by J. M. Preiss
Just as Jacob was starting to feel that they were actually lost, they found their way onto a path that had been cut through the forest. There were definite tracks and trails through it, so it had to be some kind of road. Jacob mulled over the various tracks he saw as they turned to the right and continued. The primary mode of transportation appeared to be on foot or with a sled of some sort, but there did appear to be some tracks cut by wagons.
"So how much further, Hector?" Jacob scratched his head and suppressed a shiver from the cold.
"Not too much further, High One," Hector replied. He looked over his shoulder at Jacob. "It's strange that I see one such as you affected by the cold. Is your suit broken?"
Jacob looked at his clothing. "No, it's functioning quite well. It's just so cold out here. Aren't you bothered by it?"
Hector shook his head. "It's not that cold. Wait till winter. Then it will be cold, but you are testing me. You already know this."
Jacob frowned. How could it be this cold, snow on the ground, and it not be winter? Something definitely wasn't right. He had stayed up the night previous messing with the temporal beacon and managed to get some data out of it, but it had said that they were twenty thousand years into the future, give or take a few thousand. Nothing was adding up. Shouldn't civilization have advanced back to the point of modern times if not surpassed it by now? What was working against advancement?
"You get lost in your thoughts a lot, High One?" Hector asked, bringing Jacob back to the present of trudging down the snow covered road.
"Old habit, Hector. If you think about what you are doing and what you have done, you can avoid past mistakes as well as avert any further mistakes in the future."
Hector nodded to himself. "Sounds similar to a saying we of the Forest Tribe have."
"I'm not surprised. Many civilizations have had similar sayings in their time," Jacob said simply. "Tell me, Hector: how many people are in your tribe?"
Hector stopped and looked up at the sky while cocking his head. "I don't know an exact number, but there are at least fifty of us." He nodded to himself and started walking again.
"Only fifty?" asked Jacob.
"The Forest Tribe is the smallest of the tribes in these parts. Of course, we are all dwarfed by the High Ones," Hector said reverently. "They have a much easier time living in their great castles that stretch into the sky."
So the cities still existed. What did that mean? How could they have existed for so long without crumbling to the ground?
"Hector; do you know how old these great castles are?"
Hector shook his head. "I am sorry, High One, but I don't know the answer to that question. Our myths and lore only tell us that we were once blessed with being among the High Ones and that we were cast out long ago to toil in the wastes. We were evil beings, and our continued existence within the sacred walls was as a plague to the great castles." Hector stopped again. "As we're taught, it was the great castles that chose to expel us into these lands so as to preserve itself and prevent destruction."
How that made any sense, Jacob didn't know.
Hector continued as he started walking again. "In our exile, the great castles managed to survive, so we don't feel any ill will towards the High Ones. We were chosen to go forth into the virgin world, and so we did."
"Excuse me, virgin world?" asked Jacob.
"That's correct, High One." Hector nodded. "This land was untouched by the hand of man before the great castle sent us here."
"Do you have a name for this great castle, Hector?"
"We've been taught the name, yes. It's known to us as Cago, a mighty and beautiful castle that stretches as far as the eye can see." Hector kept moving along with Mason in tow. "Perhaps when your friend is better, I will be permitted to travel with you to Cago and see it with my own eyes."
Jacob thought for a moment. This Hector would prove a useful guide, and perhaps there was a way to get him to take them to Cago - whatever that is.
"Yes, Hector. For your help, I will welcome you to travel with us to Cago. It's the least that I can do," said Jacob.
"Thank you, High One. I am honored that you would allow me this."
The trio continued on down the road for a while longer before the trees started getting thinner. Here and there, there was evidence of recent logging activities. Eventually, they came over a small rise, and the home of the Forest Tribe was before them.
