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The Children of Darkness: The Seekers, #1
The Children of Darkness: The Seekers, #1
The Children of Darkness: The Seekers, #1
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The Children of Darkness: The Seekers, #1

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A thousand years ago the Darkness came—a terrible time of violence, fear, and social collapse when technology ran rampant.

  • WINNER: Pinnacle Book Achievement Award - Best Science Fiction
  • WINNER: Feathered Quill Book Award - Gold Medal: Science Fiction/Fantasy

"But what are we without dreams?"

The vicars of the Temple of Light brought peace, ushering in an era of blessed simplicity. For ten centuries they have kept the madness at bay with "temple magic," and by eliminating forever the rush of progress that nearly caused the destruction of everything.

Childhood friends, Orah, Nathaniel, and Thomas have always lived in the tiny village of Little Pond, longing for more from life but unwilling to challenge the rigid status quo. When they're cast into the prisons of Temple City, they discover a terrible secret that launches the three on a journey to find the forbidden keep, placing their lives in jeopardy, for a truth from the past awaits that threatens the foundation of the Temple. If they reveal that truth, they might once again release the potential of their people.

Yet they would also incur the Temple's wrath, as it is written: "If there comes among you a prophet saying, 'Let us return to the darkness,' you shall stone him, because he has sought to thrust you away from the Light."

"The plot unfolds easily, swiftly, and never lets the readers' attention wane... After reading this one, it will be a real hardship to have to wait to see what happens next." ~ Feathered Quill Book Reviews (Awarded "The Children of Darkness" the Gold Medal in Science Fiction & Fantasy)

"A tightly executed first fantasy installment that champions the exploratory spirit." ~ Kirkus Reviews

EVOLVED PUBLISHING PRESENTS the multiple award-winning first book in the extraordinary "The Seekers" series of dystopian sci-fi adventures. [DRM-Free]

LanguageEnglish
Release dateJun 20, 2015
ISBN9781622534333
The Children of Darkness: The Seekers, #1
Author

David Litwack

The urge to write first struck David at age sixteen when working on a newsletter at a youth encampment in the woods of northern Maine. It may have been the wild night when lightning flashed at sunset, followed by the northern lights rippling after dark, or maybe it was the newsletter’s editor, a girl with eyes the color of the ocean, but he was inspired to write about the blurry line between reality and the fantastic. Using two fingers and lots of white-out, he religiously typed five pages a day throughout college and well into his twenties. Then life intervened. When he found time again to daydream, the urge to write returned. David now lives in the Great Northwest and anywhere else that catches his fancy. He no longer limits himself to five pages a day, and is thankful every keystroke for the invention of the word processor.

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    The Children of Darkness - David Litwack

    PART ONE – LITTLE POND

    Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods. ~ Albert Einstein

    Chapter 1 – A Dreamer of Dreams

    As a seven-year-old, she’d watched her father die. She could still see his sunken eyes, so filled with hope as he whispered his final words.

    Now, little Orah, don’t cry. You have a wonderful life ahead of you. Study hard in school and don’t let the vicars set your mind. Think your own thoughts, big thoughts based on grand ideas, and find someone to love.

    But now, with Nathaniel’s coming of age, the vicars weighed heavily on Orah Weber’s mind.

    This night marked the start of the celebration leading to the winter festival, a joyous event that preceded tomorrow’s more somber blessing of the light. Her neighbors from Little Pond clustered around a modest bonfire, warming themselves and sharing the season’s cheer. Each evening for the three weeks leading to festival, the mound of logs would grow until the finish of the games. Then the grand fire would be lit and the feast served. Although this night was only the first, the fire blazed brightly enough to light up the square, yet no bonfire could drive away her gloom.

    She glanced away and focused instead on the twilight-shaded woods, hoping for Nathaniel to appear despite her misgivings. She checked the bell tower looming over the commons. Perhaps Nathaniel had been right, and on this night, he was in no danger. The bell had not yet tolled; the vicar had not yet arrived. Spicy-sweet wassail still bubbled in its cauldron, and the music played on.

