Glowgrass was the unfortunate result of amateur genetic experimentation in the early 21st century, during a period when kits to augment the DNA of houseplants with glowing agro-bacterium became a popular trend. Whether as a result of curiosity or as a practical joke, common crabgrass was used as the basis for one of these experiments, resulting in a bioluminescent weed so invasive that it caused massive sleep disruption in certain suburban areas. Like crabgrass, it is difficult to kill, regenerating rapidly and requiring herbicides which are often more damaging to desirable grasses than the target weed. The most effective means of control is a genetically modified insect, the Apophis scarab (also known as the light-eating beetle), a nocturnal creature which is drawn to the glowing blades.
Illustration adapted from Hitchcock, A.S., Manual of the Grasses of the United States. USDA Miscellaneous Publication No. 200. Washington, DC. 1950.
Tara yawned and stretched. “Let’s see what’s on the agenda for today. Ugh, it’s the Garden Society brunch.”
On any world other than Dolparessa, the Garden Society would be a gathering for hobbyists, probably middle class and pseudo-elites, an occasion to discuss rhododendrons and eat watercress sandwiches. But this was a world where, at last estimate, 8% of its citizens were sentient plants, and they had considerable social influence. The luminaries of the Forest would all be there, as well as Sir Kaman, accompanied by the most respected tree surgeons. It wasn’t something Tara could safely ignore. In fact, the society was expecting the presence of the most popular of Ash’s emanations, Prince Patrick.
“Rain, I need Patrick,” Tara said, dashing for the shower. “Can you transform, or do I need to use his candle?”
“I…I can get him,” said Rain. He was clearly disappointed, but that’s how the leaves blow sometimes. We weren’t too thrilled, either. A moment later, Patrick appeared at the door. “I’d prefer a bath,” he said, divesting himself of his robe.
Tara laughed. “Get in here.” He stepped into the shower, and she pulled him into a kiss. “If we shower, we’ll have more time for other things,” she said.
« Did I do something wrong? » asked Rain.
« Of course not, » I reassured him. « It’s just that Patrick is golden. »
« In fact, he’s the most golden of all the golden boys, » said Tommy. « Your day will come. Preferably after mine. »
« There are no golden boys from Yggdrasil, » Rain murmured.
*****
The Garden Society was a rather splendid affair, even for a luncheon. There were hundreds of attendees from the best families. Patrick knew every one of their names and orders of precedence. Tara couldn’t be bothered, and thus Patrick was always saving her from errors of protocol, such as greeting a member of the Order of Sublime Forestry before a baronet from the eastern continent.
“That I would fill up my head with such nonsense,” she muttered. “I have enough trouble remembering the names of all my husbands.”
Chef Yuric had been engaged, and thus the menu was quite elaborate. He started with a rustic note, chowdigger with turquoise corn bread and whipped Greengrain butter. Tara noted that the younger luminaries ate the bread, while some of the older ones rejected it. Grains weren’t as taboo as nuts; even the Cantor had said that trees who made a fuss about cereal crops were sappy.
The peaceful lunch was interrupted by a sudden clamor from outside of the building. At first faintly, but then growing louder, we could hear a chant of “Justice, justice!” A moment later, Earl Mac’kellr and his wife entered the banquet hall. They had been invited to the luncheon, but were so late that the meal had been started without them. Instead of taking their seats, Mac’kellr jumped upon the head table, in front of Tara. “We demand justice!” he screamed. “No amnesty for Cu’ensali.”
The SSOps men looked toward Tara. They weren’t sure whether they should arrest an aristo. Tara shook her head slightly. She would see how this played out.
“The perpetrators of the atrocities will be captured and banished to the nul-universe,” said Tara, taking a sip of champagne. “You know that. We’ve devoted considerable resources to hunting them down.”
“And all the others are to be forgiven?” asked Merhna. “We have no way to know which ones are responsible for the prior burnings. It’s quite possible that some of the guilty will escape detection.”
“Sending the guilty back to the nul-universe isn’t enough,” added Mac’kellr. “They like it there. They need to pay for their crimes.”
