local settlement date 35,993
Terrorism is the only law.
King Namor Zujahrah
26 metal ships
With seventeen Barbancorians, Karnalana and two advisors and four reporters, Namor and Barbaralba left Adrone with three wagons, each drawn by two botains.
The animals were strong and the wagons luxurious and comfortable.
"May I ask your intentions, King Namor, now that you have turned the planet on its head."
"The war is not yet over. When it is, we will set up, perhaps impose if necessary, a more reality based form of governing. A simpler form. A form based on more participation from all those participating in the community. We can no longer ignore the simple laws of survival. We are not like bugs but we have many of the same rules. These are the rules we must build from. We must educate ourselves and the people of the planet. If we are to have industries for added luxury and wealth they must be sustainable. There must be fish in every lake and river. Perhaps this is our planet. The life is ours. Ours because we brought it with us. But it is not outside of us and we are not outside of it. Ownership of life and the planet is ultimately meaningless. Our wealth addiction and monetary system, though it dictates how we live with one another. Ultimately it is a random method of conduct and perhaps not the best approach to playing games in paradise. Paradise is a seldom thing and we must awaken a reverence for our planet. To become care takers. Truly be Angels. Know and care."
"You will need to redefine God."
"God. We need to know that there is not one true anything. That all of it is a very large event. An ever changing event that allows for all eventualities. And the most beautiful from our point of view is that we are in it. Aware. We need to know that we are the Gods. We don't need to claim ownership. For it is our universe. We are this part of it."
The high priest laughed and thought about it. If King Namor was explaining this to him in Gadavida before the priests there would be no other choice than to call him on blasphemy. A crime punishable by death. A crime that had almost always in the history written by men been a crime punishable by death. A horrible misuse of power to crush hope before it had a chance to bud.
As they rode out of the city, Priest Myast marveled at the people. They were all so happy to see King Namor and Barbaralba. They were happy that the King and Queen had come to give something and not take what was not given.
They passed fish wagons in the afternoon. Karnalana stopped a wagon and organized a meal of fish and baked corn bread. The corn was a breed from three different patents and its growth and use without taxes paid was officially illegal.
"God is for those without patents."
"Oh, I hardly see the difference, King Namor."
"I think, Priest Myast. We are myopic. We hurry to clutter our vision with distraction. Our love for self cuts us off from being a part of that which we are a part of."
"Part of God's design."
"Are you trying to agitate me."
"Yes, of course I am."
"We have held to a lie so long that it has appeared to us to be a real thing. The real thing vanishes in the haze. The lie made by a bunch of mad men. And I am certain it is significant that it is made by men. Men who think it is different to be a man than a woman. Men who did not care to care for the women who obviously were the ones to give life."
"This is the most excellent fish."
Namor smiled and enjoyed his fish with the Old Priest.
The sun was kissing the ocean when the caravan rolled into Kingstown. Everything was under construction. Tents had been set up and made comfortable for the visiting dignitaries.
"The bridge is beautiful. It looks like it belongs there."
Hanas put his arms around King Namor.
"I told them you were alive. That you would come back to see the bridge."
"Was there some doubt."
Hanas laughed and danced about urging his guests along toward the bridge.
"Look at our city, King Namor. Once a fishing village. Burnt to the ground by soldiers. And now the bridge has made our burnt fishing village into a thriving city. People come to visit just to see the bridge that unites us."
"Hanas, my friend. Take us to the bridge."
"You must simply lift your feet and move toward the open sky. All roads lead to the bridge."
It was spectacular. A road built above the highest tide. Metal towers anchored into concrete and metal towers anchored into the stone bridge. From the towers hung huge cables from which the road hung.
"A royal family patent. As were the machines that made the machines that made the cables. And the towers. All royal family patents. It's your bridge. King Namor Bridge."
"What a grand thing to have. As long as it stands, all are free to use it."
"And spend the night in one of our fine hotels. And eat some fish. Buy our book. ‘The building of King Namor Bridge'."
"I'm sorry I was away for the event."
"We will make a photo of you and your home coming caravan. The book hasn't been printed yet."
