A Paradox in Retrograde

by Faherty, John

  "Thank you; tell them I will be there presently." Landaus and Grunhuf had arranged with each other to meet at the Citadel that morning and take the trip together up to Xora's cliff side dwelling. Since Lady Xora's invitation of the previous evening, there in they held much anticipation for the morning's meeting. She had invited them to her home above the seaso they could examine for themselves in greater detail, their latest discovery from the sea. They would have an opportunity totalk privately with this most unusual guest. For curiosities sake, they would not be late for this opportunity.

  And so as planned the pair had met early at the citadel. From there they walked along the well worn trail out from the town toward where the land went vertical. They stepped up onto platform and grasped firmly onto the guard rails. Landaus selected a button on the control mechanism and pressed it. With the clanking sound of a rotating mechanical gear, the platform beneath them began slowly at first to rise up from underneath them. The sound rose to a distinct rattle as the platform traveled fast up along the edge of the rugged plateau. A moment later their vehicle, with a resounding clank came to rest at its landing.

  Xora who had been patiently awaiting their arrival was there to greet them. "Good day gentleman, you've come righton time. Please follow me if you would." She led them through a sheltered glass portico that in turn opened into another ornately decorated room. Its barrel vaulted ceiling ran perhaps ten meters beneath the out crop of rock above. Exiting out onto the plateau, the ancient tile floor beneath their feet gave way to a well worn earthen path. They followed it along as it snaked its way through a clutch of bamboo towering over them obscuring the sky. As the path ended, they were met there again by a great expanse as the blue sky opened up before them. Below their feet a walled level platform of stone a dozen meters square lay before them perched high above the cliff face. From there the view looked out from the far side of the island. Landaus who had never had the privilege, had discovered there an unrivaled vista far out to sea. Looking out over the ledge he could make out distant shapes upon the water. There cast along the crest of the horizon he saw the far off tops of mountains and the sun dappled mainsails of ships, billowing in the distance. The sound of Xora's voice distracted him from his observation. "Please my friends wait here and enjoy this view for a while as I inquire to our guest's whereabouts. As you can see, I have taken the liberty of preparing a small brunch for you." As she spoke these words a pair of servants bearing trays entered into view. They laid a spread out upon a table next to a sublime overlook. Landaus and Grunhuf approached the comfortably appointed seating area cut into the face of the rock where a selection of sumptuous fruits, cheese and bread awaited them. There was even a carafe of coffee. Grunhuf never at a loss for words was impressed by the treatment, but suspected it was not all for their benefit. Despite his suspicions he bowed his head in appreciation. "I thank you Lady Xora for your gracious hospitality. I'm sure I speak for both of us when I say, we are much obliged." The pair easily found their seats and began to make themselves comfortable. She bowed her head and made her departure. While quietly watching the sunlight play among the white linen drapery, and table covers, they with few words spoken between them proceeded to indulge their appetites. Their meal was accompanied by an array of intoxicating sound made by the wind chimes and the rustling of the palm trees in the warm breeze rising from the sea.

  Xora arrived to Ananda's chamber door just as he stepped through the threshold. She could do little to helpherself from admiring how handsome and well he now appeared. He greeted her as she stood waiting, "Good morn Lady Xora, did yourest well?" He had caught her eye and he couldn't help but take notice of her long unblinking glance. For a second she had forgotten to speak. "My lady, are you alright?"

  Shaken from her distraction she apologized. "Please, forgive me for my rude behavior. I did not mean to make you feel uncomfortable. It's just that you have most unusual features."

  "Is my appearance unattractive?"

  "Good heavens no, quite the contrary I'm afraid."

  He accepted this answer without further question as he too thought these peoples appearance was somewhat different than his own. "Please let me introduce you to some important people who have come to greet you?"

  "Lady Xora, forgive me however I would like as soon as possible to return to the crystal room. I feel there are yet untapped answers to my origins hidden within."

  "We will have you there presently. However in the meantime these are no ordinary guests. I must insist you meet with them, and then I promise you, we shall return to work in the crystal room."

