As Rhuna showed Lozira the rest of her beautiful home, Aradin gestured that they should enter the special room and explain its use to Lozira. Aradin moved the lever that activated the circuit, and Lozira looked around startled as she heard the faint hum.
“I couldn’t tell you before, when you were here last time,” Rhuna began to explain. “When I met Aradin, he told me about The Observers – a group of Atlans who meet in this room to secretly observe the Dark Master’s followers, and then try to stop them, if we can.”
“This energy field prevents anyone from summoning visions of this room by means of the Gazing of the Waters,” Aradin added.
“What is it? A kind of lightning-magnetic force?” Lozira asked, looking at the large decorative urns in each corner of the room which contained the metals and alchemic solution producing the charge.
“You learned about that at school?” asked Rhuna surprised.
“Yes…or more precisely, from the new teachers who taught some of the students outside regular school,” Lozira answered.
“Teaching the New Knowledge,” said Aradin nodding. “Why outside regular school? Is the New Knowledge not acceptable instruction in Atlan schools?” he asked suspiciously.
“Ahm…” Lozira started, and Rhuna saw a genuine look of uncertainty in her daughter’s fresh young face.
“Many of the older, traditional teachers do not approve,” Lozira said carefully. “But the new teachers say that it is normal for the old ones to be suspicious and critical of the new and young ones, and that we should not be discouraged from learning the New Knowledge,” she explained.
“Hmm, interesting,” said Aradin with a slight frown.
Rhuna continued to explain how they gathered in this room and used hallucinatory herbs to access mental visions of the Dark Ones which could not be summoned merely by means of the Gazing of the Waters, and that she was unable to tell anyone for fear that the Dark Ones could harm them.
“Now I understand much better what happened when I was here before!” Lozira said, and impulsively embraced Rhuna tightly. “I knew whatever you did could not have been so very wrong! If Tozar knew all of this, he wouldn’t be so angry!”
“I’m waiting for the time when this secrecy won’t be necessary any longer and I can tell him everything,” Rhuna said.
“Why must you wait?” asked Lozira, puzzled. “The last Atlan Council that was engaged in Dark Activities was…removed before I left here.”
“The Reigning One had them executed…killed,” Rhuna corrected bluntly, recalling the bitter memories. “But they had partners and what they call operatives in many areas around Safu, so we decided to continue in secret as before,” she explained.
“Good thing we did,” interjected Aradin, “…because in recent times a new group following the Dark Master has formed, and we are now observing them!”
“Yes,” said Rhuna. “This time we reported it to the High Council in Atlán, and in response they sent this new Council.”
“Oh, I see!” said Lozira excitedly, and then hugged Rhuna again, saying that she was proud of her mother for doing such important work for Atlán.
“One day everything will become known, and you will be praised and honoured, instead of despised and shunned!” Lozira said emotionally.
Lozira admired the many scented oils and soaps in her mother’s bath chamber, and asked which ones she could use for her hair, especially after washing it in sea water for over a lunar cycle during the long ocean voyage.
The evening was spent with Lozira combing her freshly washed and scented hair, while Shandi sat nearby watching intently. When Lozira noticed her little sister’s fascination with her hair, Lozira showed her how to comb it. Soon, Shandi was following her big sister around, wanting to do everything with her, which Lozira found delightful and amusing. They shared cuddles and kisses, and then they played together until Lozira said she had to go sleep after such an exhausting long voyage.
Rhuna slept deeply that night, and the following days she took Lozira to textile markets and traders, making exchanges of gold and other items of value for anything that appealed to Lozira. At home, Rhuna showed Lozira her own wide selection of clothes, as well as the personal items from faraway lands. Lozira smelled all the exotic body oils and fragrances, touched all the clothes and accessories, and commented on Rhuna’s extensive collection of fine jewellery. Rhuna happily gave her daughter any of her garments which were not too short or small for Lozira.
For many days, Rhuna reveled in her daughter’s company, taking her to the many unusual, exciting or beautiful places in and around the city of Safu. In the evenings, Shandi sat behind Lozira and combed her long hair until her little arms tired of lifting the comb. Faleesh often watched teary-eyed as Rhuna’s two daughters exchanged playful cuddles and kisses, and for a while, the world was perfect for Rhuna.
One bright and sunny morning, the entire Atlan population of Safu attended the first address of the new Atlan Council of Safu, and Rhuna was full of hopeful anticipation as they approached the Council building. She admired the colossal structure made of massive stone blocks, perfectly straight and smooth, and concluded that this was the work of the First Atlans. No one had mastered their precision and accuracy since that time, and despite its age, the Council building still looked new.
As Rhuna entered with Aradin and Lozira, she admired the high ceiling and perfectly round columns towering up to the high roof, giving the assembly area a light and spacious atmosphere despite the solid stone walls.
Everyone soon became seated in an orderly fashion, and Rhuna chose a place near the back of the crowd where she could see almost everyone in attendance. She was slightly shocked to see all the members of the Guardians of Knowledge present, some wearing their white Master’s Robe. In the front of the semi-circle was a raised platform on which the new Atlan Council members were taking their places. One of the older women remained standing and faced the audience, raising her arms to signal the commencement of the Council’s address.
