Zenesta Hao—Always your pleasure is mine. Bendolû-iffon is one of the oldest cities of Ento. Through a study of historical works, personal investigation, and an acquaintance with ancient Ento Spirits, I have learned that its origin dates back to a period anterior to the establishment of the Government under one Supreme Ruler. Previous to this period the various countries of Ento were ruled by might, each ruler with his people occupying either an offensive or defensive attitude. Naturally the results of such a condition were inharmonious, yet strangely enough out of such inharmony Bendolû-iffon came into existence. Notwithstanding its apparent newness it is not built upon the ruins of an ancient city. Not at all. Despite its age, it never has been in a ruinous state, its inhabitants ever having considered it a Sacred obligation to maintain it at its best. Although it is built upon rock, everywhere are towering trees, shrubbery, climbing vines and a wealth of blooming plants. Chiefly through extensive excavations, filled with soil, this has been brought about; indeed largely the surface soil of lawns and gardens has been borrowed from elsewhere. From Phoemadon the city receives a plenteous water supply, and the climate of this region being all that can be desired, vegetation grows luxuriantly. Were we less pressed for time, you, Gentola̤, and your son would find much of interest in the really wonderful system of water supply of this rainbow hued city. No, no other city of Ento exhibits this peculiar color effect, and the story of its origin may serve to interest you. Unlike many historical and legendary narratives the story is absolutely true, the proofs of its integrity being indisputably evident.
During a period antecedent to the establishment of the National Government, Azokēon, King of Ra̤ûhû, was at enmity with Mēdos, King of Tsirma, and out of the angry impulses of the two Sovereigns grew bitter strife and warfare. Again and again, fierce relentless battles were fought, and in both armies so many were slain that at length both sovereigns grew alarmed lest complete extinction of their subjects might result, or, that what was more to be feared, other rulers perceiving their exhausted state, might take advantage of it to subjugate them, even as they sought to subjugate each other. Finally mutual adversity brought about a mutual desire for reconciliation, and that they might amicably adjust their real, or fancied grievances, a conference was agreed upon, and at a specified time the Sovereigns with their armies met on the crest of this plateau, across which was the boundary line between their two kingdoms.
The morning of the day set apart for the conference was fine and clear, the radiance from Andûmana̤'s abode bathing the home of His children as in a sea of light. With an exchange of courteous greetings the conference was opened, but as it proceeded, each Sovereign inclining toward his own interests, demanded more than either one was willing to concede to the other, and ere long their hostile minds threatened the conference with a disastrous conclusion. Suddenly ominous clouds swiftly climbed up from the western horizon, and a strange stillness, like that preceding the dread approach of Phra (Death) hushed all things into frightened silence. Over land and sea fell a ghastly shadow, deep as twilight, and in terrified dismay, Sovereigns and soldiery gazed into each other's eyes. Swiftly the tumultuous, inky clouds rushed across the sky, and fitful gusts of wind stirred all things into motion. Blinding lightning set the lurid air ablaze, and thunder so terrific, that it shook the foundations of Ento, attested to the anger of the incensed Deities. Then an unprecedented storm, in all its fury, burst upon the two armies, and so fierce was the lightning that many were stricken dead. Blinding torrents of rain fell from the dark, angry clouds, and mad gusts of wind swept across the rocky plateau, hurling confused masses of camp equipage and soldiery down the slope and into the surging waves of Phoemadon. Above the rushing, roaring fury of the tempest, arose the shrieks, groans and prayers of the terror stricken, unsheltered men who were powerless against the terrific onslaught of the elements, and the two sovereigns being equally endangered, were overwhelmed with awe and despair, recognizing that their iniquities had brought upon them and their inoffensive people the just vengeance of Andûmana̤ and the Deific ones. In their dire extremity they implored the Divine Messengers to entreat Andûmana̤ to stay His wrath lest Phra should utterly destroy them and their armies. Azokēon, the Sovereign of Ra̤ûhû, being a man of high courage, fine character and very devout, with hands upraised toward Andûmana̤'s obscured abode, cried aloud, "Creator and Preserver, and at Thy Will, Destroyer of the work of Thy hands, Sovereign of Sovereigns, God of all Gods, and Father of Thy righteous and unrighteous children, I beseech Thee to listen to Thy humbly repentant Son, who in taking vengeance into mine own hands have impiously offended Thee. Destroy me, oh destroy me utterly, but spare Thy unoffending children, who at my command and that of Mēdos, have striven to slay each other. For shame, that we have forgotten that we are brothers, we cover our faces and implore Thy mercy." Then, as in trembling expectancy, he awaited the dread touch of Phra's icy fingers, Mēdos clasped him about his knees, crying in piteous tones, "Andûmana̤, I, too, have grievously sinned against Thee. Destroy me too, if it may please Thee, for it is I, not my people, who foolishly have forgotten Thy Commandments. It is Azokēon and I who have forgotten that Ento and Ento's children are Thine, and that all men are our brothers. For him and for myself I implore Thy mercy, and Thy pardon, and henceforth, as we may do unto others, so do Thou unto us;" and Azokēon's Raû, Raû, Raû, was as fervent as his own. While they prayed the awful tempest raged, and the face of nature was as a distorted mask, then as suddenly as the tempest had burst upon the assembled armies, so suddenly came a lull in its activities, and presently the fierce turmoil subsided into comparative quiet, and slowly from his shining abode, Andûmana̤ drew away the dark cloud drapery, and a glorious effulgence irradiated the woful scene of the prostrate and stricken armies. At the same moment the archway to the entrance of Astranola̤ became visible to the eyes of the adoring Sovereigns and their soldiery. Stooping, Azokēon raised Mēdos to his feet, and as with extended arms and uplifted faces, they reverently gazed upon the gloriously beautiful archway, Azokēon's trembling lips brokenly murmured, "To Thee, Thou Supreme One, Who art All seeing, All knowing, and to Thy Messengers the Deific ones, to whom the thoughts and deeds of men are known, we, Azokēon and Mēdos, vow that as through Thy pitying love for Thy erring children, Thou hast not utterly destroyed us and our people, but hast shown to us the glorious archway, the sign that Thy displeasure is turned away from us, we, on this spot, will build cities which shall be a memorial of Thy mercy to us, and a perpetual reminder that henceforth we and our people, side by side, shall dwell in peace and unity;" and with fervor Mēdos responded, "As Azokēon hath said, so may it be, and should I fail in the performance of this vow, may the Gods visit upon me and mine swift and certain destruction."
