Visions
The Shepherd Book II
A Novel by Jeffrey B. Linn
All rights reserved

Chapter XIII

Suddenly my mouth merely ceased moving, as if the flood of words had finally drained away. I smiled with a deep sense of satisfaction and stumbled about for a few moments. Then I apparently swooned and fell into the spice garden, for that is where I awakened when the cooper doused me with a bucketful from the well.

In the evening the gatekeeper convened a meeting. His study, its walls and long table of the same lacteous stone, seemed suited to this purpose. Bathed and clad in a borrowed robe, I noted that the others appeared arrayed as if for an occasion. We took our places with the gatekeeper at the head. When all had become quiet, there was a thoughtful pause, as if everyone held the same thought at once--only I was not privy to it. I stared at the table uncomfortably, feigning interest in the inlay work.

Present there were mentor, I, the gatekeeper, Nebiah, Cassia, aged Bebaios the archon, and Emunah, mistress of the hearth, his wife.

The gatekeeper broke the silence. "I have questioned the youth as to the substance of his dream and evaluated his words in light of the writings of the Scroll. I now request your combined counsel." He put his hand gently on the arm of the elder. "Bebaios first."

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