The Rising Dawn, # 16— "Solomon's Wisdom"
- David Parker
- Oct 2, 2023
- 4 min read
[Short stories. Images generated by hotpot.ai]
It was discovered Solomon Gillis, otherwise known as The Philosopher, or Philos (Fee-Lowss), was the only one able to give Michael Ruppert, or Sir Gallant, any relief from his dire sickness. The Oracle Stone which Solomon had discovered gave him continual Enlightenment and an understanding of the forces of Fate, his predictions nearly always being accurate. If he chose to forego its prophetic power for a time, he could both protect himself and lash out with ‘cosmic energy’, which Parse insisted was ‘ether’. However, upon experimentation, though it wearied him and required his concentration, Philos could use the Oracle Stone to both alleviate the symptoms and pain that resulted from Voodoo’s amulet. This he did, out of a sense of duty and love for the leader of the Sentinels.
Philosopher had discovered the Stone after a lifetime of searching for this very thing. His Gift that began as a young man was that he could comfort weariness, distress, pain, anxiety, and other afflictions with a touch of his hand. Doing so transferred his spirit, his zest for life into the receiver, his ‘ether’ that resulted from constant self-edification and dedication to finding Enlightenment. As he grew in years and as a person, studying the wisdom of the Ancients all the way, his Gift grew in power, unto the point that three months of regular ether transferences could send Stage Four cancer into remission. He seldom did this, as there was no end to the need for his services, and once he joined the Sentinels he only offered approximately a third of his services free and gratis. Wraith’s personnel would negotiate prices.
The Stone, as it happened, began as an ordinary precious stone, but of sufficient value. Once he obtained it, he did a once-in-a-lifetime transference that required a year’s worth of his persistent concentration, a long year that required discipline not achievable by any laity on this earthly plane. The result was the Oracle Stone, likened by The Philosopher to his own child.
Voodoo’s Equal Amulet afflicted Gallant with a Curse in exchange for saving him in battle, and now Philosopher was pressed into remaining at his side as long as possible. He could do this during daylight hours, but he required rest at night, and Gallant would awaken to excruciating nausea. However, the relief was of immeasurable value, and Gallant would be eternally grateful.
Snow entered along with Gimmick, who Snow insisted should pay his respects. Gamer’s presence was not unwelcome, but he had anxiety about social gatherings, and only a passing acquaintance with Gallant, and he didn’t plan to befriend him while he was near-comatose.
“Ah,” said Solomon, concentrating on his transference, “Come to gaze upon the face of heroic sacrifice?”
“Should I hug him?” said little Brandon Shelver. He didn’t want to, but people often wanted him to hug them.
“No, Gimmick,” said Snow, “He’s being well taken care of.”
After some silence, Brandon said, “Should I do art for him?”
“Don’t ask too many questions, Brand. He’s healing Sir Michael.”
At this, Solomon stopped. “Ah, actually, now’s the time to let us both breathe.”
He looked tired, even though he didn’t exert himself physically.
“You’re a Godsend, Philosopher. I can only imagine…”
“I hate getting seasick,” said Brandon.
Scholar gathered himself and said, “Tell me, Citizen Snow. What is the nature of your relationship with Gallant?”
“Mostly stories. But with almost no time for explanations, he taught me how to start to master my Gift.”
“Yes, Gallant is most resourceful with his time. And you, little Shelver. Why do they call you Gimmick?”
Brandon rubbed an itchy nose. “I made a snow day once with the Force Language.”
“At school?”
“Yeah.”
“But why Gimmick?”
Getting the information out of Gimmick took a while, because his mastery of words was certainly incomplete. Eventually, they coaxed it out of him. Basically, when Brandon showed the teacher the art he claimed gave them a ‘snow day’, she said, “Ah, so you did it with this little gimmick, huh?” Not really believing him.
After that, every student constantly begged him to ‘do another gimmick,’ which they thought referred to whatever it was Brandon made. When they found they couldn’t squeeze out of him anything they wanted, they just called him Gimmick, largely out of bitterness that they had believed his lies. For whatever reason, the name stuck.
“Ah,” said Philosopher, “Well, a wise man once said, Brandon, if you make your weakness your strength, your enemy can’t use it against you.”
Uninspired, Brandon said, “I already know that.”
But at this, Philosopher laughed, his eyes shining with mirth.
Snow then laughed, not so much at Brandon, but at Solomon’s attitude.
“He was just rude to you,” said Snow, smiling and shaking her head.
He chuckled, “I think that’s what I liked about it. Tell me like it is, Brandon!”
Gimmick grinned, “You’re funny!”
There was more mirth and pleasantries shared among the small gathering, and Snow could see why they called him ‘wise’. Above all else, Philos didn’t take himself too seriously, and Jessica (Snow) left feeling like she should do the same.
“Can I have spinach puffs for dinner?” said Brandon.
“Where do you learn about all this cuisine!?” said Jess, laughing once again.
*-------------------------------------------*
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