Edinnu, Species 161

By Jan Strober

The impending End of Daegs were upon the inhabitants of the planet. They had acknowledged long ago that they had no other option than to venture out into the distant stars and search for the new Eden which Gavril had apparently found on his reconnaissance, somewhere that they can call home once more.

Gidhon stood on the deck observing the planet below. He could hear the constant ebb of the starship, and his thoughts turned to the heavily laden underbelly which sat beneath his feet, his cargo… their future, for without them they as a species will not survive.

“Is all well, Gidhon?” a voice asked.

He groaned inwardly, and it was then that he remembered he was not alone, never alone to his thoughts, he shook his head as he heard Athena’s voice. Just why had they made this choice, he will never know, he thought.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Aug 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9781398465879

Jan Strober

Originally from the county of Derbyshire, England, Jan and her partner have both travelled extensively over the last ten years before their return from Australia in 2014. However, in 2017 their professions took them in a different direction, and they are now settled and established owning a small holding in a rural setting in County Laois, Ireland.

Book preview

Chamber of the Ancestors

Gavril looked ahead, ignoring the atmosphere that was emanating from Gidhon; he would not allow this one moment of Gidhon’s temperate manner to subdue his own, as they approached the Chamber of the Ancestors. He cast his eyes over the imposing structure set out before them. If the architects of such a building were to create foreboding, then they had truly succeeded. For as far back as he could remember, it had been the largest of the structures within the inner municipal area. Its large stone, domed body rising out, reaching for the heofons; spiritually enforcing its importance upon the onlooker and its surroundings; this daeg was no exception with the backdrop of the ever-worsening weather. The outer blue heofons were now permanently replaced by a rich hue of pinks and reds which constantly reminded the Aldormanns of the impending demise of life as they knew it. He had never been inside the building, nor had he ever been in attendance to Melech and Yefet; that was until this daeg. Gavril shuddered, turning once more to Gidhon; his face was as impassive as ever, displaying nothing of his thoughts.

Once they reached the stone steps, Gavril concentrated on the climb and as he sensed his heart beating hard against his chest; he took a sideways glance at Gidhon again and thought if only they really knew what he could be capable of…and how effective he had been in concealing his true nature. His banter had hidden well the fact that he wanted nothing more than to be like his mentor, Gidhon! He glanced once more across to his companion; his brows furrowed despondently.

Gavril sat on the cold, hard-stone seat in the outer chamber to the Chamber of the Ancestors with Gidhon as they waited for their audience with Melech and Yefet. He looked in the direction of where Gidhon sat, his body as motionless as was his silence. He hated the silence; that is, if you can exclude hearing the windstorms as they twisted and turned around the dome; moaning and groaning, as if trying to remould the stonework of the Chamber of the Ancestors. Gavril grunted as he thought, whoever had built this had thought of everything to protect whatever, whoever was inside the building.

Gidhon turned at the sound of Gavril’s grunt and watched him pensively as he recognised Gavril’s attention was becoming restless; the longer they waited the more undesirable Gavril’s company was becoming. He observed his facial expressions which displayed his inner impatience as he began to fidget with his clothes and then combed his hair with his fingers. Gavril gave an audible sigh, and then stood and began to pace the small anti-chamber. His heightened excitement could hardly be contained either by his body language or his incessant chatter of this appointment to meet the Head of the Aldormanns. Will he ever grow up! Gidhon thought, pitying the heavily laden responsibilities of Dion’s with such a personality as his. She can teach him many things…however, patience was not one of them. You are either born with it or die without it.

Gidhon frowned with his disapproval of Gavril’s failure of a more appropriate demeanour for an audience with the Aldormanns.

Gavril, you must compose yourself, commanded Gidhon; his eyes pleading as he looked at his friend; knowing full well that Melech and Yefet needed a true account of Gavril’s discovery; he gestured slowly with his hands towards him. Not this disorder of vacillation of infantile behaviour which you seem to favour.

You still have to explain yourself to Melech and Yefet, Gidhon continued as he shook his head.

Gavril nodded obdurately, as he walked over and sat next to Gidhon; not caring about displaying his displeasure as he grimaced at the thought of having to be peaceful; therefore, he would not allow Gidhon to expel his excitement to be extinguished totally. He looked around the unfamiliar anti-chamber and then back towards Gidhon and whispered, Have you ever been in the Chamber of the Ancestors, Gidhon?

