Arnica Read online

  "Kiuzi!"

  "Seer!"

  Chaos erupted in thoughts and voices.

  Queen M'Lu sent love to all in the room. "Hold your judgment until you know these people. Act as the enlightened spiritual beings that you are." Her voice held no rebuke or sharp reprimand. It was delivered as a gentle reminder and the sheepish expressions on the majority of the group who were generations older than the child queen, bespoke of their acceptance of her authority.

  "A seer! A hag more than likely. So common," H'ya said. "We are the only ones to decide who will become Kiuzi on this planet." H'ya slammed his hand on the table.

  "You are being too bold to be giving these unseen visitors such honor! When I'm…"

  "Be silent, little brother! You are the one being too rude. Your behavior is shameful even for shonae." V'Sasa, his older sister, looked aghast. "You need a cold dose of reality and a week at the ashram on Aegean instead of spending time in lavish comfort doing nothing but bragging with other idiots about what is not to be."

  "He has a point about the Kiuzi. We…" L'marta began in defense of his friend.

  "We!" B'Reah's voice boomed, breaking a rule to not interrupt a speaker. "We do not appoint Kiuzi. It is the Queen's right and her duty to support, and see to their training." He effectively silenced the young Dwarf who promptly sat back in his chair frightened. "We aren't going to fall into such a seductive trap of taking on duties we don't have the depth for. It's taken us generations to undo the harm the previous misguided council caused." The elderly B'Reah shook his head in consternation. "We are only now enjoying the normal rhythm of the seasons from the last mistake."

  The Queen, Guardian, and Sacred Jester exchanged looks. B'Reah expressed one of the reasons the group did not want to involve themselves with commoner's affairs. The collective feeling was that they were not strong enough to resist the temptation of overstepping their power. However, not all the clans felt this way, which was one reason why the emergency session was called. The Queen pursed her lips, knowing that this fear would have to be overcome in order for them to grow in their responsibilities as mentors and teachers.

  "I agree. If we don't have the discipline to follow daily the codes of behavior for Drosu living, then it's all the more important that we guard against our arrogance in dealings with those that aren't Drosuans." C'Opre directed a glare at L'marta and then at H'ya.

  C'Opre continued, "Awareness of how power can and does corrupt led the ancient leaders, the Sha'Kar, to set up safeguards to protect their followers from themselves. One of these safeguards is the Kiuzi, and the other is the Guidelines for Living Drosu. It is one of the oldest works on Drosu, a spiritual way of life. You both should check out a copy for yourselves if you don't have one. And we all should give it another read."

  "Well said," the group applauded C'Opre.

  Queen M'Lu blessed. She stood up and the others rose as courtesy dictated. She waved them to sit down. "Aside from informing you of a disturbing reading, I have called you here to inform you of changes that are being made immediately."

  "What do you mean you are making changes?" H'ya slapped both his hands on the table angrily, "By what right? You are but a child!"

  Suddenly the room broke into angry rebuttals, voices shouting over others.

  " You, H'ya, are the child…bringing a child's arrogance not even a good nanny would put up with to this meeting!" A'Nka rebuked heatedly.

  "Ignorance! Nothing but a commoner! Throw him out!"

  "How can he possibly live on Allint with such unconstraint?"

  "H'ya! Be still, you ignorant fool!"

  "Who is your teacher? He should be removed from any teaching position!"

  "H'ya, you are full of gas! A two week fast and complete body cleansing at the Pools of Chrevas is what you need!" It was B'Reah's favorite response to anyone that said something disagreeable to him. Two weeks at the Pools would take most a full season to recover.

  H'ya was startled by all the voices rebuking him. "I will not be silent!" His young body was drawn up with indignant ire. "It is my clan right and her… her…"

  All could feel his difficulty to declare himself her consort and even that was not made official. It was a reading at his presentation in the temple, which had yet to be acknowledged by the Queen.

