LeOmi's Solitude (12 page)

* * *

It was a jog first but as she weaved over to
a corridor that was less congested she began to run. She didn’t
even recognize any of the shops or restaurants. Until she came to
the bank, then she took the path that she had taken following Keith
and Ralph to Slone. She was outside in the sun and then she made
the turn into the cool alcove.

There were a few more kids there today. Slone
actually smiled when she came around the corner.

He pulled out a chair for her and she grabbed
a bottle of water and sat down, dropping her book bag beside the
chair and drinking down water in big gulps.

He watched her until she had cooled down
enough. He spoke with others as they came up to him, whispering in
his ear…and he answered them by whispering in theirs.

“Are you ready?”

She looked at him, and shrugged.

“Then we will begin.”

Slone stood and looked towards the school
entrance.

His sword was in his hand. Obviously, he
liked the feel of it and the power that it gave him.

There were a lot of large jewels in the hilt,
shiny and beautiful. He had a scabbard that hung on his back, but
he didn’t use it. It was also decorated with jewels and golden
filigree.

“I know this school has a reputation for its
excellence, but I think we can do better. There is always room for
improvement. Don’t you agree?”

He asked the entire group, but it was LeOmi
that his eyes settled on, questioningly.

She gave no response.

“Just like most of you, it was pounded in my
head that The Seventh Mountain was the school to go to. Now we are
here, and frankly I am a little disappointed.”

LeOmi listened to some of his speech and left
through the school entrance door and she finally stopped at the
Olive Tree.

* * *

As LeOmi approached the Olive Tree she
stopped in her tracks, Ms. Vanmie and Bekka looked up from their
conversation.

“Come up.” Bekka yelled and waved for LeOmi
to join them.

Bekka said to Ms. Vanmie, “Swordsmanship is a
big draw for LeOmi, just as her friendship and mentorship of
Henry.”

“Henry Ben Franklin of New Orleans,” Ms.
Vanmie said. “He was a retired West Point teacher and instructor,
part Cherokee Indian. His passion was sharp edged weapons of any
kind.”

“So, you have heard of him?”

“He was a really good teacher. We have had a
few students over the years that have been taught by him. I like
the way she has put her own spin on his style and tactics. Most
impressive.”

Watching LeOmi, they were still talking as
she stepped inside the shady protection of the Olive Tree.

“My, how things are unfolding –Bekka, if you
need any assistance, all you have to do is ask,” Ms. Vanmie
said.

Bekka stiffened and responded with LeOmi’s
type nod, “I can handle it.”

“I was just talking to Bekka about our
meeting today. Apparently it didn’t go anything like she had
hoped.”

Both women turned towards LeOmi, but there
was no response.

“I didn’t set out to bruise your pride. You
must understand that I do something similar with every new student,
and once you get to my classroom you will find that you will
receive your ranking very quickly. It will be obvious to all the
first years that you have advanced training. But there are
certainly other skills that you will need and I hate to have you at
a disadvantage in the upper levels. As I have said before, it is up
to you.”

LeOmi frowned, followed by the usual nod.

“I must go.” Ms. Vanmie bowed slightly and
remanifested away.

“She has high regards for you LeOmi.”

Bekka pulled out two oranges and gave one to
LeOmi. In silence, they pealed and as they began eating, Bekka
asked, “You have questions?”

LeOmi thought for a moment, “Remanifestation.
That is what counselors can do—what is it?”

“Remanifestation? A Magi can go anywhere that
they have ever been to before as long as they are able to see the
sky. Generally it is juniors and above that remanifest, it is a
hard skill to learn.

As they stood and prepared to return to the
school, “What is that?”

They saw a cloud coming towards them. They
both stood waiting.

As the cloud came closer, Bekka said, “It’s a
horse.” It was running toward them, full speed. It had begun to
slow upon approach and it stopped in front of LeOmi and bowed down
on one knee waiting for her to approach.

“Oh my!” Bekka said.

“I think it wants you to ride it.”

LeOmi jumped up onto the bare back of the
horse. The horse reared as LeOmi grabbed its neck with her arm and
holding on with her legs. As it lowered, she was rubbing it with
her chin and free hand.

