Chapter 22: Forsaken
The time for the next Exodus fair came quickly. The fair was inaugurated by a cloudy sky and rain was indeed in the air. Most were hoping for better weather, but this fair would have its share of wind and rain, however this did not damper the spirits of the festival.
Food was being prepared. All the trimmings would not be sparred for this, as some called it, would be the best festival ever. The amusement stands were being placed in there designated spots and before the fair had officially began, some gave a preview of their performances, which sent a spray of great anticipation through the streets. With the arrival of the fair, came the triumphant entry of Kleos. The multitudes stopped whatever they were doing, and as he came down the lane, they removed their outer cloaks and laid them before him.
"Praise God in the highest," spoke one bystander, "To you who comes in the name of the Lord."
However the keepers, watching the scene, spoke sternly saying, "You allow such speech?"
The spies expounded all to Reiach. Taking pen and paper, he wrote two letters. The letters implored the two other judges to come to the keeper‘s temple immediately. The judges arrived by mid- afternoon. They meet in a closed room.
"What‘s the big idea about calling us?" said Sahar, " The plan is in effect."
"The plan is in jeopardy. Kleos has not be demoralized as we wanted. The majority of the citizens still revere him as some great prophet and worst– God!"
"Well unless you have a idea before the end of the week we can forget about the plan we have," said Ping.
The otter smiled and said,
"I do have an idea— fire. Remember the Day of the tigers ?"
" It was God‘s judgment on Shavron for our disobedience, of course." said Ping.
"Well, we are going to start a fire, and just not any fire– a great fire. Farm fields will burn, and homes too."
"I assume this will be for the middle and lower classes." inquired Sahar.
"No," replied Reiach quickly, " even some homes of the upper class homes must burn."
"You‘re crazy," said the ape, " What‘s the point in it all?"
The otter explained that the fire would be used as false grounds for God‘s judgment by allowing Kleos to roam free. Each judge would supply twenty guards to travel throughout Shavron, burning homes and fields indiscriminately. The act would take place during the quiet hours of the early morning, and if the guards happened to run into any soul, they would be ordered to kill to cover up the deed. Once the fire consumed all in its path, the judges would supply revenue to rebuild homes for all the citizens, becoming heroes in the process. The blame would go to Kleos. This would be the leverage the judges need to kill him.
"This better work." said Sahar.
"It will," Reiach said with a wink, "Malice has its ways."
The early morning came; not a creature was stirring in the streets. The guards were given their orders: twenty would travel to lower Shavron, twenty to Middle Shavron, and the others would do the damage in Upper Shavron. Each guard carried a stick with cloth wrapped around it, which would be used for spreading the fire. The judges, in an effort to cover themselves, set fire to parts of their homes; not enough to destroy the structure, but for a deterrent from future accusations. The guards ran through farm fields, burning corn, wheat, carrot patches, and other major produce. Homes were engulfed in flames, badly burning some of the occupants. Screaming, and confusion spread through the land; citizens ran from their homes in a effort to abridge the inferno. Before any creature had the chance to understand what was going on, the entire country was ablaze for three hours. Once the fires were put out the damage was so serve that it would millions to fully recover.
Deep in the Cinnamount Woods, Kleos took Ricco, Paskalo, and Pottermer with him to pray. Kleos prayed with great distress, for his time had come. In anguished he asked the Holy One, his father, to remove His coming wrath from him, but Kleos was in full agreement with the Holy One‘s will: that he should die for the sins of the world and should take the wrath of God upon himself. Kleos rose and saw Ricco, Paskalo, and Pottermer sleeping. Waking them, Kleos grieved in his spirit saying,
Ricco rose and walked over to his Lord.
"I will never fall into temptation?" said the Ringtail, "If all forsake you I will never fall
into temptation."
But Ricco said,
"Even if I have to die, I will never, never deny you."
Angus finally saw is opportunity, he quickly left the forest to gather the soldiers. It wasn‘t no more than ten minutes before Angus returned with a small band of soldiers. Surrounding Kleos and the eleven, they pulled their swords. One soldier boldly made a advance towards Kleos, but Ricco running forward attacked the soldier viciously.
"Which one is the farmer?" said one soldier to Angus. Angus stepped forward, placing the ring on Kleos's hand. It was then that the eleven fled as the soldiers bound him.
They carried Kleos to front gate of the keeper's temple; the three judges and the head keeper‘s were waiting. Ricco followed far behind to see what would become of him.
"Where‘s my money?" said Angus.
The otter threw the bag at the dog. Angus left soon after. Now Ricco was about to make a grand entrance. His intention was to storm over, beat up the guards, and rescue Kleos, but a Shavronite saw him.
"Hey, didn‘t I see you with that farmer?"
Ricco denied it, saying that he was never with the farmer. Ricco quickly made his way to another spot to see, but he was stopped again by another Shavronite.
"Aren‘t you the one Kleos called at the Eldos Lake?" Again Ricco denied it saying he was never at Eldos Lake
Ricco moved again to another spot, but this time he was seen by one of the soldiers. They called him over to the temple‘s gate.
"I saw you in the forest didn‘t I?" said the soldier, "You were with this farmer, I‘m sure of it."
The judges, the head keepers, and the soldiers gave Ricco a wicked look. Ricco heart began to beat rapidly and his boldness fled him.
"Why is everyone putting me with him. I don‘t know him---I don‘t---I swear it!---I don‘t‘ know this creature!" Ricco said pointing at Kleos.
Suddenly a drop of water fell on Ricco‘s head, he looked up and more drops fell: it began to rain. Ricco looked into the eyes of Kleos; and running scared into empty alley, he wept bitterly.