Chapter Three "The Imperial City"

     The road out of Dymor turned almost due north. The coast of Myrmidar ran north before turning west to the delta of the Mondo River where Careath was located. The North gate of Dymor was guarded on both sides by statues of two former clan leaders, Enor and Torak. They were the chiefs who led the clan north to Myrmidar after the Wars with Raka. The road on this side of Dymor was lined with grass rather than low bushes. The sky was clear as the four moved quickly through the morning air.

     Ancient forests dotted the landscape just within view on the eastern side of the road. To the west the ancient fields rolled down to the sea. Small farms lined the road on either side and the houses were of a common style, rectangular stone buildings with thatched roofs. Each house had a front door located in the center with one or two windows on either side. Some of the fancier houses had a chimney on one of the long sides while other houses just had a fireplace in the center of the house with smoke pouring out of the thatch in the middle of the roof.

     Each house had a small path leading up to the road that was delicately lined with flowers. Between each house there was a garden for neighbors to share food. Some farmers raised sheep and goats. These farms were lined with low gray stone walls.

     Men were out in the fields working the soil while children pulled weeds from around the crops. Women were tending laundry or taking turns watching the younger children. Amongst them all the four travelers could hear songs being sung to the work. Many of the children danced and played to the singing of the ancient tunes.

     As morning passed away the air became hot and humid and the wind was not enough to keep them from getting hot. Before long, it was midday and time for a rest. Yvayn was still thinking of home and sometimes of that stranger they met in the inn the night before. He felt uneasy whenever he thought of that man. He could not help but touch the gold piece the man had left in his seat. It looked quite ancient to the young prince as far as his young mind could tell.

     One more hill remained in front of the four comrades as lunchtime approached. Myllyof decided to stop the group before the steady climb began. Much of the region between Ver Nooy and Careath was covered in low sloping hills and broad sweeping plains. Winds blowing over time up the coast made ever-changing patterns in the tall grasses that cover the area. The few trees that remained here were bent in wild patterns away from the shore as if genuflecting to the land above them.

     “We will rest here,” Myllyof ordered. The group had spoken little that morning and they spoke little during lunch. They ate the bread and cheese they had brought from the castle. The bread was a rye made by Mia and the cheese was a light variety that was good for travel. They had water from skins and some apples. Yvayn kept his eyes on the sea as he ate.

     “You should keep your mind focused, young man,” Jullious said to Yvayn as he finished his apple.

     “We should move on to Careath.” Myllyof got up and brushed off his backside. “Yvayn, I can’t wait until you set your eyes on Careath for the first time. My favorite thing to see is the new pyramid near the harbor. It is so huge. I still can’t believe we actually built that thing.”

     “Why?” Yvayn asked.

     “Why what?” Myllyof gave him a strange look.

     “Why did you want it built?”

     Jullious looked at Yvayn. “It is a testament of all true believers in Menia that we love Aurum. It was built for him to see how much we love him.”

     “But why would he care?” Termâs asked.

     Jullious turned and gave the young guard such a look that if his eyes were able to burn holes there would be one where Termâs was standing.

     “Your kind does not understand, never will. Your kind is too concerned with things other than attending temple like you should. The pyramid is like a temple, but it will house the spirit of Aurum in its center. I plan to be there when it is dedicated to feel the presence of our lord and master.”

     “It was not entirely built for that, Jullious,” Myllyof reminded him. “It is also going to be a burial tomb for some of our great Menians. Its size alone will protect it.”

     The conversation ended there.

     This time of year, the grass took on a purplish hue as it ripened to maturity creating a complexity of colors from brilliant reds to burning yellows. As yet, the blue of the asters was not quite begun but the yellow daisies were in full bloom. Bees swarmed in the flowers getting their fill of nectar before flying back toward their hives. Small birds spun around in the grass looking for unsuspecting victims while others remained suspended in the air, held there by the strong winds. Hawks and eagles were barely visible as they soared to even greater heights above the travelers. The road itself was winding up and over the hill, and made the only break in the pattern created by nature.

