Aetheric Elements: The Rise of a Steampunk Reality
Page 50
They returned from the city to Shirewood estate that evening, and changed to more suitable attire for dining at the table of nobility. The grand hall was a fine example of the upper class with crystal glasses and fine porcelain plates. The walls were a bright yellow that reflected the newly installed electric lights. Two footmen in tux and tails waited at each end of the room to receive the silver serving dishes brought by servants from the kitchen. The trio was joined by the Duke, his wife, his daughter, his uncle, and Professor Walters. The dinner conversation was sparse and strained, as the Duke and the Professor avoided any questions about their current affair. After the fine meal, their host showed the trio and the Professor to a sitting room. The men were offered cigars and brandy, and the lady was offered wine. Once they had settled in Duke Crillington asked what they had learned during their outing earlier in the day.
“I shall begin,” Elizabeth said, surprising the Professor and their host. “I spent most of my day in the libraries of the university. I spoke with a few professors also,” Professor Walters looked nervous as she mentioned this, “and was able to find a trail of interesting information. Hundreds of years ago, this island was inhabited by a race of giant men, the Gallix, at that time. Some still exist and are mainly used for their strength in hard labor or as bodyguards. Men had not arrived in this land yet, and the Gallix held sway.
“Now, before the dark ages, but after the arrival of the comet called Talisman, there had been an invasion by strange creatures called Troöds. They were not the only things to come with the Talisman though. Huge, mutant insects, sudden revolutions and power struggles that toppled kingdoms, and legend even speaks of the dead walking the land. The Troöds were the largest threat though. They had two distinct races, both of reptilian ancestry. One branch of the species was said to be able to shift their shape, camouflage themselves, were very swift, and were the soldiers. They had a green cast to their skins. The second type was grey in colour, and were said to be the leaders, and dealt in the blackest of magics, summoning demons and controlling the minds of others.
“My research didn’t turn up very much about them, because men didn’t live here. When humans began to lose their hold on the land to the west, some went to live with the Rokairn, others went north into the frozen wastes, and still others came here to Gallia. The Troöds followed those men here, presumably to enslave or destroy them. No one knows why, but the men were able to overcome their foes with the help of the Gallix. Some hint at the use of arcane arts, and using the Troöd’s own powers against them. But it was loose bands of men, and written histories weren’t kept until hundreds of years later when civilization bloomed and culture was reborn in the renaissance. I think that this archeological find of yours may have been a prison of some sort.”
The Professor shifted in his seat, looking uncomfortable. The Duke threw back his brandy in one swallow and refilled the glass. Suykimo nodded, a small smile on his lips. The bald man looked at Zachary, waiting for him to speak.
“I spent the day in the area of the dig,” Zachary began in the slow, methodical way he spoke. “I visited shops, spoke to merchants and workers, and looked into the site. I have been to this city many times before, but there is something different now. The people weren’t quite right. They stuttered, or would fall into a daze when speaking, and were often aggressive and angry. One merchant even threatened me with a knife if I didn’t buy something. When watching the site itself, I observed more than one person that would stop and stare at the hole, head tilted. They would nod, and whisper to themselves, or something else. Many began laughing or scratching themselves, not seeming to notice their own behavior. No one else seemed to note it either. Is this normal behavior for that part of town?”
“No, it is not.” Duke Crillington said, rubbing his thigh.
“None of this means anything,” Professors Walters said, anger creeping into his voice. “They are scared and nervous about the weird things going on. This doesn’t mean my find is of any danger or has anything unsafe contained within it. Even if it is a tomb, anything within would be long dead. If these creatures of which you speak lived for a thousand years, they would have died of starvation and lack of air!”
“Of course, the Professor is correct,” Suykimo said in his quiet manner. His voice stopped all discussion as it drew the other’s attention. “But I think we should look into this more. I suggest we all visit the box tomorrow.”
“I think we can arrange that,” their host said, “and once we put our worries to rest, we can resume the excavation. Oh, Mister Suykimo, did you learn anything when you visited the temples and churches?”
“I did,” Suykimo said. “As we all know religion fell into disfavor after the dark ages as society became enlightened, and these places that were once holy are maintained more as monuments to an age gone by, rather than places of worship. But some faithful still remain, and I spoke with them. They all said that their gods condemn that place, and to bury it again and never revisit it.”