‘I know of numbers. I was builder of the Temple of Mateote. But of this centre of the world. I would not know how such a measure be taken.’
In the exposed inner sector of the meretees’ village the heat of Luma was intense. Mirrortac noted that the ball of fire took a higher path across the sky than he had remembered of it in Petrosium and Eol. Here, the fireball travelled to a point directly overhead before descending to the west. The air was humid and hot in the open and the erfin wished for the coolness of water in which to be immersed. Many of the meretees now left them and returned to their huts, carrying with them baskets of fruit, clay, wool and wood. At last, only Shubek was with the erfin, meeting occasionally with other Meretees who came from huts farther up the pathway. The pyramid was still another day’s travel from them but its commanding presence was always with them as they walked. Luma sank behind Zu-laire, plunging all but the peak of the pyramid into shadow. The angular monolith blazed yellow-gold as the shadow crept up its sides, consuming it at last in the darkness of night.
Shubek and Mirrortac shared fruit in silence, each preoccupied in his own thoughts. The green robed keeper would often glance sideways at the erfin, obviously thinking upon matters that he wanted to discuss with him but he did not speak until he had wet his tongue with the urn’s fresh water. Then, beckoning to Mirrortac he said:
‘Mareos is a world of many worlds, Mirrortac,’ he began, handing the urn to the erfin who drank from it while he listened. ‘The Serenetees have discovered many lands such as Plumer-Ra and its sisters. They have come to great lands where no waters can surround. Petrosium is such a land. They found it with a sign from the spirits of wind and sky. The spirits sent a terrible storm of angry circling wind which they watched go sufra-way where the spirits of water-stone absorbed the storm in a vine of light. They know this was not the bending light of wind and sky spirits but light of earth. They found you there, lying upon the earth. You were within, with the lesser spirits, I am told. The Serenetees know you would return to your form as it was still in life. Ra favoured Mirrortac. Now, tell of all the lesser worlds of your journeying. Tell of Eol and of the faugs and of the Petros in their stone up-ways.’
Mirrortac spent half the night telling Shubek about his experiences in the world of his homeland and the two worlds beyond Mateote. He told of the customs and lifestyles of these peoples and the environment that surrounded them. The Petros had taught him to be detailed which was a lesson that was coming in useful now as he quenched the thirst for knowledge that Shubek and his Meretees were endowed. At the end of his telling, the moon of Mogog hung over the mountain, his broken face keeping track of the unseen sun of Luma. Shubek was at last satisfied and bid Mirrortac a blessing to an untroubled sleep.
At dawn, they made their way up the path towards one corner of the pyramid, passing through a glade of tall palms bearing clusters of a sweet nut-like fruit named nupyins. They feasted on many of the nupyins that had fallen to the ground alongside the path and drank of water that streamed along an adjacent stone channel fed by springs within the pyramid compound. The rows of palms marked the pathway almost to the base of the pyramid, which rose 1000 erfin-lengths above the flat coastal plain. The heat was intense, forcing the erfin to make several stops to rest and refresh himself with the spring fed waters. Droplets of sweat soaked his overheated fur while the sky above withdrew into a darkening haze of humid air. Shubek sympathised with Mirrortac’s discomfort but was himself unperturbed by the steamy climate.
Towards the latter part of the day, the pyramid loomed over them as an awesome reminder of the abilities of these still mysterious meretees. It was so close now that Mirrortac could discern the pattern of interlocking stone slabs from the pyramid’s expansive foundation to the diminishing peak high above their heads. The rows of nupyin palms broke out into an expanse of grassy fields that flanked the sides of the pyramid. Statues of tumu-Ras, made from the same yellow stone as those of the pyramid, guarded the pathway on either side, beaks smiling down at them as they passed beneath. The junction of two sides of the pyramid jutted out to the path with no hint of a gateway; the pattern of the stone slabs uninterrupted by gaps or doorways. Around them, the lush grasses did not stir in the steamy heat of the day. The clay tiles were hot underfoot. Shubek flapped along on his thin webbed feet, easily outpacing the erfin; stopping frequently for him to catch up. As the fireball dropped beyond the clouded summit of Zu-laire, the two reached the base of the pyramid where a massive statue of a demi-god stood guard.
‘Shubek. There is no doorway,’ said Mirrortac. ‘Where do we go now?’
