21) And the Pendulum Continues to Swing (Tick)

Three days later, Cooper woke up with a start. He looked around at the room which he was in and realized it was Elsie’s room in the heart of the Steam and Whistle. He waited to move because he had experienced this before. Every time he was so injured he would have died normally, he would go into a death like coma for days then awake fully healed. However, after waking he knew if he tried to push his stiff cold muscles too quickly, he would pay for it in pain and spasms.

He looked around the room and saw he was alone, so he just bided his time as the sensations of life returned to his body. However, there was something different this time. In the places where the black sword had cut him there was still pain. Not the excruciating pain which was there before but pain none the less.

His hand and arm began to behave so he shook the pins and needles out of it then reached up to touch the bandage on his right cheek. Then he touched the bandage wrapped around his left elbow area. Both areas were tender to the touch but nothing more he’d remembered from when he was mortal. Finally, he reached down to touch his left hip and found the bandages were still damp with bloody drainage.

“Oh, the dead awakes.” Elsie’s voice sounded sharp and sarcastic as she was standing in the doorway which led to the rest of her apartment.

She then turned her head over her shoulder and said, “Doc, he’s awake.” Then she came into the room and sat down at the chase lounge in the corner.

A young dark-skinned woman dressed all in white wearing the sash which signified an Imperial Healer/Physician came into the room carrying a bag in one hand and a bundle of some kind in the other. She was followed by a nurse who was carrying a tray with bandaging and wound cleaning supplies on it, “Good morning Captain. How are we feeling today?”

“I don’t know how WE feel but I feel like twenty miles of bad road.”

The doctor chuckled and said, “Jovial as usual Captain…”

Cooper cut in, “Is she safe?!”

The doctor looked puzzled for a moment then realized what he was asking and smiled, “Yes, Her Eminence is safe and well and ensconced in her rightful place at the Palace.”

Cooper felt a large weight fall from his soul, and he laid back and allowed himself to sink into the bed.

The doctor saw this and nodded, “Now that that is settled, let us take a look at your wounds.” She then proceeded to remove the dressings on his hip wound revealing a slightly festering but otherwise healthy-looking wound which was sutured and about five inches long.

Cooper said, “That’s not right.”

“No Captain it isn’t. But not to worry, we have the infection under control. Your wounds appear to be healing like a normal person’s would. I know that that’s not your usual, however, I understand these wounds were caused by a singularly unusual weapon.”

Recollection hit Cooper like a hammer, and he asked, “Where is the black sword?”

Elsie said, “I locked that vile thing up in my safe. I knew you would want it, and I want no other to have such a tool of evil.”

Cooper said, “Thanks. Oh, and thanks for putting me up again. I know how hard this must be for you.”

The temperature seemed to plummet in the room. Elsie rose to her feet as a specter of cold fury and said in a forced gravelly whisper, “Hard on me?! Hard on me? Oh, oh, oh, mister you have no idea!” and she turned and strode out of the room without a single backward glance.

The doctor was finishing dressing the wound while mumbling some healing incantations. When she finished, she said, “These wounds are strangely resistant to healing magics. So, I am forced to rely on traditional healing techniques.” She then looked at Cooper in the eyes and said, “She was the one who found you in the street. She tried treating you herself, but had she not realized there was something wrong and called me, I don’t think you’d be alive now. Even with your special gift. As it was, the life force she poured out into you in the attempt to heal you was almost too much for her to lose and live.”

“Doc I know I owe her. More than you’ll ever know. It’s just she wants something from me which I can’t give.”

“None of my business.” As she began treating his elbow wound. “This one didn’t get infected so it should be healed up in a jiff. Same as your face wound. However, I suspect they both will leave a scar. I would recommend that that black sword should be either destroyed or at least locked up somewhere no one can get to.”

“I don’t want that sword to be in anybody’s possession but mine. I don’t trust anyone else to hold onto something which can actually kill me.”

“Quite.” She said blandly as she finished up dressing his wounds. She then directed her nurse to take the supplies out of the room and she said, “These should be fully healed in a week or two. The groin wound will take the longest, but I expect you should have full function and movement within a month. Provided you don’t overly stress the wound.” She had a hint of the unsaid, ‘But I know you will’ in the tone of her voice. She then shrugged and said, “Perhaps you may indeed listen to me this time.” As she put the rest of her implements, devices and magical artifacts back in her bag.

