by Curtis, Gene
“I am no one, stay here. See if I care, as soon as it gets dark you will see why I told you to go back to the school.” He threw his hands up into the air and turned and started walking towards the stables.
LeOmi mounted Fireball and they passed very close to him, as the horse took out in a full-out run towards the school.
Bekka was at the Olive Tree. Fireball washed the tree with dust and dirt for the second time in the day.
Bekka turned and huddled into her Magi robes, and waited for the dust cloud to settle. “Well, it’s worth it to see the smile on your face.”
LeOmi jumped down and wrapped her arms around the horse’s neck. They nuzzled each other in their now usual fashion, and then the horse turned and ran full speed back towards the stables. Both girls stood and watched in fascination as the horse created the same cloud receding into the wall of the boundary of the school.
Bekka sighed and said, “It is a good day.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s go eat. I’m starved.”
* * *
At The Quarters they each chose mashed potatoes and fried chicken breast, peas and a buttered roll. At the end of the line, LeOmi showed her signet, as the receipt was tallied.
“Your second expenditure.” Bekka said.
LeOmi looked at Bekka with a questioning look. “Your signet...that was your first expenditure.”
LeOmi showed Bekka the ring and then they both debated on the meaning of the symbols and the combination of the four.
“Oh, there was something else; he sort of sang a song to me. It surprised him, but it really surprised me.”
“Do you remember it?”
“Not all of it.”
“Well that’s okay. Mr. Diefenderfer always writes down his songs. Tell me what you do remember of it.”
“It was about the Signet being used as a plummet. There was also something about confusion, stones of emptiness and left untilled it is wasted.”
“Wow, it isn’t often that these things are not revealed before they come to pass or until they are evident—that may be the case here. I guess that is why they are usually so vague.”
There were so many places in her life that confusion fit right now, including being confused about what untilled had to do with it.
“LeOmi, you do realize that these things that are happening now—these are not casual occurrences. Things are unfolding...unfolding in ways that are very uncommon. Do you ever feel like you are special—like you are here now for a special reason?”
“We are all part of the past, present and future. Henry said we make up the wheel of life, in our existence and time here on this earth.”
“Yes, but it isn’t just our own wheel of life, it is everyone’s. You have heard of the butterfly effect, well it’s true. Every action no matter how large or small, affects everything else in one way or another.” Bekka took out her notebook and jotted some notes.
“Look at the environment here at The Seventh Mountain. You will not find people neglecting the positions they have taken—what a mess we would have if everyone just stopped doing what they have been assigned. Yet, that is so very unlikely because each person is geared to their duties, and their duties to them. Strengths and weaknesses are evaluated and a worker is put where they will do the most good. Most of us have our doubts at first that we can actually perform the duties—but if you just focus on the fact that you are never given more burdens than you can bear, then everything will turn out just fine. Do you understand what I am saying to you?” She had been writing the whole time, but now she looked up at LeOmi, waiting for an answer.
“Sometimes, I feel like there is nothing that I cannot do and then other times…”
“Well, you do not control other people’s decisions, you cannot choose the right or the left and therefore you cannot make them run away from you or to you. Ultimately it is up to them no matter how much advice you give to a person or how much you may plead with them. It all comes down to the right to choose. I will not take that away from you. I cannot. When we are children, our parents make our choices for us, but you can see even in the tiniest infant, that they have a choice, to laugh or cry...Of course there are some things that are beyond a child’s control. They need shelter, food, water and direction. We must rely on those around us to show us how to do some things—unless they are natural or until they become natural. But like I said, it all comes down to the right to choose. I will not, I cannot take that away from you.”
Bekka gave LeOmi’s hand a little squeeze. “Let’s take a look at the sunset.”
As they walked towards the doorway Bekka said, “You are here at The Seventh Mountain because you have made this decision. You may feel right now that it was the only decision, and that is probably the truth—but you did have choices, and may I say, that I think you chose wisely.”
LeOmi nodded and seemed to ponder.
“I cannot tell you about everything that is going on at the school right now, but I can tell you that we must all prepare.”
“Prepare?”
“Yes, we do not know what the butterfly wing has begun, but we do know that all of our wheels of life are meshed together, the one large wheel that sees all and knows all, the paths that we will take and the beginning and end of everything.”
“That sounds like one of my father’s sermons.”
“Well maybe it is. You have to make the decision as to whether you will follow the direct path, or whether you will take a more scenic path, but your destiny will lead you where your decisions have brought you.”
The sun was setting in the west and a chill washed over the desert. Both Bekka and LeOmi pulled their robe and jacket closer as the last rays of the sun pulled the cover of darkness over them.
“It’s time to go in.” To accent that remark, a moaning type roar came from the direction of the Game Preserve and stables. A roar like LeOmi had never heard before.
“What was that?”
“A warning. We must go in.”
“A warning, from what? What makes that kind of sound?”