    A trio struck up a lively reel, and she turned to listen, tapping a toe and patting her thigh to the rhythm.

    At the fire’s edge, a girl bobbed up and down to the beat in a purple hat with three snowflakes embroidered on the brim. Nearby, young couples looked on while elders sat on the porch of the commons with firelight flickering across their faces.

    She’d spent that afternoon with Nathaniel, sitting on a log by the pond. The leaves in the surrounding forest had completed their autumn change, and stunning hues of red, yellow, and orange reflected off the still water. She’d stared at the colors, struggling to find a way to convince him. After her fifth try, she stood and planted her hands on her hips.

    I forbid you to come, she said.

    Since when are we in the habit of forbidding each other.

    Since you’ve come of age and grown too bull-headed to take care of yourself.

    She’d been close with Nathaniel for as long as she could remember. Even as a small boy, he’d wondered what the world must be like beyond their tiny village, but now he was an adult and she on the threshold. She’d always been the mature one, bothered by his childish notions. Time to forego his fantasies and become more responsible.

    Yet he resisted, stubborn as always. What would you have me do, Orah? Cower in my father’s cottage.

    Not cower, but be less conspicuous when the vicar arrives.

    Only one in three are taken.

    She bent low and pressed her palm to his cheek to force him to face her. Have you forgotten the look of those who’ve been taught, the far-off gaze, the dreams seemingly ripped away?

    He grasped her wrist and eased her hand aside. What good are dreams if they stay unfulfilled?

    They’d had this conversation many times before, every day for the past month since he’d come of age. He’d brood on this one thought—life was passing him by.

    But we’re so young, she’d say, our future so filled with possibilities.

    He’d scoff at her, never satisfied with the way things were. What possibilities are there in Little Pond?

    Little Pond was the smallest village along the edge of the mountains, much smaller than Great Pond, which had two shops and an inn. The pond that gave her home its name was a lovely spot, filled with lake trout and frogs with huge eyes, but Great Pond was triple its size with an island in its middle. It bettered Little Pond in every way.

    Nothing much ever happened in Little Pond, and so nothing much happened in their lives. Yes, they were both good at many things. Like her, he possessed a fine mind, the two of them the top students in school. At seventeen years, he was already one of the strongest in the village, though he’d never been tested in a fight. He could run fast, among the fastest in footraces at festival, though he’d never finished first.

    And so... despite her encouragement, he always wanted more. Was he destined to be good at everything but fall short of greatness? What if the opportunity for greatness came only once in a lifetime, a single perilous choice to change the world? Would he charge forward, believing in his own courage and strength, or run away? That, he claimed, was the test of greatness. Yet he feared their preset life in Little Pond offered no chance to find out.

    She was different. Her family had been weavers in Little Pond for as long as anyone remembered. Unlike the surrounding farmers, her days followed a predictable pattern. Five days a week, she worked the loom. Two days, she traveled to Great Pond to trade for yarn. The flax never failed, and her neighbors always needed cloth.

    Still, she wondered. Should she be more like Nathaniel? Should she long for something beyond the village of her birth?

    She yearned to think big thoughts as her father had urged, to do important things with her life, but not so much that she’d take risks like Nathaniel.

    Now, as she stared at the bonfire on this night before the winter blessing, a new worry consumed her. Though one in three were taken, none ever recounted what happened during the coming-of-age ritual. Every child in the village grew up fearing the teaching, all except Nathaniel. She suspected a part of him hoped for it.

    At least I’d get to see Temple City, he’d say, the light’s eternal fortress against the darkness. At least something different would happen.

    Orah startled from her reverie, as Thomas separated from the crowd, pointed to the tree line and cried out. Well look who’s come to do us honor in the village square.

    She spun around and caught Nathaniel emerging from the woods. Despite her protestations, she was pleased he’d come. Her face grew warm from something more than the heat cast from the fire, but she held back, letting Thomas make first contact.

