The second one was . . .
Amber Heart - a pale orange, sometimes reddish or brownish, crystalline structure with extraterrestrial origins. Unusual ability to collect, concentrate and amplify certain brain waves. Characteristics are similar to Irkstone but far more pronounced.
Without thinking, her hand went to her chest and found the pendant Jay’gar had given her. It was the same stone.
She scanned the remainder of the book but found no more references to these two crystals. Slapping it closed, she dropped it on the floor heedless of its ancient and delicate condition.
Her mind began to whirl through all the implications of what she had read.
All Divine Ones wore the Irkstone-adorned ring. It was supposed to be their badge of office. Rumor had it that once donned, it could not be taken off. She would have to ask Po about that.
The book said the inside of the crystal was hexagon in shape. All Divine Ones carried the mark of the Hex. Ordinary citizens carried only an X.
She, Jax’x, carried neither. Her mark was a heart. Could it be related to the Amber Heart?
This city, the last one to survive the Great War, was named Amber Heart. That couldn’t be a coincidence.
What did it all mean?
She needed to find out.
A Week Later
Po and Jay’gar materialized inside the Chamber . . . bypassing Mum the Glum and the Jax’x electromagnetic avatar. The Librarian was at her workbench so engrossed with something that she didn’t hear the others arrive.
“Morning.”
“WHAT?” yelped Jax’x, startled out of her reverie.
“Sorry, love. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
The girl smiled. “Give me a kiss and I’ll forgive you.”
“As you command,” and the gallant young man did as he was told.
“Don’t you two get tired of that?”
“Of what? Kissing? Don’t be silly,” replied her friend.
“Come on Po . . . look at these lips,” and Jay’gar pointed to his own. “How could any girl get tired of kissing these?”
Ignoring the young man, Po asked her friend, “Are all men as self-centered and egotistical as this one?”
“You know, I’m not sure. I think you and I should do a scientific study to determine the answer. Why don’t you bring a different young man every day for the next . . . oh, say, three months, and we’ll study them close up.”
Jay’gar started to smile . . . then stopped. The other two seemed to be deep in thought, presumably considering the idea. “Don’t even think it.”
“Sorry, you talking to me?”
“Jax’x”.
“Just teasing.”
“Really?” said Po disappointedly.
“We’ll talk later,” and Jax’x gave her friend a wink. “Anyway, I have a couple things to show you. Ziz . . . come.”
A moment later, a mechanical bird that had been sitting high on a windowsill came gliding down and landed on Jax’x’s outstretched hand.
“What is that?”
“It’s pretty amazing isn’t it?”
“May I see?” asked her ever-curious lover.
He examined it closely with undisguised zeal. “The workmanship is exquisite. Have you discovered what it does?”
Jax’x smiled broadly. “He’s my new pet dragonetta. I call him Ziz.”
“What’s a dragonetta? And why Ziz?” asked Po.
“We’ve all read stories about mythical creatures called dragons. But they’re supposed to be big and fearsome. Since Ziz isn’t big . . . and since he looks so cute . . . I decided to create a new species called little dragons – hence the word dragonetta.”
Po clapped her hands enthusiastically. “That’s perfect. I love it. But why Ziz?”
“It’s the sound his gears make when it flaps its wings to fly.”
“Cute.”
Jay’gar was a man and adorable and endearing names were not quite as interesting to him. “But what does it do?”
“So far I can make him fly anywhere I want. But I think it can do much, much more. I just haven’t had time to find out what. In the meantime, he’ll sit in the corner and keep an eye on me.”
Jay’gar barked a laugh. “So you taught it to stare. Impressive.” He was teasing, of course, but his love was just a tad annoyed.
“Ziz, peck his head.”
“What?” asked Jay’gar just before he was dive-bombed by the mechanical beastie. “Hey, watch it. Ouch. He pulled my hair.”
Ziz returned to Jax’x’s outstretched hand and deposited a few strands of hair. “Thank you, Ziz. Back to your perch.”
The silly thing did as it was told.
“You’re mean.”
“And you’re a big baby.”
“I have an Ouchy – aren’t you going to kiss it and make it better?”
Po always found these exchanges endearing. She loved that they shared these little intimate moments with her. But, she was also sad that she could only watch.
“Po, do me a favor and kiss his head. He’ll complain relentlessly until one of us does.” Remember, Jax’x had great empathy for the feelings of others.
“Me?”
“I know it’s asking a lot, but . . .” and Jax’x shrugged.
Pretending to be distressed and put-out by the request, she answered, “I’ll do it just this once. But you owe me big time.” She forced herself not to run over to the young man. She went on tippy toes and gave him a quick peck. “Better?”
“A little. Maybe just one or two more.”
Instead, she punched him playfully on his arm.
“You spend way too much time with her. You’re getting mean, too.”
“Enough,” cried Jax’x who was impatient to share with her friends what else she had discovered. “I want to show you something else. I found two other artifacts that the log shows as inoperable. Apparently neither my predecessor nor hers could get them to work.”
“But you did?”
