by Marion Hill
My sense of relief dissipated after these additional questions popped up in my mind. I returned to writing before Second Esperah Carranza brought breakfast.
I MET WITH DIAKONO Copperwith a couple of hours later. He was ready to take me on the next part of the city tour. As we headed for the car, he told me about his time leading service and some of his duties while the morrim was out. I could tell that he really enjoyed teaching the congregation and did not like the administrative responsibilities. He wanted me to attend the kahall service when he taught again in about ten days.
“The Elissa Quadrant is the most prominent quadrant of our city,” Diakono Copperwith started to explain. “We have four: Elissa, Niomi, Noa, and Enoshe.”
“Oscar Ortega’s children,” I interjected.
The diakono nodded and continued, “Elissa was Oscar’s eldest child and like him in personality and temperament.”
After we passed the marketplaces of Sophia and the marperia, Diakono Copperwith made a left turn off of Oscar Ortega Boulevard and onto Elissa Drive as the signpost read. I looked out the window to see no one was out during the daylight. He explained that the reddish-orange rectangular buildings on both sides of the street were businesses that had closed because of the festivals. The buildings were all the same height, and there was no trash on the sidewalk. I had never seen a city street this clean before, not even on the east side near my family home.
“Elissa Drive is the second longest street in the city behind Oscar Ortega Boulevard and the only other street that goes up into the Ortega Hills. I grew up hearing the story that Elissa wanted this road to go up into the hills so it could join up with her father’s road and they would always be connected.”
“Was she Oscar’s favorite child?”
Diakono Copperwith gave me a sharp look. “She was indeed. Those two were a lot alike, even though they clashed when Elissa came of age. But he still favored her over the other children.”
“So Oscar had conflict in his family as well.”
“Yes, Diondray, he did. That really affected his relationship with his boys, Noa and Enoshe.”
“I read in Book 7 of the Baramesa about Elissa and Niomi. Not a lot about his sons. Is there a reason for that?”
“Some morrims before my time believed Oscar was ashamed of his sons and how they behaved, so much so that he didn’t want the scribes at the Konseho of Kammbi to write about them. I don’t know if I believe in that theory, because Oscar spoke fondly of Noa and Enoshe before he died. After his experience with Charles south of the Great Forest, I think Oscar realized he had to love his sons even more.
“The Konseho of Kammbi?” I interjected.
. The Konseho of Kammbi is a council that governs all the cities north of the Great Forest. Everything we do on a citywide level goes through them. If you are the one who will fulfill Oscar’s Prophecy, then we will have to meet in the city of Issabella.”
The road curved, and Diakono Copperwith became silent. I noticed the homes in this quadrant were the same color as the businesses we had passed earlier. Did anyone in this quadrant have a home of a different color? If they did, would the other residents be angry? Would the morrim or diakonos get mad? What about Kammbi? It seemed this god was big on conformity. In that way, he was like Ama. Was that just something about gods—that they wanted their believers and followers to act the same and be just alike?
“Are you noticing something that needs an explanation?” Diakono Copperwith asked.
“The homes are all the same color, and the street is clean. Charlesville doesn’t look like this.”
He laughed and replied, “It is because we are in the Elissa Quadrant, and it is home to the governor, the city council, and the three original families of the city.”
“So this area gets special treatment?”
“Of course, Diondray,” the diakono replied. “Doesn’t your family get special treatment as the ruling family of Charlesville?”
I nodded reluctantly.
“Are you uncomfortable with that status?”
“Yes, I am. Because I’ve seen how those with special status treat those who are beneath them. It’s not pleasant.”
“Your Aunt Maxina was right. At least I know you will not be fascinated with the riches and prestige of this and the Niomi Quadrant.”
Diakono made a right turn, and I could see the Ortega Hills like they were right in front of us. I must admit I wanted him to stop the automobile so I could stare at them. They were reddish-orange like the city but carved like an artist creating fine work with a tool. I had to believe that Oscar Ortega was taken by these hills when he first arrived in this area. While Charlesville was flat and surrounded by water, these hills were the complete opposite of that landscape. I knew right then that I would have to spend some time here.
“On to the Niomi Quadrant,” Diakono Copperwith announced.
ABOUT TEN MINUTES LATER, we arrived in the Niomi Quadrant. The main road here was the Niomi Trail. Diakono Copperwith explained the road started from the western edge of the quadrant and curved to the south, where it met with Oscar Ortega Boulevard.
Businesses lined both sides of the street, stacked together like the blocks I had played with as a kid. There were tall buildings right beside short ones, and I imagined jumping from one to the next. I didn’t see any homes here. Diakono Copperwith told me this was the business area of the city. The Niomi Quadrant created the wealth for the city, and most of the people worked here.
“I will have to bring you back to this quadrant after the Festival of Sinquinta,” Diakono Copperwith said, “so you can see the busyness of Santa Sophia when everyone is going to and from their jobs.”
‘I didn’t know you could make buildings that tall,” I replied and pointed to the tallest building I had ever seen in the distance. It had to be taller than Ama’s Faddar or any other building back home in Charlesville. I wondered what kind or business or operation resided in that building.
