“Or what?” he sneered, pushing her down on the ground. “What are you gonna do about it?” he taunted, laughing slightly.
Eeliyah grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it at his face, getting some of it in his eyes.
“You’re gonna get it now!” he growled as he swiped at his eyes and charged at her.
He slapped her repeatedly. My blood boiled as I watched. Biklish laughed even harder as Eeliyah wailed and begged him to stop, but he didn’t. Instead, he began to kick her as she lay on the ground, helplessly trying to fend off his attacks.
My head was pounding as a wave of rage washed over me. I couldn’t take any more. All the horrific things I’d experienced in my young life had pushed me to the breaking point. This was the last straw and I snapped. I saw red. I grabbed my shovel, climbed the piled-stone wall, and walked toward him. I couldn’t think straight. Eeliyah’s cries reminded me of Linna the day she died, and I just couldn’t live through that again. I walked up behind Biklish and swung as hard as I could as he turned around to face me. With the sound of a loud metal clang against his skull, Biklish instantly dropped in a lifeless heap.
“Vigil! What did you do?” Eeliyah screamed as she watched the blood pour from the huge gash on Biklish’s forehead.
Slowly, the shovel fell from my hands. I’d gone too far. All I could do was stare at Biklish, motionless on the ground.
Eeliyah looked at me, raw fear in her eyes now. She cautiously backed away from me and started screaming for help. “Somebody help! Biklish is hurt! Help! Please! Somebody! Help!”
Sister Marmarti ran across the field from where she had been tallying the morning’s harvest and rushed to Biklish’s side. “He’s barely breathing!” she cried out. “Biklish! Biklish, can you hear me?”
All I could do was stand there and watch. I couldn’t move. I could barely believe what I’d just done.
As Sister Marmarti knelt next to Biklish, she placed one hand on his head, his blood trickling over her fingers. She placed her other hand upon the emerald green stone in her necklace and recited words I didn’t understand. From beneath her fingers, the stone cast a bright green light as her other hand radiated the same greenish glow on Biklish’s forehead. The blood slowly retracted from her hand and flowed back into the gash in his head. Within a few moments, Biklish’s eyes flew open as he gasped loudly and inhaled heavily. His eyes were wide in panic as he panted and flailed on the ground.
“Calm down, Biklish. You’re all right now. Just relax and try to breathe,” Sister Marmarti said as she removed her hand from his head. There wasn’t a trace of blood or a bruise anywhere. The gash was fully healed as if it had never happened at all. “What happened here?” she asked angrily, demanding an answer.
“Vigil hit him with a shovel, Sister.” Eeliyah pointed at me, horrified, as she called me out.
The last thing I remembered was making eye contact with Sister Marmarti. Her eyes were wide and dark as death as she pulled out her blackbrass rod and descended upon me. She beat me over and over, screaming at me and swinging harder and harder until finally, I blacked out.
~22~
When I woke up, I was lying on a bed in a pitch black room, my entire body aching. I managed to swing my feet over the side of the bed, but the rickety metal bed frame was a good two feet off the floor, and I couldn’t touch the ground.
“Hello?” I called out, but no one answered. “Hello?” I screamed even louder. Again, nothing.
I slowly climbed down from the bed onto the chilly damp floor. Each movement renewed the pain from the beating. I groped blindly in the darkness until finally my fingertips touched the latch of a door. I tried with all my might to open it, but it wouldn’t budge.
“Help me! Pleaaaase! I’m in here!” I screamed and pounded on the cold, smooth surface, but there was still no reply. No matter how hard or how long I banged against the door, no one came to let me out. I spent the rest of the day alone and in the total darkness of my new prison.
By the next morning, my stomach had stopped rumbling, and the gurgling sound of my empty belly was replaced by a constant burning pain. I blindly searched the room for something to eat or drink, but there was nothing. This punishment seemed like the sort of thing Sister Marmarti would jump at the chance to do, but I couldn’t understand how the rest of the sisters could be this harsh. Thirsty and weak, I tried to distract myself from the physical pain by thinking about home. I missed my dad and I hoped he missed me, too. I was really worried about him.
