The Stillness Among the Stars Read online

  Symbols are from a dialect of an early ideographic language known as the Hapzian System. Adopted by Vornecian Order that arose in early post-Conflagration, combining elements of lost mystical traditions with astronomic superstitions derived from events at time of comet. Form has passed to the modern version of the Order, serving principally as a unifying emblem and instrument of psychological focus. A list of references to more detailed reports was appended.

  Taya followed Kort's gaze from the table to the device suspended below her neck. “Marcala and Kadethir brought them from Halsabia for us,” she said. “We're honored. The stone that they're made out of is very special—from a mine that penetrated to constructions of the Ancients that were known before Vrent...” Taya faltered for breath, “was discovered. In fact, long before we...” Her voice faded again. She smiled apologetically and looked at Kadethir to take over. He rose, turning toward Kort.

  “It's called lysetine and is known only from that one source. The waters from the mountain where the mine is located are famed for their powers of rejuvenation and curing. There is a spa in the valley below, which the sick and elderly have come to for centuries seeking relief from their ailments."

  “Fariden-Fer,” Marcala put in. “In the southern Qualands."

  Kort nodded. “I know of it.” He made a quick check with Merkon to consult Geologist, who confirmed that the water there was abnormally warm, rich with mineral salts, and high in radioactivity. Medic said that even after allowing for hearsay and exaggeration, there did seem to be a residual statistical bias that was significant. He conjectured that low-level radiation could have a beneficial hormetic effect on biological metabolisms. Skeptic concurred grudgingly that there might be something to it, but cautioned that the data supporting hormesis had been accumulating for little more than half a century, and the Azurean records before that couldn't be trusted. Kadethir, knowing nothing about any of that, attributed more to the connection with the Ancients.

  “A remnant of the powers that vanished with the Lost Age remains locked in these lysetine amulets, only a score of which have been made since the forming of the original Vornecians,” he said. Our Order has guarded them unremittingly over all that time, bestowing them only upon the few who were truly worthy.” The old man half turned to incline his head toward Taya. “And we bring this now to she who has brought more change and wisdom to our world than all the noblest and high-born through the chronicles of our recorded history.” He looked back at Kort. “Of course, nothing can check the flow of time. But it will bring strength. Her days will be more in number, their hours fuller."

  Kort invited reactions from Merkon.

  Implausible, but it can't do any harm, Scientist returned.

  Conceivably, the observed benefits were due to suggestion, Psychologist said.

  Not enough data to be certain that anything was observed, Skeptic thought.

  The seers have been right before, Mystic pointed out.

  Thinker thought they all might have a point.

  “Let us hope that your power will continue its work now as it has before,” Kort said. Kadethir bowed his head. Marcala glanced up at him questioningly. The seer nodded.

  “There's a little more yet,” Marcala said to Kort. “The Azurean tradition has always been that when the well-being of the afflicted has been entrusted to a Protector, the strength of the Protector must be enhanced too.” She rose to stand beside Kadethir and drew across the casket containing the ornamented band. “This is for you to wear, Kort ... until the final time.” Marcala picked up the bracelet, opening its clasp, and turned to face him. Then she drew herself upright, and adopting a formal voice, recited words in a tongue that was unfamiliar. Kadethir answered her, and she spoke again in turn while closing the band around Kort's wrist.

  What's going on? Kort signaled to Linguist, and replayed the sequence.

  A ceremonial rite recited in a variant of ancient Yersh,” Linguist's response informed him. “She calls upon the wisdom of the Ancients and trusts they would approve her action. You're now wearing their signs, and may you be empowered. The old boy's reminding you to use it wisely and honorably. And may your life be lengthened too.... Now suppose you try telling me what's going on, Kort.

  Later, Kort sent back.

  Kort watched while Marcala secured and checked the clasp. He had reached a point of ceasing to pass judgment on which parts were true and which not of the mixed philosophy of knowledge and beliefs that had come into being on Azure, which drew from three broad sources.