     Reaching the hilltop, Yvayn suddenly stopped. His eyes were fixed in a wild stupor. The others continued on their way not noticing that the youngest one of the group had fallen back. Termâs was still talking when he turned to Yvayn and discovered his absence.

     “Yvayn?” Termâs turned around with sword drawn. “Yvayn!” They all stopped and turned to see Yvayn staring ahead down the road. His eyes were focused on what lay ahead, Careath. Termâs put away his sword and started to walk back toward the young prince when Myllyof held him. “Let him look. After all it is the first time, he has seen the Imperial City.

     The city seemed to glow with its white marble buildings and great bronze and brass walls. Towers climbed up like a forest of stone and glass. A great bustle of people came and went in their daily routines all through the streets.

     Myllyof looked at Termâs and Jullious. “I think I’ll handle this.” He walked back to where Yvayn stood and turned. Standing beside his son he looked at the city before their eyes and tried to imagine what it would be like if this were the first time, he had ever seen the Imperial City of the Menians. He began to smile and stepped closer to Yvayn. “Amazing site, isn’t it?” He put his arm around his son and held him close. Yvayn kept his eyes fixed on Careath. “Yes, father, it is amazing.” They looked on in silence until Jullious reminded them of their appointment.

     “I hate to break this up, but we do have to see some of the clan leaders today.”

     You are always such a spoiler,” Termâs commented in a pointed voice.

     “You are always late,” Jullious slipped in.

     Myllyof turned to them and glared. “I want a moment with my son, and I want you two to shut up or I’ll make you kiss each other.” Myllyof returned his gaze to Careath and a smile filled his face.

     Termâs and Jullious turned as well, but in opposite directions. After a moment, Termâs looked at Jullious. “You know, we should forget our differences for now and let the two of them enjoy this moment.”

     Jullious looked at Termâs with a priceless look of surprise. “You utterly confound me, Termâs. Honestly I don’t know what to say.”

     “That’s a first.” Termâs turned away from the old guard and gazed at Careath.

     “I’d love to stay and stare, but Jullious is right.” Myllyof sounded a bit hesitant. Jullious put on his smug look and stared at Termâs.

     “Come along, son, it’s time to view Careath from the inside.”

     The four walked on and soon were standing in front of the East gate.

     “Who goes there?” called a guard. “Be ye friend or foe?”

     “It is Myllyof, son of Myrmidon, king of Myrmidar and Emperor of Menia, here to enter the Imperial City of Careath.” Jullious had stepped forward to greet the guard. After a moment, one could hear the clanking of the chains and gears as the doors opened to welcome them.

     The East gate of Careath was gilded in gold. The brightness of the door could blind nearly anybody when the morning sun shown its rays upon it. Yvayn stood looking at it for a long time. He recognized several of the impressions.

     “There is Thaliese,” he thought to himself. He was caught up in the stories the old walls were telling from their carved faces and etchings. He walked along the sides of the wall away from the gate. Myllyof stood with Termâs and Jullious watching as Yvayn scampered along the new wall of Careath darting from one scene to another. The walls were bronze but hidden within the metal were scenes of great victories and scenes from Menian history. From the chaos of Aurum to the battle of Careath with Thaliese weeping over Pashtan the Blue.

     Yvayn finally turned and looked at the three standing near the gate. “This is unbelievable!” he shouted to the others. “Now I wish I’d come here before.”

     “Come and we will go inside where you can look at the old East gate with me.” Myllyof seemed quite proud of his son now as the young prince ran toward him with a wide-eyed look of eagerness. He grabbed his son in a big hug, and they walked through the gate together. The walls of Careath were quite thick and tall. Yvayn ran his right hand along the inside of the gateway feeling the cool touch of stone. There were four doorways within the gate. Each closed behind them as they passed through.

     “It’s good to see them like this,” Jullious said to Termâs.

     “Yes, I can’t help but wish Mia could be here too.”

     “Oh yes, she would probably flood the main square with tears.”

     “Yes…” Termâs began to laugh.

     “Let’s catch up with the two we’re supposed to be protecting.”