As I fell asleep that night, I began to think this situation might turn out to be a good thing. Maybe being stuck in this room, wherever it was, would make me miss leaving for the Shepherd Academy with the other children, and I could go home and see my dad again. Unfortunately, I was wrong.
Early the next morning, I was startled awake by the creak of the door opening, and I dove under the bed to hide.
“Happy birthday, Vigil!” Shepherd Machoji said happily, silhouetted against the morning sunlight shining behind him in the doorway. It was the day of the Festival of Ein and my birthday, but at that point, I didn’t care about either.
I crawled out from under the bed and sat down, my back toward him. I’d had enough of all of this. “I want to go home!” I demanded.
“That isn’t possible. Once a potential has been found, there can be no more contact with anyone from the life before. Ours is a position chosen by Ein and His most holy children. The only time a shepherd may communicate with an ordinary person again is if their job requires them to do so.”
“You mean I can’t see my dad again, ever?”
“No. I’m sorry, Vigil. Those are our rules, but I promise he’ll be looked after. We’re never that far away from regular society…” He trailed off. “What’s the matter?”
I hadn’t realized it, but I was doubled over, clutching my stomach, aching with raw, empty hunger.
“I don’t feel good,” I said.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m really hungry…and thirsty.”
“When was the last time you had anything to eat or drink?”
“I-I don’t remember,” I answered nervously.
“That’s not right,” Machoji muttered to himself. “Come over here. I’ll take care of this. Sister Superior Nelfetto!” he bellowed.
As I moved toward the doorway, I heard footfalls rapidly approaching in the hall. The sister appeared in the doorway, slightly out of breath.
“Yes, sir? What can I do for you?” she asked apprehensively.
“How long has Vigil been confined in here?”
“Two days, Shepherd Machoji.”
“And have you fed the boy since locking him away? Given him water?”
“No, sir.”
Shepherd Machoji walked slowly toward her. She took a step back, but he moved his face close to hers. “Would you please explain to me just how in the hell you teach a child to behave by starving him?”
Nelfetto backed away even further, her face white with terror. “I…I…we don’t…I mean, it’s standard procedure here, sir. The more troubled children have always been subjected to more…drastic…measures. It’s how we maintain order. Vigil attacked another potential, and he had to be held accountable.” She was near tears as she spoke; speaking with confidence, but frightened by Machoji nonetheless.
“I want you to listen to me very carefully,” he snarled. “You will bring Vigil a plate of food and something to drink immediately. And this practice of child starvation ends today. Is that understood?”
“B-But, sir…the old ways teach us that—”
“I don’t give a damn about your old ways! Get the boy a proper meal this instant! Or so help me Ein, I’ll have your ass out of here so fast, you’ll be eating your next meal out on the streets.”
“Yes, sir,” she muttered quickly and retreated down the hallway. Before she disappeared around the corner, Sister Superior Nelfetto scowled at me over her shoulder. Appare
ntly, I’d made an enemy of her now, too.
Shepherd Machoji let out a long sigh before shifting his attention back to me. “I know it seems like you’ve suffered more than anybody else, but you haven’t. The pain caused from the blood croup will be felt for years to come, and trust me, you weren’t the only person to endure losses because of it.”
“I just want to go home. Please?” I was exhausted.
“No, that’s not going to happen, Vigil. The sooner you accept that this is where you belong, the easier life will be for you. Trust me.”
“Fine,” I grumbled, knowing there was nothing I could do to change my situation or make him take me home again.
It wasn’t long before Sister Superior Nelfetto appeared again at the doorway. This time, she carried a tray of warm buttered bread, cheese slices, a large glass of water, and an apple. I reached for the apple first, wondering how long ago Eeliyah had picked it, but Shepherd Machoji slapped my hand.
“Just because Sister Superior Nelfetto was in the wrong doesn’t mean you have permission to abandon your manners, now, does it?”
