"Shukala has a bride he is betrothed to. In a few years he must marry. His life is planned out. We are pained that he is gone and we do not know all that is happening but as you say, if he is with the king, the prophesied one, we will trust in the First Pillar."
"That is what I have done all along with Rapheth. It is all we can do. They are men in the world and they must rise to their destinies. We can no longer lift them up."
. . .
The scions and Ilim left the next morning giving Phyllida his love and farewell and they made their way west to Haiga. Zigal had moved from Hevan to Haiga a few months ago. He met with the older men of the groups revealing the sign as he saw it in his dreams to all. He visited eight different family homes in Haiga and each time a great crowd of people would come to visit at night. He finally made his way to Zigal's house.
Zigal had a simple one-room mud brick house and a round stove outside in the back garden. Bread with herbs was baking.
"My dear sister, may there be peace within you! Are you well?" Seeing him approach she put down the beets she was peeling. They embraced for a long time.
"I am well, I am well! May there be peace within you, my brother!"
"How is it that you have come to Haiga? I had looked for you in Hevan."
"I was so worried after Parso and the boys and I had to just jump and run. I had no idea what had become of you or they, Ilim. I just could not stay there by myself. And Ephron's family! They persecuted me so! I came here for a little peace." The corners of her eyes were lined with creases but still bright, wide and solemn, her dark hair was frosted with no gray and it was pulled back in a tight bun at the base of her neck. Ilim rolled his eyes at the mention of Ephron's family.
"I had to confront them again just some days ago. Do they not believe? Ack! Anyway, I have come to see the people and to tell them of the last sign."
"The Sea Star of red in the morn and in the eve."
"Mmmm. My dear, I have also come to hear of any news."
"Come in and sit with me and have tea." She fixed a sweet mint tea, as she always used to when they were something of a family. She poured the tea into the precious bone cups she always kept for guests. The mint tea was refreshing.
"So tell me what you have heard, Zigal."
"You may know this but there was an incident in Jhis. One of the most venerable men among the Ainash is dead."
"Lord Tybble-Awat. The elder."
"Your name is batted about as the cause. You and Anet."
"Yes, I know of it. I was there. God struck that vile old goat down. It was His judgment, not mine." Said Ilim.
"Here is the thing, Ilim. The Ainash are in a fit over it. So is the king. They are looking for you two and they will start, naturally, with the Aishanna-La that they suspect are schismatics. There are rosters, scrolls with names of families gathered back in the days when the Egian lap dog Bakku was alive. He, it was I hear, had gathered the names of the suspects years ago. The scrolls are still around."
"But the people who have heard the call and obeyed have left and scattered."
"They can still be found unless they have left Hybron, Ilim. They will turn them out, every house, until they find us all and hang us on stakes. They are planning a massacre."
"They never stop, do they? A massacre." He said slowly. Then he nodded his head as if it were the only sensible explanation. "A massacre. Yes. Why not. But it will not succeed. We have come too far. I have come too far to see such a thing." Zigal's eyes darkened. She cocked her head to the side curiously.
"It does not worry you then?" She asked, pouring him another cup of tea. He shook his head.
"But you do say things will get darker before the storm is over?"
"And that is true and some of us will die in the process but it will not come to that. Airend-Ur will not allow them to wipe out His people. But I have suspected this would happen and I have thought on it. I shall have a meeting with the older men in the community of this and I will send letters to Zarhaz and his men for orders on what to do."
"The information comes from someone Zarhaz knows."
"It is good he is able to have eyes and ears at the Ainash temples. However the people may have to be ready for what comes." He sighed. "It is good to see you again." She smiled.
"Rapheth is no longer here and I have no one to care for here."
"You help with the widows and the children?"
"Yes, but I miss the boy. He was my only child." She rubbed a stray hair away from her face. "If only my lady Diti were here."
"Bless her name and bless her soul. I shall get my letters in order. Do you know anyone with falcons here?"
"Yes and I know someone who also has a tinmak."
"Even better."
"Since when do you approve of such things Ilim?"
"Since I found them at the citadel of the scions. And I still do not care for them but they are convenient at times." He said. "Still, I prefer a real falcon messenger, if you do not mind."
"I do not. I do not hold much with these machine-things either." Ilim grunted in approval.
"I have much to do before this is all over." He got out his writing utensils and began his letter addressed to the older men of the secret groups of Hevan, Haiga and Beth-Ayin and a few other smaller cities and added instructions that these letters be put before all those known to be of the old ways in the villages. He would have one sent to Gamina as well.