Barbaralba jumped off the bridge with two hands holding a sword. Namor and Hanas looked down into the waves bouncing off each other. Namor had seen her actions often enough to know what she was after. He knew they would see her again.
"Look at the blood. What has she done."
"It's a shark. She has a thing for sharks. We'll need a rope to pull it up."
Priest Myast laughed to see such fun but Hanas was stunned.
"She jumped in that water to kill a shark. We have countless fish."
"Yes Hanas. She likes shark meat and she didn't stop to think."
"I've never seen such a thing. I wouldn't want to be her enemy."
Hanas ran off to get a rope.
Barbaralba waved up at the people on the bridge and waited for the rope. When it was lowered down, she tied it around the sword and the shark and watched as Namor and Hanas pulled the bleeding shark up to the bridge. They looked down to see what happened to Barbaralba but she had disappeared under the waves.
"I have lived here my whole life and have not jumped into that water. I would have drowned already."
"Me as well, Hanas. Because we would fight with the surface and forget about the calm under us."
They were still looking down from the bridge into the waves looking for Barbaralba when they heard the shark move behind them.
"Do you see another shark."
"Bleeding beast. Do you fly as well."
Hanas watched Barbaralba slicing open the belly of the shark. A reporter took a few pictures.
Namor turned to the reporter.
"The word of God, though all to do about a lie to give justification to slavery and plundering, is our language. And that is something more than nothing and for that it can be appreciated and perused."
Namor did not care to elaborate. The reporter did not know who God was and thought that Namor wanted him to go away. So he did. But not before writing down the Drave King's words. Obviously of wisdom. That is what he was most famous for.
Barbaralba took Namor's head with her bloody hands and kissed him.
"You scared him away. Drave King."
"Then he is easily frightened."
Barbaralba smiled.
"I know you should be providing protocol and hospitality tonight. However, our guests are in good hand with Hanas and I would like to have you to myself up in the woods. It will likely be our last chance for natural woods for some time."
"I'm certain they will fair without us."
Namor told them of their need for a visit to the woods and assured them that they would be back before the caravan left in the morning.
Barbaralba cut off the tail of the shark with enough meat for an evening meal and they hiked up the mountain trail just far enough to be away from the sounds of the city. There they made a fire and let the world of war and protocol out of their minds and allowed only the immediate to influence their evening.
______ . . ______
Barbaralba woke at the sounds of the birds cheering for the dawn. She slipped out of Namor's arms and went hunting for fruits and berries. When she returned to Namor, he sat warming his hands and feet by a little fire he had just started.
"The wars and everything else seem so far away when I see only you."
"I like that. I like that the world fades away when you are with me. You make me feel like an angel."
"That, Barbaralba, is no great talent."
"Oh, Drave King. You underestimate your power over the power of doubt."
Barbaralba knelt behind Namor and warmed his back with her skin. He held his arms around her arms and anchored the moment in his mind with all the sights and smells that seemed to compliment that one moment.
"There is a small village at the middle tower. You can see it."
Namor followed Barbaralba's finger. The bridge winged out and up. From where they sat it looked like a fish. Or a bird.
"It looks alive. It is a beautiful piece of engineering."
"I guess we better get back down to the bridge, Drave King. They will be waiting for us."
Barbaralba bit Namor on the neck and pulled him to his feet gently with her teeth.
They had gone far enough up the mountain that going down again made them late for breakfast. They met the caravan at the bridge.
"Come, shark killer. Queen of the fish. Walk the bridge with me for a while. I want to feel the wood under my feet."
The caravan left shortly behind them. At a respectable distance.
"This is a bridge between two worlds, Barbaralba. It was a crime to take it down. A crime to divide people into separate worlds."
"You make certain the royal family doesn't build another castle to shut out the world. And make certain there is no more terror religions. No more fear for monster killer Gods."
They stopped on the way for lunch and sat on the bridge and talked about the need to save the fish and citizens of Barbancor.
The war was not yet over. Until the military forces of Barbancor had been seriously defeated, they would not give up their generations of power. Their temples of luxury would not be handed over because someone from the Island of the Damn proposed that it would be a good idea to help the quality of life for all. Inside the temples, inside the castle, the illusion was too intoxicating.
