Free There Comes A Prophet by David Litwack

see a vicar?"
    "They might, or they might beat you for sport. I'd keep my distance if I were you." He took a few steps, then called back as he broke into a run. "But don't go near them till I'm gone and don't tell them we spoke."
    Nathaniel was furious with himself. What good was courage without a plan? Finally, he gave in and approached the deacons directly. Now at last, he was being marched under guard through the entrance of the main Temple building.
    While he waited, a clerk wrote down his request and then repeated it in a nasal whine
    "You say your friend has been brought in for a teaching. You're offering to take her place. Is that correct?"
    "Yes, sir."
    The clerk paused, punctuated his writing and then looked up.
    "Hmmm. Most unusual."
    He folded the request, marked it with a wax seal and handed it to one of the couriers dashing about everywhere. By now, Nathaniel knew he couldn't save Orah from the teaching, but he might yet keep her from the worst. He tried to follow the messenger, but the clerk signaled for him to sit and wait.
    With so much business transpiring, Nathaniel worried he'd be there for hours. But the courier returned in a few minutes and gestured for him to follow. They ended up in a round room with vaulted ceilings, chillingly as his father had described. Three senior clergy sat at a raised desk along the back wall.
    The one in the center began. "You are Nathaniel Rush of Little Pond?"
    "Yes, sir."
    "And you are here to... request a teaching in place of Orah Weber?"
    "Yes, sir."
    The senior vicar shook his head. "Extraordinary."
    The vicar on the left leaned toward Nathaniel. "No one ever requests a teaching."
    "Nevertheless, I'm here to offer myself in Orah's place. I'm of age, from the same village and would serve your purpose as well. My father's an elder and I'm well-regarded by my neighbors. After I've been taught, Little Pond will be stronger in the light."
    There was grumbling, murmurs of disagreement between the three. Nathaniel edged closer. When they noticed his approach, they went silent.
    "Nathaniel of Little Pond," the senior cleric intoned, trying to restore order to the proceeding. "We must confer. We'll need time without your presence. You'll be taken to a place where you may wait in the meantime."
    He rang a bell whose handle was a miniature sun icon. Four deacons marched in, formed a square around Nathaniel and prepared to escort him out.
    Except that Nathaniel refused to go.
    He was tall for the people of the Ponds, who in turn were bigger than the people of Temple City, so he towered over the deacons. They hesitated, looking to the clerics for guidance, knowing it would take some effort to move him.
    Annoyed, the vicar on the right waved them off. "What is it now?"
    "My request is urgent. I want my friend relieved of her teaching or my offer doesn't stand."
    The vicar in the center stared at him and stroked his beard, taking time before responding. His expression changed from irritation to decision.
    "Your friend has only arrived this morning. We've just finished with her. We'll deliver our pronouncement soon. Now with your permission, young man, follow these gentlemen to your... guest quarters."
    He gestured for the leader of the deacons to approach, leaned in and whispered a command. Then the deacons reformed and guided Nathaniel away.
    As Nathaniel turned, he glanced over his shoulder. The two younger vicars were staring in bewilderment. But their superior was gazing after him, deep in thought.
    ***
    The deacons led Nathaniel down a stairway to an underground corridor. On one side, the wall bore no markings other than the etched decay of years. But on the other stood a row of oaken doors, each with a window, concealed by a metal slat controlled from the outside. And each was anchored by an iron bolt.
    From the beginning, Nathaniel knew this was no guest house. He was to be prisoner until the judgment was handed down. He could only hope he hadn't made matters worse for both of