“I think they’re afraid,” Aradin said.
“They don’t look like Atlans,” Rhuna observed. “Just like this place doesn’t look like an Atlan town.”
“They are far away from Atlán,” Stillness of the Lake stated as she peered at them through one of the side windows.
“Allow me,” Greeter of Friends said, stepping out of the RTE and striding confidently towards the people. Protector of Remembrance followed the younger Atlan man at a respectful distance.
Rhuna watched as Greeter of Friends neared the people, and then began conversing. She found it slightly amusing to see his hands making a variety of gestures, but then the people appeared to understand and reacted in a friendly manner with nods and hand gestures.
“We should disembark,” Protector of Remembrance said to the others. “We shall await your return at this site near the end of the sun’s descent.”
Rhuna nodded and helped carry some bags off the RTE until she saw her mother approach the door.
“Are you afraid?” she asked Kiana, trying to read her mother’s expression.
“Oh no!” Kiana retorted. “This is very interesting!” she said with enthusiasm, and stepped out of the RTE carrying her own rucksack of meagre belongings. She admired her mother as she watched her follow the Atlans, thinking of the dull life her mother led until she left the small island of Chinza.
“For her it must be like life has just begun,” Aradin said, once again knowing Rhuna’s thoughts. She turned to smile at him, wishing she could express all the tender love and affection she felt for him in that moment.
“We have to go back now and get the others,” she sighed.
Aradin closed the door, prepared the map and navigational tools, and sat next to Rhuna as she operated the Rapid Transport Enclosure.
Rhuna returned to the abode of The Masters of Ancient Wisdom, setting down her RTE on the plateau where it had stood during the entire cold season. She stepped down into the wooden structure where the Masters resided, thinking of suitable words of farewell to say to them.
“We expect your return one day,” Lhom Tsu said without emotion in his face or voice.
“I don’t know what’s ahead for us,” Rhuna said in reply.
“The young Time Dreamer foresees her return to us in the future,” Lhom Tsu replied, and then bowed his head in a gesture of farewell.
“You’ve had a vision of coming back here?” Aradin asked his young daughter.
“Lots of them,” Shandi answered, surprising both Aradin and Rhuna.
“You never told us,” Rhuna said.
Shandi looked up at her parents and merely shrugged her shoulders, then grabbed Panapu’s big, meaty hand. “We can go now!” she exclaimed, tugging at the giant’s arm.
“At last!” groaned Goram as he stepped towards the outer doorway, grabbing Lozira’s hand firmly and carrying their bags over his shoulder.
Rhuna turned her attention to Goll who stood expectantly nearby, holding a large drawstring sack of his belongings. His pinkish eyes appeared big and bright as Rhuna beckoned him to follow them. She turned around once more to wave farewell to Duga and the other native residents of this strange land, and then followed Aradin towards the RTE.
“It is magnificent,” whispered Goll as they approached the Rapid Transport Enclosure. “Many times I have read about RTEs in the Texts,” he said softly as he reverentially stepped inside the vessel.
Rhuna operated the RTE in the same manner as before, finding the Atlan town of Axla with ease. She frequently looked at Goll during the journey, wondering what thoughts and emotions must be afoot behind the stoic pale face and pink-red eyes. He had remained silent but vigilant and intensely observant of his surroundings, looking out through all windows and listening to the sparse and trivial conversations between his fellow-passengers.
“What is your impression of this Atlan town?” Lozira asked as Rhuna began the careful procedure of setting the RTE down on the ground.
“It’s very plain and simple,” Aradin answered. “And the people looked frightened.”
“They have surely never seen an RTE before,” Mohandu commented, nodding excessively.
“It is so remote, in the middle of vast wilderness,” Yarqi remarked.
“The Black City is in that direction, is it not?” Goram asked, quickly glancing at one of his maps. “A considerable journey on foot,” he added.
“Are we going there right away?” Lozira asked somewhat anxiously.
“Let’s see what the Atlan representatives want to do,” Rhuna answered.
