by A. D. Nance
stretched over the walking path. At Salena’s command Raskerz started to cross the arch. She had in mind using the gecgot’s abilities to hide from their pursuer. Raskerz obediently was walking out on the arch when his legs started to change. They took on the exact color of the arch, just like a chameleon. The Seguro man was coming up the path in view of the arch now. Salena pulled Raskerz’s mane and he climbed to the side of the arch away from the pursuer. They were sideways but did not fall off of his back. His feet were clinging to the arch like a strong magnet. And with each passing second, his color change was covering his body. Then Eldon, as if this was not fantastic enough, noticed something quite amazing. They – the riders, were changing color too to match with Raskerz. Next their gecgot ride moved to the underside of the arch. Yes, there they were upside down and yet firmly attached to Raskerz and the arch! The Seguros man did not see them at all as he passed under the arch since they were invisible, changed as it were. After the man was several meters down the path, Raskerz, still holding his riders, climbed to the other side of the arch and then to the top of it. The man suddenly looked behind him toward the arch. Raskerz and the riders froze, still in the sand-stone color of the arch. Not realizing what he was looking at, he just shook his head and continued on down the path. The 3 of them were very happy to be rid of their ‘tail.’ They thanked Raskerz, Salena with a big hug, and he returned to his home. Eldon had been wondering about Salena for some time. But now he was certain that she was special. She had abilities beyond the average person on his planet or hers. He definitely wanted to get to know her better.
Salena wanted to take them to one more outstanding place before Eldon had to leave. The Altorra was the highest terra tower in the city of Cardẽno del Rio. It was a fortified structure built around a very tall natural formation. The superstructure added one third more height to it making it more than 500 meters high. From the top observation room, all of Cardẽno del Rio could be seen. The River Hugrez shining in the evening sun was an awesome sight. Flowing from the mountains, winding its way through, it gave life to the city. It flowed strong and deep around the island in the middle of the city where Altorra was, and then out to the lowlands. Barbai Valley could be seen in the distance where the river used to flow long ago. It was the perfect place to contemplate the wonderful day as the sun set.
“What do you think of this place, Eldon?” Salena asked.
“What a spectacular view. And this is one of the most fascinating and beau-tiful cities I have ever visited.”
“We just saw a few highlights today. Will you be able to come here again?” from Marsorita. Eldon glanced at her then looked directly at Salena and said, “Oh yes. I will have to come again because I like this view. I really do.”
Salena just gazed into Eldon’s eyes with a new interest which was more than interest, it was attraction. In that moment she understood exactly what he was saying, and with her eyes, answering saying ‘Here I am.’ Then Marsorita, seeing the emotional connection being made, said,
“I’m going to look at that over there,” and discreetly walked to the other side of the room.
“I hope you will come back soon,” Salena said quietly to Eldon.
“Tell me about what happened today,” Eldon started, unsure how to word his question. Taking a breath, Salena thought for a moment then explained, “That man that followed us was from Seguros. They are very suspicious of strangers.”
“That part I can understand. But in the cab you saw what was about to happen. And the way it moved was – uncanny.”
“I’m sorry about that, but I wanted to get the zoo as fast as possible safely.”
“And that gecgot creature -- ?”
“Raskerz is my wonderful baby. He helped us shake that tailer. Isn’t he a super climber? But I helped us stay on his back.”
“I have never met anyone like you. The things you can do are extraordinary.”
“You know that some people on our planet have the exterran powers. But I keep mine a secret. I use them only when I have to or just for frescazi with friends, friends that I really trust. My mother taught me never to use my abilities to cause harm or to gain fame. I try to live that way, in her memory.”
“I know your mother is gone, but what about your father?”
“My father disappeared when I was a baby. He was most likely taken captive or killed during the Zoldask invasion.”
Eldon now interjected, “It was from the Zoldask that the Dark Lords emerged."”
"That is true Eldon. That was great work you did a year ago in San Juanuluz. There are many here that appreciate the help of the Singsords.”