  "It would seem you have me at a disadvantage, I will comply." "Good, now come this way."

  He followed her as she made her way down the garden path toward the reception area. Grunhuf and Landaus were enjoying the view as well as the meal. Grunhuf saw them approaching. Feeling he should speak his mind before their encounter, he leaned into Landaus close enough so no one could hear what he had to say. Landaus pretended not to hear him as he spoke. "Landaus, how much of the story told by this supposed time traveler do you believe? I for one don't believe a word of it. How likely is it that a man could remain sleeping for thousands of years? I think it's more likely that we are the unwitting accomplices of a yet unidentified charlatan." Landaus under pressure from the governor tokeep a lid on things chose the words of his response carefully. "Grunhuf, it surprises me that a man of your station would mirehimself in sordid speculation when what evidence we need is before us." He turned and looked at him squarely before he continued. "Let me ask you again this time more directly. Do you think it wise to open up your office to ridicule or censure? Let me remind you how delicate this situation could potentially be. The last thing I need is loose talk. The first thing we need to do is to discreetly get the bottom of exactly who this man is, and why is he here. For all we know he could be exactly as he says he is. So you must keep an open mind. If however, what he has to say is true, then everything our culture is built upon may come unraveled. Do you follow me?"

  "Yes, I believe I do." Their conversation had abruptly ended as Grunhuf and Landaus were joined in the sea side overlook by Ananda and Xora. They entered from the marble pathway. Grunhuf and Landaus stood to greet them. With a regal confidence Ananda enteredinto the open air reception room with hand outstretched. "Good day gentlemen." Xora cut him off interjecting an introduction between them.

  "Gentlemen may I have the honor of introducing my guest Ananda to you? Ananda these are the important gentlemen I spoke to you about. This is Grunhuf, the lord mayor and over here is Landaus, the local representative to the royal governor and colonel to the guard." They took turns amiably clasping hands. "It is a pleasure to meet you gentleman."

  "As it is ours" replied Landaus. "I would like you to think of this visit as a diplomatic mission to this nation from where you have come. What again is its name? From what I have been told there is no record of such a nation. However I understand there may be good reason for our ignorance. Perhaps you could help us to understand?" Landaus lifted his coffee to his mouth as he awaited his answer.

  "There is something I have discovered which proves at least some of what I have told you. There within the circuitsof the crystal room are the dormant memories of souls long dead who can attest to my story." To the surprise of Grunhuf and Landaus, Xora confirmed the validity of these statements with a nod of her head. "It is true what he says. I was a witness to it." Ananda continued. "Though that what I said is true, some parts of my initial story, I suspect may have been fabricated."

  "To what end?" queried Grunhuf.

  "There in lies the mystery. I have been visited upon in dream by visions more real than my most vivid memory."

  "Are you saying the memories you had upon your arrival were not yours?" asked Landaus.

  "That's exactly what I'm saying." "I must say this is a most unusual turn of events. I would encourage you then with the help of Xora, to learn what you can from the crystal room. I would ask you though, what porti
on of your story can you confirm as true?"

  "The nation of my birth is Atlantia. I was set adrift in time during a time of great trouble. Perhaps it was our final days. I believe I was a man of some importance. However the details remain just outside my grasp." Landaus' outward expression hid well his confusion, for he knew not of such possibilities. He dared not let him know that. He thought to himself, "Surely if he were one of the forerunners, such feats would appear as child's play." He had to ask one nagging question that he had left to ask. He opened a folder that he had sitting by his side. He removed from it a photograph of the object his son had discovered on the beach a few days ago, and presented it to him. "Do you recognize this object?" Ananda took possession of the image. Adjusting its distance from his eyes he stared blankly at the photograph. He strained to conjure something of this familiar object from his memory, yet nothing rose from the fog. "I'm sorry I don't know."

  "Perhaps if you saw it in person, it might jog something?" "I would certainly be willing to give it a try."

  "Would tomorrow be good then?"

  "Yes of course."

