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10/26/2009 3:10:38 PM
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****************** "You are, I take it, familiar with the history of the Writ?" Restraint asked Sorran as the two sat before the roaring fire. The stench of blood from both Sorran and the felled Jackal, which now lay on the burning flames, was strong. "Of course. The Prophets discovered evidence of the Great Journey, and proposed an alliance between them and we, the Sangheili, in an effort to uncover this Journey." Sorran recited from memory, confused as to why the Minister would ask such a question. Restraint merely nodded gravely, drumming his tapered fingertips together. "And thus the Covenant was born, out of this promise of the Great Journey." the Prophet spat mockingly. Sorran leaned forward, concerned. "What is your point?" the Sangheili questioned bluntly, forgetting about the honorific suffix he usually would have used. Restraint instead decided to answer his question with a question. "How much do you believe in the promise of the Path, Honour Guard of mine?" This threw Sorran off. He wasn't entirely sure how to proceed. However, in the short time he had known Restraint, the Minister had never rebuked him for expressing his opinion. "I am no zealot, noble one, yet I, like all of the Covenant, believe in the Journey. How could I not?" Sorran replied, apprehension clear in his voice. Restraint merely sighed, shaking his head sadly. "I was afraid you would say that. It will make what I'm about to tell you even harder. Sorran; there is no Great Journey. It's all a lie." the Minister revealed, and Sorran could sense no trace of jest in the Prophet's voice. Even so, he broke out into a smile. "How very amusing noble one." Sorran said, an air of certainty about him. There was no doubt in his mind that the Prophet was lying. This didn't seem to be the response Restraint expected, for his face screwed up in annoyance. "This is no joke Sangheili, although I wish with all my heart that it was. All you have ever known, every history lesson, religious ceremony, everything. All of it a grand deception." the Minister snapped back, and Sorran blinked, realising the Prophet truly believed himself to be speaking the truth. The Sangheili was now worried; had the Jackal slipped some sort of Hallucinogen into the rich wine Restraint was now drinking? "Noble Minister, this night has been distressing for us all I think. Come, let us clear our minds of these heretical thoughts, and retire to our quarters." Sorran suggested, beginning to stand. An icy command from Restraint forced him to sit once again. "I told you you would not believe me, at first. But I offer no lies here. Perhaps if I explain fully, from the beginning, you will understand." Sorran was still worried about the Minister, and had half a mind to disobey Restraint's command and go fetch a healer to purge the poison that was so obviously flowing through the Prophet's veins as he spoke. However, there was just enough sincerity in Restraint's tones to keep him seated. He nodded for the Minister to continue. "Now you know doubt know that years ago, I was a High Hierarch, alongside the Prophet of Tolerance, and Prophetess of Obligation. Both of them are now dead. Now, Regret, Mercy, and the snake Truth have replaced as Hierarchs. No doubt you hold them in the highest opinion, brainwashed as you are. However, I shall tell you how they came to power." Now Sorran was truly intrigued. He had heard of Tolerance and Obligation's demise a few years ago, both apparently victims of a serial killer. Restraint then moved on with his tale. "I am on a list of those San 'Shyuum who are forbidden to partake in the reproduction process, as you may or may not know. There are so few of my race that such precautionary measures have to be taken, in order to keep our legacy pure of mind and body. However; I am ashamed to admit, I did not adhere to this law. I bed a female when I was Hierarch, and she fell pregnant with my offspring." This was something Sorran hadn't heard before. "I should have had the foetus terminated as soon as I knew. But I couldn't. It was my child, my legacy. And no matter how flawed it would be, I would cherish it." A noble sentiment indeed. "The birth date loomed ever closer, and I began to grow worried. Should word have leaked out that I sired a child, then no matter what position I held, I would be executed within the week. Nervous, I approached whom I thought to be a trustworthy friend; the Vice Minister of Tranquillity. You will know him better as Regret. I told him about the ill begotten child, and implored him to claim it as his own. He told me he would consider it." Restraint's gaze then grew dark. "Little did I know the poisonous snake would do what he decided to do. He went to the Minister of Fortitude, whom you know better as Truth, and informed him of my situation. Together, they hatched a plan together. Tranquillity began to drop subtle hints of what the two were planning, drunken braggart that he always was." "And then the demand came. Tranquillity delivered an ultimatum; either I, and my fellow Hierarchs step down, or he would reveal my darkest secret. I spent many a day conferring with Tolerance and Obligation. Good friends, we were, all of us, and they understood the danger I was in. And so, together, we stepped down from the seat of power. I watched as the bastards Fortitude, Tranquillity, and the Philologist, now Mercy, ascended up the arms of the Dreadnought." Some of this was common knowledge. It troubled Sorran, however, that the three leaders he had but a week ago revered and honoured were dishonourable cads. "But that, whilst horrible in itself, is not all. One night, in a drunken stupor, Regret appeared at my doorstep. He had the look of someone ready to boast about him. I tried to turn him away, but he commanded me to grant him access to my house. Indeed, he was sat in the very same chair you sit in now, Sorran."
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