Grandmother Connor gently admonished, “Toni, the Holy Book warns of punishment for proud, ambitious people. Study the Holy Teachings and pray more often, instead of performing experiments. Read the Holy Book more faithfully, rather than science books.”

“Grandmother, God does not punish,” Toni smiled confidently. “I enjoy finding out about God’s creations. The mind and body are wonderful gifts from God. Surely, He wants us to use them.”

While Ari was with the delegation, his ten-year-old daughter, Lola, was with a classmate on the new obstacle course, a hundred meters south of where the sumptuous buffet breakfast was laid out for the early morning celebrations.

“Let’s try! Let’s do it.” Lola successfully hurdled the difficult obstacle course. She urged her classmate to do the same. “It’s your turn.”

“I’m ashamed.”

“There is no reason to be.”

“Okay, I’ll try. Don’t laugh at me.”

“I laugh when I am happy. I don’t laugh to embarrass people.”

“What if I fail?”

“Lessons learned, and then try again.”

Lola’s classmate focused. She exerted her very best effort. “I did it! I did it so well! Oh… I should be humble.”

“Why?”

“It’s good to be humble.”

“Why?”

“Everybody says so.”

“I am not humble,” Lola declared. “I respect and love myself. I always do my best because I don’t ever want to feel low and small.”

Lola’s classmate realized that self-love was the hallmark of a good person.

Afterward, Lola joined her best friend, ten-year-old Toni Connor. Toni brought their latest science project, a transmitter-receiver device successfully tested the day before. They enjoyed playing with it while recording their observations on static interference and the distance factor. The girls also practiced communicating in a private code.

Another classmate observed the two girls enjoying each other’s company. The recent tests where Toni had the highest scores, particularly in science and math, came to mind as Grandmother Connor summoned Toni. The classmate joined Lola and asked, “Don’t you want to be better than Toni?”

Lola replied, “I don’t compare myself to anyone. I want to be good – period. I want to be the best I can be. I also admire intelligent people, like Toni.”

“Pit, thank you for my graduation gifts. The pearls are beautiful.” The young lady had stopped calling him ‘Coach’ two years ago.

“You are welcome. You did a great job at school. You make us proud.”

She stepped closer to him. “May I thank you with a kiss?” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his lips. Pit’s body came alive with passion. He broke away. He battled with himself as he burned with raging desire.

“Pit, I love you. Will you marry me?” She was very much aware why an exceptionally discerning mind had included Pit as one of the subjects in a portrait named Beau Ideals.

“Your father is my best friend, my family. I am your uncle.”

“I’ve never called you that. You are not my blood relative. I choose you as my husband, not as my uncle.”

“You are half my age. I can’t take advantage of your youth.”

“I am wise beyond my years. I have waited since I turned eighteen, but for two years, I have longed for no one but you.”

“I can’t betray your father.”

“Father will be honored to have you as a son. He fervently wants your happiness. He loves you. I love you passionately. I want you.”

“I have loved you ever since you were born. I will always love you. But I shouldn’t want you.”

“Barely a teenager, you then had the mettle to defend Father when the powerful persecuted him and the public shrugged in apathy. Does it take greater courage to want his daughter?”

“It is my greatest battle. For the last two years, I have battled everyday not to think of you who have brought so much joy into my life, because when I do, my body burns with passion. It is monstrous of me to want you.”

“It is my greatest pride that I want you. I am proud that my whole body longs for your touch. My desire for you is my most sacred thought, my most beautiful emotion. I am not a monster for feeling passion for a wonderful man. Neither are you for wanting me.”

The delegation demanded that Ari give up the medicine and the red tide buster for humanity. The Union officials pontificated, “It is evil to profit from suffering, from what people cannot do without.”

Ari was direct. “I deal exclusively with traders.” He turned his back and moved away from the delegation.

“Please explain, Dr. Hugo.”

