“Is it my imagination,” Gareth asked Captain Evvos one fair morning on the wide quarterdeck, “or are we going just as fast as the Spray?” He wiped some of the chill spray off his face with his hand and his tongue tasted salt, for just a moment, and it brought back fond memories of the Chesapeake Bay.
Evvos glanced over the railing, at the frothing waves alongside the sleek hull. “A bit faster, I’d say.”
To their stern the eastern edge of Luxoroth was just disappearing into the distance, and Gareth breathed a sigh of relief. “We should be safe now in deep water.”
“I hope so.” Evvos replied with a growl. “I’d hate to lose this ship too.”
Gareth took a deep lungful of air, relishing the smell of the sea. “How are your new crewmen working out?” Evvos knew exactly who he was talking about, and he actually smiled.
“Milena, my new cabin boy… girl, is actually my sister’s child. She’s been enamored by the sea her whole life, and I finally got tired of the yammering whenever I visited, and offered her the job of cabin boy. My sister wasn’t too happy with me, but Milena will be safe enough with us on this trip, and she may even get the sea-craving out of her system… or not. She’ll know, one way or t’other. The other three women: Pavlina, Zora and Vasilka, were without work and living together to save on expenses.” Evvos looked at the deck and flushed slightly. Gareth had a sudden flash of insight.
“I understand. You don’t have to explain.”
Evvos shot him a grateful look, and continued. “All three had worked on ships at one time or another so they had experience.” He chuckled. “They were a little hesitant, ye might say, about taking the job until they found out there were other women and a girl aboard, and then they literally jumped at the chance.” He glanced aloft to where one of the women was working with two men to take a reef in the flapping topgallant sail. “They’re working out real well.”
“You’re paying them as much as the rest of the crew, aren’t you?” Gareth asked, knowing that pay was always a bone of contention in any crew.
“Well…” Evvos stroked his jaw. “They be only women, so…” Gareth’s eyes narrowed, and surprisingly Evvos laughed. “Of course I’m paying them as much as the former pirate crew. My old crew, the ones who have held fast through thick and thin get a little more. After a couple of runs they’ll all be getting the same pay. That suit you?” He raised a bushy eyebrow, and Gareth laughed.
“It suits.”
Days stretched into weeks, and the wind blew steadily from the west, much to Captain Evvos’ consternation and sense of propriety. Winds in this part of the world, or so he told Gareth, were known to be fickle.
Milena was a shy tow-headed little girl whose skin was rapidly becoming as brown as the rest of the sailors. If the captain had been worried for her safety, he needn’t have been, for the crew took the girl to their hearts and would laugh and joke with her as she scurried about on her duties, but they always kept a close eye on her. The crew kept a close eye on their other three new female crewmates, for an entirely different reason. Chiu was quick to point out that the three women in question seemed to be enjoying the attention immensely.
Gareth, on the other hand, viewed the approach to Oseothan with something like dread, and began spending more and more time away from Chiu, ensconcing himself in the windy fo'c'sle, or forecastle deck at the very front of the ship. He knew that if he didn’t get some satisfactory answers to his questions soon, he would be back on his old Earth, or on the next ship out… alone.
Fifteen days later, as the sun touched the western horizon the glowing city of Puasheehchester, in the Realm of Oseothan, slid into view. He knew that Chiu, standing beside him could feel his shoulders sag.
I hope. She said quietly in his mind. That you resolve your problem soon. You’ve been a bear the past several weeks.
He didn’t bother turning. I know, and I’m sorry about that. One of the first things I have to resolve when we get ashore is a showdown with Athena. I need to know what’s going on, and I need to know if I have any chance at all of succeeding. I know you think I’m foolish at times, and reckless, but I don’t want to throw my life away if there’s no chance I’ll solve her problem. He gave an angry snort. I’d rather go back to my dirty mean little world and live my life out normally, without the chance of getting eaten by something or other. I’ll be long gone by the time the world dies.
He felt Chiu tremble. Can I go with you to meet Athena?
This time he did turn. It probably won’t be very pleasant.
Nonetheless, I’d like to go. If you go back to your Earth maybe I can go with you… She let the sentence trail off.