    He tugged at Nathaniel. Come on. I’ve been waiting for you to get our first wassail.

    I thought I’d find you with the players.

    Thomas’s face sagged. It’d been all he’d talked about the past few weeks—the chance to play his flute at festival now that he was of age. Apparently, the players didn’t dare let him take part. Music was frowned on by the Temple of Light. By rule, a group was restricted to no more than a drum and two winds. Other instruments, such as strings, were banned as remnants of the darkness.

    I tried, Thomas said. They told me to wait my turn, so I’ll have to settle for wassail.

    He gestured to the cauldron bubbling in front of the commons. The familiar smell filled the air—fermented apples with cinnamon and honey. Everyone claimed wassail was the best use of the harvest, but only those of age were allowed to indulge.

    Nathaniel shook free. I haven’t said hello to Orah yet.

    She can have some too.... Oh, I forgot. She’s not of age.

    Orah forced a scowl. Two more months and I won’t have to take that from you anymore, thank the light.

    She smoothed her gray skirt so it flowed to her ankles, and tugged her gray vest until it properly displayed her slender form. All would change to black when she came of age. Once satisfied with her appearance, she stepped halfway to Nathaniel and let him fill the space between them, only then allowing her fingertips to brush his arm.

    I was hoping you’d stay away, she said, before letting her lips curl into a smile. But I’m glad you came.

    I’ve always come for the celebration, Nathaniel said. I didn’t want to miss it now... just because I’ve come of age.

    You both worry too much, Thomas said loud enough to attract the attention of Elder Robert and Elder John, who were playing checkers at the far end of the porch. Thomas clasped his hands to his chest and pleaded. Come on, Nathaniel. I missed the music. Don’t make me miss the wassail.

    Orah’s back stiffened and she blocked his way. Though only two fingers taller than Thomas, she could loom over him when she wanted. Perhaps you should reconsider before starting on wassail. It’s frowned on by the vicars.

    So? Thomas said. They don’t like music either, but we still play.

    The vicars teach us to avoid frivolous foods like honey. They’re trying to help us lead a better life. They don’t like the name either.

    Oh, I’d forgotten. The name comes from one of the— His eyes bulged and his voice rose. —old, forbidden languages.

    The two elders glanced toward them with that look of scorn the old reserve for the young.

    Orah waved to quiet him, but he sailed on. Next they’ll ban friends meeting in threes. Come on, Nathaniel, or are you afraid of the vicar?

    Orah grabbed both by the elbow and dragged them to the edge of the shadows cast by the fire. There, she placed a hand on each of their shoulders, drew them into a circle and lowered her voice. It’s unwise to mock the vicars, especially on this night.

    Nathaniel raised his chin and glared at her. I’m not afraid.

    Me neither, Thomas said. I’d welcome the chance to go with the vicar to Temple City, to see the tall spires and the officials standing in line to greet me. I’ll bet they’ve never met my like before.

    Well I’m quite sure of that, Orah said, but not for the reasons going around in your big head.

    Why so glum? Wouldn’t you like to visit Temple City? I’m sure Nathaniel would.

    Her response sliced through the night air. Nathaniel is not going to Temple City.

    Nathaniel brushed the sleeve of her tunic in that way he had when she became agitated. The firelight reflected off his features, highlighting the stubborn eyes that refused to accept the world as it was.

    Tomorrow’s the blessing, he said, nothing more. We’ll watch our words while the vicar’s here. After he’s gone we can gather at the NOT tree and celebrate our own festival.

    The NOT tree was their name for a shelter deep in the woods, built by Nathaniel’s father as a place to play their games when they were little. They’d named it the NOT tree, using their initials—Nathaniel, Orah and Thomas. With so many years gone by, she doubted his father remembered it, but the NOT tree remained their special place.

    She flicked a strand of hair from her cheek and brushed it back. A fine idea. We’ll meet there tomorrow after dusk.

    Thomas reached into his tunic and pulled out the wooden flute he’d carved years before, and which he always carried with him. And with the vicar gone, I’ll be able to serenade my friends.