Yes, many times. But not of late, for there had been no need for the attendance of Melech or Yefet, answered Gidhon, in a voice befitting where they sat. They have many things to consider right now.

Gidhon smiled inwardly, for he had attended the Chamber of Ancestors many times in the past; however, this time was quite different. This time he would be witness to Gavril’s Honouring of the Ancestors for the first time. Gidhon’s thought was one of almost envy. He remembered his own experience of entering the Chamber for the first time; and the desire to re-live the experience by watching Gavril on his own first Honouring of the Ancestors was strong.

Each attendance in the Honouring of the Ancestors was individual, unique for each, and every one of them. There would always be a gift which would be bestowed upon you from one of the Ancestors; it was for the recipient to work out just exactly what that gift was, and how it was to be used. For Gidhon, it had been an experience he would never forget. Being in the presence of the Ancestors Gidhon considered to himself, gave you an accurate perspective as to where you stood in the order of the Realms. We, you, they, were a part of something greater…they could not exist without us, and we could not exist without them; intricately entwined…we are one and the same. There was a balance to life itself; it was as simple as that. To exterminate even a portion of the Ancestors, would trigger the countdown of an eradication of all species, for all time. We are the Watchers, the Guardians of the Children, now and for eternity.

Gavril had sat in silence and continued to study Gidhon, waiting. Gidhon’s thoughts broke away from his memories, when he remembered where he was and then diverted his attention once more to Gavril and realised that he was waiting to ask another question.

What is it, Gavril? he asked exasperated.

Gavril looked around the unfamiliar anti-chamber as if expecting someone to be standing there; Gidhon followed his gaze, but all he could see where the two statues of the black Ravens which stood on pedestals. Their dark feathers tinged with a hint of blue which protruded from their black chests; like souldiours ready for bataile.

His voice was low and sombre and nodded, his eyes concentrating beyond the closed heavy carved wooden door. What’s it like?

Gidhon smiled at Gavril’s impatience. Wait and see.

Gidhon could see Gavril’s anticipation deepen with his annoyance at his answer, knowing that that was all the answer he was going to get and stood up; he heard Gavril sigh lowly once more and by the look on his face Gidhon could sense the rush of the epinephrine that was counteracting Gavril’s stress levels; this new experience was heavily beginning to take its toll. He scrutinised Gavril as he paced aimlessly around the anti-chamber, listening to his footfall as it hit the stone floor impatiently; the sound echoed around the antechamber and slowly faded away as he stopped abruptly at one of the Ravens that stood either side of the outer doors; as if seeing them for the first time. Mone and Sterres! As if Gavril did not have enough to contend with, by the looks of it he has SOS. His concentration was found lacking at the best of times…not now, please not now!

The height of the pedestals which the Ravens were perched on allowed the bystander to be almost at eye-level; this vantage point, he comprehended, was to admire the beauty of the birds. Gidhon watched as Gavril slowly observed them for the first time; the Ravens were a contrary in themselves of the pedestals on which they stood. The pedestals were constructed of Ramealle, a light, cold stone like material.

The Ravens themselves were perfect lifelike replicas from the Realms of the Children; Gidhon had never seen the original in life only the visual representation in the Scripts of the Elders. From the top of its head to the tip of its wedge-shaped tail, the sleek plumage of the birds shimmered from the quickening of the storms light, with a deep inky hue of blue; almost bringing the bird to life. The Raven’s eyes that sat either side of its head were deep brown to almost black glistened from the flames of the torches as they stared back, missing nothing. The Raven’s long, thick, and heavy black beak visually outweighing its slender body that was perched by the support of its sturdy black legs.

Do you think they will know? Gavril asked as he reached up and gently stroked the Raven with his outstretched finger gently.

Gidhon raised his eyebrows at the vague question and looked at Gavril’s muse, and then back towards him. Who will know, what?

…about the outer limits, Gidhon, Gavril added and turned nodding silently towards the unopened door to the Chamber. He then resumed to gently stroking the bird; it was to his surprise, a pleasant almost euphoric experience, for he had never touched a bird before. As he touched the plumage, he sensed the delicate frame of the bird’s bony skeleton beneath it, the silky feathers themselves were neither warm nor cold to the touch. He smiled, the sensation to Gavril was to say the least, calming. How fragile, Gavril thought to himself.

As the winds ceased momentarily the anti-chamber’s void grew silent; Gavril stopped stroking the Raven’s breast and then turned to look at Gidhon when no answer came.

