Briefly, Ted informed Lucy of Nina’s predicament.
“She’s positively taken with the girls,” Mara added. “She wouldn’t allow harm to come to so much as a hair on their heads.”
“Good. Oh, one more thing. If you need to reach me before I get back to you, use the compact to communicate.”
“How?”
“You can leave a message. Just open it and speak. I’ll retrieve it when I can. Remember, be discreet.”
“Just curious, Lucy,” Dixon interrupted, “is Mara the only one with sufficient attendant power to make use of the compact?”
Lucy avoided his gaze. “No, Dixon. In that you were Oathtaker to a seventh, you certainly can and may use it.” She paused. “I’m sorry. It was wrong of me.”
He said nothing, though his scowl spoke volumes.
Suddenly, her expression turned grim. “You’re awfully young for all of this, aren’t you?” she asked Mara, her voice laced with accusation.
“None of that,” Dixon said, his voice was firm. “Have no fear. The Good One sent the right person for the job. Don’t try to second guess Him.”
Lucy sighed. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.” She smiled at Mara. “Welcome then, little sister. Welcome to the inner circle.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Mara opened the door to a gentle knocking. “Come on in if you like while I get the last of my things together.”
“Nina,” Dixon said as he stepped inside, “good morning. You’re looking well today.”
“The babies make me very happy.”
“Good.” He paused. “You know, I was thinking, it would help us tremendously if we knew your story. For safety sake, I mean. What with your having escaped from Chiran, it could prove difficult if someone came looking for you.”
Nina’s smiled dropped away. Her face turned ashen.
“Dixon,” Mara chided. “Do you really think this is necessary? And now? The poor girl has been through so much.”
“Please, sir,” Nina said, “don’t make me speak of Chiran.” Her eyes welled with tears.
“Nina, of course we won’t make you tell us anything you don’t want to,” Mara assured her.
The young Chiranian brushed away her tears. “I understand the girls are special Select so I’ll tell you anything that could help you to keep them safe.”
The Oathtakers looked at one another in surprise.
“I’ve seen the girls’ signs,” Nina offered by way of explanation.
“But how is it you’re familiar with the signs of the Select?” Dixon asked.
“Many years ago, my mother worked for a family of Select. That was before things changed in Chiran—before Zarek.” She closed her eyes, as though reliving the memories in her mind’s eye. “When I was just a child, she told me how to identify one. ‘Look for the sign they each wear,’ she said. You know, like the girls have.”
“It’s imperative you keep silent about this,” Dixon said. “If word gets out, the girls could be in grave danger.” He shook his head and frowned. “Actually, I suppose it’s really only fair we tell you that, even now, danger pursues us. Perhaps we should have told you all of this up front, but—”
She looked at Mara.
“I’m sorry, Nina, we should have told you earlier, but it’s true. We’re looking for a safe place to take the girls. Our mission is very dangerous.”
“It wouldn’t have made any difference. I think I’ve known all along, what with the way you two have behaved. But I don’t care. I accept it as the price of being close to the girls. I won’t say or do anything that could harm them.”
Gently, the young woman stroked Eden’s cheek, then reassembled her bodice and removed the blanket she’d used to maintain her modesty while nursing. She turned her attention back to the Oathtakers. “I swear, Mara, I would . . . give my life for these girls.”
At that very moment, the earth shook.
Mara’s eyes opened wide. She stumbled, then dropped onto the nearby bed, as trinkets on the table and shelves rattled, and dust rained down from the ceiling. “Gracious Good One!” she cried.
Dixon stumbled, then regained his balance with a hand to the wall.
“What is it? What’s happening?” Nina cried.
The floor stilled. The rattle of knickknacks and trinkets stopped.
“Nina, you’re an Oathtaker!” Mara exclaimed.
