Mikaela Martinez Dettinger: Orual's complaint against the gods

     Orual, I have heard your complaint and I come to pass judgment upon you in the name of the gods. I am known to the Greeks, such as your Fox, by the name Artemis, but I have many names. I have watched your care for Psyche and how it has made the clear your worst aspects. I have seen how your love of her has turned to possession and you have hurt many because of it. 

     I have heard your story of how the gods have wronged you and how you wish a judgment to pass against them. There is no such judge to monitor the doings of the gods, but even so the wrongdoings you name are your own. You cared for the goddess Istra as a young creature and as she grew, but you expected a love from her which cannot be expected in the relationship you fostered. You made room for only the two of you, but the goddess Istra's heart was open to many more. This is what has caused your own pain. Your claim that it is the gods who took her from you is a delusion of your own making and indicates the presence of a grave sin. Istra was never yours to be taken from. She was a blessings meant for the people and to think that you had any possession over her speaks of a selfish delusion and a coldness towards the people over which you rule. Should not a beauty and a blessing as you recognized her to be exist for the people to learn and care for such as cultures do with great art? 

     Further, child Orual, you took offense at the story of the gods Cupid and Istra for you claimed the gods had made you the villain. But, it is the greatest truths that reveal themselves in the stories made about the gods, and it is true that you ruined her happiness for your own jealousy. Whether or not you could see the palace you could see your sister's happiness in serving a greater purpose. It was your jealousy that you no longer had her to your own which led you to ruin her happiness. You tried to exert a control over her by playing on her own kindness because you could not look past your own needs to let your sister fulfill her purpose she had known since she was a child. 

    In your obsession with being the ultimate for your sister you have offended the gods. You made her your idol and your love for her you made greater than your love to the divine. You hurt the Fox in neglecting that you were both children of his heart. You denied him the peace of knowing Psyche to be at rest. The ruthlessness with which you pursued what you called justice for Istra made you narrowminded and stingy with your compassion. Your care was only for Istra and in doing this you pushed all other aside, especially Redival who needed guidance as much as Istra. 

    I am sent to give you a punishment for your sins, yet you are already punishing yourself in the way you choose to live. My sentence, therefore, is that Glome shall be the capital of the goddess Istra and all who come shall worship and learn the story of the selfish sister. You will learn the story too. You will give thanks to the gods that we have kept her near, but you will be faced everyday with the consequences of your selfishness. 

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