The morning had finally come of Frac's thirteenth birthday, the day when a Nuemerican youth officially became an adult, though Frac had felt as one for months and particularly after the visit to the Underground Pool. It was also Raziel's thirteenth birthday, as well as Gadal who lived far on the other side of the village, whom neither Frac nor Raziel knew.

Being an young adult meant that one could participate in most manners of Nuemerican civil activities--working assignments, voting for electable societal officials (excluding The Keepers Of The Truth and the Elders, which were above any societal constraints, and had their own hierarchical orders). They also were allowed to participate in quests and journeys, and the right to own properties and processions, though this was very rare for one so young as Frac and Raziel. Usually the proceeds of any working assignments went to the immediate family until one coupled with a mate, in which the families would help to establish the new coupling with land, a hut and furnishings, and a permanent work assignment.

To the newly adult villager this was quite a rite of passage, and it seemed every child longed for this day and couldn't wait to get there. Fact be known--most adults, mainly the older ones reflect back on the great memories of childhood, and miss the carefree responsibilities that this time in their lives held--nothing to be concerned with except playing, except of course the couple hours of learning instruction that they all had to do each day, which was either administered at the learning huts, or by one's Guardians. Though this was mandatory for children between four and thirteen years, it wasn't really all that bad if one had a fun mentor, which most were. Frac and Raziel, who had always attended instruction together, once had Ariel as an instructor to read the clouds. Ariel was sort of a mean-spirited and freaky person, and did weird dances while reciting indecipherable chants when reading the clouds. Both Frac and Raziel's Guardians removed them from Ariel's instruction, where Haniel taught them what they needed to know regarding cloud reading.

One could also continue with their studies if they had a sponsor or mentor to continue their studies. Not all young adults yearned for this, but those that did go through these extra steps almost always were given the more choice work assignments, and some were even given very prestigious positions in Nuemerican society. Haniel, Iofiel and even Morax had taken advanced studies.

Though Raziel always yearned to be scholar, to study life and history--for life, Frac felt that destiny held adventure and a position of exploration for Frac's lot in life, but neither were overly eager to jump into anything right away. Most thirteen year olds in the village spent the first year or two after becoming an adult trying different things and experiencing different things, before committing to any one assignment. Frac and Raziel were no different.

Raziel came to Frac's hut early in the morning. "Hail child conqueror of the Underground Pool."

"Bug off," Frac playfully replied.

"So are you excited about the big day?"

"Yeah, pretty much. You?"

"Oh, yeah. Just think, we'll now be able to do anything."

"I want to go on a journey--a quest--an odyssey."

"I want to study the Books of Knowledge and..." with lowered voice, Raziel continued, "And, someday I'd like to finish Scroll of The Mysteries of The World."

"Sh-h-hh," Frac whispered, "Just tell Dina off again."

Raziel, when younger, was once reprimanded for questioning Dina, a Keeper Of The Truth and teacher of language. Waiting for three days outside of the Inner Chamber for The World One to extol punishment, Raziel came across the Scroll Of The Mysteries Of The World. For the better part of three days, Raziel devoured the knowledge in the writings, including half of the Keys [to the mysteries of the world], which are not even revealed to no one other than The World One and select Keepers Of The Truth. Frac was the only one Raziel ever shared this secret with.

"Go get it?"

"Say what?"

"Get the Scroll Of The Mysteries Of The World."

"Sh-h-hh, what do you mean get it?"

"Let's go for a walk."

"Are you allowed to leave? I thought you were confined to the hut."

"I'm an adult now. I should be able to leave," Frac said and then called, "Pronoia!"

Pronoia came into the hut from just outside. "Yes dear? Hello Raz, happy birthday."

"Hello Pronoia, thank you."

"I am allowed to leave the hut now, am I not?"

Pronoia looked at Frac--glanced at Raziel--looked back to Frac again. "Of course you can. You are an adult now," Pronoia said smiling and proud, "Don't get in any trouble--I still am your Guardian," Pronoia cutely added, hugged and kissed Frac on the cheek, then hugged Raziel.

Frac led Raziel down one of the side trails, rather than one of the main paths leading to the Village Round.

"Where are we headed?" Raziel asked.

"I dunno, maybe down by the lake."

"What lake?"

"The great, salty lake."

"What are you up to? Remember you promised your Guardians that you wouldn't go back there," Raziel said.

"Unless there was a safe way."

"Do you think?"

"Don't you?"

"Yep!"

