by K R Sanford
“He's taken the west road,” said William. “He'll round the lake in two hours, if he stays that pace.”
Marco replied. “How long before the last Vallian is underground?”
“Three hours, no more than that, then you can call down your ship,” said William. “Why don't you try to get some rest? You look tired, if you don't mind my saying.”
“Thank you,” replied Marco. “But I can't sleep now. I'll rest when we're in space.”
“Then we better go inside and eat some cake,” said William. “It will give you energy. When you sleep you will sleep like a baby. Of course, until then, you might want to run like Faragorn.”
“Does Faragorn eat cake?” asked Marco.
“Yes and why not?” said William putting his hands on his hips. He announced, “It has the finest whole grains, wheat, oats and barley. It is from the fields beneath Shrine Mountain.”
“I see,” said Marco. “You don't happen to own any of these fields beneath the mountain by any chance?”
“No,” replied William. “Why do you ask?”
“Oh, nothing,” said Marco. “Let's go inside and discuss this diversion idea of yours.”
Tildanfin and Balrug were the last remaining Vallians in the Great Hall. The others had gone off to alert the village folk and load the wagons for the underground exodus.
“We need ten minutes once I send,” said Marco. “When the Eagle starts her engines, Bradley will have a lock on us in a matter of seconds. We need to coordinate the landing with the closing of the tunnel. Where is the highest point where we can signal the tunnel and get aboard the shuttle?”
“That's easy,” said John. “The Shrine has four lookouts and a small clearing at the entrance. It will be good for the shuttle.”
“Then we set up operations there,” said Marco. “How long does it take to get up the mountain?”
“Twenty minutes, if you hurry,” replied the Chief.
Marco calculated. “I was thinking of setting up the diversion at the Boyer's site as William suggested. It's far enough out. When Bradley makes his attack, we distract him. We need enough time to get everyone underground. Also, we will send out boats and draw fire from the lake.”
“Do you want someone on the boats?” asked William.
“No, that would be suicide,” replied Marco. “The Chief has an old communicator. That can trigger an alarm. We'll make Bradley's sensors think someone is on board. He'll be hoping it's me trying to get to a clear shot from the lake.”
“And the Boyer's place, what's going to make that so interesting to shoot at?” asked the Chief.
“That's going to be more difficult and more dangerous,” replied Marco.
“Someone or something will have to activate my scanner at that location. Then lead Bradley's sensors on a wild goose chase without getting blown apart.”
William scratched his chin, the Chief flinched and Balrug frowned.
“Well, it was a thought,” said Marco. “We don't know what it's going to be like at sunrise. I mean, Bradley might not even be in the area. He might be on the other side of the planet. Let me tell you. When the Eagle comes in she'll be on the offensive. Bradley will have more ordinance thrown at him then he'll know what to do with. Another thing, I'll be down here slinging tetra-thermal bombs up his exhaust port. So, he won't have time to give pursuit. It might confuse him enough to make him think there are two ships.”
Tildanfin went to the kitchen and brought back the special cake. As Marco put the cake in his mouth, Tildanfin warned him not to eat too much. “The cake has wild berries and honey and one bite will sustain you for hours,” he said.
Marco nibbled at the cake and before he finished chewing the first bite, his mouth went numb. His nose tingled and a sudden urge to chop wood came over him. He smiled then looked around the room for something to do. He couldn't focus on anything. He started talking. He made inquiries about the Chief's interest with the topography. “What brought you to live in a shrine of all places; not a place I would have picked?” He asked.
Balrug smiled at Marco's sudden desire for social conversation. He lit his pipe.
The Chief replied, “It was the riddle.”
As Marco was about to inquire about the riddle, Torroadin came through the front door. He called down the hallway. “Chief, Captain, there is something in the sky.”
Marco, the Chief, Balrug and William raced out onto the front lawn and looked up. Torroadin pointed high in the eastern sky and said, “There.”
