Chapter 3- The story of Lorax

Chapter 3- The story of Lorax

The year was 50 A.T (After Thorgan) the city of thandor is at war with the city of thismal. The war was been waged since the last revolution of the sun. Both sides stood over the fields of Darthon awaiting orders. The sun beat down on both factions. Only a slight breeze helped them to bear with the heat. For five days they fought each other neither side pushed either back. They were locked in a stale mate and neither thought they could lose.

The people of thandor were a race of proud warriors. Each citizen was willing to give their life for the prosperity of their people. Their skin was no redder than any thismalite. Who however held true to naidni ways and found their path to the enlightenment the elders spoke of. The enlightment was a spiritual connection with the earth and the universe. This enlightenment was achieved by the brothers of aura at first. The brothers upon the time of the first enlightenment lead the first group to thismal. Where the buffalo were plenty, land fertile and could fine-tune their skills.

Thandor the seventh and his brothers of aura followed the buffalo out of thandor. Those amongst the naidni people who were scared to leave the empire, stayed with his brother kena. As the city of thismal grew, the brothers of aura sat together and the clerics were born. A unit of aura gifted children trained to fully harness their abilities. Although their children were already in the brotherhood, the next first born would be the first generation of cleric.

The brothers realized over many births. The first born was always blessed with the highest level of aura amongst their kin. On rare occasions that wasn’t the case, which was why the brothers set up cleric challenges for the citizens. Test specifically set for each ability that could only be completed by the best. Only the strongest thismalite could pass the test the brothers configured.

Now with so many thismalites posseing aura. They had to find a way to control and train the young in the proper ways of dealing with their abilities. From the start of their tribe to the city that it was now. They saw many crimes and hardship caused by the misuse of aura. The forming of the clerics changed the way thismalites thought of the abilities’.

The clerics were a new form of the law in the land. Not quite brothers of aura but more than soldiers. They were in the middle of the aura hierarchy in thismal. High classed thismalites and lower classed ones. All bound to one code, to protect and use their abilities for good.

The first couple generations of clerics were misunderstood and treated as outcast. Many of the lower brothers didn’t respect them and the soldiers treated them the same. The people however loved them. They were of the people and for the people. Thismalites from all walks of life protecting their own communities from wrong doers. Using their abilities for the better of others around them. The clerics built the first jail in the naidni empire. The younger clerics ran it before they were allowed into the streets for service.

Ranks were made to organize them. Five colors were chosen to represent their status. Red, blue, yellow, green and brown. Red was for the fire clerics, blue for the water clerics, yellow for the mind clerics, green for the air clerics and brown for the earth clerics. The lighter the color meant the lower the rank. Each cleric was dotted with a color on their forehead. They were also given greenion cloaks as a symbol of their status.

Greenion cloaks were woven from linen and dust from the meteor shards. They were originally used by zartanites to keep the naidni captives with abilities under control. The cloak weakened your aura and now clerics used them to mask their strength. The cloaks were a reminder from the brothers of aura to keep their humility. Whenever a cleric removed the cloak, they would have to live with whatever decisions they made after.

The first month of every cycle the head clerics choose among the young children. They picked a few to join them and learn their tasks. To any thismalite the choice was a great honor to the family of the chosen child. Lorax Desparto was chosen one cycle and he moved up in stature quickly. The aura that he produced amazed all that came in to contact with him. Lorax was a strong naidni and showed his leadership countless times through his training.

Elifan the righteous noticed his progression. He watched him grow and saw his connection to the universe. Elifan also saw rage in him that was very uncommon for the naidni people. He hoped that the level of enlightenment Lorax would obtain would cause the anger to vanish. Over the years of lorax’s time inside the clergy sanctuary, Elifan guided him in mediation. Lorax found favor in Elifan’s eyes and soon found himself observing meetings of the high council with Elifan.

Elifan the righteous was the son of king thandor the knowing. He was the purest blood clergyman, the first to reach the stage of enlightenment. Elifan was blessed with two children fraternal twins. His son and heir to the throne Eliros and his daughter Eleanor. Their mother had died giving birth so Elifan raised them by his self. As they grew Ellaros grew a hatred for Lorax. He despised how his father Sheppard Lorax as if his own. Although Lorax could never get the throne his level of enlightenment surpassed Eliros’s.  This made Eliros see him as a threat.

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            Lorax sat Indian style in the chambers of mediation. The walls were covered in artwork depicting the stars and the universe. Thandor had mapped out many constellations. Over many cycles enlightened clerics added to his finds to construct the hall. A pillar stood in the center of the room. On top of the pillars was a rock. When thandor achieved his enlightenment it was said that a piece of the moon fell in front of him. Certifying his place with the universe. The roof was paned with glass allowing the moonlight to shine directly on the rock.

