The heavy bronze doors at the center of the temple swung outward, releasing the fragrant clouds of smoke from the incense within. All heads in the room found inspiration to turn toward the opening as the elegant figure of the Brotherhood's leader flowed through the opening, as fluid in his motions as the smoke itself. The two silent attendants flanking him mirrored his progression silently, their unobtrusive presence little more than that of an accessory, or a permanent fixture of the room that had chosen to animate and accompany him rather than remain out of his sight in the meantime. his purposeful stride drew him swiftly into the center of the spacious chamber, his dark eyes fixed intently on the clusters of apprehensive converts.
"Master *Marduk*!" Pippin's exuberant voice erupted from the nearest knot of newfound converts, soon accompanied by a flurry of motion as she joyfully broke ranks, flinging herself across the floor. In three
graceful bounds, she had cleared the span of floor between herself and Marduk to seize him in a gleeful embrace, both arms locked tightly around his midsection. Likely she would have gone for his shoulders, but for the fact that Marduk stood nearly a full foot taller than she. He chuckled faintly as the energetic Acolyte forced him to take a step back to retain his balance, then spun her around once before setting her carefully back upon the floor. She smiled up at him with an unmasked look of contentment, as though being out of his presence had drained her, and her revitalization was now at hand.
The gathered Atlanteans, many of whom had looked uncertain, if not downright fearful about their decision to follow Pippin this far, collectively untensed at the sight of the paternal display. Hardly any of those present marked the emergence of another figure from the temple's inner recesses, as he hung back from the throng, moving carefully along the wall rather than through the open space of the room. Although it was clearly to his liking to remain far from the epicenter of the room's attention, his eyes followed the proceedings with interest.
Marduk looked out over those assembled as Pippin stepped back. "Fear not," he began, the faint trace of a benevolent smile gracing his unusual features. "I know why you have come. You seek answers, though perhaps you do not even truly know the question. You desire knowledge that will free you from the desperation and sorrow of this world. Perhaps your footsteps led you here as a final hope, or perhaps as a passing word fallen from the lips of your comerades, or of mine. In any case, under our guidance, all chains of this world, all mistakes and injustice laid upon your shoulders, will be lain down to fetter you no longer. Your burdens will be lifted to reveal only peace. In this, no one may force your hand, for if our teachings were embraced against your will, you shed the shackles of this world only to forge them anew.
Therefore I encourage you, if you still seek your redemption from the toil of this world rather than the peace of the eternal, return to your lives as they were. No one shall be brought against their will."
A ripple of murmuring passed through the group. Pippin squirmed and fidgeted to keep herself from letting out a joyous yell; it was still too soon to tag this group convinced and start with the merrymaking. Of those hanging on Marduk's words, only a handful searched their souls and found them wanting; those few murmured their apologies and explanations to the Brotherhood's leader and kept their eyes cast toward the floor. As they retreated to the outer courtyard, escorted by more attendants with blissful faces, Marduk bowed his head slightly to each as they departed, his tiny smile colored only with patient understanding.
"For those who remain, my students and I will make every effort to free you from your woes, no matter how hopeless or unsurmountable they seem. To truly purge yourselves of the troubles of this world, you must clear your mind. The path may not be short. It varies for each. But each of you may begin with a single step, and with our blessing." He gestured to Pippin, who immediately straightened up and bounded forward, grabbing a torch off the wall as she went. She walked over to a nondescript bronze brazier that adorned the otherwise relatively empty chamber.
"One of the first circle rituals of cleansing is the Fire Blessing," Pippin explained cheerily to the curious onlookers. "Just as fire can destroy, but also make the earth rich with what remains, so can you learn by its example. Destroy what troubles your spirit, and what remains grows stronger. You don't have to feel helpless in the face of your suffering, or believe that it will be with you forever. You can be free of it, we can teach you how to reclaim happiness." she beamed.
"Master Marduk can help to guide your spirit, most cannot do this unassisted."
"Focus on one crippling memory, something that has troubled you for a very long time," Marduk gently urged his would-be followers. "Gaze into the fire and keep it alone strong in your mind. If you truly concentrate upon it, and it alone, your will shall cast it into the flames."