It was a nice little village. There was a simple palisade wall surrounding the village, but homes were starting to be built outside of the safety of it. Each home looked like a log cabin to Jacob, and their roofs were thatched. At least one chimney made of stone could be seen reaching for the sky from each structure. In the center of the village was a stone building of much greater size than any other. It was multi-leveled and had multiple chimneys sprouting from it. The roof also appeared to be of a stone material as well. Jacob figured it was the city hall, or whatever the equivalent in a village was. The paths through the village were all carefully laid cobblestone, and the foot traffic along them managed to clear away a good deal of the snow.
As they approached the gate into the village, a man with an ax stepped forward.
"Greetings, Hector of the Forest Tribe. You've been gone hunting for some time, but I see that you've not come back with game for which to feed yourself; instead, you bring visitors. Might I ask as to their business with the Forest Tribe?"
"Greetings, Yuland of the Forest Tribe. I've been unsuccessful in my hunt, but I've rescued two High Ones. They are in need of our assistance. They came across a grelock and almost became its prey." Hector turned and held out his hand. "It's my wish to present High One Jacob to the Elders and see that his friend gets medical attention."
Yuland rubbed his beard while looking over Jacob and Mason. "We don't get High Ones out here. Are you sure it's not a trick by the River Tribe?"
Hector shook his head. "It's not a trick. I've seen their wonderful technology in action. They are indeed of the great castles."
Yuland nodded. "Very well then. They're your charge while inside the realm of the Forest Tribe. You're responsible for their wellbeing. You may enter." Yuland stepped back and yelled over the wall. "Open the gate!"
The simple gate split open and allowed Hector, Mason, and Jacob into the village.
Chapter VIII
Hector dragged Mason over to a building near where they had entered. It blended in with the rest of the buildings, but there was a sign posted in the front next to the walkway of a staff with two snakes.
"This is where we come when we are hurt out on the hunt, or we get weak from illness," Hector explained.
Jacob nodded. It only made sense. This was the medical facility of the village. Of course, calling it a facility was a bit much, more of a clinic. "Will you be able to help Mason?"
"Easily, High One." Hector unstrapped Mason from the travois and lifted him easily in his arms. "If you could please, get the door."
"Of course," Jacob said as he walked and opened the door.
Hector carried Mason through the door, and Jacob followed. What Jacob saw inside caught him off guard.
The building exterior was far from the truth of the building interior. Where Jacob expected there to be wooden walls and floors, there was sleek drywall and tile flooring. The ceilings were also similarly dry walled. Instead of there being an oil lamp or a fire in the fireplace to provide light, there were electrical lights. Jacob stood dumbfounded.
Hector lowered Mason onto a hospital bed, and then looked at Jacob. "First time in one of our buildings, High One?"
Jacob stammered. "Uh, yes."
Hector nodded. "I suspect that there are horrible rumors about the people of the tribes, but we're not barbarians. We just prefer blending in with our surroundings." Hector shrugged. "We also lack the power and the templates to do much more than these simple constructs."
"So you are saying that you have a nano-replicator?" Jacob asked.
Hector smiled. "Of co
urse we do, High one. All of the tribes have one."
Jacob shook his head and rubbed his chin with his left hand. "Forgive me, but I don't understand. Why do you act as if you worship me if you have equivalent technological means? Nothing that I have is outside of your manufacturing capability."
Hector screwed up his mouth. "It's a simple matter. It's what is required of us. If we don't worship the High Ones, we don't get the power to be able to use their gifts."
Jacob frowned. "So you were given the nano-replicator?"
Hector nodded. "Yes. It was a gift when the tribe was founded."
"And you rely on the High Ones, like me, to bring you power so that you may use it?"
Hector nodded again. "You understand, High One. Is it not so where you are from?"
Jacob shook his head. "I am afraid that it isn't."
Hector shook his head. "You must be from far away then, High One. Come, we can wait over by the fire and discuss these matters. I would enjoy learning more about your people and in turn telling you more about mine."
Jacob looked at Mason.
