The Quintus Ennius family/Aeneas preaching2'

Aeneas did what he always did as soon as he arrived in Ibladesh and every morning he woke up there. He walked to the awesome temple in Ibladesh, stood before the statue of Sartan and kneeled before it.

"Great Sartan, god of war. God of generals and knights, of the brave and the allmighty. Hear me oh great Sartan, for I pray to thee. Give us strength in these times of trouble, bring us power in these hard times. For we pray to thee. Give courage to our men on the battlefield, grant them the spirit to fight on and protect our empire and our faith, for we pray to thee." After these words Aeneas stood up again.

As often happened a small crouwd had gathered around Aeneas staring at him as he prayed out loud. This time however Aeneas wore the robes of an Ibladeshian Priest. As he stood up he noticed the people, mostly commoners and peasants. However he noticed the presence of a few soldiers as well, but he could not see any noblemen yet.

"People of Ibladesh, have you prayed to the gods? Have you looked up and thanked the Pantheon for all it has given you? Some of you have not, have you? Do not take the gifts of the gods for granted. The fury of the gods can be harsh I tell you. I have been out there on the battlefield of which you only hear tails. I have seen men die by the hundreds if not thousands. Where the gods cannot spare all life as nature must remain in balance they will spare the faithful a horrific death. I have seen men with swords stuck in their back, unable to move, yet still alive. Screaming out of pain, in the end relieved by their own countrymen. But not before experiencing the most horrific hell known to men. I have seen men bleed to death after their arms were cut off, or their legs. That is the faith of heathens, for those men I saw experiencing those horrific pains where the same soldiers who never prayed, who never went to a priest for blessing or even rejected the faith at all."

Aeneas took a short breath and looked around in the crowd, the crowd had grown largely in numbers. Soldiers had left and returned with their masters or fellow men. Peasents and noblemen had gathered around him.

"However those who remained faithful, who pray to thee who grants them life and family. Who grants them gold and land, shelter and food. Those who remained faithful died quickly. They suffered no pain and no horor, they fought bravely and with honour and they prayed. These men were spared the pain and suffering of the heathen soldiers next to them. I have seen this all happen, these are no fairytails. Look at the face of the soldiers around you and you will know I speak the truth!"

And again he took a short breath and paused for a maximum affect. He wanted the people understand and to feel al he had told them. Then he continued his speach again: "And do you think the gods would take much trouble to safe heathens, in life or on the battlefield? That they move heaven and earth to relieve a heathen's soul. No, that soul will suffer for eternity. I have seen men being saved by what can only be the hand of Sartan, blades that hit the neck and men that survived it and fought on further with the absence of pain. His life was saved and his pain was cured by Sartan. Not all battles can be won, that far the gods will not interfere. But they will assist those who are faithful."

"So be aware people of Ibladesh, be aware and pray. Thank the gods for their gifts and pray for their mercy and their love. And they will grant it to you!"

After Aeneas had said this, he turned around and kneeled before the statue once more. This time he started praying in silence.