by Alan Lawton
Adoor in the front of the chamber slid noiselessly open and the group stepped out into a spacious room that was plainly furnished with a table and a few simple chairs.
“The Councillor will join us shortly.” Paris explained. “In the meantime, it may interest you to view the City of Ptah, from the highest room in its tallest building.”
The envoy raised his baton and the walls and ceiling of the room glowed pink for a moment before turning completely transparent and below them, the entire city lay open to their scrutiny.
The high white-metal towers of the city were arrayed before them like pine trees in a plantation, whilst the encircling walls of burnished copper shone brightly in the filtered light from the five suns. The travellers peered out across the Holy City for a few moments and then looked above their heads at the rolling crimson clouds that appeared to be speeding across the sky only an arms-stretch above their heads.
The walls and ceiling of the room suddenly resumed their normal appearance.
“An impressive sight, my friends,” said an unfamiliar voice from the farthest end of the room, and the newcomers turned in time to see the hooded figure of a Dark Priest emerging from a door that had silently opened in the far wall.
The man was tall, and must have stood a good seven feet in height, and he appeared to be of very slight build, a fact that was not disguised by the voluminous black robe covering him from head to foot. He waved his hand towards a group of chairs.
“Please be seated.” He said. “A servant will arrive shortly with wine and refreshments, but until then we have much to discuss!”
He threw back his hood and gave the three travellers their first glimpse of the facial appearance of a member of the dark priesthood.
By Earth standards, the man seemed to be of early middle age, for his closely cropped brown hair was tinged with streaks of grey, but his light blue eyes possessed a strange opaque quality that was slightly disturbing to the beholder. In addition, a further physical characteristic singled him out from the commonplace run of humanity for the priest had an extra-prominent forehead that was supported by a small ridge of bone, that sprang from the bridge of his nose and curved upwards like some medieval flying buttress.
“Look well.” He commanded, in a resonating voice that seemed to demand immediate attention. “And you will realize that we ‘Guardians’ do not belong to the same genus as you humans!”
The priest paused and seated himself before the three wanderers, with Paris at his side.
“Firstly,” he continued. “I will tell you something of the ‘Guardians’ and of the role they play in the maintenance of civilized life, within this reality that is sometimes described as the ‘Water-Realm.’ Many aeons ago, this world was ruled by a great and incredibly advanced race, who are remembered here as ‘The Ancient Dead.’You have seen many relics of this race as you journeyed down to the Life River and beyond.You will also remember the ruined city by the lake, close to where you emerged into this reality, and the bridge where you were attacked by river pirates on your voyage to Calar of the Mighty Walls. These are but a few of the physical reminders of this long disappeared people. In those distant days, we who are now called ‘Guardians of the Ancient Lore’ or simply ‘Dark Priests,’ were the servants of that ancient race who are said to have originated somewhere amidst the distant stars. Serve them we did, and for countless generations, until they finally quit this world for reasons that are difficult to fathom after such an immensely long passage of time. We remained as the ‘Guardians’ of their greatest surviving achievement, the Life River, which allows trade to flow and for civilized life to exist in the Water-Realm.”
Myra’s eyes narrowed. “Councillor, your words have now confirmed my suspicions that you have been keeping a discrete watch upon us ever since we arrived in this world. The help afforded us by the ‘Dark Priest,’ on the battlements of Calar, and the timely arrival of the overseer’s galleys at the doomed ‘Island of Plenty,’ can hardly have been mere acts of chance.”
The hint of a smile crossed the Councillor’s face.
“We have known of your presence in the Water-Realm, ever since your craft berthed at the home village of Thom Jaks, the wizard. It is also true that we have intervened whenever your destruction appeared to be inevitable, but we had our reasons and they will soon be revealed to you.”
He paused. “I and the other Councillor’s, feel that you should now view the ‘Great Cavern,’lying far beneath the City of Ptah, and see for yourselves the machinery that powers the two-directional flow of the Life River. Only then will you fully realize the magnitude of the task we inherited from the ‘Ancient Dead.’A burden we have discharged for countless generations since the Old Ones disappeared into the abyss of space.”
Councillor Hemm replaced his hood. “Refreshments will now be brought to you. Paris will then conduct you to the Great Cavern and you will view undreamed of wonders. Afterwards, we will talk again!”
The door in the wall slid open and the Dark Priest quickly disappeared.
The three travellers dined upon cakes of plain Thoa-bread, then followed the envoy back into the transportation chamber. Once again, they felt the sensation of weightlessness as they hurtled downwards upon a cushion of air, until they found themselves inside another matching chamber. However, the sight which met their eyes, as they exited the chamber, almost took their breath away.
