A Paradox in Retrograde (2 page)

After some minor debate mostly surrounding the subjects of timing and duration, the watchmen buffeted there by the winds, each
in turn cast their silent ballot with a simple nod of the head. All
there seemed to be of one mind. Only then were they prepared to
reveal their judgments. The time for a decision was upon them.
Manfred now would make the final pronouncement. He turned
and with his tattered tunic furling in the wind, he nodded his grizzled head as he passed the message to the signalman. With that
the signalman flashed a coded message to the look outs with the
light of his lantern. The signalmen on the receiving end awaiting
this message, watched as the distant lantern lighttold the story.
This simple action set off a neatly choreographed chain of
events as a plan that had played out many times before, was
again set into motion. All along the tower in unison the signal
fires were lit to alert those below to the danger. Every man
woman and child within the city of Baldur would soon know.
The word went out; in the coming hours a great long duration
storm would make landfall. Through their public address system
such as it was, the populace listened for instruction. On hundreds of poles strung precariously throughout the city from simple metal speaker boxes, a tinny sounding voice crackled its incoherent warning. Though they dutifully listened to this sound
scratching at the air most already knew from childhood what
plan the message held. For there were would be few options;
they should either take their chances trying to find shelter at
higher ground or ride it out within the walls of the citadel. Now
as in times past, most would seek to ride out the storm within
the safety of the high stone works. Not long after the announcement then people had begun to gather there safe. There was
more than ample room among the public spaces to accommodate all that might need it.

As the hours past by, from their vantage the watchmen continued to observe the developing storm. Manfred's skill at observation was once again confirmed, for even a child now could easily predict what was coming. He watched as a great wall of black
and grey cloud engulfed the horizon. The very air seemed to
seethe with an electric aura as the charged air lapped around
them. Despite the threat of static shock and of the wind that sang
a mocking chorus of ghostly noise stood their ground they stood
their ground. The wind mocked them with sounds of eerie
laughter that seemed to whistle through every jagged surface
along the leading edge of the rock face. Manfred took these too
as signs. After having gathered these signs he began to piece
together from them a new prediction. He could feel though they
could not yet see it that onto these fragile islands that ringed the
wild continent beyond, a great cyclone was approaching. With
its crown of encircling winds it would bare down uncontested.
With a key suspended from a string around his neck he opened
the rusted metal box that was set there into the wall. There resting within was an old two piece communications device. He
placed one end near his ear and tapped the signal button several
times until a faint tone rang in his ear. The voice of a guard answering from the other end of the line disrupted the tone. "Guard
station, how can I help you?" The old man in a deep and serious
voice said, "Guard, this is Manfred, connect me to Colonel Landaus, we have an emergency on our hands."

Like his father and grandfather before him, as the commander of
the royal guard Colonel Landaus was by duty charged with the
protection of the ancient fortress and by extension all of its inhabitants. Though a man of middle age, he was still in possession of
most of his youthful strengths. A man of steadfast nature, he was
a natural leader. In possession of a wealth of experience and intellect he was by far the best suited for his position. He would in the
coming days prove this to be true.

With the level of potential danger increasing by the moment he
would personally oversee the operations. With a clip board in
hand Colonel Landaus made his presence known as he walked
there among the refugees and guardsmen. He steppedsharply
casting there a striking figure. He prided himself on the image
that he projected, as a reflection of his own discipline. So as he
presided over the evacuation he would strive to serve as an example to his own men. There However was no need to lean on such
appearances nor was it required; for he held the unwavering
though perhaps unspoken respect of his men and the citizenry.
Though the guard wore a more practical uniform, the one the
Colonel was wearing was perhaps more regal. It consisted of a
crisp white linen shirt and a royal blue jacket trimmed in crimson
and gold; His trousers were crimson trimmed in blue. On his feet
he wore a set of brightly polished black leather boots. Upon his
head, covering his long black and grey locks he wore a wide
brimmed officers cap that matched the jacket. At his side he wore
a pistol and a saber. Today however he would have little use for
the weapons, but as commander he knew all eyes would be on
him. It would be to him that would be looked upon to organize
the batting down of the many hatches as well as a thousand other
unseen things.

