“We have heard from our party leaders. It is apparent a rift exists.
The man next to her picked up where she left off. “I fear indecision may cost lives.”
The third, a woman spoke. “This is no time for impulse. We must find the anointed one or we all shall perish.
“Akil, we grant you the authority to command the resources of the counsel. You have one rotation. May all speed and grace be with you,” the tall woman said.
Akil stood and bowed. The fat man jumped to his feet. “It was this fool who unleashed that monster upon us and you’ll give him the authority to continue his nonsensical efforts?” he screamed, jowls shaking.
“The fact that we have yet to find the anointed one tells us only that we’ve failed to recognize the severity of the circumstances, Alvaro. Akil may have taken missteps, but he alone has been active in this pursuit for such a time. Our focus is the Epoch Terminus and nothing else as so it should be for all of us. With respect to the unfaithful, every one of us is to blame for our inability to coexist. Remember that when you return to your homes,” the smaller woman said, looking out over the crowd. “ We all have failed. In one rotation, we shall meet at Skara Brae.”
Not another word was spoken. David Ogilvy led Stuart to the edge of the plateau, and a moment later they were back in the parliament basement. The scene faded to white then reformed. It was the very same room the three of them sat watching Akil’s memory orb.
Stuart was sitting at his desk when a flash of light by the door caused him to shield his eyes. When he lowered his hands, Matthew Ogilvy was standing by the door.
“I apologize for barging in like this,” said Ogilvy, “but the time has come for us to discuss something of great importance.
“Of course,” said Stuart, standing.
“Brandy?” he asked, filling his own glass.
“Please,” replied Ogilvy.
Stuart poured a second glass and handed it to Ogilvy.
“There is someone else who will be joining us, “ Ogilvy said after sipping his drink.
Just then there was a flash of light and the Akil Karanis stood in the doorway. He immediately smiled when he saw Stuart.
“James Stuart, meet Akil Karanis,” Ogilvy said.
“The older man balled his right fist, pressed it into his left palm and bowed slightly. Stuart returned his greeting with a nod.
Akil pointed to the brandy and asked if he could help himself. Stuart hastily handed him his own glass, reassuring him that he had just poured it, and fixed himself another.
“Shall we sit?” Akil asked, assuming the role of host.
“I have asked David to introduce you and I, Mr. Stuart. I’ve been looking forward to this for quite some time.”
“You’ve been looking forward to meeting me?” Stuart asked.
“‘Indeed,” he replied as if I was silly to doubt the authenticity of his statement.
Stuart looked questioningly at Ogilvy.
“I haven’t been completely forthcoming with you James,” Ogilvy said. “I’m privy to information that you weren’t ready to hear.”
“While the general concept of the information is common knowledge among our kind,” Ogilvy continued, “realizing that you were the subject was quite difficult. The faithful had been searching for this information over many generations, trying to piece together clues of a prophecy made several thousand years ago by the greatest of seers. Just recently, Akil was able to discern the meaning of the final unsolved clue.”
“And this prophecy has led you to me?” Stuart asked.
“Most certainly, Akil replied.”
“What is it the prophecy said?” Stuart asked.
“It translated to ‘the son of a noble lord, born among unfaithful would rise and lead mankind through the Epoch Terminus. Without whom all shall perish,” said Ogilvy.
“Surely that I cannot be the only son of a noble lord born among unfaithful.
“This is where the clues are of particular relevance,” said Akil
“The first specifies the geographical area where he would be born. The second details the bloodline. The third unveils the surname. The final clue, which has until most recently remained un- or misdeciphered, details the abilities of the one whom The Seer spoke of.”
The three men sat in silence for a moment.
“And you believe I am the one to which the prophecy refers?” asked Stuart, his hands shaking.
“The prophet specified the fourth line of his father’s name,” said Akil.
“But I am only the third,” Stuart began then stopped abruptly.
“James. My son,” he said in almost a whisper.
“Yes, it is not you we seek but your son. Before the pyramids were hewn from the stones of the desert, it was written by our kind. He will lead us through the dark hours that draw closer with every breath I take,” Akil said.
Akil reached into his pocket, removed his ornate pocket watch, flipped it open, and again shook his head with a concerned expression before snapping it shut.
“James is barley three. What could he possibly do?”
“Much must be done to prepare, and I’m afraid we have precious little time,” said Akil, ignoring Stuart’s question.
“How are you certain that James is the one spoken of by the seer?”
“Understand, Mr. Stuart, Akil wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t.”
“What is he supposed to do? How is he supposed to lead? He is barely three years old.”
Stuart looked at Akil. The friendly expression remained on his face. He exuded confidence in a calm, reassuring manor. His humble posture appeared to relax Stuart.
“We merely have to show the council that he is in fact the one to which The Seer refers. That shall be left to me. You, Mr. Stuart, must prepare,” Akil said.
“Why must I prepare?” Stuart asked.
”You must begin you training.”
“But I am not the one…”
“You are correct,” Ogilvy interrupted, “However, you are his father. No man has greater influence over a child than his father. You must therefore be trained in the teachings most important for your son.”
“Magic?” asked Stuart.
“Faith, survival, negotiations, and combat. All are essential to James’s success.”
“I thought your kind was peaceful,” said Stuart.“
“Each facet of my training will be preceded by a lengthy explanation of its relevance.”
“To begin when?” Stuart asked.
“This very moment,” replied Akil.
Again the scene faded to white then reformed. The three men were standing on the grassy plateau where the council meeting took place. They were the only people in sight. Akil wandered off quietly, leaving Ogilvy and Stuart in each other’s company.”
“What do you know about magic, Mr. Stuart?” asked Ogilvy.
“Nothing really, only hearsay.”
“Why do you think I can perform magic and you cannot?”
Stuart appeared to ponder the question for a moment before replying.
“Perhaps you were born with the ability?” Stuart finally replied.
“What if I told you every human is capable of magic?” asked Ogilvy
“I’d ask you to prove it.”
“Magic is the combination of three things: knowledge, experience, and faith. This is why we refer to ourselves as the faithful and the nonmagical as the unfaithful. The only thing that separates our abilities from theirs is faith, or lack thereof. Knowledge can be learned. Every man has the capacity to learn. Experience obviously comes with practice and study. Faith is where someone who is born to an unfaithful family struggles. You have seen me perform magic. I’ve done things you’d consider inexplicable. If I asked you to perform that same type of magic this moment you couldn’t. Not because you are unable but because doubt exists. As long as there is doubt, there cannot be magic”
Some people say,” Oglivy continued, “faith is belief based on the abstract, but those who lack faith are only blind to the proof that surrounds them. One must believe they can perform magic. They must know the skill, but they must also know that they are able to perform the skill. They must have faith in both their abilities and in the incantation itself. I don’t think I can move this rock.” caressing a large boulder beside them. “I know I can.”