Thus through the dread visitation of an unparalleled tempest, those two conscience stricken and humbled Sovereigns arrived at an amicable adjustment of their several differences, and thereafter they not only sustained toward each other harmonious relations, but remembering their mutual vow to Andûmana̤ and His Messengers, at once they set about its fulfillment. We now will move to a more central position over the city.
Beneath us now is a stupendous Column, whose dimensions exceed those of the loftiest Light Towers of Ento, its coloring being quite as peculiar as that of the edifices of the city. From base to capital, the stones of which it is composed represent all the colors of the rainbow, but so delicate are the tones that they are more pearly suggestions of, than positive colors. When at nightfall those two great arches on its apex are aglow with iridescent lights, the effect is enchantingly beautiful. I have mentioned that the conference was held on the boundary line separating the two kingdoms, and on the spot where they had learned their Wisdom Lesson, Azokēon and Mēdos reared the Memorial Column, which to this day is one of the noted objects of Ento. Do I believe that Andûmana̤ inflicted the tempest upon them for the special purpose of affording them much needed lessons of humility and mutual forbearance? Certainly not, but I do believe that every mortal experience is fraught with beneficence for those wise enough to comprehend the plainly expressed Laws of The Infinite One, who is the embodiment of unerring, unchanging law.
The wide avenue in which the column stands was the line of division between the two kingdoms, and peace having been declared, Azokēon and Mēdos, in fulfillment of their vow, began the erection of the two cities which should be so closely adjoined as to present the appearance of one city, and which ever should be known as Bendolû-iffon Tylûsa̤a̤ (rainbow hued cities).
In this region, as in others of Ento, there are quarries of most beautiful marbles and stones, and in numerous caverns there are great deposits of what to the Entoans is known as Ingloita̤, possessing a range of exquisite colorings. These varied materials were and still are used in the construction of Bendolû-iffon. Some persons might question the taste of Azokēon and Mēdos in building iridescent cities, but to them the accomplishment in a marked manner of their vow to Andûmana̤ and the gods was the all important matter. In pursuance of this object they issued a joint decree that thenceforth and forever all persons erecting structures in Bendolû-iffon Tylûsa̤a̤ must build in harmony with the coloring of the Memorial Column, and thus far the decree has been observed. On the base of the column is inscribed the story of the war, of the storm, of the vow of Azokēon and Mēdos, of the appearing of the sign of peace, of the reconciliation of the two Sovereigns, and of the decree which should perpetually be observed lest Andûmana̤ might avenge himself for the infidelity of his children of Bendolû-iffon Tylûsa̤a̤.
At that time the religion of the Entoans included much that was deplorably irrational and superstitious, but you who have come to understand that the Spiritual or real man and the natural or animal man sustain toward each other a most complex relation, are aware that superstition is wholly of the lower or physical plane of Being. As the Dual man creature evolves into finer conditions the Ego, the Spiritual Self, is better able to manifest its higher attributes, thus, though the Entoans still observe the superstitious beliefs of their religion, Spiritually they have outgrown them, and at a fitting opportunity gladly they will discard them and quickly they will manifest that despite ancient usages, Priestly influences, fear of the Deific Ones and a lack of knowledge concerning the continuity of existence, they are a Spiritualized people. Yes, superstitions become involved in the mentality of humans, forming what may be termed hereditary tendencies or traits. Fear being a most forceful trait of the Entoans, no one has dared, or perhaps cared, to act in opposition to the Decree chiselled in yonder majestic Column, and not until the new religion shall have dispelled old superstitious beliefs will the Entoans venture upon freedom of thought and conduct which we trust will not lead to the effacement of the unique beauty of Bendolû-iffon Tylûsa̤a̤, which long has been known as Bendolû-iffon, for when the Government became Centralized, kingdoms went out of fashion and the two cities became one.
De L'Ester—We are pleased that you and Bernard are as charmed as ourselves with this matchlessly lovely iridescent city, and we, too, will hope that a lessening belief in imaginary Gods and other superstitions may not lead to a modernizing of its unique features. Yes, Earth contains marbles and stones presenting the same colorings, but they are not likely to serve architectural purposes, at least not to the extent of building of them an entire city. We cannot now devote further time to Bendolû-iffon, but our future is all before us, so we only will say to it au revoir, for ere long we will return and you, Gentola̤, and this interested lad will be with us.