“No! What’s going on? I meant no harm, I swear!” The young woman’s hands jittered. “Here, take her!” she exclaimed, handing Eden off. She returned to the edge of the bed and sat with her arms held tightly around herself, her knees up, in a sort of quasi-fetal position.
Ted called from down the stairs.
“I’ll see to Ted and Faith,” Dixon said.
“It’s all right, Nina, you haven’t done anything wrong. We just . . . Well, as you no doubt figured out, Dixon and I are Oathtakers.” Mara knelt down and gently pressed Eden back into the young woman’s arms. “When you swore to protect the girls, the earth shook much as it does when an Oathtaker accepts his charge.” She searched Nina’s face. “Did you feel anything else?”
“You mean fear? I thought the house would fall down.”
Mara chuckled. “Anything else?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Believe me, you’d know if you’d felt anything like what an Oathtaker feels.”
“Are you and Dixon Oathtakers to the twins?”
“I’m Oathtaker to both of them. But Dixon swore the same oath that you just did—and with the same results.”
Dixon returned.
“When we get a chance, we’ll discuss this further,” Mara said.
“Ahhh . . . I had to do a little explaining, there. Ted and Faith both wondered what happened.”
“What did they say?”
“Only that they’re as confused as we are. I’d told Ted yesterday about what happened when I asked you to let me help with the girls. But now, with Nina getting such a response to her vow . . . Well, it’s all very confusing. Anyway, he agrees this deserves a closer look, but for now, he’d like to take us to sanctuary. It would be nice to stop there for a short time. What do you think?”
“Yes, I’d like to take a few minutes to offer my thanksgiving,” she said, “but we should get moving quickly, so let’s bring our belongings along and be on our way from there. Agreed?”
“Yes,” he said.
“Have you any thought about which direction we should head in from here? Without knowing what Lucy thinks, and since we don’t know who might be seeking our whereabouts, I feel lost.”
He pulled out a chair and sat down. He placed his elbows on his knees and his chin in the palm of his hand. “Rowena and I mostly stayed on the move, but that would be much more difficult now with the girls. It would be nice to stay in one place, at least for a time, but we can’t head to Lucy’s until she clears us for that. Still, the Good One will guide us if we keep our minds open and listen for His direction . . . I suppose there’s always the City of Light. I know a lot of people there—including some Rowena trusted and greatly respected. Besides, getting lost in a crowd could be just the thing.”
He glanced at Mara, a question in his eye. “Or we could head to the hinterlands. No,” he then said, “never mind that. If anyone is hoping to find Rowena through me, they might have sent spies ahead thinking that my childhood home would be a natural place for me to go.”
Mara sat next to him. She tapped on the table. “I trust your instincts.”
“We’ll talk more about this on the way then.” He stood to take his leave. “We should set out within the hour.”
“I’m finished here. You coming, Nina?”
“If you’ll take Reigna, I’ll get my things and be down with Eden in just a minute.”
Faith greeted Mara and Dixon when they made their way into the kitchen. With the house so full, she was serving breakfast in shifts. Francis and Patrick sat at one end of the table, Ted at the other.
“’Mo
rnin’ again, Dixon. ’Mornin’ to you too, Mara. A lot of commotion already today, huh? Well, I hope you two rested well.” Ted slapped Dixon lightly on the back, directing him to an open chair, then guided Mara to another. “A couple more hungry mouths here!” he called out. “Let’s get some more of that great breakfast over this way.”
“Let me help,” Dixon offered before taking his seat.
Faith jostled him. “No, I wouldn’t hear of it. There’s only so much room in here and you’d just be in my way.”
“Well, if you’re sure—”
“Sit. Sit,” she ordered, gently pushing him aside and pointing to his chair.
Dixon sat.
Mara smiled at how malleable he was in Faith’s capable hands.
Faith set out dishes for everyone, then refilled plates and bowls of eggs, scrambled and sprinkled with cheese and chives, crispy bacon, slices of sweet melons and pears sprinkled with finely chopped rosemary, and crusty bread.
