Tablet of Destinies

by Traci Harding

  Brian looked at Micah, who merely shrugged as if to say, I told you so.

  ‘What does it say?’ Tory urged her brother to read it out.

  The Governor’s eyes widened in astonishment as he took in the report. ‘Karleashian has fallen, Thais has assumed control,’ he announced, which inspired a round of applause. The Governor then turned around to greet company, mentally perceiving Noah’s announcement of his imminent arrival.

  Floyd and the Lord Gibal manifested along with the Sage, who smiled broadly when he spied Lord Micah and Tory in the Governor’s company. Although Noah was mentally linked with all his brothers and sisters from Edin, unless he focused on an individual or they contacted him, he was no more aware of their movements than he used to be. For reasons of personal privacy, the enlightened ones endeavoured not to invade each other’s brain space without good cause.

  ‘So what’s the verdict, gentlemen?’ Brian got straight to the point. ‘Do we have to evacuate one quadrant of the galaxy, or not?’

  ‘We think not,’ Noah advised. ‘Only those on Nibiru will need to be relocated.’

  ‘Why only Nibiru?’ Brian frowned. ‘Either the shield is going to work or it isn’t.’

  Oh, it will work, Gibal advised. I invented it eons ago. But as I couldn’t conceive of any useful purpose for such a shield, and my relatives would only have tortured whole planets with it, I locked away the files. I would have destroyed the small vial containing the prototype substance, Orme charichalum, but it disappeared from my lab long ago and our investigations came up with naught.

  ‘So what’s the problem?’ The Governor wasn’t following.

  ‘Manufacturing enough satellite stations to surround a sun the size of Anu.’ Floyd cut to the chase. ‘At hundreds of times the size of Nibiru, even if we used the aforementioned planet’s existing shield activation satellites, we’re going to be pushed to manufacture sufficient satellite stations to accomplish our aim this side of doomsday. Hence, why Nibiru needs to be evacuated.’

  My Delphinus tradesmen could complete enough shield stations inside a year … maybe? Gibal winced, thinking the estimate was pushing their luck.

  Brian looked to Lord Micah, who shook his head. They would run out of time way before then. ‘We need that shield up within months,’ Brian said, but when Micah again shook his head, Brian gulped and changed his order. ‘Make that weeks.’

  Impossible. Gibal shrugged, unable to commit to his plan.

  ‘My people have nothing better to do at present.’ Samara stepped forward to offer Nugia’s services.

  ‘Yes!’ Her train of thought excited Brian. ‘We must rally all the idle hands on Karleashian, Tarazean, Kila, Numan … get everyone involved. We’re going to make that deadline,’ Brian assured Lord Micah with a firm nod. ‘Floyd, Lord Gibal, we have much organising to do.’

  As soon as he was dismissed, Noah made a beeline for Tory.

  ‘Noah, my friend, it has been too long.’ Tory embraced him, recording wires and all.

  ‘You had us so worried.’ Noah sat down beside her, refraining from shedding the tears of joy that were welling upon viewing her safe and well. Of course, he was fully aware of how the ex-Governess fared the second he’d completed the lessons of the Sensor-sphere, but he cherished her company and had missed it.

  ‘You did it.’ Tory held both his hands and viewed the Sage, well proud of him. ‘You found the Creation Station and it has obviously taught you much.’

  Noah nodded and knowing she was curious about the learning device, he smiled broadly. ‘Maelgwn and yourself shall be next to undergo the lessons of the Sensor-sphere.’

  ‘Sensor-sphere!’ Her eyes lit up as her mind captured Noah’s perception of the amazing construction. ‘When?’ She was eager to investigate.

  ‘As soon as your schedule permits.’ Noah threw the ball back into her court, knowing she had a lot on her plate right now.

  ‘Yes, I am a bit tied up at present.’ She flicked one of the wires to which she was attached, and looking down over all the sensors she noted the Tablet of Destinies around her neck. ‘I have something that belongs to you.’ She unlatched the chain.

  ‘Tory really, I do not need a tool to see into the future. It would be little more than a trinket to me now. It must have sentimental value to you as it was a parting gift from Taliesin,’ he insisted.

