“Let time show us the way, little one. I take you with me to fill my time of darkness with light. Robert, she is precious, do not let her take such risks.”

Previous: Book 05 - Post 037

3171

“Sam is not easily controlled Sprighton. She would not be Sam if she was. If you must leave, go as our friend and return to us one day a complete soul.”

Ordinx put his arm around me as Sprighton entered the platform and left us.

“I have been one of you Sam and I know that to human…Terran eyes, he is ugly. You were able to see beyond that. My friend, you are very special.”

I may never live down the ‘empathy without mercy’ but this world gave me a friend to fill a tiny corner of my heart. It has been worth it. If only we can find a way to neutralise Baritte and release the machines. Robbie says we stay here until we do.

We are becoming used to having a small number of Duirphon aboard. They always come in their own bodies, since we announced we will no longer welcome their arrivals as souls, so they have to be sheathed by Robbie to prevent either of us being affected. Luckily the air we breathe only needs to be filtered for organisms, as they have a mix of gasses similar to ours and would not suffer any ill effects from the minor differences. We all make ourselves available, but more often than not they want to meet and talk with Cherine. Robbie refuses to leave her alone and keeps himself alert as long as any Duirphon are close by. Despite that and despite his protector instincts, she was attacked.

A male Duirphon (no females have visited us yet) asked her a question. The discussion took the same route as most had up to then. It seems at times as if the whole planet wants to come here to convince her to cut her link to us. She found this one slightly more offensive in his questioning, but thought nothing of it until he took a sudden step forward, pulled her into an embrace and exploded.

The blast was strong enough to knock us off our feet at up to a distance of thirty metres from Cherine. All we could see was a mess of blood and pieces of flesh. Time has changed us though. We did not scream and run, trying to see Cherine. We all felt for our link as evidence that she survives. Once we felt the link, only then did we scream and run to her. Robbie was by her almost instantly. He raised her body and ripping his shirt off he wiped the gore off her face. She moaned and opened her eyes.

“Don’t move, my love. You’ll be alright in a few minutes. The protector absorbed most of the explosion.” He was trying to link to her body, feel where she hurt.

Cherine gave him that special smile of hers, her voice breaking as she tried to hide the pain. “You want to make love here, now!?”

Robbie responded to her joke by getting the shakes. A mixture of fear and anger swept through him and Cherine closed her eyes, concentrated on clearing her mind and spoke in a whisper, “I have him Robert.”

It turned out she had grabbed the soul as they were both flung into the void. It had been screaming as the cold teeth of the void bit into it. She protected and soothed it. The soul did not recognise her and lay quietly, thinking it has reached a safe haven and was in some sort of deserved heaven. Freddie is no longer visible from the outside and it assumed it had succeeded. She managed to transfer it to a Sparkler without the soul feeling the change.

“He can stay there till hell freezes over!”

She looked up at him, her deep brown eyes sad. “Robert, my Robert.”

“What! What now Cherine.”

She left her body and he panicked until he sensed her. He stared in shock. She had used the protector and her healer and recreated the body. Urgently she summonsed him to the void.

*It has to be you Robert. Connect him back to his body.*

The Duirphon gathered as they saw the would-be assassin appear whole. Cherine sat up, still covered in blood and pieces of flesh.

“Warn the others please, we will not tolerate any deaths here. What you do with him is your business, just get him out of here now please. I need to wash.”

3172

Soon as they were gone, Cherine with Claudia’s help cleansed herself and Robbie asked Freddie, “Did you identify what was different about him when he arrived here?”

“He had a decorative string or ribbon wound about his body. Many of them wear them Robert, I cannot use that as a way of stopping them.”

“This is it! None of them come close to Cherine again!” He then realised this was not the time for shouting or being stern. Now that the danger was past, Cherine was falling apart and she needed to be held lovingly. None of us were feeling too well, our hearts tripping from shock and anxiety. As Robbie reached for her, Cherine shrank to a five year old and his arms held her tightly to him. With tears in our eyes we sent her our love and Dommi sent her mother love and Cherine put out her arms towards her. Dommi looked at Robbie and took her, crooning as she caressed and kissed her.

