwarry stood up to see they were surrounded by storm but we're covered by a encapsulated safe haven. From out of the dust another giant figure appeared. It was also decorated in robes and jewels but was feminine. He noticed her immediately - it was Tabitine, goddess of Life, Nature and Harmony. “I have let Tabitine know of your mission. She will also help protect your journey in case Heldan becomes suspicious. Hence the storm, which he may be less suspicious of than just a breeze.” Elziwarry nodded in understanding. Forward they walked on.
“Do you hear that?” asked Tabitine
Indeed beyond the howling one could hear wings. “Heldan,” said Merolus.
As soon as he uttered his name the great warrior came crashing into the sanctuary. He wore a helmet of gold and carried a golden spear. He lunged toward Merolus. Effortlessly Merolus' azure shield emerged from out of the air to block Heldan' strike. Heldan fell to the side.
“Tabitine take Elziwarry forward. I will take care of this swine.”
“I have as much right to beat him as you Merolus,” said Tabitine with loathing in her voice. Heldan had once been her unfaithful and abusive spouse. Now she was married to Merolus.
Merolus looked to Elziwarry. “I made a promise but no promise can occur with his tampering.”
&nbs
p; “Do what you must,” said Elziwarry.
Tabitine and Merolus stood before Heldan - all three clad in magnificent armor.
“Tabitine and Merolus, great brethren of the class Titan. I have no quarrel with you. I need only to have my revenge with this minion of Etlen.”
“If you have an issue with this minion, then you have an issue with us,” said Merolus.
“Must we do this? It does not concern either one of you.”
“Up to your old tricks again Heldan?” said Tabitine. “Yet another conquest on your bedpost? We will not let you go through with this one.”
Heldan smiled yet it was too hideous and heinous to make him look like anything but a deformed creature. “Titans should not fight one another. It is a rule.”
“There is also a rule to not interfere with the free will of life. Just as you disregard one rule this very day there will be an exception to this other,” boomed the voice of Merolus.
“Then so be it!” screeched Heldan. He jumped several feet up into the air. Tabitine and Merolus readied their shields and spears as Elziwarry looked on in horror. In a haze of golden brilliance he descended down towards the two of them. Running both Tabitine and Merolus both jumped up into the air, spears raised towards Heldan. Both sides flew towards each other filled with a reciprocated burning hatred. Then they clashed - Heldan' saber against Merolus' spear and his shield against Tabitine's. The impact caused a brilliant golden light to radiate blinding out the view of all three fighters.
Just as quickly as the light shone did it dissipate. The storm froze as the howling disappeared. Elziwarry looked to see Heldan eying him in crazed anger. He realized that the fight was exactly what Heldan wanted so that Elziwarry was left unattended. However Heldan was also left into a suspended state with Tabitine and Merolus.
From out of the static storm a figure appeared - Thovian, god of space and time, and ruler of the Titans. Elziwarry tried to move but he was also frozen except for his gaze. Thovian wore robes woven of pure gold that shimmered any light. He was a formidable figure at 25 feet tall - the tallest of all of the Titans. He was also the husband of Etlen.
Thovian looked at the three Titans in curiosity. It looked as though he was reading their minds to access their motivations. Lastly he peered his purple eyes onto Elziwarry. Elziwarry's head began to hurt and his eye seared in pain. Yet he could not close them. All he could do was to turn them into his skull. Just as it felt as if his mind would explode the pain was gone. He gazed onto the view again to see Thovian was back over to the other Titans.
“Titans fighting other Titans is against the Illustrious Code.” boomed Thovian's voice. “Anyone disobeying can be punished if the fight is unwarranted and unjust. So brethren please enlighten me as to why you felt this cause was worth fighting for?”
“Because Heldan was disrespecting my request,” rang out a voice of pure honey. Thovian spun around in a startled look to see Etlen. She was a Nubian beauty bedecked in jewels and the finest robes. Her outward beauty was only surpassed by her inward one. She was the most beautiful and righteous of all of the Titans.
“Etlen, I did not know you were coming.”
“Why would I not?”
“This is no affair of yours.”
“But it is my affair entirely. I have sent this faithful Sorarian on a holy journey but Heldan has taken a lustful vengeance against any who try to aid an honest mortal. People still have the right to choice and she did not choose him. Rather than being an honorable man and accepting her decision, he instead wants to destroy her and the child she carries. As if her very existence is a reliving of her rejection.”
“She is a mortal. Her choice is no concern of mine.”