I see it,” replied Marco. “Do you see it, Chief?”
“Affirmative, Captain,” he replied. “What now?”
Marco turned, “Tildanfin, how long before the mountain folk get here?”
“They'll be right behind Gonquin,” said Tildanfin. “They have horses. By now, that would be an hour and a half.”
“Then everyone needs to get underground now,” replied Marco.
“What does this mean?” asked Torroadin.
“They're dropping the dome,” replied Marco. “And, it means they plan to keep us here for a very long time. How vast is this tunnel system?”
“The tunnels connect to the underground city of the Amedan's,” said William.
“Are there any other ways underground?” asked the Captain.
“Through the sea caves, also there is the passage in the Shrine,” said William.
“The Shrine,” asked Marco. “Did you know about this, John?”
“Sure,” replied the Chief. “There's a passage, but it only goes fifty feet then stops.”
“There's a stone wall blocking the way.”
Tildanfin addressed the Captain and continued,
“It will only open if the Shrine is under attack. The Amedan's built it that way for their discussions of the stars, and for teaching us about Legion's Riddle.
C H A P T E R 4
____________________________________________
Shrine Mountain
“We have to move,” said Marco. “Tildanfin, will you take Shanna?”
“Yes, Captain,” replied Tildanfin.
“Tell her No, I'll tell her,” said Marco, as he started for the stairs.
“What about the Eagle,” asked John, “can't she help?”
Marco turned, “The signal will get spotted. We'll have one chance to send an abort. Then she will go to light-speed. She will head straight to the Middle Corridor and send a distress code to the Exodus.”
“And, if they find your starship out there before you can send the abort, what then?” asked William.
“If the Eagle gets spotted or is under attacked,” replied John, “The ship will abort. She will move out of the Corsi Star System. Then, she will locate a safe zone where her computers will scan for new signals. Again, the distress code will go out and they will wait for a reply. Bradley might even have a visual on her right now. He won't bother them unless he knows the Captain will bring her down where they can capture all the evidence.”
“Ah, she's too fast for them in space,” said William.
“The Eagle can race, sure,” said John. “But it’s the cunning of the Captain and the crew that makes her dangerous. Some things onboard are proprietary.”
Marco smiled and held out his hand for the Chief to hold his tongue. He turned to Tildanfin and Saralil. He made a circle with his finger and asked, “Can we get Shanna ready?”
They immediately started for the upstairs rooms. Marco followed.
“We best get started too,” said Balrug. “But first, Chief, I want to ask, since we will not get a chance to talk for a while.”
“Yes?”
“Marco has been with me for six months,” continued Balrug. “He told me about the courts placing him under house arrest. He also mentioned the corporation taking away his business and smearing his reputation. Only, a fight with the competition wouldn't be something to devastate a man like him.”
“Oh,” replied the Chief. “Then you don't know about his wife.”
&
nbsp; Balrug raised an eyebrow and shook his head. “No,” he said. “He has never discussed his wife with me.”
“Well, don't feel put out, Balrug,” said John. “He once told me, his memories of his wife are private. They are the only things he has left besides his daughter. They are not something he wants to have a conversation about.”
“I see,” replied Balrug. “Well, I can understand that. What happened?”
Chief Spierd took a breath. “This goes back almost seven years, Balrug, after Shanna was born. Marco has never gotten over it. The authorities said it was an accident. But Hector, our security officer, said it was murder.”
“Murder,” repeated Balrug. He pointed his pipe to the upstairs room and said, “Tell me about it on the way. Marco can join us at the cutoff to the tunnel. The steps to the Shrine start there. He can't miss us.”
William agreed and they started for Shrine Village Main.
Saralil woke Shanna. “Is it morning already?” asked Shanna.
“It's early morning, dear,” replied Saralil. “Come now, time to get up. I have a persimmon cake for you and a hot bowl of pecan soup.”
