tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96605612024-03-17T18:04:39.569-05:00Snow's Eclectic JournalClick title to REFESH the Blog of David DeLane SnowSnowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.comBlogger1623125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-90837817057204528602024-03-17T18:03:00.010-05:002024-03-17T18:03:58.772-05:00TAROT<p> <a href="https://www.tarot.com/readings-reports/tarot-readings/free?deck=rider">Free Tarot Reading | Tarot.com</a></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhawul6OyodJK4KMvYR1s0w6sEaUWiftJioKEKgOKOcuk81Bm_sS0wffP7rFagOtvtWbqaKVixXX1o5rlbbvZxoVHYJ4jus4e6c6q52OGkKNm8NiSd0zo9lSP-mK7nmUDSaSpHTWll74ZE0JKO4bNMKz8tMtVq0Ih9wmW5pf9REkarDvQ403Q6w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="713" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhawul6OyodJK4KMvYR1s0w6sEaUWiftJioKEKgOKOcuk81Bm_sS0wffP7rFagOtvtWbqaKVixXX1o5rlbbvZxoVHYJ4jus4e6c6q52OGkKNm8NiSd0zo9lSP-mK7nmUDSaSpHTWll74ZE0JKO4bNMKz8tMtVq0Ih9wmW5pf9REkarDvQ403Q6w=w647-h311" width="647" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>.</p>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-21002034903469139002024-03-17T01:48:00.003-05:002024-03-17T01:48:17.348-05:00THE WITCHES OF PAGANDOM<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE PEOPLE OF THE CLIFF</span></b><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-align: center;">. . . . .</span></blockquote><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge79HUFa_wTjbynHyyAn038jM4pYUf_q1bLboOyAZlNrTsfkIvMTUQ58aAbjKskvqdw6jqWL24UuyTwoTm9HtrdLgNO00D7GMi3Bh7J-KEXaTfAEDwpsCcbPaU73JS20AxdgJv9mDrwG43OZHrX7OJPu1eMgVrMdTiZXdzSnxuNVEx6jVD2khJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="567" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge79HUFa_wTjbynHyyAn038jM4pYUf_q1bLboOyAZlNrTsfkIvMTUQ58aAbjKskvqdw6jqWL24UuyTwoTm9HtrdLgNO00D7GMi3Bh7J-KEXaTfAEDwpsCcbPaU73JS20AxdgJv9mDrwG43OZHrX7OJPu1eMgVrMdTiZXdzSnxuNVEx6jVD2khJ=w401-h385" width="401" /></a></div><br /><p></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> The range of Blue Mountains ended before the Bay of Luhun, with a single peak whose face had fallen away long ago. The sheer, cliffside was peppered with caves. Those grottos had always been inhabited for as long as recounted memory; places of refuge for those seeking shelter or seclusion from others.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> With the western migrations, that followed the Great War to end all wars, even the empty Gray Harbor had been transformed into a thriving city of Men; led by a Remnant of Fair Folk. When those Fair Rulers increased their control over the realm of Eriduah some men found they could no longer follow such righteous leaders and so were cast aside as Apostates. </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> One such Apostate was a liar called Salamone. Through whispered rumors and secret signs weak-minded ones sought him out in the forest of Norwood. Such ones accepted that wicked sorcerer’s wayward teachings. For, by means of magical enchantments, and twisted tales would he deceive those dissidents after their loss of faith. Having lost their way, they soon added to their guilt with vile practices not condoned by the true Mitharian Sons of God. Thusly were they denounced as Witches, and apostates they gathered in caves. The people of those cliff caves thereafter refused the guidance of the Anointed Remnant and ever strove to unravel their doctrines with cunning words and slanderous lies themselves.</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-align: center;">………………………………</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> A group of people, who had never met one another before, all found themselves traveling in the same direction along the eastern road. They were strangers who had temporarily set aside their families and responsibilities in search of understanding the greater mysteries in life. They had come from various places throughout the realm of Eriduah, suddenly finding themselves among other strangers dressed as them, wearing simple sandals, and hooded white robes. They all appeared without rank, distinction, or high status, and as equals. To any who may have witnessed the trope pass along, they would have appeared as quiet pilgrims heading for an unknown retreat. Following their initial greeting, each had learned the group was indeed heading for the same destination, the Dim-bar way, after which they remained silent, unnamed seekers even among themselves for the duration of their long journey east.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> None of them carried food provisions or walking sticks, but a single white pebble etched with their own name. These tightly held stones were to be a token offered at their journey’s end, for it was a marker that they had indeed fulfilled their sacred task; a once in a lifetime goal, finally achieved.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> In that last month of spring, before the summer would reign hot over the land, those twenty-one strangers found themselves rounding the final leg of their journey as the Triple Mount now stood behind them. One at a time, without command they each curiously looked back and gazed high upon the cliffs, at the only entrance into the Last Dwarven Kingdom of Jebul. Before them lay the Gulf of Dim-bar and the mouth of the Blue River. Standing on its banks they turned northward to the left and in time soon came to a sturdy, solid bridge by which to cross over into the ancient Forest of Norwood, and once there, enter the Paharuth-Eru, The Holy Meeting Place of The One.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> After three days of fasting without nourishment or sleep, those white-clad devotees found themselves at long last crossing the lonely bridge beneath the cool shade of Norwood’s canopy. A brief stretch from the bridge’s landing those silent, weary travelers saw that two long tables had been prepared for them in advance. One table was adorned with simple flatbread, and either roasted boar or deer. A space apart the other table was well stocked with exactly twenty-one clay goblets and pitchers of water and wine. Seated on the ground, in between both of those tables was an old man whose back was to the new arrivals. He was dressed as one of them. Upon hearing their footfalls leaving the bridge he happily called aloud, “Hail and welcome! You may freely partake of the provided feast and be refreshed.” Then, hearing they had begun to eagerly accept his invitation, the old man continued, “Come, this side, and gather about these spiraling of stones, when all stand ready, we shall begin.” One by one they did as he instructed and soon all had encircled the old man’s encampment. He gestured for them to be seated on the ground as he was.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> It was then, when they had begun to enjoy their meal, the host began speaking. “Several years ago, in my youth, many of our people traveled this way as pilgrims, and we greatly rejoiced to have even made it this far. For on this very spot, we gathered as a multitude, and where a most profound event occurred. We had gathered to rest, and then in seeing the need, it was we who built the only bridge that crosses the Blue River, that very one that led you here before me. The following day just before breaking camp, a stranger came among our host. He was a most frail looking, man but spoke bold words even unto our leader.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> “He charged us to be true to ourselves, even more astonishing he called us to be single-minded in our allegiance to The One alone! In was in that very moment as he spoke, even a stone’s throw from the Great Sea before us an octopus came ashore, walked on its many legs and did sit upon the stranger’s foot, and began to speak, repeating stranger’s very words. Then from over our newly made bridge a thorned lizard came and sat upon the man’s other foot, and it too spoke aloud admonishing words the man and octopus had only uttered moments before!</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> “If those deeds were not the most astounding enough to witness, there suddenly came the crushing sound on a roaring wind with the beating of a thousand cicada wings that took flight from the forest’s canopy and they too did light upon the three, from head to foot. The insects covered both man and creatures and began to shrill as with a single echoing voice, saying, ‘Be faithful and true unto yourselves and more so even unto me for I am Eru, THE HOLY ONE, the originator of songs who sang all beings and things into existence!’ It was then that the octopus, lizard, and even the stranger himself -- vanished from sight. For the swarming host of cicadas dissipated in all directions like a wind-driven smoke from a fireless pit!” Instantly the shouting old man sprung to his feet startling all the seated devotees gathered about him on the ground.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMa6qXLe86SorfjEEzIYJgsImq0VjBKohhA6NT9wD8997OwYl-GEWxlTnRdzm4VOeUkQTRfkq8VFnii_yXLKrBZAY5wu93Iop3ise1qtn9nD0_Ip7lDrQViP1z_Cz1D589aD2jBIUp961RFva2zpZEJb6ixOnnwIJiO3KQ2FPcSYpew3fmxM1A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMa6qXLe86SorfjEEzIYJgsImq0VjBKohhA6NT9wD8997OwYl-GEWxlTnRdzm4VOeUkQTRfkq8VFnii_yXLKrBZAY5wu93Iop3ise1qtn9nD0_Ip7lDrQViP1z_Cz1D589aD2jBIUp961RFva2zpZEJb6ixOnnwIJiO3KQ2FPcSYpew3fmxM1A=w614-h818" width="614" /></a></div><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> The last of them had finished eating even as the old man had completed his story. Then motioning for them to join him on their feet the old man said, “I am Salamone, and am the last of those who remained behind of that departing multitude, and I have outlived them all who did stay behind”, then acknowledging that they had had no plates to bother with the old man added, “You may leave your empty cups on the ground before your feet.”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> After they had done so, Salamone smiled, “I vividly recall the miracle that stranger displayed that evening. For that was ninety-six years ago on this very day, when Middle Earth witnessed something that had never been seen before nor even uttered during the long lives of Dwarves, Elves, or Men. This I share with you in truth, The One, Eru had never been manifested in flesh nor even on that night, but His VOICE alone! Neither was it of man or beast. For the VOICE was something utterly unworldly, and divine that was accomplished in the sight of us all and shared with you as truth.” The silent crowd was spellbound before the old man.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Salamone then said, “From the very moment when each of you accompanied one another on the road, you were being initiated into this very moment before you now. For henceforth none of you shall deny or ever forget what is about to occur. Each of you brought a stone, but now it is no longer yours! Look and see! For now, your very name has been erased as you are now in the presence of ERU! Behold the sigil of The One.”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Looking down at the rocks they had brought with them each person let out an astonished gasp of disbelief. The old man’s words were true. Their names had disappeared from the white stones and had been replaced with the black-etched outline of an eye symbol. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha29o53-jBlR4eiXEk0sYIN76cS8BAW3PF4aIgCtFWih0hdFpmXp1bO0FvRt0i432VUMk-CLtJPgVWS6U7XxO3edsTeBpuMTQWIlhJu1g3gnlj2BqXi69lvVuPceC858SX5etgnnNIgHF5erMky8a__R1ZuI8y8izk7PcVIHqRoQPI1PoHeGpy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha29o53-jBlR4eiXEk0sYIN76cS8BAW3PF4aIgCtFWih0hdFpmXp1bO0FvRt0i432VUMk-CLtJPgVWS6U7XxO3edsTeBpuMTQWIlhJu1g3gnlj2BqXi69lvVuPceC858SX5etgnnNIgHF5erMky8a__R1ZuI8y8izk7PcVIHqRoQPI1PoHeGpy=w278-h370" width="278" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Only then did a young man break the crowd’s silence, and asked, “Master Salamone you indeed have all our collective attention. What is to happen next and where are we to go from here?”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> A long pause passed as the old man walked in front of them, looking each one directly in their eyes, “With every twenty-fifth stone that is placed upon the ground a miracle has happened, for as that person stands upon them all as upon a stage they vanish before our eyes, never to be seen again. Or might I say, had never returned here to share their unknown, experiences.” Silence followed.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> A woman who was third from the end asked, “Master, is that the reason why some of the stones have been painted red?”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> “Most observant my dear, that is the very reason, and as we can all see, six stones from it leaves you as the chosen one among us with the twenty-fifth stone,” he said this, looking at the questioning woman.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> “May I decline and be replaced by another?”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> His smile faded, “If you so desire, another may –”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> “I shall take her place, Master.” Salamone, nodded to a young man at the head of the line, and they switched places. Then, one by one the devotees laid their river stones next in line continuing the spiral upon the ground. One at a time they stood in the middle of the Spiral pathway. When nothing happened, they resumed their place in line. Then as the young man who had switched his place in line stepped up, he was instantly, no longer there! Everyone gasped aloud! The last two in line placed theirs and again as before, nothing happened.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> With those remaining believers staring wide-eyed at the old man, he said, “Last night before you crossed the bridge, these red-capped mushrooms sprung up. In carefully taking them up and making a tincture of tea each one of you in turn will be offered a sip. You may all decline, or you may all accept, or maybe only a few shall brave a taste from this poisoned cup. But for those of you who do partake, you shall witness where that one has gone.”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span><br /><i style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It was then the same woman who had refused before asked, </span><i style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“</i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Have you ever drank of your own tea?”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> He smiled, “</span><a name="m_3261920317465946262__Hlk161134897" style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Cerintha</a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> of Kathos, to be honest, my dear, I have only tasted that from my dipped finger.” She was astonished he called her by name.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> “Do you know us all by name and place, Master Salamone?”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> “I do indeed, Sal’vinose of Mithar, once a Priest in the Third Order.”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> An older man asked, “Sir, what about those who drank what had been offered them, what did they see?”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> He answered with, ”I have seen what many have shared, but only those who drank did so of their own free will and have shared as they may of their own experience.”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Again, the older man asked, “What kind of stories did they tell?”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Salamone smiled, ”Only they may share if they so wish, in the most limiting of words to express the inexpressible things beheld in that unseen realm.”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> A young man spoke up, ”I am Drewmel, son of Dothmel of Slavath. I made my first pilgrimage here seven years ago. I saw a lush field and hummingbird while I was – there, and it spoke to me, saying that he was made a Scribe for the Mistress of that Gazebo; she was a bearer of a God Stone.”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> One asked, “Who is she?”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Then another asked, ”What is a God Stone?”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> “What else did you see, Drewmel,” This time it was Salamone himself who asked?</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> “I was standing there,” he pointed to the spiraling of pebbles on the ground before everyone, “and then I was standing there, in the midst of four, huge Standing Stones near the Oasis of Orid, but for some time in-between here and there I was in the lush field speaking to the bird of the gazebo.”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Cerintha said, “There are no standing stones near the Oasis, for I have been there many times to trade with the Bedouins of Orid.”