     “Good idea.”

     Careath was built centuries ago as a Semian fishing village on the Mondo River. Its original location was destroyed during the Great Quake. Raka never captured Careath during the wars, but it was attacked so much that it became a military center. All that remains of the ancient city is a short stretch of wall and some ruined buildings. After the wars, the Menians rebuilt Careath along the flat eastern shores of the Mondo because they rose up above the wide swampy delta. The Menians continued the fishing trade but added a market for farmers to trade goods with people from Myrmidar, Cathar, and Òscathar.

     Careath grew quickly and soon became the main seat of the Menians when Darnius, son of Eros, named it the Imperial City. After the Great Quake it was discovered that Lömlor could not be rebuilt nor any other city around that region of Menia. People flocked to Careath because of its sense of strength and invulnerability. Pashtan the Blue moved there as well and built a place for The Order to meet. Pashtan took over an old tower and surrounded it with a large garden.

     The region from the new wall to the old wall was a wide buffer zone designed to protect the inner city. The area was flat and dotted with marshes and thickets of thorny bushes. The road rose above the lower swamps and ran straight to the old East gate. There were three drawbridges between the new gate and the old one.

     The ancient wall of Careath was built ages ago to protect the city from the invading Ipsians who came in from the southeast. The Ipsian army was strong and relentless and once fought alongside Raka. Careath nearly fell under the constant siege. But during a break in the fighting, while the Ipsians were moving north, a new wall was constructed on the northern side of Careath. It ended up saving the city. But it was old, and many thought it would collapse if attacked again. Myllyof as it turned out, was the deciding vote to build the new wall.

     Careath was divided into several regions that were open and sustained by wealthy farmers. Near the mouth of the Mondo river was the center of business and the markets. Ships continually sailed in and out of the harbor that lined the shore of Careath both on the Mondo and on the Plenar side, south of Careath. Long avenues crisscross their way from one end of the city to the other. Along the seacoast, a broad avenue was lined on both sides with ancient live oaks planted by Pashtan soon after the city was rebuilt. The trees now stretch out and their branches are covered in long gray beards of moss and ferns.

     Near the center of Careath was a square in which the royal palace of Thaliese sat: the home of Menian emperors and the seat of Menian power. It was there that Myllyof had lived alone most of the year while Mia and Yvayn were living in the castle. To the east of this square was another structure that was as yet unfinished: the Menian royal pyramid of Aurum. It was one league square at its base and had seven levels.

     The walk across the swamps seemed to be quick. The old East gate was even more ornate than the new one. The guard towers were covered in blue and white tiles from southern Menia. The tiles were carefully cut to make images on both towers. On the left tower was the image of a dragon. On the right was a man with his arms outstretched to the dragon. Yvayn looked at it for a moment.

     “Father?”

     “Yes.”

     “That is Minoi and Clathcak, right?”

     “Why yes, it is.”

     “It’s hard to believe he fought with a dragon.” He noticed how different this was from the carving in wood back in the hall at the castle.

     “He was very brave.”

     Yvayn paused for a moment. “Are there any dragons today?”

     Myllyof looked around. “I have been told that there is one dragon still alive somewhere, but no one knows for sure.”

     “Can we go find it?”

     “I’d rather get to the palace before dark.” He laughed and so did the others.

     The gate was opened for them with the usual fanfare, and they walked into the city. Yvayn walked alongside his father pointing here and there as Myllyof explained what each building was. They walked through markets passing hundreds of people on their way to the square of Thaliese. Deep inside the city they came to a very ornate gate with walls of ancient green stone. The gate was carved with lots of figures of birds, animals, and plants. Tall skinny figures of people stood across the top of the gate looking straight ahead. The door was of aged cypress cut from the swamps around Careath. The doors were held in place by long wide bronze hinges. This gate was tall and slender with a painted gothic arch unlike the gates of the outside wall, which were lower curved arches. The walls were decorated in tiles of ornate designs that made broad waving patterns of circles and spirals.

