On leaving my farm home that morning, I had told my mother all that had transpired, and said that she should have an escort to the palace, whither, after my recent change of fortune, I expected her to go and live, in accordance with the instructions of Menax.
When I left the farm that morning, I told my mother everything that had happened. I explained that she would have someone accompany her to the palace, where I expected her to live from now on. This was in line with Menax's instructions, given my recent change in circumstances.
What an anomalous position was this. Here was I, son by adoption of one of the Imperial Princes, and by virtue of being recognized brother of his daughter, Anzimee, I was a nephew of my sister's uncle, Rai Gwauxln. Yet my mother. was not related to any of these royalties, and had seen none of them, except the Rai, often enough to enable her to be sure of recognition should she meet them again. But I rejoiced when I thought of the opportunities she would presently have of more intimate acquaintanceship.
What a strange situation I found myself in. As the adopted son of an Imperial Prince and recognized brother of his daughter Anzimee, I was technically a nephew to her uncle, Rai Gwauxln. Yet my mother had no blood relation to any of these royals and had barely seen them, save for the Rai, enough times to recognize them if they met again. Still, I was excited by the thought of the opportunities she would soon have to become better acquainted with them all.
Having sent the promised excort for her, what was my surprise on returning to the palace, at learning from my father that instead of coming she had sent a message in writing. I hastily broke the seal and read, in her fine Poseidic chirography, the simple command:
Upon arranging the promised escort for her, I was shocked to learn from my father, upon returning to the palace, that she had sent a written message instead of coming herself. I quickly opened the seal and read, in her elegant Poseidic handwriting, the brief command:
"Zailm, come to me. PREZZA NUMINOS."
"Zailm, come here. PREZZA NUMINOS."
I went. Somehow an icy feeling of apprehension was about my heart, a presentiment of something harrowing. When I arrived at the house, my mother, looking, as I thought, rather pale, said:
I left, a cold dread gripping my heart, as if sensing something terrible was about to happen. Upon reaching the house, I noticed my mother seemed unusually pale as she spoke to me.
"My son, I cannot go to the palace. I have no desire to do so. I am overjoyed at thy success in life; live then, in thy high place. I may not go with thee. Thou art easy in the midst of noble society, I could never be so. Perhaps thou wilt say that for me thou wilt give it up and remain with me. Do not do so. Lest thou feel thus, it is best that thou shouldst endure the pain of knowledge now rather than hereafter. Listen: I have cared for thee during the years of infancy and boyhood, and seen thee arrive at man's estate. Thou needest not this care now. I will go back to the home of the mountains."
"Son, I can't go to the palace. I don't want to. I'm thrilled about your success; enjoy your high position. But I can't join you. You're comfortable among nobles, but I never could be. You might offer to give it all up and stay with me. Don't. It's better you face this hard truth now rather than later. Listen: I've cared for you from infancy through boyhood, watching you become a man. You don't need my care anymore. I'm going back to my mountain home."
"Mother, talk not so!" I interrupted.
"Mom, don't say such things!" I cut in.
