As promised, Gibal awarded Maelgwn a good insight into his family whilst he worked. And when Aquilla was absent from the lab the Lord took advantage of having another immortal present and began testing the capabilities of his NERGUZ prototype. Maelgwn didn’t mind being Gibal’s test subject as it gave him something interesting and beneficial to do. Still, having experienced being controlled by another and having learned a little about the nature of some of Gibal’s kin, Maelgwn didn’t fancy the idea of what might happen if this weapon was to fall into the hands of tyrants. Yet, in the hands of a good man, the NERGUZ could be a wonderful healing tool — much like hypnosis could be to a mortal man.
For the first week of his mission, Maelgwn watched Gibal like a hawk. Even when the Lord rested, Maelgwn would take up station in the adjoining room and wait for Gibal to emerge the next day. After a week of constant surveillance, the Lord had had about as much as he could stand.
Dragon, isn’t it time you took a break? Gibal broached the subject over dinner one evening. It’s not that I don’t cherish your company and protection, but you are here to guard my work, not my person.
‘Thank you for the concern,’ Maelgwn refused to take the hint, ‘but I am fine.’
No, you’re not fine, Gibal stressed, ever so slightly. And what’s more, I am not fine. I am in no danger and, therefore, when I am not working, and you can find me with a thought, there is really no reason to be so vigilant.
‘If my Lord is not happy with our arrangement,’ Maelgwn sat forward in his seat to suggest, ‘perhaps you should take up the subject with mission control.’
I have already done so, and it was agreed that when I am at liberty, so should you be, Gibal advised.
Maelgwn didn’t like to question the Lord’s word but how could he be sure that this wasn’t just a convenient lie? ‘And I have your word that this directive is as you say?’
You do, Gibal answered surely, before raising both brows to suggest, Believe it or not Dragon, I have been taking care of myself since before you were born, in any lifetime.
Gibal succeeded in making Maelgwn feel like the young pup he was.
So, after dinner you shall go see the city sights, relax in your own quarters, or whatever it is you see fit to do. Gibal wiped his mouth with a napkin, then placed it aside. Every living being needs its own space, including you and I.
Maelgwn raised himself from Gibal’s table, feeling that he had little choice but to agree. ‘As you wish, my Lord. But at the first sign of anything unusual —’
Dragon. Gibal cut him short, smiling with amusement. The whole point of this exercise is for you to relax.
‘In truth, my Lord, I feel far more at ease with you in my sight,’ Maelgwn informed.
Well, I don’t. Gibal accompanied his words with a convincing expression that implied there was to be no more argument. Thus, I am ordering you to enjoy yourself. And when I see you on the morrow I shall expect a full report.
Maelgwn’s concerned expression did not lift. ‘I shall do my best, my Lord.’ He bowed to his charge before departing.
In his own chambers Maelgwn meditated, and took some time to practice and hone his fighting skills and physical teleportation ability.
During his surveillance of Gibal, Maelgwn had found ample time to familiarise himself with his equipment, specifically his firearms. A swordsman of considerable experience, Maelgwn did not feel as comfortable with the PKA sonic pulse blaster as he did with the EMS Wand, which was the modern Nefilim equivalent of a baton cum sword. He’d seen a more primitive version of this weapon back in Gwynedd — one of the thirteen treasures of Britain that Taliesin guarded, the sword of Rhydderch, appeared to burst into flame when drawn for battle.
In retrospect, Maelgwn knew the sword’s fiery blade to be a laser beam. This weapon operated within an electromagnetic spectrum, meaning that the weapon’s density function was controlled by the wave length and frequency, or more obviously, the colour, of the laser. On a low wave frequency the laser assumed a deep red colour that was equivalent in density to a club or baton. Set at the highest frequency of the light spectrum, ultra-violet, the weapon’s edge would cut through most metal with as much ease as a knife through cheese. Around the middle of the light spectrum, when the laser glowed green, the cutting edge was equal to that of the steel sword Maelgwn had wielded in the Dark Ages. Zerrah had proven to be a willing sparring partner and had even warmed to Maelgwn a little during their duels, for the Delphinus warrior had discovered he could hold his own against Gibal’s new bodyguard and had even managed to disarm the Dragon a couple of times. Not that this had come as any surprise to Maelgwn. Zerrah had proven himself a superior fighter in every lifetime that Maelgwn had encountered him in, and thus he was not surprised to discover that this incarnation was no exception.