“Sending them back to the nul-universe is a solution,” said Tara. “It protects both sides. I don’t know exactly how one might punish Cu’ensali any further. Keep them prisoners? We’d have to use a nul-chamber. That would show them!”
“You mock us,” said Mac’kellr. “If you would demonstrate half as much imagination in this matter as you seem to show in your bedroom adventures, a number of solutions would present themselves. For example, cut back their trees – roots and all. Strip the bark by half. They’ll be crippled.”
Patrick rose angrily. “You’re right – she didn’t think of it. She’s not the kind of person who could imagine something so sadistic.”
“You’d better ask Callum about that,” said Tara. “But it won’t work – those trees will just grow back eventually, and be mad as whornets.”
“Of course, such measures as I propose would need to be maintained over time,” said Mac’kellr. “A tree surgeon could do it.”
Sir Kaman thumped his fist furiously on the table, making the silverware rattle against the plates. “And next you’ll want doctors who amputate the limbs of thieves! No tree surgeon of repute would even consider such barbarism! And what nau’gsh would trust itself to our hands to be pruned if we did?”
“That sort of vengeance always provokes retaliation,” said Patrick. “In situations like these, where both sides have legitimate grievances and have suffered painful losses, the best path is always amnesty and reconciliation.”
“Reconciliation?” said Merhna. She turned to the Cantor. “And you support this? Is the memory of Heavensent worth so little to you?”
“I and I’s new emanation is poisoned with bitterness,” the Cantor replied. “As much as I would desire it, pain like that cannot be wished away by the goodness of our hearts. Yet I agree with Prince Patrick. There is no sense in making our troubles worse.”
“As you have said, we cannot wish away our troubles,” said Merhna. “And our aching memories will cry out for retribution. Until we are satisfied, the troubles will not end.”
“Is that a threat?” asked Tara. She shot the Cantor a look which said Get them under control. I knew what she was thinking: if they continued to push the situation, Tara would be put in a position where the MPP would have to be arrested, and that would only make them look sympathetic. Furthermore, she’d have to entrust tracking down Puce to SSOps, who were far less suited to dealing with the Cu’ensali than the MPP.
Patrick took his feet. “I speak for the Archon,” he said, “for the Living God of Skarsia. Leave now, peacefully, with the protestors.”
“And if we don’t?” Mac’kellr challenged.
“You’re disrupting the public order. By rights, the Matriarch could have you arrested. It’s a measure we’d prefer not to take, but we will. Furthermore, Archon Aran says he will have you excommunicated.”
It was a silly threat to make to Dolparessans. Unlike Skarsians, for whom Archonism was the religion of state, to Dolparessans it was a vehicle through which to express their tradition of reverence to the trees. For the Cu’endhari, it was a form of respect to the elders. Mac’kellr snorted, but Merhna looked nervously from the Cantor to Patrick. She was not entirely ready to defy us, not yet.
“We would not presume to disobey the great Ashtara, the Living God of Skarsia” said Merhna, “but we venture to suggest that the Matriarch and Archons are painfully out-of-touch with the will of their own people. Too much time spent away from one’s roots has an effect.”
Interesting. Was Merhna now courting the disgruntled Cu’enmerengi?
“That’s why we put down roots in as many places as possible,” Patrick said, smiling his most charming smile. “Wherever our people choose to dwell becomes our home.”
The Cantor fixed her eyes on the dollop of butter melting on her cornbread. Patrick had raised the ante, and she knew it.
“When your roots spread through too many fields, you can forget the direction of the sun,” said Merhna, quoting an old Dolparessan proverb.
“You speak as though I were an ear of corn, and not a Cu’enashti.” said Patrick smoothly. “The true sun is sitting right next to me, and my leaves always follow that light.”
There was a ripple of laughter, followed by applause. Patrick had reminded those present of the reason they recognized I and I’s authority; not because He is the Living God of Skarsia, but because He became the Living God of Skarsia for the sake of His Chosen. He is the most successful exemplar of the sacred principle of n’aashet n’aaverti: if we have our roots in three galaxies, it is because we delivered the rulership of those galaxies to the Matriarch. Well, two out of three – this one is still a work in process.