The newcomers found themselves standing upon a metal platform that was situated high upon the inner-wall of an enormous natural cavern. Before them lay a huge void that was at least a mile in breadth and stretching away into the distance as far as the eye could see. The interior of the cavern was illuminated by panels set into the rocky walls and ceiling and threw beams of white light down upon the floor below. However, little of the caverns natural floor remained exposed to view, for the base of the void was completely filled with a massive array of apparatus of unimaginable size and complexity. Rows of huge metal tanks marched onwards, rank after rank, until they disappeared into the far distance, whilst metal pipes and an indescribable tangle of multi-coloured cables criss-crossed the cavern in every direction supported upon white-metal gantries of considerable strength.
The newcomers stood mystified. Councillor Hemm had said that the ‘Great Cavern’ contained machinery. Yet the mass of apparatus, below them, did not resemble anything which the Earth-born viewers had ever experienced within the bounds of their own reality. No steam cylinders hissed. No con-rods pounded. Indeed, not the slightest sound issued from the vast installation occupying the cavern floor, and the only movement to be seen, was that of a small number of Dark Priests who made their way, ant-like, between the tanks and the gantries.
Darryl strove to come to terms with the strange complexity of the scene lying before him, and he turned to question the envoy who was standing at his side.
“Tell me, if this is the engine house that drives the waters of the ‘Great Life River,’ then where does it derive its power? Is it wind, steam, or something so unbelievable that our minds cannot possibly comprehend it?”
The envoy shook his head.
“The truthful answer is that no one knows. The very best of the ‘Guardian Scientists,’ the ‘Dark Priests’ who tend the machinery according to the knowledge inherited from the ‘Ancient Dead,’ suggest that the power is somehow drawn from the molten core lying within the subterranean depths of our own world. Yet nothing can be proved, for compared to the ‘Ancient Dead,’we are like children groping in the darkness of an everlasting night!”
The party returned to the high chamber and Councillor Hemm rejoined the group and requested them to be seated and afford him their undivided attention.
“My friends,” He began. “You have seen with your own eyes, the great installation driving the flow of the Life River. You now understand something of the enormous burden which the ‘Ancient Dead’laid upon the shoulders of their successors. The great cavern is free from interference, for it lies far beneath the ground
, whilst the Holy City of Ptah is protected by a defence system, both material and occult, that can easily repulse the assault of any force existing upon this entire world. Indeed, nothing can remain alive within a day’s march of this city, if we so wish it!”
The Councillor fell silent for a moment and gathered his thoughts before continuing.
“Unfortunately, not all threats to the continuity of civilization within the Water-Realm are so easily countered. For long ages, ‘The Guardians of the Ancient Lore,’ have worked diligently to maintain a balance of power between the differing races that depend upon the Life River, for their very existence. Only thus, could we ensure that civilized settlement could continue to flourish amidst the chaos reigning supreme on the remainder of our world!”
The Councillor paused again and then resumed his lecture, taking care to choose every word with the utmost care.
“We have maintained control by a variety of means, some of which you have personally witnessed, but our greatest weapon has always been the awe and fearful respect that most folk have for our priestly order, a mental hold that we are careful to maintain in the minds of the population. However, in recent years, this control has been much eroded by the brutalizing effect of the bitter wars upon ourd istant eastern frontier; wars that have inevitably resulted in the displacement of entire peoples who are far too desperate to fear even the terrible wrath of the Guardians.”
George’s massive frame suddenly stiffened in his chair.
“The pirate who survived the attack upon our boat, as we descended the Exit River,” he interrupted, “claimed that his band was forced to leave the shelter of their clan-house and seek victims further afield, because large numbers of desperate newcomers had also begun plundering inside their traditional home territory. Aye and one of the robbers, who held me captive in the City of Calar, mentioned that his brothers had been driven from the river for the same reason.”
The Priest inclined his head in agreement. “Yes, you are correct in equating these random acts of banditry with the growing levels of violence that I have just described. Also, please recollect that you barely survived the powerful Saxmen attack, which completely destroyed the ‘Island of ‘Plenty.’An assault, that only five cycles ago, would have been deemed utterly unthinkable.”
Darryl remembered the words of the drunken Stone-carrier, upon the night that George had fought the boatman in the riverside tavern. ‘Towns and cities, from Calar right down to Holy Ptah seem to be overhauling their defences!’the man had said, and Darryl also recalled ‘the forges of the armourer’s continue to ring!’ and his closing prediction.‘some great catastrophe was hanging over the world!’
The boatmaster was tempted to follow George’s example and repeat the old Stone-carriers testimony. However, he said nothing, and instead, put forward a question of his own.
He raised the palm of his hand, in order to catch Councillor Hemm’s attention.
“Sir, do you know the root cause of this spate of warfare upon your eastern borders and creating this terrible chain of violence?”
“I do indeed.” The Priest replied. “It is the Hix! Ten cycle’s ago, they suddenly began emerging from their distant wastelands, and launched a series of irresistible attacks against the human clans closest to their borders. These clans-folk migrated west, into the lands of the Saxmen tribes. Many Saxmen warriors were also displaced and driven westwards, and these fighters are now threatening the cities and principalities that lie close to the banks of the Great Life River.”
