Choices

The mist gathered above my toes. Its playful undulations awakened me from a deep and dreamless sleep. Wise eyes coalesced in the cloud's center. The mysria'savi seemed quite pleased to have succeeded in reviving me by tickling my feet.

I sat up on my bed of earth, and pulled my legs toward me to hide my feet from further abuse. The delight my annoyance gave the creature manifested in the blue light that pulsed through its wispy form.

"So, insubstantial one, what causes you to disturb me while the stars still fill the sky?"

As it replied to my mind, it changed colors repeatedly. *Mystic Tir'shan, it is day by your accounting of time, and those of the water wish to confer with you.*

A summons from the asira'savi was never a request; however, it was also impolite to refuse the omnipotent beings who had saved the pitiful remnant of your once proud people.

"Very well, but let me prepare for such an audience, little wind. I will be at the sacred pool within the hour."

The mysria'savi pulsed white, then disappeared. Fate had intervened yet again.

*****

The atdira'savi towered above me despite my considerable height. Its long neck moved gracefully as it brought its head down to my eye level. In the torch light, the biped's yellow fur glowed orange; the splotches of brown that patterned its unclothed body turned black.

The orri'savi, "four forms", as we of Thundera had designated them, had no need to place a name on either their race or its unique members, but I did. They were also asexual, but the fifteen foot tall behemoth that stood before me, I considered male. I had dubbed him, "sad music", because the touch of his mind reminded me of a mournful flute.

*You are weary, mystic Tir'shan.*

"Yesterday I assisted with a difficult healing within our Circle."

*Are you prepared to cross the flame chamber?*

Another choice was certainly not available to me. "Yes, proceed."

The walking mountain rested his six-fingered hand on the top of my head. The gesture conveyed his sympathy. I knew that my distress would, unfortunately, also affect him, and so, I swore to remain as calm as possible when we walked through the brood hall.

We crossed through a maze of hallways until we reached the massive wooden doors that separated us from the quiria'savi. Eri'mintálí glanced down at me. I nodded bravely. He cast open the doors with a thought.

I fought to keep my gaze to the tiled floor and my feet, but as we continued forward, I felt her pull. The muted green fire that rested on the volcanic earth that had born her displayed female serenity in the sensuous movement of her flame body; however, the beauty of her color and her dance marked the youngling as one close to death.

She caressed my mind as we passed. She possessed a curiosity as intense as the other flamelings, who also sought to learn of their world from what had entered their nursery.

I refused to acknowledge her and the others, and looked instead to the door which lay ahead. For the benefit of my sanity, forgive my indifference, little one, I prayed. Her presence slowly drifted away. To my relief, we entered the cavernous hall that contained the sacred pool.

My friend waited patiently while I disrobed. The asira'savi thrived on the touching of bodies as well as of minds. I unbound my braid. My ivory mane reached to my hips. I nervously ran my fingers through my hair. I said with some apprehension, "I'm ready." To penetrate the sacred space, one always needed the permission of a guardian atdira'savi.

Eri'mintálí lifted his wedge-shaped head. His cry reverberated against the vaulted chamber, and stirred the waters. The waves his song had created soon brought the leviathans.

The dorsal fin appeared first as an asira'savi surfaced. The delicate gills that sprang from its flattened head flared wildly as they contacted the cool air. The increasing turbulence in the pool signaled the arrival of many others.

*You may enter, mystic Tir'shan.*

I carefully made my way over the rounded stones in the shallows. When the water covered my hips, I swam forward to greet my summoners.

I could not discern how many were present. Feathery gills fluttered past my chest; serpentine bodies brushed past my abdomen. Finally, one asira'savi coiled about me, and pulled me under the water. Silver light radiated from its form, and created a brilliant cocoon in which I could breathe normally. Its black eyes regarded me coolly. It entwined its gills in my mane. The physical contact made strong the flow of life within my body. Although the sensation was a pleasant one, I found it distracting.

The orri'savi as a race communicated with all forms of life exclusively through mind speech, no matter how an individual expressed himself. With the other forms, I preferred to voice my thoughts. With the water beings, I utilized my mind gift out of both respect, and often, necessity.

