Omnibus
Author Center presents: Barbington Davies
"It is in our fantasies that we see both who
we are and all that we expire to be." These are
the words I casually penned to a friend but unwittingly
ensnared my entire being into the world of Insurrectum
ex Lux Lucis, Rebellion of the Light."
Query
This novel, of the fantasy genre, is about a noble
prince, Leo, who journeys from his own land of Lux,
to a far and distant land, Nox, now ruled by an evil,
sadistic Casus. All lands, including Nox, were once
under King Unus, Leo’s father. But after Casus’ rebellion
and subsequent banishment from the royal city Sedes,
he seized control of the distant land Hortulus and turned
it into the miserable land of night, Nox. After the
birth and death of countless generations, Prince Leo
enters Nox under disguise in the attempt to sow the
same rebellion Casus once employed against Unus his
father and once more unite all lands under one king.
This novel, book one of a seven part series, follows
Prince Leo as he endeavors to establish the rebellion
in seven prominent cities of Nox.
ROL (Rebellion of the Light) is more than just another
fantasy novel. It’s a work of philosophical relevance
as each and every city in Nox has its own belief system
and unique prespective on life and how it ought to be
lived. The names of characters and places in Rebellion
of the Light are in Latin, which when defined, gives
the reader insight into the characteristics of the various
characters and the special significance of places. This
first book shows Prince Leo dealing with each individual
as well as each city in a very relative and sui generis
manner so as to effectively get his message across and
return light to an otherwise dark, hopeless and desolate
land.
ROL is a book of hope. As Prince Leo travels the cities,
he meets different people who have devised different
ideologies to help them cope with their despair. He
first of all, has to turn their minds away from believing
that the ugly fiend of despair stalks and will inevitably
destroy them. He tries to get them to realize that there
is a living and breathing hope for they and their loved
ones. This seems to me to be an important message that
so many need in the world today. We so often get boggled
down in our day to day livelihoods that we lose sight
of hope. And without hope illuminating both our hearts
and minds, we lose the true essence of humanity for
a dismal, mechanical existence. The subsequent books
in this series show the impact of Prince Leo’s rebellion
from within the rebellion up until book seven, when
King Unus reclaims the land of Nox and liberates its
people.
As a young writer in Pennsylvania, I am searching for
a publishing house willing to work with me in order
to make the ROL Series a success. Though a Rhode Island
native, I have lived in five different states, traveled
five different West African countries for four years
and briefly visited the Bahamas. I have seen first hand
the differences geography can enforce on people and
their outlook on life. I attended Oral Roberts University
in Tulsa, Oklahoma where I studied philosophy and theology.
I was first published in the River Valley Student Writer’s
Collection in 1997 and since then numerous poems of
mine have been published in various anthologies by the
International Society of Poets and the Famous Poets
Society respectively. I am the author of over one hundred
and fifty poems and twenty-four short stories and have
completed but not yet sought to publish a 101,000 word
novel, Just A Man. ROL, however, at 63,047 words, is
short enough that it will not be cost-prohibitive to
a publishing house.
Bio
For as long as I can remember, I have had a passionate
love for literature. At the tender age of five, I was
first bewitched by the Bible and its literary style.
I entered and won my first literary contest when I was
seven years old. I had submitted a poem entitled Running
Away.
I didn’t write much after that. I studied. At that
young age my room was cluttered with everything from
high school and college literature books to biographies
and autobiographies. By the age of ten, I had consumed
all Greek mythology.
When it came to spirituality and things of that sort,
I was well versed by the age of twelve. My father and
his family believed in ancestral worship and different
forms of occultism. My mother was a devout Christian
with a family background of avid Moslems. I myself had
served as an acolyte in an Episcopal Church, attended
catholic school and preached my first of many sermons
in a Pentecostal Church. It was then that I plunged
myself headlong into the study of religion and Christian
theology and worked closely with numerous pastors and
evangelists in church operations and ministry. While
in West Africa for four years, I joined a national youth
ministry there and began teaching Christian philosophy
and thought.
It was during this time that I began writing again.
I would write plays that the young people I worked with
would perform. I also became managing editor of my high
school’s newspaper, Echo.
After returning to the States for my senior year of
high school, I took up writing ardently. I entered and
won acclaim for my short story entry into the River
Valley Student Writer’s Conference. The piece was published
that year. I was also the founding writer and editor
of the school’s televised weekly news broadcast. That
same year, my speech entered into the Voice of Democracy
competition earned me an honorary certificate and a
special letter of praise from the senator of Minnesota.
I wrote and delivered the commencement speech for my
graduating class.
I moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to attend Oral Roberts University.
There I studied philosophy, theology and Koine Greek,
became a member of two honor societies and made it into
the National Dean’s List, years 1998-1999. I also wrote
briefly for the university’s official newspaper the
Oracle. Nevertheless, as a master tutor in the university’s
Cooperative Learning Center, I found it exhilarating
editing and proofreading literary and theological papers
for both undergraduate and graduate students at the
university.
