Tablet of Destinies Read online

  Noah breathed a sigh of relief.

  ‘And, that being the case, I plan to visit Inanna personally and see if I can’t persuade her to hand it over.’ Maelgwn looked to Noah, interested to know his thoughts on the move.

  ‘But surely your request will raise her suspicions?’ Noah played Devil’s advocate, as was his way.

  ‘En Noah!’ Maelgwn was surprised at him. ‘Do give me a little credit as a diplomat. After all, I have been a diplomat for over one hundred years now.’

  ‘A thousand apologies, Governor, I meant you no offence.’ Noah curbed his excitement and regained his sensibilities.

  ‘None taken,’ Maelgwn said affectionately and rose, which seemed to indicate that the meeting was at an end.

  ‘So what do you wish me to do?’ Noah thought he must have missed something.

  ‘Nothing at present, but continue to develop your mental, physical and spiritual skills,’ Maelgwn enlightened. ‘I just needed someone to be aware of my intentions in case I fail to return.’

  ‘But is your wife not aware?’ Noah ventured to inquire.

  ‘Tory has enough on her plate at present.’ Maelgwn explained his reasons for keeping her in the dark. ‘And besides, the reasoning of a pregnant woman is always a little …’ He tried to find a polite way of putting it. ‘… hyperactive. I shall make her aware of our progress, once she is feeling more herself.’

  ‘After you’ve visited Inanna, you mean?’ Noah dared to voice his understanding of the situation, because he knew that Tory wouldn’t like it and the look on the Governor’s face told him that Maelgwn knew it too. ‘Why not let me go,’ Noah suggested, ‘and avoid any possible misunderstanding?’

  Maelgwn forced a smile, grateful for the offer, but shook his head to decline. ‘Although my past intimacy with the Goddess, Inanna, was not of my own choosing, I feel I shall be able to use the connection to our advantage and so you see … I must go.’

  Noah didn’t know what to make of the Governor’s reasoning. Did he mean he was prepared to be unfaithful to his good wife, in order to achieve their objective?

  ‘Now you really are selling me short.’ Maelgwn was momentarily annoyed that Noah, who knew him well, could even entertain the notion. ‘A seduction was not my meaning, I assure you. Besides, Inanna is completely faithful to her husband these days.’

  ‘You hope,’ Noah cautioned, for although he’d never really had dealings with the Goddess herself, some of her past atrocities against humankind had been vividly documented in his Chronicles.

  ‘Have no fear, En Noah, I shall get you the key to unlock the primordial eras devoid from your Chronicles,’ Maelgwn guaranteed. ‘And I shall know, not only the reasons behind humankind’s evolution, but the true purpose behind the Nefilim’s evolution as well.’

  The Governor and Noah emerged from the promenade underneath the amphitheatre’s centre stage, to behold a beautiful sunset sky over Central Park.

  ‘It’s later than I thought,’ Noah commented, admiring the vibrant colours splashed across the horizon.

  ‘Time flies when you’re having fun, hey Noah?’ Maelgwn jeered. He knew his advisor felt uncomfortable with the information he’d been made privy to.

  Noah forced a smile. ‘I suppose the thrill of borderline horror could be considered fun … by some.’ He shot Maelgwn a sideways glance, whereupon the Governor gave a hearty laugh and slapped a hand down on his shoulder.

  ‘You are far braver than you give yourself credit for, you should —’

  ‘Governor!’

  Both men looked ahead to find Candace had manifested in their path.

  ‘Praise the universe I found you … I have been trying to will myself to you all afternoon!’ Candace was panicked and fuming. ‘I thought the Nefilim had abducted and were restraining you.’ Her statement was really a question. As Head of Defence she wanted to know how he’d managed to avoid being sought by her.

  ‘Is there some emergency?’ Maelgwn avoided the issue, and, as Candace’s demanding demeanour waned to a concerned state of being, he knew at once what grieved her. ‘Tory,’ he uttered and, willing himself forth to his wife’s side, vanished before Candace could explain what had happened.

  ‘Dear Goddess,’ Noah gasped, grabbing hold of Candace’s arm to prevent her leaving. ‘Is the Governess alright? What’s happened?’

  ‘When I went to fetch our Governess from her reading place this afternoon, I found her possessed by a large, fiery, ethereal body, which dispersed when I made myself known.’

  ‘What was it?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Candace freed herself from Noah’s grasp, a mite annoyed by her admission. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it before, either here in the physical realms or in the astral.’

