by Curtis, Gene
“The trick is to lose them in such a way that they think it is just one of those things that happen, and not through the skills of your driver, in this case, yours truly.” He smiled and tipped his hat as he looked at her in the rear view mirror.
“Don’t worry, I am good at what I do, you will actually be able to meet Bekka very soon.”
His smile was contagious, and soon she felt like she was being driven around by Bruce Willis—a man skilled at using a car as a tool.
* * *
DAY ONE
I’m on my way Henry.
The night that Henry relapsed, he had explained to her about his ‘Wheel of Four Ages’. It was almost like a wagon or carriage wheel, made of wood with four substantial spokes and then each quadrant had two smaller diameter spokes that divided each quadrant of the wheel into three more sections.
“I painted the vine with flowers that went all around the inside portion of the wheel.” He was so weak, so different from when he first trained her.
“See how it’s woven in and out of the spokes sometimes going completely around and then finally making it all the way around to the first spoke.” He traced the air as he pointed, like he remembered every line. “The Main divisions represent infancy, youth, middle age, and the last is old age.”
You could tell that this wheel had been made by a true craftsman. The vine sometimes went on the side of the wheel but it never reached the flat outer portion that would roll on the road. The primary vine had been painted by a youthful hand. As the vine went from quadrant to quadrant the skill of detail was evident. The vine had side shoots that made the more intricate patterns. There were more flowers in some sections and no flowers in others. When LeOmi first saw the wheel where it hung on the wall, it was not at all obvious about the significance, the Wheel of Four Ages—of Henry’s four ages of his life.
“I want you to see it before…I wanted you to know that these flowers near the end—they represent you.”
I’m on my way Henry.
It took longer than Benjamin thought to lose them but as soon as they were in a section full of trees, the car lurched as if it had been airborne, the light seemed to shift and then the car sputtered and the engine died.
“That’s okay. It always happens, nothing to worry about.” They coasted towards a group of people.
The temperature change was the thing she realized immediately. It was hot and dry, but it felt good. Ahead of them there was a huge mountain with multi-tiered sections. Right out of her dream. She automatically looked for the gnarly tree, but there was nothing but the mountain, sand and desolation in her field of vision.
Benjamin said, “Welcome to The Seventh Mountain, your new home.” The car came to a smooth stop.
The small group of students and counselors stood in front of an arched opening into the mountain.
She got out of the car and grabbed her backpack.
Someone shouted “Noon.” from the upper portion of the mountain.
“Hurry, we are a little late, I’ll see that your trunk is taken to where you’ll sleep. I know that it is a little overwhelming at first but just step up to the group.”
He pointed and made a scooting motion with his hands as if she were little Cindy Who.
He stopped in mid-scoot, “Bekka is already there. I’ll be seeing you around.”
The assembly had already begun by the time she reached Bekka –who was motioning for LeOmi. She put her arm around LeOmi’s shoulder and gave her a little encouraging hug, as if they were friends. She had a sprig of olive branch pinned to her black tunic. It was the tunic of a Magi.
“That is Mr. Diefenderfer.” She whispered and pointed.
Mr. Diefenderfer had an odd way of speaking. He spoke in short stanzas as if he were singing. He had a thick scar from the top of his forehead down to the base of his skull. His sleeveless black tunic revealed thick scars on his arms and shoulders.
“There is no weapon…that you use…on the human body…as important…as the mind…There are those…who do not use…physical restraints at all…They use the power…of thought…and persuasion…to get what…they want…These are often…the most…dangerous people…because they will…also use others…to carry out…their physical shackles.
Remember …the sword…that penetrates…the mind…is the most…deadly weapon…of all. Knowledge…and confidence…is the key…You must…use them…wisely.”
At that, he bowed his head slightly. The group started breaking up and Bekka said, “Here is your list of things you will need, schoolbooks and supplies.”
She pointed to the paper, “This is a list of your classes.”
Ancient Languages, Level One (Diefenbuacher and Dover)
Single Combat Strategy and Tactics (Joramina Vanmie)
Algebra and Numeric Logic (Co-authored with Thorpe)
History of Empires (David Giancoli)
History of Scientific Thought (Allen and Becker)
Communication Theory and Practice (AlHufus Diefenderfer)
Astronomy through the Ages (Charlie Goodfellow)
“The Seven Pillars of Wisdom really helped me in History of Scientific Thought. You did bring it, didn’t you?”
LeOmi nodded, and Bekka said, “Great.”
Then she pointed to the list again, “The text books and other things you will need can be purchased at the stores here on The Seventh Mountain grounds. You may already have some of them. You will need to go and set up an account at the bank here at the mountain.”
Bekka seemed to be clairvoyant and read the questions forming just by glancing back and forth at her face, “Don’t worry, a lot of students need to work their way through. You will be assigned a job after Orientation.”
Bekka cocked her head to the side and continued, “There are several things I need to tell you.”
As Bekka spoke they began walking with the group towards the mountain. Some went one way and some went another.
“Classes start on Monday, September first. Orientation lasts for a full week before.” They stopped at the back of a line that had formed at a table just inside the doors of The Seventh Mountain. LeOmi could feel the cool air whooshing out onto them.
