The open motor carriage quietly cruised down the thoroughfare, its stratified-thermo engine producing little more than a slight hum, while passengers chatted on about many unimportant matters, the pleasant weather, delightful breakfast at one of Palace City’s finer restaurants, and just about anything else in general. After all, soon they would be departing for the Prisoner Exchange and, after a few formalities, would be returning with their newly released companions to a richly deserved hero’s welcome. Was this not the way it had played out so many times before? Diplomacy worked so well…
Ardon leaned back in his seat after conversing with OfhieSanternano and CrilenianTorpedee concerning the time-space vortex vs. quantum particle logic theories – concepts in the study of EbenCeruboam. He laughed, looking out at the fruit trees lining the roadway. “Have it your way, Crilenian, but I will sorely miss you after you have released those subatomic particles into the theoxen-chlorine chamber. If you’re wrong, you’ll be little more than space dust.”
Crilenian vehemently protested, defending his idea, finishing by smugly stating, “You just wait, Lord Ardon! When I can find someone to build my propulsion system, I’ll prove to everyone the validity of my concept.” Then shaking his finger toward him, he added, “You are a great wizard in the council. None can question that. But you do seem to come up short when dealing with real science. Someday all the great starships will be powered by the Crilenian Positronder.”
Ardon only smiled, sucking in the aromatic fragrance from the surrounding trees and flowers. Oh, the joy of just being alive! What a wonderful day! He sucked in another invigorating breath while pulling Tashi close and squeezing her in a one-armed embrace.
DarlaRosa raised an eyebrow, asking, “Too much of the wine so early this morning, Lord Ardon, or does the fragrance of the roe smell like that of gemstones and success in the chase? You know, ‘the lord conquereth all and rides to make it complete…’?”
Ardon pretended no offense, but he did lighten his hold on Tashi as he answered rather smugly, “I do not prefer to ride anyone. It is a far too aggressive way to pretend a conquest. Indeed! I wish for no conquest at all. Love and the intimacy of romance must remain refined and dignified. It is not a subject for common discussion, like one might discuss some sport or game. I do not share such privacy with others, as I have never shared our secluded moments with any of my other lovers.”
DarlaRosa sat back in the carriage, laughing. “How could you? As I recall our last secluded moments together, I spent the night seducing you with flirtation and wine only to feel your manly power within me for but scant moments before you exhausted yourself and then collapsed upon me in a snoring stupor. Oh, yes! That was some real, refined lovemaking you did then.”
Tashi giggled while the others smiled or laughed, some offering an additional comment or two.
Ardon harrumphed. “Now do you wonder why so few men share your bed, and why you must drug them up before they are willing to make passage into your dreams? But I would be remiss to continue on with such uncouth folly. Let me tell you this: yes I did conquer, but in a way that most of you would find little delight in. I found some of the purest chrysolite ever discovered in a natural state. Those crystals were so harmonically perfect, I was forced to pack them in vacuum chambers so as to not have them interfere with the ship’s navigation system. Mother was especially pleased.”
Tashi sat forward, the wonder of her experience showing on her face. “What we saw in those caves was breathtaking! Our lights reflected off some of the most beautiful formations of stones, gems, and crystals in every shape and color as to dazzle the eyes. And then the tales told me by Ardon of hidden planets and rivers twisting throughout the universe, and… and so much more. Our journey flashed by as if mere moments. Darla, truthfully, you must make a journey with this fellow someday. He will show you a side of himself few have seen.”
Darla was polite enough to Tashi, she being considered one of the great governesses of the Empire, but she could not help making reference again to Ardon. “What you say, Dear, about the universe and caves may all be well and true, but it was not Ardon’s side I was interested in - I or my sisters. There are few enough men in this world to go around, and for one of those few to be as lame as an old duck can be frustrating, to say the least.”
Ardon was about to make retort, but Tashi stopped him, she putting her hand on his knee and sweetly replying to Darla, “Oh, my fellow here has a powerful ardor for the women. He must be teased in the right way to make that nature within him manifest. Besides, Dear, I have heard that you are not in short supply of comforters. Why, it is said that the men find you so mesmerizingly attractive as to pine away, awaiting but a moment of your company. You are so beautiful, you know.”
DarlaRosa was taken aback by the flattery. Had it come from anyone else, she might have become offended, but Tashi was such an honest woman, and her tone so sincere. Snuggling back into the seat, Darla soon began a discussion with Crilenian, who sat directly on her left. KyseninaGerzion, who sat facing her, soon joined in, taking up the subject. Ofhie leaned back and decided to nap, leaving Ardon and Tashi very much alone with each other’s company.
