The conclave was predictable. He had attended thousands of these over the years. He figured out long ago what the purpose was and how the techniques were executed. But, he was proud that his mind had become a formidable defense. He was able to mentally jettison nonsense immediately. It was like he possessed a psychological Maginot Line...impenetrable. But he kept his thoughts to himself. At least, he thought, he was alive and not having his fetid cadaver feasted upon by coyotes.

The first “presentment" was given by "Seer Erdhenne". The theme of his "presentment" was "Evidence of Our Lord's Love Surrounds Us". He thought that this theme was somewhat premature considering the carnage that the "Compeers" were being exposed to every day. But, he had long thought that the "Seers" were somewhat disconnected from reality. The second "presentment" was given by "Seer Phobos. His theme was, "Do You Have a Complaining Spirit?" It was the typical discourse designed to instill fear and obedience into the minds of the listeners. He sternly reminded them of what had happened to Miriam and those in the "wilderness" who complained about what they had been provided to eat. His implied threats didn't have quite the same effect as they might have had a few weeks before what had taken place. Ironic, he thought, coming from someone with wine and caviar stains on his shirt.

The kitchen was set up in an open sided building a short distance away. There were no gas or electric stoves to cook on. The meal typically consisted of anything that the "scavenge teams" were able to find that day. This meal included canned Swiss chard and white rice. It had been cooked in a thirty gallon barrel that someone had managed to cut in half with a cold chisel. The half barrel set on three concrete blocks and a fire had been built under it. A few female "Compeers" tended to the fire and slowly stirred the barrels contents. A quantity of cut up meat had been added. One of the "Compeers" was proficient in how to preserve meat. There had been no shortage of dead livestock after the "Day of Fury". It could be that it was beef, horse or pork. You were just fortunate to get a piece when yours was ladled out. He speculated that it would be some time before a totally vegetative diet was instituted. Everyone was responsible for their own bowl and utensil and cup. He had found a tablespoon in the rubble and his bowl was a large tin can that stewed tomatoes had originally come in. He had cut the top off from a plastic Gatorade bottle that served as his cup. It wouldn't have been much use for hot coffee though. But, there again, any of that found was reserved for the "Seers". He was pleased to see that a good sized chunk of fatty meat had been ladled into his bowl as he moved through the line. There was a dark liquid in a five gallon bucket on a short stool. A girl there ladled some into his cup. He assumed it was tea. He walked a ways up the hill and sat under a large oak tree. The top had been shattered by a large hailstone and one of its large limbs lay on the ground. The limb lay in such a way that it made for a good place to sit. The last vestige of the hailstone lay melting in a small crater of dirt a few yards away. By tomorrow it would be gone. He was grateful that his meal was hot. He was very hungry and he wolfed it down quickly, savoring the large chunk of meat for last. He guessed that it was horse. It was slightly gristly, which he didn't mind. It had a mild flavor. He had eaten enough by now to accurately know what type of meat it was. He leaned back against the large limb and sipped his tea. He observed the "Seers" who had gathered together with their families. They sat in their white plastic chairs under a large blue tarp that had been strung between a tree and a snapped off power pole. To their credit, he thought, they were eating the same meal as the rest of the "Compeers". He smiled, thinking that most likely the Triscuits and pickled herring would come later.

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Off to his right, the young woman and her child were sitting not far away on the grassy hillside. They had sat by themselves. To his left there were also small groups of "Compeers" sitting in the grass eating their meal or lounging in the last of the warm late afternoon sun. When he turned back, the young child had approached him and was standing to his right. It surprised him. He had not heard her approach. He squinted and put his hand up to shade his eyes as the sun was directly behind her. She stood there unspeaking, looking at him with those large sad eyes. He said softly, "Hi". She gave no response. Her eyes fell momentarily to the ground but then met his again. He reached into his pocket for the pack of "Juicy Fruit" gum. He opened it, took out one stick and tore it into halves. He gave her one half and a slight smile shone on her face. She looked at the half stick of gum as she turned it over and over in her fingers. Then she stopped, looked him directly in his eyes and in her soft child's voice said, "You are the chosen one who shall make straight that which is crooked." She then ran off towards her mother without looking back.