“That’s the Carranza Tower, the tallest building in all of the cities north of the Great Forest,” Diakono Copperwith answered. “It was built about thirty years ago as a tribute to Diego Carranza, the city’s first magnate.”
“He came to this area after Oscar Ortega returned from the South Country to get his wife, Sophia.”
“Correct. From Book 3 of the Baramesa. Diego wanted to find his own way as a man. Oscar agreed to allow Diego to return with him to this area on one condition.”
“He had to become a believer and follower in Kammbi.”
“Yes, he did. And Oscar would not stop him from becoming the magnate he desperately wanted to be.”
“Diakono Copperwith, it seems to me that Kammbi wants everyone to conform to a certain way in order to become a believer and follower of him. Does he accept any believer and follower as who they truly are?”
Diakono Copperwith smiled and replied, “Doesn’t Ama want his believers to conform to their life charts? All gods have a standard of how they want their believers and followers to be. The real question is which god’s teachings and standards are right and can truly apply to all people, whether you believe and follow him or not.”
I frowned. “We don’t have a free will?”
“We have a free will, Diondray. You can choose to believe and follow in Kammbi or not.”
I didn’t expect that answer. “So there are some people here in Santa Sophia who don’t believe in Kammbi?”
“Yes, there are. We will see them in the Noa Quadrant.”
I sat back in my seat, surprised. I had thought everyone here in Santa Sophia believed in Kammbi. Maybe there wasn’t total conformity here after all.
“You also have a free will to choose whom you will marry, what occupation you will obtain, and many other lifestyle choices as well. However, if you truly want to do something significant, then you must be guided by something outside of your will and abilities.”
“For you and the people here, it’s Kammbi.”
“For you, it’s Ama and the life c
harts.”
“Who is right?”
“I believe you being here, Diondray, has answered that question.”
I SPENT THE NEXT COUPLE of days with Second Esperah Carranza. I got a complete tour of the kahall of Santa Sophia, and he began to explain a good portion of its history. I learned that the Mayza tribe built the kahall in Year 5 A.O.A. (After Oscar Arrived). Oscar wanted a place built where people could gather to honor Kammbi and meet to learn his teachings. He felt it was important for the believers and followers to get together on a consistent basis in order to stay connected and strengthen their belief in Kammbi.
In the beginning, the kahall only had a meeting room for the congregation and a kitchen to serve everyone after the teaching service. Over the years, the kahall of Santa Sophia added more land and built housing for the morrim and the diakonos, a school, offices for the employees, and the newcomer’s assistance area to help the citizens of Santa Sophia and visitors like me.
It was the largest kahall in the city and held the most prestige as well. All the other kahalls in Santa Sophia looked to this one for direction and guidance in how to teach and lead their people.
I could hear the pride in Second Esperah’s voice when he explained the history of the Kahall. He seemed to be really proud that he belonged and worked at such a place.
After the tour and before Second Esperah Carranza left for the evening, I asked, “Why do you believe in Kammbi so strongly?”
He stopped before he reached the door and turned to face me. “Because I trust him,” he replied.
“How can you trust a god who wants you to conform to what he wants? That isn’t trust to me. It’s conformity.”
His expression changed. “Diondray, you believe that true freedom is becoming your own man. However, true freedom is trusting in something bigger than yourself.”
“How can you trust in something that will not let you be yourself?”
“Do you think I’m not being myself?” he asked.
I nodded. “I have seen you wear the same clothes every day since I’ve arrived here. You bring breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the same time every day. And our conversation, other than right now, has been all about your duties. I thought by now I would get to know more about you.”
“You never asked, Diondray. Also, by serving you, I’m doing everything I am supposed to do.”
“Don’t you want to break free from all this duty?”
“No. I have no reason to do so. Being a Second Esperah has been everything I’ve ever wanted, and Kammbi has blessed me greatly.” He grabbed the doorknob but searched my face as he formulated what to say next. “Believing in Kammbi has shown me the difference between who I am and what I am.”
Second Esperah Carranza exited my room.
After he left for the evening, I sat at the desk and pondered over his last comment. Was there a difference between who I was and what I was? Weren’t they one in the same? How did you know if they were different?
I wrote those questions on the paper, and it got me started on a new themily. He had given me the words I needed to write, and I knew exactly how I wanted to place them on the paper.
Who am I? What am I?
I would never have thought there was a difference between those two questions. Have you ever thought of about it? Maybe learning how to answer those questions will cause you to truly grow up. For most of my life, I believed who I was meant belonging to the most prominent and ruling family of Charlesville. And I believed what I was meant the same. Now, I realize that what I am has always been different than who am I. And I’m here to find out what am I.
I stopped writing and looked at those words. At that moment, I thought about Aunt Maxina and wished I could share this with her. Also, that I could have read this at Aliki Park. I would have loved to see the reaction of the audience.