“Jay’gar, you sound surprised.” Jax’x was a teensy bit offended.
“No, silly. ‘But you did’ was a statement of fact not a question. You’re a genius . . . almost as smart as me.”
“Excuse me while I vomit,” chimed in Po.
“Remember Jax’x’s rule, you vomit, Snow Flake kisses you.”
“You know, the only man I ever kissed was you. And that was on your cheek and the top of your head. I think it’s about time I kissed a real man. Where is Snow Flake now?”
“You’re kidding?”
“Maybe,” came the coy reply.
“Jay’gar, just kiss her so she’ll know that she’s not missing anything.”
“My lips are only for you, dear love. No offense, Po.”
“Shouldn’t you kiss him when he says something sweet like that?” asked the Divine One. She actually wasn’t teasing. She wanted to know how lovers were supposed to react . . . just in case she ever found someone for herself.
“She’s right . . . I deserve a kiss.”
“You two are incorrigible. Come on; let me show you some amazing stuff.”
Jay’gar turned to Po. “Can you believe her? She'd rather play with these silly gizmos then to kiss me. I’m just so cute, how can she resist?”
Po giggled. “Maybe you’re not as cute as you think.”
“You mean I’m cuter?”
Jax’x exhaled loudly. “Po, just say yes so he’ll shut up.”
“Yes.”
“I knew it.”
“Look at this right now or I’ll ask Mum to throw your guys out,” and Jax’x held up a pair of goggles.
Resignedly, Jay’gar dutifully inspected them. “Can I try them on?”
“Please.”
He pulled them over his eyes. “Nothing.”
“Just concentrate. You can make them magnify as much as you want. Or, you can turn on the infrared circuit and see heat. That’s great if you’re tracking an animal. If I turn out the lights, you can even see in
the dark.”
“I got nothing here.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m not seeing anything that you’re not. No magnification, no heat, no nothing.”
“Take them off and let me see.”
He did and Jax’x put them on. “They work perfectly . . . I don’t understand.”
“What else you got?”
Jax’x continued to examine the goggles. “They work for me,” she said to no one in particular.
“Love, what else?”
“Um . . . oh, this crossbow.”
“What about it?”
“You can’t miss. Just think about the object you want to hit, and presto, it will. Let me show you.” She loaded the device, pointed her finger at a small shadow on the far wall to indicate her target, turned the crossbow so it was facing straight up and pulled the trigger. The small arrow shot out, made a midair course correction and landed dead center in the spot.
“Wow. Give it here so I can try.” He repeated the process . . . but this time the arrow went straight up without making the course correction. It hit the ceiling with a thud.
Jax’x shook her head in confusion. “That can’t be right.”
“So why won’t it work for me?”
“I’m not sure,” but an idea was beginning to form in her mind.
“Let me try.”
“You’re a Divine One so it won’t tell us anything.” That reminded her of a question she wanted answered. She hesitated then asked “Po, what happens if you remove your ring?”
“I can’t remove it. Once it’s placed on your hand, it’s there forever. Besides, taking it off doesn’t mean I’m no longer Divine.” She was surprised that she felt a irritation with her friend for even thinking it.
“No offense . . . but how do you know?”
Po was about to scoff at the idea . . . then stopped. Jax’x had asked a valid question and she really had no answer.
Chapter 10 – Jax’x of Heart
Months later
She had almost abandoned her work in the Room of Doom to concentrate on researching her theories on the Divine Ones and on the Amber Heart. As her ideas began to coalesce into a viable explanation of all the things that had been bothering her, she decided that sharing that information with Po and Jay’gar was probably putting them at needless risk.
But she needed Po’s help on one part of her hypothesis. So the next time they met she asked her friend, “If I wanted you to make a pair of these goggles – could you?” It was the same pair that Jay’gar had tried on.
“I don’t see why not.”
“Okay, go ahead.”
“You want me to conjure up a pair right now?”
“Please.”
“Alright,” and a moment later there was a flash of light and in her hand was an identical looking pair of goggles.
“May I see them?” and Jax’x held out her hand.
“Sure.”
Jax’x gave them a cursory glance then put them on her head and over her eyes. “Nothing.”
“What do you mean nothing?” asked Jay’gar.
“They’re just goggles. No magnification, no infrared. Just goggles.”
“Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“No, Po. I want goggles just like mine. Same functionality. Can you do that?”
“Um . . .” and her eyes glazed over. A flash of light and another pair materialized. “Here”.
Jax’x went through the same exercise . . . with better results. “Perfect. Now I want you to create anti-gravity boots. Um . . . size eight.”
“What are anti-gravity boots?”
“Boots that cancel out gravity for the person wearing them.”
“I never heard of such a thing.”
“That’s because they don’t exist. From my research, they never existed.”
“This is some kind of test, isn’t it?”
“It is. Anyway, can you create a pair?”
“Well, let me try.” And she did . . . try. But nothing. The best she could do was to conjure up your normal, everyday, garden-variety boots. Size eights, of course.
“Just as I thought.”