“No, sir.”
“Good. Now, thank Sister Superior Nelfetto for her help.”
“Thank you, Sister Superior,” I said sheepishly.
“You’re welcome,” she replied.
“You’re dismissed, Nelfetto.” Machoji waved her away. “Look, Vigil, I know this isn’t easy for you…it’s tough for all new potentials, but we have orientation today, and this sort of behavior will not be tolerated once you move on to the Shepherd Academy. I need you to behave from here on out. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Are you telling me the truth?”
“Yes, Shepherd Machoji, I’ll be good.”
“Okay, then.” He smiled. “Sit down and eat.”
With that settled, I ate as fast as I could chew and swallow without choking.
“Vigil?” Machoji paused to make sure that I had looked up and was paying attention. “Do you remember our conversation in the viewing fields during last year’s festival?”
“Kind of,” I said, shoveling another piece of cheese in my mouth.
“You were excited when you first heard about the shepherds.”
“Yeah, I was, but not now.”
“It’s all still there, you know. Everything I told you about the magic and the stars is still true. The rewards of becoming a shepherd will be more than you could ever imagine. But you’re going to have to work hard to get there. Nothing will be easy. Things are going to get even worse than they are now, but I know you can do it. Trust me.”
“Okay,” I replied, knowing I didn’t have much of a choice as it was. There was no point in fighting it anymore.
“Well, I’ve sat around long enough. Are you feeling any better?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. It’s time for me to go, but I’ll see you later this morning for orientation.”
“Okay.”
“Goodbye, Vigil.” He started to leave, but then suddenly I remembered something that had gotten away from me; something important that deserved to be mentioned, no matter how I felt about everything that was going on around me.
“Shepherd Machoji?”
“Yes?”
“Happy birthday to you, too.”
He smiled and left the room.
~23~
The sisters gathered us all for one final circle time, although this time there would be no new arrivals. We were blindfolded and told to hold onto the shoulder of the person in front of us as Sister Superior Nelfetto led the group forward, marching us through the halls of the home for the last time. As we walked, the pungent aroma of last night’s dinner told me we were somewhere near the kitchens. However, when Nelfetto gave us the order to remove our blindfolds, it was obvious we were somewhere none of us had been before.
It looked like a large crypt. The floor was a combination of cement and cobblestone; the walls were thick gray bricks sealed with black mortar. The room was dim, except for the sunbeams shining through the tiny stained glass windows high up near the ceiling that made colorful patterns on the floor. It was beautiful and frightening all at once.
“This is it!” Eeliyah whispered to her sister, but Abellie just stood there, cautious and quiet, much like I was. I had a bad feeling we shouldn’t be excited about this at all.
“Hello, future shepherds,” Shepherd Machoji greeted us with a warm smile from the front of the room. He was standing before a large stone archway in the center of the room that was independent from the walls. The top of the arch was decorated for the Festival of Ein with red and orange tree branches tied with tattered gold ribbons that looked to be at least a hundred years old. These decorations were not nearly as fancy or exciting as the ones I’d seen just a year ago at the viewing fields with my family, but it was nice to see something festive in the usually dark home. Even Machoji himself wore a red sash across his robe with three large runic symbols stitched into it with gold thread.
As he waved his hand, beckoning us to move closer, Sister Superior Nelfetto quickly skirted toward the end of our line, herding us forward like sheep. Both Eeliyah and Abellie were right in front of me, and I nearly tripped over Eeliyah’s feet.
“Eeliyah,” I whispered, but she didn’t respond. I didn’t care if she wanted to hear it or not; I had to try to apologize. “I’m sorry I scared you.”
“Well, you don’t scare me,” Biklish said as he glared at me over his shoulder. He was just ahead of Eeliyah and had overheard me. “And I’m gonna get you back for what you did.”
“Oh, just shut up, Biklish!” Eeliyah whisper-shouted.
“Silence in the ranks,” Machoji commanded.
