Carson informed Bev that the Prime Minister brought their private badges when he came to visit. She told Charles, “Be sure to hang on to that. Those badges are good for two years and they are collectors’ items.”
Carson said, “I think this time you ought to go to the meeting by yourself. I believe the Prime Minister would like to see how you handle yourself on your own.” Bev agreed.
Charles asked Bev what kind of questions she thought they would ask. She thought for a minute and said, “Charles, I don’t really know. I am sure each Prime Minister is given free rein to ask any questions they want to ask. I am certain Dimitrios has his own questions as well. Just do your best. I hate to say it but they probably already have an idea who they are seriously looking at by now. That doesn’t mean they couldn’t change their minds though.” She smiled at him. “Our money is on you.”
Charles’ cheeks burned and his voice went up an octave, “Thanks, I think.”
Bev continued, “The Council has only certain questions they may ask a candidate. Then each Council member may ask one individual question within certain guidelines. The questions have to be approved prior to the interview. The interviews can last up to two days. At that point it is between you and another candidate. These are the final rounds, you skipped the rest.”
Charles said, “I thought this was the second interview.”
“No. I don’t think that this is the second interview. I’ve thought about this… they must have been farther along than they admitted. Dimitrios asked you questions out in public. Then we had the meeting with the Council. It was odd because they asked a lot of questions. I’m certain they had already begun to narrow the competition at that point. Then once you won the lottery they were not able to have the other meetings with you. The Hub Press might have caught on and been waiting. My guess is they have had to wait, and now they will make a decision.”
She turned to Carson and asked, “Did you not tell him all of this?”
“No, but you are doing a fine job. Keep going.”
She laughed, shook her head and said, “Dimitrios was confident enough in you that he waived his personal interview. He’s done his research for quite some time. The prior meetings were for his benefit only. The only thing that puzzles me at this point is who recommended you for this process? Someone with a lot of influence.”
Charles sat back in his chair and said, “I hope he wasn’t disappointed.”
Bev shook her head and said, “No Charles, no one would be disappointed. Remember, Dimitrios is an excellent judge of character. Nothing gets by him. He wouldn’t have done what he has if he wasn’t certain.”
Charles was starting to get butterflies in his stomach.
Carson said, “Since the beginning of Sojourners they have had only two American Prime Ministers. One was Prime Minister Hayward Thomasen. He was one of the best they ever had. They will be seriously looking at you. I feel sorry for the other guy.” Charles was getting tired. He thanked them and headed upstairs for bed. He went through his evening routine. After he brushed his teeth he said his prayers. He was thankful that he was able to interview for this opportunity, whatever the result turned out to be. Charles closed his eyes and fell asleep right away.
CHAPTER 33
Charles was abruptly awakened from a deep sleep. He sat up in bed and shivered. The sun was up already. He closed his eyes trying to remember what day of the week it was. He sprang from bed and hurriedly pulled on his clothes. Nana would be collecting eggs this morning. He ran down the steps and slipped on the rug in the entryway. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Walter, Carson and Bev looking over paperwork on the table.
Carson called him over. “Charles, the Millers just accepted our offer for their farm.”
Charles said, “Congratulations.”
“Why were you in such a big hurry?” asked Bev.
“I was on my way to help you gather the eggs. I didn’t want you to be late.” “Walter’s son already gathered the eggs earlier this morning. He knew we were going over farm business with Walter and would be busy. Thank you for your willingness to help. I’m so glad I can count on you.”
“I guess I will just have to plan ahead next time,” said Charles.
Walter continued the discussion about the Miller farm. From what Charles could gather they had plans to fix up the outbuildings and make improvements on the two Miller farmhouses. Bev expressed her worry that vacant houses tend to develop problems faster. Walter said he would try to find a solution to the problem.
Walter was very excited about the new acquisition. Having the extra acreage would improve their crop rotations. It would also give them more land to grow additional produce for the store in town. Walter’s plans would increase the market value of the land. Charles was glad his sisters would inherit the property sometime in the future. The property would keep the family close together and it was good acreage for farming.
When they were finished Bev invited the men to come to the kitchen for breakfast. She had a breakfast casserole and French pastries with orange juice waiting for them. They fixed their plates and went to the dining room to eat. Walter stayed just long enough to eat and then excused himself to get back to work. He thanked Bev as always and left.
Charles went back upstairs to take a shower and change clothes. When he came downstairs Carson was waiting for him and they walked out together. Charles grabbed the paper bag for Esmond and headed out in search of crickets. He decided to look in a different location because they were getting scarce in Nana’s garden. Carson continued walking to the office. Once Charles found enough crickets he went in the office to feed Esmond.
Carson was ready to begin French lessons with Charles. They practiced for hours naming items in the room and then graduating to conversational phrases. Charles was a little surprised Carson knew French so well. His accent sounded very Parisian. Airabelle chimed in and also helped with the lessons. Charles was glad she was excited about going with them.