Nina arrived with Eden. Then they all ate, enjoying breakfast over small talk.
“We’re ever so grateful, Ted, Faith, Francis, for everything,” Mara said when they were through, “but we should go.”
Dixon stood. “We’d like to stop briefly at sanctuary, but we’ll not stay long. We need to get underway while the day is still fresh.”
“Very well then,” Ted said. “What about you, Francis?”
“I have to go to sanctuary, Patrick,” Francis told the boy. “You can stay here or go along with me and Grandma Faith—if you’re not naughty.”
“I wanna go with you, Dad! And I amn’t naughty, Dad, I amn’t!” the boy responded.
The kitchen erupted in laughter.
“He’s adorable,” Mara said.
“Yes,” Faith agreed, “he certainly keeps us on our toes.” Then she turned to Patrick. “Bear can’t go into sanctuary, so you’ll have to leave him here.”
“Say, Ted, since we’re leaving directly from sanctuary, what do you recommend? That we ride or lead our horses?” Dixon asked.
“I’ll follow and take them along with Patrick, while you all visit,” Francis offered.
“Excellent, thank you.”
They headed to sanctuary. Francis and Patrick led Sherman, Cheryl, and Spot, a horse Ted provided for Nina, so named because of a single white patch on its forehead.
As they walked and visited, the day came alive. People scurried past, children laughed and ran, buggies clattered, roosters crowed, and dogs barked. Several townspeople greeted them. It was clear by their smiles and waves that Ted and Faith were neighborhood favorites.
“Faith here,” Ted said, putting an arm around her, “was quite the Oathtaker back in the day, and is a great healer. People come from all around to see her when they need things. I bet she’s birthed—what, Faith, about a hundred babies?” He pulled her closer and smiled at her.
“I suppose that’s about right. With Polesk having swelled so terrifically in size in the last years, and now with the mission home up and running, my skills are called upon fairly frequently.”
“How long since you—” Mara began.
“Were an active Oathtaker?” Faith completed the question. “My charge died of natural causes about forty years ago. Shortly after that I met my husband and had my family and now— Well, just think, now I have grandchildren!”
Before long the group came to sanctuary, situated at the top of a hill. The main building was larger by several times than anything else in the vicinity. Made of white brick, it reached up and up, then sported a tower that surpassed the height of even the tallest trees.
Gardens, benches, alcoves and statues covered sanctuary grounds. Even at this early hour, hundreds of people milled about. Families wandered around, hand in hand. The more business minded stood in groups, in quiet conversation. Gaggles of young people, dressed in the carefree common manner of students, were engaged in animated discussions.
“It’s beautiful,” Mara said. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“It was the first here in Oosa,” Ted said. “When the Select came to these lands, this was the first building they and their Oathtakers, built. You might say it was the center of their new venture. As you probably know from your childhood history lessons, others exploited and used the Select in their old country. Their service to Ehyeh made them prosper. Those envious of the blessings the Good One bestowed upon them, enslaved them.
“Eventually the Select fought for and won their freedom. They wanted a new life for themselves and their children. This land became their sanctuary, and they built the main building here as thanks to the Good One. They intended for it to represent the covenant between Ehyeh and the Select, and to serve as a continual reminder that the people should serve Him and follow in His ways.”
“It looks like sanctuary in the City of Light,” said Dixon.
“Yes, sanctuary in the City of Light was modeled after this one. It’s larger to be sure, but its designers based it on this campus right here. And of course, contrary to popular thought, this is the only one that was built with magic.”
“Magic!” Mara exclaimed.
“Yes, I’m afraid much of the history has been lost, but many old writings indicate that this sanctuary was built with magic.”
