Adam the Follower's Story

Adam

Adam had sat through the entire sermon that The Disciple had just given. They have never been on equal terms, but Adam knew not to disrespect him while preaching. It wasn't right. He sang songs of praise along with the Echelon people and soaked in all the words that he had wanted to hear. It helped him keep his head high and believe that what he is doing will benefit his people. The Follower left the church soon after Zechariah did. He saw him go into the Dryad territory talking to the leader, Artemis.

Dryads were essential to survival, but he couldn't stand being there with them. It was mostly because of his relative that lives with them. He can't see her and refuses to let her see him. He keeps his distance and tries not to talk about his family much. He can tell that she thinks about him, but it is best just to stay away. He turned in the direction of the home that him and the Piper share. He placed his bible on the bed and sat down next to it. Not matter how many times he prays for success for his tribe nothing changes.

He opened up his bible and looked for verses to read that will help him get through the day.

2 Timothy 1:7 - For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Not everyone agreed with the way Adam interpreted the bible, but Adam doesn't see it that way. It even says god has given them power. Why not use it. He put the bible back down and went outside to join the others.

Zechariah did not catch anything, that day, so he would save the bait for another time. On his way back to the church, he saw Adam, whom he decided to try to ignore. Once at the church, the other clerics were there to begin the after-service meeting. As usual, he kept everyone organized.

"As you may already know, our must be beyond just words. As such, there is much that requires our attention, beginning with the homeless children still wandering about what's left of the city. They need loving individuals who will take them in and treat them as their own." He placed a list of them he found within the week. "Take a good look at the names of these children. We must post up notices for our people to find them before Power and Chaos do, and bring them to this church's orphanage without encountering those brutes. If we succeed, it will be a matter of finding people, Echelon or otherwise, who will adopt them."

The other Head Priest scratched his head and asked, "How do you know they are still alive?"

"All the more reason they must be found, now isn't it?" The Disciple went on with the rest of the list of things to do. "As usual, we have our morning breakfasts to give to help with poverty, mission trips to other tribes so to lend a hand and spread the Word, mediation between those who do not get along, and other duties we normally do. We have more work to do this week than last week, with plenty of requests all over the place for aid and mediation. Gentlemen, we are executing this to-do list, beginning today. Let's get to it. That is all I have to say on that."

Next, he went through what will be discussed next week. "Now, next Saturday we have to cover what is written on spiritual needs over the physical. There are plenty of scenarios where Jesus performed miracles, yet he makes clear the purpose. Our sermon has to go into detail on that, which will help to lower the resolve to continue rivalries with the other tribes due to more people seeking to discipline themselves spiritually. Any questions?"

Of course, there were some debates, yet everyone knew how much Zechariah uses the Bible to counter any arguments within the norm. Eventually, the entire conference was in agreement on what verses would be used for the sermon after working cooperatively on the matter. This was one of few places where the political climate of the tribes did not have much bearing on what should be done. the main focus was always God and spreading the Word through a combination of actions and words.

"That is all, gentlemen. I shall see you here, next week."

He went outside the church again, this time headed to the Piper's residence. Here was where he would check up on the current state of affairs. he was the advisor, after all. That meant he would always have to come here to handle politics, as much as he hated it. Then again, a Head Priest is, by tradition, an advisor to either the Piper or the Co-Piper. He felt blessed that he worked more closely with the Piper than Adam.

Adam the Follower

Adam had finished his daily prayer and The Disciple was talking at the after-service meeting. He spoke about helping the children and avoiding Power and Chaos. That was the only thing that the Follower and him agreed upon. Power and Chaos are crazy people that just want to claim all the tribes as their own. But Zechariah wants the children because it is the right thing to do. Adam wants the kids so that his tribe will grow stronger. Turn everyone into the followers of Christ and mold this place into God's image.

He stepped out of his residence to hear some more of the things that Zechariah would feed to the other clerics. He was already preparing another terrible seminar that would lead them in another direction. He wanted the Echelons to go towards greatness and power, not cower and submit to the people. Yes Jesus performed miracles, but what if getting Echelon to power was another miracle Jesus was trying to perform. He walked back inside his residence sitting at his desk with a few different bible versions open.

The meeting was over and the Disciple was making his way toward his residence. Letting out a long sigh and pretended to be friendly. "Hello Zechariah. Are you ready to discuss current affairs?" he asked running his hands through is hair. He wanted to get this over with, but these moments with him tend to last longer than necessary.

Zechariah heard Adam come in, his eyebrow arched in a manner which spoke bounds of observance. He knew Adam was only acting friendly, but he indulged him and remained calm. "Why else would I be here? What is going on, of note?"

Here comes the usual stuff he says. The Disciple would be surprised if he heard anything the Follower said reasonable. I'll bet he's going to complain about me being around Artemis. Clearly, he ignores what Jesus said about the sick needing a doctor. Of course, I should not press the Word too much. If anyone asks about it, I will gladly answer the questions.

"To start off with, I have seen you around the Grave Diggers. How did your latest diplomatic trip to them go? What did they say to your words?"

Adam the Follower

Adam didn't like the tone of voice Zechariah was using with him after all the work it took to pretend to be nice to him. Well that ship has sailed. Adam was going to question his visit to Dryad territory, but the Disciple had beat him to it. He was asking about his trip over to the grave diggers.

Adam tried to convince the Grave Diggers to believe in God the way that Echelon does, but they didn't listen. He ran his fingers through his hair and walked further into the room and sat in a chair a good distance away from him. "They will not convert, but they will continue to be out allies," he said. That was all that matter. Having allies would put the Echelon at the top.

"So what were you doing in Dryad territory today?" he asked. Echelon and the Dryad's weren't exactly friends. He refuses to be there because of his sister. No one in Echelon knows about her and he would like to keep it that way.

Zechariah shrugged. "I purchased some bait for fishing." Crossing his arms, he added, "You know, you can attract more flies with honey than vinegar, yet you still use vinegar. That is why I do what I do. I strive to show God's image through charitable actions, giving credit for the ability to do so to God. A man will better approach a believer when he knows he or she has no ill will towards them. Then, when the times comes that they are curious about what we believe, we answer their questions to the best of our ability. That is how we convert people, not through words alone. Talk is for naught when what is done does not reflect what is told."

The Disciple shook his head while looking sideways. "Pardon my rudeness. I just know how you truly react to what I do."