The Lanun finally occupied the town. Eric had woken up and gone off to find some sort of amusement or some riches to bring home and supplement his already good pay. Samuel, meanwhile, was studying the town. Their architecture was different then Lanun styles. It was efficient, but not as brutal has he had expected. Everything was laid out with a neat and, Samuel had to admit, beautiful geometry. The paths were made of tiles laid out in intricate, complex, and magnificent designs that boggled Samuel's mind. And everything seemed to flow, somehow, toward the center. And in the center, a temple to the Order. The temple was a large, cubic building with a belltower on top, which made it the tallest building in the city. Samuel entered the great temple nervously. He looked at Junil's altar and, hesitantly, gave it a respectful bow. He then noticed a book upon the altar and, curious, began reading through it.
Are you a follower of Junil, then? Among the Lanun, who so often mock him? Samuel had been reading the book for quite some time, and had not noticed the old man entering. He was bald and clean shaven, and dressed in white and red robes. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Father Moses, Confessor for this good town. Samuel looked at the man before responding. I am Samuel, and I am not a follower of the Order. Samuel said, I simply show the gods the respect that is due to them. I don't worship any one in particular; the gods have done me no good deeds, but I haven't earned their wrath either. Father Moses seemed disappointed, but he eyed Samuel with curiosity and hope. Are you interested, then, in what you have read from the Code of Junil? he asked, motioning towards the book Samuel had been reading. Yes, but I don't think I agree with everything in here. Father Moses shot Samuel an irritated look. What, pray tell, is bothering you then?
Well, Samuel began, it asks for unquestioning and unhesitating obedience to your superiors. I've been on ships before, as an adept. I know that on a ship, the captain is followed with unhesitating obedience... but only if he proves competent. It isn't unquestioning. If the captain is a fool, he is deposed. But if crews were to follow the Code of Junil, they'd be expected to follow the captain straight into a storm... If the captain was incompetent, Father Moses responded, he would not have become a captain in the first place. The Code of Junil rewards capability, skill, loyalty, and wisdom. There are safeguards to keep people from rising to power if they are incompetent. Even if this theoretical imbecile's father was a captain, that would not assure the son a position of power. If he was not a good captain, he would not be a captain at all.
Samuel nodded. Fair enough. But what if, instead of incompetence, the captain was malevolent? Say he wanted to go on a raid that his crew were, morally, against. I know, for example, that several crews deposed their captain over the issue of slavery... Slavery is an abomination, Father Moses responded. If a crew wished to overthrow a cruel captain, that would be perfectly within the Code of Junil. Indeed, it would be their duty to do so. Samuel thought about Moses' words briefly, then said, But, then, that means they would not be giving their unquestioning obedience... Father Moses flipped the book to one of the first few pages and began reading. You are loyal first to Junil, then to your King. If your King is not loyal to Junil, and you must choose between the two loyalties, you must choose Junil. But what if Junil is wrong?
Father Moses stared slack-jawed at this suggestion for several moments before regaining his composure. Then, as if speaking to a small child, he continued. Junil is the Angel of Law. Even if, for some absurd and unimaginable reason, he would somehow want to break the Code, by definition, he could not, any more than you could swallow a horse whole. What I mean, is, what if the Code is wrong? Again, Father Moses looked at Samuel, as if genuinely worried for his sanity. The Code defines what is right or wrong. Therefore, it cannot be wrong. But what if the code said slavery was acceptable... It doesn't, though, because slavery is wrong. Things aren't right or wrong because they're in the Code. Things are in the Code because they are right or wrong. While Father Moses' tone remained cordial, there was a subtle hint of exasperation.
Samuel decided not to pursue the topic any further. Alright. But there's one thing I don't get. It says that the Order is not allowed to show mercy. But what if the criminal is repentant? Father Moses sighed. Every time I meet a follower of the Empyrean, they ask me about that. If you would continue reading, and not simply listen to those blasted Vicars, you would notice that the Code of Junil also says that the greatest victory is not the defeat of your foes, but their redemption. There is a difference between giving mercy and offering redemption, a difference the Empyrean does not understand no matter how many times I explain it to them. You, I hope, will prove smarter. Moses cracked his knuckles and began what was clearly an explanation he had given many times. Mercy is given. Redemption is earned. To give mercy is an insult to those the criminal has wronged. Can the murderer offer mercy to one he has already killed? To offer redemption is different. You are giving the criminal a chance to earn his freedom and his forgiveness. Whether or not he accepts is his choice. Even the most vicious of criminals could, theoretically, be reformed, if they chose to accept Junil and his Code. To be sure, accepting the Code of Junil will not allow them to go unpunished. That would be mercy, a specialty of the Empyrean. But by accepting the Code, the former criminal learns to accept his punishment without complaint, and come out of it a better man.
Samuel suddenly heard a familiar voice. Gods! I was wondering where you were, Samuel! Tried putting my moves on some Bannor women... I swear to the nearest... no, make that second nearest god, every one of them carries a knife! I think I'll be leaving them alone. Hang on, who's the old guy? Father Moses and Samuel turned to see Eric stride in and study them. Lemme guess, some crazy old confessor trying to talk you into following Junil, giving up your freedom, your mind, your body, your soul, so you can earn your place in the most boring of all the Heavens ever created. Try not to call him anything too nasty. I hear these old Order codgers bite.
And just when I was starting to think those rumors about the Lanun were false... you, at least, are as foul-mouth and blasphemous as they say. Father Moses glared at Eric angrily, and then added to Samuel, apparently, he knows you. You have my sympathies. Samuel remained quiet, but watched his friend nervously. Eric, meanwhile, continued approaching the old Confessor. So, what's Junil been up to? Not saving this gods-forsaken town, eh? Where is he anyways? Sitting back, watching his followers get whooped, wishing he could do something about it... pity he can't. Nope. He just gives you a hundred laws to follow and then says 'kill heretics, try not to get killed.' A wonderfully boring existence. What's the point in living if you don't have any fun, eh? Eric grinned at Father Moses. All these laws? Why? Who needs 'em? Here's what I say about your laws! And with that, Eric spat upon the Code of Junil. Father Moses grabbed his staff and was about to attack Eric, but Samuel stepped between them. I think we should go, he said. Father Moses continued glaring at Eric, before stating, yes, you should. Then he added, in a friendlier tone, if you wish to return, Samuel, by all means, do so. Just make sure next time, you tie your dog up properly. I hate having wild animals roaming around town.