Goram stood up in anticipation of leaving the vessel. “We shall pursue our own plans,” he announced firmly.
“What do you mean?” Rhuna asked angrily. “We agreed to work together!”
“You agreed. They agreed,” Goram corrected.
“What do you think you can achieve by going off on your own?” Aradin asked. “At least wait to hear the representatives’ plans first!”
“Yes, yes,” Goram muttered irritably. “There is still a matter to discuss in private with you,” he added, looking intensely at Rhuna. She nodded, then turned her attention to securing the RTE and meeting the inhabitants of Axla.
Part Three
(The Black City)
Rhuna walked towards the Atlan representatives and their companions who were standing at the edge of the open plaza where the RTE had set down. She looked around for Damell and Kiana, but could only see four local residents waiting alongside the Atlan representatives.
“We welcome you,” said one of the Axlan residents as Rhuna and her group reached the end of the plaza area. The dark-eyed man smiled enthusiastically as he stepped forward, holding out his hand for the Atlan greeting of shaking hands. Rhuna shook the man’s hands, noting that his appearance resembled the residents of the Land at the Top of the World.
“I am Rhuna, Keeper of Wisdom,” she said, using both personal and formal Atlan names, and then introduced Aradin, then Goram, Lozira and the others.
“I am called Ogul, son of Temuge, that is all,” said the man as he shook their hands. “We have no formal Atlan names here. In fact, we never expected to see another Atlan,” he added with a happy laugh.
“No, we very surprised!” remarked another resident of Axla, stepping forward to greet Rhuna and her group. “My name Mengu!” said the dark-haired man as he vigorously shook Aradin’s hand and grinned broadly.
“The inhabitants of Axla have given us a warm welcome,” Protector of Remembrance said with a smile. “They are excited to have visitors.”
“From the land of Atlán! Very special visitors!” Mengu exclaimed, and then introduced the two women who had accompanied him and Ogul.
“These four inhabitants of Axla speak the Atlan language,” Greeter of Friends explained. “The others speak the language of their non-Atlan forebears.”
“Some of us have forgotten our Atlan heritage,” Ogul began, and Rhuna noticed that he spoke the Atlan language much better than his friend, and that both spoke with an unusual lilt and mispronunciation of some words. “But we here,” he said, pointing to Mengu and the two women, “…we remember stories of our Atlan ancestors.”
Rhuna made a quick calculation in her head and realized that many generations had passed since the massacre of Atlan men and women at this site.
“It true, that Atlan make stones for house with mind only?” Mengu asked, his dark brown eyes wide with eager curiosity.
“We can transform sand or even water into stone blocks using the power of our minds,” Goram confirmed, smiling at the Axlan man’s childlike enthusiasm.
“Then make for us! Make stone houses for us!” Mengu urged, jumping up and down in excitement. “We need stone! We need stone!”
Goram’s smile turned into a scowl as he brushed past Mengu with annoyance. “We have much more important matters to address!”
“Black City; yes, yes,” Mengu nodded, then waved dismissively. “Bad place, bad people! Not go there – yo
u stay here, make Axla great Atlan city!”
Rhuna looked at Mengu’s innocent, beaming smile as he looked from one face to another. His narrow, slanted eyes reminded her of the mountain-dwelling people of the Land at the Top of the World, but his narrow nose and thin lips revealed his Atlan heritage.
“Let us take our friends to the accommodation you have so kindly provided,” Protector of Remembrance interrupted, ushering Rhuna and Aradin faster along the main avenue of the tiny township of Axla. Rhuna looked behind them to ensure that Panapu was carrying Shandi, and that she was happily observing her new surroundings from the safety of his powerful arms.
They lugged their bags along the dusty, hard-packed dirt road, and then turned into a narrow, uneven alley. Rhuna looked at the unpaved roads and basic square huts which reminded her of the time she lived in Safu. The section of the city inhabited by people called The Commoners was even more austere than Axla, and Rhuna had enjoyed helping the community build better streets and houses.