Once he’d completed all the training he cared to, Maelgwn retired onto the balcony. It would be low tide soon, when the ocean’s surface would drop below the top of the city’s watery dome and expose the sky beyond — an event that he was quite looking forward to beholding.
‘Hello there.’
Aquilla startled Maelgwn as she stepped out onto his balcony to join him.
‘I hope you don’t mind that I let myself in. I did buzz, but there was no answer.’
‘No, not at all.’ He stood, trying not to appear as flustered as he felt. ‘Is there something I can do for you?’ Maelgwn despised how official he sounded.
Aquilla smiled at his formal tone, and maintained her relaxed informal one. ‘It’s more what I can do for you really.’ She looked out over Mazua, towards the Stargaze Temple. ‘My uncle thought you might like to see some of the sights, and as it is Uriah’s night off, he sent me instead.’
Surely Cornelin would not have sent Aquilla to him, after going to such pains to keep Maelgwn away from her? Still, he was not about to accuse the woman of lying. ‘Nothing would please me more,’ he told her truthfully, whereby Aquilla turned back to him, well pleased. But the serious expression on his face caused the smile to slip from hers. ‘But I don’t think that our association would be very appropriate on a social level.’
‘Because of racial and gender differences or my deceased husband?’ Aquilla brought the whole mess out in the open.
‘Well,’ Maelgwn shrugged, ‘all of the above … and your overly protective brother, uncle and employer.’
Aquilla’s smile returned. ‘Their efforts are quite unnecessary. I do realise that you are not my husband, and I also understand you are married yourself. Nevertheless, I intend to prove to you, and indeed to everyone else who feels it is their business, that there is no need for you to avoid me like some sort of plague. I am really quite harmless and nice to know.’
Aquilla seemed sincerely friendly in her intent, just as Tory had in the beginning. ‘Aquilla, I am sure you are a wonderful person to know and as much as I would love to —’
‘You’re going to politely decline, aren’t you?’
Aquilla seemed as if she was going to let him off the hook and so Maelgwn nodded to take the easiest way out for all involved.
‘Oh, come on, Dragon, just this once.’ She changed her tack, her big blue eyes doing their best to sway him.
Maelgwn should have realised the universe would not allow his escape to be so simple. ‘But why, Aquilla? If you have no true interest in me, then —’
‘Now, I didn’t say that,’ she corrected, playfully. ‘My interest is intellectual.’
‘But I am not permitted to discuss anything about myself,’ he objected, inwardly tickled by her persistence.
‘I realise that,’ she stressed, grinning broadly at the obvious. ‘But we don’t have to talk about you … you could give me your first impressions of our city, as you’ve seen precious little of it yet.’
Maelgwn frowned, torn by her sweet pleas.
‘I could take you to the seaside, Cornelin mentioned you were interested in seeing it. It will be fun … you do know what fun is?’
‘A
lright.’ He folded, feeling there could be little harm in it. Gibal did order him to enjoy himself and this way he would have something to report.
Aquilla slapped her hands together, delighted. ‘You won’t be sorry,’ she assured him, backing indoors to lead him towards the front door before he changed his mind.
‘Did Cornelin really send you?’ Maelgwn queried as he pursued her into the corridor.
‘He knows I am here.’ Aquilla turned to look Maelgwn in the eye. ‘I gave him a piece of my mind in regard to meddling in my private affairs and Cornelin now realises the error of his ways.’ Aquilla resumed her course to the transporter plate. ‘I know everybody means well … since Durak’s death my kin have tended to be very protective. But that was years ago now and it’s time they got over it. I have.’ As she said this, her voice went hoarse, whereupon Aquilla cleared her throat.
It was obvious to Maelgwn that the woman was lying through her teeth, and he began having second thoughts about letting himself be talked into this outing. ‘I don’t suppose you want to talk about it?’ He was dying to know what had happened to Durak, or at least what his interests were.