     The walls inside the square were just as ornate as the outside. Yvayn was almost walking backward as he went through the gate into the square. Myllyof turned him around to see the palace of Thaliese. The young prince was speechless, again.

     The royal palace of Careath was beautiful beyond the young prince’s belief. Yvayn was not used to such beauty in a building. The castle was so gray, but this building was alive with color. There were two sculptures standing in front of the main entrance. One was Thaliese and the other was Darnius. The stone used to build the palace was of the finest white marble and seemed to glow in the sunlight. The palace was open compared to the castle, and Yvayn fell in love with it at first sight.

     The palace had three main sections. The entrance led into a grand hall capped by an unusual dome that had twelve sides that did not bulge out but rather were curved inward. Each of the twelve sides was painted in stripes like the web of a giant spider. The hall was decorated with colorful mosaics depicting scenes of nature. The doorway was a large open arch with curtains draping down to the floor. The curtains are made of silk with golden thread woven into them. The floors of the main hall were covered in large tiles of blue and white. Thin strips of gold separate each tile from the next. The hall was open and large with the ceiling opening to the dome above. Light flowed in from large windows located at the front and at the rear of the hall.

     At the center of the rear wall was a large olive wood throne. It was cut from one tree and was carved with designs of spirals and one large sunburst. The seat was covered in red velvet cushions; a white wool rug stretched out in front of the throne. Light shined on the throne and was filtered by thin white drapes that hung in the windows. A smaller throne sat next to the Emperor’s throne and was also of olive wood with similar spiral patterns and a crescent moon above the seat. It too was cushioned in red velvet and had carvings of intricate patterns running up the legs and across the back. On a large bronze plaque above the large throne were written the words:

                                                You the Lord are mingled in my hair like

                                                         A crown, and I shall never be

                                                                        Without you.

                                                                   This crown of truth

                                                        Was woven for me and makes your

                                                                 Branches bloom in me.

                                                          The crown is not dry and sterile.

                                                                    You live and blossom

                                                                         Across my head.

                                                                         Your fruit is full,

                                                                     Perfect, and mingled

                                                                         With salvation. *

     The plaque was put there by order of Sarion, the former bishop of Ver Nooy, after Thaliese was crowned Emperor of Menia. Every emperor was expected to memorize the words and understand what their hidden meant.

     The left side of the palace or the East wing was the location of the guest chambers. The right side or West wing was the location of the royal rooms. Myllyof led Yvayn to his room in the West wing. The prince set down his pack by the door and looked around the room. A breeze was blowing the curtains in the windows. Across the large room was a bed covered by a transparent white drape and sheets of blue silk. The ceilings were vaulted in a great curve upward with frescoes of a sunset over the city of Careath. Four stone columns held up the ceiling. They were carved to resemble cypress trees from the salt marshes around Careath. The white marble floors were partly covered by exotic rugs from the town of Dar es Plámèn located in the region of Melvar home of the Clan D’ron in southern Menia. Statues of past clan leaders stood around the room; various paintings lined the walls as well.

     ” Well, what do you think?” Myllyof looked inquisitive.

     Yvayn slowly walked in and turned around in the room. He walked over to one of the statues, then to his bed.

     “I…I am not sure what to say.”

     Myllyof was willing to wait for an answer. “I had the tailor make a few new outfits for you. I want you to change out of your traveling clothes. You smell like a pig.”

     “Thanks!”

     He gave his son a quick hug and turned back to the door.

     “Termâs!”

     “Yes?” The guardian came running into the room.

     “What’s going on?” He was panting.

     “Nothing,” Myllyof reassured. “I just want you to clean up with Yvayn and change into something appropriate for dinner.”

     “Are you saying I smell bad?”

     “No…well, yes. I’m just saying that we are going to eat here, and I want you and Yvayn to look your best.”

     “Yes, sir.”

     Termâs looked at Yvayn. “Time to wash the road off.”

     The young prince looked back at his guardian. “So…where do we go?”