Something did not feel right and as I turned I realised what it was. Allan had the shakes and was walking away from us so that we do not see his tears. I turned and looked at Robbie and though he really wanted to hold us, we all sent him to Allan. Only once they were out of sight did Allan break into sobs, apologising to Robbie for being such an idiot. Eleni stood with Jessie just out of earshot, not knowing how she can help.

I think what causes shock when someone tries to kill you is the realisation that someone hates you that much. That the other is also willing to die just to achieve your death is a terrible thing to feel. With the empathy that rules her heart, Cherine suffered throughout the night and Dommi and Robbie spent it helping her through it as she broke down like a five year old and cried, slept fitfully and was awakened by nightmares.

The next day Robbie did not want to send a platform to bring Duirphon visitors. I did not have to speak - I don’t think I would have. Cherine insisted he does and she demanded she be allowed to welcome them. Robbie is helpless when she gets like this and stood quietly by her side as they arrived. This was not our usual group of dignitaries, the leaders had come in person. They made their formal apologies, trying to convince us they were distressed at the attempt on Cherine’s life. Robbie refused to reply and Cherine had to handle the meeting on her own.

Robbie was breaking all our rules. He had the protector examine them down to every hair while he invaded their minds. They felt him and tried to shut him out. Cherine turned to Robbie.

“You are insulting our guests, my love. I think you owe them an apology.” He stared at her in shock, while the officials asked them to please forget about it, they understand that after what happened he needs to take precautionary steps.

“No, we do not live like that. We do not insult our guests for any reason. Should one of you be here with intent to harm any of us, I promise you we will see to it that you are returned to your planet alive.”

“Please forgive me lady Cherine, but it does not sound like a threat. It is more of an invitation for them to try again.”

“I do not think so. For a time it may be so. Tell me, since I do not understand the reactions of your people as well as I understand mine, what will be the effect of us disdainfully returning would-be assassins without punishing them?”

“They will find it easier to send suicide-assassins. They treasure their souls and will not willingly chance losing them without the successful death of…yourself. Knowing they can try with impunity will be the wrong tactic my lady.”

“I am called Cherine, no titles please. I wonder, am I wrong then? I thought that if we do punish or kill them, if even one soul of theirs is lost, we will add fuel to their propaganda and they will become more fanatical. On the other hand, if we ignore them and give no significance to their puny efforts, surely it will make them look ridiculous and prevent them from recruiting new members? I assure you, we are willing to wait here until they realise they can cause us no harm. Even if my body had been blown up yesterday, I would have been back in a new body just as fast as the killer was, if not faster. I do not see why I should waste my time with them, I’d rather spend it more pleasantly with friends such as yourselves.”

“May I speak Cherine?” I asked. “If I have understood correctly, for your souls to be refined before death, you have to pass through the phase of being females. For us to kill one of them without allowing them to refine themselves would not be ethical. I would like to know, what happens when they become female? Will Baritte for instance remain as fanatical as he is now?”

3173

“We have been told your people have a history of warfare among your own species. We do not. Killing causes our people great distress and has damaged us in the past. That is one of the reasons we turned inwards, ignoring the galaxies and other civilisations. Your assumption is correct. When a male causes problems or tries to upset our society, we can afford to be patient, for we know that when the refined part of their soul is called by changes in the body, they will no longer threaten us. Baritte may not be so easily wished away. In extreme cases it has been known for individuals to succeed at arresting the developments in their bodies.”

“He will sacrifice his soul then. I thought their fanaticism was fuelled by their belief that all souls must pass through the phase of being female?”

“It is so Sam. That which you did to convince us we had not the right to interfere in the lives of other species, even if they hold souls of our people, damaged him and he has twisted our beliefs. He now claims that the great soul will send any soul that kills Cherine back to live as a Duirphon, being born as a female. It does happen in rare cases.”

