Why was the ship going eastward? Tenashar believed that the fastest way was to head south to Himoicum. “What’s the reason for heading east?” he asked anxiously. Marhidium looked back at him. “You know the direction.” Tenashar put the compass in front of her eyes.
“Tenashar, you still surprise me with your wisdom. I think you know where we are going. But stay quiet and don’t ask me more. You’ll find out the reason later. Be silent.” She gave him a stern look.
He stared with wide eyes at Marhidium as she brushed him off this way. He sat back on the seat, continuing to stare at the compass. After a while, he let the compass speak to him.
Marhidium remained quiet.
As the flying ship headed east, Tenashar started thinking about some issues that were bothering him. What were the Sahaynaivium authorities doing? Were the authorities truly trying to keep the flying ship from reaching Himoicum? I wonder if they were trying to hide something from the people of Sahaynaivium. What were they searching for? Was it a deep, unanswered question about Cashmakil? Were the scholars and council members of Sahaynaivium trying to discover the secrets of Cashmakil’s technology? And who were the people of Cashmakil? My father knew a lot about these ancient people, but there was still a lot to learn. Was Cashmakil a civilization that flourished before all other cultures? Did that culture give birth to all the peoples of the world today?
Perhaps they were trying to search for some living thing or machine left by the ancient civilization. There was very little that survived from that culture. Cashmakil had flourished over five million years ago.
Tenashar was aware that Jarviashar wasn’t fulfilling her intended role as guide, and this made her guilt grow stronger until it overwhelmed her. She pulled back into her shell, excluding everyone around her except Marhidium. It was clear to Tenashar that she would have to walk alone until she discovered what she was doing to herself. Tenashar knew that her infatuation was going nowhere.
There was silence in the flying ship as it continued to fly eastward.
A sudden jolt came as the ship turned southeast. Then another, harder jolt made almost everyone tumble from their seats. A large shadow overtook the flying ship, covering it and then pacing its progress.
Knode, Thitwa, and Betaqal, sitting in the pilots’ cabin, saw two similar-looking flying ships suddenly appear—one on either side of them. These flying ships were much larger and were trying to force them to fly south on a straight course. Obviously the Sahaynaivium authorities had found them.
“It’s best that we comply with the wishes of the authorities. We should follow the ships to Himoicum. We should not hide anymore,” said Knode.
As they approached the island, Jarviashar and Tenashar saw for the first time the clouds and rainbows of Cordonihalalum in the distance. The island seemed extremely vast and interesting, but the flying ship picked up speed, and Cordonihalalum quickly faded into nothing behind them.
Soon the ship passed the small, uninteresting mountains of numerous other islands.
Then the mountains and giant structures of Himoicum came into view. Many of the buildings were so tall that they reached toward the clouds. This was something Tenashar wasn’t prepared for—buildings so tall that he could scarcely imagine what he was seeing. It was beyond anything Tenashar could have imagined in his dreams. He couldn’t believe that human beings were capable of building such giant structures. To him it was something only the gods could build.
Knode had spoken of the giant buildings of Himoicum; Tenashar merely hadn’t believed it. He called these buildings sky dwellings, because no other words could describe them. Just one of the buildings could house all the people of Senetha.
Sovazalian parents often told their children stories of the legendary buildings of Himoicum, yet even Jarviashar wasn’t prepared for what she saw.
Each building had its own individual shape and function. Some of the buildings were said to be special places—for instance, where the whole community could gather and have fun.
There was a building the Himoicum called the Sinqualna. It looked like a tall, thin cone steadily tapering to a point as it reached toward the skies above. On the lowest level, there was a huge, flat, rounded platform that had its own environment—complete with hills, forests, lakes, and dwellings. Going up, the platforms gradually became smaller. The smallest environment was at the top of the building. All the environments were protected from the outside elements by thick sheets of transparent metal.
What amazed Tenashar about this particular building was that the design patterns on the transparent sheets were similar to those he had seen in the Sileizan forest.
Tenashar and Jarviashar did not find as much beauty in the other buildings in the city. Some of the buildings looked as if they had been slapped together, with cones, cubes, and spheres haphazardly rising in an ugly, towering monstrosity into the sky. The lower half of these buildings resembled an organic material that looked like putty. Most of the buildings were made of transparent metal.
Tenashar found the beautifully entwining patterns scribed on the buildings the only part that he wanted to look at. He also observed that on the higher levels, each building became less irregular. The buildings became orderly mathematical shapes inspired by cubes and spheres. It looked much less messy.
Every building in the city seemed to compete with one another as to which could be the tallest and have supremacy over the skyline. Despite the tall, triangular buildings that frightened him, this was a dream that Tenashar did not want to wake up from. Everywhere he looked in Himoicum, there were wonders that he had never seen before.
As Tenashar’s mind wandered through the maze of buildings, he remembered what Nainashari once said. “Why be amazed? These things are nothing. Just be content that all things built by human beings crumble into dust and are never seen by those who come afterward.”
Those words of Nainashari had deep meaning. Nainashari was saying that words that are spoken with happiness and compassion are the only thing that survives the centuries. Tenashar remembered that Cashmakil was now fragmented and covered over by forest. He didn’t have to fear Himoicum.
