The Seventh Mountain Page 13

  Chapter 13

   

  Fire and Ice

   

  For some, the future is told.

   

   

  Saturday brought the first flags match of the school year. It was eleven thirty when Mark’s family found him in The Oasis. There was barely enough time to make it to the stands before the game started. The families of his three friends had met them earlier. They were already heading to the stands.

  Mark’s mom, Shirley was grinning, and tears of happiness trickled down her cheeks. She held out her arms to embrace him. “Oh honey, I’ve been so worried about you.” It was the first time that Mark had seen his family since he had arrived at the school.

  He hugged his mom and said, “Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. Hi, James. The game is about to start. We need to get up to the bleachers.”

  “Okay, son. Lead the way.” Mark noticed a little nervousness in his dad. That was strange. He had never known his dad to be nervous about anything before.

  On the way to the stands, Mark told his family everything that he knew about the school. He was repeating everything that he had put into his letters, but this was different. It was face-to-face. That made things more real.

  They made it to the bleachers in time. The call of “Noon,” signaling game start time, was approaching. The four teams of players stood mounted, ready, awaiting the first flag. The replacement mounts pranced anxiously in their corrals on either side of The Island.

  The tribes of Onyx, Jasper, Ruby and Topaz would compete today. Each team wore solid color tunics according to their tribe colors; black for Onyx, orange for Jasper, red for Ruby and yellow for Topaz.

  The Island was guarded by some sort of canine animals. Mark later learned that they were jackals. It was to be the first flags match that he had ever seen.

  The announcer said, “Folks, just a reminder, the stands move to follow the action. For those of you who have never been here before, well, it can startle you if you don’t know what to expect.”

  An amplified female voice sounded next. “Hi folks, I’m Krisa, Captain of the Emerald Tribe’s flags team. For those of you who have never seen a flags match before, I’m going to explain a little about the game.”

  “Flags has been played since before recorded history began. The rules have been changed a little since then. Now, it is no longer permissible to kill an opponent. It used to be okay, in ages past, because flags started as a battle training exercise.”

  “Also, remanifesting is not allowed, as it gives an unfair advantage to those who have that ability.”

  “The object of the game is to get as many flags to your home base as possible, and to keep them there. Each flag increases in value by one point for every one that is launched onto the field. The field is the entire school grounds that you see before you.”

  “Only twelve riders, per tribe, are allowed to go after the flag in play at any given time. A team can have as many foot players as they can muster.”

  “The game is played from solar noon to sunset, except for finals, which are played from sunrise to sunset. I hope you enjoy the game.”

  A few minutes later, Charlie Goodfellow gave the shout that signaled solar noon, exactly. The flag was launched, by ballista, high into the air. The one point flag sailed through the air and stuck into the sandy soil on the playing field.

  There was an amplified cry from the announcer. “They’re Off… Ruby takes a narrow lead. Judd Jenkins is out in front. Cynthia Dover for Onyx is hot on his heels.”

  It was like watching a horse race with no starting gate. A red clad rider took the lead. His cloak was flapping behind him like a cape.

  The bleachers started rotating so that the spectators could follow the action. Shirley said, “Whoa, they weren’t kidding.”

  “Jenkins is still leading the pack… The pack is coming up on the flag… It’s going to be close… too close to say yet… and yes, Jenkins has the flag.” The Ruby Tribe was on their feet, roaring.

  It was hard to make out what was going on. The jumble of horses kicked up a lot of dust, but the announcer’s voice told the spectators what to look for.

  “The pack has him boxed in. Is he going to pass or fight? There’s the flag. It’s up. It looks like he’s going to pass. The pack is breaking up… and… Oh! He’s down. Unhorsed, good move by David Adams. – Does he still have the flag? – Yes! – He’s still got the flag. He’s being swarmed. The flag is up… and there it goes. It looks like it’s intended for Jessica Savage. She’s going for it. – She has it! It’s a race to the corral.”

  A rider in red easily had six lengths on the pack starting out. The head start was narrowed to just less than a length when she made it to the corral.