“What a beauty.” LeOmi said.

“Amazing, you have just been pre-chosen.”

“What?”

“This is something that doesn’t usually
happen. The choosing ceremony isn’t until the fourth day.”

The horse was bobbing up and down, excited
about its own choice. LeOmi was smiling and the horse wanted to
run. To take her out and away from the school. Away from the cares
of this world, for just a little while. The young mare was so happy
and LeOmi could feel her heart pounding.

Bekka pulled out her notebook and started
making notations. “I must go and report this. Ride and have fun,
Emerald Tribe Member.”

“What?” LeOmi felt surprise and shock, but
she also felt like this was the right thing to do—in fact at this
moment it was the only thing to do. The horse turned and walked
back the way she had come.

She ran as fast as she could. It was like she
was proving something to LeOmi. She ran towards a group of huge
trees that towered higher than, and behind the wall, containing the
desert area of The Seventh Mountain. It was obvious that the trees
had been trimmed so they would not drape over any portion of the
high wall around and as they advanced closer to the wall, LeOmi
could see that there was a niche in the wall. She hadn’t known it
was there until she was right on top of it.

LeOmi was just so happy to be riding that she
didn’t even notice the other rider coming towards them, but the
horse did. She began to slow and the rider on the other horse
called out her name. She stopped and turned the horse to meet
him.

“Well, isn’t this a busy day.” LeOmi
recognized him, Gerod one of the main counselors. “The Council of
Elders has called for you to come to the Council Chambers, at the
center of the school on level one. Do you think you can find it?
Bekka is already there.”

LeOmi nodded and rode back towards the school
with Gerod keeping pace beside her. When she arrived at the Olive
Tree entrance to the school she jumped down, hugged the animal, put
her forehead to the mare’s forehead and said, “Thank you.”

“The horse will return on its own, hurry now.
Bekka is waiting for you—and congratulations.”

LeOmi beamed a smile at him, then to the
horse again, who reared up as if to say good bye and then she
turned and ran into the school.

The Council of Elders was easy enough to
find, she simply went to the innermost ring on the first floor and
there was Bekka, waiting. She grabbed her hand and hurried her into
the chambers through large double doors.

There was a spotlight in the center of the
chambers and Bekka steered her to it. The Elders sat above in a
semi-circle of seats.

“Elders, this is LeOmi Jones. Today I
witnessed her being pre-chosen by the Chestnut mare, the one called
Fireball, an Emerald Equestrian.”

“Fireball.” LeOmi said barely audible.

“Yes, Fireball. Most surprising and quite
exciting. This has been a very exciting day. Do you know why
LeOmi?”

LeOmi looked to Bekka and looked back at the
older woman who was speaking to her, “No Ma’am.”

“Well, never in the history of The Seventh
Mountain has a student been pre-chosen by an equestrian—until today
and today five equestrians have pre-chosen their riders. Including
you: four for the Emerald tribe and one The General himself. Very
exciting!” The Council spoke in what seemed like whispers to each
other. Bekka took the opportunity to give LeOmi a huge hug.

The voice from above said, “You can get your
class tunics now and you may move into the Emerald dorm.
Congratulations.”

Bekka said, “Thank you ma’am.” They turned
and started to leave the chambers.

“Just a moment.” They were still conversing
up on the upper level. The older woman raised her finger in the
“just one minute” gesture.

“The Council asks that you would still go
through the formalities of the choosing ceremony, although I feel
that there can be no doubt that this is true. Thank you both, you
may be excused.”

“All right, if that is the way you want
it.”

They stepped out of the chambers.

“Wow, okay I have other duties that I have to
do and so do you. You can get your signet and your books. What did
you decide about Ms. Vanmie’s class?”

“I need to take it. Like she said, I don’t
want to miss something that I would regret later.”

“Okay, I will let her know. I’ll see you at
dinner again, same time and place. You’ll have your signet by
then.”

LeOmi nodded, and this time she smiled.