He gave her a long look. You wouldn’t be happy there, Chiu. Picture eight billion of the meanest most self-centered humans you can imagine living on the world, breeding like bedbugs and consuming all the resources available. That’s my world.
You’re exaggerating. She snapped. It couldn’t be that bad.
You’re right. He slumped. It’s probably worse, because the world is divided into various religious gangs that get great enjoyment out of slaughtering each other in the name of their various loving gods. I’m surprised Athena didn’t do away with us long ago.
The color slowly drained from Chiu’s face when she realized he was completely serious. But… you aren’t like that. Her thought sounded desperate.
Gareth let out a disheartened chuckle. Yeah. I’m such a saint that I voluntarily killed people for money, under the thin veneer of patriotism. I was known as a soft touch, however, and when we happened across something in the marines that needed a bleeding heart, the Lieutenant would call me. Gunny, I need you to go save Private Desjardin. Gunny, go check for survivors in that building. Gunny, rather than just blowing everything up, go and see if they want to surrender. Shaking his head, he laughed. Just ignore me and ignore what I said. I’m having a particularly bad month.
Chui was quiet for several long moments. That may all be true, but why are you here, then? Why risk your life to save a world that should, by your own admission, be erased?
Silence stretched as he considered his answer. My world was totally screwed up. He began slowly. But it did have some good, very good people in it. In the end it was the people of my world who created this world, and there are a lot of good people here who deserve to be saved. Even the really bad ones deserve a second chance. That’s why I’m here, but I won’t commit suicide on a hopeless task. Chiu squeezed his arm, a little smile on her face. Don’t get carried away with the thought of our wedding, my dear. If I don’t get the answers I want from Athena I won’t be returning.
The sapphire in her eyes was as hard as rock. Make that we won’t be returning. Wherever you go, you will need your familiar.
He let out a low laugh. You won’t let me feel sorry for myself one little bit, will you?
Her returning smile was dangerous. Not even one. She agreed.
Chapter 3
THE YEUGATE
Work on the main deck came to an abrupt stop when two seagulls dipped out of the darkening sky, flaring their wings to land on the quarterdeck, morphing quickly into Kiang and Shaw Sai-Bo; Chiu’s mother and father. A bit more accustomed to odd comings and goings, Captain Evvos shouted his crew back to work. Gareth noted with relief that Evvos’ language seemed to be lacking some of its saltier vocabulary. Chiu ran into her parent’s waiting arms and Gareth stood back while the family of shapeshifters became reunited. To his embarrassment, Shaw looked over her daughter’s shoulder and crooked a finger in his direction, indicating that he should join the small intimate group. He thought about ignoring the request, but then one didn’t just ignore Senator Shaw Sai-Bo. Although not reading his thoughts, exactly, Shaw caught his unease as soon as she touched him.
“Is there a problem with the two of you?” She said for his ears alone, cutting right to the chase. Gareth blinked at her abruptness.
“There are no problems between Chiu and I that we can’t solve ourselves.”
He decided to be as blunt as Shaw. “The problem lies with Athena, and on the resolution of that problem lies the decision of whether or not I remain on this world.”
It was Shaw’s turn to blink in surprise. “What of Chiu?” She asked simply.
Gareth gave her a crooked smile. “Your stubborn daughter has expressed a desire to go with me, wherever our talk with Athena might lead us.” He gave her a thin smile. “I couldn’t pry her from me with a shoe horn. I know, I tried.”
“But don’t you love her?” Shaw looked confused.
“It’s exactly because I love her that I don’t want her to follow me.”
“And the wedding?” She asked, raising one arched brow.
“If we’re still here Chiu and I will be married. If we aren’t…” He gave her a devilish wink. “We’ll just shack up.”
Shaw frowned. “Shack up?”
“Living with someone without the benefit of having been formally married.”
“Ahhhhh.” Her face said that she understood perfectly.