    When all three nodded, Orah lifted her face to the sky with arms extended, palms outward as she’d been taught.

    Praise the light, giver of life. Let us end tomorrow safely, together at the NOT tree.

    Just as she finished praying, the bell atop the commons began to toll, ringing sixteen times, each clang echoing in the night air. All music stopped, and parents took children by the hand. Cups of wassail were set down, and faces turned toward the entrance of the square.

    Thomas slipped the flute back into his pocket.

    The vicar strode through the east gate of the village with all the pomp of temple clergy, bearing a pack on his back and the weight of divine authority on his shoulders. He stopped near the fire and confronted the villagers.

    Greetings, he intoned, enunciating every letter. Don’t let me interrupt your festivities. The blessing is for tomorrow, not tonight. Please, dear friends, continue your celebration.

    No one stirred.

    The vicar approached a table, lifted one of the abandoned cups to his nose, and closed his eyes. As he inhaled, he shook his head.

    Honey in your drink. We’ll speak more of this tomorrow, but for now, my friends, enjoy your evening. Blessed be the light.

    The surrounding crowd muttered, Blessed be the light.

    Orah touched hands with Nathaniel and backed away.

    Though no one appeared to move, within seconds the villagers had faded from the square.

    ***

    Orah lingered behind the trunk of an oak tree, invisible in its shadow. She needed to learn more, to understand the threat to her friends.

    Nathaniel had always been a dreamer.

    When they were children, she’d organize games in the woods, elaborate adventures pitting the light against the darkness.

    Nathaniel would try to add to the game, conjuring up stories based on bedtime tales told by his father, beyond what temple rules allowed. He’d pretend the darkness had been lifted by a knight, slashing about with a sword and riding an armored horse, though weapons and the riding of animals had long ago been banned. He’d insist the knight had built Temple City, then scaled the mountains outside Little Pond and discovered a great ocean on the other side.

    As he grew older, she’d warned him to keep such notions to himself. Nathaniel and his notions. She prayed he wouldn’t pay the price tomorrow.

    She sniffed the air, trying to read the breeze, before glancing back to the clearing where the unattended fire had begun to die.

    The vicar stood alone in the middle of the square. With a sigh, he set down his pack, carried all the way from Temple City. Inside would be two of the Temple’s most essential mysteries: the season’s medicine and the sun icon, greatest miracle of the light.

    After stretching his shoulders, the vicar squared them to the bonfire, picked up an abandoned cup of wassail, and poured its contents onto the embers, which hissed and spit out a sweet-smelling steam. His lips curled upward into his hollow cheeks, until his teeth showed and his face displayed a rarely-used, but perfectly genuine smile.

    Chapter 2 – A Teaching

    Following his meeting with the elders, the vicar had two hours to roam the village prior to the noontime blessing. He assumed the posture he’d been taught—back arched, head up, eyes focused on the path ahead. His beard was freshly groomed, a pencil-thin mark that traced the contour of his jaw. His hair had been razor cut to an exact line that intersected the middle of each ear. On his head was the not-quite-square hat of a junior vicar, narrower in front than in back, all black, with no red stripes as yet. Even so, the villagers would treat him as a proper envoy of the Temple. He’d followed the rules and so would they. Little Pond would yield one of its young for a teaching.

    He measured his stride—three foot lengths per step. As each heel struck, it made a mark that mimicked the hat, forming a sequence of almost-squares in the dirt road. The squares detoured only to avoid the occasional puddle left from an early morning drizzle.

    Whenever he came upon villagers, he tried to engage in conversation.

    The autumn’s been warm, thank the light. Did that make for a productive harvest?

    This brought the trite responses he’d come to expect and was able to ignore.

    Next, he would ease into more personal topics. Is everyone in good health? Was the medicine sufficient for your needs?

    Then, intermingled, the contentious questions: How goes the struggle against the darkness? Have you noticed a change in behavior, anyone showing signs of being tainted, someone who might need my attention?