  "Good, that's settled then. I'll send someone up to get you, if that's suitable." Xora spoke up then, "That won't be necessary. I will escort him to the citadel in the morning."

  After the details of their meeting were confirmed, Landaus and Grunhuf appeared anxious to be on their way. Ananda sensing this urged them to stay a while longer to share a meal and some conversation with them. "If you please good sirs, it has been some time since I have had the pleasure of human company. I would ask you to indulge this lonely traveler, for there is much that I would like to learn of your culture." He wished them to stay for he had as much to learn from them, as they did of him. For his guests it would have been considered rude to refuse such a request. Grunhuf the consummate politician spoke on their behalf. "Ananda, we would be shirking our responsibilities as representatives of this land if we did not extend all possible hospitality to you. Of course, we shall stay here a while longer. I do apologize for the anxiety you may read on our countenance, but there is much work to be done in the seat of government."

  He looked at Xora and asked, "Perhaps after our meal our host may regale us with one of the ancient stories?" "I would be honored."

  The conversation between them for the remainder of the meal was cordial and factual, but noticeably vacant of substance. Having recognized this, Ananda was convinced there was little they could share beyond a handful of fanciful mythic legends. This being perhaps one of the few avenues left open to him he made a request of Xora. "My dear Xora might you read aloud to your guests a transcript of one of the ancient manuscripts, as Grunhuf has suggested." To this idea Xora was most amiable toward. A smile lit her face as she recalled the works as if they were an old friend. "By coincidence Ananda, one of the characters in this story shares your name. I wonder if your culture had also known of this story. I can not however vouch for its antiquity; for this story is an ancient description of a far older epic poem that itself no doubt had been copied many times over." From a shelf nearby she retrieved an old tattered paperback that she had had in her possession since childhood. Thumbing through its yellowed pages she searched for a specific reference.

  "OK, here it is", she said. She then set to reading aloud. "At the end of a great cycle of ages, there arose in the kingdom of the sea an unlikely spirit in the guise of a set of young princes. These unique aberrations born within the form of a child were the embodiment of all the travails and aspirations of suffering and joy. Of these creatures the first was Amida. He claimed to be the vessel of sacred knowledge and a great teacher unto which a new world order would be built. As his years advanced into manhood he had forsaken his birthright of kingship, for his kingdom it was said did not reside in this world. In a move that both shocked and terrified his people, he laid down his crown and vestments in exchange for the life of an ascetic. Into this void the balance that had guided this great nation had fallen. This imbalance was personified in the son of a great warrior and a contemporary of Amida named Ananda. Both of these children were born into great and powerful families. As children they were the closest of friends. They attended the same schools. They were similar in appearance, and though not related by blood they were often confused to be twins. Ananda, like Amida was possessed by a genius of mind and spirit. So it was thought that as they were as equals, Ananda's breeding would make him the logical choice to replace the vacant kingship. However when the planets were once again in alignment the world was beset by an age of warfare. From the heavens in great shining ships our enduring enemy, the unnamed ones came again as in times past to lay claim to this world. As Ananda stood before the armies of the world on his great flying chariot, he took the ancient name of Hector. For ten years he led the armies of the world in a ceaseless string of desperate battles that raged across the face of the Earth. Hector's genius was his vision; he could see every move his opponents made. However this advantage came with a great cost. In the ever escalating scale of war, he matched atrocity with atrocity. In the end he was prepared for the sake of victory, to sacrifice the whole of the world in a bloody game of attrition. At long last his war of revenge that had raged for a decade was over; the people had grown weary of war. He had bled his nation dry and as he looked out upon the desolation that had been wrought in his name he could do little else. In those days, Hector pleased himself to sit despondent on his throne and preside over his nation's demise. It was said that Hector had sustained a psychic wound so deep as to render him insane. It was then that Amida having heard the terrible news returned to the land of his birth. The people including Hector's closest advisors begged Amida to rescue them from their despair. Amida then saw the folly of his ways in ever having left in the first place. He swore he would then reclaim the throne and reintroduce an age of peace. Amida then in secret had returned from his journey and conspired to usurp the power that he had abandoned so many years before. While Hector was still king the odor of death hung heavily upon the barren land. Unless he stepped down their society and indeed their world would slip irretrievably further toward the point of no return. Amida knew it was at best unlikely that Hector would resign of his own accord. So he and his conspirators would concoct a scheme. Because of their love for him they were by honor bound not to kill their mighty king. None among them possessed the strength anyway. They all had seen their fill of murder; no one had the stomach for it any more. Instead a spell of sleep would be cast. It was decided that it would be Samantha who with heavy heart would deliver the potent spell. On the appointed hour hidden within a glass of wine the drug was administered to the unsuspecting king. She offered him the drink and he accepted it. He readily drank from the cup and with that his fate was sealed. Not until the cup fell from his hand would he ever have suspected such treachery from those heloved and trusted. Within the walls of his citadel in secret a chamber had been made ready. Deep in slumber's embrace his limp body was placed there lovingly into his sarcophagus to forever sleep and to dream in peace. Amida somewhat reluctantly again accepted his rightful role as king. With all he had learned over the previous decade he would help them to rebuild their shattered world. His ensuing reign would last a thousand years and in his life time the world order was renewed."

