by Mara Powers
She slowly plucked the thorns from the rose’s green stem, tossing them from the curtains as if to leave a trail for D’Vinid to follow. Lukias and Allondriss were her comfort. The warriors enclosed the carriage in a tight formation. On the road mound they moved past crowds of sluggish, perfumed citizens. Atlanteans were generally dressed in multicolored fitted garments with colorful sashes and sandals. Women wore fitted dresses with fabric draped over their arms. Men wore short vests or light tunics and took to tying sashes around their waists over baggy pants reaching mid-calf. Most of their skins glistened with an oily sheen. Many donned intricate jewels such as necklaces, arm cuffs and headbands. Most carried a double waist satchel, held by leather straps crossed at the back to balance the weight of goods, or hover discs in their retracted state. Some had unnaturally jet-black hair, and she wondered if the blackness was artificial, having learned how city dwellers changed their appearance to be alike.
The road was shaded by tree branches and elegant hanging vines. Sparkling banners mingled with the leaves and balconies above. Ocean breezes kept the city’s host of fluttering colors in constant motion. Pollen floated through the air, pervading the sky with white, puffy dots floating in every direction.
Exotic, colorful birds sang in the trees. One walked along the ground, shining an iridescent blue, its brilliant tail fanning out in an array of fantastic color. Some of the people leashed dogs or lambs covered in fleece, ranging in all hues from bright white to black. Cats of all shapes and sizes could be seen everywhere, lounging in high places or creeping low to the ground. Horses were a popular pack animal, used for transportation when a hover-craft was not present. The islands were known as a natural habitat for elephants in Atlantis’s earlier ages, and so the occasional beast could be seen along the road, decorated with fringed blankets.
Brigitte felt increasingly intoxicated from the floral fragrances.
Sandwiched between busy esplanades, the entry channel, flanked by the Grand Esplanade, was the main passageway through the Outlands of the citadel. Bridged occasionally by shining overpasses and aqueducts, it was populated with ships whose tall mainsails could easily pass beneath the massive structures. Flocks of birds floated in rippling waters, mere specks illustrating the canal’s width.
Their hovering carriage was restricted to road mounds, which had their own path amid the esplanade, so they had to wait for traffic. Brigitte relished the relief of the water’s freshness. She offered a prayer to the Sea Lord, Poseidon. Children’s laughter greeted the warrior-escorted entourage. A group of young ones rushed toward one of the canal overlooks, waving furiously at a passing ship.
“Pods,” Brigitte muttered to Lukias. “Atlantean children grow up running together on the streets in pods. They are watched by the communities as an unspoken agreement. They learn interdependence together as a means of socialization before they are sent to their learning paths.”
Lukias nodded with a smile toward the pod’s rushing exuberance. The esplanade was bustling with activity; artists displaying their work, people cooking food, artisans shouting introductions of their crafts and goods.
“The Grand Esplanade is where people display their talents, gather to exchange goods and services, and network between guilds,” Brigitte recited, sharpening her memory of Indrius’s endless lectures. Lukias surveyed the unfolding scene with a hint of mania in his expression. His world was seen through the eyes of a dreamseer, which saw past the veil of consciousness, beyond the solidity of perception. He watched the world around him as if it were overlain with the colors from his vivid dream states.
Brigitte’s dreams were like most, vague and fleeting, so the workings of the dreamseers stretched past what she could imagine. They lived tortured lives, as they were chosen by the Watchers to impart knowledge of the past, present, and future. They carried information, which could not be wielded by average human beings. Brigitte did not envy his life. Their father was always better at hiding the mania all dreamseers were predisposed to develop. Lukias was still young, and his position as hereditary high seer had not yet been initiated.
She thought of their father, wondering at the futility she had always felt toward him. No matter how hard she tried, she could not break through his armor. Perhaps the death of her mother while giving birth to Brigitte was the catalyst. To lose a mate he loved to a child must have caused him much anguish. She had long since stopped suffering over his aloofness, choosing instead to replace perplexity with compassion. But it would never be resolved. He was gone now, and so were her people. She fought back tears and steeled herself, knowing all too well what happened when the ripples of emotion escaped her control.