  ‘Was Tory harmed?’ Noah pressed for information as Candace backed away from him, preparing to make herself absent.

  ‘The encounter has left her unconscious,’ Candace was sad to advise. ‘We’ll know more once she has come to.’

  ‘But what of her babes?’ Although Noah rushed to voice his final query, Candace was gone before he did. ‘Damn it!’

  As Noah was not a close family relative, he felt he’d only get in the way if he went to the Government Healing Chambers to get an update of the Governess’ condition.

  ‘How might I be of aid?’ he wondered. His mind dwelt upon the large, unknown, fiery ethereal body that Candace had spoken of.

  ‘Yes … I must discover the nature of this being.’ Noah was resolute as he closed his eyes and willed himself forth to his personal library.

  Back in the Governor’s private healing chambers, Tory had regained consciousness and was sitting up in bed, feeding her face, as happy as a clam.

  ‘Tory!’ Maelgwn rushed to her side, having manifested nearby. He would have taken hold of one of his wife’s hands had they not both been wrapped around a sticky piece of fruit.

  ‘Now don’t make a fuss,’ Tory cautioned him, as she slurped on her juicy morsel. ‘As you can see I am fine, and according to our good physician the babies are fine as well.’

  Praise be. He breathed a great sigh of relief and looked to the Head of the Healing Sciences on Kila, Cadfan, who nodded to confirm the Governess’ words.

  A smile graced Maelgwn’s face as he looked back to his wife. ‘So what happened?’

  ‘I blacked out, probably from too much sun.’ Tory shrugged and then leant forward to impress on her husband: ‘It’s nothing to worry about. I promise I shall be more careful in future.’

  Maelgwn raised both brows, still not completely reassured. ‘Well, just as a precaution, I would prefer it if you found somewhere to read that is inside the city limits.’

  ‘Oh Maelgwn,’ Tory whined. ‘I just knew you’d make an issue of this. I love my reading spot —’

  ‘Is the solitude and pretty view really worth risking the wellbeing of our unborn children?’ he queried.

  ‘Where is the risk?’ Tory scoffed. ‘Even if these children die in birthing, their immortality gene will kick in and resurrect them.’

  ‘I don’t want a debate, Tory.’ Maelgwn stood, irked by her persistence and unreasonable attachment to the place.

  ‘Now who’s acting like a pregnant woman?’ Tory commented under her breath.

  ‘Sorry to disturb, Governor.’ Candace entered, looking happier than when last seen. ‘But the Vice-Governor is awaiting an audience in your council chambers.’

  ‘What!’ Maelgwn was doubly concerned by this news. ‘Brian should be on the other side of the galaxy … what in the name of the universe is he doing back here?’

  Candace, still smiling with delight, merely shrugged. ‘My husband wishes to discuss the matter with you directly.’

  ‘I see.’ Maelgwn looked back to his wife and their unfinished debate. ‘If you think my request so unreasonable, perhaps you could ask Candace if she thinks returning to your reading nook is a good idea.’

  ‘Over my dead body.’ Candace was immediately opposed to the sugg
estion.

  Maelgwn smiled as he left his Head of Defence to make his wife see reason. Only another female stood a chance of winning a debate with Tory in her prenatal state of mind.

  Once Cadfan and his staff had been excused, Candace outlined to Tory the state in which she’d found her that afternoon. The Governess was completely floored by the report of her fiery celestial encounter for she remembered nothing of it.

  ‘Have you told Maelgwn about this?’ Tory questioned, her voice hoarse with the shock of it all.

  ‘Well, no …’ Candace raised both brows as she realised: ‘He has yet to give me the chance. I —’

  ‘Good,’ Tory jumped in, most gratified by the fact. ‘He doesn’t need to know.’ As Candace frowned, preparing to query this, Tory became more adamant. ‘I see no need to cause him undue worry.’

  ‘I warned you about that place.’

  ‘And what did I tell you?’

  Candace bowed her head, not game to debate spiritual issues with the holder of the Tablet of Destinies.

  ‘If a celestial being has touched me and my babes, then it could only have blessed us, meaning that there is no cause to be concerned by the encounter.’

  Candace raised her big brown eyes to challenge the Governess once again. ‘Then why not tell your husband?’

  ‘Because he’ll start fussing,’ Tory explained. ‘He’s bad enough as it is, I can just imagine what he would be like if he truly thought he had cause for concern.’