When they were ready for a study break Carson showed Charles the badges the Prime Minister had dropped off. As Charles was inspecting one of the badges, Airabelle said, “I’ve been thinking about the Prime Minister’s visit the other day. I think I know what is going on.” Carson and Charles looked at her as she continued, “I believe the Prime Minister and Dimitrios each have a final candidate they intend to bring before the Council. They both have a strong preference for their own choice. If this is the case, the Prime Minister and Dimitrios will have to bring the two candidates before the Council for interviews. After the interviews both the Prime Minister and Dimitrios will have to present final arguments as to which of the two individuals is the stronger candidate for the apprenticeship.”
“Then wouldn’t the Prime Minister’s choice be the one the Council would accept?” Carson asked.
“No, not necessarily. I’m not certain the Prime Minister is completely convinced in his choice. If Charles was older and more experienced as a Sojourner, I don’t think another choice would have been necessary. I think that is the problem they are encountering. I’m not sure Dimitrios believes it is a problem. He just needs to convince the Prime Minister and the Council that his choice is the only acceptable one.”
Carson nodded and said, “Well, that makes sense to me.”
Charles looked pale and Airabelle asked him what was wrong. Charles answered, “I am just nervous. I am wondering who the competition is and how I can convince everyone my age is not a factor.”
Carson placed a hand on Charles’ shoulder. “It really doesn’t matter who the competition is, as long as you do your best. It is their decision in the end.” Charles looked at Airabelle, then back at Carson.
Airabelle said, “When it is over, it is over and then you can spend a day enjoying the sights of Paris.” That cheered him up. Charles knew she was right, when it was over it was over.
They spent the rest of the day practicing on Charles’ pronunciation of his French vocabulary. By the end of the day he was sou
nding very convincing. Charles was glad he had learned a few French words and phrases from his friends at school. He had Spanish classes last year, which also helped. Around noon Carson told him to take a break. It was well deserved.
They sat and talked while they each ate an apple. Bev knocked on the door about thirty minutes later and brought lunch in the office. She stayed and ate with them. She brought sandwiches on French bread and a few side dishes. For dessert she packed the rest of the French pastries. They practiced speaking in French while they ate. Airabelle even participated, being the actress she was. Every now and then Esmond would croak just at the right time to put his two cents in. When they were finished Bev cleared the leftovers and cleaned up.
It caught everyone off guard when the Hub mail came. It landed with a thud. Bev walked over to get it. She brought it to Carson and they sorted through it together. Inside the bundle was the Hub newspaper, a couple of announcements about the Hub, and a letter in response to Carson’s request for information about Al’s family having a history as Sojourners. Carson held up the response, handed it to Charles and asked, “Would you like to open it?” Charles nodded.
He took the envelope. Everyone guessed what they thought the outcome would be: Bev and Airabelle said, “No.” Carson and Charles said, “Yes.” Carson went to the desk, took out the letter opener and handed it to Charles. He opened it and pulled the response from the envelope. He slowly unfolded it and read it aloud. It read as follows: Dear Mr. Jones, Thank you for your request in regard to the Caperson family history. We are pleased to inform you that they are listed in the Sojourners’ Book under the name of a Miss Catherine Caperson. In the event you should need more information please feel free to contact us. Best Regards, Rebecca Blackwater, Council Historian. Everyone was so happy and relieved Caroline’s family had a documented history as Sojourners. What great news! Catherine Caperson was Al’s eccentric sister. This was too good to be true!
Carson shrugged. “Who knew? I certainly had no idea. I never suspected and I am his best friend.”
Charles stared at the letter in his hand, then looked at Carson. “Does this mean Caroline is able to be a Sojourner?”
“I don’t know Charles. I think we are going to have to take some time to think this through. Not everyone can be a Sojourner, even if they have family members who have been Sojourners before. I want to remind you it can be dangerous. Before we expose our whole way of life to others we need to make sure it is the right decision. Once you let someone else in on Sojourning, it can’t be easily undone. Not only are we saying we actively time travel to another dimension, but millions of other people participate as well. The ramifications are huge. If others were to learn our secrets, Sojourning would come to a halt. People could be hurt or even killed over this. Very dangerous wealthy people are Sojourners. They believe the best way to protect their way of life is to keep Sojourning secret. Don’t get me wrong, I am excited to learn of our friends’ news; but I think we should proceed with caution. We may learn Caroline cannot Sojourn, just like Molly and the girls. We must go slowly. Don’t you agree Charles?”
Charles nodded, “I agree.”
Bev said, “Now maybe, if someday you and Caroline were to marry… then we may want to include her. Please remember Charles, as an individual Sojourner she would have no one to mentor her. It has to be a blood family relation to do that, or through extenuating circumstances for example, adoption or marriage. I would think either of those would count. Besides, we have no way of knowing what happened to the Caperson family estate. It is possible someone else in the family ended up with her Sojourner journals, tools and coins. They may have been sold or stolen. We have no way of knowing. If they are missing, the Saunders family starts at the bottom of the organization. It takes centuries to make an estate viable again.”
Charles nodded and said, “I understand.”