“Jax’x, tell us what you’re up to,” asked a curious Jay’gar.
“I’m working on a couple of theories. One of which I think we just proved.”
“What did we just prove?”
Jax’x was loath to answer and even more reluctant to lie to the two people she held most dear. “Give me a little more time. I have a few puzzle pieces to intuit. Then, I promise, I’ll tell you both.” But after a brief pause, she added a caveat. “However, if I think the information will put either of you at risk . . .” she left the thought hanging, unfinished.
“The Divine Ones aren’t going to like it . . . this theory of yours?”
“No, Po, they won’t. In fact, all of our lives could be in danger.”
“Why?”
“If I’m right, they will . . . eliminate . . . the three of us to keep the information from getting out.”
“Well, that’s depressing.”
*****
She was so busy with her research that she asked Po and Jay’gar not to come so often.
“That’s not a good idea,” replied Po. “It will raise suspicions.”
“It will be more suspicious if I’m so busy delving into these books and scrolls that I completely ignore you both. What would be ideal is to have you two up in the Room of Doom. I could use Jay’gar’s help with some of my research.”
“Mum would never abide us doing that.”
“Let me ask you a question. Could you duplicate Ziz, the goggles and the crossbow exactly?”
“You know I can. I already did the goggles.”
“I mean back at Jay’gar’s workshop.”
“Why?” asked her lover.
“I want you to take them apart and . . . um . . . catalog every piece.”
“You are a terrible liar.”
Po raised her eyebrows in shock. “Jay’gar, that’s rude.”
“He’s right, Po.”
“Really? What was the lie?”
Jay’gar answered for his girl. “There’s something she’s looking for in those devices but she’s afraid to tell us what it is. She’s afraid it could get us into trouble.”
Po was impressed. “Is he right?”
Before Jax’x could answer, Jay’gar put his hand over his heart and cried, “Woman, you hurt me to the quick. How dare you doubt my brilliance?”
Po giggled. “Jax’x, I could make him disappear, if you want.”
“Actually, I do. Take him back to his workshop and create those three devices. And Jay’gar, be thorough. This is really important.” She hesitated then added, “When you’re done, have Po destroy all the parts.”
The other two were surprised at Jax’x’s seriousness. “Give my friend a goodbye kiss, you cad.” To Jax’x she said, “We’ll work all night if we have to.”
*****
They materialized in Jay’gar’s workshop. He lit all the torches on the wall then cleared his workbench. “Okay, I’m ready if you are.”
“Which one first?”
“Let’s start easy with the goggles.” A flash of light later, they materialized on the workbench. Jay’gar picked up the device and began to inspect it absentmindedly. “I would really love to know how you do that.”
“Do what?”
“Conjure this up . . . or teleport us.”
“It’s magic, of course,” she replied.
“Po, I don’t believe in magic.”
“What are you talking about? You’re holding proof of it in your hands.”
“I’m holding proof of something but . . .”
“But what?”
“I like to think I’m a scientist of sorts and an engineer. The idea of magic doesn’t fit with either of those.”
“Sorry, I don’t know how to respond.”
“It’s okay. Besides, we have work to do. Here, hold t
his while I pry off the lenses.”
Po took hold . . . and her fingers brushed against her friends. She blushed at the feel.
“You okay?”
Rats, he had noticed. “I’m fine.”
So they began to disassemble the goggles. About halfway through the process, Po asked, “Jay’gar, do you think I’m pretty?” It took an enormous effort to get those words out . . . and she forced herself not to make eye contact. She hoped he couldn’t hear her heart pounding like the proverbial drum.
In the time they had been together . . . even though it was always in the presence of Jax’x . . . their feeling for one another had grown. Though neither of them would ever do anything to hurt their friend, the attraction was very real.
“Po, if I wasn’t in love with Jax’x, I would be in love with you.”
“Oh.”
“Sorry if that offended you.”
Po took the remains of the goggles and set it on the table. “If you weren’t in love with my best friend, I would be in love with you.” Then she started to cry and walk away.
Jay’gar grabbed her, spun her around and put his arms around her. “Why are you crying?”
“Because the first time I fall in love is with someone I can’t have. I can never have. And worst, how will I ever find anyone as wonderful, as handsome as you?”
Jay’gar smiled. “Well, obviously you can’t. I’m pretty much one of a kind.” He wiped away her tears as he said it.
Po looked up at his handsome face and infectious smile and burst into giggles. “You are such a goof.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He kissed her on her forehead, lingering for longer than was necessary. “Shall we get back to work?”
“If you can ever take your hands off of me, you amorously shameless beast.” But she smiled warmly then kissed his cheek in turn.
They finished with the goggles then the crossbow and arrows.
Finally, they began to work on Ziz. By the time they had the bird’s head disassembled and cataloged, they were very tired. “I need to sleep.”
Po agreed. “I’ll get rid of all the loose parts,” and a thought later they were gone. “We’ll save the rest of the bird for tomorrow.”
Box Set #5: Nemesis: [The 4 book 5th adventure of Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood] Page 9