THE LEGEND OF IKRA

THE LEGEND OF IKRA Ikra, a land born of legends of olde. Born of times when the world was ruled by the very few, and "fire spitting serpents" set fire to villages. A time when "kings" wiped out villages, in a blinding flash of light. Ikran history told that the village was founded by the survivors of the Death March. Refugee's, who wandered aimlessly, through a dark, and terrible time. Had it not been for the God, who found the ancestors, and brought them to safety, Ikra would not have existed, at all. These are the stories, which Ikran children have grown up with, since time has been recorded. Stories of the dark times, of hunger, of hopelessness, and of the terrible cries villagers, sometimes, heard, if they strayed from the settlement too close to sun-set. Cries, not human in nature. Cries, which turned blood as cold as the ice, of the mountains. Erak was one, of many, children, who grew up hearing the stories, of the terrible things, which lived beyond the village. Things which came out, only after the sun went down. Erak never told anyone, but, on a few occassions, he HAD gone beyond the village, after darkness, and he had caught a few glimpses of types of beast no villager would raise, or have around. Upon reaching manhood, Erak made a fateful decision. One which would change his, and his families, lives, forever. Erak had grown up with a typical, Ikran father. Everyday after work, his father joined the other village men, for a "after-work" drink. His father would, then, come home, fall in bed, then sleep until Erak's mother would toss him out of bed, and splash water on him. Once the man sobered up, by about noon, he would catch up on his chores. Ofcourse, Erak knew that his father was no bad case, since Erak had seen other village men dragging out of bed, mid-morning, to start chores. Erak also observed that the villager, who made the drink, was never drunk, himself. No, he would only TASTE each batch, to make sure it was good. Erak, then, watched, from hiding, as the drink maker would trade cattle, supplies, and so on, for his drink. When Erak come into his man-hood, his father wanted to offer him some "drink", but Erak would turn out to be the first Ikran male to decline the stuff. This both surprised, and delighted, his mother, who had hoped that her son would NOT follow his father, in this tradition. Un-like his father, Erak would maintain his early rising time, and his chores would be done by the time his father was just beginning his own chores. After he saw his father sell off some more land, to meet expenses, Erak did some trading, of his own, and, the next time his father drank up family revenue, Erak offered to pay off the debt, but on a condition. Erak would halt the debt, if his father signed the remainder of the family farm over to his son. This would make Erak owner, and controller, of the family farm. When his father signed over the farm, Erak set a strict limit, of just three drinks, per evening, on his father. Since his father was accustomed to consuming 12, to 15 drinks per night, the man felt deprived, when told he had to leave the tavern, since he had his limit. Erak knew that his father was sulking, for days, after the signing, but, atleast the man was awake, and working before noon. Eraks mother proved to be right as well. She predicted that having both father, and son, working from sun-to-sun would increase farm revenue. With Erak shunning the drink, and his father limited to three per night, Erak was able, over time, to buy back most of what his father had lost. It was at his aging mothers suggestion, that Erak travel to the main village, and seek a mate. This is what lead Erak to find Luna. With a title, now, worth 100 acres, two, stout, horses, and a re-built wagon, Erak would travel to the main trading area, of the village of Ikra (pronounced "ee-kra", for those interested). It was here that Erak would learn that what his mother said was true. In Ikra, ALL manner, of commodity was traded, in the same way. Cattle, wood, even human cargo. All were sold equally and by the same auctioneer. A female who, as Erak found out, would tolerate NO arrogance. She was, also, a stickler for proof of quality. Every item she auctioned off had a proof sign, verifying source, quality, and so on. It was when Erak approached a pen, where some "cattle" were being held for auction, that Erak realized that these were people. People who were traded for goods, and now up for auction, to re-pay debts. Astonishingly, all were nude, and every one had a sign stating age, source, strength, and so on. Erak didn't know why but he had a voice, in his head, calling for him to observe a particular "unit". When he saw her, he thought that she wasn't much to look at. Not very hearty, and not clean, either. Still, when she caught Erak's eye, and smiled, he hoped she was a good deal. He made a point of writing down her sign number. She was item number 19, of lot four. Just before the auctioneer would allow bidding, on any lots, she had the units hosed down, in public view. This included