‘We are at the gateway. Wait. The opening shall be revealed.’ Shubek unstoppered the urn he carried and leant across the pedestal of the statue. He poured the last of the water into a hollow that had been made into the stone. The liquid drained down inside, gurgling deep beneath the pedestal.
Shubek stood back and the stone moved beneath. The whole of the statue groaned as it slid back, revealing a descending passage that was spacious and lit by many wax lanterns placed at intervals along the walls. Shubek went ahead of the erfin who followed him down the stairway and into the passage. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, the stone shut in over them. The passage was wide, leading them in a direct line to the centre of the under-pyramid. The walls were smoothed and polished with a glaze that was unknown to erfins. Like the urns on the flut, the walls were etched beneath the glaze with figures of various kind and description. Mirrortac noted that the walls had been constructed in slabs of baked clay and etched and glazed with exquisite designs of obscure origin. There were symbols, birds, scenery and many things yet unseen to the erfin. He recognised the formalised etches of serenetees in their fluts towed by the playful tumu-Ra’s. There were etches depicting the Children of the Divine Green. There were wuffettes and glistenings also and many of the creatures and plants he had seen in his journey here.
A cool draught of air circulated throughout the passage, reviving the wearied and overheated erfin who took time to indulge in a study of the walls. They came to a Y-junction below the central point of the pyramid where there was a pattern on the tiled floor of a twelve-pointed star made up of four equilateral triangles. At the centre of the star was the familiar diamond design fashioned in crushed quartz crystals compounded and compressed into a runnel cut into the form of the diamond. Shubek treated the design with reverence.
‘We stand at the centre of the world of Mareos!’ he announced.
Mirrortac stepped into the star, sensing a change within his being.
‘What be the meaning of this pattern?’ he asked.
‘It is the connecting pattern of the Ra-force. The Tumu-Ra wedge links the twin world with Mareos. The Pyramid Star links us to all worlds.’
Mirrortac’s eyes widened. ‘The twin world? Mareos has a world like it?’
Shubek motioned to the passage to their left. ‘Come. I shall explain along the way.’
Mirrortac followed, glancing at the wall frescoes as they walked.
‘Those of the Celestial Flut crossed the Greater Sky many upon many rools in past time. The span of their crossing cannot be measured in any manner used upon the earth for the span is too great. They tell of a world ruled by one orb-fire, as is our Mareos and of a moon that circles it. The world is named Nerthule and Ra has blessed this world with the twin elements of Mareos. I know little more than this. Perhaps the Ra-finelles will bring this expanding for you.’
Mirrortac contemplated what Shubek told him, keeping his eyes on the walls. The passage abruptly ended and the ceiling opened up into a vertical shaft with a ladder cut into the stone. There was a point of light almost 100 erfin-lengths up. Mirrortac craned his neck to peer up the shaft as Shubek began to climb the ladder. He followed into the dark shaft. It was not an easy climb although the ladder gave easy purchase. All the walking and heat outside had paid their toll on the erfin’s energies and he panted heavily as he negotiated the lengthy heights. In erfin reckoning, Mirrortac was
middle-aged and the nimbleness of youth was starting to fade. He gasped for each breath, resting after every five steps. Shubek waited at the top as the weary erfin forced himself to take those last steps out into the lighted chamber within the lower pyramid.
‘How many more steps must I walk?’ Mirrortac spluttered, flopping down on the polished stone floor.
‘They are but a few steps my weary friend,’ Shubek assured him. ‘Look about you. Is this not wonderness?’ Shubek spread out his arms to embrace the chamber.
The chamber was immense and resplendent, clothed in an ornate and alien beauty. The floors and walls were of a blue-grey marblelite. A table of a resinous red-brown timber dominated the centre of the chamber. Fashioned timber seating of the same type stood about the table. A silken fabric in brilliant orange lay across the top of the table, which ran half the length of the large chamber. The walls were dressed with thick woven mats of Fluffinhof wool that had been dyed into various earth colours. Their patterns were abstract with borders and whorls and lines in symmetrical form. Ovals of dark polished stone crystal hung at intervals around the walls, reflecting dull images of whatever passed before them. Mirrortac fancied he saw tiny sparks spring up in their cold depths as he passed by each one, catching a glimpse of his own face peering back out at him. The ceiling above them was circular and dome shaped with the pattern of the twelve-pointed star and the diamond spread in a web across it. A lip of marblelite circled the top of the ceiling, concealing the source of the sharp light, which projected into the dome and bathed it in a wash of white like day. High doorways opened at opposite ends of the chamber.
