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Piloncilus: A Rhentarri Story
A short story within the world of Rhentarri and set in pre-war Tufaltha, a town on the edge of the Varjaw. This tale, at once heartwarming and heartbreaking, guides the reader through profound considerations about life, suffering, death, and eternal bliss -- all from the point of view of sweet Maj, a simple Tufalthan girl who happens upon a mysterious creature named Piloncilus.
49 pages, Paperback
Published June 24, 2024
About the author
John Sester, LC
2 books19 followersDeacon John Sester is a Legionary of Christ religious, creative writer, and art enthusiast.
He grew up in a quiet town in central Minnesota until “joining up” as a religious with the Legionaries of Christ. He enjoys fiction and storytelling, movies, and anything that involves creativity and imagination. He also dabbles in singing, playing instruments, songwriting, sketching, digital painting, poetry, and short stories, and has been working on this novel trilogy for almost ten years.
After two years of novitiate (spiritual formation), he studied Classical Humanities at the Legionaries of Christ College in Connecticut and then Philosophy and Theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome. He also spent two years in Mexico City as a student mentor and youth ministry auxiliary. He currently serves as formator and teacher at Sacred Heart Apostolic School in Rolling Prairie, Indiana.
He was ordained a deacon in September 2026, and (God willing) will be ordained a priest of the Catholic Church in April 2027.
Follow my future writing and art projects here:
Instagram: @john_sester_lc
Facebook Profile: John Sester LC
LinkedIn: johnsesterlc
He grew up in a quiet town in central Minnesota until “joining up” as a religious with the Legionaries of Christ. He enjoys fiction and storytelling, movies, and anything that involves creativity and imagination. He also dabbles in singing, playing instruments, songwriting, sketching, digital painting, poetry, and short stories, and has been working on this novel trilogy for almost ten years.
After two years of novitiate (spiritual formation), he studied Classical Humanities at the Legionaries of Christ College in Connecticut and then Philosophy and Theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome. He also spent two years in Mexico City as a student mentor and youth ministry auxiliary. He currently serves as formator and teacher at Sacred Heart Apostolic School in Rolling Prairie, Indiana.
He was ordained a deacon in September 2026, and (God willing) will be ordained a priest of the Catholic Church in April 2027.
Follow my future writing and art projects here:
Instagram: @john_sester_lc
Facebook Profile: John Sester LC
LinkedIn: johnsesterlc
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 25, 2026
The author of this shared photos of a proof copy of a novel on social media. It looked intriguing so I went searching. This was the only piece I could find published to date, and it is related that mentioned novel; though at this point I am uncertain how. There are a few published stories on his site that seem related as well. But back to the work at hand.
The description of the story states:
“A short story within the world of Rhentarri and set in pre-war Tufaltha, a town on the edge of the Varjaw. This tale, at once heartwarming and heartbreaking, guides the reader through profound considerations about life, suffering, death, and eternal bliss -- all from the point of view of sweet Maj, a simple Tufalthan girl who happens upon a mysterious creature named Piloncilus.”
About the author we are informed:
“Brother John Sester is a Legionary of Christ religious, seminarian, creative writer, and art enthusiast.
He grew up in a quiet town in central Minnesota until "joining up" as a religious brother with the Legionaries of Christ. He enjoys fiction and storytelling, movies, and anything that involves creativity and imagination. He also dabbles in singing, playing instruments, songwriting, sketching, digital painting, poetry, and short stories; and has been working on a novel trilogy for almost eight years.
After two years of Novitiate (spiritual formation), he studied Classical Humanities at the Legionaries of Christ College in Connecticut, and then Philosophy and Theology at the Pontifical Atheneum Regina Apostolorum in Rome. He also spent two years in Mexico City as a student mentor and youth ministry auxiliary.”
I do not often highlight when reading fiction but highlight three passages when reading this to share with my teenage children. They were:
“I knew Maj. She at least was real. Given, she was young. She may have been confused or let her imagination get the better of her. The tale, however, is too touching not to be true, that is if beauty can be a basis for truth. But for now, leave that square, intellectual babble to the wisemen and suspend disbelief. I assure you it’s worth it.”
““You know what to do. Be for the humans here what you were for me. Protect, love, and serve them. Give them the bits of goodness that you shared with me. That’s what gives time in Lowerwind its unique beauty.”