However, after only two years at this conservative
institution, I found myself somewhat disquieting. The
atmosphere there I personally found to be both intellectually
and spiritually inhibiting. That’s when I left and began
work on my first novel, Just A Man. By then I
had already completed work on a prior book, Eavesdropping,
and had been developing my poetic style for three years.
I began to allow some of my poems to be published;
the first of which was One of a Kind, published
by the Famous Poets Society. Other poems of mine were
also published by the International Society of Poets
anthologies "From the Mountaintop", "Time after Time"
and "Bending Light" to name a few. In the year 2001,
the International Library of Poetry featured a poem
of mine on their audio recording of collected works
entitled "The Sound of Poetry". I have received
two Poet of Merit Awards from the International Society
of Poets at their Poetry Convention and Symposiums,
first in Washington D.C. in the fall of 2001 and in
Orlando, Florida in the spring of 2002 "...for outstanding
contribution to the art of poetry." Also in the fall
of 2001, I received a Poet of the Year Medallion and
a Prometheus Muse of Fire trophy from the Famous Poet’s
Society. It is my intention to first publish Book
One of the ROL Series and then publish a
book featuring a collection of the over one hundred
and fifty poems and twenty-four short stories that I
have written. I will then proceed to release Just
A Man and Eavesdropping.
Synopsis: INSURRECTUM
EX LUX LUCIS (REBELLION OF THE LIGHT)
PRINCE LEO of LUX and his father, KING UNUS, have
ruled all lands in peace and prosperity since the
beginning of time. However, tranquility is suddenly
threatened when one of their lords, CASUS, tries to
seize the throne. When the attempt fails, Casus and
his fellow insurgents are banished. They capture one
of the distant lands and rule it as their own. Generations
later, King Unus and Prince Leo decide that the prince
sneak into Nox, the land now ruled by Casus, and start
a rebellion of their own.
Prince Leo enters the land of Nox and witnesses one
city almost annihilate another. After the invading
troops are gone, he goes to the survivors and encourages
them to have hope and to join both he and his father.
Casus, furious at what Leo is doing, sends another
wave of attackers but they are incinerated by Prince
Leo’s mystical powers.
From that first city, Egenus, Leo travels to Despero
where he totally transforms the life of a drunk, DOCERE,
and gives him a commission to rule the city the way
he, Prince Leo, would have it ruled. At the same time,
upheaval grips the city and Docere finds himself in
the middle of warring factions.
Prince Leo stops next, in the City of Dubito. Here
he becomes reunited with MISCEO, a spy he had sent
before him from Lux. Misceo gives Leo a report on
the city and the dynamics of the entire land. The
following day Leo bathes the city in a ghastly mixture,
a fluid substance seemingly composed of opposite elements.
When Leo enters the City of Magus, he is promptly
challenged by one of the most powerful magicians there.
Unable to kill Leo, he employs the deadliest incantation
he knows and ends up destroying himself. Another powerful
magician, a young man by the name of ALUMNO, leads
Leo to the Refectorium, the most important building
in the city. Leo demands the best suite in the building
and later that night, saves the life of Alumno when
the VENEFICUS tries to murder him.
VILLICUS excitedly, drives Prince Leo in his chariot
and onto the Mansion Umbra in the City of Vitiosus.
Since Casus’ rebellion, the Villicus family had remained
loyal to Leo and his father. Now, generations later,
Prince Leo is indeed there in Nox, in Vitiosus! While
at the Villicus family mansion, Leo writes a book,
Inconcessus Sententa, refuting all the doctrines of
Nox. The IMPERATORS try to assassinate him but fail.
Enraged by their failure to kill Leo, the Imperators
rush ahead of him and decimate the entire Tribe of
the Nequam, a nomadic people to whom Leo was next
to visit. King Unus therefore raises up twelve children
from amongst the dead tribe. Leo trains them to aid
in the rebellion.
En route to the City of Haeresis, Leo meets a man
by the name of PEREGRINATOR. They travel together
to the city and meet its ruler, a man claiming to
be Prince Leo of Lux. The man has Leo arrested and
gives orders that he be flogged daily before the people.
One evening, Peregrinator seizes the opportunity and
rescues Leo. They flee the city but Peregrinator dies
of his arrow wounds.
By way of the river, Leo arrives in the Mountains
and Forests of Fallacia which surround Vorago where
Casus resides. But he is weak from the flogging and
exhausted from the travel. The Imperators attack and
subdue him. They take him to Casus’ throne room where
he is mocked and then pierced through with their swords.
As Prince Leo dies, the land grows dark as night and
a white mist covers Nox.
Prince Leo walked the side of the mountain dressed
in a long dark robe. He had the hood over his head,
trying to shield his face from the rain. Many things
were on his mind. For example, his mission. He had
chosen it. It had not been forced upon him. His father
would not and never did force anything on him. They
were so alike that it almost seemed as if there was
no way they could ever disagree. They thought alike
and that was why he was here.
