"It is difficult for you but this will be to your advantage and others you shall rule over. You have a quality most rulers do not have - modesty, humility. Which is why there is so much suffering in mankind and animal kind. I must go back to my family and eventually I shall journey in the world alone again. I am also a queen. Kings and queens in a way must be apart, must be alone in some respects. We are not like the others. It is the way of the world, young one." The creature reached its great trunk in between its legs on the ground and drew out something. It was a golden erdu horn.
"This is a gift to you from me and from the One who resides on high. Keep it safe and do not reveal it until the time is ready. You will know when that time comes. It will feel right to you. It is made of my dead mate's tusk. He himself was a king. It is now yours and will bow to your will. It commands the respect and awe of right-hearted ones to the one who blows it. And it instills fear in everyone else, especially those of wicked intent." The creature turned and moved off in a slow, swaying graceful gait that made him think of deep desert waves and flowing dunes of the open desert. It was one more glimmer of hope but the mark remained and the pain was becoming constant. Will I always be this alone? Why do you not answer?
. . .
They crossed the river and approached the wall that protected Lannvok. It was made of red and cream brick and looked stout enough from afar but it was enormous once they had actually reached the wall. Inside was a whir of activity. Most buildings here were dome-shaped or had conical roofs and made of red stone where as most houses he was used to seeing in Hybron were of mud brick. There were many, many horses here, even more than camels but there were quite a few of those as well. They themselves had parted ways with the Ostrites who turned farther east and the mammoths had gone as well. They made their way to the nearest caravanserai to rest, water their animals and look for food. And to plan out their return to Hybron.
"It seems we have traveled all over the globe. Perhaps we shall have some time to really put the chilyabe together properly," said Parso.
"No hurry, Parso. Perhaps someone here has one. In order for it to work as intended we need to find another who possesses one."
"This land once had a powerful Golden Alchemist who built one, according to the journals of a traveler in Pallinona centuries ago. Perhaps it has been handed down through an alchemist brotherhood or even through a family," said Baudolino. “We have lost contact with our brethren in the Eastern Lands.”
"Well, we shall stay here for a time and get to know the place," said Rapheth. "After all, I cannot simply march into Hybron and declare myself. I must wait for a sign." One that has not come.
. . .
This city with its onion shaped roofs gave them ample opportunity to explore without fear or trepidation. The people were used to foreigners trading and traveling through. A caravan of men from Hybron, Egi or anywhere else was no great surprise. The larger share of their trade came from the far east and with it foods and things the Rapheth and his company found fascinating. There was a large market just for silk and of those were many different kinds. There was a dizzying spice market, some spices familiar to them and others different. Peche was a spice that was ground scorpion stingers with the roasted buds of the szo flower, native to Ruthenia and it gave each dish a distinct hot and sweet flavor. It was one of the most unique and odd flavors they'd encountered. Paprika was infused in seemingly every dish and there were different varieties. Some were rust red, others blood red and others bright or even a purplish color.
An old woman studied a few of them one day and then offered them one of the favorite liquors of the area.
"It is said," she said, setting tiny tin cups down in front of them, "that this is the stuff that makes a true man."
"How so?" Asked Shukala.
"Most of our vodka is made the normal way but there is strynoya. The Iron drink of the gods. That is made from molasses and iron shavings. You see, the iron is added to the mash. When a young man reaches a certain age he can elect to go through the Stry ceremony that separates him from mere mortals. This ceremony requires strynoya. Some men die from it. But those who survive are well respected. He is then given a mark on his right arm, the mark of the Ruthenian 'S' with his own family tribal or coat of arms entwined with it. This is how a woman knows that she has a real man!" She gazed levelly at them.
"I have noticed that many men here have many markings or tattoos upon their forearms. Is that what it is?" asked Shukala. The woman shook her head.
"No. Most men of Rurria who are soldiers or of high rank have their first sleeve of family and tribal tattoos done before they reach twenty on their right arm. Then at forty if they have gained honor, status or glory in life they have their second sleeve done upon the left arm which tells in symbols of their accomplishments of feats. But even with all that, without the "S" they are not accorded as much respect." She grinned. Rapheth and Shukala looked at one another.
