A Paradox in Retrograde (8 page)

For her benefit he quickly managed to pull himself together and
responded, "I am well."

"That's good, sir. If I may suggest, I'm sure you're by now
ready for a hearty breakfast and a change of clean clothes."
Averting her eyes, she draped the clothes over the back of a
chair. "I took the liberty of estimating your dimensions. I think it
will be a good fit."

"Thank you." This gesture and his changing demeanor seemed
to put her more at ease.

"Lady Xora informed me to tell you she will be joining you
shortly." He nodded to her in acknowledgment. She took this
sign to mean she was excused. "Well then, if there will be anything else, please be sure to ask me." she said as she exited,
closing the door behind her.

After she left the room all modesty fell away as his attentions
were now drawn to the delectable smells of his meal that swirled
about him. Until that moment he had forgotten that the acute
pain he was feeling in his gut was that of hunger. He sat down at
the small table and quickly devoured his meal. Though he finished the plate of food before him he was not satisfied. His
body had suffered an ordeal and he seemingly was burning calories at a terrific rate. He would need to be mindful of this. Pushing the tray away he stood from the table and retired to the adjoining bath. There were other needs beyond his immediate sustenance that also needed his attention. His ordeal also had him
left anxious to wash clean his body and change into fresh clothing. Within the ornately tiled room he found a bath recessed into
the landing. It was filled with fresh clean water that flowed directly up from a heated spring deep in the earth. He watched as
the water flowed over the edge of the basin into the drain.

He caught in his eye, his own image standing before the bath
held captive there within the frame of the full length mirror. Staring back at himself this was the first time he had seen himself
since he had laid down in his capsule so many years before. His
image though familiar, was somewhat shocking to look at. He
had almost forgotten how his own likeness had appeared. His
head and face were covered in long hair. His hands and body
were blistered and burnt from his day of exposure upon the water
as well as those marks borne by body armor that held him for so
long in a state of suspended animation. Exposed from beneath his
armor his pale waxen skin appeared translucent. His naked skin
shivered as it was exposed to the chilled morning air. He
stepped carefully into the volcanic water and it warmed him.

With a sponge he brought the water to his head and face to erase
the ages of grime that had accumulated there. The water in rivulets poured down over his neck and chest. Washing away this accumulated crust he felt renewed and invigorated asif symbolically baptized to his new life. Having arisen from the bath he dried
himself and examined the clothes that were left there for him.
With decreasing hesitation he was adjusting to this new environment. He donned his vestment. Gazing into the mirror he looked
on in surprised admiration of what he saw there. He was also
pleased by the look and feel of the natural fibers as they were as
comfortable as any he had ever worn. He was refreshed. His robe
was regal and elegant and it suited him. As he stood there admiring himself, the attendant knocked again upon his chamber door
interrupting him. "Kind Sir, your guests have arrived. They are
awaiting your presence on the observation deck."

"Thank you; tell them I will be there presently."

Landaus and Grunhuf had arranged with each other to meet at the
Citadel that morning and take the trip together up to Xora's cliff
side dwelling. Since Lady Xora's invitation of the previous evening, there in they held much anticipation for the morning's meeting. She had invited them to her home above the seaso they
could examine for themselves in greater detail, their latest discovery from the sea. They would have an opportunity totalk privately with this most unusual guest. For curiosities sake, they would
not be late for this opportunity.

And so as planned the pair had met early at the citadel. From
there they walked along the well worn trail out from the town
toward where the land went vertical. They stepped up onto platform and grasped firmly onto the guard rails. Landaus selected a
button on the control mechanism and pressed it. With the clanking sound of a rotating mechanical gear, the platform beneath
them began slowly at first to rise up from underneath them. The
sound rose to a distinct rattle as the platform traveled fast up
along the edge of the rugged plateau. A moment later their vehicle, with a resounding clank came to rest at its landing.

