Prologue:
The candles flickered as the newcomer gently pushed the door closed. The soft light created a multitude of shadows that danced randomly back and forth around the room. The soft orchestral sounds of Bach from the music player clashed with the rhythmic chanting of the monks holding vigil outside of the room.
The Gregor looked back over his shoulder and glared at the intruder.
Before he could speak, the woman on the bed moaned. Time was running out. The sedative cocktail was short acting and soon the euphoric haze that she was experiencing would be replaced by a dull throbbing pain from the procedure.
“You are late.”
The apprentice bowed his head and mumbled. He held up the ornate chest as if a shield to deflect any further displeasure. As he advanced he gazed past the Gregor and stared at the woman.
The Gregor shook his head almost imperceptibly and pulled the sheet down to cover the exposed body. “There is much you need to learn about local customs. These villagers are more modest about their bodies than your woman friends in the cities.”
The apprentice placed the chest on the table. He pulled a cord from a hidden compartment at the back and plugged it into the outlet. He looked again at the contours of sheet. “She agreed to this. Besides it’s not like I haven’t seen a naked body before.”
The Gregor stared at the apprentice. The intensity in his eyes forced the younger man to take a hesitant step back. “You will learn to act with respect if you intend to follow this vocation.”
The apprentice struggled to break the gaze and diverted his look toward the jeweled chest. His face blushed as his youthful inexperience was displayed in front of his mentor. His breathing became more rapid as he waited for the next reprimand.
Focusing his attention to the chest, the Gregor lovingly caressed the finely detailed surface. He pushed, pulled, and twisted the jewels in a predetermined sequence known only to a select few in the order. As the lid swung open, the release of compressed air created a steady hiss. Illuminated from below, the probe containing the gift from the Creator appeared to hover.
As the ritual began, the apprentice stepped forward silently to assist in the procedure.
The Gregor looked from the probe to the apprentice. The boy had potential. His lack of maturity was more than compensated for by his superior technical skills. With time and experience he might develop the empathy necessary to advance in the Order. However, he would not be adding to his experience tonight. “You are dismissed. Go out and join the chanters.”
The apprentice’s head slumped and his body sagged as if the air within it had been released. “I understand… I will send in someone else.”
“That won’t be necessary. I will do this alone.”
“But the ritual requires…”
The Gregor forced himself to glare at the younger man. The responsibility of mentoring the apprentice was surpassed by the importance of the night’s events. The compassion that he felt could not be shown. He had planned on dismissing the apprentice even before the act of impropriety. There could be no witnesses to what was about to occur. His brow furrowed as his stare intensified willing the apprentice to leave.
The apprentice continued to deflate. Finally moving in slow staggering steps, he left the room.
As the door closed, the Gregor looked cautiously around the room to confirm that he was indeed alone. A lifetime of commitment to the Order pulled at his soul. What he was about to do was unprecedented. He reached into his traveling bag and pulled out a simple black box. He placed it next to the chest and removed the lid.
As he leaned over the table, his medallion swung forward and clanged against the box reminding him of the magnitude of his decision. He held the medallion in his hand and let the candlelight reflect of the seal of his office. He vividly remembered the day of his installation and the vows that he had taken for all of humanity. The vows that he was about to break.
He brought the medallion close to his lips and whispered a short prayer. “Forgive me for what I must do.” He lifted the gold chain from around his neck and dropped it into his bag so that it wouldn’t distract him further.
He carefully lifted the probe from the chest and delicately removed the Creator’s gift. He hesitated for a brief moment before placing the gift in the open slot in the black box. He removed the object that he had smuggled into the room. From all outward appearances it was identical to the Creator’s gift, but in reality it would set into motion a series of events that would forever change the world.
He placed the object into the probe and pulled back the sheet.
Next – Chapter 2
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