The Hermeporta Beyond the Gates of Hermes

by Hogarth Brown

  ‘Hermes’ said Illawara, ‘you’ve become mute. Don’t you want to look at all of this?’

  ‘No, I feel ill’ he said,

  ‘But it’s beautiful, look at me, I’m not scared anymore’ smiled Illawara, who then reached forward with her fist and clenched back the other to her bust, to take on a pose of Superman flying. Hermes shook his head before he turned his face away from the space that rushed past him. Illawara then focused on their destination, as the pair raced back towards Earth when Illawara then noticed the cloud and vegetation patterns on Earth had changed. Within that realm, they inhabited, the known physics of the universe made a loose fit. So close to the speed of light travelling backwards or forwards within time became much the same thing, the only difference being the intentions of its travellers.

  The pair could have inhabited the time tube for an instant or an eternity, but once inside only imagination bettered the speed of light, as Illawara continued to focus her mind on the location of Pisa. The diamond fastened at her brow began to send out a beam of pale blue light, just ahead, that guided the pair to the destination that awaited them. The orb began to glow white as they approached Earth, and Illawara shielded her face and closed her eyes to surrender to her fate.

  Chapter 5

  Transformation

  Pisa, Italy, Saturday October 1st 1611

  T he sun in Tuscany on the October evening of the year 1611, had taken on a rich yellow-orange like a burnished egg yolk, and cast a golden veil of light across the hills that surrounded Pisa, as it sank into the western horizon. The Autumn sun still held its strength in the daytime, but not enough to keep away the mists that began to form at sunset, as the cooling earth yielded a haze that undulated from the bases of the hills. The darkness of the night would soon arrive.

  Within the sky, the last of that year’s swifts and swallows darted around above, and cut the air, with their wings and calls, in swooping arcs preparing to abandon the land and the weakening ties of summer. They fed fast, gorging themselves on insects before the biting winds of winter would crash against the hillsides. The Campo dei Miracoli stood, glorious, but on that October evening, the vision that greeted the eyes of the living could have raised the dead, such was the beauty of the enclosed space. The precarious Leaning Tower of Pisa stood crowned with gold, as the sun almost dipped below the horizon, while the tower’s white stone enhanced the light’s brilliance. The tower’s stance contrasted with the vertical walls of the Duomo nearby. The imposing building holding itself up so well it appeared to pull against gravity, and seemed to barely touch the grass that clothed the ground on which it rested.

  Next to the Duomo stood the vaulted walls of the Camposanto cemetery: restful and unsuspecting. Its rectangular construction, overlooking a grassy enclosure, seemed an edifice of rigid calm, but within the spaces were adorned in a sensuous display: the walkways populated with soft-limbed statues that heralded the great achievements of their dead patrons, or draped in languorous poses over their cold tombstones. The whole scene within further enhanced by soaring Gothic windows, with glass held in place by carved stone so delicate it seemed as if woven by spiders. To the far side of the Camposanto, across from a footpath that intersected the grass and roses, a vast barren vessel of carved marble began to fill from its base with liquid mercury. Beneath the timbers of the soaring wooden ceilings, the surface of the liquid rose within the vessel, at first calm, before stirring to move and glow with light and twist into a spiral: a wormhole in space opened at the bottom of the twister. Emerging with a howl and a flash Hermes and Illawara's orb flew out of the vortex to burst on the stone floors of the vaulted cemetery.

  Illawara stumbled forward, clutching Hermes as she staggered into a recess; together they waited to gather their breath and strength - as their bodies yielded to gravity. Their chests heaved. It was a while before either one spoke. In time Illawara broke the silence after first pondering the shadows that stretched and deepened, as twilight began to descend upon the Campo dei Miracoli.

  ‘That is the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to me’ said Illawara, propping herself against a pillar quite breathless. Hermes wriggled again from Illawara’s grasp to alleviate the tightness he felt in his chest, a feeling he thought he had forgotten. The little bird glanced about, from Illawara's shoulder, with agitation at his new surroundings. ‘That was a wild ride. I’m shaking’ Illawara said, her voice becoming husky, as her lungs adjusted to the humid air. She shook her head as she stared about her. Illawara took in a deep breath before laughing, ‘but it all seems the same. Like the first time we were here’ she said, looking around some more. Illawara then ran her fingernail down the pillar she rested on, to collect the dust, before she stuck it in her mouth. She sampled the flavour like a wine. ‘It tastes the same and smells the same, almost. But now everything is richer, fresher.'

