Dr. Walt’s expression changed from confusion, to enlightenment, and then to sadness. “I hadn’t thought of that. Perhaps time flows differently on the two worlds. That means that if I am ever able to get back to Earth, I will be an old man, though I shouldn’t be. Or will the effects of aging reverse. Hmmmm, that’s an interesting thought.” He took out his little notebook again and scribbled something there with his pencil.
Tapping the pencil on his top lip, Dr. Walt hmmmmed to himself and muttered incomprehensibly. After a moment, he looked over and jumped as if startled. “Oh!” he said, as if he had forgotten Sam was there. “So, my boy, now let’s talk about you. What type of device did you use to travel here? Was it based on my machine? I didn’t publish the plans, so I’m not sure how you could have learned about it, but it will be quite all right if you used my ideas.”
Confused, Sam gulped. “I didn’t use a device. The first time I came here…”
“The first time? What do you mean? You’ve been here more than once?”
“Uh, yeah. This is my second time. It was tougher this time, though.” He proceeded to tell the doctor the specifics of both of his trips.
“Fascinating. We’ll have to talk to Rindu. Perhaps you have an affinity for vibrational energy. He is a master in that field.”
He looked up at the sky. “But we’ll have to do that later. For now, we better get to our temporary camp before the afternoon rain showers soak us. When we get there, I will introduce everyone properly and we’ll all be good friends. Come along now, and bring your hapaki friend. I think maybe we have some food he would be interested in.”
Chapter 8
It was a quick trip to the other side of the ruins, which were considerably larger than Sam had first thought. The temporary camp was set up on the outskirts of the ruins. It consisted of three tents, all made of some sort of rough spun fiber that Sam couldn’t identify. They were the commonly-shaped peaked tents, supported with what appeared to be saplings or branches that were very straight and well-used. Colored a mixture of greens and browns, the tents seemed to fade in and out of Sam’s vision as he looked at them.
Between the tents, rocks were laid in a circle with three small stools that looked like they could be broken down and packed for travel arranged around the fire pit. There was a pile of ashes in the ring of rocks. The camp, while simple, projected an organized and comfortable feeling.
Dr. Walt sat on one of the stools and offered one to Sam. Rindu quickly unfurled some type of oiled cloth over two ropes, making a canopy over the stools and fire ring. Just before he pulled the tarp tight, Sam felt the first drop of water hit his hand. Soon, the rain was coming down hard, but under the cover, everyone stayed dry. Skitter curled into a ball at the very edge of the covered area, apparently still too fearful to join the people.
“We are here doing some exploratory digging, trying to find some of the old technology that is sometimes buried in these types of ruins. This one was a shopping center, apparently, though I was hoping for a storage unit complex. We haven’t found anything useful yet.”
At Sam’s look of confusion and astonishment, Dr. Walt understood what was wrong. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’ve been here so long, I sometimes forget how little is actually known about this world and its history. Let me explain.”
Dr. Walt explained what his research had yielded. He believed that though both worlds shared the same physical space, with the same geography, there were some differences. Each world had its own timeline, with people acting according to their own free will. This caused some major differences.
One of these differences was that possibly because of just one person, or a few, science had advanced much faster on Gythe than on Telani. High technology had been developed and, as with Telani, unscrupulous people took advantage of the technology to kill others and to gain power.
When all was said and done, there was a catastrophe of epic proportions, an apocalypse. It was unclear whether it was nuclear or of some other type. What was clear was that mankind almost completely destroyed itself. From the few hundred that survived the cataclysm were descended all the people living on Gythe now. It had been about five hundred years. With primitive conditions, in addition to the violent nature of life here, the population of Gythe was not very large.
There were always a few people who retained some literacy, so books and other records were available, when they could be found, and Dr. Walt had dedicated himself to finding them and to helping his new world in any way he could so that the past would not be repeated.