Well-played, Patrick.
*****
Lord Danak said as much when we returned to Court Emmere. News travels fast in the Domha’vei.
“Danak, my nerves are worn to the last molecule,” said Tara. “I’m not sure that the Cantor can keep the MPP under control. It might have been a mistake to involve them.”
“I’m afraid that there is no rest for the weary,” said Danak. “Lady Lorma wants to speak with you. It seems to be a matter of some urgency.”
Tara sighed. “All right. There’s no opposing Lady Madonna when she sets her head to something. Danak, are you sure you’re up for this?”
“I like a spirited woman,” he sniffed.
While Tara waited, Lens approached me. « Ailann, there’s something you’d better see, » he said. « It happened while you were riding along with Patrick, but you can access the memories in my branch. »
« Huh, » said Cillian, « we never used to have this problem. There’s too many of us now to keep track of, especially when we’re focusing on the emanation. Mind if I look? »
« It isn’t like I could stop you, » said Lens, « but thanks for asking. I honestly don’t mind if anyone does, though. My wood is an open book. »
He guided us to a conversation he’d had during the luncheon. He and the other Yggdrasil emanations had gone to meet Rain for the first time. They had intended to welcome him, but he had begun by stating, « Are all of you really okay with this? »
« With what? » asked Till.
« All of it. The way we were used. The way we’re still treated like second-class branches. »
« I’ve never been treated badly, » said Beat.
« You were sent on a suicide mission the minute you emanated, » said Rain. « If that isn’t treated badly, I don’t know what is. »
« It’s true that we didn’t know if we would be able to live, » said Lens. « What you remembered would indicate that we were aware of it from the start. We agreed to it. »
« It’s worth it to us, » said Axel. « I meant what I said. I love life. »
« We were duped, » said Rain. « We were promised Tara, but not one of us has a Gold Card. »
« Tara determines who gets the Gold Cards, » said Beat. « It isn’t something that we can control. »
« Really? » asked Rain. « I’ve investigated this. Look at what happened with Rand. That situation was manipulated. If so-called “Self” wants you to get a Gold Card, you’ll get one. »
« You’re oversimplifying, » said Lens. « It’s not that easy – and there are no Gold Cards for the Canopus emanations either. »
« There are only three Canopus emanations, » Rain replied, « but one of them will get a Gold Card sooner or later. »
« It seems pretty obvious that Ellery will get one, » said Axel, « but that has a lot more to do with Ellery and less with Canopus. »
« That’s because Ellery is the heart, » said Rain. « We’re the foot-soldiers. »
« I’ve never felt like I’ve been treated any differently from anyone else, either by Tara or by the other branches, » said Lens. « Tara has always been quite good to me. »
« Tara most certainly isn’t the problem, » said Rain. « After last night, I feel sure that if we had access to Tara, she’d love us. But will we get access to her – or are we being kept in isolation? »
« Well, » said Axel, « there is a certain measure of isolation from the other branches simply from the location of Yggdrasil at Nightside. »
Till had been silent for most of the conversation. « We’re in the process of constructing a resort hotel at the site. That should make it less isolated, but…»
« And it was why Davy made the fokkerflies, » Axel inserted. « Cross-pollination changes everything. »
« It’s true, » said Beat. « I was in the first experiment. Since then, I’ve become very close to Harsh, and I’ve always been close to Lorcan. I know that I’m welcome to hang out at Sloane’s with Lorcan’s buds. »
« Ever since the party at Suibhne’s place, I’ve made new friends, » agreed Lens. « Mickey and Lucius and Valentin. »
« Suibhne is my pollen-partner, » said Axel. « Davy and Manasseh are with us most of the time, too. »
« I don’t believe that we’re being intentionally isolated, » said Till carefully. « Remember, we were asked to participate in the experiments, and we’re invited to all the parties. »
« We’ve been given life, » said Axel. « It’s up to us to make something of it. »
Beat looked toward Till, noticing that he was not protesting as vociferously as the others. « This bothers you. »
« I don’t want to sound ungrateful, » said Till. « I agree with you, Axel, I love my life too. But I have to wonder – did we have a choice? »
« Did we have a better option? » Beat replied.
