The follower of the Unhindered Path

[TheFarsight]

The old man sat with his legs crossed, hands stretched out to the fire before him. His body sought out the small comfort of the warmth before him but his mind was elsewhere. With eyes shut and his brow furrowed the old priest sunk deep into thought while lips constantly moved in silent prayer. His memories recalling what eventually sent him back to these lands, to Sundren, his original home.

The main hall of the House of the Broken God was solemn. Keegan had seen the hall like this many a time; when a follower of their faith, light was blown out and they faded into the next life. It was the rite of the passing. The dull toned chants filled the air and ringed in ones ears, the holy feel to the large room only increased because of it. One could not help but shiver to the presence of Ilmater that was currently present for he did not ignore such prayers. Keegan however this day was not part of the chant for he was walking down the path formed by those who were. He was being escorted by two of his brothers in faith, both holy warriors of the Crying God while he was simply a novice priest. A monk with no order. They took him to the curtian that seperated the dieing body of their fellow Ilmatari. Usually the body was set in the center for all to see and pay respect too but, this man still held breath.

Revered Heller had made a request when it was time for his passing rite to be performed and now it was being carried out. Keegan bowed to the two escorts and moved past the curtian to his mentor, to his friend, to his brother. Revered Heller lay upon a stone altar which was bare of any comfort even when on his death bed. The ancient penitent looked to his student those once soft and humor filled eyes now dull, clouded over. "Brother Deverall... Keegan." His hand attempted to lift but could not, Keegan understood the gesture and moved to place the mans head upon his forehead. Allowing his mentor to feel the concern and hope in his brow. "I am here Revered Heller. My teacher, my friend." Tears filled Keegans eyes, the Revered simply wiped the droplets away. "Do not be in sorrow my student. I pass now into our holy Father's hands, a great honor comes for me." A thin smile could be seen on the dieing mans lips. "But, our Father has something for me to tell you now." With this Heller openned the palm of his other hand revealing a dull patch. The patch of a sunflower framed with crutches. "You my son, my young friend... Have always sought your place among the Broken Ones, amoung the clergy, but we say this to you. Your path is of which I use to follow before I was called here..." The man coughed, his words barely seeping from his lips but somehow the Revered managed to continue. "To teach you my son." To this with every last ounce of strength he shoved the patch against Keegan's chest. "Follow the path, the Unhindered Path. You are not destined to live in cold walls, or to defend them, go my son. Travel the road back to your homeland, but do not turn from those that need you. That suffer and can not shoulder their own burdens. Take up the path I gave up for you." Before Keegan could respond the man faded. His light of life going dark.

Keegan openned his eyes and looked back into the fire. He looked the patch now upon his own robes and let his hand graze over it. "It has been twenty years my teacher, my friend. But I have returned as you wished."

[TheFarsight]

The Unhindered Path; Called back to the love story.

A man dressed in a robe of white, trimmed in noble green leans against a gnarled oak not far from the road leading into Sundren City. For those who may be passing his voice can be heard, carrying on the winds in a gentle tone. Yet the passion behind his words, the intensity in which he speaks aims to strike at the heart. A small crowd of citizens, wanders sit before him.

". . . So to close, I say to you. Do you want to be know as, to be seen as the strong man? The man who pushes all aside, that shoulders the suffering of life with exterior grit, alone? And when his shell cracks, that man is left with nothing but a burden that crushes him. With a life focused on independant strength and gain, his bonds that would have formed a fruitful garden of aid. . . Is barren and he is left desolate. . ." The old priests words seem to echo and last beyond the movement of his lips. A smile soon follows.

"So I wish to remind you. We were created, we grow, we live. . . To serve our Lord, who serves the Triad with wisdom and grace. And just as he does, we are called to do so. Called to get back to the love story with our fellow man. A romance with one another, to smile when another recieves joy; to weep, offering a shoulder to carry when others are down in the dirt. When anger is shown. Instead of baring the sword, offer an open palm. Offer grace. When an evil is commited, offer mercy. When the sick and less fortunate cry out, offer comfort and tend to them. If we all were the alone strong man, this world would collapse with pain, with suffering!" To this his arms sweep out and the gentle voice booms out from where he rests.

"But if we shoulder it together in genuine love. Our strength will be unmatched and our light will rip at the darkness. And when you come to doubt your strength, your will, your conviction. . . Remember! Light shines from our hearts, but our bodies are like fragile clay jars. Through our Lord Ilmater, with the trinity of the Triad. That light is given to us, and as long as our jar keeps overflowing to others spreading the light. Then they will mend our jar."

The man then sweeps aside his robe to reveal a large basket of bread and fruit. Removing himself from the tree Keegan smiles moving to the closest man to him. "I offer you all this bread and this fruit. So that we may eat together, and talk if any of you wish." And to this, the priest Brother Deverall beings to make his rounds in the small group. Offering a smile and a laugh as introductions are made.

And so it would go on for a bit, intill the citizens depart.