  ‘The Logoi gave it to you. And predicted it would return to you in time. It never did belong to me, Noah.’ Tory placed it in his hand, and folded his fingers over the treasure. ‘I’ve always felt that I was only minding it for someone. And you know,’ her tears welled as she confessed, ‘I always suspected that it was you. You’ve really come into your own. Whereas I, on the other hand,’ Tory frowned as she considered where she was at, ‘I have some sorting out to do. I’ve lost count of how many children I have,’ she muttered vaguely.

  Noah could see the Tablet had been a burden on Tory’s shoulders and it was true that she’d never been comfortable with the tool. His heart told him that he should be the keeper of it for a time, for he was to instruct the new breed of Chosen Ones and the Tablet would help him keep an eye on their progress. Tory had so many other issues to deal with at present, that Noah was happy to lighten her of part of that load.

  Pardon my intrusion. Lord Micah approached, having waited patiently by to speak with them both. The Sage of Eridu, the Lord announced, so delighted to make Noah’s acquaintance that he bowed before him. Your prophecy changed my life, Master Scribe, he explained his behaviour. And you have my humblest gratitude for enriching my life with good purpose.

  ‘You are the voice of Anu to your people, Micah,’ Noah told him surely, unfazed and accepting of the Lord’s compliment. ‘Your selfless devotion to the universal cause pleases him and your forefathers immensely.’

  Tory couldn’t decide which was more incredible; the transformation in Noah or a Nefilim bowing before a human being.

  I live now only to serve your cause, as is the desire of the great Anu. Micah looked from Noah to Tory. Dear Lamamu, he held out both hands to her. I told you that the evil ones would eventually succumb to the Shining Ones, did I not?

  Tory was stupefied as her memory was hurled back to her departure from ancient Atlantis, when Micah had made the prophecy. ‘I assumed at the time that you referred to the Gathering … but you were talking about current events.’ Tory bit her lip and shook her head, simply mind-blown by the extent of her adventures. ‘If you’d told me it was going to take this long to right our struggle, I might have thought twice about pursuing this destiny,’ she joked.

  In reality, she wouldn’t have changed a thing — except perhaps the amount of time Maelgwn and she got to spend together. Still, where her husband was concerned she was a glutton and no amount of time in his company was ever enough. Just as Maelgwn had come to realise that Aquilla was only a small part of the soul-mind that he loved so well, so too had she realised that Hawk was only one of the many amazing incarnations undertaken in order for Maelgwn’s human soul-mind to reach perfection. She loved Hawk, just as she’d loved every incarnation of her husband that she’d met in her travels through space and time, but Maelgwn was the one she would share eternity with — she knew that now, in her soul.

  Dismissed from nursery duties, Tory wandered back to Hawk’s accommodation, located next to the Institute of Medical Advancement. He had been given a nice little apartment that looked across the second island canal to Chailida’s third island where the grand sporting arenas were situated amid lovely parks and thoroughfares.

  She expected to find the captain still sleeping, but he was seated out in the sun by the canal, taking solace in a cup of tea. As he seemed rather engrossed in his thoughts, Tory sat in the chair alongside his without saying a word. It was a couple of minutes before Hawk drew a deep breath and looked to her.

  ‘I don’t belong here, Tory,’ he told her with some regret. ‘It’s not you or the baby, it’s just being here on solid ground. It doesn’t feel right,
I’ve spent too long in space.’

  Tory knew this was one of many reasons why he wouldn’t be staying, and the most significant was that he felt like an extra appendage when Maelgwn was around and Hawk could never see himself fitting in or settling on Kila.

  ‘I love you, Tory, and I love our son.’ Tears began to well in his eyes, but he held them back, feeling Tory was the one getting dumped on here. ‘But something keeps telling me that we were only ever meant to be together to bring Sparrowhawk into existence, and as much as I hate to lose you, I realise you were never mine in the first place.’

  ‘Don’t feel guilty Hawk, please,’ Tory begged him, taking hold of his face with both her hands. ‘I feel guilty enough for both of us.’

  ‘You’ve done nothing wrong,’ he said, surprised and insistent.

  ‘No one has,’ Tory smiled. ‘What happened was the will of the Logoi and nobody’s fault, Hawk … especially not yours.’

