Serventa of Nova Talakar

Sample from chapter 3 - The Priesthood

The Egyptians were constantly at war with those from Zuma, further to the east of Egypt. The Zumarians were also warlike but of a truly evil nature. Akalia was their leader and particularly evil, utterly Black. Under his supervision the city-states were effectively ruled entirely by theocratic priests and religious officials, subduing their people at a certain level through fear. They believed in a heaven reserved exclusively for their gods. They also believed that upon death, all living spirits, regardless of their behaviour during their life, were believed to go to Kur, a cold, dark, shadowy cavern deep beneath the earth, which was ruled by their goddess, together with her husband, the god of death. Holding several satanic masses at particular times during the year they were known to sacrifice children. Some of the different cities had their own gods they worshipped as well as their own rituals and beliefs.

Ruther's name meant to 'plunder' or 'loot' and this is exactly what the Egyptians did. Although they slaughtered in abundance, gaining wealth and kudos for their Pharaoh, it is strange that they also had a great spiritual content. Every year they would choose a month when a number of the priests would be selected to perform a ritual. Sitting at home or under a tree in a simple position, not in any particular pose, they remained motionless, meditating. No drink was taken. They would not move, staying like that throughout the whole period of the month. They would appear hardly to breathe. It did not matter if the rain fell on them or if they were beaten by the heat of the sun. It made no difference to them while they just sat motionless for the whole month, almost like retreating into a diapause form of hibernation. When they awoke they would never talk about their experience or what happened to them.

As one of the priests, Serventa was not given any status or high rank, but none-the-less, throughout the land, she was recognised for her knowledge and explicitly ascribed great wisdom. Her inner strength, governed by absolute truth, eclipsed all other's authority. She was even allowed seven, the Shenderin, who she selected for particular tutoring, working within the Temple and to help with the healing. Each member had been elected by The Great Mind, not by anyone of the Earth, and was offered that role if they would wish to accept. Mansor was her closest assistant. He was in his early twenties, but wise for his age and loyal to his priestess. Most of the priests were treated equally, but Ruther was a little jealous of Serventa's gifts. She always had animals around her in every life, particularly cats. Prince was her temple cat. She was also known to walk with a leopard on each side. Both would know if someone approached with an evil heart. They would sense their vibrations and warn her, if she had not already felt the same. Invariably she would. They always growled at Ruther and would never accept him, even if he offered them a tasty titbit.

Always keeping a low profile, she would maintain a modest manner whilst teaching the very young and novice priests. Khufunaten was also a little jealous of Serventa's popularity amongst the other priests and her influence with the people of Egypt. She stood in high regard by many, and therefore was seen as a threat to the Pharaoh's prestige. The whole community recognised her gifts and would always bring their children to her for tuition.

an introduction

The latest book in the Serventa series has taken a long time to produce, about ninety million years. Perhaps, that was when I started writing this? Am In really that old? I am a bit of a dinosaur, I must admit. One day they might find my missing tooth to explain what I looked like. They would then give me a fancy Latin name and describe how I chased other carnivores and lived in trees. Like many misunderstood dinosaurs I have been a vegetarian for a long time. What do I look like? Who cares? It is what I did that counts and measures my success as a person or not. I don't expect my reward in heaven. I haven't earnt it here either.

What is this story about? It answers many questions about the past, few might believe, but I can only give the truth as I believe it. The occasional reader might find some logic and reason in my efforts. Some of the characters are fictitious but many are based on true events. Life is always stranger than fiction, a healthy source of inspiration and always the antidote to the writer's block. If anyone is interested in writing then they should become an explorer first. I use the little evidence Mankind has inherited to enhance the facts with some fiction to entertain the telling of a story, incorporating a little wisdom I have learnt from the spiritual knowledge offered by the Erasmus Foundation where I live.

What is this knowledge? It offers a little explanation of where we come from and our purpose for why we are here. It is not all pain and effort but how else can we learn? We must pluck the fruit of experience, tastes its flavour and ask how it happened? That is how we learn, how we find answers, by only asking the right questions. The you have the right answers. Yes, question at all times. Only by exploring you must find the treasure and then when you have dug it up you research its purpose. A writer must explore other people's excavations. Only by digesting their treasures will one become inspired to find one's own.

The Third Civilisation

The third Civilisation started about sixty million years ago. There had been survivors from the Second but not many.

During all the time of that civilisation there was not much spiritual progression but a great deal happened. Referred to as Sodom and Gomorrah in the Bible, the World had become more evil than good and therefore, it had to end.

The civilisation was finally destroyed about five million years ago due to disease, fire and nuclear energy.