FARHAYVEN: VENGEANCE (51 page)

     King Fangstrike gave him a doubtful look, turned around and exited the hidden room.

     Outside Castle Cobra, the sky lit up with streaks of lightning. The booms of thunder followed and the heavens unleashed their loads onto the grassy undulating terrain of Serpentia.

     The
21
st
Day of Third Month of Wet Season
was the day that Ray had been waiting for ever since his return to Free Falls. The morning sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky. A strong wind was blowing, negating the heat of the hot sun. Step by steady step Ray, Lance, Clover and Spirit walked up a long lane defined by straight rows of large trees planted on either side of it. Behind these rows of trees were orchards of fruit trees and large irrigation canals with fast flowing water sourced from a nearby waterfall. This was the grounds of Monune Grand. At the end of the long lane stood a great white building. This building consisted of a circular dome-shaped main structure three storeys high with five triangular two-storey wings extending from it. From the top view the building was deemed to have the shape of a star.

     Ray began explaining to Lance about this place. Monune Grand, as it was called, served as headquarters and a gathering place for the Grand Order of Elementhars. The Grand Order, as Lance was taught earlier, consisted of five orders based on the five elements of nature. Therefore, Monune Grand had five wings extending from it for each of these orders. These wings served as lodgings for the Elementhars during their stay here. It was their second home, the first being their order’s individual monune. Two of these wings were empty, of course. These being the wings of the Fire Elementhars and the Mind Elementhars. The main structure served as a conference hall. On this day every year, the anniversary of the passing away of Pioneer Vanguard, all Ordered Elementhars would gather for what was known as the Grand Conference. During this conference, they met to discuss whatever issues that was relevant and important to them as individual and as a whole. Ray estimated that there should be approximately 400 Elementhars in the building at the moment.

     Ray, Clover, Lance and Spirit stepped into Monune Grand. Ray led them straight into the gathering hall. Lance had never seen such a scene before. The gathering hall was semi-circular in shape. The Elementhars who were in attendance sat in three out of the five large columns of seats that sloped down toward a semi-circular, raised platform at the end. Two columns of seats, Lance noted, were empty.  On the raised platform, a man in his mid seventies and whom Lance assumed to be the Grand Elementhar, sat on an almost throne-like seat behind a long semi-circular table which had the five symbols of the five elements of nature carved into it. He was dressed in a white robe, indicating the wind element. Seated either side of him behind this long table were an elderly man and an elderly woman in their late sixties or early seventies. The man was dressed in a brown robe and the woman was dressed in a dark blue one. Lance deduced that these three elderly people comprised the High Council.

     The conference was already in progress when they entered. High Elementhar Dulcet Calnen stopped speaking when he caught sight of Ray and his companions; thereby causing the whole hall to turn and look at them. All were silent. The expression of surprise were on the faces of these Elementhars and then the silence turned into a buzz of excited chatter.

     “Nature’s wisdom _ may you all have of this, newcomers
!
Identify _ please do of this of yourselves, for the benefit of all who are present, and then state your intentions,” commanded the Grand Elementhar in a calm tone.

     “Nature’s wisdom _ may you all have of this, Masters Rapier Shay, Dulcet Calnen and Ambience Waycress, and my brother and sister Ordered Elementhars
!
Identity _ mine of this is Master Elementhar Ray Iddell of the Order of Fire Elementhars and with me are Master Elementhar Clover Genox of the Order of Water Elementhars, Novice Elementhar Lance Arman of the Order of Fire Elementhars and Spirit the White Wolf. Intention _ mine of this is to seek justice for my order and to discuss its future,” declared Ray.

     “Recognise _ the High Council does of this of you, Master Ray Iddell,” said the Grand Elementhar, Rapier Shay, while gesturing for Ray and his companions to the front of the raised platform.

     Ray, Clover, Lance and Spirit walked down the aisle and stood in front of the raised platform.

     “Speak,” said Master Shay.

     “Resolution _ I seek of this from the High Council and the Grand Order to investigate the massacre of my order and execute vengeance upon the perpetrators of that massacre,” said Ray in a cold, firm manner.

     “Resolution _ of this, it was discussed between us 15 years ago and unless you present new arguments or evidences, our decision will not be changed,” replied Master Shay, equally as cold and as firm.

      “Evidence _ of this, there is none but of argument, I still maintain that the High Council and the Grand Order are obligated to the resolution that I seek, for my order deserves justice,” objected Ray, his temper slightly flaring.

    “Justice _ of this, it
is not
the same as vengeance, Ray, for justice seeks to isolate the criminals from the innocents and rehabilitate them whereas vengeance is about inflicting suffering upon the criminals as how they have inflicted sufferings upon their victims; and what you had asked of us was actually vengeance,” clarified Master Shay.

     “Differ _ I beg to do of this, Master Shay, for I follow the ways of nature and by the ways of nature, every living being is to get what it deserves; and to suffer as how it has made others suffer or to be relieved of suffering as how it has relieved others from suffering; for this is
true
justice,” rebutted Ray.

     The Grand Elementhar and both High Elementhars shook their head in disagreement.