“Choice is the concern of all. When we are no longer endowed with it then we are no more than slaves. We made a sacred vow not to interfere with the decisions of the living. Only to partake in the judgment of the dead and provide sustenance to the living.”
“Yes this is true but you have not seen what I have seen. In Heldan's eyes he has the privilege and curse of viewing all creation. How can he not help but see this beauty and not fall in love.”
“Dearest Thovian, lust and love are two very different things. Love relays endearment whereas lust conveys wantonness. To fornicate with a mortal is an abomination and immoral. There is no love to be had. Therefore it is no surprise she chose for herself a different fate.”
“If we let mortals dictate the relationship we share then how are we to have dominion over them?”
“Why is dominion necessary or even desired? Why not share in their life and the beauty of freewill.”
“Ha! Murder, rape, burglary - all freewill.”
“And not shared by all. That is the trouble and beauty of it. They have a choice whereas we do not. Besides we are not their masters. We cannot have control over them despite Heldan's urges...or your own.”
Thovian peered at her in anger. “And what does that mean?”
“You already know too well. I know what lies in the hearts of men, Sorarians and Gods, including your own.”
Thovian turned away his gaze and looked onto Heldan. “Let this mortal go. However if she does not choose her path then Heldan may have his way with her and the husband.”
“You would agree to such a thing?” Asked Etlen in disgust and rage.
“What concern is it of mine? Besides she should choose wisely.”
“Who are you? What kind of ruler are you? Thovian, ruler of the Titans. You are devoid of any loving characteristics. Looking at you revolts me.”
Thovian turned around and in a swift movement slapped his wife hard across the face. She fell down to the ground and looked at him in outrage.
“Remember Etlen, even though we are both Gods, I am still your husband. Show me the proper authority. Even you once knew your place better than this.”
He waived his hand over the others releasing them from their frozen state. Then he walked away into the darkness. Etlen sat stunned onto the floor. Merolus and Tabitine walked over to her and took her away.
Heldan stood and looked at Elziwarry. His golden eyes looked on with glee. “Pray she chooses wisely minion. Or else.”
Heldan flew up into the air. As he ascended the storm dissipated leaving Elziwarry alone in the desert. Yet now the sun was not as intense and he could easily walk on. He peered around to see where he was. To his dismay he could see that the town was less than a league away.
As he walked forward he could only hope that his words would make sense and the necessity take hold. For what seemed like centuries he had journey on the land. Going to person to person trying to tell them the truth. Some accepted, others not. Yet these last few hundred years there had been a change - there were more detractors than acceptors. He couldn't figure out exactly why that was - where had it all changed. He moved forward across the deserted landscape. He could swear he saw the shadow of wings flitting across the dunes but when he would peer above all he could see was clear skies.
Within the hour he had reached the town. It was a bustling center of commerce next to a vast ocean. Elziwarry walked through the marketplace drinking water and eating food. He saw lions, rugs, exotic spices and jewelry for sale. He was enthralled yet shamefully self aware of his enthrallment. He could feel the pull of the desire around him and how easy it was for one to succumb to its temptation.
Without provocation a strange feeling came up his spine. He resisted the strong urge to shiver and looked around until he saw it's catalyst. Walking through the market with a maid was a women all clad in black robes save for her eyes She walked slowly as she lay her hands on her pregnant abdomen. She was caressing this familiar stranger as he flitted around her gravid womb. It was nearly the time when he would move lower in her pelvis and meet the outside world. She was highly anticipating the moment when they would finally lay eyes onto each other. Elziwarry looked away from her in humble sorrow for what fate lay for her. Yet he knew he had no other recourse than to let her kn
ow.
Elziwarry made his way through the crowd and followed her and her maid as they made their way home. He walked until he reached them. They spoke in hushed voices.
“Are you feeling all right?” asked the maid.
“No, he is paining me. I have tried to caress him to no avail.”
The women looked back to see Elziwarry behind them. The maid let out a gasp in fear. The women looked him up and down with his swarthy skin and tattered clothes. Her dark eyes seemed to look past him into the very depths of his being. He slightly shivered.
“You forlorn creature, come follow us for some food and shelter.”
She abruptly turned and moved forward. Her maid was hesitant and whispered her misgivings to her mistress. However the woman looked forward silently with a blank stare. Elziwarry looked down as he followed. He felt the warmth dissipate from the landscape and his heart harden with the truth he had to bear. He looked around the small town and could see its future. A thousand years from now it would all be buried by the sand dunes that protected it's existence and all of its inhabitants would be only a memory to those who chanced to know them. He could see the skeletal remains in their sandy graves only visited by the agile snake and reclusive iguana. Yet though they would be gone he was dammed to roam this brackish land until it fulfilled the bemusement of others.