Right before him lay a huge boulder after which he
would see the land. He hesitated. What would he find?
What had he expected he would find? He wasn’t sure.
He had heard many reports of Nox, its people, their
lives and of course, their king, Casus. Casus he knew
personally and he thought of what it would be like
to face him and stare into his eyes.
The rain was now slackening and Prince Leo thought
to proceed. There was no time to sit and wonder what
everything would be like when he would soon find out.
He would soon be immersed in his answers.
With unnatural ease he ascended the top of the boulder
and took in the sight before him. So, here lay the
land of Nox. A primitive and pitiful sight. As far
as he could see, the buildings were made of brick,
clay or, though very few, crudely chiseled stone.
But then before him lay just one city of many and
this one was of somewhat meager importance. Nevertheless,
there were hundreds of others just like it all over
the land.
Scanning with his eyes the sight before him, Prince
Leo instantly felt the pang of depression pierce his
soul. He had envisioned the final battle being glorious.
He had always imagined himself in that great fight
releasing all the power and might within his frame.
He had often smiled at the thought of going against
unbelievable odds yet turning out to be the victor.
But looking out at this city, he was now forced to
realize that it would be nothing like that at all.
Just as he had always suspected and dreaded. There
would be no great glory to be had by him. On that
day, he might not even break a sweat. These people
would simply be overran. The whole thing might not
even last an hour. There is no way that these people
and the meager forces of Casus could stand up to forces
of his father Unus.
He thought of their own cities that were filled with
mansions, walls of gold, silver and plastered pearls
designed with exquisite engravings. The plentiful
gardens and radiant colors of flowers, clothes and
thousands of jeweled ornaments. He thought of the
healthy bodies of the citizens who ate the best meats
and drank the best wine everyday of their lives. He
thought of how they never knew weakness or frailty
of limbs but enjoyed omnipresent healing. Most of
all, he replayed in his ears the laughter of the children
as they ran through the luscious green fields playing
with the slightest hint of worry farthest from their
tender minds. They knew no fear nor sadness. Their
lives were full of light and heartiness. His father
insured that.
But all that was Seven Seas and Seven Mountains away.
As he looked down at the weary souls going in and
out of the city through its dilapidated walls, he
felt a sharper pain deep down within him. He could
tell that the people who lived there were beaten down,
crushed and had given up hope of anything. He could
feel the spirit of the place and its people as he
looked down at their land, their homes and their lives.
Why? Why did things have to be this way? Why did
the children of this place not live in Lux, his land
and the land of his father. Why did they not play
in his fields and eat fruit from the trees there?
He had heard that many of the children of Nox had
hardly enough food to eat. That many of them starved
and were forced to work, labor for any chance of bread.
That many of them had no proper learning if any learning
at all. There were children who had been abandoned
by either one or the other of their parents if not
both. Here in this land of Nox, he had heard that
a man would have children by a woman and leave her
alone to tend to them. Alone! Even babies. Babies!
Unwanted! Abandoned! Babies! How could anything be
so wrong? How could anyplace be so backward and absurd?
He felt the anger boiling up inside of him, making
him hot in the midst of the wet and dreary weather.
He looked down at his fists which were clenched tight
and he felt his jaw muscles flex and tighten. All
the muscles in his body were wide awake.
All this horror was Casus’ doing. All of it! All
lands were once under his father Unus and he was the
king of all. Everywhere, no matter how far away from
the seat of his throne, he ruled and there was peace
and happiness. Even this present wasteland that now
lay before his eyes flourished with the glories of
the kingdom. There was an abundance of corn, meat,
honey, milk and wine everywhere. Unus made it his
duty to insure that every child had more than enough
under his hand. He set forth laws that were fair and
just for everyone. There was no thing as corruption
or injustice. All men were to honor and respect his
fellow. All men were to work, not labor, but work
at his trade and talents and all men thereby profited
appropriately so as to insure life and pleasure.
But Casus had to ruin everything. His high seat of
honor in the kingdom was not enough. He had to have
everything for himself. He had to be the king. He
had to rule all lands himself. Hadn’t he, Prince Leo,
warned his father that Casus had busied himself in
causing dissent amongst the other rulers? Didn’t he
warn his father of what would happen if Casus was
allowed to continue his diabolical affairs? But his
father had always remained silent on the matter. He
never did say or do anything. He would always just
turn and walk away whenever Leo broached the subject
of what was going on within the kingdom. The stench
of it had been driving Prince Leo quite beside himself
and so it was difficult for him to understand why
his father was reacting or rather, not reacting, the
way that he was. He knew that it was not because Unus
was getting weak or was afraid. Prince Leo shared
Unus’ strength and energy and the force of it was
not diminished in the slightest. If it were, he, Leo
would have felt it and there could be no way for Unus
to disguise it from him. They were both connected
at a center core of life force, one Intimus Essentia.
