Maelgwn’s expression gave nothing away as he perceived the transmission, which was over by the time Brian had finished downing the contents of his goblet. He refrained from inquiring after Maelgwn’s thoughts to give the man time to assess the communication. But when the Governor continued to stare at the floor, his thoughts causing his face to contort with worry, the suspense proved too much. ‘Well?’
Maelgwn looked up to Brian with a look of apology on his face. ‘I will do as advised, for clearly there is no other option at present.’ He paused again to consider any possibility that may have been overlooked.
Brian leant forward to recapture his brother-in-law’s attention. ‘And what were you advised?’
‘To resign.’ Maelgwn turned his dark eyes to Brian, whose own eyes of piercing blue were now wide.
‘But, that would mean that I would be …’ He couldn’t say it, the thought of playing interstellar diplomat all the time was too terrible.
‘Governor of Kila,’ Maelgwn announced with a smile and a pat on the back.
‘Wait a minute.’ Brian removed Maelgwn’s hand from his shoulder to protest his predicament. ‘What is going on?’
Maelgwn took a deep breath; he couldn’t tell his replacement anything, despite the fact that Brian was his closest friend. ‘I cannot in good conscience bring another two children into the world that I shall never get to see.’ Maelgwn stated his reason, in no uncertain terms. ‘I will certainly not do it to Tory and I will not do it to me.’
‘Aw …’ Brian grumbled. Maelgwn’s reason was a good one, but Brian knew by Maelgwn’s present demeanour that there was another reason why his brother-in-law was resigning. He also knew that if he was to sit in the Senate, he couldn’t ask any more incriminating questions. Even having a recollection of Maelgwn sidestepping a pertinent issue would be enough to spark Nefilim suspicions and justify an investigation into his affairs. ‘Who would you suggest I elect as my Vice?’
Brian’s question made Maelgwn grin, as it meant they had an understanding. ‘I know this appointment is not your ideal vocation, but the Nefilim are familiar with you now, and they may withdraw the position altogether should I suggest anyone else in my stead. Then the human tribes would have no one to fight their cause in the Senate.’
‘I know,’ Brian admitted, calmer now that he’d gotten over the shock of his pending promotion. ‘Not that we get any thanks for our efforts … from what I have witnessed of the human tribes in other star systems, they despise the Chosen Ones for having been taken into the Nefilim’s favour.’
‘That is to be expected,’ Maelgwn proffered, ‘as we have made precious little difference to their plight.’
‘But we have freed many from slavery and enforced a code of living and working conditions for many others.’
‘But we do not have the numbers to enforce the law. And even if we did, the Nefilim are only telling us about a fraction of their mining ventures throughout this galaxy, all of which would be run by human slave labour of one species or another depending on the terrain of the planet being exploited. That is your mission, Brian.’
Brian’s head, which had been bowed to hide his disappointment, shot up at hearing the word ‘mission’.
‘I am going to suggest that you do a brush-up course on psychic self-defence with Hero,’ Maelgwn continued, pleased that he’d captured Brian’s interest. ‘She will also hone your telepathic knowhow. For if the Nefilim believe we are hiding something from them, they are going to find that they are very much mistaken.’
Maelgwn’s address to Brian changed, for suddenly he seemed to be speaking to the Great Pantheon, who would find this memory in Brian’s mind eventually and get the message.
‘For it is they who keep secrets from us! And therefore, we shall make it our mission to seek out every single hidden pocket of industry and exploitation.’
Brian was all for the idea, although he felt rather inadequate suddenly. ‘Shouldn’t we be sending someone with greater telepathic knowhow, like Rhiannon or Rhun?’
‘Nay.’ Maelgwn flattened the suggestion. ‘Your skills are completely at your command, Hero will see to that. No one is as intimately informed about the members and affairs of the Pantheon as you are. You are the only one, besides myself, worth sending. Still, if you truly believe that this appointment is beyond your scope, I shall not resign.’
‘Like hell you won’t.’ Brian was slightly insulted and felt he’d been misunderstood. ‘I have no problem battling with my wits for a change,’ he announced, convincing both himself and Maelgwn of his conviction. ‘And I shall appoint Rhun as my Vice,’ he informed surely, and then smiled. ‘He’s been planet-bound nearly a year now, and is probably hanging out for an excuse to do some deep space travel.’
‘It’s settled then.’ Maelgwn gripped Brian’s wrist to shake on it and Brian nodded surely in accord. ‘Congratulations at being the first human being to join the Great Pantheon of Twelve.’
Brian was struck dumb as the realisation sunk in.
‘I shall send a communication to the Pantheon at once, informing them of our resolve.’
As Maelgwn had been caught up in conference all afternoon and would be busy until later in the evening, Tory took advantage of the time alone to chase up En Noah and see what he knew about Devas.
She located the famous historian in the private library of his audience chambers at the Institute of Immortal History, surrounded by piles of books.
‘I thought textbooks were redundant in this day and age,’ Tory commented from the doorway.
When Noah looked up to spy the Governess, he sprang from his spot on the floor and invited her into the room so that she might be seated. ‘I didn’t expect to see you up and about this day, Nin.’
