Descending Road - SHE SEES THE CURVE OF TIME by Dana W. Paxson

SHE SEES THE CURVE OF TIME

1563 4D

Andrew and Mentrius entered the great chamber again. The debate about the rainbow-hued sarcophagi in the ship’s hold was still running.

Jirinai clenched his fist on the great tabletop. “We should work them open, see what these ancients are like.”

“That’s the usual Sintherou approach,” said Rion, glaring at Jirinai. “Break in instead of thinking through.”

“It’s not safe to leave them there as they are. My coll has given me its orders, and I intend to represent them properly. We must understand whether they are a threat or just a collection of bodies in suspension.” Jirinai sat back. “How long do we have to wrangle over this?”

“Incarnastar is completely opposed to that stance,” Rion countered.

The great chamber’s walls bore floating, windwalking red-gold flowers, bright in the lancing blue-white rays of some hot star, trailing long tendrils down many kilometers into seething dark-blue vapor seas. To Andrew, it was a calm contrast to the argument in the room.

He spoke. “I want all of you to meet Mentrius Adrili.”

Everyone turned to them.

“One of Arlen‘s commanders?”

“Why bring him in?”

“The enemy.”

The gabble rose until Torre raised a hand. “Hold on. Andrew has a reason for this.”

“I brought him in to show you one thing. Mentrius?” The two men pulled out their blood-marked cartridges and held them up.

“You swore bridgeblood?” It was Torre. “What coll are you, Adrili? Name sounds Astran.”

“That’s right,” Mentrius said. “We’re Astran and Darko, and this makes us brothers. I’m sworn to him.”

“And not to Arlen?” Jirinai asked.

“Arlen‘s dead.”

“Or Gullinder?”

“No.” Mentrius shook his head; his chin jutted out. “But I can and will tell you who in your own commands is in contact with Gullinder‘s people.”

The room was hushed.

Andrew said, “Here’s the point. We all depend on each other. We can’t afford to abuse that reliance by quarreling until we split up. And we need all the help we can get.”

Torre asked, “Andrew, how would you resolve the issue of the coffins?”

“Those inside are alive,” Andrew said. “We aren’t at liberty to destroy them, but I don’t feel safe in opening them. The Hejj have left me with authority to speak for them – I am under no orders.”

“If they are alive, can the aliens contact them?” Jirinai.

Jeddin answered, “They say not now. The inhabitants are asleep, they say, and their waking is for another time. Turiosten and Onnhashakh say they should be left stacked in the hold, undisturbed, until the day when the Zashinhalh have to move on to another world and clothe themselves in sentient flesh.”

“But that’s like leaving an armed bomb in our midst,” said Marande. “Who knows what they’ll do, what power they’ll have?”

Jeddin said, “Onnhasshakh says they have a long sleep ahead of them, several thousand years at the least. She sees the curve of time. We have no reason to worry.”

“Can we resolve this?” asked Torre. “The only answer that makes sense to me is the one which preserves our ability to change our minds. I say leave them as the aliens have said.”

“If we maintain a guard and watch on them full time, I will ask agreement from my coll chiefs,” said Jirinai.

A general mutter of agreement, nods; Andrew said, “So it stands. We will keep the sarcophagi as they are, in the ship’s hold, for the next… year?” More nods. “Make this an annual item for discussion. Are we agreed?”

“Yes.” All voices.

Andrew let out a long breath, and turned to Mentrius. “Go give your list of names to Jirinai and Torre, together, after we leave here.”

“I will.”

Andrew said to everyone, “Let’s adjourn for today.”

“Ho.” Everyone stood.

It is good. Turiosten‘s voice was soft in Andrew‘s head, answering his unspoken concern. You will see.

The flowers on the wall nodded in the unfelt wind.

Mentrius and Andrew stayed in the chamber until all the others had left. Mentrius smiled a little, and the look made the lines of his age soften. He spread his arms out, hands open, in a gesture of acceptance. “Andrew, I’ve wronged you from the beginning. From Leil, to Gej, to the mountains, to Engel, but you’ve grown beyond me. Maybe some day I’ll understand you. I’ve tried. You weren’t always so wise, but now…"

Andrew, embarrassed, said, “Let’s look at it this way. I know where we can get a good brew. When you’re done with the list, will you join Jeddin and me?” Hearing Leil‘s name brought pain to his heart. He gestured Mentrius out before him. Behind them both, he drew the great doors closed.

