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Carrick was right on time and as cranky as ever.
Toby collected his books, the parchment, and followed the old man down the stairs.
It was raining torrents; the stone steps were slick, and his hands were freezing.
They entered the Hall of Heroes, lined with tapestries stitched with incredible detail: Toby could make out every leaf in the trees.
He stood before the other tapestry of Messenger Tobias, ‘Tobias the Great.’ And there was the Prime.
Like in the Keeper’s room tapestry, Tobias was in a hero pose in front of a gate, surrounded by smoke and in great pain. Unlike the Keeper’s room tapestry, this one showed the scar on the Messenger’s chest.
Toby pulled out the Amulet and noticed the scar was like the back of the Prime.
Teacher called the pattern the ‘triskelion’
That scar and the scar is the ‘Mark of the Messenger.’
Toby pointed at the scar. “How do Messengers get the Mark?”
“We don’t know.”
The next tapestry showed a man and a woman in terror, surrounded by a black cloud, just outside the Barrier, at the instant before the lightning struck.
Toby looked closer. Something about the man looked familiar.
“Yes,” Carrick said, “that’s Teacher.”
“Who is the woman?”
“Teacher tells his own stories.” He pointed toward the door with the one straight finger of his good hand. “Don’t be late.”
Toby ignored Carrick and looked deeper at the tapestry. He didn’t know the woman’s face, but he knows Lela’s eyes.
***
After breakfast, he ran to Teacher’s room, arriving with a full two minutes to spare.
Teacher’s only reaction was a glance at Toby, at the clock, and back at his work.
“Good morning, Teacher.”
“Let me see it.” He held out his withered hand.
“The scroll?”
Teacher put on his I don’t answer stupid questions face.
Toby handed the rolled-up parchment, and Teacher placed it unread on his desk. “State your case.”
“Excuse me?”
“Begin.”
“This is an oral exam?”
Teacher wore his I don’t answer moronic questions, either face.
“Why did I write it down?”
Teacher’s gray eyes flared. “You will stop questioning me, Candidate.” He leaned forward on his desk. “I do not assign busywork.
Toby still didn’t understand.
“You wrote it down to find something like a coherent thought.” Teacher crossed his arms. “Begin.”
Toby needed a moment to gather his thoughts.
“Today, Candidate.”
Toby thought about asking for his parchment, but he could predict Teacher’s reaction: ‘You can’t remember what you just wrote?’
Toby took a deep breath. “The prophecy of Reginald the Fourth has four parts.”
Toby stopped to collect his thoughts.
“You finished?”
“No, Teacher. The second and fourth lines rhymed, which could link the two phrases in deeper ways, giving multiple messages.”
Teacher’s gray eyes didn’t blink.
“The first two lines: ‘Savior of the people’ and ‘man of stone.’ In times of danger, the people rely on the Messenger, but trust is not a gift. He earned their trust by being solid, like a man of stone.”
Toby waited for a response, for some clue that he was on the right track.
“You finished?”
“No, Teacher. ‘In the darkness.’ The cave was black, but a lack of knowledge was also darkness. No one ever has all the data, and he had to decide based on what he knew. I faced the same problem.
“Finally, ‘Not alone.’ It’s a warning and reassurance. While he and I were alone in the cave, we were not alone. Fear was us, and it nearly robbed me of clear thinking.”
Teacher’s gray eyes didn’t change. That ruined face gave nothing away.
Toby continued, “Also, many people are behind he and I, supporting us, working for our success.”
Toby thought for another moment, “When called to action, the Messenger must be solid, is often in the dark, but never truly alone.” He stepped back and waited for a response.
Teacher said nothing.
Toby expected a glare, but this look was the worst by far.
Seconds ticked by.
Teacher’s face changed, softened slightly. He stood up and gathered some books.
“Teacher?”
Teacher picked up a small piece of parchment from his desk. “What?”
“Did I... pass?
“Are you packing your bags?”
“No, Teacher.” Toby couldn’t hide his smile.
Teacher handed over several scrolls. “Complete these readings by tomorrow.”
The old man turned. “I assume you’ll be in the rooftop garden?”
“Yes, Teacher.”
Toby walked out into the hall, and Lela hugged him. “That was amazing!”
Raymond gripped his hand and pumped it several times. “I’ve never seen that happen.”
“What?”
Raymond and Lela exchanged glances and laughed.
“Fatha was speechless.”
“Is that good?”
“Have you ever done something wrong?” Raymond said.
“Of course.”
“Is he shy with his corrections??”
“No.”
Raymond smiled, “Silence is his biggest compliment.”