‘Nin’ was an old Nefilim term that could be applied to any woman in authority, as ‘En’ venerated a man of position.
‘I understood you were feeling poorly.’
Tory smiled as she accepted his aid to waddle over to the closest lounge chair. ‘Besides being three times my normal size, I am fine.’ Tory crossed her legs and seated herself on the floor to use the base of the lounge as a support for her back. But before Noah raised himself again, Tory brushed a hand over the short hair on his head, and then held the little beard on his chin. She recalled the young journalist of slight build, with glasses and long blonde hair always falling in his face, whom she’d first met. But Noah’s new look and physical fitness made him appear more mature and rather handsome really. ‘I do like the cyber-musketeer look you’ve got happening. It suits you very well.’ The scholar’s cheeks turned bright red. ‘So …’ She decided to change the subject to save any further embarrassment and turned her attention to the mounds of literature before her. ‘It looks as though you are on a mission. What is all this stuff?’ She took the closest open book in hand and perused its cover. ‘The Secret Doctrine?’ She read the title aloud and looked at Noah curiously.
‘That’s a theosophical text, compiled by the society of the same name, formed on Gaia in the late nineteenth century,’ Noah informed.
‘So were they a religion or a science, an occult or theologically-based organisation?’ Tory queried, most curious to learn.
‘All of the above, and none.’ Noah confused the issue. ‘The Theosophical Society compiled the secrets of the cosmic universe: the nature, structure, origin and destiny of it and the multitudes of beings that exist within it. Their doctrine is more … an archaic wisdom, which was reputedly passed down from the first thinking human beings on Gaia, and then by innumerable guardians through the ages to our time.’
‘Guardians like Taliesin, and my father,’ Tory noted for the argument.
Noah nodded to agree. ‘And now you.’
Tory smiled meekly, feeling herself a rather inadequate replacement for two of the greatest Merlins Gaia had ever known. And as she could think of nothing positive to say on that front, she said nothing at all.
‘Still,’ Noah broke the uncomfortable silence, ??
?as we seem to have been disbarred from accessing the memories of our earliest incarnations, who can say if the claim is true? The founder of the society was the author of the book you hold in your hand, Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. She claimed her doctrine was the basis of all world religions, and from my own investigations this claim would seem quite true. Her work is really something quite extraordinary, for she was the first person to translate the teachings of the wise men of the East into a doctrine that the Western world of her time could begin to comprehend.’
‘A woman after my own heart.’ Tory grinned, well impressed by the woman’s feats.
‘She knew things about this universe that we have only recently discovered ourselves!’ Noah shook his head, thinking it truly amazing. ‘Unfortunately, much of her cosmology was perceived psychically and thus her work was easily discredited by both the sciences and religions of that age.’
‘Typical!’ Tory rolled her eyes in disgust and looked back to the library spread out on the floor. ‘At least we know better now. Is all this text theosophical?’
‘I wish it was. Most of these books are ancient religious texts that I brought with me from Gaia, which are not anywhere near as coherent.’ Noah gazed over the piles of books he’d pulled from his shelves, many of which were lying open for cross-reference. ‘Most of these references were employed when we first began delving into the origins of the Chosen Ones and the Nefilim. I’ve got a whole stack of additional material on CD-ROM if only I could find an old PC to play them on.’ Noah scratched his head, bemused. ‘I spoke to Floyd, and he thinks there’s a remote possibility that he might be able to resurrect one for me.’
‘So is this quest for information leading somewhere?’ Tory teased, thoroughly suspecting that Noah had already begun delving into the subject she was here to discuss.
‘It’s hopefully leading …’ Noah paused as he considered that Tory might be disturbed by his interest in her celestial encounter. On the other hand, he wasn’t going to lie to the Governess of the planet about what he was doing. ‘I was hoping to identify the species of the entity you encountered this afternoon.’
‘It was a Deva, I suspect,’ Tory informed, plainly.
Noah was stunned by her words. ‘Yes it was.’ The scholar returned to his position amid his references. ‘From Candace’s description of it, it couldn’t have been anything else.’ Then the thought struck him and Noah looked back to Tory. ‘This is what you’ve come to see me about?’
‘It is,’ Tory granted, to assure Noah that he’d done the right thing. ‘Have you managed to discover much about them yet?’
Noah grinned confidently. ‘Loads.’
Tory raised her brow in excited expectation. ‘Just like old times … I knew you’d be on the case.’
‘Always,’ he winked to confirm. ‘But wait!’ He held high a finger, as he looked about him. ‘There’s definitely something missing here.’
Tory looked about her and immediately figured what was lacking from the once familiar scene.
‘Tea!’ they resolved, nodding to confirm that it was a must.
Noah instructed his novice to bring them some refreshments and as they awaited their brew, the scholar began sorting through the information he’d unearthed in search of a place to begin his tutorial.
‘All these texts confirm that Devas vary infinitely in their degree of consciousness and intelligence, and they are to be found on nearly every plane of existence. These celestial beings have become our own innermost selves, and thus are the link between the spiritual and the divine for all matter-bound intelligences. Devas embody thought and empower will with energy if the subject’s intent is adequate to set his designs into motion.’