     He took Yvayn to the bathhouse behind the palace. Yvayn tried to look at everything on the way there. A trail led out the back of the palace and then through a very neatly trimmed garden. The path was made of red stones with moss growing in the cracks between them. It crisscrossed through several hedges until it opened to a small steam-filled building. The two young men went inside.

     “So, how are you doing?”

     “Well, I miss my old room, but I could learn to like this place.” He smiled.

     “I’m sure you could.”

     “I can see my mother’s touch here and back home.”

     “She loves this palace. She often told me how she missed being here.”

     “She never said anything to me.”

     “That’s because she wanted you to feel at home.”

     They climbed into the water.

     “I always felt at home with her. As a matter of fact, it’s more uncomfortable to be without her.”

     “That might be true, but you seem to be getting along quite well with your father.”

     Yvayn looked out the window. “I don’t know how to explain it but it’s different now.”

     “What do you mean? Before we left you were so uncomfortable around him.”

     Yvayn returned a look to Termâs. “Before we left, I never saw my father for more than a week, and he was too busy to spend a lot of time with me. I guess because I’m older now he feels more at ease or something.”

     “That seems as good an explanation as any.” Termâs shook out his long hair. “Let’s get ourselves ready for dinner. I’m curious to see what your father had the tailor make for us.”

     “I hope it doesn’t involve wool.”

     “I kind of doubt that.”

     They got out of the pool, dried off and then wandered back to the palace and into Yvayn’s room. Two outfits were laid out on the bed.

     “Which one is which?” The young prince was holding them up and looking at both.

     “The purple one is for you, Yvayn.” Myllyof was standing in the doorway. “It isn’t cool enough to bring out the real heavy royal clothes yet, so I had the tailor make you and Termâs some new tunics and shoes. Boots are too loud on the marble floors.”

     “Thank you. I don’t know what to say.” Yvayn looked surprised.

     “What are these patterns?” Termâs was holding up his tunic and examining it.

     Myllyof held up Yvayn’s tunic and looked it over closely. Like the one Myllyof had on, the tunic was lined in gold with mid-arm length sleeves. The neck had a high collar and the front had a deep v-neckline with a string to tie it shut. “I saw something like this when I went to Rylltòl many years ago. I thought it would be appropriate to wear for tonight’s dinner. After all, we will be in Rylltòl soon enough.”

     Myllyof handed the tunic to Yvayn. Termâs’ tunic was blue with silver trim. Both young men put on their new tunics and examined themselves in a long mirror near the door.

     “You need to wear these as well since we have some guests tonight from Semia.” Myllyof handed Yvayn and Termâs some thick silk hose. “They came from the city of Malcai in northern Semia.”

     “Thank you.” Yvayn took his and looked them over, as did Termâs.

     “As you will soon learn, the Semians are deeply faithful and believe that neither a man nor a woman should ever show their legs uncovered. I thought we should all get use to that idea. All the women tonight will be wearing long dresses and all the men will be dressed in tunics with hose to honor the Semians who have traveled so far to be here.”

     Myllyof held up his tunic to show the two uncomfortable looking young men. “You will get used to these clothes. They are almost too comfortable.”

     Termâs and Yvayn continued to get dressed for dinner. They discovered that Myllyof was right about being comfortable looking awkward at how the hose made them feel. They put on their shoes and quietly walked to the main hall. They crossed their hands below their wastes to hide their problem.

     The crowd was fairly large. Most were still standing around greeting each other. They gave them a good looking over before finally entering the large room hoping not to be noticed.

     “Why do these hose have to be so comfortable?” Yvayn was a little red in the face.

     “If you think you’re having trouble, haven’t you noticed Jullious’s absence tonight?”

     Yvayn let out a little laugh while trying to feel more comfortable. He saw the diminuative Semians near the entrance and tried not to stare at them. They were dressed just like them only they did not seem embarrassed by their clothes. Termâs nudged the young prince in the back.

     “What are you doing?”

     Yvayn suddenly moved forward. “I’ve never seen…” his voice was low and hesitant, “well, people so small before.”

     “Oh, you mean the Semians? Well, of course they are small. All Semians are small.”

