Chapter 7: The Keepers of the Book
A large book came ceremoniously into the streets of Middle Shavron. A horn bearer sounded his distinct tune as he walked in front of the society known as the Keepers of the book. The book rested on a golden litter, and was carried by creatures who had a lower rank in the society. Behind them were the higher ranked members, trailing the procession in single file: hands together, noses tilted in the air, and a sway in their walk. The march had the effect of a funeral with the book itself acting as the deceased; it was a perfect illustration of the society.
The Keepers of the Book wore elegant cloaks with gold tassels, a tall black hat with a jewel in the center of it, and on the tassels hung numbers ranging from one to one thousand. One of them wore the crest of instruction. This grey hound, named Paskalo, was the chief of the keepers. As the horn continued to call, many Shavronites came from their homes while others ceased from their work and followed the sound. It was a reigning tradition that if the horn of the keepers was ever heard any Shavronite ,within earshot, must come to the sound immediately. In order to ensure a good crowd, the keepers of the book would always send out soldiers to round up any reluctant citizens who tried to avoid the call.
The procession came to an end at a public square and the four upper members took their spot behind the golden volume. The crowd stood nearby and waited for the ceremony to begin.
The four keepers were given a bell. The first member, a hyena, shook his bell and gave a brief introduction to the ceremony.
"Every month we come to you to read the "Book of A Thousand Rules" to remind you to keep the rules to find favor with the Holy One. We, the keepers of the book, have kept the rules and remind you to do the same."
The second member, an otter, sounded his bell and picked up where the first left off. "The book was made one hundred years ago today to keep Shavron from falling back into wickedness. The rules made by the first keepers are holy and true and must be followed." The third member, a sloth, sounded his bell. This went on until the judge of instruction spoke. After the introduction, each member grabbed one of their tassels and read the number on it. The number represented one of the one thousand rules written in the book. The hyena stepped forward and recited the rule.
"Rule number eight-five: Every Shavronite must pray on the first day of the week. Prayer will be given all day and nothing else shall be done; no working, no leisure, no activities whatsoever. If this is not done the offender will be charged ten silver coins. So let it be heard and let it be done."
"Rule number two hundred thirty four," said the otter, continuing, "No idols will be worshiped, except in the privacy of the home, but if the Holy One comes to you and rebukes you then you must give it up and do it no more. So let it be heard and let it be done."
"Rule number five hundred and nine," said the sloth, "Every child upon their seventh birthday will memorize the first ten rules of the book. Upon committing them to memory, they are to recite them among the upper members. If the child cannot remember all ten, then the parents will be charged six silver coins for every rule forgotten. The payment will be given as an offering to God for lack of study. So let it heard and let it be done."
"Rule number three hundred and nineteen," said Paskalo, " Listen to the Keepers of the Book! So let it be heard and let it be done."
The rules, as foolish as they are, were well enforced in Shavron. Even Shavronite, rich or poor, hated them. There were ten tassels on each cloak; each one was read without pause and the crowd listened on. Some daydreamed to avoid the incessant monologue, others silently rebuked the four, but once the ceremony was finished the keepers of the book left and life returned to normal to the citizens‘ great pleasure. The book was taken back to the keepers‘ temple. The temple itself was built with marble and a large courtyard for public gatherings was positioned in the front. Once inside, the volume was placed in a vault until it was needed in the near future. The four ranking members took their leave to the main hall where a host of other keepers waited for their presence. The great crowd was talking about the happenings of the day, but all talking ceased once the four chief keepers came in. The crowd separated to both sides of the room, like the parting of the sea, and the four keepers walked leisurely to their thrones. The otter, tree sloth (who was quiet slow at moving), the hyena, and the grey hound took their seats. There was a brief silence, and then the otter spoke.
"I hereby open our daily meeting, what are the happenings in Shavron?"
Most of the talk was about finding citizens breaking most of the rules in the book; at which names were given and fees would be demanded, however, the subject of the farmer brought silence over the whole congregation. Kleos fame was growing quickly and with the massive crowds that came to be healed and taught by him. The keepers were nervous.
"What should we make of this farmer?" asked one of the lower keepers, "Just a few days ago he gave a teaching by the lake, which is breaking rule ninety seven, and now his words are being written down to be dispersed to all of Shavron."
The hyena, named Naasson, rose from his throne to speak.
"Think nothing of him at all. Now, that's the end of the meeting. Return to your religious exercises, we must keep the rules to keep our good standing with the Holy One."
The crowd commenced with their exercises; some praying with rambling, which was quiet annoying despite it being a mandatory practice; others were memorizing the rules to show themselves worthy to the ranking members for advancement in the society.
Meanwhile, the four leaders slipped away into a hall and met privately in a room. The notion of the farmer did worry them, however, they did not want the lower keepers to see their unnerved emotions. In the room, the otter poured the sloth, and hyena a goblet of wine; and although one of the rules in the book was not to consume any wine, the four decided to overlook that rule for a moment of secretive pleasure.
The grey hound stood stiff looking out the window that gave a view of the courtyard. The otter noticed his friend‘s posture and invited him to engage in a toast.
"Paskalo, what wrong?" said the otter, " Don't let the day wear you down. Come over and have some wine."
"Keep it, Reiach." said Paskalo, "This farmer makes me uneasy. Many of Shavronites are beginning to believe in him."
The words of the chief keeper, had such gravity that the other three began to cogitate over the prophecies they had committed to memory from Samson the wolf to Yohan the little cat from Tajir.
"Believe in him?" said the Sloth. "The commoners need something to distract their weak minds---who cares?"
"Word is that he forgives sins." said Paskalo.
"Impossible," said the Sloth. "Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
"Can we please talk about something else," said Reiach, "Seth, recite one of those silly rhymes you have. It always makes me laugh."
The sloth stood up, spilling a few drops of wine as he did, and gave the rhyme.
I once saw a flower, quite pretty to see
and then I saw that it contain a bee.
I told the bee to leave the scene
Then to me he said something utterly mean.
So I swatted that devil, thinking the better
But then he came with a sting and left in a blur.
So away flew that pesky little imp
Now I walk with a shaky limp!
Rieach fell back in his chair in laughter, as his companions joined him in jovial praise. Nonetheless the sanguine mood was soon overshadowed by a large crowd, past the courtyard gates, racing in pursuit of Kleos. Reiach, Naasson, and Seth came over to the window, scouting the crowd along with the Paskalo trying to fix his eyes on the thorn that was agitating him. Kleos himself was not seen by their eyes, so Paskalo closed the curtains.
"I want to finish this and finish now."
"How, Paskalo?" said Naasoon, " You saw the crowd, we just can‘t go and grab him."
"The Shavronites revere him as a prophet," said Seth, " others more than a prophet from what I heard----"
"No one cares what you heard," said Reiach, "We need to figure out how to corner him; trick him in his words. Once we get through with him, the Shavronites will only regard him as a mere magician. Healings---miracles---hah!---I don‘t believe it!"
Again there was silence. Wicked schemes and wiles were being born in their minds.
"We‘ll challenge him face to face." said Paskalo.
"Good," said Reiach, "We‘ll wait for the right moment."
"I will be the first to try him, " Paskalo said with a smile, "When I get done with him, he'll beg me to send him back to his school books and lesson plans."
The three leaders made a toast in Paskalo's honor and enjoyed the rest of the day.