THE FIRST LAW

Aria and Uncle Raymond left the house in the hope that their departure was undetected by anyone. They leaned on each other as they walked.

“What about your kind friends?” she asked as they finally disappeared behind a grove of trees, safely out of view. She knew where he was headed. The barn was to the left.

“Robert is difficult enough, but Mae is not one to be trifled with, trust me. She can handle more than the likes of them. And they’ll think I’m asleep.”

Arriving at the barn, he sat on a bench, which groaned as he lowered himself onto it. She thought they would be on their way immediately, but he had other ideas. He motioned for her to sit beside him.

Aria decided now was her chance to ask a question that had stayed with her. She had wondered about it but had never asked. “Uncle, all of the wisdom and lessons in that book… so much of it is known. And surely they cannot believe it has magical properties. So why do they want it really? Why must it be protected like this?”

Her uncle smiled, his eyes still closed. “Aria, that question has been asked for generations. It’s true. A mistake may be known, but it’s also true that it’s mostly ignored. Many die with knowledge, but few have studied and applied that knowledge. It’s the collection, in one place, with examples that make it a powerful force for those who apply it. Throughout the ages, many have sought its power to destroy others, to control, and for wrongful purposes. You can use the nine mistakes in a way that can manipulate. Some of it is still a mystery to me, Aria, but trust me, we’re all better off keeping the nine mistakes safe.

“That is particularly true of this original manuscript, what I call the Keeper’s copy. You see, this manuscript is different from the copies.” Just when Aria thought she understood, she realized there was still more to know. He set the manuscript box between them, and then turned his attention to the picture he had taken off the wall.

“Years ago, I visited a printer and binder in town, and together we printed the nine books for the Teachers. The original manuscript, I kept as the Keeper. But there were three pages I left out of the printed version. We also modernized the language in the books, something done periodically to maintain the integrity of the message.

“You know what this is?” he said, motioning to the art piece.

“I’ve never paid any attention to that particular picture,” she responded, searching her memory.

“I’ve hidden the three pages, Aria, in different places. I gave this piece as a gift to my friends. They never knew what was inside.”

He turned the picture over, unfastened it, and then removed a single weathered page from the back. He paused for a moment, reverently, almost cradling it in his hands. “This is the first of the Laws of the Keeper.” He looked at her. “There are two more hidden pages. Aria, I thought this would happen years from now… I’m sorry to give you this weight. You must now become the Keeper. I’m already on borrowed time.” He gently handed the page to her.

Aria was stunned. Her world seemed at once to both open and close, like she was in a whirlwind of confusion.

The new Keeper? How was it possible to be the new Keeper? What about Uncle Raymond? What was he saying?

“Uncle, you’re feeling well now. And I’ve only just learned from the Nine. Let’s think about this. Maybe one of the Teachers…”

He held up his hand, in that way that Uncle Raymond did. Whenever he made that one motion, it seemed to stop the world. No one dared interrupt him when he did it from the judge’s bench, and no one in his family ever did so, either. His hand would stop conversation faster than an orchestra conductor’s movement would cease all musicians in a concert hall. She looked at him expectantly.

“It’s time,” said her uncle, “and I know that they won’t suspect you in any way. Why, they would think me mad to give such power to a girl of your age. That’s exactly why it will work. You’re the last person they would expect.”

“I’m nearly eighteen, Uncle,” she said somewhat defensively while looking at scripted writing on the page.

“I know, you’re a young woman now,” her uncle responded. “I entrust you with the wisdom here, but I will always think of you—”

“As the little girl you first taught to ride,” she interrupted, having heard him say it hundreds of times. He was always recalling how he taught her to ride a horse.

He looked at her with his kind eyes. “These books contain the mistakes of the greats, of us all. Avoiding them early in life creates extraordinary power, often wealth, and always happiness. Keep them from falling into the wrong hands. Do you accept this task, the role of Keeper?”

Aria blinked and then nodded, mouthing the words he had asked for. “I accept.” She held the manuscript box and the paper, knowing its weight, knowing all that it meant. It was a responsibility she would always carry.