“I think we can make time to help the people here improve their houses and their town,” Rhuna offered.
“Oh yes, yes!” Mengu said, following them like a happy puppy while Goram grunted with displeasure.
Rhuna looked around at the plain yellow-brown houses and suddenly noticed the many faces peering through doorways and windows. She thought she saw curiosity mingled with excitement in their expressions.
“Are they afraid of us?” asked Lozira as she also looked around.
“No,” Ogul answered. “It is our way with strangers. We are…cautious,” he added, and Rhuna wondered what kind of experiences the humble people of Axla might have had with the people from the Black City.
Ogul stopped at a narrow doorway to a wide and flat building made out of the same mud and straw as the surrounding houses. “The others are in the adjoining house, there,” he said, pointing to an adjacent structure that appeared almost identical to the one they were about to enter.
Rhuna stepped inside and let her eyes adjust to the low light that shone through small and partly covered windows. She walked through the first large room where food was prepared and eaten, and then found a narrow corridor leading to small square rooms, each containing only a pallet with a blanket and some cushions.
“It is the best house we can offer you,” Ogul said apologetically.
“My Friend!” Protector of Remembrance exclaimed, clapping Ogul congenially on the back. “We are accustomed to much less comfortable accommodation, are we not?”
Rhuna thought of the dark, rocky alcoves deep in the mountain where they had spent the cold season, and nodded her agreement with the senior Atlan’s statement.
“This is luxurious in comparison to our previous sleeping arrangements,” Goram commented, stepping into one small room and placing his bag next to the padding on the floor.
“The blankets look very soft and comfortable,” Lozira remarked as she kneeled down to touch them.
“We acquire good quality textiles from traders as they pass through Axla on their way to…to the Black City,” Ogul explained, his voice faltering when he mentioned the dreaded city.
“We know about the frequent trade between the Black City and other lands,” Rhuna replied. “That’s how we first found out about the Black City.”
“But you not go there, no!” Mengu interjected, scurrying around to help Rhuna’s group with their bags of belongings.
“Yet we shall journey to the Black City as soon as possible!” Goram said forcefully.
“Yes!” Protector of Remembrance interrupted loudly. “Be settled first, and then we shall meet to discuss our plans,” the senior Atlan said as he left the building to join the others in the adjoining house.
Rhuna looked at Aradin as they approached the last of the small rooms, sealed with heavy drapery instead of a door.
“We’ll take this one,” Aradin said as he took Rhuna’s bag and placed it in a corner. A wooden frame holding a thick textile served as a window shutter, and Rhuna pushed it aside to allow more light to enter her new sleeping area. The descending sun’s long rays bounced across the gold embroidery in the blanket and gave the red silken fabric a deep, warm glow like hot embers.
“It’s beautiful!” Rhuna exclaimed. “And such an unusual pattern. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
“It is the colour and symbol of the Ling-Yu people,” Ogul answered. “They are the traders who pass through here and the Black City frequently, on their way to Varappa.”
“We used to live in Varappa,” Lozira said, standing nearby and looking into the room opposite Rhuna’s. Rhuna thought her tone sounded sad and wistful.
Ogul looked at Lozira and Goram, then at Yarqi, Mohandu and the bulking giant, Panapu. “You all look different,” he remarked. “We believed that Atlans are all light-skinned with yellow or reddish hair, but some of you have brown skin like us, and…” Ogul paused awkwardly, looking at Goll. “You are Atlan, too?”
“I am a scrivener and archivist in the Depository of Archival Texts in the Land at the Top of the World,” Goll answered confidently.
“Oh” Ogul replied weakly.
“Most Atlans are like us,” Goram said, answering Ogul’s question. “Some of us have non-Atlan ancestors.”
“Such as I,” Mohandu said. “I am an Atlan from Varappa, hence my darker skin and hair,” he explained, nodding his head.
“My heritage is similar to his,” Aradin added.
Ogul looked at Yarqi.
“My People are distantly related to Varappans,” Yarqi said, uncomfortable at Ogul’s careful scrutiny.
