Heirs of Avalon Page 2

  "Napoleon, this is my assistant, Tash Higgins," Devon said when they halted below the steps of the Gazabo.

  "You are fortunate in finding such a lovely woman to assist you," Napoleon's voice was a warm baritone. "Welcome to Phoenix, Ms. Higgins."

  "Thank you," Tash said. "I've been looking forward to seeing it."

  "I take it the part came in?" Napoleon addressed Devon.

  "Yes, I have it with me. If the structure to contain the Portal is complete, we can activate it as soon as I get it installed. Tash and I will need to go across to install a similar one on the Halcyon generator."

  "The construction is almost finished," Yael said. "We were delayed because the mortar wasn't curing properly," he explained to Napoleon.

  "If you will excuse us, I'd like to take a look at what you've accomplished," Devon said.

  "Certainly," Napoleon replied.

  "Is Scarlet Jones in residence?" Tash asked. "I have letters and gifts from my sister Tally and Ivette Hayes-Bedingfeld for her."

  "I believe she is teaching a class on how to blend into human society," Yael answered. "If you'll come with me, I'll show you to the classroom. It should be almost finished."

  "Great!" Tash said. She went to the cart and retrieved a canvas tote.

  One of Tash's strengths, due to her keen observation skills, was her ability to judge people and she caught the faint frown on Napoleon's face as Yael led her away.

  "The crucial keynote to blending into human society is believing you are their equals," Scarlet was saying as Tash and Yael stepped into the room. "I believe the solution to acquiring that belief is through the doctrine of the Clone Familia movement."

  One of the men raised a hand. "Why do you think the movement is so important?"

  "A good question. Humans or Normals who create clones take away much of the things necessary for everyone to develop a healthy self-respect and confidence. Please read the material for your next class when we will discuss its implications."

  Scarlet was a tall blond with a superb figure and finely boned features. She had been a special commission for an actress who intended to have her brain transplanted into the body when Scarlet reached maturity. Fortunately for Scarlet, the old woman had suffered an aneurism and died before that could happen.

  While she was waiting for Scarlet to mature, the old actress had rented Scarlet's services to a film company who had also rented some clone cage fighters to ensure the fight scenes in the movie were realistic. It was during the filming Scarlet had met Dagmar Ironroar and the two had become mates.

  Tash sat in one of the chairs in the back of the room as Scarlet dismissed the class.

  When Scarlet came to greet them, Yael met her with a frown.

  "Didn't Napoleon tell you he doesn't approve the Clone Familia doctrine?"

  "I believe that is short-sighted of him," Scarlet replied. "A belief in themselves as a worthy individual is essential for clones who go into Normals society. The best way to develop that belief is through the Clone Familia doctrine."

  "I'll have to report this to him," Yael told her.

  "You must do whatever your duties to him requires," Scarlet replied, unmoved.

  "You have a visitor from Laughing Mountain, Tash Higgins," Yael told her.

  "Yes, thank you Yael."

  "My sister and Ivette sent letters and pictures of the children," Tash said, lifting the tote.

  "Wonderful!" Scarlet exclaimed. "Let's go to my apartment and have a cup of tea. I don't have another class until this evening."

  Yael watched them go. He would have preferred to see and hear what they were going to discuss but obviously, Scarlet wanted privacy to hear what Tash had to say. Napoleon would want to know as well.

  He was aware Napoleon's plans for Scarlet didn't include her having allies who might help her if she defied him. Napoleon made a habit of co-opting any female clone he took a fancy to for sex. Most of them had been flattered and willing. The few who hadn't—better not to think about that.

  Scarlet's apartment was simple, consisting of a bedroom/sitting area with an attached bathroom.

  When they arrived, she gestured for Tash to set the Tote on a chair and filled a glass carafe with water which she heated in an old-fashioned microwave.

  While she fussed with the tea things, Tash drew the two gifts out of the tote and laid the letters on the table beside them.

  "So, you are teaching acclimation classes," she remarked. "What is Dagmar doing?"