The group followed a footpath to the front of the main building. Gravel crunched under their feet. Overhead the leaves of massive trees fluttered in the soft morning breeze. For the most part, the dew had burnt off, yet small glistening droplets still clung to the grass in the dappled shade beneath the trees. Pillars of night blooming jasmine, their blossoms just closing, their light, fruity aroma filling the air, grew near the entrance to the main building.
“What lovely gardens,” Mara said. “Who sees to them? That can’t be a small job.”
“That’s one of my many duties,” Ted said. “Francis assists me. It’s such a joy to work at sanctuary. Until I get a new charge, this is the closest I can imagine to being and doing as the Good One would have.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I figure the Good One is responsible for all life and all good things. He made the world and all that’s in it. That’s where the name Creovita comes from—‘give life.’ Being creative is the best way I know to be like Him. Really, I think people have an innate longing to create, and that they are happiest when doing so. Fortunately, I get to satisfy my own such desires.” He hesitated. “Does that make sense?”
“It certainly does.”
Enjoying the heady scent of the jasmine, Mara approached sanctuary’s front entrance, Nina at her side. The infants both rested contentedly. Reigna wriggled, then stretched her little hands and made them into fists. Mara grasped one and kissed it.
Just then, Francis and Patrick arrived with the horses. Francis motioned that he’d bring them to the back of the building.
“Right this way,” Ted then said as he led the group inside.
Seven windows wrapped around the entryway, three to the right, three to the left, and one front and center. Each ran from floor to ceiling, upwards of twenty feet high, and each depicted a different scene. From the top of the windows rose a round domed ceiling made up of seven more windows that collectively, replicated a night sky of a deep azure blue with assorted stars, constellations, and other heavenly bodies.
Sunlight passed through the windows, all made of small crystals pieced together into mosaics. Each multi-faceted crystal caused the incoming light to refract many times over. As the breeze moved the leaves on the trees outside, colored reflections moved about, inside. The dancing, spinning speckles touched on and flitted across the walls, floors, and objects on display.
“Over there,” Ted pointed, “hallways lead to the inner sanctuary—what you might call the prayer room, and classrooms and libraries. This sanctuary boasts the largest collection of original works of our forebears. Although Polesk itself is not the largest of Oosa’s cities today, many people come here to study and to visit this sanctuary. That accounts for
many of the people you see here today.”
“What do they study?” Mara asked.
“Mostly history, economics, and social issues.” Ted paused. “The Select who settled here sought above all, the freedom to serve Ehyeh. They also wanted to be free to work for themselves and to choose the type of work they would do. They wanted to be free to give help to others, or to refuse it when others did not contribute to their own welfare. They wanted to be free to come and go as they chose, and to speak their minds unfettered.
“The first settlers determined that the best way to ensure the freedoms they valued for themselves, was to support those freedoms for newcomers to the land. They felt that so long as the community lived according to the great admonition, they could afford to acknowledge the same rights for everyone in Oosa. So, when people from other places settled here, they too practiced their own ways.”
“We studied some of the history in our hood back home,” Mara said. “We were taught that our forebears started what had never been done before. One professor told us that the story of world history was one of murder, oppression, and slavery. He said Oosa, which stood in opposition to that history, was the first and is still the only place of its kind.”
“Freedom,” Nina whispered, as though transfixed by the concept.
“That’s right. Let me show you the story this sanctuary tells. We’ll start there.” Ted pointed toward the front of the room and to his right.
Taking Mara’s elbow, he directed her to the window he’d indicated, the first of the three on that side. “This, as you can probably make out, depicts the first of the Select. The first signify new beginnings and birth.”
“A seed just coming to life,” she said. “It’s lovely.”
“Yes. Firsts are responsible for protecting life in all its forms. Of course, there are always more firstborns than any other, and as you probably know, if a family is blessed with more than seven children, the count begins anew. So the next born child—the eighth—is also considered a first.”
The window depicted a yellow-green seedling with healthy roots branching downwards, water droplets surrounding it. Mara reached toward it. The refracted lights danced off her hands and arms.
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