The Best of All Possible Worlds

by Richard D. Parker

  “Galen?”

  “He’s funny, thought provoking, and wise,” Avi replied haughtily, coming to the defense of the Father of the Inland Sea.

  “He’s dusty and ancient!”

  “His teachings are still relevant. Ask Master Renault.”

  “Hmmmph,” Arnot replied and rolled over gazing up into the clear blue sky. “Funny?”

  “Yes,” Avi insisted and flipped through a few pages. “Faith,” she read, “is a four letter word.”

  Arnot frowned. Faith was not a four letter word, not in old English or the language of the Inland Sea.

  “I don’t get it,” he answered.

  Avi dropped her voice to a whisper though it was far from necessary. “Many off color words in old English have four letters.”

  Arnot’s frown turned to a mischievous grin. “Like butt, shit and pi…”

  “Arnot!”

  Arnot laughed but refrained from injuring his sister’s delicate ears further. Avi never was one for swearing. “It makes you sound common…ordinary,” she told him a few years back when swearing held some appeal for him. She didn’t like swearing and was against it, so he stopped…in the end he minded his sister in most things. She was the smart one.

  “So…why is faith a four letter word?” Arnot finally asked. He asked because he loved his sister and he could tell she very much wanted to talk about Galen Dawkins. Galen was becoming something of an obsession with her.

  “Well,” Avi began and Arnot could immediately tell he’d made her very happy. He smiled and looked about at the ring of girls in the distance; almost all were staring at him longingly. He ignored them. “Galen believed that faith is the enemy of reason. Faith is for the lazy. It’s believing something is true, without actually knowing, or seeking the truth.” Avigail replied and chuckled again.

  “I may have muscles,” Arnot answered and flexed his arm, as much for the girls in the forum as for the point he was making, “but I know what faith means.”

  Avi stifled her laugh, then groaned. “Sorry,” she said but then hurried on with obvious enthusiasm. “For Galen…faith can hinder the way to true understanding. We were created as rational beings and reason should show us the way. Faith without reason is hollow. So for Galen, faith is an off color word. Funny eh?”

  “Absolutely hilarious,” Arnot replied a bit sarcastically. “But I have faith that I can whoop you at katas any day,” he added with the hope that this might spur Avi into fighting.

  “Humph,” Avi replied frowning. “No, you don’t have faith at all, you know you can beat me any day…you know Arnot. Do you see the difference? Haven’t you ever read this?”

  Arnot frowned and shook his head. He was not a fan of reading and wasn’t at all sure he liked the way this conversation was going. He almost got up to leave but he could tell Avi was excited about something and he wanted to understand what it was.

  “Galen says the quest for knowledge is Man’s second highest calling. We are all responsible for what we will or will not learn. Learning and growing is entirely up to the individual, and it’s a deeply personal quest, no one can travel the road for you. Look,” she added and flipped through the book again until she found the phrase she was looking for.

  “The search for knowledge is the very essence of humanity, second only to the act of creation.”

  “Creation?” Arnot repeated becoming confused and just a bit angry. He didn’t understand but was loathed to let his sister know.

  Avi smiled becoming more enthused by the moment. She quickly thumbed through the book, flipping back several pages.

  ‘It is during the act of creation that we are closest to God.’

  “God?” Arnot asked, now thoroughly bewildered. Religion did not much exist in the lands of the Inland Sea and for good reason. Religious practices, no matter what the faith, no matter what the intentions, were very often volatile and dangerous. It was said that Lynn occasionally brought up God and Christianity the first few years after her arrival before their father quickly put an end to such talk.

  “And you think this is funny?”

  Avi sighed. “No…I guess it’s boring,” she answered, miffed.

  “It’s not boring Avi,” Arnot lied, trying to spare her feelings. “It’s just not relevant to the Inland Sea. Religion has been dead here for thousands of years.”

  “Yes and we’ve lived in relative peace for thousands of years,” Avi shot back.

  “Ha! Tell that one to Father,” he replied and Avi sat up quickly. Arnot winced. He’d made her mad and that was not his intention. Arnot sat up as well but Avigail was already on her feet stomping away.

  “Avi!” He said after her but she didn’t turn and Arnot knew better than to follow. He gazed down at his katas and sighed, happy that they would soon be leaving this place for Noble Island. There were not so many books on Noble and far more katas. When he looked up Avi was half way across the forum and the bravest of the girls surrounding him were taking the first tentative steps in his direction.

  Arnot sighed again.

  †

  “Are you stealing that?” Arnot asked three days later as they packed the few belongings they were allowed into their knapsacks. Most of the items were clothing or weapons, but as he looked on, Avi was carefully placing a book on top of her pile.

  “No, I’m not stealing it, and don’t sound so impressed that I might be,” she shot back. “Master Renault gave it to me…it’s a copy.”