    Most of the villagers, like villagers everywhere, chose their words with care, answering at length but saying little.

    Oh yes, Anne bore Matthew a son. Elder Robert’s daughter married a young man from Great Pond. The light’s strong in the people of the Ponds. We’re true to the faith.

    They’d been conditioned all their lives to parrot back the litanies of the Temple, and viewed this conversation as another ritual. By midmorning, he was growing impatient and began pressing harder.

    Do the young congregate in unruly ways? Have some become rebellious? Then more bluntly, Do any speak ill of the Temple? We must be vigilant, my friends, or the darkness will return.

    Back in Temple City, a red stripe awaited his hat. Others had achieved monsignor by his age, but he sought more than status. A promotion would allow him to pass off the Ponds to a younger vicar.

    How he loathed this village, a nasty little outpost at the edge of the world, bounded to the west by a barrier of white granite mountains ending high up in a sawtooth. Locals claimed ancients had scaled these peaks and found beyond them a sea so great its far side could not be seen. But no one in the age of light would have dared such a quest. Since it was forbidden to speak of the time before the light, at least in civilized places, the rumored trek had never happened. Yet here at the edge of the world, they still told tales.

    Not much changed in Little Pond, and he was bound to keep it so. There were no big problems, only minor distractions. If someone strayed, he exercised his duty as visiting vicar to correct the transgression before it grew. Even a small change might undermine the light. The line must be drawn, he’d been taught, before the darkness had a chance to return. Be vigilant always.

    It was usually the young who deviated. The young, so adventuresome and curious, had not yet learned the full horror of the darkness. Schooling was less strict here, teachings less common than in larger towns, so once each season he traveled to Little Pond and listened in the prescribed way, searching for a candidate for a teaching. For the past three seasons, however, they’d resisted the will of the Temple, tarnishing his record.

    Ahead, the steeple of the commons loomed, the completion of the loop near. Small villages often lacked enough young ones to teach, but if he failed this time, a full year would have passed. Less than an hour remained until the blessing—barely time to communicate to his superiors.

    As he paused to consider his options, a white-throated sparrow landed in a puddle to begin its morning bath. With a blur of wings, it splashed about, lifting its neck and singing with a whistle too passionate for its size. Its song was five notes, two long and three short, with the last ending in a trill. The bird seemed unaware of his approach.

    He knelt down, picked up a stone the shape of an acorn, and straightened, never taking his eye off the bird. Then he took aim and threw, just a flick of the wrist so as not to startle it.

    The rock missed by a feather and the bird flew off.

    He’d redouble his efforts. This time, he’d find one for a teaching, an example so the light would shine forever.

    On the porch of the commons, he found the two elders, John and Robert, who had resumed their game from the night before.

    He strode toward them. Greetings, my friends.

    The two barely looked up, but stopped their play.

    Elder Robert and Elder John, I believe?

    They nodded.

    The vicar reached into the pocket of his robe and pulled out a waterproof pouch. He removed a piece of paper from inside, making no effort to hide the printing that the superstitious villagers took to be nothing less than temple magic.

    Little Pond has had no teaching in almost a year, he said. As elders, you know the importance of discipline. I need your help in finding a candidate.

    The elders looked past him as if wishing he would disappear.

    The vicar stayed quiet, letting the silence grow into a physical presence.

    The two men fidgeted in their chairs. Finally, Elder Robert spoke. We’re a small village. Enough have been taught that we can keep the faith.

    Children come of age all the time. Surely some need... correction.

    Robert’s voice grew resolute. We take care of our own and are loyal to the Temple. We give no reason to believe otherwise.

    The vicar noted the white mourning sash draped across Elder John’s chest. Perhaps he’d be more pliable.

    I note you’ve had a passing to the light, Elder John.

    John looked away, as if the ache inside was none of the vicar’s concern. I lost my wife of forty-four years.

    I’m sorry. May she dwell in the light everlasting.

    John nodded in gratitude, but the vicar gave no reprieve.