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> “Do not ask me how I know, but only that I do; four years from now the first of the great standing pillars shall appear to the wonder and speculation of the entire realm.”</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> With that Master Salamone added, “As I said before, none of you will be unchanged by this experience, and in answer to your previous question, these are the God stones, and this is their power: to know without knowing how.” All the while he had been collecting and preparing the mushrooms from a small fire that had only now begun to show its light as evening was drawing near. It was then Salamone had completed his tea made from the mushrooms, and slowly walked in front of that gathering a second time and offered a single goblet for them to partake of their own.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixbOSOQI7tN2b3s72COIqxWANQOnk6KxXHQGm5MZo-jDC-aOIieC61PobPs8YW9Ke2j_2-q-sV969TTv358UtdHC25whZ2izbQ4whN46jyYsBRWCI0h-vKctVprAbhuDSss79jjIZXu7KvoH22sv-tEwgdTcCFSVcEkBNsIxz4VK61M-ptsusg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="862" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixbOSOQI7tN2b3s72COIqxWANQOnk6KxXHQGm5MZo-jDC-aOIieC61PobPs8YW9Ke2j_2-q-sV969TTv358UtdHC25whZ2izbQ4whN46jyYsBRWCI0h-vKctVprAbhuDSss79jjIZXu7KvoH22sv-tEwgdTcCFSVcEkBNsIxz4VK61M-ptsusg=w631-h628" width="631" /></a></div><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Three refused to rest drink from the cup. To those who refused the old man said, “You may watch from behind the tables where you first entered, and you who have tasted from the cup may now be seated once again.” When all had complied, their host stood in the middle of the spiraling pebbles and raised both of his hands skyward, “Eru Illuvatar! Grand God, you who are alone worthy of praise for whom even the Vala stand in awe, allow us briefly to know your presence for ourselves.” With that, the old man vanished from their sight!</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> One of the three, a Valinsor by name, ran in fright over the bridge and never looked back. The two others beyond the tables stayed and watched as their companions lay flat upon the ground, even as some had begun to shake uncontrollably as in a fit of fever. Long into the night, they watched even until dawn. Only at its breaking did their fits and fevers subsided. Some awoke and began speaking in hushed whispers with one another, as others sat up tearfully embracing. They all had expressions of joy on their face as the old man suddenly reappeared.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> The two near the tables, Tanran and Filasbar, (both of Kathos), who had not drunk of the cup also ran off in search of Valinsor, who had run off before them.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> When all had regained themselves, and shared their experiences, Salamone admonished the gathering to never share with outsiders, “For in truth only now do you begin to understand the origin of Witches! Indeed, they began from here, like the Mitharian Apostates, you too have begun to think and see things for yourselves. The Order of that Brotherhood condemns such independent thinking.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> “Behold! Eru is beyond man’s simple comprehension even as the Vala themselves are but splintering manifestations of his thoughts, and they are far from understanding the totality of The One!” With many such things did he teach and share with them and they with him. A few weeks later, after they returned home, many found themselves unable to return to the teachings of Varlendur’s Tower cult; for with their many questions, they found themselves cast out and shunned by the very ones who confessed to love them eternally. A year later, another returning group shared that Salamone had been slain, apparently soon after they left, with no one claiming responsibility.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZogFv2OxQK-akDhL-m8chOT7NyMsy5iEvZWA2Cp8ycZ3_UEoocFkeoJCYUHPsyC-gy2uYKEM-TbDgNyRNHAHlEk-46kV1jCCPk55oV_zQCHoDt8KwkHsm5SYQmNwCbHWnP7ya8SUeTmt0-M-DqviUqZBVdoROVzFxX6c4lDjqLdPuEPvwCheV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="585" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZogFv2OxQK-akDhL-m8chOT7NyMsy5iEvZWA2Cp8ycZ3_UEoocFkeoJCYUHPsyC-gy2uYKEM-TbDgNyRNHAHlEk-46kV1jCCPk55oV_zQCHoDt8KwkHsm5SYQmNwCbHWnP7ya8SUeTmt0-M-DqviUqZBVdoROVzFxX6c4lDjqLdPuEPvwCheV=w439-h585" width="439" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">. . . </div></span><div class="gmail-gA gmail-gt gmail-acV" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top: none; text-align: left;"><div class="gmail-gB gmail-xu"><div class="gmail-ip gmail-iq" style="border-top: none; padding: 16px 0px;"><div class="gmail-adn gmail-ads" style="display: flex; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="gmail-gs" style="margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; width: initial;"><div class="gmail-"><div class="gmail-ii gmail-gt" id="gmail-:pg" style="margin: 8px 0px 0px; overflow-x: hidden; padding: 0px;"><div class="gmail-a3s gmail-aiL msg3261920317465946262" id="gmail-:ph"><div bgcolor="white" lang="EN-US" style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div class="m_3261920317465946262WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="gmail-gA gmail-gt gmail-acV" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top: none;"><div class="gmail-gB gmail-xu"><div class="gmail-ip gmail-iq" style="border-top: none; padding: 16px 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.95px; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><u></u></span></p></div></div></div></div></div>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-3421251706411207242024-03-16T12:00:00.004-05:002024-03-16T12:00:42.672-05:00CARDS<p> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Smoostart-Guidebook-Waterproof-Anti-Wrinkle-Professional/dp/B09P1V7RJW/ref=sr_1_91?crid=3BGQRDT86WAAK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UqJA0k3HNLXrmPbk4TJk1yUk6WUpNYafNkDtKfGPvm3G31Q8KrmH9IwEfO3ACyOEOtGhwikJ2TXEEfQxHsuPHvVpYlIPsmXnrvaMXKJVERZgiiqyqN8iXTYSc7nWD0IsEvLVu2wUFL5TFr1OvWtjw65UiLOfb8KVgFnd5Dckfuq93zdyumunELC69KeBUzexy8j9h4rZeDq3bZnwdVkHeykYp5MsXQQKH8kPL3ZtBA-2DEmZicc7U0FxEHLPWZdDQIkM_7CtMjM8ZK7-mZX0KLf2UtXFC0MSo4tqpk0jIOA.9BiFsRv5Bsptnv4LvYWOyb3zM6wDFKpPkHY4O1YL4UI&dib_tag=se&keywords=tarot%2Bcard%2C%2Blord%2Bof%2Bthe%2Brings&qid=1710608006&sprefix=tarot%2Bcard%2C%2Blord%2Bof%2Bthe%2Brings%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-91&th=1">Amazon.com: Smoostart 78 Tarot Cards with Guidebook, Classic Tarot Cards Deck for Beginners and Professional Player Future Telling Game (Gold Rimless) : Toys & Games</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-32667343659063832602024-02-19T08:52:00.003-06:002024-02-19T08:52:28.477-06:00Sampo | Mythology | Full Movie | English Subtitles<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/kZEaQezFzPc?si=wKcYJW1q8r9M1Xvs" width="480"></iframe></div>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-29882777469126201902024-02-03T07:32:00.003-06:002024-02-03T07:32:35.920-06:00DePrograming: What really wakes one of Jehovah's Witnesses up<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/SPZlQfH2Wc4?si=5BEDilwEAABNBl2_" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SPZlQfH2Wc4/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-52901646786415269532024-01-28T07:21:00.005-06:002024-01-28T07:21:56.408-06:00ANTEDILUVIAN Fonts<p> <a href="https://sacred-texts.com/atl/ataw/ataw307.htm">Atlantis, the Antediluvian World: Part III: Chapter VII: The Origin of Our Alphabet (sacred-texts.com)</a> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkLQ8c3lK3USA-6Clpv0LgSWVAyCdp-VYfoHJsVfHU5DhdQfc25HGSQoC6-DuFLVqETJ6YAmjjkNx6d8gnPCJtTlx_oadZUR6TKNGujkJRfNRsfcnUdX9VsfrbQZQvWlzxR6j-rAANTWRmrn3jQCzQ7V-I6lqac_S8pxsAQ982_2p5Lv1pP_R/s600/z-FONTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="388" height="545" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkLQ8c3lK3USA-6Clpv0LgSWVAyCdp-VYfoHJsVfHU5DhdQfc25HGSQoC6-DuFLVqETJ6YAmjjkNx6d8gnPCJtTlx_oadZUR6TKNGujkJRfNRsfcnUdX9VsfrbQZQvWlzxR6j-rAANTWRmrn3jQCzQ7V-I6lqac_S8pxsAQ982_2p5Lv1pP_R/w352-h545/z-FONTS.jpg" width="352" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">........................................................</div><br /><p><br /></p>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-47016053451908201622024-01-27T15:34:00.011-06:002024-01-27T16:25:51.356-06:00 DOCTRINES and STANDARDS <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>The Wise Words of Silas</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b> The Quill of Eru </b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">(Blessed Be His Name).</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQ7TVnhqV2rriMVjn6QkBJ-mo8hhJGmOdpzljQWrq73IcXeeq6KxuTAKJvLbXNcGTVE5DjOtdXAvDVf9eN-O98JZn6iY5bpVIl8gDi7wm-5AKaED4ghnlUUlTZpH0jftuXiZ27zQTMyLEwHk51Wvy-ChLftfXPOuVLT0fglz9hlQc-ImHLMW-/s720/z-BAG%20and%20script.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQ7TVnhqV2rriMVjn6QkBJ-mo8hhJGmOdpzljQWrq73IcXeeq6KxuTAKJvLbXNcGTVE5DjOtdXAvDVf9eN-O98JZn6iY5bpVIl8gDi7wm-5AKaED4ghnlUUlTZpH0jftuXiZ27zQTMyLEwHk51Wvy-ChLftfXPOuVLT0fglz9hlQc-ImHLMW-/w398-h299/z-BAG%20and%20script.jpg" width="398" /></span></a></div></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">THE ORDER OF THE BROTHERHOOD</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">of the </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Mitharian Sons of God</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #e4e6eb; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlGZgVLLpZAe6SZONLKBq9m0uErzIS78t_40Ec77aVE80VIgGp2I_meM1qaVRO-gixxm1VAmJyg4lboQN_GdL5e75qz846MK7OqPqi_B7xF5XtXHvDoGKoIqj4MK2ajv1TSFY3sUcXrYQ1rqOeQEyIOOKdrcKXl9xm0mi1c63cB0dG-2-4TykG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlGZgVLLpZAe6SZONLKBq9m0uErzIS78t_40Ec77aVE80VIgGp2I_meM1qaVRO-gixxm1VAmJyg4lboQN_GdL5e75qz846MK7OqPqi_B7xF5XtXHvDoGKoIqj4MK2ajv1TSFY3sUcXrYQ1rqOeQEyIOOKdrcKXl9xm0mi1c63cB0dG-2-4TykG" width="320" /></a></div><span><span style="color: #e4e6eb;"><br /></span><span style="color: #ffa400;">LISTEN</span></span></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>I</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #e4e6eb;"> </span><span style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none;"><a style="animation-name: none; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="color: #e4e6eb;">What appeared as confused and bitter revenge misplaced and easily rebuffed was instead the very hand of </span><b><a href="https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Il%C3%BAvatar" target="_blank"><span style="color: #01ffff;">Eru Illuvatar</span></a></b><span style="color: #e4e6eb;"> in his full, unseen power! For he wiped aside what could have been a formidable force, utterly laying to waste his sleeping children. Awake! Arise! Oh, you slumbering daughters of Men to the unseen hand of Eru, and unheard by ears the song blaring within your hearts calling you to heed him. Just as the One-Eru has appointed your King, to be as a ship’s rudder, and lead his people to glory; so too has He anointed His High Priest like the wind-filled sail to guide and encourage the bereft and weary to great heights. Heed that call you children of Lindol in the north and you of Mithlond in the south, do not go astray either. Hear the second chores meant for the hearts of men alone! For elves of Middle-Earth have fled for their Undying Lands to serve their lesser gods, the Vala. But now is the Age of Man come now is the call of Eru, He that Creator of the Vala themselves, there is none greater than </span><a href="https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Il%C3%BAvatar" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #01ffff;">Illuvatar</span></b></a><span style="color: #e4e6eb;">!</span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; text-align: right; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>--Silas, The Quill of Eru</i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #e4e6eb; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRgZCc13jVtti22EPEeX4PyRAkO7B1jN_3Eie4pwxxMv6tCn_aTeefTiGJhlCflIDYz9nltomFWoZOx7nGAOhEXnw4UqDUWCuyZAtKY42tUSN2iQtg79UXjcGu5Eg27ZWqCChunoXFfpj_V6AOHMT-Y-7dWLQHDbgP9UhezAC2uhjPu9avk46J" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRgZCc13jVtti22EPEeX4PyRAkO7B1jN_3Eie4pwxxMv6tCn_aTeefTiGJhlCflIDYz9nltomFWoZOx7nGAOhEXnw4UqDUWCuyZAtKY42tUSN2iQtg79UXjcGu5Eg27ZWqCChunoXFfpj_V6AOHMT-Y-7dWLQHDbgP9UhezAC2uhjPu9avk46J" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #ffa400;">GATHER NOW</span></b></span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: large;"><b>II</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-size: large; transition-property: none;"><span style="color: #e4e6eb;"> There is a secret flame, most imperishable and ignited only from the essence of </span><a href="https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Il%C3%BAvatar" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #01ffff;">Eru</span></b></a><span style="color: #e4e6eb;"> Himself, not devised nor understood even by the heavenly host of Vala. Animating the heart of Men by His Creator, Illuvatar - The One and Always! For only Eru can unquench that which he alone forged of Himself! Circumstances of sorrow or bliss are like the fleeting moments of dew’s happiness. Yet is there a true joy, well-grounded in Eru alone, that which no man can ever steal </span><span style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none;"><a style="animation-name: none; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="color: #e4e6eb;">away, even if allowed ever so briefly in torment shall Eru’s Light, well up inside as strength unforeseen in the depth of utter darkness. Be of good cheer and despair not you frail-minded daughters of Men. For indeed you are Remembered - Mithar! Follow and gather together as one you Remembered People - Mithar of Eru. You are chosen from among the middle land of Eriduah to rejoice in the truth, now awaken in your time. COME! Embrace the deeper things yet to be unfolded of a more accurate knowledge He reveals to His obedient - Sons of God!</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; text-align: right; transition-property: none;"><i>--Silas, The Quill of Eru</i></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; text-align: right; transition-property: none;"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; text-align: right; transition-property: none;"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; text-align: right; transition-property: none;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #e4e6eb; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtc-50rYcIYljc0w-TPeGHs0eATzJGCjKeg67uGB4e1iJvRb5aeFVptreZ4-rxpcRM0pxoSSoRK0uSa_LL0sM4AOzH_pRkrYFZZ1ijpClblheAltaeY3Qno32chkxpZSF12U3dVMqVvYKAKzOT_RfC9dAdje-XY1wlvAU-sWTd0aMIiOj_yXFz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtc-50rYcIYljc0w-TPeGHs0eATzJGCjKeg67uGB4e1iJvRb5aeFVptreZ4-rxpcRM0pxoSSoRK0uSa_LL0sM4AOzH_pRkrYFZZ1ijpClblheAltaeY3Qno32chkxpZSF12U3dVMqVvYKAKzOT_RfC9dAdje-XY1wlvAU-sWTd0aMIiOj_yXFz" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #ffa400;">ECHO</span></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: large;"><b>III</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-size: large; transition-property: none;"><span style="color: #e4e6eb;"> In the vast agelessness before even time itself there alone was Eru, The One and Always! </span><b><span style="color: #01ffff;">Eru-Illuvatar</span></b><span style="color: #e4e6eb;"> alone. He sang, and from that immense song, did manifest the Vala, they who were the very aspects of his person. The Vala sang that which they were and back unto Eru, of their echo they, in turn, manifested Arda’s world and its entirety. The first children of Arda were the elves who later abandoned their treasured place in Arda, and then the second-born came into </span><span style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none;"><a style="animation-name: none; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="color: #e4e6eb;">their own. Instead of revering the Vala they rightfully worshiped Eru alone, Gifter of the Flame of truth. The Men of Mithar are the Keepers of Eru’s truth. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; transition-property: none;"> Eru, Vala and Arda; The All. Yet in the last days upon the world following the Great Departure do Men now begin their days in the Fourth Age of Arda. We are the Remembered - Mithar, of Eru. Of this grand Song you have heard before in the eldest of Scrolls long kept by your fathers and those elders of even the Elves but did not understand, come and gather at Mithar, and the truth there shall be unsheathed and taught to your aching hearts, Oh daughters of Men!