Break- K'veer
From afar the city had seemed like an amorphous mass of stone. From close up, however, it revealed an intricacy and variety that was astonishing. Even the color of the stone changed as the eye traveled up that vast bowl of jumbled architecture, the lowest levels slate gray or a dull red-brown, the higher levels the same black streaked with red that was used for the island mansions and the Inner Gate. Book of Atrus
We entered the city. Like Atrus and Ti'ana before that, so I came into D'ni full of wonder...unsure of what next I would see...or learn.
My teacher, my path- all things were beginning now. All things were forming now. And, following in the footfalls of the ones who came many ages before me, it was formed in the darkness of the cavern.
-
Part 5- The Library
Libraries hold the writings of man
Hearts hold the truth of the Maker.
"Words" Section 2
They were at the great library of the D'ni. Craning her neck to see the top of the structure, Yeesha admired its elegance and form. Such a beautiful building meant to hold the jewel of the D'ni society and define what it was.
The Master was a few steps in front of her, leading the way to the library along the cracked and stone littered paths. She wasn't entirely sure why he would be bringing her here. The Library had been emptied out by Atrus and the others of his teams long before she was born, taking the books to read over in hopes that there might be a few survivors left. Before them, Gehn had come along, likewise collecting his fair share of books and taking also the blank books to use in his mad plan of restoring the D'ni pride.
But she was bound to trust the Master. Her decision had been made all those hours ago and now she had no option but to follow him and trust in what he was doing.
The Library door opened readily, not being locked, and Yeesha wondered if the Master had been staying in the city for a long time waiting for her. Maybe even making the Library his home.
Inside the Library only a few lamps were burning and, with the thick walls blocking even the faintest of sounds from the outside, the silence grew deeper, broken only by the sound of Yeesha's boots hitting the floor and the Master's soft shuffling. He continued to lead her onward, down the circular stairwell which seemed to stretch into infinity, till at last they rounded a final curve and reached the bottom level.
Here the air was damp and cold and the stone walls glistened from the moisture that covered them. And in one corner, a table had been set up. It was littered with books, papers and pots of ink, some capped others open, and thin pens used in the writing of Ages. Around that table, lay piles of books, the special ones, brazen with gold lettering on their spines telling the name of each Age whose descriptions were contained therein.
The Master walked up to the desk and began moving papers, as if searching for something in particular. Yeesha watched him for a minute but soon her attention was captured by the books that lay about her. Each book was so much more beautiful then any she had seen before. Their covers were all the deepest shade of whatever dye had been used on them and each bore gold lettering. Back on Tomahna her father had plenty of books but none as marvelous as these. His bore plain covers, or the few that were more elaborate, such as Releeshahn, didn't have colors that were half as vibrant like these were.
Stooping over, Yeesha lifted a book from the top of a pile and opened it. The graceful D'ni words that seemed as if to be burned into the white page, greeted her eyes as she began to read. Descriptions; vivid, alive, detailed, poetic, complete, consuming...
Wrong...
Shocked, Yeesha blinked twice and read the phrase over again.
No, that can't be!
That phrase, what it described, it wasn't possible! Even she, who had broken what was law for all D'ni Masters before her, knew that what this book spoke of couldn't happen. It would defy every truth and belief ever formed.
But here it is, in this Age.
A hand rested on her shoulder. Yeesha looked over into her master's face, knowing her eyes to be full of questions and wonder.
"How?" she whispered, lifting a hand slightly to point at the book in question.
"Because what was thought as truth were merely lies."
It was a cryptic answer which did little to help her. Returning her gaze to the book, Yeesha could feel the confusion in her multiply to an almost unbearable level.
It still didn't make sense. How? How could he have done that? How could it be possible?
"Link there and you will see," Nava said, gently squeezing her shoulder.
Flipping to the last page of the book, she stared at the linking panel. It was live; the small window showing but a glimpse of the Age that awaited her. Still...
She looked once more to the Nava's face for guidance and assurance.
"Remember you agreed to leave behind all you once knew," he admonished her. ".kenem'nea lonem regestoy."
And taking her hand, he placed it on the linking panel.
-
For a moment it was as if she were melting, fusing with the ink and paper, and then, with a suddenness that was shocking, she was herself again, in her own body. Book of Ti'ana
Yeesha was back in the library. She stood, blinking, eyes adjusting to the dimness of the light compared to where she, just a moment ago, had been.
She still could scarcely believe what she had seen. It defied everything, it clashed with everything, it was unbelievable.
The Nava was sitting in a chair by the desk, writing in a book. Approaching, Yeesha leaned against the table to stare into his face.
"Teach me to write like that," was all she said.
He regarded her closely, as if contemplating her and what he should give as an answer to such a request.
Finally he spoke, his voice soft and almost wondering.
"Oh young one, you will learn to write so much more then that. Much more then even I can obtain. That which you just saw will become but simple thing for you to write, for the marvels you will create will be unlike any before you and, very likely, any who come after you."
Taking a step back, Yeesha stared down at the floor, absorbing what he just said and attempting to understand it. Her thoughts flew from one word to another. She was to be great. The girl who years upon years ago once sat watching the stars dance in a pool, wondering what her life was to be and what she was to do, would become a name long remembered. Her name was to be written down with the names of the other men and women who were so influential in the shaping and molding of D'ni.
Me!
Tilting her head sideways to gaze at the Nava, she said,
"I want to learn it all. Teach me everything you can. I want to learn it all."
As the Master watched her, she thought for a moment a look of regret crossed his face but the next instant it was gone and he was pointing towards another chair by his own.
"Very well, young one."
Yeesha smiled then as she sat. She was to do it- she would take on the very power of the Masters.
And there is no reason for me to stop...
-
.kenem'nea lonem regestoy- You are empty, discover the Art.