"The ships of Gadavida will not be long behind us."
"Stop thinking about them for now. When we are back to Salt Lake 36 we will see what they have ready for us. Look. There she is."
An albatross, patent no. nob-7346 type b3, flew under the bridge then flew around the caravan. Then continued along the gulf. Back out to the ocean.
The sun was hiding behind the horizon and one nearly full moon followed another into the sky when they arrived at the middle tower. It was the first time they had made the trip across the gulf in the day light.
Their evening meal was presented with moderate exaggeration on a deck that over hung the water.
"It's like being on a ship."
Namor held Barbaralba's arm before pointing out a shark.
"I won't go anywhere tonight."
"The easiest thing to start is a war. The easiest thing to sell is a lie. The quickest way to rule is tyranny."
"Namor, let's go down to the stone bridge. To remember what it looks like."
"Will you be back for a smoke, King Namor."
"Come along, Priest Myast. You can bring smoke and brew with you. King Namor can tell you about how it used to be. Before he contracted the citizens of three nations to build it."
Except for a few that were too enchanted with the waves and moons to move from their comfort, everyone went down with Namor and Barbaralba. Hanas took notes for his bridge book as fast as he could write while Namor explained the next to impossible crossings. Emphasizing the brilliance of the construction and guessing that it had been over 30 thousand years ago. To support a similar bridge.
"Are you suggesting that this was built so that when the other part of the bridge was taken down, crossing this wild gulf, that three days every double full moon it was possible. That is almost frightening."
"How then. Old Priest."
"It was closed off. The communication. The messenger would have to leave his castle, befriend a tradesman and risk his life by running over this road that is almost always being swallowed up by chaotic waves."
"That's it, Myast. One nearly impossible connection after the other. But that is how it is. And not just for us here and now. That is how the all of it is. Simply nearly impossible. But if it was impossible than it wouldn't be. So we have that to go on."
"Yes. I suppose you are right. It can't be completely impossible or I wouldn't be discussing the details of what is possible from what has been. Funny, in a way, I almost believe that gods are cheering you on. Come on King Namor. Break through the doubt curse."
"We will sit with the Old King and the Old Man over a brew and talk of it farther. For tonight it is only barely possible that I don't soon go to bed."
With that, Namor bid his captive audience a good sleep and went to his bed.
______ . . ______
Barbaralba and Namor got up in the middle of the night, told one of the priests walking the deck like he was on a ship that they were going on ahead, and walked under the sinking moon light. Toward their island.
"Everything is different, Barbaralba."
"Not the waves and the sky."
They walked in silence until the sun pushed its way in to the darkness. Namor sat down to watch it. Barbaralba sat beside him.
"Not so long ago, I was given the absurd title of king and knew without a doubt that I was a Drave. I didn't know what a Drave was. I locked myself in the beast that night by accident and feared being the voice of the beast. But soon after Lexus let me out and sat with me to watch the darkness fade in to the morning."
"She loves you."
"Yes, she does. As I do her. She was very good for me. She kept me from feeling completely lost. She reflexed a good light. She kept me from losing myself in darkness."
"When we have finished this war, bring her on a ship and watch the dawn on the ocean."
"Yes. That is what I will do."
Namor and Barbaralba were sleeping on the bridge when the caravan caught up with them. They climbed up on the first one and joined in the conversation about the bridge and the town.
At the end of the bridge was a growing city where once a town was. An inn had just been completed and the owners were happy to have royalty, or whatever they were, from around the world be their first guests.
Namor wanted to ask about ships but he enjoyed not caring what awaited them. He watched and listened to the people and sounds. When he tired of all the people and excitement, he walked by himself around the city trying to figure out who made up the city.
About the time he was becoming pleased not knowing a Drave from a royal family member from someone from Adrone, he heard his name with a voice he knew.
"King Namor. I was on my way to see you at the inn."
"King Morhart. What are you doing here."
"What does anyone do anywhere my King. It's a free country because of you and your escapades with that Drave of yours."
