NAG HAMMADi in Gnostični evangheliji priredba Beno Cizelj

NAG HAMMADI

Knjige Nag Hammadi (znana tudi pod imenom "Chenoboskion Manuskript" in "Gnostični evangeliji") je zbirka zgodnjih krščanskih in gnostičnih besedil, ki so bile odkrite blizu zgornjega egiptovskega mesta Nag Hammadi leta 1945.

Lokalni kmet, imenovan Muhamed al-Samman, je najverjetneje odkril trinajst usnjenih papirus kodeksov, ki so bili pokopani v zapečatenih vrčih. Pisanje v teh kodeksih so vsebovali 52 večinoma gnostičnih razprav, vendar pa vsebujejo tudi tri dela, ki pripadajo Korpus Hermeticum in delni prevod / Platonove republike. V svojem uvodu v prevod knjižic Nag Hammadi v angleščini James Robinson predvideva, da so ti kodeksi lahko pripadali bližnjemu pahomianskemu samostanu in so bili zakopani, potem ko je Sveti Atanazij obsodil uporabo ne kanoničnih knjig v svojem prazničnem pismu leta 367. Odkritje teh besedil je pomembno vplivalo na uresničevanje sodobnega preučevanja in poznavanja zgodnjega krščanstva in gnosticizma.

Vsebina kodeksov je bila napisana v Koptskem jeziku. Najbolj znano o teh delih je verjetno Thomasov evangelij, od katerega vsebuje Nag Hammadi kodekse le tega kot edino popolno besedilo. Znanstveniki so po odkritju ugotovili, da so se fragmenti teh govorov, ki so bili pripisani Jezusu, pojavili v rokopisih, ki so jih odkrili leta 1898 v Oxyrhynchusu, in so bile zajete v drugih zgodnjih krščanskih virih. Nato je bilo za izgubljene grške izvirnike Thomasovega evangelija predlagano 1. in 2. stoletje zapisani okoli 80. let ali prej. Zakopani rokopisi so iz 3. in 4. stoletja.

Kodeksi Nag Hammadi so trenutno shranjeni v koptskem muzeju v Egiptu v Kairu

Mesto odkritja, Nag Hammadi na zemljevidu Egipta

Zgodba o odkritju knjižnic Nag Hammadi leta 1945 je bila opisana kot "vznemirljiva kot vsebina samega najdišča". Decembra istega leta sta dva egiptovska brata našla veliko papirusov v veliki posodi, medtem ko sta iskala gnojilo okoli jalovine Jabal al-Ṭārif blizu današnjega Hamra Dom v zgornjem Egiptu. Nista izvirno sporočila o odkritju, saj sta želela zaslužiti denar od rokopisov tako, da jih prodata posamezno, v presledkih. Mati bratov je zažgala več rokopisov, zaskrbljena, očitno, da bi lahko imeli dokumenti "nevarne učinke" (Markschies, Gnosis, 48). Kot rezultat se je tisto, kar je bilo znano kot knjižnice Nag Hammadi (zaradi bližine najdbe do Nag Hammadi, najbližje večje naselbine), pojavljalo le postopoma, njegov pomen pa je bil nepoznan dokler nekdo ni spregovoril o prvem odkritju.

Leta 1946 sta se brata začeli prepirati in prepustila rokopise koptskemu duhovniku. Njegov svak je v oktobru tistega leta prodal kodeks koptskemu muzeju v starem Kairu (ta del je danes v zbirki Codex III). Domači koptolog in verski zgodovinar Jean Doresse, ki je spoznal pomen artefakta, je leta 1948 objavil prve odlomke. Skozi leta je večina prešla od duhovnika na ciprskega trgovca s starinami v Kairu, ki pa ga je obdržal v Oddelku za starine, iz strahu, da bodo prodani iz države. Po revoluciji leta 1952 so bila ta besedila izročena Koptskemu muzeju v Kairu in razglašena za nacionalno lastnino. Pahor Labib, direktor koptskega muzeja v tistem času, je želel obdržati te rokopise v svoji državi.

Medtem je bil v Kairu en kodeks prodan belgijskem preprodajalcu starin. Po poskusu prodaje kodeksa v New Yorku in Parizu ga je leta 1951 s posredovanjem Gillesa Quispel kupil Carl Gustav Jung Inštitut v Zürichu. Namenjen je bil kot darilo za rojstni dan slavnemu psihologu; iz tega razloga je ta kodeks tipično znan kot Jungov Kodeks, ki je Codex I v zbirki.

Jungova smrt leta 1961 je povzročila spor glede lastništva Jung Kodeksa; strani niso bile dane koptskemu muzeju v Kairu do leta 1975, ko je bila objavljena prva izdaja besedila. Papirusi so bili končno združeni v Kairu: od leta 1945 najdemo tam enajst kompletnih knjig in drobcev dveh drugih, ki "presegajo več kot 1000 pisanih strani".

Prva izdaja besedila, ki je bila najdena v Nag Hammadi, je bila iz Jung Kodeksa, delni prevod katerega se je pojavil v Kairu leta 1956 in načrtovana je bila ena obsežna faksimilna izdaja. Zaradi težkih političnih razmer v Egiptu so posamezni deli sledili iz zbirk iz Kaira in Züricha le počasi.

To stanje se ni spremenilo vse do leta 1966 z organizacijo kongresa Mesina v Italiji. Na tej konferenci, ki naj bi znanstvenikom omogočila doseganje skupnega soglasja o opredelitvi gnosticizma, je strokovnjak za religijo James M. Robinson sestavil skupino urednikov in prevajalcev, katerih izrecna naloga je bila izdaja dvojezične izdaje Nag Hammadi kodeksi v angleščini, v sodelovanju z Inštitutom za starine in krščanstvo na Univerzi Claremont v Claremontu v Kaliforniji.

Robinson je bil izvoljen za sekretarja Mednarodnega komiteja za Nag Hammadi kodekse, ki sta ga leta 1970 ustanovila UNESCO in egiptovsko ministrstvo za kulturo; v tej vlogi je nadziral projekt. Izdaja faksimilov v dvanajstih knjigah je bila objavljena med leti 1972 in 1977, kasneje pa jih je leta 1979 in 1984 izdal založnik E.J. Brill v Leidnu z naslovom Izdaja Faksimile Nag Hammadi kodeksov. S tem so bila vsa besedila na voljo vsem zainteresiranim stranem v določeni obliki.

Hkrati je v Nemški demokratični republiki skupina znanstvenikov, med njimi Alexander Böhlig, Martin Krause in Novega Testamenta znanstveniki Gesine Schenke, Hans-Martin Schenke in Hans-Gebhard Bethge, pripravljali prvi nemški prevod najdbe. Zadnji trije znanstveniki so pod pokroviteljstvom univerze Berlin Humboldt pripravili popoln znanstveni prevod, ki je bil objavljen leta 2001.

