by Richard Lord
They both nod, and Tina speaks, “But he was here before them. He is called Adam because he is the first man. You didn’t know that?”
Tomorrow looks at both of them. “No, not really. We spent years together, but I’m still learning a lot about him.”
Venetia speaks next. “We see. So did you mean being able to tell time from a clock?”
“Yes, I know a bit about time the other way you thought I meant.” Tomorrow states, but stands perfectly still.
Tina looks up at Tomorrow. “We understand now. Marla and James could teach you about that the best. James is good at explaining things, but overwhelming at times. Marla does a good job of keeping his explanations in check.”
Venetia adds, “We’ll ask them to come to your room. Today is a bonus day off for you. We sent the kids to begin training with the guard. It’s time for them to start learning that his doesn’t all come easy. You were the bridge to that and we want to thank you again.” At that they both got up and began to leave the room.
Tomorrow begins to add something but she decides on silence and clicks back to her room. She picks up with the news writing where she left off. She concentrates hard on sounding out the letters of the words she doesn’t know by sight and slowly begins to realize that when she says them out loud, she can tell what the word is. It’ slow, since she has to then go back to the beginning of a sentence and re-read it, but it keeps her excited at her progression. She hears a knock at her door and has the urge to hide the news on the papers, but then she realizes most people read them. It is not odd or different. She runs to the door to open it.
“So you’re Tomorrow! We’ve heard so much about you! I’m Marla, this is my husband James. Please excuse him, but you’ll get used to him.”
Tomorrow looks that the tall man standing next to her and notes the looks of aggravation at Marla for having added the least sentence. He holds out a hand. In his other is a thing with three pointers on it, all of different size, shape and one is a different color. She notes that it is round and recognizes it as a clock. She has seen them all around and noted people looking at them.
“Actually, this is really simple.” James states while motioning with his other hand wondering why she hasn’t invited them in to her room yet.
Tomorrow picks up on the cue and holds her hand out pointing to the small table. She notes there is only one chair. She excuses herself from her own room and runs down to a guard at the end of the hall. “Could you please do me a favor?” He looks at her, clearly wondering what the favor is she is going to ask. “I have guests and I need two more chairs.” The guard smiles and turns away from her moving rapidly. She stands there. She heard him in acceptance of his request, but she hopes he doesn’t make the situation more awkward than it already was. Shortly he returns with two very nicely carved chairs in his hands and walks past her toward her quarters, she follows and watched him set the hairs down at the doorway and then turn to her.
“My apologies, ma’am. We did intend to return these to you early in the morning, but our card game ran late last night. Please forgive us. We are very appreciative of your gratitude in lending them to us.” The saluted to Tomorrow and returns to his post.
Tomorrow smiled after him widely. When he was back at his post she mouthed to him, “Thank you!” He nodded and began staring straight ahead again. It made her think about fishing.
“I’m sorry. I want to thank the two of you for coming and teaching me. I learned to tell time by the sun, but it’s not the best method, I suppose.”
James began, “Actually, it is, but you would have to stare at it an awful long time to get accurate down to seconds. Whilst this device can do that. Except I predict that we will eventually realize we lose a whole day every 5 years or less.”
Marla puts a hand on James’s arm. He looks at her and then he states, “Oh. She’s right. We forgot to bring a calendar. If you don’t understand a calendar, than time is not as relevant.” Then James looks at the stack of news on the table and says, “This will do for a start. Where is your pen and paper, I can draw out the rest as we go along.”
Tomorrow looks at Marla who shrugs back at her. “I am not sure. I suppose they used that to keep tally of their card game.” Tomorrow stands and again runs through the door, the guard chuckles and watches her hand motion paper and a pen. Again he is off quickly.
He returns and runs back towards her and looks to her. He notices her face has gone rather blank and he raises his voice, “Sorry m’lady, almost forgot. We used this to keep score of the dart game. Please forgive us. We are very gracious that you are so kind to lend us your things.” Then he ran back into position while Tomorrow entered the room and handed the pen and paper to James.
As James rattles on about days and years she looks at Marla understanding what she meant about forgiving him. But then he starts discussing months. Tomorrow sits up and says, “Why do they not have the same number of days? There’d twelve of them, why not divide them evenly?”
James looks at her, and says, “Well for one they don’t’ divide evenly. The closest you could get, mathematically would be to add another day, but not every year. But...”
Tomorrow interrupted him, “Then why 12 months?”
James begins again, “Well initially the way most things were broken down was in units of ten. I suppose that is because we have ten fingers. So it was easy to count with fingers. Apparently many years ago there were leaders, Augustus and Julius, hence the addition of two more months. Although, I think Augustus was Julius. I’m not sure. I can do my best to make that clearer for a later meeting.”
Tomorrow ignored that finer detail and asked, “So how many days does it take for a baby to be born, from conception to birth?”
James did the math in his head, “Somewhere around 280. Why do you ask in days?”
Tomorrow again ignores his question and asks one of her own. “So you two were there. What day were the cousins conceived?”