</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; text-align: right; transition-property: none;"><i>--Silas, The Quill of Eru</i></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; transition-property: none;"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #e4e6eb; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirkTtTn1C4pVuzZb6FcRLXbMSYDg3A8dzBqiT4K6FFKXPosYpUKlC6vsYXbN3JRG8GGqE70kq7nGY8e7UFP1mcFbaU21bKvUKMJWOJ4ydRfV0u_I3REAFGpzTgk_mrtJH_sOlQKPJfnsTbJS7u0BLyrycQTH5vFbjtw1sG3IPa3-Tb15Pfej6y" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirkTtTn1C4pVuzZb6FcRLXbMSYDg3A8dzBqiT4K6FFKXPosYpUKlC6vsYXbN3JRG8GGqE70kq7nGY8e7UFP1mcFbaU21bKvUKMJWOJ4ydRfV0u_I3REAFGpzTgk_mrtJH_sOlQKPJfnsTbJS7u0BLyrycQTH5vFbjtw1sG3IPa3-Tb15Pfej6y" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #ffa400;">MITHAR</span></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: large;"><b>IV</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-size: large; transition-property: none;"><span style="color: #e4e6eb;"> In the</span><a href="https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Fourth_Age" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #01ffff;"> fourth age</span></b></a><span style="color: #e4e6eb;"> of the coming of Men, new chores of Eru’s song manifested true joy awakened in the hearts of his children. To them, who were brave enough in courage to heed its call deep within Eru gifted them the right to be called The Sons of God! Oh, listen you wayward one of Eriduah to this new understanding of the most ancient, discarded scrolls left dusty in Lindol’s stone vault. Even as a babe matures, so too is the understanding of a child into Manhood </span><span style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none;"><a style="animation-name: none; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="color: #e4e6eb;">and is awakened from his slumbering thoughts of selfishness and grief’s sorrow. Arise you called to be Chosen unto a new truth that you indeed matter in the wide world of things; for the King leads his people to victory, the High Priest encourages the weary and Eru emboldens His own! Gather unto the city of Mithlond, that gray haven renamed Mithar! For the Remembered are awake in Eru!</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: right; transition-property: none;"><i>-Silas, The Quill of Eru</i></div></div></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; transition-property: none;"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5oCertKNQFn9Z4SKL2Pj8hUgSzUfQ48Zufe-xC_-OFn3QSo8Zc8Xo5mmd_y2tJHhxbiSBNSIsB1QXvgTeXPQ_W8LEjHR9GtamhO0nJt1_6fvn04hDr9IrF4BMt8RoPiXqcnR-1bcTyCQ4xBd2unxQU82AJpWxMH2U0ToVafTESYWksxNdfRgw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5oCertKNQFn9Z4SKL2Pj8hUgSzUfQ48Zufe-xC_-OFn3QSo8Zc8Xo5mmd_y2tJHhxbiSBNSIsB1QXvgTeXPQ_W8LEjHR9GtamhO0nJt1_6fvn04hDr9IrF4BMt8RoPiXqcnR-1bcTyCQ4xBd2unxQU82AJpWxMH2U0ToVafTESYWksxNdfRgw" width="320" /></a></div></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">WATER</span></b></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: large;"><b>V</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; transition-property: none;"> The Mithar, The Remembered by Eru, you who follow His calling in the depths of your heart’s true Flame. Eru blessed the Mithar, His remembered, and out of all the wandering lost of Eriduah’s wilderness He did gather them unto Himself. Yet, mixed in among the Chosen, do the Lost remain like weeds in a wondrous garden needing to be plucked and removed! Unto you, Mitharians, who gather in that house once called Mithlond, be not ashamed to share the <span style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><a style="animation-name: none; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>light within you. Though even unfolding even as the light gets brighter and brighter from daybreak to high noon’s gather market, so is the progression of His Word! So too, the more a plant takes in treasured water shall it grow in the dawn’s warmth. Gather unto the Tower of Strong Friends; for at Varlendur shall the Sons of God find Eru’s truth.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: right; transition-property: none;"><i>-Silas, The Quill of Eru</i></div></div></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; transition-property: none;"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #e4e6eb; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1DVE8S1hWs0OqcPvR7jTvWepf_4mlS4UO4crlFsLiJ9UTqQ6SSIrvgeM99tAx7uPT8pjC7MQHaF1WVIlv15oILqStAhKyUCZfc2UVIBOeXyAm7FanZKlNwqLJQIiLXpBguJg3vIXkRUvEVfCOiepWU-IVLFGQ8m84q1RMvHFXECIbunL8x8gQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1DVE8S1hWs0OqcPvR7jTvWepf_4mlS4UO4crlFsLiJ9UTqQ6SSIrvgeM99tAx7uPT8pjC7MQHaF1WVIlv15oILqStAhKyUCZfc2UVIBOeXyAm7FanZKlNwqLJQIiLXpBguJg3vIXkRUvEVfCOiepWU-IVLFGQ8m84q1RMvHFXECIbunL8x8gQ" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #ffa400;">SONG</span></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: large;"><b>VI</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; transition-property: none;"> The Song of Eru was the raised voice that manifested the godly Vala, yet even they were not knowledgeable of its second theme; that which plucked the heartstrings of Man’s purpose. Men alone and their place, and the meaning of their doom escaped the understanding of the Vala. Worship not the Vala but rever Eru alone you Sons of God who resides in the city of Mithar, who within Varlendur’s strong tower find the meaning of His truth. Eru sang, and in the hearts <span style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><a style="animation-name: none; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>of Men it echoed his love and purpose; those who responded became the Remembered, kept in the palm of His hand. The King's gift is victory during war, just as the Priest shares encouragement, but Eru alone restores the heart from sorrow’s depths. The Song of Eru was the calling forth of Men to hear His voice and awaken to their purpose in heeding His call unto the Order for instruction and guidance is a Light unto one’s feet in the dark of night. Blessed be the Tower of Eru!</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: right; transition-property: none;"><i>-Silas, The Quill of Eru</i></div></div></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; transition-property: none;"><i><br /></i></div></div></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; transition-property: none;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #e4e6eb; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEsu9zEyYNBK5EnGHe19ur9vBpKTd0NttCrQ3uIfIWmwqR_g73VkLyo2tnCpotSc-F7X6B0nOgQtIRD7s98pkR6oKHO7AuZUMExBGN7j902FMAh9sVigMB45fBmn1ZQFXllrqyOJMkibmknsd--W3szc1JE_hzoexJaYwNNWgtLDdcVCMpYDJF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEsu9zEyYNBK5EnGHe19ur9vBpKTd0NttCrQ3uIfIWmwqR_g73VkLyo2tnCpotSc-F7X6B0nOgQtIRD7s98pkR6oKHO7AuZUMExBGN7j902FMAh9sVigMB45fBmn1ZQFXllrqyOJMkibmknsd--W3szc1JE_hzoexJaYwNNWgtLDdcVCMpYDJF" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #ffa400;">FORGET</span></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: large;"><b>VII</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; transition-property: none;"> Hear now! You who gather at the base of Varlendur, you who enter that Sacred Tower to worship Eru, The One and Always; because He touched your cold hearts with love and purpose! The Word of Eru, unto the gathered in the realm of Eriduah, has chosen weak to be the Sons of God, birthed from the foolish daughters of Men. For that indeed is what the blind and deaf and unknowing chat about, behind your backs in their circles, about you who gather at Mithar.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"> <span style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><a style="animation-name: none; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>Yet, you who alone learn the Secret Tongue of Sinquinto shall fully understand the purpose of Eru’s Second theme, that which was even unknown to the Vala. Come and learn, you wayward fellows in your camel tents and desert ways, do grow beyond your misgivings and Pagan ways of Haradrim’s Eastlands. Eru alone is who called you from those war-torn lands to feast and partake of His spiritual food. Seek out the city of Mithar and its sacred Tower Varlendur!</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: right; transition-property: none;"><i>--Silas, The Quill of Eru</i></div></div></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #e4e6eb; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis_IPW0cZH8hE3IMl4h6N7_wnyaGEYY5olGcl9GemyF9tBFWLV6doEFEUBbZwPix7R23F9gbhbDySbXTqlibnOhdiOjFX6c6QJ1SGEZ0UY0oTuyIdO3PtXkIw8Zs5oOPHmLw0KOFSsVfUS138zgjnhNppD5Gg4aYwRGBXd-vQFYnn0hy7P_drj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis_IPW0cZH8hE3IMl4h6N7_wnyaGEYY5olGcl9GemyF9tBFWLV6doEFEUBbZwPix7R23F9gbhbDySbXTqlibnOhdiOjFX6c6QJ1SGEZ0UY0oTuyIdO3PtXkIw8Zs5oOPHmLw0KOFSsVfUS138zgjnhNppD5Gg4aYwRGBXd-vQFYnn0hy7P_drj" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #ffa400;">LESSER</span></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: large;"><b>VIII</b></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"> Eru Illuvatar, Creator of the Vala, and all they sang into being; even that Dark One who distorted their work for his own jealous motives, were still aspects of The One’s purpose, unknown to all others. Eru’s thoughts were not known to the various aspects of Eru’s manifested thoughts. Likewise, is the truth of that message revealed to Men, for men are slow creatures in understanding His unfolding expression.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"> <span style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><a style="animation-name: none; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>Those of the Pagan Nasilian people have traditions of worshiping the created rather than the Creator Himself. The Nasil are no different than the Lindolians in that respect of revering their created idols of the Vala so eagerly sold in the markets for coin and motives. Those immigrants beyond the walls of Mithar, gathered in their Slavathian tents they do worship the creatures of obscurity, such as the octopus, horned toad, and Cicada; for they believe the three voice the word of Eru. Eru does not manifest Himself, yet only the Mithar Anointed discloses His truth to Men today!</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: right; transition-property: none;"><i>--Silas, The Quill of Eru</i></div></div></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #e4e6eb; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfv0OG9fkA82WAiC2EZFKsvcAgU8OaCcOk6YhWmXHM0n57-CJw5qsoNPD0m9YSU_tMTfOcXl3wxES2q5XnrMXfOpOOpo_jvwn3LYTD9_CEi0uNZPSvY6DwZjxlGMAJNVrA9gvW5qHi4QH8kv95tCG0GEcZBxtn5I9v-ApLlGSjctoEsj9FXral" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfv0OG9fkA82WAiC2EZFKsvcAgU8OaCcOk6YhWmXHM0n57-CJw5qsoNPD0m9YSU_tMTfOcXl3wxES2q5XnrMXfOpOOpo_jvwn3LYTD9_CEi0uNZPSvY6DwZjxlGMAJNVrA9gvW5qHi4QH8kv95tCG0GEcZBxtn5I9v-ApLlGSjctoEsj9FXral" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #ffa400;">MOUTHPIECE</span></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: large;"><b>IX</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; transition-property: none;"> Wrong is wrong and shall it be denounced ever in more detail by the Anointed of Eru! For, The One has a place among the frail Men of Eriduah His mouthpiece to speak the truth of understanding against the incorrect teachings of those who are misled, namely those who worship the Vala or created things. </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; transition-property: none;"> For the naked form of a woman, cast in solid gold and called upon to summon the Goddess Yevalanna - is an affront abomination to Eru! Yevalanna is not a <span style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><a style="animation-name: none; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>created idol and she refutes worship back to The One, to whom even she bows. Likewise, the Nasil should have a corrected view of The One and Always instead of superstition and the manipulated agendas of Men. Only the Mitharians may hold the truth which they alone are the mouthpiece of Eru unto the world!</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: right; transition-property: none;"><i>--Silas, The Quill of Eru</i></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><br /></div></div></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #e4e6eb; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi60UzcST_-d5vAAZZBrPGuQyjViF6MPEpBzXvgXB6-nu-H9OkoZka5iMtgTjcs_xrDBbRBlRUVj6zSF2uj_GvlObYATZrdtAz9maK2bk973fD6B07u0I--AgXRFBHbcbnfjloN-ciUeaOT6noG-0L1TuSfGbQPom9p7zFyDTRQjwKmpUcPoeuN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi60UzcST_-d5vAAZZBrPGuQyjViF6MPEpBzXvgXB6-nu-H9OkoZka5iMtgTjcs_xrDBbRBlRUVj6zSF2uj_GvlObYATZrdtAz9maK2bk973fD6B07u0I--AgXRFBHbcbnfjloN-ciUeaOT6noG-0L1TuSfGbQPom9p7zFyDTRQjwKmpUcPoeuN" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #ffa400;">THE TRUTH</span></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: large;"><b>X</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; transition-property: none;"> The truth is this, Eru declares to His people, and they unto the world even unto Eriduah: Uruk, Sinjar even unto Ipstha and Kathos! The voice of Er has been made known by The Anointed Mithar - The Remembered of The One! His Chosen elite shall teach to the eager, as students willing to grow in their learning. Accepting the truth like spiritual food in due season. Some fruits do not arise out of season but for a brief time, likewise, is truth progressively given over <span style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><a style="animation-name: none; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>to the accepting of growth as children and their understanding. For Men do not fully understand the mind of Eru; yet, only shall His Chosen dispense in the right time. Come! Oh, you daughters of Men, come and fulfill your thirst for accurate knowledge in due season. In the Tower of Strong Friends, Varlendur is that symbol before Men like a shaft of light burning through storm clouds to offer a way out of the darkness. The truth of Eru’s Mitharians is free and eagerly offered to the weary willing to be a slave to The One!</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: large; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: right; transition-property: none;"><i>--Silas, The Quill of Eru</i></div></div></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bBh8SG_Gwf4dm5rJ_yIcX8c4zYMUKYdBRn4jty4Qlbfr0_cJ7dzL7pprMCfeyzxL_nYxspvv-YUjQa3t0lj8PCJ6VsyA5raGbPJ3DRjnvqY-a01bYRD5LguLRwmfSij8lxxgNxaCDnZ4lg4Ye_SfSvAqodotBzyOXcjrAg6csY7Un-pGBfXO/s400/z-BROTHERHOOD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="400" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bBh8SG_Gwf4dm5rJ_yIcX8c4zYMUKYdBRn4jty4Qlbfr0_cJ7dzL7pprMCfeyzxL_nYxspvv-YUjQa3t0lj8PCJ6VsyA5raGbPJ3DRjnvqY-a01bYRD5LguLRwmfSij8lxxgNxaCDnZ4lg4Ye_SfSvAqodotBzyOXcjrAg6csY7Un-pGBfXO/w635-h426/z-BROTHERHOOD.jpg" width="635" /></a></div></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; color: #e4e6eb; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">........................................................................</span></div></div>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-56664198469868677442024-01-27T15:20:00.008-06:002024-01-27T15:20:55.519-06:00 The Book of Tales: "The Forgivers"<p><span style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZfihBJ-NQ7VUJAl6a3bErfzoZy7RPYcmLbZfB-V7ylbnJMpBpbmJ779rLQ_-km9YZxNUrsFX7f_7Ys_XM4qpisTUdvQshytHapBN8ER7ZpEpU1K9tIGd_opppPk4JtR444w0Se2zCSmS_Y41OJf9W3QpkOh07RtLgHDi-dw-D-2jAvhG0JSx/s574/z-DEATH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="464" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZfihBJ-NQ7VUJAl6a3bErfzoZy7RPYcmLbZfB-V7ylbnJMpBpbmJ779rLQ_-km9YZxNUrsFX7f_7Ys_XM4qpisTUdvQshytHapBN8ER7ZpEpU1K9tIGd_opppPk4JtR444w0Se2zCSmS_Y41OJf9W3QpkOh07RtLgHDi-dw-D-2jAvhG0JSx/w382-h471/z-DEATH.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> At the funeral ceremony of Mithar's first Queen, the distraught King Vedumar leaned over to his advisor, "Why has this affair not begun? Two days now and it has not begun. Do you not smell the corpse from here, despite all the lit oils and herbs?"</span></span></span><p></p><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> "My Lord King, the people still await the arrival of the Kubael," his counselor whispered in return.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a></span> "Kubael? What is this I have not been made aware of until now?"</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Näahdaw heard the escalation in Vendumar's tone.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">"Kubael - is a Forgiver, sire," Näahdaw's voice was low and calm. He continued, "Lord, you must not forget that these Bedouins have given up much in their compliance to your crown. Yet are they staunch in their unmoving belief in this unwavering custom."