Episode #5 of The Rogue Dialogues: Inner Healing for Leadership

Continued from Adept, Wisdom

A serious-looking, raven-haired young woman with a sable cloak and green eyes enters the room.

Seer: Thena? My lady Thena, art thou here?

Thena: [entering] Rogue, my dear child, how you have grown! Who are you today?

S. I hast followed thy advice and become a Seer. My life is devoted to seeing others as they are, not as I wish them to be. I can even see the invisible kingdom alongside the kingdoms of man.

T. Wonderful! I am so proud of you. But why did you say this was my advice?

S. For sooth, that is the reason I sought thee out, for fear I hath misunderstood thy intent when last we met.

T. What did you think I meant?

S. I was an Adept strong in battle, yet thou shewed me fretful and vulnerable as ever I lost sight of my surroundings, or thee. I took this as a challenge to improve my vision.

T. That challenge was well-taken, dear child. But are you concerned you may have taken it too far?

S. Yea, verily. For I am now so besotten with every little detail, I know not whence to act. I see all sides of a conflict, and the Justice and Pain behind each, so that my heart is torn every which way and darest not choose sides.

T. Gentle Seer, I honor the pain you carry. While it was not my intent to place this great burden upon a you, yet I am so proud you took the narrow path until its bitter end.

S. But what good hath I done? Hast I not wasteth my life, if all I do is see and not act?

T. Seer, you surprise me! Do you truly not see the great power of seeing?

S. Mistress, thou justly shamest me. I took such great pride in my vision that I thought I hath seen it all. Please forgive me.

T. Seer, I see your humility and honor you for it. I see the pure hunger that drove you to discipline your mind and body; and also the vanity and insecurity that both spurred you on and crippled you.

T. I see your childlike curiosity, as well as your selfish desire for superior knowledge. Your longing to help, and your need for control. Your deep compassion — and subtle judging. Know that I see you, with all your glory and all your flaws, and love you all the more for both of them.

Seer, overcome, kneels down and weeps. Thena reaches down and gently strokes her hair.

T. Seer, the power of seeing is the second of God’s Great Acts. The first is to Beget. The second is to Behold. No life is wasted even if devoted to just one of these.

Seer rises. Thena hugs her fiercely, then holds her at arms length.

S. Mother, what shadow of trouble so darkens thy brow?

T. O, daughter!

Thena collapses. Seer kneels beside her.

S. Mother, what illness hath befallen thee?

T. No illness, child. But darkness. A darkness woven into my bones before the foundation of this world.

S. Is there no cure? Thou has taught me to seek so far, surely somewhere I mayest find thy succor?

T. No… but yes. Even Wisdom has its limits, child. Your instinct was right. To be a Seer is a great and agonizing call. But the one that comes after is much more of both. And that step… I cannot take with you.

S. No! Dearest mother, thou hast always been my sweetest friend. Let me abide with thee still, even if I must die with thee.

T. O my darling Rogue, how tempted I am to spare you the bitter cup that awaits. But such decisions are not mine to make. I am not worthy to choose the time and place of my own death, much less yours.

Thena seems to have aged a century. She lies back on the ground.

T. Come close to me, child. There is but one path left, if you would save my life and fulfill your destiny.

Seer grips Thena’s suddenly frail hand with two of hers. She lowers her ears to Thena’s lips.

T. [inaudible]

Seer screams and jumps to her feet.

S. No! No, please. No, not that! Never!!

Weeping and wailing, Seer runs off into the darkness.
While Wisdom lays dying in the light.

Continued in Diarogue 6/7: Carnus, War