Marla looks at Tomorrow. I know we were aware there was some upset going on and we all guessed what t was about, but we don’t know a specific day.” James nodded at her answer.
“Okay. What month was it? And also tell me what month Phillip died.”
James let out a sigh and looked at her. “I really don’t think we were that focused then.”
Marla said, “It was within a few months. I know because they weren’t showing yet, but Siri and I had guessed from the way they both looked.”
Tomorrow muttered out loud, “Within our own lifetimes.”
James and Marla looked at each other and Marla put her hand on Tomorrow’s. “What do you mean by that?”
“He moved me back, but he couldn’t go further than his lifetime. More to the point, he couldn’t go back further than mine and still be able to take me with him.” Tomorrow exclaimed.
He couldn’t move into the future but I went back and he saw me, so from the moment he did, and waved at me, he knew what the result would be. Maybe before that. I don’t know. That was my first time, but later I may do it sooner.” Tomorrow kept going down her line of thoughts when Marla interrupted her.
“What are you talking about? Your beginning to sound like Philip on a bad day. That’s worse than James.” She turned to her husband and kissed him on the cheek in apology for being so direct.
James turned to Marla and patter her on the hand, then he looked back at Tomorrow. Soo, let’s talk about seconds, minutes and hours.” He held up the clock he had brought with him.
Marla tried to shush him, but then she realized he knew what he was doing and let him continue. She waved a hand casually downward while looking at Tomorrow. “Don’t worry, he’s just excited. He’s going to be a Daddy.” Then she grinned wide at Tomorrow.
Tomorrow smiled back, but focused on the clock he had brought ready to learn the minute details of time before considering the more confusing ones of moving through it and the effects that had.
James began, “The first thin to know is that clo
cks always move in one direction. All of these pointers are called hands. They all move this way.” He motioned clockwise with his finger. “So…
He went on for a while. Tomorrow started to understand and always snapped to attention when he asked a question but she kept wondering to herself. “Why did Adam leave me here. I understand now that he wanted me to learn, but why at this time and why with these people instead of just teaching her himself.” She thought to herself, “Did he not want me anymore?” Then she thought to herself, “No, he waved at me.” Then she countered her own thought, “That was before. In the early days.” Then she looked up at Marla and James and she stood. “Thank you for all of the help. Will you come by tomorrow, after I am done with my class? I could certainly use more help and I enjoy the company.”
Marla noted that was a polite way for her to ask them to leave pulled hard under James’ arm. “Yes, we’ll come back tomorrow evening.”
James, looking confused did what he always did and just followed Marla’s lead. But at the door her turned to look at Tomorrow. “I’m quite impressed. Usually adult students are hard to teach, but you gather concepts well. It would be our honor to visit you tomorrow evening, but would you allow us to bring you food so that we could dine together?”
Tomorrow glanced at the chairs, the pad paper and the pen. She knew the guard had to get them back to their rightful places. She bit at her lip and then said, “I’ve yet to visit you. If you will tell the guard where you are, perhaps I can get him to lead me to your place. I get lost around here and I suppose he owes me, due to the loans and all.”
James looked at Marla who responded on their behalf. “Do you like spicy?”
Tomorrow looked confused, but decided to admit ignorance on that topic, “I don’t know. I guess I’ll find out.”
CHAPTER 18
“Treat others kindly, Their battles may be fiercer than you can conceive.” -- from the Book of Conan
“You get the idea. You knew Phillip.” He sees the looks they are giving him, but he knows they need to move quickly, “Pack all of this. What you can hold I can take, one by one with you. What you cannot hold destroy.”
Venetia stepped forward, “Did you not notice he left tow of us pregnant?”
“Did you not notice I am here because, if for any reason, that, I am here to move you. Let’s go!”
Hearing the tone of his voice James looked at Marla and urged her to hurry. Paul looked at Siri and said, “James is lead now. Come on, let’s get our stuff together. It’s easier for us, we’re acclimated to being on the move. They are going to have the tougher time at relocation. We need to set an example and be first.”
Siri nodded at Paul and they both sprinted off to their quarters. They were back in time to note that Tina was yelling at the man.
“Why? Why do we have to leave, this is our home, we lost our leader, I lost the person I love and my child lost a father. Why do we have to take on more bullshit now?”
Siri moved next to Tina, “It’s not his fault. We knew all of this would have a huge impact. Right now, this is the result of that. Let’s ride the waves, Tina!”
Tina turned and looked at Siri. “Fuck you, I don’t see you without Paul or a child you have to care foe in your belly!”
Siri held up both hands and looked back at Paul. Paul stepped forward and said, “Tina, we need you to do the right thing so the right thing happens for your child. We know Venetia. We know she can be dramatic. We need you to be the example for her. Failing that, all we have done is waste. Clearly this man is here because he knows what we have done, he knows why Phillip died and he is offering us a chance to make something of that.” Paul moved his fingers to opposing sides of his lips and then puled them together as he thought. “I know we weren’t expecting what Phillip decided on, but he damn well knew he was our leader, so he damned well had a plan for us. It may not be optimal, but we’ve been through worse. Please Tina, be ready and please at least pretend to be willing by the time Venetia gets back.