            Eleanor walked into the room. Lorax broke out of his trance.

‘We really should stop meeting here” he said

“And what? make me miss a cleric at work!” Eleanor teased

            Lorax stood up and turned to her with a smile. He caressed her reddish brown skin and ran his hand through her long black hair. With a smile they looked in to each other’s eyes. Eleanor’s was big and brown with a shimmer.

“Let us not defile such a spiritual place, let us go to the garden of tranquility.” Lorax said guiding her to the doorway.

            They walked down the corridor holding hands. Eleanor’s face beamed with happiness as she looked at him in the moonlight. The garden was filled with beautiful flowers. Each one complimenting the other in the vast colors. All the flowers allowed anyone who entered the garden to become at peace. The name of the garden was an understatement to the solitude and harmony it brought over you.

            The two strolled in the garden and stopped to kiss. They felt the unity with each other at once. The room seemed to spin as they let go of their deep embrace. Lorax pulled her back in close and caressed her face with his right hand. Eleanor’s skin was smooth and flawless. The moon lit the garden and warmed them. A gentle breeze blew her hair and Lorax smirked. Eleanor giggled and whipped her hair back giving him a kiss.

“You should return to your room before were caught” Lorax said grabbing her hand and walking to the entrance

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            Elifan sat on his horse next to his generals. Ellaros sat on a horse to his right and Lorax to his left. Elifan kicked his horse and started galloping forward. Soldiers moved out the way and filled back their positions as he rode to the front. Elifan rode pass the banner men holding the thandorian flag. The flag was black with a half moon and sun in the center. It signified the unity between day and night. Elifan sat on his horse in front of his army. He scanned it matching eyes with many soldiers.

“Since the time of enlightenment the thandorians have been jealous of our prosperity. Many men have fallen over this war. Their death will not be in vain. We are the chosen few and will not back down even in a corner. My blade won’t stop swinging until I’m slicing the cowards backs. Ill die defending our land for the future of our tribe. Our children will sing hymns about today and how we prevailed. Will you fight with me brothers and push them back over the hill!” Elifan shouted pulling his blade out. His horse rose up in the air with him.

            The thismal army erupted with a roar. Swords, axes, shields and bows raised into the air.

“Ride with me brothers and drink with me tonight.” Elifan yelled as he charged into battle with his army following.

            The battle began. The thandorians held their ground. They watched as the thismal soldiers ran down the planes. They yelled and roared as they stampeded toward them.

“Now” Gando yelled raising his hand in the air.

Thandorians archers released their arrows. The sky blackened as the arrows rained down. Thismal soldiers fell as the stampede continued. Few soldiers were impaled, others continued as they watched their brother’s fall. The thismalites finally reached the front line of the thandorians army.

            The two armies crashed together. The sun hit a high point in the sky. The planes echoed with the sound of men crying in pain. Thismal dogs of war growled and weped, as they attacked thandorians and were sliced by them. The yells of the men still standing kept the battle alive. Horses kneaded as they ran through the battle.

“We make our stand here brothers!” Elifan shouted as he sliced a thandorian.

“The day will be ours for the taking!” Gando said raising his sword and running toward Elifan.

            The two kings met and exchanged swipes with their swords. Their horses circled each other allowing access to the other. Gando kicked Elifan off his horse. Elifan fell off and his horse ran. Gando intended to give him the final blow from off his horse. Elifan blocked it with his sword and pulled Gando down off his horse. Gando rolled away and regained his balance. They looked at each other and raised their aura up. Gando glowed red and blue while Elifan glowed brown and blue.

            The battle continued around the two kings. They both took a look around them at the chaos. Then they looked back at each other and grabbed up their swords. Gando’s sword was forged from steel and his fiery aura set it ablaze. Elifan’s sword was forged out of ice. On the butt of the sword was a hammer formed from stone. It made his sword bottom heavy but could break a man’s ribs with one blow. They began to exchange blows both men were far from their prime. You could see the exhaustion from every blow they exerted.  They were both huffing and puffing and they danced around the battlefield. Finally they both connected their swords together. The heat off of Gando made Elifan sweat as steam rose up from their swords meeting. Neither one of them would let up to other.

“How much more blood must be shed for peace?” Elifan asked

“As long as you do not pay homage blood will be shed” Gando yelled pushing onto his sword pushing Elifan back.

