Sacred Trust Read Online Free PDF Page A

next class, especially since there was a door midway along the side of the large room.
    Interestingly enough, the notes projected by the instructor were linked to our coms, so it wasn’t necessary to write his notes down, although we all made additional ones.
    In my case, I could hear the instructor’s words clearly, but I couldn’t understand what was being written. When I got home, I transcribed the Basilian writing with some software on my com.
    Today a young Basilian male sat down beside me before the class started. “Hello,” he said. “My name is Daro Est, and you are Nara Scotia.”
    It bothered me a bit that everyone knew my name but, I had to acknowledge, it was perfectly reasonable, given the circumstances. “Yes, I am. How are you?” I asked.
    â€œI am fine. It is strange that you ask,” he said.
    â€œNot for humans. It’s what we do on Earth. It’s a greeting.” Come to think of it, I hadn’t heard a Basilian offer a similar greeting.
    â€œI see. How do you like this class?” asked Daro.
    â€œNot bad. Some things I don’t understand right away, but after some research they become clear. How about you?”
    â€œPretty easy class. If you need help, let me know.”
    Just then the professor started, so I just nodded. I would have to think about his offer. It wouldn’t hurt to have closer contact with some Basilians. Who knows what I might learn?
    At the end of the class, Daro asked, “Would you like to go to a concert sometime? I could introduce you to Basilian music.”
    â€œThat would be wonderful,” I said.
    â€œLet us talk next class.” Then he jumped up and hurried from the classroom, as if he were late for an appointment. A bit odd that, but perhaps it was normal Basilian behavior after asking a girl out on a date. At least, I thought I’d been asked out on a date! Did Basilians even date? I had no idea about their personal relationships. Perhaps Ruen could enlighten me.
    Not until lunch time did I have a chance to speak with Tata. We met in the cafeteria. I rummaged in my day pack for my food before asking, “Tell me what happened after you were given the truth serum.”
    â€œQuestions.” He didn’t look at me. What did that mean?
    I swore Tata decided to be deliberately obtuse. “What kind of questions? Did you feel any different after you got the serum?” Give me something!
    â€œSame questions. No feeling.”
    Before I had a chance to scream, Ruen joined us. “You two look so serious,” she said. “Did something happen today?”
    â€œYou can say that again,” I said. I don’t think I’d had a boring day in months.
    â€œWhy do I want to say it again?” Ruen asked.
    â€œOh, that’s just an expression. I’m agreeing with you. For emphasis, you know.”
    Ruen still looked at me like I’d grown a second pair of arms.
    I took a moment to think. “Remember we told you about finding a dead Basilian, and being tied up on a dais. Well, Officer Kikess interviewed us yesterday, and then he wanted to do it again today. I had a very stressful night.”
    â€œDid your stones help you relax?” Ruen asked.
    â€œOh my god, I forgot about them!” I thumped my forehead. “I must have been in quite a state last night. I took the stones out of my bag to get my books and put them on a table in my room. I never thought about them again. Ruen, thanks for reminding me. I’ll definitely use them tonight.”
    She grasped my hand—a reassuring gesture, I believed.
    â€œRuen, what’s The Temple of Enlightenment all about? And what can you tell me about that creepy head priest, or whatever he’s called?” Not someone I wanted to meet in a dark alley.
    She smiled. “Enlightenment is not really the right word—it is about our past. The temple priests fed us all sorts of incorrect knowledge about our