Roadways twisted off the esplanade, passing dwellings and small shops. Branching pathways offered a look at complex gardens and spiral staircases bridging the gap between the street and walkways. Brigitte could barely suppress her curiosity. She wished to explore every corner of Poseidia’s maze. The carriage glided forward. She projected her thoughts into a future she dared not imagine. The mind of her betrothed was ever nearer, and it filled her with a sick dread, despite her wonderment of the city. She debated whether to slip away and disappear forever into the crevices of the streets, wandering like a small insect in a vast alien world.
The warriors surrounded them. At the snap of Stixxus’s fingers, the others watched a series of simple gestures. Nodding one at a time, they fell wordlessly into another formation. One of them disappeared ahead.
Brigitte pointed out into the canal, inclining her head toward Allondriss. “I see there are ships on the canal rings. A curious sight. How do they provide drinking water for the city? I know they are fresh, but these are seafaring vessels.”
“The water rings don’t provide the drinking water. That is supplied from conduits built from the spring of the mountain.” Allondriss answered. “The inner water rings have fresh water though. There are special locks allowing ships in from the waterway. When they enter, the water level rises until the lighter salt water spills over. By the time they reach the top, the salt water is gone. You will see them when we reach the first bridge. We are nearly there. It is difficult for ships to get canal rights on the citadel in the first place. Even if they are flying ships. The ones you see in the water rings are probably owned by wealthier commercians or mediators, and they are subject to strict regulations.”
“You know much, Allondriss. Have you been tutored in the Learning Sect as well as the Temple Sect?”
“My teachings are extensive, mistress. Pan treated me like a daughter in many ways. He has many resources.”
“Good. I will need your knowledge. Please feel free to give me any information I may not know. Never hesitate to assume I don’t know.” She reached for a snack from a golden tray, which lay atop a table between them, giggling at the thought of Pan Aello and his excitement at being their host. The snack was a soft velvety nut, wrapped in salted meat strips and buried inside dark orange fruit. The seeds of the fruit crunched delicately while she chewed. It was impressive enough to venture another. Lukias noted her enjoyment and copied.
“This is one thing I have anticipated,” he delighted, “Atlantean cuisine.”
“This place is like a dream.” Brigitte shook her head in awe. “More incredible than a dream.”
“Dreams are just as real,” Lukias smiled.
“Perhaps for you, brother.” She punched him lightly on the arm.
Lukias chuckled as he pushed her fist away. But then his face grew serious. “The closer we get to the inside of the city, the more I can feel the Dreamvale, sister.”
“Yes,” said Brigitte. “I can feel it, too.”
“We are getting closer to the Temple District,” said Allondriss. “The Temple Sect lives in the Dreamvale, like the dreamclans. If a non-initiate attempted to enter the Temple District, they would merely find a temple with statues. They would not enter the Dreamvale, and therefore not be able to see what is truly there.”
Brigitte’s eyes fixed. “And the Gr
eat Crystal is there.”
“Yes,” Allondriss nodded. “The Great Crystal is an interdimensional being of light, residing at the power vortex of this sacred mountain. It exists at the heart of the citadel, and stores power for the entire Grid across the ten Atlantean kingdoms. As we get closer, we feel its effects stronger.”
Every road featured telluric mounds, which served as hover-craft thoroughfares. Hover-discs and the occasional carriage were the main methods of individual travel. Despite their abundant hover-technology, many Atlanteans traveled by foot along the soft springy roads, or by public transport. Up above, a silver cylindrical vehicle silently glided along thin wires. Brigitte knew this to be called the vailix needle. It ran in the air using magnetic propulsion along an intricate wire system, and glided to its stops at elevated loading platforms.