washing off all lumber, horses, and so on. When Number 19 was ready for bidding, she was washed off, then stood, silently, on the stage, as the auction began. Now, Erak, being a farmer, as most of the bidders were, knew that stoutness was best, for farm life, and this number 19 was slim, bordering on skinny. As a result, in a farming community, she was, practically, worthless. Still, Erak was sure she had potential. This is why he did as his mother told him, saying "Ten coins worth to end the bidding" Erak knew that this meant that he had just given up three acres of land, for this creature, but he just felt sure... When Erak paid the cashier, he grabbed a blanket, from his horse, for her to wear. What surprised her was that Erak had her ride his horse, while he walked the way back to the farm. On the way, when he asked her name, she asked him what name he would like, for her. When Erak asked if "Luna" was okay, the woman agreed (even though, in her land, Luna was the hated name of a goddess, who demanded all serve her every whim). Soon after Erak brought Luna to the farm, his sisters put their names in the local lottery, and were chosen, as mates, by some decent guys. Their lives might not be "perfect", but they wouldn't be as bad as mothers was. Sure, their mates did drink, but never drunk, as father had been. When mother observed Luna, and understood that her son had chosen, well, she, and father, took their "pension" in the form of a shed, near the edge of the farm. Luna did as promised, and gave Erak a good home, and children, including a son, named Sheka, whom, she predicted, would do "great things", during his life. She was right, too, as Sheka observed his world, in great detail. Even while still very young, Sheka made some serious observations, about the family homestead. Especially about the food storage area which his mother used. At the end of every harvest, Luna stocked the supply tent with a winters worth of food, yet, between bad weather, and animals, the place failed, year after year. Then, one year, between planting and harvest, Sheka took a shovel, and went out, behind the family wood pile. No one had any idea what he was doing, since he pitched a tent over the spot. It was just short of harvest time when Sheka cut a whole, in the floor, of the family home, then showed his family what he had done. When Erak asked WHY, Sheka told him that, now, mother could store her supplies, underground, where animals could not reach them, nor could the annual rains. Ofcourse, the tunnel would need some shelves, but Luna was delighted all the same. That year, for the first time, 99% of Lunas work was saved from the weather. Then came another debate. Sheka had seen the so-called "maps", which his father, and every other farmer, in Ikra, used, to navigate the regional trails. What Sheka could not believe was how something could be called a "map", when it was just some lines, on paper. When Erak cautioned that this "map" was made by village priests, who worked for the gods, Sheka questioned if this information were reliable. When the discussion threatened to become a fight, Luna suggested a challenge, for their son. With harvest completed, and planting season a few months off, why not let Sheka try making some of his own drawings? Erak agreed, even if just to prevent the fight. Luna packed her son some supplies, and Sheka packed some canvas, and some charcoal sticks. He, then, set out to map the trail, to the main village, in charcoal. His first problem became immediately clear. There was so much flora, and fawna, that he had to use up all of his charcoal and parchment, less than halfway to town. As he showed his mother, when he tried even mapping just the main things, along the way, there was just so much to map that a one page map turned into a blur. When Luna viewed the detail pages, though, she was surprised at how detailed her son had made the pictures. She could make out details, and tell where each picture was drawn. Sheka, however, was not as pleased, with his work, as his mother was. Still, when she asked him to accompany her to a neighbors farm, for some bartering, Sheka agreed. It was at the neighbors farm that Sheka made a discovery which would change his life, forever. At the farm, Sheka would learn how the neighbors family used various products, to make many colors, for fabrics. When Sheka was "found", talking the the farmers daughters, Luna was asked to remove him from the family farm (despite his being honest about his questions). Soon after mother and son returned home, Sheka went out, and collected a sample of the minerals, which he would need to make colors with. There was just one problem. The mixing process smelled so foul that Luna had him move the "die" as far from the family home as possible. As a result, Sheka built a shed, on the edge of the farm directly opposite where his grand-parents lived. Sure, the color mixing process smelled bad, and Sheka didn't go near the family home, after working, until fully bathed. It would take him a while to learn how to mix the right colors, then