Free One Great Year by Tamara Veitch, Rene DeFazio

will happen to Atitala in this time of chaos?” a voice rang out.
    â€œThe citizens of Atitala will follow their own paths,” White Elder replied.
    â€œIf we go, can we return? Will we see our families again?” another student asked.
    â€œIt is a duty for the entire cycle of the next Great Year. It is not for us to know where we will be reborn. You will not return to Atitala, though your soul groups never leave you,” Brown Elder answered simply.
    â€œWhen do we go?”
    â€œThe vessels are prepared at the wharf. You will depart at noon tomorrow, and Red Elder will accompany you,” White Elder replied.
    The room erupted with conversation. Boats? So soon? And never to return! How could they decide something so serious so quickly? Theron was staggered by the realization that she would be leaving her mother.
    â€œWhy boats?” a student asked.
    â€œSimplicity is best when future supplies and technology are uncertain. A boat’s form lends itself easily to function and understanding in primitive times,” Brown Elder explained.
    â€œWill I know that I am an Emissary?” said another voice, female this time.
    â€œNo. In each incarnation you will be born fresh and clean, but you will understand what you need to know to serve, and that is enough,” White Elder answered. The room was no longer silent as the potential Emissaries whispered and mumbled to one another.
    â€œWill we know each other?” Marcus asked, cutting through the din. White Elder found his face in the crowd and searched his eyes knowingly.
    â€œWe are One with the Source of everything. Those of you who choose to fulfill this destiny and choose these lifetimes as the keepers of the knowledge shall not remember your ties to Atitala. As it is here, in each new life you will be free of past memory, free of memories that would cause feelings of loss, despair, and longing. You will be reincarnated to share your inner light and virtue with the world. Let this be clear to you all—once you die and are reborn in the world of man your only memory will be of your purpose, your sense of duty, and you will carry that with you always,” the Elder clarified. The room again erupted with conversation.
    I won’t go! Marcus said to Theron telepathically.
    Theron was shocked. Her eyebrows creased together in confusion.
    Of course you will , she snapped back without sound, her mind occupied with the sadness of leaving her mother and her home the very next day. It’s our destiny.
    You are my destiny , he answered, his mind pictures vibrating with emotion. I don’t want to be apart from you! I don’t want to forget you! I don’t want to lose the knowledge of our people. If we stay here we are reborn here, we can find each other again as we have before!
    You can’t mean this , Theron telegraphed.
    Let’s stay here, Theron , Marcus pleaded. It’s our choice. I choose you! Choose me. Most people never find what we have. Marcus had a hold of her shoulders now, and she looked into his fearful brown eyes.
    I love you, Marcus. We will still have this lifetime together, it is Atitala and my mother that I will leave behind , she said, softening, pulling him close. I know my duty, and my life belongs to something greater than myself or us. I am meant to be an Emissary. I can feel it; I have always felt it.
    I don’t feel it! Marcus communicated in anguish. I only feel panic … panic that I could lose you forever!
    That is fear, Marcus. You know that we can never let fear rule us , she replied, placing her hand on his tightly clenched jaw. All around them the future Emissaries were in varied states of emotional uproar.
    White Elder’s voice called out. The fervor quieted but was not silenced. “The Emissaries will set out by ship from the wharf at noon tomorrow. Those of you who choose to stay behind should feel no shame, you have free will.”
    Marcus and Theron watched as all