Rashnik's Wrath
The Anger of a Jealous God
Rashnik had always been a jealous God.
The Shiona knew that. And they knew better than to deceive Him, or disobey His command. So when Rashnik became angry, then, they were fearful. They did not understand what was going on.
What had happened?
They had always given Him their virgin daughters. The most pure and beautiful each year was chosen and presented to Him.
They had made sure to light the sacrificial fires at the exact right time, giving Him what was due from all the blessings they received through His grace.
But the times grew hotter, and dryer. The summers started to bring scorching winds, the rivers began to run low and eventually started drying out every now and then.
The plants started to crumple up and die. First the thickleaved Sosave, whose cool flesh helped against burns. The splendid orange Utressias, which provided so much nectar that the Shiona could indulge in their sweet tooth just by tipping the flower cup when the spring came, followed right after.
It made them sad, but those blessings were Rashnik's, and they were His to give or take away.
Soon, though, their vegetables died. Their healing herbs grew scarce, and the game they hunted vanished or was so skinny, it was barely edible. It was then that Humaira fled the Qurilion and broke down, crying, in the middle of the city square. At first people were scared to see her there - the priestesses weren't allowed to leave the Qurilion! It was Rashnik's order! Things would surely grow worse now. But Rashnik had also decreed that no one was to touch His virgin priestesses, and so they stood around and listened. Hers was a harrowing tale, and when they realized who brought the disaster upon them, they moved to the temple as one. Filip tried to stop them, reminded them of Rashnik's orders about the sanctity of the Qurilion, but to no avail. The time of the evening sacrifice drew close, and this time it was Filip who was sacrificed in a mad rush of blood frenzy, rage and desperation.
Later, everyone gathered in the town square again. No one knew what to do with Humaira. She was Rashnik's. But she also wasn't pure anymore. It was Khaîre, who, under the full light of Elohee, declared he would take her into his home. He would not touch her, as she was not his to touch, but he would treasure her as if she was still pure. He would tend to her needs and make sure Rashnik's bride was treated with the respect both Humaira and Rashnik deserved. After he had spoken, the moonlight suddenly grew faint, and everyone looked up alarmed. Thunder rolled through the streets of Alamma, and for the first time in weeks, rainclouds towered. So it was done. Humaira was well taken care of. By morning, half of the clergy had fled - only the young, inexperienced had stayed. And they finally spoke out. It had not been Filip alone. And Humaira had not been the only one. The remaining clergy vowed to do their best to re-sanctify the Qurilion, and to make sure that finally Rashnik's will would be carried out once more.
The priestesses knew the rites, some of them having served for years. They never set foot into the Qurilion again, both out of shame and respect for Rashnik. They asked for an underground place to dwell, so that He would not have to see them and be reminded of what happened over and over again. And Khaîre started to dig a cellar under his house, while the priestesses started wearing veils to hide themselves. Khaîre's catacomb became a place of teaching for the clergy, with the priestesses, who had assisted in the rites for years, teaching the young priests. The heat became less oppressive for a while, rain seemed to be more common again. But the sands had already creeped up on Alamma, and soon they swallowed it whole. Rashnik never forgave the Shiona. Soon, everyone fled the oppressive heat and moved to the catacombs during the day, to escape his wrath. But Elohee was still with them. His light shone upon them, lighting their nights whenever Rashniks brother could extricate fimself from the duties of the celestial court. He sent them signs, helped them settle in their new way of life and taught them how to keep trying for Rashnik's forgiveness.
We have new rites now. The old ones, we can't keep them up. Not without Rashnik's blessing. But we will never forget how He blessed us, and how some of us forsake His blessing, putting a blemish on all of us. We will forever strife to regain His favor.
Soon, though, their vegetables died. Their healing herbs grew scarce, and the game they hunted vanished or was so skinny, it was barely edible. It was then that Humaira fled the Qurilion and broke down, crying, in the middle of the city square. At first people were scared to see her there - the priestesses weren't allowed to leave the Qurilion! It was Rashnik's order! Things would surely grow worse now. But Rashnik had also decreed that no one was to touch His virgin priestesses, and so they stood around and listened. Hers was a harrowing tale, and when they realized who brought the disaster upon them, they moved to the temple as one. Filip tried to stop them, reminded them of Rashnik's orders about the sanctity of the Qurilion, but to no avail. The time of the evening sacrifice drew close, and this time it was Filip who was sacrificed in a mad rush of blood frenzy, rage and desperation.
Later, everyone gathered in the town square again. No one knew what to do with Humaira. She was Rashnik's. But she also wasn't pure anymore. It was Khaîre, who, under the full light of Elohee, declared he would take her into his home. He would not touch her, as she was not his to touch, but he would treasure her as if she was still pure. He would tend to her needs and make sure Rashnik's bride was treated with the respect both Humaira and Rashnik deserved. After he had spoken, the moonlight suddenly grew faint, and everyone looked up alarmed. Thunder rolled through the streets of Alamma, and for the first time in weeks, rainclouds towered. So it was done. Humaira was well taken care of. By morning, half of the clergy had fled - only the young, inexperienced had stayed. And they finally spoke out. It had not been Filip alone. And Humaira had not been the only one. The remaining clergy vowed to do their best to re-sanctify the Qurilion, and to make sure that finally Rashnik's will would be carried out once more.
The priestesses knew the rites, some of them having served for years. They never set foot into the Qurilion again, both out of shame and respect for Rashnik. They asked for an underground place to dwell, so that He would not have to see them and be reminded of what happened over and over again. And Khaîre started to dig a cellar under his house, while the priestesses started wearing veils to hide themselves. Khaîre's catacomb became a place of teaching for the clergy, with the priestesses, who had assisted in the rites for years, teaching the young priests. The heat became less oppressive for a while, rain seemed to be more common again. But the sands had already creeped up on Alamma, and soon they swallowed it whole. Rashnik never forgave the Shiona. Soon, everyone fled the oppressive heat and moved to the catacombs during the day, to escape his wrath. But Elohee was still with them. His light shone upon them, lighting their nights whenever Rashniks brother could extricate fimself from the duties of the celestial court. He sent them signs, helped them settle in their new way of life and taught them how to keep trying for Rashnik's forgiveness.
We have new rites now. The old ones, we can't keep them up. Not without Rashnik's blessing. But we will never forget how He blessed us, and how some of us forsake His blessing, putting a blemish on all of us. We will forever strife to regain His favor.
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