The Wayward Godking (44 page)

“Binky!” Paddy exclaimed as he noticed his diminutive housekeeper standing alone near the bridge with a basket in one hand. He ran toward her, shouting her name. “Where ’ave ye been?!” he asked.

The bean tighe blinked at him in confusion. “Wall, sair, I was out pickin’ some dandelion greens fur supper and th’ whole world started shakin’ undar me feet. I dashed inside a rocky cavern and must ’ave lost me way. Next thing I know, I run into these good folks walkin’ thru yon woods. Oh my, I dunna believe I ’ave enough greens t’ feed oll these people.”

“Nevar ye moind,” Paddy said and took the basket from her. “Just come along now. I ’ave some people I want ye t’ meet. Oy, Seamus, looky ’ere who’s come t’ join us!”

The elves were caught up in the joy of the occasion and soon was heard the sounds of elven music mixed with the lively strains of Paddy’s band.  There was dancing and singing and playing and more hugging and kissing and tears which lasted for hours, it seemed.

In the thick of the excitement, Mark Andrew, his son, Luke and Simon took advantage of the confusion and retired to the garden bridge again. Luke Andrew sat in silence next to his father, watching the merry-making with a peculiar look in his eyes. The Queen, herself, was in fine form, swaying in and out amongst her guests, hugging and kissing them as they would allow, offering them food and drink and all manner of gifts. With exception of her sallow complexion and yellowish-green eyes, she was the perfect model of the elegant hostess. Her reunion was a success in spite of everything, exceeding her wildest expectations. Even the non-family members made themselves useful, providing drinks all around, while others served up trays of roasted meats, snacks and other exotic delicacies.

“You have inherited my curse, Luke,” Mark Andrew said, finally breaking the silence between them.

“I see,” Luke murmured and looked down at his hands. “But it is unimportant. I never really worked on building relationships. I suppose it’s best that…” his words were cut short as his name was shouted several times in rapid succession. He looked up, in time to see that Galen and Michael Ian standing on the other side of the koi pond, waving silver tankards at him. Galen was dressed in the Ramsay blue kilt he preferred, while Michael wore Ramsay red. They presented quite a handsome sight in their silver-buckled, brown knee-boots, sparkling gold and silver penannular brooches on their tartans. Both sported feathered Tam O’Shanters and flashing gold buckles on their belts. They leaned against each other, laughing and waving him over, sloshing ale from their tankards.

“Well, if you gentlemen will excuse me,” Luke said gravely. He grinned and waved, then pulled himself up. He leaned on the rail and waved again. “Shiver me timbers!” he shouted. “Ahoy there, me maties!”

Mark frowned slightly wondering why his son would use nautical terms and then watched wistfully as his errant son ran down the length of the bridge and around the edge of the pond, almost falling in twice, in his haste to meet his small fan club. They smacked together, knocking hats and sporrans askew, hugged each other wildly, pushed apart, hugged again and ended up falling into the pond, kilts and all. Several of the nearer guests ran to their assistance.

“I wonder what he was going to say,” Mark Andrew mused to his old friend when they found themselves alone. “I might want to borrow it.”

“He was going to say it is best sometimes to form fewer attachments in life, since the loss of loved ones is so unbearably painful,” Simon answered him. “He has suffered some dreadful losses, Brother.”

“Oh, ye think so?” Mark asked him. “Are ye a moind reader now, Brother?”

“I am,” Simon nodded.

“Then read Meredith’s mind for me.” Mark reached for the rail, stretching his arms over his head. “What does she want, Simon?”

“She would go with you, Brother, if you asked her, and if you had a place to take her,” Simon offered. “But then what would you say to Lily?” The Healer looked pointedly at the table where Lily sat with Sophia and the baby finally beginning to accept the strangeness all around her. Mrs. Ramsay was playing with the baby while two of Simon’s sons were engaged in what appeared to be deep conversation with Sophia. The Dove walked toward them across the meadow in the company of his brother, Luke Matthew.

“I need to send her on, Simon,” Mark said in a low voice. “That is probably what my darlings coming to tell me now. How can I do it? How can I
not
do it?”

They climbed to their feet and leaned against the railing, waiting for them expectantly.

“Looks like a success,” Mark commented on the festivities after hugging Luke Matthew and shaking hands with the Dove.