"Hear me through, Zailm! I will go back to the mountains with my husband, he whom thou knowest not, a good man, a lover ere I married thy father, and whom, having wedded this morning, the notice of it hath doubtless by this time been published abroad. An Incala who came past very opportunely, performed the simple ceremony. My other husband, thy father, I loved not, but did detest, for it was a marriage arranged by my parents against my will, but alas! with my consent, fool that I was to give it! Thou art the fruit of that union, and to me came unwished. For thy father was disliked, abhorred, but dying, left you heritor, not of my dislike, that were too unjust, but, must I say it?--an object of indifference. I have not been a lacking mother, for, as a matter of pride, I concealed my feelings. In a way I even love thee; I love my friends; 'tis nothing deeper. I have now to bid thee good-bye, having said which it is necessary to--"
"Listen to me, Zailm! I'm returning to the mountains with my husband—a man you don't know. He's a good person, a lover from before I married your father. We wed this morning, and news of it has likely spread by now. An Incala who happened by performed the simple ceremony. Your father, my previous husband, I never loved but despised. It was an arranged marriage, forced by my parents against my wishes, though I foolishly consented. You were the product of that union, and I didn't want you. I disliked, even hated your father, but when he died, he left you as his heir. You didn't inherit my dislike—that would be unfair—but I must admit, you became an object of indifference to me. I wasn't a negligent mother; out of pride, I hid my feelings. In a way, I do love you, as I love my friends, but it's nothing deeper. Now I must say goodbye, and after that, it's necessary to-"
I heard no more, for I had fallen unconscious upon the floor. Was this the mother I had idolized? For whom I had striven so hard in the earlier years and later, in Caiphul, ere a new object to work for arose and led me thenceforth with greater determination in the form of a double ideal, love of mother and love of Anzimee" O Incal! My God! O my God!
I blacked out and collapsed to the floor. Was this the mother I had worshipped? The one for whom I had worked so tirelessly in my youth and later in Caiphul, before a new purpose arose? That new goal had driven me with even greater resolve—a dual ideal of love for my mother and love for Anzimee. Oh Incal! My God! Oh my God!
At last I came out of the horrid dream into which, without regaining consciousness after my swoon, I had passed, a heated nightmare of brain fever.
Finally, I emerged from the terrible hallucination I'd slipped into after fainting—a feverish nightmare brought on by my illness.
"Mother!"
"Mom!"
As I uttered the loved word, Astika Menax, who sat by my bedside, turned away, his eyes brimming with tears.
When I spoke the cherished name, Astika Menax, who was sitting beside my bed, turned away with tears in his eyes.
"Nay, Zailm, be not troubled! Thou hast been ill near unto death with brain fever these two weeks. I will tell thee all, to-morrow, perhaps. Thou camest very close to going to await me in the Shadowy Land; but not long wouldst thou have had to wait, my light, for it would have been but a little while ere I rejoined thee, lad!"
"Don't worry, Zailm. You've been dangerously ill with brain fever for the past two weeks. I'll explain everything tomorrow, perhaps. You came very close to death, but you wouldn't have had to wait long for me in the afterlife. I would have joined you soon, my dear."
The story is not long. My mother, being told that good care should aid her in nursing me, said that she would not remain at all, as she doubted not that the skilled care of Menax's private physician could do as well, or better, for me than she. Wherefore she had gone with her husband to their mountain home. From the hour in which Menax told me this, at the cost of much pain to himself, the subject was dropped, and never again referred to by any one.
The tale is brief. When my mother was informed that attentive care would help in my recovery, she declared she wouldn't stay at all. She was confident that Menax's personal doctor could treat me as well as, if not better than, she could. So, she left with her husband for their mountain retreat. From the moment Menax shared this information with me, despite causing himself considerable distress, the matter was never mentioned again by anyone.
Once, when I went near to the place of my birth, and sent a messenger to ask if I was welcome, he came back to my vailx and said that a man met him at the door. To him the message was given, and he said: "Say to thy master that my wife bids him come." I went, but could see that she would rather I had not come. She gave me her hand, but did not offer to kiss me, as a mother is wont to do. Her manner--but spare me details of this last meeting and last time I ever saw my Poseid mother. She acted wisely in not going to the palace, constituted as she was; it is a painful subject; let it be dropped.
Near my birthplace, I once sent a messenger to inquire about my welcome. He returned to my airship and reported that a man at the door had said, "Tell your master my wife invites him." I went, but it was clear she'd rather I hadn't. She shook my hand but didn't offer a motherly kiss. Her behavior—but let's not dwell on the details of this final encounter with my Poseid mother. Given her nature, she was wise to avoid the palace. It's a painful topic; let's move on.
As soon as my health permitted me to go on my mission to Suernis, which was not until the new year had begun at the Xioquithlon, from attendance at which the Xiorain forbade me until the next year, Prince Menax took me to his private office.