Frac and Raziel, discussed how and where it is that Forneus and company accessed the Underground Pool, while they walked along one of the trails leading to the great, salty lake--a lake with no end in sight--a lake, salty in taste, not at all suitable for drinking or cooking, and not even very good for bathing. Surely there must be an end to it as many of the Elders debated--behind closed doors, away from the probing eyes and ears of The Keepers Of The Truth. The Keepers Of The Truth taught that there was an end to The Great ONE's handiwork, as there was no end to The Great ONE, who had made all things visible--and invisible.

One must bear in mind that disagreements or disputes with The Keepers Of The Truth always resulted in dire consequences to the antagonist. Though the Elders were often exempt from this decree, there was an unspoken line--and only The Keepers Of The Truth determined this line--that if crossed would hold the same consequences as that of a common villager. The consequences could range anywhere from a very stern warning, as Haniel has had several times, to that of exile from Nuemerica and eternal banishment from The Great ONE's invisible domain, the place where all good Nuemericans go upon passage of death's threshold. This has happened to many otherwise upright Nuemericans, sometimes justly, but all too often for unreasonable, and as some would view it--inconscionable reasons, as many quietly thought happened to Agla several years ago.

Agla was an oddball by Nuemerican standards, first being an albino as it is called--pure white skin and hair with pink eyes, whereas everyone else in the village was of the golden, tanned brown, or the darker raven color skin. Agla always wore a black, deep hooded robe to protect against the Day-Torch's lick, which just added to the oddball look. Aside from this oddity though, Agla had been well liked by most of the villagers, and had held promise of a prominent position with the Elders until getting exiled by The Keepers Of The Truth.

Agla had been, and actually still is, one of the most learned people of Nuemerica--from any generation. Having always been an oddball had left plenty of time and opportunity for study, and actually something that Agla had developed quite a passion for. Not only did Agla learn the taught things--the history of Nuemerica, the reading of the stars, numerology, study of physical matter, the chemistry of matter, herbology, but was also a great thinker. This did not ever sit well with The Keepers Of The Truth as they alone claimed to be the providers of The Great ONE's thought. Anything aside of that was sacrilege, thus justification for one's banishment.

Whereas Haniel was always saved by fact of proof, Agla's downfall came from the fact of claim that the ground on which Nuemerica stood was not the center of The Great ONE's handiwork--that the world in which Nuemerica stood was but a small spot on a rock in the sky traveling through The Great ONE's invisible world above--just as the wandering lights in the night sky. Agla's premise was based on an observation one night when the Moon turned red, and a rounded shadow was cast upon the face of it. Agla showed this to the Elders that night, and recreated it in scale with two rocks by firelight--how a spherical object would cast a rounded shadow against another object. Agla claimed that the shadow cast on the Moon could only be but from a sphere, the Earth, as Agla called the ground on which they stood, with the light source being the great Day Torch, which Agla called the Sun, rotating around the Earth, as the Moon did. Agla also claimed that if one were to walk non-stop in a straight path, that person would eventually come right back to the beginning.

Prior to this, everyone always believed, without doubt, The Keepers Of The Truth's teaching that Nuemerica and the surrounding countryside were laid out relatively flat--like an artist's parchment, floating like a feather in The Great ONE's invisible world. The sky above was another sheet of parchment, but rather like a bubble in which the night lights were painted within the inside of it, that eternally revolved around Nuemerica. This was The Great ONE's manner of showing Nuemerica the mighty and creative handiwork that The Great ONE possessed--an artistic gift to Nuemericans--nothing more. The Sun, as Agla called the great Day-Torch, was a torch carried by The Great ONE across the sky each and every day. The Moon--a great Guardian, like one's Personal Guardian, watched over Nuemericans as they slept.

As most Nuemericans neither had the time, nor the inclination, to think about such things, the ones who did were quickly chastised as it did get people to think, and this is what The Keepers Of The Truth said was the downfall of the Old World--The Great ONE's way of punishing a wicked, old world who thought they were like, and held great power like The Great ONE. The Keepers Of The Truth's duty was to keep Nuemericans from ever being so arrogant again, as The Great ONE may not be so merciful next time.

Agla's claim interested the Elders, who were (secret) thinkers in their own right, for they seen the logic in it, though they couldn't readily understand the concept completely. Agla took a vat of water from the great, salty lake, stirred a handful of sand from the beach in it, and showed how the grains of sand floated and rotated around the whirlpool created from the stirring--stating this to be like the night lights, of which the Sun was one, but much closer--large particles slowly floating and revolving in an endless vat--of air.

