Captain Rainbrain and the Tanglevine: Part Two

By: Josprel

Part Two

At first, BuJiard stared silently at BenKan. When he finally spoke, his tone carried a strong connotation of exasperation.

“Why have you beseeched my Supreme god Lucifin to dispatch me to you from my home among the stars? Who are you, that you drive your priestesses to implore my Supreme god Lucifin with such fervency?” he inquired.

In a timid voice that seemed inappropriate for a tyrant with a reputation for horrifying cruelty, BenKan stammered, “For . . . For. . . Forgive me, Mi . . . Mighty lord.”

“Well! I have answered to your summons! What is it you seek from me? Speak quickly, for I have many missions to fulfill!”

Taking a deep breath, BenKan composed himself, then replied, “Yes, Mighty lord BuJiard. I pray you to assist me in my struggles against those in my empire who oppose you and the faithful Illuminants of our Supreme god Lucifin, oh, my Mighty lord BuJiard.”

Emperor BenKan’s statement had a mollifying effect on BuJiard. In a softened tone, he asked, “And who are those in your empire who oppose our Supreme god Lucifin and his Illuminants, Emperor BenKan?”

“The leader is called, Noiman, my mighty lord. Noiman and his family proclaim that he has received a warning from The Three saying that he is to build a great ship because The Three shall destroy all life on Terra with a mighty flood of water. Even now, Noiman and his family have begun to build such a ship. Since this man has many vineyards, he has chosen to build the ship in one of his vineyards. When I first heard of his lunacy, I sent an emissary to learn the truth of it. The emissary returned with a message from Noiman saying that I must repent or be destroyed by the flood. He also demanded that I turn away from the Supreme god Lucifin and accept his false God, Logos, whom he proclaims is of The Three. He proclaims that The Three alone are worthy of worship. None other.”

“And do you believe his words, BenKan?” BuJiard shrewdly inquired.

“No, I do not, my Mighty lord BuJiard. I know he speaks falsehood. Our Supreme god Lucifin is the only true god. He alone is worthy of all worship. But this Noiman opposes the Illuminants, our temple worship and our priestess, our sacrifices of the priestess in the holy fires. He opposes everything about our worship, as his father, Lamech, and his grandfather, Methusha, until their death not long ago. Now that they have died, this Noiman and his family have taken up their cause.”

It is you, oh my Mighty god BuJiard, who advised my wondrous forefather, the Great Lord Kan. It is you The Illuminator sent to guide him in founding so great an empire this that has passed to me.”

“That is so. These deeds I did at the command of The Illuminator, our Supreme god Lucifin.”

“Then I pray that you will also guide me in my struggles against these traitors who desire to overthrow this sacred empire that you and the Great Lord Kan to built and consecrated unto the glory and majesty of Our Supreme god Lucifin, the only true god. I pray that, for his glory, you will guide me in my struggle to destroy them oh, Mighty god BuJiard. Guide me as you did the Great Lord Kan”

“Why do you not execute them for treason? You possess this authority, do you not? It would seem the path to follow to rid yourself of this nuisance and his family.”

“I have thought of this, Mighty god BuJiard. But I supposed it best to first consult your wisdom on this matter. My emissary reported that Noiman’s brothers and sisters oppose him. When they learned that their father, Lamech, and their grandfather, Methusha, also believed that a great deluge would befall Terra and deeded most of their riches to Noiman to build the ship, they summoned him before a conclave of the elders of Larsia. They accused him of embezzling their inheritance for himself.”

“I see.” BuJiard commented, “Then what happened?”

“The elders confiscated all of Noiman’s possessions and divided them between themselves and Noiman’s kinfolk,” the emperor replied.

“Then he now has nothing and so cannot build his ship. Then why do you call for my assistance? Are you mad, BenKan? If this Noiman has no wealth with which to build, then he cannot build! Why have you taken me from my duties?”

“But he does have the wealth to build,” the emperor whined. “All his wealth was returned to him, Mighty god BuJiard.”

“What? Why was it returned?” BuJiard loudly asked.

“Because of a stranger who came to Larsia. My emissary reported that this stranger rode a magnificent white stallion, the likes of which has never been seen in this empire. The horseman himself was garbed in what appeared to be a royal unifprm. He too was magnificent in his comliness,” BenKan reported, “The stranger commanded those who took Noiman’s wealth to return it. He also commanded that they were to return more than they had taken. He compelled the elders to give Noiman sums equal what his kin had returned to him. The stranger warned all present that if any harm befalls Noiman or those of his family, they would answer to him. Before he departed, he also said that they would see him again.

“And did they do as the stranger commanded?” the now flabbergasted BuJiard inquired.

“Oh, yes, my Lord BuJiard. They dared not refuse, for the stranger said if they did so, he would condemn them to a lifetime of servitude.”

BuJiard was taken aback by this. “Who is this horseman that he has the authority to condemn your subjects to a lifetime of servitude? If he wears a royal uniform, he must be of your household or from the nobility of your empire. Find him! I wish to speak to him, myself,” the visitor from among the stars demanded.

“He is not of my family or those of my nobles, my Lord BuJiard,” the emperor asserted.

“How do you know this? You said he wore royal garb, did you not?” BuJiard growled.

“Yes, my Lord BuJiard, but the emblem on his uniform is not that of anyone in my empire.”

With an impatient gesture of his left hand, BuJiard inquired, “How do you know this? Have you seen it?” BuJiard asked.

“No, my Lord BuJiard. It was described to my emissary by the Larsians.”

“And what is this mysterious emblem that causes you such concern?”

“It shows the figure of a man holding seven stars in one hand and a two-edged sword in the other. No such emblem is belongs anyone in my empire, my Lord BuJiard,” BenKan replied.

BuJiard’s face fell. “Seven stars and a sword?”

“Yes, my Lord BuJiard. A battle sword with two sharp edges,” the emperor affirmed.

The terror in BuJiard’s eyes baffled BenKan. “Do you know this horseman, my Lord Bu .. .?”

The visitor from among the stars interrupted the emperor, “I must depart now.”

BenKan face registered astonishment. “But you have not advised me!” he exclaimed.

But BuJiard already was climbing the steps leading to the idol, Dagon. As he positioned himself before Dagon’s cavernous, blazing jaws, his form seemed to shimmer for an instant. Then he gradually disappeared, leaving behind a stunned emperor wondering why his visitor from among the stars had fled.

Continued in Part Three

© Joseph Perrello (Josprel)

Josprel@verizon.net

Article Source: http://www.articles.narrowisthepath.com

Josprel has been an ordained minister for some fifty years. He is a prolific writer, whose stories and articles have appeared in print and the web. He currently is authoring two novels, "Beloved Apostate" and "Kanfal." During his many years of ministry, Josprel has pastored three churches, including one in Attica, New York, the location of America's most bloody prison riot. Josprel was pastoring in Attica during that time and, as did other pastors in the town, he counseled the families of the prison security officers that were being held hostage by the inmates. Afterward, at the request of the Attica Prison administration, Josprel conducted weekly three-hour Bible studies. The studies lasted for four years, when Josprel turned them over to another pastor, due to demands on his time - a five-time weekly radio program, a large congregation, new members classes, church administration, a building program during which the congregation constructed a large new sanctuary

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