The Salom'Sileyu Trilogy 1: The Kult of Salom'Sileyu

Episode 4: Tallie

"News channel seven reporting live; it seems that the imperial navy has ordered another fleet of three dropships over the city of Vör in this week's attempt to locate the alleged divine logician. There are no reports of what their appearance is, and there's major warnings posted all around this the suspect is highly dangerous and highly volatile. Remain indoors, and make sure that the people with you are people you trust. Lockdown restrictions will be lifted within the week as final searches commence. This is Remorda Amerndon reporting live!"

"Thank you, Remorda! That's a gloomy update on a dire situation, wouldn't you say, Alek?"

"Indeed, Sera. We're here at the studio with Professor Neoda, who has a allegora's degree in historical archeology and study, and has done intense research into the particular history of religious influence and their impact on the status of certain individuals in society.

"Thank you both, sir Alek and madam Sera. Indeed, I've done important studies into religious history, and I can tell you that divine logicians were some of the worst blights in our planet's past. They were beings of immense power, and as we saw with the internal wars they waged, they clearly were not responsible with that power. It's almost a mandate of the empire to extinguish their flames, and ensure the safety and survival of all elves on thaerv that we do not let their kind have any sort of resurgence. The fact that a divine logician is alive today means that we have work to do."

"But professor, what about the riots all across the cities of Enthedrill, like in D'Vnora, Ih'Dejj, and Shustur, who are proclaiming that we bring the 'true heroes' back to defend the people? How do you reconcile with their outrageous beliefs that these... These tyrants were truly good individuals, and heroes in the eyes of the world?"

"That's a good question, Sera, and the answer is simple; you televise the capture of this modern-day devil-"

"Okay, that's enough of that," Tallie said as she walked into her living room and turned the TV off. The words stung in Ayela's heart.

"That's such bullshit," she spat. "Who does that professor think he is?! An allegora's degree?! Eight additional years of academy for a degree that he – like all other modernist Korists – thinks allows him to claim that the Uri'Kai and the divine logicians weren't a part of Rök's plans?! Fuck him!"

"He's just a man, Ayela," Tallie cooed, handing her a warm cup of coffee.

"And he has the eight hundred thousand people in this city listening to him... This is ridiculous," she complained as she sipped on her coffee.

"Let's ignore the news for now. They're going to spew out whatever jargon their employers tell them to, because that's what gets views. In the meantime, while we're locked in tight, let's take a look at that book you found in the museum," Tallie pressed. Ayela was cautious, but she didn't let it show on her face. She pulled out the book, running her fingers along its worn, faded cover and opened it. It was hard, but she managed to pull off being naïve in front of her friend.

"Here it is," she said, reading the first line again. "We are the order of those who seek the Towlål..." She watched Tallie's eyes as she read the book for herself, and noticed for the first time a sparkle in them that she'd only seen in children when they get their favorite toy for their birthday. ...There's no way. She thought to herself. "What do you think it means?"

"I have no idea," Tallie responded absentmindedly.

Lie.

"...Who do you think the Towlål are?"