“I’m not going to overwhelm you with all of the duties required of a Prime Minister at this time. You have a capable mentor in Dimitrios and you have years in which to learn the responsibilities of the office.
“Mr. Brookfield, at this time do you have any questions?”
Charles had been taking notes in his notebook with the memory pen Carson had provided for him. He stopped writing, looked up and said, “So far everything is self-explanatory. I am sure, as I learn more, I will have questions.”
The Prime Minister said, “Very well, Dimitrios is capable of answering or finding out the answers to your questions. We expect you to have questions as you go through this process. Some questions will be able to be answered immediately, and some may have to be researched based on the nature of the question.” Charles nodded.
Then, a Councilwoman stood and gave a brief presentation on past Prime Ministers, which ended with the current Prime Minister. Another Councilman gave a brief presentation on the Sojourners’ Government. The final presentation was given by Dimitrios on the Policies of the Sojourners’ Government and how it coexists with the governments and cultures of the world. Once again the Prime Minister asked Charles if he had any questions. Charles thanked him and said at this time he did not.
The Prime Minister announced a break. Cassia and a catering service brought in lunch. Charles smiled because he remembered what Dimitrios had said about her being so efficient. Charles and his family were served first. As soon as everyone was served, they all began to eat. They talked amongst themselves as they ate. When they finished their meal and dessert, everyone left the table and mingled having conversations in various areas of the room.
A Councilwoman came over to talk to Charles and congratulated him. She talked to Airabelle and Airasten. Others were curious about the birds. They came to also congratulate Charles and asked questions about the birds. As this was taking place the plates were removed. After a brief time the Prime Minister called the meeting back to order.
Nathaniel, a distinguished gentleman from the Sojourner Treasury Department gave the next presentation. He presented Charles with a book on what he referred to as, “Expectations”. When he finished his presentation he said to Charles, “At the conclusion of this Council meeting, I shall meet with you after you have signed ALL the Council’s paperwork. Then you shall have more paperwork to study at the conclusion of our business as well. At that time I shall have you sign another legal paper stating that a specified amount of monies shall be transferred to your bank account. You shall be responsible to grow the account and are required to meet with me every year to monitor the earnings. If you do not have any questions for me at this time, I shall be outside waiting.” Charles shook his hand and thanked him. Then Nathaniel left the room.
The Prime Minister smiled and moved on to the next presenter, Cassia. She talked about the businesses in the Hub, and all of the sectors in and around the Hub. Charles was shown a map on a huge screen that was lowered from the ceiling. He didn’t realize the Hub was so large. Then, he was given a special travel pass to allow him access to the Hub Historical Library and other restricted places within the Hub. He was given a gold card for auctions and a silver dining card he could use at any restaurant located inside the Hub. He was also officially given his own flying disk with a speed monitor on it and a license to operate it. She also gave him a changing schedule book that she would be filling out for him on a daily basis. Appointments would be scheduled by her two days before the event. He would be expected to fill in any personal events as he became aware of them. At the bottom of the page was a place for him to respond if a problem arose or if he had questions. He was also given a special coded pen to use when making notations in the book. She asked Charles if he had any questions. This time he did. Everyone sat up and listened.
Charles asked, “Is the benefit of using a flying disk extended to my family? I see other Sojourners with them and I’d like everyone in my family to have one as well. I’ll pay for it of course.”
The Prime Minister nodded to Dimitrios, and he left the room. The Prime Minister said, “They will each have one before the conclusion of the meeting.”
Then, the Prime Minister’s secretary brought in a large brown leather folder. She opened it on the table in front of him. The Prime Minister asked if Charles had any questions about anything they had gone over in the meeting. Charles said he didn’t have any questions at this time. The Prime Minister asked him to stand, raise his right hand on the Bible and to repeat after him the Sojourners’ Oath. Charles stood. The event of taking his oath was to be recorded on the page.
The Prime Minister asked him to repeat after him, “I, Charles Brookfield, do hereby solemnly swear to uphold the Sojourners’ Government: its laws, guidelines, traditions and the requirements presented to me on this day on behalf of the people by the Sojourners’ Council. I shall use the resources available to me to protect the secrets of the Sojourners’ Society. I shall take my responsibilities seriously and conduct myself in a dignified manner. I shall do my part to acquire wisdom and knowledge. I shall exercise discernment and utilize the resources available to me when it comes to making decisions. I shall honor my word and do what is right. I shall be slow to anger and gracious to others, treating all other individuals, as I would want to be treated. I, Charles Brookfield, give my word in the presence of witnesses on this day.”
Once he had finished saying the oath, the secretary pointed out places on the document that required a signature. She handed him a pen to sign on the signature lines next to those places. Once that was finished Dimitrios brought in the flying disks for Bev and Carson, along with their individual licenses to operate.
After the meeting they all stepped outside and a photographer took pictures of them. After the picture session, they all shook hands and talked briefly. The Council members congratulated Charles and his family, and then returned to the meeting room. Dimitrios showed Charles and his family to a small room where he met with Nathaniel. Once Charles received the paperwork and signed the required papers, Nathaniel informed him Cassia would be scheduling a meeting soon. Dimitrios would be in charge of bringing him to that meeting. He continued to talk to Charles while Dimitrios helped Carson gather their things. Then Nathaniel congratulated Charles at the close of their meeting.
