강령술사의 길

"모탈리타시: 생자와 사자를 위해"에서 발췌. 대변자 비우스 아낙사스가 저술한 부분 중 한 단락이 유독 눈에 띈다.

우리는 이 세상에 속한 존재이며, 이 세계를 떠나려는 모든 것과 마찬가지로 우리가 생을 버릴 때 공허가 생겨난다. 우리가 창조주에게 돌아갈 수 없는 것은 이 때문이 분명하다. 따라서 우리는 균형을 찾아야 한다. 따라서 창조주의 첫 번째 자손은 두 번째 자손을 마땅히 도와야 한다.

한 일화에 대한 기록이다.

정확히 제시간에 숨이 멎었다. 그 순간 우리는 그가 떠났음을 느끼고, 준비를 시작했다. 과정은 부드럽게 진행되었다. 시신에 영이 깃들자, 그곳의 모두가 평온해졌다. 사랑하는 사람이 속박에서 벗어났음을 알았기 때문이다. 그는 해방되어 창조주의 곁으로 가는 길을 찾을 것이다. 그러나 전장에서는 그럴 수 없다. 나는 많은 이야기를 들었고 내 역할을 알고 있었다. 나는 준비되어 있다고 생각했다. 그러나 우리 전사들이 돌격 신호를 울린 그때, 나는 내가 준비되지 않았음을 깨달았다. 숨은 제시간에 멎지 않았고 과정은 부드럽게 진행되지 않았다. 나는 몹시 두려워졌다. 적은 반격했고, 내 곁에서 의인들이 칼날에 쓰러져 가는 것을 보았다. 이런 건 용납할 수 없다! 나는 쓰러진 망자들을 일으켜 우리를 위해 싸우게 했다. 이제 우리의 적이 공포를 느낄 차례다. 돌연 나에게 평화가 찾아왔으니, 내가 죽은 자들에게 더 위대한 사명을 주었고, 생명을 수호함으로써 생명을 영광되게 했음을 알기 때문이다.

의식 수행법에 대한 자세한 설명이 뒤따른다.

 

From "Mortalitasi: For the Living, the Dead." The words of Speaker Viuus Anaxas make one passage stand out:

 

We are of this world, and as with any piece that seeks to leave its element, there is a void when we abandon the mortal. It must be that this would hold our returning to the Maker. It must be that we should seek balance. It must be that the Maker's first children aid the second.

 

An account:

 

Breath ceased on the hour exactly. We felt his absence in that moment, and were ready. It was gentle, and all were calmed by the signs of spirit entering, knowing there would be no chains on their loved one. Unfettered, he would find the side of the Maker. But that was not the training for the battlefield. I had heard the accounts and knew my role, and I was ready. Then our warriors signaled the charge, and I was not ready. Breath was not stilled by the hour and was not gentle. And I was sore afraid. Then the enemy countered, and I saw blades come for the good men whom I had stood beside, and I would not allow it! The dead who had fallen, I bid their forms to serve, and it was the turn of our foes to know fear. But I had peace, for I had granted the fallen greater purpose, and in doing, had honored life by protecting it.

 

Detailed ritual instructions follow.