Rhuna recognized Sun of the Morning as a member of the Low Council in Atlán with whom she only conversed at certain meetings, and never on a personal, social level. Rhuna scrutinized her now, seeing her in a different light, and she realized the woman was considerably older, with grey streaks scattered through her fair hair.
“People of Safu!” Sun of the Morning began, her voice resonating in the vast open space above the audience.
“Atlans have established a flourishing empire in all the inhabited world, promoting peace, harmony and personal contentment based on mutual respect, honesty, enlightenment and high values.
“We have built all manner of stone buildings, paved streets and irrigational dams and canals to serve as a functional and efficient infrastructure for a comfortable life without excessive effort. We have put in place levels of Councils to unite people in common goals, ideals and practical work. The Low Council has audience with the people, deliberate issues, needs and problems in the community and brings the more important matters to the High Council. Members of the High Council debate and decide on major issues using our proven and well-established principles of respect, compassion, insight, enlightenment and peace.
“Peoples of other lands without this code have decayed into violence, force and even war, making weapons instead of ploughing utensils; tearing down instead of building up the emotional and moral fiber of the people. It is obvious, therefore, that Atlans have the superior code and method of implementing it. We lead by example, and educate others to help themselves to improve their own people. You are part of this far-reaching Empire of peace, unity and prosperity.”
Rhuna admired the woman’s faultless oration, and wondered whether she had rehearsed this speech many times during the sea voyage.
“It was granted to the First Atlans and to us, their descendants, for the express purpose of establishing a world-wide empire of high living standards, good morals and advanced Knowledge, all of which co
ntribute to genuine contentment and peace. However,” she paused for effect. “…the so-called New Knowledge, which encompasses the study and teaching of the workings of forces of nature, attempting to replicate them with all manner of devices that claim to imitate Atlan powers…is not right.” Rhuna felt the invisible impact of her last words clash like a thunderclap overhead, and she quickly glanced across the sea of faces for reactions.
“The power granted to Atlan Masters is for a special purpose, namely that only those ones with the responsibility, wisdom and mental acuity should use them to produce, transform, communicate and direct the rest of humankind. We, the Atlan Masters, endowed with this heavy responsibility, must continue in this path, without compromise or adulterating the work.
“It is for this reason that the High Council of Atlán has deemed the making of devices and contraptions, the experimenting of alchemy and what they are naming New Knowledge to be wrong.
“Furthermore, most of us shall recall that the one named Gatherer of Sage, commonly known as the Dark Master, who was once among us Atlan Masters, strayed from the proper Atlan path by indulging in alchemy and similar experiments, which eventually led to a twisted mind and backwards morals.
“It is with great dismay and concern that we, the new Atlan Council of Safu, have come to learn of a similar trend developing here in Safu, with the use of amulets charged with harnessed lunar energy to remove so-called curses causing ailments. This resembles the early works of the Dark Master when he experimented with unknown elements and forces, which have since been forbidden due to the dangers.
“It is the long-held belief of Atlan Masters that the traditional knowledge and powers given to us are all we need to fulfill our purpose towards the rest of mankind. Any superfluous power or knowledge has therefore been deemed dangerous, wrong and forbidden to Atlans.”
Rhuna heard the rustle of agitated movements in some parts of the audience.
“While the High Council of Atlán accepts Possessor of Discernment’s explanation based on his reputation, we nonetheless must persist in our declaration that this Knowledge – traditional or new – be confined to mature and responsible Atlan Masters.”
The audience became more restless as Sun of the Morning summarized the first part of her speech, and when a second member of the Council rose to her feet, Rhuna knew it was time for interaction with the people in attendance.
Beacon of Night stood up and waited for complete silence.
“Why should it be against Atlan principles to assist the poor and ailing?” asked Beacon of the Night. “As one of the Atlan professionals involved in making the amulets, I strongly object to your words of condemnation,” he said boldly, prompting gasps from some in the audience.
“You are very outspoken,” said one of the other Council members. “Yet since the Council wishes to hear opinions from all people under its jurisdiction, we welcome your input, and open the subject to further debate.”
“Who was that man?” Lozira asked, leaning towards Rhuna so that she could whisper an answer in her ear.
“Beacon of the Night. He was my teacher when I attended school in Atlán,” Rhuna whispered back.
“Your teacher? He looks much too young to have been your teacher!” Lozira said startled.
Rhuna quickly explained that Beacon of the Night was an exceptionally young teacher, and she was an older student, due to her childhood on the island of Chinza, far removed from Atlán. “He is actually about my age,” she whispered, and then looked at a Council member who stood up to speak.
“Safu is diverse and expressive, much more so than Atlán,” said another man of the Council whose bushy beard reminded Rhuna of Designer of Works. “People of various cultures converge in Safu, creating a wide variety of different opinions, which we of Atlán heartily embrace – provided these opinions are not too far divergent from Atlan principles, of course. At times, it has been necessary to merely educate people in faraway colonies of Atlán to re-direct their ways to align with those of Atlán.”
