The Order of the All

The Order of the All

Postby Brother Prime » Fri Mar 12, 2004 2:08 pm

Lamplight flickered over the walls of the damp cave. Shadows cast by the bodies of perhaps 40 people gathered within danced in contrast with the soothing voice of the man who stood before them. A young woman knelt at his feet, hands clasped behind her back as she trembled slightly. A serene smile rested upon her face, as doe brown eyes looked upon the Brother with wonder.

"And she will dwell in the Sight of the Father...forever"

Murmured voices joined him in the final word. A ghostly chorus of 'forever' resounded through the cave.

Silver flickered, sharp contrast to the shadows surrounding them. Bright and quick as the lamplight touched the blade so swiftly carried from the stone altar to the girl, Gailene. A breath, heard not by any save the Brother and the girl. His hand curled gently into her hair and scarcely a moment later, the girl slumped forward toward the altar, blood flowing freely from the empty sockets where her eyes had once rested. The smile still gentle upon her face.

The Brother turned from the shell that had been Gailene, cradling the offering as he then knelt before the altar. Blood soaking into the hem of his snowy skirt. The ornate representations upon his bare back, in ink and scar alike, looked back at the congregation.

Eyes, perhaps 30 or more, painstakingly detailed across the flesh of his back. Years of dedication for all the followers to plainly see. Some tattooed in vivid color, some burned in to flesh, leaving dark raised welts. Some cut with loving grace to leave images deeply trenched upon the human canvas.

"For the eyes are the knowing. The eyes are the spark of life. The eyes are the power of the human soul. We offer these to You, Father, that You may look upon us with favor."

Gailene's eyes were placed in the offering bowl, consumned hungrily by swift blue flame.

"He is pleased."

Sounds of comfort and happiness rolled through those gathered. The voice of the Brother soothing the congregation with the knowledge of the Father's further favor.

Their numbers had grown, though slowly. Perhaps only one coming to them between each of the Father's divine works. So had Gailene joined them, just after *He* had performed the miracle at the Tolmer residence. Brother Prime knew immediately that the girl would be their next offering. He told her so and so she did come, willingly, to die for the further grace of the Order of the All.

And now they had come to Myrken to witness the miracle worked upon Nathanial Darve. It had been a wonderous sight, his room bathed in blood, the governor standing amid the wreckage, his beautiful violet eyes glistening with tears. What a lovely offering they would make.

And so was another chapter of the Book of the All beginning to unfold.
User avatar
Brother Prime
Member
 
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2004 1:32 pm

Postby Brother Prime » Thu Mar 25, 2004 8:36 am

"Has the moon always been so bright?"

Adoration filled the emerald eyes of the young woman as she looked upon her silver haired companion. The moonlight seemed to form a brilliant halo about him, creating an almost angelic vision. It seemed nearly impossible that she had only known him two days. Already she felt for him like she had never felt for another.

"Yes, Claudia. The moon has always been so bright. You are only now seeing it with love in your eyes."

A smile so gentle, so pure, formed upon perfect lips. The moon's reflection in his eyes made them almost seem to be crafted from pure white light. A soft hand cupped her chin, tipping her face to look up at him.

"Are you happy, dove?"

Laughter, full and genuine. Viridian pools looked up at him, still in awe of his beauty. His attentions. His love. How had she gotten so lucky?

"Happier than I have been in so long. Thomas? Did you mean it? When you asked me to be your wife?"

"Of course I did, love. Don't be silly."

Strong hands did turn her to face the lake, as warm arms enfolded her, drawing her to his chest. Leaning her head back against him, they watched the moon's reflection in the lake. The occasional gust of wind marring the image for a moment, until the lake's surface calmed once more.

"Do you love me, Claudia?"

"More than anything, Thomas."

"I am so glad."

Again did those strong hands grasp her shoulders, turning her to face him once more. He looked at her with those moonlight eyes, that angelic smile. Fingers wrapped in her hair, drawing her near to him. A snap of his wrist brought her auburn tresses taunt in his hand, her neck stretched backward at a severe angle.

"Th..Thomas? What are you doing? That hurts."

"Shhhh....it is alright, pet. You love me more than anything, yes? You trust me, yes?"

"Y...yes..."

"Then know that I do this out of love."