Robbie was so fascinated he forgot his hostility and soon he was taking part in the discourse on the beliefs of the fanatics. He asked Cherine, with a tiny up-curl of his lips, “How would it affect your theory if we returned killers in the bodies of animals? They would then have to kill their people to release their souls. Look at how shocked they are, there must be some merit to my idea.”

“It may or may not be effective Robert, but as long as any of you use my name, you will not shame me by doing so.”

We all knew Robbie would not have done it, even if Cherine had not objected. He’d had the idea and it amused him to shock our guests. Cherine knew it of course, but used the opportunity he gave her to lay down the law for all our future actions. It seems to me it must be a lot simpler (and boring?) to live as a Normal without having to think ahead so far!

Robbie took a step towards our guests. He stood still and called on his powers. An icy cold feeling of awesome power emanated from him and his voice was clipped. “You claim to come here as friends. Tell us then, what other methods can they try to use?”

They quailed at the display as they felt their internal organs react to his power. One, not as strong in appearance spoke and his words made Robbie visibly glow with anger.

“You misunderstand us. We have not come as friends. We are trying to stay neutral and you do not have the right to demand of us that we betray those who continue to believe what we have believed for more generations than your species has existed.”

We heard a laugh and Allan clapped. “Robert, he spoke honestly. At last one of them has.”

Robbie relaxed and then smiled, his voice mimicking Richard, “Aye, that he has done. At least we know where we stand now.” He turned to the one who’d spoken. “Thank you.” I hid my grin behind my hand and even Cherine had a sparkle in her eyes as she looked at Robbie.

“Robert, he has done more than that.” Allan said. “He has given us a clue. His wording shows they are uncomfortable with the changes. I suspect they even feel guilty. If they are, it means they cannot take any effective action against Baritte and his faction. Subconsciously they can even turn a blind eye to things they should not allow.”

“Are you suggesting there is anything we can do about it?”

“Of course not, as long as we follow a policy of non-intervention. The knowledge is useful as now we know we must not trust anyone.”

I saw we were upsetting our visitors by our candour and tried to change the subject. I asked of them, “Does any one of you know the female who was Sprighton?”

“We do. Do you wish to speak to her prospective mate?”

“As a female myself, will I not be allowed to meet her?”

“Not at this time. Her personality is still…congealing? Seeing you could strengthen Sprighton and delay the process, possibly even leave her crippled. It is customary for all friends and family to avoid meeting the female until she has stabilised.”

3174

“I understand. I hope we will still be here when she is stable, I’d love to meet her.”

He answered dryly, “From what was said by Cherine it appears you will be. We will send you a message when the time is right. You will not speak to her of Sprighton?”

“I’ve understood that much.”

“We have a favour we will ask of you.” Meli asked. “Would it be practical for the next visitors to bring with them samples of food and drink your people enjoy? It is embarrassing for us not being able to offer refreshments to our guests.” We had to explain about the food machines and they asked to see one in action.

“I am not a scientist and even I can work out most of the technical parts, but the core, where material is transmuted, I do not understand. Would you object to our scientists learning? We may have found a way to repay you for what you have done for our people.”

“The machines already know, will you still need to send a scientist to us?”

“I think not. Can we have a food machine on loan, we will return it soon.”

“If you are thinking of opening it, take this one as a gift. Otherwise we can find you a new one.”

“We prefer this one, especially if it has been used extensively. We might learn what weaknesses there are and which parts are likely to fail.”

“If that is so and you can teach our scientists how to improve it, we will be in your debt.”

They were glad to be leaving us, as politicians they tried to hide it, but Cherine sensed them. This suggested Allan was right. They are not comfortable with us because of their own, as they see it, betrayal of their beliefs. I need to find out more about them. How do they view their females? To compensate for having such short lives as males (forty to seventy years) they must have had to develop a belief system that makes becoming female a thing to be reverenced. Thus they see the female aspect of their lives as providing refinement to their souls. Just a theory, but I like it (being a female, of course I do).

