The members sat at a table in the shape of a six-pointed hexagon since all were equal. Well, in theory anyway. They were Ocean Foam, Grassy Knoll, Forest Green, Golden Sunrise, Sea Breeze and Morning Flower.
To someone from Earth, the names may seem a bit odd. However, on Spell’Bound they were quite logical. First, they were gender neutral – none was considered a male name or a female name. For instance, Forest Green, Grassy Knoll and Ocean Foam were women, while Morning Flower, Sea Breeze and Golden Sunrise were men.
Second, each member of the “Divine” class assumed a name of a natural phenomenon that no longer existed. Ever since the Great War, almost all plant life on the surface had been destroyed. Likewise, all water above ground had been lost. There were no more oceans, lakes or streams. And, without groundwater, there could be no more golden sunrises or sunsets, let alone forests and fields of flowers.
What power could possibly alter a planet in such a way? Simple – the power of the Divine Ones. And their names reminded the citizens of that every day.
At the moment, Forest Green was questioning Grassy Knoll. “No mark? Neither the sign of the X nor Hex? How is that possible? “
“Please listen more carefully. I did not say she had no mark. I said she did not have either of the two known marks. She has a heart.”
“Heart?”
“You heard correctly.”
“What is the significance of a heart?” asked an equally confused Ocean Foam.
Exasperated, Grassy Knoll replied, “I have no idea. Why do you think I brought it to the attention of this group?”
“And the Librarian . . . have you asked her? Is there any mention of such a mark in the archives?”
“She is worthless. Why we chose her is beyond me. She needs to be replaced immediately.”
“By whom?” asked Golden Sunrise.
“Stop,” demanded Forest Green. “Get back to the girl. Who is she?”
“Her name is Jax’x. She is the daughter of Sandaza and Try’dan. I am sure you will remember those two.”
“Of course. They and that other couple were removed before they could cause trouble.”
“And now,” continued Grassy Knoll, “the offspring of those two families, Jax’x and a young man name Jay’gar, are lovers.”
“Do you think they knew what their parents were up to?” asked Morning Flower.
“Both sets of parents were . . . questioned . . . exhaustively before they were rendered harmless. Their activities were never shared with their offspring.”
“Please, let us get back to this sign . . . this heart. What are you proposing we do? Eliminate her?”
“Absolutely not. We need to keep her under close observation until we can determine the nature of her sign.”
“And your plan?”
“Make her the Librarian. By all accounts, she is brilliant. By the way, so is her lover.”
“What of him?”
“They need to be separated. We do not want her to have an ally on the outside.”
“Shall we do to him as we did to his parents?”
“No need. If he gets out of hand, that course of action will still be available. For now, we will shield the Library with a force field that will keep out any individual with an X.”
“Growing soft, are you?” said Forest Green taking the opportunity to plant a seed of doubt in the others.
Grassy Knoll stared at the woman with unwavering intensity. “If we eliminated everyone that could pose a threat . . . and not just those that actually do . . . we would depopulate this planet. Your (and she emphasized the word) way would lead to open rebellion by the citizenry. I strongly suggest you reign in your blood lust before you do irreparable harm.”
With that exchange, it became abundantly clear who would be challenging who come the next Chaos’ mas. The other three looked at the two adversaries trying to decide which side to take . . . if any.
Forest Green wasn’t about to give Grassy Knoll the last word. “Unlike you, I can take decisive action when necessary without being hindered by sentimentality.”
“Again, you show the shallowness of your thought process. The young man you would so easily eliminate is an inventor with great potential. If we are to keep the citizenry contented, they must be allowed to build an economy based on their own talents. If history has taught us anything, it is that they do not like to be beholden to us for everything. It’s more than sufficient to limit that need to food and water.”
“Nonsense. We can crush them with a thought.”
“How original. Of course, we can. We know it. They know it. But consider, without the citizenry . . . who would we rule?” She spoke the last four words slowly and with emphasis.
Forest Green just glared with undisguised hatred.
*****
Taysen asked her friends to accompany her. They walked back to the Obelisk, one of hundreds in the city, where they had last seen Pond Ripple. Along the way, they discussed what had transpired between the young ones.
“She told him last night. When he came home, he had murder in his eyes. I thought he was going to blame me for everything. I could hardly stand, my legs were so weak. But . . . (she paused as she fought back her tears) . . . he came over to me and kissed me.” This time the tears could not be stopped as she remembered her relief at his words.
The other two women were teary for their friend. Ty’rade gave her friend a hug. “He’s such a good boy.”
“That he is,” added Kallie.
“But I’m so afraid for him. He says he wants to put an end to them.”
Kallie hoped she wasn’t hearing what she thought she was hearing. “End to who?”
Taysen looked around conspiratorially. “To the Divine Ones,” she whispered.
“Is he insane? Just talking about it can get him in trouble.”
“Tay, you’ve got to talk to him. Talk some sense into him. He’s hurting right now . . . but that’s just crazy,” advised Ty’rade.