Prevod James M. Robinson je bil prvič objavljen leta 1977 z imenom Biblioteka Nag Hammadi v angleščini, v sodelovanju med E.J. Brill in Harper & Row. Publikacija enotnega obsega, po Robinsonu, je "označila konec ene stopnje Nag Hammadi študije in začetek druge" (od Uvodnika do tretje revidirane izdaje). Izdaja v knjigah je sledila leta 1981 in 1984, od E.J. Brill in Harper. Tretja, popolnoma revidirana izdaja je bila objavljena leta 1988.

To je končna faza postopnega razprševanja gnostičnih besedil v širšo javnost - celotno dopolnilo kodeksov je bilo končno na voljo v nepregledni obliki ljudem po vsem svetu, v različnih jezikih. Obstaja tudi križna referenčna naprava za Robinsonovo prevajanje in biblični kanon.

Drugo angleško izdajo je leta 1987 objavil Yale učenjak Bentley Layton ini se imenuje The Gnostic Scriptures: Nov Prevod z opombami (Garden City: Doubleday & Co., 1987). Obseg je vključeval nove prevode iz knjig Nag Hammadi skupaj z izvlečki od heresioloških piscev in drugimi gnostičnimi gradivi. V knjigi Nag Hammadi v angleščini obstaja ena izmed bolj dostopnih količin prevodov najdbe Nag Hammadi. Vključuje obsežne zgodovinske vnose posameznih gnostičnih skupin, beležke o prevajanju, pripise na besedilo in organizacijo traktov v jasno opredeljene premike.

Seveda se vsi znanstveniki ne strinjajo, da je treba celotno knjigo šteti za gnostično. Paterson Brown je trdil, da trije Nag Hammadi evangelijev Tomaža, Filipa in Resnice ne morejo biti tako označeni, saj lahko po njegovem mnenju izrecno potrjujejo osnovno resnico in svetost inkarnacije življenja, ki ga gnosticizem po definiciji obravnava kot iluzorno.

KOLBRIN'S BIBLE . Cahpter 8 - - -GWINEVA

CHAPTER EIGHT

GWINEVA

Maeva, one-time wife of Dadam, found refuge among people of Ardis where she gave birth to Gwineva the Cuckoo child, but as the child grew it was seen that she had red hair. Though all knew there were fair-haired and dark-haired people, none had ever seen anyone with red hair. Also, Strange maladies had manifested in Ardis for which the strangers were blamed; therefore, because of these things, Maeva and her child were driven out. They came to a pool near the border of Krowkasis and built a habitation of reeds, living there for many years. However, Maeva was killed by a wild beast and Gwineva was left alone, but she learned much from familiars who came to her, and so she became a sorceress.

Time went by and the half-folk called Yoslings began to gather around her habitation and they thought she was a goddess and worshipped her. As her fame spread, word came to Herthew concerning the strange woman, so he sent men to find out about her and report. Gwineva knew about Herthew, but he did not know who she was or that any child of Maeva lived. When Herthew heard the report, he was intrigued and sent men to escort her to him, and she came at his request. They brought her into his presence wearing a cloak of feathers and a garment of doeskin, her hair unbraided like that of other women, falling outside the cloak almost to her knees. He was amazed at the cascade of red hair and his heart was stirred by her beauty.

Herthew gave Gwineva a bower and attendants, but she preferred to be attended by Yoslings whom the people about Herthew despised. They gossiped about the strange woman, for it was seen that Yosling men freely entered her bower, yet her bearing was modest and maidenly, the Yoslings showing her every form of respect. It was the season of fruitfulness and when Herthew went to the gathering place he took Gwineva with him, but the Yoslings could not be taken there. So, they remained behind, but the people removed them. When they arrived at the gathering place and Gwidon saw Gwineva, he was startled, for he had seen such a woman in the darkened waters; but he welcomed her and was surprised at her wisdom and skill at sorcery. When the time came for Gwidon to prophesy and all who came to hear him were gathered about, they became apprehensive, for his coming forth was delayed and the moon began to disappear, eaten away by the blackness of the night. Then, when they started to jostle and flee there was a great shout and Gwidon appeared; as he did, a great fire sprang up on either side of him. The people remained, for each was rooted to the place where he stood.

Gwidon spoke at length, telling them that the night sky sign heralded a new era. That as the moon grew again in brightness, so should their race wax strong and virile, spreading wide across the face of the Earth, driving lesser races before them. That a son of Herthew would lead their sons out of Krowkasis, and his sons and their sons would continue westwardly, towards Hesperis, meaning Land of Spirits. That there they would meet their final destiny. He told them that there would be a great bloodletting, when brother would fight with brother and father with son, but that this would be the planting of the Centre pole around which the framework for the structure of their race would be woven. He said, "I shall go before the vanguard in spirit".

Later, Herthew asked Gwidon to cast the omens ticks and read the ashes, as he wished to know things concerning Gwineva. This Gwidon did, telling him that she was his fate mate, one destined to be his wife; that she was indeed a true maiden and he would not be for ridden. He said, "She acts as she does through innocence and not through brashness". But what Gwidon told Herthew was no more than a grain in the grain sack among all that which he knew and saw.

When Herthew returned to his homesite he paid court to Gwineva and asked her to marry him, and this she consented to do after one year. The people, hearing what was intended, were displeased and murmured against the marriage, saying it was unseeingly for their king to marry a sorceress and one strange in so many ways. Also, there was a custom forbidding the intermingling of blood, but there was no doubt as to what she was, some thinking she was one who could be acceptable.

Gwineva was not the bloodkin of Herthew, so as the marriage would not be incestuous Gwineva decided she would say nothing of their relationship, for she was in love with him and love is ever ready to make excuses.

Yet, despite her knowledge and wisdom her heart was full of fears because of her background, but she displayed none of her anxieties. She did not feel at ease among the people, but never asked that the Yoslings be allowed back. She tried to become acceptable by ministering to the sick with simples and remedies, but the more she cured and healed the more people feared her, and fearing they shunned her, except they were in dire need of her help.

However, Herthew remained firm in his resolve to marry, though many advised that if he simply took Gwineva as a concubine or as something less than a wife, it would be more acceptable. They said, "None would object if she were treated as a woman with no standing, mate but do not marry, for marriage would grant her undue status, and is marriage so necessary? Does a wise man buy the pie whereof he can freely eat at any time?" Such sayings enraged Herthew, for he knew Gwineva to be a woman reserved for marriage, and this he tried to tell the people, but they laughed, saying, "She has bewitched you, put her to the test". But he replied, "This is unworthy, for it displays doubt and distrust; a virgin is a virgin, whether named so by horn or wand and remains so whatever the conjectures of carnal-minded men who are more familiar with women of lesser repute". Yet whether the marriage bar applied was still a thing of doubt in the minds of many, for none knew the lineage of Gwineva, nor did she enlighten anyone, though it was customary to recite this at the betrothal. But Herthew and Gwineva remained unbetrothed, though the forthcoming marriage was made known.

Now, the nephews and kin of Idalvar nurtured seeds of discord among the people and because it was a time of peace, when the skills of a warchief were not needed, many heeded their words. So, it developed that there were those for Herthew and those against him. Then Herthew said to the people, "Let this not be something to cut people apart, but something which can be decided at the next folk fest".

