The Days of Peleg

by Jon Saboe

  “Let’s go,” said Serug.

  “Wait,” said Thaxad. “One more thing. Before you dive, take deep breaths and breath in and out as quickly as possible. This will charge your lungs with air and allow us to stay under longer.”

  “Okay,” said Untash. “Let go of your robes and arrange yourselves in the same position we will have on the floor.”

  The men moved around and began breathing in and out rapidly until Peleg began to feel dizzy. Finally Untash said, “Dive!”

  The four men descended into the depths and Peleg tried to maintain a slight contact with the wall. For a panicked moment, he realized he had lost all sense of up and down, but he kept pushing against the buoyancy assuming “down” to be in that direction.

  Just when he thought he would never reach bottom, a strong hand grabbed his shoulder, and Thaxad placed him facedown on the floor beside the others.

  Peleg had forgotten that he was the only totally blind person here. He allowed Thaxad to maneuver him until he felt the far wall under his feet. Soon Thaxad’s sandals were digging into his shoulder and he heard/felt the three echoing thumps of Untash striking the wall.

  He flexed his thighs, and Thaxad’s enormous strength began compressing his vertebrae.

  The heavy valve-stone in the far wall began to depress slightly, and then slammed back into position. Air bubbles escaped from their lungs as the concussion shook them, and they continued to shiver in the cold pressure.

  Renewing their efforts, Untash and Thaxad pressed again, this time refusing to give up any space gained. Digging their own toes into the floor, the stone began to move slowly again.

  Exhausted from lack of food, shivering violently from hypothermia, and knowing this was their last chance, the four men pushed for their lives.

  A small opening behind the stone cleared, and suddenly a rush of water began to seep out, working in their favor. More and more water began to push past them, adding force and momentum.

  They continued shoving until the stone was suddenly beyond the combined reach of Untash and Serug. This transferred the effort to Thaxad who pushed even harder. As his sandals dug into Peleg’s neck and shoulders, Peleg slowly began to pass out.

  Untash could contribute no more, so he reached into the opening and found a space above the stone where he could insert his arm. Forcing it upward, he continued to widen the gap and move the stone as high-pressure water tore past him. Eventually he was able to wedge his shoulder in, and then his head and upper body.

  From behind the wall, he could now push the stone with his hips while pressing into the wall with his shoulder and biceps. As the water rushed past him, his ears suddenly exploded when his head entered the region of fresh air above the flow.

  He took a gulp of air and forced the stone back further with his legs until he felt a huge clank as the stone locked into place. He was able to step back on a ledge to the right which was in a tiny chamber over the channel that had been cut for this water release.

  Serug had already followed him through, and Untash reached to lift him up. Thaxad pulled himself up on the other side, gratefully refilling his lungs, as the water continued to wash through.

  Untash looked behind Thaxad.

  “Where’s Peleg!” he shouted above the roar of the water.

  Thaxad turned and dove back into the opening against the force of the water.

  When the pressure from Thaxad’s feet had suddenly disappeared, Peleg had been propelled by his own legs into the far wall. He struck his head just above the new opening and lost his final sliver of consciousness. He floundered with a gasp, inhaling water.

  Strong hands grabbed his ankles and began dragging him back down.

  Thaxad hauled him through the opening and lifted him to the ledge where he helped him kneel over. Placing a fist under his abdomen, he jerked backwards, forcing Peleg to exhale the water from his lungs. He did this two more times, then turned Peleg around, tipping his head to the side.

  Peleg coughed several times, then slowly opened his eyes.

  “Are we out?” he asked.

  “Yes,” answered Untash.

  Peleg’s shoulders and lower back ached. It had taken the combined, focused strength of all four men, plus ten meters of enormous water pressure to escape.

  They were in a tiny enclosed room above the channel where the water kept pouring through beneath their feet. Untash noticed a stiff breeze as the displaced air blew into an opening above him.

  He felt the edges and realized there was square shaft about a meter on each side that seemed to incline upward at about seventy degrees. Mysteriously, there seemed to be some faint ambient light far above.

  “Over here,” he said. “There’s an air-shaft that we can climb.”

  “That might take us to the top,” said Thaxad. He looked to Peleg. “Can you get up?”

  “Yes, I’m fine now,” Peleg responded. He gathered his strength, coughed a few more times, and managed to stand on the far ledge next to Thaxad. He was shivering uncontrollably.

  “We can wedge ourselves into this shaft and work our way up—and hopefully—out,” said Untash. They checked their belt packs, adjusted their wet clothing, and prepared to move out.

  The water had stopped flowing, now, leaving small dormant pools—much like when they had first entered the chamber.

  Suddenly, Serug jumped back down into the opening and yelled.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  “Serug!” Peleg shouted. “You idiot! Don’t go back in there.”

  But he was gone. He re-emerged moments later holding four soggy robes.

  “I thought we might need these,” he said.

  “Master Serug,” intoned Thaxad, glaring in the darkness. “You know where you can go.”

  Serug’s laugh echoed in the narrow space.

  “It might be easier to wear them, than to carry them.”