Over supper that evening I mentioned my theory and I got kidded by everyone, especially Robbie, for taking what is only a remote possibility and turning it into a fact. I let them have their fun for a while.

“I have been thinking about something else also.” They quietened, eager for more ammunition. “Even though I was only a baby at the time, I still recall how time was considered an enemy, slipping away too fast. There was pressure on us to do as much as possible to secure Cherinians as fast as possible. Then, on a theory that we have millions of years to live, we changed. Now we dawdle over everything. In the past we would have left this planet for them to solve their own problems and rushed off to bring back another species. Now we sit here playing games to pass the time and pretend we are tourist guides. It seems this is becoming a trait acceptable to all Cherinians - think up a theory, consider it fact and adjust your lifestyle to fit the new facts.”

I sat back with a smug look on my face and grinned when Allan burst into laughter. At the pained looks of everyone else he took Eleni and Jessie for a walk, still chuckling.

I got accused today of using this diary as my private diary. I plead guilty. When I sit to write, apart from events, it is my thoughts, worries and joys I write about. By giving prominence to myself it makes me sound as if I am clever, silly - whatever, and it leaves the others in a sort of limbo. Robbie was far better at writing, he had something to say about everyone. I suggested he take over and I open a private diary of my own. Robbie told them they should each add whatever they have to say, he no longer has the inclination to spend hours writing and he paid me a compliment; though I am biased in what I report, he says, he enjoys reading my version of our lives. He told the others that if they do not write here, then they should at least keep a diary of their own. I’d love to see the others write here but, whether they will or not is to be seen.

3175

Right, here are the results. Soon as Robbie read your comments he quickly made copies of our diary, burning them onto a CD and transferring them to a number of other computers so that any changes you make only affect this copy.

For our part, we do not care for any outsider reading our diary, but we understand how you feel. We called Allan in to be part of our discussion. We asked him whether your original intention of writing a story gave you a moral right to it. He forcefully declared you have no rights and is upset with you, but don’t let that worry you, we do not see the matter in black or white as he does. We understand and are taking into account that for him we are real so he no longer views our diary the way you do. I also do not think he is capable of viewing the moral issues fairly, as he feels guilty about some of the things he wrote.

My personal feelings are that since I took over the diary it has often been the silly ramblings of a little girl and I do not think any adult will enjoy reading what I’ve written. My face is burning at the idea of what they will say!

The general consensus was to ask you to leave the diary as it is. We treasure every memory. Robbie agrees with you, he says I have not been writing much about our really personal moments, so as a story it is not consistent. He wrote too much and I write too little! Will it help if I included some of our more exciting moments?

3176

Not bad, you managed to mention all of us - all thirty four! A pity you did not mention the twins by name (Nicole and Alexis). I bet you keep a list to help you remember. Arthur, I liked the font and red colour your future self used…I’m glad you have been using it since then. Maybe I too will start to use my chat font more often, but my colour will be teal.

Maria - I am telling Sam what I want to say and she will write for me. No, I am not like you think of me, I never was. How Greek do you become by living your life in one room, locked away from other people? If I became Greek it was after meeting Roberto. You cannot imagine how Greek he is - his gestures, the foods he likes and of course, that horrible coffee he drinks. He…never mind, this is supposed to be about me Sam.

…Sam, I don’t know what to say. How can I tell him what I am like. One of you must do it.

So much for the first try! Arthur, I suspect they will all feel the same way. Tell you what, it may be better I try to include more often in my - in the diary things they say or do that show their personalities. Okay?

It has been five days since our last visitors. None of us are certain what we should do if none of them want to come. It seems rather pointless to most of us to wait here. Robbie and Jade insist we must stay. They are worried that if we go elsewhere we will get caught up in other situations and if we are attacked there, we will be more vulnerable. I don’t see the sense in it that they do, but what does it matter - after all, we have millions of years - tee-hee.

While we are wasting time I did some reading. A few bits I’d like to quote. First of all, when Robbie was writing, do you recall how he rhapsodised over our breaths - after making love? He was not the only one it seems.