So then, what was the problem? Why was his father
allowing this?
Then came that dreadful morning when magnificent
Sedes, the crown city and center of the kingdom, was
stormed. Casus and his fellow seditionist led a fierce
attack from within the city. They wrecked havoc everywhere
and turned the city up side down. They destroyed tapestries,
hurled down statues of pearl, ivory, marble and bronze
and smashed beautifully crafted stain glass windows.
They set fire to the city and began to destroy buildings
on their way to the palace. He, Leo, had sent as many
men as he could to stop the traitor and his co-hordes
but had decided, himself, to stand guard at the doors
of King Unus’ chambers. He was soon appalled to find
out that their forces had been beat back by Casus’
numerous and determined hordes. Only days before he
had cautioned Unus to call back many of the troops
that were loyal from all over Lux to defend Sedes
should anything happen. To his utter dismay, his father
sent more than half of the city’s permanent troops
as far away from the city as possible! Now they were
outnumbered and it wasn’t long till he could hear
Casus and his forces crossing the River Vivere to
Unus’ chambers. The rage he, Leo, felt at that moment
was surpassed only when he stood face to face with
Casus and stared him in the eyes. He began summoning
the fiercest might of his energy to obliterate them
all in the most terrifying way when he heard his father’s
calm, but firm, voice within his head.
Prince Leo knew that those massive doors to Unus’
chambers were still closed behind him. Those steel
doors were seven miles thick, holding back his father’s
glory yet they always seemed on the verge of bursting.
For this reason, no one had really seen King Unus
save Leo. All anyone else had ever seen were faint
images of Unus projected from behind those doors.
He never would forget the look on Casus’ face when
he stepped aside. Casus knew that Prince Leo would
never join his cause, so then why was he stepping
aside and not fighting to protect his beloved father?
Was this some trick?
But surely before Casus could think his next thought,
the doors flung open with excessive force, releasing
infinite light so strong that the waves of it, more
powerful than all the waves of the Seven Seas, forced
Casus and every one of his troops far out of Sedes
and onto the shores of this land, then known as Hortulus.
Casus, livid with anger, hate and unthinkable shame,
vowed to strike back. But this time no longer from
without, but from within. He would attack Unus’ from
within his own heart and cause him to bleed. He would
destroy his precious people and cause them to hate
him. With great cunning, Casus convinced the keepers
of Hortulus to make him their own private king which,
to their chagrin, they did. Thus the land was transformed
from Hortulus, meaning "little garden", and that it
was, to Nox, a land of starvation and want.
All this was a long, long time ago. Things have remained
the same since that terrible day. Generations have
both come and gone. He had heard that many of the
inhabitants of Nox no longer believe the things that
happened and that their land was once very different
from the way that it now is. He had heard that many
of these people do not even believe in his existence,
nor the existence of his father. There are even some
who don’t believe cause they’ve never heard. How interesting.
The same disbelief applied to Casus. He, Leo, had
heard reports that many of these people didn’t know
or believe that Casus is ruling and reigning their
land behind the scenes with his hands ever on the
pulse of things. To many of the people of Nox, these
facts are nothing but old wives tales, fables.
Prince Leo fixed his eyes on two old people headed
for the city. They must be drenched in this rain.
He on the other hand wasn’t because he didn’t want
to be. That meant that the power within him dried
up the rain before it touched his skin or robe. But
the couple there, they were wet. He could tell. He
wondered how they would react if he were to tell them
that King Unus, the Lord of All Lands, was presently
preparing to march on this land and annihilate all
of its rebellious inhabitants? What if he told them
to leave the land of Nox and flee to the mountains
and the seas to meet the king and his troops and beg
safety? What if he told them that the king could be
here, not in two months, five years or five hundred
years, but suddenly at anytime? What would they do?
What would they say? Would they take his advice and
leave? Would they call him an idiot and turn their
backs on him? Or would they put their lives on the
line to help him establish the rebellion?
Prince Leo jumped off the boulder and began his decent
down the mountain side. There was only one way to
find out.
Though the slope was muddy, slippery and completely
dangerous, Prince Leo was not afraid. He knew his
balance was sure. Because of his inner force, he would
never slip and fall. His thoughts were focused on
the two elderly people in the distance headed for
the city and the shelter of its meager walls. Despite
the fact that they were a considerable distance from
him, he could feel them shiver and sniffle, being
drenched and trekking in this rain. His heart went
out to them. They belonged in a warm room, before
a fireplace, nice and snug, sipping hot teas or having
a warm bowl of meal. But they were out in the cold
rain walking to the city. This could never had been
the case in Lux. Never!
With purposed and determined speed, Prince Leo was
upon them in no time. His heart broke even further
when he saw that they had no shoes on their feet but
walked barefoot. What kind of abominable inferno was
this place? Why ought this happen anywhere at anytime?