The platforms were built atop stairs where shade roofs were designed to spray a gentle mist on languishing citizens while they waited for vailix stops. The system transported them anywhere they wished to go along the main esplanades.
When they reached the beginning of the citadel, the entry channel circled into a lagoon. The two Grand Esplanades joined on the far end of the lagoon and formed into a round plaza, as the channel emptied on either side into the first water ring. From this plaza, massive bridges reached across the channel entries, and over the first water ring of the citadel. Framed by magnificent colonnades, the bridge of the Grand Esplanade’s wide expanse would easily accommodate one hundred people walking shoulder-to-shoulder. A great brass wall encircled the first land ring beyond, shining in the light of Ra.
True to Allondriss’s word, the channel was filtered into a series of locks situated like stairs big enough for ships to climb across the first land ring of the citadel. The ships were sealed into the lowest lock while water flooded in, raising the ship to the level of the next lock. After climbing three locks across the land ring, the ship could enter the second water ring.
The warriors escorted the carriage up the arch of the road mound and across the stone bridge. Looking back at their path as they moved along the first land ring, Brigitte noted how the city was built on a gradual incline. While the neighborhoods of the rings were terraced with steps and built level into the hillside, the Grand Esplanade was almost like an optical illusion in its precision. Brigitte looked out the curtains at their path as they neared the bridge over the second water ring. The top of its arch offered a view of the ocean past the expanse of the Outlands.
The first land ring was called the Ring of Commerce. There the dwellings were built into multi-storied apartments, unlike the individual dwellings of the Outlands. Smaller streets led off from the Grand Esplanade and into neighborhoods housing the working class of the citadel. Brigitte could tell this ring was densely populated, and filled with activity through the days. They hurried across the ring up to the next bridge, which brought them to the great copper wall of the central land ring. As they crossed the second bridge, Brigitte looked back over the sprawling mass of the Outlands. She could hardly believe the distance they had come.
On the second land ring, the architecture was not as close together as in the Outlands or the Ring of Commerce. Long courtyards, gardens, and flat walkways of colonnades led off into winding roadways and canal offshoots.
“This is the Ring of Learning. It is where Atlanteans go to find their life path,” Allondriss explained. “This ring represents the wheel of life. Here there are libraries, educational houses, reflection gardens. The Warrior Arenas are here, as well. There is also a race track where athletes, horses, and other beasts compete in games of speed.”
“I have heard many stories of the fireball arenas,” Brigitte said. Her imagination drifted as she wondered what it would be like to be hosted by Pan during one of these famous games.
Allondriss nodded. “It is awe-inspiring.”
“I look forward to seeing it,” Brigitte remarked. “It’s interesting how the Warrior Sect works. I understand if anyone as a child exhibits violent tendencies that cannot be harnessed, they are sent to train in the Warrior Sect. Some of them become great heroes of the fireball games.”
“Yes. It’s a bit of a contradiction, mistress.” Allondriss answered. “Atlanteans detest the spirit of war, and yet we idolize the warrior games. When there is a fireball game, you can hear the crowd in the arena out to sea. There are thousands of people who go see the teams perform. But it’s also a very wise way to harness our warrior spirit, so I cannot criticize. People with violent tendencies are taught to harness it into something constructive, and they are not cast out like they would be without the Warrior Sect.”
Brigitte sucked on another delicacy, nodding her head. “Pan must enjoy his position,” she said whimsically.
“Yes, mistress. He is very popular and wealthy because of the attention the games receive. He is their mediator by lineage. His ancestor, Princess Aello was the inventor of fireball.”
Looking back over the widening panorama as they crossed the second land ring, Brigitte admired the sweeping hills extending into the agricultural land beyond. Its lush plains were perfectly divided into curving contours, and butted up against the foothills of the mountainous region beyond. Thick layers of humidity blanketed the mystical terrain. She turned her eyes hesitantly toward the approaching land ring. Surrounded by a great wall of silver, it was known as the Ring of Mediation. Apprehension grew in her heart as they crossed the bridge. With every inch forward they grew closer to her fate, and farther from D’Vinid.
