June 1974
Ms Julieanne Driscoll
Earl’s Court, London
Dearest Julieanne,
Don’t you dare say nothing happens in Australia now! It’s all changing so fast you can probably feel the continent wobble from way up your end.
Other vital news: I am now deputy chair of the Gibber’s Creek Hospital Board. We raised $106.49 with last Friday’s wood raffle, and are gearing up for the Daffodil Fair at the Town Hall this spring. Congratulations will be accepted.
Their Majesties the chooks have stopped laying, but Nancy advised me to feed them curry, so I’m hoping that will work.
Love always,
J xxx
PS I presume when you said that an Italian count had proposed to you in the wine bar that you told him ‘no’?
RA ZACHARIA
Ra Zacharia gave his most reassuring smile. ‘Mark 23, would you mind coming to the Star Room?’
‘Of course.’ The young man followed him from the refectory.
Ra Zacharia waited till Mark 23 had sat on the simple wooden chair, the only kind allowed in the community. ‘You have had another seizure, haven’t you?’
Mark 23 flushed, but didn’t answer.
‘Did you really think you would be asked to leave just because you are not yet perfect?’ asked Ra Zacharia gently.
The young man’s silence gave the answer.
‘Those who have left don’t understand. Nor do you. But once the others lost their faith they were of no use to me, or the Elders. But you . . . you still have the potential to help free humanity.’
The boy straightened even as he spoke. Good.
‘Why do I prescribe the herbal drinks for you all?’
‘To help us —’ Mark 23 stopped.
‘Exactly. To help you. If I expected any of you to have reached perfect harmony, there’d be no need for help. But I can promise you this. After the Elders arrive you will need no further help at all.’
‘I . . . Thank you, Ra Zacharia. I was worried. Scared.’
‘You’re not scared now?’
Mark 23 smiled with growing confidence. ‘No.’
‘Not even if others fail and leave?’
‘No.’ The young man rose to go.
‘Just one more thing.’ Ra Zacharia’s voice was even gentler. ‘You no longer bring Scarlett out here.’
‘She’s busy with schoolwork. She needs to do well enough to get into medicine.’
‘But not too busy to go to the pictures with you?’
‘I’m sorry, Ra. I didn’t know you wanted me to bring her here. Just to have her trust me. To be her friend.’
‘She does trust you?’
The young man smiled. ‘Yes.’
‘So if you asked her to come here urgently because you needed her, she would?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good. Drink your teas. Meditate. Don’t let changes here stress you. And remember all will be well.’
‘All will be well,’ repeated Mark 23. He bowed his head to the image of the star — a practice Ra Zacharia was careful no outsider saw — then left.
Ra Zacharia sat in his own meditation till his feelings cleared, then calmly, and in perfect harmony, reverently touched the silver knife that hung below the star.
The boy did not understand yet, of course. No one did. But why did every ancient book say that sacrifices must be unblemished to have power? Why did humanity still use the phrase ‘the ultimate sacrifice’ even if they had forgotten whence it came?
Humanity had forgotten the deepest truth of all. But when the Elders came, Ra Zacharia would be ready.