Heritage

Harald came to Thorleif house with Rafka in chains a couple of days later. She did not look well. She was back bounded, dirty and in despair. Her left foot had an open wound that bled a lot. Rafka has something to confess, Harald said. I ask for an extra-ordinary religious council meeting. Thorleif had come to respect Harald’s judgment and assembled the council.

When assembled, Thorleif addressed Harald and said, please state your case. I have proof that Rafka manipulates minds. She was caught intruding my office at night. Do you have witnesses, Thorleif asked. My whole staff and certain other colonists are witnesses. She made George tell his secrets of security matter. George rose; outrages, he shouted. I have never done such a thing. You have never done such a thing willingly and to your knowledge, Harald added. Peter was curious and asked; is she a hex? In your terms; yes she is. But I suggest not considering this issue in such simple views. Peter had already made up his mind.

Thorleif asked; before we continue, can you tell me what this hex business is about? Peter rose, hex means six. There is a prophecy by John the disciple in the Christian New Testament, about evil rising before judgment day. Its number is 666 and we know all too well what that means. The Whore of Babylon will ride the beast and cause huge damages. A hex is a part of that evil and executes it. Only Christians can detect it and fight it, just as we detected the hex that burned down Knut’s family. Harald and Thorleif looked at each other with a common understanding not to reveal details about the girl’s background. George rose; excuse me Peter for correcting you. The burning ritual is not a Christians, but an Asir way. It is in the Norse script that the Asirs tried to burn the Vanir Gullveig to death three times. They failed, which means that she was a true Vanir. I most certainly oppose such cruel tests. I too, Hans said to their surprise. This is a test for divine beings, not people. People have no right to do such at all, unless they consider themselves an Asir. At least we can agree on something, he added. Peter, you are not an Asir.

Thorleif interrupted; let’s go on with the case. Rafka, Harald have made some accusations. What do you say to your defense? She was silent. Very well then, Harald you made some accusations about George too. Please elaborate on that. I told George a secret of the utmost importance. I trust George’s loyalty and yet Rafka knew the secret and acted upon it. Remember I whispered in your ear that I have a plan for extended security measures in my desk, he asked George. Yes, I found it strange, but have certainly not told anybody about it. You have told Rafka without your own knowledge, Harald said. She is able to put anyone into trance and make them talk in their state of unconsciousness. She asked you about your secrets and you answered unwillingly without remembering it. Do not worry, George, you have not done any crime. You are rather a victim of mental rape. George frowned at Rafka, if this is true, your secrets will be exposed as well. Harald was pleased to hear that.

He continued, I must confess that I lied to you George. Now everyone was puzzled. I mean, I lied about the plan for extended security measures. There is no such plan. I am sorry that I used you as bait for Rafka, but I suspected she was already using you. In fact, I suspected that she had taken all your secrets, even the information of this council and the board. Now Thorleif rose and frowned, is that possible? Rafka knows every secrets and plans of this council, the board, and the personal ambitions and experiences of several key persons. She also knows how to manipulate them. She took my lie from Georges mind and believed it to be true. She acted upon it and sneaked into my office at night. She did not find any plan, but stepped into the fox trap. The next morning, my staff, and some other persons, witnessed it.

Remember my recruit’s dream, Thorleif? He recognized Rafka as the elder woman that accidentally appeared and escaped, in his dream. There was a long pause. The board needed time to get used to the reviled secret world of deceive and mischief. That is it then, Thorleif said the case is closed. Harald stopped him. Excuse me for interrupting. I have not come to the main plot yet. In that case, Thorleif said, I need a long break first. He went out the backroom. After a while they could hear his sobbing turn to cries.

The council assembled again. I am ready, I think I can take anything now, Thorleif said. Harald, started out slow. It’s about love. I can take anything, Thorleif thought to himself. Harald continued; it is possible to manipulate emotions as well. As my recruit experienced, it is possible to plant the illusions of love into a mind. Let’s imagine the recruit was married, he would certainly feel guilt, that his wife probably would notice and the family could break up in jealousy or counter unfaithfulness. With such manipulation, the colony can crack from within. Anyway, it is also possible to plant manic emotions indifferent to love, in a persons mind. If so, the victim can not resist a seduction of the person his mind is set to. In that way, a hex can get any father she wants for her child, without his knowledge. Hans turned pale. He excused himself, ran out of the room and vomited. They had a short break. Once Hans was inside again, Harald continued. However, he said, the child is legally the heir to the father’s properties, if it’s the eldest boy. He waited, to let the board think about it. If it’s a girl, she will be adapted to the cult, and in time try such seduction herself. If it’s a boy, but not the eldest son …. Harald, waited to regain his voice. If not, he continued, the true heir is most certainly lost in an accident, or a futile war. He waited and looked down. Finally he said; this colony is in the midst of such a process. Check out all the pregnant Asir followers. He waited a long time, before saying. I have stated my case and leave the rest to you. Please excuse me, he said and went to the backroom.

After a long quite period, Hans rose. I once said that the Vanir test is not for humans to do to humans. I am a believer, and I do not know anymore. George rose and said; all my inner thoughts have been stolen. It is my right to have the copies eliminated. Peter raised and said, for our children’s sake, free them from the hex thralldom. There was a long pause. Thorleif finally asked Rafka; what do you say? She looked up and said; this is my Promised Land. Then finally Thorleif rose. He looked at the board and said; I am disqualified in this case. Let justice be done. Then he left the room.

There was a unified meeting for the whole colony that night. Like Rafka had stolen their personal secrets, they shared her personal secrets in public. The whole colony went through the same phases of shock, disbelief, anger and realization. In the end there was no emotion, just a collective sense of justice. They simple went to the prison, broke in, took Rafka, and tied her to a pole. There was a large pile of wood and a fire nearby. Every adult colonist took a stick sat fire to it, went in turn to Rafka and laid it by her feet. Soon there was a huge pile of burning wood underneath her. Rafka had gone into a sleeping trance long before that. Then they all stood and watched her burn all night through. When there was nothing left, they went quietly home. Finally there was time for a long collective recreation.