Damned!

Catholic Church/ The Match

"I know this is not what you wish for."

The church that looked small from the outside, was cavernous with high ceilings and ornate wooden statues of various saints. In the front above the chapel steps a hanging Jesus, his arms spread out in a gesture that seemed to take in the community of empty pews in the room or ready to take a flight of escape should the situation warrant. Ein had always thought the latter with a note of whimsy and had shared his interpretation with the younger altar boys.

"What I wish for, I would hope would be mutual," Ein said, staring intently into the wrinkles around the old priest's eyes. "However, it seems someone persuaded you before me and has swayed your opinion. You talk as if this were all out of your hands. Don't you know that diverting the river will not only destroy this community but also the trade commerce that you fought so diligently for? Tell me really, grandpa. What deal did they make with you?"

"Times change Ein. You told me this when you decided to search out your father and live in the city. This is
no place to plant your feet, seek your fortune. My duty is to the people, and their welfare. I see this benefitting the people."

Ein's expression soured, and he brushed back the loose hair around his forehead, ragged since his dismissal last month. He was angered that Heinrich had chosen to use his teenage words to throw back in his face. The words had been taken out of context and Heinrich knew this.

"Grandpa, this is not what they desire. You call this a good change? Things will change for sure. The Gandan Fish, native to this area only, will no longer have a safe haven to breed. And while they may not be the most popular item on the capital market, they complete the eco cycle, preying on other animals such as frogs, water snakes, keeping the muddied river clear for the salmon that is so heavily harvested each year. If the city officials divert the water, this ecosystem will become disrupted and endangered. This will affect not only Gandans, but the capital."

"I am not an engineer like you Ein. You take after your father's footsteps in this matter. You may measure buildings and streams, but how do you know the direct consequences of change? The earth has been changing for hundreds of years and yet you think this act will be the end of civilization?" he waves his hands in exaggeration.

Ein stood with a firm jaw, disheartened by his grandfather's lack of interest.

"Grandpa, this is not what they desire. This change calls for destruction.Your parishioners, to be put in a city without a job or education. Other than the scriptures and the church, Gandan's have no advanced education. I know my former bosses as do you. The capital will provide cheap education and cheap job prospects."

"Even if I had a way to help. The archbishop has spoken, and I am at his disposal of will. Really, what power do I have?"

"I have never noticed before that you need to be reminded of all the great work you have accomplished. Do you want to see it go to waste over some ill-thought plan with limited benefits? You were the one that helped the capitol avoid trade wars. You established the communications necessary for the truck trade routes to and from Gandan. This is the first time I have heard you claim your own small influence on the powers that be. Why not press them further and try to negotiate? Perhaps the archbishop has taken care of you handsomely?"

Heinrich sighed exasperatedly.

"If you can show me a better outcome," he said, raising his eyebrows significantly. "I may be inclined to issue a rebuttal to the capital. I have to warn you though. I have been commanded to start my work, including encouraging the annexation of the population within one month's time period. It looks to me that you are on the wrong end of time here."

Heinrich revealed the archbishop had given him orders to assist in the relocation of people part of the Watershed Jungle project as soon as possible and to explain to the Gandans their options.

"You should remember your own parishioners, how fierce their history has been with the capital. The fact that they were willing to go to war to ensure a beneficial trade agreement, an agreement that you brokered. You cannot ask them to relocate. The Gandan people are not naive. They will fight to see that their lands and homes are not destroyed." Ein stated. "Give me one month, grandpa. I have connections to the capital. My replacement is new and may have sympathetic ears. We can work something out," he ventured brazenly.

Heinrich smiled tightly. "You have two weeks to enact some change." he countered, "If you show me a viable option, only then, will I consider being persuaded to be your ally."