Scorched Earth: A Future History of Planet EarthPetrovic, Walter D.
Science
Scorched Earth: A Future History of Planet Earth
Petrovic, Walter D.
Science fiction
Brook laid his palms on the surface of the grand cleric's desk top and
mocked him in turn. "What?" Brook laughed. "The Almighty not
understand something? Come now brother ... I was made to wait here too
long, and for you!" He lifted his hands from the desk and made his way
back towards the window. "Maybe I should have you tried. Made an
example of; should I not, my dearest brother?" He reached the window
and looked out of it to the fountain below. The same time, he slightly
grinned, knowing the effects that he caused to come over the
ArchBishop's mind. No sooner did Brook finish speaking, did the cleric
challenge him.
"Make yourself clear, Brook. State your business and take your
leave!" blurted the man in the holy garb.
Brook's grin left him as he swung around and poked his hand into the
air, in the direction of the religious leader, and stared right into
his now pale eyes.
"You are but a mere man -- and not even so -- and you can bleed!" He
ceased for a moment and saw a spark of fear flame over the ArchBishop's
face as he twitched in his chair.
"Yes, my brother ... You can bleed. Wouldn't a real god be immune to
bodily injury? A real god would not sit on his ... broad alter and
live off his people, growing fat from their love and their worship and
yet give them nothing in return. Not only that ... you had sent for me
-- so, unless you inform me as to what you want ... you may take your
leave!"
"Good speech. State your -- "
" -- Your tongue will be silenced either by my command or by my hand,
Manguino! I shall give you leave, if I care to, and for good."
Brook's words, the strength of their usage, greatly startled the great
ArchBishop who sat back in his chair and blinked aimlessly as the
sovereign continued, after some silence. "Word has reached me, that
you are starving several of the united districts, in the north, with an
embargo on their trade! As of this moment that will cease and with
that, extra trade will commence between Phoride and Besten. It has
been long enough, that you have had your petty vengeance on them."
"You agreed on that embargo!" Manguino advanced.
"Yes. Now I change my mind. Your 'will' be ... none!"
Brook turned his head and focused his eyes upon Manguino.
Silence clutched the room again. Brook stood majestic and powerful in
the presence of his brother. The evil high priest, Manguino, was now
totally disturbed by Brook's show of strength and power.
"It would not have made a difference!" Manguino said as he pushed
himself from his chair and moved over to where his brother stood.
"I will make the difference now! As of this moment." Brook shouted at
him. "You ... you may only follow. You will not be permitted to
exercise your power unwisely."
The sovereign's judgement had been made and the idea frightened
Manguino and choked the room with a silence that removed hope of the
existence of any breath.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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