“Another difference you may have noticed is that even though the geography is basically the same, the climate and vegetation are not. Because of climate conditions, either due to the previous technological era or from lack of technology in the current one, where there is a desert in Telani, there may be a rain forest or wetlands here in Gythe, and vice versa.”
That explains the heavy forest around the area of my house. This was going to take some getting used to.
“But enough of that. Let me tell you a bit about our friends here and our current situation. Suffice it to say, I spend my time researching the past, always with an eye to something that could help me, and now you, get home. We have a compound of sorts within a couple of days’ hike from here. We’re just exploring these ruins, as I mentioned, so we have our temporary camp here. After a good night’s rest, we’ll start off for the compound. First, though, you should probably know who Rindu and Nalia are and why their past is important, amongst other things.”
Dr. Walt made himself comfortable. After a few words to the man and the woman, he settled in as if for a long story. Sam likewise adjusted how he was sitting, ready to hear about his enigmatic colleagues.
Facing Skitter, who was curled up on the ground near Sam’s feet, he sent some thoughts to the hapaki. Can…understand…others…from my mind?
Looking thoughtful—how could Sam know what “thoughtful” looked like on the furry face?—Skitter was silent for a moment. Then, he sent back to Sam, Try. Make…other…talk.
Sam turned to Dr. Walt. “Can you talk for a moment before starting the story? I want to try something with Skitter. I think maybe he can use me as a conduit to understand what you say to me. Just say whatever pops into your head.”
“Surely.” The doctor had an excited and hungry look in his eyes. “I would love to be part of that type of research. Please tell me what happens, how you feel, how it works. I’ll take notes.”
Rolling his eyes, Sam sent to Skitter, He…talk. What…I…do?
Skitter chittered—was that a laugh?—and sent, Nothing.
As Dr. Walt spoke for a few minutes, just going on about his childhood, Sam barely paid attention. His mind was wandering as he looked toward the man and the woman. He wondered what their story was. He would find out soon.
You…creatures…jump off…big rocks…into…water? Skitter asked in his thoughts. Sam’s attention snapped back to what he was supposed to be doing. “What?” he said out loud.
“What?” the doctor asked. “Did you not hear what I just said? Which part?”
Sam felt his face growing warm. “Oh, no, that’s not it. Sorry. I meant to send that thought to Skitter, not say it out loud.” Looking toward Skitter, he saw his friend silently shaking.
At first, he thought something was wrong. Then, he felt feelings being pushed into his mind, feelings of…humor? Skitter was laughing. Not just laughing, but laughing at him. Very funny he sent. Understand…doctor?
Yes. Interesting.
Turning once again to the doctor, he said, “Ok, Skitter listens better than I do. He asked if we really jump off rocks into the water. My mind was wandering. Did you say something about that?”
“Yes, yes indeed. When I was a boy, I had great fun jumping from rocks into lakes and rivers. He understood that?”
Sam eyed the hapaki. “Yes, he did. And he apparently has a highly developed sense of humor, especially when it relates to my embarrassment. Now that he’s tuned in,
can you tell me about our friends here?”
“It would be my pleasure.” And with that, Dr. Walt started his story.
The man had been born Rindu Wroun in a small village along the coast far to the north. Because of its location, people living in the village worked primarily in farming and fishing. Rindu’s family was a farming family and as such, he started working hard from a very young age.
What set Rindu apart from other boys was his uncanny knack at knowing things he shouldn’t have been able to know. He could somehow tell when it would rain, what plot of ground to use for a particular crop, where to find water in times of drought, and even where to look for fish, though he rarely got to go out on the boats with his friends to fish because of the work he needed to do on the farm.
His family and, in fact, the whole village did not have a problem with his keen insights. It helped to put food in their mouths, so why should they care? They were not superstitious and he was a valued member of the small community, even as young as he was.
One day, a pair of Zouyim were passing through the village, on the way to their temple from somewhere in the north. When they saw Rindu, they immediately sensed that he was naturally talented in vibratory energy. That was how he recognized things intuitively. He was uniquely attuned to the energy fields that surrounded all.
