Becoming Calder
Page 21

"I see you've noticed how very beautiful my blessed one is," Hector said slowly. Calder simply regarded him for several beats.
"Yes, Father, you're a lucky man."
Hector narrowed his eyes. "Yes, I am a lucky man. I have the gods to thank for that. I have the gods to thank for Eden."
Calder waited, not seeming to move a muscle. I glanced between the two of them.
Finally, Hector continued, "It's understandable you would notice Eden's beauty. But things won't go well for you if you think to take it further than that. Am I clear?"
"Yes, of course, Father," Calder said.
Hector studied him, seeming to consider his sincerity before he went on. "Good, that's good. Now, Water Bearer, I can tell you're an ambitious boy. Your," he waved his hand around dismissively, "system thing, was not pleasing to the gods, but," he sat down in his large, black leather chair, "you have always served me well as my cup bearer, my server." He looked at Calder thoughtfully. "I can see a promotion in that same capacity could serve us both well. And so from today on, you'll be my personal cup bearer, serving not just the Temple, but me as well."
Calder's expression didn't change. "Thank you, Father. What is it I'll be expected to do in this capacity?"
Hector leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "You'll serve me when I require it. If I need something, you'll fetch it. And you'll kneel before me to do it."
Calder's eyes flashed at Hector and I flinched. For several long seconds, they stared at each other. Finally, Calder said slowly, not breaking eye contact, "Thank you for your faith in me, Father. It will be my pleasure to serve you."
Hector tapped his fingers together, regarding him. "Yes. The gods will be pleased with your sacrifice, as am I. It will serve to make you more holy, to further wash the sin from your soul. You may stand."
Calder stood, looking powerful as he straightened his lean, but muscled body. I resisted the urge to drag my eyes up and down him. I bowed my head.
"In order to best serve me, you'll need to move to the main lodge," Hector said, standing as well. Calder looked shocked for a second before replying, "Of course, Father. Should I pack my things?"
"What things would those be?"
Calder shook his head slightly. "I suppose nothing much. A change of clothes."
Hector waved his hand. "If you want. There isn't anywhere to store anything in the back room, but bring what you like."
My mouth fell open. The back room was where the laundry machines were and where the dogs slept. I snapped my lips together and looked down so as not to show any emotion on my face.
"There's no bed, either. I trust you can make do," Hector went on.
A flash of confusion passed over Calder's face, but he said simply, "I'm used to making do."
Hector regarded him. "Yes. The sacrifice of my workers is most pleasing."
Calder didn't answer.
Hector waved his hand toward the door. "You're dismissed. Gather your things and come back here. You will follow me and attend to my requests, starting today."
"Yes, Father." Calder turned and headed toward the door, but not before making eye contact with me. I held it until he had passed me and then looked back at Hector who was straightening things on his desk again.
"Eden, do you know why I called you in here while I spoke to my new server?"
I shook my head. "No, Father."
"Because, Eden, it is my job to help that boy. I want you to understand the order the gods have ordained. There are workers, and there are leaders. I am a leader, as are you. We must trust in the gods in their ultimate wisdom, and not try to change that which has been foretold. Satan tries to change our course, by averting our attention from the ways of the gods. But we must not listen. Dire consequences will rain down if we are swayed. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Father," I said.
"Good." Hector came to me, cupped my face in his hands, and gazed down into my eyes as he towered over me. "My princess, I've waited so long for you. Nothing must get in the way. Satan will try his hardest now that our union is so very near. You must ignore all temptations."
"Yes, Father."
Hector let out a breath and then leaned forward and planted his lips on mine. I froze, pressing my lips together. After a minute, Hector leaned back up. "Has Hailey spoken to you yet?"
"About what, Father?" I hedged.
"About the marriage bed."
I cleared my throat. "A little," I said, averting my eyes.