  “She has a pretty good lead. – The pack is closing in – It looks like she’s going to make it. – She makes the handoff. There it is! One point for Ruby Tribe.”

  Mark watched the players change mounts. Their next horses were already saddled and waiting to go. The number two flag was launched.

  “They’re off! – Onyx is taking an early lead. Daniel Kaufman is giving it all he is worth. – Spiegel is closing in for Ruby. Spiegel has caught him. They’re neck and neck, going for the flag.”

  The yellow riders stopped halfway to the flag and formed a line with the horses about ten yards apart.

  “Topaz team is holding back – they’re setting up a defensive line. Kaufman has the flag. He’s not stopping. Folks, it looks like he is going all the way around. Spiegel is closing the gap.”

  The yellow and the orange riders started heading around the school, the other way.

  “Jasper and Topaz are heading the other way to head him off.”

  The yellow and orange teams made it at least a quarter mile past the stables, going the other way, before they stopped.

  “Wait – he’s turning around. Topaz and Jasper are too far away to defend. It’s one on one now as Onyx and Ruby battle it out”

  The red and black teams came together in a muddle, not too far from where the flag had landed. Ruby was engaging them. They were the only team close enough to prevent their rider from scoring.

  The rider with the flag threw it straight into the rumble and began riding around it.

  “The flag is in the air. There it goes… to Paula Williams. If she’s going to score, she needs to get out of there. – It looks like she’s hemmed in.”

  The lone black rider had no sooner reached the other side of the pack when the flag was back in the air.

  “No… wait… the flag’s in the air– Kaufman has it again. It looks like he made it to the other side of the pack while everyone was watching the clash. Good move, Kaufman. You’ve got to wonder if his horse has enough steam left to make it back or if Onyx can tie Ruby up long enough to keep them away from Kaufman.”

  The yellow and orange teams were in a full out gallop back to the ruckus.

  “Topaz and Jasper have caught on to what has been happening. They’re on their way back. If Kaufman isn’t fast enough, I don’t think he is going to be able to get past them.”

  The yellow and orange teams were about two seconds too late to engage the lone rider before he made it back to the corral.

  “Looks like he’s going to make it. He made it. There’s the hand off. Two points Onyx.”

  “Oh my, look folks, it’s an early play for the bonus flag… Who’s that scaling the pillar for Ruby?”

  There was a momentary pause. Obviously the announcer had to do some consulting to find the names of the players going for the bonus flag.

  “Slone Voif, Ricky Barns and Keith Richards.”

  They were using ropes to climb the outside of the stone structure around the moat.

  “It’s an attempt at a classic deception… It looks like Barns and Richards are going to try and lure the jackals to them while Voif goes for the flag… It’s not going to work, boys. Jackals are smarter than that…”

  The pack of more than three-dozen jackals bo
unded up the ramps leading to the inner ring. Half went toward the two boys who were together. The other half went toward the single boy.

  “Half the pack has spotted Voif… Barns and Richards are surrounded… There they go, over the side and in the water! What a splash! Better get out of there quick, guys. Leviathan is gonna get ya… Voif is heading back down the rope. Sorry, boys. Better try something different, next time.”

  “Back on the field… Ruby has the flag…”

  Mark watched every play with keen interest. He noted the strategies and feints. He savored every detail of the match.

  The sun was sinking low and a flock of starlings began their evening flight to roost. You could always tell a flock of starling from most other birds. Starlings formed a flock fifty to one hundred feet wide and sometimes as much as a mile long, looking like a huge cloud of birds flying in tight formation when they passed over.

  Thirty-five flags had been played when Charlie Goodfellow signaled sunset. The match was over. The Ruby Tribe had won with a score of two hundred and four points. No one had managed to get the bonus flag.

  Mark stood up and faced his dad. “You guys hungry? Maybe Tim will let you stay for dinner.” Tim was supposed to take them back home right after the game.

  Mark’s dad, Steve, stood, “Sure. We’d like that.”

  Mark found Tim in The Oasis. “Hi, Tim. Is it okay if my family stays to have dinner with me?”

