The Third Cycle of Time-Chapter 8

From: Cheryl Baumgartner(C Baumgartner, Posted Date: Jun 11th, 2011

               Open Council meetings drew large crowds and tonight was no exception.  It allowed the different castes to bring their requests directly to the council.  Adana waited patiently for the warriors’ turn. 

                “The High Warrior Delegate has advised us that the Warriors wish to be heard tonight.” The head of Council turned the floor over to Adana.

                “I have been notified the Guild School wishes to petition us.” Adana stated.

                The Headmaster stood.  “The petition comes from the students, I believe that they should speak for themselves.  They have appointed a spokesman.” The headmaster signaled to someone in the back of the room.

                Kai walked up to the Council table and bowed. “This Warrior-cadet is humbled in your presence.” Kai formally greeted his mother before turning to the rest of the council.  “I offer respect to those I will one day serve.”

                “You have a request to make of us Kai?” the Head of Council asked.

                “We know that the Council has much to consider but we request that the Council fund the  building of a new Freshman Dormitory.  Due to lack of insulation, plumbing problems and several leaks in the roof, the majority of students have had to move from their rooms and are now without permanent lodging.  It has created a stressful situation for the entire student body as many students are now sleeping 5 to a 3 man room.  This situation has made it difficult for many students to apply themselves to their studies.” Kai stated.

                The High Merchant Delegate Mara spoke up “The budget is already stressed we cannot afford to take on any new projects.”

                “We know the Council has many requests to consider, so we also looked at alternate options. 

Building 7, the current Freshman Dormitory, could be remodeled and repaired at less than half the cost of erecting a new building; but the remodel and repair must be done immediately.  If we wait the building will fall into total disrepair, forcing the Council to provide funding for the more expensive new dormitory.

                We have provided a cost analysis study of the two options.” Kai said handing a stack of folders to his mother.  “We humbly ask the Council to consider our request.  All students of the school wish to serve the council but unless this situation is corrected there will be less of us to graduate and take our place among the warriors to protect the people of Brunnis, and her interests.” Kai bowed again and returned to the back of the chamber.

                The Council members quickly looked over the reports and after just a few minutes of deliberation voted to fund the remodel.  They would have workmen there in the morning to assess the situation.

                Later Selai and Adana left the Chambers to head home.  As soon as they were out of earshot they burst out laughing, “Adana what have you been teaching him?  Even Mara had to give in on that one.  I’m impressed.”

                “He padded the hell out of the cost analysis study.   We could have built the new building for close to what he presented as the cost of the remodel.  The remodel will be completed under budget and he will look like a hero for saving the people of Brunnis a tidy sum.”  Adana laughed again “He did take the wind from her sails didn’t he?  What could she say especially with his parting shot about protecting Brunnis’ ‘interests’.”

                “You mean the merchant’s interests!  And he’s only 16, imagine when he actually has some experience!”

                “And he got exactly what he wanted.  They never wanted a new building, just to get the existing one fixed.  Mara walked out tonight thinking she put one over on him when he actually put one over on her!”

               

 

                “What is so all fired important?” the headmaster asked as one of the freshman students dragged him up to the attic of the dormitory.  There was a crowd of students gathered around something in excitement.

                “Sir, the workmen found this container.” The student was explaining. “And well, you have to see for yourself.”

                The headmaster reached the crowd and was about to ask what the commotion was when he saw what one of the boys was holding.  The color drained from his face.

                “Bring that box and come with me.” he said in a shaky voice.

                He hurried back to his office.  “Just set it over there.” He told the student as he went to the comm link.  He called three people.  “Come to my office, there is something that I must show you.”

                The head master paced his office until the three people had arrived; Adana, Zinn and Selai.

                “Thank you for coming so quickly.” He said as Adana and Selai exchanged a look.  The headmaster never forgot the formalities, that he had now indicated just how deeply flustered he was.

                “The workmen were clearing out the attic of the freshman dormitory this morning so they could examine the extent of the damage to be repaired, they found a container that had been stored there.  Luckily it was sealed, but the boys were curious about what was in it.  The container is old from the days when the Dorm was the old Dragon Fighter’s administration building.”

                The headmaster lifted the lid and took out a framed faded photo of a group of young men.  His hand was shaking as he held the photo out to Adana.  It fell from her nerveless fingers and crashed to the floor.  Selai carefully picked up the photo avoiding the shards of broken glass and splinters of wood.

