The Light of Our Yesterdays

by Ken Hansen

  “You are welcome, amicus meus. By the way, did I tell you about the progress our technologists have made on your invention?”

  “No. Progress?” Impossible. I left out a key part of the accelerator.

  “Yes. They seemed to struggle awhile and kept telling me something was missing from your diagrams and plans. I told them they must be mistaken, for I trust you so well. I told them we were trying to accomplish something that you had not attempted with your invention, so they just needed to work a little harder at it. Fortunately, with a few appropriate incentives and a few well-placed disincentives, they seemed to have discovered an ancillary method that solved the problem. Gratias, Tomadus, for your great service to Roma and the Three Empires. In due course, you will receive a more public honor, but be patient.”

  Tomadus paused in thought. He had not believed the Imperium’s technologists could pull it off, but he had been a fool. The First Consul had just subtly informed him of his foolishness and then congratulated him on his service. He knows of my deception, but I am still to be congratulated? Tomadus saw the First Consul staring at him and awaiting an appropriate response. He forced a weak smile. “Gratias. You are most generous. I am happy I could help our protectorate.”

  “And you have, Tomadus, you have, believe me. I have appreciated your concerns in this matter, but we really never had much choice but to comply with the Emperors’ generals, did we? But, perhaps, we might be a little more careful in the future.”

  Tomadus smiled. He could see the First Counsel sympathized with him and had probably taken extraordinary measures to protect him from the repercussions of his deception. “Of course, First Counsel, you are right,” Tomadus said.

  To this, the First Counsel merely nodded and smiled.

  Chapter 56

  Tomadus breathed deeply and followed his armed escorts through Skjöldr’s Asgard Palace. It had been a whirlwind week: parting from Isa again, managing to find an aeronaves scheduled to hop across the seadromes to New Åarhus, and learning about Yohanan’s fate as he waited for Skjöldr’s assistants to finally schedule his promised audience with the king—a king who had undermined his initiatives even before he had arrived. And yet, he had pressed on. The creature within would not let him do otherwise.

  As he walked toward Heorot Hall, Tomadus marveled at the opulence of the marbled corridors of Asgard Palace. Huge paintings of ancient Viking battles adorned both walls. The ornate walls led up some twenty feet to a barrel-vaulted ceiling inlaid with gold and decorated on each side with various images of Viking history. At the center of each segment of the barrel vault hung a picture of the Great Book open to the first page of a different Sura.

  Tomadus knew little of these two traditions, but what he did know made the juxtaposition of Viking icons with the words of the Great Book seem nearly blasphemous. The Grand Imams in the Three Empires would have cringed at the association of the Great Book with the near idol worship of ancient Viking heroes. But this cultural merger would seem natural and appropriate to his palace host, who sat on his throne in the hall just beyond the huge wooden doors at the end of the corridor.

  With a gentle push from his escorts, the doors swung open, revealing an enormous, lavish marble hall adorned with exquisite brass and wooden carvings of various shapes and sizes. Tomadus noticed that two types of carvings were repeated in several places in the room: three interlocking drinking horns and three interlocking triangles. The carvings repeated at odd intervals, though he thought he detected some kind of pattern to them, almost like a code.

  Without warning, the familiar light flashed in his eyes and the other world opened up to him again. He saw an image of an enormous mosque in a strange land with Arabic writing on one of its walls. It referred to the Great Book. A shadow dashed past and his mind kept swirling as if the words meant something more than what they seemed. Not now! He shook his head and struggled to dispel the thoughts and feelings that had briefly overtaken him. Sweat dripped from his brow down his nose and to his lips. He dabbed his face with a section of cloth from his pocket.

  The grand marshal announced, “Tomadus, a Merchant of Roma.”

  Tomadus looked forward and refocused his eyes on the plush scarlet carpet leading from the door to the back of the hall and a marble dais that rose nearly five feet above the floor. Tomadus composed himself and recognized the two men conversing quietly on the dais.