Morax, Forneus's Main Guardian, was discreetly present at this presentation as one who was interested and knew about a lot things. But, before the presentation was over and Agla's observations explained in detail to the Elders, Morax had slipped away and alerted several of The Keepers Of The Truth, who immediately proceeded to the small gathering. Hidden behind a scrub of tall grasses by the beach, they listened to but the tail end of Agla's conjecture and came forth, immediately demanding that Agla be ostracized from Nuemerica, as well as anyone else who believed such blasphemy. Iofiel, who was present, interceded, stating that they have no authority to request such demands--even so, there is a due process. Well, this didn't go over well and simply infuriated these Keepers, who immediately went back to The Temple Of Truth and reported this incident to their superiors, who in turn, raised one of the biggest ruckus to hit the village in living memory. Agla's greatest misfortune was the absence of proof to the theory. Also, Morax had found a cache of illegal journals and spellbooks in Agla's hut, which Frac had one night overhead Haniel discussing with Pronoia that they hadn't belonged to Agla, and that Morax more than likely planted them there.

Regardless, Agla not only got banished from the village, but was sentenced to stay well away from any activity within or beyond the bounds of the village and villagers, thus was denied communion and communication with any Nuemericans. Morax would have liked to exile Agla to the Forest of Destruction, but even The Keepers Of The Truth wouldn't have that. It was a sad day for many Nuemericans losing Agla, particularly with the Elders who in their heart of hearts would not soon forget this doing of Morax and The Keepers Of The Truth, though they could not forthrightly express their anger. Frac and Raziel always liked Agla, though they were young when this happened, and had always been a bit timid around the Agla, due to the oddball characteristics. Nonetheless, Agla had always been kind to them, and actually had a great sense of humor.

Frac and Raziel reached the beach where Raziel first spotted Frac after having been expelled by the Underwater Wind. They started looking around for any openings along shore, finding nothing except for the cowhide washed up on the beach, near the tall gasses. After baking in the sun for two weeks, it was stinky and blackened from the goop which Frac had used to seal it. Raziel had said that goop was what was called a jelly fish. They searched every bit of beach in the immediate area, including the tall grasses.

"I must have come out from underwater," Frac said.

"Must have."

"Let's check it out then."

"That water burns my eyes," Raziel said.

"C'mon," Frac extolled, and they both shed their outer garments. Frac pushed Raziel into the water and Raziel slashed Frac. Both laughed and dove underwater. After several minutes of holding their breath and diving under, searching for an opening, they gave up after no success.

"It really doesn't matter anyways, because that is NOT the safe way to go in. Let's go look around up there," Raziel said, pointing to a small hill overgrown with heavy brush and scattered with rocks, "and over there, where we seen that dark hooded figure."

"Alright, you look around the hill, I want to check out over there," Frac replied, heading into the tall grasses. Raziel headed up to the hill. Each began systematically searching their respective tracts, and soon realized how extremely boring this was becoming. Frac found nothing but grass, sand and dried up coconuts, and was about to call it quits when coming upon a huge piece of driftwood. The driftwood was well hidden, rather covered, by the tall grasses and there was nothing remarkable about it except there were several different footprints around it. "Raziel! Over here," Frac called, not sure if Raziel heard. There were at least four, five, maybe even six different footprints--all barefoot, except for one set of sandal prints--big sandals. The footprints were all adult size, except for one--which was just smaller than the size of Frac's. Not waiting for Raziel, Frac tried to push the driftwood log over, but it was much too big and dug into the sand.

"Raz!" Frac could see what looked like the edge of a hole under the log.

"Ps-s-st."

Frac looked side to side, and just thought the wind was blowing through the grasses. "Raz! I need a hand!"

"Sh-h-h. Frac come over here," a soft, amiable voice said.

Frac, a bit startled, turned around and peered into the tall grasses. "Who is that," Frac asked, seeing a dark shape in the shadow of some grass, about thirty feet away, and cautiously approached it.

"Come over and sit down a moment."

As Frac got nearer, the shape of a dark, deep-hooded figure came into focus--sitting cross-legged within a clump of grass. A shade of pink eyes could be seen deep in the hood. "Agla?"

Two stark white hands pushed the hood back, revealing a face just as white as the long, straight white hair falling out of the hood.

"Agla! How are you?" Frac asked, very delighted to see Agla, "What are you doing here?"

"Sit down, please," Agla said, patting a spot on the ground.

Frac sat down, wondering what in all Nuemerica, Agla was doing here--so close to the village, and glanced at the hill that Raziel was at, seeing Raziel still searching.

"I know what you are looking for, and you did indeed find it. What you must do is be very careful right now. I would advise that you not go back down there now."

"How did Agla know," Frac wondered.

"Dagon does not leave that place and is very dangerous," Agla continued and glanced at the Sun overhead, ripped a handful of tall grasses, and handed them to Frac. "Go hide your footprints by the driftwood and come back."

Frac did as was told, used the tall grasses to sweep the footprints that were just left, as well as the footprints leading to the driftwood, then walked backwards sweeping those footprints away, to were Agla still sat, then sat as well.