Dear brothers,
It is known to me after what transpired in Jhis at the king's banquet feast that the Ainash plan to destroy the congregations of those who have broke with the Golden Temple. I am writing you my brothers, you older men of the groups to be mindful of the coming persecution and to limit gatherings to once per month. Make sure you know each and every family in your city, their names, in your care. You must all meet in smaller groups now until I have heard otherwise. Groups of ten or less. This is being done in most places now but I hear that in Rhuctium the brothers meet in much larger groups. You must not do that way. This will draw too much attention. If there are still brothers who are going into the temples they should only go for public prayers and do not draw any attention to themselves. I am going my way to Gamina after this letter and if there is any news or change that I should know, send your letters to the citadel in Gamina. I charge all the older men in each city except Jhis, to care for the precious ones who are holding on and to care for any new ones fleeing the jaws of the wicked one and coming back to the old ways of Airend-Ur. If you hear of news that disturbs you from this front hide your people. There is the underground city, though they may search for you there. Send the word to the faithful that they must stay away from the temples when the sign of the king comes. There is also Gamina, the stalwart place never ruined or defeated by our enemies. There would be no true faithful in Jhis now, as it is marked for destruction. I have no orders for anyone in Jhis.
May peace be with you,
Your brother, Ilim.
Zigal traveled with Ilim to Beth-Ayin. Some people noticed and remembered him and quite a few were respectful.
"A marked change from when I used to preach." He said, surprised.
"People can see something is changing. They feel it. Things are not right. I hear that some have left the temple of the sun god. They are streaming to the schismatics."
"Yes. It makes me think. Do you remember the prophet of Hec many years ago? Yarlaam he was called."
"I had heard of him. I think he prophesied many years before I came to Hybron."
"Well, I had once come across some of his writings. This was a long time ago. I have differences with him on many things but one thing he was right about. Things cannot continue as they are. When corruption is so rife that it seems normal and honesty becomes something foolish or even wicked, such a kingdom will eventually collapse."
"Indeed," she said quietly. "Whether it is another prophet or one of our own I think it is evidence that"the tongue is mightier than the dagger, the stylus mightier than t
he sword." as the Holy Aishanna says." She said.
"Yes, most certainly."
"But you know, the idea seems like nonsense until you realize that it is the dark thoughts put to paper and sent around or the unruly tongue that sets aflame men's passions, which in turn fuels the violence of the sword." She said. The three warrior scions walked along behind them silently.
They all walked across the busy and crowded bridge to the market in Beth-Ayin. Beth-Ayin was now slowly growing from a large town into a small city. And it was well fortified.
"I remember some time ago when I warned King Khalit about the danger from Tarkal. The threat has risen again in Kufun II."
"I will never forget it. The king had left in great fanfare with his army to the south some time after the new queen was with child. It was the beginning of the end for Lady Diti. I begged her to leave but she loved the city and its life too much, the palace and her position. She thought she could do more than she really could." Zigal lowered her voice. "Soon we were trapped with that monstrous woman in the palace. While he went playing war down here."
"Well, he managed to do something right. He brought back the women and girls kidnapped by the Jurite warriors. He caused this city to be fortified. Then he marched to Gamina - and to his death." Said Ilim.
"May those of our sisters who died in Gamina be blessed and remembered." Murmured one of the scions.
"May they be remembered." Both Ilim and Zigal said. They could see the sea some leagues away, bright blue and silver like a broad line against the horizon far off. Ilim could smell the sea air, fresh and sharp, the salt a refreshing burn in his nose. I suspect that once the king rises he will have to deal with this one from the south who keeps breaking at the southern door of Hybron. He looked at Zigal and the three women walking behind them.
"I am hungry. Humor an old man. What shall we eat before I am carted off back to Gamina?"
"They have good fish here. And tsire spice grilled lamb."
"Is it tsire lamb you want, Ilim?"
"I have not had it in an age. I do want it. And I know that you cook an excellent lamb's leg."
"Well then. Let us see what coins we have between us and see about tsire spiced roasted lamb." She said. The scions went for their purses. Between them they had enough for a leg of grilled lamb at a decent tavern and a good wine. After that, Ilim would go back to Gamina.
Chapter Seven
"Seek for the wisdom of the first generations, my sons." - Elufern the Wise
- The Book of Nagilla, Conversations and Acts of the Desert Fathers
The month of Udipaz, 1701 A. T. V.
After taking the women to another relative's house to stay and sort out their business Rapheth revealed that when he came back home to claim his birthright and that alchemy would be once again a a part of that world. Baudolino, who had lost his livelihood temporarily but still had many of his instruments and his journal of extensive notes and recipes was intrigued.
"Perhaps I will come with you." He said one day over dinner.
"We cannot stay and I do not want to cause more trouble for you than I already have. We are trying to get back home. If we stay here too long the negroni may come here."
"They are everywhere. Perhaps I should come with you to keep the rest of my family safe."
"I would not press you to do any such thing but if you want to join us, you are more than welcome. I would need knowledge such as the kind you have. Hybron and the Middle Kingdoms need alchemy and the advantages it can bring."
"I suspect not all of your company agree with you."
"Some of them have been brainwashed by the Ainash, the corrupt and powerful priesthood back home who have outlawed it."
"I see. You know, alchemy once came from the middle of the world. It originated in Hybron."
"Did it?"
"You did not know that?"
"I am never sure. I know it was once practiced there centuries ago before it was banned."
"The fabled city of Assenna."