  “Well, normally I would say no, but Mr. Diefenderfer has requested that you and your family dine with him tonight.”

  “Okay. Where do we go? I don’t know where the teachers eat.”

  “He will meet you up on the stage. You all need to wear a cloak.” He handed Mark and each of Mark’s family a black cloak with no trim. “Keep the hoods up over your heads until he tells you to remove them. It is kind of a tradition, to show respect.”

  Shana stepped up to the group. “Hi. I’ll take your orders now, if you don’t mind. That is so that I don’t have to interrupt you while you are speaking with Mr. Diefenderfer.”

  Tim added, “Oh yeah, do not go up on the stage until he calls for you. Sit down when he tells you to.”

  Steve said, “I guess that he is some kind of grand duke or something, uh?”

  Mark frowned at his dad. “Yes sir. He is. He is the Commander of my tribe. He is on the Council of Elders. He teaches communication and he is an oracle. Not to mention that he is a pretty good person in general.”

  “Any idea what he wants to talk to us about?”

  “No, sir. I don’t have a clue.”

  Shana waved her pad at Mark. “You ready to order now?”

  “What do you want, Dad?”

  “I’d like a T-bone steak. Do you have that here?”

  Shana nodded. “Yes. How do you want it cooked and what country would you like it from.”

  Steve grinned. “Medium, and is Texas a country?”

  “Yes sir. For food orders, Texas is considered a country. What else would you like with that?”

  “Let’s see… mashed potatoes with gravy, peas and a glass of iced tea and a couple of biscuits.”

  Mark said, “Turkey please. I’ll try some mutton kabobs over rice and cabbage-turnip slaw with olives and iced tea from North Carolina.”

  Shana turned and took Shirley’s and James’s orders.

  A little while later, Shana returned and put the orders on the center table on the stage. When she left, Mr. Diefenderfer walked up onto the stage. He was wearing a hooded cloak with elaborate green trim. He had his hood up. He motioned for Mark and his family to join him.

  They walked up to the table and Mr. Diefenderfer spoke. “I very much… dislike the formality… which I am forced into… by the school rules… You are to be… treated as formal guests… For this… I must… apologize… Bear with me… a moment please.”

  Mr. Diefenderfer bowed his head and asked a blessing. Then he said, “You will be seated… please.”

  They sat down and Mr. Diefenderfer remained standing. He bowed slightly and offered his hand forward.

  “I am… good people… AlHufus Diefenderfer… an oracle… Commander of the Emerald Tribe… of The Seventh Mountain… Second Seat… on the Council of Elders… at the Seventh Mountain… Teacher of Communication… Theory and Practice… First Artisan of Signets… Holder of David’s Crown… for courage… Solomon’s Signet… for wisdom… Deborah’s Nail… for justice… Solomon’s Hammer… for craftsmanship… Daniel’s Mantle… for interpretation… and… I am afraid… that if I continue… on and on … about myself… that your dinners… will get cold…”

  Mark thought that he would take the opportunity to introduce his family. He pointed to James. “This is my older brother, James.”

  James extended his hand and Mr. Diefenderfer shook it. “That is… not entirely true.”

  Mark said, “Well…”

  Mr. Diefenderfer held his hand up to silence Mark. “I know… your family. That is why… I have… asked for you… all… here today. This is… your mother… Shirley.”

  Shirley extended her hand to Mr. Diefenderfer.

  He shook it, turned and said, “This is… your father… Steven.”

  Steve extended his hand to Mr. Diefenderfer. When he touched it, Mr. Diefenderfer stiffened; his head rolled back, and he began to sing, (if you could call it that).

  “Sand and Mountains fire and ice…

  The Lion, the Sabers, the Jackal, and Three Blind Mice…

  Four soldiers march at duties call

  Three will succeed and one will fall

  A sniper waits to deal the blow

  Blood and bone stain the snow

  The Jackal calls to a bird above

  Flying high is The Morning Dove

  Rockets roar and rocks explode

  No more is the sniper’s abode

  Three soldiers march at duties call

  One soldier has given all in his fall

  Three soldiers must do something not so nice

  The Sabers, the Jackal, and Three Blind Mice.”

