The Prophecy (The War of the Gods Book 3) by Pablo Andrés Wunderlich Padilla

Author:Pablo Andrés Wunderlich Padilla [Wunderlich Padilla, Pablo Andrés]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pablo Andrés Wunderlich Padilla
Published: 2018-06-02T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter XIX – The nourishment of thoughts

He was shaking vigorously. Was he having convulsions? What the hell was going on? His face was wet, his eyes were wet, his soul was wet. Had he been crying the whole night? Mama, why did you leave me alone? I need you… mama! How he missed her, even now, so many years after her death. A second wave of water showered his whole body. He shivered and opened his eyes.

“Come on then, sacristans, off to the baths with you all. To serve the Décamon! Up you get! Get on with it! It’s five in the morning and there’s no time to lose. You’re going to be Décamon sacristans, by the gods! No slacking allowed! Up you get!”

An army of priests in black cassocks was summoning the forty students violently and rigorously, military style. Those shouts like knives in the side of the head ‒ as a result of the hangover left over from dinner – weakened the faith of many.

Several boys were crying as they ran like hens with hungry foxes chasing them, others hastened to the showers to wake themselves up. A few were being sick, perhaps because they were hung-over, perhaps because of the shock of being woken with a jet of cold water. Joermo, Kurlos, Ánomnos and Argbralius strode to the showers with their brown cassocks in their hands.

They were used to getting up at seven in the morning, with a sun that could warm both bodies and souls. Now it was five o’clock, the world was still cold and the boys could not bear the water at that temperature.

In the classroom the pupils were downcast and confused, what with hangovers and tiredness. Damasio put on his best stony face. “Welcome to the first day of your training as sacristans of the Décamon. I hope you enjoyed last night’s dinner, because from now on you won’t have much time for entertainment. Sacristans can never miss their daily duties at the Décamon, regardless of their state of health or spirit.

“Sacristans assist in the work of the priest in his daily Mass. The sacristan is a pawn, yes, but an indispensable one. Don’t forget: you must never miss your duties, for whatever reason.” The man cleared his throat to allow a pause. “Well now, in a year’s time you’ll be graduating. Good luck to all of you. I hope you’ll enjoy the process, which is difficult but which brings its reward. Besides, you’ll be growing up as you go on.”

The boys, all teenagers, except Argbralius, who looked a few years older, were yawning, and made no attempt to hide their boredom, unlike their superiors and instructors, who gave every sign of being on top form.

The boys were reorganized and assigned new posts, then Orolio began the first lesson. “After each lesson there will be a test, each day. Anyone who fails will have to prepare an essay on the subject in question and hand it in the following day. If the essay is not handed in, expulsion is immediate and permanent.

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