The Ulangar: Book III, Part 4

This continues Book III of the epic I wrote between 1991 and 1996.

The next day when Dawn lifted her bright wheel into the darkness

and spread her rosy fingers to all parts of the sky

the family gathered together to discuss their future

`I say we shall collaborate and discover the secrets of the world'

spake Enki the Master of Mind `and become true masters of this universe

for knowledge is the true might and answer to all troubles if

IT can conquer us then surely we can discover how to conquer IT

and this is attained only by wisdom and knowledge'

To this Lamaraz responded `Indeed do I take your words for truth

and never shall I disagree for the sake of argument

but some things cannot be taken by knowledge

There are brute forces which only understand their own nature

and thus must be the response in the honorable fashion

What is life without honor What is honor without life

And what is life and honor without Truth or Courage

I ask you this my friend of the Rose and Iron

while Nefthys and Adar stand behind me

what are their answers'

Enki rose his voice and said `I thought you dead Lamaraz

but wrong was I who dwells in harmony and mastery

Your questions mean nothing to me

and your thinking even less

Go back to your caves of moss and grime

and go back to your half-men ancestors of greasy hair tied up in bonnets

We have no need of you and your barbaric ways'

Nergal interrupted the rest of Enki's speech by these words

causing land slides with its force

`Petty bickering does no one here good

now stop that chattering as two little boys

who rest in the comfort of their mother's ever protecting arms

Besides who cares about the domination over other forces

we have everything we need here on this globe thanks to Ulangar

the forger and Kali of worlds

I think we shall play a sporting challenge to pass the time

one that came from my Old Country in the north

The ancient way of playing this game is to gallop on riding mounts

while trying to subdue the opposing team into defeat

We could do this but no equestrian beasts will be used

nor will that singing art be allowed to be woven on this field of honorable battle'

Lamaraz became caught up in the speaking of Nergal

`Yes Yes And the fairy way of subduing will be replaced with slayings

that glorious way of battle that turns grass lands into swamps of gore

Perhaps this will be an excellent way of passing the days

This Game will be perfect for our warlike ways'

Enki glared and Lamaraz and snapped in return

`Speak for yourself you barbaric corpse

your ways are worse than those wintry murderers

that come before my eyes in anger

You all make me sick in your agreement with these boys

and their archaic ways of bloodshed

This is a time for peace and knowledge

not war and battle and its notorious way of death

Go and do your vile and retchéd deeds

but never shall you see me pay heed

to your cries from the grave'

Lamaraz stood now and walked towards Enki of the Rose

with Nergal and Fatirac at his heels all looking in the same fashion

Before the three could strike and deal a mighty blow

to the one wearing robes of white silk

Nefthys jumped from her spot on the ground

to block the charge of Lamaraz and his entourage

and she spoke such words `My love

why does such unwarranted hate fill your eyes and heart

all for one whose hasty and unthought words were spoken

They are gone and with them the idea

but in your minds all your minds you hold these words

with steel bonds and behind steel cages impenetrable

Can you not use your keys and free them

so that they can join the words in the air

so that they too may die

If hatred so consumes your soul that sharp reason cannot pierce it

then let the blanket of my love smother it and make another fire grow'

Lamaraz shook so from the sight

and the feelings which came from her eyes

He crumbled before her

and fell down on his knees with heavy heart eye

reminded of the time on the knoll when the brothers were slain