An echo in time atlantis, p.24
An Echo in Time: Atlantis, page 24
Tory leant over and pulled back the metal sheath of the solar lamp, to shed a little light on the subject, which caused them both to squint.
‘Ouch!’ Turan rubbed his eyes as they adjusted.
‘Pain,’ he explained. ‘I’d forgotten.’
‘I’m so sorry.’ She closed the cover three-quarters.
‘That’s fine.’ He assured, his eyes wavering open.
‘Really. Let’s just … proceed.’
‘Before we do …’ Tory stalled, getting herself comfortable, ‘I want you to tell me how you’re feeling?’
‘You sound like Darius … I feel fine!’ He became annoyed and rose to depart.
‘Well, if you feel fine …’ Tory stood also, remaining very calm, ‘why are you getting so angry?’
‘Because I fear Chailidocean could be in great danger, and you’re not helping me any,’ Turan snapped.
‘Well, why don’t you tell me what you’ve seen, and I might be able to help!’ Now Tory was losing her cool.
‘All I want from you is a picture, that’s all!’ He stressed the point. ‘If you would be so kind!’ The lash in his voice made her jump; even when Maelgwn had divorced her his words had not seemed so cutting.
‘Alright,’ she decided, clenching her jaw to control her urge to thump him. ‘If that’s what you want, then that’s what you shall get.’ She plonked herself down on the lounge, holding her arms together as required, and closing her eyes to concentrate. ‘Come on …’ she urged, ‘while I’m still in the mood.’
Turan sat, clasping her hands between his own, and closed his eyes.
Tory focused on her memories of Mahaud from the first time they’d met at Arwystli, where the witch had terminated the life of her first unborn child, to the ordeal the crone had put her through with Teo in the twentieth century. Next came the apocalypse she’d witnessed at Arwystli just recently, where Mahaud had made a threat of vengeance against her on the deathbed of Calin Brockwell.
‘Dear Gods! I am so sorry.’ Turan let go, the tears streaming down his face now. ‘I had no idea.’ He was ashamed of the demands he’d made on her.
Tory suddenly felt a mite guilty herself. She’d known Turan was in no emotional state for such a shock and now she’d hurt him through her impatience; this was the one thing she’d promised Nin Bau she wouldn’t do.
‘Was I any help?’ The damage was done, best to try and make amends.
‘It’s hard to say.’ He tried to gather his thoughts.
‘Maybe. The many images you put forward are different to what I have seen, but as you’ve said, this force assumes many different forms.’ He paused to consider then shook his head and stood, frustrated.
‘Maybe,’ Tory rose, taking a firm hold of both his arms, ‘you should relax. Remember that … relaxation?’
She smiled as she felt his tension ease.
‘Perhaps you’re right,’ he conceded. ‘I do apologise for my irrational behaviour.’
‘It’s not irrational to be afraid for those you care about, Turan. I just think it might be best to talk about this in the morning, when you’ve rested a little. Okay?’
‘Yes, of course.’ He made a move for the door.
‘Ah …’ She called after him. ‘Thanks for coming to my rescue, both tonight and tomorrow. I know this whole affair has been very difficult for you, and I just wanted you to know I appreciate everything you’re doing for me, really I do.’
This made him smile. ‘Well, what is family for after all?’
He left her in peace, via an open door for a change, and Tory closed and locked it behind him.
‘What a night!’ She picked up her sheet on route to bed, and collapsed onto it.
It was hard for Tory to conceive that Mahaud could manifest herself here in such a positive environment. She’d met no one thus far that was evil enough for the crone to latch onto, nor had she even felt an inkling of her presence. Still, she would talk to Turan in the morning and find out exactly what he had envisioned.
What did he mean Chailidocean might be in danger?
What kind of danger? Tomorrow … She encouraged herself to rest, as the day ahead was shaping up to be a long one.
As usual Tory didn’t get much sleep. Since she was up and about so early, she wandered down to the kitchens to investigate what she could rustle up for breakfast.
