Tanith of Gold 14

Michael Scot power

Mustaq found the King and Michael Scot outside on the foredeck. Deep in conversation, they were watching the crew prepare for the voyage, but the King beckoned Mustaq to join them. As soon as he saw Mustaq, Michael Scot prostrated himself on the deck and bowed his forehead against Mustaq’s feet. Mustaq ushered him up gently.

“No need for that here, young man. No need …” He gestured towards the other men  in the distance, who had looked quite astonished. “They do not see what you can see. To them I am old eunuch who happens to own a ship.”

He chuckled, and then turned to the King. “I interrupt your thoughts?”

King Frederick simply smiled and said, “Michael Scot, Wizard of Scotland, was just explaining to me what he understands of power, and the nature of trees.”   He gestured toward the nearby hill above the harbour. The tree planted so forcefully by Michael Scot had been visible above the city walls earlier in the day but was no longer visible.

Michael Scot laughed easily and somewhat ruefully. “My knowledge of energy is very limited compared to your lordships’ infinite resources. I have found a small way to alter the experiences of reality.” He held out his hand palm upwards and a small flame flickered. As they watched in amusement the flame changed into a small, golden mouse which sat on his palm, cleaning its whiskers. Michael Scot threw the mouse into the air where it changed into a swallow winging away on the wind.

“The tree is now invisible and the three brothers have rejoined their bodies with their minds somewhat altered for the better.” He turned to look at the busy harbour.

“I have been told to steer a middle course when deciding on life and death in this plane - lest I become caught in the wheel of retribution once more. But the world of our senses is simply the way it is by consensus. If every mind which knows the town square is convinced there has been a large tree there for decades then it will have always been there.

“In a similar fashion we returned to the ship when I suggested that we had never left the ship. But I could only do that with your energy, my Lord.” He bowed before King Frederick once more.

“I am not much more than a street magician, full of trickery.”

“No, you have much intellectual power, and I wish to take you on as my adviser in my Court, “ the King said firmly.  “But I see you are fatigued. Mustaq, do we have a quiet cabin for our Wizard?”

Mustaq bustled forward and ushered the tall and enigmatic Scot to his cabin next to Tanith. As they opened the cabin door they heard through the interleading cabin wall some unrestrained sounds of passion. Mustaq raised an eyebrow and they smiled at each other before Michael Scot bowed in thanks to Mustaq and fell into the bed. Mustaq closed the door quietly as the Wizard from Scotland dived into a deep sleep.

At dawn the ship bustled into life and slipped out of the harbour. None of the passengers stirred out of the cocoon of sleep, as if under the benign protection of Mustaq. Even the sea was tranquil and so when Tanith awakened it was almost midday. She was astonished to peep out the window and see the morning gone. But they were under sail and there was no need to do anything except wake a sleeping Michael with her strong thighs and fiery loins.

They emerged a while later, feeling hunger pangs, and happened to open their door at the same time as Michael Scot. He was yawning and stretching, looking out at the sparkling sea. They smiled and greeted each other. Michael Scot in a spontaneous gesture flicked his fingers and made a red rose appear which he presented to Tanith with a flourish. She smiled and accepted it but as soon as she touched it, the rose became a brilliant red parrot, which gave a raucous cry and flew from her hand to land on the railing.

Tanith clapped her hands in delight, “Thank you! I didn’t know how to do that and now I do!” She snapped her fingers impulsively. There was a cracking sound and before Michael’s disbelieving eyes a shimmering rent in the fabric revealed a lush green world with glimpses of huge trees. Strutting through the gap a two meter high bird-like creature appeared. Beautifully decked in brilliantly coloured feathers it cocked its head to look at them. Instead of a bird’s beak it sported a large snout filled with sharp teeth. It snapped its jaws at them and spread powerful wings, shimmering with multitude colours. As it flapped its wings Tanith recoiled in fright and the creature hissed and took a step towards them. Before they could react, however, Mustaq appeared in front of them and waved the creature away into its own world. There was a pop as the opening closed and only one bright red feather spiralled down to the deck.

Mustaq turned to Tanith with a beaming smile. “Please, Your Ladyship. No more creatures. The next one may sink my ship!”

He beckoned them to follow, “Come, let us break our fast together. I have laid out some small morsels to eat.”

