the church bell rang through the town, it’s echo trying to remind people about the virtues of Monea- courtesy, bravery and unity- but with Capma’s shadow injected them with fear. Young Astern walked through the town. He was one of the few people who stood by the virtues of Monea.
In one mind anyway. After seeing his mother, heir to Monea, and his father, heir to capma tortured and murdered he became a multiple schizophrenic, good yet evil yet neutral. it was strange to see him thinking. The good mind wanted the best for the people. The bad mind was constantly scheming and plotting. The neutral mind was just confused and often became the conscience of the minds.
“Why worship a trapped god” the evil mind sniggered, his voice echoing like a devil’s chariot in a cathedral’s major hall.
“He was put trapped by your tyrant defending our lives, that’s why” The good mind countered and a heated argument begun.
In the end the neutral spirit decided that they should honour the ancient spirit of Monea.
* * * * *
Afterwards they trudged home. They had problems with the foster family that had adopted astern. The people who adopted him were a violent family who got angry at spilt milk and was known for harassing people around the village, but they were the best he could get.
“You’re late” teliena(the foster mother) said as Astern walked in. “Go straight to bed, you foolish boy. The foster father, Triden gave him four whips on each hand and he trudged off to his room. It was more of a walk In robe than a room, with just enough room for a bed, some clothes and the few belongings he hadn’t had confiscated. He wasn’t sleepy but it was just so humid…
* * * * *
When he woke up he found himself in a carriage pulled by stallonians (monean equivalent of horses). Just as he started to think were he was he felt a terrible jolt.
“End of line” a hoarse voice cried. “Everyone out.” Someone grabbed Astern and threw him onto the cold, dark street. He looked up and was horrified. The forest of Capma. An old man was thrown out behind him.
“Why are we here” Astern asked, his good spirit in control.
“We are the ones who are heirs to the gods” he said, “I am of Onel, god of plants and the woodlands. And you are?”
“Astern, heir to Monea and heir to Capma” Asterns said.
The old man gasped. “You are evil!”
“I am good as well” Astern said.
“Do you know your powers?
“What powers?”
“The powers of your mone”
“Like?”
“I can control the trees, making a shield of Wood or make razor sharp leaves that slash a foe. I also control the wind, creating huge twisters and gusts.”
“I don’t know the powers of my Mone but I have been able to manipulate the elements.”
“The supreme power. Very interesting.”
“I can’t control it though.”
* * * * *
The two weary travellers made a camp and rest on the edge of the woods. They got food from Geredal (the old man).He sent his tricsaloa (monean wolf) to hunt a boar. When he got back they heard a horn. It was the sacred horn of Monea. They ran to the sound and found 11 people sitting in a circle, singing in a language Astern had never heard but found vaguely familiar.
“What is that language? I heard it once but not in this life.”
“Your true. You heard it in your past life. It is Monean Heraldic tongue. speak it if You can you focus.”
Astern focused.
“Entral mani thoa destom arkemen” he spoke the words with conviction and purity of heart.
“You are now with us, little one.”
Suddenly there was a blinding light. The very earth seemed to rise up. The light turned two colours; red like blazing fire and purple for the midnight wrath. Then several figures came from the ground. They were the gods and goddesses of Monea. But then shadow figures also rose; the evil gods and goddesses of Monea.
A huge war begun with the sides evenly matched. It raged on for several hours. Finally, the air cleared. the light gods were victorious. But in a way they were not. As the people looked closer they saw Astern on the ground. He was dead.
Many days later the happiness returned to Monea. The great god rose up and returned the virtues to Monea: courtesy, bravery and unity.