Book I
Present Perfect

The Historian, Lecoudre

I AM LECOUDRE, Keeper of the Chronicles of the Healers and Guardian of the Numbers. The Healers I will tell of now. The Numbers will become clear in time.

My life, my destiny is to insure that Healers are never forgotten, although few know they even exist. One day their story will be told and those who survive, and those who have passed beyond, will be honored for their sacrifices and their role in the advancement of the human race. Until then, Healers continue seeking people in need; more importantly, those most destined to impact humanity. This is the story of one Healer. It would take several lifetimes to tell all of their stories, so I will begin with Chantelle — gentle, kind, wise Chantelle. At the age of 196, she is young by Healer standards. If life experience means anything, though, she is old beyond her years.

As I have said, my name is Lecoudre. I am the only male permitted to join the Sisterhood of Singers during their gatherings. They are a small sub-group belonging to the Order of the Healers. Although Healers can be male or female, Singers and Seers are always women. In the entire history of the Order, no man has held either position — but I am getting ahead of myself. First I must tell a little of my own humble beginning.

At five I was orphaned, my parents murdered by a religious zealot who believed races must remain pure. That zealot was my father's father. When friends and family closed ranks to protect him, I became an embarrassment — a bi-racial spawn of the devil. Fortunately, a distant cousin rescued me and I was eventually adopted by her.

She was kindness and love. From her I learned of the Healers and then, with the proper training, became a Historian. That was almost two-hundred years ago. Yes, I am old, ancient by human standards; a child by Healers'. My apprenticeship ended many decades ago. I am now the Keeper of the Chronicles. There must always be a Keeper, so two hold the title, share the same information and keep the secrets of the Order. We, alone, know where the sacred manuscripts are hidden. Soon I will begin searching for another to replace me. The aches and pains of time weigh heavily upon both my body and my mind. I am growing weary of travel. A Healer's life is hard. Mine is equally so as I try to keep up with them, try to insure their sacrifices are never wasted, never forgotten... but I digress. This is their story, not mine.

To understand the Healers, one must understand their history and their laws. I will start with that.