“Ok just end this madness” Elifan said

He lowered his aura and put his sword back into its sheath.  Gando threw his hand up in a fist and a man blew a horn that echoed through the planes. The soldiers in the battlefield slowly stopped fighting. They slowly stepped back from each other and waited for orders.

            The sun began to set and a huge bon fire was roaring in the middle of the field. The fallen soldiers were wrapped in white linens and their weapons on top of them. A group of clerics including Lorax walked among the dead. They poured the oils of passing over each body to prepare them for the ceremony. Soldiers chanted and danced around the massive fire preparing to send their brothers to the other life.

            As the moon shined down on the two armies. For the first time since the enlightened period. Thismalites and thandorians stood side by side. From the outside looking in you would never of known the two factions were warriors who had been fighting a bloody war. They drank, hugged, danced and reminisced of old times together. The naidni soldiers came to attention when the horn of mourning started to blow. Soldiers put their hands over their chest in respect for their fallen brothers. Other soldiers walked over to their brother’s corpses and raised one at a time up. Each corpse was brought up to the fire and placed on top. One by one they erupted in the fire. The sparks of the fire flurried in the air. Flames danced around the soldiers. The crackling of the wood and bodies echoed in the night. The smell of the fallen soldiers filled the air. The white smoke coming from the bodies covered the battlefield.

            Gando and Elifan met each other in front of the fire. All the soldiers focused their attention on them. The cleric’s continued bringing the bodies and placing them in the fire.

“Today we stand not as enemies but as brothers. For years we have fought and lost many good men. Tonight we honor our fallen by pledging peace and prosperity for years. As we place the last of our dead into the fire. We shall never forget what took place today. The lives lost, the cries of your brother, or the end of a war. These men will not of died in vain. Now brothers dine with me in remembrance. Drink with me for the joy of peace and prosperity!” Gando yelled

            Every soldier on the field cheered and banged their swords against their shields.

“Join me in my teepee brother!” Gando said to Elifan.

            Elifan walked in and sat beside him. He grabbed a box from off the floor and opened it. Gando pulled a long wooden pipe out the box. The bowl at the end was the size of a golf ball. He grabbed a bag of hash out of the box and began filling the bowl. The noise of the soldier’s merriment filled the air. Two of Gando’s servants opened the teepee. One brought in a small table and two bowls filled with meats and breed. The other held two satchels of firewater. The servants placed them down in front of the men and walked out.

“Will you smoke the pipe of peace with me?” Gando asked as he lit it up

“Of course I shall brother” Elifan said accepting the pipe and smoking

“To ensure peace I offer my son Domori to wed your daughter” Gando said

“It would be an honor to have the two of them wed” Elifan said

“Ah ha ha ha” Gando boomed out with laughter. “ Good good brother”

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            Lorax sat in the meditation room as he did most nights. The only difference with tonight’s meditation was he couldn’t focus. It was the night before Eleanor was to wed domori. A million thoughts raced through his head. He was overwhelmed with emotions he was taught all his life to repress. He hadn’t seen Eleanor in weeks as she was preparing herself. Tonight would be the last time he could ever see her again. She was running late. Eleanor was never late to meeting him. Lorax stood up and started to pace. Maybe she wouldn’t come.

            The sound of footsteps snapped him out his daze. He was expecting Eleanor to enter the hall but Ellaros did. Lorax’s face was quickly turned to an irritable look.

“Your hinest what might you be doing here at this hour?” Lorax asked bowing

“Just enjoying the nights air, are you troubled brother?” Ellaros asked

“No I was just finishing my session. You may have it if you like!” Lorax said

“Well I bid you good night sire” Lorax said bowing and walking out the hall

            Eliros looked around the room and walked over to the rock. He sat down and took his form. The sound of footsteps took him out of focus.

“Is their anything else I can do for you Lorax?” Eliros said without turning around.

“Do I disturb you brother? Was Lorax here?” Eleanor asked as non-chalantly as she could.

“Yes he was. He just left, why are you up so late before your big day my dear sister?” Eliros asked turning around to see her face.

“I couldn’t sleep but since you are using this room. I’ll just go to bed!” Eleanor said turning around quickly to leave.

“Why don’t you meditate with me, it’s been a while since we meditated together” Eliros said

“No thank you I’ll just go back to bed, I’ll see you in the morning brother” Eleanor said walking out the hall.

            Lorax sat in the garden just staring at the moon. He was so deep in thought he didn’t hear Eleanor walking up behind him. She wrapped her hands around lorax’s eyes surprising him. His startled reaction made her giggle. He turned around and just embraced her. He smelled her hair and kissed her soft lips. Lorax looked deep into her brown eyes. Eleanor’s smile left her face as she looked into his eyes and saw the sadness. She held him tighter and kissed his chest.

