Dawn Of The Aakacarns

by John Buttrick

  Jubal was on the first floor of his pyramid-shaped residence and in the process of teaching Imhotep and his crew the Aakas; Forge and Purify. None of the new tunes had harmony lines, but that could change any day with Roddy being so prolific. Tubal had been taught the Melodies the day before and the Weaposear was already making fine blades and unbreakable spears, primarily for the Weapocarns. Vashti’s brother was always eager to learn a new Melody and master its use, which his instructor appreciated greatly.

  The room was furnished with wooden tables and desks enough to accommodate twenty students. Each chair was occupied by a male, tunic-wearing, builder; none of whom seemed comfortable in a classroom. All but two had jade tridents on their foreheads. Every now and then one of them would glance longingly out the window when he should have been copying the Aakas.

  The master builder wore a white linen tunic, gold wrist bands, and sandals on his feet. On his brow was an amber trident. His brown eyes were keenly focused on the notes. Like Ra, the man had shaved all of his hair off. “Do I actually need to master and memorize these tunes? Can you not place the Aakas in those rings I have heard so much about? That way I can focus on shaping in reality what I am envisioning in my mind. I feel concentrating on the notes would hamper my creativity.”

  Jubal believed every Aakacarn should be able to perform an Aaka of power audibly and mentally; that they should be masters of their potential. “No, against my advice, Nimrod has decided learning the Melodies is not required. I feel the patience and discipline needed to master the Aakas makes the wielder of potential more accomplished, with a healthy respect for the power being focused.”

  “Then why did you invent the producers?”

  Imhotep asked a valid question, which Jubal had no problem answering. “Each Aaka takes a little time to actually summon potential and there are situations when speed is of the essence. Developing a means to respond instantly to an emergency seemed prudent and well worth doing, yet it also resulted in something I did not expect.”

  The master builder nodded. “Say on.”

  Jubal did so. “I love performing music and it never occurred to me so many Nephilim did not share my passion. Most of them have no interest in learning to read the script I developed, how to play an instrument, or master the Melodies, yet they want to wield potential.”

  The builder nodded his head again, obviously being in the group who did not want to learn any more than what was required. “I understand your view point, but that does not change my mind. Berktor, over there,” he pointed to a large hairy fellow who was in the process of slowly copying his second Aaka onto a sheet of tanned-leather, “is the one in charge of building your new home in Semidon, a function he would be doing even now if he was there instead of here. Giving him the Aakatools to do the job will result in better quality materials and speedier completion. Supplying me and my crew the tools will benefit the entire community. Every minute we spend here trying to become accomplished in your eyes is delaying completion of the entire project. Provide me with producers and the exodus will happen all the quicker. This is a situation where speed is of the essence.”

  The exodus was all important to Nimrod; he wanted to be out and away from the influence of the ancients and eldest of the elders.

  Jubal already had the same conversation with Roddy and had failed to convince the chief administrator to require all Aakacarns to master the Aakas they intended to wield. At the point when the learners expressed their desire for an Aakatool over a thorough education, it had been agreed Jubal would move on and teach them how to safely wield the specific producer requested. “Our leader agrees with you. I will bring out the relevant producers and you can select which of them you want to order for purchase. We have already discussed the danger of dehydration and the draining of your pool of life-force energy. Those dangers should be in your mind at all times while wielding potential.”

  The master builder nodded. It was if the man’s head was on a spring. “The risks will not be ignored, that I promise you,” he paused and took a deep breath. “So, all I really need to learn is how to work whichever Aakatools I choose to buy?”

  “That is correct,” Jubal replied, accepting the response that was quickly becoming the most common. “I infused the Aaka into a specific tool at a set power level and with a fixed focal point. All you have to do is aim at whatever you want to affect and will the potential to flow.”

  Imhotep grunted. “I wish I had known that before wasting my time learning to play the silly flute.”

  “I’m sorry Vashti wasted her time teaching you,” Jubal thought but chose not to share. The man owned the building they were in and was the collector of the rent.

  Berktor, who sported a jade trident on his forehead, dropped the stylus on the desk with the copy only half finished and arose from his chair. “Whatever the producer costs, I will pay it, anything to keep from having to twitter on a flute while trying to create an archway.”

  “Hermes,” Jubal called out, not bothering to try and convince the builder to continue his education.

  The skinny brother of Ares came in pushing a cart divided in three sections; one showcasing rings, another exhibiting batons, and the last displaying full length staffs. “I knew this lot would choose the tools over an education. These dullards will never become credible Aakacarns using preset and pre-focused potential.”

  Jubal agreed with the assessment but felt the verbalizing of the opinion was uncalled for. “Hermes, if you have nothing positive to say, say nothing at all.”

  The hood of his red and black silk cloak was down, revealing his golden locks. A jade trident occupied the middle of his forehead. Thin lips twitched as if a smile was about to break forth, followed by some smart remark, but he managed to swallow whatever the provocative thought might have been. The ability to summon potential was making him arrogant, a trait becoming more common among the Aakacarns “Your will be done, O Instructor. By the way, you have a spot on your blouse.” He had picked up that phrasing of the title from listening to the Weaposear.

