THE REALM

Chapter Seventeen

  The last year of training

  "So which of the seven Kingdomer Nations are we headed for?" I asked, in hopes that Kuri would divulge the route he was taking. His answer shocked me.

  "We're not going to any of the seven Kingdomer Nations, as it is not yet time for that."

  "If we're not visiting the seven Kingdomer Nations then where are we going?"

  "Well, we just entered Ezon and after that Sarran followed by Portanisha and Orpital."

  "But those are all Nicationer Nations!"

  "Precisely."

  I didn't understand it.

  Kuri glanced over to me, "Have you forgotten your own beginnings so quickly? Whether they are Nicationer or Kingdomer they are alike in that they all possess a soul. One is no better than the other in the eyes of El Elyon."

  "How can that be true? Kingdomers serve and reverence the name of the Most High, while Nicationers bow in reverence to any dark entity or simple aspect of nature!"

  There was a sad note to Kuri's tone as he said, "And yet I tell you the two are the same. In fact there are many Nicationers of higher regard in the eyes of El Elyon than those in the seven kingdoms. Many of those within the seven kingdoms say they worship El Elyon, but they serve another, while there are those among the Nicationer's who have never heard of El Elyon. Tell me Benaiah, which is worse?"

  "To say you know El Elyon and yet not serve Him," I said slowly, as new comprehension dawned within me.

  Kuri nodded and said, "Neither is good and both are in danger of Sheol, but those who have been given more chances to know and follow El Elyon's ways will have more expected of them in return. Theirs is the greater guilt for not believing, while ignorance is the Nicationer's defense against greater judgment than that received by the Kingdomer."

  "Why do we go at all, if things have deteriorated to such a great degree?" I asked.

  Kuri glanced over at me, "I never said it was hopeless Benaiah. People can change. Whether they be Nicationer or Kingdomer they all have the ability to change and become something far better."

  As we rode along, I idly mused on why Kuri had chosen me to be his fellow messenger to a lost world. In a way I was, by blood, half of both worlds and yet Kuri saw me as just another man. Why should I be prejudiced against visiting the lands of my father's heritage?

  "What are we doing after we reach Orpital?" I asked.

  Kuri seemed reflective for a moment and time stretched out. I didn't think he was going to answer me when suddenly he spoke, "After our work is accomplished in Orpital we will head south into the Targon Mountains."

  "The Targon Mountains! I have heard that is a place of great evil where the monsters of the fallen Malachim have gone to live in great number!"

  Kuri shrugged, "So? What are facing such beasts in open confrontation to you? Haven't you been slaying such beasts for over the past year now?"

  When he said it like that my objection to what he proposed didn't make much sense. Nevertheless I said, "I've heard it's worse there."

  With a smile Kuri asked, "And when have you heard this Benaiah? You've been with me for two years now and we've seen no other in all that time."

  "In the towns where I grew up. It was a thing of common rumor," I said defensively.

  "Ahhh rumor. Rumors are tricky things, Benaiah, and most often not to be believed, as there is little truth to them."

  "You're saying there are no monsters?"

  "Not at all, rather I'm saying that it would be best for you to approach the unknown without preconceived ideas about it or else you will find yourself bound up by many fears. Every step you take in the mountains could be haunted by the fear of being discovered by a monster that may not even exist, while on the other hand you walk across a market yard of one of the seven kingdoms in blind trust that you are safe when really you are in the midst of a den of vipers more harmful than any monster.

  As you learn diplomacy over this coming year you will learn the value of approaching every situation you encounter with watchful caution, but also with a willingness for things to go right instead of wrong. If you do so you will not be motivated out of fear to engage in unnecessary actions as so many others are want to do. Instead, you will be the master of your own actions and able to chart the best journey forward regardless of the situation at hand."

  I shook my head as I stared out at the dusty miles that lay stretched out before us. Diplomacy and its accompanying attributes might not be such an easy lesson to learn after all.

  It occurred to me then, as to something else that I had heard about the Targon Mountains. It was said that most of the remnants of the Yesathurim people lived there. Kuri's people.

  "Do you mean to rejoin with your people when we reach the Targon Mountains?" I asked, curious to see what reaction I would receive from Kuri.

  Completely unfazed he said, "My people are scattered across all of Ayenathurim, but yes, there are many of my people held up in the mountains to the far south. I intend to gather them and lead them to a safer place. A place within the borders of my people's ancestral land. The same place that we've just come from."

  I nodded, feeling somewhat more assured of a plan of action now.

  "What then? What happens after your people are gathered in the valley of the Holy Mountains?"