Myra looked enquiringly at the Councillor. “Have you given assistance to the clans-folk, in their battles with the Hix?
“We have dispatched many troops of powerfully armed mercenaries to their aid.” Hemm answered. “It is largely due to their efforts that the Hixian’warriors have not yet penetrated into civilized territory. We have also dispatched a number of scientists and seers from our own black hooded order, but the Hix are not human and are seldom totally devastated by our plagues and occult spells.”
The young wisewoman looked the Councillor directly in the eyes.
“Why have you brought us here?” She asked.
“To help us make peace with the Hix” He answered at once. “You and your friends represent the only hope that we have of ending this ocean of bloodletting. If you bear with me, I will explain how this may possibly be accomplished.”
The Councillor straightened his robe, before continuing. “Many years ago, we ‘Guardians,’ together with most of the human races in the Water-Realm, were in a state of perpetual conflict with the Hix. Sometimes, our wisest Councillors dispatched envoys to treat with the Hixian’leadership in order to stop the killing, but they were always murdered, and their heads returned to us as a token of their hatred for us. A hatred that is deep and quite beyond our understanding.”
The Priest paused, and smiled at the twins.
“Then a seer possessing immense mental powers arrived in the Water-Realm. Her name was Rose Littlewood and she is a direct ancestor of yours. She made a bargain with the Council of Guardians, that she would journey to the wastelands of the Hix, that lie far to the east and attempt to negotiate a treaty with the Hixian’leadership that would end the conflict. In return, the Council of the day agreed to tell her the location of the secret place where she could pass through the curtain and return to her own reality. Your ancestor succeeded. She returned with a promise of peace from the Hix, providing that half of the Thoa-nuts from the great eastern forests would be turned over to them, in exchange for quantities of the rare metals that abound within the Hixian’lands.” Hemm sighed. “The agreement with the Hix held solid until ten cycles ago and it was of great benefit to all who dwelt within this reality. As for Rose Littlewood, she continued her journey and was never seen again!”
“My friends,” He continued. “We wish you to retrace the steps of your illustrious ancestor, and make a new treaty with the Hix, in return for almost any concession lying within our power to grant. On your return to Ptah, we will divulge the same secret that was given to Rose Littlewood, and you will have the means of returning to your home reality.” Again, he paused.
“The route to the wastelands of the Hix passes through dangerous and difficult territory, but the ability of your little group to surmount danger, has been well proven in the course of your journey to Ptah.You must forgive us for not giving you greater assistance during your journey, but we needed to test yourabilitytosurvivearangeofperiloussituationsandweonly intervened on your behalf when your position became critical.”
Councillor Hemm sat quietly for a full minute, before concluding his breathtaking explanation.
“I am the first member of our order, for long cycles, to request help from a traveller from another reality, but it is now my duty to do so. I beg of you in the name of all the forces for good, in the known and unknown portions of the universe. Please come to our aid!”
Councillor Hemm urged the three travellers to give his proposal their most careful consideration and returned them to the care of Paris, who installed them in a suite of comfortable rooms at the base of the tower; where they could rest and decide upon a suitable answer to the ‘Dark Priest’s’ plea.
The envoy was about to leave them to their deliberations, when George suddenly grasped him by the wrist. “Tell me.” He asked. “How is it possible for some wandering seers from Earth, to successfully treat with the Hix, when all your native Water-Realm adepts have failed so abysmally?”
“A necessary question,” Paris replied. “The answer lies in the way in that individual Hix communicate with each other. They have the ability to speak and many are able to converse in the common Water-Realm tongue. Indeed, a few brave and enterprising border clansmen seem to have met and spoken with isolated groups of Hix and succeeded in conducting a profitable trade with them. However, the Hix are accomplished telepaths and normally prefer to converse with their fellows by mind-power, alone, and have little need of the spoken word. The ‘Dark Priests’, they hate beyo
nd understanding and shun all mental contact with them. Whilst we Water-Realm seers, who are descended from human stock, appear to have lost the telepathic ability to contact all but our own kind.”
“One last question,” George said, releasing the envoys wrist. “If we refuse to journey to the wilderness of the Hix, will we be killed out of hand?”
Paris appeared shocked. “In the name of the unseen powers, never, you would be allowed to depart unharmed. Or offered responsible positions in the ranks of the overseers, should you choose to stay in Ptah. No’ Dark Priest’ would harm a descendent of Rose Littlewood, whose memory they hold with great affection.”
The newcomers rested awhile and then began discussing the Councillors proposal.
George was sceptical about the entire business and had little confidence in the assurances of good faith given to them by Hemm and his envoy. He stated that he would willingly turn his back on the problems of the ‘Dark Priests’ and take his chances on the river.