Upon filling a tray with fruits, a large bowl of yogurt, fruit juice, water, sweet breads and herbal tea, Tory inquired after the whereabouts of Shar Turan’s chambers and headed off in that direction.
‘For me?’
She passed Xavier on the stairs, who tried to take the tray from her.
‘If you’d told me you were coming, I would have stayed in bed.’ He grinned.
‘What is it with you lot?’ She jested, steering well away from him. ‘I think you need more women around here.’
‘Whatever do you mean?’ He seemed intrigued. ‘You wouldn’t know anything about Adelgar’s little swim round the citadel last night, perchance?’
‘Well, it was a nice night for it.’ She grinned.
‘I see, no comment.’ Xavier motioned to the breakfast tray set for two. ‘So, if this is not for me, who’s the lucky recipient?’
‘Never you mind who it’s for.’ Tory made haste to depart.
‘In other words, Turan.’ He chuckled. ‘You know it’s painfully obvious to me, that you are not the slightest bit interested in him.’ He made jest of her previous claim, as he strolled off down the stairs.
‘It’s not what you think,’ she called after him.
Xavier turned back to look at her, faking a serious stance. ‘I’m sure I believe you.’
‘Think what you like then.’ She decided to ignore him. ‘I am in perfect control,’ Tory stated, but just who was she trying to convince?
Turan was awake when she entered. He sat quiet and still on the seat of the large, rounded bay window, gazing out over the city below.
His room was much like her own, though by her understanding Turan didn’t stay in the palace very often. It was said he preferred his quarters in the Dur-nu-ga Temple, away from the disruptions of family life, where he could study in peace.
‘Hey partner, how are you feeling?’ She spoke and moved quietly, so as not to alarm him, placing the tray on the seat at his feet as she sat herself down.
‘This was nice of you.’ He looked to her offering and selected a piece of fruit. ‘I’m famished.’
‘All we need now is the Sunday paper,’ she amused herself, and although Turan didn’t understand the joke, he smiled anyway. ‘You seem in much better spirits today.’ His smile broadened. This was too much!
‘You handled me very well last night, I apprec—’
‘Please!’ She appealed. ‘You handled Adelgar very well, so let’s call it even.’ Tory took up her tea and got comfortable. ‘Instead, why don’t you tell me about your nightmares?’
‘There’s not that much to them really.’ He shrugged.
‘But for what it’s worth, I’ll tell you what I’ve seen.’
He told of an old mentor of his, Keeldar, who’d been a pioneer in the field of identifying, manipulating and transporting matter via sonic frequency and psychokinesis. Keeldar got himself banished from the continent by the council for what Turan would only describe as sedition. Before this, he’d held a high position in the mineral department of the Order of Danuih, as well as holding En Norbert’s position as the Head of the Mind Sciences. Still, the way the Shar envisioned Keeldar now, he was not at all the man of science he remembered.
‘He appears kind of …’ Turan searched for the right word, ‘feral. But then the world outside our lovely continent would tend to have that effect on you.’
‘So how does this Keeldar place Chailidocean in danger?’
Turan seemed slightly vexed by the question. ‘I wish I knew. In my visions he’s laughing, but there’s a distinct echo of insanity about his presence. Then there’s this huge explosion, ten times the brightness of the sun …
heat upon heat, upon heat. When I snap out of the trance, I’m left with a distinct sense of dread.’ He poured them both some juice. ‘Keeldar was an accomplished telepathist; in fact, he taught me the art.
So, if these images are sent from him, my perception of them is quite purposeful.’
‘When did the visions start?’
‘A couple of years before you arrived … around the time the raids began in Portea and Usiqua.’
‘So you think Keeldar could be behind the attacks?’
Turan drank his juice down in a few gulps and shrugged. ‘It’s as much a possibility as it could be a coincidence, I guess.’
Tory was contemplative. Surely Mahaud couldn’t be behind this if it had been going on since before she’d even arrived. ‘The council knows?’
‘Oh yes, and they are mindful of developments,’ he informed her, sounding not too thrilled by their seemingly complacent ruling on the matter.