Quote:

Book: The Glory of the Perfumed Garden
Author: Sheikh Nefzawi (adviser to the Grand Vizier of Tunis)
Date/Place: 16th Century; Tunisia, North Africa

A kiss is one of the most potent stimulants that a man or woman can indulge in. The most delightful kiss is that which is planted on moist ardent lips, and accompanied with suction of the lips and tongue, so that the emission of a sweet intoxicating saliva is produced. It is for the man to procure this emission from the woman by gently nibbling her lips and tongue till she secretes a particular saliva, sweet, exquisite, more agreeable than honey mixed with pure water. This gives a man a shivering sensation throughout his whole body, and is more intoxicating than strong wine.

He also gives the following worth-noting descriptions:

Names for the penis:

The weeper. So called because of the many tears it sheds. As soon as it stands, it begins to weep; if it sees a pretty face, it weeps; if it touches a woman, it weeps. It even at times weeps tears of remembrance.

Female:

The beauty. This name is given to the white plump vulva which is rounded like a dome. The eye cannot quit it, and no member can withstand it.

Both are relevant to what Robbie has written.
Three guesses about this one:

"A Gentile girl who is three years old can be violated."
(the Jewish Talmud, Aboda Sarah 37a.)
[In response Jews claim that this does not constitute permission to violate the girl, but rather it is an observation that it is possible to violate her because her hymen will not grow back after this age. However, this seems like a dubious explanation. And even if the explanation is true, it will imply that you can have sex with girls UNDER 3 years old without violating them (permanently breaking their hymen), which is still morally repugnant. Sex with a child is morally repugnant and illegal regardless of whether or not her hymen is permanently broken, whereas the Jews seem to be claiming that it is okay provided that her hymen is not permanently broken.]

3177

Remarks are not mine - they are as found on the web. Hey Robbie, guess it makes it okay since we can all grow ours back whenever we want?

Have you read Fanny Hill? Did you know she said something that made her sound like a Cherinian? She describes making love as follows:

Fanny Hill:

Thus happy, then, by the heart, happy by the senses, it was beyond all power, even of thought, to form the conception of a greater delight than what I was now consummating the fruition of. Charles, whose whole frame was convulsed with the agitation of his rapture, whilst the tenderest fires trembled in his eyes, all assured me of a perfect concord of joy, penetrated me so profoundly, touched me so vitally, took me so much out of my own possession, whilst he seemed himself so much in mine, that in a delicious enthusiasm, I imagined such a transfusion of heart and spirit, as that coalescing, and making one body and soul with him, I was he, and he, me.

End of these quotes.

One more that left me amazed - on a slightly different vein. It sure makes me realise how different we are from old humanity. One day people will not believe their ancestors thought this way. This was taken from a site on the internet (something Robbie had saved).

Quote:

Almost everyone masturbates, but all too few of us are willing to admit to enjoying this simple pleasure - mostly because of the taboo against masturbation in our society, which has its roots in historical misconceptions that have survived to the present day. Concerns about masturbation tend to fall into two general categories: that masturbation is dangerously wasteful or that it's immature. The notion that masturbation is wasteful springs from the widespread misconception that men have a finite allotment of sperm and that every ejaculation depletes precious semen, resulting in exhaustion and weakness. Although women don't produce semen, it was once believed that masturbation was similarly destructive and debilitating to them. The belief that masturbation is such a dangerous drain on energy that it can lead to enfeeblement, illness and ultimately insanity was so persistent in 18th, 19th and even 20th century Europe and America that treatments for preventing masturbation became something of an obsession.

Turn-of-the-century magazines featured advertisements for penile rings which were spiked on the inside so that if the wearer experienced an erection during the course of the night, he'd wake from the pain. Bondage belts, restraints, straitjackets, cauterising irons and even clitoridectomy (the surgical excision of the clitoris) were all methods used to prevent young women from masturbating. American health reformers of the 19th century preached, as in these words from John Kellogg, that masturbation was "the vilest, the basest and the most degrading act that a human being can commit."