“I have to go now, you will be my escort to the palace right?” Eleanor asked looking deep into his eyes.

“Yes! We will meet again in the future!” Lorax said, “ I love you”

“I love you too!” Eleanor said kissing him lovingly.

            Eleanor took the red flower she always wore in her hair out. She put it in lorax’s hand. He began to say something but she put her fingers over his lips and kissed him. Lorax took the flower and put it in his pouch. Eleanor dragged her fingers from his face to his chest as she walked away. Lorax turned and faced the moon again. He did not want her to see the tears streaming down his face.

            A nosey Eliros stood in the shadows overlooking the garden and the two lovers. He walked down the corridor with a sick smile on his face. He walked into the garden. Lorax broke out his trance and wiped his face before he turned around.

“I ask you again brother. What troubles you brother?” Eliros asked with a smile

“Nothing sire I may need to sleep. I bid you goodnight,” Lorax said bowing and tried to walk past Eliros who moved to block him.

“She is our ticket to peace and I will not have some common mutt courting my sister. If you even look at her tomorrow in anyway that displeases me. I’ll have you for treason. You’ll never see her again and soon I’ll be king. Don’t stress though I’ll have a place for you. Maybe my jester or servant, something along that line!” Eliros said grabbing lorax’s arm stopping him from walking past.

“I understand sire,” Lorax said with huge eyes. He turned and continued back into the castle.

            The sun was in the sky and the royal wedding procession was beginning. Eleanor was seated in her carriage. Four pole bearers held her up, each one held a slab of wood protruding out the carriage. The escort started moving and musicians started playing. The thismal kingdom was alive today as people celebrated the wedding. Citizens lined up to see the princess pass by. She waved and smiled at the people. Women and little kids threw flowers at the carriage.

            Eleanor through her excitement searched the escort for Lorax. He rode on a white horse not to far from her carriage. She smiled his way but he didn’t smile back. Lorax turned his head and looked away. It troubled Eleanor but she couldn’t be emotional now she had to hold her composure. The caravan reached the thandorian kingdom. Trumpeters blared to announce the arrival of the princess.

            The escort entered the kingdom and soldiers saluted the princess and bowed as king Elifan passed. The thandorian city was as much alive as thismal was. Flower pedals flew around and danced in the air. Men and women danced in the streets next to the carriage as it made it’s way toward the palace.

            The escort stopped at the feet of the palace steps. Eleanor was helped out the carriage and started to make her way up. Elifan dismounted his horse and walked next to his daughter. She grabbed his arm and put her hands through it. Eliros and Lorax made their way behind them. Eliros flashed Lorax a smile and Lorax looked down at the steps he was walking up.

            Gando and Isabella walked out their palace to meet their guest. Kingdom followed slowly behind him. Eleanor removed her shawl and their eyes met. Domori  couldn’t take his eyes off of her.

“Welcome, welcome come in” Gando said gesturing to them to enter the castle.

“Your more beautiful then I pictured” Isabella walked over to her and caressed her face.

            Gando and Eliros walked toward the castle. Eleanor and Isabella followed behind them. With Elifan and Domori trailing behind them. Lorax slowly and quietly followed the group. Eleanor and Isabella broke from the group and went right. The men turned and went left. Eleanor gave one more glance back expecting Lorax to turn around but he didn’t. Eliros did though and with a smile he connected eyes with Eleanor. She turned around quickly and turned the corner with Isabella.

            The queen and princess walked down the corridor. Isabella opened the door in the middle of the hall. In the room maids waited in chairs, they stood up as the queen entered and bowed. A long white dress was prepared and laid out on the bed. Eleanor walked over and ran her hand over the dress. She admired the fabric and gave Isabella a look of joy.

“I’m glad you like but we have much work to do” Isabella said clapping her hands.

            The maids immediately ran over to Eleanor and started working on her. One maid measured her. Another maid started on her hair. Yet another maid started dis robbing her. Eleanor’s young supple breast bounced as the maids twisted and turned her.

“Now that we have some private time, I need to know who you are?” Isabella said sitting in a chair and staring Eleanor in her eyes.

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            The moon hit the high point of the night sky. The ceremonial drums boomed through out the city. The head cleric stood atop a small mound. The mound was tall enough that he towered over the crowd. He was dress in his ceremonial white and red robe. Gando, Isabella, Eliros and Elifan sat side by side above the head cleric. Gando raised his hand and the drummers stopped.

“Today we gather to bond two naidni together. As we stand under falina’s watchful eye. We receive her blessing’s and ask her to carry there two with her guidance. Let us begin the ceremony” lomur said as he held his hands out toward the moon.