It took a little coaching for Tashi to turn the conversation back to yester-morn’s return trip from Chrusion when Ardon filled her head with tales of hidden planets and galactic adventure. He had relished telling her of his exploits in those wee hours when the wine was still on him and he had tired of romance. But since that time he was quiet as a mouse concerning them. She had asked once, when they were dressing for breakfast this day, but the man had instantly changed the subject.
Tashi was determined, her curiosity being earlier piqued. She gently massaged Ardon’s hand, flirtingly pleading, “Please, Dear…” She spoke barely above a whisper. “You have teased me these many days to the point of distraction. Why are you so secretive about some nameless rocks floating off in space somewhere? You have put my head in a spin concerning the wonderful, but leave my heart feeling empty for want to know more.”
Ardon eyed the others. Seeing no one paying attention to them, he quietly answered, “The universe is a strange and wonderful place. Truth be said, I have tried to share my adventures with others. Yes, it was long in the past, but I still remember well. You know, there are times when romance takes on a different level of lovemaking than what is base and sensual. There are higher levels, intellectual heights where the thrill of the physical is overshadowed by the philosophical and theoretical. Gabrielle and I once went there, once, a long, long time ago, but most women companions have detested the mathematics, instead longing for the sensual.”
He looked Tashi in the face. “Women just don’t get it. The mathematics, I mean. My mind lives there all the time. And all the men want to do is romance the women. You get them away from a female for a week or two and they start a lathering up for a good rut. Then it’s off they go to chase down some doe in heat, following the scent half way across the universe to find her. You are the only lady I’ve found who cares at least something about the world of measured learnings, but I fear I might burn you out if I talk too much of my adventures.”
Tashi squeezed Ardon’s hand, smiling. “Dear, I love where you take me in our dream-shares, and I so much desire to have you carry me away in them more often. Whether it is the philosophy of physics or absolutes, I do truly enjoy the way you play with them when we are together. And I would listen to you expound the marvels of this and any other universe, and happily travel to your mysterious worlds even if you sought not to have a single dream-share with me. I do so love the way your mind works.”
It always seemed that Tashi knew just the right words to say when she was probing for information, though with Ardon she was being sincere, at least in heart. Her reputation with men left her former confession of celibate loyalty somewhat in doubt. It mattered little to Ardon. Tashi loved him for who he was and not for someone she wished he would be… something he believed mos
t of the other women desired.
He smiled, squeezing Tashi’s hand. “All right, I’ll tell you a little, but not too much to fog the brain.”
Ardon spoke quietly, though sometimes with exuberance, all the while making small gestures with his right hand. “You see, space is not empty, but filled with anomalies and cloud masses that disguise or hide planets, sometimes entire solar systems. One must understand the mathematics of space and time to find what is hidden away from the senses of the flesh. A person must enter the world of thought, leaving behind what is considered to be common sense, and journey into the abstract and illogical.”
“Most people would say - if they watched how I came upon my discoveries - that it was accomplished through pure accident. I know…” He tapped the side of his head. “Though having never witnessed the world of the Immortals, like Tolohe and some of the other Ancients, I know those worlds exist. And I believe that my mind works similarly to that of Mother’s. Then, if that is the case, I must think beyond the mortal and into the worlds of the Immortals to find what is secret to my physical flesh. I believe the mind is capable of functioning upon the immortal plane, even if it must function in a metaphysical one. At this level, you gain a seventh or possibly it’s an eighth sense. And that’s how I have made these strange discoveries.”
At this point, Ardon went on about the way the universe bent in and around itself, thus the reasons for the jump portals. “You see, a distant star may appear to be afar off, if one studies the light patterns in the sky. Should another less reasonable or even illogical set of calculations be applied, it might well be discovered that star system is very much closer than it physically appears. The dynamic construction of the universe, I believe, is the greater fractal of our brain’s design, like wide flat sheets all wrinkled up to fit in a tiny space.”
He grinned, lifting a finger. “Now, how did I come to that conclusion?” He looked into Tashi’s eyes, but did not wait for an answer. “And I know for a fact that is how the universe is constructed.” He frowned apologetic. “I really did try to share my discoveries, at least long, long ago, back when the world was innocent and sparse.”