‘There is more! This is but the feasting chamber,’ Shubek announced.
He directed the erfin into the passage beyond one of the doorways. The passage was equally well lit and led upwards with a floor of roughened stone with cross patterns of tightly woven twine instead of steps. Mirrortac was taken into one of many smaller chambers that led off from the passage and offered a seat upon a thick pile of Fluffinhof wool placed at the centre of the chamber.
Shubek bounced on the wool bed. ‘You may take your rest upon this place. Pyramid tenders will attend to you soon. I must speak with the Ra-finelles alone. They await my telling. I shall return for you in time. Be of Ra, Mirrortac! Take psalming and rest. But do not leave this resting chamber until my return. I am away.’
Shubek strode back into the passage and followed it up. Mirrortac was glad to put an end to all the endless wandering and lay flat on his back on the soft wool bed, examining the chamber before being overcome with slumber. The chamber was like a bowl, domed in all dimensions, featuring a giant colour fresco etched upon the whole of it. The ceiling was in the indigo impression of night with etchings of moon-drops sprinkled in random patterns over it. The wall melded into the pattern with the green shapes of trees and vines which circled the chamber at eye level, diminishing into the earth colours in the down sloping floor. The erfin closed his eyes and drifted swiftly into his place of dreams and beyond into the place Within.
He found himself looking up a long black shaft that enclosed a series of glowing squares, defined by thin lines of light and receding into a point at the extent of the shaft. A fizzing sound filled the shaft, buzzing up and down it as his perception moved toward and into it. Each square expanded and drew out around him in its turn while the fizzing noises charged past his shoulders in frightening flashes of energy. As he converged with the farthest point, the space opened up into a massive void filled with fiery moon-drops. The fizzing died away, leaving him in an immense silent space. He breathed in the calmness that enveloped him, resting on a gentle rolling sea that took him deeper into the space. A warmth radiated out at him from the void - not a warmth like heat but a warmth of the heart. It was feeling, yet more. It was the warmth of an intangible presence, an intelligent presence that pulsed out of the measureless void with a soundless voice. He knew that whatever it was, the feeling it presented was in the purest of Love.
Mirrortac returned to his place of dreams where a file of disconnected images streamed past in vague, inconsequential sequences. Outside of the pyramid, day gave way to night, handing the keeping of the world to Mogog. Night passed and another day and another night, and, on the new morning, the erfin awoke.
Startled, he blinked and stared around him, disoriented after his long sleep. For a few moments he had forgotten where he was. The outer passage was lit with a soft white glow that permeated into part of the chamber. Beside the bed Mirrortac found a basket filled with fruit, and a small urn. He picked up a piece of fruit and ate it then unstoppered the urn, washing down the fruit pieces with the cool liquid contents. The liquid was not water but a combination of crushed nupyins and juices of compatible fruits. The blend was fulfilling as well as a little sweet, but unlike Merma-Mead in taste and effect. Mirrortac could hear meretees’ voices in the hallway - one calling himself Bleethu and a female called Soonah. The conversation ended and the sound of soft shuffling approached. Mirrortac was struck by an amusing idea and decided to shut his eyes, pretending to be asleep. The shuffling halted outside the doorway and the one named Bleethu crept into the chamber, peering at the erfin with large brown eyes. Mirrortac tried to be very still, breathing as though asleep yet intent on surprising the meretee as soon as he had moved close enough.
‘Mirrortac! Why are your eyes closed when I know you are in wakening?’ Bleethu grinned.
Mirrortac stretched his arms out and forced his eyes open. ‘Great Mateote! Be there a voice in my bedchamber?’ he feigned, pursing his lips in an effort to prevent himself from smiling.
Bleethu barked with laughter, offering a hand to lift the erfin upright. ‘Shubek spoke rightly of you, Mirrortac. I see the Green has touched you Within. Welcomeness to the Pyramid of Ra-Los, friend. I am Bleethu, servant of the inner-halls. All the fruits of Plumer-Ra are here for your stomach to delight upon. If you wish, I shall be telling of the pyramid for your expanding. Do you wish to know? Bleethu’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. He was a young meretee, dressed in a yellow silken robe with a green belt tied loosely about his waist.
‘I would welcome such expanding, Bleethu but how did you know that this erfin was awake?’ Mirrortac asked.
