EPILOGUE
I have often wondered if my longevity might have some connection with the fact that I heal with extraordinary rapidity. The wound on my back was serious and might have maimed a normal person on Earth, but with Rift City's prompt and efficient medical treatment the damaged muscle regenerated and the long, bone-deep gash mended with scarcely a scar within a few days. I pampered myself for a few more days, but by the eighth day my body craved Taiji.
Lessons over, Carthan and I had little spare time for anything but our fencing drills and running with the calots. As expedition leaders we were responsible for supplying a space ship with sufficient food, water, and sundry supplies for 50 people on a six month flight to Earth. We had also to arrange for the tools, clothing, weapons and equipment for use by the immigrants after they landed, and that is where my life on Jasoom reaped benefits. I designed clothing both for men and women that I felt would be appropriate for the eighth century, and found a fabric manufacturer who was willing to experiment. The colonists themselves cut out the patterns to fit, and then hand-sewed the simple garments from various leathers and the nearly-indestructible "home-spun" provided to them. The results were remarkably authentic.
One further problem – that of the colonists' distinctive white hair – was solved by a clever geneticist who created a serum which, when taken orally, programmed the body to grow brown or black hair. By the time we arrived on Earth, and with a little judicious barbering, no one would have white hair. We did not know if the colour would carry through to the next generation, but that obstacle would have to be surmounted when, or if, it arose.
One day, with our departure imminent, we took the calots to the portal leading to our own era. Beyond it we could see Thiessa, still standing in the same position we had left her. Gripping hands, Carthan and I prepared to pass through with Belle and Paddy by holding on to their delicate ears. Sensing the importance of staying close, they came along obediently.
". . . with you. . . oh! " Old Thiessa's unfinished farewell greeting ended in a surprised gasp as the four of us stepped back into her – our – world. Briefly, we explained what we planned to do, and she stood speechless in amazement. I hugged her, thanking her for everything she had done for us.
Carthan said, "If we do not return immediately, please tell the calots to go home – " and he gave her a specific phrase the calots would obey, whoever said it to them. "It will prevent them from returning through the portal, and eventually they will find their way back to Helium."
One of the hardest things I have ever done was to leave Belle and Paddy, even knowing that for them it would only be a matter of seconds before we returned. For us, however, it might be years.
Carthan and I looked at each other as we clasped hands and turned back to the portal. We knew not what lay before us, but whatever happened we would face it with joy and determination together.
[PART III, VALLEY OF THE MOON, UP NEXT]