Gift to the State

“Please, your graces, I beg you. Do not take Wimar into the Gifts Program! He’s all I have!” I pleaded with the bishops, knowing it was my last chance.

“Dear woman, he has qualified! Would you have us leave off simply for your sake, sacrifice the interests of the State for your comfort?” the schoolmaster asked with a smile, his kind expression begging me in return to agree with him.

“My husband, Padrig, was part of the Red Knights in the Bede Revolution. He died in the Battle of Ursa. My oldest son, Padweir went on to become a Holy Raider. His ship was lost.” The pain of memories was beginning to choke me. I went on through thick tears, “They both served with honor and distinction. They were both sacrificed to the State. What of my family?”

“Military affairs are not our concern,” another bishop said, her face frank and uncaring. “The State tends to those in need, especially…”

“Especially orphans and widows, yes!” I spat. “So I have heard! What of the State’s academy?”

The woman continued, “Are you suggesting that the State has not seen to your well-being?” Her demeanor accused me of the highest crime: Unfaithfulness to the State.

I was angry, despite the danger. “I am suggesting that taking a son from a widow goes against the State’s own vow.” I wiped the tears from my eyes. “Wimar is the only family left to me.”

Wimar was a good boy. He was still so very young, only ten years old. A place in the Gifts Program would be the last I saw of him. It pained me, but I may have put him in this position myself. With his father gone, and then his brother, we prayed nightly. We listened to the Bishops, Fathers, and Mothers. I sent Wimar to them when they asked for his assistance in praying for the State. His prayers bore fruit. That was special.

Since the colonization of Bede, the people who inhabited it found that there were those among them who could perform seemingly miraculous feats. Within the first year, a certain man was found who could merely sit with those at the hospital, healing where there seemed no hop.

The xenobiologists studied the new world and its interaction with the people, seeking to understand. But before they could find the cause of these new manifestations, a religion had arisen. The religion soon became organized with those showing manifestations at its head. Clearly, these new powers were granted by God himself, and this land was the Lost Eden!

It was not long after that when the xenobiologists were burned down in the public forums from fires drawn and guided by the new Pope of Bede, the price of Unfaithfulness. Thus was the State born, and thus did the revolution begin. Since then, some discoveries had been made by the State as to the workings of Bede, and the State had capitalized.

I slumped into a nearby chair. My boy, blessed of God, was going to be taken from me. I remembered going down to the Chamber of Gifts on a State-sponsored tour. Wimar smiled at the Father who guided us.

“These are the Pods of Blessings. These children pray for the well-being of the state. They live here at the Academy. They study the Word of the State, develop their Faith, and return to their Pods for more prayer. They are more responsible for the peace of Bede than any soldier could be.”

Wimar had gone up to one of the pods, looking in on a serene girl inside. She floated in blue-green ooze, eyes closed, and hands clasped. He tapped on the glass and asked, “Is it fun?”

I looked around me at the pods as I considered how these children could keep the peace. One had a glass that had been changed to black.

“Oh, yes! Once you build your Faith and begin to pray for the State’s blessings, it is quite enjoyable. You’ll see!”

The black pod shook sometimes. I could hear a muffled pounding coming from it, and the sound of bubbles. “Who’s in there?” I asked, indicating the black pod.

The Father turned to look. “Ah, yes – he still builds his Faith.”

I suddenly found myself going over to the pod and pounding on it, ripping at the fastenings, tearing one of my fingernails off in the attempt. The father pulled me away from the pod and shook me, screaming, “Stop this immediately!”

I was shaken and confused. My finger bled. My mind felt someone screaming into it. I fell to the floor in pain and bewilderment. Just as it began, so did it end: suddenly.

The Father apologized, but the episode was over. I only wanted Wimar to enjoy his tour of the Chamber of Gifts. I smiled at him as I held my finger. “Wimar, isn’t it all wonderful?”

I was startled back to my current situation as a large door closed. One of the Red Knights had left, sent on some errand. The schoolmaster addressed me again.

“My dear, I did hope – considering your family’s illustrious service – that we could persuade you.” He smiled kindly as his bushy, white eyebrows went up and down. “Wimar will be your Gift to the State. He is great in Faith and we need him. You will agree with me, very soon…”

The bishops watched me after the schoolmaster’s proclamation. They waited, and I grew uncomfortable.

I found myself considering, thinking of my son Wimar and his incredible Faith, how it could help the State. What greater gift could I give than my family?

The Red Knight walked back into the room and nodded to the bishops. I looked from him back to the Greatest of our Faith and rose.

“I thank you for this chance. Wimar will be my humble Gift to the State. Teach him well!”

The schoolmaster beamed. “You have taught him so much already. We thank you and accept your Gift!”