‘Thus, we do create our own reality.’ Tory was pleased that at least one doctrine supported her proven theory.
‘And Devas create the necessary circumstances to bring our desires into being without questioning the right or wrong of the souls in their charge. For indeed, they have no concept of negative or positive outcomes, only cause and effect … which is, after all, the whole reason why our three-dimensional plane, bound by time, space and matter, was created. Devas are part of what is known as the Dhyani-Chahanic host, who are the great architects of life on all levels of existence and the divine servants of the Logos. They supervise our evolution, being agents of karmic and cosmic law. But in the fullest sense, the Dhyan-Chohans are actually ourselves, we are merely emanations sent forth from them.’
‘What you are saying is that they are, in effect, the higher self that we will become once we have evolved back towards the Logos.’
‘Indeed,’ Noah granted. ‘Or another way of looking at it is that we were part of the Dhyani-Chahanic host before our involution down through the planes of awareness into the physical realm of existence.’
‘And we are, therefore, still one with that divine entity that is ever existent within our highest subtle bodies,’ Tory added to round off the theory. ‘So is human contact with a Deva commonplace then?’
‘Practically unheard of …’ Noah was both delighted and frustrated to announce: delighted because his Governess had been honoured by the universe and frustrated, as he could not gauge the repercussions or reasons for the rare union. ‘… except for a few hazy biblical references, which described Devas as fiery, winged beings which served to identify the entity we were dealing with. The reason for the lack of communication is that, up until this point in human evolution, the kingdoms of humankind and devakind converge at a point higher than mankind’s most adept being. For they belong to an evolution distinct from that of humanity, an evolution that could be regarded as the one above ours.’
‘Hold on, hold on, hold on!’ Tory held up both palms to beg him to pause. ‘You’ve lost me … how can my higher self belong to an evolution distinct from my own?’
‘Okay.’ Noah stood and then paused for a moment to formulate his explanation. ‘The way I understand this is that we are at present a part of human consciousness, which is a physical plane evolution. But as our souls progress we will take part in an astral evolution on the astral plane, a mental evolution, a causal evolution, a spiritual evolution, a monadic evolution and then finally we reach perfection in our reunion with the Logos from which the whole system came.’
Tory nodded to confirm she followed.
‘But as time does not exist beyond the physical plane of existence, then all our evolutions are already taking place.’
‘Granted.’ Tory grasped the concept fully. ‘So, in theory, I have a higher self on every level of awareness that correlates the information from the evolutions experienced on the planes below it. Each of these higher selves in turn protects the more advanced soul above it, or within it, from experiencing the worst of that which is beneath or beyond it.’
‘Aye. Your ultimate Dhyan-Chohanic host entity is shielded from your damaging human emotions by all its lower devanic evolutions.’
‘So why disregard this divinely conceived system on my account?’ Tory was most perplexed by the conundrum.
‘Perhaps you are the first of the Chosen to transcend the ring-pass-not that divides us from making contact with our soul’s higher incarnations?’ Noah put forward.
‘But I don’t remember anything.’ Tory rubbed her swollen belly, even more concerned by the scholar’s premise. ‘If this being was here to see me, you’d think it would have left me with some memory of the event, some instruction or something?’
Noah frowned, suddenly rather perturbed himself. ‘Are you implying the Deva was here to make contact with your babes?’
Tory shrugged, unsure of what to think. ‘Perhaps they are the ones who will bridge the gap between evolutions, not I?’
‘Well, even if that is the case, surely there is no reason for concern,’ he posed.
‘Of course there isn’t.’ Tory outwardly smiled, so that Noah would feel she had complete confidence in this theory. ‘Which is why I’d rather we didn’t bother Maelgwn with any of this.’
/>
‘Nin?’ Noah felt most uncomfortable with the situation suddenly.
‘Everyone who needs to be aware, I have made aware … Maelgwn’s enlightenment would only serve to create a problem where there is none.’
‘Nin?’ Noah repeated, sounding more disappointed in her. ‘Have we not progressed beyond keeping secrets from our soul-mates?’
‘I have no intention of keeping this secret from him,’ Tory defended in a playful fashion. ‘I just don’t plan to inform him of my celestial event until I have all my facts straight.’
Personally speaking, Noah was more disposed towards Tory than Maelgwn, having known her longer, and was hence inclined towards her will. ‘If that is what you believe is best, I shall not act contrary to thy wish, Nin. Still, such information would weigh heavily on my conscience and I would hate something like this to undermine the trust the Dragon has in me.’
‘Forgive me, Noah.’ Tory was touched by his concerns and she rethought her strategy. ‘I would hate to be responsible for such an occurrence and I will not put you in the situation if it makes you feel that uncomfortable. I shall tell Maelgwn this evening.’
Tory’s resolve caused Noah to rethink his own. ‘No, please. If you think the information should be withheld from the Governor until a more opportune time in his schedule, who am I to argue with your decision?’