    He pulled the paper closer and read deliberately. Temple records show two comings of age within the past half year and, as you know, the records are never wrong.

    John’s voice cracked. I don’t recall.

    Why surely you attended the ceremonies.

    I’m getting old. I can’t remember.

    Perhaps, if you saw the names.... He turned the paper toward them so they could read the bold writing done by no man’s hand. The records tell of Thomas Bradford and Nathaniel Rush.

    Two fine young men, John said after a moment. From strong families faithful to the light. The Bradfords work hard on a farm at the south of town. They’re good folks and kind to their neighbors. Nathaniel’s mother died in bearing him. He was raised by his father, William, one of the elders. You met him this morning. You have no cause to bother either.

    The vicar rocked on his toes. It’s not for you to say... what’s a bother to the Temple of Light.

    John slid toward the edge of his seat and matched the vicar’s stare. William was sent for a teaching when he was young, a week after coming of age. It was the longest this village has ever known. Is that not enough for the Temple?

    The vicar pressed his face closer to John’s. I will get my teaching today, if not one of these young men, then another. He glanced at the paper. The records show you have grandchildren. A little old, perhaps, but maybe I should choose one of them.

    John’s fingers tightened on the arms of his chair and he began to rise.

    Before he could get to his feet, Elder Robert intervened. I’ve heard one making light of the Temple. A teaching might help him lead a more responsible life.

    John turned to him and licked his dry lips, but said nothing.

    The vicar narrowed his eyes into slits. His mouth twitched at the corners. Elder Robert and Elder John, you are true children of light. Once you give me a name, I’ll need speak of your families no more.

    The elders’ every muscle sagged as they avoided each other’s gaze.

    ***

    The somber villagers assembled in the square, old and young, men, women and children. Orah settled on a bench at the rear between Nathaniel and Thomas, while the elders moved to the front.

    As she waited for the ceremony to start, she took stock of her friends.

    Nathaniel sat straight-backed, eyes unflinching, focused on the altar like a good child of the light. Thomas only grinned. Both bore the obligations of all males who’d come of age: the temple-prescribed black tunic beneath the ceremonial robe, the hair trimmed to the temple-ordained length, and the thin beard marking their jaw line. But that’s where the similarities ended.

    Though Thomas was a few months older, he looked younger. Where Nathaniel’s whiskers could use filler, only charcoal could make Thomas’s sand-colored fuzz look like a beard. He had boyish features that seemed like they might linger well into middle age, and he acted younger too. When they’d been in school, Thomas loved to chide her for studying too much, but she spent much of her time keeping him out of trouble and covering up for him when he misbehaved.

    The vicar stepped to the front, and a hush settled over the villagers. Everyone turned to face the stone altar. Little Pond was too small to have a building dedicated to the blessing, so its inhabitants had built the altar at the request of the Temple generations before. With no resident vicar, they often used it for other purposes, such as holding festival pies. Such use would have enraged the vicar had he known, but the people of Little Pond took advantage of what they had.

    Now the altar gleamed, covered by a satin cloth, pure white but for the emblem of the Temple, a yellow orb whose rays beamed down on an adoring family: father, mother, and child. A gold icon three hands high stood at its center—an image of the sun.

    While her neighbors wasted little time dwelling on the light or worrying about the darkness—they had enough to do to get by in their daily lives—all were respectful of the ceremony. They reserved their true awe, however, for the sun icon. Through it, they heard the grand vicar speaking to them four times a year from far-off Temple City. Each time, he’d astound them with his knowledge—babies who were born, couples wed, young people who’d come of age. It was a true miracle.

    The vicar approached the altar to the right of the sun icon, and faced the congregation with arms raised and bony fingers pointing toward the heavens.

    Dear friends, he intoned. The Temple brings you greetings. Another season is upon us. Blessed be the light.

    The congregation responded in a monotone. Blessed be the light.

    The grand vicar is the human embodiment of the light in this world. He sees into your hearts and knows if darkness dwells therein. The vicar pivoted toward the icon and stared at its center. Holiness, is this village worthy of receiving the blessing?