“This is a ring of hereditary palaces. Mediators are born into their positions. They are all like kings and queens unto themselves,” Brigitte said to Lukias.
“What if they don’t carry on their line?” Lukias asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
“They have to,” Allondriss responded. “This is one of their duties. Most Atlanteans don’t find it difficult to mate, though they are limited to the mate their family selects to carry on the politics and genetics of their line. With the medical centers of the Temple Sect, it is easy for our women to be fertile. Our Mediator Sect and Temple Sect are both expected to remain pure blooded. But it is true the younger generations are starting to speak up against such segregation.”
“And speaking up against it is something you agree with?” Brigitte asked, remembering why the girl was cast from the Temple Sect.
“I think it is impossible to control love and racial purity,” Allondriss replied carefully, derision sneaking into her voice. “Love is a powerful force of nature. But this is why we also have kallistas. They are in place so love can be more easily controlled.”
“Ah, yes, the famous adepts of Aphrodite.” Brigitte wondered at the practice. “These are the men and women who are identified as being unusually beautiful and charming. So they are taken to the kallista house and taught to be masters of love and seduction. Fascinating.”
“As with everything in Atlantis,” said Allondriss, “they have their place. Kallistas are necessary for the Mediator Sect. In order to experience love, mediators court kallistas. It is the way of things.”
“What if they fall in love with their kallista?” Brigitte asked.
“The situations are, of course, diverse. It is not accepted for mediators to produce children with them. But it does happen. King Koraxx changed a lot about this when he mated with his kallista and made her queen.”
Brigitte shuddered.
As they entered the third land ring, Lukias lifted his head like a dog who had caught an interesting scent. “Wait,” he whispered harshly, closing his eyes.
Allondriss directed the hover-carriage to stop in a parking alcove off the road mound. The warriors pulled into formation around the carriage.
“I began sensing a presence in Dreamtime last night,” said Lukias ponderously. “It was at Pan’s estate. I have been sending its trail today. Here it diverges from the esplanade.”
“Let’s follow,” Brigitte’s voice raised excitedly.
Lukias hesitated, fear
reflecting in his eyes. He looked back toward the road mound, and his words became hesitant. “We should get to the palace so you can find safety.”
“Lukias!” She found her temper flaring. “What makes you think I will be safe there? I have to face this danger regardless. I am growing tired of your protectiveness. You have never treated me like this. We have faced every danger of our lives together.”
A smile crept onto his face. “I should know better than to try telling you what to do,” he almost laughed. “Very well,” he agreed against his better judgment, sensing the waves of probability through Dreamtime. Curiosity overruled his sense of caution. “Head down that way.” He pointed to the right, where the esplanade began its loop around the Ring of Mediation. Affluent complexes rose toward the sky on one side of the esplanade. On the other, a view of the Ring of Learning could be seen across the canal.
Allondriss hesitated, signaling to stall the warriors. “You can direct the carriage yourself.” Her smile was humble. “Let me show you.” She pointed to a flat crystal on the front panel and offered him her spot. “Place your hand over the imprinter. Feel the pulse of the torsion-crystals.”
Lukias closed his eyes as he followed her directions. The carriage lurched into readiness.
“Now,” she continued. “Your thoughts are imprinted, so you can direct the carriage wherever you will. But stay on the road mounds, and obey traffic rules. It is against the law to operate off the mounds.”
Lukias looked a little closer at Allondriss. For the first time, he found himself wondering exactly who she was, and why she had been brought to them. Golden hair spilled over her shoulders and framed her slight alabaster features. She studied him with ocean-blue eyes, eager to see how quickly he would catch on. He cast a questioning look at his sister, and willed the carriage to follow his intuition. Brigitte looked out the curtain to catch the eye of Stixxus. Like Lukias had bonded with the carriage, Brigitte bonded telepathically with the fury warrior. He nodded and made hand signals to his team. They all knew at once their course had been changed.