Gidhon recognised what Gavril was wondering as he thought. So that is what you are afraid of? And then looked up and answered him. They know many things my friend…

Then, just as he was about to continue with Gavril’s question the outer wooden chamber door opened.

Elihu

The familiar face of Elihu entered the anti-chamber; Gavril stood silent as he watched Elihu, as he stepped forward and acknowledged their attendance with a slight bow of the head in the direction of Gavril and Gidhon.

Elihu was one of the twelve Keepers of the Ancients; his life as with the other Keepers of the Ancients pre-ordained as was their faeder before them, as his sone is to be, in the mission of protecting and oversee to the welfare of the Ancestors.

He was dressed in a fine orange robe which displayed his status within the Chamber of the Ancestors. The silky robe was twelve arms in width and twenty-four arms in length; it was draped across Elihu’s head and shoulders and continued as it swathed over his body, over a plain gold tunic that flowed to the bottom of his bare feet. He removed his hood on approaching them.

Gavril looked closely at their new host; once Elihu had bowed he raised his hand and removed his hood which exposed his clean-shaven skin, it allowed the observer to see his clear ghostly coloured skinned head; Gavril thought, Elihu had never seen the sunlight, let alone walked in its warmth. His head was crowned with delicate, colourful tatus of the arthropods; and what could be seen of his hands as he clutched his staff were two subtle tatus of hummingbirds. Gavril eyes scrutinised over Elihu’s body as he spoke to Gidhon until he reached his bare feet. He could no longer see his virgin skin, for they were covered in tatus of the industrious and persistent honeybees collecting nectar from the flowers. And then Elihu’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

Melech and Yefet apologise for keeping you waiting, they will be detained a while longer with the Elders…but you may honour the Ancestors if you wish. Elihu gestured beyond the wooden doors with his hand. Gavril turned to Gidhon who was now bowing lower in respect to the Ancestors Keeper.

Once the inner wooden doors of the anti-chamber were fully open the stone like dome structure imposed itself instantaneously upon the visitor as they began to climb the twelve hard cold steps; the dull sound of the heavy wooden doors sounded from behind them and echoed deep into the Chamber as they closed; impressing and reinforcing the notion of the importance of the Ancestors who sat within.

Gidhon turned and whispered to Gavril. Elihu is one of the Keeper of the Ancestors.

He waved his hands towards the Chamber. There are twelve Keepers of the Chamber of the Ancients. Their only task, to protect and look after the Ancestors. Elihu is the Keeper of the Arthropods.

As they arrived at the top of the twelve steps of the Chamber; Gidhon stopped so that Gavril could appreciate the architecture and explore how the engineering of the building itself was constructed.

The architects of the Chamber created a structure of a hollow semi-spherical element. The solid base of the building was of ancient stone like material; there were twelve arches in all which supported the highest point of the dome and twelve recesses that supported the arches above. Within the twelve recesses were the likenesses of The Ancestors.

Gidhon looked up, admiring the four-decorated circular windows that were placed within the structures of the ceiling; his eyes followed the shafts of natural light from the sunlight as it hit the ground, highlighting the circular picture that was created onto the floor.

It had not been until Gidhon himself had been to several attendances from the sun’s first quarter unto the last sun’s quarter that he realised that the glass globes followed in the direction of the rise and fall of the sun; and were in principle, a keeper of time of sorts. Sterre quarters by light and Mone quarters by darkness.

As they both entered the Chamber of the Ancestors Gidhon and Gavril were met by the glow of the flames which emanated from the fires which were lit in the andirons. Gidhon closed his eyes and inhaled deeply as the firelight danced on his closed eyelids as he took in the smell of the burning wood smoke from the fires and reminisce; there was no other smell which could replace the smell of ash as it is consumed by the flames. He felt the warmth radiate from the fires that sat in andirons, all his renewed memories began to relax his body and an inner peace was found to transform his inner turmoil. He opened his eyes once more and watched the flames flicker from the andirons; true, they were of practical use, thought Gidhon. Nevertheless, he could see that they were placed strategically at the feet of figures; which in turn were placed at the bottom of each pillar structure that supported the dome; the thick pillars stretched into the heofons from the Chamber’s floors and from the entrance of the Chamber to the far side of the domed Chamber; almost as if guiding you towards the seats of the Elders.

