The Oracle's Dilemma

by Shawn O'Toole

  Chapter 2

  “Fear and Devotion”

  Concubines were busy at consoles and monitors. Naydeen, the one in purple who commanded them all, asked one of the many in blue, “What is our feed status?”

  “Our receptors are overheating by two percent.”

  “Reduce feed by two percent.”

  “Acknowledged: Reducing by two percent.”

  Another in blue mentioned, “Lady Thulu is displeased when we reduce the feed.”

  “I have explained our reasons,” Naydeen told her. “She begrudgingly approves, so long as we remain at maximum tolerable levels.”

  Suddenly all lights and displays flickered. Lady Thulu appeared in the room. The women shivered and their skin crawled. Was the demon angry? The humans felt sick, as if poisoned! “Weak, blind, useless fools!” the demon snarled. Knowing the thoughts of these Concubines, she told them, “The flimsiness of your machine does not anger me. You do! You have lost what is mine!”

  Naydeen asked, “What have we lost?!”

  “Blind fool, need you ask?! The Oracle has escaped you!” The mortal women cringed as the demon’s presence engulfed them! All but Naydeen gagged and choked! Thulu told them all, “You have been given unto me to do with as I please. Fail me and it shall be my pleasure to harm you.” All but Naydeen writhed and struggled for breath! The demon told Naydeen, “I shall kill them. You shall remain to explain to Mistress Umbra why you have failed me.” Thulu contracted her form. Naydeen’s subordinates gasped and panted, relieved to be breathing again! The demon told them all, “The Oracle of Telluria is mine. Return her to me... or I shall have no more use for you.”

  Though trembling, Naydeen maintained her composure. She answered, “We are the Concubines of the Great Seen Unseen. We shall serve him, even if we must serve you.”

  Thulu laughed, actually admiring this weakling’s courage.

  The bodies and weapons of ninety-eight Concubine Sentinels lay in the forest– left to rot. “These are the ones you killed before we were captured,” Shrubby told Hairy. The women had been dead since yesterday and already stunk and were swarming with flies.

  The Oracle mourned, “Such a waste of human life.

  Hairy found his big gun: it was lying where he had left it! He picked it up and looked it over. He could tell by the weight that it still had charges.

  “Let us move on,” the Oracle suggested. “As I breath in humanoid form, the stench of death sickens me.” Hairy was also disgusted, but it was worth it to get his gun back!

  The three moved on.

  The Great Shadow was vast and mighty... but intangible. The flesh of his Concubines made them useful to him: They were weak and doomed to perish, but they could touch and feel what they touched. Theirs was a talent beyond mere knowledge and power. In their very weakness, they were strong for him, conquering worlds and giving him what he could only, otherwise, destroy.

  Lady Thulu had been given a thousand women to do with as she pleased. These mortal weaklings had captured the Oracle of Telluria... but then lost her! They would make right what they allowed to go wrong. Thulu discussed the situation with Naydeen and two other Concubines. “They would not have escaped had the sasquatch not been with them,” the demon concluded. The women nodded their agreement. “Kill him. I want the little zoophyte, though; as a hostage.”

  Wendy, a Girl in Blue and the head of station operations, mentioned, “There has been no teleportation in this region since our arrival. The escapees are still in this region.”

  Melva, a Girl in Red, and the head of station security, pointed at the holographic map display, “They are somewhere in this general area.”

  Lady Thulu commanded, “Search that area.”

  Naydeen reminded, “We are the complement of a siphoning station; not a combat unit.”

  “You have an entomopter and hundreds of infantry. You have captured the Oracle before. Do so again.”

  Melva suggested, “We could summon an assault battalion to assist us.”

  “No!” the demon snapped. “None but this very command shall partake in the search and capture.” Thulu could feel the confusion and hear the questioning thoughts. The Great Shadow had fashioned these women to be loyal and selfless. How could they understand ambition when wanting something for themselves was unthinkable? “I want the Oracle of Telluria. We shall not call upon others to take her from me.”

  The Concubines were unsettled by the demon’s statement. The women looked at one another. Naydeen told the other two, “It is not our place to question; only to obey. We shall do as we are commanded.” The other two nodded.

