The Gift From Poseidon: When Gods Walked Among Us (Volume 2) (21 page)

“This was her gift,” Komnena continued, “from Queen Marseea on the day of her coronation.  Same as with this chest, none can break it with any weapon or means we know of.”

“I suppose,” Marseea added as she held up the handsome chest, “we now know where I got the idea!”

A hundred gaped mouths ready to ask the same question, Marseea asked it for them.

“Now, how is it possible that the three Unity Tablet pieces, made not of wood or glass, but of pure gold, could hold the same spell?”  She then answered it.  “I wish I could say something more endearing of my kind, but I cannot.  Spells to make gold – and probably any other metal – indestructible, these were learned and then lost in the blink of an eye.  You see, a spell is as if a being.  It can do what others would consider near impossible when given the inspiration to do so.  And the creation of the Unity Tablet
was
inspiration our world had never seen before,” the queen let out a deep sigh, “nor since.”

Marseea’s face turned hard and silence swept over the audience.  Her tone grim, bitterness stung each next word as if she herself had somehow seen these events through a mist of greatness swallowed up by fog made thick with shame.

“Sadly, the ordered slaughter of the most gifted mystics of that age came just a few years after the Unity Tablet was created.  The Elites and Triumvirate murdered, the Magic Guild of the Sapien Realm but a memory … this secret and many others died with them.  Brief flashes and spurts across the centuries aside, witches and wizards to come since those dark days have given our spells little reason to be so inspired.”

No matter your age or lot in life, no matter if your first glimpse upon it or your last, as if engaging the wonder of a spellbound youngling gazing up at his or her keeper, the towering splendor that is the Golden Clepsydra gazes back.  No heart can stay steady when looking upon it nor can any mind ever forget the first time it does so.

– Marseea, Sapien Queen

– Late Spring, Year 4,253 KT
[21]

Marseea felt as if the words she last spoke had sent her off to another world.  Barely still in this one – for the moment at least – she nodded to Komnena to continue.  The historian knew where the story was going, of course, and picked up where Marseea had left off.

“Gryphons had won the war for their freedom,” Komnena started slowly, “but then suffered a series of defeats in lesser battles.  These conflicts were not of sword or shield, but of weapons far greater – cowardice, mistrust, and the loss of one whom these ancient Gryphons could ill afford to lose.”

A number of whispers leapt from one Gryphon to another as mothers and fathers spoke the name of this ‘one’ to their curious cubs.

“After years of wandering,” Komnena continued, “fate finally smiled upon them and gifted the finding of endless precious metals and gems.  Great wealth suddenly theirs, Gryphons founded Hakleddamm soon after.  That it was Sapiens, their former masters, who built much of the capital city in return for a share of these riches made their newfound fortune beyond sweet.  Closer to deliciously divine!

“After a few centuries, Gryphons finally felt safe.  Both winners and losers alike wrote of the Gryphon Exodus.  Although their accounts differ slightly, most came to the same conclusion: The Gryphons had been more lucky than good.  Semitius beyond clever, Nowzar’s disregard for his own life inspiring all, nearly 2,000 Arachna Majora and Gryphons who fought bravely; despite this, Sapiens were their own worst enemy.  Gorgynna’s haughty desires and the weak advisors who failed to challenge her their undoing, not to tempt fate a second time was indeed the smart choice.  To grow close again with Sapiens not as master and slave, but as equals –
this
was the wise path taken.”

The symphonic chimes of the Golden Clepsydra awoke Marseea from her dreamy daze.  As the fifteenth turn of the day rang out strong and clear, all hushed as it did so.  The echoes of these chimes lazily climbing the garden walls and leaving its creator behind, the first act beckoned.

“These events bring us to where our performance can now begin,” Marseea announced strongly.  “The
when
was year 1,881 of the Knowing Time.  The
why
was to celebrate the coronation of Queen Medea.  Still many years before we Sapiens abandoned it – the
where
was Elkabydos.

“Although we now dwell in our cozy district and not the old city, we are quite fortunate.  You see, when the Centaurs planned Antediluvium, my kind demanded but one thing: That the Sapien palace, its walls, connecting buildings, and gardens be remade in the exact same manner as at Elkabydos.  Brick by brick if need be.  And the builders did just as asked.  This included the palace, the Great Repository of Knowledge, the fountains on each end of the garden, and the moving of the Golden Clepsydra.  As we look upon these structures today, they appear no different to our eyes than they would to one who dwelled in Elkabydos twenty-four centuries ago.

“Her father, Orestes, already dead and the end of her Queen Mother’s reign coming into ever sharper focus, Princess Medea’s queenship beckoned.  The withering queen had openly welcomed a budding friendship with Gryphons, but not all cared for such happy thoughts or warm embraces.  Many Sapiens still saw them as little more than subjects who just happened to live
outside
of Elkabydos.  Like her mother, Medea harbored none of the ill will of her long dead great-grandmother, Gorgynna, and she craved to prove it.  The greedy missteps of Sapiens who pillaged the West growing louder, Medea seized her chance.