"Except Assenna was not a fable Baudolino. It was real. The ruins are still there. It is sad that Alchemy came from the middle of the world yet we have sunk into darkness and ignorance and sink ever further."
"And you would liberate them? How? You have nothing."
"I have a purpose and I can feel it in my bones. I only just need to get back home." Baudolino chuckled softly as if in disbelief.
"Well." He leaned in forward. "I have nothing now but my skills and my knowledge and the clothes and few trinkets I brought with me. I have had to give my cousin Bandicus here quite a sum of coin to make up for the removal of our entire household to take up residence under his roof. Oh, no do not feel bad. Oratio will be heading back to sea in a few weeks and I had made too many enemies with the negroni to get away with it forever. The time had come for me to pay up. So, I will go with you on your little adventure, Rapheth. I am not married, I have no young children to care for and I have always wanted to see the world, yet I have been locked up in my laboratory for many years. The time has come for Baudolino to see the world! Say nothing to the others for they would not hear of it." He said, growing quiet but there was a sparkle in his eyes. Rapheth felt elated. Here was a man who had an extensive living memory of White Alchemy. A treasure.
Taking his many maps and his compass and a few other things along, Baudolino left a letter on the hearth and they stole out very early the next morning and continued north to the isthmus. After four days of traveling by horse they reached it. The sea was calmer than usual and the land bridge rose up seeming out of the deep fog of the sea and hills. The dim rose light of dawn rimmed low on the gray horizon. Rapheth never thought the sky could contain such colors together.
The land bridge was wide enough for three men on horses to ride side by side. It rose up at least twenty feet from the sea. They had to make their way down to the lowest elevation from the landmass of Pallinona to walk across the isthmus. It took them several hours to cross it. The horses whinnied nervously every now and then but besides seeing the gentle waves of the sea it was uneventful.
The landmass they crossed into was like another world. Where Pallinona was relatively warm, full of verdant greens and bright and warm colors this land was cloaked in mists. As they ascended deeper into the land and left the North Sea behind it grew colder. Traveling east, the land was so dense with trees and bush that they could not get the horses through. They decided to keep going north until they came to less densely populated land. They stopped to put on their warm cloaks, still unused to such wet weather. The very dew and chilled mists seemed to whisper and gently tap the leaves and foliage. This new land had its own language.
The trees. Rapheth had never seen such trees before and days and days of travel left him with nothing to do but think and observe. They were impossibly tall and dark green, or black and covered in needles. At times they saw trees with red trunks and foliage. As they went on, rain started to fall. The whole of the this dark forested land was full of water. They heard the muted sounds of animals and birds hidden from them. Rapheth was spellbound. The wood was so huge it seemed never to end and once they reached what looked like the edge of the forest they had come to a cliff face, a deep wall and below they could hear the rushing of a river and they saw more vast forest land. Far away the trees were tipped with white. A pristine force of wildness and darkness, alien and mysterious stewed in the deep fog. Rapheth felt the majestic wildness together with its darkness, a type of wild nature he had never seen or felt before but it had an oppositional kinship with the wild and open desert. Like the desert it was stark, and he felt its danger, where people became wilder and elemental. While the desert bared all, the forest hid many things but Rapheth felt the extra-naturalness which stirred in him a heightened awareness of the life in it, the order and the chaos of it. He felt different traveling in places like these; less civilized but closer to the elemental nature created in all men. An untapped power and wisdom that had no words but was felt and expressed in actio
n and pure emotion. Rapheth looked at Rhajit. There was a man who could use that untapped, raw power from within without even thinking too deeply upon it. And now that he was no longer coddled in a major city with all its accoutrements, he could feel it too.
One night Rapheth lay quiet listening to the sounds of soft snoring and the licking low flames. Injol had taken the second watch. He saw the flickering of the giant's shadow by the low fire, his embered face a mask. Every animal sound that came was like a loud gong. Finally, he closed his eyes.
Only to open them again hearing the sound of branches and twigs snapping. Or rather, feeling the sound. A figure cloaked in the black of night was approaching the camp. Rapheth wanted to scream but he could not move. The figure came close and then threw off his hood. It was a man. Pale, tall with pale yellow hair the color of sand and blue eyes so sharp they seemed to glow in the night's darkness. The man raised a finger to his lips to indicate silence. There seemed a silver aura about him. He finally spoke.
"The guardian of shadow is waiting."
"Guardian of shadow? Who are you? And who is he?"
"I am one sent to give you a message. Trust in the First One, Rapheth for you have not trusted in Him but in your own strength. You cannot do this alone or with only your friends. The mantle of the Red King is a divine one. Trust in Airend-Ur."
"I am trying. Who is this guardian?" Rapheth could hear and feel himself speak but his mouth did not move, yet they were speaking.
"He is the desert father who resides in the Cave of Forever. A holy place that can only be found by one who walks the High Red Path. You walk as if you are not sure of this path and the mark of the unnamed one I sense is upon you. He will claim you for his own if you do not learn to trust in the First One. Like he has claimed so many others. When you are ready to walk, the Cave of Forever will appear. And its guardian."
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