  A shadow crossed Scarlet's face. "Napoleon sent him and the others on a scouting expedition to Halcyon. That was two months ago. I haven't heard from him since."

  "Devon intends for us to go across and check on the equipment on the Halcyon side once he gets the Portal running on this end. Why don't you go with us?"

  Scarlet put her face in her hands and burst into tears. "Maybe he won't be glad to see me."

  Tash set down her cup and rose to put her arms around the other woman. "It's going to be okay," she said, patting Scarlet comfortingly on the back. "Why wouldn't he want to see you?"

  Scarlet wiped her eyes with the tissue Tash handed her. "I think Napoleon sent him away so he could have access to me. He's been very attentive since Dagmar's has been gone. I keep wondering if Dagmar agreed to an arrangement about it and that's why he hasn't contacted me."

  "If that's the case, you have to come with us. It's better to know, than to guess, isn't it?"

  Scarlet straightened her spine. "You're right." In an obvious move to change the subject, she asked, "What did Tally and Ivette send me?"

  Tash unwrapped the cloth covered oil paintings first. "The artist is Jade Brendan, Tally's sister-in-law. She connected two sets of 5 x 7 triptych frames to make a set of six. Each portrait has the baby's name under it."

  "These are wonderful! I can keep these?"

  "Yes, of course. She also sent another set to Joyce."

  "They are so lifelike."

  Tash watched as Scarlet ran a finger over each of the children's names.

  "Ivette sent you something as well." Tash unfolded the cloth protecting the hologram. "Touch it and it projects a holo vid of each of the toddlers."

  Gingerly, Scarlet reached out to touch the cube. "Immediately a holo of a toddler appeared. "Hi, Aunt Scarlet," it said. "I'm Leonardo Hayes-Bedlingfeld. I like to swing." The holo changed to a vid of Leo on the swing set. Rafe and Don showed off their tumbling skills, Fran and Daphne sang, Gabe was sculpting a figure out of clay and Jillian was playing with Rika, her vole.

  Scarlet was forced to wipe her eyes again. "They look so happy," she said.

  "I believe they are," Tash said. "If you want to write them thank you notes, I can make sure the letters get sent back through the mail pouches." She tapped the two unopened letters. "We got letters from them too. They both asked how you are doing, so I know they will appreciate hearing from you."

  FAREWELLS & NEW BEGINNINGS

  "ARE YOU SURE you won't change your mind and come with us?" Tash asked Scarlet when they said goodbye.

  "Thank you, but no. Now that I've spoken to Dagmar, I know what to tell Napoleon if he summons me to his bed," Scarlet said. "It's possible we might need to leave Phoenix though. In that case I hope I can count on you to help us emigrate to one of the other colonies."

  "Of course. Joyce and Tam will always know how to get in touch with me," Tash replied.

  She and Scarlet exchanged hugs before Tash and Devon departed. Yael watched them from the top of the steps.

  "What was that about?" Devon inquired.

  Tash was silent, considering what to tell him. "How good is your bible knowledge?" she asked.

  "About as good as anyone's, I guess. What does that have to do with what you and Scarlet were discussing?"

  "Do you remember the story of David and Bathsheba?"

  "Wasn't he a king in Israel or something?"

  "Yes. The story goes, he saw Bathsheba taking a bath on her rooftop and decided he wanted her, but she was marr
ied. Her husband was off fighting a war. David sent for her, raped her, and sent her home. The rape created a child. He wasn't in love with her, she was a 'disposable' person to him. He murdered her husband to hide his sin and forced her to marry him. God punished him anyway—the baby died."

  "Okay. I'm still waiting for the punchline."

  "Napoleon wants Scarlet. He sent Dagmar off on that scouting expedition to get him out of the way while he tries to court Scarlet."

  "Does Dagmar know about this?"

  "He does now. He didn't realize Scarlet wasn't getting any of his letters. She was beginning to think he was willing to give her up to Napoleon."

  "That sucks."

  "Big time. Apparently, the six of them have joined a movement called the Clone Familia. She seems to think it might protect her from Napoleon."