When all was said and done, the monks paid Rindu’s parents a large sum of money in compensation for taking their son to the temple for training. His parents, while heartbroken by the loss of their son and his useful skills, understood that it was a great honor for him to be accepted to the temple. Saying his goodbyes, he accompanied the monks as they returned to the temple.
The grand temple of the Zouyim was at Kokitura, a large mountain in what on Telani is the Mount Shasta region. Rindu, being a serious and diligent child, applied himself and learned quickly. He became an important Zouy in the temple and enjoyed his studies and his work.
When he was eighteen years old, a group of Sapsyra warrior women stopped at the temple to resupply and rest on a journey they were taking. The two groups were different in their methods and responsibilities, but both were dedicated to the protection of and service to all people, especially protection from the Arzbedim, the rogue vibratory mages who were evil and bent on world domination. Thus, they shared and helped each other whenever there was an opportunity. Rindu knew this, though he had never actually seen a Sapsyr before then.
There were male and female Zouyim monks, but the Sapsyra were all women. Being exotic and unfamiliar, Rindu was curious about the visitors and snuck looks at them when he could. During the four days the Sapsyra rested at the temple, Rindu met Ylleria Zose. With her light brown hair and her blue eyes, her confident swagger, and her beautiful face, Rindu instantly fell in love with her. She originally feigned disinterest, but in reality, she was immediately attracted to him as well. Over the next two years, the two met often, even going on missions together, when their superiors would allow it.
They married when Rindu was just about to turn twenty-one years old. On Gythe, women generally took their husband’s name, as on Telani, but it was different with the Sapsyra. The husband always took his Sapsyr wife’s last name because of the warrior wife’s elevated position in society. Thus it was that he was no longer Rindu Wroun, but Rindu Zose. As was customary, however, his daughter inherited his original last name. So, when their daughter was born, she was named Nalia Wroun.
Because Ylleria was gaining prominence in her order and could not be away for long periods of time, the family lived at the Sapsyra compound at Marybador. Rindu would stay for a month or two and then travel back to the Zouyim temple at Kokitura. During a time when he was with his family at Marybador, the Gray Man attacked the Zouyim temple.
The Gray Man, who was reported to have come from another world, had risen in power and prominence among the Arzbedim. He seemed on a mission to crush all resistance to his plans for world domination and so his attack on the temple was not unexpected. What was unexpected was the effect.
When Rindu arrived at the temple, he found it destroyed. Only five monks escaped the destruction, monks who were away from the temple, as he was, when it happened. The remaining monks found each other and they agreed to meet every four months. They split up and went separate ways so that they could not all be attacked together, ending their order for all time. Thus it was that he was one of the few vibratory energy masters left alive in the world.
As the Gray Man gained power, it was clear to Gythe’s remaining protectors that something must be done. Destroying the Zouyim and their temple was the final insult. Within a week, the Sapsyra gathered a hundred of their best warriors to finish the Gray Man and his forces once and for all. Because of her prowess, Nalia was included in the hundred, with her mother commanding the entire force. Rindu was meeting with the remaining Zouy at the time, so he was not able to go with them. He didn’t find out about the attack until after they had already left.
The small army traveled to the Gray Fortress, which was far north of Marybador and the Sapsyr compound. Destroying all the human troops of the Gray Man, as well as some creatures that were not human, the Sapsyra arrived at the walls of the fortress with ninety-seven of the warriors still alive. It looked as if nothing could stop them.
The number of Sapsyra quickly dwindled. Between traps, magical and mundane, and special reserve troops, getting to the interior of the fortress was a hard-won effort. When they finally faced the Gray Man and a small group of powerful assassins and warriors, there were only thirty-two Sapsyra left. In less than an hour, only Nalia and her mother were still standing, and both were wounded.