more time to make drawing sticks, which would write, not crumble, when used. These things, Sheka worked on, when not helping, on the farm. Sheka then traded two days worth of his labor, to the village "print shop", in return for a package of drawing parchment. He, then, hunted down a length of rope, and made it into lengths. When Sheka left home, this time, he left not with one horse, carrying his food, but three horses. One to carry his gear, and food, one with sacks of parchment paper, and the third carrying extra packs, of his color sticks. When Sheka returned home, two days prior to harvest, he presented his mother with a "present" so wonderful, that she was speechless. When Erak came in, and saw his sons art-work, Sheka was surprised by his fathers compliment. On the table, before them, his parents saw the most detailed, color, maps, they had ever seen. It was Luna, though, who decided to hang the pictures on the walls. Sheka had managed to make a map, of the trail, to Ikra, which showed exactly WHY the trail was not straight, but curved and wavy. This is when Erak asked his son a favor. Once the season was done, father wanted son to make a lay-out, of the local farms, so Erak would have a better idea of where he stood, in the farming community. When Sheka agreed to do so, he traded some more time, and labor, to local merchants, for the supplies he would need. Soon, Sheka would know WHY his father was so interested in local land holdings. When Sheka compared a priests "map", to what the terrain, and property lines, looked like, he realized that his father had bought back even MORE land, in his efforts to bring his family name back to its former glory. "Glory", and "Respect", among members of the community. When Sheka made his detailed maps, the maps showed just how FAR Erak had extended his reach. Neighboring farms had shrunk, in size, while the farm, of Erak, was growing back, to about 135% of its original size. When the next harvest was in, it was the family, of Erak, whose turn it was, to host the celebration banquet. This lead to, first, the local women seeing Sheka's work, then the men seeing it, as well. Sheka received plenty of praise, that day, as well as an offer, to let the local print shop run off about a dozen copies, of each picture. Shortly thereafter, the priests, of the map-making shop, heard of the "miraculous", new maps, and decided to check the story out. When they saw Sheka's work, the priests warned the family that only the holy order could sell maps. Anything else would be sacreligious. Sheka wanted to question this, but Luna cautioned him to say nothing. About 9 moons later, the printer returned, to offer Sheka a new deal. The printer was willing to PAY Sheka, to map the area, abround the village. Sheka could see why, from the priests "map" which showed nothing except a "blob", marked "Ikra", and blank space all around. Sheka's job would be to map the area. The printer offered a payment, of 20 gold coins, if Sheka made the maps. When Sheka agreed, he spent a week just drawing the village, to scale, before venturing beyond the village streets, and into the area which the priests had left blank, on their maps. What Sheka, rapidly, realized was just how much detail which was visual, to the "naked eye", but which the priests had deleted from their "maps". As a result, each detail sheet only covered so much footage, since there was so much to catalog. As a result, each "circuit", of the village, would take Sheka close to two weeks, to complete. When the priests found out what Sheka was doing, they ordered his backer to stop the young man. When the merchant asked "Why?", the head priest said "We, of the gods order, are the sole map-makers, for this village. If anyone DARES to challenge our authority, we will make SURE that the gods smite the un-worthy". When Sheka came in, for more supplies, and to deliver his materials, to date, the young man would be surprised when his backer would invite village members into his business, and have them review Sheka's work. To a man, the merchants, and village members, all agreed that Sheka's maps were far better than the priests maps. In fact, on Sheka's maps, places didn't need their names written through them. The pictures said it all. To Shekas surprise, several people asked for copies. His backer then offered to extend Sheka's contract, for a full year, so that Sheka could have time to map every corner of the village. The payment would be delivered to Sheka's mother. Two months after Sheka's extension was granted, the priests closed up their shop, and warned villagers that the "gods" would be very angry with Ikra. Erak was the first to say "Let them BE angry. I have a farm to run." Suddenly, the priests realized that they were about to lose a very profitable enterprise. Not just map-making, either. The priests had profitable sidelines, such as giving blessings, for gold coin payment, and checking in on the sick, and old, for gold. Now, a "young kid" was threatening their profits. But HOW could the priests show the gods wrath? For centuries, the