Tail of the Dragon

by Timothy Reihm

  Chapter 42

  Red dust rose in a cloud as he dropped to the planet’s surface. One hundred and twenty million kilocubits away, the new planet Gaia appeared as just a tiny blue gem, dangling in the darkness. Araton was still on the sister planet, monitoring the expansion and migration of several species. Ariel had been eager to start on his solo project and had decided to do his initial survey of planetary matter.

  For such a proximal planet, it was striking how different the composition of this world was from Gaia. It was much more ferrous with a very low-density atmosphere and large quantities water, trapped in a permafrost at the poles and within the thick, cold crust. The process of seeding the planet would vary accordingly.

  The current mass of the planet was about one-sixth that of Gaia's. He would be increasing the volume by about four times, leaving it the smaller of the sister planets. It already possessed some interesting characteristics that he hoped to utilize and augment in developing this world, the main being the massive mountain that dominated the central plain of the southern hemisphere. His proposed keeping the enormous peak, intact, as a homage to Mount Kol. The mount would serve as an ideal habitat for a number of the coming residents. The dominant species was to be very similar to the human inhabitants of Gaia, but most of the lower forms were quite different, some being brand new and yet to be dispersed.

  He discussed some of his ideas with Araton, who enthusiastically supported him. Araton would work with him, in a support role, and then they would most likely be separated.

  Ariel still lived at Araton's estate. He was offered the choice of a number of available homes. The residence ministry sent him numerous files and were anxious to get his selection, but so far he found himself unable to make a decision. The thought of living on his own didn't appeal to him. After losing Gadreel, he did not like to think of being separated from Araton, but he knew that he would have to move soon.

  He completed doing an ultraviolet analysis and waited for the small array to save the data into his project grouping. He had all of the information he would need to progress to the next stage, but he lingered, happy to absorb the stark beauty of the barren, red landscape. As he walked, causing a cloud of red dust to follow, he tried to imagine the way that the vista before him would change under the guidance of the Kings.

  A flash of light beside him interrupted his reflection and caused him to stop suddenly. A shimmering, transparent wall appeared and a pair of large Seraphim stepped through, each holding one a staff, taken from wood of the grove, holding the temporary pathway open. They stood to either side as Araton and a companion appeared.

  The angel that stepped forward with Araton looked familiar. Barman, archangel of the Seraphim he knew, although why such an important visitor was here was a mystery. He extended his arm in greeting.

  'Ariel, it is good to meet you. My old friend Araton has spoken very highly of you,' Barman said.

  Araton strode up and grasped Ariel's arm firmly.

  'Barman has come to escort us to the city, Ariel. It has been requested that we return immediately.'

  'I have completed the necessary surveys, so it is no problem, but why we are being escorted back?'

  'All non-essential angelic representatives have been recalled. I'm not totally sure of the reason, but I suspect that it is due to some of the rumors that have been going around. I would rather not get into details, but there have been quite a few reports of mounting tensions on various worlds and even a few incidents at the academy itself. It must be something extraordinary. A full force recall is unprecedented.'

  'Is there any link between the incidents?' Ariel asked.

  'I didn't really want to discuss this with you, Ariel, but Gadreel and Helel's names seem to be mentioned wherever these issues appear. I fear that your two friends are deeply involved in something dangerous,' Araton answered.

  'Gadreel? That isn't possible, Araton.'

  'I hope you are right, Ariel. It could be that the reports are inaccurate, but perhaps you might try to find your friend when we return. There might be a chance that you can make him listen to reason, if, in fact, he is involved.'

  'If you do see Gadreel, Ariel, I would ask that you use caution. We have had a number of altercations involving physical force. I'm not suggesting that he might try to hurt you, but tensions are really high right now. There is something going on that is turning former friends against each other in a very disturbing way. I've personally respond to far too many unusual complaints lately. So just be cautious, please,' Barman said.

  With that Barman turned and strode back toward the pathway. Araton and Ariel followed and stepped through. Instantly, they were in the Eternal City. The area was remarkably busy. All around them angels appeared in small bands. Every couple of seconds twenty or thirty new groups appeared and hurried off. The constant flow was stunning. Barman excused himself and turned to fight the tide of incoming arella. He explained that he had a large list of retrievals still to make and set off, anxious to fulfill his mission. As Ariel and Araton put distance between themselves and the grove, the traffic did little to dissipate. They walked down the city street given the level of congestion in the sky.

