Chapter 4
Thirty antsy fourteen year olds were sitting in class for their first day at the school while the rather ornery cleric was droning on about theology. For some reason, the cleric saw it neccesary to bring up the nature of God.
"It is believed by most everyone that the Almighty God is a triune Godhead," the cleric said.
"I do not believe that, and that is not what the Holy Book says," Daniel replied. The class sat in awed silence while the two pranksters looked at each other.
"Would you like to come up to the front of the class and explain what you are saying?" the cleric said with a stern look on his face. The class giggled.
"While the cleric and the poor kid are talking, I am going to pull down the cleric's robe. That should be a good prank," one prankster said to the other.
"I agree. Good luck," the other one said.
While Daniel went up to the front of the class, and everyone's attention was on him, the prankster who had bothered Daniel earlier crept up behind the cleric and was poised to strike. He awaited his moment as the two started talking.
"While the Holy Book talks about two beings, both of the same spirit, as divine, the Book does not consider there to be a third entity, but merely the power of the two and their eternal nature given to those of us who believe," Daniel said.
"You do not believe in the Trinity?" the cleric asked dumbfounded.
"That is correct," Daniel honestly replied. "It was not until a couple centuries after the Book was written that people even believed in a Trinity, which was taken from pagan Zunian religions, just as the worship of the mages was."
"How do you know about all of this?" the cleric angrily replied.
"I am a student of religion. My family belongs to a sect that believes in the doctrines of the Book to the exclusion of human traditions that contradict it," Daniel replied.
"Oh, I see. You are a smart one, though. According to the Book, you are correct, but according to the Holy Church-" he said. The cleric was interrupted while talking by the prankster. The robe was ripped to shreds, and all that prevented the cleric from losing all modesty was his loincloth. The class, except for Daniel, Cherie, Delia, and Henry, roared in laughter. Angrily, the cleric stormed out of the room.
The students sat for several minutes, amazed at themselves. Then a very upset Natonito walked into the room with a haughty step. The giggling and talking students, understanding the look of anger, were silent again. It did not take long for them to find out what he had on his mind.
"I am very disappointed in you. It is only your first day and you have already chased away your cleric. I hope you feel bad about what you have done. I will make sure you do, even if you do not already. All of you will now have to spend the rest of the day in the slum district painting and building houses. When I am able to find someone to replace him, you will resume your lessons at a faster pace. I will make sure all of you stay in line. If this action is repeated, you will be doing hard labor in the mines near New Russville. Do you understand me?" Natonito said with eyes as narrow as slits.
"Yes, we understand," the students said gulping as they followed him outside.
They walked the two miles to the slum district, where Daniel recognized some people from the cab. He waved at them as he worked, and they waved back at him, realizing there was at least someone who understood their plight and did not ignore or pity them. The other young people were not nearly so amused by the experience. As Natonito had discovered who the prankster was, he made that miscreant do all the painting for the project. The other people, less guilty, got to nail shingles on the roofs after nailing the roof boards up.
By the end of the day, all of them were tired, and did not look foreward to doing it tomorrow. At nightfall, Natonito went off to the University where the clerics were and went to see if one of them would come and be the cleric for the new school. The students took advantage of the absence of the temperamental principal to enjoy life. Since the students had not discovered a love for kegs, they were limited to macho displays of bragging. Two couples, Daniel and Delia, and Cherie and Henry, went out to the courtyard and talked.
"What a strange day this has been," Delia said in her wonderful Purian accent.
"Yes," the other three agreed.
"It is such a warm and wonderful night that being with friends and girlfriend is just a great way to spend the time," Daniel said.
"I agree," Henry said.
"Who knows how much longer we will be able to enjoy these days," Cherie said.
"Only God knows," Daniel replied.
The four of them talked and cuddled in the warm night until it was time for them to go to bed, which they did after each couple had a goodnight kiss. They walked to their dorm rooms each wondering what sort of things would happen in this place, for if things were this interesting on the first day, they could not help but stay interesting for the next four years.
[ Chapter 3 ]
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