Ari faced the delegation, but kept his distance. “You are free not to buy what I spent four years to create. I am free to sell the fruits of my labors in a manner of my choosing; I earned this right. I transact with people who respect property rights. If you are here as advocates for people who desire the unearned, you have wasted your time.”

“But the people need your creations! The medicine for red tide poisoning is necessary to save lives. The product that eradicates red tide is absolutely essential to the livelihood of fishermen and to increase the food supply.”

“By your reasoning, only those who create products or offer services that have nothing to do with saving or improving lives may trade; that those who do otherwise forfeit their rights.”

“The public needs your medicine and your red tide buster. Poor folks utterly need them!”

“As I will not be ruled by a single human being, neither will I forfeit my rights to the public. An emperor has no claim on me; neither does a poor man. Need is not a claim.”

In two months, Vangel noticed what the girl confirmed a few days after. Kori was pregnant. “May I ask your advice?” she asked the older woman. Vangel nodded.

“I am not ready to be a mother. I was forced into marriage. I was told that I am not a good woman on my wedding night.” She recalled her last conversations with her husband and her father.

“You were not a virgin.”

“I sure was, before tonight.”

“You tricked your father and me. You were sullied when I married you.”

“That is not true.”

“Then why did you enjoy it?”

“You think I am not supposed to… and you?”

“Yes, of course; I am a man. Good women, especially virgins, do not like it.”

“I did enjoy it. It was the first time, and I am a good woman.”

Her father sided with her husband and ordered her out of their lives. She gasped, and then hurried out of the house. She ran as fast as she could for a long time… When she stopped, she found herself alone, deep in the woods, still trembling. She stood up straight. Her eyes smiled… followed by her mouth… then her whole face glowed.

“I’m free! That I experienced pleasure set me free! This is heaven!”

She found Hugo and Vangel; they were very kind. Hugo was a giant of great physical and mental strength. He stood six feet and seven inches. He had dark hair and brown eyes. His joyous confidence was as evident as Vangel’s benevolence.

Kori enjoyed her freedom. She pondered the responsibility of having a baby.

Vangel counseled, “God is so loving that He allows man a window to change course, that one may not go through a lifetime paying for a mistake. He is so good that He always keeps the door to happiness open. Your own life is precious. Right to life dictates that you not suffer the toils of unchosen paths. Life is not just breathing… A baby is a great responsibility; you can’t renege on it. A chosen responsibility is a fount of pleasure.”

The next day, Kori helped the couple feed the animals. “Good morning,” she smiled happily. “I am going to have a baby,” she told the couple. “I love it already.”

In Part 1:

By the foot of the ramp were life-size marble statues of a man and a woman, side by side, barely touching, with bodies stretched taut, hands reaching for the firmament, heads tilted upwards, feet on tiptoe, ingeniously balanced on a smooth marble platform. Santo Sacrificio and most members of his congregation referred to the pair of sculptures as The Torments and Supplication of the Damned.

On the other hand, Ron, Alisa, Frank, Ari, Glenda, and a few others saw ecstasy, not torment, on the faces and bodies of the marble statues. Ron and company saw exultation, not supplication, in the hands reaching for the heavens. The sculptor was also the creator of the indestructible Constitution tablet and its case.

* * *


In Part 2:

The tower and the Balian lab were located at the top of a hill. At the foot of the hill was an expanse of a sweet-smelling rose garden. From the rose garden by the western road, a rising ramp of steps led to the Balian home. Big trees and gardens surrounded the residence and the tower. The gardens were laden with fruit trees, shrubs, orchids, and various other plants having flowers of unusual shapes and vivid colors. Sculptures enabling the contemplator to experience a reverence for existence abounded. The three-dimensional figures showed man’s goodness and efficacy. They gave one joy, rest, and fuel to pursue heroic goals. The works of art evinced that nothing was outside the province of reason. They proclaimed the power of science over death.