The seed sowing time had passed, but it was not yet harvest-tide and the young men held spear-throwing contests and tested each other in many manly skills. At such times, seated on a platform against the palisade, Herthew gave judgement and awarded merits. Inside the palisade was a walkway and places from which great stones could be hurled, and from one such place came a murderous weapon which cut down through Herthew's head to pierce the shoulder of his shield arm, striking him to the ground. Immediately there was a great tumult and confusion, fighting broke out and men died, but Herthew was carried to safety in the bower of Gwineva. There he was protected by his retainers, but within the palisade all was taken over by those hostile to Herthew. Before the cowardly blow, those for Herthew had been more numerous and powerful, but after he was so sorely wounded, they were less, and of these many were inclined to waver, for such is the nature of man. But to contrast with the frail reeds who wavered those who remained loyal were resolute, for this too is the nature of man. Now, when Gwineva and the wise men attended to Herthew they saw that while the shield arm had been injured it was not unfeeling, for it grasped the hand of Gwineva, but this the sword arm could not do, though it was uninjured. Therefore, they knew the slaughter-bent weapon had been charmed and no woman could remove such enchantment, nor could the wise men, for they were unblooded. In the days that followed, the enchantment caused demons to enter through the wound and take up their abode, so Herthew was tormented and his body wracked before subsiding into the quietness which precedes death. The demons had abused Gwineva and called her foul names and cried out in loud voices against people, so that they should abandon their king.

The place where Herthew lay was near the lakeside and in the lake was an island called Inskris, meaning Isle of the Dead, where those about to die were taken, as well as the dead, before being consigned to the waters. For the people believed that those given into the lake went straight into awareness in the Otherworld, while anyone buried on land was only half aware upon arrival and remained half awake and half asleep for many years. So those loyal to Herthew carried him down to the boats and accompanied him and Gwineva to the Isle and they were not molested, for none interfered with those mourning the dead. On the isle were priests and nine holy maidens who attended to the rites while other women ministered to the newly dead, but Herthew was dead, though halfway across the threshold.

When Herthew arrived, he was placed in the hospice house where Gwineva attended to him. Gwidon opened Herthew's skull where it had been cleft and let out the demon which had taken up habitation there, and he brewed powerful potions which removed the enchantment. When, after many days, he departed, Herthew was no longer at the door of death, though weak and in many ways like a baby.

While Herthew lay so sorely stricken, the kinsfolk of Idalvar were disputing among themselves, and this led to fighting and battles. But none came near the isle to harm Herthew, because it was a sacred place and gave him sanctuary. When it came to the time of the folk feast there was a great battle at the gathering place and Gwidon was slain. There came a day when Herthew, though still not whole, could move about and then he and Gwineva departed with those who remained with them. They were married before leaving their isle of sanctuary. They fled to a place afar off where, as the years went by, Herthew became whole again and Gwineva gave birth to sons and daughters. It was a good place, fertile and well-watered and so they prospered. But there came a time of drought when the waters dried up and their flocks died. So Herthew sent men to Krowkasis and these came back saying that there, too, the land was stricken, and the people distressed. He also sent others to the West and they returned saying that there the land was not stricken, but the people would not accept them except with spears.

Herthew then sent men back to Krowkasis to tell the people there of the plenty which lay to the West and they came back with a warband led by Itilis, and many people followed. Herthew could no longer bear weapons and his sons were as yet young and unblooded. Therefore, he gave his two sons who were of sufficient age into the keeping of Itilis, so they might learn the art of war, and they followed him loyally, becoming men of valor in the conflict which ensued. Many people left Krowkasis and settled in the land lying to the West, and Herthew and Gwineva also settled there.

Time passed and Herthew became renowned for his wisdom, and Itilis king of Arania, honored him with lands and servants. Herthew's two sons, who had followed the king and were twins, married the king's two eldest daughters who were also twins. This caused problems, for the king, though having three wives, was sonless, therefore the twin sons of Herthew became his heirs. The king was perplexed, for the two men could not rule together and both were of equal standing in his eyes. Yet it was the king's duty to nominate his heir and proclaim him to the people so there should be no division after his death. Therefore, Itilis consulted Herthew as to how the judgement should be made, and Herthew said, "Let fate decree who shall be king".

In Arania the people gathered four times a year for the folk feasts. At such times it was customary for new laws to be proclaimed, judgements given, and all contentious issues settled. So, before the next folk feast Herthew prepared a manmade stone from sand, clay and other things, and while it was still soft, he set the hilt of his great sword, Dislana the Bitterbiter, into it and when the stone was hardened Dislana was fast. The sword-implanted stone was then set down near the place where the king gave judgement. Around it was drawn a wide circle bisected across.

On the day when the people were first assembled to hear his words, Itilis told them of his perplexity over the problem concerning the twin sons of Herthew and his daughters, he said, "So the people are not divided, and the kingdom rent by strife, it is well this matter be settled now. Therefore, I am setting a fair test involving no men other than these two whom I hold equally dear. Whichsoever of them shall remove their father's great weapon from this stone, so he frees it and grasps the hilt, shall become my lawful heir, with the other being to him as a younger brother. They will each try in turn during the duration of the fall of a feather, the first trier being he who casts his bracelet over the blade. Then each of Herthew's sons was placed in a spot where the bisecting line joined the circle, so they stood opposite each other, and each had three bracelets. They threw until one encircled the blade with his bracelet.

Then this one tried to withdraw the weapon with his hand but could not, because of the sharpness, the other tried by placing his two palms on each side of the blade, then pressing them together while lifting, but he could not move it either. The first one tried again, copying what had just been done more powerfully, so the stone almost lifted off the ground, but the sword did not leave the stone. Then the other approached the stone, but this time he put his hands under the edges of the stone, so he could lift it in his arms and he dashed it down over a rock which was nearby, so it broke asunder. He then picked Dislana up by the hilt and brandished it over his head. The people acclaimed him while his brother grasped his arms in congratulations. Thus, by wisdom was the problem overcome.

KOLBRINOVA BIBLIJA - 7. poglavje - HERTHEW – Sin praočeta Prevod in priredba Beno Cizelj

Sedmo poglavje

HERTHEW – Sin praočeta

Knjiga začetkov nam pove, da se je vse začelo z Varkelfo, po njej pa se imenuje Awenkelifa, od katere teče Gwinin, tvorec energije, ki stabilizira vse stvari, tako da ohranijo svojo ustrezno obliko. In Awen, ki se odziva na oblikovanje želja. To je dovolj dobro, toda človeka vse bolj zanimajo z začetki svoje rase, naši korenine pa izhajajo iz Herthewa Sončnega, sina prvega očeta.

Medtem ko je bil Herthew še vedno mlad, je bil izgnan iz bujnih dežel, kjer se je rodil in je potoval po krutih deželah v družbi in ostal v stiku z modrimi Habaris. Po mnogih dneh so prišli v Krowkasis, zemljo zibelke naše rase, dežele gora in rek, ki leži poleg Ardisa in tam so se utaborili v dolini.