The crowd was compelled to attempt it, some looking as though they desperately wanted to believe him, others fearful or unsure of the ritual. The brotherhood's master closed his eyes, one hand held unwavering in front of him as he concentrated. For a moment there was nothing but silence, but then, suddenly - a brief, pale flare of light erupted from a young woman gazing intently into the flames. It seemed drawn from some unseen place inside her, which opened freely to permit the egress. The flames intensified for a moment, fueled by whatever tinder she had contributed. A second light emerged, then another and another... all pulled into the flames and then gone. There was a moment of shocked silence, then frantic words as they talked among themselves.
The first girl to experience the phenomenon turned wide eyes to Pippin.
"Think back to the memory you dreaded," Pippin said quietly, though her eyes were bright with enthusiasm. "How do you feel now?"
"It's... it's gone! I don't feel sad anymore. I remember what happened, but... oh, I feel so much better! What he promised was true!
"
The rest of the hopeful followers were in agreement, and soon they were laughing and embracing one another in relief or surprise that the rumors of the Brotherhood's powers of healing were founded in truth. Marduk accepted praises graciously, casting fond glances at these new souls as they stood in awe. Pippin released that cheer she'd been saving, more believers would soon be brought to the Truth.
It wasn't long before Pippin was leading them out to see the rest of the temple grounds, explaining that they were free to explore wherever they wished apart from the temple's inner sanctum, and that any of Marduk's pupils would be more than happy to listen, to talk, address any problem they could think of, or to see to any needs they might have. No matter how many times she saw it, it always warmed her heart to bring people to Marduk's teachings. As the group dispersed, the acolyte and her master were left alone. and for the first time Pippin took note of the young man standing off to one side who had watched all with rapt attention. Marduk ushered them both into the inner rooms where only his most trusted were permitted to enter.
"Master," Pippin began slowly. "Is he..?"
Marduk nodded. "Worry not, he is one of my chosen." He gestured to the young man by way of introduction. He was remarkably handsome, this newcomer, with dark hair, unsettlingly bright eyes, and an odd tattooed mark on his forehead - not the ovals many of Marduk's acolytes sported to show their loyalty. "This is Aesop. Aesop, this is Pippin Somerled, another of my most devoted pupils."
He smiled as he glanced her way. "So devoted, in fact, I have something to aid her. Here you are, Pippin." He unfolded his dark-skinned hands, palms upward, and produced a small wooden box, ornately carved, seemingly out of thin air. "This is for your protection, next time you travel to spread our teachings. I fear that the world will not look upon us kindly in every instance. I have seen... opposition, forming. I cannot allow any harm to come to you or any of my followers. You are my children, my only children. If you are in danger, use this. You have but to scatter these ashes upon the ground where water is present to summon
protection."
Pippin's eyes widened as she accepted the box. "That's wonderful, *thank* you! Oh, I promise to make good use of it, thankyouthankyouthankyou!"
Marduk nodded slightly. "I have no doubt you will." He paused, as though he had something more to relate, but had been interrupted by some stray thought. "Please forgive me, both of you, but I sense my attention is required elsewhere. Rashnu, we may speak again at further length whenever you wish." He addressed Aesop with a different name, one he only gave to his inner circle. Such names were reserved for those he blessed with powers. This, too, caught Pippin's attention fully.
Aesop took a few thorough moments to sort through his thoughts as he watched the Brotherhood's leader depart. The immediacy of the other acolyte's presence pressed him for some response, some initiative; yet, still, he took the time to organize his thoughts rather than forge onward irresponsibly. After only a few seconds he was satisfied, and turned his mind to the matter at hand.
He kept his head averted, to stall for more time; but though he did not look in Pippin's direction, his full attention was focused on the little acolyte. With a deliberate calm he navigated the latticework of her
mental defenses, bypassing them rather quickly. Once opened onto the full spectrum of her thoughts, he was free to sound out her personality for himself.