There as the gale winds raged outside, they began the difficult
task of ensuring that all that need be were not only present and
accounted for within the great hall, but also warm and well fed.
Preparations had been made for central aid stationfrom where
their limited resources could be put to the best practical use. As
each hour past however the storms grew in intensity. And so
then numbers of those seeking shelter began to quickly swell
into the hundreds. The first reception station soon became overwhelmed so Landaus gave orders to the guard and to the available volunteers that they should create additional stations to address any needs that may arise. It took some time but Tables,
chairs, cots and blankets were made ready. As evening approached the lights were turned up and the boilers were stoked.
Soon the great hall was as bright and warm as any home in Baldur. They even managed to set up a mobile kitchen. After a
while food was made ready and a line formed as hot soup and
bread were served. Despite the weather, there about the cavernous great hall was present an atmosphere of comfortable camaraderie. People talked and children played games among the
makeshift barracks. After they had served this meal things in
the hall seemed to settle down some as the fevered pitch of the
day had reached equilibrium.

As the controlled chaos buzzed about within the hall, Landaus
from a corner stood conspicuously like a conductor presiding
over a student orchestra. Despite the vying priorities he managed to maintain his composure. He did not let on to his men
just how tired he really was. He could not recall the last time he
had sat down. He secretly wished to sneak away from here to his
office and catch a nap. Even a brief one might recharge his batteries. He tried to ignore his aching feet as they screeched for
their lives to come out from under his hard shoe leather. He
leaned back against one of the hard marble columns that sprung
up from the floor like trees to hold up the roof, and for a moment he closed his eyes. There stone was cool against his skin
and soon his head dropped down as he fell into the shallowest
sleep. It did not last long however for it was just about then that
the familiar cadence of boot leather on stone entered into his
mind. His eyes opened suddenly to find there Sergeant Goethe
standing rather uncomfortably before him. Still holding a death
grip onto his clip board, Landaus met eyes with him. The sergeant clicked his heels, and saluted in response. For an uncomfortable moment he stood there quietly. "Can I help you Goethe."

"Oh yes I'm sorry Colonel."
"Go on then" Landaus blurted

"Sir I have an updated report." Landaus attention to the goings on
relented as he turned to give the sergeant his full share.
"Yes sergeant, what is the good news?"

 

"I have completed my rounds and I can say with good authority,
that most if not all on this list are present and accounted for."
As if sensing something odd in his demeanor Landaus asked,
"OK sergeant what's the bad news?"

At first the sergeant was hesitant. Then he thought it best that he
should not hesitate. "Well there is one thing. It'sprobably nothing, but it involves your son Ibsen."

He watched as the good natured expression drained from the
Colonel's face. He closed his eyes and his expression was replaced by one more somber. Landaus waited a moment and then
spoke, careful not to take it out his own problems on the men.

"Well out with it man. What has he gotten into now?"

"Yes Sir, well as I was checking to ensure that all the children
were accounted for, upon the final reckoning one name was absent from the roles."

"Please Sergeant don't beat around the bush. It was Ibsen wasn't
it?"

 

"Yes Sir, I'm sorry I did a thorough search he's no where to be
found."

"I know you did sergeant. I don't want you to give this another
moments thought. This is my problem and responsibility. However I'm going to need you to look after this place for a while. I
have to go find Ibsen." He handed the sergeant some reports and
the clip board he had been holding and abruptly excused himself.