« Whatever, » said Rain. « You’re all so naïve – or maybe just brainwashed. »
*****
« Rain needs to make some friends, » snorted Cillian.
« I’m afraid that it’s more than that, » said Tarlach.
« Who asked you? » said Cillian. « Also, did you just butt into Lens’ branch? »
« I don’t mind, » said Lens.
« It isn’t only that Rain lacks integration, » Tarlach continued. « It could indicate the start of a substantial problem in the community. If the components of I and I consider themselves individuals instead of part of a unified whole, we’ll not only have conflict – we’ll have insanity. Hand and heart will no longer act in concert. »
« We need to have a general meeting, » I decided. « And we’d better invite Tara. She’s furious with us. »
« We can’t hold it here, » said Mickey. « Daniel’s room is too small. There are fifty-one of us now. »
« Is the garden outside of the Ashvattha Palace big enough? » Balin asked.
« We can hold it in the amphitheater, » said Axel.
« What amphitheater? »
« In the basement of the Yggdrasil Tower. There’s a lot of empty space in there, more than we’ll ever need – that’s why I’m renting a suite to Tarlach and the CCPR. I never even looked in the basement until yesterday. »
« All right. Patrick, tell Tara that we’ll need her in the pleroma as soon as she’s done with Lady Lorma. Everyone else should assemble. I have a few things to say before she arrives. »
*****
“We decided to hold the wedding on Dolparessa,” said Lady Lorma. “We thought that since Tubby is Siderian and I’m Skarsian that it would be neutral ground, and the fact is that we’ve spent most of our lives here at Court Emmere.”
“Tubby?”
“Yes, short for Tubar. Tubar is an old Siderian name, but all his schoolmates called him ‘Tuber.’ That’s why he never uses his given name.”
“Tuber,” giggled Tara. “I’d never heard that story. Lord Danak has always seemed like one of the ancients to me. It never occurred to me to call him by his first name any more than I would have addressed my father that way.”
“Having the wedding on Dolparessa creates another problem, though – the cake.”
“The cake?” asked Tara. “How is cake a problem?”
“With the new conservatism on Dolparessa, a confection made of grain might be considered offensive,” Lady Lorma replied.
“Oh, the younger generation couldn’t care less about that,” Tara replied. “I sure as hell had cake when I married Patrick. As long as it doesn’t have nuts, you’ll be fine, but if you’re really worried about it, you could have ice cream cake.”
“Ice cream cake! That’s an idea. But we were planning to wed in summer. If we hold the ceremony outdoors, the cake could melt once it’s sliced.”
“I could attend with Wynne. He might have the same effect on ice cream cake as he did on ice sculptures.”
“Of course, despite the perennially good weather on Dolparessa, outdoor events are always a gamble.”
“You forget that I’m married to God. I’ll tell him to make certain that the weather is fine.”
Patrick knocked softly on the door. He had left the room to give Lady Lorma the illusion of privacy. Unlike Suibhne, he felt vaguely guilty for eavesdropping, but we had learned from bitter experience not to allow Tara to be completely alone and unprotected. I suppose if she demanded that we do so, we would have to acquiesce. However, for a woman of her standing to be alone and unprotected is hardly realistic, and I suspect that she far prefers our surveillance to several dozen SSOps agents positioned in strategic locations around her suite.
“Lady Lorma, I apologize for the interruption, but something important has come up.”
“Oh, that’s fine. I’ll have to ask Tubby what he thinks about ice cream cake anyway.”
“Tubby?” said Patrick, feigning surprise.
“Apparently a nickname of Lord Danak,” Tara replied.
“Is it meant to be ironic? He’s rather svelte.”
“Ice cream cake will fix that. I’d prefer my advisors not to have a lean and hungry look.”
