“You’re a fool Rénard! Can you not see? We have been told lies by the Church. The Leaf is no Divine Revelation. It makes no Divine Beverage. It never was or will ever be! The Church oppresses those who question the divinity of the Onyx Tree. It conceals the true nature of the Bitterfruit. It coerces those outside the Known Lands to perpetuate this corrupt Seed for its own profit and power.”

“Lies!” Rénard exclaimed. “I refuse to believe your blasphemy! End it! The Leaf has bettered us all. It makes us prosperous and productive. The words of the Shepherd and those after that came after him are Divine. Our Church has bettered this world.”

Jehari unveiled the cup with a darkened liquid in his hand and pushed it towards Rénard. Rénard startled, but quick in his reaction grasped the cup preventing it from spilling. Jehari with his last efforts, stoically said, “Thrice more efficient is the beverage of the Bitterfruit. Drink it for yourself. Let the truth be known and it shall set you free. If you believe in what I say, and what this drink will reveal to you, I shall be in the bazzar three days from now. It’s good to see you again old friend.” Thenafter, Jehari whisked away into the shadows.

Rénard gazed into the cup, darkened much like the Divine Beverage. He contemplated and was shaken on what was said. Curious yet afraid of what could be true, Rénard plucked the cup on his lips. But just before the drink would pour over for him to consume, there was a change of mind and a change of heart. Furiously, he flung the cup away from him.