  ‘Buildings don’t change in Italy unless there are bombs, sackings or Earthquakes - you know that’ said Hermes, eyeing the space with suspicion, ‘the rock probably tastes the way it always did.’

  ‘Maybe, but I wonder what will be different here in this time?’

  'Well, you've read enough about it' said Hermes, before casting his eyes about the space again. Illawara stroked another pillar and saw herself on her holiday visits as a girl with Professor Sloane, and with Hermes smuggled into her hand luggage.

  ‘How are you feeling?’ She asked again. Still recovering Hermes looked around himself as if expecting an ambush.

  ‘I’m a bit better, thanks, except I’m half deaf from all your noise, crushing and screeching.’ Illawara pulled a face.

  ‘Sorry about that’ She coughed, ‘I was scared, at first, and then the excitement just took over. I still can’t quite believe we’re back here in this way. It’s surreal.’ Illawara then adjusted her ruffled skirts before she brushed them back down to neatness.

  ‘It is surreal, but let’s hope we come out of this alive', said Hermes. Illawara frowned,

  ‘That’s a bit drastic, please don’t doom monger. Let's be positive. Besides, I can’t see how much danger we would be in anyway. No one knows us, we've no enemies, and we’ve brought all that we need, let’s not worry.’ The little bird gave a look of dissatisfaction,

  ‘Yes,' he said, 'but that's a problem: no one knows us, no one knows we’re here. If we get in trouble no one can rescue us’ he said while inspecting the rafters for hidden enemies. ‘Think about the thieves and criminals, Illy, waterborne diseases, Malaria and Bubonic Plague. Let alone what else could await us here?’ he added.

  ‘There’s no plague outbreak now, I checked, and I’ve taken every jab I could before getting here - you know that. This trip won’t take long. We’ll find Dad and bring him back, and that will be the end of it.’ Hermes looked sceptical. Illawara crossed her arms. ‘If you’re going to be like this I don’t know why you bothered coming. I should’ve left you at home to find my Dad by myself.’ Hermes hopped several times on Illawara's shoulder.

  ‘That's not fair' he declared, 'you've given me no choice, and besides, you wouldn’t last ten minutes without me.' Illawara pouted.

  ‘Maybe not’ she said, knitting her eyebrows, ‘but if you’re going to be like this, I’ll be tempted to try.’

  The statement jolted the bird: Illawara delivering her threat with enough conviction for Hermes to believe it. The pair stood motionless a while longer before Illawara walked forward to search the floor with her eyes. Hermes began to fidget. ‘Illy how can we be sure that Professor Sloane will be at the party?’

  ‘We can’t’ she said, as she scanned the floor. The little bird paused.

  ‘You’ll have to do better than that’ he said, but Illawara gave a dumb shrug. ‘Illy, this is a huge risk being here, and it would help me if you were surer of things.’

  ‘I can’t be a hundred percent sure Hermes; you knew that before we started all this.' Hermes stomped on Illawara's shoulder. 'OK, calm down’ she said, ‘I know it’s seven years since I’ve seen Dad
, but I’m sure I’ll still recognise him when I see him?’

  ‘I’m worried’ he said. Illawara flapped her arms.

  ‘But every clue he left me points to this time now, and the Duke’s party.’ The little bird began to look ill.

  ‘God’s, please help us’ sighed Hermes, ‘this is a reckless gamble Illy, at home you seemed SO sure.’ Illawara rubbed her brow.

  ‘Oh, keep your feathers on: this was always going to be risky, but we’ve made it this far. If I’d shared my doubts, and not twisted your arm, you’d never have come. Why must you peck everything to pieces?’ Hermes hopped and flicked his tail several times before buzzing into the air to hover in front of Illawara.