“Rogue bands of armed warriors in league with talented mystics had long made a habit of raiding Gryphon lands.  Their former whip masters still treacherous and flush with magic, precious gems ready for the taking were just too hard to resist.  For a while, Gryphon leaders resisted the growing whispers from their subjects who demanded a harsh response to clashes now more numerous and violent than any could remember.  This could only last for so long, of course.  The majority soon warned that, if their leaders did not crush the raging lawlessness outside their city, then they would face disorder inside it.  Gryphon generals began to prepare for war, but their warriors would not have the chance to raise even a single mace or shield.

“A veteran legion led by Medea swept into southwestern Terra Australis.  The result was stunning, swift, and brutal.  Medea’s actions were in fact
so
sudden,
so
crushing that what should have led to controversy brought barely an outcry.  In eight short days, her soldiers rounded up nearly twice as many as she commanded, rushed those arrested to Elkabydos, held show trials, and sentenced them once found guilty.  Most imprisoned; more than a few executed; one a controversial heroine; none willing to contest openly these deeds in her presence – fondness and adoration came next.  Queen Medea’s coronation completed but moments ago, the time has come to recreate the receiving of the grand gift that continues to awe us all.”

With a flick of her hand, six Gryphons gathered behind Marseea.  From the audience’s right side, Judiascar and Hezekiah approached and stood next to her.  The actors now in their roles, the two Gryphons escorted Marseea to the audience’s far left.  There they joined the Arachna king who stood next to two carriages; a rich cloth, each of a different solid color, covered each.  The foursome giving way to Komnena, it was now her turn to stand by the Golden Clepsydra and narrate.

“Carnivals and feasts for the commoners have ended,” Komnena proclaimed.  “Now late afternoon and the masses content, the time has come for the two kings to offer their gifts to the new queen.”

Knowing what would come next, Marseea heard the six Gryphons grab hold of a giant silk shroud lying on the grass behind her and the other actors; she then felt the cool rush from their beating wings as they lifted this shroud into the air.

As if the granite wonder awash in gold and gems was not enough, its builders had added even more.  Four arched entryways made of marble pointed north, east, south, and west.  Standing ten adult Gryphons tall, these arches were spaced out evenly about five pike lengths away from the edge of the lower bowl.  Frosted glass as thick as a hand formed a dome atop the Golden Clepsydra to protect it from the elements.  When the rays of the sun passed through the frosted glass dome; as if staring directly into the sun, there were times it was near impossible to keep one’s gaze upon it.

The silk covering now properly draped over both the clepsydra and its protective dome, these Gryphons rejoined the audience and Komnena continued.

“Cloaked in a massive cover taking days to sew large enough, Queen Medea has indulged the Gryphons’ desires to not preview the gift during the week it took to rebuild it.  A great gift five years in the making, the Gryphons had built it at Hakleddamm first.  As the Gryphon master jewelsmith, Evenshai, looks on proudly, his king stands ready to unveil Queen Medea’s gift.”

Hezekiah and Marseea stayed put as Judiascar approached Komnena.  The Gryphon king of today would play the one from long ago.  He turned to the audience, puffed out his chest, and it swelled to the point he appeared ready to burst.

“Queen Medea,” Judiascar began in his role as the ancient regent, “in keeping with the utmost desires of every Gryphon that your reign is as successful and long lived as possible, please accept this gift.”

Penthesilea and Melanippe pulled on ropes attached to the massive cloak and the grand wonder met every eye.

“
A golden clepsydra!
” Queen Medea – played by Marseea – gasped as she stepped forth.

The new queen paused a good many moments as she took in such a sight.  She then dipped her hand into the waters of the fountain.  The Gryphon king stepped aside and motioned for Evenshai – played by Hezekiah – to approach.  He sported a wide grin and grateful eyes to show the audience that her reaction had greatly pleased him.

“The Golden Clepsydra – Queen Medea has already named it!” Evenshai exclaimed.  As Medea inspected the towering marvel, Evenshai spoke of its design with reverent words.

“The ever flowing waters swirling about your hand mimic time.  Always continuous … always in motion.”

Water in the lower bowl churned around eager fingertips that now enjoyed its cool touch.  Queen Medea scooped up a handful of water and watched with fascination as groups of droplets fell gracefully back in.  Waist high and made of dark, polished granite, its diameter spanned a stunning six pike lengths.  As she stared dreamily at its jeweled lip, Evenshai’s next words lifted her gaze skyward.

“At its summit and having returned from a great unknown, an eagle flies toward us.  Ready to accept the delivery of the very first Gryphon cub, a mother and father lion eagerly await this eagle.”