priests had relied on superstition, and fear, to generate respect for the gods, and money, for the priests. Now, thanks to Sheka, and Erak, the "hold" was slipping away. According to the "Holy Scriptures", all the priests, of the past had to do, was to threaten the gods wrath, and villagers fell into line, out of fear. The "Holy Scriptures" also spoke of drying up water holes, bringing storms, and plague, and famine. Problem was that the "Holy Scriptures" did not tell HOW to make these things happen. HOW did one dry up a lake? HOW did one call up a raging storm? The "Scriptures" told WHAT to do, but left out the HOW. In desperation, one priest actually tried to call forth a storm, with a chant he wrote, himself. He, then, warned the people, that the gods were angry, and that raging torrents, of water, would come crashing down, upon the village, within two days time. Two days later, there was overcast, but, as observers waited, and watched, even the village blacksmith said he had work to do, and he was going to keep working, until the storm was upon the village. Well, Ikra did get some rain. A light rain, which just muddied the paths, and watered the plants. The black- smith worked right through it. So did other merchants. When the priests left the village, in the middle of the night, not many villagers missed them, for awhile. People were accustomed to seeing the priests shop closed, during prayer times. While this time was going on, Erak, for awhile, turned his eyes to the sky, for every single sound he heard. When he reealized that he was falling far behind schedule, with his chores, Erak decided that, 'If the gods want to smyte me, they know where to find me. I have chores to do', and went back to work. When people began to suspect that the priests had left, Luna was the first to start visiting neighbors, more often, both to trade, and check in, on possible need. Soon, however, Luna had set up quite the network, of visitors, to check in, on various farms. While Erak tended the farm, and Luna, visited neighbors, Sheka was just finishing one commission, for the merchant when he was offered another commission. His backer was making a "fortune" off of Shekas maps, which the man was sharing, equitably, with the House of Erak. With this fortune, and more people wanting Sheka's maps, the merchant offered Sheka another commission. This would be a commission, which could last up to two years. The job would have Sheka make maps of the Main Trade Route, between Ikra, and Shona, a trading partner. According to the "maps", made by the priests, for centuries, the "route" was just a squiggly line, between the two villages, with the words "Main Trade Route" written through the squiggly line. Now, the merchant wanted accurate maps, of what the route actually looked like. And, Sheka was in for a "bonus". This time, he would not have to ride back to town, for supplies. The merchant was hiring a team, to take supplies TO Sheka, and return with the new maps. Sheka was just surprised at the send-off that Ikra gave him, as he set about the task. A send off fit for a king, or a god. While Sheka moved along the trade route, his mother received regular deliveries, of gold coins, in payment for Sheka's services. This, while Sheka received regular deliveries, of drawing supplies, which, in turn, returned his latest works to Ikra. It is because of this that Sheka was un-aware of Erak's passing, until he returned to Ikra. Although, for travellers, moving directly from village to village, the Main Trade Route may have taken 14 days to cover, in good weather, and up to 30 days, when the rains turned the path to mud, it would take Sheka almost two years to map the route, with any accuracy. During his travels, along the "Main Trade Route", Sheka would spend many a day "hunkered down" inside caves, or under overhangs, while storms passed. With his family receiving the profits, from his work, Sheka knew that his job wa to make the best maps, which he could make. On the way to Shona, Sheka would find the "thing", which the priests maps called "The Beast". Now, granted, from a distance, it did, in fact, have the appearance, of a slumbering beast, but that was only from a distance. What Sheka found humorous was the various medalions, which were hung, from tree's, which "surrounded" the "beast". Medalions which, rumor held, would keep "evil" at bay. Cautiously approaching the thing, Sheka realized that what had looked like an open mouth, from a distance, was more like a cave entrance, from close up. Those black things, which, from a distance, might resemble teeth, turned out to be supports, similar to those used to support was, and roofs, in Ikran shelters. When Sheka steped inside the thing, though, and some lights came on, Sheka dived for the exterior (in case the thing WAS alive). When it went dark, upon his exit, Sheka tested the thing, a few times, before stepping inside. When Sheka found nothing, which he recognized, and nothing, which he could explain, upon his return, to Ikra, Sheka just decided to move on, after mapping the things