The splendor of Shadiyakh was the righteousness of its citizens. As such, the old gods despised it – for they understood mankind’s impulse to conquer. “If humanity overcomes their own nature, then we ourselves would be subdued by them in time. We can never allow such purity of heart to prosper.”
The old gods could not look directly upon the city due to the brightness of its sacredness, so they sought the services of a human agent. This emissary would reveal Shadiyakh’s location that they might lay waste to the city and its citizens.
Raoe’s voice was a river stone tossed in a wishing well. His firm belief that anything could be corrupted earned him the blessing of the old gods. He would enter the town, tempt its citizens and dim the piety that blinded his masters. The old gods would leave no two stones upon one another. “I shall instill avarice among the citizens, for their city has no commerce and they are humble.” Raoe said.
“Make it so, for our wrath must be sated.”
Raoe knew a fall from grace is deplorable and destruction could arouse pity. He wanted to increase his own infamy and bargained with the old gods. Raoe was full of vanity when he replied, “If I can corrupt fifty citizens, build a market, make the women jealous and the men greedy, would you spare the city and allow envy to fester?”
“For fifty, we would spare the city.”
Raoe took treasures from the Forge of the Gods – blown glass with miniature cities built within, wheelbarrows that pushed themselves with fire and water, winged metal insects that have yet to be catalogued of colors that have yet to be described and other wonders. Each item was unique and uniquely suited to inspire desire in the hearts of men.
Raoe was met in Shadiyakh with hospitality and warmth.
“I have come to share the wealth of the world, join me in my extravagance,” he invited. But he was perplexed by the contentment of the citizenry. Eventually, he bartered away his treasures. As he left, the inhabitants apologized their little hamlet was too small to support such luxury.
**********
On returning to the Abominable Mountain, Raoe reported his failure to the old gods. They were pleased, for long it had been since thunderbolts were hurled at humanity. Raoe was not easily dissuaded. “I shall return and instill fear among the citizens, for their city has no wall and they are vulnerable.” Raoe said.
“Make it so, for our wrath must be sated.”
But Raoe was full of arrogance and said, “If I can corrupt ten citizens, build ramparts and make the women cower and the men violent, would you spare the city and allow warmongering to fester?”
“For ten, we would spare the city.”
Raoe took weapons from the Armory of the Gods – spears whose heads launched to a distance, powders that mix to make fire, arrows that split in the air like rain and other wonders. Each item was fearsome in design and suited to inspire terror in the hearts of men.
Raoe returned to Shadiyakh and was received as a friend.
“As a merchant, your generosity and kindness moved my spirit. For this reason I must tell you that your neighbors covet your lands and your daughters. Take arms with me,” he invited, “and we will defend what is ours.” But he was baffled by the security of the citizenry. Eventually, his weapons were politely used for farming and construction. As he left, the inhabitants apologized for being poor warriors for even the young men loved peace.
**********
On returning to the Abominable Mountain, Raoe reported his failure to the old gods. They were pleased, for long it had been since the sea drowned the lands of humanity. Raoe was not easily dissuaded.
“I shall return and instill doubt among the citizens, for their city has only one faith and they are unsophisticated.”
“Make it so, for our wrath must be sated.”
But Raoe was full of pride and said, “If I can corrupt one citizen, found a temple and make a woman our missionary or a man an idolater, would you spare the city and allow sacrilege to fester?”
“For one, we would spare the city.”
Raoe took artifacts from the Thrones of the Gods – idols that could cry and spit, foods that transport the mind into the realms of the gods, golden golems in the shape of men and beasts that patrolled of their own accord and other wonders. Each item was magnificent to behold and suited to inspire profanity in the hearts of men.
Raoe returned to Shadiyakh and was met from far off like an uncle.
“There are dark gods who fear your righteousness. They see their own obsolescence in your future and have intentions to destroy you. Join me in worship of them,” he invited, “so their wrath may be sated.” But he was astounded by the faithfulness of the citizenry. Eventually, he resigned himself that temptation could not distract them from their devotion.
Raoe did not return to the Abominable Mountain. He could not bear another failure under the expectant eyes of the old gods. Instead, he bought a house in Shadiyakh. He furnished it with as many of the treasures as he could reclaim. He worked with the people during the day and would praise the old gods at night. He became familiar and taught their children, all the while praying to the altar in his home. In time, he applied for citizenship and the ruling counsel granted him permanent residence within the city.
**********
Raoe’s prayers led the old gods like the faint smell of rot to Shadiyakh. The sky darkened with low, ominous clouds. The mountains creaked in trepidation. The sea pulled away from the shore in apprehension. Raoe took to the highest tower in the city.
“You who are Everlong, why have you come?”
“We have heard your prayer and it is our volition to lay waste to this city and its citizens. You have done well to lead us here, though our patience was tried.” The voice was like fire leaking up from the earth.
“You cannot. You yourself agreed that if one citizen were an idolater and if a temple were founded, then you would allow sacrilege to fester. You cannot destroy the wicked with the pious.” Raoe explained he was the faithless one and his house was the temple.
The laughter of gods sounds pleasant only to the insane. “We shall not be mocked. You deceive yourself. Indeed you are a citizen, but a citizen in full. You have looted the Storehouses of the Gods and given divine ambrosia to simpletons. Though you present yourself a tomb, your heart seeks peace and comfort. You have been so thoroughly corrupted with self-sacrifice that you would debase yourself for the love of this city. Even now, your soul seeks to protect Shadiyakh and your lovingkindess has been credited as righteousness. We will proceed with our dread intention for we do not see even one who is wicked among you. Our wrath must be sated.”
With that proclamation lightning struck the tower, a wall of sea rose up from the shore, brimstone rained from the skies and the mountains melted into the plain. Raoe, the adopted son of Shadiyakh, was the first to die.