Dimitrios placed the manuals and a few extra items in a large brown leather satchel for Charles. He carried it on his shoulder while escorting Charles and his family back to their Passageway entrance. He shook everyone’s hand except Bev’s. She received a hug. Then, he pulled the appointment book given to Charles from the leather bag. He opened it and showed Charles their next meeting. Cassia had entered it into the book already. At the bottom of the page she wrote her congratulations. Dimitrios was very pleased with her efficiency.
Charles looked at the bulging leather satchel on Dimitrios’ back. Charles asked how many pages he was expected to read prior to their meeting. Dimitrios laughed and said, “Charles read at your own pace. If you have questions we will talk about them when we get together.” He handed the bag to Charles and told him that his journal was also there. Charles nodded, thanked Dimitrios and shook his hand. Dimitrios left.
They all went through the Passageway to the office. Each walked to a chair and sat down. Carson laughed and said, “That was some experience. It looks to me like you have your work cut out for you.”
Charles looked at the satchel. He took off his glasses and set them on the table. As he reached for the bag he said, “What is in this satchel anyway?” Inside Dimitrios had packed: all the manuals, his journal, the appointment book, the gold and silver cards, the travel pass, the schedule book and the pen. Then, he looked inside another compartment and noticed some curious things. He reached in and began pulling an item out. Carson noticed him digging around and leaned closer to see what Charles was removing from the satchel. Charles placed a small golden-hinged box on the table. It was heavier than it looked. Charles looked at Carson and said, �
��No wonder this bag was so heavy.”
Carson’s eyes grew wide as he looked at the box. He nudged Bev. She looked over, stood up and walked to the table. Carson followed her and asked, “Is that all that was in the bag?”
“No.” Charles reached in again and pulled out several other items that seemed strange to him. He placed them on the table beside the golden box. There were: intricately etched colorful glass marbles that were swirled with different colors, a book, a pouch of jacks without the ball and an old spherical antique compass.
Bev stood up straight. She looked at Carson and said, “I don’t believe my eyes, Carson. Can you believe this?”
Carson was looking at the contents of the satchel sitting on the table. He slowly shook his head and then looked at Charles. Although he knew the answer, he asked, “Dimitrios put these things in your bag?”
Charles shrugged and said, “I guess so.”
Carson asked if he could see the bag. Charles handed the emptied bag to him. Carson continued searching the bag until he found a letter. It read:
Charles,
Congratulations. I wanted to give you a couple of gifts. I believe you will find these items helpful in the future. We will discuss them in our next meeting.
Your Friend,
Dimitrios
Charles asked, “You know what these things are don’t you? You both do! What are they?” He looked back at the items on the table.
Bev looked at Carson; Carson was looking at her. They both studied the items on the table without actually touching them.
“This is amazing,” Bev commented.
Carson said, “Such lavish gifts….”
“They are each one of a kind, thought to be just rumors,” Airabelle added. Airasten made a bird caw. Airabelle said, “I second that.”
Charles asked, “You all know about these?”
Airabelle said to him silently, “These gifts are quite priceless. If they are what I think they are, I daresay you are now the sole owner of some very sought after items. They are each very powerful. Let Carson and Bev look the items over and study them. They will be able to tell you more.”
Carson walked over to his desk and removed the black key. He walked over to the wall and used the key to open the bookshelf. He ran his hand across the back of several books and removed a few of them.
Airabelle and Airasten perched on the back of Charles’ chair. Bev went to get the crystals. They were glowing an eerie green as each one flickered. Bev set them down on the table next to the gifts. Carson set the journals on the corner of the table.
Charles was concerned. “What are these things?”
Bev replied, “They are amazing, that is what they are. I wish we had Annalise Moriel at a time like this.”
“Maybe the best thing to do is not to touch them and let Dimitrios tell Charles more about them,” Carson said. Bev agreed.
Charles looked at the items and said, “Oh no you don’t, tell me everything you know about these objects.”
Carson responded, “Well, that is just it, we don’t know much about these items. As far as we knew before today, they were just rumors.”
“Well then, tell me the rumors. You have my full attention.”
“Well, dear we may be wrong….” said Bev. She looked at Carson.
He said, “The only item in front of you that we think we can explain, are the glass marbles. It is said the glass marbles can be used to help the one questioning make a decision. Each marble gives the questioner a different outcome option, and from the options given to you, you choose your desired outcome. The rest of the items we really aren’t sure about, we have just heard talk and rumors of them existing.”
Bev said, “From the reaction of the crystals, it seems that the rumors may be true.” “It makes me wonder why Dimitrios had these and why he would give them up?” said Carson.
Bev replied, “My thoughts exactly. He sure kept a good secret all these years. Rumor Sojourners have sought out the owner of these items for centuries.”
Charles blinked and asked, “Rumor Sojourners? Who are they?”
