The Serpent's Song

by S. Robertson

  “Yeh,” replied Morgan, following Wolfram in hushed tones, “Then we’ll have met the key members of the royal family. You know, Angi’s change of status has raised some tantalizing questions.”

  “Morgan, tread gently,” came a whispered command from Andrew, “We’ve entered rarified territory where the rules need to be clarified before blundering forth.”

  “I hear you, Andrew,” replied Morgan, still whispering, “I’ll hold my inquisitiveness until a more suitable hour and, of course, after wise council from yourself,” he added with a chuckle.

  Andrew and Wolfram glanced at each other and smiled, Wolfram saying quietly to Andrew, “That’ll be a first. But you never know Andrew, miracles do happen.” Their chatting ceased when the audience settled down. As was the custom, the commencement of any theatre program was signaled when the royal party was seated.

  At that moment, Carola, assuming the role of Master of Ceremonies, stood, tapped the lectern to silence the chatter of the performers and turned to speak to the audience. “Today, it is my pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness, members of the royal family, and representatives of the Council of Elders, guests, and students and graduates of the House of Learning to a very special presentation.” Then, completing the introduction she proceeded to give a few details of the program.

  “This afternoon’s program consists of two separate events; first there will be a musical performance followed by a special presentation by Her Royal Highness.” Continuing she went on, “The musical segment will have two short pieces; first the harpists will be playing a composition which has not been heard in many years, one a few may recognize. This will be followed by a musical selection chosen by our Gaia guests. The type of music they will be playing is referred to as a jig. As I’ve been told, the jig is a common form of dance music performed in 6/8 time. Jigs can be fast and lively and performed by different instruments including the harp. The titles of the two selections are Keegan’s Jig and Lannigan’s Ball, which will be played as a single piece. I also wish to bring to your attention that we, for the first time, will be playing different musical instruments for this number, ones created through the assistance of our guests and our replication technology. These instruments will be left for us when our guests leave. I ask that you hold your applause until both musical pieces have been completed.” Completing this brief description she bowed and turned to face the musicians.

  In unison, the harpists began softly, the sound rising and falling as it soared up to the highest seats in the theatre. The haunting and uplifting melody tugged at the emotions pulling the audience along an intoxicating wave of scintillating music with hints of unthinkable treasures in some forgotten kingdom. The piece was short and ended abruptly leaving the listeners craving for more.

  The audience waited silently in anticipation for the next musical offering.

  As practiced, the Tir na nOg harpists supplied an entrance to the Gaia musical program, then faded as the Gaia musicians plus Bran and Togu on drums, launched into the two jigs. The lively music with odd instruments surprised the audience but soon they joined in, keeping time with their feet or fingers. The two young drummers, delighted at their newfound musical experience, wove a mesmerizing drum beat in and around the music of the violins, guitar and harps. When it ended the musicians smiled, pleased their performance went off without a hitch.

  The audience was enchanted with the unusual musical treat and awarded all performers with a resounding round of applause.

  Carola shone with happiness. Everything had gone as planned. She had opened an innovative musical door for the school. She had little time to relish her accomplishment because, knowing the next part of the program belonged to the Queen, she bowed and left the stage.

  The clapping ceased when the Queen rose and walked down to the Orchestra with several members of her family and attendants. She opened the second part of the program with, “This musical performance is a fine example of all that is positive about our return to Gaia after many long years of silence. I would like to thank all our musicians for their effort especially our Gaia guests for providing us with the taste of their spirited dance music. We hope to hear more in the days and years ahead.” Then turning to a more serious note she continued, “As you know, within days we shall be bidding farewell to our guests from Gaia. This inaugural visit has gone reasonably well.” It was best to bypass the pyramid episode on such an occasion. She went on, “The transportation gates between our two worlds will be opening and we will be welcoming other selected groups in the future. I’m certain most of this inaugural group will be frequent visitors. We have already learned a lot from each other and hope to share more. As is our custom, when guests are leaving we present them with a small token of their time in our kingdom. On this occasion, it shall be slightly different. It is the decision of our Council of Elders and myself that we shall provide a Tir na nOg Badge to our guests to mark their first visit.” Then speaking to the audience she added, “If you activate your viewers you will be able to see this presentation in more detail. I would now ask all our Gaia guests to come forward.”