Marhidium came and sat beside Tenashar for a moment. “Impressive,” she said, “but they are of no importance. They are just status symbols of the great people of the islands. In Himoicum, buildings have always been destroyed to make way for new buildings.” Tenashar looked at Marhidium as she spoke. “Tenashar, if you wish to understand more about Cashmakil, I think you should ask Osinthaph or Knode. Perhaps Knode is the better teacher.” Marhidium then fell silent.
Passing the great structures, their flying ship was forced to land on a large expanse of metal stretching endlessly toward the horizon—obviously a landing port for flying ships.
The flying ship had barely touched the ground before several cylinders started rising up from the surface of the landing port, on either side of the ship. The cylinders eventually formed into a cage, imprisoning the ship. Knode urged everyone to disembark slowly. Tenashar wasn’t sure what would happen as he came out of the ship.
When Tenashar peered out of the window, he saw warriors lined up on all sides of the ship. He had never seen warriors like these before. The strange warriors were dressed in tight-fitting clothes that looked metallic, like armor. This armor was so shiny that it reflected various tones of dark green and blue from the surrounding environment.
The armor was composed of three elements. The warrior’s upper chest was protected by a white top piece. Then there was a second piece that covered the middle of the body, and a third, lower part that reached down to guard the warrior’s groin and upper thigh. Their arms and legs were also armored, and their hands encased in gloves.
The helmets had a transparent visor that resembled a bird’s beak and an extension that covered the back of the head and ears. At the neck, there were several circular, inner collars that covered the throat and shoulders.
Each warrior carried several weapons with different functions. One ap
peared to be a sheathed sword or a long knife. Another weapon was a curved blade that was attached and held by a cord that connected onto a holder around the warrior’s waist. Strung across their shoulders with a strap was an elongated rifle designed to fire deadly small-sized missiles at a great distance.
Tenashar recognized this last weapon, or at least thought he remembered Nainashari once describing such a thing. Now, for the first time, he saw the actual weapon. Other attachments the warriors carried were unfamiliar to Tenashar.
Jarviashar hadn’t seen warriors like these before in Honazal and Sovazal, citizens armed with a simpler version of the rifles the Sahaynaiviums were carrying. Fear quickly went through her body, making her quiver.
Knode was the first to step out of the ship. “The warriors are not moving. Look, someone is stepping out from behind the line of those warriors. He’s walking toward me. This man is a member of the council and an aeronaut. He’s coming out to greet me.” Knode finally relaxed and smiled.
This was Knode’s friend and cousin Hedariad. In the manner of Himoicum customs, they cupped their palms and overlapped them together in an embraced formal greeting. A similar salutation was used in Honazal. For Knode, the tension subsided.
Knode and Hedariad concluded their formality. In the far distance, Tenashar saw a figure dressed in the clothes of the Sahaynaivium council—a black tunic and trousers that resembled the armor of the warriors. On the dark clothes were patterns of bright pink and light blue. A shawl was draped across the man’s left shoulder, bright colors of yellow and orange-brown—an indication of a high office of the upper council.
“I want to apologize, Tenashar,” Marhidium muttered to him. “Guests are never met by the military. This is very unusual.”
Tenashar started to believe that there was some great mistake, because the Sovazal and Honazal were distantly yet culturally close to the Sahaynaiviums. In centuries past, there had been great trade between the continent and the islands.
Marhidium expected this type of greeting, but she did not suspect the reason. Siytai pressed her for reasons. “I want answers. What’s going on? Why are we being treated like this?”
Marhidium said, “Stop this and calm down.”
“You must realize that Osinthaph is hiding something,” replied Siytai.
“She knows nothing; you can see that from her face,” Marhidium reasoned. “Or are you blind to compassion? What is wrong with you? She’s not the one to pick on!”
“Oh, I think she has the answers. But she is with them!” Siytai kicked the cabin window in anger and walked to the front of the ship.
“Your world is small, Siytai, very small. And your mind is the same. Pour some water on your head and cultivate some sense!” Marhidium called to him.
Marhidium was upset by the incident with Siytai. It was Marhidium’s turn to hold Osinthaph and comfort her. They sat alone together.
All this time, A-amar and Una-sei had remained still and so quiet that Tenashar completely forgot about them. A thought occurred to Tenashar—the Sharzeens could push the warriors out of the way by force of strength. But he wasn’t too sure how A-amar would stand up to missiles if they were shot at him.
He should have asked Nainashari, Ilaythesia, or Cadica more about Sharzeens. But Sahaynaiviums were somewhat familiar with Sharzeens and perhaps understood the legends and their origins. Maybe these weapons could destroy A-amar and Una-sei.
Tenashar glanced at Osinthaph and knew what she was thinking about the weapons. “Sharzeens are not impervious to these weapons. The ones these warriors carry are newly developed. I’ve heard of them, but this is the first time I have seen them. I hope never to see these weapons used on anyone. They are extremely deadly.”
Tenashar thanked her.
