I ran over to her, for the first time I noticed guards who step forward from an unseen vantage behind the pillars. They took a step forward, then looked behind me and took a step back nearly in unison. I can only assume Gavin or Ross assured them of my good intent.
As I reached her I sat down on the floor in front of her, doing my best to cover myself with the linen robe I was wearing.
“Eve… I… Is this ok?” I started to question the entire journey.
She said nothing, not a word. She simply cried and when I reached for her she crawled into my lap and I cradled her in my arms.
For a few moments, it was just us. The people around us, the room, everything stopped and was totally silent. I held her tightly in my arms and rocked her softly.
Around us people slowly started to whisper, I heard Gavin and Ross talking to each other but their words didn’t matter.
The year built of stress, of emptiness and separation that I felt had suddenly and in an instant melted away and for the first time in a year I felt whole again.
“I can’t believe you came.” She whispered finally. “Is this a dream, All-Father is this a dream?” she whispered half to me, and half to herself.
“Not a dream,” I squeezed her harder for just a moment. “Is this a dream?” I asked and ran my hand over her face.
Eve looked up at me and into my eyes, “It’s really you.”
“It’s really you.” I replied.
I helped her up, and couldn’t help but feel that she was a bit shorter than I remembered, but given the change in my own body I imagined that maybe it was me that stood a bit taller.
“Lady Mavin, presenting Lord Cauven of the Earthers. Accompanied by Lord Rossen, Lord Gavin, Lord Austringer and Lady Audriana arriving safely this hour on the eve of the parting.” One of the men who had guided us through the city said loudly and respectfully. “All-Father be praised!” he shouted.
Around me every person in the room bowed their head slightly and repeated quietly and to themselves, “All-Father be praised.”
Eve rested her head on my chest and held my arm tightly between hers, not wanting to let go of me.
“Mavin, we need to all go get dressed.” Ross said as the group approached.
“Yes, ok.” She said distracted.
“This way.” Austringer said and we all walked down a long hallway and around a arched stairway. Each couple paired off and entered what I could only imagine was their own rooms.
Eve led me down to the end of the hall and through a doorway with a guard positioned outside. I noticed his face was painted with black lines down each cheek.
Inside was a simple but glorious room, white walls, and furniture rough hewn from trees and painted white. The floors were smooth white stone with bright red carpets woven tightly. The linens were also red, as were the loose hanging curtains that blew blissfully in the wind. A single room attached to the main room through an open doorway, that appeared to be a bathroom of similar styling. The walls of both rooms had murals of red, black, blue and grey scrawled upon them. Animal themes and elements of nature twisted and fluttered across the lower halves of the walls throughout.
“I can’t believe you are here!” Eve fluttered, “How are you, how have you been?” she asked still holding onto my hand with both of hers.
“Honestly… I have been pretty miserable.” I decided to be truthful.
“Oh.” She replied. “Did something happen?” She inquired with a worried expression.
I laughed slightly, “I fell in love with a girl, and she left.” I squeezed her hands. “You know how it is. It was my fault of course, I let the world get in the way.”
Eve smiled up at me, “Well, this one won’t.”
She finally released my hand and walked into the bathroom. “Come here, I know you haven’t seen yourself yet.”
I walked with her and stared into a floor to ceiling length mirror. The face that greeted me was my own, the body that supported it also was my own. I was just refined, like I had been much more athletic and cared for myself better, not to mention slightly taller. My hair was slightly longer as well, but a much brighter red and I had a pointed wedge shaped beard to match.
“Wow.” I said looking at myself.
“Yea, wow.” Eve laughed.
“That’s uh, something.” I looked at myself in wonder. “That normal?”
“Just means you have an over-inflated ego.” She jabbed. “What the hell were you thinking when you went through?”
“Austringer said…” I started to explain.
“Ah, say no more. The ‘best self’ speech?” she laughed. “That must have been for my benefit, he knows how to game the system a lot more than most people. Your first time through is like a blueprint that the world remembers. For the most part, you will look like this forever, unless you change something yourself… or are injured.”
“The system?” I asked.
“It’s just the way things work here, I will explain it later. You have a lot to learn.” Eve reassured. “As much as I could stare at you all day, we really need to get you dressed.”
“Yes, please. I am feeling a bit exposed.” I smiled doing my best to hold my robe closed.
A few minutes later we had a seamstress and two of her assistants in the room with us; they did rough measurements and laid out a host of colors and qualities. Eve dismissed everything but the red samples.
“Are you dead set on pants?” Eve asked.
I laughed in response.
“Most of the men in Eden wear long tunics or kilts.” The seamstress explained.
“Only the homesick wear pants.” Said one of the assistants.
“Long tunic is fine, but can it be knee length? I’m kind of self conscious about my legs.” I looked down.
“Why red?” I asked unknowingly.
“Colors have a meaning here, almost like a caste system but less stifling.”
“Orange is for the people of Eden, the people of the light.” The seamstress answered.
“Blue is for Earthers, the originals and Elders.” Her assistant explained.
“And red?” I asked again, looking at the red tunic taking shape in front of me.
