Covenant: Exodus

Chapter 7

Noahim strode through the jungle, making his way to the Jala'Kim. Karok remained by his side. The jungle heat, which had been oppressive earlier this morning, seemed to have little effect now that he wore the high priest's robe. He entered the clearing outside the Jala'Kim and saw all the other Mul'Ki's RaSheen, it was an impressive sight. Hundreds of tigers, jaguars, leopards, cheetahs, monkeys, a few small bears, and some deer-like animals were walking around the clearing or lying in the grass. Most of them stood when Noahim and Karok entered the clearing, and all of them averted their eyes when Karok turned his gaze to them. Noahim did not pause to take in this scene, he simply strode into the center of the clearing and made his way into the jungle on the other side.

The air around Noahim seemed to crackle with electricity as he strode toward the Jala'Kim. His face was set into a mask of determination. Unlike the other RaSheen, Karok did not stop in the clearing to await the return of his master; instead, he continued to walk beside Noahim as he entered the clearing of the Jala'Kim. All the Mul'Ki were awaiting his arrival. He had heard whispered conversations as he approached through the jungle, no doubt the brothers speaking to one another trying to determine the cause of this unprecedented event. As Noahim walked into the clearing, everyone fell silent. They all watched as their leader, his silver robes reflecting the glorious light from Ratam, made his way to the center of the clearing.

Noahim made eye contact with no one, he did not want to lose his resolve. He felt the gaze of every man in the clearing focus on him as he walked towards the Jala'Kim. He walked directly to the edge of the pool and knelt down. He paused for a moment to ensure that each and every one of his brethren witnessed the event that was about to follow, and then he cupped his hands and drank from the pool of knowledge. The water was sweet, and as it flowed into his mouth, Noahim's head began to swim. For a moment he feared that he had made a terrible mistake, but the sensation passed, and a strange feeling came over Noahim.

In his mind, he felt the nagging need to focus on what he desired most. He instantly thought of the VegaRa that he and Jakon had witnessed. He then thought of the countless shelves full of books dedicated to the study of Ratam, and as he pictured those shelves, one book seemed to float away from the others and move closer to his eyes. The book remained in his mind's eye, spinning until he saw the simple title on the front, Ratam RaAva. He couldn't think of ever seeing this book in all his time at the temple, but he knew, without a doubt, this was where he would find his answers. He opened his eyes, stood, and faced his brethren.

Noahim surveyed the gathered Mul'Ki. Many of them were looking at him with a mixture of awe and fear, which was to be expected, after all, he had just drunk from the Jala'Kim. Others looked confused, he assumed that they were wondering why he had called them all here today, and still others were looking at him with what could only be described as resentment. Even the jungle seemed to be still with anticipation. Noahim was the picture of power, standing before them in the high priest's robes, the BalaRa sitting at his side, watching the crowd with sharp feline eyes.

"My brothers," he said loudly so that all of the Mul'Ki could hear him, "I have a lot of work to do and very little time so I will speak plainly to you today. It is well known that there are many among us that no longer believe in the old ways," Noahim paused and stared directly at Jakon who simply smirked, "there has been a rift growing between us for hundreds of years. Our great high priest Rashan did his best to repair this rift, but I am here today to tell you that the time for compromise has ended. Ratam is in a state of great distress, and I fear for the safety of all of Atla. Earlier today, I spoke to Jakon about these events, and he witnessed them with his own eyes. I sought out Jakon because I believed his experience and knowledge would be a great benefit to me in my search for answers, but I was wrong. Jakon refused to help me...refused to help his high priest." Noahim let these last words sink in and saw out of the corner of his eye that Jakon was leaning over and speaking to the brother standing at his right side. "I have always known that many of you believe that I am not worthy of this post. The people disagree! I have known all of you for almost my entire life, and many of you, I consider to be great friends. The people chose me because of the prophecy, a prophecy that some of you believe I do not fulfill, but I have just drunk the water of the Jala'Kim. The BalaRa sought me out at birth! I command the true Ari'Yet."