"Way to go," Dinel cheered.

"How did everyone find out already?" Raziel asked.

"Forneus told a bunch of kids. The news spread like swampfire," Dinel answered, "Forn said you were unbelievable, but foolish--rode the shaft like a daredevil, killed yourself and nearly drowned on top of it!"

That made real sense, Raziel thought. Frac thought about what Pronoia would say.

"C'mon Frac, let's go," Raziel injected, and the three of them ran for the Village Round in the center of the village. They were followed by the youths who met them on the path. Out of breath by the time they reached the Village Round, a cluster of important societal buildings--The Temple Of Truth, the Court of Justice, the Grand Market, and others, Frac's appearance commanded the attention of all present. While many were still pointing and whispering as in disbelief, a large number of young Nuemericans began cheering. Several of The Keepers Of The Truth began heading toward Frac, but Iofiel, the youngest of the Elders, quickly interceded and guided Frac into the Court of Justice which no one, including The Keepers Of The Truth, were allowed without invite. Raziel and Diniel followed, but Diniel was stopped. Just a few of the Elders were present. Haniel and Pronoia soon joined them.

"What's the story Frac," Haniel asked, clearly unhappy about the situation.

"I went to the Underground Pool."

"And?" Pronoia asked, with the truth-seeking temperament that Frac did not want to face considering the promise made to Forneus.

"And what?" Frac answered, hoping to avert the actual inference of Pronoia's simple question, "I was curious..."

"As was I," Raziel quickly injected, knowing the inference as well, and hoping to help Frac deflect the actual question.

"...and I foolishly went down there. But I'm alright. I didn't die or anything" Frac answered, a bit too boldly upon retrospect, "It was nothing really."

"Nothing?"

Frac knew that there was no avoiding Pronoia's interrogation for long, "It was just a pool of water--underground."

"Just?"

"Basically. I mean there were some interesting fish and water creatures there...and an unusual source of light...but I seen nothing magical or mystical about the place."

"Nothing?"

"Strange maybe, but then again the clouds in the sky and winds in the air appear strange to me during a late summer storm."

"Raziel?"

"Pronoia, I did not go down into the Underground Pool."

"Frac, who did you go with?" Haniel asked.

"Forneus... challenged me to and told me how to do it."

"Frac, I have a question," Iofiel said, who had quietly been standing aside the small group, "Did you get any injuries?"

Thinking before answering, Frac replied, "I bumped my head."

Pronoia was inspecting Frac inquisitively. "What is this," Pronoia asked pointing to the scar on Frac's arm.

"A scar," Frac said.

"That was never there before," Haniel stated, touching the scar, "Explain this."

Frac was now in a very sensitive predicament--how could this be explained without breaking the promise made to Forneus--yet give a logical explanation that would satisfy the question?

"Speak up. Don't think about it--just give the answer," Pronoia demanded.

"And strip down to your under garments."

Frac began taking off tunic and breeches, quickly considering the answer to the question. "Do I tell them the truth, do I make up some lame story, or just plead silence," pondered Frac.




© 2001 John Gnotek