  Hawk breathed a sigh of relief. ‘I want to be involved in Sparrowhawk’s life, but truly, what good can I do him at present? With the fall of the Pantheon, my life is bound to change … but, having been deprived of freedom for so long, I feel I really have to get a life before I can be of any great benefit to our son.’

  As he said this, Tory picked up on his desire to locate her Falcon incarnation, and she nearly squealed with excitement, wondering why she hadn’t thought of it before. ‘If Swan exists, I shall help you find her. In fact, I’ll do it now.’ She stood up, spurred on by her desire to do right by this man. ‘You deserve a real life of true love and happiness. And if I can’t give that to you then I’ll find the woman who can.’

  ‘So … can you help me?’ Hawk cornered Tory as she emerged from the meditation chamber in his guest quarters, where she’d been for what seemed like eons.

  Tory winced as she nodded, trying to look semi-positive about what she’d discovered.

  ‘What’s wrong? Is she old, deformed, gay? What?’ Hawk encouraged Tory to enlighten him.

  ‘No, none of the above,’ Tory assured, moving to the bar to pour Hawk a stiff drink.

  ‘What then?’

  ‘Like me, she is a warrior and from all appearances … a real handful.’ Tory chuckled, thinking Hawk would have his work cut out for him if he was to win the heart of such a woman. ‘She’s the commander of the Falcon military force on Karleashian.’

  Hawk’s expression filled with bemusement at the news. ‘Maybe true love is not so important after all,’ he resolved, accepting a drink from Tory and taking a mouthful.

  ‘Your brother’s soul-mate is her 2IC,’ Tory informed and Hawk nearly choked on his drink.

  ‘You’re kidding?’ he spluttered.

  She shook her head. ‘And I just happen to be dear friends with the Centaur ruler who has just overthrown Ereshkigal and assumed control of Kurra.’ She raised both eyebrows a couple of times, suggestively. ‘Now, does this sound like destiny or what?’

  Dumuzi had not lost his immortal state of being during his interview with the Devas only because Maelgwn had brought him up to date with Inanna’s recent change of heart, which had brought her closer to her soul-source. Upon learning that the Dragon had managed to drag his wife back to sanity, the Lord was very grateful.

  ‘It should have been you.’ Maelgwn didn’t want his gratitude. ‘Instead of worrying about how your own frivolous desires were going to be met, you should have been more concerned about your grieving spouse and how you could relieve her pain.’

  Dumuzi was perplexed by the suggestion. Only humans are more concerned about others than themselves, we Nefilim —

  ‘Must learn!’ Maelgwn roared. ‘Your immortal soul depends on it! Get it!’ He closed in on the mortified God as Dumuzi backed away from him, fearing his wrath. ‘Unless you are prepared to give up every single thought for your own welfare, you may as well take the descent into Density right now!’

  Suddenly, Dumuzi’s consciousness was consumed by Maelgwn’s short stint into the dark, cold existence of zero thought and movement, which he’d experienced courtesy of the Tablet of Destinies.

  Once Maelgwn returned Dumuzi’s mind to its own thought processes, the Nefilim dropped to his knees whimpering for mercy. No, Dragon, please. Spare me the horror of life in the sub-planes … I’ll do anything you say, but don’t leave me to be damned.

  Maelgwn looked at Sacha, who was undecided as to what the fate of the Lord should be.

  Your call, father, he ruled.

  You have a history with this soul. What does your instinct tell you? Psyche counselled, and Maelgwn frowned, unsure himself.

  ‘You see, Dumuzi,’ he crouched beside the petrified God, ‘the trouble I’m having is this … your only motive to reform is to save your own skin. But, if you could suggest some way that you might be of benefit to the greater cause of Anu, then perhaps we could consider your preservation.’

  Um …? The Lord seemed desperate for suggestions, but Maelgwn only nodded, his eyes wide in encouragement. He was eager to hear whatever the Lord could come up with. I know! Dumuzi held up a finger, hopeful of saving face with his idea. I must apologise to Inanna. Confess even … yes, I must confess and beg forgiveness for my selfish indulgences.

  ‘Now you’re learning.’ Maelgwn smiled and patted the Lord’s shoulder to set him at ease. ‘That will be a good start on the right path.’

  Dumuzi released a great wail of relief, and tears streamed from his eyes in the wake of his close brush with obscurity.