As soon as I recovered enough to embark on my mission to Suernis, which wasn't until after the new year celebrations at Xioquithlon—which the Xiorain had forbidden me from attending until the following year—Prince Menax escorted me to his private office.
"The Xiorain has ordered wisely," said Menax. "Oh! these younger minds, they are full of promise for the future! No scheme was ever better than this in which the students govern themselves, and on all questions concerning educational matters, even to the distribution and use of the educational funds provided by the government and the selection of tutors, their word is law."
"The Xiorain has made a wise decision," Menax said. "These young minds show great potential for the future! This system of student self-governance is unparalleled. They have the final say on all educational matters, from managing government-provided funds to choosing their own tutors. It's truly revolutionary."
On the table in Menax's office stood a lovely vase of malleable glass, into which, while fused, powder of gold, silver and other colored metals were mixed, together with certain chemicals which rendered the whole of various degrees of translucency, from nearly opaque to perfect transparency, the various range affecting the metals as well as the glass, and appearing in different parts of the same object. The beauty was not second to the value of the costly product. Menax pointed to the tall vase, and I read upon it this inscription, formed with rubies:
On Menax's desk sat an exquisite vase made of malleable glass. During its creation, powders of gold, silver, and other colored metals were blended into the molten glass, along with special chemicals. These additives gave the vase varying degrees of translucency, ranging from nearly opaque to completely clear. This effect applied to both the metals and the glass, creating distinct patterns throughout the piece. The vase's beauty rivaled its high value. Menax gestured towards the tall vase, and I noticed an inscription formed with rubies:
"To Ernon, Rai of Suern, I, Gwauxln, Rai of Poseid, return this in token of thy appreciation of the Poseidi."
"To Ernon, ruler of Suern, I, Gwauxln, ruler of Poseid, return this as a sign of your appreciation for the Poseidian people."
If any reader desires to see a facsimile of the original legend in Poseid chirography, the desire is here granted:
For readers interested in viewing an exact replica of the original legend written in Poseid script, one is provided here:
Turning from the vase, I asked:
Shifting my gaze from the vase, I inquired:
"When shall I go upon this mission, my father?"
"When should I start this mission, Dad?"
"As early as health and convenience permit, Zailm."
"As soon as you're feeling well enough and it's convenient, Zailm."
"Then be it the day after the morrow."
"Okay, let's do it the day after tomorrow."
"'Tis well. Take any company thou mayst choose. There are none who cannot get leave of absence from the Xiorain, I think, shouldst thou wish fellow students for companions; at least they can probably obtain a vacation of a month, and thou wilt scarcely care to stay longer than thirty-three days. Take also this signet ring, whereby I delegate thee my deputy, being confident of thy discretion in its use; its powers are those of Minister of Foreign Business. And take escort of courtiers, also."
"Very well. Choose any companions you like. I believe all students can get leave from Xiorain if you want classmates to join you. They should be able to get at least a month off, and you'll probably not want to stay longer than thirty-three days anyway. Take this signet ring too. It makes you my deputy, as I trust your judgment in using it. It grants you the powers of Minister of Foreign Affairs. And bring some courtiers as an escort as well."
To this I replied that I would not take a retinue, such as a staff of officers, since from the story of Astiku Lolix, I judged Rai Ernon to be one who would look with scorn upon such a useless appanage. This pleased Menax greatly, and he proudly said:
I responded that I wouldn't bring an entourage, like a group of officers, since from Astiku Lolix's account, I figured Rai Ernon would view such unnecessary extras with disdain. This greatly pleased Menax, who proudly said:
"Zailm, thy language pleases me! I see thou art wisely politic, and dost consider well the probable idiosyncrasies of those with whom thou hast dealings."
"Zailm, I like your style! You're clearly clever and diplomatic, thinking carefully about how to handle different people's quirks."