“Many animals will warn you of the power that they possess, some do not. We must go in. I’ll see you in the morning.”
They stepped inside and Bekka helped another counselor pull the doors closed. “And don’t forget to report at seven a.m., The Oasis.”
* * *
The dark figure jumped down from where it had been concealed in the boughs of the Olive Tree. She turned back a few pages in her own notebook. It had been a busy day. Bekka’s notes were far more interesting than her own but combined they were all that she would need.
“He was right. LeOmi is an ally that would be quite useful.”
She knelt down and gently picked up a small twig that had broken off as she jumped down. She stored the small twig down into the folds of her robe. “A little keepsake to remember this day.”
The roar, almost a whimpering moan of a roar, cut through the darkness. It was approaching, but it was still far enough away.
She turned forward a few pages in her notebook and jotted down a few sentences. “Oh well, LeOmi will tell all in time, as it has been pointed out, the wheel of life spins for us all.”
DAY THREE
LeOmi thought it was nice to have someone to keep her company during her quite time and her run time. In the mornings, Bekka’s mind was always preoccupied with her duties of the day so she was a quiet morning person just like LeOmi. The muffin breakfast was a welcome addition to her routine too.
For many years, LeOmi ran outside or on a running trail, but Bekka preferred the running track with the special flooring that allowed less stress on the body, as most everyone else who did their early morning running. It started out sparsely populated, but as they got closer to the five mile lap, the runners had doubled. There were designated lines of running speeds almost like the slow lane on the highway except there were seven lanes to juggle.
It became too cramped for LeOmi towards the end, teachers, staff, shopping m
all workers, bank tellers, LeOmi could almost read their minds, “Only a few minutes to get some miles in.” She had even said it to herself.
Most of the runners were not students. There were obviously a lot of people living at The Seventh Mountain; this was their home. When Saturday was here—that was when she would find out if she needed to find a new place or time to run.
On the cool down lap Bekka said, “Today, you need to get your books.”
LeOmi nodded.
“I want to remind you there is a used book section in the bookstore, almost just as good as those in the new section but there may not be any left. You could also ask some of your teachers if they have any that they are willing to lend you. But of course that is up to you.” Bekka nodded in the affirmative and LeOmi complied with the expected nod, and they both went their different ways for shower and changing. LeOmi’s own clothes weren’t as noticeable as her spiked black hair with white tips, but she definitely stood out in the crowd of runners.
* * *
The bookstore was a huge structure. The doors were the large double swinging doors and as LeOmi entered there was a smell that reminded her of her grandmother’s library. But this one was well lit and airy with spiral stairs leading to other levels. There were rows and rows of books, more than she had ever seen in her lifetime.
Her mom had taught her that there were always bargains if you could read the little tell-tale signs. LeOmi immediately made her way to the rear of the first level and sure enough, there was a huge section that had stacks of previously owned books. Some were even free. LeOmi read her list and picked out the appropriate books.
The rear of the bookstore housed a small printing shop and four students manned different sections of the printing area. There were also rows of pulley activated elevators about the size of her father’s trunk that were constantly going up and down. Each of those had two students running them, one student to put in contents and another to take out. She could only guess that there was the same setup for each level of the bookstore. Anyway, it was totally understandable why the used and free sections were in the rear–where all the noise was. LeOmi did notice that all the students on this floor seemed almost like robots, doing their duty in constant repetitious movements.
What a horrible job that would be!
Then she noticed that the students were listening to something on headsets. Well that was no different from the regular workouts that people did in the gym: bending, picking up and setting down.
It wouldn’t be so bad, and I wouldn’t have to communicate with others and I would be around books all the time. I could do that.
LeOmi gathered her stack of books and a packet of necessary supplies that included assorted types of paper, writing tools, a calculator and sealing wax to use in combination with the signet ring.
All her purchases were all either free, or a small amount.
She went to a table set-up beside the front door. The student there smiled and nodded to LeOmi and took her purchases and laid the front of each on a glass faced plate that was set into the counter and then she pushed another button to tally the purchases. A slip came out of a small slot beside the plate of glass. It registered that total.
“If you agree with this total, simply place your signet on the upper right hand portion of the screen.”
LeOmi nodded and did as the girl said.
“Okay, you’re all set with this transaction. If you haven’t gotten your binoculars or scope that section is on the top floor.”
LeOmi nodded and took her books and supplies that the girl had strapped together for her.
“You’ll need this too.”
She placed a school catalog in the top of the strapping and LeOmi made her way up the spiral stairs.
On the way up, she was almost bowled over by a large angry man who had stopped at each floor and looked around as he was making his way up the spiral stairs.
She hadn’t noticed him until he came off the fourth floor.
He wasn’t calling out or stomping, but LeOmi could see that it was just a matter of time. Everyone gave him space, not willing to interfere or become part of his rampage. He was dressed in teacher’s robes, so obviously a student was in some very great trouble.
What could a person do to make another person that angry?