“You two aren’t telling me something I don’t already know. But he’s not going to listen to me. I’m just an old woman.”
“You’re his grandmother . . . you and Hay’gar are his only family. You’ve got to make him see reason.”
“I know. I know.”
“Tay, there she is,” said Ty’rade, pointing to the woman in red.
“Let’s get this over with,” and she marched up to Pond Ripple and bowed her head, waiting to be acknowledged.
“Good morning, Citizen. How may I be of service?”
“Divine One . . . I have done what you asked. My grandson and Jax’x have parted ways.”
“How very gratifying to hear. I do thank you for your efforts. Is there something I can do for you in return?”
“No, Divine One. I was just doing my duty.”
“You are too modest. Perhaps this might distract the young man from reneging on his responsibilities,” and she handed a piece of parchment to Taysen.
“May I ask what this is?”
“Of course. It is a contract for Jay’gar. We would like him to build a fleet of his newly designed Bladder-ship. We are most impressed with his abilities and wish to encourage him in that regard.”
“I . . . I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”
“There is nothing to be said. You and your grandson are model citizens and deserved to be rewarded. Have a good day, Taysen.”
*****
Jax’x was in her workshop when she heard a knock at the door. Growling at the disruption, she got up and opened it. There stood an Abettor dressed in the bright yellow outfit associated with his position. It was highly unusual to have such a person come calling.
“May I help you?”
“You are Jax’x?”
“I am.”
“Come with me.” Abettors were used to being obeyed since they spoke for a Divine One.
“Where are you taking me?”
On the other hand, they were not used to being questioned. “You’ll find out s
oon enough. Now gather what belongings you may need and follow me. Hurry up about it.”
“What do you mean belongings?” said Jax’x.
“It seems self-evident. Whatever personal items you will need.”
“Need for what?”
The Abettor grunted his dissatisfaction with how this conversation was going. “You are leaving this . . . this whatever you call it (referring to her workshop) . . . to take up residence at the Library.”
The girl scrunched her face. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“You don’t?”
“No.”
“Hmmm.” He gave the matter some thought then reached a decision. “No matter. You have been summoned by the Absolute Divine Grassy Knoll. She will explain all . . . if that is her wish. Now, come. Keeping a Divine One waiting is ill-advised.”
Summoned by one of the Absolutes was virtually unheard of. However, after being told she and Jay’gar had to break up, it was almost a certainty that she would be contacted sooner or later by someone in red.
“Give me a moment,” and she rushed about stuffing various things into a backpack. No telling how long she would be away. She returned to the front door. “Ready.”
“About time,” and he hurried out to a sail-craft, which he had apparently arrived in, and climbed up to the driver’s bench. Since Spell’ Bound had no surface water, this conveyance – despite its name – traveled on land. It looked like an old west covered wagon with a large, square sail hanging off a mast protruding from the center of the contraption. All in all, it was a fairly ingenious device. When there was wind, it powered the vehicle all the while storing excess energy in the form of coiled springs. If there was no wind, the driver just released the springs whose uncoiling motion propelled the vehicle. They were very common in the city.
She threw her backpack up to the Abettor who caught it more from self-protection than from any desire to be helpful. Then she climbed up . . . and a journey she could never have imagined was about to begin.
*****
The Archive of Lost Knowledge
It wasn’t really a library, as we know it. The populace could not go in, present a library card, check the file cabinet for the right Dewey Decimal card and locate a book to borrow.
It was a research center created by the Divine Ones. So much knowledge had been lost during the Great War . . . evidence of a once advanced civilization was recorded only in the rubble strewn about the countryside.
But within the rubble, citizens were constantly recovering books, documents and other artifacts that referred to subjects that now had little meaning.
So it was all brought to the Library to be stored, restored, studied and deciphered. Patches of what was once the fabric of a great society were slowly and painstakingly rediscovered and sewn into a tapestry of a peoples’ great achievements.
And it all fell to just one person . . . the Librarian.
The position could not be applied for. It was awarded by the Absolute Assembly to whomever they chose. There were certain requirements that had to be met. The why of some of them was lost in traditions forged long ago.
The person was always female.
She could not carry the sign of the hex.
She was deemed to be of high intelligence and of extraordinary resourcefulness.
She must be comfortable and productive working alone.
Absolute loyalty to the Divine Ones was mandatory. Stark fear could be substituted if need be.
She could never reveal to the citizenry any of the information she uncovered.
Conversely, every scrap of knowledge needed to be reported to the Divine One assigned to the Library. That position was rotated amongst the six members of the Assembly . . . each serving one year.
The Librarian served at the pleasure of the Assembly. They were removed at their displeasure.
Finally, the Librarian remained inside the Library throughout her tenure. She was to have no contact (physical or otherwise) with anyone on the outside . . . only the Divine One.
And now Jax’x was about to discover that she had been chosen for this inglorious honor.
They reached the impressive structure which was red and in the shape of an obelisk. Neither attribute was much of a surprise
.
The Abettor led his escort to the front door and knocked.