A wave of fatherly guilt came over Landaus as the fact that he
had in the midst of a crisis forgotten completely about his only
child. "What kind of father are you Colonel?" He derisively asked
of himself. "Mariana was right about you Landaus, you are a bastard." It was not his nature to dwell on things too long however.
Even as he lambasted himself, he was already on the move. He
wasted little time and was soon briskly moving down the hallway. He stopped momentarily at his office. He knelt down before an old foot locker that he kept there for just such emergencies. For a few moments he searched its contents looking a few
items that he deemed essential. Among these were a pair of olive drab green ponchos, some rope bottled water, and a high intensity flash light. After gathering these items together, he hurriedly packed his supplies, checked again his side arm, and put
on his poncho. He passed through the massive arched doorway
of the great hall pushing open the heavy steel plated oak timber
doors. Then he stepped out into the howling wind. The set of
guards were surprised to see the Colonel. He was quick to order
them at ease. They hurriedly saluted and he moved on. It was
generally a short walk from his office around to the guard house
stable. However with the lateral wind hampering his every
movement it seemed to take him much longer.

He could hear the groaning of the twisting timbers of the old
stable as he approached. The building was at least a century old,
built of the sturdy indigenous hard woods that have become rare
of late. He was confident in its strength though upon entering
the stables barn he could sense the growing unease amongst the
creatures sheltered there. The noise of the frightened animals in
and of itself was enough to incite fear. There he found the head
keeper trying his best to calm the beasts while attending to his
duties. He was busy spreading hay about the ground below the
nervous animals. "How are they tonight Charlie?" Landaus had
known old Charlie all of his life. When Landaus was a boy
Charlie had been a cavalry lieutenant. Charlie had lost a leg to
an injury acquired during a skirmish with pirates some twenty
five years. He retired from active service but stayed on to care
for the animals. He had been a good friend of his father and had
spent many a late night in their home. Charlie now was as close
to him as anyone on the island.

The old keeper turned about and was surprised to see the Colonel. "Landaus, well they can't understand that they are safe here
as we do. They'll calm down eventually. I know that's not what
you're here for. Am I right?" He searched his face for the truth.
"Then tell me to what do I deserve the honor?"
"Well Charlie I'll tell you. It's that boy of mine. He's gone off
somewhere and I need to find him. I know it's against the rules,
but I was hoping I could borrow old Brownie?" The grizzled old
keeper scratched his white beard and said. "As I recall those are
your rules. How do you pretend to make rules that you yourself
do not follow? Don't answer that. It's not my place, and besides
sometimes rules are meant to be broken. You can use any animal
you choose. Though can I ask you, why Brownie?"

"She's a brave old horse. I know she can be trusted."
"That's good enough for me."

Together at the old timer's pace they made their way around to
brownie's stall. He slowly opened the gate and ran his hand over
her mane. She was a beautiful beast and her large deep brown
eyes looked on them with recognition. She somehow was not affected as the other beasts had been. To the contrary she seemed
excited to see Landaus as this meant they would be traveling. She
uttered some pleasant noises that indicated her good mood. Landaus petted her deep chocolate colored coat as Charlie made
ready the saddle. Charlie looked up to Landaus and said, "Now
you could do an old man a favor and don't be so hard on young
Ibsen when you do find him. I seem to remember another young
lad who didn't always do as he was told. Look how well he turned
out."

"I suppose your talking about me?"
"Who else would I be talking about?"

The pair of them shared a laugh. Landaus then said with a subtle
smile,

 

"I'll try to remember."

"There is one other thing you should remember. It can't be easy
on a boy so young to be living without his mother and to have a
military man as a father." Again that somber expression came
over Landaus' face as those emotions he had done so well in suppressing again rose to the surface. Noticing this Charlie redirected
him by handing him the reins. "Landaus you're doingthe best you
can with the boy. It can't be easy." While Charlie was speaking he
continued to prepare Brownie for the journey. Landaus sat back
quietly listening to and pondering Charlie's words while observing the great patience and care he took with the animals. After a
few moments she was saddled up and ready to ride. Charlie ushered her from the stall. Though Landaus often had trouble discerning such subtlety he knew however that there was a lesson
to be learned. "Thanks for everything." said Landaus as he
stepped up and unto the saddle. He then led the horse out toward the barn gate. "Don't mention it. Oh you will be careful out
there. Won't you Colonel?"