by Angela Timms
Most people heard what he screamed and backed away from the bound Followers leaving them in the open square. The fireball caused by the cumulative explosion was ferociously hot. It burnt through most of the night and when it died down there was nothing left of the Priests or their building but ash.
It took many days to clear up the debris and Kel and the others stayed to help. When they left there was an empty space where the building had been and plenty of plans for what to build in its place.
15
There was a light breeze and the sun was shining down with hardly a cloud in the sky as Kel, Rennon and Kyla galloped their horses across the plain towards the town in the distance. They had dropped their Hopper off in a forest a few miles to the south and had continued on horseback. Horses had been left for them and they were adjusting to the different saddle style and ways of controlling the horses they had been sent. They were on the world of Endar, a surprisingly high technologically advanced world considering the look of the place. With all the advancements the world had remained in a style that was rural and rustic.
From a distance the outer defense walls of the town, which bore the same name glimmered white in the sunlight. Rennon was quick to inform them that this was due to the high quartz content in the rocks which had also allowed such advances without the industrialization that had caused pollution on so many other worlds. It was this advancement that Mission Command was interested in learning more about. Rennon was managing to balance his hand held scanner as well as control his rather feisty horse. The scanner gave off the occasional bleep that was barely audible above the thud of the horses’ hooves and their occasional snorting.
Kyla was using all her concentration to hold onto the saddle as she was definitely not used to riding side saddle. With the heavy long dress that was the custom to wear there was no opportunity to ride any other way and she had been reliably informed by Rennon that they had to present themselves in as acceptable a way to the locals as possible. So they had spent time researching etiquette and had dressed appropriately.
Kel was smiling broadly, he had chosen a white linen loose fitting shirt which was again worn outside his trousers and tied with a belt and a black woolen cloak which was rolled up on the back of his horse. Their swords were in keeping with the style of the planet and had been shipped up to them earlier that day but they had left their blasters behind on the Argo. Guns of any sort were not permitted on Endar and they didn’t have any of the pulse emitting crossbows which were the only hand held energy weapons allowable. This was supposed to be a diplomatic mission to speak about technology so they didn’t expect much trouble, but then again, trouble did always seem to find them.
Inside the outer walls they could see spires and minarets of the stone houses with slate roofs. There was a large moat which they had seen from the air on approach and even at the height they were at they had noticed something moving in the water. There were people on the walls and they were throwing food down into the moat and emptying buckets of it over the parapet.
As they approached a party of five mounted guards came out to greet them. They were smartly dressed in a red and black livery with tabards that were emblazoned with the rearing horse symbol of their King and Queen. A similar emblem was emblazoned on the flag which flew on one of the turrets.
The guards rode four abreast towards them with one in front, their horses perfectly matched. As they neared four stopped and the rider in front rode forwards. He smiled and bowed his head. “I am Tristinian, welcome to Camlan my lady.” He bowed his head deeply.
The guards broke formation, Tristinian and another rode in front and three cut around to ride behind them as they were escorted across the drawbridge and into the town. Kyla couldn’t resist it, she had to look down into the moat as they crossed it. A large black tentacle rose out of the water and deftly caught a bone that was thrown from the parapet above. A second tendril was scooping up scraps that had been tipped from a bucket as a large toothed mouth opened under the scraps and they were swallowed. The mouth closed and sank beneath the surface to join the writhing black mass of tentacles that squirmed around the base of the moat.
The gatehouse was an impressive structure. It was made of the same quartz as the rest of the wall and like the rest of the wall it was smooth, there were no visible cracks or joins. The gatehouse looked like it was made of one solid piece of quartz. The entrance was an impressive smooth sweeping arch. Inside the ceiling had been painted with a rich oil painting depicting see through. This allowed light appearance of a stained glass window. To the left and right there were doors which were closed.
They passed under the two portcullises at either end of the gatehouse. They were drawn fully drawn up and as they passed through they noticed that the floor below them was a trapdoor as there was a very visible crack down the center which had become worn by the hooves and wheels that had passed over it.
Tristinian was smiling at them as they looked around. “It is quite a knights jousting. The quartz was more to penetrate so the painting had the structure isn’t it? Passing through this gatehouse is by appointment so you won’t find any of the townsfolk here at this time. If you pass through it without permission then there is a stasis field which will hold you in suspended animation, others are asked to leave and you would be dropped into the holding cell below until you can be collected. It is efficient as it allows the smooth running of the place. Those who are innocent can return swiftly as soon as the floor is reset. I thought I’d point it out now to save any awkward embarrassing moments later. You will of course be permitted to wander about the town once you have met with the Magus. It is quite safe. We do not have crime here as it definitely does not pay.” There was a twinkle in his eye as he turned and rode onwards into the main market square.