Z njimi so bili spremljevalci in ostala množica.

Herthew je zrasel v moža in vedno je bil Habaris na njegovi strani in ga poučeval o vseh stvareh, ki bi jih moral vedeti. Herthewa je učil devet osnovnih disciplin Imaina in skrivnosti treh svetih plovil. Herthew je izvedel, da je bil mračen kraj, kjer je bil zrak uničen in slabi vetrovi so prenašali kugo in strupene delce. To je bil vir vseh nesreč in bolezni, ki povzročajo gnitje in razpad. Ta kraj je bil zaprt za Zemljo, ker je obstajal v drugem kraljestvu izven kletke smrtnikov; vendar je bil pri uresničitvi prepovedanega dejanja dosegel Zemljo.

Tako so telesa smrtnikov postala dovzetna za vplive iz tega motečega kraja.

Na ta in podobne dele Drugega sveta bodo izvlečeni zlobni, ko bodo prešli skozi mračna vrata smrti. Toda Habaris je učil drugačno pojmovanje hudobije. Eno je bilo pomanjkanje prizadevanja, nezadovoljstvo in brezbrižnost do dolžnosti in obveznosti, jemanja lažje poti, vse je enako grešno kot dejanska dejanja hudobnosti. Učil je, da ljudje dosežejo resnični cilj življenja tako, da pretvorijo strastno poželenje v resnično ljubezen. Ta resnična zmaga se pridobi le z utrditvijo svojih teles od njihovih premaganih strasti in lahkoživosti.

Te in druge stvari je učil Habaris, a za mnogi od Krowkasijevih ljudi njegova učenja niso sprejemali z zadovoljstvom, kajti bili so enaki kot takrat kot so bili, preden jih je pričel voditi praoče Herthew. Tako jim je Habaris prikril veliko stvari in jih učil preproste zgodbice, ki so jih lahko razumeli. Naučil jih je skrivnosti, ki so se nanašale na kolobarjenje let, in kako leto razdelili v poletno in zimsko polovico, z velikim letnim krogom dvainpetdesetih let, o stoštirih letih, ki je bilo krog Uničenja. Dal jim je zakone o Dobrem in  Zlu ter ustanovil ljudske praznike setve in žetve. Naučil jih je ritual Ulisidui.

Toda Habaris je Hertheja poučil o poteh Drugega sveta. Naučil ga je o treh žarkih iz osrednjega nevidnega sonca, ki kaže vse stvari in jih podpira v stabilnih oblikah. Tudi glede Nadduše, ki je polni vse v stvarstvu, kot to, da Duša samo-napolni smrtno telo. Duša sama, je izjavil, se bo razvijala iz občutka umrljivosti in občutka ko se je pretvori v božansko občutljivost in občutek, do zatiranja osnovnih instinktov smrtnika. Okrepila bo razvoj občutkov ljubezni med moškim in žensko ter med njimi in njihovimi sorodniki; s spoštovanjem lepote in predanosti dolžnosti; z razvojem vseh lastnosti, ki se nanašajo na ljudi in ne na živali.

Herthew je izvedel, da Dušo oživijo duševne snovi, ki se izlivajo iz Božje glave. Da se močna duša preoblikuje in oblikuje po dušni želji, vendar šibka duša ni gospodarica same sebe, je mračna, nestabilna in se s svojimi lastnimi poškodbami vrže v stanje izkrivljanja. V posmrtnem življenju je neomejeno veselje za vstop plemenite duše, ko bo svetlo zasijala in ponosno izstopila. Povprečna duša hudodelcev je dolgočasen odtenek, zasukana in siva, in je prevlečena v svojo primerljivo držo, se skrije v temne kraje. Ko je Herthew komaj prestopil prag moškosti, so črno-bradati sovražniki začeli uničevati meje Krowkasov, kralj Idalvar te države pa je sklical svoje borce in ko je glas o tem prišel do Herthewa, se je pripravil na odhod. Toda Habaris mu je predlagal, naj ostane še nekaj časa, ker je nepripravljen za boj. Potem je Habaris pripravil čuden ogenj s kamni, za razliko od kakršnega koli ognja, ki ga je videl prej, in ko je zgorel je izvlekel tisto, kar se imenuje "otrok zelenega plamena" in ko ga je očistil je postalo rezilo. To je namestil na rogat ročaj, in ko je bil obrobljen in krvav, ga je dal Herthewu in rekel: "Glej, Odstranjevalec grenkobe, zvest služabnik tistemu, ki udari močno in po pravici." Nato je naredil ščit iz pletenega  protja, pokritega z volno in pokrivalom, ki se razteza po obrazu in vratu. Tako opremljeni Herthew je šel v taborišče v Idalvaru in s sabo vzel osem bojevnikov.

V tistih dneh so se moški borili z ročno metanimi kopji in palicami, z razpokanimi kamni in palicami, ki so bile naostrene v ognju in obtežene, vendar se niso spopadli v bitki. Torej, ko je Idalvar videl bojno opremo Herthewa, ga je zanimalo in prešlo njegovo razumevanje; ko pa je videl Hertheja v bitki in kako je padel nasprotnik pred njim, je bil presenečen.

Noben človek o kralju ni mogel razumeti izdelave takega orožja, potomcev ognja in kamna, Habaris pa je naredil tudi druga orožja in Herthew je postal kraljeva desna roka  in prvi junak Plemenite Rase. Kralj je Herthewu ponudil roko hčerino roko v zakon, Herthew pa ga je zavrnil z besedami: "Dnevi moje moške zrelosti še niso izpopolnjeni".

Ko so dnevi napolnjeni z vojno končali, se je Herthew umaknil v kraj, kjer je Habaris naredil svetlo bitko, in že je učil skrivnosti ustvarjanja z drugimi, pri čemer je njihova usta zapečatil z magijo. Toda Herthew se je manj ukvarjal z orožjem kot s skrivnostmi življenja in bitkami Duha, ki jih je prizadela smrt. Torej, medtem ko so njegovi delavci vlekli svetla rezila iz grmovja, je Habaris učil Herthewa in njegove vojne brate, in to so stvari, ki so se jih naučili iz njegovih ust.

"Ob Bogu je Absolut, ki ga nihče ne bi smel poskušati razumeti, ker obstaja in je vedno obstajal v položaju, ki je zunaj človeškega končnega razumevanja. Od tega Absoluta je nastal Bog, Končni v vsej Popolnosti".