Eve put her hand on my shoulder. “Red is for those that have endured a trial of blood, sacrificed greatly… either willingly or unwillingly for Eden.” Eve answered.
“The honored and the remembered.” The seamstress said as she put her hand to her chest and her two assistants did the same. Eve followed suit.
“But I…” I started to argue.
“Your father was Lord Trevelyan, which alone is enough. You also saved my life and in the process sacrificed your own blood heroically… even unknowingly for Eden.” Eve explained and the three ladies looked at me briefly in awe.
I shook my head undeservingly.
“You will learn our ways quickly, don’t worry so much. You are surrounded by good people. All of the people of Eden are kind, patient and giving.” Eve comforted me.
The three first wrapped me loosely in a long white linen cloth, first over the neck then twisting down my sides and tied tightly in the back. They then offered me a pair of rough cotton loose fitting shorts to cover myself with. I put my head through the garment they had made and my arms through the slits in the sides. The red wool tunic hung exactly to my knees and had a gold ribbon sewn around the neck hole and straight down the middle front and back. Eve then handed me a heavy chain with a loop at one end. I wasn’t prepared for the weight.
The chain was heavy enough that I nearly dropped it, “Is this gold?” I asked.
“Don’t worry, there is a lot of it here. We don’t waste iron or steel on ornamentation. It’s too useful.” Eve explained and watched me put the chain around my neck.
All four women in the room started laughing loudly at me.
“Oh, wow. What did I do?” I started to blush.
Eve loosened the chain from around my neck and brought it around my waist, the small weighted end fit
through the loop and hung tightly around my waist keeping the tunic and outfit form fitting.
“It’s a belt Simon.” Eve shook her head and kissed my cheek.
Leather sandals were offered and accepted, surprisingly comfortable. I had to admit that I looked really good in the mirror, almost roman in dress.
“Thank you ladies, he looks wonderful.” Eve thanked each of them and paid them for their services with small golden tokens that I only imagined were a form of currency.
“Thank you for your custom Lady Mavin.” The three curtsied and left the room.
“You look amazing Simon.” She looked up at me and rested her head on my chest again.
I held her for a moment, cherishing the quiet and calm breaths she took. I could tell she was listening to my heart beat.
“You are a bad influence, we are going to be late.” She rushed to the mirror and brushed her hair.
“No blue?” I asked, for the first time mentioning her hair color.
“I’m not allowed to wear blue. It’s ceremonial, and would be disrespectful to the people. You aren’t allowed to wear blue either… or orange.” She explained.
“Red it is. I like red.” I chuckled.
“Don’t take it lightly; it’s a great honor here.” Eve looked at me in the mirror.
“How many people wear red?” I asked.
“Now? Two.” She stared straight into my eyes. “Take it seriously, don’t be funny.”
“I will try not to embarrass you.” I said honestly.
“It’s not about that, its just about respecting the people of Eden. It is less about you, and more about them. Everything here is about the people, you will understand it in time.”
“I have a lot to learn about this place.” I boggled.
“You have a long time to learn.” Eve mused and smiled happily. “I am really glad you are here Simon.”
“You really didn’t…” I started.
“Not here, not now. We don’t have the time, there are about two hundred people waiting on us to eat. I’m sure Rossen is already banging his fists on the table. Woe to the creature that gets between that man and his food. Eve joked.
“Or his sister.” I jabbed.
“Or his sister.” She laughed. “Ok, come here… let me look at you.”
I submitted for inspection and turned around in a circle.
“Do I look ok?” I asked.
“You look fucking amazing.” She got on her toes to kiss me then stopped, “Oh shit!” She exclaimed and ran into the other room returning with a small jar of paint. “Almost forgot!”
She dipped two fingers into the jar and ran them from the bottom of my eyelids down each cheek into my beard. The paint soothed my skin like menthol and didn’t itch like I expected.
“Now you are complete!” She slapped me on both arms simultaneously.
We walked back down the hall, up the stairs and into the great hall we had met in only an hour or so before. Arm in arm she held me tightly and people watched both of us with great interest.
Tables had been setup and a massive feast prepared, I was expecting not to recognize the food. But as Eve had told me previously everything seemed pretty normal as far as cuisine. Certainly an Asian influence in the utilitarian cooking, heavy on rice and vegetables and delicious.
“Lady Mavin, do us the honor of introducing your guest?!” A man stood up at a far table and raised his voice and the hall full of nearly two hundred fell silent.
“Gladly and with humility!” She said loudly to a gleeful audience.
“People of Eden, it is with a reverent heart and love… for the people and for the All-Father that I present to you Lord Cauven. The natural son of Lord Trevelyan, Blood Martyr of the Day of Ashes. Lord Cauven, my life savior in the bitter streets of Earth, and my companion for as long as he is willing.” She motioned for me to stand and the halls echoed with applause.
After a long meal, many introductions and a seemingly never ending series of introductions I sat with my hand on Eve’s arm. With the feast and celebration over with and the crowds dissipating, the hall slowly emptied and I took a deep breath.
“That was overwhelming.” I finally uttered.