The square was bustling with life. Brightly coloured stalls were laid out with all manner of goods and food. The stalls were made of four painted wood poles which ended up as the legs of the table. Each table was brimming with goods for sale. A painted wood roof sheltered the goods from t h e rain and t h e sun. The colours gave the market place a joyful atmosphere. Tumblers, jugglers and other street entertainers wandered about plying their trade. Their cap ever waiting for the coins the crowd threw at them. Market stall holders were shouting about their wares in rhyming couplets and others walked about with tall sticks with ribbons and small dolls and other brightly coloured toys tied to them which seemed to be selling well. Children ran about playing with these toys and adults had them in their baskets to take home for those who were not at the market.
Tristinian led them down the center of the Market Square. He turned in his saddle slightly. “You are lucky that you have arrived on both market day and the day of our weekly joust. Will you be partaking? All are welcome to try their skills at tourney.”
Kel looked interested but then thought about it. “No thank you but we’d be very interested to watch.”
Tristinian smiled. “A wise decision, the knights are very skilled and if you have not been brought up to it you may benefit from a few lessons before you take to the field. If I may be so bold you have a good seat and handle that horse well so you may well find the sport amusing. No doubt the Magus will have an invitation for you all.”
It was beginning to get difficult for the people to move aside to let them through so they dropped to single file as they entered a street of shops. These had immaculately painted wooden door and window frames, all bright colours which contrasted with the white quartz stonework. Each had a large window display which appeared to be open to the elements. A small boy pressed his face up against what was actually a force field that did the job of glass. He left a smeared imprint of his face and was chased off by the shop owner who took a cloth and wiped it off.
There was a real mix of peasants in basic brown linens and wool and those who wore more expensive looking fabric, bright velvets and brocade. Everyone was mixing and talking. The stallholders left their stalls and wandered off and chatted to ea
ch other and customers wandered along perusing the stock and shopping. If nobody was attending the stall they threw the money into a honesty box and took their goods. What was noticeable was that the street was remarkably clean and there was no weather damage to the buildings.
Kyla kicked her horse up behind Tristinian. “How do you manage to keep so little crime with so much on display that would be so easy to take?”
Tristinian smiled. “Well each stall has its own force field. When goods are moved too far away from it without being paid for the stall will emit a targeted high pitched sonic stun which is directed at the thief and renders him or her unconscious. The Town Guard is also summoned at the same time and the miscreant can be taken away and thrown into the moat. We haven’t had any theft now for many years. We do have minor crimes which are generally dealt with by an hour or two in the stocks which keeps everyone happy as it is a good opportunity to use up any rotting fruit and vegetables. The stallholders make good money selling them. Of course our moat denizens enjoy the sweepings up as well.”
Kyla looked puzzled. “I thought you said there was no crime.”
Tristinian beamed at her broadly. “The stocks are mostly full of children who have not obeyed their parents.”
Kyla laughed. “I like that.”
Tristinian turned in his saddle to face her. “So do the parents and we find that our young people soon learn right from wrong.”
Kyla moved her horse slightly to the left to pass a man leading a donkey. “How do you keep the streets so clean?”
Tristinian smiled. “A huge force field over the town acts as a filter and the nightly hovering dust extractors see to any dust and rubbish. It is all very efficient.”
They rode up the central arterial market street until they came to another moat. Weeping willow and aspen grew along its edge on the far side. All along the nearside bank lilies were growing in a profusion of colour. Large elegant water birds of every colour floated gracefully on its surface and large brightly coloured fish could be seen swimming just beneath the surface. The ornate quartz drawbridge was lowered so they could ride across, disturbing the birds that had been feeding beside the bridge. Three black swans glided gracefully away around the moat. Large fish that were swimming near the bridge came to the surface and swam with their mouths open above the water’s surface. People from the town were sitting along the bank some resting or eating food they had bought from the market. Some threw food into the pond for the birds and fish who gratefully gobbled up anything that came their way.
They entered another gatehouse which was similar to the first and at the other side of it there was a large open circular courtyard around which there seemed to be many doors. Tristinian stopped and another guard stepped out of the side door to the gatehouse. “Eloitos, these are the Magus’ guests, if you would escort them to see him and get their horses tended to.”
Eloitos bowed deeply. “Of course my Lord.”
Tristinian turned to them. “Eloitos here will see to your every need. I must apologize for not taking you further but our jurisdiction ends at this gatehouse and the Inner Court Guard take over from here on. I trust you will have a good meeting with the Magus and I look forward to seeing you again later.” He bowed deeply and rode away.
Eloitos clapped his hands and two young squires dressed in tunics and trousers in the same livery colours as the guards ran out of the other door. “I would like you to tend to these horses.”
One of the squires took the head of Kyla’s horse. “My Lady, I will lead you to the dismounting block, you will find dismounting there a lot easier.” He had just caught her as she was about to try jumping down. The horse looked at him and sniffed him. He stroked its nose and led it over to a large block where Kyla was able to slide almost gracefully down and then walk down the steps. The boy smiled broadly, bowed and led her horse away.
The other squire was holding Kel and Rennon’s horses while they dismounted. He then led the horses away.