The Ranger shuddered as the brigantine bumped against the wharf, and a score of sailors jumped to the dock and began to tie the ship off while the rest neatly furled the sails. The early spring breeze carried the hint of the chill winter, but also bore the smell of growing plants, tar, pies cooling on windowsills, and food cooking at the inns. Puasheehchester was the only city Gareth had seen on Eldenworld to have electric lights, and the harbor and storefronts glowed in the deepening night. Police walked the streets in pairs, swinging their nightsticks, looking for all the world like English Bobbies of the nineteenth Century. It was a neat tidy little city, filled with friendly, although non-human people, and Gareth was quite willing to call it home… while he was still here.
Kiang took Shaw’s arm and escorted her down the steep gangway and to the black coach that stood waiting for them. The tall thin Senator helped his wife inside, and then turned to Gareth and Chiu. “Are you coming home tonight? There is room for four more in the carriage.”
Gareth gave the man a gracious nod, and a wide smile. “We would love to, Kiang. If you will wait a moment I will fetch the others, and our bags.” He chuckled. “We don’t have much. Most of our things were lost when the Spray was destroyed.”
“That sounds like an interesting story. Collect your friends, and let’s be on our way.”
“As you wish, Kiang.” Gareth and Chiu turned back to the ship as Kiang entered the carriage.
The house the carriage pulled into after a bumpy thirty-minute ride was set back from the main road by a half a kilometer. Lined with stately elm and oak trees that loomed over them in the near darkness, the impressive driveway was filled with the soft call of night birds. To the right through the trees Gareth saw the familiar vineyard where the Sai-Bo family grew their own grapes and bottled their own wine. Beside him Chiu looked out of the other coach window, wide-eyed at her homecoming. Bumping to a halt, the carriage pulled up to the front door of a dark, heavily turreted mansion that reminded Gareth of Falkland Palace in Falkland, Fife, Scotland; the royal palace of the Scottish Kings. Flickering oil lamps, electricity obviously hadn’t made it this far, cast a warm glow on the face of the stark manor. A liveried servant swung the doors open and Gareth helped Shaw and Chiu out as Wokeg, now in his human form, assisted Lyndra.
Kiang was rubbing his hands together as he ascended the stone steps. “I hope you brought a good appetite with you. The cooks knew that you were coming and had a penchant for rare beef.” He laughed when Gareth’s stomach growled.
The thick oak door that could have withstood a siege engine slowly creaked open to reveal a tall uniformed butler, with graying hair and sharp blue eyes. He nodded respectfully to Kiang and Shaw.
Gareth smiled. “Hello I'alen. It’s good to see you again.” He held out his hand, and I'alen, more a major-domo than a doorman raised his eyebrows as he stared at the extended hand. “What’s the matter, my friend? I wash my hands.” His grin widened.
“It’s… it’s just not done, Mister Gareth.” The butler looked affronted.
Gareth was about to withdraw his hand in defeat when Chiu stepped past him and, on her tiptoes, planted a kiss on the Butler’s cheek. She stepped back, smiling, and took Gareth’s arm. The butler no longer looked affronted… he looked stunned.
“Gareth is right, I'alen.” Chiu murmured from Gareth’s side. “Perhaps we’ve been too hidebound for all these years to actually see who our real friends are. I’ve known you since I was born. You are as much a part of our family as Mother, or Father, or Gareth.”
Blushing furiously, I'alen slowly reached out and took Gareth’s hand in a firm handshake. “Thank you, Gareth.” He said slowly. “Thank you, my friend.”
Soft clapping made the three whirl, to see Shaw and Kiang standing in the doorway, giving them a standing ovation with perfectly straight faces. “It took a new set of eyes to show us where we were truly blind.” Shaw said quietly. Taking two gliding steps forward she kissed I'alen gently on the cheek as her husband Kiang took the butler’s hand in both of his in a warm two-handed handshake.
“Welcome to the family, my longtime friend.” Kiang said as quietly as Shaw, who was now staring at Gareth.
“There was a time when we thought we were grooming Shen, Chiu’s older brother, and Qingzhao, her younger sister to be our replacements in the government.” She glanced at her husband; her face unreadable. “It seems our replacements have been presented to us.”