position. What was it? When he reached Shona, though, Sheka followed his mothers advice, and stayed outside of town. When Sheka made his way back to Ikra, his sister cut him off, on the route, and brought him directly home, to get the news. Not only had their father died, but their mother was representing the family, in council, in Ikra. Sheka found out that his work was going on public trial, to decide if his maps were "sacreligious". After cleaning up, from his travels, Sheka rode into Ikra, where he was directed to the section, of the village hall, where trials took place. Here, Sheka found a vigorous debate going on, about his maps. Arguing, for his side, was his merchant sponsor. Sheka saw many samples, of his work, lain out, on tables, for all to see, with the merchant asking what was "sac-religious" about the detailed maps, which just showed the landscape, on either side of the "Main Trade Route". Arguing for the opposition, was a boat owner, who claimed to be "loyal to the gods", for protecting his boats from storms. (Never mind that his boats had never been successful, in stayng afloat, on their own.) Still, this man was insistent that Ikrans obey the "will of the gods", by denouncing Sheka's "blasphemy", and beg the return of the priests. As it turned out, the room was, bitterly divided between those who saw Sheka's work as progress, and those who held to the old ways. When the oppositiion claimed that Sheka's "maps" were the "Devil's work", Sheka's sponsor went to a nearby window, inviting others to join him, by saying "Let us take a look, out of the window and see if the boy is practicing "sac-relige" In fact, no one needed to look out of the window since everyone, present, knew that Sheka had only drawn whhat anyone could see was the general landscape, around the Ikran village. In the end, the decision came down to the "Holy Scriptures", and the chapter, regarding "progress". "Scripture" was quite clear, on "progress", in saying that it must be spiritual, in nature, or that it would endanger the village, and destroy the Ikrans. "Scripture" said that it was religion, which had saved the founders, of Ikra, who had, then, pledged never to advance beyond farming. While the debate went on, Sheka noticed a drawing, on the wall and thought he recognized what he saw, or, atleast PART of what he saw. On a very crudely drawn scroll, hanging from a wall, there was a drawing of some creature, with a wide mouth, and a long tail. Sheka thought he had seen something, similar, in his travels, but what he had, during his travels, was something which had NO tail. Ofcourse, Sheka would admit that he had only observed the thing from a distance, but had recalled that it looked off-white, with dark teeth. When Sheka was called forward, to answer to the charge, of "Heresy", Sheka asked what "heresy" he had committed. When his accuser said "The heresy of challenging the priests noble duty to make our maps", Sheka said he had committed no such heresy. He had, merely, mapped out certain area's, at the request of others. When his accuser brought forth a priests map, and said "This was drawn, by a priest, of the holy order. Do you challenge it?" Sheka asked "Challenge what? That "map" shows nothing but a few lines, on parchment. If you want to call that a "map", then so be it" When his accuser stood a finger on one piece, of Shekas map, and asked "Did you draw this?" Sheka said he had. His accuser said "He admits the heresy". Sheka then snatched one of the priests maps, from nearby, and asked "If my map is heresy, with its increased detail, then what is this one?" "In fact", Sheka said, as he pointed around the room, at other so-called "maps" "aside from the fact that mine is more detailed, what is the difference?" At that, the room fell silent, for a prolonged time. Finally, his accuser said "The difference is that THESE maps..." the man said, as his hand swept the room "...were made by priests, of the most reverred gods. Their work is sanctified. Is yours?" Sheka came back with "Atleast my work is honest. I only draw what I see, and all that I see". When several members of the audience murmured "true, his work is honest", the accuser said "True, or not, your work is not sanctified by the gods, as the priests maps are." After the accuser suggested sending a peace offering to the temple, while disciplining Sheka, for dis-obeying the gods, the first person spoke up, in Sheka's defense. "What for?", was the question. The follow-up, from another attendee, was "atleast Sheka's maps are true, and honest. They show details which the priests maps do not show". When the accuser shouted "Blasphemer!", another attendee spoke up, asking "What is?" The accuser then reminded the Ikrans of the Holy Scriptures, which had been handed down, since the dark times. The Scriptures said: "and it shall come to be made law that machines, curiousity, and all other "progress" shall be deemed the work of the Devil, who has corrupted the souls of men, and brought the Great Destruction upon man-kind. The prophet, James, has been sent among you, with