King Morhart laughed and took the liberty to put his arm around Namor.
"And, King Namor, I love it here. You have to do an honest dance to get a Drave to have sex but when it happens, it's better than your sister. My sister, I mean. Your sister, I don't know. It is a beautiful way to be. Drave children will tell me what to do and I can choose to listen to them. And if I don't, they know I won't hang them on a wall or throw them in a cage. It's quite wild, really."
King Morhart led Namor to his house.
"It's nothing like the castle. Not a slave has places a single stone in its foundation. And look where we are, King Namor. In a way, the center of everywhere. In that direction to Castle City. Salt Lake 36. The villages of the castle. There over the King's Bridge, another island another culture, and everywhere the ocean."
"I am pleased to see you so happy, King Morhart."
"I am happy to have heard of your great success in Barbancor. There had been many stories as to you being alive or dead."
"Many of us died in the harbour of Havatara."
"Was King Rosh one of them."
"King Rosh, King Jimus, King Luvuck, Fangen, they were all on our schooner when it was set fire. And not many made it out of that battle alive that weren't on the 14 schooners that escaped."
"But here you are."
"I had an angel to watch over me. One that is at home in the water. Otherwise I would have also died on that day."
"It is a shame there was only one of her."
"Yes, King Morhart. That is the truth. At least from our point of view here and now."
Namor did not want to run the risk of nailing down any truth. His tour of Barbancor had illustrated to him the dangers of such naive actions.
King Morhart and King Namor told each other of all the events they had been part of since they last saw one another. They laughed and they cried and questioned life and death and the cycle that seemed somehow endless and talked about what might matter and what kind of creature they might be in a million years and what they might have been a million years in the past and what of them was what was and what of them would be what would be.
"It is normal for us to live 300 years. On Barbancor it is seldom that anyone lives to be 100 years. Perhaps in 100,000 years it will be normal to live a thousand years or longer. It would be a very different life. Even 300 can become tedious if one is not careful to avoid the dangers of a mind poisoned by doubt. It could make monsters worse than what we have already been."
"You always say we when you talk of the past or of the future."
"Yes, King Morhart. That is why I don't morn too long over the deaths of our friends. I think one day we will all sit together again and partake in another nearly impossible adventure that will inadvertently take us closer to the gods. I am quite convinced that 100,000 years is not a very long time. And that we have had countless conversation of this nature a million times."
"And why don't I remember anything of them."
"Oh, perhaps it is an illusion to think that you haven't."
King Morhart laughed.
"I love how you think, King Namor."
"I am happy to hear it. Once again."
"Now be so kind and take me back to the inn so I may enjoy the company of your new friends."
______ . . ______
The next morning, the company of visitors and the returning Namor and Barbaralba traveled along the coast. They stopped for three days in Barbaralba's home town. Like every where they visited, there was more people and more building and more children running freely in the streets.
There visit was cause for much celebration. For Namor and Barbaralba it was cause for some time alone on the ocean on a little wooden floating island. And when the time there had vanished once again, they continued their journey back toward Castle City. They traveled on the road way beside canal 36.
Little villages had been settled and built to cater to those traveling between Castle City and Adrone. The villages were still very fresh. Too new to be weathered. They had a look of almost unreal story book. But they were real, and the caravan stopped often to eat from the plants and fruit trees that had been recently removed from the castle.
In the last village before the desert, the desert that was starting to disappear into the green, Namor told of the first fights at the river. How the war had started in a very small scale and quickly shocked the castle into confusion. He told his visitors how the war was soon redirected to the world outside the island. A world that had been forgotten by the arrogance of ignorance.
The little towns that were being built along the canal through the desert appeared even more absurd. Little islands of soil and plants, small garden s and shade from trees that appeared to love the hot sun. Though mostly still without soil, much of the desert was being watered. There was enough to waste.
"All with a machine. Priest Myast. The greatest of all sorcery. A machine that pumps salt water into 36 lakes and into itself to spit out as fresh water. Enough for the watering of our island and supplying about 20 million people and their animals with water."