Tory looked to the door as the sound of the particle manipulation function alerted them both to company.
Turan’s mother, Nin Melcah, stood in the doorway, tray in hand, wearing the most astonished look on her face upon spying her son and the daughter of Danuih having breakfast together in his room. ‘It would seem you’ve already been indulged.’
Tory burst into laughter at the misguided accusation behind her words. When she saw Turan’s horrified reaction, she laughed even more so.
‘Surely you don’t think that we …’
The Shar, too, was forced to laugh, which, although Tory found it rather insulting, she had to admit was wonderful to see.
‘Lamamu and myself are working on a project today, which we were just discussing over breakfast.’ Turan motioned his mother to approach. ‘But we can discuss it later, do join us.’
‘We are in the middle of a festival. I’ve not got time to be sitting around.’ She seemed put out. ‘No, if you have eaten already, then I shall go.’
‘No.’ Tory stood. ‘I shall go. I’m sure you don’t get enough time alone with your son to pass up an opportunity.’ Tory smiled as she passed the stunned woman, and reaching the door she looked back to Turan. ‘How about lunch at the Shi-im-ti?’
‘That would be fine.’ Turan replied; Darius would want to see them both before they faced the circuits of time.
17
TIME LOOP
The Festival of the Air was the second seasonal rite of the year and was held at the time of the equinox. It was one of four solar festivals that took place at each quarter of the Atlantean year, which was Sothic (based on the star Sirius), as would be the later Egyptian calendar — a year consisting of 360 days.
For the first four days of the festival the leaders of the land had been in council. The principal members of the council were: the Shu Sar, supreme ruler of the continent; Shar Alaric, ruler of the city of Chailidocean; Shar Diccon, ruler of the state of Cintrala; Shar Adelgar, ruler of the state of Portea; and Shar Jerram, ruler of the state of Usiqua. The Shu Sar’s advisers were also present, including En Razu, plus the rulers of the other major cities like Mentis to the east, and Menocea to the north-east. Yet, aside from communication on a physical level, this festival also encompassed communication with the cosmos and its divinities; hence the leader’s parleying would cease before sunset to allow the celebration to truly commence.
The ceremonial rite to Ta-Khu was always held in a high place, and performed on the fourth day of the eight-day festival. The priests of Ta-Khu held ceremonies high in the mountains outside the city for the common folk. These commenced at sunrise and continued until just after dark, so one was at leisure to attend at any time and could stay for as long as one chose. This pilgrimage was to offer gifts to the divine ancestor, which had been made by one’s own hand, and were blessed by the priests and kept in the temples to be given later to those in need. The High Priests of the order performed a special service for the Shu Sar and his subjects in the High Temple of Chailidocean after sundown. A great feast was held afterwards, and the four days that followed were for games, rest, and recreation.
Taliesin briefed Turan and Tory over lunch with En Darius in the courtyard of the healing temple.
He advised that just before midnight, the members of the High Council would meet them at the site on the Mount Dur-an-ki plateau. This was in the mountain range to the east of the city, but there was an underground passage that ran from the High Temple. Turan knew the way and would accompany Tory there at the appointed time. Should anyone need an excuse to leave the feast, they were to say that Nin Bau had summoned them; no one questioned the High Priestess’ will. If all went to plan, they would be back at the celebrations before anyone even missed them.
En Darius handed over a fully-equipped belt of the apparatus that Tory was to take with her. Everything was strapped in good and tight, fully loaded, and ready to use. As Darius would not be present on Mount Duran-ki tonight, he wished Tory well in her quest. He was confident that tomorrow they would start work on the cure.
Come evening, Tory dressed herself in the long, pale blue robe of the middle orders, and was escorted by En Razu to the Great Temple for the service of Ta-Khu.
She carried a beautiful bouquet of mixed flora, in various shades of purple, to offer to the divinity of time and space on his feast day.
Along with the family of the Shu Sar, everyone of the Higher Orders of learning was present for the rite.
