Eternity

Part 7- Eternity

Precisely at dawn the next morning, a loud bell chimed somewhere in the distance. Edgar moaned and rolled over, still heavy with sleep. His hair was now adorned with green and brown leaves from the bushes he had slept in. He could see dust rising off the horizon far away in the direction he had come. The silhouette of a carriage against the fog was barely visible, but was getting larger rapidly.

Suddenly Edgar came to his senses. "Today!!!" he cried. "I have to go sign up as a new recruit!!!" With that, he jumped up and ran to the entrance.

He got there just as the boy Samson was unlocking the door for the day. Samson bowed to Edgar, but said nothing. Edgar rushed past, barely even acknowledging the lionboy. He hurried down the white hallway once again, although this time without his original hesitation. He paused only a moment outside the NEW RECRUITS door to catch his breath, then walked briskly into the office where the green bird had been sleeping the day before. Edgar was surprised to see the calm, collected bird propped up at her desk with a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles, working intently in her office.

"Why, it's you again!!" she exclaimed. "And you sure don't look any better than yesterday," she muttered.

"Welcome," she began, in a crisp, melodious voice. "I am Mrs. Perkins, secretary of the Chaser facility." Her British accent made Edgar antsy and he wished she would just hurry up and tell him what he wanted to hear. "First of all, we have the opening for only ONE Chaser next year, and it is ALWAYS a VERY competitive position. All the recruits that show up today will be allowed to attend training school, here, until next fall. At that point, the student that has proved themself to be the most valiant warrior will join the Chasers. All other recruits will be given another chance to attend training school. You get two years. After that, you may return home, or if you wish to stay here, you can join our 'scrub club,' as we call it. They do all sorts of things... Mostly polish that hallway until it gleams!!! So... Are you here to sign up??"

Edgar paused for a moment to consider the momentous decision he was about to make.

"Yes. Sign me up please. I'm gonna make it in on my first year. I'm gonna be a Chaser in the fall!!!"

"Well!! I'm glad you are such an enthusiastic recruit... Um... Now what was your name again, lad??"

"Edgar. Edgar Rostletove."

"Okay then, Edgar, please complete these forms for me and you'll be all set. "