"Za Stvarjenje, je Bog najprej vizualiziral v mislih, potem je ustvaril odlivni val moči, ki ga je v obliki besed utrdil, kar se lahko imenuje gradbeni kamen. Iztočna moč je prav tako ustvarila nebesno himno, ki je združila gradbene kamne v harmonično resničnost. Dejal je, da je vsa stvaritev Božja harfa in se odziva na njegovo pesem in ravnanje. To je večno razpletanje. Glas Božjega se lahko sliši tudi v glasu Njegove lepe hčere, ki obdari vse rastoče stvari z življenjem in lepoto ". »V ustvarjanju obstaja božanski Namen, ki je lahko znan le nekaterim, to znanje je ključno za vsa neodgovorjena vprašanja. Pridobivanje je podobno kot odgrniti težke zavese, ki so zadrževale sobo v mračni polovici svetlobe. Zato vse stvari nenadoma postanejo jasne in razločne. Kdor pridobi to znanje, pozna Veliko skrivnost, odgovor na uganko o starosti in znanje preko senc dvoma. Ta božanski namen in božanska skrivnost o njej se imenuje Gwenkelva. "

"Poleg Gwenkelve Bog ne pridobi ničesar od svojega stvarstva, razen da imajo Bitja  neskončno ljubezen in dobroto. On mora imeti nekaj, da bi dobil nazaj dar ljubezni in se odzval nanj. Tudi med smrtnimi bitji, ki so tam bi lahko našel zadovoljivo izpolnitve v samo-ljubezni? Tudi on potrebuje nekaj, s čimer bi lahko določil samega sebe, nekega medija, v katerem lahko izvaja. In to je stvaritev. "

"Stvarjenje je tudi za smrtnike šola življenja." Osnovni trening za vero v božje. "Obstajajo trije krogi resničnosti, tri kraljestva, tri stopnje bivanja: so nebesa, kjer se lahko uresniči popolnost, ki se vizualizira na Zemlji, in želja in materializirani ideali, kjer so dosežene težko pričakovane želje , je kraj, kjer ves pravilno razviti duhovni potencial, ki je zaostal v človeku, doseže zrelost in izpolnitev. Zemlja, kraj usposabljanja, razvoj in priprava, testna tla, bojišče, kjer ljudje odkrivajo svojo resnično naravo, ko se soočajo z življenjskimi izzivi, tekmovanji in spori, kjer je konkurenca in polemika pravilo. Tu so cilji zasnovani in osmišljeni za uresničitev kasneje na pravem mestu. To je izhodišče , začetek potovanja, tukaj je točka kjer je treba pravilno in pametno izbrati pravo pot. Potem je kraljestvo Meglenega Obzorja, vmesno mesto, mesto duhov, kjer oni od zgoraj lahko komunicirajo s tistimi, ki so spodaj, in kjer prosti duhovi tavajo v mejah svojih omejitev ".

Te stvari, ki jih je Habaris poučeval v teh davnih dneh, so bili prepisani in prenešeni, da bi bili skladni z našim razumevanjem, vendar je nesmiselno govoriti v teh težkih dneh, ko besede postanejo zanke, da bi ujele neumne.

Zdaj se je Idalvar želel naučiti skrivnosti svetlega rezila, ki je ustvarjalo grmičevje, vendar mu noben človek, ki je prišel s Habarisom ali mu služil, ni razkril kakšen del tega, in kralj se je bal, da jih preizkusi. Torej, ko je razmišljal o tem, je kralj poslal po svoji hčerki in jima povedal, kaj namerava narediti, ker je pripravil načrt kako odkriti skrivnosti. Potem je povabil Herthewa in Habarisa. Ko sta prišla k kraljevemu taborišču, sta bila počaščena z odličnim srečanjem s kraljevimi hčerami, ki sta se naklonili k njima, ena se je nasmehnila Herthewu in druga Habarisu, ki je bil v dobi staranja. Čeprav je bil Habaris sprva brezbrižen in ji je pustil uživati, ga je kraljica hčerka osvajala in vzpodbudila celo njegove neumnosti, da bi ga očarala s svojo duhovitostjo in lepoto.

Ni minilo veliko časa, preden je njena volja uničila srce Habarisa in čeprav je bil skoraj zrel za predajo skrivnosti, je dekleta napor utrudil in igra se je zapletla, nato je prišel večer, ko ni mogla nadaljevati njegove družbe.

Sredi veseljačenja, ko so skodele ale piva naredile veliko krogov, zvok pesmi in zgodbe pa je bil na vrhu, se je umaknila z mladim bojevnikom, ki je bil povabljen od njenega očeta. Mnogi, ki so sedeli za klopmi, so to videli in šepetali drug drugemu in zavestno kimali v smeri Habarisa, ki se ni zavedal, čeprav se je zdelo, da je bil pijan na svoje sposobnosti. Habaris se je naučil ljubiti mlado ženo, zato je bilo to za srce pogubno, vendar v sebi je vedel, da drevo zimske ljubezni nosi samo zimske plodove. Sedaj se je izgovarjal sam sebi, misleč, da je bila morda le dekle, brez teže, kot plavajoče perje, nepomembno, kajti bila je resnica, da je zabava bolj primerna za moško naravo, kot naravo žensk. Mogoče je, je premišljeval, samo nedolžna neprevidnost.

Torej, ko je dan prišel do kraja, in tisti, ki so se veselili, so se lotili svojih nalog, se je Habaris približal kralju in zaprosil za hčerinsko roko. Rekel je: »Tvoja hči Klara me je navdušila s svojimi čudovitim vedenjem, očarala me je z radostjo in lepoto, v mojem druženju z njo je veliko veselja, zagotovo nisem napačno razumel znakov.« Kralj ni bil preveč zadovoljen, ker je čeprav si je zelo želel izvedeti skrivnost svetlega rezila, ni hotel dati hčerine roke Habarisu, a niti ga ni hotel užaliti. Zato je bil v svojem odgovoru zelo previden in je rekel: »To je običaj za vse obiskovalce, ki želi roko visokorodne ženske, da naj bi bil tudi on visokoroden in se lahko dostojno bojuje do krvi. Toda moja naklonjenost do vas, da ne bi dovolil da gost postanete ovira za to zakonsko zvezo in si lahko med svojimi ljudmi borec do krvi, a ne vnašajmo se v to stvar, kajti punca je še vedno mlada in bi bilo dobro, če bi se z njo dobro uveljavite. Ona bo vredna žena, kajti ona je tista, ki se je vedno pripravljena učiti, tista z raziskovalnim umom. Nič ji ne daje večjega užitka kot pridobivanje znanja. " Tako je zadeva ostala.

Nekaj dni kasneje je Idalvar in njegovo spremstvo, ki sta ga spremljala Herthew in Habaris, odšel na zbirno mesto za ljudske praznike, kamor so potovali približno pet dni. Ljudje so bili navajeni, da so se srečali tukaj vsake trinajste lune, da bi proslavili sezono plodnosti, pri čemer so mnogi prišli iz velikih razdalj. Poleg zbirališča je bilo postavljeno mesto za vidca in maga, ki se imenuje Gwidon, ki je ob polni luni tretje noči prerokoval dogodke za prihajajoče leto.

Idalvar in tisti z njim so predstavili svoja darila in zavzeli svoja mesta pred kompleksom. Takrat je Gwidon prišel ovit v plašč divjih psov, z krono iz rogov in lobanjo. Sedel se pred majhen ogenj, v katerega je vrgel recept, ki je naredil oblak dima, ki ga je popolnoma zakril. Ko se je ta razkadil, se je zdelo kot, da je zaspal, a čez nekaj časa je dvignil glavo, nato pa se je dvignil, začel je prerokovati.

