Friday, March 2, 2018

A Slave to Matter

Is there an unseen force that drives Life? If we can’t see it, how can we communicate with it? Can we feel it? Could our bodies—in their totality—crassly be referred to as wetware for Cosmic Consciousness? Does an obsessive drive for external information (facts and events as defined by a limited human point of view) and wealth (owning, collecting, and/or amassing matter) distort dumb down numb shut off our physiological transmitters?

In the chapter Koldis, an ambitious member of a wealthy scholastic order in the business of hidden knowledge prioritizes his rise in the priesthood’s hierarchy. But he’s blinded—figuratively and literally—figuratively by a quest for immediate gratification and literally by the Sand Gypsies.

A slave to matter, he's blinded by all that glitters and dismisses all that he cannot "see."

Anton bowed his head in a show of obeisance.

Cashel, the head of the Order of the Idonnai, motioned him to sit.

The elder priest removed a dull leather pouch from the desk. He passed it from hand to hand. The unmistakable clink of coins filled the silence between the two men. “We’ve received word from Typhos,” Cashel said. “A sailor claims to possess an artifact of great interest to us. If the offer proves genuine, I’d like you to purchase it for the library’s collection.”

Although he was curious as to what the object might be, Anton didn’t ask. Reticence was a trait valued by the Order, and the young priest had long molded his character to gain approval from his superiors. He remained silent as he held out his hand.

Cashel made as if to give him the bag. His hand froze. “You must speak of this to no one.”

“Of course not.” The weight of the bag hit Anton’s palm. Gold. He would be required to make an accounting of the coins upon his return. He counted them out now while the elder priest watched. He raised his eyebrows.

“You’re authorized to negotiate the price of the sale. However, I prefer you pay all the gold in that bag than let the artifact be sold to another buyer.”

Anton’s subtle smile was genuine. To be trusted with such a mission assured his continued rise in the Order’s hierarchy. — Koldis, Isolt's Enchantment

Presenting Rebecca Ferguson's Glitter & Gold:


Lyrics:

How good or bad, happy or sad
Does it have to get?
Losing yourself, no cry for help
You don’t think you need it

And old friends are just a chore,
But now you need them more than ever before

All that glitter and all that gold
Won’t buy you happy
When you’ve been bought and sold
Riding white horses, you can’t control
With all your glitter
And all of your gold
Take care of your soul
Take care of your soul

How high, how low, how on your own
Are you gonna get?
Because
Losing your soul, will cost you more
Than the life you’re paying for

And all those friends you left behind
You might need ’em when it’s cold outside

All that glitter and all that gold
Won’t buy you happy
When you’ve been bought and sold
Riding white horses, you can’t control
With all your glitter
And all of your gold
Take care of your soul

One day you’re gonna wake up and find that
New dream is losing its shine and
Nobody is by your side
When the rain comes down and you’re losing your mind

So, who you gonna run to?
Where you gonna hide?
Glitter and gold
Won’t keep you warm
On those lonely nights

And all those friends that were such a chore
You’re gonna need them more than ever before

All that glitter and all that gold
Won’t buy you happy
When you’ve been bought and sold
Riding white horses, you can’t control
With all your glitter
And all of your gold
Take care of your soul
With all of your gold
Take care of your soul
Take care of your soul
Isolt of the Waters is an ancient water elemental whose betrayal and enchantment has forever changed the Whole. When a young scholar in Idonne discovers her story, along with tales of dwarf magic and the birth of Umbra—a malevolent entity dwelling in the Void—he dreams of a life filled with adventure and heroism.
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