Haedaules returned to meet the tall, white-robed man. Every time he passed the purple line a priest came and motioned him to go back. Frustrated, Haedaules asked:

‘Nobody could have possibly seen me, why can’t I pass’?

‘We know you did your best, but you are not alone. You will not be brought to public punishment for trespassing but we cannot let you pass either.” answered the priest.

Haedaules looked around and couldn’t see anyone when what it seemed to be a gust of wind moved one of the silk curtains in the public worship place.

‘There is always a lost soul between those curtains, coming to ask for guidance’, added the priest.

Haedaules left and came back on the Night of Fires when the temple curtains were taken off, leaving a better view on the columns. He also brought Daros, his white wolf pet. In the weeks before the “Night of fires” he trained Daros to give a low bark if he could smell anyone around.

Haedaules signaled Daros to look around. Daros sniffed the surroundings but couldn’t find anyone. Haedaules passed over the purple line, keeping Daros close to make him aware of any presence. Nobody stopped him this time and he went on the well known way to the large marble hall.

‘It was a good idea to bring Daros, but we prefer those who can note a presence themselves’ the tall man greeted Haedaules.

‘I take you’re ready to start your training’ he added.

Before Haedaules could answer he spoke again:

‘First I will take you on a short walk around the village and the temple”

One of the priests handed him a brown cloak, just like the one the tall man was wearing now over his white robe.

‘Wear the hood and cover your face so you cannot be seen and follow me” the priest asked him.

***

Haedaules followed the tall man into the back street and then to the busy market. After a while the tall man pointed to a middle-aged man in rags, who seemed talking to himself.

‘Do you know him’?

Haedaules burst in laugh only to stop at the fiery look the priest gave him.

‘Yes, this is the fool; we grew up throwing stones at him and laughing at his frothing. No matter what we would do he would smile and say: “It is so wonderful, you have no idea.” Then small foamy saliva appeared in the corner of his mouth. He is funny.’

The tall man looked at Haedaules and said: ‘He was my most promising student, a while ago, when you were still a child. He was brilliant, doing everything right, a little bit too zealous we thought, but we couldn’t find fault in this. One morning we found him with blank looks, foaming and repeating over and over again his one line.’ The tall man stopped and added: ‘We let him go, the only one to have left our order alive’.

Haedaules nodded slightly and the cowl covered the many questions rushing on his face.

The priest summoned him again and they traversed the market in silence, to pass unnoticed.

***

Near the edge of the village there was a house somewhat isolated from the others. Haedaules knew it well; it was his teacher’s house. Menous was a man of vast knowledge known for his power of logic.

‘I am sure you know Menous’, said the tall man. Haedaules nodded.

‘What do you think of him?’ asked the priest.

‘He has an explanation for everything; he doesn’t believe in magic, he thinks Zamolxis is just a good story’.” There must be a logical explanation” mocked Haedaules the mannerisms of his teacher.

The tall man peered at him and his look told him he didn’t appreciate the show.

‘We grew up together, he used to be my best friend’, said the tall man. ‘He was a brilliant mind, an accomplished athlete, a magnet for girls, and very devout to Zamolxis’.

Haedaules looked at him in astonishment: ‘You’re saying he actually put foot in the temple?”

‘Yes, we started to become priests together’, said the tall man.

‘He wanted to be a priest?” burst Haedaules pointing to the philosopher’s house.

‘And he was headed to be a good one. One morning he woke up in a sweat and looked at me completely lost. He started to tell me with much enthusiasm that he has been in a marvelous place where time, desire and war do not exist. Suddenly he stopped, looked around and said short: “I must have dreamed’. Next day he left the temple. He wasn’t ordained yet; this is why he is alive today. He was gone for years and I hear he spent his youth in Greece, studying Socrates and Plato”, finished the tall man.

He turned around leaving on Haedaules’ face even more questions and headed outside the village towards the Big South forest.

***

The tall man walked in silence for a while, turned right and entered the graveyard. He pointed to a common stone on which a few lines could be barely spotted.

‘He was an orphan, begging on the street’ the tall man started talking. ‘He grew up to be very ambitions, learned to write and keep the count on the grains by sneaking in with the apprentices. Later he run away and nobody knew about his whereabouts until he came back. He had the entire village around him listening about his travels to the lands of Greece, to Eleusis. His favorite subject was the story of his initiation and his travel to the realm of Zamolxis. He took pride in describing every step he took, every vision and what he thought the visions really mean’. The priest stopped for a second. ‘These are dangerous stories and every initiate takes a vow of secrecy. He left us no choice’.

The tall man sighed: ‘He was very smart, I never thought of our teachings that way. I believe he indeed saw Zamolxis. It had to be done. Burning truths cannot be revealed without proper preparation’.

‘Haedaules, it is time to go’ said the tall man. ‘Haedaules?’ he called again and he put his hand on his shoulder shaking him gently.

Hedaules started to tremble slightly and said in a low voice: ‘I am ready’.

They walked in silence through the valley separating the village from the Big South Forest.

***

‘I am getting hungry, said the priest, and I know exactly what I want’. He pointed to the shepherd in the valley and to his sheep flock.

Haedaules grinned: ‘And you will hear a merry song or two, the parties at the sheep farm beat the party my father threw for King Decebal.

The tall man headed towards the shepherd and motioned for Haedaules to follow.

‘You know he is a tarabostes, quite well off, he doesn’t have to tend the flock, do you?

Haedaules nodded: ‘Yes, my father use to tease him for this, but for some reason never makes fun of him. May be he likes his songs.’ smiled sheepishly Haedaules.

‘The shepherd’s songs are special, as they give peace of mind to the commoner and teach the initiated’ said the tall man.

Haedaules shivered: ‘You knew they will give me dreams, isn’t it? Those dreams… Did he know too? Is he working for you?” he added with a frown.

‘No, he was wealthy, destined to grow his crops and lead his clan. And this is what he did until one day when he woke up under the old, huge, linden tree. He stayed in the valley since and he is delighting us with his songs’ answered the tall man.

‘So he donated all his belongings to the temple and decided to live like a shepherd” inquired Haedaules.

‘Not at all” responded the tall man. ‘When he is not training his sword or counseling your father, he is finding inspiration and joy in herding the sheep down in the valley. Here he writes and sings the songs and verses we like the most.’ continued the priest.

***

On the way back the tall man talked to Haedaules:

‘You asked me once for help. All we can do is to prepare you as good as we can. You meet Zamolxis alone and nobody knows what will become of you. You can loose your faith like your teacher, your mind like the fool or you might betray us and die.

Or you might find your voice and delight us, like the shepherd with your songs. Go now and tell your father you are leaving for the temple. He already knows, we’ve talked to him.’

The tall man went quiet but Haedaules was already away, running as fast as his young legs could take him.