  Candace gave a heavy, sympathetic sigh. ‘I don’t feel comfortable withholding information from the Governor —’

  ‘But this is not an affair of state, Candace!’ Tory tried one final personal appeal. ‘What if I were to promise not to go back to Devaglen? Then could we drop the subject?’

  ‘What did you call that place?’ Candace queried, curious that the name had rolled off Tory’s tongue so naturally. ‘Devaglen?’

  ‘Did I?’ Tory held a hand to her mouth, just as astonished by the piece of information her subconscious had spat up. ‘Yes, I did, didn’t I?’

  ‘Is that what you think the entity was, a Deva?’ Candace asked, thinking Tory must know her own reasons for calling the spot what she had.

  ‘Perhaps,’ Tory uttered as her eyes glazed over and her thoughts wafted away elsewhere. ‘I need to speak with Noah —’

  ‘Oh damn, that’s right,’ Candace said abruptly, frightening Tory from her speculative trance. ‘I told Noah of your encounter,’ she explained. ‘He’s the only one I’ve told … oh, except Cadfan. As he is your physician I felt I had to tell him,’ she justified.

  ‘Is that all?’ When Candace nodded to confirm, Tory breathed a sigh of relief and waved off the concern. ‘Not to worry, as they are two of the three men I need to consult on this matter.’

  ‘The third being?’

  ‘The Head of the Mind Sciences,’ Tory enlightened. ‘My old friend Thomas Mateus.’

  ‘Thais, the Centaur?’ Candace asked. She hadn’t had too much to do with the Shaman, although she’d worked with his Chosen mate, Hero, for many years before the time of the Gathering.

  ‘The one and only,’ Tory confirmed.

  Thais and his mate Hero were the only souls amongst the Chosen Ones who weren’t Homo sapiens. No one knew why this was, bar the Centaurs themselves and the Lord Master Enki. As with all the Chosen Ones, Thais and Hero could assume any form they chose, and so employed the more compact Homo sapiens form for convenience when in the city. When in the wild, however, the Shamans assumed a myriad forms and were both very active in the wildlife protection programs and had incorporated it into their esoteric work.

  ‘Thais is the oldest of all the Chosen Ones,’ Tory advised. ‘Perhaps even older than the first intelligent being of our kind.’

  All went quiet as Tory got lost in thought once again and Candace reviewed the situation. ‘You will keep me informed of your discoveries,’ Candace commanded more than asked. ‘If you will not advise the Governor, then I must insist that —’

  Tory smiled and held up a hand in truce. ‘I promise to keep you informed.’

  3

  IN GOOD

  CONSCIENCE

  ‘Brian!’ Albeit confused by the Vice-Governor’s presence, Maelgwn was pleased to see him as he joined Brian in the council chamber.

  ‘Surprise!’ said Brian meekly, before moving to greet his brother-in-law in their customary fashion — gripping each other’s wrist, instead of palm, to shake in greeting.

  ‘It is, actually.’ Maelgwn’s tone was concerned, although his welcoming smile remained constant. ‘You haven’t started a war, have you?’

  ‘Not I,’ Brian advised, cocking an eye. ‘Not yet.’

  ‘Sounds like I need to sit down,’ Maelgwn considered as he motioned Brian to join him at the conference table.

  ‘A stiff drink probably wouldn’t go astray either,’ Brian mumbled in conclusion, and Maelgwn looked at him, thinking the situation must be dire. ‘My news isn’t really that bad,’ he confessed. ‘It’s more, untimely really … unexpected.’

  ‘Well, come on man, be out with it,’ Maelgwn encouraged, as he manifested a pitcher of Bahula — deadly joy water — which was a locally grown and fermented brew that many of the mead drinkers had taken to. When they were both seated, Maelgwn conjured up a couple of goblets and poured their drinks.

  ‘You’ve been honing your psychic skills, somewhat,’ Brian commented, impressed by what he’d witnessed.

  Maelgwn winked at Brian and let go of the pitcher that he had held in mid-air. It continued to pour without assistance and then set itself down on the conference table.

  ‘It would seem I have some catching up to do,’ Brian admitted. Having dedicated himself to diplomatic work of late, he’d found precious little time to dedicate to psychic endeavours.