Ardon shook his head, forlorn. “It wasn’t part of EbenCeruboam theorem. The wise of that age had better things to do than listen to a dreamer. So how did I come to that conclusion? I used logic to discover the most illogical of universal secrets. I studied Mother’s ways, watched her real close, her every move, how she did things, even the most trivial of matters I studied closely. I figured if everything was invented by Mother, then even the Immortals, the Ones Who Came Before, would have thought the same as she.”
Leaning back and placing his arm around Tashi’s shoulder, Ardon spoke quietly into Tashi’s ear. “What I discovered was this: Mother has a very interesting personality. Patient as a stone she is when the mood is upon her. She will sit and watch a rock erode into sand one speck at a time, and never once show a need to hurry. And that is what everyone sees her to be, stone-slow patient. Many feel she has only hurried up at this final hour because time forces her to do so… and that might be. But Mother is only slow when she wants to be. When she doesn’t want to be, watch out! She will hurry along in a blur. I tell you a fact: Mother has no patience when the mood hits her.”
Tashi whispered, she copying Ardon though she did not understand his reason for being so quiet. “This is not uncommon knowledge, Love, at least for us older children. Mother has driven us all to the point of distraction with her antics… hurry here and then do nothing, or go a playing while there’s needed work to be done.”
Ardon cautioned, “Now listen and learn if secrets will become yours. It is not how we view Mother that is of value. It is how she views herself that reveals the hidden nature of all things. Mother keeps many secrets, but the person of her heart she wears upon her sleeve. Her nature is who she is. Now, please, follow my logic.”
“When the mood is upon her, Mother will remain upon the path to reach her destination, but when her disposition for the path changes, she will skip away and take a short cut. With everything she does this, everything. So then, I thought to myself: she lives in our world because the mood is upon her, but when the mood changes will take the shortcut. I then watched to learn the properties of her short cuts, am still studying them carefully, but what I have learned has led me to the making of many of my discoveries.”
From this point on, Ardon escaped into his private worlds of adventure, carrying Tashi along with whispers of the mysterious. There was no other way for Tashi to go, Ardon’s explanations sprinkled with so much of his own mathematics and strange words of his own invention. The woman did try so hard to pay attention, her senses wandering to the different sights and smells wafting upon the breeze as the coach passed tiny shops and city orchards on its way to the spaceport. But Tashi’s ears did not fall completely deaf to Ardon’s loquaciousness.
“…and the strangest of all the proxmoaidian planets is not far from here at all. I discovered it quite by accident, I did. See, I was searching for a nuroain-cluster… a series of gaseous ice nebulae orbiting super-dense dark matter… when the largest of the proxmoaids I’ve seen set off my ship’s collision warning systems. Slammed on full reverse thrusters to keep from smashing right into it. It lies out there, right under our noses and I’m the only one who knows of it.”
Tashi’s ear went a’tingle as Ardon went on about his planet. “You first see a yellowish glow like that of a distant lantern on a foggy night. Drawing closer, say two or three hundred leagues, you begin to notice individual shining pools of light radiating from the shadowy surface. When you are within fifty league’s distance, the shapes become distinct. From this altitude you can clearly see that the planet emits colors of every hue from the spectrum of jade greens to sapphire reds to onyx blues and, oh yes, the golden yellows that are most intense.”
Raising his hand and pointing upward in exclamation, Ardon revealed what to Tashi was so intriguing. “Ah, but that isn’t the best part. Like the vast majority of proxmoaidian planets, there is no apparent life on its surface, the atmosphere being too harsh for anything other than possibly some very small microorganisms or bacteria. On the inside, though, it is honeycombed with caverns, caves, water-filled tunnels, some stretching and twisting for thousands of miles, plunging hundreds of leagues toward its center. One such labyrinth system I have discovered has a chamber over ten leagues wide and is nearly one hundred eighty leagues long.”
“Yes, and the colored crystals...they are woven throughout the planet like a rainbow spool of yarn, looking as though the molten core angrily threw them off in a giant convulsive fit, they bending and twisting into brilliant, lighted tubes that later reflected the energy boiling within that very core. The exposed crystal tubes not only produce kaleidoscopic hues of daylight dreaminess in those giant underground caverns, they draw up enough heat from within to create a mild greenhouse temperature. Added to this, the continual release of gases that produce an acceptable atmosphere, you have all the needed elements for life as we know it on EdenEsonbar.”
