* * *
The road from the village west to Palace City was nearly deserted. An occasional horseless freight wagon heading for another village or a local farm would lumber by, and once in awhile a little carriage could be seen hurrying its occupants on some personal adventure. What surprised Ishtar the most was the number of small two-wheeled machines, some being propelled by foot power, others with strange boxes fastened to the rear wheels, either silently zipping along or making some kind of a ‘putt-putt’ noise. These sights were just the beginning of the wondrous new things the girl was seeing for the first time.
Ishtar looked into cultivated fields, watching in amazement at the wide variety of animals and machines she saw. Cattle, horses, and sheep of every shape and color roamed fenced pastures. Other animals, strange to her eyes, lazily munched on grasses along with poultry of every description as well as geese, ducks, and even huge, wingless birds. On and on the list of wonderful and exotic animals went. Each farm seemed to have some special and uniquely different creature from the farm before it.
But her greatest amazement was found in the way the land was being tended. Most of the fields were small, with only a few acres locked within the fences’ borders. Ishtar saw that some were being worked by hand, having dozens of laborers busy picking or weeding or planting. On other farms, the girl saw various beasts of burden laboring in the fields, pulling or pushing strange contraptions of every shape and size.
These were ‘machines’, as Drorli called them. None were huge in size, but the variety was like that of the animals. Some had bright-colored metal wheels while others had thick black wheels. Merna called them ‘tires’. She said the black tires were made of softer material and were filled with air. Ishtar found that hard to comprehend. And the machines varied in how they were operated. Sometimes she would see two or three people standing around one, pitching straw into an ever hungry mouth, or she would see a person sitting on a beast, dragging another machine behind it. And at times she saw wheeled machines moving about the field with no one near.
The strange sights continued to roll past. As the carriage crested one knoll, out ahead the girl could see hundreds of streams of water shooting skyward. Wide-eyed, she exclaimed, “Never have I seen the rivers so wild and grand! What power possesses them so that they act in such a way?”
Drorli smiled, leaning forward in the opposing seat, informing her, “That water shoots out from pipes buried in the soil. Powerful pumps push the water out of tiny holes, causing it to shoot high into the air. It falls like rain onto different ground fruit growing there. Many of the fresh, sweet fruits you have enjoyed come from these farms. Yehowah’s children love food that is fresh. Although we can produce it in much higher quantities when necessary, it is just more satisfying to grow it this way.”
“Impossible!” Ishtar exclaimed. “These are so much bigger than the farms I visited. How can there be even greater ones?”
Drorli went on, pointing at different sights as they were passing by. “The farms near your village are show farms, places set up to help our new visitors acclimatize - get used to being here. You can meet some of the people, see the way we do some things, get a taste of life here, but the true reality of this place is located beyond the valley you have lived in.”
He waved his hand out the window. “Most of the farms here belong to Palace City. The ages of my brothers and sisters are endless. Few have lingered long at only one trade or craft. So here, with these farms, when the desire hits a person to become a farmer, he or she makes request to lease or rent one of these farms for a given period of time. They may either take over an existing place or set up a new spread, sometimes even replacing the buildings. Then they have a go at farming. Some have been here for hundreds of years. Others have arrived only recently.”
Waving his hand again, Drorli spoke of other places. “Off to the north and west there are large grain and cattle spreads. Some of the grain fields are hundreds of square acres, and the cattle herds may exceed a thousand.” Lowenah’s children referred to all four-legged herding and flocking animals as cattle, sheep included, as he explained to Ishtar in the course of conversation.
As new sights and sounds flooded Ishtar’s senses, questions flew from her lips. Drorli patiently explained what he could before some other wonder would distract the girl, sending another volley of questions at the poor fellow.
Zadar remained quiet for most of the trip and contributed little to the conversation. He had been polite enough but his disgust at the child’s actions had temporarily soured his mood. The fresh air and respectful display Ishtar had attempted after his return was helping. By the time the party reached the Eastern Gate at the outer wall, he was in a more pleasant frame of mind.
The driverless autocar pulled into a cul de sac and stopped just before massive leaved gates, which were now closed tight. All had been prepared for Ishtar’s arrival, with the palace and surrounding areas set up for the occasion. Upon the battlements strode the fiery Cherubs of Yehowah, all dressed in silver and black, wearing gold helms and carrying gold shields. Each one possessed either a flaming sword or fluttering pennant on a long, golden staff.
In front of the gates stood two giant pillars of smoke, the roar of concealed fires coming from within each of them, their height more than twenty cubits and their breadth better than four.
A booming voice called out from the pillar on the right, “Who is it that dares to seek the face of God? Speak truth and continue living!”
Zadar excused himself from the carriage and exited the door. Bowing low and then standing, he called back, “I am come at the request of the Great and Merciful Lord of Life and all Good Things. It is Zadar returned from errand for my Lord and Master, Wonderful Councilor, Loving Father. I have brought the girl, to present her a living sacrifice to the God of Gods and Lord of Lords.”