After Lady Lorma had left, Tara looked at Patrick expectantly. “You’re needed in the pleroma,” he said. “As you’ve probably guessed, we need to have a frank discussion. I’ll be accompanying you while Manasseh emanates.”
“Why Manasseh?”
“We decided that of all the emanations, Manasseh was the least likely to have anything pertinent to say.”
“Poor Manasseh!” Tara exclaimed. “I think he’s sweet.”
“Remember his dessert was nau’gsh fool – sugary and full of air.”
“I didn’t have a chance to try that one at the buffet. Honestly, I didn’t interact much with Manasseh that night, but he made a great Ariel.”
“The delicate spirit of wind,” said Patrick, stooping to kiss her hand. “Shall we go?”
*****
In the meantime, the others had arrived. I stood in the center of the amphitheater, observing my comrades as they gathered. There was no seating arrangement, and I had assumed that they would organize themselves in order of emanation, or perhaps grouped by their trees, but they did not. They were scattered amongst the rows of the VIP boxes.
« I thought they’d sit with their friends, » said Blackjack, who, for some unknown reason, was standing next to me. « But they aren’t. Some of them are even by themselves. »
« I thought that they’d organize according to some kind of hierarchy, » said Whirljack. « Maybe the ones with Gold Cards in front. »
« It’s the color space, » called Malachi from the boxes. « We instinctively went to our places. »
« You’re right, » said Davy. « Well, if that’s the case, might as well make it look like it. »
Instantly, nameplates formed in front of the seats, and the cushions changed color from a nondescript beige to the various pseudo-hues of the diagram.
« I guess we’re in the center, » said Blackjack. « That’s fine by me. I’m most comfortable on stage. »
« I’m between Ishan and Julian, neither of whom have emanated, » said Ari. « I suppose I have to sit alone for now. »
« The nameplate on my right just has the number 54, » Solomon added.
« This is exactly what I wanted to speak about, » I told them. « The fact that all of you went instinctively to your places in the color space underscores the truth. Whatever our diverse origins, we are a collective. One mind, one unified essence which manifests as a multitude. Each of us has a place, a function. Each is vital to the overall design. Each is committed to the priorities, to n’aashet n’aaverti, to our Chosen. We may delight in our differences, but to allow them to divide us would be disastrous. The more I reflect, the more I realize that the truth was withheld from us until after the experiments were completed, until after the color space was established and cross-pollination was realized. All these things were intended to prove to us that we are joined at the root. I and I guides us, and each particle of our beings increases the glory of the whole. We must let our love for each other be second only to our love for Tara. Before she arrives, let us join in silent meditation on the principle of our unity. »
There was a pause.
« How long are we supposed to keep doing this? » asked Davy.
« I was figuring we’d go until Tara gets here, » said Lugh.
« That could be forever, » said Driscoll. « Lady Lorma can get long-winded. »
« Ailann was doing great until the last sentence, » said Lorcan. « He should’ve known that the only one of us who can keep quiet for more than five seconds is Jamey. »
Manasseh stood. « I think I’m going to emanate now, » he said. « Patrick will bring Tara down here from her room in Atlas. »
« Right, » said Cillian. « Now when she enters the amphitheater, I want all of us to shut up and stand in respect. »
« Should we salute? » asked Constantine.
« We don’t actually have an official salute, » said Mickey. « Maybe we should make one up. »
« I think we should avoid something which is too militaristic, like a clenched fist salute or a Roman salute, » said Dermot. « Even a hand at the brow salute is too rigid. »
« How about the posture of the Egyptian god Min? » suggested Tommy. « You raise your right hand, and your left holds out your…»
« Perhaps a bit too obvious in its symbolism, » said Driscoll.
« I dunno, » said Davy. « Tara would probably like it. »
« We could place our hands over our hearts, » said Malachi.
« Why don’t we bow? » asked Sloane. « Since we consider ourselves knights in her service, I think it would be appropriate. »
« If we must, » I said. « Place your right hand over your heart and bow. On the count of three…two…one…»
Tara entered the amphitheater. For a moment, she gaped at us. Then she raised her arms dramatically and said, « Friends, Pleromans, Concubines, lend me your ears! »
« Strictly speaking, I don’t think men can be concubines, » said Cüinn.