Tory gathered this from seeing all the white attire, for most had their hoods drawn well over their heads to concentrate on the ceremony.
Nin Bau lead the liturgy, most of which was sung in a language foreign to Tory’s ears, that in an aesthetic sense was very inspiring. There was music throughout the entire service that went for a little under a couple of hours, upon which time everyone adjourned to the banquet.
The dining room was adorned with flowers, candles and stones of purple, the colour of Ta-Khu. This room was open to the stars and the extensive gardens; musicians, dancers, and guests alike spread themselves throughout.
Tory had wandered down along one side of the pool to where the first of its seven crystal fountains were positioned. There she stood admiring her old friend Selwyn (Shar Seth), as he strummed out a tune on a lyre, when she felt the warmth of someone’s hand taking hold of her own.
‘Adelgar.’ She was surprised to find it was he, especially after last night’s episode, and she withdrew her hand abruptly.
‘I want to apologise …’ he began, but Tory was already way ahead of him.
‘Why? So you can try your luck again as soon as you get me alone? Oh no.’
The young warrior was rather stunned that she could know him so well, as she turned and made for somewhere more crowded.
‘I shall formally ask the council for their consent if I must.’ Adelgar came after her, unaware Turan was within earshot.
His older brother and Durand were seated just to the other side of the tall hedge, by which Tory and himself passed, and Turan politely motioned Durand to quiet so that they could listen.
‘For their consent to what?’ Tory was curious enough to stop and inquire.
‘Why … to join with you, of course.’ He took hold of her hands.
‘Join with me!’ she echoed, unable to believe how casual he was about it. ‘I’m not joining with anyone,’
she instructed him as she freed herself.
Shouldn’t we do something? Durand bethought his associate.
Presently. There was mischief in Turan’s smile.
Durand had never seen Shar Turan behave so, not in many a hundred years, so he played along just for the entertainment value.
‘But you’ll have to sooner or later. Every woman is required to give birth once,’ Adelgar informed Tory.
‘And Turan is not so inclined towards breeding as I, if that’s what you’re hoping.’
Let’s face it. Turan conveyed his view to his companion on the quiet. No man alive is as inclined towards breeding so well as he. Durand near burst out laughing at the comment. But Turan anticipated the event and clasped a hand over his friend’s mouth before he gave them away.
‘Look Adelgar, I hate to tell you this, but I have already had a child, to a man I am very much in love with.’
Durand looked to Turan who appeared to be of mixed emotions about the news. Turan was, in fact, wondering if En Razu knew.
‘No, that can’t be.’ Adelgar didn’t understand.
‘I’m sorry, but it’s true. They’re both waiting for me back in the future.’
The young Shar was at a loss for words, wandering to and fro in a daze. ‘So you’re not planning to stay long.’ He sounded so disheartened. ‘I wanted you to teach me your way of defense … I wanted to show you Portea, and … and …’
‘As much as I would dearly love to stay awhile, I have to get back.’ She placed a hand on his shoulder. ‘Someone of great historical significance shall die if I don’t.’
‘I could change your mind, I know it.’ He pulled her close to maul her neck.
‘Goddamn you, Adelgar.’ Tory attempted to push away, but he wasn’t letting go. She dug her fingers deep into the vital points in both his shoulders.
‘Aw!’ Adelgar again found himself airborne. ‘Turan!’
he yelled in vengeance.
Tory grinned at this, looking round to spy Turan and Durand come walking through a gap in the hedge up ahead.
‘Don’t you dare,’ Adelgar warned, as he floated over the swimming pool.
‘Are you alright?’ Durand was amused that she’d not really needed their help to control the situation.
‘Whoever said history never repeats was an idiot!’
Tory shook her head. ‘But that’s another story.’
‘Now I thought I’d warned you about accosting our little sister,’ Turan teased his brother from the side of the pool, lowering and raising Adelgar above the water.
‘Turan don’t!’ Tory implored him, noting they were drawing a crowd. ‘Put him down on the ground.’ As he seemed surprised by the request, she added, ‘Please.’