"Should we?"
"I have no plans to die any time soon. So I suppose that to the women of Rurria, I am not a real man," said Rapheth. The woman laughed loudly then she smiled.
"I jest! Do not worry. This is just regular vodka with sour cherries added to it. Enjoy. Strynoya is only reserved for men of the blood, of our tribes." Shukala was visibly relieved. Rapheth laughed and they drank their tiny cups down.
Rapheth, Shukala and Rhajit passed by many food stalls of mouth watering dishes and stews being made right before them. Fish stews and soups abounded. Red pepper slay fish with paprika, fish stew from various fish in the Velkov River, veal soups, fried veal and veal roasted on sticks with onions, meat stew - any meat depending on what was caught that day - root vegetables and stuffed savory and sweet breads of all kinds. Far more varieties than Rapheth had ever seen. Sweet breads and rolls with raisins and sultanas, cinnamon, mace and other spices, breads with dried vegetables and fruits. One stand they decided to make their favorite was a little place with a fat woman and her husband who made a bread pie filled with offal chopped with garlic, paprika sauce, spiced moth larvae and stuffed into oblong bread pockets and more onions baked with dried onion and a soft cheese. It was overwhelming delicious and the scent of flavors filled him with such longing that he had to have another one. They drank it with a chamomile ale and a beet ale. They also ate sausages of all kinds. As to some, Rapheth preferred not to know about what sort they were. He was hungry, they were available and that was sufficient.
At night Rapheth wandered the city and visited the theaters, some of them elaborate puppet theaters that put what they'd done in Rhuctium to shame. During the day he, Rhajit and Shukala practiced with swords or spears. Some nights he studied the star maps while listening to one of the traveling merchants play the oud or the duduk. He examined the celestial ocean, especially. He sat eating a blue rice sausage, a delicacy he savored as it came in a clear veal broth, coloring the broth a light blue and with it was a red cabbage and apple braised dish.
"I miss fennel and pork sausages." Said Baudolino wistfully. He and Parso and Baudolino were looking these maps over when Elfic came into his yurta.
"My lords," the man said, his eyes searching for Rapheth.
"Yes?" Asked Rapheth.
"The men are wondering when will they see this land of yours?"
"They are wondering if there is something in it for them, are they?" The man nodded. Parso was about to speak but Rapheth stilled him.
"They will reap the rewards when I take my throne. When I enter Hybron it will be to do battle. To do that, since I have no army yet, it will be by stealth. Before that happens I must walk through fire."
"I do not understand."
"Nor would you. I will tell you this. Stay with me until I am baptized in fire. If you do not see any benefit in staying with me and my cause, then go. I will not lay anything upon you, nor can I." The young man frowned. Elfic was not much older than Rapheth. Only nineteen years old to Rapheth's seventeen. He seemed unsure, yet he seemed to be a competent leader o
f men.
"What do I say to the men out there? They are becoming restless."
"Tell them I will go out to them and speak with them tomorrow morning and I will explain what my plans are. As for now we are working out what we will do." Elfic put his hand upon his forehead as a sign of acknowledgment and left.
"You must deal with them soon, Rapheth. Especially that one you once called friend." Said Baudolino. Rapheth heard the growl in his voice as he spat out the name.
"I know. If only I knew exactly what will happen."
"Trust in God. I think that is your problem You do not truly trust that He will help you. What has the prophet taught you all these years?"
"I know, I know. Putting it into practice is another matter." He moved his food bowls away, wiped his hands and spread out the map and smoothed it down with his hands gently. Map of the Holy Celestial Ocean. A chart to the Heavenly Abode where the Gods reside. It said.
"Where the Gods reside. I am convinced this is a place that once existed. The Holy Aishanna once said a path to it did exist. the Book of Sha. The beginning." Said Rapheth.
