[General Tacticus]

The Entre Rios "We Love Our God" Reeducation Program

It had been 3 month since the final defeat. It had been three quiet months. Of course, it was not peace. That would have been unthinkable. No, Mictlan was still at war with four different nations. But Pangea and Marignon where on the other side of an ocean, and not a pressing concern. As for Man and Jotunheim, the other two nations at war with Mictlan, they were bickering in North America and generally leaving Mictlan alone. A vast program of reforms had been started, with most of the southern armies making their way back to the capital, several fortresses in construction, and a few temples and labs planned. Serious thought was been given to a complaint by the priesthood that there was a lack of quality material for proper ceremonies, which accounted for the slow progression of the Mictlan faith in newly captured territories.

At the top of the Most Holy Temple, Tacticus Sanguinus, Quetzalcoatl and Mictlipoctli were discussing the situation, when the majordomo came in. He took three steps, knelt, and bowed his head.

- Yes, what is it ?
- O Most Glorious Lord, the head priest of the Sun, your prophet, wishes to speak with you of an important matter.

The God frowned. This was unprecedented. He had made it very clear, on several occasion, that nobody in his right mind would want to interrupt him and ask to speak with him. There had been several importune nobles, at the start of his reign, that had tried to gain favor by coming in with carefully composed flatteries. He had driven the lesson home, untill they took it to heart, that he did not like to be interrupted frivolously.

- Well, send him in, and let’s see what he wants.

The prophet came in, and kneeled very carefully, like a man who knows he doesn’t dare make a mistake.

- Forgive me, My Lord, but an important event has taken place. Somebody has just put a great burden on every living soul on this disc (the Great God had not yet gotten around to revealing to his followers that the World was, in fact, round. « They are not ready », he had said only Last year to the Feathered Serpent). Everybody is aging at an accelerated rate. Already some of the troops are suffering from various afflictions.
- Everybody, including our enemies ?
- Yes, My Lord.
- Well, then it actually plays in our favor. I do not care if my arrow fodder loses an arm or an eye or two. They’ll still do very well at catching arrows, and I can get some more whenever I want. Plus I have a few undead troops that are immune. Those pretenders out there are going to suffer more. No problem.
- Yes, My Lord.
- But you were right to bring this to me. You may keep your heart.
- Thank you, My Lord.
- Who did this ? I thought Ulm had Ermor squarely on the defensive, and was using Ermor’s pretender for arrow practice ? And Pangea and Abyssia haven’t played with death recently, so who is it ?
- It is Jotunheim, My Lord.
- Jotunheim ? Are you saying they are busy giving afflictions to their expensive, slow to train, very hard to replace giants ?
- Yes, My Lord.

The God looked at Mictlipoctli and Quetzacoatl, and laughed. Mictlipoctli joined in, but Quetzacoatl looked a little worried. The prophet was dismissed, and they prepared to resume their conversation, when for a second time that night, the majordomo entered.

- What is it this time ?
- A runner has just come from Entre Rio, O Great and Powerful God. He says he brings an urgent message.
- Ah, the tedium of running an Empire. Bring him in, and bring me my jade knife while you are at it.
- At once, O Most Unforgiving One.

A young runner was soon introduced. He was dirty, and shaking from both exhaustion and fear. Behind him knelt the majordomo, with the jade knife.

- Forgive me, O God, but I was ordered to report to you as fast as possible.
- Speak.
- O God, a few weeks ago, various trouble makers started spreading vile rumors in your peaceful province of Entre Rios. And one week ago, 3000 people took their belongings and left your domains. The Priest King of Entre Rios sent me at once.
- Left ? Where to ? It will take them months for them to reach my borders.
- O God, there was a Marignon flotilla waiting for them just beyond javelin range, and they boarded the ships and went.

The God considered this a while. This was getting troublesome. Some sort of example would have to be made. With a gesture, he dismissed the runner and the majordomo.

- What do you think ? I can’t have my people just leaving me.
- I think, O My Lord, that you have a public relation problem, said Quetzacoatl.
- What do you mean ?
- People do not properly realize how lucky they are to live under such a wise ruler as yourself, O My Master. They see the taxes and the occasional brigand, but not the stability and the prosperity.
- And how should I change that ?
- Well, I think we should start with the people of Entre Rios, O My King, here are my ideas....

The next morning, the runner was summoned.

- You will take a Divine Proclamation back to Entre Rios. Go see my majordomo, and see that you learn it well, I want not a word changed.
- Yes, O My God.

The runner was so relieved to have kept his heart, that he nearly stumbled on his way out. Only a quick reflex saved him from this unforgivable breach of protocol, and the jade knife.

By Proclamation of the All-Knowing and Allmighty, Tacticus Sanguinus. The dreadful plight of the habitants of Entre Rios has particulary touched Us. To help them recover from the terrible experience they have just had, losing so many loved one to foreign treachery, We therefore order : - The habitants of Entre Rios shall indefinitely be exempted from all taxes to the Church and to the Empire. - Three regiments shall henceforth at all time patrol the province. To make sure they act with all due kindness, the soldiers of these regiments shall be recruited among local people. Three loyal tribal kings have been sent for this purpose. - Each and every child shall have acess to free and mandatory education. A number of priests are been sent for this purpose. They shall tutor the children in history, social responsability, religion, and the importance of abstinence before marriage. - All unmarried people, regardless of wealth or rank, shall be granted the opportunity to serve their God, and the priesthood, in whatever capacity they are most suited for. - A temple and a lab shall be constructed next to the fortress. All funding shall be provided by the Empire. Rejoice, faithfull people, for the days of trouble are at end !

And thus in the following months ten priests (including a high priest of the sun), and three tribal kings, were permanently assigned to Entre Rios, and the devotion of the population increased tremenduously.


[ January 08, 2004, 18:24: Message edited by: General Tacticus ]