  ‘I shall leave Zabeel in command on this vessel,’ Maelgwn stood up and advised the humbled Nefilim Lord. ‘You are to head, at full speed, directly to Kila. Any attempt to deviate from that course or challenge Zabeel’s authority, and I shall not exhibit as much restraint with your fate. Many of your kin have not survived the Devas’ judgement as well as you have, Dumuzi. Be thankful.’

  ‘I am thankful.’ Dumuzi rose to bow before Maelgwn and his celestial companions. ‘I shall endeavour to be more like you, Dragon. Then I am assured redemption.’

  ‘We’ll see.’ His tone gave Dumuzi the benefit of the doubt, as Maelgwn departed the private audience chamber to advise Zabeel of the decision.

  For Zabeel, command of Dumuzi’s craft was like a test run of his leadership abilities, and he was proud to be entrusted with the mission. Fortunately, he found the cheeky personality of the shamed Nefilim Lord rather appealing, and having set the ship on full speed to Kila, the pair got to talk.

  ‘So how many Delphinus daughters do you have, exactly?’ Zabeel couldn’t contain his curiosity any longer.

  About seven or so, I think.

  From feeling like a lone soul in a barren desert, Zabeel suddenly felt like a rooster in a hen house. ‘One of them has got to be destined for me,’ he mumbled aloud. Surely seventy years alone is enough, although, after hearing of Thais’ plight, Zabeel realised he could be wrong about that.

  Dumuzi was inspired by the lad’s interest, as matchmaking was his second favourite pastime. I could summon them all forth for your perusal, Lord. Dumuzi was eager to please, but then frowned, recalling. Oh nuts, I can’t. I promised the Dragon not to lead you astray and such a gathering could be most tempting.

  Zabeel had been keen on the idea for a second, but, reflecting on his father’s strong moral code, he knew Dumuzi was right. ‘Perhaps if we were to be doing an inspection of your craft and happened upon some of your Delphinus daughters, then … that would just be a pleasant coincidence, as opposed to deliberate exploitation.’

  Dumuzi smiled, happy with the suggestion. And I know just the place for our plan — I mean, coincidence, to take place.

  Outside of the Lord’s court, the different tribes that made up his subjects didn’t interact much, preferring to associate within their own ethnic groups. The various groups frequented different quadrants of the ship. The preferred lounge in the Delphinus quadrant was the Oceanic, and to keep their mission hush, hush, Dumuzi changed himself into a Delphinus. Although both Zabeel and Dumuz
i both stood a little taller than most in the club, their entry was unheeded.

  Over a drink, Dumuzi pointed out some of his daughters to Zabeel, and they were all beautiful in the Delphinus Lord’s eyes — so how was he to define his soul-mate? Despite craving a lover there were no fireworks going off in his heart when he viewed the lovely women. He’d seen the way his father looked at his soul-mate. The sparks flew each time Maelgwn and Tory’s eyes met. That was the kind of love he was seeking.

  ‘Aw … there’s no point, I won’t find her like this,’ Zabeel resolved and stood to leave the club.

  Well, you won’t find her on the captain’s deck either. Dumuzi sipped on his drink, obviously intent on staying put. Look … the Dragon told me to stop thinking about myself and I am. Now I’m thinking about you and my best advice is … sit your butt back down there and tell me what you’re looking for. Not a virgin, I hope, ’cause I think we might be hard pressed to find one around here. However … he stressed, as Zabeel lowered himself back into a seat …

  ‘Silly, old, freak!’

  The abusive words and a woman’s squeal seized the attention of all in the club.

  ‘What on earth?’ Zabeel went charging over to the scene of the disturbance and Dumuzi reluctantly followed, taking his drink with him.

  ‘I was taking pity on you, mutant!’ yelled the Delphinus male who was standing over his date, liquid in several shades of colour, dripping down his clothes.

  Zabeel gripped hold of the offender’s raised fist, before he could strike the female. ‘I’m a mutant,’ he advised the smaller man.

  Delphinus, on the whole, were the shortest among the human races; Zabeel, like his father, was unusually tall and well-built.

  When the offender turned to spy his restrainer he took the defensive. ‘She poured a tray of drinks over me,’ he justified.

  ‘He needed cooling down,’ she insisted, but Zabeel’s eye did not leave his captive’s.