Part 23 (1/2)
My heart skipped a beat. Was she listening to my thoughts? A wave of adrenaline pa.s.sed over me. ”Why do you ask?” I said, forcing a casual tone.
”You seem quiet, that is all.”
”I can talk more if you wish.”
”That will not be necessary, unless you care to share with me what you were thinking?”
Did she know? No. If she knew, she would not be reacting so calmly. ”I was- thinking about Davata Notrals, considering the Book of Barithimus. Do you think the Hestimites will be able to do what they did in the Book of Hagus. On the last recorded change to the text, it was clear they could not. What are your thoughts?” she know? No. If she knew, she would not be reacting so calmly. ”I was- thinking about Davata Notrals, considering the Book of Barithimus. Do you think the Hestimites will be able to do what they did in the Book of Hagus. On the last recorded change to the text, it was clear they could not. What are your thoughts?”
”It is a secret,” she said, looking away.
”Then I suppose I shall wait to see. Forgive me for asking,” I said in silent relief.
We reached the last bend and climbed up to the final plateau. Kitaya turned and looked down over the thick railing. I stepped up beside her. The architecture was breathtaking. All the way down, beams of sunlight filtered in through thin ornate windows, filling the interior with a peaceful yellow glow. The inside of the tremendous dome surrounding us appeared as a giant honeycomb of marble and granite. Some of the openings were offices, others were meeting rooms, and in each hole there was activity.
Straight before us, cutting through the side of the dome, a circular window lent a view of the Tower of Pisa, which stood on the other side of the river amongst the ruins of old. Funny though, it seemed odd to me now-- as though it should have a lean to it.
”Beautiful view,” Kitaya said softly.
”Yes it is. I have stopped to admire it many times. I don't believe there is another one like it in all of Vrin.”
She let out a long sigh. ”Your people are strong.”
”Yes, I suppose we have been through quite a bit.”
She looked up and gave a smile. Her brilliant blue eyes scanning my face, and I felt a soft brush of energy wash over me. ”Have we met before?” She sounded genuinely intrigued.
”I would have remembered such a meeting, and cherished the memory of it,” I replied.
Her smile widened. ”So that is why they call you Charm.” She winked. Then reaching down and lifted the flowing fabric of her garment, she gracefully turned toward the door. ”Is this our destination?”
”Yes,” I said, not able to tear my eyes from her delicate form.
”Then let us go have a look.”
CHAPTER 22.
PROPHECIES.
001001011001110.
The ma.s.sive hardwood doors opened before us, revealing a pitch black interior. I walked forward into the dark room, to its center, where I knew a tinderbox could be found. I felt for it.
”Are you so proud that you will not ask for a.s.sistance?” inquired Kitaya. The room began to fill with soft light. I looked up and saw a brilliant yellow sphere floating overhead, like a gaseous miniature of the sun.
”Impressive.”
”It is the least I could do. I am grateful for the opportunity to look at the scrolls.”
”You could easily have taken them,” I said, ”I don't think we could put up much of a fight.”
”Yes, but that is not our way.”
”Would you permit me a question, your holiness?” I asked with a gentle bow of respect.
”It depends on the question.” She winked.
”The scrolls are enlightenment from the G.o.ds, right? And the G.o.ds are all knowing and all powerful, so why would you require the scrolls? Do you not already know what has been written?”
”You do not ask easy questions, Charm.”
”Is there such a thing?” I smiled.
She returned my smile. ”I suppose not.”
”So why then do you seek the scrolls?”
”If I tell you, you can never tell a soul. Do you accept these terms?”
”Yes.”
Kitaya pushed her index finger toward me, and as she did, a pulse of energy spread out to illuminate a pane of ghost-like gla.s.s. ”Let me ill.u.s.trate.” A glowing dot expanded from under her fingertip. She dragged her finger down, creating a faint iridescent line ending at a second larger dot. She withdrew her finger. ”Your people are becoming, and soon will be G.o.ds. It is the natural progression of the universe. Davata Notrals is not a book of our revelation to you. It is G.o.d's revelation to us. Through it we will become what we were fated to be. Do you understand?”
”It is Gaza's revelation?” I knew it was not.
”No. It is the scripture of the G.o.d of all.”
”So the G.o.d of Davata Notrals, is the G.o.d of the G.o.ds?”
”Yes.”
”Even the G.o.d of Gaza?”
”Even the G.o.d of Gaza. All creation is subject to him. But one day we will be as he is, and one day you will be as we are.”
The questions began to flood my mind. Questions I could not ask Kitaya. I felt for the bench behind me, and took a seat.
As Kitaya pa.s.sed through the transparency, it dispersed into gas. Softly she touched my shoulder and sat down next to me. ”Why are you troubled?” she asked tenderly.
”It's complicated.” I looked up at her.
She smiled sympathetically, her eyes examining every detail of my face.
I wanted to tell her. I wanted to confide in her, but it was too dangerous. I was vulnerable, I no longer had the power of the G.o.ds. My heart sank. Why had G.o.d returned me to Charm? Had I failed? I remembered the cold dungeon. The spirit told me it was time to go home, but where was home? home? This didn't seem to qualify. Why did I return to Vrin instead of exiting the simulation? If what she said was This didn't seem to qualify. Why did I return to Vrin instead of exiting the simulation? If what she said was true, true, why had G.o.d taken away my power? Was I not why had G.o.d taken away my power? Was I not ready ready to be Sam' Dejal? to be Sam' Dejal?
Kitaya's expression of empathy melted away, and was replaced by a look of astonishment.