     “Resolution _ of this, we had already given to you 15 years ago, though it was not the one you had liked or accepted. Vengeance _ best that you forget of this, Ray, for it has never benefited anyone but instead, brought more sorrow and suffering. Justice _ of this and of whichever kind, it is hardly important for what is done is done and therefore cannot be undone. Future _ it is best that we look forward so that we can secure the best of this for ourselves,” stressed Master Shay, his cold eyes staring into Ray’s.

     “Justice _ of this and also of vengeance, they are of the utmost importance so as to prevent similar crimes and tragedies from occurring again; and therefore are essential in securing a better future; for we should never allow others to suffer the same fate as we have, as
I
and
my order
have
!
” stressed Ray just as firmly and as coldly.

     “Agree _ The High Council did not do of this with you 15 years ago and since you have provided no new argument or evidence, our decision still stands,” concluded Master Shay.

     Before Ray could respond, Master Calnen stood up.

     “Careful _ be of this, Ray, over your next few words. Remember _ do of this that everything has ramifications
!
” warned Master Calnen.

     Ray hesitated slightly. Master Calnen gave him a serious stare. Meanwhile, Master Waycress took a sip of tea to calm herself down. She felt great anxiety from all the yelling and harsh words that were being exchanged. Master Shay reached for some red peanuts. Everyone in the crowd was silent, waiting to see what Ray would do next.

     “
Denounce
_ the Order of Fire Elementhars
does
of this of the Grand Order of Elementhars and of the High Council of Elementhars for breaching of the 7
th
Law of Elementhar Administration
!
” said Ray in a loud, clear voice and with bloodshot red eyes and his body trembling with fury.

     Master Shay was taken aback. His jaw dropped in shock. Master Calnen sat back down and shook his head in frustration. Master Waycress was so shocked that her eyes bulged. The whole gathering hall was abuzz with loud chatter. Pale white faces stared blankly at the raised platform, their eyes bulged and their mouths opened wide.

     Master Shay slammed his fist onto the table. Empty red peanut shells jumped out of a small trash container on the table due to the resultant vibration. He then rose from his seat and pointed an accusing finger at Ray.

     “
Insolent
_ you are of this, and
proud
and
egotistical
and
disloyal
and
blind
you are also
!
History _
never
in the 700 years of this of ours has anyone been so
obnoxious
so as to denounce the Grand Order
!
Never
!
Realise
_ do you of this of the consequences of your actions, Ray
?
Restored _ your order can never be of this and it shall forever be gone, so how could you even think of doing such a thing
!?
” shouted Master Shay.

     Master Calnen stood back up and looked at Ray straight in the eyes.

     “Destroy _ you are doing of this to the Grand Order, but more importantly, also to the Order of Fire Elementhars. Chance _ Ray, we offered you one of this to rebuild your order 15 years ago and we still do so today, so why will you not take it
?
Vengeance _ forget of this, for it is eating away your soul
!
” he said.

     “Rebuild _ I do not have to be in the Grand Order to do of this to my order, Master Calnen,” Ray pointed out.

     “Independent _ so you would prefer to be of him than to keep the company of your brothers and sisters, Ray
?
” asked Master Waycress.

     “Independent _ I would rather be of him than to keep false company, Master Waycress
!
” retorted Ray.

     Master Waycress shook her head and gave Ray a sympathetic look. Master Calnen sat back down and turned his gaze away from Ray.

     Master Shay leaned forward in his chair.

     “Stand _ what is yours of this on this issue, Clover
?
” he asked.

     “Stand _ mine of this on this issue is as same as Master Iddell’s. Noviciate _ of this, I have requested for and have been accepted into the Order of Fire Elementhars by Master Iddell, and I want my order to be avenged,” answered Clover.

     “Water Elementhars _ you are one of us, Clover
!
Leave _ would you really want to do of this to us
?
” asked Master Waycress.

     “Resolution _ only if Master Iddell’s request of this is not approved,” answered Clover.

     “Leave _ then you shall have to do of this to us, Clover,” answered Master Waycress.

     Master Calnen looked at Lance. Lance was not sure how to react, so he looked at the floor.

     “Accept _ Lance, we will do of you if you leave Master Iddell,” offered Master Calnen.

     “No
!
” replied Lance firmly.

     Master Calnen shook his head in disappointment.

     Master Shay sat back straight in his chair. He looked at Ray and shook his head as well.

     “Childishness _ give up yours of this, Ray and return to the fold. Rebuild _ do of this of your order and forget this obsession of vengeance,” he said in another attempt to reason with Ray.

     “No
!
Resolution _ will you grant me the one of this that I ask for, Master Shay
!?
” asked Ray one last time.

     “No
!
” answered Master Shay.

     “No
!
” answered both Master Calnen and Master Waycress when Ray looked at them.

     “
Denounce
_ I, Master Elementhar Ray Iddell, on behalf of the Order of Fire Elementhars and of myself and my novices, hereby on this day, the 21
st
Day of Third Month of Wet Season of the year 1200 of the Known Era,
do
of this to the Grand Order of Elementhars and to the High Council of Elementhars,” proclaimed Ray as he gathered his soul energy at the fingertips of his right hand, and then, with all his anger and frustration, jumped onto the raised platform and slammed his right hand down onto the semi-circular table.

     There was a bright flash and a loud ‘booming’ sound; and the table cracked and broke into two from the impact. The platform floor was littered with shattered pieces of teacups and jugs, pieces of paper, ink bottles, pens and red peanut shells as a result.