“The limits of Lowerwind are there for a reason. Use the weights in this world to catapult you upwards toward the next. Use the pain to stretch and grow. You have a beautiful opportunity here in Lowerwind. Tufaltha is a beautiful reality, and you’ll only have it for a time. Embrace it like you’re embracing me. Embrace it until you can embrace me again.””
The creature if called an Opinicuses, it can speak, and describes itself as a mic of a mix eagle and lion, or what we would recognize as a griffin. But since it is very young in this story Maj calls it a rat-bird. At least early on.
This is a moving little story, a young girl, living in poverty, with a drunken and likely abusive father. While playing a game discovers a small wounded creature and takes pity on it. Over a few days she nurses it and care for it. But not all goes well. It is a story that speaks to a world to come, and or actions echoing in eternity. It is a story of friendship, even if a very strange one. And it appears to be the beginning of a much larger story.
Read reviews of other books by from the Catholic Truth Society on my blog Book Reviews and More.
The description of the story states:
“A short story within the world of Rhentarri and set in pre-war Tufaltha, a town on the edge of the Varjaw. This tale, at once heartwarming and heartbreaking, guides the reader through profound considerations about life, suffering, death, and eternal bliss -- all from the point of view of sweet Maj, a simple Tufalthan girl who happens upon a mysterious creature named Piloncilus.”
About the author we are informed:
“Brother John Sester is a Legionary of Christ religious, seminarian, creative writer, and art enthusiast.
He grew up in a quiet town in central Minnesota until "joining up" as a religious brother with the Legionaries of Christ. He enjoys fiction and storytelling, movies, and anything that involves creativity and imagination. He also dabbles in singing, playing instruments, songwriting, sketching, digital painting, poetry, and short stories; and has been working on a novel trilogy for almost eight years.
After two years of Novitiate (spiritual formation), he studied Classical Humanities at the Legionaries of Christ College in Connecticut, and then Philosophy and Theology at the Pontifical Atheneum Regina Apostolorum in Rome. He also spent two years in Mexico City as a student mentor and youth ministry auxiliary.”
I do not often highlight when reading fiction but highlight three passages when reading this to share with my teenage children. They were:
“I knew Maj. She at least was real. Given, she was young. She may have been confused or let her imagination get the better of her. The tale, however, is too touching not to be true, that is if beauty can be a basis for truth. But for now, leave that square, intellectual babble to the wisemen and suspend disbelief. I assure you it’s worth it.”
““You know what to do. Be for the humans here what you were for me. Protect, love, and serve them. Give them the bits of goodness that you shared with me. That’s what gives time in Lowerwind its unique beauty.”
“The limits of Lowerwind are there for a reason. Use the weights in this world to catapult you upwards toward the next. Use the pain to stretch and grow. You have a beautiful opportunity here in Lowerwind. Tufaltha is a beautiful reality, and you’ll only have it for a time. Embrace it like you’re embracing me. Embrace it until you can embrace me again.””
The creature if called an Opinicuses, it can speak, and describes itself as a mic of a mix eagle and lion, or what we would recognize as a griffin. But since it is very young in this story Maj calls it a rat-bird. At least early on.
This is a moving little story, a young girl, living in poverty, with a drunken and likely abusive father. While playing a game discovers a small wounded creature and takes pity on it. Over a few days she nurses it and care for it. But not all goes well. It is a story that speaks to a world to come, and or actions echoing in eternity. It is a story of friendship, even if a very strange one. And it appears to be the beginning of a much larger story.
Read reviews of other books by from the Catholic Truth Society on my blog Book Reviews and More.
July 8, 2024
What a heartwarming tale. I really enjoyed this little story of a young girl and her instinctive response to a creature in need. At an early age she learns a lesson it takes many a lifetime to understand: Our life on earth can only be understood in comparison with eternity. In the prose I picked up traces of C.S. Lewis and Saint-Exupéry. I wonder if they were influences on the author.
August 1, 2026
A heartfelt and beautiful read! 🥹 It drew me in from beginning to end. The story of Maj and Pilo, together with its portrayal of heaven and earth, was deeply moving and made the reality of saying goodbye feel so real. A touching story about love, hope, and letting go that will stay with you long after you finish reading. ❤️📖
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys stories that touch the soul and stay with you long after you've turned the last page. 🥹📖✨
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys stories that touch the soul and stay with you long after you've turned the last page. 🥹📖✨
September 18, 2024
Muyyy bueno y con muchas sorpresas..!! Esperando cuando vas a sacar la version en español.