  While the Gaia musicians laid down their instruments on their seats and stepped forward, their cohorts who had been sitting in the audience, rose and made their way down to the Orchestra. Sirona and Myttrwn began arranging the members in a semi-circle, positioning Angi, Vette, Wolfram and Morgan at the head of the line, followed by Andrew and Bryce and then the rest.

  Two attendants with closed boxes positioned themselves to the left of the Queen in readiness for the ceremony.

  There was silence as the Queen opened the first box which contained the first six metal badges, the serpent circles trimmed in gold glistening in the sunlight. The badges had identical serpent symbols with different precious stone backgrounds.

  The Queen brought out the first badge and stepped towards Angi saying, “It is my pleasure, Angela Jenesis Talismann, known to us as Angi, to present to you this Royal Purple Tir na nOg Badge, as by now the kingdom is aware you have been accepted as a member of the royal family.” Smiling, she said as she placed the badge on Angi’s left shoulder, “Angi, this badge will henceforth recognize your royal status within our kingdom of planets.”

  Angi, taken aback by such an honour, noted the badge held fast without apparent pin or clasp. She shook the Queen’s hand saying, “Thank you, Your Majesty, I am truly honoured.” She couldn’t think of anything more appropriate to say. It would now be difficult to dodge her raised status as she was in possession of a similar badge to that of Sirona and Myttrwn, a somewhat daunting attainment.

  Then the Queen turned to the next three speaking first to the audience, “As you are aware these four individuals, including Angi, successfully completed a most arduous initiation in our pyramid, retrieving the crystals, as required. And for that we have decided the next three individuals should be awarded the blue Tir na nOg Badge.” She then turned and taking out a serpent badge with a blue gemstone background saying, “Yvette Celine Gallant, known to us a Vette, I present to you our blue Tit na nOg Badge. This badge will give you the proper status you deserve in our kingdom of planets.” Then after shaking Vette’s hand she moved on to Wolfram saying, “Wolfram Maddison Stark, known to us as Wolfram, I present to you our blue Tir na nOg Badge. This badge will give you the proper status you deserve in our kingdom of planets.” Following a few words and shaking Wolfram’s hand she moved on to Morgan saying, “Morgan Hercule Mandelthrope, known to us as Morgan, I present to you our blue Tir na nOg Badge. This badge will give you the proper status you deserve in our kingdom of planets.” Each one thanked the Queen as the badge was placed on their left shoulder. The three realized that they were now the proud recipients of a badge usually given to the more advanced students of the House of Learning.

  As the Queen prepared to address the rest of the team members she again turned to the audience saying, “It was decided that we would create a special badge for distinguished visitors to our kingdom. You will note that th
is badge has an amber gemstone backing, a first for Tir na nOg.” Then turning to the rest of the team she proceeded to give each one an amber Tir na nOg Badge saying to each one, “This badge will be recognized throughout our kingdom of planets and identify you as a special friend of the royal family.”

  As the Queen was proceeding with the dispensing of badges, the rest of the royal family, including Myttrwn, followed in procession shaking the hand of each recipient and chatting briefly. Sirona, translating for her two brothers, talked to each one as they made their way along the line. Later the Gaia team would share their amazement at how much the two brothers knew about each individual.

  The presentation took time, all the while the audience sat in silence, conversing telepathically.

  As the event was drawing to a close, a rainbow suddenly appeared over the theatre, created out of a cloudless sky. It lingered for a spell and then evolved into a huge bird in flight, after which the bird fluttered its wings and flew off.

  The audience, looking up, pointed to the unexpected apparition knowing full well what it meant.

  “That’s Adawee,” thought Angi, pleased that her exalted friend was part of this important ceremony, “She’s blessing the occasion.”

  “Indeed she is,” replied Myttrwn standing nearby having read Angi’s thoughts. “As I said Angi, ‘expect the unexpected.’ The rainbow is Adawee’s symbol. She is letting us know that she is watching over you and is indeed giving this ceremony her blessing.”