On the seventh floor, he nearly pushed her out of his way; his blood almost to the boiling point. Everyone including LeOmi could feel his anger and tension as he made his way to the upper level of the bookstore.
As he passed her on the stairs he said in overly controlled tone, “Get out of my way Miss Jones.”
She made herself as small as she could be, hanging her parcels over the side so his bulk could pass by. He vibrated each step with jolts that probably loosened the screws in the metal staircase.
A door led to the eighth level, and as soon as he reached it, his bellowing voice called out, “Tim! Tim Fairbanks, where are you?” Then the door closed behind him.
LeOmi made her way up the remaining steps and listened before opening the door. He had moved away, so she opened the door and stepped in and found a corner to be out of the way. There were a lot of other new students there also. They were all standing still, stunned by the appearance of the huge man.
“You are still subordinate to me. You will address me as such.”
“Yes sir…you wanted to see me?” Tim was stunned, yet calm.
The man’s voice boomed, “Do you know what one of your brats has done?”
“I do not understand what you are referring to, sir.”
“I found lion tracks leading up to and away from the school. The tracks had human tracks going away from the school with them. I followed the tracks to the game preserve. Do you know what that game keeper, what’s his name…, told me?”
“Albert, sir, Albert is his name, and yes sir, I think I know what he told you.”
“He told me that the boy with the staff found her and brought her back! Do you have any idea what that means?”
At this point there were a few telescopes that toppled over off one of the counters. Several students went to grab at them starting a dominoes effect for one of the entire counters. This went on unnoticed by the large gentleman, his anger was so great.
“It means that this boy … this prodigy… this, this …this special boy… has no regard for safety, his own or anyone else’s for that matter.”
“Mr. Thorpe, I wish you would not do that, this is a public place.”
As he said that he swept his hand around to point out all the students standing in seemingly frozen positions and others trying to pick up the tumbled spy glasses.
“Ah, Algebra and Numeric Logic.” LeOmi said to no one in particular.
“Do you know what else Albert said?”
Tim Fairbanks tried the whispering technique where he leaned in to try and bring Mr. Thorpe back to his senses but it was of no effect.
“He said that the boy with the staff made him promise to feed the lioness some gazelle…Made him promise to give her some gazelle, like he knew what she wanted.”
Tim tried the pleading technique … “Very improper to do this here.”
Mr. Thorpe turned to Mark Young as he approached from the balcony. He carried the staff, and he had several other students come up behind him.
Mr. Thorpe’s tone turned beyond irate, and he began using his finger to make his point. LeOmi stood and watched, along with everyone else in the room. This was a teacher here at the school, and here he was actually accosting a student with his beefy angry finger displaying his angry attitude at an alarmingly growing rate.
“That could mean only one thing, you knew what the lioness wanted, didn’t you boy?”
Mark looked down at his feet, as if he was contemplating what to do. This was a teacher here at the school, and here he was out of control.
“Answer me boy, and answer me now.”
Mark looked at Tim.
“Boy, I told you to answer me now!”
Tim nodded to Mark to go ahead.
“Yes sir.”
“I knew it. You have Balaam’s Tongue, don’t you boy? You can talk to animals, right?”
“Yes sir.”
“Why haven’t you told anybody about this? Do you think that you’re too special to let anyone know about this?”
Then Tim broke in again. “He has told, Mrs. Shadowitz just hasn’t told you.”
Mr. Thorpe turned to Tim, “You knew. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It is not my place, sir. Mr. Young has asked that only the Council of Elders be informed with the exception of Gerod and myself.”
Mr. Thorpe wheeled back around at Mark, with his finger accusingly, “Is this true boy?”
“Yes sir.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. That means that I have unknowingly violated a trust.” Then the accusing finger turned to Tim.
“And you let me do it.”
“I beg your pardon sir, but I tried—it’s just that you wouldn’t listen.”
“I don’t listen huh. Well you will report to the Council of Elders tomorrow morning at nine. A disciplinary hearing will let us see who will listen.”
“Yes sir,” was Tim’s response.
“I’m afraid that won’t be necessary…Harmonious.” Mrs. Shadowitz’s familiar voice entered the room from behind Mark and his friends.
“I’m afraid you have pronounced your own fate. I will see you in Council Chambers tomorrow at nine and you will face your disciplinary hearing.”
“But ma’am I didn’t mean to…”
With Mrs. Shadowitz’s arrival, the conversation’s volume turned down to a whisper. LeOmi could feel the calm slowly settling over the gathering of students. The huddled adults soon dispersed and Mr. Thorpe went over to the bar and ordered an iced tea and he took it into the storage room. He didn’t come out, but a lot of students finished their purchases and quickly made their way down the spiral staircase.
LeOmi found that she now had the room to move around and look at the different telescopes and binoculars settling on a well made but not overly expensive binocular with a good range. She made her purchase and pulled out her list and checked off binoculars or telescope.