She rose to her feet and looked at Cooper for a moment then said, “Cal, as a friend I say you’ll heal a lot faster if you have some sort of emotional balance as well. Perhaps you have mourned your lost love long enough. You are between two graves, hers and yours. You cannot get back to her, you know you will end in yours; would she want you to suffer until you get there? If so, she would not be one worthy of your mourning. Stop thinking replace and think also.” She smiled, turned and left.

During the reign of Victoria I, she had built a library on the palace grounds which she would cloister herself to during times when she was weighing out difficult decisions. So, the library occupied the back part of the three-story building whereas the front part was a miniature palace in itself to accommodate her needs when she was withdrawn.

Victoria II had designated this building to be the new home of the 33 Children of the Crown. The top floor, which were the servant’s quarters during the time of Victoria I, were allocated and remade to be the children’s quarters. As one went up on the central grand staircase the quarters to the left were set aside for the young ladies and to the right the young gentlemen. The second floor was remodeled from the luxurious imperial living quarters to classroom, gym and laboratory space. The first floor included a large dining room, parlor and a separate reading room. The three-story library area was still in use for its original purpose and had quite an extensive, and expensive collection of books. Almost all of the known books in The Civilization had a copy in this library. This included a locked section which had some of the more esoteric and dangerous tomes. These were not accessible to the children

Victoria II had spent many days educating herself in these halls. She was entertaining some fond memories with a secret smile on her face as the Head Librarian was finishing instructing the 33 orphans who were standing in a semi-circle around her, “…finally, if you need a book or other material from the restricted section you first must obtain written permission from Her Eminence then you must be accompanied by either myself or one of my assistant librarians. Is that clear?”

There was a hap hazard chorus of “Yes ma’ams” as the group of usually independent children answered her. The children definitely looked uneasy in their new station and especially in their new burgundy and white uniforms.

The uniforms were all clean, crisp and wrinkle free but if you looked there were still hints of individualization here and there. Victoria II suspected this would become more apparent as the children became more accustomed and comfortable in their new roles. She wasn’t about to discourage this either. The uniforms weren’t really her idea but rather from the insistence of the Palace School’s Headmaster who was responsible for seeing to the education of all the noble children on the palace grounds.

“Oh, and one last thing. The spiral stairs over on the far end of the library leads down to a passage which leads to the Pyramid. No one, I say again, no one is to go there unaccompanied by Her Eminence.” The Head Librarian went on.

This brought an almost comical collection of looks from shock to calculation on the various children’s faces.

Victoria II thought to herself, ‘Perhaps I should discuss this more thoroughly with Ouihan and Sister’. She knew these spirited and usually independent children will be tempted, not may, but will be tempted by this forbidden fruit. She also decided it would be a good idea to take these children on a guided tour of the Pyramid as soon as possible in order to satisfy their curiosity.

While she was thinking this, she realized the Head Librarian was now looking at her expectantly, so she shook herself back to the here and now and said, “Thank you Beatrice. Now children if you’ll follow us, I believe it is time for lunch.”

Just then a palace page came into the room and bowed a respectful distance as protocol directed with a message in his hand.

Victoria II smiled at him and held her hand out. He then put the message in her hand, and she said, “We thank you Reginald.” And she opened the message.

Reginald’s face blushed with the genuine pleasure Her Eminence had remembered his name and he bowed deeply turned and left.

Victoria II read the message and then smiled and said, “Children, you will be happy to hear Colonel Cooper is now awake and able to receive visitors. Ehawee and Batty, I assume you want to see him?”

They both smiled and shouted, “Yes!” then they remembered themselves and Batty said, “I mean yes Your Eminence.”

Victoria II smiled and said, “Very well We will have someone escort you to him after lunch. Oh, and please tell him We regret circumstances prevent Our visiting him at this time.” She then looked over at Sir Johann who was definitely putting the role of stern protector to its best front and nodded, “Some individuals have advised me it is still not safe to leave the palace grounds at this time.

Ehawee answered this time, “We will Your Eminence.”

“Now let Us get some lunch.” She led the collective Children of the Crown to the dining room which was arranged for their lunch.