Nekaj časa je govoril o malih zadevah, nato pa je povedal o nevarnostih za ljudi s sovražniki, ki bi prišli iz Severnih dežel. Napovedal je veliko krvavenje, ljudem je rekel, da jih lahko reši velik vojni vodja, kralj, ki pozna skrivnost svetlega rezila, sam pa je vojaški vodja. On je spodbudil ljudi, da se prebudijo in pripravijo, da ne bi izgubili časa pri iskanju svojega vodje.

Nihče med ljudmi ni vedel skrivnosti svetlega rezila, razen Habarisa, vendar ta ni bil bojevnik in Herthew ni bil Visokoroden. Torej, čeprav so govorili dolgo, so se pogovarjali o zapletih, ki niso rešili vprašanja. Takrat se je odločilo, da bi moral vsak potovati po svoji poti, vendar se morajo znova srečati ob naslednji polni luni, ko bi jim Gwidon lahko pomagal pri njihovi odločitvi.

Ko se je Idalvar vrnil v svoje taborišče, se ni več obotavljal okoli poroke svoje hčerke, pri čemer je odredil, da se mora zgoditi takoj. Vendar je določil, da mora Habaris takoj in z njegovimi razkriti skrivnosti svetlega rezila. Ob tem se je dogovorilo, da so dogovori o sklenitvi zakonske zveze dani v roke. Habaris in Klara sta bila poročena in Idalvar in njegovi sinovi so deloma vpogledali v skrivnosti svetlega rezila, kajti kralju je bilo rečeno, da bo trajalo nekaj časa, da se začne. Torej, ko so šli naslednjič na kraj srečanja, je bil Idalvar razglašen za vojaškega vodjo, s sinovi, ki naj bi sledili po svojih letih, če bi padel v bitki. Ampak Habaris je Gwidonu povedal skrivnost in zadeve so bile tako urejene, da bi Idalvarjevi sinovi padli, nato pa Herthew postal vojskovodja.

Kralj in tisti z njim so se vrnili v domovino, kjer so pripravljali vojščake, toda Herthew naj bi se vrnil na mesto zbiranja in njihov učitelj bojevnikov jih je učil taktike bojevanja, ki naj bi jih spravila v ospredje.

Zdaj, ko so se v poročni noči, ko so se umirila v njunem pristanu, se je Klara zrušila in jokala z glavo na kolenih Habarisa, priznala, da ni devica in ga je prevarala in ga prosila za odpuščanje. Habaris jo je dvignil in rekel: "Tudi najbolj modri od ljudi postanejo neumni, ko jim srce zaslepi razum. Ni je vprašal o ljubezni, ker je vedel, da ga ne more ljubiti in ga zavajati, dala je srce in s tem svojo nedolžnost drugemu. Vendar pa ji je oprosti pred sami seboj, ker je mislil, da ga ni namerno prevarala, temveč je delala to za dolžnost do svojega očeta. Prav tako je resnično ljubila nekoga in si želela pokazati to ljubezen, nujno je morala žrtvovati srečo in vsebino, samospoštovanje njenega moža, izbira je bila njena. Vedno je tako. Habaris je vprašal, ali je njen oče vedel, kako so bile stvari, in rekla: "Sumil je, ker nisem njegova hči?" Tako se je Habaris sprijaznil z nesramno ženo, ker se je odločil zanemariti običaj ljudi. Spraševal se je, ali je tudi ona neutrudna in nezvesta?

Ženska se pridruži svojemu možu ali pa ne, ustrezno po njenem kriteriju zakona. Ženska, rezervirana za poroko verjetno ne bo nezvesta; Ženska, ki je lahka pred poroko, ni nič manj dosegljiva kasneje, kajti, če ona pravi, da je ljubezen merilo, potem ukrepa nestandardno, kar se lahko figurativno razlikuje od enega palca do milje. Človek, ki razglaša svojo ljubezen, ima lahko zapeljevanje v mislih ali za življenjsko dobo varno predanosti, predlog o zakonu določa razliko in določa namen. Po poroki je kralj pokazal malo skrbi za Habarisa, ker je v njegovih očeh zadrževal Klarinega mladega bojevnika, ko bi ga moral odpeljati drugam. Klara tudi ni vzdrževala zadržanost in privlačnost, ki ustvarja žensko, razen na zunaj, kar ni nič več kot zavajajoča skorja, ki prikriva onesnaženo ljubezen pod njim. Tako je Habaris v očeh ljudi obremenjevala sramota, ker je bila Klara resno nezvesta.

Habaris je obiskal Herthewa in ob vrnitvi povedal kralju, da bodo sedaj on in njegovi sinovi dobili končno pobudo. Torej, ko so se pripravili, so skupaj s Klaro odpeljali na mesto grmičevja, to je globoko razcepljena gora, v kateri je bila velika kaverna, iz katere je potekala reka. Vstop v jamo je Habaris povedal tistemu, ki je bil z njim, in ga je bilo strah kje so, ker so ga samo Idalvar, njegovi sinovi in Klara spremljali v kraj začetka, v majhno jamo, ki je imela vstop skozi dolg ozek prehod, ki so ga zapirala težka vrata, osvetljena z ognjem, ki se vžge s plavim plamenom.

Čez čas so vstopili oni,, ki niso čutili nelagodja , vendar je to bilo pred veliko predena, preden so se približali vratom in ko so odprli žrelo, so v strahu pobegnili, eden pa je umrl. Potem so prišli tisti, ki so poznali skrivnostih grmičevja in so se odpravili na pot, in vse so v jami so našli mrtve. Habaris je naredil, kar je bilo treba storiti, kajti čeprav je dobro, da se moški držijo zakonov ljudi, obstaja super zakon, s katerim bi morali živeti moški, in ki včasih predpisuje, da je treba umreti.

Herthew se je poročil s hčerko Idalvarja in imela sina, ki je umrl v sedmem letu starosti. Idalvarjeva hči je umrla ob rojstvu otroka. Prišli so napadalci in bili poraženi z velikim pokolom, Herthew pa je postal prvi kralj nad vsemi prebivalci Krowkasa.

KOLBRIN'S BIBLE Chapter No 7 --- HETHEW , Son of Firstfather

CHAPTER SEVEN

HERTHEW - SON OF THE FIRSTFATHER

The Book of Beginnings tells us all things began with Varkelfa, therein called Awenkelifa, from whom flows gwinin, the energizer which stabilizes all things, so they maintain their proper form, and Awen which responds to the moulding desires. This is well enough, but men concern themselves more with the beginnings of their race, and ours is rooted in Herthew the Sunfaced, son of the Firstfather.

While Herthew was still young he was expelled from the lush lands where he was born, and he journeyed across the harsh lands in the company and keeping of wise Habaris. After many days they came to Krowkasis, cradleland of our race, land of mountains and rivers, which is beside Ardis, and they encamped there in a valley.