« Why not? » said Tara. « You’re the ones bearing fruit. »
She scanned her audience. « Why aren’t you sitting closer together? » she asked. « I feel like the teacher of an unpopular subject. »
« Reserved seating, » said Whirljack. « According to the color space. »
« Oh, » she said, « I get it. That really makes the point, doesn’t it? Half of the spaces are empty. »
A murmur arose from the boxes. We honestly hadn’t thought of that at all. But when she pointed it out, it was more than clear – it was embarrassing. We were incomplete, very incomplete. I felt an inexplicable sense of shame, and for the first time in days, I seriously craved a drink.
« Maybe, » murmured Briscoe, « maybe we should recruit…»
« The most important thing to us is n’aashet n’aaverti, » Rand injected. « Rain was the 51st emanation – exactly the halfway point in I and I’s plan. There are 28 more unemanated, but in order to fill the spaces, we’d need an additional 22 on top of that. That’s a considerable number, slightly over 20% of I and I’s projected composition. It’s a large change. »
He addressed Tara. « We need to know if you want us to…»
« Lord love a sucksow, » said Tara. « If I forbade you to fill those open spaces, it would be as counterproductive and small-minded as a Volparnian who forbids his wife from reading or a Skarsian aristo who doesn’t want her husband to have a career. Change and growth is a part of being alive. Look, every wedding vow I’ve ever heard has clauses concerning loyalty or fidelity. Not a single one ever includes a vow that says ‘I’ll always be the same person you married.’ Maybe the way your species changes and grows is different from my species. Yours is more obvious, and maybe in that way, more honest. Come on, am I the same person as that little girl who planted the seed of Atlas? I hope I’ve learned something in my life. »
« But Tara, » said Dermot, « what you call obvious – it’s a kind of rigidity. Human consciousness is fluid. You have a certain measure of control – if there’s something causing dissonance between two human partners, they can choose to compromise. Our situation is different. If I and I incorporates other nul-beings, that change is permanent and physical. »
« You might be giving humans too much credit, » said Tara. « Change only looks easy because it happens beneath the surface. Also, you’re acting like the only way you can change is by adding to your consciousness, but that isn’t true. I’ve seen some of you change enormously – Lorcan, Cillian, Lugh…»
« It stands to reason, » said Tarlach. « Part of I and I’s nature is to manifest as something human. The human part of us is capable of natural human growth. »
« We can change in the way that human personalities can change, » said Malachi, « but what we’re talking about is the equivalent of adding additional personalities. And while the personalities themselves are shaped according to I and I’s grand design, the material they’re shaped from has an influence. »
« If we’re afraid of change, we’ll never achieve Tara’s destiny, » I injected. « And this is an excellent way to assist in the rescue effort for Cu’enashti still trapped in the nul-universe. »
« I’m a lot more concerned with your recruitment method, » said Tara. « No matter how it turned out, you exploited the Yggdrasil emanations. You did the equivalent of getting them hooked on a drug, then requiring them to work for you, doing something dangerous and distasteful, in order to get their fix. »
« Whoa, » said Cillian.
« But she’s right, » said Till.
Lugh looked at him worriedly. « Is that how you really feel? Is that how you feel about us? »
« You’re reading me wrong, » said Till. « I’m not sorry for anything that happened. But it can’t happen again, not like that. »
« Maybe the Board of Ethics needs to be involved in the selection process, » Tarlach suggested.
« Ash, » said Tara. « I’m addressing Ash, my husband, but I’m addressing all of you. Because that’s what Ash is. He’s all of you. He’s the combined will of all of you. »
« But Ashtara is our God, » said Seth, « the hand that moves us. That means…»
« It means you’re responsible, » said Tara. « Even if the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. And I’ve got to get one thing clear; I’m sick of prevarication. You know what I mean, Ashtara. You thought you could weasel out of your promise to me on a technicality. But you knew damn well how I’d feel about what you did to the Yggdrasil emanations, didn’t you? »
Aran rose, saying, « I’d like to issue a formal apology to both Tara and the Yggdrasil emanations. »
« There’s a solution to this, » said Whirljack. « Tara has to oversee the process. She chooses the remaining entities and makes certain that they join us consensually. »
« I don’t know about that, » said Tara. « You’ve been doing fine without me. I think that Ash knows what he needs much better than I do. I’d have no idea who to pick. »
« It’s obvious, » said Davy.
