The Deceitful Age Part 1 (Working Title)

Chapter 7 - Thunder (Completely Unedited)

I could not stand by and let Vicio get away with it. Grooknithar needed a counterweight... The task I laid out was greater than any man other than him could have accepted.

-Rhakvia, Aezoi of Truth

The thin clouds that provided the small mist in the morning quickly burned off as the sun reached its noon peak. The ruined buildings of crumbled stone, the last remnants of the once great kingdom of Naris, glinted in the sunlight. Sounds of hammers pounding, axes chopping, and men yelling filled the air as they bustled about their tasks. A few log cabins had begun to dot the ruins, some using the old walls themselves to build into. Where there wasn't a building, there was a foundation ready for one. Outside the ruins, white tents filled the fields where most of the women and children were about their daily tasks. In the distance they could hear the men working, but here the sound was of children's laughter and motherly scolding.

Sanda Rashi sat outside the front of his tent in a padded wooden chair, cloak shielding his head from the sun, watching the work that surrounded him. "What you have inspired in them, O Great Laust, is itself truly inspirational," a man said standing behind Sanda's right shoulder. As with everything there is a negative one must deal with to reap the benefits. Kumarte's attempt at flattery was always mediocre, and quite annoying, but he somehow knew what to say when it mattered. What advice Sanda needed next to make a decision. Kumarte was a tall skinny man with a long face. He looked only suited for giving advice, but never acting upon it, one not fit for public display. Sanda didn't respond to the poor pleasantry, but continued to watch the people work.

"Do you know what an Apotheo is, Kumarte?" Sanda said, not turning to look at the man. He had not proved himself worthy of that yet. An empty chair sat next to Sanda, to remind Kumarte what it is he seeks.

"I cannot say that I do, Lord Rashi. Your supreme intelligence surpasses my humble knowledge." Was his benefit worth this? Sanda asked himself that several times a day.

"An Apotheo is one that has been blessed by the Aezoi for greatness. One who is destined to change the world due to their Aezoi-granted abilities. Do you think there is one presently on Aezera?"

"That is something I do not believe I can know, but, if I were to happen a guess, there could only be one answer. You, Lord Rashi. Great Laust of the Inazuma."

"Some would disagree, vehemently in fact," Sanda grimaced. "My contempt for the Yogen is no hidden secret. They disagree with who the Apotheo is, even though they do not know what that means. Grooknithar sits behind his high walls believing he has won, surrounding himself with others who remind him of it daily. I will credit him one victory, I am not vain or arrogant enough to take that away from him. He has become complacent and content with what he believes to be fact. That he, not anyone else, is the Apotheo and is due the glory of one in the name of Xolar. Do you think he is right Kumarte?"

"Of course not Lord Rashi!" Kumarte said resentfully. "Even if, and I know he isn't, but even if he is the Apotheo, Xolar is rightfully yours. All know this, yet none do anything. They fear him. That is something we do not have though, because we have you. The Laust. The one who wields Naris' ancient blade."

"If I did not believe that myself Kumarte, we would not be where we are," Sanda said sipping the spiced wine from the table next to him.

"Your wisdom is unmatched, O Great Laust."

Sanda set his goblet back down, stood up, and walked down the path between the tents on his way towards the ruins. Kumarte followed silently at his heels. Sanda wondered if there was ever a time when Kumarte would not keep his watchful eye. The main path snaked through the camp as Sanda continued along it. Women and children stopped what they were doing to bow their heads. When Sanda reached the ruins, the men's yelling stopped, silence filled the air for a brief second before Sanda waved, signalling for them to continue.