  They wrung out the robes, untied the knots, and slowly managed to force the wet garments over their heads.

  They made their way to the shaft and began their climb by pressing their feet and backs against the sides. The shaft was too narrow for Thaxad’s shoulders until he turned them diagonally.

  After they had traveled only a few “steps”, the shaft veered upward and slightly to the right. Suddenly there were bright lights shining down on them. Untash, who was in front, had to shield his face because the brilliance hurt his eyes.

  “It’s the stars!” exclaimed Serug who was directly behind him.

  He was right. During their last twelve hours of total darkness their eyes were now extremely sensitive.

  They continued their labored assent for several minutes until Untash called out.

  “I’m at the roof!” he said. “We’re at the top edge of the Southeast corner of this Pyramid. There is construction scaffolding behind me, but the section below is finished. I can see the stars reflecting in the water moat below.”

  “Can you climb up to the scaffolding?” asked Thaxad.

  “No,” answered Untash. “It’s much too steep and smooth.”

  Untash managed to sit on the ledge of the shaft with his feet extended against the lower side. Serug poked his head up through the opening.

  “Just move over to the side and hang on to your robe,” he suggested.

  “What do you mean?” asked Untash.

  “Like this.”

  Serug pushed himself past Untash and held himself in place on the steep roof by pressing his feet into the lower edge like Untash. He bent over and grabbed the hem of his robe from between his legs and said, “Watch”.

  He shifted his weight over to the right of the opening and swung his feet out in front of him.

  Instantly he began sliding down the side of the pyramid on his robe, which he held securely in front of him. He lifted his feet higher and tucked his head in until he was traveling on his back, and the wet robe provided a smooth surface which glided down the andesite tiles.

  Untash watched as Serug went faster and fas
ter, until he disappeared over the edge of the pyramid.

  His disappearance was soon followed by a large splash, after which a hoarse whisper was heard.

  “Come on. It worked!”

  Peleg had reached the roof just in time to watch Serug sail off the edge. With a sinking feeling, he realized he was going to have another brush with heights.

  Untash called down to Thaxad.

  “We can slide down on our robes!” He looked at Peleg. “Let’s go.”

  Peleg hauled himself to the edge of the shaft, sitting besides Untash.

  “Just scoot over, then lift your feet. Make sure you’re holding your robe securely between your legs.”

  Peleg moved over, then started to lift his feet.

  “I’ll race you,” said Untash. He motioned for Peleg to start, and the two men headed down.

  Peleg was astounded. Never in a thousand years would he have guessed this would happen on his Great Discovery. He was sliding like a child down the side of an unknown pyramid in the middle of the night along with three other grown men. He shook his head at the absurdity of it all. Only a kid like Serug would have even thought of it.

  He looked around at the sky, realized how high up he was, and suddenly became disoriented. He became dizzy and tipped over on his right side. His elbow caught the roof and he began a slow uncontrollable spin, the stars swirling lazily above him. Soon he was hurling backwards towards the edge. By the time he reached it, he was flat on his back, going over headfirst.

  He dropped the two stories before landing in the moat. He had had enough water for one day.

  The incoming class at the Citadel included a secret sorority which lamented the demise of their beloved High Minister Dumuzi. More mystical than their fellow students, they meditated constantly, believing that someday he would return.

  They called themselves the Sisterhood of Lilith, the Handmaidens of Heaven. Surely their combined Lifeforce would yield nothing but positive results. There was no way of knowing how his spirit would return, but they rested in the certainty that somehow he would. And that he must.

  They closed their eyes and focused their mental energies inward. Certainly, something of their Lifeforce must reach beyond time and death.

  Chapter 25

  Depths

  “A paradox is when you reach your goal faster by moving away from it.”

  “Your heart has been found sick beyond healing.”

  High Priest Manco Cachi declared his sentence over the still form of Manco Chavin.

  The Inner Nine had brought him here in time for the rising of Apu Inti. They were in a small temple due east of the Kalasasaya. The temple was really nothing more than a courtyard, since there was no roof, but the “floor” of this courtyard was several meters below the surrounding landscape giving it a submerged impression.

  A large golden statue of Viracocha stood in the Northwest corner waiting for the sun to strike it. This particular sculpture was unique—not only because it was the largest ever made—but because it showed the Great Serpent/Creator weeping.

  Their task today was sad indeed, since one whom they had selected to protect and minister to the people had been found with a sick heart.

  Such occasions were very rare, but when it was discovered that one of the Serpent’s own had blasphemed in a crime against the gods or their priests, appropriate measures had to be taken to remove the scourge from the people—and appease Viracocha.

  Since Viracocha sent Apu Inti into the heavens each day, it was important that any discovered sickness be brought before the priests. If an offender were found incurable, his twisted heart was reclaimed by Viracocha.

  Manco Chavin was on his back, stripped of his robe, and tied to a large stone table. He was surrounded by the Inner Nine, some of whom had tears in their eyes as they prepared to restore their fallen priest and friend to the mercies of Viracocha. In their center was a lone fiery torch lifted on a pole.