So this was the rule of Casus? Misery and the lack
of pity? No heart, no feeling, no emotion?
Prince Leo’s thoughts were interrupted. He heard
something. It was far off and in the distance but
he could hear it. He stopped to listen, to concentrate
and to see what was making the noise and causing the
disturbance within him.
Horses. About...nine thousand horses! They were coming
from the north, the west and the south.
Someone was staring at him. The old woman had stopped
and was staring at him strangely. The old man, noticing
she had stopped, turned to see what was the matter,
and seeing that she was staring at him, also took
up interest. Prince Leo at first didn’t know what
to do neither did he realize why he seemed to be so
interesting that they would stop in the rain.....
He looked down at himself. His clothes. He wasn’t
wet while they were drenched in the rain.
He smiled at them nervously, removing the hood from
over his head. They didn’t smile back.
They said nothing in return. They simply continued
to stare at him. Until the ground began to shake.
Then they tore their attention away from him and began
to try to figure out what was going on.
"Horses," Prince Leo said. "It’s horses."
Hearing that, they immediately turned and started
running for the city. Then Leo understood. It was
an attack on the city. Three thousand horsemen from
the north, the south and the west respectively and
all at once.
Sadly, he turned his attention to the couple ahead
of him, running as hard as they could. Measuring in
his mind, the intensity of the sound with the rate
at which the couple was running and the distance they
yet had to go, he knew that even if they kept their
pace ,which was impossible at their ages, they would
never make it.
He remembered promising King Unus, his father that
he would restrain himself and not interfere in every
situation he encountered. The people of Nox had chosen
their lives and they must be allowed to live their
choice. The king had reminded him that Nox was a land
of evil and that evil was the inheritance of its inhabitants
who chose to spit in the face of his lordship. King
Unus allowed the followers of Casus to kill and maim
each other, starve each other and do whatever their
new leader encouraged them to do. These people and
their parents had chosen Casus over their rightful
king and Unus wanted to give some respect to that
choice. Those of these people who knew of King Unus
knew for a fact that such unbecoming and atrocious
behavior would be unheard of under his rule, but then
he wasn’t the ruler of this place now was he. And
so right before Leo’s eyes, a virtually defenseless
city was being attacked.
Prince Leo had stopped by now. He could see the horses
coming from all three directions, steadily descending
upon them. The old woman ahead of him, in her haste
and terror, slipped and fell into a puddle. The old
man stopped to help her, beside himself with fear.
Fear. That was something Prince Leo had never really
known. What did it feel like to be utterly and completely
afraid? Why be afraid? Well for him, he could understand
why he was never afraid? What could possibly harm
him, Prince Leo, Son of King Unus? But for these feeble
beings, he could imagine why they were familiar with
terror, with fear. Both he and his father had sworn
to protect them but they had turned their backs on
that protection. Now, under the rule of Casus, they
had as much protection as a chicken with its head
on the chopping board before the swing of the blade.
"What are you doing here," a sinister but very familiar
voice asked.
Prince Leo heard the voice in his head and instantly
recognized its owner. It was a voice he hadn’t heard
in a very, very long time. Was he among the troops
on the verge of storming this pathetic city? He scanned
the three directions covered with horsemen.
No. Casus was not among them.
"Again, my prince, I ask, what are you doing here?"
The thunderous hooves of the nine thousand horses
pounded the ground and shook it even more as they
approached. Prince Leo could see the chunks of mud
being kicked up as the cloud of horsemen descended
upon them. The elderly couple and a few others still
frantically racing in vain for the city.
"My lord, Prince Leo, do you not answer me," the
voice calmly asked.
You address my son, Casus?
It was his father. It was King Unus’ voice.
"My king," Casus could be heard replying, "I merely
sought to inquire as to why I am so honored by the
prince’s visit. I ought to have been formally informed
that I might have provided a more adequate reception
for someone as esteemed as he."
Leo, he heard his father address him.
Remove yourself from the field.
Prince Leo looked again over at the elderly couple
and a few others who were all still a good distance
from the city’s gates, gates which were now being
hastily closed before them. They would, could, never
make it in time.
No Leo. Not here, not now.
"Yes Leo. Not here and not now," Casus’ voice tauntingly
reiterated.
One of the horsemen was now five feet away from him
and preparing to swing his axe at Leo’s head. With
one last glance at the couple ahead of him, Prince
Leo slowly vanished off the field while a sharp metal
blade swung at where his noble head used to be.
Prince Leo watched the destruction from a distance.
He saw the slaughter, carnage and pillaging. He heard
the cries of the women being raped and then murdered.
He felt a mammoth of grief overtake his soul as the
tears rolled down his face. His rage burned as he
saw the army gallop away, proud of themselves and
cheering, leaving the already miserable city engulfed
in flames. He wanted to gather them, the attackers,
all together and hurl them into a burning inferno
of lava and have them be there forever without the
relief of death. He wanted to rip their hearts out
of their chests and squeeze the life out of it.