</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Vendumar remained perplexed, "Pray, and what custom is this that I must now be made to submit to?"</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> "Sire, your wife, our Queen is and was first and foremost a Nasilian, and a 'Cicadite most faithful'." A stern smile came over the Counselor's face, "You saw both the gold and copper coins placed over her Ladyship's eyes? They are for more than closing them; they are paying for services rendered by the Kubael. The flatbread dripped with three drops of the Queen's blood, that was placed atop her bosom was to absorb her -- sin, Sire. For all eternity she will be forgotten and annihilated to be unremembered. Yet, it is the voluntary task of the Kubael to accept the fate of being unremembered and eternally banished, until summoned for this task of forgiving the Queen's sin."</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> "A sin-eater? What is this superstitious rubbish, in our time and age," Vendumar blurted aloud!</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> "One that in time my lord you may devise a way out of, but as for today without his services the people are content in themselves to allow your wife to rot where she now lays," this Näahdaw did not whisper as all eyes fell on the King in validation.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Vendumar's sigh and slumping shoulders showed his resignation to allow the ceremony to continue.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> The murmuring and mourning sobs all fell silent as the rear of the crowds began parting a pathway to the raised dais of the Queen Nalawë. A stranger had entered into their midst. He was dressed, from head to bare feet, all in black; his robe's high, oversized hood was draped back. The man's face was half concealed by the masking of the hood's removal. Only his darkened outlined eyes were seen. The figure's face, slicked-back hair, hands, and bare feet were caked in a cracking white paint. The Kubael smelt unbathed and looked like Death personified.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> The strange figure approached the Queen's body and slowly removed the coins with both hands, slipping them soundlessly into previously unnoticed outer pockets. Then, taking the flatbread, he tore it in half and ate it until fully consumed, then turned back and left as eerily as he had entered. A breath later all the sounds of whaling cries continued as before.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Vendumar looked utterly spent emotionally, a changed figure from that moment onward.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp1G24aLd1YR_N67wWQyb5tQF6TTNx6aj8fmKOvTBomf7qjzaMxKC0v7pDLI3Reg0sBD7kLwU3No15E2C3a_nZlX5gyrs7sUqZbIGJBFU1E-IBIHwxYoBTex-PdFybUzALU8Uqe0c9gGrLpORhXZPsu5Kzo80gl3fVS2FzwzEiyDp8zVUwNnv/s2048/379185862_719509816888221_8112794275138560287_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="2048" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp1G24aLd1YR_N67wWQyb5tQF6TTNx6aj8fmKOvTBomf7qjzaMxKC0v7pDLI3Reg0sBD7kLwU3No15E2C3a_nZlX5gyrs7sUqZbIGJBFU1E-IBIHwxYoBTex-PdFybUzALU8Uqe0c9gGrLpORhXZPsu5Kzo80gl3fVS2FzwzEiyDp8zVUwNnv/w428-h278/379185862_719509816888221_8112794275138560287_n.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">........................................................................................</span></div>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-18978906395234775982024-01-27T15:00:00.008-06:002024-01-27T15:04:45.103-06:00THE LONG HIKE<p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5u2khh_xC_4l5_EfpzLSMPJ-jW69TKmGxrTz_Iz-A1M8P4XHZfNy-1_wXHhLeiotc513BrBx1_Hh74J_IKEeMxELBPI8WzKrF0Qxp7TH9ZBMh030t9eK2rxG4_Es9z42ZKV-mdS1_dUlx_zFhsBYgxFlKTZj4AazQSPyG9p9jF0ebvG2Blk9/s309/z-EGG.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="204" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5u2khh_xC_4l5_EfpzLSMPJ-jW69TKmGxrTz_Iz-A1M8P4XHZfNy-1_wXHhLeiotc513BrBx1_Hh74J_IKEeMxELBPI8WzKrF0Qxp7TH9ZBMh030t9eK2rxG4_Es9z42ZKV-mdS1_dUlx_zFhsBYgxFlKTZj4AazQSPyG9p9jF0ebvG2Blk9/w296-h448/z-EGG.png" width="296" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the most feared creatures of the ancient world was the red dragon. Nearly forgotten tales have them from the northern ice lands; yet, older rumors say their origins lay in the Far East. They were monstrous creatures. Enormous, beast-like lizards sworn to have had wings brutish enough to stir up a hurricane! Even their angry voices could bellow forth fires that devasted the whole countryside for miles around. Many other witnesses recounted that such demons </span><span style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><a style="animation-name: none; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">would use their whipping tails to slay vast armies with ease.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The last of those fabled worms have long ago been lost, only to be relegated to the campfire pastime or children's bedtime stories. Truth or imagination; all that has survived of dragons today are the fanciful things that spawned wonderment for eager listeners. Among them was the adventure of Moran the Mitharian.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> He was a young man from the Bay city of Mithar who had wandered east, deep in thought of all his troubles. Aimlessly he happened to find himself on the outer edges of the haunted woods called Kinderval. In truth, Moran had not desired to meander so far from home but rather had intended to venture to the Gardens beyond Mithar's wall. Even so, he allowed his thoughts and feet to follow a dry streambed, that soon trickled into a watery creek. The quiet stream grew into a wide river watering the forest around him. His heavy thoughts seem lifted with the sweet smell of lavender near a clearing. The clearing slopped down into a secluded bank when the young man sat, leaning his back against the raised mound. Dragonflies skimmed the water's edge. Sitting there Moran took in the view of the leaning willows and calm river's slow-drift. His thoughts begged as to why the woods were called haunted. So calm and serene were his surroundings the boy almost fell asleep. With his worries gone, he felt it was time to return to the bustle of the real world. Suddenly a loud crunching noise startled him to his feet. Moran whirled looking about.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> His eyes searched between the many tree trunks and the lush bed of the fern they grew from; trying hard to discern the sound which broke the woodland silence. Moran cautiously stepped about the mound. Standing on the other side of the velvet hillock the sound came even louder. He tried to identify what it was. This time, it was like the crackling of floating embers above a campfire. But there was no smoke or dying fireplace to be seen. Again the chipping sound came to the wander's ear. Then, a few steps on his left in a dirt cleft lay a huge bluish-tinted egg. It moved with earnestness to free whatever inside had begun to shed scales from its shell. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> For a long, while he watched the Saphire egg trimmer and the creature inside struggled to hatch. When a huge yellow eye stopped its roving and caught sight of the stranger staring back through the pecked-out opening, the egg shimmered and stopped all its efforts. Fearful of what might come next the boy could only stare back at the unmoving oval. Finally, the young man gathered the courage to risk a shaking hand. Reaching out, he gasped at the touch. It had become a cold, solid thing. The dragon-hatchling, which had only moments before so desperately strove to release itself, had suddenly turned into stone!</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Moran had discovered the last Dragon's egg. This was the very one, which many years afterward would be the rare treasure for a King's demanded ransom, but that tale remains for another to share.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">.....................................................................................</span></div></div>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-91927318190767386492024-01-27T14:20:00.005-06:002024-01-27T14:38:26.582-06:00 THE PREACHER GALADAIRUS<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAm3jj3_1yrYWmH1ODYkEEOpYssT7_jMG3ZrIiGHNtLkEMwJ6HgDQf3_nWHyds0Tjpt-cV2UGpBtFVftHB7jem6R1v3pBhO5vVZIMqDdaEc-wsV6hw_ZfCUppUJArnG5cQ8aNpjafcwFlVQbYmNIe21PwrzIVmjdXrZG_qosEBa2jEjtvhTefF/s1700/z-GALADAIUR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1700" data-original-width="1700" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAm3jj3_1yrYWmH1ODYkEEOpYssT7_jMG3ZrIiGHNtLkEMwJ6HgDQf3_nWHyds0Tjpt-cV2UGpBtFVftHB7jem6R1v3pBhO5vVZIMqDdaEc-wsV6hw_ZfCUppUJArnG5cQ8aNpjafcwFlVQbYmNIe21PwrzIVmjdXrZG_qosEBa2jEjtvhTefF/w411-h411/z-GALADAIUR.jpg" width="411" /></a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THE PREACHER GALADAIRUS</span></span></b></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></b></span></b></div></div><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> In the unwalled tent village of Slavath there was a Nasilian man named Galadairus who lived off of the kindness of people’s giving. He would bury their dead and take upon himself their sin in exchange for food. Galadairus was only known by the people at such trying times of great sorrow; for he remained the forgotten thin man, who sat on the road that led to the city. When the Sin-eating Preacher spoke he was always respectfully listened to by <span style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><a style="animation-name: none; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>passerby’s who gathered crowds to heed his rare wisdoms.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> On one such occasion there stood two men in a loud, heated argument over the new policies of the Mitharian King. For it was in those days when Lord Nuthcorlan had demanded stricter taxes levied upon the realm of Eriduah. Galadairus spoke up, silencing the two men with, “There shall come one from the desert of Orid who will strike fear even in the stone heart of that arrogant King. All your concerns will fall at his feet, and even the crown will be made to heed the words of that Prophet. But I tell you now, he will be but the forerunner of more to follow with even stronger admonishments. Even we here are not alone in kneeling before the demands of truth and accountability. High are the standards of the Divine King we shall all kneel before one day.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> At this one of the men who had been arguing said, “Sir, how is it even possible that you come to know these things?”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Ask instead, how is it that you do not know such things?” Then Galadairus turned aside and walked back to where he had been sitting on the roadside, looking the other way.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> There came a time, again in the tent village of Slavath, when a young girl had lost her grandmother to death and asked the preacher Galadairus what had become of her in the afterlife. Being seated he began to answer the crying child, but as a crowd had begun to gather, he stood and addressed them as well. Galadairus said, “In dreams, little one, you may find both the living and the dead together. They are viewed as the same; for the dead are not seen as specters of smoke but as they were once known. For in death, we are in the realm of the Divine, and are also in all times present, known by the Divine who created the concept of time and death.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> But as for the dead they know nothing beyond their life’s closing experience, and the continuance of the living is no longer their care.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Death is the single path which all Men must pass along, and the only door which is shared by all. Through it lies the Realm of the Dead. The dead know nothing beyond their life’s experience, and those whom they have left behind retain only the faintest of their shared experiences, for no one life is known to everyone but to the dead themselves alone.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Nine are the vast labyrinth levels in that realm, and eight gates there are to the only Bridge of Finality. It spans the gulf of Loss. None but the righteous only may pass, as the wicked are halted. Beyond that guarded bridge of the Dead are three doors, free-standing and only after entering are their judgements pronounced.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Through one, the wicked who elude the Guardian find themselves reentering the realm of the Dead and this memory intact. Through one door, beyond the great bridge is the free-standing door known only to he that enters; absorbed into the brilliance of the true Light! Others in that Light who were once known in life care now only to know the Light. Through one of the standing doors, the third unnumbered the dead may pass. On its other side the Bridge Guardian offers the bowl of forgetfulness upon reincarnation. Reborn back into the realm of the living at the moment of their departure with no recall of their journey, if perchance such is eluded none shall recall them and their view changed only to die again, for such is the glorious doom of men.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Out in the audience, listening to the Preacher of Slavath was a young couple newlywed and madly in love. They embraced one another throughout Galadairus’ sermon, but the young bride became saddened by all the talk of death and separation.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Seeing the welling tears in her eyes the young husband, Marsol took his bride’s face in his hands, saying, “I will love you throughout all eternity, and never forget you.” Then with a beaming smile added, “If, perchance I am allotted to choose that third door, I will spend a lifetime in search of you.” Then taking her right hand said, “You will know without doubt it is me, by his name and this kiss.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Now, as is the cruelty that life plays at times, three days later the young husband was thrown from his horse frightened by a crossing serpent. Minshana, his bride bitterly wept over his loss, vowing before everyone on the day of his burial never to marry again.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> As the years are prone to do, one season followed the other in rapid session until Minshana came into her sixtieth year. On the very day of her only husband’s death a man sat beside her as she drew water from the Square’s main well.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Stranger,” she asked, “would you care for a cool drink? From the looks of you dusted sandals; surly your travels have been long and difficult.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> He nodded with an endearing smile. But as the older woman reached for the pale to draw more water just for him, the man slowly took her hand and kissed it, saying, “As Galadairus is my witness, I have always loved you Minshana for it is indeed I. I chose the third door and have returned to you.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> They embraced tearfully for a long while, then crying she whispered, “I spent a lifetime loving you always without fail, Marsol knowing your search would find me.”</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">. . . . . . . . . . .</span></div></div>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-43332948693538200442024-01-27T14:03:00.006-06:002024-01-27T15:26:38.910-06:00MY Story: INTRODUCTION<div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigmA0ZspZtt9pXo9XCX5WGhwK-_D16u9hcgHndWqcPhCY3G-wqOSwJbuK_B4Y3DRAv21PCW2f_-4Akv-27mq0Z9bl-96RLmjNzow_P3JAvD6nVlwT61t8yJpmABcYvgGPavwQu6pwutnSf9_Ye_HAWw13UbIsRdKmJQ2p6d7euI88ZAiEu40eM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="720" height="553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigmA0ZspZtt9pXo9XCX5WGhwK-_D16u9hcgHndWqcPhCY3G-wqOSwJbuK_B4Y3DRAv21PCW2f_-4Akv-27mq0Z9bl-96RLmjNzow_P3JAvD6nVlwT61t8yJpmABcYvgGPavwQu6pwutnSf9_Ye_HAWw13UbIsRdKmJQ2p6d7euI88ZAiEu40eM=w352-h553" width="352" /></a></div><br />____________</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>THRIYEL</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Legacy</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From the </span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Nephilim Age</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">......