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Log: Terms of Enlightenment

Page history last edited by Koal 15 years, 5 months ago

The temple is quiet, a sense of peace slowly stealing back over it. It's late evening, the bloody sun far in the west, painting the white marble columns scarlet. The five altars of the Dragons are each tended by only a single mortal monk apiece, while a scant few postulates sweep and scrub the floors. Many still bear scars of Deled's time in the city- fading bruises or limps, broken noses or arms in splints. The mortals look up warily as you enter.

Cynis Chu is a bit towards the back. His robe is pulled down and bundled up at his waist. He's striking, repeatedly, at a point on a tree in the courtyard. There's a visible dent in the bark, although no single strike seems to carry much power- just a two finger thrust that looks like nothing more than a hard poke. His skin is flushed emerald, turned muddy by the reddish, fading light.

Mnemon Koal 's footsteps are heard long before he enters. Stiff clopping like brick on brick. The mortal monks immediately recognize those steps in their subconscious and relax, returning to there duties in peaceful meditation, as the long missing presence is felt. Instinctively they know that those footsteps represent an end to previous crisis. A clean shaven brown grey youth enters in a quiet and formal manner. He wears only the uniform of a dragonlord, but carries no armor or weapons on his person at the moment. Seeing Chu, he walks over calmly and purposefully, but waits patiently nearby for the monk to take notice of him...in fact, you almost get the feeling that he is meditating and praying while waiting for you to notice him, as if time were not an issue.

         Following Koal are the quiet footsteps of Amon Lazaros. He is, as always, as quiet as the wind and nearly as unnoticeable. As usual his regalia is hidden under his hooded cloak, clsped tightly around his neck. The only objects visible are his everpresent quiver and his sword Vera. Amon is no doubt curious as to the state of the temple after Deled left... or perhaps he is seeking spiritual enlightenment.

Cynis Chu hmms, waiting several minutes, punctuated only by steady breaths and a 'thock' against the tree, more regular than any mortal metronome. At last, and without turning from his task- which is apparently to fell the tree one nudge at a time -he asks, "What brings you to the Temple?" His voice is strangely affectless, almost monotone. "You missed today's reading." Thock. "It was a passage from the story of Daana'd first and last voyage," Thock. "When she struck down those who turned traitor against the blood," Thock. "Even though their minds were decieved by the Anathema's magic." Thock. "Very illuminating." Thock.

Mnemon Koal says, "Now that the temple is open again, I have come as I always did before the days of violence and disorder that occurred when The Master of the Hunt was here. I'm glad you are having services again for those who wish listen,...I come merely to pray to Pasiap as I used to. Are you the brother Chu that assaults people in their homes when they dissagree with what you have to say?"

Mnemon Koal 's words are peaceful and direct, strangely lacking in any sort of judgement or condemnation.

         Amon walks in, pushing back his cloak past his shoulders, showing his jade panoply and form-fitting silk suit. "I was looking for the monk that brutralized Lady Aoi," he says clearly. "Sadly, due to the fact that her tongue was severed and her hands were crippled she was unable to communicate the name of the person to me," he says as he smiles at Chu, "Perhaps you could help me with that regard?"

"With what they say?" Chu asks. Thock. "Oh, no." Thock. "Never for what they say. Only what they do." Thock. "Or fail to do." Thock. "Or hold quietly, in the depths of their hearts." Thock. And, at Amon's question, he grins. "Of course. And you already know it was me." He spares Amon half a glance, and adds, "I see you've aquired a new set of arms." Thock. "Pity."

Mnemon Koal says, "Sigh. Greetings Amon. I'm glad that you have survived your ordeals. Please keep the peace and allow some time to seek wisdom from this monk who has seen so much of what has happened in these past days. If enlightment is his purpose, I believe he will spare me the time to understand what has occurred and why. I am unsure of what incident you speak, but what happens among monks is for them to decide."

Mnemon Koal 's hands remain clasped together in front of him in a peaceful manner. You get the feeling that he is not lying whatsoever and truly wishes to understand the events of the past season.

         Amon holds up his arms and flexes his fingers, "As good as new, Chu. You're welcome to try them out at your convenience." He smiles evilly at the ambiguous comment. No one would ever accuse Amon of being wise and the tacit implication of a duel probably doesn't help that line of thought. He dips his head at Koal, "Greetings Dragonlord Koal, as always it is a pleasure to see you."

Cynis Chu pulls his arm back, as if to strike the tree again, then holds. Breathing carefully, evening. For a moment, there is a brief flicker, of something black and green, shadowed and terrible, gathering about his hand. It fades, almost as quickly as it appeared, and Chu relaxes, turning to properly face the two men. "I'll take you up on that offer when you wish, Lazaros. But your friend shows a greater wisdom. This and that were both Immaculate business." He licks his lips. His smile is gone, now that he's not talking about breaking Aoi, his voice affectless again. Giving Koal a slight bow. "Is there anything in particular you would like to know?"