  "I don't know," Devon said slowly. "The first week I was here, one of the male clones issued a challenge to another one because he wanted his woman. They fought, and the woman didn't seem to have much to say about it."

  "According to Scarlet, if Napoleon tries that, she will declare she refuses to accept the results of the challenge."

  "Can she do that?"

  "I don't know. I know much about clone culture."

  Devon was silent during the rest of the drive back to Laughing Mountain. He pulled into the drive behind the office he shared with Jase.

  "I wonder," he said.

  "About what?" Tash inquired.

  "I'm wondering if we might send Dagmar the parts to make a second portal. One that isn't under Napoleon's control."

  "How would you keep him or Yael from finding out about it?"

  "I'm not sure yet."

  "Where do we go next?"

  "The next Portal weekend is the Renaissance Fair, isn't it? Randal needs to get the data crystal I made for him back home, so he'll be returning with us."

  "Any special clothes I should take?"

  "The kind of stuff you'd wear if you were in period for a renaissance play, I guess."

  Randal Langeton was waiting for them in the office. Randal had come to earth to learn Portal technology, and to implant a virus into the PA's data base to block its search engines from discovering any of the colonies connected to Laughing Mountain. He was about Devon's height, a slim, hard muscled man, with dark auburn hair. He was also a master bladesman, an expert with the saber, rapier, and epee as well as other renaissance weapons popular during that period on earth.

  The Office Devon shared with Jase Delaney, who handled most of the E-work needed to keep the town and visitors from the colonies off the Portal Authorities radar, was still open although it was late afternoon. Jase was a few years older than Devon and Tash. He was engaged to her sister Tam who was majoring in Law at the University. They planned to get married when she passed the bar exam.

  Tash had once had a crush on Jase, but it had ended when she realized how much he and her sister loved each other. Only Devon knew the night she had realized Jase and Tam were an item was the night she had planned to seduce Jase.

  Devon had followed her when she had fled into the forest to sob out her heartbreak and embarrassment. He hadn't said anything, just handed her a bottle of water to sooth her throat. She had always been grateful for his kindness that night.

  That night after dinner, Tam came to watch Tash pack for Barsoom. "I hear it's hot there; maybe you better take some shorts and tank tops," she suggested.

  "Randal says they all wear long sleeves and pants made of thin cotton. Because it's in the tropic zone, they have lots of bugs. Not looking forward to that."

  "Ick," Tam shuddered. "I remember those huge beetles we found in that first apartment, nasty." She hesitated, watching her sister. "Tash, you aren't doing this to get away from Jase and me, are you?"

  "No, I'm looking forward to seeing all these new planets. Imagine—a entire new world, just waiting to be explored, and I'm lucky enough to be able to see five of them!"

  "Well, okay. You know I have a few blouses I can lend you to take with you."

  "Which ones?" Tash asked warily. The girls were part of three identical triplets so she knew any of Tam's clothes would fit her. However, they had quite different tastes in fashion.

  "C'mon, let's go choose," Tam said, dragging her off to her room.

  Watching them, Joyce rocked one of her twin sons while Mark changed the other.

  "I'm glad to see that," she told him. "I don't have to tell you I was worried about them. Tally was always the balance wheel, and for both of them to fall for the same guy..."

  Mark blew a raspberry on his son's tummy, causing the baby to giggle and kick. "I'm glad she'll be traveling with Devon and Randal," he said. "They'll look after her."

  AN ISLE UNKNOWN

  LAUGHING MOUNTAIN disguised their Portal entry as a stone arch. When a wedding was being held in the center, the arch was festooned with paper bridal bells, flowers, and sometimes huge bows. Other events also decorated it. During a Portal run, it filled with swirling color as carts bearing loaded wagons traversed the passageway between Earth and Barsoom.

  Tash and Devon rode through the Portal to Barsoom with Randal. Devon and Randal had both made the trip before, so other than to note the passage, they paid relatively little attention to what was happening. For Tash it was still a new experience. The absolute silence when they entered was eerie. She found herself holding her breath, despite knowing they wouldn't be in transition long enough for the lack of air to matter.