  The three audience members clapped with appreciation, "What I just read to you was an ancient description of an epic poem that is now lost called the "Song of Hector".

  Ananda had listened carefully to the story; none of it brought to his mind any specific recollections. He was sure hehad never heard this story, however its general outline seemed somehow oddly familiar as if he had heard the tale by someancient fireside of his youth, and therefore held a whisper of its context. Xora looked on her guest and made a sudden realization.She thought to herself how oddly some of the circumstances of his fate mirrored that of this fictional Ananda in the story. This would explain his exotic manner and dress. He caught her staring at him and he reciprocated with a charming smile. She turned away
quickly like a child caught at the cookie jar.

  By now an hour had passed Landaus and Grunhuf again would try to subtly plead their case to be excused. After patiently waiting for a pause in the narrative, Landaus said, "Lady Xora it has been kind of you to accept us as guests, but I must take my leave now and make haste back to Breideblic. There is important business that requires our attention." Ananda reluctantly acquiesced. "Dear sirs I beg you pardon for keeping you so long? It is my curiosity and your good manner that restrains you here. By all means, take your leave." All four of them then rose from their chairs and exchanged farewell greetings. "Ananda, I shall escort our guests to the landing. It won't take but a moment. Perhaps you wouldn't mind staying behind awhile to admire the view? Make yourself comfortable." He nodded obediently, returned to his seat and said, "Madam, I have waited centuries, what difference a few more minutes will make?" So she might see her friends off and to have a private moment outside of Ananda's earshot, Xora excused herself from his presence. She walked hurriedly to catch up to Landaus and Grunhuf who were now out of sight. They seemingly were moving with purpose.

  As he sat there alone he gazed out unto the sunlit sea. He tried to picture there those intricately woven characters as Xora had described them in her story. As he gazed there a melody rolled on the roof of his mouth. With a note as clear as could be made by a whistle, a simple tune formed upon his lips. Thesound rose up to match the one now dancing in his head. After a few moments he realized he did not consciously know this tune, yet some how it was ingrained upon memory. A vague melancholy seemed to possess him as flutter of dark images filled his vision.

  Xora made her way quickly down the gravel path that led to the landing. She was out of breath by the time she hadreached Landaus and Grunhuf. They had just a moment before the arrival of the automatic conveyance and now were preparing tostep into the vehicle. She noted as she came upon them that they seemed to be having a bit of an argument. There was a tension between them that seemed unwarranted. A red face Grunhuf pointed his finger angrily at Landaus as he spoke. "Landaus you talk to me of dereliction of duty when you seem to be enamored by the childish ravings of an enemy hiding in plane sight. It's your duty to arrest that man and put him in the custody of the guard. That's the only way we can ensure no harm can come to this city."