In her heart, Osinthaph saw a developing friendship.
chapter 24
A Strange Welcome from the Sahaynaivium Authorities
The warriors started melting away, leaving only Knode and Hedariad on the huge expanse of the landing port. The “Heavenly Port,” as it was called, was quiet. It was strange that no other ships were docked or landing.
Knode signaled to the others to come out. As they put their feet onto the ground, they felt the heat that the metallic Heavenly Port gave off. Then a hidden cylinder slowly rose near Knode. Hedariad pressed a button on a control panel, and suddenly, transparent metal that resembled glass appeared under them and cooled them off.
Tenashar was awed as they were relieved of the heat.
Hedariad welcomed them with palms cupped, pointing heavenward. Knode then introduced his friends one by one.
Hedariad took particular interest in Tenashar and Jarviashar because they were from an unfamiliar part of the world. He was interested in exotic people.
Tenashar and Jarviashar didn’t think of themselves as exotic people. The councilor took more interest in Jarviashar, particularly after finding out that her father, Leineha, was a senior member of the Honazal council. Leineha was known in Himoicum.
This created a false note in Tenashar’s ear. What was happening to him? What were Hedariad’s intentions? Yet he tried to trust him because he was Knode’s cousin. He knew Knode to be a compassionate man who wouldn’t want to consciously do anything that would discomfort other people. Tenashar was clearly disappointed by the warriors surrounding the flying ship, and at the Himoicum council for not telling them what was actually happening.
As they walked off the port and onto a ground of concrete and tile, Tenashar felt relieved.
It was the magnetic force of the landing port that made many people uneasy.
But the comfort that Tenashar felt didn’t remain for long—a figure was approaching.
This figure had imposing broad shoulders and appeared to be athletic. He had a wide, square face with a beard and no mustache. His short, dark hair was arranged in front of his face, with braids styled in ringlets at the back.
Tenashar sensed something unstable or uneasy about this person.
Hedariad stood straight. “Please may I introduce an important guest, Feiadysium Ohjaqadol.”?
“This man looks imposing,” said Tenashar.
The newcomer smiled at them.
“There is something artificial about this Feiadysium,” said Tenashar.
“I know what you are saying,” said Knode.
If Feiadysium sensed their uneasiness, he never showed it.
Feiadysium turned to the rest of the group. “Welcome. Be contained by the oceans and light. Follow me,” he said, and he led them to the top of a wide stair that stretched in all directions as far as they could see.
Feiadysium walked down the stairs. The others followed. The stairs were decorated like so much of the architecture of Himoicum—some with designs similar to those seen in Honazal. The steps were lined with huge, abstract sculptures that Tenashar sensed represented stories of history or mythology in Sahaynaivium culture. Yet for Tenashar, the environment seemed sterile compared to Honazal.
Tenashar whispered to Jarviashar. “Feiadysium and Hedariad don’t seem to be paying any attention to A-amar and Una-sei. Are they so normal here? And there are hardly any people walking the streets; I thought it would be crowded.”
There was something metallic about Feiadysium’s personality. Tenashar was about to say something about him, but Marhidium silenced him with a look.
Who was this strange man named Feiadysium? Tenashar knew that he was part of the upper council, but there was more to it than that. It seemed that Feiadysium let nothing that didn’t concern him stand in his way. He had no regard for anything except what concerned the council. It was as if he was immune to the world around him.
People were chosen for the upper council if they had exceptional abilities. Many of the council members were scholars or people who investigated the truth of nature. In Himoicum, the people called these scientists. However, lately there were hardly any craftsmen on the council—a class that had once held a special place in society. They were t
he builders and designers of Sahaynaivium society’s many achievements. The craftsmen and their inventive skills were praised and respected by the people, and they had always had the same academic discipline of scholars and scientists. Now it was different, because those who had no skill with their hands were being elected to the council. Yet the current leader, the Salseth, was a learned craftsman. The world was changing for the Sahaynaivium people.
At the bottom of the enormous stairs was a large pool of water. Feiadysium walked straight forward. When his foot touched the water, it became suddenly solid though still transparent. He continued across the pool, as if he were the only person there. He didn’t glance around or wait for the others to follow.
Knode, Hedariad, Marhidium, and Siytai stepped onto the solid water without any hesitation. Tenashar, Jarviashar, A-amar, and Una-sei followed with only slight hesitation. As they continued, they were led onto an incline that gradually brought them to dry land again.
At a faster pace, Feiadysium brought them to an area where they saw buildings towering far beyond the clouds. They were also surrounded by foliage and grass. Feiadysium told everyone to wait and strode off. Knode kept with him and asked Feiadysium some questions. Once Feiadysium returned, then he pointed to Hedariad, telling to follow him. Feiadysium went into a nearby building, followed by Hedariad.
chapter 25
Standing Before the Sahaynivium Council
They remained waiting for Feiadysium to return with Hedariad. Knode, Marhidium, and Siytai were used to the routine of waiting around. “Our lives consisted of waiting for assignments to depart for a flight,” said Knode.
“But for us, things are different. Our lives are less structured than yours,” said Tenashar.
Journey to the Grassland and Sea Page 16