The Seekers: The Children of Darkness (Dystopian Sci-Fi - Book 1) by David Litwack Page B

conceded. When his
plan ultimately failed, they shrugged it off and said: No matter. The secret
will die with him. It’s nothing but a legend anyway. A myth.
    Alone among his peers, the arch vicar had immersed himself
in the archives, where he’d found snippets of proof. He believed the place
existed.
    Should he try again? This time, he’d have to act on his own.
An unauthorized attempt, discovered too soon, might damage his standing with
the council—support he’d need when the grand vicar passed to the light. Maybe
they were right. Let the secret die with the old prisoner.
    Yet still, that ancient place haunted his dreams.
    His chest tightened at the thought
of it, and his breathing became short. Why did that daunting remnant of the
darkness pull at him so? In the archives, hints of what lay there had tempted
him, almost more than he could bear. What did he hope to find that would
justify risking a lifetime of service? If found, would he have the faith to
resist its temptations, to destroy it once and for all?
    And why, at the thought of its destruction, did he already
mourn its loss?
    Now, the light had granted a second chance. The boy from
Little Pond had fallen into his grasp, a boy perfect for the task.
    The arch vicar waved his hand and the mystical glow vanished.
“The last time was different. Our man was not true of heart.”
    “The old man’s cynical, Holiness, suspicious. He’ll never—”
    “I tell you this is different. The old man’s health is
failing, so he’s more likely to trust someone, and the boy is naïve, but
brave—a vessel waiting to be filled.”
    “How will you convince such a brash young man, Holiness?”
    “I’ll ask him to commit to the Temple, to lead the people of
the Ponds in the light.”
    “But, Holiness, how can you be sure he’ll believe us?”
    The arch vicar consulted a slip of paper. “According to his
friend... Thomas, our boy Nathaniel fancies himself destined for greatness. We
simply offer an opportunity worthy of him.” He turned and headed to the door,
but stopped and reversed himself. “And if that doesn’t work, he’ll believe us
anyway.”
    “Why, Holiness?”
    The arch vicar’s pupils darkened to black embers, but a
wicked twinkle showed in them. “Because he cares about the girl.”
    ***
    Nathaniel stood again on the mark at the center of the room
and looked up at the three vicars. Only a few hours had passed.
    “Nathaniel of Little Pond,” the speaker proclaimed. “We have
decided to grant your wish and send the girl home.”
    Nathaniel raised his chin and beamed at the arches spanning the
peak of the dome. He’d done it—Orah would be set free. In his elation, he
almost missed what the vicar said next. He quieted his thoughts and tried to
concentrate.
    “We have one condition. You seem a fine man, eager to learn
of our ways. Rather than a teaching, we believe you might better serve the
light by becoming an envoy of the Temple.”
    An envoy of the Temple? He can’t mean.... “I don’t
understand, Holiness.”
    “Let me be more specific. We’re offering to train you in the
seminary to become a vicar.”
    The arch vicar’s words dragged Nathaniel down, seeming to
cast him into the cell beneath his feet. “But I’m just a boy from a small
village.”
    “Not a boy, a man of age who has asked for a teaching. We
offer you more—the chance to serve your people, in addition to helping your
friend. What do you say?”
    “Holiness, I....”
    “We know this is a difficult decision. Serving the Temple is
a great honor but also a lifelong commitment. Once you’ve chosen this path, you
cannot go back.”
    “There must be another way.”
    “There is no other way. If you agree, we’ll give you a week
to go home and settle your affairs before returning to Temple City. Otherwise,
the teaching of your friend will resume. You have two days to decide. In the
meantime, you’ll remain our guest.” He leaned forward for emphasis. “Two days.”
    The