High Lord James, Baron of Calador and the Lowlands was standing at the ramp as his private airship finally touched down after an arduous journey trying to avoid pursuit from the Imperial Air Fleet. His airship was a heavy cruiser class and could hold its own in battle with most of the imperial airships one on one. However, most of the fleet had been dispatched to bring him and his fellow fugitive lords down. As a matter of fact, he had received a dispatch High Lord Murtaugh’s ship was destroyed with him and all hands just the day before by the Monarch herself.

Now he was safe. He was outside of The Civilization on a family estate on a privately-owned island which had been in his family for many generations. Because of his flight from authorities he didn’t signal ahead to his staff here he was coming for fear the message would be intercepted and bring about his undoing. So he was more than mildly surprised to see his household staff waiting for him as he strode off his ship. He was even more surprised when his head butler said, “Everything has been prepared per your instructions My Lord.”

He asked hesitantly, “My instructions?” he then thought, ‘Maybe Samuel had anticipated this and sent word. He was always so efficient’ so he nodded and said, “Very well, thank you.” He proceeded down the ramp through the gates down the long path toward the manor house. While he was walking, he was working things out in his mind. No way could this be the end of his ambitions. Absolutely not. High Lord James of Calador will rise again and take back The Civilization and redeem his family name. He was so distracted by his planning he failed to realize he was being led to the grand dining room.

Once in the dining room, he noted on one level where he was and said, “Oh yes, very good, I could use some good food. Is William still cooking?” And he sat down at the head of the table.

“Yes, My Lord.”

“Splendid!” as he spread his napkin on his lap and began to ready himself to eat.

He looked down the table to see there was one more setting at the farend of the table.

“Why is there another setting?”

“My Lord?”

“Are we expecting company?”

“Why, this is for Mistress Visk, my Lord.” The head butler said puzzled.

“Mistress Visk? Who is Mistress Visk?”

“My Lord, she’s the one you sent ahead with your instructions.”

Off to his left he heard a dulcet voice say, “My dear lord, I am sorry for the surprise, but Samuel thought it best this way. When I last saw him, he was quite concerned for your safety.”

Calador turned to see a stunning, if diminutive, blond haired, blue eyed lady gracefully walking in wearing a fine dark blue segmented dress and white gloves.

Samuel had arranged ‘distractions’ for his lord before so the realization hit Calador this was one of those occasions. But he had never before had arranged one as stunning and exotic in their simplicity as this one.

Visk paused and bowed her head rather than curtsey and held the bow, only her eyes visible until Lord Calador nodded his head as per protocol. She then rose and proceeded to the other end of the table and prepared herself for the meal. She seemed quite at home doing so, unlike most he had been around who were cowed by his power.

Calador watched this creature of singular grace as if mesmerized and when she sat down, he heard himself say, “Splendid.”

As the soup was served, Calador asked, “I do not believe I’ve had the pleasure before.”

“No, you have not My Lord. I am quite certain you would have remembered me.”

“Yes, Quite.” Lord James of Calador usually didn’t care for sassy women. He preferred his women docile and compliant, however, there was something intoxicating about the creature before him. So much so he didn’t care she seemed to have spirit.

“Visk, that is an unusual name. I do not believe I’ve heard the like before.”

“Yes, it is. I’m told it has another worldly flavor to it.” She said with a seductive smile. “Do try the soup my lord. It is from an old recipe which I have spent a great deal of time perfecting.”

Calador took a taste of the soup and found it almost as exquisite as his company, “It is quite delicious. Delicious indeed. Is it some sort of mushroom soup?”

“It was something from my homeland. It is made with the hearts of one’s enemies. It leads a beefy flavor when they are brave and a delicate and empty flavor when they are cowards.”

Her singsong voice and lighthearted tone are juxtaposed to the details of her words. Calador is struck by her words as if by a fist.

“Your jest is in poor taste, young lady!”

She glanced up from her bowl and fixed him with eyes as grey and sharp as five-hundred-year-old polished steel.

“Calador, I assure you I do not jest. This soup is brought to you by Brigadier Snyder. Notice the nutty, delicate flavor, similar to lamb. Not bold enough for beef, but the depth of his love for his son, and the shattering of his spirit at witnessing his death has placed a certain uniqueness to the flavor.”