</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>INTRODUCTION</b></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> This work endeavors to illustrate the causes of the biblical flood, while utilizing the vast world stage of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Legendarium and draws upon various personal experiences of having been negatively influenced by highly controlling religious groups. The era before the infamous Noahic Deluge is referred to as the Antediluvian period, globally characterized as being corrupt, and violent though no example of these adjectives are on display for the readers of the canonical text.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The events that are dramatized in my work of such behaviors were planted ages ago by two evil Dark Lords, who ravaged both the physical world and its inhabitants, and later erupted into a humanity that exploits its worst characteristics upon one another. In the wake of the Great War’s ending a remnant of the Elves, who declined the call to leave Middle Earth, become the sole self-appointed teachers of ‘the old ways’ to lesser Men. From their small community, which stayed at the Gray Havens, a cultic society quickly blossomed with ambitions of wider conquests.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Not only are the Eastern populations striving to heal from the devastations of war, but many are also venturing westward in hopes of creating better lives for themselves, only to be manipulated by a people once held in high regard for their ancient wisdom and longevity. It is from such complex threads of anthologies that a chaotic world tapestry is woven, and from which a hero emerges to stand apart, demanding truth and accountability from his peers and leadership.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Herein lies the very struggle and hope of any would-be survivor beyond the cataclysmic doom long prophesied to befall the world. Yet, it was one of the daughters-in-law of Noah, the lone descendant of that elven hero who secretly carried with her through the flood, what proved to be the only record of that wicked NEPHILIM AGE.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqI1s2t5i1mLpD0mJ3poaMaKUTFKTDF-5Ix8dGsxzmklhyWdMwwNWbc6Mrayo3lFDCABOUj5JlufTOqW5K1cSy356s6BrCxmfI_HHrGv51MRB3P-tCVaR0Uan3xEawGwFr5KwPfkQFhhuntgbDTpWjM14nwdZLYeGOLi-OXdlKUcep2-MGh5kN/s704/Screenshot_20230204_101901.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="704" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqI1s2t5i1mLpD0mJ3poaMaKUTFKTDF-5Ix8dGsxzmklhyWdMwwNWbc6Mrayo3lFDCABOUj5JlufTOqW5K1cSy356s6BrCxmfI_HHrGv51MRB3P-tCVaR0Uan3xEawGwFr5KwPfkQFhhuntgbDTpWjM14nwdZLYeGOLi-OXdlKUcep2-MGh5kN/w461-h295/Screenshot_20230204_101901.png" width="461" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">.........................................</span></div></div>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-84803016442017931562024-01-27T13:59:00.001-06:002024-01-27T13:59:09.019-06:00The Book of THEREAFTERS<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4IePOY1zk_P329pssHfBieIn6FHFKo3mCNMzyxTgkFwh6CtkjHLHTyjDf7FJSVvc62t4p9j32HC1AUhrnAgBiRLLqdARuNfl9Etw--djesDBUfuh_t4wd8DiTMr4Lv8XXUgyTGS8fSMRdtoK2rpCKqs8eYzPlHsDxEQJ9RSzZQWfMm4RjxkgK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="914" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4IePOY1zk_P329pssHfBieIn6FHFKo3mCNMzyxTgkFwh6CtkjHLHTyjDf7FJSVvc62t4p9j32HC1AUhrnAgBiRLLqdARuNfl9Etw--djesDBUfuh_t4wd8DiTMr4Lv8XXUgyTGS8fSMRdtoK2rpCKqs8eYzPlHsDxEQJ9RSzZQWfMm4RjxkgK=w528-h348" width="528" /></a></div><p></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">The Book of THEREAFTERS</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">_______________________</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">"Casting Off The Old World"</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">. . . . . . . . . . </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> <span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>Yapheth spoke to his wife, “Adata’nese, once we have released the animals, and settled, you must take that book and bury it away, lest my father discovers it in our possession. Do you understand me?”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> She replied, “I understand, husband. But it also contains the record of my family and my people.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> Then Yapheth admonished her with a grave warning, “There are no buts, woman! Do as I have instructed you, for our father’s wrath shall be quick to disown, shun, and curse our entire house for seven generations, all because I allowed you to keep such a thing. Do you not realize that the Almighty himself washed away everything from the Nephilim Age? Not even my grandfather was spared from the purge of its wickedness.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> “I shall my lord,” then Adata’nese added, “On the morrow that we have vacated the ark. I will make an excuse to go out alone and search the land for a place fitting its disposal. I remember well the violence of the people, Yapheth, and the seriousness of your command.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> “I desire not to be harsh with you, my love,” he smiled, “Rest now. Shem says land is well in sight, and soon a new tomorrow begins.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> It came to pass, seven days after the ark landed atop a great mountain’s shelf, that Father Nocah, his wife, their three sons, and their wives opened the great door of the ship and released the beasts of every kind among them. Long had they befriended even the wildest of creatures, and when the last was gone did Noach’s face look towards the heavens, “Hear now, we alone of all mankind have survived the purging of the old world’s wickedness, and now shall these creatures henceforth be estranged and fearful of us. Take care in your dealings with them my family.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> True to her word, on the morning after the craft was emptied of its cargo, Adata’nese rose early and excused herself. Following the family’s meal she left the ark, for they had yet to find lodgings elsewhere, and went alone, even a good distance, and lost sight of all she knew. In a lush clearing, down the mountain’s side, a great boulder stood apart, ringed by many mushrooms. On the southern side, beneath the great stone, she dug out a deep hole. Therein Adata’nese placed the bundled tome, then poured dirt back over it, topped it with other smaller stones. When finished she picked many of the mushrooms and stowed them away in the swath of cloth about her. With the shoulder sling full Ada began to ascend the mount. It was then she saw Ham’s wife descending toward her.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> Sedget’elbad waved, calling down the mountain, “Morning sister! Why have you ventured so far away?”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> Adata’nese called back gleefully, “Mushrooms!” Then added as they met, “Sister, should we not also plan for the day when we are able to pitch our own tents apart from one another and begin our own families?” She said this while rubbing her stomach.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> Sedget’elbad exclaimed with joy, “Oh! Sweet sister! Ada, you are with child?”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> Adata’nese smiled, ”Yes.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> “Does Yapheth know?” Sedget’elbad almost whispered.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> Ada grinned with her secret, ”Sedget, you are the first.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> Sedget, embraced Adata’nese, “Aww, Ada, may it be a boy, and may he be the first of many yet to come.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> Ada touched the other woman’s stomach, “For all of us, sister.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> Sedget glanced up at the mountain’s top, “We know Emzara birthed three sons and midwifed many others, so fret none you are in good hands, Ada.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> Ada smiled back then looked saddened, ”Yes, our Mother-in-law is experienced, and wise indeed.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> Sedget understood her feelings, “I know that look, I understand too, Ada. I dearly miss my mother as well.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> ”Yes, many of my family,” Ada began then sighed, “but this is all behind us now, sister.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> Sedget “Making this new beginning means we must lean all the more on one another because we are all we have. Be strong, Ada this babe will be greatly loved.” Adding, “The firstborn always is.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> Tears welled in Ada’s eyes, ”Sedget, you are more than a sister-in-law to me, gratitude more than can be expressed, sister.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> Sedget added their other sister-in-law as well, “Ne’ela, also.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> Ada reaffirmed, “Ne’ela, also.” With that, they walked hand in hand aiding the other up the mountain.</div></div><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">..........</div></div>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-20198285733329026082023-12-12T12:41:00.005-06:002023-12-12T12:41:55.102-06:00INSPIRATIONS<p><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1337074885870780/">(482) Pinterest</a> </p><p><a href="https://www.bigbluetree.com/artwork/?CFID=519203046&CFTOKEN=16328649">Simon Lee | Spiderzero (bigbluetree.com)</a> </p><p><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/8796161766315467/">(482) Pinterest</a> </p><p><a href="https://beautyamazing.tumblr.com/page/5">Beautyamazing (tumblr.com)</a> </p><p><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/155303887323151935/">(482) Pinterest</a> </p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChS9MVXr8OQ/?epik=dj0yJnU9UUU0dTlXX0hLVnlxZ2xxdnowbEVMM3gtRWFzYUY0NjMmcD0wJm49WkhxSm11SlM3LVB0Ql9LdGZCc2I5dyZ0PUFBQUFBR1Y0cDNB">Swipe for surprise ✨ Late night post thunderstorm lake and cycle inspiration hit me hard 😌 #avatar#blender3d#b3d | Instagram</a> </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhITzN7D6ZzEVwK8aaXM7ESa7tTRXaI-YMqRtlejadNOSvFJwlalJ2iXPFMgYBYN2IypWo9V-zlkjMrA-pCmt81ZvxSJoSJES1AfESJsonam7feDoz6OiRIPFdw27dmaH6t4cHIVq_kDTxVQf3vLbegoCEahaPVYufn7OCaxCxxdReaMVPTbH5V" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="380" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhITzN7D6ZzEVwK8aaXM7ESa7tTRXaI-YMqRtlejadNOSvFJwlalJ2iXPFMgYBYN2IypWo9V-zlkjMrA-pCmt81ZvxSJoSJES1AfESJsonam7feDoz6OiRIPFdw27dmaH6t4cHIVq_kDTxVQf3vLbegoCEahaPVYufn7OCaxCxxdReaMVPTbH5V=w288-h429" width="288" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoNOFpWYcl2yjvJBcXpn0r_23i5ipJcouA3_5nLXTCP9M8UMr8mJxWVrufkjcY_3y17h8wiclwJkOA8qLJUll6K9G3OOBw9MtDKamMtfzvLDl8trhDGJfedMzlU1iJ1bvnt4hcoocXmcYmgYoLRuEbozwcOE68-LxZaS1Y17NI_aO_Ly9njJH/s560/ELODREN.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="450" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoNOFpWYcl2yjvJBcXpn0r_23i5ipJcouA3_5nLXTCP9M8UMr8mJxWVrufkjcY_3y17h8wiclwJkOA8qLJUll6K9G3OOBw9MtDKamMtfzvLDl8trhDGJfedMzlU1iJ1bvnt4hcoocXmcYmgYoLRuEbozwcOE68-LxZaS1Y17NI_aO_Ly9njJH/w367-h457/ELODREN.png" width="367" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">..</div><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-22490008124279830102023-12-10T09:51:00.005-06:002024-01-27T14:44:38.272-06:00THE STRANGE JOURNEY<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtgwxQDuH9PvttlOZc4Egnkj4bPH7WQUb9CxxlGknHEg6GbtdTJBvHnBPsSM-5j2DJsMSJZ2eTTyWsRF-2B8W27AU6JB1r7WAEnmPY5F_hGC3htkIuRNgPj1OAtdybeVni7belNBRFbkmnBmxBWXHv9xJd407NiIOVY-aJRw0NzwjfanhGpON/s1124/421466296_7279996378783173_7062329784965871894_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="1008" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtgwxQDuH9PvttlOZc4Egnkj4bPH7WQUb9CxxlGknHEg6GbtdTJBvHnBPsSM-5j2DJsMSJZ2eTTyWsRF-2B8W27AU6JB1r7WAEnmPY5F_hGC3htkIuRNgPj1OAtdybeVni7belNBRFbkmnBmxBWXHv9xJd407NiIOVY-aJRw0NzwjfanhGpON/w389-h434/421466296_7279996378783173_7062329784965871894_n.jpg" width="389" /></a></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Since his wife died his world was utterly undone. Nothing was the same for Sulimeth. The fisherman of eighty-three years gave up fishing and seldom even boarded his boat except as a place to slumber. The old man’s strength was spent as he watched his four grown sons lay their mother in the ground. Three weeks after Nunessah’s passing he abandoned his seacraft and took up residence in a small </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="animation-name: none; color: white; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a style="animation-name: none; cursor: pointer; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;">stone hut, with a leaking thatched roof. The house was far inland from the shore, away from sad memories and loss. The one-room hovel was no home without Nunessah in his life. His dog, her dog lay on her grave and refused to yield to Sulimeth’s pleading. Dog and master both were heartbroken, changed by what their world had become, a lonely place without his love and dearest friend.</span></span></span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> One night before a cold plate of beans Sulimeth cried aloud, “Evishkah! Evishkah! Oh, Goddess of the cold Night Shade, this life has become too much to bear, guide me to your realm and ease my suffering for I am nothing without my Beloved. Oh, Lady of Sorrow what meaning is there for a man without his mate? Frail is this mortal existence – all is but a vein illusion of smoke without purpose. To do it all over again, I would but do anything to have her back in my embrace.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Upon the heels of that prayer, a knock came at the shack’s battered door. Opening it Sulimeth saw a hunched man, hooded, and shrouded in a dark cloak blacker than midnight. Though the day was nearing dusk its light was not yet gone. The shadowy figure before him brought the suddenness of winter’s cold. The fisherman asked, “What is it you need old man?”</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> The reply came above a whisper, “At the behest of my Mistress am I to lead you to her. Come.” With that, the eerie figure turned aside quickly retreating to the road before the stone hut.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Perplexed by his speed, Sulimeth closed the door behind him, then turning back to the road found the old man had gone further ahead of him. The fisherman ran to catch up with the stranger as he topped a hill heading for the cliff village of Slavath. “Who is your Mistress, old man?” But his new companion remained silent as the last light of day faded, leaving only the sliver of a crested moon to guide their steps.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Up ahead the two strangers spied the nearing haunted woods of Kinderval with the Blue Mountain range looming behind it. Pointing, the shadowed figure announced, “She lies there, deep within her cave beyond the forest road, and there shall your answers be forthcoming,” then the cold figure added, “I am Cirvron her Messenger, he that brings her children before her feet.”</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Sulimeth did not speak the many questions that arose within his pounding chest but continued beside his new companion, nonetheless. An hour passed as the chill of deep winter followed the fisherman, but knew it was only midsummer’s day after. “Before her, the Gate Keeper awaits your three answers for your coming. Be warned and be truthful without hesitation.”</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> “I – shall,” came Sulimeth’s slow reply.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> “Before Kudgroth’s Gate, you must battle the zealous Beast who shall challenge your cause. The creature must be defeated by the living before the journey of the Dead is met.”</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> “Am I dead, Cirvron,” Sulimeth’s voice cracked.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> “Nay, you are very much counted among the living. Indeed! The entirety of this venture is most strange even to the Neitherlings below. Come, remember this saying: Alone as a seeker in humility I come.”</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Only in that moment did the fisherman catch the faintest glimpse of his companion’s face. “I see on your face that same comforting smile of my own, long-dead father, but how is that possible,” Sulimeth asked?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> “You only see that which appeases your fear. Now, be at ease until the Zealton is fully formed before you.” The moon slid behind whisps of clouds, covering the stranger once again in shadows.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> The gnarled olive trees and knotted oaks stretched far overhead as the road turned eastward. Beneath those jutting branches the moon’s resumed light shone elsewhere, but not for those two travelers who entered the midnight of Kinderval.