10   Reprisal   Priestess Una rose from her sleeping place and walked onto the terrace overlooking the ocean. She shaded her eyes with her hand and squinted into the morning sun; the dawn mist had nearly evaporated. The sea was peaceful, the salty breeze a cress on her face and skin. Behind her the gauze curtains of her room rustled gently. To the west, sea and sky met in a hazy fusion of blue and green. Far below the cliff where she stood, gulls and pelicans called as they searched for morning food in the sheltered bay. Una looked fondly at her mother's garden. Lavender clusters of wisteria hung from a trellis, bending their branches like pump bunches of grapes. Fragrance from hanging baskets of plumeria, honeysuckle and jasmine filled the air. Round marble pots brimmed with colorful petunias, impatiens and lilies. Honey bees gathered nectar from the floral bounty. No one believed her mother would get anything to grow so high up on this rock, but she proved them wrong. Breathing the beauty of her home, the young priestess walked back inside the rose-colored marble dwelling . How could she leave this place? Her heart ached at the thought. After three hundred thirty sun cycles, a High Council had been convened. Representatives from all regions in the nation would gather today in the capital city to decide the fate of the great energy stones. Una sat at her dressing table and applied her favorite fragrances; rose and lily. She dressed in the rich ivory linen robe with apple-green silk sash, colors of the healer and artisan orders. A large hood hung down the back of the formal robe required for the Assembly Hall. She fastened the heavy necklace of gold, which proclaimed her rank as artisan of gems and healer, at the back of her neck. Seven inches wide, the edges reached to her shoulders. Centering the emblem over her heart, she gazed at the necklace in the glass. The green jet triangle and the blue lapis crescent filled her with pride. Una was young for such achievements. Her work with stones and metals had received recognition throughout the island nation. The priestess glanced at the sun clock, which cast a shadow from a metal rod onto a marble disk. Two solar intervals past dawn - the council would convene soon. A twinge of fear grabbed her belly as she thought of the council session. They would discuss the fate of the great crystal, the Tuaoi Stone, used for countless years to generate energy for the country. Zared and his followers wanted to set the range to maximum force. Turning it too high would be reckless and dangerous, she thought. Father is right to fight them. They underestimate the powers of the great stone. Father said if Zared and his followers have their way with the great stone the land may be too unstable to remain in Poseidia. The enhanced power of the crystal could cause devastating subterranean earthquakes. She bristled as she remembered the armed temple guards waiting outside. There were threats recently, and Father insisted they accompany her. She was outraged that a temple needed guards. The wrong people were gaining power, promising unlimited wealth with no restraint of physical gratification. Una stood inside the doorway, fighting tears. It wasn't fair. Why couldn't everyone see her father's goodness and dedication. A priestess of the Healing Order did not show tears in public, and she could ill afford such weakness today. For her father's sake, and those who serve the One, she must radiate an implacable aura of serenity. The Priestess breathed and recited the words of a mantra to regain her center. After a few moments, she mastered her emotions. A few more breaths, and her body was filled with energy. She was ready to face them. She walked outside and nodded to the guards, signaling her readiness. A member of the priest's guard, dressed in the royal blue and gold uniform of his rank, stepped forward. He carried a weapon powered by the crystal, another witness to the sickness of the land. The power of the Stone, once used only for the highest spiritual purposes, now fueled implements of death. The guard opened the hatch of the ovoid vehicle which would transport her to the Great Assembly Hall. Power was transmitted from the Tuoai Stone to vehicles such as this with crystalline storage cells. Even this basic form of transportation was threatened by Zared's madness. Una filled her lungs with fresh air before she climbed into the car. From her home at the pinnacle of the mountain, the guard maneuvered the transport craft down the winding mountain road past homes and gardens toward the city center. Eclectic homesteads of stone, brick, wood or adobe were generously adorned by window boxes and terra cotta pots of petunias, daisies and snap dragons. Roses of every color climbed fences and trellises that were framed by a bright blue sky. An aching sense of loss threatened her equanimity. Sunny weather contrasted with the bleak feelings her trained will kept at bay. The driver slowed his pace as they reached the outer limits of the city. He raised security shields on the clear areas of the car so they could see out but not be seen. Una knew he acted was for her protection, but the gesture rankled. The city was designed as concentric circles of land constructed in a large sheltered bay. Bridges and waterway interconnected in a circular grid pattern. The market and temple complexes were at the center, and the residential areas lay in the outer circles. The amphibious