  ‘I’m not pecking everything to pieces. I'm realistic. I came here to be freed. But now I'm stuck here, lost with you in old Italy, all to try and sneak into a party, attended by all and what-not. But where no one knows us, and with all the risk that entails.' Hermes then whizzed in frantic circles around Illawara’s head, ‘what if something goes wrong and one of us dies? What if we’ve got the wrong year?’

  'You're panicking, we’re not going to die, I’m a hundred percent on the date, and no one knew you back home anyway' said Illawara, flicking her wrist at the bird, 'how's this any different? I'm the only one that can hear and understand you - anyone that's met you just assumes you're my pet.' Hermes hovered for a moment before he flew from side to side in the air,

  'True, but not the point' he argued, 'because now you say you can't even be sure the Professor will be there.'

  'You sound like an old woman' said Illawara, swiping her hand through the air. Hermes flashed green in the twilight.

  'If you ask me I think you’ve acted like a reckless fool’ exclaimed Hermes. Illawara’s cheeks started to burn.

  ‘You know what it took for us to get here' she said pointing at Hermes, 'and what I did to make it happen - but you still came, and I’m not asking you anything, but I know for sure when someone’s acting like a coward.’ The little bird seemed to shrivel with the insult, and Illawara noticed his eyes glaze over before he flew down to a tombstone and turned his head away from her. Hermes tried hard not to let his body shake. Illawara looked at him and gnawed at her lip before she put her hands on her head.

  ‘You should never call me that’ said Hermes, ‘my coming here took more courage than you could ever know, and more than I can ever tell you’ he whispered. Illawara swallowed – her tan turning pink. A silence fell between them while contemplating their new reality. With an extended sigh, Illawara spoke first:

  ‘Look, Hermes, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I know this is a bit... “up in the air", but I'll find Dad, bring him back, and it will be over – simple’ she said.

  Illawara walked over to where Hermes sat, her skirts brushing the ground. ‘But think' she continued, 'this could also be fun. Just imagine when we get to the banquet and all the things that’ll be there. Think of the food, the drink, the music, and the people' Illawara swayed herself from side to side as if moving to music, 'we’re tasting history, Hermes, literally tasting HISTORY. We’ll know how things really were and are first hand.

  We’ll get to see Galileo's demonstrations of science - live, Maffeo Barberini, and the Medici up close: the real people at Duke Cosimo's party. Who else from our time can ever say that?' said Illawara with her arms outstretched, before cupping her hand to her ear, 'no one’ she added, 'is that not worth the effort alone? A chance to experience the impossible.’ Illawara flung her arms wide, turned, and beamed a smile, ‘hello brave new world.’

  Hermes shook his head, ‘you’ve watched too many costume dramas. History can be ugly’ he said. Illawara's shoulders slumped, before she sighed, and then resumed her search of the courtyard, scanning the ground and peering behind tombs. ‘What are you doing?’ said Hermes,

  ‘I’m looking for clues’ came the reply, ‘Dad lead me here, I know him, he would have left me something…’ Illawara continued to search the ground and alcoves nearby, her dress rustling as she went. She searched the area for some time. ‘Aha! I knew it.' She cried after peering behind a stone pillar, crouching down, and yanking up something small from the stone base. A look of triumph flashed over Illawara’s face as she held out the small circular object in her palm. 'Look at this' she said.

  ‘It’s a coin’ said Hermes, after flying to her wrist in a blur, ‘that doesn’t mean anything.’

  ‘Yes it does, look closer’ the bird peered into her palm, ‘it was minted in 1997 - the year we first visited Italy. Dad is HERE Hermes, and he’s left this coin to prove it.’ Seeing the date on the coin Hermes abandoned his protests.

  ‘OK, you win. But don't get too carried away’ said Hermes flicking his crest and puffing out his feathers, ‘let’s keep calm and stay out of harm's way. Don’t say anything radical or risqué.'

  'I know my own mind' said Illawara, tossing the coin in her palm.

  'Yes, but you forget that I’ve seen what you’re like when entertaining at home - when you start to drink and dance - you forget yourself, and get carried away.’ The teenager raised a brow.