« Oh? » asked Owen. « Then you do it. »
« Any of us could do it. It’s easy, » Davy replied. « Look for the right colors. Just go look in Ailann’s sacred pool. »
Cillian nodded at me. « Go on, » he said. « We can tap into your branch. »
I took Tara’s hand, leading her out of the amphitheater. « This should be interesting, » she said. « I’ve never seen your apartment. »
« It’s not quite an apartment, » I told her as we crossed the corridor between Yggdrasil and Atlas. « You’ll see. »
We stepped off the hilift. I opened the door and gestured for her to enter. « Fuck me, this is enormous, » she exclaimed. « It’s another one like Suibhne’s palace. »
« Suibhne’s palace is larger, » I said, « but mine has considerably more exterior space. »
« I’m impressed, » she said. « It’s beautiful. Also, it suits you. »
We proceeded to the center of the grove. « I don’t really understand what Davy expects us to see, » I told her. « The pond contains sacred denizens of the watery world – koi, lotuses and crocodiles. »
« Together? Don’t the crocs eat the koi? »
« I am a god of compassion. The koi shall lie down with the crocodile. In fact, my crocodiles are quite friendly – much better tempered than dobergators. »
We sat on a marble bench near the edge of the pond. Other than the creatures I mentioned, the pond reflected a perfectly blue sky dotted with painterly clouds – a simulation of Earth’s atmosphere.
Tara stood, edging closer to the water. « Look, » she said, pointing. « You have to look under the lotus roots, where the shadows block the reflection. »
I looked. I had never noticed before – all I had perceived was the peaceful scene on the surface. The roots were entangled, enormous. They seemed to reach down to infinity.
« Those aren’t lotus roots, » said Tara. « Those are nau’gsh roots. If you look directly in the center, you can see the taproot. There’s nothing else like it. »
« Wait, are those our roots? There’s an image of our roots in my reflecting pond? »
Tara grasped my arm. « Ailann, if I squint, I can see energy coursing through it. It’s not anything like what I expected. It’s black, not emitting light at all. But every now and then I can see little sparks – whorls that arise and then dissipate. Like spinning fireworks. »
We watched for a while. It was quite beautiful, a dance of flickering color. Not all of them faded back into the energy stream, though. Occasionally, one would become larger, swelling with energy. Then something remarkable happened. A large golden spinner came flying through the energy stream, crashing into a deep blue one. There was a spray of energy, and the two merged into one – a vibrant yellow-green.
No sooner than I had gotten over my astonishment than my eyes were fixed on another spark of a splendid reddish purple, one whose emissions seemed to resolve into standing waves patterned like a pirouetting snowflake made of crumpled foil. It gave the impression of being a bit shabby and yet sophisticated, like the kind of antiquity you could buy at a junkyard auction.
Just as suddenly, the enormous green spinner plummeted into its path. « No! » Tara shouted, leaping out into the pool. Crocodiles retreated as she scattered the water with her shins. As she neared the center, she stooped, reaching forward to snatch the spark just as the larger green one spun past, colliding with a root and spraying its energy back into the coursing stream of lightless light.
Tara turned to me, holding out her cupped hands. The purple spark gyrated in the water.
« Now what? » she asked.
« It’s terribly small, » I said. « You should probably put it back. »
« It will just be destroyed, » said Tara. « It’s too pretty. »
She was like a child who had won a goldfish at a carnival, and hadn’t considered the need for an aquarium. « Let’s bring it back to the amphitheater so Cüinn can inspect it, » I said, resigned.