“I don't want you to rush, but we have to hurry,” said Marco. “I want you to go with Saralil and Tildanfin. I will see you later.”
“I understand, Captain Marco,” she said. “I will help.” Shanna's face sparkled with excitement but her body was shaking.
“That's fine, Shanna. You're a very brave young lady,” replied Marco.
Marco and Tildanfin started through the door. Marco turned and gave Shanna a hug. Tildanfin nodded and they went down stairs.
Saralil helped her put on fresh warm clothes. Shanna, wide awake, washed her face and hands. After they finished, they made their way to the kitchen for cake and soup, and a warm mug of goat’s milk.
They wrapped strips of mutton, veal, and wild boar in cornhusks. They placed them with the smoked fish in their packs along with the special Vallian bakery.
Tildanfin slipped a small silver-meshed cloak around Shanna's shoulders. He plopped his silver and gold helmet on his head and led them out the great house to the front porch. He locked the door and pulled the key from the lock. He turned to Saralil. “You know, Saralil, this is the first time in a thousand years we have locked our doors.”
“Why not leave it unlocked,” said Saralil. “When they come, they will see we are good folk.”
“No,” said Tildanfin. “This kind that comes is not welcome for any reason.” Tildanfin put his hands to his hips. He said, “I have half a mind to burn this house down and keep those butchers from soiling our floors.”
“No,” she said. “A message will get through, help will come.”
Shanna had her eyes fixed down on the front porch. Her thoughts were on her last memories of her mother and father. Tildanfin noticed the child slip into grief.
“You're right, Saralil, as usual,” said Tildanfin. “We have always managed somehow. This house will stand until we return or we will build it up again. But we're not going to save ourselves unless we get started. Are you ladies ready?”
“Yes,” said Saralil. She squeezed Shanna's hand. “Are you ready, dear?”
“Yes,” said Shanna in a quiet small voice.
“Fine,” said Tildanfin. “Well then, we're off.”
They stepped down the porch and onto the stone steps stretching across the lawn. They passed through the tall iron gates that grew thick with ivy. They took one last look at the great house.
Tildanfin glanced at the shields and coat-of-arms on the high gates. Without a word, he motioned with his hand for the women to step back.
He drew his sword and brought down the blade with both hands. He slashed through the thick old vines. He struck at the bottom of the gates. Finally, after several heavy chops the tall iron gates swung free. He closed the gates then put his sword back in its scabbard. He turned to Saralil and Shanna.
“Now it's quite clear,” said Tildanfin. “We will not be receiving any more guests today.”
Saralil grinned. Her eyes twinkled at the sight of Tildanfin striking back at the enemy. She lifted her head. Her eyes showed admiration for Tildanfin but she lost her smile.
On the cobbled main to Shrine Lake Village, they joined the village folk. They were making their way toward the center of town. They walked along gathering their neighbors. They reached the road leading back into the hills. Then, one by one, they disappeared through the entrance of the tunnel.
William, the Chief, Balrug and the Captain mounted the narrow steps to the Shrine. The steps turned west to the stone entrance. On both sides annuals bloomed. Chief Spierd's planting was for the colors changing with each season of the year, which in fact they did.
The Shrine rose forty feet in the air. It spread out forty feet at its base. Lush green vegetation grew around the outside of the Shrine. The Shrine, built of natural rock towered above the stone steps and flowers. The Shrine and Rotunda was fashioned by a master builder, a tribute to Arnockel the mason.
The Chief lead the way through the arched entrance where two torches rested against the wall. The Chief lit the flame and handed one to Marco. They continued up a short set of steps to the second level.
On the main floor, the Chief placed his torch in an iron mount mortared in the wall. Marco placed his torch in the mount on the other side of the rotunda. When he turned, he looked at the four portals facing out in the directions of the four winds.
The floor of the rotunda was flat and paved with the smooth stone of the river. In the center was a circle of twenty-two chairs. Inside the circle was a round table of what appeared as a polished block of marble. The top of the table mapped a curious arrangement of gems and gold saucers.