  The theatre emptied in its usual orderly fashion, the other musicians taking time to congratulate their fellow musicians over their achievement.

  The Queen invited the Gaia team back to the Palace. The rest of the afternoon was filled with refreshments and further discussions on their visit, music, musical instruments and the future. The Gaia team would not have time to examine their badges until they were back at their residence. It was then the honour of the occasion fully registered. Within three months they had become part of the Tir na nOg kingdom, the ordeal with Zolar bringing them closer. As they examined the badges they were spellbound by the artistry and complexity. These were no ordinary badges but advanced technology which only Myttrwn could decipher.

  “My guess,” said Dylan with a grin, “Is that with these badges Myttrwn can now track us anywhere in the universe.”

  “Great,” said Andrew, “We’re going to need all the help we can get.”

  “I note that none of you have mentioned the unexpected arrival of the rainbow bird at the ceremony. I know it was Adawee, but I’m still struggling with that aspect of this venture,” said Vette giving a pleading look at Angi.

  Angi responded, “Vette, there are so many facets of this journey that defy understanding that I expect most of us are still wrestling with at least one, two or more. As for me, I’ve decided to handle each day, or each mystery, as it pops up because I know this is just the beginning. This has been a fantastic adventure, one that’s given us new relationships, and an unbelievable future with lots of work. I’ll go with that for now.”

  “On that note, and it’s a very positive note indeed, I’ll bid you good night,” said Andrew. The others followed, weary after a long day of output and lofty events.

  * * *

  The Houses of Life & Learning plus Return to Earth

  Frustration mounted as each one tried, without success, to remove the Tir na nOg Badge from their clothing. In the end they had to get Myttrwn’s help. Now that he was in charge of both Houses, he was often in their building. Once contacted he agreed to come to their morning meal.

  With a wide grin he entered their eating area the next morning saying, “I hear you’re having trouble disengaging from your badges. For a fleeting moment I forgot you weren’t familiar with these items. Let me demonstrate how easy this is. Angi would you please come forth to help me.”

  Angi rose and went to stand next to Myttrwn.

  “For the first time you will need to use your thoughts to operate this badge. It’s simple but requires your full attention. Angi I want you to focus your thoughts on your badge, visualize yourself removing the badge from your blouse.”

  The moment Angi followed Myttrwn’s instructions her badge released itself from her blouse and fell to the floor.

  “That’s it,” said Myttrwn, “Now I’d like you all to do the same. And then I want you to reverse the process and re-establish the badge back onto your clothing. These badges are always worn on the left upper chest.”

  As instructed, a few taking several attempts, the team soon achieved the removing and reapplication of their metal badges.

  Andrew took the opportunity to ask, “While you’re here, Myttrwn, could you give us some information on these badges? They look more complicated than any badges we’re familiar with on our planet.”

  “Ah yes, they are,” replied Myttrwn. “These badges are advanced technology which I’ve simplified for now. The badge is programmed to your DNA so no one can use it but you.”

  “If that’s the case, how did the Queen distribute these badges yesterday?” asked Wolfram.

  “The badges are designed to allow the Queen this temporary transfer capability, but once it’s attached to a recipient it becomes permanently linked to his or her DNA,” replied Myttrwn, realizing he would not have time to address even the simple complexity of their badges before their departure.

  “What happens if it gets lost?” asked Morgan.

  “If it occurred in this kingdom I have a special device to find it,” replied Myttrwn. “But if that occurs on your planet it would present a real problem.” Then he thought of something, “But just a minute. Angi, I’d like to try an experiment. Would you go into your suite, wait five minutes and return?”

  “Sure,” replied Angi, and she left.

  Once he was sure she was out of hearing range, Myttrwn turned to Morgan and whispered, “Take your badge and place it at the back of that far counter.”

  Morgan did as instructed.

  When Angi returned Myttrwn asked, “Angi,I want you to go into a deep but brief meditation and try to visualize Morgan’s badge, which is now supposed to be lost. Tell me, if you can, where the badge is located?”