The pillar on the left called out in command, “Present before us the face of the one you call ‘girl’ so that we may look upon her, so that you may keep living!”
Zadar bowed, opening the carriage door, offering to take Ishtar’s hand. “Please, you must come with me in order for us to all keep living.”
Ishtar’s face had paled as she cowered in the seat next to Merna. Zadar reached in, grasping her hand. “Come along, before they become impatient. You will be fine as long as you do as they command.”
Reluctantly, the child surrendered to Zadar’s wishes. He gently pulled her from the carriage and stood her in front, facing the crackling pillars. Again, the first one spoke, bellowing out a deafening order to the girl. “Approach the Gate of Yehowah so that we may gaze upon the person you claim to be.”
Ishtar nearly fainted. She wished now that she had kept her mouth shut and not asked to see God. This was only the entrance to the palace home of the Great One, and already the child felt as though her life was near its end. Zadar gave her a nudge forward. Slowly and timidly, she crept toward the two pillars of smoke. As she drew close, what looked like a pair of giant eyes appeared in each pillar, watching her every move as she continued to approach.
“Remove your sandals from your feet and fall down upon your face before the glory of Yehowah!” Both pillars shouted as if one voice.
Ishtar scrambled to pull off the laced sandals, her fingers trembling, turning the laces into knots. Almost crying aloud in fear as she labored with the impossible shoes, she fairly flung the remaining one away before diving to the stone pavement at the foot of the pillars.
“For what reasons have you dared to interrupt the day’s rest of God with your constant pleading to see his face?!” The pillars both questioned, a tone of displeasure carried on their ear-shattering words. “Speak now to us and let us examine the truth of the matter, so that you all may live!”
Ishtar was terrified. The pillars’ command implied that her answers were to affect the lives of everyone with her. She had no good reason. It was a very selfish one, just t
o satisfy her own wanton desire. But she couldn’t tell these pillars of cloud that. They wouldn’t accept such foolishness as a reasonable excuse. They’d probably send flames of fire out to destroy them all if she said such a thing. Yet God would know if she lied. What was she to do?
“Where is your tongue now?!” They bellowed in unison. “Speak now or be forever silent!”
“I just wanted to!” She cried. “I just wanted to...!” Tears streamed from her eyes, staining the stones upon which she lay.
Silence... The roar of the fires within ceased and the pillars becalmed. “Rise! Return to your people!” came the command from the pillar on the right.
Ishtar stood and, forgetting her sandals, hurried back to Zadar, clutching his arm when she drew close. She stared in amazement while the two pillars began to rise into the air. “You may enter!” They called down as they continued to lift themselves up until each one floated above a pedestal upon which the gates opened. Zadar helped the girl into the carriage, quickly retrieved her shoes, and jumped in after her.
At the groaning sound of heavy machinery pushing against untold weight, the massive-looking hinged doors began to open outward. Creaking and screeching filled the air as the two wings slowly spread out to greet the party. After a seemingly endless time, the entrance was finally fully opened, allowing the carriage to enter. Meanwhile, Ishtar sat in the buggy, weeping, begging them to turn around and take her back to the little village, swearing she would never be a bad girl again.
“You’re not being punished.” Merna reassured. “You have been quite adamant about seeing the face of God, and now your wish has been granted. Let me help you with your sandals. Trust me, you will be happy you’re wearing them.”
The two struggled in the cramped space of the carriage floor to get the sandals on and laced. By the time Ishtar sat back, the carriage was already entering the narrow road leading to the East entrance of the Lower Palace Concourse. As soon as the autocar passed the gates, they again closed, but Ishtar took little notice. If she had been impressed at the glory and majesty displayed outside, there were no words to describe the wonders her eyes beheld now.
A mile or so ahead lay the chrysolite-domed palace, sunlight reflecting off it, making it appear as though it was a raging inferno. Standing along either side of the road was an unbroken line of Yehowah’s stern-faced, black-robed Cherubs, each with its flaming weapon drawn. Thousands of pillars of white-hot fire danced in long rows that ran parallel to the warriors. Behind them, disappearing into a blinding mist, swirling and twisting rainbows of indescribable brilliance and color filled the air.
Ever so slowly moved the little carriage. To Ishtar’s mind, it was decreasing its speed the closer it came to the grand entrance. Truth be said, the entire trip from gate to palace was completed in less than five minutes, but to the girl it lasted a lifetime. Eventually, the machine eased to a stop just outside the doors leading to the East Concourse. Once again, Ishtar had to stand before two flaming clouds of fire and face examination before being allowed to enter. This time, though, they did not order her to remove her sandals or prostrate herself.