Tina looked at Paul, the man she didn’t know and then Siri. She began to walk from the room but Siri said, “I’ll help you.”
Tina turned to Siri and said, “Do what?”
Siri responded, “Get your things together.”
“I have nothing to care about except for what I carry. But if you have more lighter fluid, that could be helpful.” Tina then turned but Siri followed anyway.
As they left through one door another opened and Venetia walked in holding a pole with a piece of fabric tied to it’s end. “This is what we will need.” She announced.
Paul and the man looked at what she was holding. Marla entered with James and they both noted what the other two were staring at.
“We leave one of these here. One of these in the city and we take one and found a new city under this banner!” The way Venetia said it, it was not open for discussion. The image was disturbing. It was a skull with two femurs crossing under it. Across that, painted in red to look like blood, or what they were hoping was paint, was a symbol.
The man none of them knew but all had decided to follow said, “Appropriate. Good work Venetia, I assume you are ready, so I will take you first.” He reached out to hold her wrist
Venetia pulled away and said, “I want to plant the three and I have yet to make the other two.” I will be last.
The man grabbed her wrist anyway. Then they were deep in the city. They looked out at the chaos of so many beings suddenly being without direction. Venetia wept but she understood why he had brought her here. She ran to the first piece of non-metallic ground she could find and staked the flag into the ground and then looked back as he grabbed her wrist and they again clicked. Appearing in front of James, Marla and Paul, she said, “Now one for the home we leave behind and one for the home we will build.” She turned to the man and nodded in thanks and then left the room.
“That one’s intense. You’ll need that.” Said the man they had never met.
“I suppose we always have, but, as you said, it’s intense.” Paul responded. James and Marla chuckled.
James then spoke, “So, is there beer where we’re going? If not, I have an additional few pieces I’d like to hold onto.”
The man they had never met said, “There is nothing there, but the temperate atmosphere and pressure are good for what you have in mind. I suppose you have a few seconds. Do what you will with it.” Then he grinned at James, knowing full well James had made a last minute change of mind and preferred his brewing equipment to a huge chest of clothes.
James took off quickly and Marla looked at his trail and then turned and said, “Pardon him. He takes getting used to.”
“An active mind is a good one. You found a great man, don’t forget that!” He felt strange giving advice to people he had never met before, but he also knew it was the right thing to do.
Tina returned to the room, lead by Siri. She looked up at the man she had never met and said, “Thank you. I’m sorry I was rude, I just…” then she broke into tears.
The man she had never met before looked at her and kneeled down and said, “I know. You’ve been through a lot. I am not so shallow as to dismiss that or take offense at you needing to get out what you are actually feeling right now.”
Venetia returned to the room with a banner in hand and then said, “So has no one gone yet?”
The man she had never met said, “I already said you would be the first. You’ll plant that flag in the appropriate area and as each of the others arrive, you’ll create something great around it.” He looked at each of them and then said, “Promise to respect that Phillip respected the six of you. Umm, eight of you soon.” He grinned at them and then he stood catching Venetia’s hand as it lowered and they were gone.
CHAPTER 19
“The universe does not give up it’s secrets without torturing the inquisitor.” -- from the Book of James
“Phillip, I’d like to have a talk with you.” Renfield approaches Phillip and the craft he is abo
ut to disembark in.
“About? Brian doesn’t trust you. He told me the two of you have been at odds for millennia.” Phillip responds and continues checking his suit.
“Brian and I were at odds with ourselves, Phillip. Please. I’ll be brief.” Renfield responds.
Renfield walks over and put s his hand on the craft. “I love you so much my dear. I understand. I felt I should say that out loud. I’m not going to try to change your mid or Phillip’s, but it will be painful. Just know I love you.”
Phillip looks at Renfield. He can hear the echoes of the thoughts behind that statement. “Ok, go on?”
“Let’s step away.” Renfield says,
“No. I’m fine here.” Phillip replies.
“Let’s step away.” Renfield says,
Philip listens hard, but he knows that Renfield is skilled at protecting his mind from intrusion. He tries hard to penetrate the dense, but he knew it was a longshot when he tried Phillip walks away from the craft. “What?”
“I wanted to tell you I am proud of both of you. I also want you to know your friends are safe beyond you and that they will establish the new.” Renfield whispers, as if there was anything in the desert that cared about what he was saying.
Phillip looks at Renfield and studies his face. He knows he can’t hear his thoughts, so he chooses to use a different skill set to determine what Renfield is thinking. He doesn’t note any sign of deception, but he remains aware that he is talking to a man who has existed for more years than he can imagine. “So you know? Why did I think I was going to hide this from you.” Phillip grabs at his straggles of a beard and looks directly into Renfield’s eyes as he asks, “So does it work?”
“Interesting question Phillip. That’s my daughter. Does it work? Phillip, she may not be in her won body right now, but that is my daughter. Do you understand that? How can you just ask me if it works. No Phillip, it doesn’t work for me. I’m accepting it because it works for others, but in no fucking way does it work for me, Phillip. That is my daughter!”