“Me from many places,” Panapu said in his deep, growling voice. “Soldier in Army of Safu!” he added proudly.
“There is a dark-skinned woman in the other group that arrived first,” Ogul said.
“That’s my mother,” Rhuna said. “The tall Atlan man with greying hair is my father.”
“Ah, I see,” Ogul said with a smile. “You are an unusual group.”
“Yes, I guess we are,” Aradin said, smiling in return.
Rhuna had barely taken her belongings out of her sack when she realized that the sun was making its final descent. Aradin had already removed candles and a lamp from one of his sacks, and a faint smell of smoke began to drift into their new accommodation.
“Fire to cook food, I hope,” Aradin remarked. “I’m hungry.”
“What manner of food do these people eat?” Goram said, overhearing Aradin’s words from the chamber across the narrow corridor.
“We’re a long way from the Land at the Top of the World, so I think the food here will be quite different,” Rhuna replied.
“A most reassuring thought,” Goram grumbled as Lozira giggled softly.
“We should eat together, with the others, so that we can discuss plans for the coming days,” Aradin suggested, sniffing the air again in expectation of welcome cooking aromas.
Rhuna and her entire group entered the adjoining house where Ogul had begun preparing food for the Atlans. The Atlan representatives, Damell and Kiana were already seated on thick mats on the floor, while Tozar retreated to a place in the corner of the large room. A large cooking pot hung over a wood fire in the corner of the main room where opened windows allowed the smoke to escape. Goram immediately stepped towards the pot and raised its lid.
“Ah, meat and vegetables,” he said approvingly.
“It is our most common meal, but we have included our best and freshly-harvested onions and carrots,” Ogul said.
“And potatoes from the land of Atlán,” added one of the Axlan women. “We grow them in special fields not far from the town.”
Ogul introduced the woman as his sister, and then explained that the other woman tending the cooking pot was his aunt.
“Our family has tried to carry on the Atlan tradition of oral history, but we are the only ones left now, besides Mengu.”
“We would like you to tell us all you know about the Black City,” began Protector
of Remembrance.
Rhuna sensed a distinct change in the behaviour of the Axlan people every time the Black City was mentioned.
“Have you been there?” asked Aradin when the room fell into a long silence.
“Yes, yes,” Ogul answered hesitantly. “We must go there occasionally for necessary supplies. It is the only city within a day’s journey.”
“Sometimes we ask the travelling caravans of merchants to bring us things,” Ogul’s sister quickly added.
“What is it that frightens you?” Damell asked carefully.
Rhuna looked at Ogul, his sister and then across at Ogul’s aunt who spun her head back towards the cooking pot and began to briskly stir the stew.
“The Mages, of course,” Ogul answered at last. His eyes flitted back and forth in discomfort, and Rhuna wondered what the timid people of Axla knew about the Black City.
“What are the Mages?” Protector of Remembrance asked, keeping his voice calm and level.
“The powerful ones who make things happen which cannot be explained,” Ogul answered slowly.
“Like the Conjurers,” Yarqi whispered. Rhuna looked at the dark-haired woman who had become deeply involved with the dangerous Conjurers when they lived in Judharo.
“What kind of things do they make happen?” Aradin asked.
“They make knives and arrows fly through the air to kill!” exclaimed Ogul’s aunt as she banged her heavy metal spoon on the rim of the cooking pot. Rhuna heard the sheer terror in the woman’s voice.
“They make other things move, too,” Ogul’s sister added.
“This is just like the account of the awful massacre that happened here many generations ago,” Rhuna whispered as she leaned towards Aradin and Damell. Both men nodded with a frown.
“We have never heard of such things until now,” Aradin remarked.
“It is imperative that we witness such phenomena with our own eyes!” Goram said as his green eyes lit up with excitement. “Such advanced knowledge and power are of great interest to us.”
Protector of Remembrance nodded as he tugged at his long beard. “We shall observe and learn,” he agreed.
Rhuna- Black City Page 9