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Soon they came to a break among the thick tree line on their right where a wide space between two, towering white elm trees stood. Sulimeth boldly took that entrance into the great forest. The woodland path was marked with pebbled, white river stones whose way soon became lost beneath a carpet of withered foliage and an endless entangling of roots underfoot.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> His hooded guide said, “From here, oh son of Man, you go alone to face your fear and speak your truth. For alone is this way that all men must take who enter the realm the Dead.” Then Cirvron vanished among the surrounding shadows of the trees.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> With his companion’s absence, the strange warmth of summer came over the fisherman who suddenly heard the sounds of tree frogs, owls, and crickets of the night. An odd peace came over the wanderer. Still, Sulimeth went forward. Seeing a thin branch lay across his path, he picked it up, using it as a staff to steady his way through the dark trunks. Infrequently patches of moonlight beamed in from overhead and to his surprise, even the stars dared to glitter above.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Many long hours passed without any change to his surroundings, and then Sulimeth smelt an overwhelming stench filling the air. The woodlands grew quieter and darker. It was then his clear pathway abruptly ended with two great olive trees. They stood like black, gnarled sentries whose emptiness between them was a silent void.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> From out of their twisted bark’s shadowy nothingness fear took shape in the growing form of a hideous nightmare. The monestrous blending of various creatures, smoke and shadows, fierce looming eyes, and far-reaching limbs ending in clutching claws. The Beast roared, unlike any living thing! A shrilling screech caused all the nesting fouls to flee the forest canopy.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Sulimeth stood his ground, “My cause is just even amid this sinful world. You are nothing to me and my way leads well beyond you. Stand aside!”</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> But the shadow took form and tossed the frail man aside instead. A weathered Fisherman of great age he might have been, but Sulimeth fought like a warrior in his youth! Beating and thrusting, pounding, and swinging against the dissipating smoke, which unyieldingly reformed and resumed its attack against him. Again, and again the man took brutality’s blow. With each clawing hit the man’s clothes were shredded. Again and again, he was beaten until his bleeding body stood naked. Then, standing one last time Sulimeth saw the massive creature lying upon the ground. Unmoving and defeated, the thing began to seep away into the ground like water on the desert floor until nothing remained of the creature in that moonlight.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Just beyond the gnarled gateway a troll-inspired; disfigured thing stepped out of the night’s gateway. Its red ember-like eyes blazed through the man before him, “Speak, creature, of the living – who are you with, why and for what cause hast thou cometh? I am Kudgroth, and none enter without my leave before my Mistress!”</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Recalling the words of his guide, Sulimeth answered all three at once, “Alone as a seeker in humility I come.”</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> The goblin, half his size stared at the man for a long time, then sighed with grave disappointment, “It passes too easily from this life to the next, oh man with no purpose -- follow me.” The tiny figure turned back into the pitch void. Sulimeth followed. With staff in hand, the other followed what he perceived to be the curved walls of a cave. The tunnel was only measured by his steps which soon fell silent, “Come, do not falter now.” Came the echoed voice of Kudgroth far ahead of where Sulimeth could not tell. Still, he went on, tirelessly it seemed. The walls of the cave felt like a dirt pit, jutting rocks and jagged cut roots against the man’s searching touch. Numbness turned to unfeeling as the rough became a smoothed paved way, and what seemed like endless days later the walls grew wider and wider apart to where footfalls were all Sulimeth knew. If his steps slowed or stopped the only voice he heard was far in the distance like a faint whisper, “Come now, none that.”</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> On and on, without rest or sleep, without food or drink for all desire and sensation left Sulimeth. For his footfalls were all he knew and the urging to go on. So, he did. All he had in his thoughts was his past existence for nothing lay ahead, for him all had ended. “Come, do not falter now – she is here.”</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Sulimeth’s reaching fingers felt the rough cave wall once again, and now even the roof overhead came down and brushed his head.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> On and on he went as sensation came to his naked skin as he began to crouch beneath the narrowing tunnel that soon had him crawling on his belly with only outstretched arms to aid him to claw his way forward. Ever so slightly the narrow passage gave way to the faintest of a flickering light ahead of him. Sulimeth felt himself scratching his way out of his collapsed grave. Suddenly before him were two clean, unshod feet.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> His nails scratched and clawed their way out of the earth. Sulimeth burrowed his way out of the side of an earthen wall, out into the expanse of an endless, underground cavern. Several arm lengths away from him there stood the beautiful figure of a nude woman. He quickly averted his eyes from hers, which were inspecting his nakedness, covered with caked-on dirt. Though Sulimeth had fully tunneled his way out of the wall he had not the courage to stand before the woman who <span style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><a style="animation-name: none; cursor: pointer; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>towered over him, "Rise Sulimeth for you have come all this way for some cause, speak it now."</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> After the old fisherman, by trade stood up, he instantly covered himself with both hands, which the woman's smirk found amusing, "Just another filthy, naked creature whose rotting corps comes before me. It wants to beg forgiveness, or beseech its way into bargaining out of some misunderstanding."</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> <span>Finding courage the frail man stood boldly with, "Nay, Vishkah, Caretaker of the Dead. In all my guilt I would deserve whatever eternity you would have for me, yet I am not yet dead and my course may be changed. My only barter request is to be a substitution for one newly come, my wife Nunessah by name." With his pronunciation it was then that his wife appeared, standing beside and behind the Goddess.</span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Suddenly the beautiful flesh of the naked Vishkah had become a horrid mass of half-rotting and half-scorched meat, she roared with a burst of fierce laughter that echoed throughout the cavernous hall. "There is always that one person who thinks they are more deserving than all the rest! Brief mortals who believe the lie that only they will never die, that it is always someone else's story. So you think you can switch fates with another? Eru gave you over to me."</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> "I am not dead and yet I stand before you as such, let it instead be my fate instead of hers, let me but embrace her once again, and then let fall whatever comes afterward. Make me your thrall, only release her."</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> The Goddess resumed her fair form but was now clothed in a gown of black. Her upturned eyes gazed sideward as if she were listening to an unheard voice, then to the small man before her, "So be it."</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Sulimeth jerked himself upright, from the dining table, startled by an infant's crying from another room. Running to the bedroom he saw his wife sitting in bed half-beneath the covers, breastfeeding their first newborn son.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Bursting into tears Sulimeth raced over to her, collapsing beside the mother and child. He was weeping profusely. After a frightened moment of trying to console her husband, she asked, "I and the baby are alright, husband. Tell me true, whatever is the matter that has you so torn in this manner?"</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Looking up at her with tears of great joy, Sulimeth began caressing the baby's forehead, "No longer am I a desperate old man dying without you, and pleading for the Keeper of the Underworld to exchange our fates, but I have returned to this very moment in time to relive a better life. Know beyond all knowing that I do truly love you, and here is all that matters!"</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">.........................................................................</span></div></div></div>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-41576626921030696162023-11-26T09:17:00.006-06:002023-11-26T09:18:26.888-06:00 ..THE (Forbidden) SCROLL TEXT<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">..THE (Forbidden)</span></span></p><div style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><div class="x1iorvi4 x1pi30zi x1l90r2v x1swvt13" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id=":r19m:" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px 16px; transition-property: none;"><div class="x78zum5 xdt5ytf xz62fqu x16ldp7u" style="animation-name: none; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px; transition-property: none;"><div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; transition-property: none;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" color="var(--primary-text)" dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; display: block; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; word-break: break-word;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SCROLL TEXT</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">.....</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My Story:</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><a style="animation-name: none; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>In what now must be termed the Fourth Age of this middle earth, I Nathverin do mark down the experience as a firsthand witness of that great departure of those firstborn children of Eru's Elvendom, as memory for testament's sake. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> From the hidden eastern woods, we traveled to these western havens only to find that the last of the White Ships were boarding and bound for the Sacred realms beyond the world's rim. It was Vendumar, that leader of our gathering who refused the unstated mandate to bid farewell, even at Lord Cirdan’s insistence which he disregarded. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> “For we stay lingering behind as reminders of Eru’s Hand in the world of Men, that they may not be beguiled as before,” stated Vendumar the black hair.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> At this Sheldamar his twin rebutted, “Come now brother, it has been proven time and again that even the most ancient of the Elves are not flawless in their actions, and the influences of the Defeated Darkness have been too deeply imprinted upon the imagination of Men. They are tainted, and shall ever be led by their own marred devices! We are not their Stewards, nor were we tasked to be so against that unquenchable flame that all of Eru's children were endowed with.”</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Upon those words did the Lord of their House, Symordare boldly speak in defense of Vendumar’s reasoning, even against the stance of Sheldamar who was to Captain the last Swan vessel, “Indeed! We shall be just that bulwark before Men as both Steward and Memorial of those who now flee, that Eru's Divine presence be enlightened before them.” Those many others who stood by hailed in agreement as an oath.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Baalyic of Greenleaf put forth, adding, “Even the renowned foresight of Lord Cirdan would not refute, this day is unlike any seen before and has become but a milestone of this great change.” Again that remnant of watchers cheered all the more.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> But the last Captain of the Swan fleet, Sheldamar parted with, “Cirdan knew all too well the fate we now leave is but in the hands of Men alone. In due time shall they reap the same reward which cleansed the Second age of the world. For this Fourth, Fallen Nephilim Age shall be marked as one of great folly, and one most fraught with doom! Farewell, brother.” Thus, was the great departure of words ended.</span></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><div class="x1n2onr6" id=":r19n:" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none;"><div class="x1n2onr6" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none;"><a class="x1i10hfl x1qjc9v5 xjbqb8w xjqpnuy xa49m3k xqeqjp1 x2hbi6w x13fuv20 xu3j5b3 x1q0q8m5 x26u7qi x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xdl72j9 x2lah0s xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x2lwn1j xeuugli xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x1n2onr6 x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1ja2u2z x1t137rt x1o1ewxj x3x9cwd x1e5q0jg x13rtm0m x1q0g3np x87ps6o x1lku1pv x1a2a7pz x1lliihq x1pdlv7q" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=353721470539556&set=a.100719649173074&__cft__[0]=AZUH2ItE4uhX_FShxCGBnmocspxIbuvS3pHsSCPhwA4L6HbjQyQdXV-TWH40XkVO8E2eFzpBiqbvV1PJkwJ1gxgptVpD0CpAj1lIZ9XEU96g62J7M3pq45p1Ssq2TzHpuSDZzhwGcQyMUSgkkQ-GlSHIQ3kDLPVnyD92IUGQFCq8ZQ&__tn__=EH-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; align-items: stretch; animation-name: none; border-bottom-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-left-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-radius: inherit; border-right-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-style: solid; border-top-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; display: block; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none; user-select: none; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><div class="x6s0dn4 x1jx94hy x78zum5 xdt5ytf x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6 xh8yej3" style="align-items: center; animation-name: none; background-color: #2a1b18; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; position: relative; transition-property: none; width: 680px;"><div style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; max-width: 100%; min-width: 500px; transition-property: none; width: calc((100vh + -325px) * 0.666667);"><div class="xqtp20y x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 750px; position: relative; transition-property: none;"><div class="x10l6tqk x13vifvy" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; height: 1008.55px; position: absolute; top: 0px; transition-property: none; width: 500px;"><img alt="May be an image of book" class="x1ey2m1c xds687c x5yr21d x10l6tqk x17qophe x13vifvy xh8yej3 xl1xv1r" height="1061" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/403982780_353721513872885_3926174596059009280_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p526x296&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=lkGQ-JLdSosAX8xIxzb&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBPA-cs7qUY2NC0JhXmFLzfq01csxVXB9IlWSzFiB3zZw&oe=6569006A" style="animation-name: none; border: 0px; height: 1008.55px; inset: 0px; object-fit: cover; position: absolute; transition-property: none; width: 500px;" width="526" /></div></div></div></div><div class="xua58t2 xzg4506 x1ey2m1c xds687c x47corl x10l6tqk x17qophe x13vifvy" style="animation-name: none; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--media-inner-border); border-top: 1px solid var(--media-inner-border); font-family: inherit; inset: 0px; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; transition-property: none;"></div><div class="x1o1ewxj x3x9cwd x1e5q0jg x13rtm0m x1ey2m1c xds687c xg01cxk x47corl x10l6tqk x17qophe x13vifvy x1ebt8du x19991ni x1dhq9h" data-visualcompletion="ignore" style="animation-name: none; border-radius: inherit; font-family: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; transition-duration: var(--fds-duration-extra-extra-short-out); transition-property: none; transition-timing-function: var(--fds-animation-fade-out);"></div></a></div><div