  First, most reliable and comprehensive despite being the newest, was the system for explaining the purely physical domain, that Scientist and the various specialists derived from him had developed and brought with Merkon. Although introduced only since the Advent, its methods were transforming the planet. Clearly, too, the civilization of the Ancients had arisen to a large degree through extensive application of such knowledge.

  Second, nevertheless, the Star Children had repeatedly shown abilities that Scientist was unable to account for. From the prophecies handed down via the seers, it was clear that the Ancients had possessed such abilities also, seemingly to an even greater degree, and applied on a more systematic and organized basis.

  And finally there was the strange assortment of mystical and religious sects that had emerged in the age of chaos and terror following the pass of the giant comet. Built partly out of myths and fears that had flourished with the loss of reason, but which could contain germs of truth nonetheless, partly from superstitions and notions of magic which almost certainly contained none, and yet possibly harboring some authentic vestiges of the past in their confusions of legend and actuality, their belief systems defied untangling.

  So was this ritual being enacted now just a relic of an aberration that should have been forgotten? Or might it turn out to be an unlikely vehicle for preserving a whisper of something priceless that would one day be heard again? Kort didn't know, and neither did any other mind of Merkon. But the best way for dealing with Azureans, he'd long found—and anyone else, come to that—was to respect their views and keep his own to himself unless asked for them.

  Arrelil and Starp had come over to watch what was happening. “Is Kort a priest like Grandma now?” Starp asked. “I didn't know that mec-people did things like that."

  “No, that isn't what it means,” his father said, still standing by the window.

  “It's a way of saying he'll take care of Taya,” Cerelia supplied.

  Arrelil held up her necklace to compare it. “I think mine's prettier, Kort. It has different shapes and all kinds of colors."

  “Maybe so,” Kort agreed. “But the gray matches me better, wouldn't you say?"

  “Did you know that Taya made the jewels herself when she was a girl like me and lived out where the stars are?"

  “Of course,” Kort said. “It was I who showed her how."

  Arrelil puzzled over that for a moment, and then dismissed it. It would no doubt surface again as another question in its own time. “Did you make Kort's bracelet, Grandma?” she asked, looking back at Marcala.

  “No, I'm afraid not. I'm not especially good at things like that. We're not really sure who made it. It was a long time ago now."

  “As long ago as when Taya made mine—when she was as young as me?"

  “Oh, much longer ago than that,” Marcala said.

  There was a brief moment of silence. Cerelia glanced toward Taya and then looked across at her husband inquiringly. Kort saw that Taya was leaning back against the pillows, her eyes closed. It was time to give her some respite from company. He moved over to the large table where Cerelia was still sitting and looked around to address the room in general. “Well, is everybody decided on what they want to do? We'd better get you on your way if you're going to make the best of the afternoon. I did run off these for you.... “Kort produced the two maps from a pocket of the tunic he was wearing and passed one to Kadethir, the other to Basno. The two men moved to the doorway and waited w
hile Cerelia got the children organized, straightening clothes, putting away presents, telling Taya to be sure and rest. No, Starp couldn't take his spaceship. It would still be here when they got back. Marcala, who would be staying, closed the wooden casket and put it back with some other things that she had set down beside the couch.

  Nerla, alerted by a call from Kort, was waiting in the hallway to help with the coats. Kort walked out with those who were leaving to give final directions and make sure they were pointed in the right direction. An incoming message from Linguist said he'd located a better Yersh dictionary in an old Selvonian Academy archive and could now give a more exact translation. Kort replied that it was okay. He'd gotten the gist, which was all he needed.

  * * * *

  To Kort's surprise, Taya was gone from the suite when he returned into the house. Homing on the ident acknowledgment from her notepad, he found her with Marcala by the fishpond in the court at the rear. It was one of her favorite spots, leafy and secluded, enclosed by parts of the house on three sides and looking out from the other over the garden, which was screened by a small orchard at the far end. Marcala must have helped her to walk outside. As Kort arrived, she was settling into the seat by the rose trellises, while Marcala made her comfortable among the cushions and draped a blanket around her knees.