Although most men and women today are aware that masturbation isn't a "degrading act," many are still constrained by the notion that it's a selfish, immature activity or a second-rate substitute for partner sex. We live in a society in which sexual expression has always been legislated and restricted and the pursuit of pure pleasure is frequently condemned as selfish and childish. A lot of people who consider themselves free of sexual hang-ups have simply rewritten the equation "sex is only good if it involves procreation" to "sex is only good if it involves two loving people." The fact that masturbation is a pleasurable end in itself gets short shrift in mainstream sex manuals, which focus on masturbation as a useful tool in the building of a better sex life with one's partner. While it's certainly true that masturbation provides valuable information about your own and your partners' sexual responses, masturbation is much more than a means to the exalted end of better partner sex. Masturbation is our first sexual activity, a natural source of pleasure that's available to us throughout our lives, and a unique form of creative self- expression. Each time you masturbate, you're celebrating your sexuality and your innate capacity for pleasure, so give yourself a hand!

While giving yourself pleasure may seem as natural as taking a breath, masturbation is by no means a widely accepted form of sexual activity. Today, in many parts of the world (including the U.S.) children are punished if they are caught masturbating, which can affect their sexuality for the rest of their lives. Adults in cultures across the globe are presented with heterosexual marriage as the only acceptable form of sexual expression. Masturbation is not honoured as an important form of safer sex, much less as a way a person can love herself, learn about himself, or exercise, as one wonderful Chinese euphemism puts it, "self- comfort."

3178

Masturbation can be a radical act, and the culture that suppresses masturbation may suppress many other personal freedoms as well. Keep in mind that erotic freedom is essential to true well-being, everywhere.

End quote.

If it was not so horrible, it would be funny. We discussed the last quote and it was not necessary for anyone to say a word after they read it. The feelings of horror they emoted, the realisation they could have lived - grown up with that way of thinking being considered natural gave us all the heebie-jeebies. To think children and adults can be mutilated for such a stupid reason - well, it still happens in our time!! It does make me wonder, those who do such terrible things to children, even mutilating their organs, are the very ones who are the most vociferous about the evil paedophiles perpetuate against children, even those who only steal or give to each other photos of children to look at! I think that if any little girl about to have her clitoris amputated and her labia sown up (or any grown up mutilated woman) were given the choice, she will cry out for a paedophile to love her instead. I’m amazed that governments do not pass laws to make it illegal and fervently push other governments to do so - while imprisoning those who only want to see genitals. What monsters such ‘good’ people are!

I’m also glad we do not eat any of those cereals which made that man wealthy enough to ram his opinion down the throats of the Americans. I’d be feeling guilty if we did - by the way, Arthur, I hope you use Linux.

Not the kind of sex titbits you wanted Arthur, but I think they belong here for the future to read about.

We had a request for a platform and Robbie sent it. We saw a number of Duirphon enter so we rushed off to get dressed for visitors. Cherine made a joke to Rosie as she dressed.

“I better put on something I don’t mind messing up.”

“That’s not funny mum.”

“Don’t be silly love, they can’t hurt me.”

Robbie ‘heard’ but did not comment, only putting his arm around Rosie as she came out. She looked up at his face, saw his expression and relaxed. She knew he will be watching Cherine and if anyone tries anything he will be close to becoming the vengeful protector he’d been with Wendy’s father. The grim look in his eyes provided us all with comfort even as we shivered at the threat of violence in them. Whatever Cherine says, I would say she also found comfort.

In their way they were all polite and in the end their curiosity amused us. We all love that moment when they ask how Freddie was created and their reaction when they are told Robbie did it on his own. After that they keep their distance, as if he has suddenly become dangerous. In a way I suppose he is, if truth is spoken; surely it must make them have second thoughts about their beliefs?

After two weeks we received an invitation to meet Baritte on his home ground. The one to tell us was worried about passing on the message.

“He warned me not to ever come to your planet and now he is inviting me to visit? What for?”