It was really a rather short interview, Pippin's unawareness of it notwithstanding. The core of her personality fairly resounded through all that she was, reflecting in every thought, every emotion, every action. Pippin was truly a person of face value, and inwardly Aesop relaxed by several degrees. It was one thing to find that Pippin was as candid as she was expressive, but more than that, he really did like who he saw. He was pleased to see that this Acolyte of Marduk was worthy of the honor of that title.
"Hello? Aesop?" Her voice was cautious, but friendly, and had an unmistakably musical quality to it.
He gazed off still to where Marduk had recently left, putting his thoughts in order again, but arched a dark brow when Pippin nervously hovered into the edge of his vision. The fact that he continually seemed to be ignoring her was apparently making her anxious. She wasn't entirely sure what to make of him.
"The ceremony," he finally responded, his voice slow and soft, but with increasing energy, "was very impressive. I've never seen anything of its kind." He faced her with a small, bright smile calculated to engender trust. It was his 'secret smile,' the one used to make the listener feel as though he or she was the only person in the world who knew the intensity of Aesop's enthusiasm. In this case, Pippin did happen to be the only person, and the enthusiasm was genuine.
"Yes, it's amazing," she said, visibly relieved that Aesop did not seem hostile, and already bouncing back with marked resilience from her initial worry. "The Fire Blessing is always the final crossroads on the path to happiness. But more than just seeing it happen, I think you can really feel it working. Everything that's weighing these poor people down melts away. It's like the room doesn't seem so crowded anymore."
"Well, I can't argue with that," he said, pointedly letting his gaze sweep the empty chamber. He cracked a smile again to make sure she wouldn't think he was mocking her faith. "You're right, though. I've never heard such a calm."
Pippin furrowed her brows a bit at his strange wording, but again, rebounded quickly. "Oh, well yes, these are all good people," she said, quick as any shepherdess to praise her flock. "They have a lot to give, so I know they would never interrupt such an important ceremony, especially in front of Master Marduk!" She clearly was fond of the many people whose hearts she had brightened and helped conduct to Heaven. Pippin was proud that she'd impressed the new acolyte with such a good group.
Aesop quirked a slight smile, but stared closely at Pippin, his vibrant eyes holding her gaze. She was so pleased with herself that he felt guilty taking some of the wind out of her sails. "That wasn't my meaning exactly."
Pippin raised a hand to her ear, as though to clear it from some echo, and her smile faltered a little. "Oh, then I'm not sure I follow what you were saying."
Aesop grinned at her and quirked both brows in question. "But was I?"
Again Pippin cleared her ears, and for a moment it seemed she would settle down to gingerly work out what Aesop meant by that. Then sudden surprise lit her face as she realized he hadn't, in fact, said anything. Wonder and amazement took over her expression.
'Atlantis is much noisier than anything one can listen to here,' Aesop continued, patiently chatting to let Pippin become accustomed to the telepathic conversation. 'Of course, it's unmatched as weather goes.
They do a wonderful job of that.'
Pippin still looked impressed, but seemed to be having trouble with adjusting to the way Aesop's voice bounced around inside her ears. She couldn't quite get used to it. Keenly interested, she asked aloud, "How do you do this? Were you born with this gift?"
This time it was Aesop's turn to shake his head as though his ears needed to be "popped." Calmly, he explained, ' It's an ability some people are born with, but it takes several years before the mind matures enough to be able to use it. There's a good deal of practice involved. Ah, and when you're speaking like this, try not to vocalize your thoughts. That might take some getting used to, but if you don't do it, the echo can be very bothersome.'
With great concentration, Pippin quirked her eyebrows a few times and concentrated very hard on thinking, "I'll do my best."
Aesop suppressed a laugh and fought to control his facial expression as best he could. Between the funny looks on her face and her attempts to repeat the same thought approximately seven times over, she was obviously giving it everything she had. Well, she would get the hang of it. Hopefully. 'Relax,' he told her. 'I was reading you just fine before you starting concentrating so hard. You'll find that if you slow down and organize your thoughts a bit, communication becomes less difficult.' Seeing that she was becoming uncertain, he added, 'You've knowingly projected your first thought. Aren't you impressed with yourself?'