As LeOmi approached the signet Shop she could
hear Mr. Diefenderfer speaking, “Young Magi…make a selection…that
speaks meaning…to who you are…You will…after…making your
selection…be required…to articulate...and expound upon…that very
meaning…Your counselor…will hear your words…and judge…the truth of
them.”

He motioned for her to come to the jewel
smith’s room.

“I understand…that…congratulations…are in
order”

“News travels fast.”

“Indeed.”

“It was amazing.”

“I too…remember…the day of …choosing…of
course…it was not… like yours…today.”

“Fireball knows…what is in…your heart…your
hopes…and your fears…the animal…does not…lie…it only reacts…from
what you…teach it...You cannot lie…to Fireball...She knows…your
heart.

He opened a drawer, a little cubby behind the
work table and pulled out a chamois cloth. He unfolded it, treating
the article inside as it was precious and from the little bundle he
took out her ring. He handed it to her.

LeOmi nodded, and then she said, “Thank you.”
She again looked at the signet fascinated by the delicate details
as she slid it on her finger. It fit perfectly. As she fingered her
name, Mr. Diefenderfer seemed to stiffen, and he turned to LeOmi
and placed his hand on her arm to steady himself. Then he started
singing.

“Use the Signet…as a plummet…Stretch it
out…upon the Line …of Confusion…Desolation…is void…and without
form…and represent… the Stones of Emptiness…or if left
untilled…they lay waste.” He reached for his chair and LeOmi helped
him—holding his arm.

“I’m sorry…that happens…sometimes...The
not...so niceties…of being…an Oracle.”

“What?”

He held up his hand to stop her from
continuing to ask her question, “I do not interpret…I only divulge.
But…if I were…to hazard…a guess….I would say…that the plummet…will
always…point straight…which is the path…you…should…follow...That
is…if I were…to hazard a guess.”

“Bekka said that you would have my signet.
That you are an Oracle but I never thought that this...”

“I…too…did not…expect this.”

“There are questions…that we have…for each
other…but…they will…come with…time.

LeOmi nodded, and he nodded also.

“I need to see about getting my books.”

“Ah yes…here is an…older copy...of the text
book…I wish you …to have it. As I have said…I too…remember…my first
year.”

LeOmi took the book, smiled and said. “Thank
you.”

He nodded. “Farewell for now…Miss Jones.”

She headed for the door and then she stopped
and turned.

He said, “I may not…tell you of…another’s
signet…and…I will not…tell of yours.”

She nodded and turned as she heard him speak
to the others in the shop.

Stepping out of the shop, she thought about
spending another night in the dorm room. There must be another
place that I can sleep, and then she remembered Fireball. She went
to the school entrance at the Olive Tree. Bekka wasn’t there, but
as soon as LeOmi stepped out the door, she saw the cloud on the
horizon that she had seen earlier. It was Fireball. She had come
back for her.

The horse approached with such speed that
LeOmi felt the exhilaration that the horse felt, she was so happy
to see her and the horse kneeled just as earlier in the day. LeOmi
jumped up on her and buried her head in the horse’s mane nuzzling
her. The horse’s head was bobbing up and down with happiness.

“Fireball.”

The horse started out again, the same way
that she had taken her earlier—until Gerod intercepted them and
ended the ride so soon. They ran full speed up towards the Island
with the moat around it—where the flags match flags were sent. They
went past that and approached the wall and went through an opening
that LeOmi hadn’t seen earlier and they went back towards the
stables, slowing and then full speed again to the edge of the
woods. At this point, Fireball stopped by a small creek.

LeOmi jumped off and stretched her legs a
little. It had been a while since she had ridden, and twice in one
day—bare back. Her legs ached and her butt was sore. A short walk
was just what they needed. Fireball gulped water from the creek
that flowed meanderingly at the edge of the woods.

The sun would be going down soon.

It was then that a man or an older boy came
from the woods.

“What are you doing here? You’re not supposed
to be here.” LeOmi was surprised, but she stood her ground.

“Get back on that horse and get back up to
the school. Students are all over the place today. It seems like no
one is keeping track of things now-a-days.” He came to about ten
feet from her and stopped. He pointed to the horse and made a small
motion as to represent her jumping up on the horse.