I was half-expecting Sister Superior Nelfetto to whip out her blackbrass rod and beat us all, but Machoji stared sternly at Nelfetto. Everyone obeyed his command, except for Eeliyah, who pointed a finger directly into Biklish’s face.
“You listen to me, Biklish,” Eeliyah growled. “You don’t want to push Vigil again. Last time, he hit you with a shovel. I’d hate to see what he’s gonna do to you next time. Just leave us alone!”
“Enough!” Shepherd Machoji snapped. The room fell instantly silent, but Biklish’s cheeks reddened as he shot me an uneasy look and turned away. While I knew he must have been furious about being scolded by somebody like Eeliyah, the reminder of my instability seemed to be enough to make Biklish rethink his position. He made sure to move a little farther away from us as we slowly gathered in a half-circle around Shepherd Machoji.
“I offer my most sincere gratitude to the Sisterhood of Eternal Devotion for their continuous dedication to the future shepherds of our realm. Thank you.” Machoji clapped lightly. We all mimicked him, even though there wasn’t a single kid in the room who truly felt grateful to the sisters in any way.
“Now then, potentials, you’re each about to embark upon the greatest journey that Ein can bestow upon any living being.” Shepherd Machoji pointed to the decorated arch behind him. “This archway is the means that we’ll use to begin this journey. It is activated and controlled by prayers only a shepherd can recite. Remember that!” he said sternly and waited a moment to let his words register.
“Once our pathway is established, each of you will follow me through the archway and into the light. There is to be absolutely no talking whatsoever as you make your way through the light. When we arrive in the coliseum, there will be noise and excitement all around you. It will be confusing at first, but I need you to go directly to the stone benches in the center of the arena as quick as possible without running. Just sit down, be still, and stay absolutely quiet until all the proceedings have been conducted. Am I understood?”
“Yes, sir,” everyone in the room chimed together.
“Okay, let’s begin,” he said as he turned and faced the empty archway. With his staff gripped tightly in his left hand, Machoji raised his arms and bowed his head so far forward that
we could see his spine protruding at the back of his neck. He took a long, deep breath and began to speak.
“Ne’lun, de leun. E’farlo baysta felunduano…
Ian’as fortuwano, ian’as fortufano, ian’as fortukano…
Ertate sun’lara commistacha!”
Machoji spoke the same strange language as the sisters. I didn’t know what he was saying, but I recognized the tone of the words. And even though the language was still a mystery to me, it did as he claimed it would do.
The archway came alive. The negative space framed by the arch grew hazy and gray, like a brewing storm cloud. I half expected to hear thunder erupt from somewhere in the room, but the clouded archway churned silently as a bright white light grew from the center of the swirling gray mass. It was like watching the sun break through the clouds after a rainstorm. My heart pounded in my chest.
“It’s time,” Machoji said solemnly. “Follow me.” As he walked forward into the archway, the white light slowly swallowed him.
“I don’t wanna go,” Abellie frantically whispered to Eeliyah after watching Machoji’s body dissolve into the light. “Please don’t make me go.”
“It’s all right. Nothing bad will happen.” Eeliyah patted her on the back. “And if something bad tries to hurt you, Vigil will hit ’em with a shovel!” She smiled at her sister and then gave a quick approving glance over her shoulder at me.
I felt forgiven.
I approached the arch, hesitating for only a moment as I watched Eeliyah take Abellie’s hand and disappear in front of me. The silent swirling mass of whitish gray light churned ominously before me. I stepped forward and let the light consume me.
The first thing I felt was a tremendous sense of relaxation. It washed over me from head to toe. There was no fear or anxiety within this plane of holy light. There was only a sense of calm. I heard nothing more than the sound of my own breathing in my ears as we followed Shepherd Machoji through this place.
I would’ve gladly spent more time here if Machoji would have let me, but the tranquility came to a screeching halt as we were spat out one by one at our final destination. An energy from behind me propelled me forward through another archway. I landed on the pile of kids in the line before me, all having experienced the same vigorous exit.
Burden of the Blessed Page 12