  One man sat on the only piece of furniture on the stage—a massive, elaborately carved oak chair, which obviously served as a throne to this Viking clan. A large man, he wore a jeweled crown on his large head, while a plush violet cape covered his shoulders and upper arms. Beneath the cape he wore ancient Viking leather armor. The man’s trimmed red beard revealed a strong jaw and high cheekbones set just below stone-cold, nearly black eyes.

  Next to him stood a man with a huge head expanded by dark orange hair flowing out from his head, cheeks and neck. Tomadus could still see this demon on the visi-scan coldly calling out to the “cowards” of the Konverteraften Massacre after Tomadus’s friend, Quintillus, had been dragged up to the New Åarhus stage before an immediate execution.

  Hugleikr’s angled visage rolled Tomadus’s stomach and turned his hands to ice, and he fought an almost uncontrollable urge to either flee the palace or jump up and strangle the killer. Control yourself. Success meant burying his emotion deep. Remember Isa’s words. Love your enemies. He took a deep breath, forced a smile and moved forward. When he approached the dais, he bowed deeply.

  “Welcome, Tomadus of Roma,” Skjöldr said. Hugleikr, still standing beside him, silently stared at Tomadus.

  “I thank you, your Highness. You are most gracious to receive me. I bring greetings from Roma and the Three Empires. First Consul Khansensius sends his salutations, as do Generals Khameni and Faisal, at whose request I have made this journey.”

  “We are delighted to hear it. It has been a long time since we have shared a banquet with these men. Please, when you return, send my regards to them as well. We have been told you serve as an unofficial ambassador of Romanus merchants.”

  “I do, your Highness. As you know, I have made some efforts throughout North Aztalan to create markets for my photonic computer products. I believe New Jutland and all of Tetepe could benefit not only from my products but also from significantly enhanced trade with Roma and the Three Empires. I am here to explore that possibility.”

  Skjöldr glanced at Hugleikr and the second returned a tight-lipped smile. Skjöldr turned back to Tomadus and said, “We see. What is the nature of that exploration, for New Jutland has never restricted its trade with Roma or the Three Empires?”

  “Ah, your Highness, I believe your confusion arises from the distinction between purely legal and otherwise practical restraints. I know we are free to trade by your law and our own, but most of my fellow merchants are quite reluctant to risk much capital in areas where the political situation is, shall I say, a bit unstable.”

  “Unstable?” roared Skjöldr, “We have been king for over 25 years. We hardly think New Jutland can be called ‘unstable.’”

  Tomadus forced a restrained smile. He had to be careful here or the meeting would end badly. He nodded gently. “Of course, since you have ruled longer than many monarchs of the world, the instability derives not from your rule but from the ongoing…situation…with the Demoseps and the Tetepians.”

  Skjöldr and Hugleikr exchanged a knowing glance again. “May I, your highness?” asked Hugleikr. Skjöldr nodded and Hugleikr looked directly at Tomadus. “Tomadus of Roma, we understand you visited Shenandoah yourself less than a year ago.”

  Tomadus’s heart skipped a beat, but his outward composure remained intact. He smiled and nodded gently. “Yes, of course, Vice Regent, after the reports of my fellow merchants, I made the trip to assess the situation here. I am sorry to say that it brought me only greater worries for this region. For the sake of business, I am hoping, with the support of the First Consul, we might work together to find a way to
bring the trouble you have faced for so long to a reasonable conclusion.”

  Skjöldr flashed a seemingly genuine smile. “We would welcome any assistance the First Consul could provide to help us deal with these troubles. We understand a certain alteration of your invention might at some point help us in that regard. We have done everything in our power to live in peace with these people, yet they seem to seek only murder and chaos. We propose rational peace terms, and they reject them out of hand and seek our deaths. We build up our cities, and they seek to tear them down. We go to Tetepe to help them maintain the peace and our soldiers are blown up on roadsides and railroads. These people are not rational. It seems their only goal is to exterminate us.”