class="x6ikm8r x10wlt62" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; transition-property: none;"></div></div></div><div style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><div class="x168nmei x13lgxp2 x30kzoy x9jhf4c x6ikm8r x10wlt62" data-visualcompletion="ignore-dynamic" style="animation-name: none; border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; transition-property: none;"><div style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><div style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><div style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><div class="x1n2onr6" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none;"><div class="x6s0dn4 xi81zsa x78zum5 x6prxxf x13a6bvl xvq8zen xdj266r xktsk01 xat24cr x1d52u69 x889kno x4uap5 x1a8lsjc xkhd6sd xdppsyt" style="align-items: center; animation-name: none; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--divider); color: var(--secondary-text); display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; justify-content: flex-end; line-height: 1.3333; margin: 0px 16px; padding: 10px 0px; transition-property: none;"><div class="x6s0dn4 x78zum5 x1iyjqo2 x6ikm8r x10wlt62" style="align-items: center; animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #65676b; display: flex; flex-grow: 1; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; overflow: hidden; transition-property: none;"><span aria-label="See who reacted to this" class="x1ja2u2z" role="toolbar" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none; z-index: 0;"><span class="x6s0dn4 x78zum5 x1e558r4" id=":r19p:" style="align-items: center; animation-name: none; display: flex; font-family: inherit; padding-left: 4px; transition-property: none;"><span class="x6zyg47 x1xm1mqw xpn8fn3 xtct9fg x13zp6kq x1mcfq15 xrosliz x1wb7cse x13fuv20 xu3j5b3 x1q0q8m5 x26u7qi xamhcws xol2nv xlxy82 x19p7ews xmix8c7 x139jcc6 x1n2onr6 x1xp8n7a xhtitgo" style="animation-name: none; border-bottom-color: var(--card-background); border-left-color: var(--card-background); border-radius: 11px; border-right-color: var(--card-background); border-style: solid; border-top-color: var(--card-background); border-width: 2px; font-family: inherit; height: 18px; margin-left: -4px; position: relative; transition-property: none; width: 18px; z-index: 2;"><span class="x12myldv x1udsgas xrc8dwe xxxhv2y x1rg5ohu xmix8c7 x1xp8n7a" style="animation-name: none; border-radius: 9px; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; height: 18px; transition-property: none; width: 18px;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j" style="align-items: inherit; align-self: inherit; animation-name: none; display: inherit; flex-direction: inherit; flex: inherit; font-family: inherit; height: inherit; max-height: inherit; max-width: inherit; min-height: inherit; min-width: inherit; place-content: inherit; transition-property: none; width: inherit;"><div aria-label="Love: 2 people" class="x1i10hfl x1qjc9v5 xjbqb8w xjqpnuy xa49m3k xqeqjp1 x2hbi6w x13fuv20 xu3j5b3 x1q0q8m5 x26u7qi x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xdl72j9 x2lah0s xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x2lwn1j xeuugli xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x1n2onr6 x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1ja2u2z x1t137rt x1o1ewxj x3x9cwd x1e5q0jg x13rtm0m x3nfvp2 x1q0g3np x87ps6o x1lku1pv x1a2a7pz" role="button" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; align-items: stretch; animation-name: none; background-color: transparent; border-bottom-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-left-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-radius: inherit; border-right-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-style: solid; border-top-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none; user-select: none; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><img class="x16dsc37" height="18" role="presentation" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg fill='none' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 16 16'%3E%3Cg clip-path='url(%23clip0_15251_63610)'%3E%3Cpath d='M15.9963 8c0 4.4179-3.5811 7.9993-7.9986 7.9993-4.4176 0-7.9987-3.5814-7.9987-7.9992 0-4.4179 3.5811-7.9992 7.9987-7.9992 4.4175 0 7.9986 3.5813 7.9986 7.9992Z' fill='url(%23paint0_linear_15251_63610)'/%3E%3Cpath d='M15.9973 7.9992c0 4.4178-3.5811 7.9992-7.9987 7.9992C3.5811 15.9984 0 12.417 0 7.9992S3.5811 0 7.9986 0c4.4176 0 7.9987 3.5814 7.9987 7.9992Z' fill='url(%23paint1_radial_15251_63610)'/%3E%3Cpath d='M7.9996 5.9081c-.3528-.8845-1.1936-1.507-2.1748-1.507-1.4323 0-2.4254 1.328-2.4254 2.6797 0 2.2718 2.3938 4.0094 4.0816 5.1589.3168.2157.7205.2157 1.0373 0 1.6878-1.1495 4.0815-2.8871 4.0815-5.159 0-1.3517-.993-2.6796-2.4254-2.6796-.9811 0-1.822.6225-2.1748 1.507Z' fill='%23fff'/%3E%3C/g%3E%3Cdefs%3E%3CradialGradient id='paint1_radial_15251_63610' cx='0' cy='0' r='1' gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse' gradientTransform='matrix(0 7.9992 -7.99863 0 7.9986 7.9992)'%3E%3Cstop offset='.5637' stop-color='%23E11731' stop-opacity='0'/%3E%3Cstop offset='1' stop-color='%23E11731' stop-opacity='.1'/%3E%3C/radialGradient%3E%3ClinearGradient id='paint0_linear_15251_63610' x1='2.3986' y1='2.4007' x2='13.5975' y2='13.5993' gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3E%3Cstop stop-color='%23FF74AE'/%3E%3Cstop offset='.5001' stop-color='%23FA2E3E'/%3E%3Cstop offset='1' stop-color='%23FF5758'/%3E%3C/linearGradient%3E%3CclipPath id='clip0_15251_63610'%3E%3Cpath fill='%23fff' d='M-.001.0009h15.9992v15.9984H-.001z'/%3E%3C/clipPath%3E%3C/defs%3E%3C/svg%3E" style="animation-name: none; border: 0px; transition-property: none; vertical-align: top;" width="18" /></div></span></span></span><span class="x6zyg47 x1xm1mqw xpn8fn3 xtct9fg x13zp6kq x1mcfq15 xrosliz x1wb7cse x13fuv20 xu3j5b3 x1q0q8m5 x26u7qi xamhcws xol2nv xlxy82 x19p7ews xmix8c7 x139jcc6 x1n2onr6 x1xp8n7a x1vjfegm" style="animation-name: none; border-bottom-color: var(--card-background); border-left-color: var(--card-background); border-radius: 11px; border-right-color: var(--card-background); border-style: solid; border-top-color: var(--card-background); border-width: 2px; font-family: inherit; height: 18px; margin-left: -4px; position: relative; transition-property: none; width: 18px; z-index: 1;"><span class="x12myldv x1udsgas xrc8dwe xxxhv2y x1rg5ohu xmix8c7 x1xp8n7a" style="animation-name: none; border-radius: 9px; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; height: 18px; transition-property: none; width: 18px;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j" style="align-items: inherit; align-self: inherit; animation-name: none; display: inherit; flex-direction: inherit; flex: inherit; font-family: inherit; height: inherit; max-height: inherit; max-width: inherit; min-height: inherit; min-width: inherit; place-content: inherit; transition-property: none; width: inherit;"><div aria-label="Like: 1 person" class="x1i10hfl x1qjc9v5 xjbqb8w xjqpnuy xa49m3k xqeqjp1 x2hbi6w x13fuv20 xu3j5b3 x1q0q8m5 x26u7qi x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xdl72j9 x2lah0s xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x2lwn1j xeuugli xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x1n2onr6 x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1ja2u2z x1t137rt x1o1ewxj x3x9cwd x1e5q0jg x13rtm0m x3nfvp2 x1q0g3np x87ps6o x1lku1pv x1a2a7pz" role="button" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; align-items: stretch; animation-name: none; background-color: transparent; border-bottom-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-left-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-radius: inherit; border-right-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-style: solid; border-top-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none; user-select: none; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><img class="x16dsc37" height="18" role="presentation" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg fill='none' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 16 16'%3E%3Cpath d='M16.0001 7.9996c0 4.418-3.5815 7.9996-7.9995 7.9996S.001 12.4176.001 7.9996 3.5825 0 8.0006 0C12.4186 0 16 3.5815 16 7.9996Z' fill='url(%23paint0_linear_15251_63610)'/%3E%3Cpath d='M16.0001 7.9996c0 4.418-3.5815 7.9996-7.9995 7.9996S.001 12.4176.001 7.9996 3.5825 0 8.0006 0C12.4186 0 16 3.5815 16 7.9996Z' fill='url(%23paint1_radial_15251_63610)'/%3E%3Cpath d='M16.0001 7.9996c0 4.418-3.5815 7.9996-7.9995 7.9996S.001 12.4176.001 7.9996 3.5825 0 8.0006 0C12.4186 0 16 3.5815 16 7.9996Z' fill='url(%23paint2_radial_15251_63610)' fill-opacity='.5'/%3E%3Cpath d='M7.3014 3.8662a.6974.6974 0 0 1 .6974-.6977c.6742 0 1.2207.5465 1.2207 1.2206v1.7464a.101.101 0 0 0 .101.101h1.7953c.992 0 1.7232.9273 1.4917 1.892l-.4572 1.9047a2.301 2.301 0 0 1-2.2374 1.764H6.9185a.5752.5752 0 0 1-.5752-.5752V7.7384c0-.4168.097-.8278.2834-1.2005l.2856-.5712a3.6878 3.6878 0 0 0 .3893-1.6509l-.0002-.4496ZM4.367 7a.767.767 0 0 0-.7669.767v3.2598a.767.767 0 0 0 .767.767h.767a.3835.3835 0 0 0 .3835-.3835V7.3835A.3835.3835 0 0 0 5.134 7h-.767Z' fill='%23fff'/%3E%3Cdefs%3E%3CradialGradient id='paint1_radial_15251_63610' cx='0' cy='0' r='1' gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse' gradientTransform='rotate(90 .0005 8) scale(7.99958)'%3E%3Cstop offset='.5618' stop-color='%230866FF' stop-opacity='0'/%3E%3Cstop offset='1' stop-color='%230866FF' stop-opacity='.1'/%3E%3C/radialGradient%3E%3CradialGradient id='paint2_radial_15251_63610' cx='0' cy='0' r='1' gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse' gradientTransform='rotate(45 -4.5257 10.9237) scale(10.1818)'%3E%3Cstop offset='.3143' stop-color='%2302ADFC'/%3E%3Cstop offset='1' stop-color='%2302ADFC' stop-opacity='0'/%3E%3C/radialGradient%3E%3ClinearGradient id='paint0_linear_15251_63610' x1='2.3989' y1='2.3999' x2='13.5983' y2='13.5993' gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3E%3Cstop stop-color='%2302ADFC'/%3E%3Cstop offset='.5' stop-color='%230866FF'/%3E%3Cstop offset='1' stop-color='%232B7EFF'/%3E%3C/linearGradient%3E%3C/defs%3E%3C/svg%3E" style="animation-name: none; border: 0px; transition-property: none; vertical-align: top;" width="18" /></div></span></span></span></span></span><div style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span class="x4k7w5x x1h91t0o x1h9r5lt x1jfb8zj xv2umb2 x1beo9mf xaigb6o x12ejxvf x3igimt xarpa2k xedcshv x1lytzrv x1t2pt76 x7ja8zs x1qrby5j" style="align-items: inherit; align-self: inherit; animation-name: none; display: inherit; flex-direction: inherit; flex: inherit; font-family: inherit; height: inherit; max-height: inherit; max-width: inherit; min-height: inherit; min-width: inherit; place-content: inherit; transition-property: none; width: inherit;"><div class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1o1ewxj x3x9cwd x1e5q0jg x13rtm0m x1n2onr6 x87ps6o x1lku1pv x1a2a7pz x1heor9g xnl1qt8 x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1vjfegm x1lliihq" role="button" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; animation-name: none; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-radius: inherit; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-height: 1.3333em; outline: none; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none; user-select: none; z-index: 1;" tabindex="0"><div class="x9f619 x1ja2u2z xzpqnlu x1hyvwdk xjm9jq1 x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x10l6tqk x1i1rx1s" style="animation-name: none; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); font-family: inherit; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; transition-property: none; width: 1px; z-index: 0;">All reactions:</div><span aria-hidden="true" class="xrbpyxo x6ikm8r x10wlt62 xlyipyv x1exxlbk" style="animation-name: none; float: left; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition-property: none; width: 100px;"><span style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span class="xt0b8zv x1e558r4" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; padding-left: 4px; transition-property: none;">3</span></span></span><span class="xt0b8zv x2bj2ny xrbpyxo xl423tq" style="animation-name: none; background-color: var(--surface-background); float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-left: -100px; transition-property: none;"><span style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span class="x1e558r4" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; padding-left: 4px; transition-property: none;">Noelle Williams, Lisa Shalet and 1 other</span></span></span><div><span style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span class="x1e558r4" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; padding-left: 4px; transition-property: none;"><br /></span></span></div></div></span></div></div><div class="x9f619 x1n2onr6 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 x2lah0s x1qughib x1qjc9v5 xozqiw3 x1q0g3np xykv574 xbmpl8g x4cne27 xifccgj" style="align-items: stretch; animation-name: none; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #65676b; display: flex; flex-flow: row; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; justify-content: space-between; margin: -6px; position: relative; transition-property: none; z-index: 0;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-5939219136307161952023-11-26T09:16:00.002-06:002023-11-26T10:06:43.140-06:00 LORE OF THE LOST SCROLL AND BOX<p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">LORE OF THE LOST</span></span></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> SCROLL AND BOX</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;">...............</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> Following the death of Lord Symordare, the first among those watchers of the great departure, his grandson Searfym began having night terrors and visions while fully awake. From the cloth remains of his grandfather’s shroud, Searfym wrote down his impressions of the woes yet to befall them as a prophecy of the neither world. Filled with regrets for not leaving with their kin aboard the Swan fleet, Searfym left in the cover of <span style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><a style="animation-name: none; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>night that bay harbor’s community of twenty souls. He desired to learn if others yet remained uncounted of their people. Searfym left behind his sister, Lyreah with word that his brother-friend Nathvierin should keep and do as he felt with the crafted scroll.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> Nathvierin likewise wrote upon the back side of Serafim’s cloth his own remembrances of that great departure of Elvendom. Later, desiring to honor his friend did he craft an ornate box in which to house the delicate sheet. The Scroll and Box were read before those Watchers. They were most impressed and taken back with awe at the hearing of it. From among them, Galadir said upon the anniversary it should be their tradition to publicly read and recount their own memories of the occasion as well. The Scroll and Box came to be held as a sacred record, and the beginning point of many new things among them. The Relic therefore was kept in the House of Meeting.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> It came to pass, with the rise of other Lords among them a day when the sacred Scroll and Box came missing. It fell in the second year of the third King’s reign, that Nuthcorlan was outraged by the artifact’s theft. He ordered every house within the Harbor city, now renamed as Lindolmithar, to be searched and all its inhabitants promptly questioned. If the Scroll and Box were returned, undamaged then no questions and no judgments would be pursued. Yet if after three days from the King’s decree, it was returned and the one in possession of the Scroll and Box were found they would be shunned from beyond the city walls. After that time, again King Nuthcorlan pronounced that after an additional eight days be given, and if whosoever was found in possession of the Holy Record would be imprisoned within the Tower of Varlendur, with the entirety of their Household being put to death. Three years later and still the sacred record of Searfym’s scroll was not recovered yet the King’s word had become law till fulfilled. It became one of many such fears imposed upon the people of Lindolmithar.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;">...</span></div></div>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-60738632752124820422023-11-26T09:13:00.003-06:002023-11-26T09:13:25.687-06:00THUGO<p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THUGO MONARU</span></span></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;">...................</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> (Something I wrote.)