     “Oh…” Yvayn tried to look more relaxed but his clothes, especially the hose Myllyof made him wear, were making him self-conscious. His father came in behind the two young men and greeted everyone.

     “Good evening and welcome.” Myllyof had a booming voice when needed. “Especially I would like to welcome the visitors we have here from Rylltòl.” There was applause from everyone. “I would also like to add,” continuing with his right hand up, “my welcome from all to my son, Yvayn.” Again, applause rang out. Termâs pushed Yvayn forward. The very embarrassed prince bowed as Mia had taught him to do. A very low “thank you” came from his shaky mouth.

     The Semians came forward and lined themselves up before Yvayn. They were all dressed like him: dinner clothes of tunics, hose, and leather shoes. Their eyes lit up as they looked at the young prince. Their clean-shaven faces were creased with grins as they began their introductions.

     “I am Tai.” The first one was dressed in green and seemed to be the leader. His accent was strange but pleasant to Yvayn. “This is my brother Tah.” He continued down the line. “This is Elnar and Ivor,” they bowed, “and Seth and Yeth.”

     “Welcome,” Yvayn bowed again.

     “Thank you,” Tai continued. “So, I understand you are traveling to Rylltòl.”

     Yvayn suddenly remembered why he was there, and a rush of emotions poured over him. “Yes…I am” That was all he could think of at the moment.

     “Be sure to take a good look over the North wall. It is so beautiful this time of year.”

     “I will.” He tried to relax. “So, what brings you to Careath?”

     Tai took a drink from his goblet. “We are here to see about our fur trade and to get a taste of your good seafood.”

     “Oh…I see. Well, I hope you find what you need.” Yvayn walked away very embarrassed and ready to hide in a hole in the ground.

     Served to them was a dinner of fresh fish, bread, vegetables, and wine. Myllyof sat at the head of the table with Yvayn on his right and Termâs on his left; Jullious was absent. The Semians sat opposite and spoke of business between the Menians and Semians. Yvayn listened carefully to his father speak and tried to pick up any subtle gestures or words that might help him later.

     “So, Yvayn.” Tai who was the leader of this group of Semians looked at the prince. “I understand you are on a journey that is called The Anointment Journey. What can you tell me about it?”

     The young prince cleared his throat and drank some more wine. “My grandfather, Myrmidon, started them, or at least insisted that each Menian boy who turned eighteen should take a journey.”

     “That is interesting. When I was eighteen, many years ago I might add,” he laughed, “a long journey was the furthest thing from my mind. I think it is commendable to your honorable grandfather that you’ve agreed to come to our capital city. You will find it in many ways like Careath here, only instead of sitting on this beautiful coast it sits on the edge of a very high bluff overlooking most of Semia to the North. Rather than listening to the ocean waters of the Plenar beating on the rocks of the walls, you will hear the whistle of the wind blowing through the tall pines and towers of our fair city.”

     “That sounds really nice.”

     “So what is it that you hope to accomplish with this journey?”

     Now that question hit Yvayn like a tidal wave because he had never really thought about his goals for the journey. He had, until now, only worried about being in a strange land or seeing strange people. But now this question conjured up some deep thoughts and emotions.

     “What is it my young man? Did I ask an inappropriate question?”

     “No…no, I was just thinking about the question.” He looked at his father then back at Tai. “I haven’t really thought about that before you asked.”

     “Oh? Well, how about you tell me now what you hope to accomplish and then you’ll have some goals.” The older Semian smiled and folded his hands politely to listen.

     “Well, I guess my first goal has been done. I left my home, or rather, the home where I’d been living since, I was a baby.”

     “That is a good start.”

     “I like nature, so I’d like to see what is growing in Semia.”

     “Well, let me tell you. The forests are green, so green and thick that they are almost black. We have lots of deer, bugs, fish, and bear. Well, you’ll just figure out some of that too.”

     Yvayn looked nervous. “Bears?”

     “Well, yes, you have them here too in Menia. But you don’t see them much unless you stumble into the wrong place,” he laughed.