  Manco Cachi began the recitation.

  “Before Viracocha destroyed the previous inhabitants of this world, he sent a warning. A comet appeared between the constellation of the Bull and the Archer, but they would not heed it. Apu Inti showed not his face for thirteen months until the wrath of Viracocha was ended.

  “The Great Serpent then remade us in his image, and now we thrive today at the top of the world by his mercy.

  “But never again will we risk his anger. We will purge the offence from us so that Apu Inti will forever shine his favor upon us.”

  The nine priests murmured their agreement. The myths and charades upon which their new culture was based had to be maintained. They could not risk insubordination or contrary thoughts undermining their control. The strength and continuity of their society was at stake.

  Manco Cachi produced instruments of tempered steel, created in a process known only to the priests. It would be sunrise soon, and he must have Apu Inti’s offering ready when he appeared.

  Wet robes were warmer than no robes, and the four escapees tried their best to find some warmth and rest.

  After climbing out of the moat, they rushed into the nearby underbrush and tried to create coverings of leaves and dirt in an effort to stave off hypothermia.

  The knots of their waist-packs were soggy and impossible to loosen. They didn’t dare build a fire, but Untash was able to dig up a few roots which he assured them were edible. After fasting for over twelve hours, anything was welcome.

  The four men fell into a fitful, shivering sleep, only to be awakened a few hours later by rustling sounds and voices in the distance. Instantly they were fully alert, and, as the voices persisted, they brushed off their coverings and moved silently in their direction, rubbing their stiff muscles into submission.

  They came to the edge of a large sunken courtyard which was lit up by a lone, central flame. Their sensitive eyes could see clearly and they immediately recognized the robes of the priests who had sentenced them the day before. One of the priests was lying on a stone table, and they watched in shock when his robe was forcibly removed from his body.

  “It’s Manco Chavin,” whispered Peleg as he recognized the man who now lay bound—terrified in his undergarments.

  The others grunted in agreement.

  “We have to help him,” said Serug.

  Thaxad said, “Our first responsibility is to get back to the Urbat. We only have four weeks before it leaves us.” He paused. “If those priests see us, they will kill us in a more immediate manner.”

  “They’re going to murder him!” Peleg whispered harshly, ignoring Thaxad. “We can’t just sit here.”

  “How do you propose we stop them?” asked Thaxad. “Nine strong priests versus four famished, sleep-deprived hypothermics?”

  “They are standing in a circle facing each other,” said Untash. “And in the light of that flame, they are unable to see anything in the darkness beyond.”

  “We can sneak up on them and attack,” said Serug.

  “With what?” asked Peleg.

  “With these,” offered Untash.

  He pointed to some long wooden staffs which were used by the workwomen to haul large buckets of building materials. They rested upon the back of the neck, allowing a container to hang from each end.

  Untash picked up a staff and wrapped a large arm around one end.

  “We encircle them at a distance, and then close in on them together. When we get within striking distance, we each strike two priests in the back of the head like this.”

  He swung the pole diagonally upward, hitting the base of an imaginary skull, then continued up and over in an arc, crashing down below the ear of the imaginary priest standing next to the first casualty.

  “If we do it together, we can each take out two.” He nodded, trying to get the others to nod with him. “We will have surprise on our side.”

  “Yes,” grinned Serug. “Plus we are the dreaded, Waca demons.”

  “He’s right,” said Peleg, amazed at his bravery. “We have just come back
from the dead, and we’re covered in dirt and leaves. That should terrify anyone.”

  Thaxad knew he was outnumbered, but he had one final observation.

  “There are nine,” he said quietly.

  “I shall kill three,” Untash stated calmly. They all suddenly realized that Untash had been in similar battles before. There was a sense that Untash could probably handle all nine by himself, but was allowing the others to assist him just to be considerate.

  “We must coordinate this very carefully,” Untash said as he assumed command. “A set of steps leads down into the courtyard on each of its four sides. I will go around to the far side and descend the steps there. Thaxad, you take the left, and Serug the right. Peleg, you will wait for a few moments, and then descend the nearest set of steps.”

  He waited for their nods, then continued.

  “We will each take a staff and go down into the courtyard and wait at the base of each set of steps. We will be able to see each other, but they are unable to see beyond the fire range since their eyes are not adjusted to the dark. We will close in on them slowly until we are within striking distance, where we will each be responsible for the two nearest priests.”

  He looked at each of them to make sure they understood.

  “If we are noticed before we are within range, we will yell at the top of our voices to surprise them and rush in swinging.”

  The men nodded in agreement.

  “I hope they do notice us,” said Serug. “It would be more fun to scare them first.”

  Thaxad glared at him.

  “You will not jeopardize this attack,” he admonished. “Don’t risk our lives for your warped childish humor.”

  Untash gave one final warning.

  “Don’t look directly into their fire or you will be as blind as they.”

  Manco Chavin struggled slightly with his bonds, but he knew it was no use.

  His fellow priests—the ones who had nurtured and taught him—were now preparing to remove his life.