Soon they were at the woman's home. It was a large home made of sand molded into an earthenware abode to protect against the elements. The home was busy with the sounds of servants washing, cooking and scrubbing away. The woman looked back at Elziwarry and gestured for him to sit at the table. Her maid instructed the staff to give Elziwarry some food and drink. Within moments the items were before Elziwarry. He first drank down the water without hesitation. Once downed he looked up to see the woman look curiously at him.
“Thank you ma’am,” said Elziwarry as he began to eat.
“I have seen you before,” said the woman in a quiet yet firm tone. Elziwarry stopped eating and looked at her. “A dream. I saw you in my dreams as you travelled in the desert. The stars, moon and sun all danced around you as day shifted into night and back again. However you still walked on your task unfettered. You are here to give me a message aren't you?” Elziwarry shook his head wearily. “Well then, what is this message that the universe yearns for me to hear?”
“Without an open heart and spirit one cannot be able to grasp the truth. Are you of an open heart and spirit?”
She thought to herself for a moment. Then she suddenly gazed onto Elziwarry. “As much as a person can be I suppose.”
Elziwarry's eyes furrowed. The answer to this question would have ramifications on the next. Should he accept this uncertain answer or force a clarification? After some deliberation he decided to go on.
“I have only one question for you - a choice between life and death, order and chaos. Your answer could catapult you into one of these extremes. You have a choice granted to you by those who deem you worthy. Either you can choose to know a future truth so heinous it could change the very future of your life and child, or lay in the ignorant unknowing that is fate. Which do you choose?”
She rubbed her swollen belly very hard as if she were touching her developing babe. She looked up at Elziwarry and said, “What is this truth?”
He looked at her, his eyes filled with sorrow and worry. He could only help for her sake and that of her child she chose correctly. “Before the truth can be given you must answer one last question. If you could live a life in infinitesimal faith but as an immortal forced to roam this world without friend or foe, or live this one mortal life with an end that would leave you in the death to share a life with those you love, which would you choose?”
She peered at him curiously. “This is a funny question. Do I have a choice?”
“No. These are your only options.”
“What if I refuse to answer?”
“Then I must stay until your choice is made. However the longer you wait the more horrific the end result. It is not of my choosing but sickness and death will haunt your home."
“What about changing my answer to the second question?”
“There is no going back my lady.”
“It is not right. You trick me with your foolish questions. I should have you whipped and flogged from my home for bringing such presumptions.”
“Please listen to me…"
“No I have listened far enough. Guards beat his flesh till there are only bones and strip him of all of his clothes. Leave him to wander the vast wasteland from which he came.”
The guards picked him up from the table and dragged him to the courtyard. The woman smiled from behind. “Let's see how your questions help you out now you gargoyle.”
The men stripped the clothes from Elziwarry's body. He lay naked in a heap on the ground. “Do you have no mercy then my lady?”
“May the all knowing have mercy on your soul.”
Across the ground Elziwarry could see the sky was darkening. He goaded as it could mean only one thing - Heldan. “Is this your final answer?” asked Elziwarry in sadness. The woman nodded her head in affirmation. “Then so be it.”
Suddenly loud noise filled the entire courtyard. The woman looked up and screamed in horror. She had hardly uttered out a syllable when Heldan had descended on her. With one swoosh he separated her head from its body with no empathy. Twirling his spear in the air with a swift movement he plunged the blade into her abdomen and twisted it for good measure. The staff began to run in horror. Heldan sealed the doors. One by one he searched for the staff and began to massacre them. As they screamed he laughed out in psychotic glee. Elziwarry lay huddled on the ground trembling and crying as he heard them die one by one. His gaze was transfixed on the dead woman before him as blood oozed from her neck and stomach. He couldn't help the vomit that eventually ensued. He hardly realized that the noise was gone until he saw two feet in sandals before him. Of course it was Heldan ready to seal his fate. He had tried and failed. It was not enough that Heldan had won, it must also be that he kill him too. He looked up to face his attacker. To his surprise he saw he lay crouched before Etlen. In shock he fainted and slumped onto the cold marble ground. He could see Etlen’s round angelic face and curly dark brown hair slowly fade away to black. Screaming indistinguishable voices and clattering footsteps seemed to dance around the darkness until even they dissipated into silence.