“Aye. So twould seem,” Luke agreed, but did not seem very festive.

“Father,” Mark accosted him immediately. “There are still two members missing.”

“Members… who?” Mark scanned the milling crowd. “I think everyone is accounted for.”

“Queen Semiramis is not here, nor is Selwig, the Tuathan healer,” the Dove told him. “I have looked everywhere for them, and, upon asking, I have learned he was last seen with the Queen at the Djinni’s palace. She had hired him to nurse her after the accident.”

“Accident? Semiramis?” Mark had to smile.

“Aye. She was knocked onto th’ rocks, it seems, fightin’ the beast,” Luke Matthew explained. “Took quoite a beatin’, I undarstand. During th’ fight with Asadarlu. We ’ad a sloight run-in with ’im in th’ meadow. An ugly brute, he was. Of a foul distemper as well.”

“Aye, so I’ve ’eard,” Mark said. Semiramis was not the only missing person. Marduk was missing. Anu was missing and Semiramis’ sister Diana. “I believe we may be in for a few more surprises before this is over.” He pulled Luke Matthew aside and whispered in his ear. “’ave ye seen me spaceship?”

“I ’avena seen it, but I ’eard it on gud authority thot it was lingerin’ near Armand’s castle in th’ undarwarld.”

“Gud, thot’s gud.” Mark hugged him suddenly and kissed him on both cheeks. “You take care o’ Merry, Luke. She’s a gud woman. A bit daft at toimes, but gud at ’eart.” The Knight of Death turned quickly to the Dove and took him by the shoulders, kissing him as well on the cheeks and hugging him tightly. “Look aftar little Michael and Sophia, Mark,” he looked deeply in his son’s eyes “And if need be, take care o’ your mother until I come fur ’er.”

“Where are you going?” Luke Matthew asked in alarm.

“I need t’ check on some things,” Mark told him. “I ’ave t’ go before my father comes back or else it moight be too late.”

He hugged and kissed the startled Healer and then left them standing on the bridge.

“Do you think he will come back?” Mark asked Luke and Simon after he was gone.

“’e said wud come fur mother,” Luke frowned.

“He usually does what he says he will,” Simon nodded thoughtfully.

((((((((((((()))))))))))))

“You!” Semiramis said as he pushed herself up quickly on the satin pillows of her bed. Her golden curls fell about her face and the cool pack that Selwig had just applied to her forehead, slipped to the floor.

“Yes,” Anu said evenly. He bent to retrieve the cloth for her and folded it carefully before handing it back to her.

“You are…” her voice faltered and she dropped the cloth again.

“Anu, some call me. I have been called many things, many places,” he said and then sat down on the foot of her couch. “Others simply call me ‘Father’.”

“You are Adar’s father,” she told him as if he did not know this tidbit of information.

“That is what I am told,” he said and cast a puzzled look at the terrified Tuathan cowering on her balcony, where he had fled when Marduk and Anu arrived.

“Why did you bring him here?” She nodded briefly toward Marduk, who had stopped near the door.

“We have a bit of work to do. You and Marduk have a bit of work to do, that is. He would be a much more pleasant fellow, if you were to be a bit more amiable toward him.”

“How dare you?” she asked him in consternation. “You have been gone for eons. You have no idea what he is like. He is full of treachery, greed and worst of all, he is jealous and self-centered.”

“Oh, he certainly hasn’t won all those traits for himself alone,” Anu said.

Semiramis fell quiet. She knew quite well she was no match for Marduk without Diana’s help or Aurora or Dunya. If Anu was on Marduk’s side, she was done for. Her anger simmered slowly.

“Something is missing here,” Anu said quietly. He leaned toward her and took her chin in his hand and looked deep in her astonished and somewhat fearful eyes.

“I’ll tell you what is missing,” Marduk muttered, “Altruistic love and compassion. Grace and manners. She has none!”

“That is not true!” Semiramis snapped and then smiled at her grandfather. “I am very loving… Grandfather, but one cannot be overly affectionate. There are many evils in this world one must guard against.”

“I’m sure there are,” he agreed. “You have a sister? Diana?”

“Yes, why?” Semiramis frowned. “Didn’t you know?”

“Contrary to popular belief, I do not know everything,” Anu said.

“Diana. Now there’s a worrisome bundle,” Marduk commented dryly.