  “What's this?” Kort gestured at them. “I turn my back for a moment, and she's got you galloping about all over the house. I'm not sure this daughter of ours is a good influence."

  “It was my fault. I insisted,” Taya said. “I just felt I needed the air, and I'm up to it today. So there—you can fuss and nag all you want."

  “You see, I'm good for her,” Marcala told him. “It takes one old woman to know what's best for another. Isn't that so, Taya?” It was true that Taya had more color in her face today. Medic said that the final deterioration would come quickly. It would probably be for the best that way, Kort thought.

  “All of the company is good,” Taya said. “To think, they would all come so far to see me. I especially like having the children around...” she paused to consider, “at least, as long as it's in small doses.... Look at the size of those fish, Kort. What are we feeding them on?"

  How could she be concerned about the size of the fish? Kort asked himself. She acted as if she didn't know, as if a month from now any of this could matter or make a difference. Was it some kind of protective mechanism that biological minds possessed to soften the final phase? He had no experience of this. Medic and Psychologist said it happened this way sometimes, but there was no fixed pattern. The exact course in any one instance was as variable and unpredictable as just about anything involving humans.

  “Yes, well, you've got Kort to keep an eye on you for a while now, Taya,” Marcala said, straightening up. “I'm going to disappear back to my room for half an hour to bathe and change. Then we'll have the rest of the afternoon together. Is there anything else you need?"

  “No, I'll be fine,” Taya answered. “They do take very good care of me when you're not here, you know, whether you believe it or not. You might stick your head in the library on your way back, though—to make sure that Irbane has everything he wants."

  “I've already mentioned it to Nerla. She'll check on him,” Kort said.

  “Oh, fine, then.... There, look at that one. Do you think it could be due to something in the water?"

  “I don't know, but that's where I'm going to be. I'll see you in half an hour.” Marcala turned and headed back for the house.

  “Make sure it's from a different supply,” Taya called after her. “You'll come out the size of a whale.” But she couldn't raise sufficient volume for it to carry, and Marcala didn't hear. The effort caused Taya's voice to trail off as a wheeze, which turned into coughing. Kort lowered himself down onto the wall below the trellises and steadied her with a hand. He put a call through for Nerla, and she answered a moment later.

  Can you bring some water and a glass, he sent. We're outside by the pond.

  “Sure, right away."

  What could compel somebody to try and make a joke at such a time? Humor was something that the machines had learned from the children growing up in Merkon. Like the others, Kort could appreciate it and join in when it was appropriate. He couldn't see how it was appropriate right now.

  Taya lifted her head and put a hand to her chest. “Dear me. You'd think I'd know better.... Do you think I could have a gl—"

  “It's on its way."

  “Oh, yes. Of course.” Kort knew everything. Taya lay back against the cushions and waited for her breath to come easily again. Nerla appeared from within, set a tray with a jug and glass down on the patio table by the seat, and departed. Kort filled the glass and handed it to Taya. She sipped gratefully. Kort scanned her skin temperature, coloring, and moisture levels, eye quality, and heart rate from the pulsation at the side of her neck, and sent the data to Medic. Medic advised keeping her still for fifteen minutes or so and then taking her back inside.

  “You do fuss, you know,” Taya said finally. “You always have. But it's my fault, I suppose. I'd probably have driven any human to distraction long ago. Have I really given you such a hard time over the years?"

  “There have been times,” Kort agreed. “I wouldn't let it trouble you."

  “That's Kort. Brutally honest as ever, eh?"

  “Not really. I just let you think I am. That way I can lie and be tactful when I need to, and you never know."

  “Hm, so which is it right now?...” Taya stopped, frowned, and sighed. “Oh, don't tell me. I really don't care. I'm not getting into one of your logical mazes."

  Kort took the glass and asked with a gesture if he should refill it. Taya shook her head. “Anyway, it isn't fussing any more,” Kort said. He held up his arm to display his new bracelet. “I have to take special care of you now. It appears I'm under some kind of oath of honor or something—not that I wouldn't have anyway."