     “Yes…wrong place.” Yvayn looked at his father who smiled at him. “What about other cities besides Rylltòl?”

     Tai looked around at his companions. “Tah and I are from the town of Lymp just north of Rylltòl. Elnar and Ivor are from the capital near the north gate, to be exact. Their family has lived there for many generations. And Seth and Yeth are from the farthest away of the six of us; they are from the town of Pyllboth that sits on the western shores of Lake Erun that is farther north than Lymp and a good three day’s walk from my home.”

     “If that is so, how did you ever meet each other?”

     “How perceptive, my young prince. Yes, this seems strange, but we are all part of the trading guild and we travel a great deal. We’re here now working out deals for the furs that our other guild members have gathered. We will be bringing them to Careath over the next few months. We all met years ago in the high mountain town of Beras. We were there to settle a dispute between our fur traders and some others who were killing far too many animals. Our guild has a strict limit and we try only to kill weak or dying animals. We don’t hunt for greed or sport like these others were.”

     “That sounds complicated.”

     “Well, I’m not sure complicated is the right word. Animals are our lower brethren and we oppose killing just for the sake of killing. We honor the animals and only kill what we need to live in our environment. Do you understand?”

     Yvayn thought a moment. “I think so.”

     “You will find that most Semians don’t eat meat or, if they do, it is because there is simply nothing else left to eat. If we do, we always say a prayer and ask for forgiveness before partaking of the food. Do you understand now?”

     “A little better.”

     “So you see, that will be one thing to investigate on your journey.” Tai’s eyes sparkled in a jovial manner, and the creases on his face grew as he smiled toward the young prince.

     “Yes, that will be. Now you are making me more curious about Semia and its people. I’ve only read or heard stories.”

     “That is a start, but to really experience us you must see us, live with us, and be one of us. That will open your eyes to who we really are. We have our thoughts about Menians too, but we do the same and learn from being with you rather than just taking someone’s word for it.”

     “Now that makes sense to me.”

     “Good.”

     Suddenly Yvayn yawned uncontrollably. “I am so sorry for that. I am just tired from all the walking I’ve done over the last few days and could use some sleep.”

     Tai smiled at the young prince. “No offense taken, my young seeker. I have to go talk with some other, so I bid you good night. It has been a pleasure to speak with you, Yvayn.”

     “Thank you.”

     “Myllyof?”

     “Yes, Tai?”

     “You have a very wonderful son here. Keep him close to your heart and let him explore with his mind’s eye.”

     “Why thank you, Tai. I certainly will. I hope he didn’t bore you.”

     “On the contrary, he is a delight to speak with.” Tai got up and bowed to Myllyof then to Yvayn. “I do hope we can see each other again and continue this conversation on your return or if we cross paths in the future.”

     Yvayn stood and bowed. “I thank you and hope to meet again as well.” He took his leave and left the room.

    

     The others talked well into the night but Yvayn went to bed before they were over. He was so tired that he only managed to take off his shoes and tunic before collapsing on his bed. He stared up at the ceiling of his new room and smiled.

      The familiar dream made its early morning return but this time it went into a darker mood. After seeing the old man and young faceless girl, Yvayn found himself wandering on a road alone. As he stood there, dark creatures lunged at him. They had sharp claws and long fangs. He ran but soon rammed into a man dressed all in black and holding a strange staff. Red beams of light came from the staff and struck the buildings around him. Yvayn saw his father running at the man who then shot Myllyof with a flash of red light. Yvayn woke up just as the light hit its target. He was breathing hard and sat up. He looked around before lying back down once again. He looked up at the ceiling to see the shadows of trees dancing across the paintings and onto the walls. He breathed in deep through his nose and out through his mouth like Mia had taught him to do when he needed to relax. He pulled the soft sheets of his bed upward and felt them rub on his covered legs. He felt a shiver then rolled over onto his side and shut his eyes again.

    

    

Barnstone, Willis & Meyers, Marvin (2003) The Songs of Solomon, Song 1, p. 359. The Gnostic Bible: Shambhala Publications, Inc. Boston, MA.