“He said he has found a way to prove to you he is right.”

“I’ll come alone.”

“He asked for you to bring your family. If I were you I also would refuse to take them.” Of course we all went, apart from Robbie (in actual fact). What he did was, he collected another Robert (the one from the Earth where Cherinianism killed most of the population. Robbie said he is the toughest of the Roberts) and he came in our Robbie’s place. This way Robbie can watch us as the void while, through Robert, also communicate with Baritte.

We landed among the friendlier faction and their leaders met with us. They tried very hard to convince us to return home. They said they do not trust Baritte. Robbie told them he does not either, but it will show weakness for us not to go. In the end they sent a group with us.

3179

Baritte was extremely cordial while greeting us and arranging seats. Looking around I noticed a higher incidence of those whose bodies deviate from what we recognised as being the norm (the two-headed, two-soul one was there also). I think Baritte was consciously recalling all the details of our expressions I’d taught him, using them to make us feel he is relaxed and happy. It made us even more suspicious, but we tried not to show it.

“I have been tortured by thoughts of how we repaid you for saving us. I am glad all our peoples are represented here as I think it is time we sit down, calmly and without passion, to discuss our differences.” He did not emote any bad vibes so we wondered at this change; after all, this is exactly what we have always been willing to do.

“It might make for better understanding if I first explain a few of the differences we perceive as being problems.

Robert, for thousands of years before the machines attacked us, we had only known peace. As a species we never were war-like and our philosophies made war an execration to us. I have used the correct word? A hatred for war mixed with disgust for what it symbolises?

We hardly had time to know we were being attacked by the machines, that we were dying, before we found ourselves alive again. It was disorientating and caused us to doubt you had told us the truth. The changes in our night skies alone are enough to prove we were wrong.

From your viewpoint we should have been grateful. In the beginning we did not see it that way. Only when we realised that with all our race extinct there was no way for us to return to a more refined existence, and when it became apparent we would have had to spend eternity living life after life in other forms where refinement of the soul lag far behind us, only then did we realise we owed you a great debt.

How powerful are you Robert? What are your limits? I do not ask with expectations of an answer. I ask the question because I see your power as corrupting us. Throughout the histories of all species we have met, it has always been true that those with power are in the right. Wisdom, philosophies, they are naught if power decides. You appeared among us and we saw your power. We tried to explain to you that your power, the gift of your Cherine, it takes away our future, leaves us without hope.

What was the point of bringing us back to life if we were to live without hope?

You had the power, so you did not have to consider our viewpoint. You decreed us to be in the wrong and we saw there was no point in discussing it further with you. It forced us to search for ways long forgotten by our people. We sent a sacrifice, one of us willing to forego his eternal soul in the hope it will bring hope to all our people. You showed your power again and disdainfully returned him to life, saving his soul.

We have thought of ways of the ancients, looking for something to destroy you. Perhaps we can find a way, but it will destroy our own souls, taking them back to the same bestial condition they were in at that time. We needed another way.”

He paused, looking around at his people and they all stood up. Robert opened his mouth to speak, but Baritte waved his hand at him, asking for silence.

“There are no words for you to speak Robert. This is a time for our voice to be heard and for you to learn how destructive your power is. You have left us no choice so all of us, those who retain their beliefs, in the hope you will free the rest of our people, have decided not to resist you, not to attack and release your souls. We have decided instead to end our lives. As a protest, knowing this will set our souls back by hundreds of lifetimes, we decided to invite you and your family to watch the death of over seven million people.”

Robert jumped to his feet, his face anguished, all of us cried out in protest, but the arm he had raised came down in a sharp slash and within seconds the fields around us were filled with bodies in their death throes. Our ears, our minds, our senses were overcome by the pain and cries of the dying. It was as if a madness had come upon us and there was no escaping it. Frozen by our shock for a few seconds, we made to rush out and try to save a few, willing our healers to help us.