“The Flags Match try-outs are Saturday, I am sure you will love to be on the team. It will hone your skills for other areas of your education here.”
It was their turn. Bekka handed a young lady in a black tunic with silver trim a paper. She made a notation on a list and looked up at LeOmi. She had short brown hair and green eyes. She seemed happy to see everyone who stood in the line. “Hello and welcome. My name is Regina.” She paused as if to say, “What’s yours?”
LeOmi said her name as prompted.
“Good, now you are all checked in.” She handed her a paper, “Here is your bunk number, until you get your Tribe assignment and a small map that we give to first timers.”
“Thank you, Regina; we are in a bit of a rush.” Bekka steered LeOmi into the mountain while she was still reading the paper and trying to get some kind of bearing from the map. The lighting change from sunlight to hallway light made her even more disoriented.
The hallway led to another hallway and suddenly they were in an area that was filled with people. People dressed in black tunics and gray tunics and some with everyday street clothes. Lots of people stared at LeOmi as they walked by. Her short cropped black hair with white highlights spiked up towards the sky was not exactly typical for The Seventh Mountain.
“First we need to get your account established at the bank.” Bekka steered LeOmi gently by the elbow.
“After we finish at the bank, you will want to go and make your purchases at the shopping area just down the hallway. Get your signet ordered first so that you will be able to use it for all your other purchases. Mr. Diefenderfer’s shop is where you will go for that. He is the teacher that gave the little speech at your arrival meeting point.”
The Good Steward Bank was spacious and well lit. It was set up just like her parents’ bank
back in Norfolk.
Bekka walked up to a teller. “This is LeOmi Jones.”
Bekka handed the teller a piece of paper from her clipboard. The teller looked at LeOmi, her blue eyes seemed to verify all the information, she nodded at her and LeOmi nodded back.
LeOmi read and signed the papers that the woman behind the counter filled out. “You’re all signed up. There will be someone contacting you soon about job placement.” She nodded again and smiled.
Bekka took her arm again. “Thank you Angeline.” They headed out the door.
“There are just a few more things I need to tell you, and then I will need to leave you for a while. The first thing is you can write your family if you wish. Just leave the letter on your pillow and it will be delivered to their pillow the next day. Of course this is limited to Magi, those who do not know about Magi will have their mail received by regular means, in other words, if you stamp and address a letter, it will be dropped in a mail box for you.
“Second, like they say in Las Vegas, what happens in the mountain, stays in the mountain. I have other duties that I need to do. I hope I haven’t forgotten to tell you anything. We will talk soon, LeOmi Jones, it almost feels like we are sisters—at least to me. I have been your counselor for many years and so I have an advantage. You were assigned to my Field Training Counselor and passed on to me. You are my first student that I had assigned to me, just me. That means a lot to me, and I hope someday it will mean a lot to you too.” Bekka put her arm around LeOmi and gave her another little hug. She took the olive sprig off of her tunic and gave it to LeOmi.
“I am sure that once you’re all settled, we’ll have a very long talk, but right now, I have to go. The mall area has all the things that you will need and there are plenty of places to grab a bit to eat.”
She started walking away. “Careful on that spending though, as you know, nothing is free. Not even from here.” Bekka turned and waved one last time as she pushed the door and left. LeOmi followed in her wake, but Bekka was not distinguishable among the gobs of people. There were people everywhere, and even with the huge ceilings and spacious halls she still felt claustrophobic.
“Signets.” That would be just the thing that she would want to look at first. The map was very clear. Well drawn. She went right to Diefenderfer Signet Shop.
Stepping into the shop, just inside the doorway, she could see that he was blind. She hadn’t noticed that earlier, they were so far away. He certainly didn’t carry himself in a way that would even suggest that.
“Do not…be concerned…Miss Jones….I may be….without sight…but I can …still see…. I am…an Oracle.”
LeOmi approached the counter.
“You may…look around…my shop…there are...a number…of styles…” He leaned in towards her as if searching her very soul with his lifeless eyes. “The ring…will become…part of …your hand…if you can…find the …true signet…that is …yours.” With that he turned and left the front room to go to the jewel smith room in the back. She followed him, not looking at the display cases.
“If you are an Oracle, a Seer, then you already know my question, before I ask it.”
He sat at the work station, picked up tools made especially for his ability. First he placed the negative wax standard. Then placed a small silver tooled design on the form, and then another and then an emerald stone. He then placed the silver ring blank in the wax mold and turned them over checking the anchor points to make sure that everything was correct. Then he turned it again and heated the silver solder filling the minuscule holes with the tiniest bit of solder then he turned it again, removing the wax mold and setting the stone. The whole process only took a moment. He handed her the ring.
“This…is not…the way…we usually …do things…Miss Jones…but…we all have…our duties…I too…came to The…Seventh Mountain… penniless….I was much…younger then… just as…you are…now.”
The ring had a book and cross on one side and a book and a dagger on the other side. It was silver with an Emerald stone.