  Angi did as directed and to her surprise Morgan’s badge instantly came into view. When she emerged from her meditation she described the exact hiding place.

  “There Morgan,” replied Myttrwn, pleased that his idea worked so well, “You have your own tracking system in Angi. If, and I hope this is a rare occurrence, a badge is lost then ask Angi to locate it.” And smiling he added, “Angi, you seem to have an endless supply of fascinating skills in addition to your medallion. More mysteries I’ve yet to fathom.”

  “Vette, then asked, “What happens if someone gets a hold of one of these badges and tries to dismantle it to learn how it operates?”

  “In that case, Vette, the badge is programmed to recognize the intruder is not the owner and the system self-destructs. At that point you will need to contact me and I’ll have to create a new badge for you,” replied Myttrwn.

  Hearing this, Dylan was pressed to ask, “Myttrwn, how powerful are these devices?”

  Myttrwn knowing Dylan’s thoughts, replied, “I’ve programmed each one at its lowest level, Dylan, for your own safety. In time I’ll increase the capabilities but I must be sure you’re ready. More training will be required. And to answer your earlier question, I could track you if I wanted to but I don’t need to. I’ll explain more when I get to your planet. At this stage the badges are more decorative than operational. Does that quell your uneasiness for now?”

  “Sure, just curious,” replied Dylan, “And thanks for the tracking answer.” He appreciated Myttrwn’s skills, honesty and administrative carefulness, they would advance only when ready, a policy he respected. Then he thought to himself, “Likely this was a last minute decision of the Council after much argument. We’re preparing to leave their planet so it would be impossible to get us trained in time. But it’s tempting to speculate on
what this tiny device can really do. Nothing is simple in this kingdom.”

  “While I’m here, I need to make sure you are ready for your physical readjustment scheduled for tomorrow,” stated Myttrwn. It was agreed they would all receive the treatment, the majority to be at twenty-five years of age and the two elders at fifty. “I’ll meet you in my lab at nine o’clock your time tomorrow morning. I’ll start with the oldest and proceed to the youngest in your group. Expect an energy burst which might last for twenty-four hours. Angi, will you keep a check on the team and let me know if there are any untoward reactions. I expect none but one must always be careful.” And on that note he left them discussing their upcoming transformation.

  The next day was a skittish one for most as their bodies adjusted to the regained energy of being younger, a response which presented itself in different ways.

  Returning from the House of Life Angi laughed as she watched Wolfram take spurts of running interrupted with dancing around her as they made their way across the plaza. “You’re certainly cheerful,” she said, pleased with his jovial behaviour. “Myttrwn’s elixir has created some amazing outcomes. I guess I didn’t have the same reaction because of my small adjustment. I’ll just share your joy.”

  Wolfram walked back to join her with a giddy reply, “That’s fine with me my Angi girl, you can share whatever you want,” he said with a wink. “You know, I don’t believe I’ve ever felt so light headed even after a good party. I should have leaped at this when we first arrived.”

  “Yes, even Andrew is skipping around like a teenager. While Bryce is fighting it he is still showing telltale signs of great happiness over his rejuvenation. I wonder when we get home if the others will notice any difference,” said Angi, suddenly realizing their departure time was rapidly approaching.

  Calming, Wolfram replied, “I’m sure my grandparents will be so glad that we’ve returned in one piece that it will take days before they notice anything,” said Wolfram, getting onto Angi’s wavelength. “And then I’ll tell them all about us and any questions regarding physical anomalies will completely disappear. For the first time in years they will realize the Stark and Harrison family lines may have a future, something that was dubious after my accident.” Then thinking of his family he went on, “However, now that I think about it, taking a leap through a shimmering curtain into another world may not be to their liking. But you never know. My grandmother is the adventurous one and if she decides on doing it, Tyloar will be right behind her. He’s all bluster and storm but when it comes to his family he’ll do anything. It was that solidity that saved me as a boy. As for the others, I have no idea what they’ll do, but we’ll let them decide. Perhaps when the gate is anchored in Andrew’s castle they’ll feel different. Angi, just think of the tales we’ll have to tell in the weeks ahead.”