the lords words written upon his mind. To survive, the village must abandon the old ways, and return to an agrarian lifestyle, of farming, and raising life-stock. This will please the gods, and keep the Ikran people safe" For as long as time had been recorded, in Ikra, the people had lived by the word of the Holy Scriptures. Now, his accuser said that Sheka wanted to change the village. Problem was that a growing number, of villagers, were asking how the simple making of maps would destroy the village? The decision would be left to the Ikran council of elders. In a decision taking three weeks to come to, the elders decided to let nature do their dirty work, for them. Since Sheka seemed to love danger, he would be given special permission to follow the "Road of the Ancients", and find out where it went. Since this path was, normally forbidden, Sheka received permission, then tried to find out how long the road might be. Problem was that some sources said that the path did not even exist (even though it could be seen, with the naked eye). Other sources said the path stretched into infinity. If one walked far enough, they would reach the end of the world. One thing Sheka knew, and that was that there would be no re-supply convoys, on this run. Once Sheka entered the path, no Ikran, high, or low, would dare come near. This is why Sheka asked the village blacksmith a favor. Sheka made a drawing, from an old book, some one had found, and Sheka hoped that the blacksmith could build the picture. The blacksmith said that the picture would take some time to build, considering its size. Sheka asked him just to let Sheka know when the device was done. Sheka then spent some time, on the family farm, and was impressed by its size, and the number of men who, now, worked the land, for the family. Sheka also visited an old friend, a few times, to let her know how much he missed her. When the new wagon was "completed", it was the tallest, ugliest, thing that Sheka ever saw. The black-smith cautioned Sheka to travel slowly, since the carriage was VERY top-heavy. (In fact, it was so tall that the wind could topple it). This is when Sheka changed the plans, and the black-smith said it would be another few months. The new design called for the top 3/4 to be cut off, and made into a series of carriages. Sure, it would, still, take a large team, of stout horses, to pull the carriages, but there would be no danger of toppling. When the new design was finished, everyone said it looked more like a wagon train, than a single wagon. Especially with the rear-most wagon being so HUGE. That was called the "tanker" wagon, to hold Sheka's water supply, since Sheka had no idea if the north was the "desert" which Scripture claimed that it was. Ahead of the "tanker" wagon, was the steering/bed-chamber wagon, while the middle wagons were for map-making, dining, and supplies storage. When Sheka departed Ikra, he had no idea that his friend was pregnant. His focus was on dealing with what might lie ahead. This, while the elders, and the religious ones, all hoped Sheka would meet his doom, in the wilderness. Sheka handled his horses very EASILY, since he had no idea if there were other horses, north of Ikra. Sheka's first surprise (but a small one), was that, north of the village, the lands did not turn into desert. In fact, the lands were green, lush, and ALIVE with all manner of creature. Several months north of the village, Sheka got his first, up-close look at one of the stone monuments, which, the Scriptures said, marked the "edge of life". Sheka just wished he could read the symbols, which were carved into the tall stones. The only thing which was obvious was that each stone marked a side of the path. Sheka drew the stones, as well as possible. Maybe four months past this point, Sheka came upon what the Scriptures called "Owl's Peak". Sheka could understand why when, as he got close to it, the thing was shaped like an owl. Sheka figured that it was anywhere from 500 feet tall, to 2,000 feet tall. It stood, facing the north, like a giant sentry. By the passage of the seasons, Sheka estimated that he was two, maybe three, years from Ikra, when he found a wide, flat, valley, surrounded by majestic mountains. In so many ways, this valley reminded Sheka of the village stories of the place once called "Paradise Valley". The only things, which did not fit the story, were the great "lumps", of vegetation, which covered large spaces. As Sheka drew closer, he realized that the "lumps" were not vegetation, at all. In fact, they were buildings, overgrown with vegetation. Sheka was amazed, never having seen such places, before. How they shined, even through the over-growth. Sheka wondered who might live here, since the buildings seemed to be in pristine condition. He would search several buildings, before coming to one which had what looked similar to the scrolls of Ikra. Although dust-covered, the objects appearred nearly brand new. Then, there were the lighted surfaces. Sheka spent a month just trying to understand what this place was. Finally, he