Carson laughed and said, “A Rumor Sojourner is just that, an individual who devotes his or her life to solving rumors. This individual seeks to discover the truth.”
Bev continued, “Often when they solve the rumor, they purchase the said artifact at an exorbitant price, requiring the individual to keep the transaction hush-hush.”
Charles asked, “Do you think Dimitrios is a Rumor Sojourner?”
Bev and Carson answered at the same time, “Maybe.”
Carson said, “It is a possibility, or he may just be a collector.”
“Maybe he is all those things and a magician too!” said Charles. Bev and Carson looked at him. Charles laughed and said, “I am sure there is an explanation. Dimitrios’ letter stated he will tell me more about these gifts at our next meeting.”
“Hmmm, maybe,” Carson said. “We had better put these tools in the vault.” Bev agreed.
They gathered up the items Dimitrios had given Charles, along with the other things that needed to be returned to the vault from their earlier visit to the Hub. Everyone had something to carry. Carson opened the vault. He looked around the vault until he came across a black leather pouch. He put the gift items in and closed it. Everyone walked out of the vault and Carson secured it.
Carson then placed Charles’ journal on the shelf with the journals he selected earlier. He turned the key to close the shelves, and then walked to his desk, putting all the keys back in their place.
Bev said she was going to go set dinner out. She took off her glasses and set them on Carson’s desk.
Carson picked up one of the journals he had placed on the corner of the table earlier. He told Charles that he was going to do his own research on Rumor Sojourners and the tools from the satchel, since Charles would be reading the manuals given to him at the Council meeting.
Charles put on his glasses and picked up one of his manuals to start reading. Carson also sat down with the journal and began to read. Airabelle and Airasten perched together. Charles and Carson continued to read until it was time for dinner. They put everything away before walking to the house.
Charles asked, “Do you really think Dimitrios could be a Rumor Sojourner?”
“The possibility raises interesting questions. It would explain the mysterious gift of the tools. What do you believe?”
Charles thought about it and nodded. “It looks that way. I think I’d have to know more about Dimitrios and Rumor Sojourners to be certain.”
“Well, did you ever believe that Sojourning could exist before your fifteenth birthday?”
Charles thought about that. They stopped and Charles said, “No. I didn’t. I am finding out there are many things I didn’t know.”
Carson looked at him and asked, “What do you think about Sojourning?”
Charles’ face lit up. “I am having the time of my life!”
Carson ruffled Charles’ hair. Carson opened the back door and they walked into the kitchen. Bev had everything set out for dinner. They went in, washed their hands and sat down. Carson said grace for them before eating.
Bev said, “Gentlemen, I am so excited about everything that has happened the last couple of days. I can’t believe it!”
“It has been fun! Now the hard work starts,” said Carson.
Charles looked at the ceiling and said, “Now he tells me!” They all laughed.
Bev asked, “Charles, how is your reading going?”
“I read a few pages.”
Carson said, “I wouldn’t mind reading those manuals again myself. Ours are so old.” Bev agreed and said she’d like to also. When they finished Charles and Bev cleaned up the kitchen.
Charles called Caroline. She was so excited to hear from him. She talked a hundred miles an hour. Charles laughed. He only got a word in when she took a breath. He invited her over the next day. She said she’d check. If it was possible she would, if not she would ca
ll him later in the evening. They talked for a while and then ended the call.
Bev and Carson were in the library. They were sharing and discussing what they knew about Rumor Sojourners. Charles walked in, sat down and listened.
Carson looked at Charles and said, “I first learned about Rumor Sojourners in a family journal. I will try to locate and reread the information later. I haven’t given them much attention, thinking they were just a rumor as well. As far as I am aware no one has ever had any proof of their existence.”
Bev said, “I first learned of them when I started my job in the Hub. One day I went to a nearby cafe to eat lunch and overheard a conversation about them. I thought the information I overheard was interesting, but didn’t think it was likely they could be real.”
Carson reminded Charles, “If they do exist, they are the best kept secret of all time. We must be sure to keep it that way too.” Bev nodded.
Charles asked, “Do you think the Prime Minister and the Council know about the Rumor Sojourners?” They both looked at him and nodded.
“Yes,” Carson answered. “If they exist, the Prime Minister knows about them. He is aware of all the organizations and receives updates on what they are doing.”
They sat and talked for a little longer before Charles and Carson decided to call Molly and Jack. Bev followed them to the kitchen. Molly was glad they called. They passed the phone around as they talked to Molly first, then Jack and then the girls. When Carson and Charles finished they left Bev to talk to Molly.
They walked out of the house and returned to the office.
Charles said, “I think I would like to work on my journal.”
“That would be fine.” Carson started to get the key from his desk, and then stopped and said, “It’s time you are able to get the key.” Charles walked over to Carson’s desk to get the key. As he sat down he took out his glasses and put them on. Carson showed him how to open the secret compartment. Charles walked over and turned the bookshelves around with the black key. Then he went to replace the key. He took his journal from the shelf and placed it on the desk.
The Xidoran Prophecy Page 45