Sometimes politics requires a few dirty hands

May 11. Still.

Now here is a lady that I can get behind. Gwynn and I wake up to find asophis gone and that Bevis' wife had gotten the DG to chill out putting a knife to Narcus' neck but, and here is the good part, she kept their attention while trying to explain something important by putting the knife to her own neck. I'll have to try that sometime when I've got something important to say. This group's attention is a difficult thing to hold. So, here is what we're told:

First, we are told that we understand neither Bevis nor his situation in the world. It turns out that Mr. of New Hampton is the only thing keeping order in this part of the world (so what? Order is overrated). Without him some awful war would break out between fish folk and easterners.

Zombres is rightfully mistrustful here, and lets everyone know it. Actually, he might not be mistrustful. He's a sneaky guy. I've found that if you tell someone who really wants you to trust them that you don't trust them--if you tell them this then they'll try to win your trust by telling you important things. That's how I got the information about how good for your constitutions beans are. This awful farmer in my pop's employ was teaching me how it is that after a rain tiny little plans can increase their own mass 10 times in a single day. It seems ludicrous to me. He starts telling me that it's normal and I tell him that I don't trust him. In order to win my trust he initiates me into the mysteries of farming (and tells me that I should eat beans every day--that the aristocrats in town don't do this because beans are a 'poor-man's food', but that they grow weak for it. He tells me that no matter what my dad says I should eat beans every day. My dad took his head for that, but his knowledge lives on through me!). Apparently, and I did not get this out of any conversation we had with the good sir, order is so important to Bevis that England isn't in danger of his conquest anytime soon. Were he to take it over he would be facing a two fronted war at least, so he's putting England on hold (again, seems dubious based on what the DG told me about his past exploits). He is, in fact, putting not only his but that sophist's plans for England-domination on hold as well (through duplicity). The used is actually the user. Serves him right. I prefer forthright dealings with people myself. Still doesn't make Bevis a good guy though.

So here's where the DG start acting dangerously again. They decided to form a marriage of convenience with Mr. of New Hampton. Every single one of these marriages ends in a divorce, and it's always messy. I'd try to talk them out of this, but people need to learn some lessons for themselves, and this is one of them. So, the terms are this: BoNH will leave England and C-town alone for 1 year--he's even promise this in front of the KoE. In return, we will leave him alone, I guess? Also, through the conversation we're told that Dr. Lau is not to be trusted. He rules the east with an iron fist and is universally reviled. He only wants to make a second moon so that he can have earth all to himself. I've never met the guy, so I can't tell.

Now, getting this promise arranged is a pretty complicated matter. Mrs. Knife-Neck of New Hampton doesn't want to just let us leave with Bevis and Guy, so we leave narcus and Marcella to hang with her. The fish folk really want blood, but we're promised that they won't be permitted to have it. We also take of B's armor and things (copying a few names of God from Methusala Sword in the process).

Now, we go to this lake where a plant is growing out of the mouth of Mary's skeleton (yes, that Mary). I try to smell it, but people tell me to shove my hands in the dirt instead. I stick in one hand and B puts in two. We both get a vision--the same vision. It's not really a vision, you can't see much. It's more of an understanding. We both understand the world better by dirtying our hands with the blood of Christ. Now, it seems pretty obvious to me what this vision means, but with some post-visionary conversation it becomes clear that it's not as obvious to others around me. So, there's good and evil. As likable as he was Plotinus was wrong. Augustine was right the first time. Two sides. Jesus is basically the best of the good guys. He has been running around everywhere trying to make everything great. Now, of course he seems different to different groups, and has different names. Each group is facing a different problem. No way a single solution fits every problem. I mean, okay, it's complicated. Yes, there is one very complicated solution that fits every problem. But people are simple in the heads, they only see one part of the solution. When they see another part they think they're seeing a different solution. Anyway, so Jesus has a lot of different names in all of these other places. I mean, so what, I know this. He's told me a few of them when we were hanging out in the trees.

So, the nasty-mc-nastertons were doing a pretty good job of messing everything up and Jesus decided that he had to create one situation that was basically so good that it would appear as good in each and every one of the different places. Kind of like a standard of good that could be help up and rally the troops. Zombres starts talking about axes within axes around which things turn. It's not that complicated. It's just one awesome thing. Anyway, so he did that and died. Now, here's where the rub is. Gershom and Zombres are like, sure sure but Jehova is actually the #1 dude. Jesus isn't Jesus. Jesus is just like awesome. He goes by Jesus when he's talking to me because that's the name he was introduced to me with. If i'd been born up in Gwynn's town I'm sure I'd be calling him by some name without any vowels. He'd still be the same dude. To try to talk about which one is the best or the top or the right, it's just a total misunderstanding of the situation. It's the worst kind of misunderstanding because it tears people who are in agreement apart for no effing reason. People really care about dumb stuff. I won't get caught in that nonsense--no sir, not Mr. Diogenes here.

Actually, this whole thing reminded me a bit of why I went to Russia in the first place. There are a bunch of different kinds of people. Some of them get Jesus wrong accidentally (in spite of his best efforts--I mean, dying for the sins of the would while you're the only innocent ever should be obvious ... but it isn't. That's the trick. There are good, bad, and dumb people). Other's get him wrong on purpose (like the guys at my dad's Chruch, and I guess all the catholics if this guy in England is any sign). Jesus was like, if you don't believe me, go to Russia and check out how they're going to mess things up. Oh also, the dying didn't just create an image but started a 1,000 year long process that is near completion. The baddies have a chance to win at the start and end of that process. I guess that is what is happening right now. That part seems complicated and not worth knowing.

Alright, so that is how things are. My mind is not totally blown. We go to England and the King agrees to this 1 year truce with a swapping of sons. The DG think this will help the KoE get better council (seems pretty quick that they have decided to start trusting Guy. Marriages of convenience. You always forget what kind of marriage it is, acting like it's a real one, and then you get hurt in the end). We get all healed up in England with a nice nap. We also trade leg bitter for the Methuzala sword and chat with Zarovarkash who is on an island of apples.