A chorus of yeses followed, including one out loud, for which she apologized -- both vocally and midfully. Aesop shook his head and smiled patiently. She was a very expressive person, but she was also bright, so he maintained hope that she would get the hang of /not/ speaking her mind.
A few amusing facial contortions later, she asked, 'Do you usually speak this way?'
'Sometimes it becomes prudent to do so,' he answered, hedging somewhat. 'It is weighty work we do, Beletseri, and it can be helpful not to always be overheard.'
She took his meaning and nodded enthusiastically. 'Would you help me to work at it? I'm a very hard worker.' Her eyes wide, she nodded several times to help convey the emphasis she intended. Really, the huge smile she wore at the prospect of becoming even better at serving Master Marduk's will would have gotten the message across just as well.
'I know you are. Actually, there's something else you might also consider,' he offered delicately, careful to weigh her reactions with the appropriate relevance before going on. 'On Atlantis, there are many people with abilities like mine. These people are capable of listening to your every thought at any given time. They can hear thoughts you wouldn't even realize you'd ever had. Things that might better be kept secret are as clear as day to such individuals.'
Pippin was a mix of wonder and worry at this news. It obviously posed a great danger to The Cause.
To assuage her fears, he continued, 'Obviously this is a problem for anyone wishing to keep their thoughts private. Most Atlanteans have developed natural mental defenses to this sort of open plane of thought where anyone can overhear what anyone else is thinking. These defenses are like mental
walls you can place around your most private, secretly kept thoughts to keep others from listening in on them. We call this your 'quiet room.'
"How do I know what's in my 'quiet room'?" she asked aloud, distracted from the effort of non-vocalization by her interest and amazement with what Aesop was telling her.
'Therein lies the problem,' he said with apologetic eyes, as though he had raised her hopes and then dashed them against the rocks. 'You don't have one.' Again quick to allay her sudden distress, he suggested, 'I can help you to build one, if you'd like. Until then, I wouldn't recommend going out into Atlantis without a skilled telepath accompanying you. How does that sound?' He smiled, quietly confident that he so far had gotten through this conversation and was earning the other acolyte's friendship.
She flew at him in a blur of joy and relief. "It sounds wonderful!" she said with an excited little whoop, wrapping her arms around him in a giant, flying bear-hug.
Aesop blanked, absolutely lost. Wide-eyed, he stared at the little acolyte dumbly, mentally clamoring for direction. It was several moments before he was able to regain the presence of mind to clear the confusion and terror from his face. He was immensely thankful that Pippin had not looked up to
see him staring at her quite as though she had just grown a third hand out of her forehead. His collar felt tight, and he thought about loosening it, but then realized that even if Pippin's hug hadn't pinned his arms to his sides, his muscles were still frozen stiff as though he were too frightened to move. Slowly, methodically, he forced himself to relax, letting out a long breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
Pippin noticed the change and gradually let go, still beaming up at him with her bright, giddy grin. "We're going to be such great friends, Aesop, I can just tell! I'm so glad!" she said, clapping her hands a few times as though that decided everything.
Aesop smiled down at her, calmer now, and relieved that he had succeeded in winning Pippin's friendship. Mentally, he cleared the matter from his head as he would cross off an item on a checklist, and then realized with renewed apprehension that there was no item to follow it on the list, and Pippin was still here. He re-sorted his thoughts quickly, hoping for some idea to come to him, then scanned through Pippin's, but found nothing more to go on than her currently buoyant mood. His eyes searched the room a little desperately, looking for anything that might help him figure out what he was supposed to say next. Finally he spotted the box Pippin still held in her hands, and looked at it for a few seconds before looking back to Pippin's face with a relieved grin and saying, "Pippin...don't you have a
mission you ought to be getting to?
"
Pippin blinked and, if it were possible, her smile further brightened at the very thought of Master Marduk. "You're right! I should go, but I'll find you when I get back! Oh, and then I can teach you some of the songs! Aesop, you'll just love it, I know!" She hugged him quickly again, squealed, "I'm so glad we're friends!" and with a little, exuberant yip, spun around and dashed off, flying out of the room in a wild, carefree whirl of color.
