Those Who Sharpen the Mind

Rites and Deceptions

On this particularly hot summer afternoon, the Senate floor was cacophonous. The chaos of the room resembled an angry beehive. Many of the senior Senators called for order. The atmosphere calmed a bit as a wizened Senator approached the center of the auditorium.

"Distinguished members of the Senate, you have been gathered here in haste due to a few rabble-rousers. I'm sure they can explain this unprecedented call to action. Why have we all gathered in this great building?"

"The tone at which you dismiss dissent and speculation is revealing Senator Umtrick." Senator Drake said to the simultaneous quieting of the chambers.

"Drake, I do not recognize your demagoguery as appropriate speculation. A question is one of the most beautiful things in our society and you weaponize it like the thorns of a rose." Senator Umtrick retorted, unimpressed by this younger member's desire for attention.

"Listen, my fellow members. This Senate implements and improves upon the laws passed down from our forebearers. What do the Holi-inte follow? A dogmatic lore, a sense of superiority, and the mad visions of 'The Path'." Drake now had the attention of the chambers and reveled in the moment. It was not the time to make hasty threats or rush votes, but rather the time to establish dominance.

"What do you really know about the Holi-inte?" Senator Umtrick asked in an accusatory manner. Senator Brakken and Malbeck sank in their seats as they felt their deceptions weigh on their souls.

"I have here a former Holi-inte who knows the truth of what happens at that campus." Drake gestured towards a man strolling into the auditorium.

"This is a closed session!" Snapped Senator Umtrick with the support of several other Senators.

"I merely bring evidence to my dismissed and overlooked speculation." Drake grinned unsettlingly at Umtrick.

"This is Un'pet, 'The One who Creates New Paths'." Drake motioned for Un'pet to approach him. Drake grabbed Un'pet around the shoulders which made Un'pet visibly uncomfortable. Un'pet was not used to so many eyes fixed on him. He lived a solitary life after his time as a Holi-inte.

"Speak, Un'pet. Tell the other members what you have revealed to me." Drake said, looking at the crowd in a performative manner.

"M...My good lad...Senators!" The nerves and stutters of Un'pet were absorbed by the unimpressed congregation.

"Excuse me." He cleared his throat. "I am a former Holi-inte. Supposedly forced out for my studies into mind-altering substances. The so-called 'Sharpeners of the Mind' did not deem hallucinogens as part of noble research." Drake nudged Un'pet with his elbow to realign the rambling man.

"Right. The solidarity of the Holi-inte relies on the mentorship and leadership of the veteran members. The young men and women will not pose threats if they fear a lack of institution." Un'pet was now fumbling his hands nervously as he talked.

"Drake, why parade this obviously scorned man in these great chambers?" Senator Umtrick interjected.

"You seem to not understand the dangers this renegade institution poses. Look at the deadly scuffle that happened between their former head teacher and some farmhands." Drake said feeling the room mirror his rising tone. Senator Malbeck felt sick to his stomach but could not release any words of argument. Fear grabbed the Senators that had sealed Un'debro's fate, as the unaware Senators started to rally around a strong speech.

"Do you think a group of religious zealots can do any good for this city? The Holi-com administers the laws and keeps the peace. While the pious Holi-inte soak up valuable resources pontificating about fate." Drake could feel the Senate in his grasp. Umtrick fully disapproved of this mockery, but could not overpower the energy coursing through the Senate. He sat cross-armed and waited for the moment to bring the Senators out of the ever-worrying upheaval. This moment would not come this day.

Seeing the approval and rising tensions emboldened Un'pet. "I know how to break the spirits and the ranks of the Holi-inte." This brought a tense silence to the chambers. Un'pet had to swallow what felt like a boulder to get out his next statement.

"Play on their faith and bring the harsh reality of rejection from the gods. The novice members will panic enough that the efforts of the veterans will not quell the dissolution of the order. The Holi-inte is built on structure and participation. If you remove the masses of weaker elements, it all comes down."

Senator Umtrick sat with a few other Senators in astonishment. This was a brazen disregard for a historically positive institution. Drake smirked at the senior Senators as they felt the deluge of affirmation consume the chambers.

"Esteemed peers, we can not hang on to tradition when progress and survival are in danger. The Holi-inte are a piece of our history. Our path forward is law and order, not faith. Fear not as we do not have to battle this problem head on. We can bend the Holi-inte to the benefit of Haimore. I humbly ask for your vote and for this Senate to take back control of this city." Drake altogether felt the power and emotions rising through his body. This practiced moment went better than he could have imagined. The Chambers erupted in noises of approval. The dissenting Senators could not make a rebuttal over the massive cheers. They shook their heads in astonishment at this demagoguery. The fervor was captured and the vote commenced immediately. The Senate passed the motion to covertly take control of the Holi-inte.

In the exuberant celebration, Drake pulled Un'pet to a quiet corner.

"You have assured me this will work. I have riled up the majority of the Senate and if this does not work it will not be me that gets the blade to his throat." Drake said threateningly to the nervous man.

"Dr... Drake I have finished it." Un'pet said, trembling.

"Finished it? What exactly is it?" Drake questioned, realizing that this man was more mysterious than he had judged him to be.

"A trial. A trial that can not be conquered and will strike fear in the Holi-inte." Un'pet began to gain confidence in his speech about his work.

"I will not leave this to a trial. What if one can beat it?'

"It will be like extinguishing a fire with your fists. The harder you fight, the more it consumes you. The Holi-inte will witness the 'gods' rejection' and they will turn from their faith." Un'pet began to feel equal to Drake's dominating figure. Drake did not fear this postering man, he only wanted assurance.

"What is this trial you so arrogantly boast about?" Drake knew the words and tone to bring Un'pet back to his nervous demeanor.

"Ob... Ob... Ob..." Un'pet stammered, suddenly devoid of the previous confidence he had. The Senate around them was alive with raucous conversations and a palpable energy. Drake tilted his head down to focus Un'pet on his words and not the noises and emotions surrounding them.

"Speak of the trial or relinquish your chance at changing the order that wrongfully dismissed your curious education." Drake's words were his power and he could say the precise ones to elicit what he needed. Un'pet released two words as the joyous celebrations of the Senate suffocated the room.

"The Ob'inte"