With them were retainers and flocks.

Herthew grew to manhood there and always Habaris was at his side, instructing him in all the things he should know. He taught Herthew the Nine essential disciplines of Imain, and the secrets of the three sacred vessels. Herthew learned that there was a place of gloom, where the air was foul and malodorous breezes carried pestilence and poisonous particles. This was the source of all maladies and ailments and of the things which cause putrefaction and decay. This place had been closed off from Earth, for it existed in another realm beyond the ken of mortals; but it had been brought into attunement with Earth when a forbidden act was accomplished.

Thus, the bodies of mortals became susceptible to influences from the baleful place.

To this and similar parts of the Otherworld the wicked would be drawn when they passed through the grim gates of death. But Habaris taught a different conception of wickedness, one where lack of effort, indolence and indifference to duty and obligations, the taking of the easy path, were just as wrong as actual deeds of wickedness. He taught that men reach the true goal of life by transmuting lust love into truelove. That true victory is gained only over the defeated bodies of their vanquished passions and baser selves.

These and many other things were taught by Habaris, but many of his teachings displeased the people of Krowkasis who were then as they were before Herthew's forefather was led away. So Habaris concealed many things from them and taught, by simple tales, things within their understanding. He taught them the mysteries concerning the wheel of the years and divided the year into a Summer half and a Winter half, with a great year circle of fifty-two years, a hundred and four of which was the circle of the Destroyer. He gave them the Laws of Weal and Woe and established the folk feasts of harvest-tide and seeding-tide. He taught them the ritual of Ulisidui.

But Habaris instructed Herthew in the ways of the Otherworld. He taught him concerning the three rays from the central invisible sun, which manifest all things, upholding them in stability of form. Also concerning the Oversoul which filled everything in creation, as the Soul self-filled the mortal body. This Soul self, he declared, would develop from mortal sensitivity and feeling transmuted into divine sensitivity and feeling, through suppression of the baser instincts within mortals. It was strengthened by development of feelings of love between man and woman and between these and their kindred; by the appreciation of beauty and devotion to duty; by the development of all qualities that pertain to humans and not to animals.

Herthew learned that the Soulself is quickened by soul substances outflowing from the Godhead. That the strong soul is transformed and moulded to the soul's desire, but the weak soul is not its own master, it is flabby, unstable and is pulled into a state of distortion by its own vices. In the afterlife there is unbounded joy for the entry of a noble soul, it will glow with splendour and stand out proudly. The mean soul of the wicked is dull hued, twisted and drab, and, being drawn towards its own compatible state, it shrinks into the dark places. When Herthew had barely crossed the threshold of manhood, black-bearded spearmen began to ravish the borders of Krowkasis, and Idalvar, king of that country, called his fighting men together and when word came to Herthew he prepared to depart. But Habaris bid him stay awhile, for he was unprepared for battle. Then Habaris prepared a strange fire with stones, unlike any fire seen before, and when it burnt low, he plucked out that which is called 'child of the green flame' and he beat it out, so it became a blade. This he fitted to a horned handgrip and when it was edged and blooded gave it to Herthew, saying, "Behold, Dislana the Bitterbiter, faithful servant of he who strikes hard and true". Then he made a shield of wicker covered with ox-hide and a cap of hide which came down over the face and neck. So equipped Herthew went to the encampment of Idalvar, taking eight fighting men with him.

In those days’ men fought with hand-thrown spears and clubs, with flung stones and sticks sharpened by fire and weighted, but they did not close in the battle clash. So, when Idalvar saw the battle blade of Herthew, he wondered, and it passed his understanding; but when he saw Herthew close on the battle line and the foeman fall before him, he was amazed.

No man about the king could understand the making of such weapons, offspring of fire and stone, but Habaris made others and Herthew became the king's right hand man and the first hero of the Noble Race. The king offered Herthew his daughter's hand in marriage, but Herthew declined saying, "The days of my manhood are not yet fulfilled".

When the war-filled days had passed, Herthew withdrew to the place where Habaris made the bright battle blade, and already he had taught the mysteries of their making to others, sealing their mouths with magic. But Herthew was less concerned with the weaponry of war than with the mysteries of life and the battles of the Spirit beset by mortality. So, while his workmen drew bright blades from the thunderstones, Habaris taught Herthew and his battle brothers, and these were the things they learned from his mouth.

"Beyond God there is an Absolute which no man should try to understand, for it exists and has always existed in a state beyond man's finite comprehension. It is from this Absolute that God, The Ultimate in all Perfections, was engendered".

"To create, God first visualized in thought, then He produced an outflowing wave of power which, in a manner of speaking, solidified what might be called building stones. The outflowing power also produced the Celestial Hymn which brought the building stones together in harmonious forms. So, it is truly said that all creation is the harp of God and it responds to His song and manipulations. It is an everlasting unfoldment. The voice of God can also be heard in the voice of His beautiful daughter who endows all growing things with life and beauty". "There is a divine purpose in creation which may be known only to the few, this knowledge is the key to all unanswered questions. Acquiring it is like the drawing back of heavy curtains which have kept a room in gloomy half light, so all things suddenly became clear and distinct. He who gains this knowledge knows the Grand Secret, the answer to the riddle of the ages, and knows beyond a shadow of a doubt. This divine purpose, and the divine secret concerning it, is called Gwenkelva".

"Apart from Gwenkelva God gains nothing from His creation, except that as a Being possessing infinite love and goodness, He must have something to receive the gift of love and respond to it. Even among mortal beings, who is there that could find satisfactory fulfillment in self-love? Also, He needed something wherewith He could contract Himself, some medium wherein He could perform, and this is creation".

"Creation is also, for mortals, the school of life. The training ground for godhood. There are Three Circles of Reality, three realms, three stages of existence. They are: Heaven, where perfection visualized on Earth may be realized and desires and ideals materialized; where hard-striven-for aspirations are attained; it is the place where all the properly developed spiritual potential latent in man reaches maturity and fulfillment. Earth, the place of training, development and preparation, the testing ground, the battlefield where men discover their true natures when confronted by life's challenges, contests and contentions; where competition and controversy are the rule. It is here that aims, and objectives are conceived and thought-out for realization later in the proper place. It is a starting point, the beginning of the journey; it is here that the proper road must be wisely chosen. Then there is the Realm of the Misty Horizon, the intermediate place, the place of spirits, where those above can commune with those below and where free spirits wander within their limitations".

These things which Habaris taught in those far off days have been rewritten in transmission to accord with our understanding, but it is unwise to voice them in these troublesome days, when words become snares to entrap the unwary.

Now, Idalvar desired to learn the secret of the bright blade engendering thunderstones, but no man who came with Habaris or laboured for him would disclose any part of it, and the king was afraid to put them to the test. So, having thought the matter out the king sent for his daughters and told them what he expected them to do, for he had devised a plan to learn the secret. Then he sent an invitation to Herthew and Habaris. When they arrived at the king's encampment, they found a great gathering in their honour and the king's daughters favorably inclined towards them, one smiling upon Herthew and the other upon Habaris who was at the age of hoary headedness. Though at first Habaris was indifferent and wearied her, the king's daughter pandered to him, encouraging even his follies, setting out to charm him with her wit and beauty.