Aesop smiled to himself and systematically tugged on the edges of his soft, black gloves. That had gone well.
Pippin sat Indian style on the riverbank and regarded the simple carved wooden box thoughtfully. Master Marduk had mentioned that she would likely meet many strange people in her travels and that not all of them would trust the Word. She hadn't believed it at first. After all, although many were not yet ready to take the faith, they would come around eventually. She had simply been unable to fathom someone who might actively try and stop her from spreading the Word, before.
Of course, that had been before she'd been to the outskirts of that strange snake city. When she had set up camp to have a festival of Truth, none of them had seemed interested, claiming that their faith in the "feathered serpent" was enough for any people. They hadn't even been interested in hearing the Word, or learning any of the songs, even the ones that were simply festival songs, and not tied with the Word at all. Pippin had a tendency to start the festivals with these songs because they were familiar and entirely non-threatening. And they had a beat that you could dance to.
The snake people had been completely uninterested.
Pippin was sure that they were entirely too boring for her, yet as a disciple of Marduk, she had to try her best to reach all of the unwashed and unenlightened, even the boring ones. Still, she had one last card to play before sweeping back into the city with all flags flying and charisma deep and heady, and she currently held that card flat on the palms of her hands.
Well, Master Marduk had told her to use the thing in the box to help spread the Word, and to help against any strangers she'd meet – and these snake people were certainly just that, strange, what with their eight foot tall soldiers, their deep green hair, and their reptilian fixation. Whoever this "feathered serpent" was, he couldn't be nearly as loving and devoted as Master Marduk. It was Pippin's duty to bring these sheep into the fold.
Pippin carefully poured the contents of the box into a slow eddy of the river and then rocked back on her heels to watch what would happen.
First there was a fizzing, then a steaming, and then a bubbling. A deep, comforting hiss filled the air around Pippin as it grew warmer and warmer as steam drifted up off the water. She could hear sloshing and could sense a presence somewhere roughly in front of her, but she couldn't quite make out what it was.
Slowly, the steam cleared and Pippin found herself staring at the cutest thing she'd ever seen.
He was huge, a giant turtle over fifteen feet long and nearly as high. His shell shone chrome polished in spots, rusted whorled, and steel gray in others, a proper tortoise shell pattern. His feet were capped by dangerous looking sickle claws and his thick skinned head, when he presented it, sported a pair of neat, upward pointing tusks.
"Petey!" Pippin cried happily, jumping onto the turtle's head to enthusiastically hug it.
Petey was apparently so enthused with his new name that he flailed about ecstatically, knocking down several small trees and a pile of rocks as he voiced his joy in a thundering trumpet sound. Pippin was nearly thrown off his head, so joyful were his thrashings, but she managed to cling to, even as, in a spectacular finish, Petey knocked over a large rock river marker and trod upon it.
Pippin could see it was going to happen before it happened, but not soon enough to stop it. Her remonstrating call to Petey came too late, although he immediately stopped stock still at her command and seemed very guilty, his little turtle tail drooping low, into the water.
Feeling penitent herself, Pippin hopped off the great turtle's head and examined the damage she'd done. She hadn't been entirely sure what effect Master's box of wonders would have, but she should have had the sense not to try it out so close to some tribe's river marker. Now some tribe might get lost on their way due to her negligence. She was going to have to try her best to put things to rights.
With Petey's help she managed to shoulder the large stone back up into its former position, but the marks on it were terribly mussed due to Petey's unfortunate footwork. Pippin thought she recalled the pattern of the marks on the stone: three short, six long, and some little wiggly lines as well.
Using a bit of charcoal she had in her pocket she darkened the marks in and hoped they were correct. She straightened. Of course they were correct. She'd fixed everything. Everything was going to be fine and dandy.
She smiled fondly and patted Petey on the head. Today was going to be a wonderful day, she was sure of it, and with Petey's help and a slight bit of helpful persuasion, Pippin was sure her second and more exotic visit to the City of Snakes would be far more successful.
x