Calador jumped to his feet, appalled. “What kind of foul trick are you about, poisonous wench!”

“I am following an old tradition. You are receiving a full and proper last meal prior to your execution.”

She took another spoon of soup.

“How dare you!” Calador drew a force rod and advanced. As he did, a part of him observed she did not flee, or get up, or even flinch as he brandished what was known to be one of the most powerful handheld weapons of the realm.

“You should finish your soup; it is to die for. Brigadier Snyder did.”

“Die!” Calador flung out his arm and fired, the Arc ball blinding as it rushed forth, seeming to gain size and force with Calador’s rage.

The small blond just paused, the spoon halfway to her mouth. Calador’s sense of triumph seemed to wither as he watched the unstoppable ball of force seemingly dissipate and vanish as it raced towards her. She finished the spoon of soup in her delicate hand and placed the spoon on the table. She stood from her chair and stepped from behind the table.

“Calador, by royal decree, your lands have been forfeited, your lineage has been extinguished, your family has been turned out on the street under ban, refused food, water, shelter between the capital and the border of the kingdom. You will never have power again, and this compound is also no longer yours. It is mine, ceded to me in exchange for the information concerning the other four hidden bolt holes you have throughout the realm. I tried to be polite, allowing you in my new home and fed you a meal in spite of the ban. It would be rude to have you die with an empty stomach.”

As she spoke, Calador felt the temper rise higher and higher. Hecouldn’t believe the sheer impertinence and gall the little girl in his home speaking to him that way! He also didn’t know why she wasn’t a pile of smoldering ash, though. He strode forward and prepared to strike down this child! Did she not know who she was speaking to? Getting closer, he also made note of her attire and some strange movements. The dress wasn’t some cloth, but instead a deep dyed leather.

The girl slid sideways and unlatched the skirt portion. Underneath, she was wearing more leather, all the way down to her high-topped boots. She also had a weapon. She drew forth a blade which was somewhere between a knife and a sword. The blade was darkly stained, the grain of the steel visible to him even from here. The ivory grip was barely visible in her hands as she moved it around. She didn’t posture like some street hood with a sharpened stick, nor a soldier on a battlefield. Neither of those would frighten him. He had trained for single fighting all his life, as some men studied other sports. Instead, she moved it as easily as a scribe moved a quill, she moved it with an intimate knowledge so casually comfortable which it moved at her unconscious will like someone pointing with their finger. Her face showed no worry or fear.

“I refuse to yield to you, little girl, just who do you think you are?” Calador postured defiantly.

“Do you really want to know?” She said in a flat tired voice.

“Boast away, little girl.”

“I taught the Alexanders’ teachers when they were kids. They got greedy and lost their way. If the will is pure, the blade will never be stopped.”

Calador felt a chill flow into him. Something within him knew she spoke the truth.

​Several days later, a crate arrived at the palace. The letter whichaccompanied it laid claim to the reward for High Lord Calador. The funds were to be given to Cooper to be retrieved later. The note was signed “Visk” Inside the box was filled with a smaller box. Between the outer and inner box was an unusual packing material; small confetti-like pieces of leather. Inside the inner box was the face of Lord Calador, skinned from his skull. There was a small tag inside “Brain-tanned by hand with care and purpose.”

​

Three AM, the witching hour. A lone figure stood across the street from the main gates of the palace grounds. He looked out of place, in his wizardly robes and accoutrements. His gray robes, staff and pointed hat were from an era long gone. However, they were of the highest quality for their time.

He stood there watching the palace grounds intensely as if trying to see beyond the walls themselves. His bearded mouth moving rhythmically as he chanted under his breath.

Sir Johann, not ever needing to sleep again, was personally inspecting the guard stations when he saw the stranger and decided to investigate him.

He and two soldiers wearing black kilts walked across the street to question this suspicious stranger.

Sir Johann addressed the stranger by saying, “May I help you sir?” he was still not used to the sound of his new voice, but he did appreciate its ability to intimidate.

The wizard looked up as if just realizing he wasn’t alone his eyes shifting from glazed over to bright and sharp, “No son, I’m about my master’s business tonight.” Then he disappeared into thin air.

Sir Johann turned and said, “Order a stand too! Full alert for all stations!” he then took off into a full run and said over his shoulder, “I will check on Her Eminence myself!”