Great work!
Great work!
December 2, 2024
A very beautifully written story! I really recommend it!
November 27, 2024
Precious and endearing, hopeful and humbling. Endearing character details give readers joy in getting to know Maj and the mysteriously gracious creature, Piloncilus. A precious story gets witnessed from their special encounter. The tale has a shining hope.
Smooth narration and words, that bring all that it describes into vivid life in readers’ imagination - from the likes of nature, human, texture and senses to deeper and invisible reality of the spirit. Profound values of faith discussed in beautiful allegory. It is a book I’d love to go back and read again, time after time.
Smooth narration and words, that bring all that it describes into vivid life in readers’ imagination - from the likes of nature, human, texture and senses to deeper and invisible reality of the spirit. Profound values of faith discussed in beautiful allegory. It is a book I’d love to go back and read again, time after time.
December 23, 2024
Achingly beautiful.
Those are the only two words needed to describe this little short story. Which is good, because it's hard to find words to describe this story. I've read this author's work in the past and was delighted to find he'd finally published a short story from the world of his Eagle and Ceder trilogy.
Maj and Piloncilus are two special characters who's lives intersect in a very special way. It's an endearing reflection of life here on earth, and of what awaits us in the Upperwind. A reminder that we have this life, this beautiful, hard life, for only a little while and we need to make the most of it. That the pain of this world brings out the beauty of it. And that while this is not our home- we are on our way to it.
There was a little humor that amused, and there was deep wisdom that soothed. In a way, it's like Tolkien's own style with The Hobbit. Filled with things that resonate with your soul, yet always steering clear of preachiness and capturing you with the story itself. This is all that a short story needs to be.
"The limits of Lowerwind are there for a reason. Use the weights in this world to catapult you upwards toward the next."
"And there will be no end…"
Those are the only two words needed to describe this little short story. Which is good, because it's hard to find words to describe this story. I've read this author's work in the past and was delighted to find he'd finally published a short story from the world of his Eagle and Ceder trilogy.
Maj and Piloncilus are two special characters who's lives intersect in a very special way. It's an endearing reflection of life here on earth, and of what awaits us in the Upperwind. A reminder that we have this life, this beautiful, hard life, for only a little while and we need to make the most of it. That the pain of this world brings out the beauty of it. And that while this is not our home- we are on our way to it.
There was a little humor that amused, and there was deep wisdom that soothed. In a way, it's like Tolkien's own style with The Hobbit. Filled with things that resonate with your soul, yet always steering clear of preachiness and capturing you with the story itself. This is all that a short story needs to be.
"The limits of Lowerwind are there for a reason. Use the weights in this world to catapult you upwards toward the next."
"And there will be no end…"
February 13, 2025
On a dark and gloomy afternoon, have you ever felt like curling up on a comfortable seat near a cozy fire and reading an inspiring short story, but you just didn’t know what book to turn to? Well, allow me to introduce a fabulous option for any such occasion: “Piloncilus: A Rhentarri Story” by John Sester. This tale is short. This tale is deep. This tale is awe-inspiring. Few stories will simultaneously pull at your heart strings, entice your imagination, elevate your mind, and inspire within you a beam hope from a higher realm as this one will. Readers of all ages and backgrounds will be moved by this tale and its charming characters. I am looking forward to future books from this young author.
August 3, 2025
A must read! This book will consume your waking hours. Perhaps even you sleeping hours too. It’s addictive, because the story never slows down, and it never gets boring. You (reader) can gather as much while reading and yet, you won’t be ready when that ending hits you, right in the chest. All the feels (emotional), you might even be in your head for a few days after from what it will leave within you.
July 17, 2024
Captivating and deeply thoughtful
It is often difficult with the limitations of a short story to grab the reader's attention and also convey the intended message on those few pages. But the author did it with grace, creativity, a sense of wonder, depth of feeling and a fabulous writing style. I can't wait to read whatever he writes next.
It is often difficult with the limitations of a short story to grab the reader's attention and also convey the intended message on those few pages. But the author did it with grace, creativity, a sense of wonder, depth of feeling and a fabulous writing style. I can't wait to read whatever he writes next.
September 26, 2024
Very good book, easy to read and understand, yet very deep and meaningful. I hope everyone reads this book. And the author is amazing.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews