Loria

by Gunnar Hedman

  “Yes, could be. But of course it’s up to every traveller through life to believe what they want and who knows what is right and wrong in God’s great plan of things.”

  " And probably we will never know it either?"

  “Yes, I think so. Since God created us, we’re also a part of God, and according to the laws of physics, nothing that exists can disappear, but is only transformed.”

  After continuing their discussion, a little while longer, they began to tire and decided to follow the others’ example by getting a good night’s rest so as to be in good shape for the trip home.

  Having slept well, the next morning they said farewell to their generous hosts and, once the cargo holds had been loaded with vegetables and fruit juice, the skipper shouted the order to cast off. Thanks to a favourable tailwind they were able to use the spinnaker most of the way back to Riverlands, so that they arrived well before evening. Once they’d gone ashore and were on their way back to the guesthouse, they bumped into Dirazif, who asked them if they’d had a pleasant time on Leido.

  “Certainly,” answered Flores.

  “It’s just too bad we couldn’t stay there a little longer,” added Esai.

  “Yes, that’s what everyone who’s been there says,” she said, with a smile, and then, after looking around quickly, asked them if they’d had a chance to visit the temple.

  “Yes, but only very briefly,” Anderika answered.

  “Did you see anything there they might be useful against the monsters?”

  “I’m not sure, but I don’t think so.”

  “OK, we’ll have to discuss that some more later,” she said, and then left.

  “You actually didn’t say everything to her,” said Carver, when they’d moved out of range of anyone’s hearing. “Was there any special reason?”

  “Well, we really only had a chance to look at the objects extremely briefly. There nevertheless must have been something useful there, but before the River people use up all its power against the monsters, I would like to think about whether it could be used in another and perhaps better way.”

  “But do they really need more power against the monsters now that they have access to the robot’s capabilities?”

  “Yes, since it’s only programmed to help Lorians and for defensive purposes, it doesn’t fulfil their desire to try to defeat the monsters once and for all.”

  CHAPTER 15

  The Riverlanders were primarily involved in agriculture, so Ofra and Nadine, who used to be farmers, didn’t have any problem adapting to their new lifestyle. Even the others soon began to find tasks that they wanted to be busy with. Hug and Lidia, for example, wanted to devote themselves to handicrafts, Esai wanted to build a fishing boat, Gail was planning to open a clothing store and Grewerg wanted to settle into the house out on the tip of “Green Finger” Point. Anderika, though, had entirely different thoughts about the future.

  “Imagine if one could fly over the bacteria sea!” she spouted one morning, when she’d been standing down at the harbour with Caver, repairing fishnets.

  “Right, and how did you think you’d manage that?” he asked, laughing. “We don’t have wings, after all.”

  “No, but we do have the phase motor that we took with us from Olina, which would work as a burner, and on Leido there’s even a gas cylinder. Those are the two most important things you need when flying a balloon.”

  “You’re pulling my leg?”

  “No, I’ve never been more serious.”

  “And where would we find material for the balloon’s envelope?”

  “Seeing all the looms the Riverlanders have, it shouldn’t be any problem producing a strong and durable cloth.”

  “But what about everything else we’d need?”

  “Growing along the shore of the river is a strong reed that one could make a basket with, and the Riverlanders are already producing ropes.”

  “I never would have imagined it, but it might work. Let’s sleep on it and think about it a bit more.”

  Anderika felt so enthusiastic, though, that already by the time lunch was finished she had decided to go and visit Dirazif.

  “Do you really think it’s doable?” he asked, doubtful, when Anderika had told him her plan.

  “Yes, if only I could use the gas cylinder, and its fittings, that’s at the temple on Lana. All the other material can be found here in Riverlands. We’re going to need an awful lot of cloth, however, which might go against the needs of the population.”

  “That shouldn’t be any problem. To make a think like this happen they’d certainly be ready to make certain sacrifices.”

  “So, you’ll go along with the idea, then?” asked Anderika, finding it difficult to hide her eagerness.

  “Yes, why not. It’s about time someone tries to find out what’s hiding out there beyond the sea of bacteria. The priest will probably not be too happy, of course, but I usually have my way.”

  “I just don’t understand how we’re going to get the balloon to rise,” wondered Isla, when Anderika told them the news that afternoon.

  “The principle behind an airship is that it is lifted by a gas that is lighter than air, “which in our case is going to be helium, which is the gas that expands the most. When the air in the envelope is warmed, the balloon has enough lift, and then at higher than 600 metres the burner is used only when making the balloon climb again.”

  “Isn’t it dangerous?” asked Gail.

  “Well, maybe. It’s always a risk to venture out into the unknown, just as it was when we left the swamp. But nothing has ever changed without someone’s having dared to take a risk.”

  “But how does one manoeuvre a balloon?” asked Desia. “I’ve heard that they can’t be steered.”

  “That’s right, which is why you usually have to wait for the right wind direction before casting off. On the other hand, we don’t have any specific destination, which is why the wind can blow any way it likes. Before lifting, sandbags are placed in the basket and then thrown out to make the balloon rise, and one descends by releasing gas from the envelope.”

  Since Zania was clearing her throat and looking like she wanted to say something, Anderika took notice and asked her what she was thinking about.

  “Well, I was thinking about who you were thinking will participate in the trip,” she explained.

  “I can’t say I’m especially surprised that it was you who asked that first,” she responded, with a laugh. “Your need for challenges seems unquenchable. The balloon will carry a maximum of eight people, but since it would be dumb to push the limits, then we’ll have to make do with seven. I haven’t gotten any further than that in my planning.”

  In the evening, as a light breeze rippled the surrounding fields and the rosy twilight painted the sky, Baria took Shay with her for a promenade along the river.

  “I don’t want you to go,” she said, when they had gone a little way.

  “Why not?” he asked, distractedly.

  “Because I love you, you fool, and because Selis and I, and soon another little one, need you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Just as I said. I’m expecting.”

  “But that’s fantastic!” he exclaimed, and hugged her. “How did that happen?”

  “If anybody should know, it’s you.”

  “Well, sure, but just know I maybe didn’t see it exactly that way,” he laughed.

  “We’ll just have to see it as our shared little miracle, which can naturally be explained in a more scientific way, if you like.”

  “No, I’m satisfied with the miracle,” he said, and placed his hand on her stomach. “It’s going to take a while to digest, but time is something we have lots of now.”

  “Yes, isn’t that true, my darling,” she said, and kissed him.

  When they eventually turned homewards in what was left of the dusk, he was happier than he’d ever been, and realised that there was only one decision that was the right one.

  As
Anderika was going through the applications the next day, she was surprised to find that Shay’s wasn’t among them, so she went to find him.

  “All vessels must have a commander and who could be more suitable than you?” she asked, incredulous.

  “A balloon doesn’t need to have me in command; others can also manage it,” he replied. “Now, when Baria and I are going to be parents, our most important task is for us is to join our tents together and not go running off in all directions.”

  Hearing the good news, she realised that there was no longer any point in trying to influence him, so, after congratulating him warmly, she went and sat with Allur to discuss the candidates. When she had told him who she had in mind, he objected slightly, wondering if it wouldn’t be better to take one more man.

  “I seem to recall that we’ve already had this discussion,” she said, raising her eyebrows.

  “I know, but all I mean is that this mission might be exposing us to many dangers,” he said, as he dragged one of his hands through his hair.

  “I understand, but are you yourself invulnerable, perhaps?

  “No, of course not.”

  “Kark is more trained and experienced in battle technique than most of the men here.”

  “Yes, it’s true that she is, yes,” he just managed to say before she interrupted him.

  “And a woman’s intuition can in addition be at least as valuable as a man’s muscles. Haven’t you heard of one of the fundamental laws of physics, which says that what one wins through strength one loses in distance? As a matter of fact, there are few instances in history when sheer strength was an advantage over cleverness and understanding, and certainly not in modern times. You should also learn that women love adventure and challenge at least as much as men do.”

  “OK, you’re probably right about that.”

  “You can bet on it!” she said, firmly.

  After some discussion, they settled on the names of their travel companions: Caver, Zania, Kark, Neiger, and Gorond, a Riverlanders.

  When Dirazif was informed of their decision, she protested, asking to change the list to include more Riverlanders, since her people had been fighting the monsters for generations and were both courageous and strong.

  “I don’t doubt it for a minute,” said Anderika, “but we need more than just those qualities, and have to form a well-balanced crew.”

  “Alright, then. If I’ve assigned you to lead the expedition, then I also have to accept your choices. Gorond is not going to disappoint you, in any case, since he’s one of our very best and most capable men.”

  As soon as Errak had returned from Leido, where he had had some trouble convincing the priest how important it was to part with two of his relics, a group was formed to sew the balloon’s envelope. Another group wove reeds into a basket, while another set out to produce lines and rope. During the mornings, they worked in the middle of the square, and when the heat became too intense, they moved under the shade of several large trees. Curious onlookers constantly dropped by, eager to provide advice and comments, and giving instructions. The balloon’s completion proceeded steadily, however, and after a few days all the pieces of cloth had been sewn together. In the side of the envelope they also sewed a deflation port that could be quickly removed to empty the balloon after landing, so that it wouldn’t be torn away by the wind. When everything was finished, the village blacksmith was asked to make an anchor and a holder that the burner could be mounted on.

  The big day for testing the balloon finally arrived. Using a hand-driven fan, they filled the envelope with cold air until it was half-full and 40 meters tall. Then they lit the burner, which blew in warm air, and after a few more tests Anderika could report that the balloon was ready.

  “But that’s fantastic!” exclaimed Dirazif when she told her the news. “When do you think you can travel?”

  “Already tomorrow, if the wind is strong enough.”

  “So soon!” Dirazif spouted, surprised.

  “Yes, if conditions are right, there’s no reason to wait, because otherwise we might have to wait a few weeks.”