  He gulped his anger and frustration and finished, "and as her elder. M'Lu has dragged us here for no other preposterous reason than to dribble accusations at us about our Drosuan practices as if she knows better." He raised his chin in outrage and clenched his fists, not wanting to show weakness. "You are going mad like your mother!" he added further, his tone taking that of a child who is prone to mimic his elders.

  The outrage in the room rose quickly, taking the form of a dark cloud. Guardian raised her staff, breaking the disruptive energy. The staff absorbed it and down through it's shaft, it dissipated harmlessly into the stone floor.

  Queen M'Lu sent out to them all.

  All but H'ya looked embarrassed.

  The Queen resumed. "H'ya, your energy is so low that if Guardian were not protecting you, you would not be able to maintain a presence here. You have failed the first test I have placed before you. And by your present behavior, cousin," she paused but a moment, "you have failed the second." She nodded to the members that were standing looking shocked with the drama that was unfolding. "Everyone, but H'ya, please be seated.

  "Serious charges are being brought against you, H'ya." She gestured Guardian to come forward. "As you know by the rules of the council, you must hear them out before you refute them."

  Guardian moved to the left of the Queen.

  H'ya would have sat back down had not an invisible hand held him in place, further enraging him.

  "Witness! Witness! Charges and judgment will be brought forth," Guardian announced in a forceful voice, and then struck the floor eleven times with her staff. The thunk sent vibrations along the floor felt by those physically present.

  The commander of the Kiuzi stepped out of the shadows to the right side of the Queen as the Guardian thumped her staff.

  The members looked at each other surprised. L'marta was worried about his friend and tried to send supportive energy to him but found himself silenced.

  "Charges are being brought against H'ya. The charges are as follows…" the Guardian paused until the anxious energy of the members subsided, "seditious actions against Arnica, Allint, and the way of Drosu. What have you found in your investigations Commander of the Kiuzi?"

  "Evidence has been found that the accused has committed actions on all three counts." Commander O'Malley had not been given much time to gather the evidence but once it was known what to look for, it was insulting to his intelligence on how easy it was to find evidence of his actions. It aroused his suspicions that perhaps it was meant to be found, which confirmed his belief that there was a group focusing on undermining the House of Gei by bringing the family down, one by one. It was disturbing to the Kiuzi, for this had to be an inside job.

  "Proceed with what you found," Guardian said.

  "H'ya has been conspiring with confederates of the Black Alliance to disrupt the ley lines on Arnica, and invade the Holy Grounds of the Sha'Kar. By these actions, and his present behavior in this meeting, the charges have been confirmed. I recommend he not to return to Allint for his own safety."

  The others at the table were astounded at the charges. The Sha'Kar are saints to the followers of Drosu, and to some, given the status akin to gods. H'ya working with the Black Alliance? This they found difficult to believe, but then his present behaviors shamed them as Drosuans.

  A Drosuan gone rogue. It was unthinkable.

  "Will you be tested for the accuracy and details of these charges, H'ya?" the Guardian asked.

  "How dare you!"

  Waves of H'ya's anger beat against the shielding around him, causing him to be nauseous, and escalated his dull headache into a stabbing pain. He knew if he concent
rated he could diminish it.

  Guardian tipped her staff after a few moments of no reply from H'ya. A shaft of light reflected from the prism of the large white jewel, touching the shell of energy that surrounded him, getting his attention.

  "H'ya, since you have not opened yourself to be examined, it shall be done against your will." Guardian of the Council then rapped her staff once on the floor, and another jewel in the staff sparked and the first part of the protective wall around H'ya's thoughts dropped. Another thump and another partition dropped. The thumps continued until 30

  Arnica H'ya's thoughts, wishes, and plans were revealed. The staff was aglow as it kept a steady flow of energy between the participants and the subject of their examination.

  The Queen sat quietly holding a sense of calm in the room.

  When the group was finished with their examination, Guardian rapped the floor eight times to announce the Queen's judgment.