During my illness Anzimee had shown much solicitude, and as I learned from the regular nurses, all the while I was outside the realm of consciousness, she had permitted no one else to care for me except when she was utterly fatigued, and not long then. As I convalesced, her presence was not bestowed upon me except at intervals. I took advantage of one of these visits to let her know that I was aware of her kindness during my delirium. She flushed, then said:
While I was sick, Anzimee was very concerned about me. The regular nurses told me that when I was unconscious, she insisted on caring for me herself, only allowing others to help when she was completely exhausted. As I recovered, she visited me less frequently. During one of these visits, I thanked her for her kindness while I was delirious. She blushed and replied:
"Thou knowest that I am studying the science of therapy; what better chance to experiment could an eager student have than thou didst furnish me?"
"You know I'm studying therapy. What better opportunity could an eager student have for practice than the one you've given me?"
"Yea, verily," I answered, but felt that there was a deeper reason than the experimental proclivity, and that the indulgence in the latter was extremely, lovingly cautious!
"Yes, indeed," I replied, but sensed there was more to it than just scientific curiosity, and that the pursuit of such experiments was incredibly, tenderly careful!
To Anzimee I outlined a plan for getting the greatest possible amount of pleasure from my trip, after the state business at Ganje, the capital city of Suernis, should have been attended to. It was three years since I had been away from Caiphul to any greater distance than going to Marzeus involved. I showed her the route I purposed to take; together we scanned the map, and I pointed out that from Caiphul on the extreme western cape of Poseid, my course would be east by north across the continent, the intervening ocean beyond it and between that point and further land. Then still on east across the country of Necropan, which country, now called Egypt, Abyssinia, etc., then embraced the entire continent of Africa, one government similar to that of Suern, and was inhabited by a people of kindred powers, but not nearly so far advanced.
I outlined a plan to Anzimee for maximizing enjoyment on my trip, after attending to state business in Ganje, Suernis's capital. It had been three years since I'd ventured beyond Caiphul, except for trips to Marzeus. We examined the map together, and I traced my intended route: starting from Caiphul on Poseid's westernmost cape, I'd travel east-northeast across the continent, then over the ocean to the next landmass. From there, I'd continue eastward through Necropan, a country now known as Egypt, Abyssinia, and other African nations. At that time, Necropan encompassed the entire African continent under a single government similar to Suern's, inhabited by people with comparable abilities, though not as advanced.
Africa was then not more than half its present size, while Suernis, which also embraced all of Asia, was much different from what it is to-day, but was a name more distinctive of the peninsula of Hindustan. Leaving Necropan, the route would be across the sea to India, or, as we knew the names, across the "Waters of Light" (in reference to their phosphorescence) to Suernis. From Ganje, capital of Suernis, our course was still eastward across the Pacific ocean, as it is now named, to our colonies in America, called "Incalia" by us, because in that far antipodal land, the Sun, Incal, was fabled as making his bed by that epic heretofore mentioned as the basis of Atlan folklore.
At that time, Africa was only about half its current size, while Suernis, which encompassed all of Asia, was quite different from today but still primarily referred to the Indian subcontinent. Departing from Necropan, the journey would cross the sea to India, or as we called it, the "Waters of Light" (due to their phosphorescence) to Suernis. From Ganje, the capital of Suernis, we continued eastward across what is now known as the Pacific Ocean to our American colonies, which we named "Incalia." This name came from an ancient epic that formed the basis of Atlan folklore, which claimed that in this distant land, the Sun god Incal made his resting place.
From Southern Incalia, (modern Sonora) I intended to go northwards and skim hastily over the desolate ice-fields of the arctic regions. What is now Idaho and Montana, Dakota, Minnesota, and the Dominion of Canada were then covered with vast glaciers, the rear-guard of the glacial epoch, which was slowly retreating, very slowly, even in so late a day, geologically speaking, as the days of Atl, reluctant to end its frigid reign. The trip could thus be made to afford novel and pleasing contrasts-tropical, semi-tropical, temperate and frigid.