It was no great length of time before her womanly wiles ensnared the heart of Habaris and though he was almost ripe for the surrender of secrets, the damsel's efforts had taxed her, and the game became tiresome, so there came an evening when she could not endure his company. In the midst of the merrymaking, when the ale bowls had made many rounds and the sound of song and story was at its height, she slipped away with a young battle man who attended upon her father. Many who sat among the benches saw this and whispered to one another, nodding knowingly in the directions of Habaris who was not unaware, though he appeared to have drunk to his capacity. Habaris had learned to love the young woman, so he was sorely heart smitten, but within himself he knew the tree of Winter love bears only Winter's fruits. Yet he made excuses to himself for her, thinking perhaps it was just some girlishness with no more weight than a floating feather, nothing of serious import, for it was true the merrymaking was better suited to the natures of men than the natures of women. Maybe, he thought, it is just an innocent indiscretion.

So, when the day came to its fullness and those who had made merry went heavily about their tasks, Habaris approached the king and asked for his daughter's hand in marriage. He said, "Your daughter Klara has delighted me with her winsome ways, she has charmed me with her gaiety and beauty; she has displayed much pleasure in my company, surely I have not misread the signs". The king was not over pleased, for though he greatly desired to know the secret of the bright blade he had not intended giving his daughter's hand to Habaris, but neither did he wish to offend him. Therefore, he was wary in his reply, saying, "It is the custom for any suitor for a high-born woman's hand to be himself highborn and worthily battle blooded. Yet such is my affection for you that I would not let even the custom become a bar to this marriage, and you may be a battle blooded man among your own people. But let us not enter lightly into this thing, for the girl is still young and it would be well if you established yourself favorably with her. She will be a worthy wife indeed, for she is one who is ever ready to learn, one with an enquiring mind. Nothing gives her greater pleasure than the acquisition of knowledge". So, the matter was left.

Now, some days later Idalvar and his retinue, accompanied by Herthew and Habaris, went to the gathering place for folk feasts, some five days journey away. People were accustomed to meeting here every thirteen moons to celebrate the season of fruitfulness, many coming a great distance. Beside the gathering place was the compound of a far-framed seer and warlock called Gwidon, who, in the fullness of the moon on the third night, would prophesy events for the forthcoming year.

Idalvar and those with him presented their gifts and took their places before the compound. Presently, Gwidon came out cloaked in the skins of wild dogs, with a horned crown and skull-headed staff. He seated himself before a small fire into which he threw prescriptions, making a cloud of smoke which completely enveloped him. When this had drifted away, he seemed to be asleep, but after a while he lifted his head, then raising himself up he started to prophesy.

He talked awhile of small matters, then told of dangers to the people through enemies who would bear down from the Northlands. He prophesied a great bloodletting, telling people they could be saved by a great war leader, a king knowing the secret of the bright blade, himself a war-wielder of one. He exhorted the people to bestir themselves and prepare, wasting no time in finding their leader.

No man among the people knew the mysteries of the bright blade except Habaris, but he was not a man of battle and Herthew was not high born among them. So, though they talked long they talked in tangles, failing to resolve the issue. It was then decided each should go his own way, but they should meet at the same place again at the next full moon, when Gwidon would be able to help with their decision.

When Idalvar returned to his encampment he was no longer hesitant about the marriage of his daughter, ordering that it should take place forthwith. But he stipulated that Habaris must initiate him and his sons into the mysteries of the bright blade immediately. This being agreed, arrangements for the marriage were put in hand. Habaris and Klara were married and Idalvar and his sons partially initiated into the mysteries of the bright blade, for the king was told it would take some time for the initiation to be completed. So, when they next went to the meeting place, Idalvar was proclaimed the war leader, with his sons to follow according to their ages, should he fall in battle. But Habaris had spoken to Gwidon in secret and matters were so arranged that should the sons of Idalvar fall, then Herthew would become the battle chief.

The king and those with him returned to their home compound where they were to prepare battle men, but Herthew was to go back to the gathering place and their train fighting men in the battle tactics which brought them clashing into the fore.

Now, on their wedding night, when they had retired to their bower, Klara burst into tears and fell weeping with her head on the knees of Habaris, confessing she was not a virgin and had deceived him, begging his forgiveness. Habaris raised her up and said, "Even the wisest of men becomes a fool when his heart blinds him to reason. The older the fool the bigger the fool". He did not question her regarding love, for he knew she could not love and deceive him, she had given her heart and with it her virginity to another. Yet he made an excuse for her to himself, thinking that she had not willfully deceived him but had acted out of duty to her father. Also, truly loving someone and wishing to demonstrate that love, she necessarily had to sacrifice the happiness and content, the self-respect of her husband-to-be, the choice had been hers to make. It is ever so. Habaris asked if her father had known how things were and she said, "He suspected, for am I not his daughter?" Thus, Habaris found himself tied to an unloving wife, for he chose to disregard the custom of the people. He wondered, was she also to be an undutiful and unfaithful one?

A woman reserves herself for her husband or she does not, according to her marriage criterion. A woman reserved for marriage is one unlikely to be unfaithful; a woman easily come by before marriage is no less attainable afterwards, for if she says love is the criterion, then she measures by something unstandardized, which may figuratively vary from one inch to a mile. A man declaring his love may have seduction in mind or a lifetime of protective devotion, the marriage proposal determines the difference and establishes the intent. After the marriage the king showed little concern for Habaris, for he kept Klara's young battle man in his retinue when he should have dispatched him elsewhere. Nor did Klara maintain the restraint and decorum, which dignifies wifehood, except in their outward manifestations, which is no more than a deceptive crust disguising the polluted love beneath. Thus, Habaris bore the shame of belittlement in the eyes of men, for Klara was furtively unfaithful.

Habaris visited Herthew and on his return told the king that he and his sons would now receive their final initiation. So, having made preparation, they set off, accompanied by Klara, to the place of the thunderstones, this being a deeply cleft mountain wherein there was a large cavern from which flowed a river. Entering the cave Habaris told those with him to bide where they were, for only Idalvar, his sons and Klara were to accompany him into the place of initiation, a small cave entered through a long narrow passage closed off by a heavy door and lit by fire already prepared, a fire which burnt tardily with a blue flame.

When a length of time had passed those, who waited without grew uneasy, but it was long before they approached the door and when they did their throats were seized, so they were affrighted and fled, and one among them died. Then those who knew the mysteries of the thunderstones came and cleared the way, and all within the cave were found dead. Habaris did what had to be done, for though it is well for men to conform to the laws of men, there is a super law by which men who are men should live and which sometimes decrees that they must die.

Herthew married the daughter of Idalvar and they had a son who died in his seventh year. Idalvar's daughter died in childbirth. The invaders came and were defeated with a great slaughtering, and Herthew became the first king over all the people of Krowkasis.