“We all…must choose…the paths…that we…will take.” He reached for the ring and placed it in a box that had her name on it. “I will hold…this signet…for approval…by your counselor…If you…agree.”
A large group of freshmen students came in and LeOmi got out of the way, the shop was so small and the display cases took up most of the space. She looked back at him and he nodded to her as she turned to squeeze through the doorway.
She heard him, “I am…AlHufus Diefenderfer…I am…an oracle.” She turned to walk back towards the bank to see if Bekka had returned from wherever she had gone to. The need to tell someone of the visit to the signet shop seemed the most important thing—right now.
Since entering the mountain, she had searched the faces for the familiar traits of her family. “I doubt if I would even recognize them if I saw them. I suppose they are just as busy as Bekka.”
The hallway wasn’t as crowded as it had been earlier; everyone was probably at lunch somewhere.
As she rounded one corner she heard, “Give it back.”
Chapter 5
Intimidation and Threatening Only Work on the Guilty
LeOmi jogged to the next corner, just past the bank and out the door onto the grounds. There were five boys near the entrance. One of them was just approaching, he had a hooked staff. She immediately thought of Moses, “Let my People go.” But then she recognized the boy. She had dreamt about him.
There was also a bigger boy that had a piece of paper that apparently belonged to the smaller boy–the one that stood by his self. The bigger boy was holding the paper over smaller boy’s head. He reached several times to try to grab it but there were three of them against the smaller one, until the boy with the staff showed up.
“Here, you can have mine,” said the boy with the staff.
The bigger boy said, “I know you. You’re Mark Young. I dreamed about you. You don’t scare me.”
“That’s right. I am Mark Young. Who are you?”
“My name is Ralph, Ralph Lawrence. I’m not afraid of you.”
“Who are your friends?”
A tall ugly guy with a big nose and beady eyes spoke as if prodded, “I’m Ricky Barns.”
“I’m Keith Richards,” shouted a shorter pudgy guy.
At this point, the boy, Mark seemed to make a decision. He smiled and twirled the staff over his head. LeOmi heard the wind whistling from the force of it. She knew he intended to kick their butts for bullying the smaller guy.
Ralph dropped the list and said, “Let’s go.”
LeOmi followed the three bigger boys as they left out the school entrance. It was almost as if they were a side show at a carnival and they seemed out of place but they had seen Mark Young in a dream, maybe they had answers to other things as well.
Ralph apparently had seen her follow and he waited for her to catch up.
“You said that you dreamt about him. What did you dream about him?”
“I dreamt about you too. LeOmi ‘spiked hair’ Jones. You’re supposed to come with us.”
“What? What do you mean you dreamt about me too?” They started walking towards the next entrance. She was following them. “Wait. What…? Where are you going?”
They opened the door, the bright light and heat flushed into the alcove. LeOmi caught the door before it closed and to her surprise they started jogging towards the next entrance.
“Wait.”
It was just a short way, but still, why didn’t they just go through the cool corridors?
When they reached the entrance there was a table set-up in the alcove with some food and water laid out, in buffet fashion: bottled water, bread, luncheon meats and cheese. The boys immediately grabbed the bottles of water. Then they dove into the sandwich fixings.
A boy in the shadows stepped up to her, “LeOmi, my name is Slone, Slone Voif.”
He was muscular and tall. Long black hair pulled back away from his face. He had a s
word that he used as a leaning post, a beautifully made piece of craftsmanship, Spanish Steel.
“I think you met Ricky, Keith and Ralph. This is Adolph, Bruce, Albert Spencer; his folks are into the buzz cut look, and Adolph, besides the name, he is all right.
He walked over to the table, “Have something to drink, and get something to eat. We are just having a little ‘welcome to school party’ get together, and now that you are here, we can begin.” He looked at her expectedly, waiting for a comment.
LeOmi grabbed a bottle of water and drank it down. She grabbed a piece of bread and piled some sliced turkey and provolone cheese, on top and rolled it like a scroll. There were some chairs over in the shade of the archway, just enough for everyone. LeOmi chose a corner near the school entrance and stood, munching on her sandwich.
Slone said, “Good. It’s best to hear who or what is coming and going.”
LeOmi simply nodded at him.
“Well, we are finally here. I have been in touch with a few of you throughout the last few years, but now we are all together. Face to face. My counselor said that I shouldn’t have arranged this meeting, that is why she is not here, but I wanted to meet you all and to have you meet me. This is the handpicked core group picked right out of our dreams. For some reason, we are supposed to be together.”
Everyone looked at each other.
Adolph said, “But I haven’t dreamed of you. I only dreamed of Mark Young and of the counselor accepting me into The Seventh Mountain. She was in the dream too.” He pointed at LeOmi.
There was a bit of talk amongst themselves. LeOmi stood in her place still listening.
“Well I dreamt of you all,” said Slone.
“Ralph, I dreamt that you and I would be here and that Mark Young would bully you.”
LeOmi stirred in her corner. “LeOmi, I dreamt that you would be a key to our organization. It shouldn’t matter if we look or act a little different. There should be a place for us here, just like there is one for Mark Young.”