From southern Sonora, I planned to head north and briefly explore the barren ice fields of the Arctic. What are now Idaho, Montana, Dakota, Minnesota, and Canada were then blanketed by massive glaciers. These were the remnants of the Ice Age, which was slowly receding, even in the geologically recent days of Atl, reluctant to relinquish its icy grip. This journey would offer a striking range of climates—from tropical to semi-tropical, temperate, and frigid.
"Would our father object to my going also, Zailm?" asked Anzimee, wistfully. "I have not been away from Caiphul in five years.
"Do you think Dad would mind if I went too, Zailm?" Anzimee asked longingly. "I haven't left Caiphul in five years."
"Indeed, no, little girl. He bade me invite whomsoever should please me, and I know of no person who doth please me more than thou. I have already asked a goodly company of our common friends."
"Actually, no, young lady. He told me to invite whoever I wanted, and I don't know anyone I'd rather have here than you. I've already asked quite a few of our mutual friends."
So Anzimee went also. When everything was arranged, our party consisted of nearly a score of young people congenial to, each other, a couple of officers of the staff of Menax, with the necessary servitors and conveniences for a month's absence. Our vailx was of the middle traffic-size, these vessels being made in four standard lengths: number one, about twenty-five feet; number two, eighty feet; number three, something like one hundred and fifty-five feet, while the largest was yet two hundred feet longer than the third size. These long spindles were in fact round, hollow needles of aluminum, formed of an outer and an inner shell between which were many thousands of double T braces, an arrangement productive of intense rigidity and strength. All the partitions made other braces of additional resistant force. From amidships the vessels tapered toward either end to sharp points. Most vailxi were provided with an arrangement allowing, when desired, an open promenade deck at one end. Windows of crystal, of enormous resistant strength, were in rows like portholes along the sides, a few on top, and others set in the floor, thus affording a view in all directions. I might mention that the vailx which I had selected for our vacation trip was fifteen feet and seven inches in its greatest diameter.
Anzimee joined the group. Our final party consisted of nearly twenty young, like-minded individuals, two officers from Menax's staff, and the necessary service personnel and supplies for a month-long journey. We chose a mid-sized vailx for our trip. These vessels came in four standard lengths: the smallest at about 25 feet, the next at 80 feet, then 155 feet, and the largest at 355 feet. These elongated craft were essentially hollow aluminum cylinders, constructed with inner and outer shells. Between these shells were thousands of double T-braces, creating an incredibly rigid and strong structure. All internal partitions served as additional reinforcement. The vessels tapered to sharp points at both ends from the middle. Most vailxi featured an optional open promenade deck at one end. Rows of incredibly strong crystal windows lined the sides, with a few on top and others set into the floor, allowing for panoramic views. The vailx I selected for our vacation was just over 15 feet at its widest point.
At the appointed time (the first hour of the third day, as agreed with Menax) my invited guests assembled at the palace, from the roof of which we were to take our departure. How careful I was of my lovely sister, and how proud of her beauty.
At the agreed time (1:00 PM on the third day, as arranged with Menax), my invited guests gathered at the palace. We were set to depart from the roof. I was extremely protective of my beautiful sister and immensely proud of her attractiveness.
The princess Lolix, whom we had ever treated as a guest at Menaxithlon, came up to the platform where the ship lay, curious to see our preparations for departure. It seemed ever new to her to behold an aerial vessel leave terra firma. Not that anything of her wonder was expressed; she made it a point of pride to appear surprised at nothing, however novel or marvelous it might really be to her experience. Indeed, hers was a calm, even temperament, not easily aroused. I had not, in the five or six weeks since hearing her story, again seen her exhibit so much of any sort of emotion as she had that evening when I had observed that my attentions to Anzimee disturbed the Saldu, and I knew that the effect must be deep because of her inability to keep its appearance wholly secret.