bumped into a machine, and found a light running up, and down, his body. It didn't hurt, but it was "different". The the machine said "Caucasian male, probable language: English". Suddenly, Sheka found himself enclosed by the light, which, then, "bathed" him, before vanishing. When the light was gone, Sheka looked around him, yet all he saw were the same objects he saw, before. When he went back to the "scrolls", though, he found that he understood the writing on them. Without even thinking about it, he spent two years trying to understand what was in this place. Finally, he realized where he must be. This had to be Paradise Valley! Granted, it showed plenty of human development, but, beyond the buildings, plaza's, and so forth, this place DID fit the description from the Scriptures. He even found the granite blocks, which had the name chiselled in. What baffled Sheka, though, was that this place was not mentioned, in the Scriptures. According to the "Holy Scriptures", Paradise Valley was a place of lush greenery, where people came to live in peace. There was no mention of "libraries", apartments, and so on. Why had the prophet, James, left all of this OUT of Scripture? Sheka found the one answer, which he didn't want, in some volumes called "History of Paradise Valley". In this series, Sheka learned where a marker was located, to the north. It indicated the end of the Death March route, which history spoke of. History also spoke of a giant of a man, venturing into the darkness, of the march, and asking the people to follow him to the sun-light. When the people followed the man, he brought them to this place, to what would become Paradise Valley. Scripture did say that the people lived, for a time, in Paradise Valley, but that they were cast out. Scripture gave NO reason. History gave a reason. It seems that Paradise Valley was not just an overnight stop-over, as Ikrans had, always, been told. The ancestors actually settled the valley, and society was re-born, as it had been, in the mythical "America". According to History, though, the people did not just stay, and farm, they prospered, and lived here for anywhere from 3,000 years to 15,000 years. Then came the "dark time". History told of a few people who began grabbing power, until they gained control of the valley, including something called "Space Ports", and "Instellar Commerce". Feeling strangled, by the ambitions, of the few, various groups began to seek out new lands, then, under cover of darkness, the people faded away from Paradise Valley. Eventually, enough people departed the valley that made it impossible for the remaining population to keep the valley operating. History told that the last few, of the powerful people, boarded ships, and left for the stars. History also told that each group, of refugee's, took a different pathway, from the valley, in order to make new lives for themselves, and their families. This, atleast, explained why there were other villages, instead of just Ikra, and Shona. Sheka marked these volumes, then went in search of the marker, for the Death March. About ten miles north of the valley, he found the marker. It was, highly, corroded, but still readable. Un-fortunately, the trail, itself, was gone, maybe for as long as 20,000 years. Sheka would return to Paradise Valley, and read up, on the past, until he came to understand the machines, which still operated. Once he learned how to "talk" to the machines, via the keyboards, he called up images of distant, and mythical, places, such as Houston Texas, Atlanta Georgia, Chicago and Springfield Illinois, Washington D.C., and so on. These were places where, some said, the ancients came from. Sheka wondered what kinds of places these were, that people fled them, and came to "Paradise". He would not like this answer any more than the previous answer. If the various journals, and records, which Sheka was able to find, were accurate, the story was the darkest one he had ever known of. According to hundreds of sources, the story was, basically, the same. A point had come, when those, who controlled the mythical "America" realized that they couldn't just say "poverty, be gone", and expect poverty to be gone. As a "final solution", the powerful just pushed the powerless out of their homes, and told the powerless to "Get Lost, and dont come back". According to some journals, though, the powerless tried to stand their ground, in places like "Detriot", and "Chicago". The journals said that, one night, the sky turned "Bright as mid-day, on a sunny day" for several seconds, then fell dark, again. When the night returned, a fierce wind swept the area. When the refugee's looked upon the area, the next morning, everything was gone. This is when they joined the march. The refugee's marched south, until they reached something called the "Gulf of Mexico", whatever that was, then most just walked along the shore-line. The one thing, which ALL of the journals agreed upon, was that, for a very L-O-N-G time, there was no sun-light. Night and day were the same. No one was sure of how many