Mark of the Fool

Chapter 620: Folly

The Generals Folly is something of a parable only taught in our holy order, the First Apostle sat in a pew near the back of the chamber.

A seat very near the door, Carey noticed.

He gestured for her to sit, giving her a kindly nod.

She exchanged a look with Izas; the old man had returned to his pew, looking tense. Nervous.

Reluctantly, she forced herself to sit.

The First Apostle clasped his hands in his lap. You should understand something about the Marks, young one. They often attempt to choose those children of Uldar who are best suited for their roles. Champions arise from those whoif they are not outright warriorspossess a will to fight. Sages are sought from our brothers and sisters with strong inner mana. Saints are drawn from those who possess an especially strong dedication to Uldar. Chosen He paused.

The Chosen arises from Thameish youth gifted with courage, the potential for leadership, strong faith, physical capability and deep mana. As they are the greatest of Uldars Heroes, they are not merely commonplace individuals. The same cannot be said of the Fool.

The First Apostle clasped his hands in prayer. Uldars wisdom is as boundless as his love for the people who worship him, and in this wisdom, he foresaw that the Heroes would need a force to bind them, or bring unity to them in all ways; whether that was to ready their equipment, resolve disputes, or serve as the heart of their group. In other words, a companion to offer support from behind. While Uldars wisdom is boundless, those who his Marks choose, at times

He paused, searching for words. ...are not the wisest. They do not understandtheir role, like the one who is the subject of our story. That Fool was a young knight named Cain, who came from a country household. In his holy pursuit to serve his kingdom, he had trained both his skill as a warrior, and learned rudimentary miracles through his faith. He was not the most talented of individuals, but he did seem to have a bright future ahead of him. And then, his future brightened further when he was blessed with the Mark of the Fool.

Carey couldnt help herself. She grimaced. How did his future brighten further? The Mark would have taken away the skills he was proud of and made his future darker, not brighter.

The First Apostle shook his head. No, my child, that is narrow thinking. Too often do children of Uldar discount the Fool. In Uldars wisdom, he determined that the Heroes needed someone in that role. The Fool serves as their hearta body cannot live without a heart, can it? Past Fools have been able to help their Heroic companions destroy the Ravener, then go on to live quiet, but successful lives afterward. That is reward enough.

Carey shifted uncomfortably in the pew.

There was a time when she would have strongly agreed with him. But now, she couldnt help but question every word shed been told by Alrichs priests.

When a child is born, the First Apostle said. It dreams all the time, both at night and during the day. Peasant children dream of being knights. Children of knights dream of being lords. Young lordlings imagine kingdoms of their own. Such dreams are harmless. His look turned stern. But as one becomes an adult, one must put away childish dreams. Peasant children are, in fact, often needed on the farm, and do not have the necessary skills to become good knights. A child from a knights household must serve their lords in battle, or serve their king in some other way, perhaps through the priesthood. The children of lords must grow up to rule their vassals, and not turn their blades against their monarchs. It is mature to accept what one can change, and what one cannot. In adulthood, one must accept responsibility and duty. But, unfortunately, Cain could not leave his childish dreams aside. He refused to wake up.

The First Apostle made a chopping motion with his hand. At first, he tried forcing himself into the role of a combatant, putting his companions at constant risk when they were made to rescue him. Soon, he felt the need to take on the responsibility of leader, usurping the Chosens divine role. When neither way worked, he rebelled, rather than accept the gifts and life path Uldar had handed him.

The sound of teeth grinding came from the pew as the high priests jaw flexed. We do not know if low cunning or an unhappy accident led him to the knowledge that dungeon cores could be controlled by Uldars followers, but he somehow discovered it and used the information to build an army of monsters, then went about his business carving out his own kingdom within Uldars divine kingdom. Bandits and other neer-do-wells joined his banner and he styled himself as a sort of general of this personal army of his. It was folly.

But why can Carey started.

The First Apostle held up a hand. Allow me to finish, young one. Many lives were lost in the ensuing struggle. The Sage of that cycle died in battle and it cost five long years or suffering for the Ravener to be finally destroyed, and it was all due to the Fools folly and selfishness. By the time the mad dog was defeated, Thameland had lost more than in the entirety of the prior three cycles. His actions were shameful. He went quiet, breathing steadily. Dungeon cores can be ground to powder and used to make different items, which are valuable to the Heroes. Those are the spoils of war which Uldar has blessed us with. But to use the enemys armies for ones own gain? That can only spawn tyrants, tyrants worthy of death. Our branch of the church has worked tirelessly for generations to prevent such tragedies. We are not always successful, but we have been able to hide such terrible knowledge from Uldars kingdom. And so we keep his children safe.

But why can we control dungeon cores? Carey was determined to get an answer. And why only those of us who worship Uldar? What possible reason could there be for that?

That is a divine mystery, the First Apostle said. We know, from our oldest scriptures, that the practise was forbidden, but Uldars word on the subject has been lost. For the first time, a look of utter sorrow crossed his face. Records from the first half dozen cycles have been lost to time, and sadly, details are near impossible to come by from those earlier days. I can tell you that for many reasons, I regret this, not the least of which is because I cannot offer you Uldars words to satisfy your curiosity and soothe your anxieties. But, we have seen why such things harm humanity.