“I’m so glad I am able to do this and that I found this place.” Eldon looked out at the river, then asked, “Is there any other family you have here?”
“Only my stepfather. He is retired from the department of Seguros. And I’m sorry to say he is opposed to my belief in the Source. Really Don Viejo is more of a father to me than he is.” They paused to take in some of the view.
Eldon now spoke. “People like you and Don Viejo are rare. You share belief in a Creator as I do. But we now seek not just the Source or Creator of life, but a benevolent Creator with a purpose.” Salena turned toward Eldon with wide eyes and said with intensity, “He should be like a loving Great Father.”
“That is exactly my feeling. The evidence is there. But it is an unbelievable concept on my planet.”
“ The idea is not well accepted here either. Except among some fringe groups. They are considered lunatics by the majority of the populace.” She turned to look out at the setting sun and said thoughtfully, “I believe in time the Creator will reveal more of himself to us.” Eldon responded in a definite tone, “I believe this Father has revealed more about himself already, today.” Then they looked each other in the face, Eldon raised his hand, then Salena raised hers and they touched palms.
“Have you always felt this way Eldon?”
“About the Creator you mean?”
“Yes. And that we can imitate his love.”
“No. But I had a friend that helped set me on the Source seeker path. Since then I have had an awakening, a new life, a realization that I am not just a Hearthite, but a citizen of the universe.” In the wonder of this moment, Eldon seized the opportunity and said, “I would like a partner to explore the universe with. Will you be that partner to me Salena?”
“Yes, I will,” she said without hesitation. From that moment on Eldon and Salena made a partnership, even though an unofficial one by society standards. Eldon saw this experience as another revelation of the Creator and his benevolent qualities. He was amazed and moved by the way this person, a part of the Creator’s works, could fulfill, inspire and complete him. By the words of the fringe poets, he was ‘in love’ – a fantastic state.
The next day, at the department of Seguros, Salena was approached by Ramon Fateo, a deputy chief who would try to harass her from time to time. They went out to dinner once and Fateo got too aggressive with her. He continues to ask her out, but she continues to refuse him. This time his approach is slightly different. He has heard that she has been seeing a Sing-sord, and he tries to warn her. Standing in front of her desk, he takes a sip of his Valcafe, then wipes his mouth on his sleeve. Some droplets of it glint on his shaggy moustache as he says, “Listen to me chiquita. Even if this Singsord is not a spy like you say – but I think he is – he is a sentimental fool. If you believe his loco story about seeking a supreme being . . . ”
“I believe he is sincere. He would not lead me on just to gain information.”
“Singsords cannot be trusted. They try to get inside your head Salena nĩna.
I heard that he is chasing a rainbow world too.”
“How do you know that?”
“We have plenty of intelligence here my dear.”
“If you want to know all about him why don’t you ask him when he comes back in a few
months,” she said in a disgusted tone.
Fateo retorted arrogantly, “Ha! Yes that is a great idea. And that is why you are just a secretary and I am a chief, because I understand how things work in this world.”
“Oh, I know Ramon. That is why you are so insecure and threatened by every outworlder. You may know this world, but you don’t know how things work in the grand scheme.” His pride pricked, he slammed his cup down on her desk and some of the greasy liquid spilled out.
“Just be warned, if you keep running with this Singsord fanatic, it will not turn out well.” He stormed away leaving the nasty cup on her desk.
A few days later Fateo approached Manuelo, Salena’s stepfather at the villa of his residence in late evening. “I have a report concerning your daughter, sir.”
“Oh? What has she done now, Fateo?”
“Salena has become enamored with this Singsord, Eldon. She refuses to listen to reason. Her mind, I fear has been overreached. She is giving him information about our planet. I believe she is ready to join him in his invasion plan.”
“She is much too independent for her own good,”
Manuelo said as he lighted his cigar, then continued, “I trust your judgement in these matters. What do you suggest?”
“We will follow him when he returns, and at the right time, catch him in the act so-to-speak.”
“One of your