Namor explained for his visitors the loose plan of regaining the desert, cultivation of plants and trees, grains. How it had most likely once been two thousand years ago when the bridge had been taken down. Before everything but the fish in the ocean and the Draves who lived near the ocean was sucked into the castle.
Namor told of the many riches of Castle City. The various plants and animals. How everything had been patented by the royal family before the royal family imperial star ship left the last planet. That may or may not have been their first planet.
"It is a very curious thing that there is no evidence of us before your royal family came about."
"Curious, Old Priest. I don't think so. I am certain it is deliberate. Not as a test to see if we would see through the impractical joke, but to simply keep us stupid and easily ruled. And we have done such a good job of it that even the rulers, the priests and the royal family, are ignorant of what we were. And I am certain that if we knew what we had been, it would show us how absurd our royal and priestly claims are. I think it would shatter all our illusions about us."
"But, King Namor, I believe you have done that already. And I know after holding to the luxury of the lie and enjoying its pleasures, it is better to know than to be ignorant. I have already staked my life on it. I would be very curious to know about this other planet. How the whole thing got started. For, my good friend, now that I see that our lie is broken, I see for the first time that the gods are there. They are waiting. I can see them cheering you on."
"That is very kind, Old Priest. And we will find out in our patents what was before the royal family and the priests and eternal war, we will look on the space ship. If we built one once, I am certain we can build one to get back up to it."
"And if the answer is not on the space ship."
"We will have to go back to where we started."
The priest laughed. As did everyone else. The sky was a long way off and they still had a war awaiting them.
Their travel up the canal afforded time for discussion and Namor and Myast had very much to talk about. Namor learned much about the workings of the priests and their most holy city deep in the mountains and the Old Priest learned about the castle and the royal family deep in the desert. And it was very clear to both of them that it was so very much the same thing on two sides.
From half a day away, they could see the top of the new ship harbored in the ship yard of Salt Lake 36. There was no question of its grandeur.
Salt Lake 36 had become a beautiful City, gardens and woodland had been built all around the lake. It was still being built. Trees as tall as buildings floated on barges out of the castle and like a child's puzzle the city was being erected.
There was no question of it's magic. And all around the castle very similar cities had been built and were still being built around 36 salt lakes.
Photographers and reporters joined the crowd that followed along side the caravan. Some following only as long as it took to see King Namor and Barbaralba.
Castle City filled the horizon as they came to the lake.
"Wow. Not long ago, Old Priest. This was all hot desert."
"I won't even try to imagine it."
"Come Namor, she is beautiful. Swim with me to the ship."
Namor assured their guests that they would be taken care of. With Barbaralba, he jumped off the slow moving wagon and watched for a little while as the caravan continued around the lake.
Barbaralba walked with Namor into the warm salt lake. There were many others swimming in the warm water. Children with no other pressing matters and others who took the time out from their work to have a refreshing swim.
"She has four masts. And she is bigger than any of the Barbancorian ships. It is as beautiful as the schooner was."
"And she has your name."
Written in bold letters perhaps in memory of a brave fisher woman.
The Old King was waiting at the top of a rope latter when Namor followed Barbaralba up to the deck.
"King Namor. I am so happy to see you and your angel in the land of the living. Your being alive has caused greet enthusiasm in everyone. The papers write of nothing else since you were sighted in Adrone."
"It certainly is a pleasing welcome."
"I have so much to tell you."
"As I do for you, Old King. But we will have to put it off till tomorrow. My friend. Our guests need to rest and I want them to hear it all as well. So that together we can perhaps make some sensible plans about our return to Barbancor."
"I will arrange it for the late morning."
"If it is not asking too much, I think Barbaralba and I would like to have the evening on the ship."
"Oh don't be so bleeding polite, King Namor."
Namor laughed.
"Tonight you have the ship to yourselves. One hundred ten meters. One hundredth the size of the space ship. Fifteen meters wide. Five point five from the surface to bottom. Highest mast, fifty-four meters. Thirty sails."
"How long before we can take it to battle."
"It is ready and waiting."
"Okay, Old King. Tomorrow you tell me what a meter is. And we will decide how to approach the Barbancorians."
chapter 27
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