Chapter 10
What We Leave Behind
Radiating circles of white could be seen far above on the surface of the water as something large and heavy impacted. A dark, bulbous shape began to plummet through the water, but was then brought up short. A large, manta like shadow emerged behind it, breaking its plunge. It continued to sink, but slowly in a wide arc.
Shortly a silver looking shape swam up quickly towards it. It darted around it, pulling at one rope holding the drag chute to the parcel and then another. Its course altered, and began to draw a bead on a wide, flat spot not far from where Penelope watched. Once the final course was set, the swimmer kicked clear towards her. There was a shock and a rumble as it crashed into the surface.
“Spot on!” said Winter, catching his breath. “That should save the grunts a bit of work and make things go a bit faster.”
“Certainly,” said Penelope. “Thank you.” She moved closer and picked up some of the rubble that had spilled out from the bound crates. “Perfect,” she said. “It is totally unlike any rock native to this region.”
“Does that make it better?” asked Winter.
“No, just different.” She assumed a lecturing mode. “It is important in restoration to distinguish between what was reconstructed, and what was replaced. Our excavations have revealed much of this structure, and from it, and the mosaics we have found, we can deduce what the upper forms were like. However, much of that is either lost to decay or thieved for other building projects.”
“Yeah,” Winter said. “I have noticed that the rocks of Atlantica's court floor look an awful lot like the ones here.”
“It's a lot easier to garner building materials from the remains of your predecessors than to mine and work your own. And so, as we attempt to rebuild what was, we needs add new material. One approach would be to find the quarries originally used, and cut more of the same stone that was used here. Another is to use a completely alien material. Why do you think we have chosen the latter?” she asked him.
Winter thought for a moment. “My first thought was that it was cheaper. Since we have access to many surface mines and transport is not that hard. But then I remembered that you're not paying for it, and you're not one to let cost trump the correct scholastic approach.”
Penelope gave him a long look. “And your second thought?”
Winter bent and picked up two rocks. One, a fresh cut stone that just arrived, and the other an encrusted rock from the local ground. “My second thought is that you wish to distinguish between what we know,” he hefted the local rock. “And what we suppose,” he hefted the new rock. “So as future evidence is discovered, it can be compared to actual evidence,” he hefted the local rock again. “Should a new deduction be made, we can easier alter our conjecture.” He tossed the new rock back onto the pile.
Penelope nodded slightly. “Not bad. Those are good points and pretty close to what I was thinking. I was, however, look at it with a bit of a longer view.” She turned and gazed around them at the cleared ruins. “Say, in the future, our civilization here passes, and this site once more falls into ruin. And further say that those ruins are rediscovered again. It will be an elementary matter to distinguish the original from the reconstructions. Those future scholars will have both the original work to ponder, but also our own work. What we build and what we reconstruct tell volumes about our civilization. That fact that we cared enough to preserve the past while we saw to the needs of the present is a statement that can be read over the millennia.”
“OK,” said Winter. “You're right. I was not thinking that far ahead at all.”
They moved on towards the remains as a squad of soldiers shuffled out towards the rock pile. They cheered and gave thumbs up to Winter for guiding it in and he smiled back at them. After they had passed, his smile faded.
“Do you think the fall of our civilization is nigh?” he asked.
“I deal in history,” said Penelope. “Not current events.”
He gave her a sidelong glance. “Just seems a bit... coincidental. Talk at court was growing quite dark. Rumblings of war and evil looks at all things human. That sort of thing.” His face was quite expressionless. “I've dealt with that sort of thing my whole life. But it was definitely starting to ratchet up. Then, bang! You come back for a second visit and bring a whole bunch of bumbling naïve students. They are laughable, and no one sees them as a threat. But they can all work magic, and do so at the drop of a hat. Polishing silver, mending walls, or even just blowing air bubbles for children. Everyone is delighted and suddenly humans aren't so bad after all.”
“I'm glad your lot has improved here due to our visits,” said Penelope. “I assure you, though, it was all serendipity. I am not even a citizen of your Second Empire.”
“So it is purely to wrest what secrets you can about Triton history from old Charonia?” he looked at her impishly.
“It was at your suggestion I first came,” she said defensively. “To find something so esoteric my grandmother had never heard of it. He certainly was a great source for that.” She gestured ahead to one corner where a bunch of young humans and locals were carefully clearing mud from the remains. “But I saw this as an excellent opportunity to educate my students. Seldom is there a new find for which no prior work has been done. It is a chance to apply the methods they have learned in the study of other cultures afresh and to conjecture with one another rather than scholars long dead.”
“Mostly they seem to flirt with one another,” said Winter.
Penelope looked disapprovingly where Winter was glancing. Her attention was noticed and the students in question busied themselves with their work. “If my interests were in modern mating rituals instead of the historical process I would have a wealth of material,” she sighed. “I would have thought that being in such a perilous environment would instill some sense of seriousness. But they are as frivolous as when behind secure walls.”
“Especially if my interpretation of the foundation is correct and they are excavating the abattoir,” said Winter.
“I accept your superior knowledge of current building techniques in the Underwater, but I remain unconvinced as to your deductions,” said Penelope.
“Time and digging will tell!” said Winter.
“I have no doubt.” She looked approvingly upon him. “I wish I had more students such as you. Your mind is on the work, and not trivial distractions like these others.”
Winter laughed sheepishly. “Only promise me one thing?”
“What would that be?” asked Penelope.
“Don't tell mom.” She looked surprised. “I think she would rather I was being frivolous with my fellows than studious of my foster fellows.”
“Your mother is a scholar, Winter,” said Penelope. “She works very hard uncovering the unknown. Your interests here are in the same vein, though a different subject.”
Winter looked skeptical.
“That does remind me,” said Penelope. She glided over towards a desk she had set up on a flat surface. She picked up what looked to be a thick scroll case and handed it to Winter. It was made of dark leather with a red tint. A strap was attached such that it could be slung securely over the shoulders. A buckle held a cap tightly on one end.
“What is this?” asked Winter.
“When the last unit of workers arrived they brought some mail. I believe this is something for you from your mother.”
White Mage Page 11