"Don't worry. He'll be fine. This is the one structure in our tribe that we keep powered. Without it, we would not be able to fight the sickness that can overtake us when we are weak or heal ourselves when we get wounded hunting." Hector looked to the back of the building. "Doctor, we have a patient for you," he called.
An older man, probably in his late 50's, came ambling into the room. "Eh? What is it this time, Hector?"
Hector motioned to Mason. "I came across these High Ones when I was hunting. They were close to being prey to a grelock. This one on the bed needs help."
The doctor nodded. "Very well, I'll do my best. Go wait over by the fire."
Hector nodded and motioned for Jacob to follow him so that the doctor could work. "Anyways, High One," he said as he was sitting down, "I told you earlier of the beginnings of the Forest Tribe. Let me tell you the rest of that story."
Hector leaned over and rested his right arm on his leg, his left hand on his left knee. "After we were expelled from the great castle of Cago, we wandered aimlessly until we found this place that we now call home. The founders created this village and named it Repose. We took on the broader name of the Forest Tribe, for the forest is considered our territory. Shortly after the founding of Repose, the High Ones brought us a nano-replicator. Sacred are these because they are limited in number, or so the High Ones have told us. We took the nano-replicator and put it in the Great House." Hector rested his chin in his right hand and stared into the fire. "Every year since, the High Ones have sent us a gift of power. We in turn give them a gift of the foodstuffs that we produce. It has been this way for many years."
Jacob nodded as he followed the history of the Forest Tribe.
Hector continued. "As of late though, the supply of power we are given has been diminishing. As such, we cannot afford to keep producing the things we need to live as easily as before. Thus, we have resorted to more simple ways." He lifted up the skins that surrounded him. "We could make suits similar to yours, but we cannot afford the power. We instead use the skins of what we kill. We could also use the power to forge ourselves weapons of peerless manufacture, but we cannot afford the power. Instead, we have people learning the ways of the coal and the steel. We are having to learn to make without the nano-replicator so that when the power fails, we will not fail with it." Hector scratched his chin. "Of course, you know all of this, High One. You're just testing me."
Jacob shook his head. "I'm afraid that I'm not testing you. I'm from far away." Technically, Jacob thought. If you were to look at time as a distance to be traveled, he was, indeed, far away from where he came from. "Things here are much different than from where I'm from. For one thing, it's much colder here."
Hector's eyes shot up. "Really?" He guffawed. "You really are from far away then. According to the High Ones from Cago, the cold stretches as far as they've traveled, and they've traveled very far." Hector looked into the fire. "For you to have traveled further..." He trailed off.
Jacob scratched the back of his neck.
Hector looked right at Jacob. "Forgive me for being so blunt, High One, but just where are you from?"
"Hmm. Well, uh, that is a bit complicated," Jacob said. He thought for a moment on what to say. Should he just tell the truth? What harm would that do? What if that caused an issue though? Nobody would believe that he was actually from the distant past. "Well, Hector, I'm from a great castle like Cago. My great castle is known as London."
"London," Hector said. "I've not heard of that great castle, but that should come as no surprise. I've not heard of many places."
Jacob nodded. "That's right. London. It's far away from this place. It's much warmer there than here." Jacob leaned back in his chair and pondered what to say next. "Tell me, Hector. Why do you revere the High Ones so?"
Hector squirmed a bit. "That's a difficult question to answer, High One."
"I don't see why."
Hector screwed up his mouth. "Well," he began, "might I be frank with you?"
"I welcome it," said Jacob.
"We don't revere you," Hector said with a deadpan voice. He flinched after saying it, as if an unseen blow was swiping towards him.
"Huh," said Jacob. "Then why the use of the title and such? Don't worry; you aren't going to anger me."
Hector nodded. "Yes, I can see that, Hi- Jacob."
Jacob smiled.
"Very simply, we use the title and show reverence to those that live in Cago because they are our only source of power. At least, they are the only source of plentiful power." Hector seemed to relax more.
