" Huh? I beg your pardon?"
" Great now he sounds like a old guy." Xavier thought to himself while face palming.
" Zaris is your first name, we don't know your parents and you need a last name of some sort. This Church is called Mayiz the way of Prayers with God, but using the entire church name is a bit much so we use Mayiz of God for those who don't have a last name," Xavier explained.
Zaril'n listened doing his best to take in the information.
" Now your age,"
The children tried guessing a fitting age, but it was obvious they wanted to be older. All the numbers they suggested were below the age of ten.
Everyone was laughing and making jokes, while having childish bickering, but Zaril'n couldn't bring himself to feel at ease.
That same evening before the sun drew it's orange mixed with red spread over the sky the children were talking while filling buckets with water. Zaril'n overheard them as they spoke of an Academy, Zaril'n was fascinated with their story.
A school where all those who have Divine Gifts go, Zaril'n was slightly familiar with the School, Ehzia had spoken of something similar a few times. Now Zaril'n felt intrigued that ever as it was related to his Mister, he wanted to go.
" Watch after two years I'm going to the Academy and I'm going to make a lot of money,"
" I'm gonna give Father some to make a big church!"
" This big!" the boy said separating his arms as far as he possibly could.
" But we need stronger Divine Gifts, I'm going to have Xavier teach me more," a little girl exclaimed excitedly.
Xavier was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner when Zaril'n walked in seeking him.
" You have Divine gifts so why aren't you going to the Academy?" Zaril'n asked curious and straight forward. But at the same time his words were hesitant and choosing.
Hearing the voice Xavier thought how annoying.
" Because I'm needed here," Xavier answered with a slight frown. " Father leaves everyday doing whatever he does to look after the children, having this many children alive isn't cheap nor free, so while he goes out I stay here to protect them" Xavier answered, but while he sounded noble, there was suspicion in his voice.
" If I had more I would have taken everyone," Xavier half muttered.
When Father had returned the sun had just bowed out of sight giving the brightest stars the opportunity to twinkle. Everyone was gathered at the table for supper eating. At one moment Zaril'n took the chance to speak up that he wanted to go to the Academy.
No one at the table was shocked they all were excited and the children cheered him on as they said they couldn't wait to become of age, especially those who only needed to wait three or four years. They had all settled that Zaris was sixteen, he was the second oldest among the church children.
Zaril'n had only known these children for less than two weeks, but he had the feeling to call them family. He felt happy, warm, fuzzy and as if he wanted to see them grow old.
Ehzia gave him the meaning of this word and what it was supposed to feel like. He always knew humans were kind creatures.
Father hadn't spoken, the other children didn't notice due to their excitement. But as for Xavier he could see the visible bulge of the man's vein near his temple, and he wore a hard expression.
" Father?" Xavier prompt.
" Oh yes. Very well Zaril'n, remarkable idea.
Xavier knows the way to the city as he had been there before. The entrance exams are about to start in two weeks or so and it's a three day travel so you h plenty time to prepare. The earlier the better," Father explained kindly with his calm and beaming energy, and a pleasant heart filled smile.
Zaril'n nodded smiling and Xavier rolled his eyes. He then eyed Father secretly and slowly gulped down the water from his wooden cup.
While everyone was clearing the table or doing the dishes Zaril'n was sent outside to put out the trash. While he was there Father had miraculously appeared standing near him. Zaril'n was too startled when he turn bumping into the man on his way back.
" Why do you want to go to the Academy Zaril'n?" Father asked looking down at the boy with his bright eyes than somehow shun in the dark.
" Because someone I knew told me about it and- " Zaril'n paused to choose his words before going forward, he had to be careful to hide the fact that he was a demon. One person already found out, he couldn't let anyone else know.
" Because I want to be strong and protect everyone," Zaril'n said mixing what he had heard from the children.
" But Xavier can do that," Father added.
" Yes but Xavier can't do it alone," Zaril'n countered.
" Well if you must,"
" Hello?" Father called suspecting that someone else was close by.
" Oh Father, I came to get Zaril'n," a little girl said a bit surprised seeing that Zaril'n was with Father.
" Oh yes, we're both heading in now,"
The following morning the sunrise shown gold rising from beyond the hills like every other day, but this time it was more special that usual. Probably because a journey would be in the making.
Bright, cool, but not cold, but at the same time warm. As the first rays stretch outwards greeting the grass and trees they stood up to greet back. Birds, animals, the few men who raced the sun before wake, whether to attend live stock, watch over their family or to merely let the sun know men woke before it.
Everything that burned with life was ready to start a day of new.
The children were up, except Zaril'n. None of them wanted to miss waving Zaril'n goodbye. They helped with packing food, clothes and anything they thought would be necessary for a city life and for the journey ahead.
While gathering materials Father walked into the room where Xavier was.
" You're sending him away so soon Xavier," Father commented.
" Not really, this way he'll have time to adjust," Xavier answered.
Xavier couldn't understand why Father was fixated about Zaril'n, but giving what he overheard last night Father was hiding something. Did he know Zaril'n was a demon? And if so why haven't he reported it. He had a bad feeling about this.
Something in Xavier's gut twisted, but he couldn't understand why. Xavier was glad that Ari appeared last night seeking Zaril'n, this way he was out from being suspicious.
As the sun rose higher than their heads Zaril'n was woken by the children and told to get dress. Xavier was ready to take leave and everyone was gathered to watch.
" If Father goes out you're in charge," Xavier said pointing at Emis, a girl around fourteen years old.
" What! But I'm older," Alex pointed out.
" But Emis is wiser, Xavier countered.
The children laughed. Alex changed colour from embarrassment, Xavier then cleared his throat telling them that both Emis and Alex was in charge.
Zaril'n didn't understand what was happening and when they mentioned the Academy Zaril'n opened his mouth to speak, he didn't plan on leaving right away, nor so soon; but before he could even uttered a word Xavier jammed a piece of bread telling him to eat.
Xavier went and brought around out Los and another horse. Xavier handed a horse to Zaril'n and helped him over, but as Zaril'n sat down he started sliding the other way.
" Huh?" Zaril'n wondered as his world looked upside down and be suddenly fell nauseous. He didn't understand, but something bubbly was floating around in his stomach.
The other children then laughed seeing that Zaril'n couldn't stay on a horse. By the next moment the horse shook him off moving from him.
" Horses hate Zaris," the children laughed.