Editing Zerthimon (section)

===The Third Circle===
Zerthimon labored many turnings for the '''illithid''' Arlathii Twice-Deceased and his partnership in the cavernous heavens of the False Worlds. His duties would have broken the backs of many others, but Zerthimon labored on, suffering torment and exhaustion.

It came to pass that the '''illithid''' Arlathii Twice-Deceased ordered Zerthimon before him in his many-veined galleria. He claimed that Zerthimon had committed slights of obstinance and cowardice against his partnership. The claim had no weight of truth, for Arlathii only wished to '''know''' if flames raged within Zerthimon's heart. He wished to '''know''' if Zerthimon's heart was one of a slave or of a rebel.

"Zerthimon surrendered to the '''illithid''' punishment rather than reveal his new-found strength. He '''knew''' that were he to show the hatred in his heart, it would serve nothing, and it would harm others that felt as he. He chose to endure the punishment and was placed within the Pillars of Silence so he might suffer for a turning."

Lashed upon the Pillars, Zerthimon moved his mind to a place where pain could not reach, leaving his body behind. He lasted a turning, and when he was brought before Arlathii Twice-Deceased, he gave gratitude for his punishment to the '''illithid''' as was custom. In so doing, he proved himself a slave in the '''illithid''' eyes while his heart remained free.

By enduring and quenching the fires of his hatred, he allowed Arlathii Twice-Deceased to think him weak. When the time of the Rising came, Arlathii was the first of the '''illithid''' to '''know''' death by Zerthimon's hand and die a third death.

'''Parable:''' Endure. In enduring, grow strong.

It takes the Nameless One 14+ [[Wisdom]] to understand this parable.