THE ANTAREAN ODYSSEY

Book One Chapter One Hot, fiery, and merciless Incal finally touched the horizon. It had been hot all day and the slight breeze promised a cool evening. Sirtis, dressed in a loose chiton, sat in the gazebo, gazing out over the lake. Her book lay forgotten in her lap. A light touch on the shoulder brought her out of her reverie. Surprised, she turned and was startled to see her grandfather standing behind her without his escort. But then, he enjoyed being unconventional. She rose and gave him obeisance. "Come Child, walk with me." He took her hand and they walked toward the lake. "Is anything the matter?" Sirtis asked. "No Child, I just need to talk to you without being overheard or interrupted." Sirtis hid her amusement. He still called her child. She was fifty years old, and a scientist in her own right. When they arrived at the lake, to her surprise he entered a rowboat. "You row, and since I'm old, I sit." When they arrived in the middle of the lake, he told her to stop. His mien was thoughtful as he quietly contemplated her. "Sirtis, I have talked to Coh and now I will put my proposal to you. Mehen has prophesied that a great one will be born and he will be the savior of our world. And he has pointed to you Sirtis-Incal, Morning Glory of Incal. After your son is born I want you and your husband to leave Istranavu and settle on Izmal. Raise him well. Teach him the glory of the House of the Descending Falcon. I want him away from the courts intrigues and out of the clutches of the priesthood. My Grandfather was a fool to give the priests so much power. As you and I suspect, it was Zahi, the high priest, who murdered your father. Canchi was strong of body and mind. Since they could not control him, he had to go. As much as I tried, I could never prove it. Now they have their claws into your brother, into Nubchi. He is a weakling and a fool. I will live as long as it takes for your son to grow up to take the throne. Will you do this for me, Sirtis?" Her head came up sharply, then, she frowned. "Grandfather, I think you have been planning this for a long time," she accused him. There was a slight smile. "I'm a ruler, Child. I have to be at least three or four moves ahead of everyone." Tilting her head, "What did Coh say?" "He has left it up to your approval. Also, as you know he doesn't care much about Court." Sirtis laughed. "Yes I know. I guess you heard what he thinks about all this nonsense, as he calls it." "Yes, Child, I'm of the same mind. But then, I was born to rule. Now row quickly back before I'm missed." "Did you sneak away?" Sirtis asked, and when he nodded, she laughed. "Granddaughter, even an Emperor has to have time out." * * * * “Mehen the prophet was present to attest to my birth, and he named me Incal Astari Xio Incala Gwauxln Xioqui Thalon. But my mother always called me Tenoki, Sunshine. Within a year after my birth, my parents left Istranavu and settled on an estate on Izmal, the second, but smaller planet in the solar system of Incal. After I grown up, and only after I joined the Space Force, did Sirtis and Coh deemed it time to return to Istranavu. The Emperor at that time was ailing. His third rejuvenation treatment had not taken well. The political situation had deteriorated, and the power of the priesthood had grown enormously; but not their wisdom. Science became religion. Superstition, promulgated by the priests, became rampant. Through this adulterated religion, the priests controlled every action and thought of the common people. They were not beyond using persecution, and often used torture to gain compliance. Coh, abetted by the ailing Emperor, joined the dissidents. Nubchi, the Emperor's grandson, was first corrupted and then adroitly manipulated by Zahi, the high priest. He was made to believe that he would make a great and wise ruler; superior in wisdom and courage even to his ailing grandfather. They told him that his grandfather had ruled too long and it was time for him, Nubchi, to take the throne. Also, his grandfather was becoming too set in his way and was not able to comprehend the new age that was dawning on Istranavu. Nubchi was made to believe he would herald in a new golden age, a Renaissance. While I was away in the Space Force, my mother kept me abreast of all the developments at home. After my promotion to Commodore, a desk job, I settled on Izmal. One day my father asked for me to take leave and come to Istranavu. It had the sound of an order. * * * * There was a gentle knock at the door, but I knew it was my mother. Again, she was ahead of the valet. "Tenoki, are you awake?" she asked, unnecessarily. Incala children have an emotional bond to their parents. Although mine, because of my age, was tenuous, still, there was a subtle awareness between us. "Come in, Mother." Amused, I smiled at her as she neared my bed. "Yes I know, but you are still my Sunshine," she told me, well aware why the amused smile. "Your father wants you to meet him in his office." "He told me already. He was somewhat abrupt yesterday when I asked him why." "I know. Be patient. Now that your valet is here, you can get dressed and I will see you after you have spoken with your father." Sirtis walked past the disapproving mien of Zailm. Zailm did not countenance the intimate atmosphere in which Prince Coh and her royal highness the Princess Sirtis lived. He was very much for upholding the proper decorum. Also, he was a devout follower of the tenets of Incal, and would quite regularly confide his grievances to his confessor. When I knocked on my father's office door, there was a curt "Come in!" After I entered, Coh rose from his chair. "Let's take a walk," he said bruskly. My eyebrows went up. This was an ominous gesture. When we arrived at the lake's shore we both, to anyone watching appeared to take a leisurely stroll along the edge of the water. "I will make this short, because we are to join your mother for breakfast. When you were on Izmal, you made a few unfortunate remarks about your displeasure regarding the theology being promulgated. "I agree. That was very unfortunate. I still have to learn not to let anger loosen my tongue." "I also heard that you tried to defend a young girl." "It was simply unconscionable to put the poor girl through such a tirade. She had done nothing wrong. She had simply fallen asleep during the most sacred part of the rite." Coh's eyes crinkled as he looked at me. "And you waded in and rescued the damsel?" "Sort of," I defended myself, feeling self-conscious at my father's amused look. "At least you didn't tell anyone who you are." "Father, most of the time, I don't even think about it. I'm the Captain of the Explorer," I said, and sadly added, "or was. I never made any bones about liking to be the Captain of the Explorer. It was a challenge and exciting to be out in space. I really didn't care for my promotion to commodore. I'm proud of my achievements. As you know, I earned the rank of captain." "Yes I know, and I'm proud of you. But you're still the great-grandson of Menes, Emperor of Istranavu. If the times were not so perilous, the rescue of the girl would make an amusing story. There is much intrigue going on of which you're not aware. There are a lot of undercurrents. I know the priesthood is conspiring against the emperor. So beware of Zahi the High Priest." "So you warned me. As you know, I traveled to many different worlds, and every time I come back, I become aware of the decline of the sciences and culture on Istranavu. I'm afraid we're sliding into a dark age with all this religious superstition. Could you arrange for me to have a private audience with the Emperor?" "Why?" "I would like to talk to him about the things we discussed." "I don't know if it will help, but I'll see what I can do." "How is he? Mother told me that he is ailing." "He is.