  Jubal glanced down and noticed a drop of red dye had landed on the black portion of his silk shirt. The new tune, Laundering, played in his mind, and when the notes reached the point of summing potential, indigo light flashed from him, and the spot vanished, leaving his entire wardrobe perfectly clean, even his under garments.

  “Impressive,” Imhotep breathed, “but not enough to take the time needed to master that Aaka.”

  “Dullard,” Berktor repeated and then turned to face Hermes. “Use that word in reference to me again and you will receive an education that will cost you a few teeth.” He flexed his thick hairy arms, emphasizing the strength in those bulging muscles.

  The son of Zeus kept his mouth shut but not out of fear of the builder who stood a head taller and twice as wide, rather out of regard for the uncle who could do far worse. Hermes had amassed a decent repertoire and acquired some skill, yet was no match for the one person who all considered a true master of his potential. Jubal had no intention of focusing a Melody at the young man and also knew better than to tell him so. Having a reputation of being dangerous came in handy at times.

  Prudence dictated the Instructor intervene before matters turned physical. He picked up a ruby-headed cedar staff. “This Aakatool contains, Forge, the very Melody you painstakingly copied. Aim this at an object, picture what shape you want, and will the potential to make it so. I use the Aaka to make the rings, shaping the metals and gems into what you see here.”

  “And he does not need a producer to do it,” Hermes mumbled under his breath, unfortunately not softly enough to keep from being heard.

  Jubal glanced at him and whatever it was the youngest son of Zeus saw in his uncle’s eyes, the expression caused him to swallow hard and quickly look away.

  “What does this do?” Imhotep asked while Berktor stood examining the other staff.

  The producer in question was an amber-headed cedar staff. “That one contains Purify and can be used
to remove the impurities from water or even refine metals and gems,” Jubal answered. “It is the very Melody Berktor here chose to stop copying.”

  The master builder nodded. “I’ll take one and also the ruby-headed staff.”

  He had copied both Aakas but was totally ignoring the skins after hearing he could wield the Melodies without actually learning the tunes.

  “What about the rings, what do they do?” Berktor inquired while setting aside the staff.

  Jubal nodded toward Hermes, whose job it was to recite what he had been taught. “The emerald casts, Elevation, the ruby casts, Sparking the Flame, the sapphire casts, Ball of Light, the topaz casts, Grow Plants, the opal casts, Spout a Leak, and the one with the amber gem casts, Lasso of Air.”

  Berktor eyed him askance. “I see you wearing some of the rings. Can you do any of those things without a producer?”

  Hermes smugly replied, “I know the Melodies for each of them but,” he held up his hand displaying the rings, “the emerald, ruby, and sapphire, I use the most. Would you like a demonstration?”

  “No, but I would like to order the whole set and the two staffs,” the bulky man replied.

  Jubal picked up the silver-headed staff. “This one contains, Arch. Admittedly it is a simple name for a melody, but it accurately describes what the Aaka does, which is create an arched-opening in an otherwise solid wall. I heard you mentioning something about having difficulty making one while twittering on a flute.”

  The harry giant nodded his head. “I’ll take that tool as well.”

  The master builder and all of his crew ordered the staffs and most of the rings and then were taught, using the display items, how to safely handle the devices. No one in the class stayed to learn more about Aaka theory or summoning potential. Jubal felt his expertise was being wasted.

  Roddy would be arriving shortly to share his newest Aaka and have it recorded. Jubal had time, so decided to help Hermes put away the supplies left on the desks by the builders, who had exited in a hurry. It would take time to fill the orders, but the resulting substantial increase in productivity would more than make up for any construction time lost in waiting for the devices.

  “I am going to hire some of my former students who have the aptitude to teach. Any one of them can take orders and give instructions on how to safely use the producers. I could be spending my time developing better ways to focus potential or gaining a deeper understanding of life-force energy manipulation. I enjoy teaching people like Bast who want to master their potentials; those are the classes I look forward to conducting. At the least I could have spent the last half hour filling the orders piling up on my desk and working on the various pieces of jewelry certain people want converted into Aakatools,” Jubal spoke his thoughts out loud.

  “Forget about hiring Bast or any others, I know all about the Aakatools you created, at least what they can do. I can take orders for devices and teach people how to use what they want to purchase,” Hermes stated. “You can leave the dullards to me.”

  Jubal chuckled and shook his head. “Young man, that last sentence you uttered convinces me the students would be at your throat the moment you opened your mouth.”

  “Young, who are you calling, young? You are a paltry two years older than me,” Hermes protested. “Anyway, if I have no aptitude for the job, why do you keep me around?” It was a legitimate question and spoken in a tone indicating the rejection hurt a little.

  “Because you are a quick study and are eager to master your potential and expand your repertoire to the fullest extent possible. Not everyone has the aptitude to teach but that does not make them a lesser person or mean that they could not develop the ability. Whether or not you eventually become an instructor, you will be an accomplished wielder of potential and are someone I enjoy working with. Attitude aside, you have proven to be a good and trustworthy assistant,” Jubal replied, giving an honest assessment.

