Raziel seen Frac coming down the trail and rushed out of the hut, also adorned in celebration robe. "Are you ready?"

"I've been ready for thirteen years. You?"

"Just give me a moment. Psisya is finishing my head band."

Frac drew near to Raziel's ear and whispered, "Are ready to dig back into The Scrolls of The Mysteries of The World."

Raziel jumped back like walking upon a coral snake, and with the same look of apprehension. "WHAT!"

"Sh-h-h."

"What are you talking about!"

"I've got a plan. Just follow my lead when I say."

"No. Explain yourself."

"Trust me."

"Trust you!" Raziel said, still shaken and perplexed, "Always 'trust me,' 'follow my lead,' 'it'll be fine.'"

"Keep your voice down. Just go get your head band and let's go celebrate," Frac said, as Psisya was coming out of the hut with Raziel's head band.

"You look splendid Frac. Both of you," Psisya said, as Raziel put on the head band, "It's four hours past high Day-Torch. You better get down to the Village Round. Celebrations start shortly. I'll be there as soon as I get cleaned up."

"Alright, let's go Raz!"

Raziel still had a befuddled look as they started down the path to the Village Round.

"Relax Raz, this is a surefire plan."

"You're not talking about stealing it, are you?"

"Absolutely not. Are you crazy?"

A group of young villagers was seen down the trail, waving to them as Raziel asked, "What then?"

"Well, you won't be able to read all the rest of it, but you will have a chance to get at it for a bit, so read what you will."

"How," Raziel asked, but it was too late for Frac to answer before the group was upon them, cheering them, hooting and hollering. Gadal was with the crowd, also dressed in celebration garb, and Forneus was with them as well.

"Hail," Forneus cheerfully said to Frac. Frac was still weary of Forneus, but nonetheless acknowledged Forneus's salutation. Raziel simply gave Forneus a contemptuous glare, but was lifted to the shoulders of those in the crowd along with Frac and Gadal, before Forneus caught glance. The crowd of young Nuemericans--young adults and older children, carried the three the rest of the way to the Village Round, which was decorated in all the festive drapings of this special occasion. Actually, it was rare that the Village Round was ever shy of these decorations as it seemed always someone was turning thirteen, but nonetheless it made today's honorees feel special.

Banners and flags hung from poles all around the Village Round, a pig was roasting, and other food and beverages were prepared for the banquet to be held after the commencement ceremonies, in which Frac, Raziel and Gadal would be honored. A prominent member of The Keepers Of The Truth would head the ceremony, and each of the honorees would give a speech, declaring their intent for adulthood. Then one of the Elders would give a speech initiating them as adult citizens of Nuemerica, then give each honoree a gift special to each individual. Afterwards everyone would partake in the feast, followed by dancing and games. This often lasted to mid-evening, with many of the younger Nuemericans engaging in courtship games.

Frac, Raziel and Gadal were led right to the steps of The Temple Of Truth, a stepped, pyramid-shaped, granite building about the height of thirteen Nuemerican adults. The top was flat, with a wide base for a rectangular enclosure on top, which had the only entrance to The Temple. A wide set of steps rose to the top on the side that faces the Day-Torch all day. Tall palm trees, the tallest in all Nuemerica, lined the other three sides. The World One lived in The Temple, while the other Keepers Of The Truth simply conducted their daily activities there.

Frac, Raziel and Gadal would enter the enclosure at the top of the pyramid, where they would remain until the chosen Keeper Of The Truth made the spiritual speech. This could last half an hour to an hour. Then one-by-one each honoree would come out, determined by who was born first--Gadal, Frac, then Raziel, and say their speech. Additionally, the honorees's Main Guardians are given an honorable mention and presented a salutation flag to hang at their huts to show that they have raised an honorable new citizen for Nuemerica.

At the bottom of the steps, Frac, Raziel and Gadal romped and frolicked with other young adults and children, with Frac the center of additional attention (due to the Underground Pool adventure) l, until horns trumpeted the beginning of ceremonies. The tree honorees climbed the steep steps, as villagers began to gather in the Village Round.

"This is it Frac. This is it," Raziel excitingly said.

"You think this is it? Are you ready to dig into The Scroll of The Mysteries of The World?"

"WHAT?" Raziel exclaimed, stopping half way up the pyramid.