  Thulu could feel their unease. She told them, “All that the Oracle is shall become mine. I shall serve our master well.” The Concubines were somewhat glad to hear that. The demon smirked.

 

  The Oracle led Hairy and Shrubby to a glade in the forest. “Here,” she told them. She sunk her toes into the ground and shuddered as her feet became roots. “Yes,” she cooed. “This ground is good.” The zoophyte and the sasquatch watched as the Oracle grew and hardened into a tree. As the leaves sprouted, they heard an echoing coo. The Oracle’s voice explained, “This is the Far Sight Forest. It is the ground of a place of seeing power. I can watch our enemies from here. If they find us, I shall know and we shall flee.” The Oracle was mindful not to draw from the land’s energy; only to feel it and listen to it.

  Shrubby asked, “What are we to do?”

  “Rest. We all need rest.”

  Hairy rubbed his belly and licked his lips. The Oracle giggled and told him, “Go, my friend. Food and water abound here.” Hairy smiled... then disappeared into the depths of the forest.

  Shrubby sunk her roots into the ground, joining the Oracle for lunch. The little zoophyte reminded, “The demon told us that Adam is walking into a trap. Should we warn him?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?!”

  “Our enemy would hear us and find us. We must be silent if we are to escape.”

  “What about Adam, Conjure and Flora?!”

  “They are warriors. You are not. I cannot endanger you for their sakes.”

  Shrubby wanted to insist that the Oracle do so anyway... but was too afraid. Why was everyone brave but Shrubby?! The little plant fairy sighed. The Oracle assured her, “You may yet find your courage– when you are ready for such a test.”

  “It is my fault,” Shrubby remembered the demon accusing her. “We were captured because of me!”

  “We were captured because a cruel demon sought to capture us. She is powerful and has many women. What were you to do? It was not within your power to stop her; nor mine. Let us not blame ourselves for the transgressions of others.”

  “Oracle, why did you choose me to be your helper? I am among the simplest and weakest of our race.”

  “Yes, but you are the one I wanted.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I can see what you cannot.”

  “What do you see?”

  “I see that the least is the greatest and the greatest is the least.”

  “Oh.” Shrubby did not understand, but knew that a further explanation would only confuse her more.

  Naydeen went to her quarters. There were no doors here; only rooms, as was typical of Concubine domiciles. She slipped out of her skimpy, elastic uniform and tossed it onto her bed. Glimpsing herself in the mirror, she stared at the image: She was bald, but had eyebrows. Her irises were ghostly white! She remembered having brown eyes and long, dark hair... in a life she never lived. “Naydeen,” she remembered her name. Hearing it from her master was always comforting. Did every sister hear her own name? Yes. The master loved his Many of One.

  Naydeen closed her eyes, longing to hear that terrible, soothing voice. She missed his caresses– his cold, burning, arousing touch. He was so cruel... but so gentle. She was lost without him. All Conc
ubines yearned for their master. “I am yours,” she told him. “Nothing is mine.”

  Shortly afterwards: Naydeen was on the floor, doing stretches, when visited by Melva, her chief Sentinel and head of security. Since there was no door, the guest simply came in. “Yes?” Naydeen welcomed her.

  Melva merely stood there, at ease with her hands behind her back. Her mouth gaped and twitched, as if she wanted to speak... but she said nothing. Naydeen told her, “Speak your mind. The demon knows our thoughts better than we do.”

  Melva smiled, embarrassed. She hesitated before confiding, “Lady Thulu’s loyalty to our master is... uncertain.”

  “Yes,” Naydeen agreed, “her motives are doubtful– but not her authority.”

  Melva assured, “I shall obey her commands.”

  “Good. Let us not question them, either.”

  Melva nodded. She waited before mentioning, “I hear tell that she will kill us if we fail.”

  “She will kill you... but she will not kill me. I shall be brought before Mistress Umbra to explain our failure.”

  Melva protested, “Such is not the way of the Great Seen Unseen!”

  “No, but it is the way of his daughter, whom he loves, and her chosen. It is Lady Thulu’s right to kill us. It would be unseemly for us to question her rightful authority.”

  “Our master would not allow this.”

  “It is by his authority that we shall obey.” Naydeen came up to Melva and hugged her. Melva returned the embrace and they kissed. They were sisters, the Many of One. Whatever they did, they did so together.

