The Staff of Ramah
By T. Alan Martens
Copyright 2016 T. Alan Martens
Prologue
Long before there was time itself and before the world was made, there was Eternal Ya. He created the shining ones to worship him and do his bidding. They were lovely spirit beings, full of pure light. Longing for more, he created the world we know as Terros. Being a beautiful and glorious deity, he took great care in making this world a great place of awe and wonder. Deep expansive seas, snow peaked mountains and lush forests filled the valleys that were a home for winding streams of fresh water. Once he had formed the entire planet in its great expanse, he filled it with all kinds of animals. He made birds to grace the skies and beasts to roam the vast fields. Fish of all sizes and shapes flourished in the sparkling waters. Ya marveled at the graceful symmetry of his new world, yet something was missing. Not wanting to enjoy this wondrous creation with his shining ones alone, he brought forth mankind to share it with him. He charged mankind with the care of this new world and gave them reason and a will to choose how they should live. All mankind marveled at their creator and worshiped him with love and freedom.
But Belial, the brightest of all the shining ones, was not content to leave this magnificent creation for mankind to rule; he wanted the new world for his own. Sensing the ill intent of Belial, Ya cast the rebel spirit out of his presence and the fallen one took many of the shining ones with him, descending to the planet below. In their cursed state they became known as Taints, forever exiled from the presence of Ya. No longer bright and lovely shining creatures, they became a dark horde of evil spirits. Seeing that the Eternal One would not let him have Terros for his own, Belial sought to spread abomination and ruin among the people who had been granted this creation instead of him. Through the help of the taints, hatred and destruction soon spread around the whole of the world before the Fallen One’s burning and hateful eyes.
Ya, however, loved his dear children, so he called forth the man Gaost to be his holy Cleric. Gifted with the holy power of Ya, Gaost was sent on a mission to discover a healer for the people, a helper that could aid the Cleric in the fight against Belial and his evil minions. He searched the world for one suitable, but the task was daunting. There were so few children of Terros that still worshiped the Eternal Ya. After many long years of searching, Gaost finally found the child of promise, a little girl born to a poor farm family on the outskirts of Jeru. Her name was Yeshu. Yeshu’s family were still true followers of Ya and had been praying faithfully every day for a child, having waited many years. As the young girl grew into womanhood, the holy Cleric of Ya was able to observe her growth and help with her training. On the evening of Yeshu’s 19th birthday, Ya came to her in a dream. “My beloved chosen daughter,” said Ya “You are to be my holy agent of healing in this broken world. When you rise up, take with you my Cleric, Gaost to the rose patch behind your father’s house. There I will show the path I have chosen for you.” When Yeshu awoke that morning she immediately did as Ya had asked. The morning sun began to appear over the horizon and she slowly approached the large wall of roses that entwined the fence in the back yard, Gaost standing close behind. Having also received instruction from Ya in a dream, the Cleric asked her to reach out into the middle of the thorny patch of deep red roses. As soon as her hand touched the delicate petals, the wall of thorns sprang to life. Sharp claws from the thorny vines reached out and grabbed her arm, digging in deeply. She cried out in pain as her whole hand was pulled into the writhing patch, her warm red blood dripping down her elbow. Gaost spoke reassuring words to stave off the panic that was building in her soul. Soon the pain began to diminish and she could see the form of a smooth wooden rod shaping amongst the thorns. Thorns began to drop off all around her throbbing hand, and soon she was able to pull it free. Moments later, she stood there with a meticulously crafted staff, engraved with wooden roses. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
With this holy relic, formed by the power of Ya himself, Yeshu went from city to town, spreading the loving god’s healing power. Great minions of Belial tried to slow her at every turn, but the mighty cleric, Gaost was always there with the white fire of Ya to destroy them. Seeing that his plans of destruction were being thwarted at every turn, Belial raised up his own disciple to seek out and kill Yeshu. One dark evening while Yeshu lay sleeping, this disciple of Belial killed her in a fitful rage of fire and stole the holy rod from her lifeless hand. Gaost returning from a journey, wailed with anger when he found her charred body. Belial, unable to destroy the staff of Ramah, as it came to be called, hid the fateful relic of healing in a deep dark tomb, guarded by his invisible minions. In time, the healing power of Ya was forgotten in the land and darkness thrived once again. Now only the legends speak of a strange white eyed man who wanders the land, searching for some sign of hope.
From the Terros book of legends vol. 1
***