Episode MMXLII – The Prophecy

And so, we were brought before the great seer of prophesy, who had brought the true word down for above to teach it unto us and to bring us from the depravity of our ways into the light and to practice all our days the ways of the martyrs so that we might ascend to paradise and the great gifts and glories that might await us there. And, this great seer who shall remain nameless and on whose image upon which none should gaze for it is blasphemy to see, cast his stern eye upon us and we trembled. Yet, when he spoke, it was gently at first as he set forth the charge against us of having been in the presence of immodest women without whipping or beheading them. His voice became more righteous as he declared us infidels and screamed for our death. But, then, reminded that we had, upon seeing a disobedient wife had stoned her, the great prophesizer declared that rather than give us our just and deserved punishment of dismemberment, he would send us out into the world on a ship that would be outfitted for us to travel endlessly so that we may catalog the beasts and plants of the world and bring back knowledge and spread the true faith, not by inflicting pain and death or by exhortation, but by example. Faced with this dictate, many of our most religious compatriots threw themselves into the sea for what is their faith without blood and terror? © mmg 2008

Episode MMXLI – Restitution

As we awaited our trial, sentencing and fate, there came before us as had so often in the past, a chance to redeem ourselves and to make us once again worthy of entering paradise as true holy warriors and to enjoy in paradise the ministrations of many pure, modest maidens. For as we sat in the hot sun in the courtyard of doom before the holy court of true prophesies, the religious police brought out a wretched creature, a woman who had disobeyed her husband and hid her daughter away when it was his intention to sell this child as a pleasure servant to a rich man. Having broken the most sacred laws governing how a woman should behave by failing to obey the rule of her husband she was soon to be stripped bare and beheaded to punish her with death and much worse, shame. Seeing this, we at once knew that this could be our salvation and endeavored to perform a most sacred act by stoning her to death. And, this we did with small stones to prolong her agony and to ensure our forgiveness. For, is it not a holy warrior’s duty to pray many times a day and to see that the law of the great teacher is obeyed? © mmg 2008

Episode MMXXXVI – The Landing

Staggering onto the dock, we encountered before anyone else a poleax man who introduced himself as our executioner. Stark naked but for his head which according to law must be kept covered, and stinking himself, had the carcass of a sea creature at his feet and began demonstrating his skills upon it, deftly slicing off repulsive portions of dead flesh from this fish that had been too long in the sun. And, we were forced to concur; the precision with which he wielded his instrument was noteworthy. He was a master and we gave him his due with coin and other blandishments. Whereupon, he took out a greasy crayon and began marking on each of us the cuts that he would take, sundering limbs first and then the rest until we would be but a pile of flesh, each of us, before the sacred law. He advised holding quite still while he proceeded. But, he said, “I will not begin until the religious police have had their way with you. Then, he gave us instructions to the religious court where were to appear for trial and immediate conviction. What choice did we have as a condemnation of death had been issued by the great seer? © mmg 2008