JARROD

The ever-shining sun sent warm rays that set the jewels in the tops of the city buildings glistening.  A soft breeze brushed across Jarrod’s face as he strolled to the pyramid shaped building in the middle of the main street.  He smiled to himself.  “Another glorious day!” he said out loud.

“Indeed, Master Jarrod, it is another glorious day, as was yesterday, and the day before.  What puts you in such a happy mood, my friend.”

“My dear Titus, I have just been inspired by the marvelous progress of my new class.  They are all so eager -- so hungry to learn the truths we teach here.  It does my heart good to see them come from ignorance to light.  It is good!”

Titus accompanied Jarrod into the building and down the long crystal-floored hallway that led to the viewing room. “I haven’t been in the viewing room since my training days. It seems that I’ve been so busy, and so content with my own life that I have simply lost interest in the goings on in the rest of the star system.”  Titus walked with his hands behind his back and his head slightly bowed.

“Do not let that bother you, Titus,” Jarrod quickly spoke up.  “Not everyone is expected to take interest in the universe.  You are an excellent musician, hardly the kind of person to get involved in the affairs of so many diverse peoples.  As a teacher, I have interest in all life here or anywhere in the universe.  If my teaching, along with others, can keep peace on the inhabited planets I will indeed be content.”

In the theater-like viewing room, resting on royal blue velvet armchairs, Jarrod and Titus watched on the giant screen the major current events of all the planets in their star system.  Of the twelve, only two planets were still in a primitive stage.  Teriana, the larger of the two, was of particular interest to Jarrod.  Thousands of years ago, he initiated a plan to populate the nearly barren planet with representatives from each of the other planets.

The peace that prevailed for hundreds of years was first threatened when rebels on the red planet, Opus, were seized and banished.  They took their aggressions and lust for power to the unsuspecting inhabitants of Teriana.  Unrest and small skirmishes gave way to war and a divided people, as Teriana became the stopping-off point for many undesirables as time went by.

They watched in silence when at the touch of a button Teriana’s masses were before them on the screen.  Their political arena was in shambles.  Their established laws and age-old religions were sacred to only a few.  Their military forces stood armed, hoping for battle.  Fear and pain colored the faces of the elderly.

Finally, the two angelic beings quietly walked out into the brilliant daylight.  The huge fountain in front of the pyramid was alive with water that gave the appearance of liquid diamonds.  A low musical hum accompanied the dancing streams that flew high into the air before collecting in the clear pool at the base.

Jarrod gazed into the water, but was still silent.  Sensing his friend’s desire to be alone, Titus went his way.  “Yet another war brewing on Teriana,” he thought.  “When will they learn?”

In the days that followed, Jarrod went about his routine as usual, teaching and assisting those new to the golden planet of Kanon.  Thoughts of Teriana often invaded his mind, but he spoke to no one on the subject.

Weeks passed.  One evening, a messenger from the Hall of Justice approached Jarrod as he sat with friends on the lawn at an open-air concert.  The Supreme Judge desired his presence in the Great Hall.

A thousand candles burned on a raised alter behind the tall impressive-looking man who greeted him in the large elaborately decorated circular room.  His silver, wavy hair barely touched his shoulders and his golden robe seemed to shine with a light from within.

“My friend,” said the judge as he embraced the equally impressive Jarrod.  “It has been a while since our last greeting.  I am glad you came.”   The judge was leading his guest to a smaller room off from the Great Hall.  “Do make yourself comfortable,” he said as they entered the room.  Two attendants entered from the opposite side of the room with tall glasses of golden nectar, and a crystal bowl of fruit.  The soft illumination that filled the room seemed to come from all directions, but no source of the amber light was visible.

The two men sat on over-stuffed white cushions on the floor.  Three huge pots of green and gold foliage hung from a jewel-speckled ceiling in front of the wide paneless window that took up most of the north side of the room.  Warm gentle winds brushed against the white chiffon curtains that lined the northern wall. 

“I cannot say I was surprised to receive your invitation, Your Honor,” Jarrod said.  “I knew my deep concern for the inhabitants of Teriana would disturb you, but I wished to come to some decision on what to do before speaking with you.”

“I know,” the judge said softly.  He looked steadfastly into Jarrod’s glowing dark eyes.  “And have you reached a decision?”

Jarrod sat his glass on the round table before him and stood up.  “An idea is constantly with me.  It is a big step; therefore, I felt the need for extremely careful planning.  I haven’t entertained such a thought since my sojourn on Delphy a millennia ago.”  He spoke in a pensive manner.

“You want to live with the Terianans for a while,” the wise judge revealed calmly.

“Yes,” Jarrod answered.

“Your record as a peacemaker is known throughout the civilized worlds, and it is doubtful that you will ever be surpasse