  Ariel was anxious to find Gadreel and talk with him. He couldn't believe that all of this commotion could have been caused by his friend, even if he were under Helel's influence, but he needed to make certain of the fact. He knew that Gadreel worked at the Ministry of Planetary Affairs and decided to go straight there. Araton wished him well and set off toward his home. Ariel promised to be careful and said that he would join him at the estate as soon as he spoke with Gadreel.

  The streets were choked with chariots and arella, like himself, afoot, but the skies above were even worse. He resigned himself to a slow, but steady pace and concentrated on avoiding the frequent collisions occurring all around. Just ahead, two chariot wheels got tangled together, and as the alicorns pulled away, one of the vehicles capsized, spilling four startled passengers onto the hard street surface. Others stopping to help, or to gawk, further clogging the flow through the area, until it was a packed sea of bodies, all trying to go in different directions. Ariel spotted an opening and turned up a pathway leading through the adjacent park.

  Once inside the large, thick hedge it was easy going. This particular woodland was a study in simplicity. A carpet of short grass and mosses covered the ground that he walked on. This green blanket was a stunning contrast to the uniform white trunks of widely spaced trees. The branches of this species of tree did not grow close to the ground, but created a dense canopy, which allowed a limited amount of soft and broken light to enter. No paths were necessary as the open area under the verdant umbrella was perfect for comfortable strolling. And so far the inhabitants of the busy streets outside the hedge had not discovered this sanctuary. Ariel found himself alone in the woods.

  The only challenge was to avoid veering off course amid the uniformity of the trees. He walked at a comfortable pace, happy to be off of the overloaded streets. The din of the congestion outside effectively cut off upon entry into the park. Ariel thought about what to say to Gadreel as he walked, trying to maintain the proper direction.

  A flash of yellow in the trees ahead caught his attention. He saw a robed figure, obviously of Malakim Choir. A pair of angry sounding voices reached his ear and a second figure, robed in the violet of Hashmalim, appeared close to his companion. Suddenly, a flash of light appeared and the yellow-robed arella flew several cubits through the air, colliding with the white trunk of a tree, and collapsing onto the green carpet. Ariel set off at a run toward the two. As he neared he could see that they were telmid, likely third years.

  'Mastena. Don't even think about doing that again,' Ariel yelled at the attacker.

  The Hashmalim member spun to face him, rage and violence in his eyes. Before the young arella had a chance, Ariel sent a sharp blast of air, causing him to trip abruptly backward and fall to the ground.

  'Och, are you injured?' he asked the yellow-rob
ed figure, who was attempting to rise.

  He knelt beside the figure and saw the burned garment. The skin was red, but not badly damaged. Och was stunned and scared, but not seriously hurt.

  Ariel stood and walked toward Mastena.

  'What is the meaning of this?' he asked accusingly.

  'He called the Dragon a traitor,' Mastena hissed, still boiling with anger, although somewhat more subdued.

  'The Dragon?' Ariel asked, confused.

  'Yes. The fearless Dragon who is championing the arella cause. He is demanding equal rights for arella. Some of the students started calling him the Dragon, because his words are like a consuming fire and there is none that can stand up to him.'

  'Who are you talking about?' Ariel asked with a growing sense of dread.

  'Helel. Where exactly have you been? Everyone is talking about Helel. He is incredible,' Mastena said reverently.

  'He is a traitor,' Och countered in a strained voice.

  Mastena lifted his hands, but a quick glance at Ariel caused him to stop. Things were much worse than Ariel feared. If matters had gone this far, how was he to get his friend out. And what was he supposed to do about these two?

  'Mastena, are you permitted to use your abilities to injure another?' he asked in his most authoritative voice.

  The Hashmalim lowered his head, but did not answer. His anger had gone and he displayed all of the physical signs of regret and fear.

  'I will remember this, but I am not going to report you if you promise me not to act in this shameful manner again.'

  Mastena shook his head earnestly and raised his face to look at Ariel hopefully.

  'Get out of here,' he ordered.

  Mastena did not hesitate. He jumped to his feet and nearly ran in the opposite direction. Ariel turned to Och.

  'Are you going to be alright?' he asked.

  'I'm fine. And I'm sorry. I shouldn't have provoked him. Helel's followers get very defensive of their leader.'

  'Don't be sorry. I fear that you might be correct about Helel.'

  Ariel helped the young telmid to his feet and walked with him to the park boundary. He wished Och well and turned onto the still busy street, heading toward the ministry.