Jay and Lea gazed at the visual delight in awe.

Phil thought proudly, “This is my country.” His eyes moved to the sculptures by the foot of the ramp at the edge of the rose garden. Life-size marble statues of a man and a woman were side by side, barely touching, with bodies stretched taut, hands reaching for the firmament, heads tilted upwards in ecstasy, feet on tiptoe, ingeniously balanced on a smooth marble platform. As always, the pair of sculptures electrified Phil. Lea was drawn to the reverence on his face, his pose an exalted salute to man’s intellectual and creative power. She fell in love.

Excerpt from Chapter 13:

The defenders got ready.

Hugh and Hugo heard a distinctive hum. Ricial had switched the Derek Bustoz to battle mode.

A cylindrical structure made of lightweight steel and indestructible glass rose amidships of the gigantic boat. The structure with a twenty-foot diameter rose to twenty-eight feet. From its midsection, a tubular metal, eight feet in height, extended sideways up to ten feet. The tube could rotate around the vertical cylindrical post. The upper part of the post, ten feet in height, contained the control room. A big letter I, made of pure gold, was embossed on the outside. The post continued to rise to another twelve feet, and then another tubular metal extended sideways below the control room. The second tube had the same height and length as the first. The post rose to another ten feet whereby a hyphen and three more letters, T O N, all made of gold, came into view. Two feet below the control room, two arm-like metal limbs emerged.

The I-TON was fifty feet tall; its post was forty feet in height. Its twenty-foot-diameter base tapered off to fifteen feet beyond the first tube, and then to ten feet after the second tube. Ricial manned the control room. His two teammates manned the tubes.

Three Hunsec swimmers, hidden from the view of Hugo, Hugh, and the children at the pier, climbed the bow of the Derek Bustoz. Suddenly, screams rang out as the I-TON’s massive palm and steel fingers picked up the swimmers, and threw them at the oncoming pseudo fishing boats.

From Chapter 3:

...

The entire Union was jolted two months later. The first issue of the newsmagazine, The Thinker, featured the Yani event as its lead story: ‘Goodbye to Intellectual Property Rights’ bylined Kala Yaan. The article reported, in part:

“Yani Governor Rod Gullio Sr. ends intellectual property rights at the behest of Mr. Rudi Yani and other powerful hacienda owners. Mr. Leo Thomas, the innovative farmer and entrepreneur, has been ordered to make his trade secrets public and to pay a heavy fine for what the governor has interpreted as violations of the Business Practices Act.”

The Thinker featured an equally hard-hitting cartoon by Indi V. Ricial. It showed the mighty governor’s building crushing Leo as people rejoiced and saluted its flag bearing the words, Intellectual Dishonesty. The revelers wore shirts labeled Looter.

...

From Chapter 3:

...

Fifteen years prior to the publication of The Thinker, the builder and publisher was a seven-year-old thinking of a miracle.

“Ron wants to learn how to read and write, Reverend.” Rolan Balian, his wife, Pat, and their son were in the rector’s office. Rolan was a janitor at the All Saints Academy in the City of Ibelyn. Pat was the rectory’s cook and housekeeper. Both were illiterate.

“So the son wants to better his parents.” Reverend Augusto leaned back in his chair and furrowed his eyebrows.

“We wish better opportunities for our son,” Pat beseeched.

“What say you, Ron?”

“My purpose for wanting to learn is to improve myself, Reverend. I would never think what you alleged.”

“Your son is tempted by the tree of knowledge.”

“This Academy is a fount of knowledge, your grace,” Rolan replied.

“The students here are the children of the cream of society. They can afford the tuition and expenses. They have innate intelligence which your family lacks. But do not despair. Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are the meek. This world is of no consequence. What is important is the afterlife. Bear your yoke. Accept your destiny with utmost humility and you shall be blessed.”

Ron ran from the room. When his parents joined him, he told them, “Don’t worry. I will find a way.”

