Reuel paused momentarily seeming to consider whatever information to which he was just made privy. He then signaled the Authorities to return me to foot of the cathedra in order to resume the proceedings. I didn’t know how much more of this I would be able to stand. Reuel quickly examined my disposition, and then continued though he could see that I was at the breaking point. 

     “Kendi, I have consulted with Jah and just received confirmation, your sentence is fixed.”  I sucked in another deep breath and closed my eyes in an effort to ease my anxiety.

 “Open your eyes and look at me,” Reuel stated firmly. 

     It took everything in me to accomplish this task, but I forced open my eyes to face my final adjudicator. The room that just seemed dark and gloomy was now blinding.

     I examined Reuel’s expression through squinted eyes. I did not see what I expected to see in his countenance. Instead of contempt and shame, I saw concern and compassion. There was also something hidden just beneath the surface. Uncertainty?

     Reuel rose from the cathedra and stood directly in front of me. His gesture caused me to look up in order to meet his gaze.

     “You will not be removed from the office of Guardian, for this is not what Jah wants. Instead, you will be given another assignment during which you will be bound by a stringent code of conduct. You will adhere to the limitations and boundaries set forth by this court without challenge. Do you understand?”

     The courtroom erupted.

     “This is an outrage!” Haamiah boomed. “So Kendi goes unpunished . . . again!”

     “What do you mean unpunished? He has been sentenced back to Earth Duty—the very thing that has caused him to be judged in this court today!” countered Rashnu.

     “That is not a sentence! It is a stay of execution. Kendi is inevitably going to wind up in this same situation again. He does not have a teachable spirit. Kendi will not embrace the office of Guardian,” Ramiel added.

     “Awfully harsh words from a creature of vision,” Micah retorted.

     Reuel reached back and grabbed the gavel and pounded the side arm of the mahogany cathedra. The sound echoed throughout the chamber, effectively quieting the argument.

     I stood silent. I think I was in shock. Certainly disbelief. I was not being exiled, a relief, but I was going to have to return to Earth? What the hell?

     “Kendi, do you understand what I have said thus far?” Reuel repeated.

     I tried to find my voice. “S−s−so, I am not being exiled?”

     “The sentence of this court, by overwhelming majority, is exile. However, Jah has extended an alternative to exile, and you can make the decision regarding your fate.”

     I shook my head in an attempt to clear my mind. I was not sure that I understood what Reuel was saying—an alternative to exile? That would be a no brainer. Why would I even have to make a choice . . . unless?