Tanith of Gold
A fantasy novel set in medieval times, inspired by the historical colossus, King Frederick II of Sicily.
Frederick II was a visionary statesman, an inspired naturalist, scholar, mathematician, architect, poet and composer., he had a major role in promoting literature through the Sicilian School of poetry. His magnificent Sicilian imperial-royal court in Palermo, beginning around 1220, was the cultural and intellectual hub of the early 13th century and saw the first use of a literary form of an Italo-Romance language, Sicilian. The poetry that emanated from the school had a significant influence on literature and on what was to become the modern Italian language.
The story of Tanith began slowly in my mind and has been developing for two decades. I have been influenced and inspired by the writing of Carlos Casteneda. the writing of Zecharia Sitchin and my own metaphysical ideas which took root in the realms of sound current and energy.
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The Ancient Call
Deep in Africa, hidden within the darkness of a granite cave, an old man sat motionless and silent in his ceaseless calling. All his wisdom and power was vested in his silent concentration, honed by weeks of austerities and savage discipline. He had been sitting motionless in the crystalline sacred cave for days. His ears were roaring with the silence but he reached with all his experience to call a spirit that he had never seen. Stretching in an endless line from antiquity the old man summoned his spectral ancestors to aid him. Reciting their names he called the images before him and exhorted them to call for their ancient god - long gone from the land and remembered only in ancient whispers and tribal memory.
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The girl looked up for the first time, turning her head towards Michael and as she did so, in a reflex motion, she swept off her scarf and looked directly at him. She was sitting in a shaft of afternoon sunlight coming through the high windows. Her golden-red hair cascaded down past her shoulders and her brilliant blue eyes looked into his. The shock of recognition paralysed Michael and it took every effort of training to follow the normal procedures.
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He was turning to mention this to Tanith when he realised several things at once. His guards were out of sight, he was alone in the street, Tanith and Robert had suddenly disappeared, and emerging out of an alleyway ahead of him in the darkening street was a smirking Alfonso Medici. It was a rude shock, especially when he saw two large and menacing men on either side of Alfonso with drawn crossbows trained on his heart.
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Michael found that he could hardly look at Tanith. She had brushed her hair back close to her scalp and tied it behind in a tight bun. Her full lips were pressed together, she did not speak much and her eyes were downcast most of the time but she seemed to be vibrating with emotion. Sudden and violent death tainted all of them. It was only when Michael motioned that Portia should join them with the final dishes of figs, preserves and nuts while they poured some more wine, that Portia raised a few smiles around the table with some gentle small talk.
Michael gave a great sigh as the mood lifted, “I have never had to say this to anyone before. You both saved my life tonight. I may take a few days to find the words to thank you properly.” He lifted his silver goblet. “A toast to my saviors.”
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“This is what we do. Pack these bodies into the ship you confiscated and send it swiftly to Venice. Pay the captain whatever he needs. Write a letter on my behalf to the head of the Medici family regretting this death resulting from an attack on my Chief Magistrate. We expect an explanation and are currently reviewing our grain contract with the city. That will keep them very quiet.”
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It was already mid-morning by the time Michael arrived at the harbour with his guards. He located the ship he sought very quickly as it was quite conspicuous, being an old-fashioned galley with two large lateen sails. Its rakish lines made it look much like a corsair's ship which were built for speed. Unusually there was high quarterdeck with several cabins. The entire ship was glistening black and there was a hive of activity about it as men scrubbed, cleaned and polished. There was something studied about the activity and Michael noticed that as soon as he appeared on the quayside with his men, a man high up on the mast began to whistle a merry tune. Every man on the boat continued to work but Michael realised that he was being scrutinised. He stopped within a polite distance and instructed his men to stand easy and wait for him, calling out loudly in Arabic, “Captain, a port inspection if you please.” Two sailors smoothly slid a gangway down to the quayside and motioned him to board.
Michael hesitated. There was no need to fear anything here but he felt a sense of premonition. The morning sun beat on his exposed neck, the smell of new pitch on the planks was sharp and he could hear the gulls screaming above with awful clarity. The moment past swiftly and he stepped confidently onto the deck. The man guiding him made a sharp noise and indicated that he should remove his shoes. Michael was accustomed to many different rituals and customs but the necessity to be barefoot on a ship was new to him. He excused himself and complied. The black deck was very hot under his feet so he followed his guide with alacrity towards the main cabin. The door opened as they arrived up the stairs and was filled by a towering figure. Michael found himself gazing up at a vast expanse of chest clothed in plain linen. Peering down at him was a glittering pair of brown eyes and a swarthy face almost hidden in a black beard. The vast man retreated into the cabin and beckoned him inside.
The cabin was dark to his eyes so he made a slight bow to the large man, “Mustaq?”
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Tanith gasped when she could see herself. The silk dress shimmered white, her skin glowed and her hair fell in cascades of gold over her shoulders. The gown showed most of her proud breasts and her shoulders and arms looked powerful but elegant. Her assurance returned and after thanking her maids sweetly she walked down the passage to the dining area.