Instantly as he finished his sentence the drums started back up immediately.

King Domori walked out the castle and made his way towards the bottom of the mound. He wore his official uniform. It held the crest of thandor over his chest. His legs felt like jelly and he could hear every step he took. King domori’s feet seem to drown out the sounds of the tribal drums. His only focus was on his fathers face. Their eyes met and Gando nodded at him while he caressed Isabella’s hand.

            King Domori reached the front and stood in front of lomur. Lomur put his hand on his shoulder and they both looked back down the isle. Eleanor walked out of the palace. She wore a white shawl over her face that matched her flowing white dress. The maids carried the tail of her dress as she walked. Halfway down the isle she turned to see Lorax standing at the back of the ceremony. Their eyes met for the first time since they left thismal.

            Eleanor continued down the isle and stood in front of lomur. She turned to face Domori and he lifted up her shawl. The drums immediately stopped and lomur placed his other hand on her shoulder. Domori was amazed at Eleanor’s beauty he couldn’t help but smile. Lomur started talking but kingdom heard nothing that he said. He was too transfixed on Eleanor to focus on anything else. Lomur raised his hand off Domori’s shoulder and that snapped him back to reality.

            Lomur signaled for a cleric to come. The cleric brought him a bowl filled with firewater.

“As we begin to rejoice for these two souls, let the first drink unify them,” lomur said handing kingdom the bowl.

            King Domori accepted and took a swig. He smacked his lips and shook his head. Then handed the bowl the Eleanor and she accepted. Before she took a sip she scanned the crowd once more for Lorax. It wasn’t hard his eye’s burned through her. She took the swig and looked again to see Lorax walking off. The crowd cheered and the feel of Domori touching her face brought her back. He ran his hand over her soft brown cheek. The anticipation was killing him. He leaned in and kissed her.

            Gando, Isabella, Eliros and Elifan stood up and began walking down the mound. The drums and flutes began to play. Domori and Eleanor walked down the steps together. The crowd threw petals of flowers in the air over them as they passed.

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            Lorax returned to thismal and continued his training as a cleric. He became more focused in his work. The anger that he held inside whispered to him all the time. It consumed him slowly although it pushed him to accomplish great tasks. At night he just mediated to falina. Asking questions he knew he would never get the answers too. It became his secret obsession.

            Ten years had passed and Lorax had moved up in rank. Eliros made every attempt to make his life miserable. Yet Lorax never complained or even questioned Eliros. It didn’t matter how menial that task was Lorax did it. How ever Eliros attempts were blatant and Lorax grew respect among his peers and other high officers.

            These attempts to sabotage Lorax didn’t pass over the king’s watch. He never meddled with the affairs of the two. When questioned he refused to answer and never asked either of them, for he knew Eliros’s jealousy of Lorax. Elifan could just not see why he considered Lorax such a threat. Although Eliros had proven himself to be a worthy king on many occasions, He feared his jealousy would consume him.

            Elifan was getting old and realized he needed to pass the throne down to his son soon. He didn’t question if he was ready. He questioned if he would be respected. Eliros name had been brought around the royal circle in not the best topics. His bachelor lifestyle didn’t co inside with a kingly mannerism. He was 23 cycles and without a wife.

            Eliros was a strong warrior now and had commanded armies to stop zartanites and yield their territorial push. He put Lorax on the front line of every battle. Even during celebrations while he amused women. He had Lorax fetch him things and stand guard. However lorax’s strength and abilities continued to grow.

            Every night after Lorax meditated he sat by his bedside. A table held a glass container on top. The container held the flower that Eleanor gave him before she left. It looked no more different then it did when she took it out her hair. He wondered what she looked like now. It made him laugh cause he doubted she even thought about him. It was forbidden for a cleric to touch a woman until they were prepared for the after life.

            The city of thismal stood between a rock and a hard place at the moment. Too the south the ever-ready armies of foratu, to the north the taru could choose to expand at any time. Eleanor was still without child. Elifan sat and drank in his counsel room by himself. He thought of all that had transpired over the years. As he took a swig he thought of his wife.

            Elifan loved etena with all his heart. He couldn’t see himself with any other women. It was over 20 cycles that he lost her. Yet he could still remember what she smelled like. Her laugh echoed in his head from time to time. At times he would see her smile. The memory was so vivid Elifan thought he could touch her.

            Elifan stood up and walked to his balcony. The moon warmed the night and the wind complimented it with a breeze. Lorax sat Indian style in the courtyard mediating. Elifan looked down on him and thought

“He could make a great king some day”

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