Ron helped his parents with their tasks. He quietly dusted furniture at the back of classrooms and listened to lectures. He loved to clean the library. He memorized a book with pictures and numbers. “The words must identify the pictures next to them; the numbers must correspond to how many objects are shown,” he surmised. He drew the pictures, letters, and numbers in the privacy of his room.

He learned the concept of each letter. He deduced that by combining the sounds of letters, he was able to read words. He practiced the sound of each letter and the pronunciation variations for some: “Is it kan-dee or kan-dahy? It’s candy. Is it e-mu or ee-myoo? It’s the latter.” He learned the concept of numbers and counting.

He shared his knowledge with his parents. They grasped his explanations quickly; just a few letters and their sounds and you could read anything! They looked at their boy in awe.

“Son, this is a miracle!”

“Yes. I achieved a miracle.”

...

Posted in Happy & Brainy - Philosophy in Everyday Life:

Regarding: “I've never met a truly rational being & never thought any of Rand's heroes were strictly rational. While I admire their principles, their unbending adherence to them is counter-productive to their self-interest. In other words, they make life much harder on themselves & those around them by refusing to even make a nod to society.”

*
Reply:

It takes courage, integrity, and self-esteem to hold on to, especially fight for, one’s convictions.

It is rational to keep one’s self-respect, no matter the hardships one goes through, since self-respect is necessary to achieve happiness. It is rational that one’s actions further one’s self-esteem, even at the cost of tremendous trials, because the alternative is a living death.

Howard Roark (The Fountainhead) works in a quarry, and keeps his self-respect. He lives the life proper to Man, and goes on to achieve great things.

Patrick Henry valued freedom more than life, peace, and convenience. He certainly was working for his rational self-interests when he said: “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

George Washington was strictly rational and moral when he rejected a movement to make him king of the US.


Excerpts from Reason Reigns:

**
Frank and Alisa discussed a plan of action. When Alisa got up to leave, Frank warned, “Alisa, you are putting yourself and Toni in danger.”

“I am terrified. But Toni and I do not care to live without the freedom to think and act. We will not follow blindly nor live in fear. No. Not ever. I cannot stand by in safety while other decent people confront evil. I cannot hold convictions without acting upon them. To do nothing is not an option because I won’t like myself then. I have to help expose and stop the evildoers.”

**
“You are very wise, Jawo. You are right. Each man is responsible for his own decisions. Alisa and Lola would not want Ron to compromise his integrity even at the cost of their lives. Ron, Alisa, and Lola value probity more than life.”

The boy pondered. “I understand why,” he said solemnly. “Life is not worth living without values.”

**
Day 7 - Race against Time


Ron was suffering from dehydration.

“God’s angels in heaven… Hello Mother; hello Father. God’s angels on Earth, Lola and Alisa… Angels of God, help me!”

“Mother, you are so beautiful. But why so sad?”

“Is it because there are two angels, here on Earth, who are alone… and in danger?”

“Lola - the angel with starlit eyes; so innocent of sadness and wickedness. She trusts that the world is all-good.”

“Alisa - my lovely angel; she is so beautiful. My beloved is joy personified.”

“Who are going to save these angels? Mother, Father – are you there? Help me. Oh God, help them!”

“Father, are you listening? Angels in heaven – are you there? Do you exist? Is there a God?”

“Father, are you forever gone? Mother, have you left me? No! No, of course not! You are with me. You will always be with me. You are God’s angels… in heaven.”

Jaya tried to persuade Ron to divulge the girls’ whereabouts. “Ron, God breathed life into Lola, Alisa, and you. Life is precious.”

Ron’s face was serene as he replied, “Life is sacred. I will live a good life, or not at all.”

Jaya prayed, “Oh God! Please bless these innocent children.”

“God is on the side of angels. Lola, Alisa, and I will live. It is not only this country’s faith that I cannot betray; I cannot betray mine.”