Clasping her hands together, squealing with delight, Tashi exclaimed, “Oh, so wonderful! It sounds so wonderful!”
The others in the coach started, staring at Tashi. She apologized, claiming as excuse her exuberant joy over some pipe music being played in a gazebo they had just passed. She then looked down, embarrassed, staring at the floor.
After the others had reoccupied themselves with previous activities, Tashi turned to Ardon, again taking his hand, and whispered, “Tell me, please, where is this wonderful place?”
Ardon looked Tashi in the eyes, his furrowed brow speaking more than his words as he whispered back, “That is my little secret! A secret is only such for as long as it is kept so. And I intend to keep it so for the moment.” He squeezed her hand, looking toward the sky. “I promise, when I’m ready, when the right moment arrives, I shall gather you up there. Then you will truly atte
st as witness that all I have spoken to you about this place is so, that I have not exaggerated one little bit.” He lifted his hand, bringing his thumb and pointer finger close. “Not one little bit.”
Then, with the excitement of a little boy growing on his face, Ardon quietly explained, “The reason it is secret is that I’m not finished with my playing there. You see…” He grinned so impishly. “I have made this planet my Eden.” He nodded. “Yes, from this planet, EdenEsonbar, I have gathered all manner of life forms and delivered them to the caves and hidden seas of that planet. This I have done over three thousand millennia of time.”
Speaking like a proud father, he went on about his wonderful works. “Oh yes, my world flourishes with grasses, grains, trees of every kind, and insects, creeping and crawling, winged and web-making. All abound in the many varied worlds secreted under the surface of ‘KruptoGinomai’, my name for it. Anyway, there are also fishes, tadpoles, lizards and salamanders in my rivers, streams, and lakes. Also the sky, as is what you can call ‘sky’, is filled with every winged beast that may be. Oh yes, the rodents, squirrels, conies, and every other kind of furry animal plays upon the fields of flowers and clover.”
Lifting a hand in gesture, he added, “Just before the Rebellion, I delivered upon the land the deer and mountain goat, along with the wolf and bear to keep them in check. I have not returned back since then to see what has become of that match up, but shall do so as soon at these times permit.”
Tashi squeezed Ardon’s hand, shaking it ever so gently, her eyes radiating childlike glee. “You have promised to take me! Do you still mean it? Will you take me to your wonderland?”
Ardon laughed ever so quietly. “Yes, yes, I promise, with all my heart. No matter what may come, I will take you to my wonderland of delights.”
Tashi giggled ever so childlike, squeezing Ardon’s hand tight while pressing close and delivering a tender kiss upon his cheek.
His heart jumping with delight, Ardon tipped his head back, releasing a sigh of satisfaction and sucking in the fragrant breath of early summer in Palace City. Closing his eyes to the visions of yester-hour, the realities of events from but days ago flooded the man’s mind - he and Tashi exploring the hidden caverns of the Black Mountains in search of the perfect chrysolite, Tashi’s sensual teasings and constant inquisitive questions, and her abandoned willingness to hang on to every word when he extolled his knowledge of the world around them.
Ardon sighed again, smiling. Tashi’s company when exploring the mountains was deeply satisfying. No! More! It had been fulfilling, making him feel complete in some way. When the time came to depart, a sadness assailed his heart, one the likes of which he could not recall, he at first concluding it being little more than the normal emotional reaction to the end of such an exciting time. Now, though, Ardon thought it to be his desire not to leave Chrusion, but remain behind with Tashi, lingering in the misty mountains, questing for further adventures.
It would have been fun. At least Ardon’s heart told him so. For the first time in the man’s long life, the desire to linger with a woman, the two alone, abandoning themselves to the universe, appealed to him. A shadow swept across his heart when the thought of Tashi’s returning to Exothepobole, the capital of Sustrepho in the Trizentine, crossed his mind. He did not want her to go, as she would have to after their return from the Prisoner Exchange. A desire was growing in his soul to keep her with him, at least to linger without leave until his soul could understand its new feelings.
The sudden roar of hurried turbines jolted Ardon from his wistful dreaminess. A giant tractor pulling several heavily limbered freight barges wheeled around and past the rather tiny coach as it leisurely made its way toward the main terminal of the spaceport. All eyes searched far to the south for the fleet that was to take this great council to the exchange.