“It’s not always like this, this is a special week. A week of ceremony and of remembrance. This is a week for the people of Eden.” Audriana said.
“The focus is always on the people of Eden, every decision; every aspect of this society is built around caring for them.” Gavin explained. “They are our children, literally.”
“Keep in mind the length of the cycles, we stay the same while they age and pass on. Our children live their lives and create generations of people.” Audriana smiled. “I have had twenty seven children, eighty one grandchildren and countless great-grandchildren.”
My eyes got big and I blinked in surprise.
“Even Gavin and Austringer have their share of descendants.”
“It was a duty and an honor.” Austringer laughed sarcastically.
“Duty for sure.” Gavin shrugged, “Thankfully those days are over with and we can all make our own decisions in that regard.”
“How about you Eve?” I asked turning to her and she looked down embarrassed.
“I have had no children yet.”
“In four hundred years, no children?” I pressed.
“Having sex with someone is one thing; it can be done casually and for an occasional glimpse of companionship. But having a child with someone is a commitment that I have thus far been unable to make.” Eve answered crossing her arms at the deeply personal nature of the conversation.
“I suppose it is different for women than for men.” Austringer noted, “We are free to walk away, and they are sometimes left with the burden.”
“Not a burden!” Audriana shoved him. “A blessing.”
“Looks like we have closed the place down.” Rossen looked around the empty hall.
“We should go to bed.” Eve nudged me and leaned on my arm.
Returning to her room, she turned and put her arms around me.
“Do you want your own room, or will you stay with me?” She asked.
“I came here to be with you Eve, I don’t… I can’t be away from you anymore.” I stated honestly. “Whatever that entails, whatever that obligates me to do. I am willing, and I will do my best.”
“So that means you will share a room with me?” She laughed.
“Just a room?” I asked.
“Well, I did plan on making you sleep on the floor.” She teased. “I know you have questions. Ask them.”
“Ok, wow.” I ran through the list in my head as she handed me a cloth to wipe the paint off my face.
“Do mine.” She asked and I did the same for her.
“Are you the Queen here or…”
“Oh, yea. I can see how it would seem that way today. But no, it’s not like that. I guess we are celebrities? Scientific and sociological oddities?”
“Those people love you and you live in a castle.” I pushed.
“It’s a religious role for me, my role is a bit different that everyone else’s you have met. As for the castle, well, it is a public building. Every citizen of Eden is welcome here, they can walk the halls freely. The girls that were here earlier that made your tunic? One of them could walk right in here right now, and take my hairbrush. I wouldn’t say a word.” Eve said.
“I don’t believe that for a second.” I laughed in disbelief.
“No, really! Now, out of respect she probably wouldn’t ever do that, but she could.” She shrugged.
“Ok then, what about the guards?”
“They are there to protect the Earthers from harm, there are elements… like Lasher, that have tried things in the past. But the guards are commanded by the people, not by Earthers.” Eve explained, “We really have no real power, nor do we exert any over the people. TAny power we do have is purely religious and spiritual.”
“Ok, you are going to have to explain that.”
&nb
sp; “Look at you. You are nearly perfect, you look like you spent your whole life swimming laps in a pool and never drank a single beer. You imagined your best self and the All-Father heard that in your mind when you came through, you communicated everything you thought, imagined or even questioned directly into the soul of this place the instant you fell through the rift. As such you manifested here as that image of yourself.” Eve assured me.
“All-Father?” I bristled, “Are you saying like, God?”
“I told you before, we try very, very hard to keep religious zealotry and imaginings, what Austringer would call Magical Thinking to a minimum. But in this place, our connection is quite a bit deeper. My brothers and I have a connection that gives us some latitude and influence over this place, that has kept the outside influence to a polite minimum and created a bit of a mythos around us.”
“So this All-Father is just what… the spirit of this place? Back at Delta you described a sort of intelligent design.” I theorized.
“We explained to you how this place was created, lab explosion. Blood and Flame, that is the creation story here. The blood of my father and the flame of his experiment’s explosion, it created this pocket dimension, which we then filled with people wholly by accident at first.”
“You spoke of Intelligent Design, and that isn’t too far out of bounds. The All-Father is Albert Lucazka.”
“Your father, but he is dead right?”
“He is this place, his soul… his essence, his feelings and thoughts, they are all around us. Eden responds to our thoughts and requests as a father would for his children, we don’t know if it is conscious or unconscious thought, willing or unwilling. But we do know it’s not coincidence.”
“Not coincidence, are we talking auguries in chicken blood and white doves in the east here?” I poked.
“Out of everything you have seen and heard today… everything you have experienced, this is the part you are hung up on?” Eve gave me a sour look.
“No it’s just far-fetched.” I shrugged.
Eve laughed at me and shook her head. “Ok, before my brothers and I got here this place was literally a long plain of grass, we think he was sleeping, or trying to figure out on his own what happened and really scientifically trying to decide what exactly had happened to him. A conscious mind intertwined with a formless pocket dimension, scattered and formless.”
Deltas: Delta Horizon Book One Page 13