Next, a woman stood up whom Rhuna recognized as also being a member of the Dark Ones.
“As a Healer, I am also in favour of curing ailments by any means possible,” she said. In my travels to distant lands, I have learned that there are many ways to treat afflictions other than the traditional methods taught and used in Atlán.”
Rhuna heard some murmurs of agreement but others who were still doubtful shook their heads or whispered something to the persons next to them.
Sun of the Morning stepped forward to speak again. “Despite good intentions, the High Council of Atlán has decreed these matters to be contrary to The Atlan Way, and as such, a potential danger to individuals and to our peaceful, harmonious society. May it not become necessary to banish anyone who rejects the Council’s directions.”
“Indeed, let us remind you of the consequences of transgressing Atlan principles,” said the bearded man from the Council.
Sun of the Morning cleared her throat, indicating a new topic to be addressed.
“Furthermore, there is a certain individual in your midst whom the High Council of Atlan has condemned and continues to banish, namely the one once named Keeper of Wisdom, whom you have re-named The Star Child, is to be avoided and shunned. Let this serve as a reminder that this has not changed.”
Rhuna felt as if the earth shook and crumbled beneath her, and she reached for Aradin’s reassuring hand.
“She has rejected admonishing on numerous occasions, and been given many chances to comply, yet she has willfully caused distress, disruption, injury and even death. Such a person cannot represent the High Council of Atlán, nor the people of Atlán anywhere else, and she has therefore been stripped of her formal Atlan name, and she is to be as nothing and nobody to everyone who bears the name of Atlán and all that it represents.
“Once again, I strongly object to this ruthless condemnation!” said Beacon of the Night springing to his feet again. “Many Atlans residing in Safu are much more informed and aware of how Keeper of Wisdom has helped a countless number of people, and that her conduct is no threat whatsoever to the average citizen,” he said firmly.
“You are persistent in your defiance of the Atlan Council,” said the man with the bushy beard. “We shall meet with you privately to discuss this with you,” he said sternly.
Rhuna thought Beacon of the Night would retaliate, but after a silent nod, he sat down again. After some more minor announcements concerning domestic and mundane matters, the assembly was dismissed. Rhuna waited in the back until most people had left the building, afraid of being recognized, only to be ignored and shunned.
“It was nice of Beacon of the Night to speak up for you like that,” Lozira said as they walked outside. Then she embraced her mother with some words of reassurance before saying that she had recognized some old friends in the assembly. Rhuna wished her a nice time with friends, and watched her disappear in the mingling crowd outside the Council building.
The following morning, Rhuna was asked to attend a meeting at The Reigning One’s residence, and when the messenger told her that the new Atlan Council and Queen Uxbana would also be in attendance, she quickened her steps. She greeted Abu-Malech as she entered the grand doorway of The Reigning One’s residence, and followed his directions to the Attendance Hall in which the important meeting would take place.
Rhuna stepped inside and saw that everyone was already gathered in the spacious room, some sitting on chairs while the Atlan Council members preferred to stand. The man with the bushy beard who had spoken at the Council’s address the previous day turned and watched Rhuna approach them.
“Why has she been invited?” the bearded man asked, as his piercing look examined Rhuna carefully.
“This meeting takes place at my invitation, in my residence and at my direction,” The Reigning One promptly replied in his formal monotone.
“The Star Child has told me that Atlans want to share their Knowledge and wor
ks with all people,” began Uxbana.
“She does not speak for us!” exclaimed the bearded man, agitated.
“We have been given specific orders by the High Council of Atlán to be wary of every word spoken by the formerly-named Keeper of Wisdom,” said Sun of the Morning in a brusque manner.
“Does this mean then, that Atlans do not want to share their Knowledge and works with others?” Uxbana said as her eyes darted back and forth between Rhuna and the Atlan Council members.
“Possessor of Discernment has knowledge of the wisdom of the First Atlans,” Rhuna interrupted, causing a sudden, uneasy silence. “He said that the day would come when a new Atlan generation no longer had the traditional powers and abilities.”
“Possessor of Discernment is well known to us,” mumbled the bearded man. “Perhaps his words of wisdom should be considered in our further deliberations…”
“The orders of the High Council must be followed,” Sun of the Morning said loudly before the man had finished. He looked at her with indignation, and then stepped forward to introduce himself to Rhuna.
“My name is Stealth of the Fox,” he said, but refused to shake Rhuna’s hand in the traditional Atlan greeting. Rhuna greeted him politely, and then looked at Sun of the Morning whose pinched expression showed that she did not approve of the exchange.
“We, the people of the Land of Ubanti, have no Atlan powers, but we want the Knowledge to make stone buildings,” Uxbana said forcefully.
“Of course, Queen Uxbana!” said Stealth of the Fox. “We shall gladly organize a troupe of Atlan Masters to journey to your land and establish the Atlan ways…”
“You mean, make the Land of Ubanti an Atlan colony,” Uxbana spat with outrage and indignation.
“Not exactly…” wavered the man with the bushy beard.
Rhuna, The Star Child Page 14