Carson said, “Don’t look so worried Charles. This is still good news. It explains a lot of things and opens the door for the future. Wouldn’t you agree?” Charles reluctantly agreed. He set the letter on the table, on top of the other mail.
Carson said to Charles, “I think it’s important for you to be aware of and understand the differences between the different Sojourner groups and their history.”
Carson took the vault key from his desk. He stood up and walked over to the vault. Charles followed Carson. Once inside the vault Carson took the vault drawer keys and opened a lower drawer. He took out two very old, worn journals. He leaned over and placed them on the table. Then he turned back to the drawer, closed and locked it. Carson placed the keys in his pocket. He reached over and picked up the journals. Charles followed him back into the office. Carson sat down next to Bev on one of the conversation chairs. Charles sat on the floor. Airabelle perched on the back of Bev’s chair.
Carson said, “Nana and I come from two very different and distinct Sojourner groups. Both us have an original journal dating back to the 1700’s. These journals tell two different stories of the beginning of Sojourning. The Secret Seekers’ Society began in England when King George I reigned. When the Secret Seekers’ Society was first created it was due to the theories of a brilliant and promising alchemist. He knew that man has always dreamed of being able to acquire new realms and manipulate time. When intellectual dreamers of the day heard his lectures about the possibility of both theories being possible, those who were in the elite social circles jumped at the chance to be contributors in order to be a part of a phenomenon that would change history. It wasn’t until Orville Goldman was successful at making his theory become a reality that attention became drawn to their secret society.
“Those who were in the Secret Seekers’ Society were eager to try out the new creation. It was soon discovered that the Passageways didn’t allow everyone to enter. Tragically many innocent lives were lost. Those who could not pass through the Passageway corridor to the other side died a terrible death. Autopsies revealed the victim’s lungs would collapse causing immediate suffocation and death. The doctors who were not Seekers discussed several theories that could be attributed to the causes of the deaths amongst themselves. They concluded that they might possibly be dealing with a plague due to the fact that these strange unexplained deaths kept occurring. Meanwhile, the doctors who were members of the Secret Seekers’ Society were asked if they knew of a plausible explanation for the deaths. None of them could offer any suggestions that would be helpful to try to diffuse the growing whispers of suspicion surrounding their secret society. The number of unusual deaths of prominent men in the kingdom troubled the King’s personal physician. He decided he should visit the King and inform him of the mysterious and inexplicable deaths.
“When King George I was informed of the mysterious deaths by his personal physician, he immediately sent for the most prominent doctors in his kingdom. Once the doctors arrived at the palace they were escorted to the King. He asked them for their insight and assessment of the growing fear due to the mysterious deaths throughout the land. He became impatient with the doctors when they kept repeating the facts of what they had seen from their examinations. Not one of them would come forward with a plausible explanation for the deaths.
“One of the doctors was asked directly by the King, ‘Do you have anything of importance to add to this discussion?’
“The doctor stated, ‘All of the victims I have examined had one thing in common. They were members of a secret society.’
“The room became immediately silent. The mentioning of a secret society alarmed the King. He asked the doctors for the name of the secret society. None of the doctors would come forward with the name of the group realizing what was at stake for the men involved in the secret society once the name was revealed to the King. They looked around the room at each other for over half of the doctors in the room were members. The King’s personal physician looked at his peers in disbelief when none of them would speak up.
“He stepped forward and addressed the King, ‘Your Majesty the
widows refer to them as the Secret Seekers’ Society. That is all they know to tell us about them.’
“King George took note of that name. After the King dismissed the doctors he spoke behind closed doors with his advisors. They brainstormed what action should be taken. The King suggested the possibility of sending a spy to infiltrate this little known transcendental group that was the subject of the rumors being spread throughout the kingdom. His advisors concurred with the King’s decision.
“Several hours after the meeting adjourned, the Prince arrived at the palace. He was greeted in the shadows of the walkway by an inside informant who told him what had been happening in his absence.
“That evening the Prince, George the II, was requested to dine with the King. Over dinner the King made trivial comments about the people at court before inquiring about the Prince’s military mission he had just returned from. He patiently listened to the Prince’s account of his adventure.
“When the Prince finished the King suddenly became serious and changed the conversation to the news he had recently learned about a secret society within the kingdom. He told his son of the rumors that had been brought to his attention by his physician and about the autopsies surrounding the mysterious deaths of prominent men. Then he confided in the Prince about his meeting with his advisors and his plan to infiltrate the Secret Seekers’ Society in order to find out whom their members were and if the rumors were true.
“The Prince sat back in his chair and momentarily observed his father’s expression trying to read his demeanor. There was an awkward pause in the conversation as the Prince waited to see if the King would reveal his thoughts on the matter. The King just sat and stared at him. The Prince finished eating. He took a gulp of wine. Then upon seeing an opportunity to seize the moment he began a discussion to convince the King that if the rumors were true, and another dimension had been discovered, he wouldn’t be able to trust anyone but his own son with that information. The Prince conjectured that if his father sent one of his men to discover the truth there was a possibility that even the most loyal man might decide to become King over the new realm himself.
The Xidoran Prophecy Page 37
