THE GREAT APPRENTICE

Fear... Fear is unreal, nothing but an illusion. Nature's way of finding a balance between two different realities. Possibility and reality itself. For some, it takes a minute to decide not to ever succumb to the illustrations of fear, while some, much more than that. For Dominus Petrus, as people have grown to call him, it took 20 good years. Dawn was now upon them, the very fresh beginning of August. Young and beautiful. Dominus has spent the whole of the summer giving people what he felt they needed the most. Knowledge. Ten years ago when Dominus left Prague and came to this great Citidal in Southern Italy, he'd been very sceptical about the course. He knew people needed knowledge but he also knew quite well that only few wanted it. The thirst for knowledge is usually a dark lonely road that few enbark on. He was one of those few who chose the path. When he was in Prague, he'd met many interesting people. A dacade being what it is, Dominus had been much younger and vibrant. He knew that in body and mind. Now that he was nearing senility, he knew he could no longer live on the road. Yet, more than that, he felt that if his life was ever to end, he wanted to pass away at home. And so, 10 years to this day in August, he'd left Prague and came all the way to the small town near Monopoli where he was born. The people in the town didn't recognize him. How could they. The youngsters all around were merely babies, some unborn when he left years ago. Most of his childhood friends were either dead or had also left the town. Despite the challenges he had fitting into the small town again, Dominus was certain he wanted to spend the rest of his life there. It only required an extra push. A couple memories here and there, and it would feel like home again. In Prague, he'd nursed the idea of starting a school because he felt the universe wanted him to impart knowledge. But that idea was always cut short by his own vibrant state and inability to stay in a place. Nevertheless, even in Prague, he did teach a great number of people. From friends here and there, to clients and many more. During his early years in Prague, he'd met a man that was like a father to him. A father he never had. Aquarius was his name. He'd taken him in, clothed and fed him. Aquarius was an artist. He majored in sculpting and was incredibly famous for it. Simply by observation, Dominus learned the art and himself became an artist. However, he knew he wanted more than that, so he never got too engrossed. Aquarius believed in letting a man choose for himself, so when Dominus came of age, he let him follow his path. Even if that wasn't clear to Dominus himself at the time. 'Master Petrus' a voice said from the door, breaking Dominus' mind concentration. He stood up and walked to the door, the person was none other than Charlotte, the old woman who knew more about him than anyone else in the world. Charlotte was 3days away from turning 80, but she doesn't look it. Not one bit. She happens to be the first student he ever had when he returned to the town. Her participation opened the very spetical mind of others to his organization and suddenly, it didn't seem that crazy anymore. The world was evolving, but at the time, change was never welcome. Especially in small towns where the old wells and writings on the wall never change. But this isn't about that, this isn't about who grows beard and when. In fact, it isn't about any physical change at all. The toughest thing to change of all, is the human mind but it is the only important change that can ever occur. It took him a decade to make people of this town trust him. A decade of his life that he would never get back. 'Dominus Petrus, Master Petrus' they would say. A name that had now become a symbol of peace in the small town. He'd been called to council several times to settle disputes. In fact he'd received several invitations to participate in politics but he never honored any of them. Truth be told, he left Prague because he was tired and ready to die. Death has taken 10 years and counting. Although he is still tired and perhaps becoming senile every day, he never for once forgot his duty to the universe. 'Olive, you look awful' Charlotte said when the door finally opened. 'And you look beautiful' Dominus said to the old woman. Only she could call him that. Olive Pruner was his name, his real name. A name he sometimes forget he bears. He'd been called Olive all through his childhood and a small part of his adolescent age. Until he met Aquarius in Prague. There, Aquarius simply called him son. When he had to, he called him Pruner but name calling never mattered to Aquarius. Nothing else but art. When Aquarius died, he'd morned him for over a year. During those times, he'd made countless sculptures of him till the pain deserted. Aquarius was unmarried so he simply left everything he had for him. His house, his art shop, his sculptures, everything. For years, out of loyalty, Dominus stayed and furthered Aquarius' legacy. He did this for long enough to know that Aquarius wanted him to finally be his own man. From the art studio, he'd met several people who in search for tranquility came to purchase art. That was the first platform Dominus used to teach. At some point, people began to come without the intention of purchasing art, but rather of learning. A young girl had asked him then how he became so wise. He'd laughed at her question till he saw that others were curious. He smiled and