Medea’s gaze shifted to the top of the structure.  Its wingspan close to four pike lengths across, an eagle overlaid in gold with green gems as its eyes soared motionless.  Two bronze life-size lions with yellow diamonds for eyes stood on their hind legs on each side of a spire that held this eagle up.  As if trying to reach the eagle, outstretched claws extended from four front limbs.

Below the waiting lions weaved many dozens of vertical pipes, levers, and gears.  Some pipes curved off into pleasing shapes such as corkscrews and whirling curves.  Every lever molded in some compelling way, dozens of gears turning in both directions hid and then peeked out from random places.  Gryphon artisans had carved the end of each counterweight in the form of a Yeturi head complete with curved horns.  Raised buckets charged with scooping up water from the lower bowl buttressed the end of each counterweight.  Some close to half of life-size, others barely larger than a hand; dozens of Sapien and Gryphon sculptures gleaming in gold dotted the structure.

“The amount of gold and gems used to construct the Golden Clepsydra,” Evenshai continued, “is more wealth than has been mined from Hakleddamm in the last decade.  A priceless symbol of perfect irony, a single message is its truest purpose: No matter how much wealth one possesses,
nothing
can buy even another moment of time itself.”

Her gift properly presented, Evenshai backpedaled.  Hands clasped to her front at the waist, Medea stepped forth.

“Truer words could not be better spoken, wise Gryphon,” she said quietly.  The stage now hers, Medea turned to face the audience.  “Yesterday gone forever, today soon to slip away, tomorrow only a day away before it too is eternally lost; time the cruelest mistress, the secret weapon of the Grim – everyone dies.  In due time … even Sapiens.”

These words rather sad, a curious hopefulness overcame her.  Although they would all turn to dust in the end, perhaps some accomplishments would not.  As Medea’s fingers traced wistful arcs through the air, she spoke with a defiant tone.

“Despite our own mortality, I believe it is possible that our most wondrous triumphs
will
fight boldly against such an end.  Triumphs such as this Golden Clepsydra.  Daring to track it, daring to mock its every movement, time will walk warily past these waters as if they are its enemy.  Despite time twisting, turning, and changing our world in profound ways, as if timeless, this gift will remain unbothered by the passing of it.”  Medea stepped back and refocused on the Golden Clepsydra.

The fountain base was pure artistry.  Twenty pieces of white marble three hands in width, forty pieces two hands in width, and eighty pieces one hand in width spaced out perfectly; Gryphon artisans had laid these highly polished stones atop the lip of the lower bowl.  Each represented either a full turn, mid-turn, or minor turn.  The full turn with its blue gems shaped like diamonds; the mid-turn with its red gems shaped like ovals; the minor turn with its green gems forming a single column shape; to see just one of these designs teased every sense.  To see multiple ones at once threatened to blind any who dared gaze upon so many brilliant sparkles.

Bells and chimes once again rang in a rhythmic ruckus to reveal that a completed full turn – the sixteenth – was at hand.  A loud single click came just after.  The red diamond encrusted sun cast of gold and a moon of solid silver then shifted in reverse directions.  Both were now nestled equally above and below the horizon.  Forged into a wide cylinder that acted as a ledge the matching life-size lion sculptures stood upon, these dual heavenly bodies moved only after every full turn.

“It is our dear hope,” Komnena said to displace the encroaching silence, “that all so far have enjoyed this play recreating the gifting of our Golden Clepsydra.  But in regards to this day and the day we reminisce of long ago, something is amiss, and it is this: All of us have already seen it.  You see, on this day, only a handful of Gryphons had seen the Golden Clepsydra before their king lowered the long lost cloak to reveal it.  We are awed by it, but not awed enough.  The words of the historian of the past now strolling through the mind of this historian of the present – shall I tell them to you?”

Applause and cheers as loud as when the play first began tore across the audience.  Marseea and Komnena shared a wide smile and Melanippe handed her mother a copper plate.  Komnena cleared her throat, took center stage, and began.

“‘Hundreds of clepsydras sit scattered about Terra Australis,’ this wise Gryphon historian tells us.  ‘Some richly engraved and pleasing to gaze upon; others merely handsome and more functional than anything else; most downright homely – there was and never again will be another as masterful as this.  Gathered royals stand dumfounded before it.  Eyes hoping for a closer look swell inside their sockets.  Bottom halves of mouths silently curse their masters because wondrous jaws cannot drop to the ground in awe of it.  Because no words yet exist to describe the gleaming wonder bathed in the purest of waters, muffled drawls spilling past numb lips will have to do for now.  Stories, songs, firsthand accounts, paintings – none of these stand a chance to convince even the dimmest of creatures yet to stand in awe before it that such a grand structure exists.’”