“One day, we will defeat our enemies by releasing this wisdom into the world,” he said. “That day will be something. Then we will succeed when we get word of the mistakes to everyone, especially the young, the ones starting over, and those who have the belief that they can still do something in this world of ours.”

“When will that be?” she asked.

“It is not for me to know,” he said, pausing. “Until then, we have strict rules for the succession. The Keeper is to make certain to protect the Nine from exposure and to ensure a successor for each. Use all of the wisdom you have in making that decision.”

“What of the three laws?”

“The first is there in your hands, for you to read now. Remember, these pages are only for the Keeper. The simple wisdom is essential for anyone mastering all nine of the mistakes who aspires to choose those who will teach and who will receive the lessons. The Keeper has a high calling to leadership. Remember its message yourself as you make your own decisions. Read these laws often and heed the wisdom therein.”

“I treasure all of it, dear Uncle, even if I don’t understand it all fully,” she said as she turned to him.

Uncle Raymond carefully placed the art piece inside the barn in a safe place. Then he asked her help in readying the horses. Only a few minutes later, they were in a carriage headed away from the house, and she was able to read the page.

The Law of Desire

The Law of Desire is the first law. Desire is a spring overflowing to fill your life with goodness. All opportunity, all achievement, all power is activated first with a burning desire.

Desire the noble; think high thoughts; feast on the abundance of possibility. Guard against wasting your desire on the insignificant and small.

Only when your desire is great enough does it activate the winds of achievement to propel you to the impossible. Do not proceed without picturing your desires achieved fully. Your desire sets the course of your destiny.

Desire prevents others from limiting or labeling you unfairly. Desire pushes your thoughts to a new level, one higher than you think is possible. Let your desire burn within to fuel your success.

Aria contemplated the words and glanced at her uncle Raymond. He was driving the horse forward while still looking all around to make sure they were not followed. She didn’t say anything for quite some time as they continued along.

Finally, she broke the silence. “Uncle, this law. Tell me more about it and the role of the Keeper.”

He glanced over at her. “Aria, the three Laws of the Keeper are powerful leadership tools when used correctly. Desire, for instance, is an important starting point for all accomplishment. If you kindle a desire in a group dedicated to a cause, you create a movement. But if you use desire in the wrong manner, say for personal gain only, for selfish ambition, it is an entirely different matter.” He stifled a yawn and continued. “I’m sorry for that. I guess I’m still worn down. In the wrong hands, it can be dangerous with heinous motives powering evil intention. Truth can easily be distorted, creating manipulators who take advantage of those unaware.”

Aria contemplated all of her uncle’s words. She thought of Alexander and wondered about his motives. Had he been manipulated by Ulrick? Then, as they neared their destination, Aria asked her uncle what was ahead.

“I’m afraid that you will have to decide that now, my dear girl. My hope is that they don’t suspect you and that the fire slows their pursuit. It will not likely deter their search forever. How to proceed will be a decision that only you will know.”

They made it to his law offices in town, but the excitement had taken its toll on Uncle Raymond. As he pulled the carriage to the side, she helped him steady and tie the horses. His labored breathing reminded her that he had been deathly ill only hours ago. He needed to sit and rest, and she would need to force the issue. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a brass key. “Aria, this was meant for both of us. The Nine know this, and now you should. Before I took ill, I had made plans. In the chest in my office is the Second Law of the Keeper and enough money to start afresh. But you will need to decide what to do. I believe I am going on another journey soon, Aria. You can decide whether you can go on without me.”

They were now inside his law offices, and Aria eased him onto a sofa in the parlor. Her mind was absorbing everything, weighing options. Uncle Raymond rubbed his temples and yawned. “I’ve slept so much that I cannot possibly be tired again.”

Aria looked at her uncle, and her mind registered his frail condition, his weakness. She had faced the worst and thought that he had miraculously been healed. Now she realized it was a temporary surge to accomplish his purpose and ready her for her mission.

“Uncle Raymond, I don’t know where to start or what to say. I love you.” She made no mention of the many questions swirling in her mind.

“I want you to know that I have every confidence in you,” he said. “Now, go into my office and open the small chest, get what you need.”