  Tomadus had feared this view. “I understand your concerns, your Highness. Some of the Demoseps still struggle to see the situation through your eyes. However, with enlightened leadership, others may find a way to end the violence. The Tetepians, too, have suffered from this war and many demonize the Juteslams for it, just as you demonize them. But we have made some inroads with a few leaders who are capable of appreciating your point of view and understanding the need for peace. I hope that you will try to do the same.”

  Hugleikr laughed. “Do these so-called leaders include that rabble-rouser Yohanan and his paltry followers? Did you know that as we speak they are imprisoned for sedition and conspiracy to insurrection?”

  “So I heard after I arrived in New Jutland. I have come to know Yohanan as a man of peace.”

  “Is that so?” said Hugleikr. “He was preaching his nonsense in Great Jutland Square and trying to rile up a crowd. They booed him and threw things at him, but he remained and caused a substantial disturbance. He and his group refused to disperse upon the demand of our security forces. They sat down in front of the palace and forced the security personnel to carry them to the prison below. The entire episode was clearly the start of a conspiracy to insurrection for which he and his cohorts will be tried and convicted.”

  “I see,” said Tomadus. “Of course, there will be repercussions from the arrest.”

  “Repercussions?” Hugleikr asked.

  “Yohanan was one of the few Tetepians who had begun to speak against violence. He had only a small following, but it was growing quickly. It is one thing to arrest shaitaanists, another to arrest peaceful demonstrators. It does not strengthen your position on the world stage.”

  Hugleikr lashed back, “Peaceful demonstrator? We have reason to believe he was behind the Konverteraften Massacre. Yohanan is no man of peace. We—”

  Skjöldr put up his hand as to silence Hugleikr. “Speak no more of that terrible day. We wonder if you understand the situation completely.”

  “You may be right, your Highness.” Tomadus bowed slightly. “I know only bits and pieces.”

  “You seem to see New Jutland and the rest of Tetepe only as it stands now,” said Skjöldr. “But if you appreciated our history, you would appreciate the constant precariousness of our situation. The Juteslams are alone in our faith and it is only our enduring will to survive and our willingness to fight for our beliefs and culture that has prevented the extinction of our people. You must know that the Latisilolals—those fanatics from the west who started the last world war—nearly succeeded in destroying us forever as many of my people struggled to survive within their borders. They hated us more than the Aztecs before them and blamed us for all of their economic problems. We thank Allah that the Three Empires and the Aztecs joined together to defeat them and the North Asian Empire in the Great World War. Without His intervention, we may well have perished.”

  Tomadus nodded respectfully.

  Skjöldr went on, “But He, with the assistance of the allied powers, helped us return to the land of our forefathers in New Jutland. The Tetepians had interloped on our land in our absence, but we still welcomed them as our brothers. What was the result? They tried to destroy us just as the Latisilolals had done. With Allah as our guide, we fought back and defeated this violent people. But now we remain surrounded by the red men who dominate this continent and the Jews who shout about the power of the people but wish only that we be swept into the sea. To you, we seem like a dominant power lording over the Tetepian people, but they are only a small part of the problem. To us, we are but a grain of sand on the beach of this vast continent, fighting the tide of intolerance for our beliefs and clinging with everything we have left to remain fast on the shore.”

  “So you see,” said Skjöldr, “we must always remain vigilant. We cannot seem weak to anyone in this hemisphere—not even for a moment. If today we were to agree to unreasonable peace terms to end the violence of the Tetepians, tomorrow they or their brothers in arms around this continent would be imprisoning our leaders, burning our mosques, and raping our women. We cannot, we shall not, ever raise a white flag, even for a single battle, and even if that means we must fight them all to the last man. Such an ill-considered act would be the first step toward our own demise.”

  Tomadus nodded again, holding back his anger. He was not the first to hear this speech from Skjöldr, but it could not simply be propaganda. No, Skjöldr believed his own words almost as an article of his own faith. No doubt there was at its core some shining scepter of truth there, but it had long ago become encrusted with the residue of the corrosive power of hate. Only some unspeakable tragedy would ever reopen his eyes and his heart. No shaitaanist act by the Demoseps could ever accomplish that feat, for such attempts would serve only to further justify his ideology. For now, the best he could do was obtain Yohanan’s release. “I understand, your Highness, but I wonder if you may have undermined your own goals by arresting Yohanan. I have heard he has argued that the Tetepians must relinquish any hope of driving the Juteslams away from Tetepe. He claims they must accept the Juteslams and seek an honorable peace. While he is in the minority, he has much sway, here…and abroad.”