                She looked at it seeing what had everyone so unnerved. Kai stood in the front row wearing a uniform that had not been seen outside of a museum in over 900 years.

 

 

                Kai stopped, lifted his arm turned his head and sniffed at his armpit.  So he didn’t stink.  That was not causing everyone to give him such a wide berth.  It was as if there was an unseen barrier around him that no one could cross.  The looks he was getting were also strange, a mixture of fear, awe and speculation.

                He entered the building and opened the door to the Headmaster’s office.  Aura the headmaster’s secretary jumped up from her seat as if she had springs in her rear end.  She hurried over and opened the door to the headmaster’s private office before Kai could even open his mouth.  Kai went through the door keeping his eyes on Aura as she closed the door.

                When he turned around he found himself facing his parents, Selai and the headmaster.  The headmaster had the same look of fearful awe on his face that Kai had been getting all over the campus.  His father seemed to be sizing him up.  His mother and Selai were looking at him almost as if they had just heard a joke and he was the punchline.

                “Is someone going to explain what is going on?  Why am I being treated as if I have suddenly grown two heads?” Kai asked.

                “Kai, has you mother mentioned the prophecy to you?” Selai asked.

                “What prophecy?  What are you talking about?” Kai asked starting to feel some unease himself.

                “Before you were born, I was visited regularly by the ancestors.  I was granted an audience with the Time Prophet.  She spoke a prophecy to me. ‘Kai will be the hand of destruction as Kai was in the past and will be in each cycle of time.’” Adana explained.  “It’s why I have taken such an active role in your education.  It’s why I have stressed how important you will be.”

                “Today, evidence was discovered that supports the prophecy.” Selai said, offering the photo to him.  “It’s why you have such a deep understanding of the Warlord’s scrolls.”

                “No!” Kai threw the picture down on the floor.  “I’m not some prophecy made flesh or some Messiah!  The insects are getting closer and you’re just looking for someone to be a symbol, a martyr to this charade.  I’m not it!  I’m not him!” Kai said pointing at the photo on the floor before storming out.

                Kai was enraged.  He knew his mother was fiercely dedicated to her post, but never did it cross his mind that she would use her own son to further her purpose.  He was so busy being enraged that he didn’t think to look at where he was going.  Since everyone was getting out of his way he didn’t need to worry about walking into another student, fixed objects were a different matter.

                When he finally stopped seeing stars, Kai sat up, towering over him was The Warlord’s monument and the man dressed in black casually leaning against it. 

                “Rebellion is certainly your strong suit.” The man in black said.  “But there is a time and place for rebellion, this is not it.”

                Kai shook his head, he was wide awake.  This was not a dream.

                “You have demanded answers all of your life, now you have them.  The prophecy is your answer.”

                “No.” Kai said.

                “Yes, because when the time comes you will do what you are meant to do, as we all will.  Circumstances will carry you.”

                “You are the prophecy.” Kai said slowly.

                “I am simply a shade of what might be.  You are surrounded by what has been.  Let them guide you.  You are the present, you connect the future to the past.  Accept what you are, it will be easier for you.” The man said as he faded from view.

                “Your mother is upset, your words cut her deeply.” Zinn said as he lowered himself to the grass in front of his son.

“It has been many years since I have actually sat here in the midst of these obelisks, but I look out of my window every morning at them.  They are a reminder to me that being a warrior is more than status, it is honor and service.  And not just by us men who carry the Gortha.

                 There is a woman here that we honor.” Zinn nodded toward Lynna’s marker.  “She never fought a battle except in council chambers, it was where she stood as a warrior just as Adana stands there today.  She was mate to the Warlord, do you think she took pleasure in having her mate off on a battlefield somewhere risking life and limb?”  Zinn questioned.

                Kai sat silently.

                “Let me put it this way, your mother has doted on you from the moment of your birth. Whenever you are upset she is right there waiting to comfort you.  I have seen her cry tears of pain for no other reason than you are in pain.  Is that the act of a woman who thinks so little of her son?” Zinn asked as he rose to his feet.  “She has known from the beginning what you are and spared you that knowledge as long as possible, bearing the burden on her own shoulders.”

                “I am not the person for this Father.”

                “Kai you are exactly the person for this.  Go apologize to your mother.” Zinn said.