Sentel

Sentel- Book 1: The rise of Madu and Ashentel (Part 1)

Book 1: The rise of Ashentel and Madu
Chapter 1
"I want out!" Sentel screamed as he slammed the holy book on the wooden desk of Teema the high priest. Teema looked down at the holy book with a somber expression. Teema was a peaceful loving man. Even when confronted by violence he seemed to always have the same peaceful demeanor. He looks at Sentel as if he was gazing at Sentel's very soul. As he motioned Sentel to sit with his open palm at one of the two empty wooden chairs with purple cushion trimming in gold, he rose from his chair to stare at the moutain peaks that were outside his window. As if he were talking to the mountains themselves he asked, "Sentel... son what is upsetting you so much? What has gotten you so angry that its forcing you to depart from this holy sanctuary." Sentel still seated leaned over with his elbow on his knees and his hands folded and replied respectfully "Holy one, I am not cut out for this life of solitude and isolation. What angers me is that for years I have been praying and meditating faithfully asking what my purpose is. I have asked God over and over again what my purpose is in this life and still to this day no response." Teema turned to Sentel with a discerning look on his face "my son, to be angry is to open the soul's gates to welcome in Madu. You must be mindful of your anger and put your total faith in God." Sentel rose from his chair. He leaned over the desk and pleaded with Teema "Please, I am begging you, let me depart from these gates. Give me my release so that I can go out into the world and discover the answer for myself. Your holiness, we are a people that have the ability to see the spiritual realm even from this realm. I haven't had the vision since Thripe passed away. The last time I remember having the gift is when seeing Hudu(death) carry my brother away. After that I could not see anymore spirits...God has abandoned me!" As Shentel collapse to his knees in a quiet weep Teema picked his head up. With a smile on his face Teema gingerly placed Sentel on the chair in front of his desk. Teema sat in the opposite chair. The 104 year old priest crossed his boney legs, leaned over towards Sentel and tapped him on his forearm. With a very deep breathe Teema said "God has not abandoned you. He is here all around us all the time. We have to be sensitive to that. He may not have answered your prayer simply because you weren't ready for the answer. And even now you probably aren't ready for the answer. Son do you know why we meditate, I mean truly know why we meditate." Sentel looked at Teema and shook his head, Teema continued "its not only to calm our spirit and promote peace in and around us. Its also to establish a connection to God and to be open to the sensitivity to the spirit realm. Son be patient for patience is for the strong. Be patient your answer will come." Sentel lifted his tear soaked face "how long must I wait" he asked as if he was defeated. "In time, he does hear your cries" Teema responded. Teema reached for the desk and grabbed a sacred scroll. Under his breath he mumbled "the time is at hand" Sentel looked at him puzzled. He asked "what is at hand your holiness?" "Ashentel is on his way." Teema replied. He looked over at Sentel and asked "Do you know the sacred legend of Ashentel?" "The guardian of the skies and Heaven's pass?" Sentel continued "Well, Yes I do. Our father told us the story when me and my brother was young. Well part of it anyway." Teema nodded solemnly. He gripped the scrolled tightly. So tight that his knuckles were stretching the skin so that the bone definition was prominent in his hands. He leaned over to Sentel as if he was telling a closely guarded secret "Most of the priests, even archpriests know that this isn't just a story. You being born into the priesthood should know what Ashentel is and what he means to this monastery as well as our way of life. Your father wanted you and your younger brother God bless their souls to make the decision to stay in our way of life on your own. Well to be honest with you most of the priest here don't want you to know this secret and sacred part of our way, but I believe that you should. Most of the same priest have stated that you my dear child are dangerous. Not only to the monastery but threaten our way of life. Well I am going to tell you the story." Before Teema could start his son walked in. Temiom was Teema's youngest and also the cousin of Sentel. Teema rose from the chair and offered it to his son. His son accepted the invitation and they both respectively sat. "Well Tem you already know the strory of Ashentel but I do believe it's time that your cousin here knows." Temiom shook his head in agreement. And so the story begins