  Hugleikr interrupted, “That makes him more dangerous, not less.”

  Skjöldr flashed a chastising look at Hugleikr and looked back at Tomadus. “You are wise, Tomadus. Perhaps there may be hope for Yohanan, yet. As long as he and his followers are willing to stay out of New Jutland itself, we think we shall pardon them and set them free. But if we ever discover anything about his involvement in the Konverteraften Massacre, we shall act without delay. I will have my guards bring Yohanan to you. Vice Regent Hugleikr is leaving on an important trip to Jerusalem and then Mecca for the Hajj. We have much to accomplish before he leaves. Please give my regards to the First Consul.”

  “Thank you, your Highness,” Tomadus said with a bow. “With Yohanan’s help, perhaps we can make progress on a true and lasting peace. May we meet again to continue our discussions?”

  “Let us see where your efforts with Yohanan lead. And then we shall see.”

  Chapter 57

  The two men embraced at the top of the stairs before the Asgard Palace. Yohanan looked a bit disheveled. “I don’t know what you did, but thank you for getting me released. Being thrown in prison for a good cause sounds better than it feels. I see most of my followers have already thanked you.” He nodded toward the group awaiting them at the bottom of the staircase.

  “My friend, I simply showed them the truth and the advantage of letting a man of peace go free. However, you and your followers are personally banished from New Jutland for the time being. They are happy to see you perform your rabble rousing for peace, but only among your own people.”

  “Well, I suppose I can always return to New Åarhus some other time with a camera crew ready to record my next arrest.”

  “Yes, but for now you will need to return to Shenandoah to convince Decima to join your cause. You need to build this movement.”

  “I understand, but the Fox is no longer in Shenandoah.”

  “The Fox?” Tomadus asked. “Is that some kind of code name?”

  Yohanan shook his head. “Sorry, forgive my little quirks.” Yohanan looked around for unwanted ears. He said in a low voice, “I h
eard Decima left the continent and has traveled to the Palestinian Province on Demosep business. Raanan is with her along with a handful of other Demoseps. It sounds like they may have plans for more disruption.”

  Tomadus closed his eyes a moment and exhaled hard. “You may be right. Hugleikr begins his travels to Jerusalem tomorrow.”

  “Damn. Then they are going to make another attempt at him. Fools! So be it. I will no longer have anything to do with them.”

  “No, you must. You are the only one who can talk Decima out of this nonsense. I’ve just opened up a dialogue with Skjöldr that could eventually lead somewhere, but if this happens, peace will be dead for years, and I fear for the destruction that will rain down on Tetepe for another generation.”

  “I agree, but what can I do? You did not see the look on her face when she denounced my Great Truth. She hates all Juteslams, but she especially hates Hugleikr. She wants her revenge. She will do anything to kill him.”

  Tomadus put his hands on Yohanan’s shoulders. “You must try. What would Isa do? You must.”

  Yohanan looked down at the ground for a few moments, back at his small group of followers, and finally back to Tomadus. “I know you’re right, but I doubt I can even get Letters of Transit into the Sunni Muslim Empire, let alone catch up with Decima and Raanan.”

  “The First Consul is the only one who can provide the Letter of Transit you need to get to Jerusalem. Without it, the Sunni Muslim Empire would never permit travel there by a rebel with known Demosep links. Let me make a few calls. Meanwhile, gather what you will need for the trip and join me at the aeroportus outside the city. We can board an aeronavis there and fly to Roma.”

  “Do you trust the First Consul?”

  “I am beginning to. He arranged the audience with Skjöldr, and at least that led to your release. I think he trusts me. This will be a big test.”