"Sh-h-h, and c'mon," Frac whispered, drawing near to Raziel while they continued climbing, "As soon as The Keeper begins speaking, we'll head down to the Inner Chamber, get you in and The Scroll is all yours--for a good two hours maybe."

"Just that simple? Are you nuts?!!"

"Tone it down Raz."

"I'm not doing this."

"You want to check out The Scroll, don't you?"

"Of course, but this is impossible."

"You won't ever have a better chance than this."

"What's to keep us from getting caught though, did you think of that?"

"Absolutely. Everyone, including all the Keepers Of The Truth, will be in the Round. The Keeper speaker will last probably an hour, then Gadal will be at least ten minutes. I'll come back and clue you when Gadal starts speaking, and that'll give you at least half hour, because I'll at least ramble that long. Clue me when you're clear."

"I don't know...hey, what if The World One is in there, or comes in?" Raziel asked, just as they reached the top. "Wal-l-lah," Frac said, while indicating toward an upholstered and gem-studded high-back chair to the right. "I've never seen that chair before. I don't get it."

"The World One is the Keepers' Master of Ceremonies. That will keep the Inner Chamber clear--for a couple of hours--for you!"

"Still...Something could happen," Raziel said, evidently amazed, "What if The World One comes back mid-ceremony? And how did you know all this?"

"Haniel told me. Have you ever seen a Keeper Of The Truth break away mid-ceremony? And, if The World One did head this way, I could make some kind of diversion. If you did get caught back there, say you were looking for the water closet--that you had to use a privy, or something. Just make sure you are out here at most a half hour after I give you the heads up when Gadal goes out." Frac added, "I've got several chums in the audience who'll start a round of applause with every other sentence The World One delivers. You know how one person's clapping will get the whole crowd going. That'll extend a bit more time."

Frac, Raziel and Gadal stood at the top of The Temple Of Truth, while the gathering below cheered them. Frac never felt so proud. Their Main Guardians were brought out of the rectangular enclosure and seated to the left. Frac glanced at Haniel and Pronoia, who were smiling ear-to-ear, eyes moist and glistening. Iofiel, representing the Elders, led the honorees inside the enclosure, instructed them as to the protocol they would follow, then went back outside and took a seat on the left side, next to the Main Guardians.

The inside of the enclosure where they stood was dimly lit, small and empty, with stone walls, and halls leading to the right and to the left. The trumpeters outside blew their horns and everyone--the gathering--the special attendees just out the door--as well as the honorees, all got to their knees, with bowed heads waiting for The World One to make entrance. Frac could feel a breeze swish by and peeked up to see a scarlet red gown, adored with golden threads and fringe, waft by.

A different trumpeter blew different notes and the gathering got off their knees, the special attendants took their seats and Frac, Raziel and Gadal stood up. Frac congratulated Raziel and Gadal, and the later two did likewise. They then got in a line by the door leading outside with Gadal in front, Frac next and Raziel in the back as The World One began to speak.

"Welcome citizens and children of Nuemerica. Today is not only a special day for three of our children who are joining the ranks of honorable citizenship in our honorable society, but this day also marks a special observance of divine jubilee. It was a millennium ago that our founding families were saved from The Great ONE's wrath against the wicked, arrogant pride of the Old World..."

Frac glanced up at Gadal who was entranced, and supposed that Gadal had no clue that The World One would be speaking. Good, then turned around meeting Raziel's eyes. It was obvious that Raziel was torn with the decision immediately upon them. There was excitement in Raziel's eyes, as well as anxiety--extreme anxiety! Then it dawned on Frac--this thing that Frac was proposing was extremely serious, in which the consequences would be unthinkable--exile, very likely to the Forest of Disaster; shame to their families. Frac peeked around Gadal, seen Pronoia still with glistening eyes and Haniel never looking so proud. Psisya glowing. Gadal's Main Guardians--Gonael, a village dung collector, and Jeduthun, a singer--were nothing less than estatic. The World One, arms raised, the gold reflecting the Day-Torch, was speaking, but Frac heard not a word as if sound had left Nuemerica.

Frac's was not the only life that would be jeopardized, but also that of Raziel, and Frac had a sudden realization that this was indeed foolish. For what? To gain a bit of knowledge? Even if Raziel wanted to go through with this, Frac's influence could be welded over Raziel, and end this whole thing right now. But, on the other hand, if this is what Raziel really wanted, and Raziel was no fool, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity].




© 2001 John Gnotek