A Comet of Black and White

[yopplwasupxxx 5946]

“The human realms have been inflamed with passion in recent months. Even the lowly beggar of the streets has heard the recent allegations brought forth against King Aleksandr II, my current patron, about consorting with dark deities and bargaining for sinister relics. In fact, no matter where I turn, I hear the gossip in every walk of life.

 

Within my archdiocese, a recent tribunal has been formed: the White Comet, tasked by the current patriarch and Lord Palatine Josef of Jorenus to investigate these rumors. I have opted to not partake in these investigations, the only Haeseni bishop to do so. The reasonings for such I shall detail below.

 

First and foremost, with my conversations with undisclosed witnesses of the event in question, I believe without reasonable doubt that King Aleksandr II did entreat with members of an Ibleeic cult within his court. I am more skeptical however as to whether the monarch knew these individuals were associated with the dark arts. While negligence is no defense (in this case, ignorance), my lengthy service under King Aleksandr lends me credence to believe he knew not of their dark associations. Aleksandr is a rash and foolhardy man, filled with dreams of grandeur to be gained by the tip of the sword. I do not deny this. But is he a follower of dark teachings? Most likely not. Aleksandr has never been a keen student of theology; I do not suspect he has recently changed this disposition, even if promises of power were made.

 

A question then emerges: if an individual does not know another individual is a dark magician, and gives him aid, is he at fault? Charges of heresy and heathenry usually require intent either purposely or knowingly. But what if the individual is simply negligent, either due to ignorance or arrogance? Legally, for me, this is a difficult subject. Within Canon Law, those not raised in the teachings of the Church due to the ignorance of their upbringing are still allowed within the First Sky. So, in theory, there seems to be a form of leeway or forgiveness for those who unknowingly sin. But salvation for an ignorant tribal is a vastly different question to unwitting support of a known nefarious group.

 

In an ideal world, a jurisdictional court would investigate with unbiased intent, and with diligent study of past precedent and the magisterial teachings, an answer could emerge which will bring this difficult question to a close. This is not an ideal world, however.

 

The irony can be spotted in the very name of the tribunal established by Josef to investigate in-house the allegations: the White Comet. The name stems from the legend of St. Tobias, where pilgrims prayed for the salvation of the corrupted and decayed city of Aldersberg, only for a white comet to destroy it in a miraculous event. Yet when the pilgrims came to investigate the cosmic meteorite, it turned black, as dark as obsidian. This is, I believe, a fitting allegory to the current predicament.

 

Ideally, the Church without partisan interference would investigate and give a just judgment. Yet we do not live in the world of the ideal; no, we operate in a world of the real, of physical passions, desires, and ambitions. When the comet came from the Skies, it was white and pure. But when it reached the physical plane, crashed onto the corrupted earth, its allure changed to reflect the petty sin of this world. Any investigation into the acts of King Aleksandr will be and have been so far divided by partisan politics, spurred on by political realities and personal vendettas.

 

In one camp, many within Haense and its outside supporters shut out any outside interference and even deny the allegations outright; they are simply attacks against their sovereign, who has treated them right and fair. Any twisted comment against Aleksandr is simply stemming from political rivals serving on the short-end of Aleksandr’s reasonably successful foreign policies in the last decades.

 

In the other camp, many cry for Aleksandr to be deposed; he has been judged guilty without trial. I have even heard of people clamoring that a crusade should be called to bring down the king, a ridiculous proposition to be sure. These partisans use the recent crisis to rally support for their own oppositional causes, especially regarding the recent rebellion by the neo-Burgundians.

 

No matter the theology, the teachings of the Church, or the jurisprudence of legalism, this debacle is highly political, polarized to the extremes. Doubt and cynicism fill my bones. Any group, whether in Haense or staffed by an outside committee, will most likely find in favor of whatever political color they identify with.

 

So I am stuck. No direction seems to direct their way out. And in this, I have chosen to not participate in any official manner. Ultimately, only God knows true justice, and if Aleksandr did commit grievous and knowing sin, he shall lament for all days in the abyss of the void. If he did not, he shall be forgiven and join his forebearers in the Skies above.

 

Instead, I sit and pray. No matter the outcome, I only hold the slimmer of hope that any true justice will be achieved on the earth. The comet will turn black in the world, and only in the Skies Above can we truly see its purity in all its glory. In the words that are inscribed on the Palatine's bulava: 'Only death is fair.'

 

Prophets’ Blessings,

Amleth, Bishop of Andrikev”

[Publius 4098]

Monk Matsuda Sakuraba read this at the Monastery of St. Juli'el, having sequestered himself away after a hectic few days of writing and travel. He nodded, smiling - he respected the earnestness of the Bishop. Taking to his desk at the study, he would pen his reply...

 

________________________________________________________

 

Good tidings to you from Casica, Bishop Amleth,

 

When I was told by the sisters here an address to the situation had come from Jorenus, I held my breath - I feared attacks on my person, I worked myself up into a fit. Your points on how there is otherness, even within our Church, rang immediately true to me. I feel some shame over this anxiety; we are brothers.

 

Let me be the first to say that my blood had been running rather hot after what I had observed, what I had been tasked with addressing. I do not consider Jorenus an enemy - no, I think I would be correct in saying it is the most productive and populated of all of our Diocese (It is an Archdiocese in recognition, no?) They are not my enemy, they are not the church's enemy, and I should have been more choice with my words to make that clear.

 

I do NOT think the King ought to be deposed; that is not my judgement to pass. But if he ought to be deposed, I believe it would be after investigation and address by the Auditor of the Tribunal. If what you say is true, it may still yet be a crisis and issue within the court, but not a corruption of the Crown - but a matter that imperils it, that our Church ought to endeavor to aid Haense and Jorenus with.

 

Your connection of the Comet, the commission and the tale of St. Tobias was really astute, and it made me smile. I was very happy to read such a fine example of the irony of the situation, how it characterized our plight here. I would ask you not to despair and worry about attacks or accusations from me about your people.

 

We ought to meet and discuss this world we inhabit. I think we share similar views, frustrations, reservations, and despite my temper in my earlier writings, outlooks.

 

Love, respect, and peace upon you!

 

May we have the luck of St. Tobias,

Monk Matsuda Sakuraba, SSJP

[Azukazi Khuzai 140]

"though yet the only attacks attended were the warriors of haense upon my parish of Numendil, it cannot be said that the lord of haense has nothing to do with it. For if he did grant the weapon to the betrayer, it is only true that sin is great, and yet the deeds of the ignorant, through them, has the blood of the faithful upon his hand!" The holy acolyte Ivan-I proclaimed.