At last, after passing through one final gated checkpoint, the grand armada for this momentous event spread itself out before them. Ardon harrumphed quietly, he having expected a more impressive display of power and dignity. Looking over this dismal collection of museum pieces, he puzzled quietly, “Couldn’t Mother at least have given us one fine ship like the Sophia to deliver the dignitaries of the Children’s Empire to that forsaken land? Cattle barges and flea traps, the lot of them. Embarrassing it is. It really is…”
Well, yes, there were several barges there, transports called ‘bilanders’, bulbous ungainly-looking ships used to transport animals - this time horses, as close to horses as may be. These were military mounts, super hybrid, genetically re-engineered creatures. Unlike its common stock cousin, the KreissonKtenos, meaning ‘better beast’, were specifically designed for war. Its digestive system permitted it to utilize food better. A handful of concentrated pellets could keep it healthy for days. It needed less water, could also eat hay and roughage, was impervious to pain, difficult to frighten, bonded well with its master and, as one veteran once stated, ‘is still quite tasty in a pinch’. On long sojourns like this one, the KreissonKtenos was a precious asset seeing that all food and most water must be transported to EremiaPikros, a desolate desert planet.
Ardon watched, musing. In the mix were also some camels and pack mules. He shook his head wondering ‘why all the silly fuss with animals?’ Every mechanical invention known to the Children’s Empire lay at their fingertips. Oh yes, the occasional ride through a wooded glade or trotting romp along a sandy shore even appealed to him, but to depend on beasts for war when smarter, more powerful, comfortable machines existed in number was beyond his understanding. The motor coach and rail-stage were more to his liking.
Passing the second bilander, EnGlorious, Ardon spied other animals that gave him a start. Twenty of the renowned KaminosKtisis were being queued up to board. Literally meaning, ‘Furnace Creation (Ordnance)’, they were the most fearsome and powerful hybrid horses in the universe. Mother’s personal creation, bred and raised on one of her mysterious planets and ferried here by one of her 'trade ships', as she called them, these beasts were most to be prized. A single animal had been known to serve as a ransom for an entire city of men and women.
Ardon had heard rumors telling that Mother was delivering some of these animals up for possible exchange, but to have twenty? Who among the prisoners held in Asotos’ camp was of such value to Mother? Certainly not Sirion! And the trade ships? Again, the tale of seeing such a ship - if not ships - had fallen upon Ardon’s ears just the other night. Long had it been since reports were made of seeing Lowenah’s mystery machines near Palace City… not since the Great War, and those accounts were unverifiable.
His mind drifting in whimsical longing, Ardon recalled the one occasion many eons ago when he personally stood close to one of those ships. He was returning with NhosetHebel from a frolicsome adventure in the EthoHule Jungles, having just forded the MouesCennie River, when a beautiful silver ship silently drifted into sight. In moments, this shimmering machine was settled down some twenty paces away, a door opening in its side and a ladder descending. Momentarily, JabethHull bounded down the ladder, sweeping up a very pleased and excited Nhoset in his arms.
Ardon closed his eyes to remember, his heart jumping as he saw the long ago event in his mind. Nhoset was his first real love, or at least a love like what he felt for Tashi. She was already ages old by the time of his birthing, but she never treated him that way. ‘Ah, those wonderful carefree days in that wonderful ti…’ He frowned, his daydream broken by the memory of her fiery death soon after the Rebel Wars began. Collateral damage, the fickle winds of war? Murder…at least as far as he was concerned.
He pushed that aside, seeking his earlier vision. Oh yes, the trade ship… JabethHull revealed little, but did explain how Mother permitted a select few of her children passage into some of her secret worlds, to assist her with certain projects. That was where he and Nhoset were now off to. He also mentioned there were others with them, but was unwilling to reveal who or
what was aboard. The two climbed the ladder, sealed the door and the ship lifted off, silently rising and then, just as silently, zooming out of sight in an instant.
DarlaRosa suddenly sat forward, arms waving as she shouted to some officers huddled together in conversation on the tarmac. Behind them were parked two barquentines, commonly called ‘barqs’. Ardon was about to ask Darla which of the officers, or how many of them, were included in the latest of her amorous intrigues, he thinking better of it while his eyes studied the barqs. He had been forced to tarry aboard one once, on some diplomatic journey. It was, to say the least, an uncomfortable and cramped imprisonment.
Barquentines were nothing new to the Children’s Empire, the term itself only denoting the volume - carrying capacity - of the ship. When the wars began, and needed vessels for fighting came off the ‘ways’ - another carryover term from water-borne sailing days - the old words used to qualify cargo ships carried over into the navy.