The doors opened to allow Ishtar and her companions passage into the bowels of the Lower Palace. Inside all was strangely dark and quiet. The mirrored black floor absorbed the little light provided by the glowing blue-green curtains that stretched the entire length of the concourse. Like the floor, the ceiling was similarly black. Although the girl could feel the hard floor and hear the echoes created by the many footfalls, she was unable to judge height or space.
“Vertigo!” Drorli whispered, fearful of the quiet echo of his own voice. “A wicked heart will cause a person to fall into the Bottomless Realms, a place where one forever tumbles into nothingness. Walk carefully and honestly.”
Merna was standing just behind the girl and next to Drorli. She gave him a scolding glance. He smiled sheepishly and winked. No one fell into nothingness - at least not that day - but it was difficult for everyone to keep from stumbling. The easiest way to maintain balance was to look straight ahead and concentrate on the glowing light far down the tunnel. At the snail’s pace at which the party moved, it took some time to reach it.
In a way, it was a relief for everyone when they arrived at the Winter Gardens. Zadar now said that they were to remain there until summoned to the throne room. It was pleasant here as always. The conventional, mild glow had been replaced with an iridescent, flowing, white light, reminding a person of a ghostly aura seen in a chill night sky, but all other things were still the same. While Drorli and Zadar moseyed through the tropical foliage, Merna and Ishtar sat on a stone bench, Ishtar being too nervous to do anything else. Time slowly ticked by, the oppressive silence of this fathomless abyss growing with each passing heartbeat.
An eruption of trumpet blasts rent the chambers, startling everyone. Ishtar let out a wail, jumping to her feet, heart pounding, standing frozen in fearful anticipation, wondering what was to happen next. It was not long in coming.
Down from the North Concourse raced four radiant white horses pulling a fiery, golden chariot. They charged through the opening into the Grand Hall and made a half circle of the Winter Gardens, coming to a stop near Ishtar’s party. No one dare move. Finally, the flaming chariot driver gave the order to enter. “Only the child and the one called ‘Zadar’ are to come!” The driver’s voice, sounding like many thunders, commanded, “The others are to remain here and wait.”
Ishtar grasped Merna’s hand and began to whimper. The woman reached out, hugging the child, attempting to soothe her. “Things will be fine, my dear. Remember? This is what you wanted… to see the face of God. It is being granted you to attain your heart’s desire. This is a gift to you. Do not fear the one true God.”
Ishtar quieted, offering her friend a nervous smile. She turned to Zadar, who was standing next to the chariot. He assisted the girl up and then followed her into it. With a cry, the driver whipped the horses into noisy action. The pounding of thundering hooves soon softened to the patter of gentle rain and then to nothing. Only the splashing waterfall and bubbling fountains disturbed the silence of the Winter Gardens. Drorli and Merna sat on a stone bench and waited.
After some time, the trappings of suspense lifted from the Great Hall and the concourses. The natural lighting above the gardens reappeared and once again a person could see the many shops and cafés. It was not long before throngs of people were busying themselves with the normal hustle and bustle of daily activities associated with life in this place. It would be many years hence before the pillars of smoke would again stand at the gates, their voices rolling like Divine Thunder.
Drorli finally turned to Merna and sighed. “Our work here is done. Indeed, there is no more work for us at the village. Long it may stay in disuse until another child will have need of it. He smiled. “You know, I have rejoined the Army, taking back my old position with the engineering corps. It’s presently in Oros being re-outfitted.” Taking Merna’s hand, he asked, “Have you ever been given a real tour of this place, I mean other than the skimpy official one everyone gets? It is several days until my reporting date. I would be willing to show you around Palace City...” he winked, “and possibly, we’d have time to take in the sights at Diamond Ridge.” Merna smirked while pretending to be suspicious. “Are you flirting with me, a lady all alone and open to the wiles of a smooth-talking officer?”
Drorli pretended offence as he wrinkled his face into a concerned frown and huffed, “My dear lady, you have misunderstood only the kindest of gestures, made by a humble man in search of some pleasant company. I am honorable in all my activities. Never has an uncouth thought even entered my mind when considering your charming face and ravishing beauty. I only desired to offer my time to help you find some of the more interesting features of this beautiful city we are now visiting.”
Merna leaned over, kissing Drorli on the cheek, coyly asking, “The
same way you offered to assist Chasileah with her night songs?”
Drorli stammered and coughed. “Why…why, yes…yes, indeed. Night songs…? Chasileah…? Of course...”
Merna giggled. “Well, I should consider it an honor to take up company with a man so well respected by a woman like Chasileah. Let’s be off to see what the day will bring. I trust you will return me safely to my door when all is finished?”
“Of course, my lady...” Drorli cheerfully replied. He took her by the arm as they stood, stepping out of the Winter Gardens. Down the Southern Concourse the two strolled, arm in arm, both relieved and satisfied with the results of their labors in helping their little girl mature into a woman.