"I think I understand," said Jacob. It actually made a lot of sense. These people took the subservient role so that they continued to benefit from the gifts of the others. The fact that they had to revere the other bothered them, but the life giving power was so important that they did it almost willingly. "And you fear that if you were to break protocol with one of the people of Cago, they would cease to give you power."
Hector nodded. "Quite so. I see that you understand."
Jacob stretched. "Well, Hector, now that we have that out of the way. Why don't you tell me more about your technology and how it compares to those in Cago?"
Hector looked askance at Jacob. "I would love to, Hi- Jacob. Sorry, that is going to take some getting used to. I have probably already told you too much. You might come from a great castle, but the people of Repose and the Forest Tribe are very wary of outsiders - High Ones most of all."
"I see," said Jacob. "Is there some way I could earn your trust? I am eager to learn more, and I may be able to help with your power issues."
Hector's eyes lit up, but his voice hid any emotion. "That would be for the Elders to decide. We can go there now if you like."
Jacob started to get up, and then sank back into his chair as he looked over to the doctor and Mason. "I would love to, but I really need to stay here."
"Of course, Hi- Jacob." Hector shook his head and laughed. "Years of faked reverence don't go away so easily."
"No, I'd imagine they don't." Jacob slid down into the chair some more and stared into the fire. The warmth billowing out from it was relaxing, and the dance of the flames was alluring. There was a soft crackling and popping as the fire consumed the wood. Before he knew it, Jacob was fast asleep.
Chapter IX
Jacob was fifteen years old again, sitting on a bench in one of the outdoor areas of his hab complex. Lisa was sitting next to him. She was fourteen.
"So what you're telling me is that you are enlisting because it's the "right thing to do"," she stated in a deadpan voice. "Jacob, what does that mean for us?"
Jacob looked away. "It doesn't change anything between us." He stood up and paced in front of the railing.
The view was amazing. Gleaming metal skyscrapers reached for the sky; of course, these things made skyscrapers look like hovels in comparison. A tram whisked by as Jacob was pacing.
&
nbsp; "We'll still get married when I return. I am not planning on going against our parents' wishes," he said.
"People die in the service," Lisa stressed. "How do I know that you won't?"
"Do you trust me?" Jacob asked.
"Of course, I do, but I don't trust other people," Lisa replied.
Jacob sighed and sat back on the seat next to her. He was starting to get frustrated. Why couldn't Lisa understand that he had to do this? He didn't find any purpose doing anything else. Sure, he had scored highly on his aptitude test, but all of those jobs he was qualified for were boring and didn't actually make things better. In the service, he could make a difference. He could help bring peace to the war torn places in the world.
"The matter is settled, Lisa," Jacob said as he stood. "I have already signed all the paperwork. The only thing that is left is this goodbye." He sighed and knelt before her, grabbing her hands in his. "You are the only thing that I have left after my parents passed away in a tram accident, and I don't want to lose you."
Lisa looked away. "You'll never lose me. We have the contract between our parents to thank for that." She sighed heavily. "And while I may be mad at you for doing this, I understand." She shook her head. "Are you certain that you wouldn't be happy as a police officer or maybe a scientist? You are smart enough for that."
"I'm certain, Lisa," Jacob replied. "I can make a real difference in the Reactionary Force." He let go of her hands and stood up.
A tear rolled down Lisa's cheek. "Just," she started and choked back a sob. "Just be careful."
Jacob started to walk away.
"Jacob," Lisa said, and he turned back. "I love you."
Jacob smiled, said, "I love you too," walked into the lift tube that would take him to the transportation hub, and was whisked away.
Chapter X
"Time to get up, sunshine," said a familiar voice. Jacob couldn't quite place it, but he knew it was a voice that wasn't a threat. He allowed himself to slowly come out of his little nap that he had inadvertently taken. He must have been more tired than he thought.