told her that he never knew his parents and spent his early years in a catholic orphanage. While he was there, he'd spent every day in the library, reading everything he could find. Since he was causing no trouble, they let him. There he learnt about wars and philosophy. He learned about schools of thoughts and the human quest to achieve peace. A quest that has led to absolute futility. He'd learned about the Yin and Yang. He learnt about Yoga and the art of meditation and fell in love. From that moment, Dominus had felt that the Universe was his true father and would take care of him wherever he went. When he was convinced he could do more outside the orphanage, some would argue that it was when he ran out of books to read_ he left. He sneaked away one morning and followed tourists to Prague. He was homeless for a while until the Universe brought him to Aquarius. It was during one of his public art exhibitions. He'd mistakenly broke a statue during the display and for some reason, the broken art piece became a master piece and according to Aquarius, the most expensive art piece he'd ever sold. Aquarius had taken the homeless boy with him and never let him go. Charlotte watched Dominus, lost in his thoughts. She brought out a pot of tea that had been in her bag and poured some for him. He looked at her, finally registering her presence and smiled. He took the filled cup and sipped from the hot tea. It had his favorite Cinnamon flavor. Dominus leaned to the side on the chair and watched the old woman fidget with the contents in her bag. 'So, what brings you here Charlotte?' She looked up from her busy state and simultaneously pulled out a piece of paper. She looked engrossed and a bit excited. Something Dominus hasn't seen in a while. 'Read this for me will you' Charlotte said, her voice shaky from age. Dominus collected the paper and walked to his desk. He drew the curtain aside and brought the paper to light. He scanned through the content but could barely see a thing. In fact, he couldn't see a thing. He felt embarrassed and looked at Charlotte. Aware of what she was driving at. 'Now when was the last time you read?' Charlotte said, with a bit of mockery in her tone. Dominus said nothing. He simply went back to his seat. A tin smile had formed on his face. 'I've read more than I'll never need Charlotte' Dominus defended. 'The world is changing Dominus, and you're a teacher. How can you teach them if you don't know them' Dominus was silent. He knew she was right. The truth is, he's not in denial that he was getting old. The years has been kind so he doesn't look it but Dominus had surely lived two third of his life. In fact, he'd became tired in Prague and when he came here, he was sure he had neared his end. Still, it's been ten years, and he feels there's still so much to teach. 'What do you want me to do Charlotte?' 'The same thing I've wanted you to do for the past five years' Charlotte said, tracing the outline of his face. Dominus scoffed softly. He knew what she was driving at but he doest want anyone snooping through his stuff. The same reason why he doesn't have a dog or a cat. He feels he could handle these things himself, I mean, how hard can boiling a cup of tea be or reading a few lines of books before dinner. Nevertheless, Charlotte had a point. 'Julius' Charlotte called out loud and a boy came out of the shadow behind the door. He'd been there the whole time. Charlotte squeezed her face at him when he got closer, she clearly didn't like that he'd been eavesdropping. Meanwhile, Dominus was just stunned. 'Petrus, meet Julius' Charlotte said to Dominus, he was making a funny face but didn't want the boy to see. Dominus said nothing though. He tried to beem a smile at the boy but his displeasure was apparent. 'It's an honor to meet you sir' the boy stammered. Poor thing had been hearing about the Dominus Petrus since he was old enough to attend gatherings. Dominus managed to force a more genuine smile and seat more comfortably. He knew Charlotte had his best interest at heart so he could not really get upset about something like this. Instead, to achieve the privacy he so much yearned, he decided that he would simply give Julius strict rules about what to touch and what not. Julius had been busy fidgeting with his fingers. He didn't know what to look so he simply stared at his own feet. He tried to hide the apparent hole in his sandals but it was futile. The dusty edges where it had been patched made his situation all the more pathetic. 'Where are you from boy?' Dominus asked. It took a while to steady his heart that had reacted at the unbelievable scenario that The great Dominus Petrus had asked him a question. He tried to impress him, he had to. 'The south sire' 'But this is the South' Dominus questioned further. 'Me and my family stay at the outskirts' the boy clarified. 'And where is your family now?' The boy was quiet. Only tried to hide his face further. Dominus looked at Charlotte for answers and her expression showed that he had probed a sore spot. 'Can you read?' Dominus changed the atmosphere. The boy nodded affirmatively. 'Where did you learn that?' The boy shrugged his shoulder and muttered 'nowhere' 'You learnt it yourself?' Dominus was curious now. 'Yes sire' Charlotte smiled at the questioning. She knew Dominus would gain interest in the boy, he gained interest in everything. Sometimes, he only needs a little push. 'Why don't you go wait outside for a bit' Charlotte said to the boy.