There was a cacophony of alert whistles and bells as the palace grounds went into full alert.

Ouihan awoke with a start. He couldn’t explain it, but he felt compelled to get up and go somewhere. He donned his robe over his pajamas and put his slippers on and grabbed the wind-up lantern of his own design which was next to his bed.

Brother, who was Ouihan’s roommate mumbled something in his sleep but then just rolled over and faced away from the light.

Ouihan proceeded out of his room and down the corridor to the grand stairway and down to the first floor. So intense was his compellation to go he failed to notice Sister was following him.

“Ouihan, where are you going?!” she asked in an urgent whisper. All this living in a home and a palace no less was new to her and she wasn’t sure on how to stay out of trouble. Since she found herself caring more and more about Ouihan she was also afraid of the consequences of him getting in trouble.

Ouihan paused, turned and smiled, “I don’t know. But it’ll be okay.” He then turned and continued on.

Sister followed after him saying, “But what about the curfew?”

“No matter right now. All will be okay.” Ouihan heard himself saying, his own mind racing at this new sensation of being compelled.

“Well I’m responsible for you so I’m going with ya.”

When the pair made their way to the large, now closed, double doors of the library Sister said, “The doors are supposed to be locked this time of night, so we’re going no further.”

The doors then swung open on their own allowing them to enter.

Ouihan shrugged and said, “Apparently not.” And he continued on.

Sister followed hesitantly. This feeling of being timid was a new sensation for her. She was always so sure of herself and her instincts but this new life, this precious life which she was now living was full of all sorts of new sensations. But she trusted Ouihan, so she followed on.

Ouihan proceeded across the library’s marble floor which was illuminated by Ouihan’s lantern all the way to the back corner where the spiral stairs which led both up to the upper levels of the library and down to the lower, forbidden, passage to the pyramid.

The pair went down the spiral steps to the lower level were large bronze doors blocked the underground passage which was one of only two entrances to the large black pyramid which stood monolithically on the palace grounds.

Normally there were guards stationed here at all hours, however, for some reason they had been called away. The guards were normally superfluous because the huge bronze doors were sealed with strong magical guards. However, they swung open at Ouihan and Sister’s approach.

Sister’s trepidations melted into fascinated anticipation as they entered this new, yet forbidden, territory. She fell into step with Ouihan as they walked the long underground passageway. The wall sconces came to life with fire to light their way as they went under the main palace itself into the lower maze of the pyramid.

The lower two levels of the mammoth pyramid were composed of an intricate and dangerous labyrinth which was very easy to get lost in. Not to mention the many magical and mechanical traps and other denizens which were designed to destroy those who had no business entering the upper reaches of the pyramid.

Ouihan proceeded along the passageways as if he knew them like the back of his hand, so they quickly made their way to the upper machine of the pyramid. This portion was a labyrinth in itself but not so dangerous. Mostly it allowed the maintenance automatons to tend to the machinery of this huge machine. Ouihan masterfully made his way up to the very heart of the machine. Even though he knew the way it still took the pair the better part of an hour to make their way to the heart of the machine, The Glass Darkly.

The Glass Darkly was a black, polished oval shaped crystal which looked much like a vanity mirror about five feet high and two feet wide at its zenith points. It floated in the middle of a platform which was at the very center of the machine. Around it were twelve copper balls which were fixed to copper tubes which led off into the darkness and into various points in the machine. In front of the crystal oval was a comfortable looking chair which was for the Empress to sit on as she saw the portends and visions which the Glass Darkly provided.

Both Sister and Ouihan felt a building of anticipation and exhilaration in the core of their being as they approached this legendary device. Ouihan forsook the chair to stand directly in front of the crystal feeling a new, yet strangely familiar energy flow through him.

Sparks and energy flowed across the surface of the crystal and they flowed back and forth and around until they began to form a humanoid silhouette of blue energy on the black surface. A featureless face formed and seemed to look right at him and a voice which seemed to come from a great distance yet speak directly to his soul said, “Welcome back, Sir. It has been a long time. Your servant is here to help you.”

From behind the Glass Darkly stepped the wizard in gray who fell to one knee before Ouihan.

With that a plethora of memories came crashing in on Ouihan and he began to understand…

The End… of the Beginning (Tock)