* * * end of excerpts

If the only choices for a woman at a given time is to work as a maid with very low pay and long laborious hours, and to be a prostitute earning much money:

--- If she chooses to work as a maid, this is NOT making her life difficult. She will remain a human being while trying to improve her conditions.

--- If she chooses to be a prostitute, she has no future, no self-esteem, no happiness, and no life proper to a human being.

*
Gail Wynand compromises; Howard Roark does not. Roark has inspired many; I have not heard of anyone inspired by Gail Wynand.

Even if an artist does not know of any good living men, he could still honor Aristotle and himself, and depict man as he could be and ought to be.

Before Ethan and company set out for Senna, Frank reminded Alisa about his suggestion that she enroll in the Ibelyn Science Institute, but again, she declined.

Back at the Saviors’ Isle, Alisa’s co-worker commented, “You could work and study in the city. You have better prospects there.”

“This country has lots of possibilities.”

“You just don’t want to leave Toni. You are admirable; you have sacrificed a lot for your sister.”

“No, it is not sacrifice. That is a horrible credo.”

“It’s noble. People admire people who sacrifice. You have always prioritized Toni over yourself – if that is not self-sacrifice, what is it?”

“Before Toni was born, I loved myself the most. I did not know it was possible to love someone beyond oneself. Ever since the first time I held her, I have loved her more than myself. So, you see, it is not sacrifice. That, I will never do.”

The children kept still and quiet as their elders gave thanks. After the prayers, Tony’s grandfather asked to be heard.

“We can harvest the sea’s bounty only for half the year. Tony has thought of a way we can have food even when the sea is angry.”

The village people were all ears. Chief Hunsec’s cold blue eyes glowered.

“We will grow fish in ponds.” As the old man explained Tony’s ideas, Chief Hunsec observed the intent faces and focused eyes directed at the speaker. He felt fear… his dread turned into anger.

Chief Hunsec laughed. “Grow fish,” he jeered. “Old Connor – you’ve turned senile!” He doubled over with laughter.

A number of people followed suit. They thought that if the chief regarded Tony’s ideas as ridiculous, then they must be. Before long, many howled and mocked the Connors. The singing and dancing around the campfire resumed.

Ivan turned nine that summer. He visited Hugo and Vangel often. One day, he told Hugo that the people in his hamlet were going to harvest from the sea; they would leave in two days. Hugo recounted his experiences on the beach including the red sea and the dead birds.

The hamlet people traveled to the sea. The oracle, father to Ivan and Lola, arrived with his people on the beach without the siblings. Ivan and his sister lagged behind because he insisted on seeing Hugo’s old home, the small hollowed rock, and the vicinity that had served as Hugo’s playground.

The oracle and his party gave thanks and praises. They ignored the dead birds on the beach and in the water. The oracle pronounced the sea turning red as a good omen.

Lola and her brother arrived. They looked at the red sea. Unaware of their father’s good-omen declaration, Ivan mentioned Hugo’s warning.

The oracle seethed inside. He worried, “What if Hugo is right? Damn him! I have lost face.” He told his people, “The wizard and the witch have poisoned the sea. They have defiled the gifts of the gods!”

His anger boiled over as they trekked home. He dreaded every glance, every whisper. “Do my people still believe in me? What are they thinking? What do they think of me? I must not let Hugo bring me down!” He hatched a plan. As soon as they reached home, he called his cohorts to a meeting.

Ivan went straight to Hugo. The boy still had the backpack that he brought to the beach. “You must hide or leave. Hurry! You are in danger.”

Tony completed a portrait he named Beau Ideals. Its subjects were a sixteen-year-old girl, a nine-year-old boy, and a fifteen-year-old young man. The girl and the child had black hair, midnight-blue eyes, and smooth, unblemished, ruddy complexion. The young man had black hair, brown eyes, and brown, healthy complexion. The three beau ideals were tall and lithe. Their intelligent eyes were singularly remarkable; the girl’s were serene, the child’s had an audacious twinkle, and the young man’s were intense. Tony kept the Beau Ideals with his other drawings which included The Savior, a portrait of Derek.