  Shirley put her hand over her mouth and shook her head.

  Mr. Diefenderfer took two steps backward when he had finished his song. “Oh my! I had no idea that… that would happen.”

  Mark and Steve jumped up to steady him.

  James pulled his chair out, and Mr. Diefenderfer, shaking, stepped forward and sat down.

  “I must… apologize. Ever since… that last battle… foretelling… leaves me… quite shaken.”

  Steve furrowed his brow and tilted his head. “You just named the tattoos on everyone in my squad.”

  “Yes, I see. I am afraid… that the Lion will die… on that mission.”

  Steve pulled his left arm out of the cloak. He pulled his short sleeve up and exposed his tattoo. It was a lion. “Are you telling me that I’m going to die on that mission?”

  “No. I am telling you… that the one known… as the lion… will die… on that mission. The foretelling… was specific… about the lion… not the person.”

  “Then all I have to do is not be on that mission. Is that right?”

  “That mission… will happen… whether you are there… or not. One known as… the lion… will be… on that mission. The lion… will die… on that mission. The lion… is not necessarily… you.”

  “Well, I guess that settles it. I was planning on making the Marines a career. Not anymore.”

  “You may… act on the… information… as you deem fit. But… that is not why… I have… asked you here tonight. I wish to convey… an explanation… and… an apology.”

  Steve put his arm back into his cloak. “An explanation and apology about what?”

  “You may… remove your hoods… and eat… while I speak.”

  Everyone picked up their forks and began to eat.

  “James… I take it… that you… do not know… your last name.”

  Steve dropped his fork. “So that is what this is all about. I wondered if t
here was a connection.”

  “Indeed… there is. James… your given last name is… Diefenderfer. I am… your great, great, great, great grandfather.”

  “Wait just a minute now.” Steve was speaking directly to Mr. Diefenderfer. “His family name is Diefenderfer. But if you expect me to believe that you are his great, great, great, great grandfather, you would have to be well over a hundred years old.”

  “Yes. I am… one hundred… fifty six… years old… but that is… neither here… nor there. What I have said… is true. What is important… is that James understands… that I was unable to act… to avert… his mother’s… death… and as a consequence… preclude his father’s… demise.”

  James asked, “How could you have prevented my mother’s death.”

  “All I needed to do… was to delay her… for a few minutes. I had foreknowledge… of the crash. I had… planned to act… but… was prevented from doing so… as a result… of my injuries.” He pulled back his hood to reveal the scars.

  There was a look of astonishment on their faces when they saw the scar on his head and the black orbs that had once been eyes.

  “It has taken… fifteen years… for me to recover… this much. I was… in a coma… for ten years… after that battle. It is my… great fortune… that the healers here… are… as good as they come.”

  Steve bowed his head. “Those are battle wounds?”

  “Indeed. Two stood… against… fifty… or more. Benrah… an ancient evil… made an attempt… we believe… to steal… an artifact… from… the school’s museum… Fifty or more… thralls… were manifest… from the sands… of the school grounds. They invaded… the museum. I myself and… my best friend… spotted them and… stood to prevent them. My best friend… was lost… in that fight. We never did… find out… what they… were after.”

  James said, “I know you would have helped her if you could have. I understand. You don’t have to apologize.”

  “Thank you, James. That clears… blight… from my soul. There is one more thing… that I must tell you. There may be… some hope… to get you… into this school… to train… as a Magi… if you… are interested. You would… be starting… three years… behind. You would… find the training… to be… a bit more difficult… because of that.”

  Mark said, “I thought that a candidate had to be observed and studied for three years and recommended by a counselor.”

  “That is true. Providentially… Tim and Gerod… both… observed and studied James… as a matter of course… in guarding… observing… and studying… you.”

  “Guarding me?”

  “Yes… the Council of Elders… assigned them… as guards… over you… after the incident… when Benrah… tried to kill… your mother. One or the other… has been guarding you… from that time… until… you… recovered the staff… and arrived here.”

  James said, “Hey yeah, where is the staff?”