Gracefully did he draw the ceremonial blade from his robe. Those beautiful jade orbs captured in what must have been a practiced motion. Claudia did not have time to scream, until it was too late. As he released her body, the blood had already begun to flow freely. She fell to her knees clutching her face, clawing, sobbing, even as her life flowed into the dirt from empty sockets.

"Why? Why?"

Claudia begged for an answer to this horror, her voice slowly fading. He was always amazed by how much blood flowed from the body after the soul was removed.

"Because I love you, darling. And now He loves you too. We will meet again at His side, Claudia."

The offering taken, Brother Prime moved away from the shell. Late as it was, they had been close enough to the inn that someone might have heard her scream. It was time to return to the Brothers and Sisters. He would be pleased with another offering so soon. His favor would remain with them for some weeks now. Until he could find another....
User avatar
Brother Prime
Member
 
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2004 1:32 pm

Postby Brother Prime » Thu Apr 28, 2005 6:15 am

Buzzing. Whispers.

The den of the Order of the All had succumbed to the silence of the grave over the last few months. Brothers and Sisters went about their daily routines, at home, with their families and friends, save for one night a month when they gathered to Praise Him.

It had become dangerous to sacrifice any more than that, since He had left them. No longer was His beautiful brutality there to cover their work. They had been forced to be far more careful. And so, Brother Prime had sent them to mind the people of Myrken, to bring only the most Holy of sacrifices to Him.

Things had changed.

It was near impossible over these last few days to walk the streets of Myrken without seeing one fall. Blood ran freely from the lips, the flesh…the eyes, of the people of Myrken. Some spoke of the Devil, some spoke of the One God, but Brother Prime believed none of that. He knew what this was. It was time. He would come home to them. He would reward His children for their vigilance.

Now they all gathered here, in the small cavern that had become the most Holy place in Myrken. They waited for the Brother there, as he readied the sacrifice.

Brother Prime once more donned the ceremonial robe of silk, so pale silver it was nearly white. A bright shining mantle in the darkness. The soft material slid over the flesh of his back, hiding his personal tribute to Him. Eyes. So many different representations of them that his long back was nearly covered in them. Black tribal designs, painstaking color patterns, scarifications. Twenty, perhaps thirty, looked out over the darkness from his flesh.

The ceremonial dagger was drawn from its place on his personal altar to Him. A kiss bestowed on its gently curved blade.

A hand reached for the young boy at his feet, drawing him upward by the ropes, which bound him. Half dragging the terrified child, they entered the den.

“Brothers, Sisters. The time has come for us to begin our worship with joy once more. He has seen fit to give us a path, which they cannot follow. Even as they die will they become a glorious gift to Him.â€
User avatar
Brother Prime
Member
 
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2004 1:32 pm

Postby Brother Prime » Thu May 12, 2005 11:45 am

Jaque Fenway watched Kinny Fletcherson stand atop the Church. Small hands gripped the rusted metal as he tried valiantly to gain the attention of the crowd below. Not until Bea Kanaya noticed him, did the boy find the audience he had wished for.

As he released the steeple, the whole of the crowd gathered near the Chapel of St. Iona held their breath. Even Jaque. The held breath become what was nearly a collective scream as the women and menfolk alike were stunned and horrified. Little Kinny's body, little more than a twisted bundle of flesh blood and bone, lay sprawled across the steps of the church.

A shake of his head, a twitch of thin lips, and Jaque was turning from the crowd. Time to head home, there were cows to water, dead chickens to bury. Marta would be cross with him for taking so long to return from town. A gaze of oridnary earthy brown moved away for the scene of horror, toward the road headed toward home. It was then that he saw the wall.

It was his turn to gasp, to stare in utter disbelief. The word had not been written on the wall moments before. Yet, there it was, stark and black.

Believe

***************************************************

"It is with great pride that I do the work of the One, this night. He has once more shown us His grace. His forgiveness. His peace. We shall weather this new storm as we did the Flux. Our people will be spared for our loyalty to Him, our offerings will bring Him joy, and we shall be held above all others in His eyes."

A collective reverent murmur from those gathered in the sanctuary of the Order of the All rose, carrying gently over the smooth stone walls.

"Glory to Him, Brother"

***************************************************

At the edge of the lake, sat a girl. Not a stitch of clothing on her lithe young body, though this was not surprising considering the heat was already sweltering and it was not yet breakfast time. Bare feet dangled in the water, as she sat with her shoulder resting against a stump. She seemed to be looking intently at the large rock which sat near to her, one hand draped lazily atop it.