With great good humour and a constant stream of jokes about what kinds of creatures could be summoned to sink his ship, Mustaq led them to his cabin. Sun was streaming through the large windows on the stern of the ship. They were on the highest level of the deck. The sea was brilliantly blue and the stiff wind was cracking the sails above them. The long table was already filled with animated conversation. King Frederick sat at the head and was deep in conversation with the velvet-clad Enrico. The King looked up when they entered and gestured for Tanith to sit at his left. Michael sat next to her and Michael Scot sat opposite Michael. Mustaq took up a seat at the end of the table. He supervised the last of the servants bringing food and ushered them away. The massive form of Yousuf bolted the door and stood guard. Tanith realised with a start that she had never seen him seated.

There was a moment’s silence before Mustaq spoke, “Welcome, illustrious beings.”

As he spoke the diminutive figure of the eunuch dimmed and for an instant an incandescent light pulsed.

“First, let us feed our bodies!”

He became the amiable host again, pointing out all the select dishes and urging them to eat their fill. There was an array of delicacies, none of them meat, as Mustaq did not allow dead flesh on the ship. The food was indeed so delicious that Tanith hardly spoke and filled her plate several times. Around her there were animated voices. Enrico and Michael Scot had not met before and the silent Enrico was drawn out by the urbane and mannerly Scot, who spoke fluent Genoese.

Enrico was prevailed on to talk about his last sea battle, waged around Crete against a formidable pirate, called Santos. Enrico had, somewhat illegally, gained control of Crete and had gathered together a strong navy to combat the stranglehold of the pirates, who had been devastating the sea trade in the region. Santos was notorious for his savage cruelty and daring raids. Enrico had finally boarded the pirate ship and faced Santos personally, armed with the slim, deadly rapier that he carried at all times. Spurred on by Michael, Enrico jumped up and demonstrated some of his dazzling moves, his blade weaving and flashing. Tanith felt her pulse quicken as she watched the movements of the master swordsman. Her breasts tightened and Rowan, noticing her nipples harden, squeezed her hand and then caressed her thigh next to him. He often wondered at her excitement with combat and naked steel. While he was excited by her parted lips as he watched her, he felt ripples of nervousness in his abdomen. She was an elemental force and he loved her beyond distraction but he hardly knew who she was. She demonstrated such power and yet, at times, behaved like a small girl.

Enrico finished to much applause as he demonstrated the coup de grace. The red fiery  snake flickered brightly about him as he gave a small bow to his audience. Enrico took a seat and looked up briefly into Tanith’s eyes. His brilliant blue eye flashed and then winked barely perceptibly. She felt all the horror she used to hold for him dissolve as she saw with new sight his duality. He was an impossible balance between creation and dissolution, light and dark, life and destruction. He represented the terrible dilemma of the human condition.

Tanith meets Makzar

The two week voyage home was a period of rest and recuperation after the excitement and danger. The autumn weather was balmy and the winds fresh but mild. The King spent much of his time in close conversation with Michael Scot and Mustaq. Tanith often saw him in the evening standing against the railing. seemingly staring out into the night. But once she walked up to him and retreated when she saw his gaze inward and she knew better than to disturb him.

One of the mild evenings when the wind was barely stirring the sails Mustaq arranged the supper outside just as the full moon was rising. The ship's musicians strolled around the laden tables.

The court singer who was also a grizzled warrior, began to softly sing an ancient Persian song which Tanith's mother used to sing to her. Unbidden tears fell from her eyes as she remembered the warmth of her mother. The duduk and lute players began to play a mournful, sweet melody. Tanith moved to the rail to gaze out at the sea and to hide her tears. She found Michael at her side and the warm presence of Hammer on the other side. The sounds of the ship gliding through the water receded.

The moon illuminated the rippled surface of the water and as Tanith watched she gasped as a host of dancing silver figures appeared. The musicians on the ship had increased the tempo and were joined by the company in singing a lively drinking song. The dancers below them on the waters moved in incandescent circles, perfectly responsive, round and round they moved, closer and closer. Out of the whirl of dancers a central figure appeared, tall and commanding. Tanith felt her attention helplessly drawn towards his commanding eyes. Suddenly the company of dancers were elevated to the same level as the deck of the ship and were circling it, faster and faster. The tall figure floated to the deck and commanded the dancers into a frenzy of wild dancing, encircling the ship. The musicians' music was replaced by a high-pitched keening from the dancers. The master dancer walked slowly towards Tanith and reached out an imperious arm, beckoning her to walk towards him. Tanith felt herself responding. Michael was immobile next to her Her limbs felt like sponge and she could not reach to him.