On the ninth dawn, Tony, Pit, and Ivan sighted the island. Its entire northern frontier was a high steep face of a rock. Tony steered southeast past the cliff. They saw a white sand beach.

The Devil’s Eye was said to be a godforsaken island. Fishermen avoided it like the plague. The mere sight or mention of it frightened them. People who had once inhabited the island were long dead. Animals and birds inhabited its untamed forests. The steep rocks looked foreboding.

Ivan announced the news. Lola and her heroes awoke to the sight of the Devil’s Eye. They gazed at the island in greeting. Their solemn bearing was a salute to a challenge.

Forty Years Ago - Honor Thy Heroes


Friends gathered for the naming ceremony of a week-old baby boy. Ivan and Kori Hugo welcomed their guests. Ivan was tall and ruggedly handsome. Kori matched his looks. Every piece of furniture in their home, the most spacious in the Saviors’ Isle, was crafted by Ivan.

Ivan started the ceremony. “I proudly pass our family name, Hugo, on to our son. Hugo was the name of a giant among men. He and his family were exceptional hunters and healers. His beautiful daughter outfoxed the head of an empire. His dashing, audacious son could cure all wounds and was believed to have discovered the path to immortality. I have the honor of being named after the son, Ivan Hugo.”

Ivan lifted his son and continued, “We name our son after two legendary islanders, Ali and Kori. Friends, we present our son - Ari Hugo.”

The guests cheered. Fifteen-year-old Ali Connor beamed. Requested to speak of his legendary namesake, the boy proudly proclaimed, “I am named after Ali Connor, one of two brothers who refused to rule an empire. My namesake avowed, ‘I value liberty. I respect the freedom of each individual. To rule a human being is abhorrent.’”

“Thank you, Ali,” said Ivan. “The legendary Ali Connor was but a boy when he led a team of children to defend this island against invaders. My ancestor was one of those children. He was an orphan rescued by the islanders along with hundreds of hostages.”

Kori spoke next. “I named myself after a lady who was the picture of joy and vitality. My ancestor was also among the rescued children. She had been terribly unhappy and afraid for years until she arrived on this island. Lady Kori sang the children to sleep. Their fears were erased by her care and cheer. She made them smile again.”

The youngsters listened avidly. Ali’s friend, fifteen-year-old Collin Balian, excitedly waited for his turn to honor the legendary islander he was named after. His ancestor, also a rescued child, was a teammate of the legendary Collin during the invasion. His family name, Balian, was as illustrious as the Hugo, Connor, and Thomas names.

Seven-year-old Frank Thomas thought, “What great heroes!”

Baby Ari’s maternal grandparents and paternal grandmother were not in attendance; his paternal grandfather had passed away. Ali’s mother was also absent.

Two other teenage guests attended against their parents’ wishes. The parents had changed their own names in their youth.

The fifteen-year-old redhead chose the name Josef Schwartz, his late grandfather’s name. “My Grandfather was named after his great, great grandmother’s team leader, Josephine. The lovely child taught my orphan ancestor how to read and write. I did not fully understand the meaning of what Grandfather said about the team leader, but I do now. As a grown woman, Josephine told the man she loved, ‘It is my greatest pride that I want you. I am proud that my whole body longs for your touch. My desire for you is my most sacred thought, my most beautiful emotion.’” Josef’s parents had drummed into him that desires were evil.

The eighteen-year-old girl, wise beyond her years, chose the name Jaya Rahman. Her ancestor was the cousin of a brave independent thinker named Jay Rahman. “A century and a half ago, this island was said to be godforsaken. Ibelyn fishermen avoided it like the plague. Its mere sight or mention frightened them. They called it the Devil’s Eye. Young Jay saw bright lights emanating from this place while darkness enveloped the sea and the Ibelyn coasts. He chose to come here despite numerous frightening stories.”