Gidhon returned his attention to Gavril and could see that he was transfixed; his eyes caught by the glimmer of the yellow flames of the fire as they flickered and danced on the centre piece of the Chamber. A silver Arc which sat centrally under the dome; this was known as the Path of the Ancients; which was forbidden, except on the Daegs of Celebration. Gavril began to step forward, almost mesmerised; hypnotised by the sight of the Arc.

Not that way, my friend. Gidhon shook his head as he took hold of Gavril’s shoulder as he made to walk forward, nodding in the direction of the Arc. That is the Path of the Ancients…it is forbidden to the likes of you or I.

Stay in my footfall, Gavril, Gidhon added, quietly.

Gavril and Gidhon turned and followed the now silent Elihu the Gate Keeper as he walked slowly anti-clockwise at the edge of the chamber; the sound of his staff could be heard as it echoed through the domed Chamber as it intermittently hit the cold tiled stone floor.

Elihu stopped at the first statue and turned and looked at Gidhon. His eyes clear and pensive. I believe you are able to guide yourselves around, Gidhon.

The question was almost a statement, Gidhon bowed solemnly and Gavril followed in his stead and bowed lowly. As he bowed his eyes focused on Elihu’s bare feet and frowned noting that the tatus that were on his feet in the anti-chamber were no longer there; his skin was as clear as the daeg he crowned. Gavril frowned again, wondering if he was seeing things.

By the time he raised, his head all that he could see was the back of the now retreating Gate Keeper; Gavril continued to watch as he walked slowly away; the muffled sound of his staff disappearing into the depths of the Chamber’s shadows.

Gidhon turned and looked at Gavril. He could see that he had many questions that he wanted to ask. There will be many questions, but for now he must listen and listen only, to get through this daeg, Gidhon thought. He looked up and noticed that the sun was in the last quarter of the windows. He relaxed, knowing that the earlier excitement of Gavril had waned, with the now unknown environment that was set before him. He turned and looked at the statue that stood before them.

Gidhon turned towards the statue, introducing Gavril to the statue. This my friend, is the statue of Artio.

Gidhon turned from the statue and back towards Gavril and felt deflated as he looked at Gavril who was now frowning and showing signs of confusion and lack of apathy of what was before him.

OK, new strategy, thought Gidhon. He turned and waved his hands ceremoniously over the Great Chamber. This, my friend, is The Great Chamber of the Ancients.

Caste of Artio

Gidhon waved his hands animatedly over the path before them. This is the Path of the Ancestors which we tread, Gavril. From the door to the Cathedra of the Ancients, it is called the Path of the Ancients. This path is only used on ceremonial daegs, such as for Passovers and Daegs of Crowning of the Ancients.

Gavril turned, his eyes searching around the chamber as he focused on what Gidhon had said and then back to the statues which sat in the Path of the Ancients; and then nodded in their direction. What of the figures that sit within the Path of the Ancients?

We will try to cover those later, added Gidhon as he looked once more at the sun was in the last quarter and patted his shoulder encouragingly.

Gavril nodded and looked around once more towards Gidhon. I thought there would be Scripts.

There are many Scripts of the Ancients… answered Gidhon, he waved his arms slowly around the chamber. …Who needs Scripts? We have the Maistres here to listen to. Each, and every one of the Ancestors had a gift to either share or teach you.

Gavril frowned and looked perplexed at his statement, however to Gidhon’s relief, stayed silent.

Gidhon stood and waited at the first Caste waited until he gained Gavril’s attention once more.

This is Artio. Gavril walked up to the statue and paused as if waiting to be told that he could touch the object.

Gidhon nodded. You may touch it.

Gavril began to slowly stroke the large statue as Gidhon began to talk about the Great White Bear. With his fingers, he began to explore through the thick and luxurious white fur as he pushed deeper with his fingertips, he began to sense the shorter soft dense inner hairs under the longer stiffer outer guard hairs. It was then that he felt Artio; his skin, not hard and cold as he thought it would be, but soft and…warm. Warm?

Beautiful is he not? smiled Gidhon, breaking Gavril’s thoughts. His coat is two-fold, the thickness of his coat is one of necessity as he lived in the Arctic and the colour of course provides camouflage against an icy and snowy background.

Ice? Gavril muttered, …and what is snow?

Well, you know what raindrops are; snow is formed by frozen crystalline water, starting when, under suitable conditions snow comprises individual ice crystals that grow while suspended in the clouds above, Gidhon pointed upwards to the heofons above, and continued, and then fall, accumulating on the ground where they undergo further changes.