A sharp command broke through. Robbie was ordering us to let them die!!! Cherine screamed “Nooo!!!” in protest, but he was already enveloping us within his void energies and he pulled us back into that place only he belongs in.

3180

For the first time he had to fight all of us as we tried to break away, not caring that if we succeeded we would stop existing. I don’t know in how many ways we hurt him. Cherine attacked with powers even she had not known she has. If he had not had Jade helping him after a short while, he might have lost control.

*They are all dead! You can do nothing to save them, so for god’s sake, calm down and let me talk to you.*

He repeated his message until we all gave up in despair. He then took us back to Freddie. As if not noticing our despair, our wish to cease existing, he called out urgently, “Pass on your healers to the protector. Do it now my loves!” For a few seconds we stared at him listlessly and then obeyed. As we did, our minds began to lighten with a hope that our Robbie has found a solution. His hands were balled up into tight fists and his face was a mask of self controlled hardness, which was a warning that we ignored in our need for hope that he can make things right again for us.

I happened to look up and saw no Sparklers in our sky and only then realised Sol is not with us. With my realisation, Cherine sighed and as she let go, allowing Robbie to take over totally, she began to weep and the rest of us found ourselves wracked by sobs.

Whether he wisely gave us time to purge the grief within us or he was too busy organising, or a combination of the two, he gave us time to get past the unreasoning emotions that tore at us, until we began to ask ‘why’. As if the despairing question were his cue he spoke to us.

“We have their souls and the healers, the Anadir and the protector have taken into stasis their bodies. I will hold them until we decide what to do. Now we have time for questions and answers, if we can find the right ones. What we cannot afford is to allow Baritte to win. Stop blaming yourselves, self-castigation will make you stupid and I did not marry any stupid girls. Robert, I had promised to return you home, but I do not think it will be a good idea for you to leave yet. Will you stay and help us find an equitable solution?”

“Of course. I think he has trapped us Robert. Whatever you do, you will be in the wrong.”

“He is the first of any species who has understood us and he used the ultimate weapon. When he saw we cannot bear one death because of us, he found a way to force us to capitulate. Unfortunately for him his price is too high and either way there will be no winners. Allan, you are the only one who did not weep, can you tell us why?”

“Not because I did not feel their deaths. Robert, I hate being emotionally blackmailed and it helped harden my heart.” He ducked his head, embarrassed. “You will think it callow of me, but as it was happening I thought of Arthur and what a coup this is for him. Something big, exciting, too terrible for words and a solution has to be found his readers will accept. What a lovely moment for a writer. I found myself trying to work out what solution he will think of.”

“And did you?”

“No. As you said, there is no solution that is acceptable to all parties.”

“Protector, ask the Duirphon to send us a delegation to represent them in our decision making. They might not want to come, so explain we have two choices, do we bring the dead back or do we allow them to stay dead? That will bring them.”

“Robbie, they will tell us to let their souls go free and return the bodies.”

“Excellent Sam, you are using your brain again. You’ve all had your moment of beating your chests and weeping. Can I have mine now?” Aganthi jumped to the kitchen and returned with his cigarettes and a double coffee. She then returned to make coffee for Allan and Robert and those of us who needed a cup. She soon had help so we sat and thought, while Robbie allowed his hands to tremble and searched for shelter in his mind from the shock and grief he’d felt just as keenly as us. When we sensed he had achieved a measure of equilibrium, he spoke softly to Cherine, his words not private.

“This is worse than when they tried to kill you. We deal with this and afterwards I want us to discuss the point he made. I always thought of power corrupting me, I forgot how it affects others.”

She gave a wan smile, not up to it yet. “You are hoping something good will come out of this?”

He grimaced. “It may need a miracle.”

Next [Book 05] - Post 039

I hope you enjoy reading this story of fantasy, adventure and love - and should some of it be true for our reality, I hope you will love our Cherine.

Αλέξανδρος Ζήνον Ευσταθίου

(Alexander Zenon Eustace)

^{26th November, 2019}

• posted: 26th November, 2019
  
  
  
  
  

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