"But only those chosen could walk it, even when it was open." Said Parso.
"It is hidden now. Not completely, else the messengers could not come and go as they do from the immortal heavens to the mortal world."
"So how do we know where this hidden doorway is? How do we find it?"
"A holy man would know," said Baudolino suddenly.
"Ilim the prophet would know," said Parso.
"Who is that?"
"My father."
"Your father is a holy man?"
"He is my stepfather. And yes, he is a holy man. If only I had listened more carefully to him. . .wait! In the Book of Sha, there was once a time, during the Age of Creation, there was a straight way path to this ocean in the heavens, that long ago once all the oceans of the world were just one ocean and that mortal ocean led to the heavenly one. Once there was a possibility that the right man could walk the path. I know no man who has done so except one. Ishuye, the first holy warrior of God."
"But how would a man walk this path now that this way is, as you say, shut?" Asked Baudolino.
"Any man who wants to come to Him may do so in prayer. Through a guardian messenger."
"Can you come back. Or will He answer? That is the question."
"The real question is what does it look like? How would one travel it? Where to look for it?" Asked Rapheth. The map itself showed the constellations close to the planet, their world of Chialis. "I had once thought the apocrypha held an answer or a key to this but I saw nothing there to suggest that. None of those books even mentioned it."
"I think to go forward you must look inward." Said Parso studying the map.
"Exactly when was the Age of Creation?" Asked Rapheth.
"We do not have an exact date. According to scribal and historical records in Hybron the last of those days overlap with the beginning of the Great Migration of Tribes. Men lived during that time, the first fathers and mothers. Some time before two thousand ninety-nine B.T.V.."
"There were holy messengers like Galam'Akmet who walked it but there was Ishuye, one of the greatest warriors the world had ever seen and he it was who was given the holy sword of God. He was mortal and walked it. You must walk his path Rapheth." Said Parso.
"The Star Sword."
"Such a weapon was given him because he walked the High Red Path."
"But many have done so and never found their way to this place."
"Yes, but who can wield such a thing unless they have been bestowed divine power. He was the only mortal to walk to this ocean."
"By ocean you mean. . ." asked Baudolino.
"The place of the stars," said Rapheth.
"But would this path not start in or around a sea or some other element of water? And if so, how would one reach it?" Asked Baudolino.
"He never mentions how or where except that it was found in the desert, this doorway, near the Plain of White Bones. A holy place. By the time Ishuye walked the world the straight way from the mortal oceans to the stars was hidden. The unnamed one and his rebellion caused this way to be hidden." Said Parso.
"It would seem natural that such a path would be found on hallowed ground," said Rapheth. The map displayed the constellations of Kesil, Kimah, Oraneh, Zigdulla, Zyther, Aulinah and Nuzdi and like small tributary rivers they flowed into other star systems he did not recognize and these became larger, spread out through lines mapped out into the unknown heavens.
"All this talk reminds me of something I had read. During the Veiled Time in Assenna there were great engine chilyabiums stationed on star stations that could take a man from one point in the sky to another if calibrated just right," said Baudolino.
"What do you mean?"
"They could not actually take one into the deep heavens but there were star stations across the land and in other places of the world. The constellations look different depending on where you are. If you were in Hybron in a star station with an engine chilyabium and you wanted to see a different star system, perhaps a constellation in Qutan, which I have read used to have such special chilyabiums, you could travel there to see it. One man once did go to the stars but it killed him. There is a reason why man cannot truly walk the stars as flesh and blood."
"He would have to be given a new body. One of spirit. Or a mortal body enclosed in spirit. It would seem men have tried to duplicate the hidden path but the divinity in it is its purity and simplicity." Said Rapheth.
"Ishuye was chosen because he was the most humble of all his brothers: "Only the humble may see the High Red Path and only the courageous may walk it." Simplicity and humility. Simplicity and humility. he thought and his mind was suddenly filled with light and fire. Groping for so long in pride, confusion and insecurity he'd finally begun to understand.