    Like the others, Orah held her breath—not because the answer was in doubt, but because the voice emanating from the sun icon always inspired her. A crackling rose from its metallic center, and children would later claim it glowed.

    People of Little Pond. The voice resounded through the square. This past season, we have felt your love as you walked in the light, and so, you have been blessed with a fruitful autumn. We welcome three new children.

    The disembodied voice went on, listing the names of newborns along with their parents. As each was mentioned, eyes turned. Heads nodded approval as if the births were not complete until acknowledged by the Temple. Afterwards, the chief clergyman recognized one marriage, a cousin of Orah’s to Elder Robert’s daughter, and the death of Elder John’s wife. The people took it positively—their communal father dispensing approval and sympathy.

    The grand vicar finished with the usual blessing. May those newly arrived be welcomed, those departed be remembered, and all be embraced by the light.

    With this cue, the vicar asked with a tremor in his voice, Holiness, are they deserving of the gift of life?

    The people of Little Pond are deserving.

    The vicar turned to the audience. Let the elders approach.

    The five elders, including Nathaniel’s father, stepped forward, with the two oldest, John and Robert, bearing a sack that contained donations collected in the past week.

    What is it you bring? the vicar said.

    We give what we can to support the Temple, Robert responded.

    The vicar took the sack of medicine from his pack and handed it to the elders in a simultaneous exchange. The medicine was a gift from the Temple, enough to last until the next blessing. Like every child in Little Pond, Orah remembered the magic in that sack, white tablets for headaches, pink powder for stomach ailments, and miraculous blue capsules that healed infections during cold winter nights. Its contents would be stored in the village pharmacy and dispensed freely according to need.

    Bless you, people of Little Pond. Through your generosity, the light shall thrive. The vicar stuffed the tithe in his pack and turned toward the icon. Holiness, will you lead us in the precepts of faith?

    The crowd rose to their feet. When the grand vicar began the precepts, everyone recited with him.

    Blessed be the light. Blessed be the sun, the source of all light. Blessed be the moon, the stars, and our own world which revolve around its light. The light is the giver of life, the darkness of chaos and death. Those who seek the darkness shall be doomed to darkness never-ending, but those who embrace the light shall dwell in the light everlasting. While we believe and are true to the light, the darkness shall never return.

    Once the voice from the sun icon had quieted, a sense of satisfaction settled over the villagers. Orah waited for the vicar to dismiss them with the usual intonation: Go with the light.

    When he hesitated, she grew restless. Her heart pulsed louder with each beat.

    After too long a delay, the voice from the sun icon spoke again. The light is stronger than the darkness, but we must be vigilant. For hundreds of years, the Temple has armed a few to be soldiers of faith. Little Pond is honored this season to have one of its own chosen for a teaching. Come forward, Thomas Bradford of Little Pond.

    The crowd went silent.

    Orah turned to her friends. Nathaniel bore a look she’d seen before, whenever he spoke about the death of his mother. Thomas’s face had gone ashen.

    Come forward, Thomas of Little Pond, and be taught the horror of the darkness, so you may keep the light shining in Little Pond.

    Thomas stood and drifted forward on wobbly knees. Orah lunged to touch him, but he’d moved beyond her reach.

    The vicar spread his arms. Welcome, Thomas. You shall accompany me to Temple City and return to your people wiser. Now, my friends, go with the light.

    A subdued village repeated the benediction.

    Orah squeezed Nathaniel’s arm. What will happen to him? Will he be all right? When will he be back?

    The vein in Nathaniel’s forehead throbbed. Who knows? No one ever talks about teachings, but it’s a three-day trek to Temple City and three days back, so he’ll be gone at least a week. When she remained disconsolate, he added, He should be home for festival.

    As the villagers dispersed, Orah rose on tiptoes to peer over their heads. She caught sight of Thomas, hands held high in triumph, the mask of his face painted with a grin as if he’d just won a race, but she knew him

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