Eloitos waited until they were ready. “I will take you to the Magus now unless you wish to refresh yourselves first?”
Rennon looked at Kel and Kyla. “We will be fine, please take us to the Magus. Can you tell me why there are so many doors?”
Eloitos looked around the courtyard. “This is the inner defense. If we are in a siege situation the townsfolk move in here and those are the rooms that they are able to share until it is safe to return home. We have never been in a siege situation but it was all part of the design when the town was built.”
Eloitos led them to the base of a gigantic tower and opened the door. Inside there was a spiral staircase circling the outer wall of the tower which went up nearly a hundred feet. Kyla looked at the stairs with dismay. Eloitos almost laughed. “My Lady, do not fear, you will not be expected to walk up those stairs. They are there in case there is a problem with the lifting system. Please, allow me.” He held his hand out and the air shimmered slightly. “Now if you would all step through I will close the force field and you will be safe.”
Kel stepped forward and noticed that there was a clearly defined square crack in the floor. He put his hand out and turned to Eloitos who nodded. He felt the air resist him above the crack and as he moved his hand forwards he met resistance. He was able to step through and once inside he could feel a stronger force field wall around the perimeter. When they were all standing in the square it began to rise. There was a slight cranking sound and up they went.
They passed many levels, the spiral staircase snaking around them as they went up and up until finally the lift stopped at a black oak door with ornate silver hinges and a large ring. Eloitos touched a silver panel in the shape of a goat’s head and spoke. “My Lord Magus, your guests have arrived.”
The door swung open away from them and revealed a corridor heading away. The corridor was made of the same smooth quartz and flickering torches lit their way. Kel stopped to look at one of them. “Is that flame?” Eloitos stepped back beside him. “It is a representation of a flame, we found that the smoke was distasteful and tended to cause dust and a black mark on the ceiling. It is quite safe to touch and there is less of a fire risk. No doubt you may negotiate with the Magus for the technology.”
There was a large arched doorway at the end of the corridor and many doors before then on the left and right. They were led to the big door at the end which swung open as they approached.
The room inside was plain. The stonework was arched to the ceiling. Along the far wall there were seven windows, arched and crisscross leaded. Two central pillars held up the roof and the Magus was sitting on a large chair between them. He was a man in his late thirties but clearly although large that was more muscle than fat. His hair was black and thick like many of the people they had seen but unlike them his beard was very long and bushy. He wore purple velvet robes which seemed to shimmer. Three chairs were set out in front of him and he stood up as they entered and walked to meet them. “Thank you Eloitos, that will be all. I am Drakus, High Magus to King Artis and Queen Martana. Would you like some refreshments? I have good wine from Meridina, hot Estinian brew or the presses of flowers.”
Rennon stepped forwards. “Thank you, I would like some of the Meridinan wine.” He looked to the other two and they nodded. “The same for my companions.”
Drakus smiled. “Good choice. I will definitely join you for that.” He poured them each a generous measure in large tall engraved silver goblets. “Now, please sit. You have been sent to speak with me about our advancements. I am not one for diplomacy and playing games so please, I am sure you will be relieved, just speak your mind and state what you are looking for.”
They sat down. Rennon took a sip of the rich and fruity liquid. Its bouquet was flowery and it warmed him to the core. “As you know we are now fragmented across many galaxies. That has put us at a great disadvantage when it comes to fighting the Followers. We are looking for anything that will help us and we heard about your quartz power storage.”
The Ma
gus smiled. “We have technology that would enable you to store more power efficiently, that is no secret and we have it in abundance. I can see no reason not to assist you as our contribution to the war against the Followers. I have consulted with my King and Queen and they feel that any help we can give you will help to keep the Followers from our door. So, we are prepared to give you the technology you wish for. I have scanned your ship, she is a good vessel and we have suitable technology you can add to her. We would also give you a Star Base. We have many in orbit around this planet. These move like ships so you should have no trouble keeping them from interception by the Followers if you are cautious. That will give you a base from which to launch your operations. I will download the information about how to operate and repair the base into your hand held device. As you know our ships are grown from quartz and the energy storage is in the structure of the vessel. This gives unlimited power storage and does not compromise on space. The whole ship can pick up the Eion particles as you travel through the corridors making it relatively easy to recharge. Also, we have Eion blasters installed which you may also find a valuable tool against the Followers. The Star Base has many short range fighters and I will also give you the manuals on those.
What we ask in return is that you continue with your fight against the Followers. We wholeheartedly support The Prince in his endeavors and our alliance with him has been long and profitable to all parties. The forthcoming marriage of our Princess to The Prince will ensure a continued friendship. He has requested this assistance for you and we are happy to oblige.
You have arrived on the day of our weekly joust and I have been asked by the King and Queen to invite you to attend as our guests. We trust you will find it an entertaining and colourful affair. You are also very welcome to attend the banquet afterwards. We can make rooms available should you wish to remain with us until morning.”