Xora who had been patiently awaiting their arrival was there to
greet them. "Good day gentleman, you've come righton time.
Please follow me if you would." She led them through a sheltered glass portico that in turn opened into another ornately decorated room. Its barrel vaulted ceiling ran perhaps ten meters
beneath the out crop of rock above. Exiting out onto the plateau,
the ancient tile floor beneath their feet gave way to a well worn
earthen path. They followed it along as it snaked its way through
a clutch of bamboo towering over them obscuring the sky. As
the path ended, they were met there again by a great expanse as
the blue sky opened up before them. Below their feet a walled
level platform of stone a dozen meters square lay before them
perched high above the cliff face. From there the view looked
out from the far side of the island. Landaus who had never had
the privilege, had discovered there an unrivaled vista far out to
sea. Looking out over the ledge he could make out distant
shapes upon the water. There cast along the crest of the horizon
he saw the far off tops of mountains and the sun dappled mainsails of ships, billowing in the distance. The sound of Xora's
voice distracted him from his observation. "Please my friends
wait here and enjoy this view for a while as I inquire to our
guest's whereabouts. As you can see, I have taken the liberty of
preparing a small brunch for you." As she spoke these words a
pair of servants bearing trays entered into view. They laid a
spread out upon a table next to a sublime overlook. Landaus and
Grunhuf approached the comfortably appointed seating area cut
into the face of the rock where a selection of sumptuous fruits,
cheese and bread awaited them. There was even a carafe of coffee. Grunhuf never at a loss for words was impressed by the
treatment, but suspected it was not all for their benefit. Despite
his suspicions he bowed his head in appreciation. "I thank you
Lady Xora for your gracious hospitality. I'm sure I speak for both
of us when I say, we are much obliged." The pair easily found
their seats and began to make themselves comfortable. She
bowed her head and made her departure. While quietly watching
the sunlight play among the white linen drapery, and table covers,
they with few words spoken between them proceeded to indulge
their appetites. Their meal was accompanied by an array of intoxicating sound made by the wind chimes and the rustling of the
palm trees in the warm breeze rising from the sea.

Xora arrived to Ananda's chamber door just as he stepped
through the threshold. She could do little to helpherself from admiring how handsome and well he now appeared. He greeted her
as she stood waiting, "Good morn Lady Xora, did yourest well?"
He had caught her eye and he couldn't help but take notice of her
long unblinking glance. For a second she had forgotten to speak.
"My lady, are you alright?"

Shaken from her distraction she apologized. "Please, forgive me
for my rude behavior. I did not mean to make you feel uncomfortable. It's just that you have most unusual features."

"Is my appearance unattractive?"
"Good heavens no, quite the contrary I'm afraid."

He accepted this answer without further question as he too
thought these peoples appearance was somewhat different than
his own. "Please let me introduce you to some important people
who have come to greet you?"

"Lady Xora, forgive me however I would like as soon as possible
to return to the crystal room. I feel there are yet untapped answers
to my origins hidden within."

"We will have you there presently. However in the meantime
these are no ordinary guests. I must insist you meet with them,
and then I promise you, we shall return to work in the crystal
room."

"It would seem you have me at a disadvantage, I will comply."
"Good, now come this way."

He followed her as she made her way down the garden path toward the reception area.

Grunhuf and Landaus were enjoying the view as well as the
meal. Grunhuf saw them approaching. Feeling he should speak
his mind before their encounter, he leaned into Landaus close
enough so no one could hear what he had to say. Landaus pretended not to hear him as he spoke. "Landaus, how much of the
story told by this supposed time traveler do you believe? I for
one don't believe a word of it. How likely is it that a man could
remain sleeping for thousands of years? I think it's more likely
that we are the unwitting accomplices of a yet unidentified charlatan." Landaus under pressure from the governor tokeep a lid
on things chose the words of his response carefully. "Grunhuf, it
surprises me that a man of your station would mirehimself in
sordid speculation when what evidence we need is before us."
He turned and looked at him squarely before he continued. "Let
me ask you again this time more directly. Do you think it wise
to open up your office to ridicule or censure? Let me remind you
how delicate this situation could potentially be. The last thing I
need is loose talk. The first thing we need to do is to discreetly
get the bottom of exactly who this man is, and why is he here.
For all we know he could be exactly as he says he is. So you
must keep an open mind. If however, what he has to say is true,
then everything our culture is built upon may come unraveled.
Do you follow me?"