  Thulu could hear the thoughts and feel the emotions of human beings, but somehow, she did not understand them. She knew they were dim and fearful, so she issued a threat, to motivate them. Instead, their fear was distracting them! Mistress Umbra was half human. Perhaps she would know what to do. “You threatened them?” Umbra was amused.

  “They failed me!”

  “They fail because flesh is weak. I have given you a thousand. Do with them as you will.”

  Thulu whined, “Lifeless flesh is of no use to me!”

  “Then I suggest that you do not kill them.”

  “Umbra, my friend, what should I do?”

  “My father’s Concubines are loyal unto him. Invoke his name and they shall serve you wholeheartedly.”

  “I do so, but in vain. They are useless!”

  “You command them. Their failure is your own.”

  “What?!” Thulu was aghast. “I am to blame?!”

  “Blame? I have given you women to serve you. Whatever they do is for your own success– or failure. I have given them. I shall not take them away.”

  “Umbra, what should I do?”

  “Rescind your threat in my father’s name. Remind your women that to fail you is to fail him. Their devotion shall serve you as well as you lead them.”

  Thulu snickered. “I am the fool that I have failed?”

  “Failed? If you had failed, then I would send others into the region. Find and capture the Oracle... and she shall be yours to do with as you please.”

  “Thank you.”

  Hairy had returned. He lied on the ground, merrily groaning. The Oracle explained, “He ate well.”

  Shrubby scolded, “Hairy, were you gluttonous?!”

  “He did not eat well in captivity, so he indulged.”

  “They fed him,” Shrubby insisted. “He ate every morsel of what they gave him!”

  “Yes. They fed him his exact nutritional needs, but it was tasteless.” Shrubby was surprised. She actually liked the rich, grainy paste she and the Oracle had been given. Why did the Concubines feed Hairy something tasteless? The Oracle told her, “Our captors were only concerned with sustaining us. We were fortunate to like what they offered.”

  Hairy started snoring.

  The Concubines heard the unheard voice of Lady Thulu address them, “Hear me, all you who serve me. Concubines of the Great Shadow, you are the servants of his will and the soldiers of his endeavor. You are mine, by his authority. Serve me in his honor... or fail me to his shame.” Thulu waited before continuing, “Live or die for your master... for I shall not kill you.” There was a lull as the human minds grasped and pondered what they had just heard. There was surprise and curiosity... and the warmth of elation! Thulu could hear the many prattling thoughts and voices... then all became calm and busy again. “Good,” Thulu said unto herself. Her women were now focused on the task at hand.

  That evening: Shrubby sat planted and Hairy slept under the Tree of the Oracle. The forest was dark, and alive with bugs and animals. “Oracle?” Shrubby addressed. “Would you know if the Concubines were near?”

  “Perhaps.”

  “Perhaps?!”

  “Little Shrubby, I may see much, but not all things.”

  “What do you see?”

  “I feel the searching gaze of many eyes. The demon and her women have not yet found us.”

  “What should we do?”

  “Let us be still this night, or else they may glimpse our movement. The eyes of the demon and the devices of the Concubines see better in darkness. In the light of day, we shall depart this land.”

  “Where shall we go?”

  “Away from here, wherever that may be.” The Oracle felt Shrubby’s restless fear... so she started singing a lullaby:

  “Close your eyes,

  that you may see.

  Quiet your mind,

  that you may know.

  Rest your heart,

  that you may feel,

  the gentleness of slumber.

  Feel the warmth,

  of loves embrace.

  Still your mind,

  that you may know.

  See the light,

  of wisdom’s glory.

  We are with you.

  See the glow.

  We are with you,

  as you rest.

  We are with you,

  as you sleep.

  We are with you,

  as we shall be.

  You are safe,

  my dear Shrubby.”

  The Oracle sang and sang, her gentle, soothing voice caressing Shrubby... until the little zoophyte became drowsy... and fell asleep.

  Early the next morning: Portals were being opened throughout the “designated area” of Far Sight Forest. Squads of Concubines in green were being sent out. Each of these women was armed with a sharpshooter carbine: a small, high-powered rifle with good range and excellent accuracy. “The sasquatch is a soldier of the Army of Four,” Melva had briefed her women. “His physiology is very hearty, so I suggest aiming for his head. Kill him. He is not to be taken prisoner. Do not attempt to capture the others until he has been terminated.”