  "What you have been planning, H'ya is to bring chaos upon this planet for personal gain. One of the most grievous consequences of your goal would have been genocide to those on Allint." She wanted to say more, to see if she could get him to understand the depths to which he would have wounded the collective psyche of Arnica, but he was lost in his anger. The Queen signaled Guardian to continue.

  "H'ya, from this day forward, you shall wander the continents as shonae until restitution has been met," Guardian read. "You shall know of nothing beyond what your fingers touch. With only another's eyes can you see again. Friendless until you become a friend. Voiceless until others are heard. Your family shall not contact you and you shall not contact anyone from Allint. Do you accept these conditions for restitution?"

  "Of course not! I won't be treated like a commoner. Shonae," he spat out in derision. "I'll sequester myself within the walls of…of…of the Ju'n cloister in Albason…and study with my teacher J'un T'La to raise my energy." H'ya wrapped his cloak about him, holding his trembling body safe in it's folds, trying hard not to break down and cry.

  "H'ya, why do you choose to return to those that have failed you?" his sister cried.

  "You cannot make me leave. It's my birthright to live on Allint!"

  "You can no longer physically reside on Allint," the Queen pointed out. "You obviously are a soul that is not ready for the role and responsibilities of what you mistakenly refer to as 'privilege of birth.'"

  "The Ju'n will not let you!"

  "You don't seem to grasp the reality of your situation. At your present level you can't step on Allint. You will become ash in a matter of moments and the process is painful as your cells are charged with energy they cannot withstand. For your own sake, I will not allow it, my cousin," she told him firmly, knowing she was taking his free choice from him. Raising her voice she announced, "WE are the Justice Maker. Justice shall be served until recompense is met. WE will remove the burden of this imagined duty from you until you are properly prepared." In his present state she realized he didn't understand that she gave him a chance to return.

  "She cannot take away my birthright!" H'ya cried at the others. "She's….she's

  …just a girl. She can't do this. She is to be my wife. She can't tell me what to do. It's not fair." He glanced frantically about him for an ally. Never in his pampered life had he felt panic at this level before.

  Guardian rapped her staff ten times on the stone floor, the full count of the wheel of life as H'ya was half carried toward the door by Commander O'Malley, where two Kiuzi guards appeared to escort him out.

  Guardian rapped the stones five times and then sounded bells no one could see, clearing the air, and bringing a different mood into the room.

  The Queen was sitting quietly in her chair, her hands held in a peaceful mudra pose while the two stones denoting her status were glowing a soft blue.

  "The Queen shall pronounce judgment on the inhabitants of Allint!" Guardian announced.

  Queen M'Lu rose from her seat, gesturing to the others to return to their seats. Her gazed went around the table studying each individual and sending out reassurance. She enfolded her hands in front of her as she rested her gaze on the second to the youngest member who was shivering in his chair.

  "During the times of the continental wars," she began softly, "Allint was the first continent that succumbed to toxic contaminations that left over three fourths of the land unlivable. Allint then supported a noble race of beings called the Sha'Kar and those that wished to live among them. They were a peaceful group of people. They were noble in that they honored all living things as sacred, and practiced what they called the Compassionate Way of Life, yet they were the first to be attacked by their warring neighbors. As the wars became more intense with no one safe from violence, illness, and despair, Allint was forgotten, hidden behind a veil of mists.

  "Through the efforts of the surviving Sha'Kar and their followers, the continent recovered, and became transformed as did all life that lived on Allint's continent." Her eyes studied the young Dwarf, as his fear gave way to interest.

  "When the warring factions' leaders reached a point where world annihilation was inevitable, the citizens called out to the Sha'Kar for help. The Sha'Kar felt their hearts'

  desire, and gave conditions that first had to be met before they would intercede.

  "A reasonable person would think the leaders would clutch at the peace branch to save themselves, their loved ones, and what was left of their lands, however, they had other goals. These selfish ones boasted they were the only ones that spoke to the divine, and only they knew the answers. They preached fixed destiny, elitism, savagery to those that did not conform, and a horrible death to those they counted as their enemy. Any citizen that stood up to them was killed or brutalized. These false prophets and speakers were collectively silenced by their peers to allow the Sha'Kar to help.

