The Tragedy of Rainden, Part 1
From the Spinner’s Writ
Rainden lived alone,
seeking wealth,
seeking a life of ease
that wealth can bring,
caring naught for the love
of any person,
desiring only wealth.
In his youth
his parents required
that he perform the
Rite of Mandate
as dictated by the
Children of the Gods.
In his adulthood
he forsook the Mandate
since the Children
had never granted his family
the wealth that he
believed they deserved.
He begged the Children,
through prayer,
to grant a boon,
a vast wealth
to relieve him of toil.
To grant this wealth
to ease his suffering:
the cruelty of work
In answer of his prayer,
a multitude of bats and
a multitude of owls
flew to Rainden,
spiraling down from the sky
striking the grass
burrowing deep,
rippling the land beneath his feet
and he fell on his face.
Rainden lifted his eyes,
yet remained kneeling
with hands on the ground.
A cloaked figure stood before him.
He tried to stand but
was pressed with
a tremendous weight,
a power unseen.
He felt small.
The figure spoke to him,
“I enjoy your obeisance.
Stay low, rest in your idleness.
Take your ease,
for your prayer has been answered!”
“You forsook your Mandate, little man.
Yet you dare to ask for reward?
Let unprecedented millions
of blessings blossom in your life!
Reap your just reward.”
The figure exuded terror and malice.
Rainden had never felt
such bewildering contempt.
He worried that the words were false
and he would be put to death.
Yet…
He felt the weight lift from him.
He stood upon his feet
and looked about the field.
The malignant being was gone.
Numerous chests littered the field,
each filled with precious jewels,
no doubt crafted by the Lady of Rain
and given to Greedy Noble
to gift to him.
Such vast wealth.
Endless riches.
Rainden could not possibly
spend so much in all of his life.
He brought the treasure hoard
to his home and though
he spent hours on this task,
he lost not a single chest
that sat unguarded in the dark field.