Impatient to be free, I barked, *Great one, what is it that you desire of me?*

The silver light acquired a violet hue. *Peace, mystic Tir'shan. We have news of your lost people.*

After more than five seasons on this strange shore, to be told that others had survived the ending of our world--the very thought aroused mixed emotions in my heart. The shipload of Thunderans that the mighty asira'savi had saved had settled, for the most part, into a complacent existence. Was it wise to disrupt the happiness of a beaten people who were only now strong enough to enjoy the relatively quiet life that the asira'savi had provided? Although many doubts plagued me, I kept my voice neutral. *Continue, honorable one.*

*One of us who navigates the heavens encountered a being who spoke of another world where your people have found refuge. So far, that is all that we know, but other inquiries are pending, mystic Tir'shan.*

*Did the atdira'savi who travels give any indication of the size of this other colony?*

*No.*

I pondered the message that had been given to me. The other settlement might consist of refugees from an ark ship like our own. When Ta'hir had attempted to destroy our ship in a suicide maneuver designed to eliminate a large portion of the Mutant fleet, several Thunderan ships still remained under attack.

Who could it be? I wondered. Despite my concern, my curiosity had been piqued. Whatever the circumstance, and whoever it might be, the asira'savi would be complete in their investigation of the mystery, for although they had helped us, they were but reluctant hosts.

*Perhaps, mystic Tir'shan, these other Thunderans tried to destroy their ship, and unleashed the same unexpected result that you encountered.*

I considered the creature's words. Poor Ta'hir had never dreamt that when he broke the crystals of the ship's light drive that he would hurl us instantaneously through both time and space.

*Perhaps, honorable one,* I replied cautiously. I did not wish to reveal my feelings further, for I was already troubled by the problems that might arise from the unusual discovery.

Goddess help us if King Claudus still lived. We had selected another leader soon after our arrival to this world. Would my fellow Thunderans not only be willing to reaffirm their former allegiance to Claudus, but also elect to depart this comfortable world in peace?

What could be expected of those who had been of King Sartren's people? I had often questioned their fealty to King Lir. Had only the recognition of the overwhelming power of the asira'savi kept them loyal to the new king?

Another insight illuminated my mind. Perhaps the traveler had stumbled upon more than an offshoot of our fleet. He might have inadvertently discovered Homeworld.

No history of the time before the first exodus existed. King Dera had seen to that; he had wanted no connection to the planet that had spawned him and his subjects. He had destroyed all the material records from the past. By his ancient decree, the history of Thundera had begun, and had mainly remained, as an oral tradition.

By the love of the Goddess! This possibility presented our people with an even greater dilemma. The purge of history had erased the reasons for the first exodus. I studied the serpent's impassive face. We would have no choice but to leave if they desired it. In the aftermath of a third exodus, we might be stranded on a potentially hostile world.

Within my silver veil, I sighed. The asira'savi, for reasons of their own, had chosen me to function as a bridge between our peoples. It would be my responsibility to ease my companions into this transition should it occur. For a moment, I considered what options I possessed, and made a decision.

*Great one, your message, while surprising...is welcomed; however, I wish to keep this matter a secret until we know the entire truth. When it has been conclusively established that another colony exists, I will inform my king. For now, I would appreciate your support in my concealment.*

*No one shall trouble you, mystic Tir'shan. If it becomes necessary, we will shadow the visit you have made.*

*Thank you, honorable one.* I dearly hoped that the asira'savi would not have to alter reality simply for my benefit, for the scope of their power, and their incredible claim of godhood still terrified me.

The serpent's grip on me suddenly tightened. *You must go, mystic Tir'shan. Your special talents are required. There has been an accident in your city, and as you know, we have chosen not to involve ourselves in your lives unnecessarily.*

Although a reason did exist for my departure, the creature had also expertly dismissed me. Withdrawing its shield of light, the asira'savi swiftly disengaged. Slightly breathless, I broke the surface of the water. I swam back to the edge of the pool. The quiet told me that my summoners had dispersed.

Eri'mintálí handed me my healer's robe when I emerged. Despite my wet fur, I donned the garment. As we retraced our steps to the flame chamber, I set aside the burden of my new knowledge, and thought only of those in need of my healing.