He was on the verge of hating his father right now.
He didn’t want to hear his voice. He didn’t want to
listen to his reason, his wisdom. Prince Leo wanted
to hate. He wanted to feel boiling, scalding rage
and empower himself with it.
That’s not how you empower yourself. You know
that. Going about things in that way leads you onto
a path of madness; it’s a double-edged sword that
will in time turn on you and destroy you.
But why father, Prince Leo asked within himself.
I demand to know why. Why this way?
What’s more important right now are the survivors.
Go to them.
True. Why sit here asking questions to which he knew
the answers when there where those who needed him,
when there where those who desperately needed comfort.
Even now he could feel the faint throbbing of hearts,
some of them dangerously faint, but still there.
Let love empower you my son. Empower you to both
destroy and to build. But let love empower you.
Prince Leo went to the burning city and entered its
tossed aside and flaming gates. There where bodies
everywhere. Limbs askew from bodies, severed heads
of women and children, not to mention men, and it
seemed that the ground had drank so much blood that
it didn’t want anymore. Yet in the midst of it all
there was still life, hope.
Prince Leo went to a pile of bodies and pushing the
them aside, uncovered a frightened little girl, about
the age of six. Seeing him, she immediately began
to scream.
"It’s okay, it’s okay. They’re gone now. I’ve come
to help. Don’t worry. I won’t let anyone hurt you."
Prince Leo allowed a portion of who he was go out
to her and quiet her spirit. She flung herself into
his arms crying.
Trust, Leo thought to himself. Even after all this,
it didn’t take much for a child to trust.
Goodness, he heard Unus’ voice whisper, is
a light that shines through darkness.
The girl was still sobbing frightfully in his arms.
"Shhh. Shhh. It’s alright now. No one’s going to
hurt you. I promise. Shhh. It’s okay," Prince Leo
comforted the child.
She continued to whimper however, and she had good
reason. Prince Leo could tell that both her parents
had been killed in the attack. Her father while trying
to defend the city and his family within and her mother
had been raped and then beheaded as this little girl
watched helplessly from a hidden place. Now, she had
no one in the world. No one.
Slowly and cautiously, people began to emerge from
the ruins. Prince Leo lifted the little girl to his
shoulders and began to pat her back to soothe her.
He walked through the city, drawing a small crowd
of curious people wondering who this stranger was
and why he was there. Prince Leo found the steps of
what used to be a large building and climbed the steps.
"Child, what’s your name?" Leo asked the little girl
on his shoulder.
"Okay Maeror, I’m going to talk to these people for
a little bit, okay?"
She nodded her head, never letting go of him.
Prince Leo opened his mouth to speak and it was as
if it were the music of the Seven Seas and descending
on the people like dew from the Seven Mountains.
"I am Prince Leo of Lux, Son of King Unus, Lord of
All Lands. Come to me."
There was hesitation in the crowd. But at the same
time, there was power and authority in that voice
such as they had never known. And their hearts were
ripe.
One man stepped forward out of the crowd and approached
Prince Leo. His left arm was smashed and he was holding
it up with his right hand. There were tears in his
eyes as he looked at Prince Leo who was also feeling
within his own body the man’s pain.
The little girl on his shoulder turned around to
see what was happening. Prince Leo reached out his
right hand toward the man’s left arm. He allowed his
life force to reach out and touch the man’s own life
force and like a current going through his arm, the
smashed bones and skin began to return to perfect
form.
For a moment everyone stared. They stared into space
and for an instant, though they were not yet born,
remembering a perfect time of a land with healing
waters and brilliant light. They remembered a place
of peace and crystalline happiness. They remembered
something pure.
Prince Leo was rushed by the crowd of people, each
person pushing forth an injured limb, slashed arm,
bleeding heads and every ailment they had procured
both before and during the attack. Prince Leo almost
fell over with the little girl in his arms. He quietly
closed his eyes, amid the cacophony of noise, and
thought of his home, the land of Lux, the glorious
city of Sedes and the mystical waters of Vivere. He
connected his being with the immaculate existence
of the place he called home and seeing before him
the face of his sovereign, a wave was released from
his body, touching and transforming everyone around
him.
Fires were still burning all over the city, devouring
homes, shops, livelihoods. Prince Leo thought that
there had been enough pain and destruction for one
day. He thought it was a good time for a gentle rain
and instantly, warm droplets began to fall from the
dark night sky.
Before him people were crying and celebrating. They
had never experienced or felt what they just did.
With the drops from the sky came hope and a sublime
ring of peace. Prince Leo looked out at them an felt
their relief, their hope and the calm after the storm.
He loved them. He was glad that they were happy but
was distressed that the bodies of the elderly couple
he had seen earlier lay broken, mangled and slashed
outside the city walls.