Hector nodded his head. "Good, that's good. Soon, so very soon. I feel as if I've waited a lifetime for you, my love. If only the foretelling . . ." He frowned, looking away for a moment. "But, we must follow the instructions of the gods, not our own selfish wants." He looked at me for a moment longer and then released my face. "You may go, Eden. And I want you to increase your Holy Book reading, especially the section on temptation and sacrifice."
"Yes, Father," I repeated, backing away toward the door. When I was almost there, I turned and walked out quickly, shutting the door behind me, releasing the breath I'd been holding for far too long.
Calder was moving into the main lodge. And all I could feel was dread. Xander's words came back to me. A storm is coming.
**********
The next day at Temple, I walked in with the other council members and sat down in my usual chair. Calder walked behind Hector, Hector's appointed slave. He didn't use the word, but it was obvious that's what it was: a method to humiliate Calder. Anger and defiance battled the fear inside me at what Hector would do to make our lives more unbearable before we could leave. We needed to play it safe, I knew that, and I was well practiced in that role. But seeing Calder degraded by Hector made me want to stand up and declare my love for Calder right in Temple, right in front of everyone. My love for Calder would serve as a mighty sword against Hector. There was nothing he could do to fight that, nothing he could do to enslave that. It was true and untouchable. It was ours.
Hector signaled to Calder and Calder kept his face blank as he kneeled on the floor to the left of the last council member. I bowed my head as Hector took his place at the podium and leaned forward, waiting as the people quieted. The council members bowed their heads and closed their eyes.
As I looked down, something blue caught my eye and I moved my head slightly to look just under my seat, where a lone morning glory sat. I bit my lip not to smile. I moved my eyes over to Calder and saw he was turned slightly toward me and he saw the morning glory, too. He looked a little confused. I watched as he turned toward the audience and looked out to where Xander was standing. Xander winked at him and then bowed his head and closed his eyes, too.
I looked back at Calder and he shot me a very small, covert smile before he, too, bowed his head.
"My people," Hector said, his deep baritone voice commanding attention. He walked out from behind his podium and stood quietly in front of the congregation for a good minute before speaking again. "Today, I am going to talk about disobedience, and then I'm going to perform the water purification of one of my beloved workers, the boy who has served as my cup bearer since he was old enough to follow instruction. Calder Raynes."
My eyes darted to Calder and his face showed a brief moment of surprise before he frowned very slightly. I looked back out to the people, all eyes now on Calder.
Hector turned and paced for a minute, his finger on his lips as if he was deep in thought. Finally he stopped and looked up. "The gods love us, just as I love you. But we must remember that although the gods bring us the gently flowing river, so do they bring us the violent thunderstorm that stirs up the waters of the sea." Hector paused, looking around. "The storm may be violent, the storm may cause wreckage, but ultimately," Hector paused again pivoting on his foot to turn and look at the other side of the room, "ultimately, the point of the storm is to show you where you've gone wrong and to guide you once again to peaceful waters."
The doors to the Temple opened and two younger worker boys carried a large, white tub down the main aisle and set it gently on the floor. Calder had always been part of the ritual of filling the baptismal tub in the past. I didn't recognize the two boys who did it now, although they must have known Calder, as they eyed him with admiration. After several trips with large jugs, the tub was mostly filled.
Hector motioned to Calder to step forward, and Calder did, rising to his full height and walking over to Hector where he stood next to him in front of the tub. Hector was a tall man, but Calder stood just an inch or so taller. Something inside me took satisfaction in that. Perhaps it was the knowledge Calder out-measured Hector not only in inner qualities, but quite literally as well.
"Kneel," Hector said coldly. A shiver went up my spine despite the warm temperature in the Temple.
Calder went down on his knees in front of the tub and bowed his head over the water.
