The Holy Dream

Prelude Part 5

The apricot sky had departed above Lancia, leaving a dark blue haze above the quiet city. All the light that remained in the main hall of the Cathedral was that of the flickering candles lit by the priestess, gathering wax and melting away. They cast eerie shadows onto the floor and benches, dancing amongst themselves in a strange menagerie of light and the absence thereof. The echoes of high pitched voices resonated throughout the Cathedral.

“Yes! That was fantastic, little ones! Eric, you were slightly off-key this time, but direct yourself more with the serenity of it and you will flow perfectly with the group! One more time together now; your parents are waiting, but I know this time we will have it down perfectly!” Gireon said with excitement. The children listened attentively, all eager to continue on. In the previous hours, he had captivated them with his passion, expertise and ability to lead. All were tired and young, however. Maric knew he wanted to see Sira again, as he was very uncomfortable around so many unfamiliar faces for such a long period of time.

“Again!” Gireon waved his hands furiously, conducting the choir. All began in unison, overlapping one another in sync, creating a resounding echo, an angelic noise.

“Whom set us free,

Blessed art thou,

Blessed art thee,

Blessed are those

Whom live free

Blessed are those

Blessed art thee,

Blessed art thou,

Whom set us free.”

“Wonderful! Absolutely gorgeous, my children! Simple marvelous.” Gireon said as he clapped. “A simple hymn, but with a timeless message. Now; who remembers what it all means? Why do we sing of this?” Gireon inquired with a stern, expectant look on his face. Maric had remained quiet when Gireon was asking questions, but he felt empowered to answer this one. Whether or not he believed in Sarius, the message being conveyed through the song, he could understand.

His mother had spoken to him often of the value of freedom, and how it empowers oneself. The ability to speak and act freely. The power to act of one’s own accord to benefit oneself and others, and how important those concepts are. Maric could not truly grasp it all yet, as he was much too young. However, a flicker of belief and high hopes for those values sat proudly in his heart, stoked by the revelations of the day.

Maric raised his hand high. Gireon nodded towards him, all eyes on Maric. He could feel the red-haired boys breath on the back of his neck. He shuddered a little, but then spoke loudly and with confidence among his new peers.

“The hymn means that we are free and we should be thankful for it, because freedom is good!” Maric grinned, proud and blissful in his limited comprehension.

The red-haired child bopped Maric in the back of the head, laughing. “Thats not what its about, you stupid-face!” He laughed even harder after his powerful statement. Other boys began snickering too. One murmured ‘stupid face’ under his breath and let out a lispy giggle.

Gireon frowned. “Actually, my boy, Maric is quite correct--”

“Maric has a stupid face!” The red-haired devil yelled out. He burst out laughing, unable to contain himself. Others began to laugh as well, some out of true enjoyment from the hilarity of the joke and others to fall in with the crowd.

Maric grew red in the face. The others laughs pierced his thoughts, and he couldn’t form a coherent sentence. He clenched his hands in a fist.

The various parents sat at the benches, including Sira. The man she sat next to was chuckling under his breath as he watched the scene unfold. Sira stood up, and got Maric’s attention. She motioned for him to come to her, but he stared at her, teary-eyed. The children continued to laugh.