Prince Leo woke up the next morning with Maeror sleeping
beside him. He recalled she hadn’t left his side the
entire night before. To think that at this very hour,
a day before, she had a mother and father, a home
and a bed to sleep in, a somewhat stable life. A day
later, she lay here on the cold, hard concrete floor
clinging to a perfect stranger for safety and security.
He knew she felt safe with him. The trauma of losing
her parents was abated when she was in his presence.
But what would happen when he had to leave? He knew
he would have to stay here for a few days in this
city and with these people. He would have to help
these people rebuild. He would start his work here.
In this city where he first saw the work of Casus
against his and his father’s people, this is where
he would sow the seeds to corrupt the corruption and
rebel against the rebellion.
But in a matter of days perhaps, it would be time
for him to leave. He would have to go on to different
cities and sow discord there. What would become of
these people? What would become of this six year old
girl suddenly orphaned?
Then where will she live? Who will take care of her?
She just yesterday lost her parents and have attached
herself to me only to be left alone again? I fear
for her.
Allow her to live in her world. Allow her to live
her life. In the world she lives in, they all have
to be strong and tackle their own very different and
distinct life situations. Also don’t forget, I have
some of our people all over Nox. I will watch over
her but you must stay focused on the larger picture.
Remind the people of Nox of my Testament to them.
Tell them to prepare for our arrival and to swear
their loyalties to me so that when I come, I may protect
those that are my own. I am going to destroy the land
of Nox and restore it to its former self. I am going
to turn Nox back into Hortulus, a splendid little
garden of abundant fruit and cool breezes, exquisite
flowers and soft meadows. A place where once again
children can play and be cheerful. A place where my
people can live in peace and happiness.
But father I have to understand. Why this difficult
path to something beautiful? Why did you not crush
Casus from the start or even allow me to liquify him
and his rabble of fools with intense fires? Had it
been so, this child would not be enduring such unspeakable
horrors at this tender age.
In time, you will understand.
The door to the room creaked open and a man poked
his head in.
"Yes. I am well," Leo replied sitting up.
Prince Leo pulled himself off the uncomfortable floor.
Actually his night’s sleep had been horrible. He was
accustomed to the ultimate comforts of the City of
Sedes. His chambers in the palace were lavished with
things that were better than the best anywhere, yet
he had passed the night in the most crude manner.
"We have prepared you meal," the man said.
"Ah, well Fortis, may I wash first?"
"Aye my lord. We have heated water for you."
"Again my thanks Fortis. To both you and your people."
"We are...your people now, my lord."
Prince Leo, somewhat startled by that statement,
turned and looked at the man. Fortis’ head was bowed
down as he felt Prince Leo’s eyes on him.
"I hope so Fortis. I sincerely hope so."
"Let her sleep. She’s been through a lot. When she
wakes, make her wash and bring her to me."
Prince Leo went and washed himself. He was most grateful
for the hot water. It both awakened and revived him.
Though it was only a little comfort, he would learn
to appreciate and enjoy it just as these people did.
He would live with them, the way they lived and thereby
be better able to relate to them and the rest of the
people of Nox. He would show to as many of these people
as were willing, the way to Lux so that there, they
might be able to live better lives. That was his entire
desire, that as many of these people as were willing,
would live better. He would not force or coerce them,
however. Only, as many as were willing to leave this
land or assist him to help others leave, he would
gather to himself and they would join he and his father.
All lands would be one again soon whilst the fate
of Casus, his hordes and those who loved them and
followed them would be blamed on no one. They had
decided to wage war against King Unus and his son
and so they all together will have to bear the consequences
of that decision.
He went out to find Fortis and the others. He was
hungry and felt like it. Smoke still lingered over
the charred pieces of wood and the destruction of
the day before appeared even more obvious and unnecessary
in the morning light.
"Fortis, so where might we have a bit to eat?"
Fortis led the way and Prince Leo followed. He was,
though, uncomfortable with Fortis’ formal manner.
Although he deserved all the honor and respect he
was being given, he wanted more to be seen as a friend.
He wanted these people to love rather than fear him.
"Here my lord," Fortis said pulling a half charred
chair for him at a table covered with old red cloth.
There was a big bowl of meal and some fruit. A pitcher
and a cup sat on the side.
"Why is there only one chair?" asked Prince Leo.
"Where are the other chairs and where is everyone?
Where and when are you going to eat? Have you eaten
at all?"
"Well, where is everyone?"
"They are preparing to eat my lord."
"I would like to eat with them. Is that alright?"
"Of course my lord. As you wish."
"I can’t my lord, forgive me."
"Well, whatever is comfortable for you. But please,
help me take this food to where the rest of the people
are."
Prince Leo took the bowl of meal while Fortis took
the fruit and pitcher and led the way through the
ruins towards the makeshift kitchen. Before they had
even reached the fires over which the meal was being
cooked, they met the curving, swerving lines where
the hungry and battered were hoping to have something
hot in their stomachs. Prince Leo saw some people
sitting around, slurping at the hot breakfast. Some
were eating out of broken bowls, cups, pot and pan
tops, whatever they could find that might be able
to contain the measly ration without spilling it onto
the ground. From the look of things, the city had
also been looted. These people were left with nothing.