  Mark reached out and grabbed the staff. He drew his arm back and the staff appeared. “I have it, right here.”

  “Mark… remember… your lessons.”

  Mark looked down. “Yes sir.” After a pause, he looked back up at his dad. “I’m not supposed to show off.”

  James said to Mr. Diefenderfer, “I think I would like to go to this school, but I need to think about it. How long do I have to make up my mind?”

  “If I can… persuade the Council of Elders… to admit you… then… you will have… until the end… of Orientation Week… next year… to decide.”

  “Thank you.”

  Steve said, “You mentioned the name Benrah. I don’t think that I have ever heard that name before. Who is he?”

  “Benrah… strictly translated… means… ‘the son of evil.’ He has been known… by many names… throughout time. He is… an ancient force of evil. It was… that force of evil… that tried to kill Mark… before he was born.”

  “Why on earth would he want to kill an unborn child?”

  “Although… we have had… no success… in deciphering… Mark’s destiny… he… Benrah… must have… some idea… as to what… that destiny is. It was pretty obvious… that he wanted to… kill Mark… in order to prevent… that destiny.”

  “Surely you must have some idea of what Mark’s destiny is.”

  “We have… consulted… the Ummim-Thummim… at length. It will… neither… answer truth… or untruth… in this matter. It will only… stand… on end… when anything… about Mark… is said. This… in and of… itself… is a great mystery.”

  “What is an Ummim-Thummim?”

  “It is… a flat stone. For thousands of years… it has been… one hundred percent… accurate… when presented… a true or false… statement. It is also known as an U.T. stone.”

  “I see. I still don’t understand what this Benrah has to do with Mark.”

  “Mark… is a Magi. It is the purpose… of Magi… to prevent… Benrah… from taking over… the world.”

  “How can Benrah take over the world?”

  “It has been… deduced… from many foretellings… that he would… become incarnate… somewhere between… 1995 and… 1997. He must… manifest… as a physical being… in order… to take over… the world. We have found… no evidence… of who he is… or even if this… has happened… yet. We believe… that this… has happened. We just don’t know… where or who. We do know… that he must obtain… the use of… a great many… ancient… and powerful… relics… in order to keep… his grip… on the world. It is… the primary purpose… of Magi… to prevent this… from happening… We guard… these relics. Mark’s destiny… must lie… somewhere… within that purpose.”

  Shirley interjected, “And Benrah wants to kill him because of this?”

  “That is… what we believe. It too… is a mystery. Benrah… is prevented from… acting directly… as a disincarnate force… in such things… That is… one reason… that it is… a mystery… as to why… he tried… to kill you.”

  Shirley stood up. “That’s what I thought.” She turned to Mark. “Honey, you’re coming home with us. It’s too dangerous here for you.”

  Mr. Diefenderfer’s voice remained calm. “That is… Mark’s choice… but… his destiny… cannot be prevented. Whatever his destiny is… he will face it… whether he is… at home… or here. At The Seventh Mountain… he has… the protection… of every… skilled Magi… on hand. He is also… learning skills… that he can use… to defend himself… and others. He is… much safer… with us… than at home.”

  Mark looked at his mother and tilted his head. “Mom… I’m staying at school.”

  Steve looked at Shirley. “Hon, I agree with Mr. Diefenderfer. If Mark is going to have a chance at standing up to this Benrah, then he needs training.”

  “I know, but he’s only twelve years old.”

  “Sweetheart, we’ve already talked about this. There isn’t any question that Magi are a force of good standing against evil. We have no place standing against it.”

  Shirley didn’t say anything. She just sat back down.

  After a pause, Mark asked Mr. Diefenderfer, “May my family stay overnight?”

  “That is… a bit unusual… but… I see… no harm in it.” Mr. Diefenderfer waved his hand at the family. “You all… must wear… at all times… when not in your room… your visitor’s cloaks. That includes you… Mark. You will have to leave… prior to… 1 o’clock… in the afternoon. Tomorrow… Mrs. Shadowitz… will be expecting… Mark… and his friends… at 2 o’clock… sharp… for their… afternoon ride. Magi… are expected… to keep their word… whatever the cost. Mark has given… his word… that he would… ride with her… in order… to further explore… the school… and its facilities.”