‘Simpleness!’ Bleethu smiled. ‘One piece of fruit is gone from the basket and the urn is unsealed,’ he proclaimed.
Mirrortac nodded and rolled his eyes. ‘Yea, it is as you say. Simpleness!’
‘Now, may I tell of the pyramid?’ Bleethu repeated his request, eager to share his knowledge with the stranger.
Mirrortac nodded and took another piece of fruit from the basket as Bleethu began.
‘The Pyramid of Ra-Los is upon the centre of the World of Mareos. There are three levels: one beneath the earth, two within the pyramid. We are between the feasting chamber in the pyramid wide and the Chamber of Ra near the light-ways. Does your mind accept this?’
Mirrortac nodded.
‘I will tell of the under-ways. These you walked when you came here. The ways at the centre break to the eastering and westering.’
‘Blessings, Mirrortac. As I tell, the eastering under-way descends to the chamber of re-birth where the Ra-finelle brethren are parted from the body to fly to the inner-way.’
‘The chamber of re-birth is where the keepers of this pyramid go when they are in the sleep that cannot be awakening.’
‘Yea, Death. I see this,’ Mirrortac said.
‘The inner-way is where the spirits live.’
‘Yea. I see this. Continue.’
‘The under-way to the westering comes to below the feasting chamber where the servants and the Ra-finelle shall eat together at psalming. All sleeping chambers are off this way to the Chamber of Ra, above us. Servant chambers are along the other down-way that meets the feasting chamber at another side. No servant may enter the Chamber of Ra. This is sacred to the Ra-finelles, keepers of the pyramid and those keepers of Green and Greater Sky. Does your mind accept this?’
‘Yea
, t’is simpleness as you say, Bleethu. Howsoever, I would ask you what are all the symbols that are made upon the walls of the under-ways? They are as the maja, sacred tongue of the priests of the High Halls of Mateote in my land of Eol.’
‘The symbols are of the Meretees tongue, Mirrortac, yet of the form given us by the Utlontees of the world of Nerthule in the Dawning Days when the up-ways were of fire and Plumer-Ra was made out of a lake of fire,’ explained Bleethu, rolling a piece of fruit in his palm.
‘Utlontees? Are these the ones that sailed across the Greater Sky in their Celestial Flut?’ Mirrortac brightened, keen to learn more of these demi-gods.
‘Yes. This is so. The Utlontees live upon Nerthule. They have spoken of returning but many rools passed into the non-way and still, they are not.’
Mirrortac winced as a sudden sharp pain jabbed his stomach. A flashing image of temples and water came and left him.
‘Is the fruit not of your stomach?’ asked Bleethu, concerned.
The erfin tried to be reassuring. ‘Nay, this erfin be not of youngling days. It is a passing weirdness. What be these rools of which you speak?’
‘A rool is 360 risings of the orb-fire or the completing of the journey our world must make about the orb-fire. When the glistening nests on the Up-way Zu-laire, the rool ends and another rool begins. Does your mind accept this?’
Mirrortac calculated the days against the cycle of the seasons in Eol and they corresponded. His eyebrows lifted as he stared back at the Meretee. ‘A rool be when the season returns to itself!’
‘Season? I know not your season.’ Bleethu was bemused and inclined his head in a plea for an answer.
Mirrortac explained how the sun would be warm in one season and cold in the next season although the change was milder in the Faug Forest and he had seen no change in Petrosium. Bleethu insisted that the sun was always hot but admitted he had heard of such places where ice fell from the sky and the trees yielded all their leaves. The Serenetees had discovered such lands and left them as Ra had indeed left them. Bleethu continued to explain more about the pyramid – of the light-ways that were spaced gaps in the stone slope of the upper pyramid. The light of the sun entered these, the lower ones first, then the higher ones as it rose to its zenith, sending streams of golden light into the narrow shafts that, with the aid of reflector stones, brought the light into all parts of the pyramid. Two faces of the pyramid converged into what was named the Plumer-Ra line - an imaginary line that was calculated to run around the centre of Mareos from west to east. The two opposing faces converged along the Ra-Los line that circled the world from north to south. When Bleethu had finished his telling, he apologised to Mirrortac for not being able to show him through the hallways of the pyramid as he had been commanded not to take the erfin out of his sleeping chamber.
The Wizard's Sword (Nine Worlds of Mirrortac Book 1) Page 26