"What was the attack about? Who was it anyway that
attacked you?"
"We were attacked by the city Elatus my lord."
"Yes my lord. They are south of this place."
"But you were attacked from three directions."
"They got aid from other cities my lord."
"But why did they attack you so, so viciously?"
"They are better than us my lord. Bigger and stronger.
And we were unable to pay the rent...."
"Rent? Why pay rent? Rent for what?"
"For living here my lord. For about everything, really.
We just pay rent. That’s how its always been."
"Did they build this city?"
"Did they own this land?"
"Own this land? My lord, we have lived here since
the beginning of all."
"Then why do they demand rent?"
"Because they do my lord."
It didn’t make sense. Only under Casus’ rule, Leo
thought to himself as he shook his head, confounded
at what he heard. Only under Casus’ rule.
"What is the name of your city Fortis?"
"Egenus," Prince Leo repeated as he paused for a
while.
"I am changing the name. From now on it shall be
called Spes."
They reached the heart of the kitchen and met the
women in rags, grinding corn and wheat and pouring
it into a boiling caldron of water. They were all
shocked to see Prince Leo in their midst, obviously
not eating elsewhere.
A woman came up to him slowly and with her head bowed
down. Without raising her head to look at him, she
asked him a question.
"Is there something wrong with your meal my lord?"
"No," Prince Leo replied. "Nothing at all. I would
just like us all to eat together that’s all."
The woman looked at Fortis as if expecting him to
translate what she had just heard. She seemed unable
to understand why he, Prince Leo, would want to eat
with them.
"But where will you sit my lord," the woman asked,
her head still bowed down.
"I will sit where everyone sits," Prince Leo replied
as he reached out his hand under her chin and lifted
her head so that he could see her face and she could
see his.
Prince Leo took his bowl, went to the line and pulled
a boy and a girl out of the line, inviting them to
eat with him. They seemed timid at first, but their
growling stomachs soon got the best of them. They
all three sat on the ground together and ate the bowl
of meal while it was still hot. The children didn’t
talk much but ate heartily. These children too had
lost parents in the attack.
Soon the meal was all gone and Prince Leo gave the
fruit to the children who ran off. He went over to
Fortis who had been helping the women.
Prince Leo knew why. There wasn’t enough for everybody.
"Fortis, eat. There will be more than enough for
all of us. Trust me. Eat friend. There is much to
do."
Fortis was a strong man but had been broken the day
before. He had lost a wife and all of five children.
He was all alone. He had no idea that Prince Leo was
aware of the fact that he had snuck out of the city
late last night with all of their bodies and buried
them outside the city walls. Prince Leo knew that
this big, strong man had been brought to heart rending
sobs alone in the dark, moonless night and was even
now having trouble seeing hope and purpose for the
future.
That is why, for Fortis, Maeror, and all the survivors
of the terrible day before, Prince Leo would make
sure that there would be a bright and shining sun
high up in their dark sky.
Maeror ran to him and jumped into his arms. Prince
Leo picked her up and swung her around. She screamed
with laughter and he put her down.
"Have you eaten?" he asked her.
"Well, go on and get something to eat. Okay?"
A young lady came and took Maeror away. Fortis came
up to him.
"My lord, we have good news. We have found twenty
more bags of corn and six bags of wheat that the soldiers
didn’t see or overlooked! There will be more than
enough for everybody, but for today that is."
"Fortis," Prince Leo spoke softly while staring into
space. "How many people survived?"
"Three hundred," Fortis replied with his head bowed
and his mood suddenly changing. He was obviously struggling
with his emotions.
"Out of how many," Prince Leo asked.
A tear streaked down the face of Fortis. Prince Leo
put his hand on his shoulder.
"There is coming a brighter day friend, in spite
of your loss."
"There can never be," Fortis replied, anger evident
in his voice.
Fortis raised his head and looked Prince Leo in the
eyes.
"If you say my lord," Fortis tried to look away.
"I do say! Call the people. I will speak to them.
Men, women and children."
"How many men do we have?"
"The rest women and children?"
"Starting now, every male child shall be a man and
every female child shall be a woman. Bring them to
me Fortis. There is much to do."
The Omnibus web site
is protected by copyright under U.S. and international
law. You may view and use materials on The Omnibus web
site for your personal, noncommercial use only. The
Omnibus web site contains links to other sites on the
World Wide Web. Links to and from other web sites do
not constitute endorsement by The Omnibus of any other
web site or its contents. The Omnibus web site, including
all content, software, functions and information, is
provided "as is." The Omnibus makes no representations
or warranties of any kind regarding The Omnibus web
site or links to or from other sites on the World Wide
Web.
|