  When she and Devon had crossed into Halcyon, they had come out on a bare landscape of sand dunes. Behind them the surf pounded on the shore and strange sea birds screamed at each other. The air had been crisp with the tang of sea salt.

  Crossing into Barsoom was different. The air here was uncomfortably humid, and she could feel her underarms growing damp. Because the colonists had made efforts to retain the look and feel of their new planet, they hadn't tried to clear out the flora to make room for all the transports needed for shipping products to and from earth. In consequence the portal was surrounded by a tropical rain forest. Immensely tall trees, with their broad, flat leaves stretching upward, blocked out much of the sunlight. It was noisy; tropical bird songs caroled by colorful singers filled the atmosphere with trilling music. The scents of large, perfumed flowers clogged the air. Occasionally the sound of a predatory growl echoed from the jungle.

  The Portal itself had a gently sloping roof made of water-resistant plasticrete tiles. The gate itself was wide and tall enough so Tash thought three or four semi-trucks could have driven through it. The floor resembled cobblestone and was rough enough to help prevent slippage if it got wet, which it frequently did. Outside the Portal itself was a staging area filled with old-fashioned looking wooden wagons. Like much of the tech on Barsoom, the wagons weren't as old-fashioned as they looked; in the front of each driver's bench was a console with gears and a steering wheel. When one of Laughing Mountains golf carts tied into it to take it into the Portal, the console folded neatly into the front of the wagon.

  "Does anyone know we're coming?" Devon asked Randal.

  "I commed Judith, but I don't know if—"

  "I'm here," a woman's voice said.

  Tash turned and found herself confronting a tiny, flame-haired fairy who regarded her with a slightly hostile gaze. The girl in front of her although tiny in statue, had been endowed by nature with a Rubenesque figure. Her bright red hair was anchored under a wide-brimmed hat with an enormous feather. She had a small animal tucked under one arm.

  "Hello," Tash said with a smile. "I'm Tash Higgins. I'm Devon's assistant."

  "I'm Judith Garneys, Randal's fiancée," was the response.

  "Randal didn't tell us about you. I'm pleased to meet you, Judith." Tash knew her height and looks sometimes intimidated other women. Coupled with Randal's luke-warm greeting to his fiancé, the reason for the hostility was obvious. Judith most likely thought Tash's presence was due to Randal.

  Randal, evidently perceiving
an issue, although not sure what it was, said hastily, "It's good to see you looking so well, Judith."

  This was a little unfortunate, as it caused Judith to stiffen and glare at him. "Oh, and I looked so bad before that anything is an improvement?"

  "No, of course not! I didn't mean—" he looked around desperately for inspiration and found it in the animal Judith was holding under one arm.

  "I see you still have Licorice. How old is he now?"

  "He's two," Judith replied.

  "Oh," Tash exclaimed. "What is it? Its adorable."

  "This is Licorice," Judith said, her expression softening. She shifted her pet so Tash could see him better. Licorice was about the size of an earthly Guinea Pig. He looked hairless, but his wrinkly skin was covered by fine, nearly transparent hair. His large, bat-like ears stuck out on either side of his head, and big almond shaped eyes regarded Tash with interest. "We call them Catamounts. He's native to Barsoom."

  Tash held out a finger for Licorice to sniff. He did so and made a chuffing sound.

  "He likes you," Judith said in surprise. "He doesn't warm up to most people, but he likes you."

  "We have lots of pets at home," Tash said. "Maybe he smells them on me. I miss them. Before Tally got married and moved to St. Antoni, she seemed to bring home a stray animal every other week."

  "Did you bring a transport?" Randal asked Judith. "Devon has a lot of equipment."

  "I have the family carriage," Judith replied. "It's over here." She led the way to what seemed to be a horse-drawn carriage, minus the horses. A robot driver dressed in livery sat on the driver's box. Opening the door, she climbed inside, and Tash followed her, while Randal and Devon loaded the baggage on the roof and the boot in the rear of the carriage.