Portia had just prepared the table and carried out a steaming tureen of bean soup garnished with her own blend of spices. The King had a distressing habit of fasting from meat and invariably would not inform her in time so she prepared accordingly. She knew he liked her fish and couscous dish but she had a brace of ducks roasting to perfection in the main castle kitchen.
When Tanith entered she found the King standing at the wide window looking out over the bay, deep in thought. He heard her entrance and turned. He had opened his mouth to greet her and went silent, apparently unable to close it.
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Frederick chuckled, “We never spoke about Geometry and yet he was the most important teacher I could have had. He initiated me into the path of light. He showed me that I am a light bearer and I have an important role to play in this world. There are forces of dark at work to preserve the eternal balance. He showed me how to use my power in a fitting manner. This universe is full of demons in the guise of humans. I fear that our Holiness has been claimed as a servant and is unleashing a war of blood on innocent people. There are mighty souls - people who would shine like an incandescent sun if we could only see. These people are in danger and yet I cannot begin yet another war to save them. It may be that their time on this earth is at end. I must find ways to counter the dark.” He walked to the window and stared out for a moment.
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“And,” Frederick walked around the table where the others were seated until he was facing Tanith and Michael. He seated himself in front of them, took their hands in his own and looked at them very intently. Tanith met the King's bright blue eyes and felt herself dissolve then she became aware of the calm and steady presence of Michael. They turned their heads to look at each other. For the first time that evening, Michael allowed himself to look directly at Tanith and he knew her as if she were part of himself and he had just recognised her for the first time. They were speechless and the King's voice softly said, “It is as I thought. Tanith, you are a light bearer as I have already recognised. Michael you are a chosen messenger and you have great hidden power.”
Frederick rose and pulled them up with him. Still holding their hands he said, with a slightly roguish air. “You have loved each other since you met. I have to marry you now.” It was a simple idea and they simply nodded, still hungrily locked in each other's gaze.
Frederick gave a great shout of laughter and joy, “Portia, send for my best wine. We are having a wedding tonight!” Squeals from the kitchen testified that she had heard and there was much bustling and laughter as more servants hustled in and under Portia's direction the furniture was rearranged and additional drapes and carpets were brought.
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One morning Tanith up-ended one of the deck hatch covers and practised her knife throwing. Soon there was a rapt audience of hardened men as she unerringly, with both hands simultaneously, threw her knives with deadly accuracy. She challenged Yousouf to a contest. The huge man made the knives look like darts as he held them delicately. He threw with only one hand and with a little practise he was matching Tanith in accuracy but not her blinding speed. Yousouf barked a few commands and the practice that morning became a display of throwing weapons. More hardwood hatch covers were propped up and a miscellany of weapons appeared. There were a variety of bows and a few crossbows, as well as every type of throwing weapon. Yousouf declared that any man who lost a weapon overboard would have to dive in the sea to retrieve it. As many men could not swim this was a serious threat which aided concentration. .
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When she heard his name, Tanith felt a terrible knot of fear twist in her gut. She gripped Rowan's hand. “He is the man my grandfather and I were fleeing.” In her mind she pictured him clearly. Tall and slender, impeccably dressed as a Venetian noble, imperious and arrogant, one eye flashing blue and the other eye impossibly dark. Nobody knew whether he could see out of his dark eye, it seemed to have no pupil, but when that eye turned on people they felt a shiver of horror. And yet he he had courtly gestures and wonderful manners which would be upturned in a moment. When thwarted he raged in a vortex of destruction which left everyone damaged. “What if he is still chasing me!”
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The King remained silent for a while and then said quietly, “Thus the forces are gathering. I think we must reveal ourselves before we go any further. He stood up and moved closer to Mustaq and with a bow said, “Lord will you show yourself - not too brightly.”
Mustaq inclined his head and Tanith saw a beautiful boy, glowing and resplendent, with a beatific smile and glowing brown eyes. Those eyes drew her in to reveal worlds without end, countless beings, mountains and oceans.
“Lord of many realms, he has the power to create worlds of his own and yet even he is following the immutable law and he returns to aid us.”
Frederick moved towards Yousouf. “Here is our indestructible warrior, answering only to Lord of this Realm. He has no other shape of form - he is who he is.”
He moved in front of Tanith with a slight smile, “And how will you show yourself, Lady Warrior.?” Tanith was wordless and overawed and cast her eyes down in confusion. Frederick smiled, “Your time to reveal will come soon.”
In front of Count Malta he paused, “Enrico ?” The response made Tanith gasp with fright as two serpents appeared, locked in battle, one burnished gold and the other glossy black, to be swiftly replaced with a rippling column of fire being consumed by black smoke. “Enrico is the ever-present paradox of power, destruction and creation, ever-threatening each the other.”
“And, I, ” Frederick glinted pure silver for a few seconds, until he continued quietly , “I am a Bearer of Light, a custodian for knowledge in the present, given some insight of the eternal play between light and dark. It is my role to bring together and lead some of the mortal and immortal forces in one of the battlefields. Our only power is that of knowledge. The Lord of this Realm will expel any of us who attempt to use powers beyond human perception. All we can do is advise and influence. All of us, except Yousouf, were born on this Earth and are subject to its laws. If we break those rules we are forced to suffer.”