  Arnot craned his neck for a better look. “Insights.” He made a face behind his sister’s back and continued to pack his own things. He was excited to be leaving Lato, excited to be putting the longest three years of his life behind him, excited to finally have the worst part of his education safely in the past. The Isle of Light had been hard…and sometimes monotonous, learning to Travel was not for everyone and though more were learning every day, there were very few natural Travelers. Arnot counted himself lucky not to be a part of that exclusive group. Even now his abilities in the area were shaky, if not downright suspect, but he could Travel, maybe not very far and he was painfully slow…but he could Travel and he was getting better all the time, though he practiced as little as possible. Of course, Little Miss Princess Pants picked Traveling up right away and could create strong bridges that took her across miles of country. In fact, Avi was so good and so strong that the High Zarina Monde tried to convince their father that she should stay behind on Light and become a Traveler in fact and not just in ability.

  But the High King did not want it…and surprisingly Avi didn’t want it either. More than anything she wanted to study on Lato; it was her island of choice. It was a choice Arnot did not share, but he could understand why it would be so for Avi, with her unhealthy love for books and learning. But now, hallelujah, they were finally leaving for his island of choice.

  “Come on Avi,” Arnot implored, as if afraid they would have to stay another night on this dreadful island if they didn’t hurry. But despite his prodding Avi continued to move sluggishly about the room that had been their home for the last three years, and Arnot suddenly realized that his sister was sad…very sad.

  He dropped his bag and put his arm around her. She turned her face to his chest and started to softly cry.

  “Hey…Avi, Noble won’t be so bad,” he told her gently. “Father insists we learn to fight…to be able to defend ourselves…and he learned loads on Noble, and not just about fighting.”

  Avi nodded and pulled on his silk shirt to dry her eyes. “I know, but I just love it here. This is my home.”

  Arnot frowned. This would never be his home even if Avi stayed. The thought sent a thrill of terror through him. They were growing apart and the sudden realization that he and Avi would not always be together struck him fully. He pulled her back into an embrace and she looked up at him curiously.

  “You’re taller,” she commented, and the fear left him at once. He looked down into his sister’s face. It was true. Up until a few years ago they had alw
ays been the same. The same height, the same dark hair and eyes, the same smooth skin, but now the first trace of whiskers were appearing on his chin, and he had somehow grown a full head taller.

  “You look like father,” she added finally stepping away and hoisting her bag over her shoulder. The truth was they both looked a lot like Gwaynn, though he insisted Avi looked strikingly like his own twin sister Gwynn.

  Arnot smiled. “Everyone’s telling me that lately,” he commented, grateful for her shift in mood. “Come,” he added and reached for her free hand, “Zarina Gaston will be waiting.”

  Zarina Laynee Gaston was indeed waiting on the twins, but she did not mind. She was used to it. As the official Traveler assigned to the Royal family she was accustomed to waiting on the twins.

  “It will be a shame to lose Avigail,” Master Renault said as the two stood in the morning sun. “She truly is a lover of wisdom…a voracious reader. She will learn much in her lifetime.”

  “And Arnot?” Laynee asked with a laugh, and Renault grimaced slightly.

  “He’ll do well on Noble,” the Master of Lato answered. “Even here he worked his katas far harder than he worked his brain.”

  “Well, he is his father’s son,” the Traveler commented.

  “No, Gwaynn was a true student of Lato, no matter how short his stay,” Renault replied. “Arnot is far more…physical.”

  “Yes, he is that,” Laynee answered as she spotted the twins coming from their dormitory. Arnot was tall…much taller than Gwaynn at his age, and lithe. He exuded grace and confidence and there was a definite maleness about the way he carried himself, which his smoky good looks did nothing to diminish.

  Renault watched the Traveler and sighed. “It will be good to have him off the Island so I can command the full attention of my female students once again.”

  Laynee laughed, tossing her long brown hair. “I’ll bet…Arnot would have certainly received my full attention if I was his age.”

  Renault smiled. “From what I remember many a man had your full attention when you were his age.”

  “Ah…” Laynee answered and slapped the Master’s arm lightly. “Yes I liked boys…men. Still do,” she answered and batted her eyelashes at the older man.

  Renault finally laughed. “And how is your husband?”

  “Jeffery is great,” she answered with a true smile. “The King’s keeping him busy. He’s off working with the Cassinni. He’ll be gone for several months.”

  Renault did not comment so Laynee continued.

  “We’re expecting our first,” she announced on a whim and lowered her left hand to her belly.

  Renault raised his eyebrows. “Congratulations! When?”

  “Late November. Actually you’re the first to know,” the Traveler explained. “After Noble, I’ll be moving on to Parma to let the father in on the news.”

  “Excellent!” Renault said.

  “What news?” Avi asked her eyes darting from Traveler to Master.

  “Just you never mind for now,” Laynee answered. “Ready?”

  The twins nodded in unison.

  “You may return anytime,” Renault told Avigail, and it was plain that the invitation was meant for her alone.

  Arnot grinned. “And what of me?” He asked playfully. “I’d hate to disappoint my many fans,” he added and motioned to their surroundings. Dozens of girls had miraculously appeared to witness the departure of the young prince. They all looked very sad.

  “You…” Renault answered with a grin of his own. “You take care of yourself on Noble. We all have a calling. I’m sure you will find yours.”