  When Anderika returned to the others and told them the news, she was unanimously elected leader of the expedition.

  “Who else?” asked Kark, when Anderika had shyly protested. “Without you, the balloon would never have been constructed.”

  “Possibly, but that doesn’t have to mean that I’m also the best one for carrying out the mission.”

  “Well, it seems everyone here thinks that you are.”

  “In that case, I can only thank you for placing your trust in me and I hope I can meet your expectations.”

  Once she had gone through the travel plans and informed them of the possibility that they might be leaving any time now, she went up to her room to finish packing her backpack, which, in addition to clothes and other personal items, also contained a converter from the temple on Leido. Even though she usually believed in honesty, this time, to be on the safe side, she had chosen to keep its existence secret, at least until Dirazif would say that it might be good to have along for navigating the balloon.

  The next morning, they awoke at dawn and, since the winds were favourable, decided to leave immediately. News of the decision spread quickly, so that by the time they had reached the balloon, people were streaming out to the meadow to gather around them.

  “All that’s left to wish you luck and success with the balloon,” said Dirazif, once the travellers had hugged their dear ones and taken their places in the compact basket. In addition to food, clothes and various equipment it also contained a compass and a barometer, as well as four hundred kilos of ballast divided into bags.

  “Thanks for those kind words and that you have allowed a wild woman scientist to express herself and follow her dream,” said Anderika.

  “You may well be a little crazy, but if I had tried to stop a bird from flying, it would have been me who was even crazier.”

  “I’ll do my best not to disappoint you all,” said Anderika, at which she asked the men and women who had been designated to assist in launching the balloon whether everything was ready.

  “As ready as it’ll ever be,” replied a tall man with a curly light-coloured beard.

  “Great, then let’s be off,” she shouted out excitedly.

  When they had filled the balloon with sufficient cold air, Kark started the burner; it’s huge flame began to fill the envelope with warm air, so that when the balloon began to tug and pull, Anderika gave the order to cut the anchor ropes. One by one the ropes were released with an explosive crack as their sharp axes cut into them. When the last one had been freed, the balloon rocked and swayed and slowly began to lift into the cloudless sky. At first, its ascent was extremely gradual, but a sudden strong gust of wind blew them far out over the enormous sea of bacteria, faster than they could imagine, after which they were beyond the point of no return. Only a few minutes later, the Riverlands were merely a distant swath of colour, until, in a mix of fear and delight, they could only see the vast black sea all around them. What had at first only seemed to be an exciting adventure now began to feel increasingly daring, so that they began to wonder how it was all going to end.

  “What have we gotten ourselves into?” whined Gorond, ringing his hands.

  “If you’re not pleased, we can always drop you off,” teased Caver.

  “Why didn’t I stay in the Riverlands?” he continued, ignoring the comment. “The sea of bacteria gives me sweaty hands. What if it just continues forever?”

  “No, that’s impossible,” said Anderika. “If there’s life in one place, then there also has to be life elsewhere.”

  “Oh, yeah? And how can you be so sure of that?”

  “Through a scientific process of elimination. By the way, I recall you were one of the first ones to express interest in coming along, and you surely knew then of the risk involved, before we even left.”

  “Yes, that’s true, but above all I wish to avoid a slow death by
being eaten alive by bacteria.”

  “Yuck, none of us wants that, that’s for sure,” said Anderika, suppressing a shudder, “but it’s still a long time until evening and we still have enough gas for at least fifteen hours of travel. We’ll surely arrive at land before that.”

  “OK, I’ll try to be positive,” said Gorond, smiling weakly.

  Inside, he was still terrified, however, and felt a steadily increasing and paralysing anxiety that simply wouldn’t stop. The bacterial sea was, for all Riverlanders, the most horrific of all the things they learned to fear as children. He just couldn’t understand why, on the basis of his thirst for adventure, he’d exposed himself to these dangers of his own free will, and now bitterly regretted having done so. In spite of his being considered as one of the most courageous of the Riverlanders, having fought against the monsters on several occasions, he was now on the edge of tears. As he sat silently and wrapped up in his miserable thoughts, Caver entertained them uninterruptedly, singing and telling funny stories. Everyone understood that it was his own fear that he was trying to keep at bay by being so cheerful.

  So, the hours passed, as they floated on over the glittering and shining sea of bacteria. In compact silence they eventually ate dinner, consisting of dried meat, fruit and bread; it improved their mood slightly, but it didn’t take long for it to shift back into despondency. Soon darkness would be upon them and sometime after dawn the gas would be finished.

  Just as they were on the verge of giving up all hope, Neiger suddenly shouted, with a whoop, that he thought he saw something.

  “I’ll be darned, you might be right,” said Allur, as he intensely squinted in the direction Neiger was pointing; in a few minutes he was entirely certain. Straight ahead, in the same direction as the wind and lying against the glowing horizon, a body of blue water appeared, and even the contours of land. All the tension they had kept inside for so long was now released and dissolved into a round of carefree laughter and rounds of hugs and back-clapping.