“Where is she? No, no, wait. I know where she is…” Anu turned slightly and looked at the open doorway.

The horned goddess, stepped cautiously into the room, eyes wide, looking as if she might flee any moment. When she spied Semiramis, she ran to her side and fell on her knees, laughing and weeping simultaneously.

“Sister!” She clasped the golden goddess’ hand in her own. “Sister! Where have you been? I have missed you terribly! What has happened? Where am I?”

“Everything is going to be fine, my child,” Anu told her. “You will see.”

Diana turned to look at him with fear in her eyes.

“What have you done to her?” she asked Anu and then glared at Marduk.

Semiramis sat up straighter and narrowed her eyes at Marduk as well.

“He put you up to this, didn’t he?” she asked her grandfather.

“No, he didn’t,” Anu told her. “Now just sit still and listen, my children, and I will tell you of a time before this galaxy was born, a time when this universe was new.” As he spoke he waved one hand to the Tuathan healer, beckoning him forward. Selwig crept into the room, keeping as far from the two Lords as he could. Anu motioned him away and out the door.

The healer was more than glad to be out of the area. He hurried down the hall in search of anyone who might have a care to know what was going on in Semiramis’ rooms.

“A time when there were no wars, no hatred, no greed, no jealousy,” Anu continued. “When all things were in perfect balance. Perfect harmony. Every creature was complete unto himself. There was no need for strife. No need for killing. All things lived to the greater glory of God, the Creator, and the benefit of their fellow creatures. But then came the division…”

His tiny captive audience listened in awestruck wonder as Anu explained to them things that, until now, they had been sure they already understood. His words were electric. His manner beyond controlled and his demeanor that of a doting father speaking to his errant children. Never before had they felt so loved. Never before had they imagined someone would or could feel such devotion to them and never before had they taken time to examine their own feelings under such conditions of remorse and regret. Without the least bit of chastisement, Anu brought his grandchildren directly into his heart and drew them into his mind, showing them things undreamed of even in the wildest imaginations of the gods. When the Skyfather left the palace of Adalune, he was accompanied by only one composite grandchild, consisting of all that was once Marduk Kurios, Lord of Magicians, conqueror of Tiamat, beloved son of Enki. No more did Marduk’s heart long to fill the empty space left by Semiramis and no longer did Semiramis abhor her brother, neither did she feel the need to cling to her beloved sister, Diana. All were one in Marduk, and Anu saw that it was good and he blessed his grandson with a new planet, and a new world for which to care and a new people to follow his teachings as he led them from darkness to Light. And so it was that Marduk Kurios departed from the Earth forever, leaving behind his past, looking forward to a glorious new future in which he would fulfill his destiny as a true Son of Light.

But Anu was not finished with his children and his grandchildren. He returned to his daughter’s reunion and a much too long delayed meeting with his youngest son, Adar, the most grievously misguided of all his offspring.

((((((((((((()))))))))))))

The Djinni’s palace was devoid of anyone who might listen to the Tuathan healer. Selwig had run his poor legs off in search of someone, anyone, who might care what was going on in Semiramis’ quarters, but all the familiar faces were gone. Whatever had happened had happened quickly and none of the servants seemed to know anything. Most of them were quite frightened themselves and full of their own questions.

He left the palace by way of the roof and climbed the steep path toward the plain where Armand’s castle stood watch over the gray expanse of the sea. Perhaps they had gone there for a meeting or some such. But his disappointment had become paramount when he found even golden knight’s triplet sons, with whom he had become good friends, had disappeared, and the castle left standing empty with only the birds and ground squirrels for tenants was not a good sign. The distraught Tuathan’s imagination ran away with him as he rushed to his own room in the castle and gathered up his precious medical supplies into his yellow bag. He pulled a lamb’s wool coat from the bedpost and slung it over his shoulder. It would be a long hike to Il Dolce Mio’s castle in the woods and Selwig had rarely ever traveled alone. He armed himself with two daggers from Vanni’s collection and checked his bag once more to see if he still carried all of his precious vials and bottles. When he was certain that he had everything of value, he hurried to the kitchen and wrapped up a stale loaf of brown bread and bunch of dried cherries in a scarf. These he stuffed in his bag, along with a flask of honey mead before bidding farewell to the foreboding structure.