  Arnot gave an exaggerated bow. “Yes Sir.” He answered, suddenly very happy. And though Laynee was very fast and very strong even she could not open the bridge quickly enough for his taste. And when the connection was finally made Arnot bolted through with a whoop and Avigail with a sigh.

  II

  “All wisdom comes from within.”

  Galen Dawkins

  June 19th 2014 Old Earth

  “When can I ask him?” The Reverend Carter Heyworth inquired almost before he was in the office. “I want to know if he has any memories…from before!”

  Dr. Ian Crane looked up, surprised. “I didn’t realize you were on the grounds,” he stated flatly, perturbed but trying hard not to show it.

  “I’ve just come from the room,” Heyworth continued, paying little attention to the reaction his words were causing in the man before him. Crane might be the leading scientist and top administrator at Cryogen Laboratories, but the enterprise was funded almost entirely by money collected from the Divine Church of Christ…Heyworth’s church and therefore in his mind everything at Cryogen belonged to him, including and most especially, experiment D17.

  “Carter!” Crane said loudly, his anger now evident. “You shouldn’t disturb the boy, especially without supervision.”

  Heyworth frowned. “I didn’t disturb him,” he answered as he dropped into one of the plush leather chairs facing the desk. “I just sat with him...watched him. He seems to be progressing nicely…looks to be about nine or ten. Answered all my questions too, seemed genuinely happy to see me.”

  “What questions?” Crane demanded clearly concerned. The Reverend should not be interfering with the subject in any way, not after so many previous failures.

  Heyworth laughed, showing a full mouth of strong teeth that looked all the more white against the man’s naturally tanned skin. “Nothing too hard or taxing for the boy, I assure you. Simple things like, ‘What color shirt am I wearing? How many fingers am I holding up?’ I just wanted to get a feel for his intellectual development.”

  “Reverend, please do not meddle, especially at such a crucial juncture,” Crane instructed and his voice became quiet and a bit condescending. Heyworth annoyed him; his archaic beliefs annoyed him; his movie star looks annoyed him, but most of all Heyworth’s growing influence over Crane’s wife annoyed him. For eleven years now Rita had been a member of Heyworth’s church, but it was only within the last two that she’d transformed into a true card carrying member, something of a fanatic in Crane’s mind.

  Heyworth frowned again. “You forget yourself. Remember this is my project and has been from the beginning.”

  “Yes yours…and my wife’s if I remember correctly.”

  Heyworth suppressed a smile. “Well Rita helped, but it was my general wish. Rita just happened to know a little of how to make the idea possible.”

  “Cryogen,” Crane added with satisfaction. “My lab.”

  “Your lab barely employed ten people before my funding,” Heyworth added then suddenly stood and began pacing about the room, his back ramrod straight as if he were trying to accentuate his height.

  Crane frowned. It was true. Cryogen had been a third rate lab, regulated to small genetic testing mostly for the New Mexico state police department. From as far back as 1998, Crane longed to be a part of the Department of Energy’s Human Genome Project, but until Carter arrived, his lab couldn’t hope to offer any meaningful contributions. Now however, after the hundreds of millions of dollars Heyworth poured into the facility, Cryogen was the leading independent genetics lab in the entire country. In fact, they’d grown so large and prestigious that a good portion of Cryogen’s income was now coming from the federal government. Crane found it utterly ironic that nearly all the government funding as well as the funding funneled from the Divine Church of Christ was kept completely secret from the general public. The donations from both institutions were carefully filtered and laundered through a number of front companies and institutions. Neither the United States Government nor the Divine Church wanted it known that they were currently backing some of the more radical areas of study being carried out within the twenty acre laboratory facility.

  “Regardless,” Crane finally said. “I’d rather you didn’t visit the boy without my knowledge, too much is riding on the success of D17. If the experiment is compromised in any way it could cost us precious
time and it might force us to start over once again from the very beginning.”

  Heyworth looked as if he might continue to argue, but in the end he just nodded. “Very well. When will he be released under my care?”

  Crane shrugged and felt a twinge of sympathy for the boy. From Rita, he knew why Heyworth was so interested in the experiment…not that Crane would lose any sleep over the crackpot scheme; he just hoped the good Reverend would not take it out on D17 if he did not live up to his expectations. ‘Hell the shroud was a proven fake. The scientific community recognized this fact nearly two decades ago, but even now a great many zealots refused to let go,’ he thought. ‘Zealots like Heyworth here…zealots like my wife.’ Crane shook his head sadly at the thought of his wife and wondered how their lives had ever wandered so far apart. They’d been so close for so many years.

  “Well when?” the Reverend insisted.

  “We’ll know more in a few months…six at the most.”

  “Six months! He’ll be almost a teenager by then.”

  “Almost…and still far too young to be making important decisions,” Crane warned in an attempt to protect the boy from the man before him. He wanted D17 under Cryogen’s care for as long as he could manage. They would need to gather as much data as possible on the gene replacement program the Cryogen doctors installed in the boy. D17 was showing great promise, but they still had to turn off the age/development genes if the experiment was to be considered a success and satisfy the Department of Energy’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research. Of course the manipulation of the gene sequence had to go still farther to satisfy the Department of Defense.