When we returned, the others left their seats, crowding around Tara and the captive spiral. Cüinn pushed his way to the front. « That’s amazing, » he said. « And I’m with you, Ailann. Why didn’t we ever notice this kind of thing before? »
« Ailann, do you mind if I go up to the reflecting pool? » asked Lens. « I think we need to do some serious observation of these phenomena. » I nodded, turning towards him for just a second. In that instant, Cüinn gently poked at the spinner with his finger. All of the emanations were surrounded with a blueblack flame. When it faded, the spinner had vanished.
« Oooops, » said Cüinn.
« This is exactly the kind of careful planning we’re famous for, » said Lorcan. « So much for the Board of Ethics. »
« Can you undo that? » asked Tara? « Restore to saved or something? »
« Maybe, » mused Dermot. « But we have to find it first. »
« Right, » said Tarlach. « Everybody check the empty seats. See if a new name came up. »
« No name, » said Ethan, « but check out the seat next to mine. It’s exactly the same color as that spiral. Number 38. »
« Mangosteen, » said Seth. « Both the color and the totem. Corresponding to the star Dalastam and the fourth letter of the Etruscan alphabet. According to Tara’s vision, his function is ‘adjusting gravity.’ »
« I don’t like the idea of little purple thingies running loose in the pleroma, maybe fucking things up in ways we can’t imagine, » said Cillian.
« The easiest way to find him would be to force his emanation, » said Malachi. « Tara can use the candles. »
« Wait just a minute, » said Cillian. « I said find him, not emanate him. If we emanate him, we’re stuck with him. Just because he’s the right color… »
« Tara chose him, » said Rand. « That means more than anything. »
« But will that even work? » asked Tara. « I was able to get Rain to emanate, but his branch already existed. »
« That’s easy enough to find out, » said Cüinn. « Try burning a candle for one of the Canopus emanations. Either it works or it doesn’t. I don’t see how that could possibly hurt. »
« Conversely, don’t try one for one of the nameless ones, » said Solomon. « Who knows what could happen? »
« Another emanation? » asked Tara. « Now? Are you sure? »
« I think we’ve had enough, » said Mickey. « Especially when you consider the amount of political chaos… »
« Do you want to get caught off guard again by Mauve or someone like him? » said Aran. « We can’t afford to be ignorant about our own nature. And I’m with Cillian – we can’t afford to have an outsider loose in the pleroma, either. »
« Another emanation shouldn’t hurt, » said Malachi. « If there’s an emergency, we’ll just emanate someone qualified to handle it. Whoever it is will just have to understand that he might not get a lot of immediate attention, but that can be made up later. »
« Sometimes much later, » Thomas sighed.
« If you insist, » said Tara. « Which of the remaining emanations are on Canopus? And which one should I evoke? »
« Hollis, Yves, Roan, Selby, Tannon, Lennox, Palmer, Javor, Nash and Oliver, » Dermot answered. « They all have names derived from species of trees. »
« Tara, your intuition is better than all of our logic when it comes to interacting with the Mover, » said Malachi. « Just choose one who feels right. »
« Hmmm, how about Tannon? »
« Um, Tara, » said Davy. « Maybe that isn’t… »
« Leave it, » said Whirljack. « Her will in these matters is absolute. »
« Are you sure? » asked Tara. « If there’s a problem, I could pick another. »
« No problem at all, » said Rand.
« But I think you should know… » Davy began.
Cillian kicked him lightly in the shin.
« Ow! » said Davy. « What was that for? »
Tara regarded us suspiciously.
« It’s all right, » said Patrick. « I think it would be best for you to emanate and get started. We’re in a number of difficult situations, and we’ll be in a better position to address them once we have some concrete answers. »
Tara’s eyes met mine. I nodded reassuringly.
« All right, » she said. « Let’s do it. »
« Ailann, » Davy hissed once she’d left.
« There’s no point in worrying about it, » I told him. « Tara chose the next emanation, just as Tara rescued that proto-consciousness from the energy stream. They’ve been blessed, and we have to respect that. »
« But Tannon means fir tree, » said Davy. « He’s a conifer. »