  Mark said, “Thank you, sir.”

  Then Mark turned and grinned at his dad. “I can show you guys around a little. It’s a really neat school. And you’ll get to meet my friends, Nick, Jamal and Chenoa. Maybe mom would feel better about it if
she understood it a little better.”

  Steve returned to eating his steak. “All of this is a bit much to take in.”

  Mark turned in his seat toward his dad. “There are a lot of amazing things about the people at this school. I believe Mr. Diefenderfer. Trust me. You should believe him, too.”

  Mark looked at Mr. Diefenderfer. “Sir, with your permission, I am going to demonstrate something for my family. I don’t want to do this to show off. I just want them to have a little reassurance about the school and everything that is happening.”

  Mr. Diefenderfer nodded.

  Mark looked back at his dad. “What I am going to show you is something that I have already told you about. People read what I am thinking in the front of my mind. They think that it is their own thoughts unless they have been trained to recognize foreign thoughts. Mr. Diefenderfer has given me some exercises to help control it. I’m getting better at it. I can control the range pretty well now. What you need to do is to relax your minds. Don’t think of anything in particular. It works better in the morning when your mind is naturally relaxed, just after waking up. I’ll wait a moment, for you to relax, before I begin.”

  After a moment, Mark began. He recalled all of the significant events of Orientation Week. He remembered the confrontation with Ralph Lawrence and his crew, befriending Nick, Ms. Vanmie trouncing Ralph and his comrades, meeting Chenoa and Jamal, selecting the signet, the encounter with the lioness, riding the horses, and the call to the Council of Elders. Then he remembered the starting of classes. He thought about starting Mr. Diefenderfer’s class, Mr. Thorpe’s class, Mr. Goodfellow’s class and Ms. Vanmie’s class.

  He showed his family some more of the details of a couple of the classes. He relived the starting of Charlie Goodfellow’s Astronomy class. Mark had learned that Charlie Goodfellow was an Aborigine from Australia. He spoke with an Australian accent. The class began with all first year students gathered a bit away from a roaring bonfire.

  “G’day mates. In the back of your textbooks is a transparency of the night sky for September. Take it out and hold it up like this.” He demonstrated by holding up a transparent sheet. “Make sure you have it right side up. You should be able to read the words.”

  He waited a moment then said. “Tonight, I am going to teach you a little about finding your way around the night sky. See that group of stars there that looks like a lopsided w?” He pointed east toward the horizon. “That’s Cassiopeia. It’s easy to spot. Now hold your star chart up and line up the stars of Cassiopeia on your chart with the ones in the sky.”

  Hooded instructors made the rounds and made sure that everyone was on track.

  Mr. Goodfellow pointed to the horizon. “Another good reference point is Orion’s belt. It’s not up yet, but you can see it on your October chart. See those three stars in a line, close together? That’s Orion’s belt. If you draw a line through the belt and extend it, it will come close to two bright stars, one at either end of the belt. On one side is a reddish star. That is Aldebaran. On the other side is a bright star by the name of Sirius. You can line your charts up on these stars as well. Aldebaran is a magnitude one star. Sirius is a magnitude minus one point five star. And for reference, a full moon’s magnitude is about minus twelve point five. That means how bright they are. A magnitude six object can just barely be seen with the naked eye on a very dark night.”

  Mark brought his mind to an incident in Ms. Vanmie’s class. He was careful not to think about how inadequate he felt in that class. The class was just about to start when Ricky Barns asked a question.

  “Ms. Vanmie, why do we train with swords? I mean, aren’t they obsolete? Why don’t we just train with firearms?”

  Ms. Vanmie smiled, turned and looked at Ricky. “Every year a student asks that very same question. They get the very same answer.”

  The second year students pulled back, as a group, from their normal training places. It was as if they knew what was coming.

  “Ricky, follow me.” She led him to a wall full of shelves. “These are weapons that I keep here for training. There is a very large selection. The guns are all loaded with wax bullets and squib charges. Pick the handgun of your choice and go back to your group.”