Oh, please, you must think me quite stupid if you believe that Id be satisfied with your non-answer! she said, her hands balling into fists. My peopleour people have suffered for untold generations, and youre telling me that no one has questioned why we can control the ultimate tools of our gods greatest enemies? And please, spare me lectures about how Uldar speaks through silence, and how his word lies in mystery. Too many people have suffered because of that. You cannot tell me thatin your heart of heartsyou have never questioned why we can control dungeon cores!

I have, child, Izas suddenly said. In my younger dayswhen I first learned the truth, I questioned. But I also looked at the evidence: every time a child of Uldar had taken up the weapon of the enemy, things had ended in disaster for all. I also wondered if lost records had offered more explanation, or even if there was some sinister plot that past priests had undertaken. But, in the end, the knowledge we have is enough. Uldar protects us.

He lowered his head. And we must continue to feed him our faith, and show him our gratitude. Which leads me to this question, when we took you away from the influence of those foreigners, you were wearing the symbol of Alrics Saint. Why would that be? Why put your faith in a Saint when that saint follows a god?

Carey flinched, reaching for her chain. The symbol of the Traveller was gone, along with her other possessions.

Where is my bag? she asked nervously, thinking of what Professor Jules had assigned to her. If they started fiddling with it Where are my belongings?

All of your possessions are safe, my child, Izas said.

But where are they? she pressed. Something told her not to tell them exactly what was in her bag. The more information she kept to herself, the better.

How can you do any of this? You say I dont put my faith in Uldar, but you are kidnapping and hurting people! And you have all of these terrible secrets!

She stood up. How? How can you justify yourself? This isnt supposed to be Uldars way: its not what we were taught.

Oh, young one, the First Apostle sighed. Our order is meant to be secret. We are the guardians of the cycle. We move in shadow so that others can live in Uldars light. We act out of Uldars will, just as the Heroes do. But where they fight under the sun, we fight under the darkest of nights.

How can you be so sure of what he wishes? she demanded.

Because he tells me his wishes, the First Apostle said calmly.

Silence followed.

Hehe speaks to you? she stammered.

The First Apostle has a holy privilege that no other can enjoy, Izas said. Through the greatest of his servants, Uldar speaks to him, as he has for generations. While we must listen to the whispers of the world to hear Uldars wordto the First Apostle, he speaks a little clearer.

And it is his will that the cycle continues, the First Apostle said. You asked how we could let such a thing go on? I will tell you. Thamelands cycles of battling against the enemy not only strengthens our people, but also empowers our gods divine purpose. He promised us thatone daythe cycleswill end. But, if we, his servants, make them end by way of random circumstance?

The young man shook his head. Catastrophe will befall each and every one of us. The land will wither and die. All will be destroyed. This is what was told to the First Apostlewho came before me. And it was then told to me. That is why we must do everything for Uldar.

Carey shuddered at those words.

She had once promised to give everything she could to end the cycles. To save her people. Now these priests were claiming they must give everything to continue the cycles of suffering.

It was almost like hearing her own past words repeated to her through a monstrous mirror.

She couldnt stand it.

Is that why you have kidnappers working for you? she sniffed. And murderers? You plan to kill me if I dont cooperate with you?

We do, the First Apostle said. Our hands are not sinless, but anyone can do Uldars will if they believe. AndsometimesUldars duties require unpleasant sacrifices. Just as one cannot win a war without death, one cannot serve their gods divine purpose without sacrifice, even if its simply by way of prayer and faith to empower our god. And that is not without its rewards.

The First Apostle raised his hand.

A soft blue light with a gentle warmth began radiating from it.

At one time, the sight of that light would have filled Carey with comfort.

Now, it only made her skin crawl.

He blesses his priests with miracles, he continued. He gives us a fine, fertile land. He grants us this place for our home and church, a place hidden from the eyes of most. His people are wealthy and well cared for. Is that not enough? He paused for some time before speaking again.

Now, young one, dont you think its time you answered some of our questions? Tell me, how many people know of the dungeon cores?

Carey bristled, opening her mouth to scream at him.

Not many, the words leapt from her mouth. Baelin knows, and Professor Jules, and a few others.

Her heart hammered.

What? she cried, her hands clamping over her lips.

Do the Holy Chosen and the Holy Champion know as well? the First Apostle asked.

Ye Her treacherous lips moved. She pressed her fingers against them firmer, but they also betrayed her, peeling away on their own. es. They do. What is happening?

The First Apostle raised his glowing hand. Uldar grants me many gifts because of my abiding love for him. This divinity is the Light of Truth. Under its glow, all in Thameland must speak the truth. You will answer me.

NoYes, I will answer you, she contradicted herself.

Panicking, Carey tried to leave, but felt a sudden surge of mana.

Glowing chains formed around her, enwrapping her body, forcing her to stay in place.

Im afraid I cant let you do that, Izas said. Weve answered so many of your questions, now you must answer ours.

No, let me go! she cried.

Give us the names of all those who know that followers of Uldar can control dungeon cores, the First Apostle said.

ICarey London, she stammered. Alex Roth, Drestra of Crymlyn Swamp.

No! Stop! she cried, trying to seal her lips, bite her tongue, or do anything to stop from speaking. SomeoneTraveller please! If you can hear this! Please help me! Save me!

A steadying warmth filled her chest.

What? the First Apostle shouted. How are you doing that?

Careys mouth stilled.

The warmth of Uldars light shifted, as though funnelled to a far distant place.

What have you done? Izas demanded. What have you done?

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