Oh the rock, looking back at her, were her eyes. Once a beautiful azure shade, now growing cloudy in death. Across her back, in an strangely beautiful script, was carved a simple phrase.

We Believe
User avatar
Brother Prime
Member
 
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2004 1:32 pm

Postby Brother Prime » Sun May 15, 2005 7:18 am

"We have sent our message to them. Our belief in Him will be known to all. Our messenge is sent in the form of living canvas, the woman will spread the word, plant the seed without even realizing it."

As Brother Prime stood before the Brother and Sisters, the lamplight shone brightly over their glittering platinum robes. Their leader looked down at them from the pulpit, his own robe awash in blood, marks of success from yesterdays actions.

"We all make sacrifices, brother and Sisters, and He loves us more for each one. All of you should learn from the example given to you yesterday, that whatever need be done, will be done. This is true for each and every one of you. Even I have sacrificed, let me be no different than every true believer."

Turning from the congregation, brother Prime dropped the shoulders of his robe, allowing the Eyes of the Father to gaze down upon the believers. Each painfully rendered eye was different, ranging from tattoos to burns. The newest still dripping slowly, the eye carved into the flesh perhaps only hours after they had served the torment on Ariane Carnath-Emory. The center of the eye has been tattooed to give the iris color, amidst what would become raised scars. They eye looked out at them, larger and more fearesome than the rest, with it's unblinking violet hue.
User avatar
Brother Prime
Member
 
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2004 1:32 pm

Postby Brother Prime » Wed May 18, 2005 12:32 pm

"My Brothers and Sisters. Welcome back this, our holiest of places. KNow that His light shines upon you. His eyes watch you. Know that nothing that you do for Him, or against Him, is without His notice."

Brother Prime stood before them, a sea of pale silver robes, foreheads rested reverently on the cold stone floor of the cavern, a shining light in this place of darkness. The flowing silver robe reflected the shimmering light of the oil lamps casting him in an ethereal glow.

"There is one amoung us who has earned recognition for his deeds these last few days. Brother Jaque, come forward."

Jaque Fenway rose from the mass of nearly identical bodies. Head bowed, the deep cowl obscuring his own face as the robes did for them all. To the raised platform that over looked the congregation, proud to be called on by Prime.

"It was Brother Jaque who I left to give our last offering. It was he that I charged with sending our message of belief to the people of Myrken."

A slow smile built on the face of Brother Prime, a slight glitter of ivory teeth within the shadows of the cowl.

"It was Brother Jaque who carved the beautiful words "We Believe" in the shell of the last sacrafice. It was Brother Jaque who left that offering with the shell, to be found by the people of Myrken. It was Brother Jaque, who tortured the woman, scribing our message into her flesh."

The leather sheathed hands of Brother Prime rose, offering the palms to the heavens. Silvery silk slipped backward to rest in the crook of his arms.

"It was Brother Jaque who took His words and twisted them. It was Brother Jaque who has brought memory of us to the masses of Myrken. It is Brother Jaque who shall be the example."

From the shadows of the ledge half a dozen of the Order swarmed Brother Jaque. The middle aged man was set upon by his bretheren, pushed to the hard stone floor.

"He will be a lesson to you all. Nothing. Nothing! Comes before Him. Your pride will see you left to die, with your eyes. You will not rest in His glory. Your gaze will forever see His own turned away from you!"

Prime would lower his hands then, stepping backward into the shadows from wence the others had come. The Order made slow work of Jaque Fenway. It took nearly an hour before he even began to scream.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Late that evening, there would be the thunder of hooves once more. A dozen riders, cloaked in silver, under cover of darkness, would ride to the Broken Dagger. Another gift to be left for the denziens within. This one, however, had ceased breathing hours before. The silver robe he wore was now almost wholly rust colored. It hung in tatters around the dead man's broken body. As the body hit the ground, it rolled to lay in an decidedly uncomfortable postion. The lower half of the body lay facing down, the other truned at such an angle that the face nearly looked skyward.

Scribed in to the forehead of the man who was once Jaque Fenway, a man many of them might have seen selling chickens in the square, was a simple phrase:

Fear is not Belief
User avatar
Brother Prime
Member
 
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2004 1:32 pm


Return to The Forest & Lake



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests

cron