“Enter,” spoke a voice from within.
Jax’x looked at her companion who nodded . . . not a little unsympathetically. “Go on,” he said. She opened the door and entered. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the light . . . or lack thereof. When they did, she saw a woman in a red cape and hood standing across the room. Because it was so dark, and because of the shadows cast by that hood, the Divine One’s face was just a puddle of black.
Jax’x took a moment to scan the room. Other than a desk and a few chairs, it was bare of any decorations save the torches hanging from the walls. She assumed it was just a reception area purposely devoid of functionality.
Grassy Knoll waited for her guest to bow and acknowledge her presence. But after a few dozen seconds, it appeared that wasn’t going to happen. Sometimes a citizen would forget herself because of fear. Rarely was it a sign of defiance.
In this case, it was.
Since the girl was needed, Grassy Knoll ignored the slight. “You are Jax’x.”
“Yes.”
“You have been chosen for an extraordinary honor. You are the new Librarian.”
That was shocking on so many levels. The girl took a moment to digest the information and to decide how she felt about it. Finally, she responded, “You’re very kind. But, no thank you.”
“You dare to disobey a Divine One?” Grassy Knoll was actually more intrigued then offended. No citizen ever stood up to her . . . and she found the experience exhilarating.
Not answering, the girl instead asked, “So this is why you had me break up with Jay’gar?”
Grassy Knoll smiled but it was lost in the blackness of the shadows. “Yes. A Librarian cannot be distracted by . . . by other interests.”
Jax’x was incensed. “How dare you. With all your powers, you find it so amusing to destroy the lives, and the loves, of two loyal citizens. Shouldn’t you be above such pettiness?”
Yeah, that was a little too much for the Absolute. “Let me make this perfectly clear to you. You will be the new Librarian. You will do an extraordinarily good job of it. You will be loyal. You will follow the rules. You will show me respect. Or . . .” she let that hang in the air for the drama of it. “Or, Jay’gar will suffer. Do you understand?”
The threat was expected. But it was a good one. “Yes.”
“And you agree to my terms?”
Defiantly, Jax’x responded, “Only if you swear on the Divine Rules that he will be safe and free of your meddling. That you will leave him alone.”
Another hidden smile. “Welcome to your new home, Librarian.”
Chapter 7 - The Archive of Lost Knowledge
Pond Ripple entered the reception room as requested. She had been assigned to give Jax’x a tour of her new home and to explain to her the nature of her duties. She would also be the liaison between the Absolute and the Librarian for the foreseeable future. The two young women had never had an opportunity to interact before today.
Grassy Knoll did not bother to acknowledge the others arrival. “This Divine One will be your guide as you learn the requirements of your new position. She is my representative in all things. Treat her with the same respect as you would me.”
Jax’x just stared.
“Well?”
“Well, what?”
“Did you not hear what I just said?”
“Of course I did. I’m standing right in front of you.” Pond Ripple was aghast at the disrespectfulness of this citizen. Did she not know that she was addressing an Absolute?
“Then answer me.”
“You didn’t ask a question.” Technically, she was right.
Grassy Knoll was about to respond in anger then realized her error . . . and the girl’s cleverness. ‘This one could prove dangerous’ she thought to herself. Instead, she turned to her assistant. “If she is uncooperative, let me know immediately.” To Jax’x she added, “Your . . . lover . . . will pay the price.”
“You promised.”
“Then see to it that you live up to your side of our agreement.” A moment later, a flash of light enveloped the woman . . . and she was gone. Jax’x didn’t react in surprise since this kind of thing happened all the time. It’s what Divine One’s did.
The two remaining girls stood in silence until Jax’x turned and asked without a trace of deference, “Well, what now?”
In that moment, something unimaginable happened. Pond Ripple instinctively felt a personal connection to a citizen. She was so used to seeing the citizenry quake in fear of the Divine Ones that, over time, she had lost what little respect she might have once felt. But this one . . . this Jax’x . . . was anything but subservient. She was either incredibly brave or unimaginably stupid. And she wasn’t stupid. Furthermore, to be named Librarian meant she was intelligent (Ironically, you don’t have to be stupid to do something stupid. Intelligent people do stupid things all the time).
Because Divine Ones were constantly jockeying for more power or to protect themselves from one another, there was seldom any friendships formed . . . only alliances. For the first time in her life, Pond Ripple wondered what it would be like to have a real friend. Someone she admired . . . and not feared.
“Well, since we will be working closely for the foreseeable future, we should decide how you will address me.”
Jax’x arched an eyebrow in surprise. “Do you have a name?”
“Pond Ripple.”
Jax’x smirked and replied, “Too many letters. How about I call you Po?”
The other girl giggled . . . something so very, very rare for her kind. “I like it. But, you have to promise me that in front of any other Divine Ones, especially an Absolute, you call me by my title.”
Jax’x smiled warmly at that. “Deal. So what do we do first?”
Box Set #5: Nemesis: [The 4 book 5th adventure of Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood] Page 6