‘Talk won’t bring him back.’ Aquilla managed a smile. ‘And if it could, I’d be with him right now.’ She looked up into Maelgwn’s face and began to laugh.
‘What is it?’ He grinned, guessing it was his resemblance to Durak that had set her off.
‘Forgive me,’ she calmed herself. ‘But the likeness is just incredible. Do you believe in reincarnation, Dragon?’ she questioned as Maelgwn stepped onto the transporter plate beside her.
‘Most definitely,’ he assured her before they were sped to their seaside destination.
Maelgwn found himself at a deserted fringe of Mazua where the sand dunes led to the dome’s watery periphery.
‘Perfect time to visit, coming onto low tide,’ commented Aquilla, as she removed her boots and headed off across the sand. ‘Almost everyone will be preparing to head to the Stargazer.’
Perhaps I should have opted to go there, he thought, daunted by the idea of being on the deserted beach with this woman. ‘I’m not sure if this is such a good idea.’ Maelgwn glanced back towards the city centre where the dome was beginning to open to expose the clear mauve sky of late afternoon.
‘Don’t be such a killjoy, there’s nothing to fear.’ She swung around and walked backwards for a way. ‘Just watch out for sea-snakes as they’re a bit deadly.’
‘Sea-snakes?’ Maelgwn began unclipping his boots, figuring snakes were the least of his worries.
‘For some reason the dome doesn’t repel them like it does other sea creatures. We think it’s because the snakes are ground dwellers.’ Aquilla came to a standstill and waited for the Dragon to catch her up. ‘Still, I shouldn’t worry, as they rarely come into the dome this late in the evening. They like it in the morning hours when they can sun themselves on the rocks.’
Maelgwn accompanied Aquilla to the watery perimeter, where she dumped her boots and dispensed with all her little gadgets. ‘You might want to get rid of some of that hardware you carry. Your thought wave neutraliser is waterproof, as is your fighter module,’ she advised as she unzipped her jacket.
Maelgwn nearly had a stroke, until he realised she wore a full-body sleeveless swimsuit underneath her other attire.
The shock must have been apparent on his face, as Aquilla found it most amusing. ‘I find these suits too restrictive for leisure swimming and we Delphinus are always ready to take the plunge, so to speak.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Maelgwn snapped out of his stunned dilemma to remove his jacket, belt, and the firearm strapped to his thigh.
‘Don’t be sorry,’ she implored him, ‘just relax and be yourself … I promise I’m not going to jump you.’ She slapped his shoulder reassuringly. ‘Now, are you a strong swimmer?’ she asked before proceeding into the water.
He nodded. ‘I was raised by the sea, and can hold my breath for several minutes.’ The second half of the statement was a lie — as an immortal, he need not breathe at all.
‘Okay, that’s … good.’ She seemed surprised to learn that a couple of minutes of breath was all a Homo sapiens could manage to store, but did her best not to sound patronising. ‘The first thing I should instruct you on is re-entry.’
‘Good call.’ Maelgwn had to smile at the concerned expression on Aquilla’s face; it was much like a first time mother teaching a newborn to swim.
Aquilla walked up to confront the great wall of water. ‘Although the dome poses no physical barrier to humans, it does maintain a certain pressure build-up from the water it withholds.’ She placed her hands on the water wall. ‘Therefore, it just takes a little pressure to penetrate it.’ As she pushed harder, her hands and arms entered the water.
Captivated by her tutelage, Maelgwn wandered over to experience the sensation for himself.
‘You see?’ she questioned, as his upper limbs disappeared into the water up to his elbow.
‘Amazing,’ he uttered, feeling the pressure of the dome ease up around where his fingertips reached, and the drop in water temperature of a couple of degrees.
‘But once you’re in the water, your momentum needs to be stronger to penetrate back in. Watch me.’
Aquilla launched herself through the rippling wave barrier and into the open ocean beyond. She glided up and around in the crystal clear waters, before swimming back down to the ocean floor, and with a great thrust forward emerged from the watery wall to stand beside him.