“WE WILL HEAD TO THE Enoshe Quadrant for the next part of our tour,” Diakono Copperwith said as we drove away from the kahall. “What you saw in the Elissa and Niomi Quadrants was very different from what you will see here.”
The sun had gone down and dusk had arrived. For the first time I saw people walking on the sidewalk as we drove by, and there were other cars on the street as well. It was a welcome sight.
“Is there a reason you wanted to take me to the Enoshe Quadrant in the evening?” I asked.
Diakono Copperwith looked over at me and replied, “ I was allowed by the Morrim of the Kahall to take you out in the evening. I thought you would want to see the actual citizens of Santa Sophia asked for permission. I’m pretty sure you were beginning to think that this period between the festivals was a little much.”
I chuckled and said, “It’s different. How much longer before people can come out during the daytime?”
I saw the street sign, Enoshe Way, as Diakono Copperwith made a right turn off Oscar Ortega Boulevard. People were walking leisurely along the street, and I wondered where they were going.
“There are still thirty-three more days before the twenty-first day of Aym.”
“Thirty-three more days until they can come out during the day? How can people abide this way every year?”
“Ritual for some. Tradition for some. But for me, as a diakono, it is a matter of trust and obedience.”
“Obedience!”
“I know that’s going to be hard for you, Diondray.”
I stayed quiet. He was right.
“You just said that the Enoshe Quadrant is different than the previous quadrants I’ve visited,” I asked in order to change the subject. “Why is that?”
As Diakono Copperwith drove further on Enoshe Way, I saw people starting at the automobile as we passed by. I didn’t know if they were surprised to see a diakono in this quadrant or if they were looking at me and saying to themselves, Who is this person? He’s not from here.
“What you saw in the Elissa and Niomi Quadrants was the city at its best. You will see the opposite in our trip today.”
“How does Santa Sophia treat those who are less fortunate?”
“I wouldn’t call them less fortunate, Diondray. Wealthy or poor, they all belong to Kammbi. However, there’s always a division between those who have a lot and those who don’t. And the quadrants reflect that division.”
“That’s one of the big differences I had with my family. Uncle Xavier believed that the east side should always be kept up and promoted as the face of Charlesville. He thought the west side should only be given the basic necessities to survive, and then the people could fend for themselves. That’s not fair.”
“I would agree with you about that not being fair. But humankind has always divided itself between those who have and those who don’t. The question becomes, what do you do with the resources you have?”
I turned away from looking out of the window and faced the diakono. “Are you saying that those who don’t have should just accept their position in life? They shouldn’t have the same resources as those who are wealthy?”
“It’s not that simple, Diondray. Even if you give everybody who is poor the same resources as those who are wealthy, it will not matter unless they accept who they are. There are a lot of people who believe that equality of resources means equality of social status. But it doesn’t. People will always divide into their own social status groups because of what they believe about themselves, and they will always want to be around people who are like them as well.”
“But what’s wrong with giving everyone the same amount of resources? It just doesn’t seem fair that some people have a lot and others don’t.”
“Again, you are stuck on the words fair and equal. Many people, even those here in Santa Sophia who believe and follow Kammbi, feel the same way you do. But if they would read the entire Book of Kammbi, they would know that Kammbi has never taught about fairness and equality of resources. He teaches only that no matter what your social status is, you must trust in him to guide and provide for you. He understands that we will always be resentful and envious of thos
e we believe have a higher social status than ourselves. And when you are resentful or envious, then you have committed an act of passha. So it always returns to who you really are and what are you becoming.”
I tried to puzzle my way through the diakono’s answers. He kept coming back to the idea that we should accept our social status and place our trust in a god who would give us everything we needed. But how could we be sure that a god would do exactly as he promised? I had seen those on the east side get special treatment from the oraki in order to get their wishes granted by Ama. It seemed that those who had got what they wanted from Ama, but those who didn’t have were expected to follow their life charts without question or deviation. So how could I be sure that this god, Kammbi, would not do the same thing as Ama?
“This is Kahall Thirty-Seven,” he said as he parked in front of a kahall. It was white, small, and nondescript. I thought maybe it was some kind of historical place that he wanted me to see on our tour. Also, I wondered why he didn’t believe in the fairness and equality of resources for all people. If those of us who had lots of resources gave up some of them to those who didn’t have, wouldn’t that create a better society?
“It is the kahall I grew up in.”
“Smaller than the kahall of Santa Sophia.”
“Don’t get fooled by the size of a Kahall. What goes on inside determines if a kahall is relevant or not.”
I heard the anger in his voice after that comment. “I was not being critical of the kahall you grew up in.”
“We will continue with the tour of the city in a few days,” he replied and drove away from the kahall.
Chapter 10
“NOA QUADRANT IS THE poorest quadrant in the city. The hovels you saw as we drove by are what people of this quadrant live in,” Diakono Copperwith explained.
We had already driven by many of the small gray buildings that had to be the size of a single room. It was morning, and people were outside. They watched our car as we drove by and I remembered Diakono Copperwith telling me about the unbelievers that lived in this quadrant. I assumed that the festivals did not matter to these people at all.