The Gray Man, himself taking part in the battle and by far doing more damage than any of his forces, walked calmly to Ylleria Zose, who was injured and bound hand and foot with power as strong as a thick rope. Looking at Nalia first, who was twenty feet away, he focused on Ylleria’s eyes. With a smirk, he waved his hand. Ylleria literally disappeared.
Nalia gasped. With her ability to use vibrational energy, she saw the force traveling from the Gray Man’s hand into her mother. Then, Nalia watched in horror as her mother simply shook apart. The particles of her body vibrated rapidly and then exploded outward at an impossible rate. And just like that, her mother was dead and gone. Literally gone, with a flash of light and a soft thumping sound. There was not so much as a trace of the material that had made up her body.
She readied her one remaining weapon and prepared to die, but the Gray Man waved his hand again and she felt as if she was locked in chains. She struggled, but could not move.
After explaining to her that he wanted her to take his message to the order’s compound, he let her go. Limping out of the fortress, Nalia swore she would get her revenge against the Gray Man.
The message to the Sapsyra was this: “Disperse the order, cause me no further problems, and I will allow you to live. Rise up again and I will destroy every last one of you. You have been warned.”
From that time, seven years ago, until now, Rindu and Nalia worked not only to evade the Gray Man’s minions who were multiplying across the land, but to start a resistance movement. Though fairly successful at the former, they were spectacularly unsuccessful at the latter. People were scared and would not rise up. The few Sapsyra and fewer Zouyim that remained had gone to ground, committing themselves likewise to gathering a resistance.
When they met Dr. Walt several years ago, they realized that he may be helpful in finding a way to destroy the Gray Man through technology or ancient magic. He agreed to help and redoubled his efforts at researching old civilizations for anything that could be useful.
“And that, in a nutshell, is where we are at right now,” the doctor finished. “I think we can help each other, Sam. When we get back to my compound, I will do some research in the materials I have collected and stored there. Perhaps there is something that has slipped my mind, something that will be useful.”
“Thank you,” Sam responded. He looked to the ground, pi
cked up a leaf, peeled it, absently dropped the shredded leaf pieces as he tore them. He slowly lifted his gaze and met the doctor’s eyes. “Ummm, Dr. Walt?” he started.
“Yes, my boy. You have a question?”
“Yeah. Do all the Sapsyra wear masks like the one Nalia has? It looks horribly uncomfortable. Is it magical or is there some religious or spiritual reason for it?”
The doctor laughed. “Again, I am guilty of my familiarity with the situation. I can see how that would be confusing. No, other Sapsyra do not wear masks. The simple reason is that, according to Rindu, and to Nalia herself, she is hideously ugly. Because the Sapsyra code of ethics, much like chivalry or bushido on our world, is based on honor and service, they tell me it is shameful to subject others to her ugliness. To force others to avert their eyes is too much for her honor to bear. I have argued that it is a silly position to take, but they cannot be dissuaded. I myself have never seen her face in all the years we have been together. I don’t think she ever takes the mask off. Ever.”
Sam grimaced. “That sounds degrading to me. I have known some pretty ugly people, but as I got to know them, they became more normal looking, or even attractive, to me as their personality shone through. It is unfortunate that this world is so harsh in so many ways.”
“Oh, you haven’t experienced the half of it,” the doctor responded, sadness evident in his voice.
Chapter 9
Sam slept that night in a few blankets his hosts had let him use. The temperature was moderate and the ground under the tarp dry, so he slept soundly. Skitter remained with him, sending something about staying to see what would happen. Sam was glad for the hapaki’s presence.
He was awakened by the smell of food. Rubbing his bleary eyes, he saw Rindu standing over a crackling fire, spoon in hand. A large metal pot, the source of the aroma, hung on a crude tripod over the fire. Sam breathed the scent in deeply, deciding he was hungry. His rumbling belly agreed. The more he thought about it, the more he realized he was not just hungry; he was famished.
Harmonic Magic Series Boxed Set Page 7