Was it because of what I thought, Fiona wondered. Was that why Jonas was singled out? Or was it because others higher up had made the same observations as Fiona – and that grizzled old Elder who was obviously the Receiver of Memory had pieced it all together. Well, Fiona thought, at least Jonas wasn't humiliated – or was he? Jonas had looked puzzled, confused, and embarrassed on stage – but Fiona knew he had been chosen well. Jonas had all of the traits needed – and that seeing beyond thing – he had screwed up his eyes, just before saying that he had that capacity – Fiona was sure that he had been seeing beyond.
She turned her attention back to the thick pile of papers – rules and responsibilities for the Caretaker of the Old. Fiona read the first sheet – the main rules:
You must come to the House of the Old directly after school lessons for instruction. Then you are free to do recreational activities.
You must treat the Old you are in charge of with the utmost respect at all times – remember that your job is to serve them.
You will be given a discipline wand as part of your basic supplies – please use it only with supervision and training – never use it except when asked to.
You will learn many things (most pertaining to uncomfortable subjects not suitable to disclose at the moment) which you must not reveal to anyone – therefore you may lie as necessary.
You must read the information sheets before your first instruction period – please read the whole stack.
Do not relate any dreams or feelings pertaining to training that may cause you to disclose secrets.
Please follow all safety and such rules – they follow on the next ten pages.
Fiona groaned inwardly at the last statements – how could she possibly read all of the papers before the first training period – the day after next? However, she was irked by the fourth rule – after all of the lessons and slaps with the discipline rod, now she was expected to go against all of the training she had ever had? Fiona knew that she would not lie convincingly – but perhaps she could lie well enough to fool those she had to. Still – Fiona, gentle as she was, had no inclination to ever lie.
Fiona resigned herself to flipping through the rest of the papers. She memorized many sets of rules, and the use of all the basic equipment. Fiona winced at the fact that she would be issued a discipline wand – she hated to beat anyone – especially not the Old she cared for so lovingly. She knew how the thin weapons stung, and she had not thought about that part of her job.
Then she realized that keeping secrets would be very hard for her to do in a society that had none – unless… Unless every adult was given that same rule in their folder – the rule that disillusioned Fiona from the protected idea that absolutely no one lied – simply because she and her playmates were forbidden to. Fiona felt overwhelmed by her new rules and feelings – but, studious girl that she was, Fiona stuffed her feelings into the pit of her stomach, and began to take notes on her expectations.
Fiona went to bed tired that night. She had thought far too much for one day, about topics that rarely came up on a daily basis. But, of course, Fiona remembered, was she had considered her normal life had all changed now – and she was no longer a child, with a child's schedule. That day, Fiona had become an adult. Starting the next day, she had to be prepared to act like one, think like one, and go to work just like a seasoned adult.
She flopped down onto her bed and fell asleep without changing her clothes or pulling on the covers. She had a deep, dreamless sleep, and did not force her brain into action for a long, restful night.