"Beloved gods!" Hector boomed, raising his hands. "Those who believe in your goodness and your never-ending power shall be saved and cleansed of their sins!" He took a hold of the hair at the back of Calder's head. "Calder Raynes, you have been educated in the ways and truths of the gods, and instructed into obedience to them. Through your life, you will avoid evil, acknowledge your faith, and fulfill the promise to always serve the gods, and only the gods. As you are purified by water, so your heart and soul are washed clean of whatever is displeasing to the gods."
Hector pushed roughly on Calder's head and plunged his face into the water and held him there.
"Calder Raynes, do you desire to obtain eternal life in Elysium, serving among the gods?"
I waited for Hector to bring Calder's head up from the water, but when he didn't, my heart picked up in speed and I looked around. No one else seemed to be wondering what was going on. I looked back at Calder, a feeling of nervousness settling in my chest.
"Calder Raynes, do you vow to love the gods with all your heart, mind and soul?" He paused, again not bringing Calder's head up.
I stared at Calder's kneeling frame, my eyes wide, my hands clenching and un-clenching in my lap.
"Calder Raynes, will you live in such a way that will daily be pleasing to the gods, and always serve them before yourself? BEFORE YOURSELF?" he repeated loudly.
My nerves turned into flapping wings of fear in my chest as Hector still held Calder's head submerged in the water.
"Calder Raynes," he paused, looking around, still gripping Calder's hair, "do you promise to cast off the powers of darkness which often will seek to steer you from the truth and the wisdom of the gods?"
I scooted to the edge of my chair, a lump rising in my throat. How long could someone hold their breath under water? Panic settled inside me. If Calder struggled, would Hector let him up? Why wasn't he struggling? Had he quietly drowned?
"Let us pray!" Hector boomed.
He bowed his head, as did the rest of the congregation. If they noticed Calder had been underwater for far too long, no one said a word.
"Gods, banish all sin, selfishness, and evil from this boy. Take the darkness from his heart and deliver grace and righteousness into his soul. Let the water purify him today and forever, so this boy may become a man." He kept his head bowed, eyes closed. My body tensed to stand up and scream, every muscle primed to attack Hector before Calder drowned underwater right in front of us.
But just as I started to move, Hector raised his hand, bringing Calder's head out of the water, droplets raining out in every direction. I could just see the side of Calder's face as he drew in a huge breath, kneeling back up, a beautiful smile spreading across his face. I froze.
Hector walked to the side of Calder, looked at him and seemed to falter slightly, but regained his balance. His voice seemed just a note weaker than it had as he gazed down at Calder, a look that was a mix between anger and confusion.
"DO YOU FORSAKE SATAN?" he boomed.
"I do, Father," Calder said, his voice strong and clear.
"And all his evildoings? All his temptations?"
"I do, Father."
"Do you renounce the wicked lusts of the flesh and of the eyes?"
"I do renounce the wicked lusts of the flesh and of the eyes, Father."
"Do you promise to love the holy way of the gods?"
"I do, Father."
I watched as water dripped down Calder's hair and face, the droplets wetting his shirt and causing it to cling to his muscles. There was something fierce and happy on his face and I couldn't guess what he was thinking. It was as if water was his element and it had not only cleansed him, but also empowered him. I sat confused, still fearful, but proud.
"Then I pronounce you purified, made new. You are strong and clean. Depart in peace. Go forth in holiness."
Calder stood slowly, smiling at the congregation as they smiled back at him. He walked back to the place next to the last council member, where he knelt again.
As the two young worker boys came to collect the tub and take it away, I couldn't help but notice the one with black hair and light blue eyes looked at Calder as if he was a god himself.
**********
That night, I lay in my bed picturing Calder downstairs lying in that small room, sharing a bed with the house dogs. I tried to focus on my own anger at the injustice of the situation, but my mind kept going back to the picture of him, lying there, no shirt on, the moonlight shining in on his golden skin. He was so close.
I wanted to ask him about earlier that day. I wanted to ask him what had happened during his water purification, what he'd been thinking, if he'd been as scared as I had been. He was my best friend and I longed to talk to him.