  “You shouldn't joke about it,” Taya said. “Marcala says it has a very important significance."

  “Really? What?"

  “I think she's showing early signs of getting glimpses of things. She told me just before you came back that the bracelet will be important in helping the machines discover what they really are."

  Kort pondered but could made nothing out of it. “What was that supposed to mean?” he asked finally.

  “She's not sure. It's just something she says she knows."

  “What do you think?"

  “I have no idea either."

  At last, Kort set the glass back on the tray. This conversation wasn't about to go anywhere, he decided. “Marcala works well with Kadethir,” he said instead. “She has been a good student there. Learned much."

  “And I'm pleased at the way she has kept room in her life for her family. Arrelil is going to be a charmer.” Taya stared distantly into the water for a moment. “She reminds me a lot of Cariette. It was so sad, losing all those early ones like that.... And after they'd come so far. You know, it's strange, Kort. I couldn't tell you most of what I did last week, but I can remember clearly some of the things that happened back in Merkon, all those years ago.” She looked at him for a second, wrinkled her face, and made a parody of her own voice as a child. “But machine minds never forget anything."

  One thing that Taya evidently hadn't recalled so clearly was the glass stones that went into the necklace she had given Arrelil. They had been made not by her, but by the younger children growing up in Merkon later. The shapes she remembered making had been of plastic, and Kort wasn't sure what had become of them. He let it pass, rubbing his chin and smiling instead at her pretense of chiding him.

  “Tell me some of the things you remember,” he said.

  “Oh dear, now you're going to make me think."

  “Not if you don't want to."

  “Well, there isn't a lot else left that I can do, is there? Let's see ... That time when the children discovered how much fun it was to be immersed in water, and you got
the machines to make that pool for them. In all my years I'd never found out about that. It was Doleen and Sel who started it all, wasn't it?"

  “That's right. And Bron too."

  “Oh, yes. Poor Bron.... You made a fuss about that too at the time, Kort."

  “It was Scientist more than me. He thought you might all dissolve back into some kind of messy soup."

  “Yes, that's right.... Ugh.” Brightness touched Taya's tired eyes as she thought back. “And I told you that if that was so, then why hadn't we already dissolved from the inside? I must have been sharper then. It wouldn't occur to me these days."

  “And you ask if you used to give us a hard time,” Kort said, shaking his head.

  “Then there was Nyelise—when it first became apparent that she had flashes of vision too, the kind I'd started to experience. She saw Azure, you know, Kort. Long before Scientist could resolve the disk from Merkon. And she knew Fayl and Moyissa wouldn't be there. She told me about it. She didn't understand it, and it scared her.” Fayl and Moyissa had been two of the four who hadn't survived to arrive at Azure. Nyelise had been the first of the others to show Insight.

  Physicist had a theory, so far untestable, that perhaps brought this undeniable reality that Scientist had so far been unable to explain within the realm of physical phenomena nonetheless. It derived from his conclusions concerning the ultimate nature of the very fabric from which the universe was woven. Not only was matter an illusion constructed by consciousness, but so also, it turned out, was the framework of space and time in which it appeared to move and perform its elaborate transformational dances with energy. The actuality existed as a vast, unimaginable, superposition, virtually infinite in extent, of everything that had been, would be, or ever could be. Out of this fusion of all possibilities, awareness had somehow emerged in a way like the minds that had coalesced within Merkon, tracing paths through this unchanging labyrinth and assembling along them the sequences of experience that were perceived as time.

  Evolution measured the proportion of willful, directed choice, as opposed to randomness, that went into deciding the paths. Elementary quanta were ruled by pure chance, which at the level of everyday objects averaged out as mechanical laws. Primitive organisms and simpler animals fared little better. Higher life brought to bear a progressively greater element of purpose. What else was the “intelligence” displayed by minds but an ability to build knowledge from experience and apply it to altering behavior in a manner appropriate to one's goals?