transport craft exited the street and entered a waterway. Una gazed fondly at marble and granite buildings. Una wondered if Poseidians carrying out their daily activities suspected a power struggle was being waged at the heart of their government. The guard stopped in front of the main entrance of the Assembly Hall which faced the sea. He offered his hand and helped her out of the vehicle. "Shall I accompany you inside, Priestess?" he asked Orders was not sage to enter the Temple, all was indeed lost. She gathered her forces and held her head high. Feathery, bright purple blooms of flowering poinciana trees lined the avenue and filled the space above the street. Regal cypress and cedar trees surrounded the central park. Colorful flags of all the provinces hung limp in an arc around the circular temple complex. The sea breeze had shifted; the air was cool and deadly calm. The atmosphere held the threat of a storm. Constructed of pink granite and alabaster, the massive round structure occupied a city block. Eighty foot pillars, ornately carved with flowers and vines and inlaid with pearls, shells, coral and semi-precious stones supported the roof. The Priestess glanced up, reassured to see marvelous paintings of constellations and their stones coverings the ceiling. Sculptured statues of famous and revered Poseidians graced alcoves girding the central core of the Assembly Hall where the High Council would be held. Una was outwardly composed as she walked along the marble hallway, her posture erect and commanding. Talking in small groups, people scarcely noted her passing. She entered the magnificent Grand Hall. Designed like an amphitheater, rows of seats extended three fourths of the way around the room. Tall windows traversed the circumference between the last row of seats and ceiling. Brilliant light filtered into the room from the east. She moved toward the front of the hall where a large round dais was the focal point. Painted porcelain pots filled with white lilies and golden gladiolas bordered the circular area. Sandalwood incense burned in gold censers. Two high back chairs, with a speaker's podium in front of each, were the only furniture. Una spotted the priest Kadir across the room, and her stomach fluttered. He was tall and bronze like most who lived in this land with straight black hair that touched his shoulders. She loved the look of his fine aquiline nose. How handsome he was in his sky blue robe. She swelled with pride to see the lapis crescent of the healing order around his neck. Una walked toward him in what she hoped was a subtle manner. He saw her and gestured. She smiled as he walked toward her. "Shall we take our seats?" Kadir inquired, extending his left arm. "Yes," she answered, hooking her arm around his. Choosing seats which afforded a good view of the stage, the young people looked around the room and soaked up the heady feelings of the occasion. The hall filled quickly with people dressed in their own colors, insignia and corresponding gemstones. The priests wore violet, the musicians rose, and the merchants a deep green. The pale yellow of the visual artists dotted the hall like daffodils. A hushed excitement lay over the Great Hall. People were silent or spoke in whispers. Una felt a mounting anticipation. "Whatever the outcome of this council, Poseidia will never be the same," Kadir said, his handsome features set in an expression of grim determination. Una watched as the regal form of Hept-supht, Prime Regent of all Poseidia, walked across the stage and approached the speaker's lectern. Tall and dark, he radiated the confident power of a high initiate. He grasped a brass rod surmounted by a coiled serpent with studied familiarity. The Prime Regent wore full regalia for the most important occasion of state. An equal-armed cross inside a circle hung from a thick gold chain around his neck. A large diamond shone from the center, and the four arms of the cross were studded with rubies, topaz, pearls and emeralds. Hept-supht wore a long white undergarment covered by a vivid blue outer robe and an orange v-shaped mantle. A simple gold circlet crowned his head. When Hept-supht reached the stage, he positioned himself in a beam of morning light which shone on the dais and augmented his sharp features. He spoke without pretense or posturing. "Brothers and sisters, a High Council has been convened after long silence. Thank you for coming on short notice. Some of your have traveled far. "Grave times are upon us. A sickness has befallen beloved Poseidia. There is unrest in our great city Corruption and treachery threaten to rend the fabric of this great land." The Prime Regent was a skilled speaker. He moved his hands and arms with measured emphasis to strengthen the impact of his voice and words. Inflection were choreographed to add force to his words. Carefully executed pauses, pitch and modulation resulted from years of practice. "We are here today to decide a matter of extreme significance, " Hept-supht continued. "The fate of the great sacred knowledge, are in questions." His voice reverberated through the hall. He paused to let the significance of his words take effect. The assembled priests, artisans, merchants and politicians were motionless. The atmosphere in the hall was tense, like the stillness before a storm. "Later today," he continued, "the teaching and healing orders will conclave to decide how to implement the decision you will make this