‘Get my drift?’ She shook herself off, spraying Maelgwn with water in the process.
‘Hey!’ He jumped backwards, scooping a handful of water from the sea wall and casting it at Aquilla in retaliation. But before she could return his fire, Maelgwn dived through the water barrier and into the ocean beyond.
Aquilla followed him in, swimming circles around his clumsy movements. She was the very image of a sea nymph. Her ease and grace in the water would give any permanent sea dweller a good run for their money. Perhaps the mermaids of ancient legend had been the ancestor’s of Aquilla’s kind.
It was difficult not to become so captivated with this underwater experience as to forget he was supposed to be mortal and return to the dome to take a breath. Time drifted by as Maelgwn experimented, doing backflips and somersaults in and out of the dome with childlike enthusiasm and enjoyment. The sun was beginning to set now and the view of Mazua was magic from the water. Maelgwn was starting to really feel confident with this new experience of the ocean, when a huge shark came out of the darkening depths to swim by him at close quarters. The occurrence sent the warrior diving for the shelter of the dome. From the safety of the sand, Maelgwn looked back to see how Aquilla fared and found her riding around on the huge sea creature.
‘Now I’ve seen everything!’ he announced as she emerged from the water, laughing at his mystified expression.
‘Sharks are our friends,’ she informed, ‘and are especially playful on a full belly.’
‘But how do you know when they’ve already eaten?’ Maelgwn quizzed.
Aquilla pointed to her third eye, implying she obtained the information telepathically. ‘How about you?’ she queried, and slapped his belly lightly — a subtle dig at the fact that he was wearing a thought wave neutraliser, which prevented her from reading him as easily. ‘Are you hungry?’
‘Sure.’ Maelgwn watched Aquilla wring the water from her white ponytail and considered that it might be wise to get in amongst a crowd.
‘Great! We can grab a shower at my place and go to the Stargazer from there.’ Aquilla collected her belongings and turned back to clarify. ‘I meant separate showers, you understand.’
‘Of course,’ said Maelgwn, although he considered the misconception to be far more appealing. ‘And you have no need to clarify yourself. I am feeling far more secure now,’ he assured her.
They made polite conversation as they trekked back over the dunes, towards the beach-front transporter plate. Just a
few feet short of their destination, however, the sand moved beneath Maelgwn’s left foot and he realised he’d stumbled onto one of Aquilla’s deadly snakes. He looked down in time to see it sink its fangs into his outer ankle and, unfortunately, Aquilla saw it too.
Maelgwn cried out in pain and, raising his injured limb, with the snake still attached, drew his EMS Wand to slice the reptile in two.
‘Sit down. Keep still,’ Aquilla urged him, pulling a small device from one of her jacket pockets. ‘If we don’t remove that poison right now, it will kill you in a matter of minutes.’
Maelgwn took a peek at his ankle to find the bite was almost completely healed over. ‘I’ll do it.’
‘Don’t be alarmed!’ Aquilla squatted in front of him to take charge of the situation. ‘This won’t hurt a bit.’ She grabbed his hand away and gasped when she saw the wound vanish. ‘You’re not Homo sapiens at all,’ she backed away. ‘You’re one of the Nefilim.’
The look on her face was one of horror, and yet she served a Nefilim master. As Maelgwn stood to explain, Aquilla backed up further still. ‘I am Homo sapiens … a high bred.’ Aquilla’s eyes opened wide as he said this, but not in wonder — in fear. Obviously she realised how much trouble such knowledge could bring her. ‘It was part of my mission directive to make sure that no one discovered my secret, meaning that, by rights, I should kill you,’ he announced calmly, although his heart was almost punching a hole in his chest.
‘Who can I tell?’ Aquilla implored him to reconsider, her eyes filling with tears. ‘Your secret is safe with me … I swear it!’
‘Much depends on this information remaining a secret, Aquilla. You could not imagine how many lives are at stake,’ Maelgwn stressed, closing the distance between them. He gripped hold of both Aquilla’s wrists, for he was still undecided as to what her fate should be. Now that she knew, there was a risk that other Delphinus could obtain the information from her thoughts.
Chronicle of Ages Page 23