  ‘Whatever’ said Illawara, rolling her eyes, before tossing the coin the Professor had left behind into her side pouch. ‘I know how to conduct myself’ she added. Hermes raised his long beak into the air and fixed her with a knowing look. Illawara shrugged off his insinuation.

  ‘That reminds me’ chirped Hermes, ‘do we still have everything we need and the Mystify? If things go wrong, we may need it - to correct errors.’ In a flash of panic, Illawara clutched at herself for her satchel and became reassured when it was still there. Hermes resisted the urge to shake his head, pretending not to notice, and continued with what he was saying: ‘I want to see the bottle.’

  ‘Oh for HEAVEN'S SAKE, I packed it earlier, don’t you trust me?’ she said, before plonking her satchel on a sarcophagus and rummaging through her bag. Illawara pulled out the Pineapple to aid her search.

  ‘Why have you brought that?’ Hermes said, his beak dropping open.

  ‘Wait... wait’ said Illawara raising her finger, ‘listen to my logic’ she composed herself, ‘it’s here to impress or bribe people' she added. Hermes raised his crest. ‘Look, if all else fails, and we can’t get into the party, with this Pineapple we can convince others that we’re nobles - people of high standing - being able to afford such things from “The New World” it will prevent awkward questions’ she enthused. ‘It’s like a Pineapple-key, and all barriers shall fall away from us in awe.' She added with a stage like gesture.

  'You're crazy' said Hermes, 'it's just a fruit, they litter the ground back home.' Illawara rolled her eyes.

  ‘But only the richest can afford them HERE, Dodo, trust me they’ll become very excited: how many people would have seen, let alone tasted such fruit in person? The smell alone will intoxicate them.’ Illawara then wafted the pineapple in the air so that Hermes could sniff the fruit’s pungent aroma - its sweet juice so familiar to him. ‘I’ll say it's a present for Cosimo Medici, and I’ll insist we give him the present ourselves'

  Hermes pondered her with a quizzical look, as if his life were in the hands of prank salesman, while she rattled through the satchel. ‘Aha, it’s here, and all the other stuff. Happy now?’ Illawara dangled a tasselled perfume bottle in the air, containing a glowing pink liquid. Hermes looked relieved.

  ‘Good, we can spray a bit around if one of us messes up. Could be dangerous if people remember what we said if we forget ourselves.’ Hermes let his sentence linger in the air, as Illawara picked Hermes up to put him down next to her and nodded her agreement.

  ‘Too right’ she said, ‘without Dad's stuff we'd be screwed.' Hermes tutted again at Illawara's language.

  ‘He didn't do it all on his own’ scoffed Hermes, ‘you helped him too - give yourself some credit’ he said calling up from the floor,

  ‘I didn’t do everything, Hermes, he did most of the work – and then hid the rest from me’ she breathed, ‘bu
t without this stuff, I'd be more worried.' Illawara slipped into silence as she looked off into the distance beyond the walls of the Camposanto.

  Illawara had regained a deeper understanding of Professor Sloane’s chemical research in previous years after decoding his notes. She recalled years as a small girl helping him take cuttings and samples of medicinal plants, and cataloguing their characteristics and active compounds: he praising her inquisitive contributions. Iona would end a telephone conversation and go quiet whenever they entered the room. She did not know what that meant then: she was too young. Illawara found some of the newer data contained within his coded research almost incomprehensible.

  She discovered strange alchemical charts and allusions documenting plants and ingredients that she had not heard of before - but which fascinated her. She learned for certain, however, that the Professor had perfected every recipe for alteration that he could find: from the ancient to the classical world. To perfect his new disciplines, he had read everything relevant up to the 20th century including Tribal Lore. The Professor either bought or crafted all the kit he needed for his laboratory: blending his gift for maths and physics with his newer skills of chemistry and botany. He had raided every Botanical library or museum archive that granted him access, and few sources lay untouched in his search for knowledge. Illawara found his scope breath taking.

  Turkey yielded some of his richest finds. His notes were littered with Anatolian references and indicated that he had managed to improve upon original recipes in most cases - increasing their potency, and documenting his discoveries – and changed objects and living things from one thing into another.