</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> The Easterlings had long ago left the rugged lands of Harad and sued for peace to enter into the west. The Blacksmith, Thugo took his myriad of followers cautiously into the Freedlands. All of them pridefully hailed their awarded pardons, symbolized as tokened necklaces, for the winged crowned king of the White City had promised his leave and their new beginning without molestation. On the ending heels of the Great War, <span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a style="animation-name: none !important; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>they sought brighter days and new opportunities; yet hard-won would any real welcome come to them as strangers in a stranger land. Many of the United Realm’s people still perceived them as thralls of the old Enemy.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> Thugo’s people had endured the choking air passing through the Black Ashlands, the scorching heat across unforgiving deserts, and fought brutal beasts through the thick jungles, all in their efforts of escaping thralldom. None yielded to the Enemy’s call for warriors. So, in the West, they could endure the glaring stares and bitter words from the war-torn people they encountered as well.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> They followed the Blacksmith for they knew him as one true to his word. But there were few of Thugo’s kinsmen who questioned his ill mind or wondered outright if he had gone mad when he claimed to have heard the voice of Mahsaru, The One and Always. For hearing the voice of God made mortal Men uncomfortable. The unknown was seldom a welcomed thing, especially when it challenged one to change. Thugo had nightmarish dreams and even day visions of horrific things, for the war exacted its toll on the living. The slain heroes or innocent bystanders paid their price, Thugo did not question this but when the voice called to him, he wondered if madness had come. The voice came by way of a desert horned lizard, a woodland cicada, and an ocean-side octopus that had washed ashore; all spoke to Thugo and claimed to be Mahsaru! The voice said, “Follow me to the First Children, and your own seed shall be multiplied. Defy me and all flesh shall fail. Do this and even you shall see.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> See what -- they often questioned him, but every path that Thugo took yielded goodness on his behalf to his people. A well where none thought water was possible, a game when even mighty hunters failed, and honors from a Western King when all others were turned away or slain. Still, the Nasilian people pushed ahead following the Blacksmith prophet, a title he himself disowned.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> They headed to the far reaches of the Blue Mountains in the west, on foot, horse-drawn house wagons and tents they trekked. One morning as the people approached the forest of Norwood, with the great peaks in the distance, the Shadol came to the Blacksmith’s working tent, “As Judge of the people I should be jealous of you for gaining such favor with the people, but in truth Thugo I am envious. God has never spoken to me.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> “Marithan, my Shadol – I never --.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> “Be at ease my friend, your words are not needed,” Merithan’s honesty showed in his face, “Yet, I must ask --.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> “I do not know, Shadol. If I did, my dearest of old friends you would be my first confidant. Why we are to go to the Firstborn is beyond my knowing,” now was Thugo’s turn to share his questioning look.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> “Do the Elves even remain in the world, or at least at their ancient harbor?”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> Thugo smiled broadly, “Of that, I am sure. A man of Gondor shared that they do,” he added, “A shoed horse gained payment in the way of news, my Shadol.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: medium;"> The tribal leader beamed hopefully, “It is a bright glimmer to know one day that we shall be accepted by these strangers.”</span></div></div>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-76412644877262782422023-10-22T10:11:00.003-05:002023-10-28T04:24:27.104-05:00THE SILENT VOICE<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN5se7qW9IzOLGXuuLhZsRojl3h7msnL89wyyH87Y_l7mnTqAwkQ99_ZXKldxSRO_hUkdQlGkkzs8S4fBsqVfwnjorVVexP6GCx8nV18JrpoKhQRkB6NnIR7l39PM9K9KiV1xIydEXcB6pFfshr7nzRXX475yR9wK1flPs1kjfhWXZX23G1mRW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="636" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN5se7qW9IzOLGXuuLhZsRojl3h7msnL89wyyH87Y_l7mnTqAwkQ99_ZXKldxSRO_hUkdQlGkkzs8S4fBsqVfwnjorVVexP6GCx8nV18JrpoKhQRkB6NnIR7l39PM9K9KiV1xIydEXcB6pFfshr7nzRXX475yR9wK1flPs1kjfhWXZX23G1mRW=w366-h248" width="366" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><div class="x1iorvi4 x1pi30zi x1l90r2v x1swvt13" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id=":r8t:" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px 16px; transition-property: none;"><div class="x78zum5 xdt5ytf xz62fqu x16ldp7u" style="animation-name: none; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px; transition-property: none;"><div class="xu06os2 x1ok221b" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; transition-property: none;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" color="var(--primary-text)" dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; display: block; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; word-break: break-word;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE SILENT VOICE</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(A story I wrote).</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Among the Nasilian people who wandered in their covered house wagons, and infrequently pitched their tents by tribal colors, there came a man named Al-madath, who was also called Baaladon. He was a humble man and kept to himself and his family, a tent maker by trade as was the tradition of his clan.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> A <span style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><a style="animation-name: none; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>day came that Baaladon fell backward from off a wagon’s porch hitting his head hard upon the ground, bloodying it upon a large rock. Yalma his wife cared for Al-madath as he never rose from his bed where he lay for four days with no food or drink. She gave him up as one lost unto their gods for he retained no color, and his breathing had forsaken his flesh.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Wood, as could be gathered among that rocky range of the Blue Mountain’s northern face, was built up whereby his form laid in repose in the rite of farewell. Yalma was called a widow before his pyre, and fatherless were his six sons: Al-Jahmesh, Al-meth, Al-ye’voth, Al-Bedath, Seir-al-Ban, and Seir-al-Shalvon.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Beneath the shadows of a blackening sky, Baaladon sat up straight upon his deathbed, to the utter fright of all those gathered mourners, he then stood to his feet and in a loud voice proclaimed, “Forgive them Oh Lord! I continue to lift them up even now that you have returned me, even as I swore before your Light that I would oh Sovereign of All!” Then, Al-madath cried to the people who were gathered about as though he had seen them for the first time, “Stop your foolish ways you corrupt wicked people for the Lord of Life, Ruyil Himself desires only to crush you into nothingness, to wipe you away like crumbs from off the feasting table of a King of kings!”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Those who approached to ignite the funeral pyre were thrown back with much freight, accidentally causing the pyre upon which the living man now stood to suddenly blaze with leaping flames! Yet, the man whom Yalma had known as her husband continued to shout at the crowds as though he was on a stage performing a summer play, “For four days and nights without drink or sleep I pleaded before Ruyil on your behalf. I wept with great sorrow, and he was much perplexed by my sorrow as to why I would mourn so, for the loss of oath breakers, murderers, and liars such as this wicked generation has become! I cried ‘Oh God, fallen stupid children are we but children nonetheless, if only I could turn them from your anger, then surely would you withhold from washing them away like filth.’” Baaladon ( which means Man of God) looked down from his own funeral pyre engulfed in flames, suddenly blowing out at that very moment like the flame of a candle. “Neither was I consumed by Ruyil’s great light; greater than the sun’s disc burning the sands of those desert lands we were so blessed to have fled!”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> From that smoldering wood pile, Al-madath leapt down tearing with great joy at seeing the face of his beloved wife. He quickly embraced her even as she and their six sons wept holding him close. Being much moved in their hearts, all those people gathered likewise embraced them as members of their own inner family. Then, in one great voice, they swore themselves, “All these and other wicked things we pledge to reframe from and to serve only Ruyil, and you as his cherished Spokesman!!! Slavath are we now, his children, and fools no more.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Seventeen years passed for those upright people, who craved the best for their fellow man, sharing with the other what needs and wants they might have with each other. Nine hundred and seventy-eight persons traveled as a single mind, ever west in search of the homeland of the fabled Ancient Ones, called Elves of the secret Harbor. Those Nasilian nomads pitch their tents, encircling their leader’s House-wagon no longer than two days in the same place. Then, in time, upon the very morning that they were to uproot themselves once again near the walled city of their prayers, devastating news shattered all their pledged hopes. Their Judge-Shadol was found murdered on his bed with his throat cut open. Wailing cries of horrid shock railed out against a cloudless morning sky.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> As it came to pass the two adopted sons of Baaladon, Seir-al-Ban and Seir-al-Shalvon were the very ones who saw a man fleeing the Shadol’s covered wagon. They fell upon the murderer and held him for the elders to proclaim his fate.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> The Shadol’s firstborn son declared, “Before the walls of the Ancient Ones have, we finally come, and at their feet shall we plead our cause.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> But it was the ominous words of Baaladon that gave the people the greater cause for unsettled fear, “Hear now, our days have come to be numbered and shattered is all that we once held as secure for once again have we embraced the path against Ruyil! From here on ever shall we fight against those who shall surely prove to be our Masters, enslaving us with cunning words shall we in turn be wholly a forgotten people. Shame! Shame upon us all. Fallen are we even as our Shadol has been slain, and let his blood be upon us for having allowed such wickedness to creep back in among us.” With that Al-madath shut his mouth as a mute man, never spoke again, not even to his wife or sons, who wept bitterly at his passing seventeen years later. It was then they remembered their tattooed oaths and the old ways their people once clung to.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Marithan the first Judge-Shadol of that name was slain in the year [2758], which would have been the [145th] Year of Recitation. Yet, because of the terrifying chaos, it was the first time his people neglected to swear their allegiance to one another as a single people. Reciting the tattooed oaths, they bore on their forearms gave no peace with the loss of their sovereign leader.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">....</span></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-63641595337609035402023-09-26T04:33:00.003-05:002023-09-26T04:33:43.147-05:00APES<p> <a href="https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6qaqai">Planet of the Apes E01 HD Escape From Tomorrow (1974 TV series) - video Dailymotion</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-36913243828844491022023-09-10T08:49:00.003-05:002023-09-10T08:49:33.779-05:00Unlocking the Secrets of Mesopotamian Magic with Dr. Irving Finkel<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/THA1Ez_kw0g?si=zovvdDlLLViSoUmS" width="480"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>...</div>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-53000708233913915892023-09-10T08:09:00.008-05:002023-09-10T08:13:37.047-05:00eBAY --How To...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDhz6mzEdw8iGF93114YJkJ9ao6YuriouihEDimKGuXCnoVtu3oSEsTemt0bTe95sydiWlmxLUTS2MHwq387sS2f5RvNpao8g4fy4Dv5HZa_zfRGz67B8zxLqreumyPKB8NXjVrF31dQCZvxucrFxiya9Fzdp8r-4XxdVBJIpAn_xKPHq7w6A/s944/EBAY%20%20-Screenshot%202023-09-10%20081150.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="944" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDhz6mzEdw8iGF93114YJkJ9ao6YuriouihEDimKGuXCnoVtu3oSEsTemt0bTe95sydiWlmxLUTS2MHwq387sS2f5RvNpao8g4fy4Dv5HZa_zfRGz67B8zxLqreumyPKB8NXjVrF31dQCZvxucrFxiya9Fzdp8r-4XxdVBJIpAn_xKPHq7w6A/w613-h317/EBAY%20%20-Screenshot%202023-09-10%20081150.png" width="613" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sl/sell"></a><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sl/sell"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Selling on eBay | Electronics, Fashion, Home & Garden | eBay</b></span></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>..</p>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-73226794320792394722023-09-10T08:06:00.003-05:002023-09-10T08:06:28.882-05:00 pallet of Amazon returns - Unboxing <iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/qO3LOsyRGXo?si=a-rK8CSkCeOOuRmh" frameborder="0"></iframe>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-76536420512678165312023-05-28T14:44:00.000-05:002023-05-28T14:44:48.771-05:00FISH TANK IDEAS<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> FISH TANK:</span></p><p><a href="https://www.petsmart.com/fish/starter-kits/top-fin-essentials-aquarium-starter-kit-40713.html?cgid=300128&fmethod=Browse">Top Fin® Essentials Aquarium Starter Kit | fish Starter Kits | PetSmart</a></p><p>PLANT SOIL:</p><p><a href="https://www.petsmart.com/fish/decor-gravel-and-substrate/aquarium-substrate/caribsea-eco-complete-planted-aquarium-substrate-44058.html?cgid=300100&fmethod=Browse">CaribSea Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate | fish Aquarium Substrate | PetSmart</a></p><p>SAND:</p><p><a href="https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/caribsea-super-naturals-aquarium-sand">CaribSea Super Naturals Aquarium Sand, 10 lbs. | Petco</a></p><p>PLANTS:</p><p><br /></p>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-3547663556112804522023-05-20T09:37:00.002-05:002023-05-20T09:37:34.252-05:0020 Gallon Stocking Ideas YOU CAN COPY!!<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/u4skd6Rd760" width="480"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>...</div>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9660561.post-89802058123748186282023-05-16T04:40:00.009-05:002023-05-16T04:50:41.999-05:00Tidal FILTER<p><b> <a href="https://www.seachem.com/tidal-filters.php">Seachem - Tidal Power Filters</a></b></p><p><a href="https://keepfishkeeping.com/collections/equipment-filtration/products/tidal-power-filters-from-seachem-sicce?aff=8"><b>Tidal Power Filters From Seachem/Sicce – KGTropicals (keepfishkeeping.com)</b></a></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AMAZON PRICE is Better: </b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/SeaChem-Aquarium-Filter-Gallon-Liters/dp/B01M6Z59E9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=278ZQ8NDAIHFE&keywords=Tidal+power+filter&qid=1684230473&sprefix=tidal+power+filter%2Caps%2C279&sr=8-1"><b>Amazon.com : SeaChem Large Aquarium Fish Tank Filter, Tidal 55 Gallon (200 Liters) by Sicce : Pet Supplies</b></a> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgW7qIoA2EJestT-tIqc7DJh9-bXN0ODw4NnyxW4YC4HboX8sgeLacBwsQDrMLTjDJizV3wG7Qr473svowjqzHhZUswtOiBmxxK78g_8NaruzTmDMRORuZty8t7dikaDFL6ZWZp4nMt8fA-b8ZtMSBnBCWzp1rU1mrebc2rB-W3xt3_3dEcVA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1818" data-original-width="2400" height="461" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgW7qIoA2EJestT-tIqc7DJh9-bXN0ODw4NnyxW4YC4HboX8sgeLacBwsQDrMLTjDJizV3wG7Qr473svowjqzHhZUswtOiBmxxK78g_8NaruzTmDMRORuZty8t7dikaDFL6ZWZp4nMt8fA-b8ZtMSBnBCWzp1rU1mrebc2rB-W3xt3_3dEcVA=w609-h461" width="609" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>..</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Snowbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13105525087699847447noreply@blogger.com0