  "It took many, many generations, more than Elf, Dwarf or XMasnians care to remember, to undo the poisons within and without Arnica, and her life forms. What was this energy they drew upon to create the changes? Love.

  "All beings, not just those that practice Drosu, but all creatures, spirits and unnamed entities on this planet have a purpose. All things are sacred. It is the basic tenant of the Compassionate Way of Life."

  The Queen gazed around the table. "Just as there are many on Allint who are fervent Drosuans, there are also many inhabitants who have become lax in living Drosu principles. Our whole purpose to Drosu living is to enable the planet to move through Itachi, to fourth density. With enough of us keeping harmonious thoughts, the entire planet with all its life forms will move into a higher dimension. We must refocus our life practices to the purpose of living on Allint."

  Her lips curled up into a smile, the humor reflected in her eyes.

  "WE are reaffirming the rules and guidelines for all committees and organizations on Allint. All leadership positions have rituals and tests. These will be followed without exclusion. All meetings and examinations shall be open for public viewing, as they were intended."

  The clans had been making their rituals closed to nonclan members, giving the sacred rituals a feeling of elitism. The Queen held up her hand to stop any further conversation.

  "I am sure you all are aware that in the guidelines each initiate must journey to the other continents to test her or his understanding of that level Drosu before moving to the next level." The Queen felt a ripple in the group's energy…anticipation. Much better than trepidation.

  "WE are changing the basic method of journey for the beginning initiate for the time being. Instead of traveling alone or in a loose group of friends, it will be a group composed of three Drosu travelers and two Kiuzi trainees. The trainees will be one from the 7th level and one from the 9th level. By the new moon WE will have picked the first twenty two groups, by the full moon the next twenty-two groups will be posted, and so on. WE are not saying that anyone who wishes to travel now cannot. WE suggest, whoever wishes to go now, to confer with a monk or spiritual teacher to assist in pinpointin
g what needs to be worked on. By the next meeting WE shall also have selected members to make up a full Kul Council and Supreme Council."

  The room was vibrating with discomfort.

  "WE, Queen M'Lu from the Royal House of Gei and High Priestess of the Beloved, have judged the inhabitants of Allint and have reaffirmed the mandate for all who wish to live Drosu and for any who wish to reside in community on Allint."

  "So it will be done." Guardian's staff rapped twice on the stone floor. "In seven days, all present shall physically attend the Queen's palace in the throne room, where the declarations and the names of the first groups of travelers shall be announced. It is your duty to notify those that you represent on this council. The Council of Elders will be notified of this council's business by the honorable J'un S'Bo, as he has always been kind enough to do. This Supreme Council of Allint has come to an end by Queen M'Lu's order."

  "May your hearts be enshrined in love," Priestess M'Lu blessed.

  When everyone left but Sacred Jester and Guardian, the young Queen leaned back in her chair and regarded the two. "Come on, Ji'am it's not all that bad."

  "H'ya didn't even hear mindspeak," Ji'am said.

  "After he has adjusted to his new life away from those that spent a considerable amount of resources and energy to mislead him, he will raise to the level he has the potential to be," M'Lu said.

  "His soul will have great depth of understanding on the frailties of succumbing to the trappings of power," Ji'am said.

  "His soul has chosen this path of experiencing in one life-time selfishness and selflessness. Through this path he will be able to reach those considered lost," C'Lea said.

  "As for Allint, there are enough inhabitants that have every intention of Allint remaining the spiritual community of this planet," M'Lu said with confidence.

  M'Lu rose from her chair and went to stand at one of the windows, watching fat white puffy clouds move across the bright blue sky.

  "What about the off-world soldiers?" Ja'im asked. "Their thoughts are like clashes of angry symbols in my skull."

  "They are like a siren calling to those who cannot withstand the changing energy on Arnica, marking them with an easily seen scar on their 2nd body of energy," C'Lea said.