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USER SURVEY	PUZZLE ME	MAKE ELM MARK

HOVER Lucida Bright BARE	HOVER Lucida Bright FULL	HOVER Palatino Linotype BARE
HOVER Palatino Linotype FULL	HOVER Times New Roman BARE	HOVER Times New Roman FULL
PAD Arial BARE	PAD Arial FULL	PAD Lucida Bright BARE
PAD Lucida Bright FULL	PAD Times New Roman BARE	PAD Times New Roman FULL


	SHE SEES THE CURVE OF TIME 1563 4D Andrew and Mentrius entered the great chamber again. The debate about the rainbow-hued sarcophagi in the ship’s hold was still running. Jirinai clenched his fist on the great tabletop. “We should work them open, see what these ancients are like.” “That’s the usual Sintherou approach,” said Rion, glaring at Jirinai. “Break in instead of thinking through.” “It’s not safe to leave them there as they are. My coll has given me its orders, and I intend to represent them properly. We must understand whether they are a threat or just a collection of bodies in suspension.” Jirinai sat back. “How long do we have to wrangle over this?” “Incarnastar is completely opposed to that stance,” Rion countered. The great chamber’s walls bore floating, windwalking red-gold flowers, bright in the lancing blue-white rays of some hot star, trailing long tendrils down many kilometers into seething dark-blue vapor seas. To Andrew, it was a calm contrast to the argument in the room. He spoke. “I want all of you to meet Mentrius Adrili.” Everyone turned to them. “One of Arlen‘s commanders?” “Why bring him in?” “The enemy.” The gabble rose until Torre raised a hand. “Hold on. Andrew has a reason for this.” “I brought him in to show you one thing. Mentrius?” The two men pulled out their blood-marked cartridges and held them up. “You swore bridgeblood?” It was Torre. “What coll are you, Adrili? Name sounds Astran.” “That’s right,” Mentrius said. “We’re Astran and Darko, and this makes us brothers. I’m sworn to him.” “And not to Arlen?” Jirinai asked. “Arlen‘s dead.” “Or Gullinder?” “No.” Mentrius shook his head; his chin jutted out. “But I can and will tell you who in your own commands is in contact with Gullinder‘s people.” The room was hushed. Andrew said, “Here’s the point. We all depend on each other. We can’t afford to abuse that reliance by quarreling until we split up. And we need all the help we can get.” Torre asked, “Andrew, how would you resolve the issue of the coffins?” “Those inside are alive,” Andrew said. “We aren’t at liberty to destroy them, but I don’t feel safe in opening them. The Hejj have left me with authority to speak for them – I am under no orders.” “If they are alive, can the aliens contact them?” Jirinai. Jeddin answered, “They say not now. The inhabitants are asleep, they say, and their waking is for another time. Turiosten and Onnhashakh say they should be left stacked in the hold, undisturbed, until the day when the Zashinhalh have to move on to another world and clothe themselves in sentient flesh.” “But that’s like leaving an armed bomb in our midst,” said Marande. “Who knows what they’ll do, what power they’ll have?” Jeddin said, “Onnhasshakh says they have a long sleep ahead of them, several thousand years at the least. She sees the curve of time. We have no reason to worry.” “Can we resolve this?” asked Torre. “The only answer that makes sense to me is the one which preserves our ability to change our minds. I say leave them as the aliens have said.” “If we maintain a guard and watch on them full time, I will ask agreement from my coll chiefs,” said Jirinai. A general mutter of agreement, nods; Andrew said, “So it stands. We will keep the sarcophagi as they are, in the ship’s hold, for the next… year?” More nods. “Make this an annual item for discussion. Are we agreed?” “Yes.” All voices. Andrew let out a long breath, and turned to Mentrius. “Go give your list of names to Jirinai and Torre, together, after we leave here.” “I will.” Andrew said to everyone, “Let’s adjourn for today.” “Ho.” Everyone stood. It is good. Turiosten‘s voice was soft in Andrew‘s head, answering his unspoken concern. You will see. The flowers on the wall nodded in the unfelt wind. Mentrius and Andrew stayed in the chamber until all the others had left. Mentrius smiled a little, and the look made the lines of his age soften. He spread his arms out, hands open, in a gesture of acceptance. “Andrew, I’ve wronged you from the beginning. From Leil, to Gej, to the mountains, to Engel, but you’ve grown beyond me. Maybe some day I’ll understand you. I’ve tried. You weren’t always so wise, but now…" Andrew, embarrassed, said, “Let’s look at it this way. I know where we can get a good brew. When you’re done with the list, will you join Jeddin and me?” Hearing Leil‘s name brought pain to his heart. He gestured Mentrius out before him. Behind them both, he drew the great doors closed.