The Ascension of Cha'reth

The Ascension of Cha'reth

by Rika Vandor, Healer and Priestess of Cha'reth

Cha'reth Alindulae was a priest of Dru'El, and Speaker for His Hands, and was known for his kindness, hospitality, healing and generosity. As he lived, he grew, and his last days were of peace and healing and non-violence. As he lived his life in the service of others, healing them, protecting them, spreading peace and joy by his presence, so he chose to use the ending of his life as an example of selfless service.

Cha'reth's brother, Leiten, had died, before his time, risking his life in defense of the Spirit Land. Cha'reth chose to offer his life in exchange for his brother's... and contacted his uncle, another priest of Dru'El, to inquire about a rite to offer his life to bring his brother back. Rather than let his friends be shocked or surprised by his decision, Cha'reth invited them to witness it, and if his sacrifice was accepted, to welcome his brother back to life.

So, in the outer chambers of the High Temple of Dru'El in Le'Or, Cha'reth welcomed his friends with serenity, joy, and yeyin (wine). He explained his actions, and asked that his friends and others who came to witness his sacrifice to accept his choice. He walked among his friends and comforted them, offering a word, or a hug, or a glass of wine, as each needed. Cha'reth was well known and liked, and soon the temple grew crowded with quiet, murmuring people. Finally, the priest came to summon Cha'reth to the ritual in the inner chambers of the temple.

Before he went inside, Cha'reth spoke to the crowd. His words were recorded in the annals of the Church of Dru'El, and I share them with you. Cha'reth blessed everyone, wishing that everyone would live lives of joy and peace, and know health all their days. He asked that people remember to help each other, and be good to one another. He said that the world we live in, requires love to keep it going, and that we all share that love, and let it shine brightly, in all we do. And that he loved his life and the world, and that he left it in our care, and urged us to care for it.

Cha'reth then went into the inner chambers, and under the directions of the priests there, placed the body of his brother into the sacred pools. He then stripped off his own robes, and symbol of Dru'El, and placed them carefully upon the side of the pool and stepped in. As the priests prayed, Cha'reth collapsed, and his brother stirred...

The witnesses, overwhelmed with the selfless act, reacted as each must, with shock, sorrow, wonder and awe. Leiten, returned to life, was overwhelmed with his brother's sacrifice, and asked that it be undone. But as it was a freely given life, there was nothing the priests could do.

One by one, his friends and acquaintances stepped forward, and offered reflections upon Cha'reth's life. His closest friends spoke of his actions, of the hospitals he founded, and his goals at the end. Those of the Order of Gorethar spoke of the close ties Cha'reth had to many of its members, of his actions to unite others to defeat the great evils that faced the world. His friend, Valendel Cy'svarilo, read a speech that Cha'reth had made when he was younger. The main point of the speech was that while some believed there is nothing one person can do against the enormous array of the world's ills-- Cha'reth showed us that many of the world's great movements, of thought and action, can flow from the work of a single person.

As those who had gathered spoke to one another, remembering Cha'reth's life, and comforting one another, a miracle occurred. Cha'reth's body had been carried off by the priests long before... but now, suddenly appearing in their divine glory, were three of the greater gods-Dru'El, Mikon and Gorethar.

Dru'El spoke, saying that they had been watching Cha'reth Alindulae for many years, and he had impressed the gods with his work, and his caring for others. So upon his sacrifice, They invited him to join Them, in caring for the world, and made Him one of Their own. And Cha'reth stepped forth, and thanked Them for welcoming Him, and that He would serve among Them henceforth, as God of Peace and Healing.

Mikon spoke then, and said that Cha'reth could linger but a little while upon the mortal plane, before He was to join Dru'El in Arborea, and there to reside forevermore. And Gorethar spoke a few words also, and stepped among those of His Order, before the three Greater Gods departed.

So Cha'reth comforted those who came to witness his sacrifice, and ascension, and bade them to love and comfort one another also. Before He departed the mortal plane forever, He told them all He would watch over them for all their days, and that His love would be shared among all.

And so, Cha'reth, through sacrifice, selflessness, peace and love, moved from the mortal realm to the divine, forevermore. Let not His sacrifice be in vain, brethren, but remember to seek to let peace and love spread forth from each of us, through our actions and words. Remember to heal all, and speak the Name of Cha'reth, that all remember and recognize the sacrifice and power of our Lord.

May Cha'reth bless your lives with health, peace and love. Cha'reth berath ta.