“What is this?” asked Marco.
“Right now it shows the Corsi Star System,” replied John. He sat in one of the twenty-two chairs.
“Right now, you say. It changes?” questioned Marco.
“The Amedans make it change,” replied John. “But I haven't been able to so much as change the color.”
Marco's interest piqued. “So, what does it do?” he asked.
“That's Legion's Riddle, Captain,” answered William. “The Amedans tried to give what they called, ‘The Explanation.' But, they gave such long answers the Vallians got confused and frustrated. I was the closest to understanding, only I didn't have enough personal energy to move the table. There is a lot to all this.”
“Wait a minute, William,” said Marco. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what I’m looking at.”
“Okay.” William took a seat in front of the south portal and said, “First, you take a seat.”
Marco walked around the table and sat across from the Chief on the west side. Then Balrug took the seat across from William by the north portal. He lit his pipe, making a column of smoke swirl around their heads. The smoke filled the rotunda with a rich bouquet of sweet berries and spice. He nodded for William to continue. William sat motionless. Finally, Balrug cleared his throat and spoke his name, “William.”
“Oh, yes,” replied William, pulling himself on the edge of his chair. “We first start with the marble table, or ‘The Sea of Glass,’ as the Amedans call it. This is the void of space and the universal consciousness.”
Marco leaned back and scratched his chin. He studied William and the round block of polished stone.
“Captain,” said John, “I’ve been able to isolate a faint energy source coming from inside the marble. There is an energy field coiled around the base of the rotunda. It extends out over the walls of the Shrine.”
Marco gave the Chief a nod then stared back at the black marble and the position of the gold saucers and gems. His cross-caster was a distraction. He slipped it off and laid it on the seat next to him.
William looked to Marco and smiled. He pointed with his chin to the center of the circle. “In the center of the Corsi Star System there is a star,” said William. “The Corsi Star is shown with the yellow topaz. Each planet in ou
r star system has its corresponding stone. Ameda, the first in the system is turquoise. The gold ring around the stone is the planet’s mass. Amethyst is next for Silveria, a gas-covered planet. Emerald is for Durbin. Quartz is the planet Mondary. The bloodstone ruby is the planet Wars. Sapphire is the water planet Voda. And the diamond is for the last planet in our star system, Fortura.”
“These gold recesses,” said Marco, pointing to the five gold saucers in the center of the table, “What are they for?”
“The Amedans set themselves here, Captain,” said William. “Except when the surface changes to another star system then the recesses disappears.”
“Balrug, you haven’t said anything,” said Marco. “What is your opinion of all this?”
“Marco, I’ve been here only a few times,” replied Balrug. “But I can tell you, the table is a learning tool to study the universe and to map one’s past, present and future.”
“I’ve seen the Amedans bring up the entire universe with the full surface of the marble covered in diamonds. I've seen Earth tracing multiple routes throughout the Galaxy. I am a Vallian. I ask myself, how do these stars affect me? We cannot go back to Earth. Ameda is our home now. For me, the table stays as it is.”
“For the time being, Balrug,” said Marco. “But you are threatened and you cannot fight these men alone.”
“That's true. This is a different matter.” said Balrug. “I will say I am alarmed by what has happened. Our security is now lost and we need to join forces.”
“Yes, that's right,” replied Marco. “The way I see it, there are still Amedans somewhere in this planet and I believe your people know how to find them.”
“William has been to many of the Emperor Legion's Courts,” said Balrug.
“Yes, I've been to the Courts,” said William.
“It's quite a journey and we do have horses, but then there are the Gorks.”
“Gorks?” replied Marco. “What's that?”
“Gorks are beasts,” said William. “They come in from the seas. From spring to fall, the caverns open and they wander in through the tunnels. The Amedans use them because they are good workers. In the fall, they leave, I suppose. They seem to disappear.”