"I remember." A rush of fire flooded him now. The mysterious messenger in the forest had told him the very answer and he had said nothing of star maps. "It is the Cave of Forever. A holy place that can only be found by one who walks the High Red Path. He said to me that when I was ready to walk, the Cave of Forever would appear!"
"Who?" They all asked.
"It was a messenger, when we were in the forests of Dyrland. Before Uwain's men found us. Only I could see him. The rest of you were fast asleep." Baudolino looked doubtful. The others seemed to take it in stride.
"Why did you not mention this?"
"I could not tell you why, Parso. So many strange things were happening then and, well. . ." He inadvertently touched his breast.
"Ellah Kaifah," whispered Parso. There was a commotion outside. Rapheth got up to investigate.
Ephron and some of the men with him had gotten into a drunken dispute with a group of traveling merchants.
"See? They are restless. This is no good," warned Baudolino."Cast them out!" Rapheth shot him a sharp glare. He, along with Rhajit who was sharpening his sword strode up to the ones in the middle of the commotion.
"What is the matter here?" Rapheth demanded.
"This man has insulted me! He has called me and my companions baga filth! He and his are drunk and boisterous and disturb the whole place with their lewd, disrespectful talk!" Accused one of the traveling merchants.
"Do not worry. I am sorry he has caused trouble. Is there any damage to our property?"
"No. If he is with you, control him or I shall go to the city guard!"
"I will talk to him. He is with my company," said Rapheth. This seemed to satisfy the man and he went his way back to his lodging.
"What is it to you, oh holy one!" Ephron mocked.
"Be careful, boy," growled Rhajit.
"I am not a boy."
'You do not act like a man." At this Ephron charged Rhajit. Rapheth stepped in between them and stopped him.
"Get off!" Ephron shouted.
"You are drunk and have lost all sense! Stop, I say!" Demanded Rapheth but Ephron ignored him and pulled out his sword, brandis
hing it in his face. Everyone in the camp grew quiet.
"If you unsheath a sword, kill me or put it away. And run," said Rhajit. His eyes flashed dangerously. Rapheth felt himself growing calm as Ephron was becoming increasingly angry and erratic. Things seemed to move in slow motion. He gazed, unblinking, at his former friend.
"You are no king. You have dragged us far across the sea and the world and for what? You have no army. You have no power and no one will believe you are of royal blood. And you have no dignity or glory for which real men can see and follow nor do you have any money to pay these men. You are a fraud, like all the others who sat upon the throne before you. And now you will usurp the throne too?" Audible whispers and murmured outrage rose in the camp.
"How dare he!" Exclaimed Parso.
“I don't know if he is bold or just stupid,” said Luz.
"He aims to get you killed! Let me deal with him-" hissed Rhajit.
"No! I will deal with him," said Rapheth. "What has turned you against me in such a violent fashion?"
"Your willingness to bring evil down upon us, and upon our land! These men, the Dyrlanders who came with us all say alchemy has wrought evil upon Dyrland. And now you have fallen under its spell." Omun and Ruz were deathly silent. Baudolino sputtered with rage.
“No,” said Elfic, “not all of us say so.”
"It is no spell-" Rapheth began. Ephron charged suddenly and put his sword up to Baudolino's throat, drawing a thin line of blood.
"Ephron! Stop it! That is enough!" Shouted Shukala.
"And you! You traitor! I thought we were friends!" Shouted Ephron to Shukala.
"You are the traitor here. Not me."
"Do not harm Baudolino. He has never harmed you but took you into his own home and risked his family and his life for us all."
"And turned you into a sorcerer's pupi! He is an alchemist. He must die." Ephron made to attack Baudolino. A sword flashed, crossing and clashing with Ephron's and swinging it away from Baudolino in a wide arc. Baudolino stumbled back and fell to the ground. It was Rhajit. Rhajit held his sword aloft, pointing it at Ephron's chest. Luz came and stood near Rhajit, his hand on the hilt of his own sword. The lines were then drawn and all those who supported Ephron now came and stood by him.
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