Mnemon Koal returns the bow respectfully. "Thank you for your time. Forgive my ignorance, I understand it is your duty to plant the seeds of wisdom in others, and that in the winter of people's hearts, old bark and leaves must often be shed to await the coming of spring. Do you believe that the message you have delivered in recent days has truly helped those you visited to turn another leaf and become more in tune with the will of the dragons? My feelings were always that you championed kindness and compassion as an example to set for others? Although I never asked you directly, I always assumed.

         Amon stands defiantly, "I once swore to defend Creation from those that would bully the weak and to this day I will stand for that oath to my dying breath." He cants his head at Chu and says, "Though something puzzles me, Brother Chu. How is brutalizing a scion of Cathak called Immaculate business? Is the Mouth of Peace not one to advocate a position with words and not violence? After all, she does not advocate a policy of peace through superior firepower. So please, explain to me how maiming Lady Aoi follows this path? Perhaps I am not enlightened enough to see how violence is the same as peace."

Cynis Chu's lips twitch for a moment, pulling nearly into an ugly scowl at Koal's words. "Are you questioning an Immacualte of Sextes Jyles in the means to properly trim a garden, and ensure a bountiful harvest, scion of Pasiap?" he asks, in a low voice. It's subdued, but there's an undercurrent of real anger in the question. "Faith is not a pile of bricks, assembled in the right order to make a shrine. They are vines, and when they are tended well, the fruit is sweet and the vines strong. But a good gardner knows that rot must be purged, by sheer and root and fire."

The scowl turns towards Amon, although Chu twists it into something... more satisfied. "Simple. She raised voice and arms against the Order, and now mortals have seen that not even the Dragonblooded- not even the highest scions of the blood -may do so without fear of punishment. And fear will lead them to the path of enlightenment. Fear of this Order."

Mnemon Koal remains unfazed and seems not to notice the undercurrent of anger in the monk, his face as passive as a statue, his mien an aura of peace. "Of course I'm questioning you, for there is no one better to ask about such things. What you said is true, and I am well versed in brick laying. However, a well tended garden, in which the plants are properly nurtured, does not have rot in the first place. I fear I haven't done much gardening, but I believe this to be the case. I'm not sure plants feel fear though."

     "And are not the plants that have endured rot and developed resistance, sturdier than those who have never seen it in the first place?"

         Amon laughs as he crosses his arms over his chest, "Then you should go beat some fear into Saruso, Tant, Zuriel and myself for opposing the edicts of the Master of the Hunt. I find it hilarious that your method of 'teaching' is fear. The true mark of a bully... and a coward. Tell me, are you going to go around kicking puppies next? That would be an excellent next step I believe. Sow some fears into those puppies for being so damn adorable!"

     "Amon. Please don't heckle Brother Chu while I'm seeking enlightenment. It's clear that his responsibilities weigh heavily on him and he deserves to be treated appropriately and with respect."

Cynis Chu's scowl deepens. "Tant has been... spoken to. And yourself and the others?" He grins suddenly, a feral expression, and licks his lips again. "The Dragons teach patience, as well. And the road that path to wisdom is long and hard, but all scale it eventually." He turns away from the two, suddenly pivoting. "You should go, Lazaros. Or strike, and be done with this farce. You've no more interest in understanding now than I have in teaching a damned bitch's mewling whelp." With which, he starts to walk back into the temple.

         Amon laughs once more, "If you wished me to strike you would not have turned your back on me. I am not a dishonourable coward that maims women that disagree with them. Whenever you speak, all I hear are the words of a coward and bully. You and I both know that you weren't always like this, Chu. You've changed and I dare say it is not for the better."

Cynis Chu pauses, mid-step, and turns, very deliberately, to face Amon. "Then strike now," he replies. His face has gone back to affectless, emotionless.

Mnemon Koal says, "Patience Amon, the wounds of the last season run deep and some remain inflamed. Would you let yourself become that which you say you oppose? We are not magistrates to deal justice as we please, or members of the Order to call people for atonement. Act in the fashion you would have others follow, not in the fashion of those you oppose. Otherwise, all you've said is meaningless."

Mnemon Koal 's words remain passive as the mountain that upholds creation, filled with respect and a sense of peace.

         Amon nods at Koal, "I realise this, Dragonlord. I was not going to strike him. However, I was merely pointing out the contradiction between his words and his actions. As I said before, the Mouth of Peace advocates her position with words, not blades. I follow her wisdom in the same way, though admittedly perhaps less eloquently and with liberal sarcasm." He is talking to Koal entirely, as if Chu doesn't exist.

Cynis Chu snorts. "And you name me coward," he says scornfully, quietly, before walking into the temple.

 

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