"What's going on?"

Agla just lifted a long, white finger to pink lips and wrapped the dark robe around Frac. Frac's mind was racing, then a moment later heard voices came from the direction of the village. Forneus and Olivier appeared, went to the large piece of driftwood, lifted it, and held it propped up with a log they had in the hole beneath it. Forneus entered first, then Olivier who once partially in the hole held the large driftwood while Forneus, Frac assumed, removed the prop while Olivier lowered the driftwood.

"I knew there was another way in," Frac exclaimed, "Why'd Forneus let me almost drown?"

"Frac, actually Forneus had looked out for you. Weren't you told to stay in a safe area? Did Dagon harm you while you did as Forneus told you? Forneus didn't imagine that you'd even consider leaving without the Underwater Wind."

"But, if Dagon really wanted to get at me, do you think some imaginary 'sanctuary' was going to protect me?"

"For one--yes! Two, it is not imaginary. Down there that is indeed Forneus's private domain."

"Well, what about...wait a minute...how do you know all this? How do you know I didn't stay in Forneus's spot?" Frac asked and reflected back on the scenes sitting in that crevice of Forneus', "That dark shadow that I kept seeing was you!" "Some of the time. And some of the time it was Dagon."

"The shadow that overpassed me before the Underwater Wind began blowing...that was you, wasn't it? And the dark figure that disappeared into the grasses... you saved me didn't you?"

"We can talk more about this another time. Right now you need to get Razie,l and get away from here, before Forneus and the others come out--which they will very soon. Besides you both have a celebration today, which you two should be getting ready for anyway."

"Where can I find you? When?"

"The day after tomorrow, an hour before the Sun peers over the edge of the great, salty lake, at the Lone Cypress Tree." "There's a lot I want to ask you. And...can I bring Raz?"

"Of course. You are soul mates, are you not? You better go quick now and--don't go down there before we talk," Agla said, still sitting cross-legged in the same spot, nodding toward the driftwood. "Happy birthday."

Frac stood up, looked in the direction of the village--where Forneus and Olivier had come, then at the driftwood, "Thanks. And be careful yourself--this close to the village and all." Frac took a few steps, and said, "You are going to help me, right?"

"Of course I am, that's why I'm here, ain't I?" Frac heard, except the voice came from the opposite direction, and it was the much softer voice of Raziel. Frac turned toward Raziel's voice, seen Raziel tromping through high grasses, turned to where Agla was sitting, but Agla was gone--and the spot where Agla had been sitting was untrampled with tall grasses standing tall as if reaching for the Sun.

Frac quickly showed Raziel the large driftwood trunk, while explaining the brief conversation with Agla, and how they were concealed as Forneus and Olivier entered the Underground Pool through a hole beneath the driftwood. They eradicated their footprints, walked along the sandy beach, then took a main path toward the village.

"Let me ask you Frac, do you think Agla might be part of Dagon's little group?"

"I didn't even consider that, and I don't think so."

"How would Agla know all that happened in the Underground Pool? You yourself said Dagon rules down there," Raziel commented, "What is Agla doing this close to the village? And what are you doing being with Agla? That could get you in some serious trouble!"

"Well, it's going to get us both in some serious trouble then, because we are going to go meet Agla the morning after next, and find out exactly what the story is with the Underground Pool, Dagon and the rest of them," Frac said.

"I'm not going, are you crazy?"

"Alright, if you want me to go see this dangerous maniac alone. You better not say anything to anyone... unless I end up missing...or turn up dead. Besides, if you say you'll go with me, I'll help you get to 'The Scroll.'"

"This is stupid," Raziel frustratingly said, "Why do you always do stuff like this? Especially now that your life...my life...is just beginning?"

Frac smiled, "Raz, I got a good feeling about Agla. Not like the feeling I got from Dagon...or Resh, Tau and Olivier."

"Yeah, you and your feelings. You had a good feeling about Forneus, too."

"I don't have a bad feeling about Forn. I was confused, but what Agla briefly explained makes logical sense."

Frac and Raziel were approaching the village and they could see the decorations for their 13th birthday celebration being displayed. Several of the villagers congratulated them as they entered. Psisya and Pronoia seen the two, came over, with Psisya asking, "Where have you two been? It's almost high Day-Torch and you two need to get cleaned up and in your celebration robes."

"We've been discussing our future," Raziel said, slightly sarcastically. Pronoia suspiciously examined both Frac and Raziel, without saying a word. Both new Nuemerican adults left with their respective 2nd Main Guardians, greeted and congratulated by villagers all the way to their huts.

Continue to Chapter 4.




© 2001 John Gnotek