  Amber eyes widened in mild surprise, Hermes had not been expecting a compliment. “Attitude aside, you pay well, taught me a lot, and I am not even being charged for the education. The work has not always been fun, especially dealing with the dullards, but working with you makes up for it.”

  Vashti walked into the room and was rubbing her belly; perhaps she liked the texture of the silk dress. “How are you feeling,” Jubal inquired. “Shef was insulted when you threw up the delicious breakfast he prepared.”

  She had been ill every morning for the past ten days in a row, but it was the first time he had actually seen her empty the contents of her stomach.

  The beautiful daughter of Lilith eyed her husband askance. “I feel much better, the nausea has passed, and our cook will feel better after I speak with him.”

  Hermes arched an eyebrow. “He is a sensitive fellow and vomiting what he prepared kind of speaks for itself and is a fairly thorough rejection of his cooking, much more eloquent than mere words.” His face broke into a huge grin and he seemed to be pleased and amused by his own remark.

  Jubal knew his wife felt bad enough over the incident and so faced his assistant. “Shef is sensitive, unlike you who apparently cannot sympathize with someone until you have experienced the same mishap.”

  “You are going to be a father.”

  It took the equivalent of ten beats for her words to sink in and then Jubal took a stride toward his wife, grabbed her in his arms, swinging her off the floor and around, until he realized the movement could cause her to throw up.

  “I am fine,” she assured him after he set her down.

  “You two are finally contributing to the population increase,” Roddy’s voice came from the open doorway.

  Jubal turned to him but kept one arm around Vashti’s waist. “That places me ahead of you in the baby count,” he told his friend as if they were still Weapocarns and keeping score of their successes.

  Roddy’s lips twitched as if he was fighting not to smile. “I am merely giving you a head start. When Semi and I get started you will not be able to keep up. I simply want you to have a sporting chance.”

  Hermes eyed the Aakasear and snapped his mouth shut, clearly intimidated by the source of powerful Melodies. Jubal pointed toward the cart and the son of Zeus nodded gratefully and quickly wheeled it out of the room.

  “You have him well trained,” Nimrod commented and then focused on his friend. “I came to have my newest Aaka recorded,” he glanced at Vashti without pausing, “and it is something that will take a keen and powerful imagination to wield properly. Semi could not do it as of yet, but may eventually be able to wield the tune. You, I am sure will be able to make it work. Jubal, I am really looking forward to seeing what you can do with this Aaka.”

  The excitement in his voice, a level he had not reached since he floated above Jubal’s couch after playing Elevation for the first time, indicated how eager he was to be alone with his friend.

  Vashti gracefully swung away from Jubal’s grasp. “I need to have a word with Shef and then I have a class to teach. You men can manage without me.”

  Thank the Creator she did not comment on Semi’s inability to focus the new Aaka. Somethings were best left unsaid. Jubal wanted to speak about the baby and go over names and speculate about whether they were going to have a boy or a girl. He really did not want his wife to leave, he wanted his friend to go and come back later.

  Roddy motioned toward the door with a sweep of his right arm. “I would not dream of interfering with the running of your household or schedule of classes. By all means, see to those things.” He would not dream of it, he would simply do it without giving the matter much thought.

  She closed the door behind her and then Jubal eyed his friend. “Okay, if you don’t have a flute, you can borrow one of..,”

  Roddy whipped the instrument from the folds of his gold-threaded robe. “Listen,” he commanded, and blew into the mouth piece.

  Jubal closed his mouth and was soon intrigued by what he was hearing. The tune seemed to be more involved than any th
e Aakasear had composed in the past, a melody that would speed up and slow down, it even changed keys twice before reaching the point of summoning potential, but when it did, Jubal fell over backward and onto the floor.

  Standing above him was a creature he had only heard about in a dream and only because Cassiopeia had described it. A huge beast with the feathery head and wings of an eager and the body of a lion, except this was far larger than the king of beasts, eight cubits, twelve feet high in the standard of Cush. Its head was touching the ceiling.

  The beast chuckled and then broke into a full throated roar of laughter. “It is, I, Nimrod. This is merely an illusion.”

  Jubal sprang to his feet and reached out to touch the exceedingly sharp beak, but held back.

  “It is alright, go ahead and feel what I have created. You will be amazed.”

  Jubal was already amazed, but did as he was told. “This feels real, as if you actually transformed into the beast.”

  The huge head nodded and Jubal ducked, just barely avoiding the beak. “Sorry, the image responds to my every movement. Watch while I walk around the room.”

  The lion-eagle strolled between the desks, all four feet coordinating like those of a natural lion, with the wings folded close to its sides. The beast stopped in the exact center of the chamber. “Watch what happens when I stretch out my arms,” the words issued out from the beak, and then the great wings unfurled, spanning thirty six feet.

  The wingtips were touching opposite walls. “Can you fly?”

  The question started another spell of laughter until the beast finally coughed and was able to answer. “Not even I can flap these vigorously enough to make that happen,” he admitted. “Even so, is this Aaka not impressive?”