  The Governor shrugged in response. ‘Such things are only as hard to execute as you perceive them to be. I’ve discovered my capabilities are limited only by my own imagination … and always were, even when I was mortal.’ Maelgwn, realising they were getting way off the subject, took the drinks in hand and gave one to Brian. Maelgwn raised his own in toast to the Vice-Governor, before drinking half of it down. ‘So, are you going to tell me why you’ve returned, or are you going to make me guess?’

  ‘I doubt you’d guess right.’ Brian pulled a thought-band recorder from his jacket pocket which was akin to those the Nefilim used. ‘Our Lord Marduk has resigned his position in the Pantheon of Twelve.’

  ‘What?’ Maelgwn was shocked right out of his seat, dropping his drink in the process. The goblet and its contents vanished before they hit the floor.

  ‘He requested that I pass this on to you, personally.’ Brian stood and handed over the thought-recorder. ‘For your mind only. Marduk was very specific.’

  Maelgwn’s brain was on overload as he accepted the communication and thus he didn’t notice the curiosity in his Vice-Governor’s voice. He stood dazed for a time, before fixing his sights on his chief advisor once more. ‘What reason did Marduk give the Pantheon for his resignation?’

  Brian opened his mouth to answer and had to smile as he considered how best to explain. ‘When Marduk appeared before the Great Pantheon, no explanation was necessary. The Lord had shed all trace of his physical being, as had my aunt, his Chosen concubine. They have transcended this earthly realm —’

  ‘Of course,’ Maelgwn whined. ‘Marduk told me that he was to be my son,’ he informed Brian, who appeared twice as bemused by the insight. ‘Damn it! I should have seen this coming.’ Maelgwn began to pace, as he always did when he needed to think. ‘Marduk was reappointed into the Pantheon to safeguard the plight of the human tribes … Who can possibly replace our Lord in the Senate?’ He stopped still to hear what the remaining members of the Pantheon had decided.

  ‘All eleven of the Nefilim representatives unanimously voted for you to assume his place, which, of course, would make you the first human ever to be appointed into the Great Pan
theon of Twelve.’

  You could have knocked Maelgwn over with a feather as the shock result sunk in. For, although the Nefilim had been more accommodating of the human tribes since the Chosen Ones had entered into a peaceful agreement with the Pantheon and assumed rulership of Kila, he’d never expected the Nefilim would openly consent to placing a human, especially an immortal, in the Senate.

  ‘But their decision makes no sense.’ Maelgwn returned to his pacing, disturbed by the honour. ‘Why award us such power when we pose the single greatest threat to their interstellar monopoly?’

  Brian raised both brows, having thought the same thing himself. ‘Either the Nefilim are emotionally maturing, or … they’ve figured out that having one of us in the Senate is the best way of keeping an eye on our movements.’

  Maelgwn stopped dead still to meet Brian’s gaze, thinking his latter suggestion was right on the mark.

  At present, all of the Chosen Ones wore thought-wave neutralisers when in public to shield their thoughts from each other, as did the Nefilim for the same reason. But when in conference in the Senate all were required to open their minds to each other to prevent any secrets being kept from the head of the Pantheon, Nergal — son of the Lord Master Enki and younger brother of the Lord Marduk. This measure had been newly introduced, and as Maelgwn was currently plotting a rebellion against the Pantheon for their continued mistreatment of the lesser mortal human tribes like the Delphinus, Leonine and Falcon breeds, this appointment was the last thing he needed.

  ‘Stand by,’ Maelgwn bade Brian, as he seated himself at the conference table to view the communication from the ascended Lord. Once the thought-band’s sensor was placed comfortably over Maelgwn’s third eye area, he closed his eyes to perceive the communication.

  Brian sat down to finish his drink, observing Maelgwn like a hawk.

  The fact that the Governor was now perceiving a confidential communication meant there was something going on that Maelgwn hadn’t made him aware of. Brian had considered that the confidential transmission could be personal rather than political, but as it was the nature of the Nefilim to be basically emotionless, it seemed unlikely that Marduk would be sentimental enough to send a departing message to Maelgwn. Brian was just about convinced that there was a conspiracy brewing and he desperately wanted to be made privy to it. For although he’d been playing the diplomat of late and had proven rather good at it, ultimately Brian was a crusader, not a politician. In his past lives as King Brockwell of Powys and Alexander the Great, Brian had had plenty of experience in both regards, but in this lifetime he’d dedicated himself to the study and perfection of the martial art of Tae-kwondo. Brian was a peaceful man by nature yet, strangely enough, the possibility of a conspiracy brewing had him so excited that he could barely sit still.