Backing up, Gareth held up his hands. “Dear lady, as much as it honors me, I already have a commitment that is driving me up the wall. There is no way I can or will accept another position. It wouldn’t be fair to me and it wouldn’t be fair to you… or the Realm of Oseothan.”
Shaw glanced at her husband and smiled before turning back. “There are Senators and there are Senators. Kiang and I will remain Senators, pro tem, until such time that your current commitments have been discharged.”
“This is the will of the Nine.” Kiang said at her side.
Gareth frowned. “Are you saying that the ruling Nine are tuned into your thoughts?”
Shaw smiled. “When we invite them. We invited them when we saw where things were going with I'alen. You and Chiu are natural leaders, and you’ll note I didn’t say politicians. You’re both too hot-headed for that.”
Gareth rubbed his suddenly aching temple and shot a look at I'alen, the stunned looking major-domo. “Is there anything to drink around this place? I could really use a shot of something. We both probably could.” Chiu tugged his sleeve and gave him a hot glare. “Oh hell, just bring the bottle and,” he glanced at his family and friends, “seven glasses.”
“What strength liquor, sir?” I'alen’s eyes were sparkling.
Gareth smiled. “Flammable.”
“Very good, sir. I look forward to drinking with you… with all of you.” It was the first time he’d seen I'alen smile as the butler turned and strode out of the room. Beside him Shaw and Kiang looked a little stunned that they’d lost control of the evening.
On his other side, Chiu was trying and failing to stifle a fit of giggling. She looked up at her mother. “Are you sure that you still want Gareth as a son-in-law?” She asked, grinning.
“Oh my yes!” Shaw beamed. “I haven’t had this much fun in ages.” She poked Kiang in the ribs with her elbow. “Things have been a little slow around here lately. Things will pick up even more when we have a few grandchildren running the halls.”
Chiu suddenly went pale, as if she’d just remembered that children were part of being married. Shaw was laughing.
It was a chilly overcast morning when Gareth and Chiu walked out into the gardens. Despite the rowdy atmosphere of the night before, nobody had gotten inebriated and breakfast the next morning was a quiet affair, with each person engrossed in their own thoughts. At his side Chiu held his hand, and he could feel her faint trembling. He stopped in a small arbor.
“This is as good a place as any.” He said, taking a
deep breath. “Athena, we need to speak with you. It’s important, and Chiu would like to come along.”
He’d thought that they would appear in the featureless white room again. He blinked and looked around. At his side Chiu let out a little squeak of fear. The isolated beach sat between two rocky jetties, the waxing autumn moon turning the ocean to rippling silver fire. On his cheek, the air was as warm as a lover’s kiss. He’d been here before; it was the place where it all had started: Punta Banda, Ensenada, Mexico, and judging from the moon, at roughly the same time. He felt his heart pound. The moon was back where it should be, as were the various constellations. To the north high in the air he caught the blinking lights of a distant airliner. Swallowing, he sank to the warm beach. He was home again. Twenty first Century Earth. Chiu’s thigh was warm against his as she sat beside him.
“I thought you might find this relaxing.” Athena said in her soft contralto voice from out of the shadows. Gareth felt Chiu twitch.
“We need to talk.” Gareth said bluntly.
“I thought you might.” She seemed to float to the sand before them.
“Where are we??” Chiu’s slightly panicky voice whispered in his ear.
“We’re back on Earth; my Earth, where this all started for me.” Gareth replied slowly.
“As long as one of us knows where we are.” Chiu’s smile was strained.
He turned to look at Athena, who sat relaxed in the warm sand. “Was the Eye right? Do I have to somehow blow up the moon?”
Her violet eyes chilled him, despite the air. “Yes.”
“How?”
“I can’t tell you. Like finding the Eye, you have to discover that for yourself.”
“The Eye said that the Control Center is located in the City that Time Forgot. Is that the truth, and how do I get there?” Gareth was having some trouble keeping the edge out of his voice.
“It is the truth, and I can’t tell you how to get there.” Gareth shut his eyes. “I can tell you that there were five great interconnected cities at one time. They were: Azheles, Brivrelsea, Yuegate, Jafelon and Shsa-Tirion. The city that was called Jafelon is now called The City that Time Forgot.”
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