The Paladin's Odyssey (The Windows of Heaven) by K.G. Powderly Jr.
Authors: K.G. Powderly Jr.
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Pyra sat in the lowest tier of the sunken indoor amphitheater surrounding the enormous glass-pearl spheroid. Quickfire conduits connected the oracle orb to hidden engines far beneath U’Lympe’s garden-festooned mound , and to golden emitters atop the central stepped pyramid .
The full color motion-image of Klyeto’s earthen-tone face spoke the holy power into each of them. “ … The F our Elementals are arranged on the Stairway of Heaven in sequences contain ing information.” The orb picture shifted to a model that looked like a metallic spiral staircase with different combinations of two out of four possible elemental symbols on each step.
Klyeto’s Southlands-accented voice continued, “Until now, you have thought only in terms of controlling the Elementals mystically with words. That is little more than a meditation exercise. R eal power comes by manipulating the coded information that the Elementals are mere quadratic symbols for. We do that materially by alchemy, using powerful quickfire lenses. This is the secret to how we make new forms of life in the sacred laboratories. Now that you are initiates, you may know some of the deeper mysteries. As you grow past novice-hood through the levels of wisdom, you shall eventually , like me, control the divine powers of creation.”
A sea breeze must have blown in Psydonis, for Klyeto’s dark gold-streaked hair ruffled slightly. Pyra could see the profusion of trees and flowers in the distant courtyard behind Lord Psydonu’s mother/wife. A small winged dragon flitted from branch to branch, distracting Pyra so that she didn’t hear Klyeto’s summary before the orb went dark.
The changing light broke Pyra’s trance.
“Sacred indoctrination is over,” said Harachne’s gruff voice. “You are all dismissed until your next dialogue session.”
Pyra rose to go find Taanyx, but felt a gentle tug on her pre-novice wrap. She turned when Harachne squeezed her shoulder and ran her hand down Pyra’s bare upper arm.
“I need you to stay after a little,” said the older woman.
Pyra slipped free of Harachne’s grip and sat down again. “Is there a problem?”
“No darling. It’s just that your mother is having her first treatment today and she will be a little late. You might want to go to the library after your last dialogue. I wanted to spend a moment with you now to talk perhaps. I need you to know you can come to me if you need anything.”
Pyra put on her best sweet-tempered face. Great! The Spider-woman wants to talk. “That’s very kind of you. What’s on your mind?”
Harachne plopped her bulk down next to Pyra—closer than was prefer able . People said around the Temple courts that, in her day, Harachne had been quite attractive, but Pyra had trouble believing it. The woman was much older than Pandura and built like a titan. Her short bristly hair squared the top of her head like a bronze wedge helmet and she could probably out-wrestle most soldiers that wore such headgear. For some reason Mauma needs someone strong in her life, like Harachne.
“Your mother and I have been consorts off and on since you were ten,” the Spider-woman said. “I know yo u and I haven’t always seen eye-to— eye, Pyra. But your mother will be going through some difficult changes … ”
Pyra’s skin crawled as Harachne dropped a beefy arm over her shoulder. “I know.”
“It would make things easier for her if we could get along better.”
“I understand. I’ll try.”
“I knew you would, dear. You’re a sensitive and intelligent girl. I’m weaving your novice outfit of the finest blue silk, you know. Your mother and I can’t wait to see you in it. It will be ready before the ceremony.”
“That’s very thoughtful, thank you. Everybody knows you are the finest on the loom. Will there be anything else?”
Harachne sounded disappointed. “No, I guess not. Run along. I’ll join you and your mother at the dorm later.”
Pyra broke free of
Pyra sat in the lowest tier of the sunken indoor amphitheater surrounding the enormous glass-pearl spheroid. Quickfire conduits connected the oracle orb to hidden engines far beneath U’Lympe’s garden-festooned mound , and to golden emitters atop the central stepped pyramid .
The full color motion-image of Klyeto’s earthen-tone face spoke the holy power into each of them. “ … The F our Elementals are arranged on the Stairway of Heaven in sequences contain ing information.” The orb picture shifted to a model that looked like a metallic spiral staircase with different combinations of two out of four possible elemental symbols on each step.
Klyeto’s Southlands-accented voice continued, “Until now, you have thought only in terms of controlling the Elementals mystically with words. That is little more than a meditation exercise. R eal power comes by manipulating the coded information that the Elementals are mere quadratic symbols for. We do that materially by alchemy, using powerful quickfire lenses. This is the secret to how we make new forms of life in the sacred laboratories. Now that you are initiates, you may know some of the deeper mysteries. As you grow past novice-hood through the levels of wisdom, you shall eventually , like me, control the divine powers of creation.”
A sea breeze must have blown in Psydonis, for Klyeto’s dark gold-streaked hair ruffled slightly. Pyra could see the profusion of trees and flowers in the distant courtyard behind Lord Psydonu’s mother/wife. A small winged dragon flitted from branch to branch, distracting Pyra so that she didn’t hear Klyeto’s summary before the orb went dark.
The changing light broke Pyra’s trance.
“Sacred indoctrination is over,” said Harachne’s gruff voice. “You are all dismissed until your next dialogue session.”
Pyra rose to go find Taanyx, but felt a gentle tug on her pre-novice wrap. She turned when Harachne squeezed her shoulder and ran her hand down Pyra’s bare upper arm.
“I need you to stay after a little,” said the older woman.
Pyra slipped free of Harachne’s grip and sat down again. “Is there a problem?”
“No darling. It’s just that your mother is having her first treatment today and she will be a little late. You might want to go to the library after your last dialogue. I wanted to spend a moment with you now to talk perhaps. I need you to know you can come to me if you need anything.”
Pyra put on her best sweet-tempered face. Great! The Spider-woman wants to talk. “That’s very kind of you. What’s on your mind?”
Harachne plopped her bulk down next to Pyra—closer than was prefer able . People said around the Temple courts that, in her day, Harachne had been quite attractive, but Pyra had trouble believing it. The woman was much older than Pandura and built like a titan. Her short bristly hair squared the top of her head like a bronze wedge helmet and she could probably out-wrestle most soldiers that wore such headgear. For some reason Mauma needs someone strong in her life, like Harachne.
“Your mother and I have been consorts off and on since you were ten,” the Spider-woman said. “I know yo u and I haven’t always seen eye-to— eye, Pyra. But your mother will be going through some difficult changes … ”
Pyra’s skin crawled as Harachne dropped a beefy arm over her shoulder. “I know.”
“It would make things easier for her if we could get along better.”
“I understand. I’ll try.”
“I knew you would, dear. You’re a sensitive and intelligent girl. I’m weaving your novice outfit of the finest blue silk, you know. Your mother and I can’t wait to see you in it. It will be ready before the ceremony.”
“That’s very thoughtful, thank you. Everybody knows you are the finest on the loom. Will there be anything else?”
Harachne sounded disappointed. “No, I guess not. Run along. I’ll join you and your mother at the dorm later.”
Pyra broke free of
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