  Hundreds of Girls in Red remained at the station, ready to be sent, en masse, to surround and overwhelm the enemy. “Good,” Lady Thulu approved the ongoing operation. “Now we need only to find the Oracle.”

  Wendy reported, “We are narrowing the designated area as we update our information.”

  “Very good.” The demon dissipated from the room. Her voice assured, “The capture of the Oracle shall hasten our master’s return.”

  A squad of Concubine Scouts tiptoed and crawled among the bushes. They could see the tall, naked, buxom “woman” with leaves for hair. The zoophyte was with her... but where was the sasquatch? The Girls in Green hid, watched... and waited.

  “Where is Hairy?” Shrubby whined. “I dislike it when he leaves us.”

  “He is our guardian,” the Oracle noted, “but he is also our scout. We are too slow for him.”

  “But he should tell us before he disappears!”

  “We were sleeping. You would have him wake us?”

  “Yes!”

  “Hairy does not speak; nor does his mind think in words. How would he tell us? Is it not enough that he has departed when he departs? Hairy has always spoken with his actio
ns.”

  Shrubby huffed.

  A Concubine was lying on her belly and resting on her elbows, weapon in hand. She was not aiming because she was not here to kill the plant fairies. She watched them, actually finding them interesting... but unnoticing the very large form creeping towards her from behind... until it pounced!

  The Oracle and Shrubby chatted. Hairy crept about, snatching and killing hidden Concubine Scouts, one-by-one. “Where have you been?!” Shrubby asked when the sasquatch returned. “Hairy, we need you with us, to protect us!” The sasquatch snorted a chuckle. “It is not funny,” the little plant fairy scolded. Hairy smiled and clapped, rumbling a laugh. A dozen Concubines had found them, but were now dead– and Shrubby did not even know!

  In the command-and-control room of the Concubine edifice: A Girl in Blue reported, “The enemy is no longer within the immediate vicinity of the activated beacon. The squad which activated the beacon has been found dead; at the location.” The holographic map display updated.

  Naydeen told Lady Thulu, “We all but know where the Oracle is. We are ready to move in and converge upon her.”

  “Not yet,” the demon cautioned. “Surround her now, but do not converge. Do nothing, lest I command it.” The women stared at Thulu, through those black goggles of theirs, wondering what she intended. The demon explained, “I shall face the Oracle and I shall take her, myself.”

  “What of the others?”

  “You shall do with them as I have already commanded.”

  “Understood.”

  Hairy led the way, his stormgun held ready. The Tellurians glimpsed more and more Concubines, all around. “Are they afraid of Hairy?” Shrubby hoped.

  “No,” the Oracle answered.

  “Then why are they keeping their distance?”

  “Hopefully because they still want us alive.”

  Hairy turned and led, turned and led, trying to avoid wherever he saw Concubines... but the women were becoming more and more and getting closer and closer! None of them fired their little guns, so Hairy refrained from shooting his big one. He did not want the plant fairies to be harmed by stray bolts. The Tellurians could not get away! Soon, they were surrounded by hundreds of Concubines... but none of them attacked.

  A strange gust blew through the forest– then became the beautiful face and shapeless form of Lady Thulu. Legs became manifest as the demon walked past the Concubines and towards the Tellurians. Hairy snarled and raised his gun. Thulu laughed. She outstretched her arms, daring him to shoot her. Hairy did not bother. Why waste charges? The demon told him the obvious, “Neither your strength nor your weapon can harm me.” She stopped... and stared at the Oracle before asking her, “Do you know what I want?”

  “Yes.”

  “Tell me what I want.”

  “You covet my gentle powers.”

  “I want you.” The demon explained, “You are your powers and your gentleness. You shall be mine– and I shall do terrible things with you. I shall see by your eyes, know by your mind, feel by your heart and smite by your very hand.”

  “Why?”

  “Why not?” The demon and fairy stared into each other’s eyes, battling in a way that did not draw blood. Thulu accused, “You are wise and powerful; the wisest and most powerful of all the inhabitants of this world... yet you are a fool. You bow before a mortal man and are loyal unto him. You are greater than he, yet yield to his