"Yes, I believe I do."

Their conversation had abruptly ended as Grunhuf and Landaus
were joined in the sea side overlook by Ananda and Xora. They
entered from the marble pathway. Grunhuf and Landaus stood to
greet them. With a regal confidence Ananda enteredinto the
open air reception room with hand outstretched. "Good day gentlemen." Xora cut him off interjecting an introduction between
them.
"Gentlemen may I have the honor of introducing my guest Ananda to you? Ananda these are the important gentlemen I spoke to
you about. This is Grunhuf, the lord mayor and over here is Landaus, the local representative to the royal governor and colonel to
the guard." They took turns amiably clasping hands. "It is a pleasure to meet you gentleman."

"As it is ours" replied Landaus. "I would like you to think of this
visit as a diplomatic mission to this nation from where you have
come. What again is its name? From what I have been told there
is no record of such a nation. However I understand there may be
good reason for our ignorance. Perhaps you could help us to understand?" Landaus lifted his coffee to his mouth as he awaited
his answer.

"There is something I have discovered which proves at least some
of what I have told you. There within the circuitsof the crystal
room are the dormant memories of souls long dead who can attest
to my story." To the surprise of Grunhuf and Landaus, Xora confirmed the validity of these statements with a nod of her head. "It
is true what he says. I was a witness to it." Ananda continued.
"Though that what I said is true, some parts of my initial story, I
suspect may have been fabricated."

"To what end?" queried Grunhuf.

 

"There in lies the mystery. I have been visited upon in dream by
visions more real than my most vivid memory."

 

"Are you saying the memories you had upon your arrival were
not yours?" asked Landaus.

 

"That's exactly what I'm saying."

"I must say this is a most unusual turn of events. I would encourage you then with the help of Xora, to learn what you can from
the crystal room. I would ask you though, what portion of your
story can you confirm as true?"

"The nation of my birth is Atlantia. I was set adrift in time during
a time of great trouble. Perhaps it was our final days. I believe I
was a man of some importance. However the details remain just
outside my grasp." Landaus' outward expression hid well his
confusion, for he knew not of such possibilities. He dared not let
him know that. He thought to himself, "Surely if he were one of
the forerunners, such feats would appear as child's play." He
had to ask one nagging question that he had left to ask. He
opened a folder that he had sitting by his side. He removed from
it a photograph of the object his son had discovered on the beach
a few days ago, and presented it to him. "Do you recognize this
object?" Ananda took possession of the image. Adjusting its distance from his eyes he stared blankly at the photograph. He
strained to conjure something of this familiar object from his
memory, yet nothing rose from the fog. "I'm sorry I don't
know."

"Perhaps if you saw it in person, it might jog something?"
"I would certainly be willing to give it a try."
"Would tomorrow be good then?"
"Yes of course."

"Good, that's settled then. I'll send someone up to get you, if
that's suitable." Xora spoke up then, "That won't be necessary. I
will escort him to the citadel in the morning."

After the details of their meeting were confirmed, Landaus and
Grunhuf appeared anxious to be on their way. Ananda sensing
this urged them to stay a while longer to share a meal and some
conversation with them. "If you please good sirs, it has been
some time since I have had the pleasure of human company. I
would ask you to indulge this lonely traveler, for there is much
that I would like to learn of your culture." He wished them to
stay for he had as much to learn from them, as they did of him.
For his guests it would have been considered rude to refuse such
a request. Grunhuf the consummate politician spoke on their behalf. "Ananda, we would be shirking our responsibilities as representatives of this land if we did not extend all possible hospitality to you. Of course, we shall stay here a while longer. I do
apologize for the anxiety you may read on our countenance, but
there is much work to be done in the seat of government."