Gavril looked up into Artio’s face, as Gidhon continued to answer his question.

Snowflakes take on a variety of shapes; basic among these are platelets, syringes, columns, and rime. As snow accumulates into a snowpack, it could or may blow into drifts. Over time, accumulated snow metamorphoses, by sublimation and freeze-thaw. Where the climate is cold enough over time snow accumulates, a glacier may form.

Gavril could see its brown eyes that was positioned to the front of its face at the base of its snout, which seemed to him insufficient for such a size of a large predatory marine mammals. His fingers continued to stroke the fur until they reached the muscly legs, and which concluded with the paws; Gavril outstretched his hand, there was no comparison, for the paws visually dwarfed his hand against them as he mentally measured the Great White Bear’s paws. He felt the thick fur which covered over the toes; this he knew was to have insulation from the snow and ice and provided a grip on slippery surfaces; the paws concluded with the thick black claws as they proudly displayed themselves.

Gavril touched the Great Bears chest; and suddenly he was cold, freezing almost. It was then that he realised he was swimming…swimming in a great ocean of water. His senses were that of panic and necessity to reach hard ground. His eyes moved to two younger bears; they were theirs. He was hungry, tired, and needed to rest; but that was not his fear, for one of the pups was diminishing. There was land ahead and they needed to reach it soon. It was almost dusk when they arrived. He pulled out his tired body and lifted the cubs out, it was then that his heart sank; for no sooner had he pulled out the limp body of the weakened cub than it died before his very eyes. The Bear nosed the cub to encourage it to move. But there was nothing…not a glimmer of life; the sorrow and heartache from the Bear thrust deep within him; he moved his hand from the Bear sharply.

Gavril heard Gidhon’s voice break through his thoughts.

All of these Children shared their knowledge with us…unconditionally, without sensor or prejudice, Gidhon continued to talk about the Great White Bear. For the Elders, the Great White Bear, Artio, was the Maistre of Patience.

We…in the past we had lost our way and the Great White Bear brought reasoning and balance to our dark existence once more.

Gavril turned and looked at Gidhon, realising that there was much to learn.

Gidhon touched his shoulder as they moved to the next Cast, realising that Gavril had had his first message, for his eyes were deep and full of sorrow. No matter what the message they send us, they inspired us, young Gavril; by their courage to stand up against adversity.

Caste of Amara

Gidhon walked with Gavril to the next Caste; before them stood the dark, dry bark of a tree. Gavril looked at the tree and found nothing. What is this? he whispered, as he turned to Gidhon.

Gidhon chuckled and pushed him forward towards the Caste. Look a little closer my friend.

Gavril frowned and stepped forward and instantly jumped back. What in the Mone and Sterres… – and then stared cautiously towards what he had found – is that!

Gidhon chuckled once more at Gavril’s response to seeing the arachnid’s large body that was hidden against the bark of the tree. This is Amara, she is the Maistre of Change and Infinite Possibilities.

Gidhon began to talk about the Spider and pointed to it. This particular Spider is part of the Arachnids.

Gidhon turned away from Gavril as he spoke, returning to Amara and pointed to her eyes, mouth fangs and stomach. monitoring Gavril’s sensitivity to his proximity to the Spider.

The Spider has two parts to its make-up. As you can see here Gavril, on her first half she has eight eyes that are closely grouped; two large round eyes in the middle which are surrounded by three eyes on each side.

Gidhon continued, Amara has strong jaws. The fangs which she has are distinctive, as you can see, they are parallel to each other and face downwards. The brain and the glands that make the poison are on this part of the body. She has eight legs which are covered with many hairs and the reason for this we believe are that the hairs pick up vibrations and smells from the air.

Gidhon heard the sharp intake of breath from Gavril. Amara is formidable wouldn’t you say?

Formidable…yes, answered Gidhon has he raised one of Amara’s legs gently, noticing Gavril shudder, he doubted that he would be touching her, at least this daeg! At the end of the legs there are, at least, two small claws.

Gidhon returned to the Spider’s anatomy. The second part of the body is called the Abdomen. This is where the spinnerets, the silk-producing glands are; crafty her body manufactures an oil which stops the body from sticking to her own web.

Do you know what the most amazing thing is that she can do? Gidhon watched as Gavril shook his head. Gidhon smiled again at his friend. "Amara here, does not have a skeleton