The faces of Ivan and his guests turned somber. The paradise created by the founding heroes was gone. The island had degenerated into a dark, backward hole. The sources of the bright lights had been destroyed. Fuel for lamps was scarce, thus very expensive.
Staccato knocks at the door interrupted the naming ceremony. Ivan hoped his mother had come; Kori expected her parents. Ivan’s younger brother, Ethan, opened the door.

The new arrivals were the island’s Chief Civilian Executive, Larry Cleen, the policeman, Johnny Ray, and the head of the holy faith, Santo Sacrificio.

Without as much as a nod, Larry Cleen castigated Ivan and his guests. “This is a holy month, the sacred month for honoring humility, sacrifice, and suffering. You are obligated to respect the values and traditions of your fellow citizens. Stop this celebration!”

Ivan remained calm. “This is my home, my private domain. I am free to practice my own values. If you are here to impose yours, get out of my property.”

“You are not free to flout the will of the majority,” Larry countered. “We have a democracy. The majority rule. You have to respect the will of most people in this country.”

Collin’s father refuted, “We are not a democracy. We have a constitutional government. The Constitution guarantees freedom for each individual. The majority may not strip a man of his rights.”

“The Constitution is a living document. It keeps up with the times and takes cognizance of the prevailing culture,” Larry explained.

Ivan disagreed. “The universal principles embodied in the Constitution are timeless. ‘Every man has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. No man may impose his will, beliefs, or values on another. No single individual may be sacrificed for another or for the majority.’”

Ali’s father quoted the Constitution further. “The only purpose of law and of government is the protection of individual rights. A government official may do nothing except that which is expressly permitted by law.”

Larry thundered, “You are disrespecting your fellow citizens. You are insensitive and arrogant!”

Santo Sacrificio prayed, “May God grant you guidance and mercy. I absolve you from your wickedness.”

Ivan stepped closer to Larry. Johnny moved to intervene, then changed his mind. Ivan’s voice was devoid of anger or threat, but full of conviction. “You are in my home. You came here uninvited. You are trespassing. Please leave.”

Larry eyed the group with loathing. Eyes scorching Jaya, he raged, “You are no longer my daughter!” He left with Johnny and Santo Sacrificio.

The day after the holy month, the Connor, Thomas, and Balian homes, as well as Ethan’s, went up in flames while the men were at sea, and the wives and children were on the farms.

Kori was at home with baby Ari when a bottle of oil was thrown at her porch. The loud crash startled the baby. The bottle shattered into pieces, splashing the porch with oil.

Kori fatally shot Larry with arrows before he could throw his torch.

Ethan, together with the Thomas and Balian families, decided to migrate to the Republic of Ibelyn. Ivan and the Connors chose to stay behind.

“I want to live without having to worry about thugs or fanatical ideologues.” Ethan was a dead ringer for his brother.

Ivan embraced Ethan. “Go with my love and blessings.”

Ethan settled in Senna, the Ibelyn province nearest to the Saviors’ Isle. The Thomas family bought inexpensive mountain land on Senna’s northern borders with the Cissero province. The Balian family lived in the South City of Ibelyn, located north of Cissero.

Eleven years after, Frank Thomas joined the Cissero army. Collin Balian had worked his way to become a math professor at the Ibelyn Science Institute. Ethan Hugo’s merchandising business at the Senna seaport was flourishing. He sold Ivan’s products in his store. Josef Schwartz married a pretty brunette.

Josef became the father of a baby girl, Josephine, four years later.

Comment from Chelle on an exchange between ten-year-olds in Reason Reigns:

"what if I fail?"

"Lessons learned and then try again."

Terrific line! Your first chapter sounds very intriguing.