  Ricky went back to his group carrying a long barreled revolver.

  Ms. Vanmie walked up in front of Ricky. She shouted, “Jerome, with your riotous, at your pleasure, advance and disarm Mr. Barns, after I move.” She whispered to Ricky, “Jerome was the worst student last year to actually pass. I will give you one hundred points and the rest of this class off, if you can hit him with a shot from that pistol.”

  Ms. Vanmie took two quick side steps to get out of the way.

  The second years parted from around Jerome. Jerome stood alone and faced Ricky. He smiled and saluted Ricky with his riotous. Ricky raised the gun to take aim. Jerome ran forward and ducked left then right.

  POP. Ricky fired his first shot. Jerome, still running, did a forward somersault.

  POP. Another shot missed. Jerome came to his feet in a full out run. He closed on Ricky and spun left.

  Ricky fired a third shot. Jerome’s riotous came up, seemingly out of nowhere, and struck Ricky’s wrist. The pistol was falling from Ricky’s grasp when Jerome spun again and brought his riotous to rest against Ricky’s neck.

  Ms. Vanmie said, “You don’t have to reload a sword either. Swords have their place. There are also places where the sword is absolutely useless.”

  Mark brought his attention back to the here and now. “The thoughts that you just had were some of my memories. The only thing is; you were seeing them as me. For a few moments, you thought of yourself as me. That’s pretty amazing.”

  The silence that followed was broken by James. “I don’t have to think about it anymore. I definitely want to go to school here.”

  Steve chuckled. “Me, too!”

  Mr. Diefenderfer spoke. “You are still…. feeling… Mark’s feelings… It will pass… in a few moments.”

  Shirley said, “I feel it, too. I want to go to school here.”

  “You know now… how Mark feels… about this school. It is… impossible… for you… Steve… to matriculate… here. Your minds… I am sure… are… too far set… in what you believe… to be reality. There is hope… for James.”

  Mr. Diefenderfer looked directly at James. “If you still… feel this way… after you have… finished your dinner… then… I will accept that… as your answer.”

  Everyone finished their meal in silence. James spoke first. “I still want to go to this school.”

  Mr. Diefenderfer nodded. “Very well. I accept that… as your answer. I will… notify you… all… of the decision… of the Council of Elders.” He stood up beside his chair. “If you have… no further questions… or comments… I will take… this opportunity… to say… farewell.”

  Steve stood and offered his hand to Mr. Diefenderfer.

  Mr. Diefenderfer looked at the hand for a moment and then took it.

  “Thank you, sir.”

  Mr. Diefenderfer nodded his head slowly. He turned and walked to the door.

  When Steve sat back down, Shirley leaned toward Mark and said, “Chenoa is a pretty girl.”

  Mark said, “You’ve only seen her through my eyes. You’ll get to meet her in person soon. Wait ‘til then and make up your own mind.”

  Mark grinned. “Mom, Dad, do you guys want to build a house on that land in Virginia? I’ll pay for it.”

  Steve said, “I hadn’t really thought about it. I guess so. Why not? I’m getting out of the Marines, anyway. What do you think, hon?”

  “That’s kind of sudden, Sweetheart. We haven’t had a chance to talk about it.”

  “What’s to talk about? I’m getting out of the service. We need a place to live.”

  Mark said, “Well, that settles it. I’ll set up an account at the bank, so that you’ll have the money to build it.”

  “You don’t have to do that, son. I’ve got so
me money. I can build the house myself.”

  “Don’t be silly, Dad. I have to be one of the richest people in the world now. If you want to build the house, at least let me buy the material.”

  “I’ll think about it, son.”

  ‘Well, let me put it another way. I want to do something significant for our family. I want to say thanks for all that you have done for me. Building a house is nothing compared to you risking your life to save mom and me from that horse.”

  “I’ll tell you what. I’ll start building the house with our money. When we run out of money, you can make up the difference.”

  “Okay, just don’t be surprised if a few extra boards and stuff just happen to show up.”