Princess Lolix, always treated as an honored guest at Menaxithlon, approached the platform where our ship rested, eager to witness our departure preparations. The sight of an airship leaving the ground seemed to fascinate her endlessly. Yet, she never openly expressed her amazement; it was a matter of pride for her to appear unfazed by anything, no matter how novel or extraordinary it might be to her. In truth, Lolix possessed a serene, even-tempered nature that was not easily stirred. Since hearing her story five or six weeks ago, I hadn't seen her display as much emotion as she had that evening when I noticed my attentions to Anzimee unsettled the Saldu. I knew the impact must have been profound, given her struggle to completely conceal its effects.
Considering that we were bound for Suernis, Lolix was not invited to go, as she otherwise might have been. But I did not forget to bid her a cordial and respectful farewell.
Since we were headed to Suernis, Lolix wasn't asked to join us, though she might have been under different circumstances. Nevertheless, I made sure to say a warm and respectful goodbye to her.
The current keys were set, and, just as the vailx trembled slightly ere leaving the roof, Menax sprang upon the deck, thereby considerably astonishing me, for I had no idea that he intended accompanying us. In reality he did not, but to. all questions he preserved a smiling silence.
The controls were set, and just as the airship quivered slightly before taking off from the roof, Menax jumped onto the deck. This surprised me greatly, as I had no idea he planned to join us. In truth, he didn't intend to stay, but he kept a mysterious smile and refused to answer any questions about his presence.
Long as was our silver-white spindle, we had soon risen so high as to make us seem a mere speck to people on the earth beneath. Then for half an hour we flew at moderate speed through the high abyss, when a young lady called attention to an approaching vailx, following in our wake. Prince Menax, seated in a deck chair by my side, looked over the rail at the surface, more than two miles beneath, then he drew his heavy fur cape more closely about his shoulders, looked back over the hundred miles, more or less, of our course already covered in the half hour, and remarked that the other vailx was rapidly gaming on us.
Despite our sleek aircraft's impressive height, we soon became a mere speck to those on the ground below. For thirty minutes, we cruised at a steady pace through the upper atmosphere. Suddenly, a young woman noticed another craft approaching from behind. Prince Menax, sitting beside me on the deck, peered over the railing at the landscape more than two miles below. He pulled his thick fur cape tighter and glanced back at the hundred-mile stretch we'd covered. With a hint of concern, he noted that the other vehicle was quickly closing the gap between us.
"Shall I give orders to the vailx-man to increase speed, that we may enjoy a race?" I asked of the company, which clad in arctic clothing, was occupying the passing time in sightseeing round about us on the open deck.
"Should I tell the airship pilot to speed up so we can have a race?" I asked the group. Bundled in warm clothes, they were passing the time by taking in the sights from the open deck around us.
"Nay, not so, my son," said Menax.
"No, that's not right, my boy," Menax said.
I said no more, for it at that moment dawned upon me that the pursuer followed us by the prince's order.
I fell silent, suddenly realizing that our pursuer was acting on the prince's command.
Menax now arose, bade the company good-bye and a pleasant trip, and then, Anzimee having arisen also, he put his arm about her and came back to me. As I stood up he passed his disengaged arm around me and thus we stood for some moments. Then releasing us, he ordered the two deckmen to throw grapples across to the other vessel, which at that moment grated alongside. The next instant he stepped on board the other vailx and signed to loose grapples. Thus we parted, high above the green earth, two miles beneath, he to return, we to go onwards.
Menax stood up, said farewell to the group, and wished them a pleasant journey. Anzimee rose as well, and Menax put his arm around her as they walked back to me. As I stood, he embraced us both for a moment. Then, releasing us, he instructed the two deck hands to throw grappling hooks to the other vessel, which had just pulled alongside. In the next instant, he boarded the other vailx and signaled to release the hooks. We parted ways high above the green earth, two miles below – Menax returning home, while we continued onward.