Helplessly she began to walk slowly toward the glittering being.  His pale eyes commanded her forward. Then Hammer stepped in front of her and she felt, rather than heard, a deep, throbbing growl from his chest. His soft fur which she normally loved to stroke spiked out from his body and he grew in stature in front of her. His growl increased in amplitude and ferocity until Tanith saw the outline of the dancers begin to waver and falter as if the growl was a wave of energy battering at them. The dancer king who had been commanding Tanith recoiled as if from a wave of painful energy.  The growl became a roar of fury which made the deck under Tanith's feet vibrate. The whirling, silver dancers began to shriek with anger as they were torn apart. The silver king stood firm although battered by the energy of the roar. But then Hammer barked with a concentrated fury, a maelstrom of energy poured from him and the silver dancers with their king disappeared, leaving a silver tracery of their outline for a second.

Tanith became aware of Michael next to her and the music and soft chatter from the tables. One or two faces looked up as if they were startled by Hammer's bark. Michael was still looking out to the sea below. He turned round to her to slip his arm around her.

"What's Hammer barking at -  the moon?"

Tanith realised that nobody else had witnessed her near capture. She knelt down to Hammer and held him close. He licked her on the cheek and trotted off back to the tables, looking backward as if to say, "You are safe now".

Later, she found Mustaq on his own and they leaned on the rail while watching the moonlit sea. She described the meeting with the silver dancers and how she had been protected by Hammer.

His eyes widened, "You were fortunate to escape, my lady".

He looked out to sea for a time and then turned to her. "There are countless worlds, here and now. I am able to travel at will to any one of them.

"Come with me." He put his hand on her shoulder and instantly they were in another world. Tanith gasped in wonder. They were standing on a slender walkway, high above a silver ciry. Tall minarets and spires reached up and at all levels there were countless walkways on which throngs of beings moved busily, animatedly, walking and moving past each other, occasionally touching and gesturing. Tanith realised that there was no sound at all. Mustaq's voice sounded in her mind as he explained, "There is no atmosphere on the Moon. They converse from mind to mind. He touched her ear and Tanith heard the fluting high voices below them with snatches of laughter. There was also a high-piched hum which esonated through them all "They cannot see us," Mustaq said quietly in her mind "But they will be aware of us soon. They are the custodians of the Moon but have very little regard for humans, regarding them to be violent and unworthy. We cannot stay any longer lest we forget where we belong." As he said that they saw a tall and imposing figure approaching them. It seemed to be gliding. It was a statuesque female shape in flowing robes which simmered as she moved.  "Welcome to our domain. Eternals are always welcome." She bowed her head in elegant greeting and Tanith mirrored her actions. The high pitched voice sounded again Tanith's head.  There was cold inflection in the voice, "We visited you on your vessel and were hoping to share your essence before the ruffian creature scared us away." 

The figure shimmered in front ot them before changing to the male figure Tanith had seen on their ship. His blue eyes blazed hypnotically and he beckoned her forward. She found herself stepping forward to wards him but The diminutive figure of Mustaq stepped in front of her and became an incandescent flame which scattered the silver shape in front of them and an instant later they were once more on the deck of Mustaq's ship. 

In her mind Tanith heard an echo of the cold ironic laugh from the ethereal creature.

"Apologies, my Lady," said Mustaq with a smile. "I should not have taken you there. It was a risk as the Moon people might have captured you. They thirst for the warmth of your flame. They are cold and do not follow the strictures of time They have always been and always will be. They are creatures of he moon, generated by the cold iron machine in the core."

Tanith shuddered as she pictured again the cold extinguishing world they had seen. 

She turner to Mustaq, "Thank you for taking me there. But why did I feel so helpless?" Mustaq looked at her kindly. 

"Your power comes from the golden sun. You will learn how to release that glorious energy. You are an Eternal but you have been hidden behind your own veils. Borne in conflict and soaked in your mother'sblood you have retreated for  awhile. In that cold world you could not let your sun shine." 

Tanith realised that he was still conversing in her mind while they stood seemingly silently on the warm deck.

Mustaq looked at her intently, "I have realised that the cold King Makzar can visit you at any time. He has tracked your power like a moth to a flame and he knows where to find you. I want you to wear this necklace." He felt around his neck and reached up to place a golden chain with a bright blue gemstone worked into the old chain. Tanith bent down to the shorter man to offer her head. When the chain slipped onto her neck she gasped as the stone glowed fiercely for a moment and the necklace disappeared from sight. She could still feel a quiet pulse between her breasts. 

Mustaq smiled and said "The stone will ward you and tell me if you need me."

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