morning. I implore you, consider your vote with utmost discernment and clarity of heart. "I have asked Hierophant Iltar to open this council with an invocation," Hept-supht said. A murmur passed through the hall as the imposing figure of Iltar approached the podium. As High Priest, he openly opposed Zared's scheme to usurp the power of the stone for purely material uses. Iltar's hood stretched halfway down his back. A gold tassel fastened to its tip deliberate cadence to the dais. The three-tiered mitered crown he wore emphasized his tall stature and proclaimed his position as High Priest, a religious office equal to the civil role of Prime Regent. Iltar wore a white silk robe reserved for the most solemn occasions. The sleeves and hem were trimmed in wide bands of gold and violet. His chest plate had twelve divisions, each containing a glyph and gemstone to represent the orders over which he presided. He held an ornately carved staff of cedar inlaid with precious gems and metals. Grasping his staff in one hand and a golden censer in the other, he looked into the eyes of the audience. The fine features of his aristocratic face were inscrutable. The young priestess felt a painful mixture of pride and grief as she watcher her father approach his task. She knew as few others did his uncompromising nature in spiritual principles. He was often accused of rigidity by the younger priest, even Kadir. Iltar understood the magnitudes of what was at stake - the survival of Poseidia. She knew the depth of the High Priest's concern came from a soul as pure as the snow on Mount Alta. Drawing herself to her full height, Una sent a wave of love and light from her heart to his. She was relieved her mother did not live to see this. Hierophant Iltar stood at the center of the round dais in silence for a full minute, gathering power. He raised both arms and looked skyward. When he spoke, his voice was pitched to gain maximum resonance and volume, and the sound boomed and echoed in the hall. "O Thou, cast and almighty Infinite and omnipotent One, Whose everlasting embrace of Love and Light Brings forth countless manifest worlds. Purify our hearts to receive Thy Word. Illumine our minds to know Thy Will We invoke Thee, Unknowable, Invisible One. May we join Thee in the dance of eternal life." Zared, the outspoken leader of the opposition stood in his place. A thin veneer of propriety could not conceal the blatant contempt in his face. Zared seemed a stark caricature of his race. His features were sharp and pronounced. His long, pointed nose, bent over a thin mouth that was stretched in a perpetual frown. He licked his lips habitually, like a reptile. Cold, greedy eyes devoured others with their stare. He wore the violet hue of the priesthood, but it conferred no dignity. His spirituality had been consumed by greed and lust for early power. Una knew he hated Iltar. "Step down, old man, you have outlived the wisdom of your hollow words. We don't need a dried up priest to pray to a useless god." The audience gasped that Zared dared to attack the High Priest during invocation. But Zared had many supporters. "You feeble ways no longer serve the will of the people, " Zared said, his voice louder. "We want the knowledge and power for ourselves. Your days of tyranny are over. We will take what we want." Many in the hall murmured or voiced disapproval. A growing number cheered and called for Zared to come forward. "Citizens of Poseidia, claim your rights," Zared shouted. "End this repression. The priesthood wants power for themselves. I say turn the crystal higher so we can have what we want. Stop wasting precious energy healing abominations which should be killed or used as our slaves." A growing number in the audience applauded. Una watched in horror as hope of a peaceful solution dissolved in Zared's words of hate. Zared approached the stage as if to speak from the podium. He pulled a dagger from his robe. As he lunged toward Iltar, a young priest threw himself in front of the blade. The crowd erupted in a chaos. "This is sacrilege!" one man screamed. "Murder in a holy place." Una battled grief and outrage but remained composed for her father's sake. She would not disgrace him with weakness. Hept-supht and Iltar slipped out through the rear of the stage behind the curtains. Una knew there was a secret passage underground. "We must leave at once," Kadir whispered in her ear and pulled her quickly to the door. Una struggled with her feelings. She knew Kadir was right. There was no choice but to leave Poseidia. The healers would not have time for a conclave. Outside the sky turned dark, and a chill wind howled. Una and Kadir ran to the side of the building and stood against the wall, hidden from view. A piercing shriek filled the air. She looked up. The orb of the sun was eclipsed by an enormous black bird of prey, circling high above her. The Condor sensed her gaze and dove toward her. The huge bird landed before them. "You have no sword, and I am stronger now," sneered the dark feathered form. "I have truth, a more powerful weapon, " Una replied. The Condor screeched. "We shall see." The beast spread its wings to a span of twelve feet and advanced toward them. All was dark. She wanted to scream and run, but Una stood her ground and faced her attacker. Summoning strength, she spoke secret words of power and called upon a force of light. The priestess knew a moment of incandescence, then silent leaden blackness.