refugee's died, on the march, or how many were killed. Some suspected the worst, when bodies were found "gutted". Most bodies, though, were found close to butchered live-stock, or half-eaten fish. Some writers wrote that they watched as some refugee's just fell over, dead, after marching for (who knew how long). Those who could, occassionally, looked back, and, in the distance, saw bright flashes, in the distance. When the winds came, now, they were distant. The refugee's were about to give up, with exhaustion, and desperation, as well as starvation, when the tallest, and formidably built, man they had ever seen, came forward, from the darkness, and invited the refugee's to come to his home, in the nearby valley. Those, who had the energy, joined the man, while the others just sat down. When the strongest saw what the man was offering, they would try to take some fresh food back to the refugee's, only to find bodies, either too weak to eat, or already dead. It seems that, once the people were fed, the man offered each a part of the valley, in return for a simple tribute, of food. After this, the journals seemed to become vague, for many years, as the people began to build a new home. Eventually, fire had been mastered, then the wheel, then something called "electricity". In time, machines, capable of reaching beyond the heavens were built, and more villages, called "colonies" would be created, in places far from this place, which the ancients called "Earth". Places called "Mars", and places which had numbers, instead of names. Eventually, though, the few took on power, and, instead of fighting, as they had done, in this "America" place, the many just packed up, and left. Since the new refugee's blamed the machines, for their new mis-fortune, several groups made pacts never to build the machines, or "society", ever again. What the refugee's forgot about was the outposts, which had been built to protect Paradise Valley. When Sheka found the location of one, such, outpost, he could not believe his own eyes. He even tripple-checked the location, to be sure. To his dis-belief, Sheka would learn that the central village, of Ikra, was built directly OVER the top of some buildings. "Laboratories", whatever that was. Sheka would only begin his return trip, to Ikra when his body began to hurt, and his hair began to turn white. How long he had been away, he had no idea. On his way back to Ikra, he had to make many stops, to pick up maps he had made, over the time-span, then he came upon the "stone guardians". Now, however, he could read the chiselled symbols, on the surface: Northern-most Radiation Safety Point Sheka recalled reading much about this stuff called "Radiation", during his trave, at the various, ancient places, which he had visited, on this trip, but he had no idea what radiation was. By the time Sheka would bring back his ONG train, of carts, loaded for bear, with his maps, and so on, to Ikra, his hair, and his beard, were white as snow. His youth was long gone, and his steps were slower, and more measured. Still, the people, of Ikra, were surprised that he had returned, at all. When Sheka went to see the friend he had said "Goodbye" to, so long ago, he found that she was old, and white-haired, as well. She did have news for him, though. The young woman Sheka had passed, on his way in, to see the woman, the young woman, with "flaming" red hair. She told Sheka "That is our daughter, Fyre" When Sheka asked what kind of name that was, for a woman, his friend said "I was going to call her Angel, or something like that, but our daughter has been as active as flame, since she was born. Thats why I changed her name to "Fyre". When the young woman came to tell her mother that the wash was up to dry, and asked "Mom, who is this man?", her mother told Fyre to prepare herself. "This is your father". Since Fyre never knew the man, she just said "Hello", then went on her way. Sheka's biggest challenge, though, lay before him, still. His task had included a promise to report what he learned (if he survived his task). Now' he had to decide what to tell a new council of elders (since those, who had held power, upon his departure, were either deceased, or senile). In public hearing, Sheka produced dozens of drawings he had made, of the non-mythical "Paradise Valley", but then he had to give the bad news. "Paradise Valley is not what we have been told it was. It was not just a settlement, such as Ikra is, nor was it populated, for only a short time. No, Paradise Valley existed, as something called a "city", for more moons than any of us can count. The closest I can come, to describing its age, would be to say that it was millions of moons old." When the council asked if it was true that the people received a "sign" which drew them to Ikra? Sheka had to say that the people fled Paradise Valley for much the same reason as the people had fled "America". The people were fleeing oppression, in Paradise Valley, which they fled, in the place their tales called "America". Sheka said that it was recorded that, when the people left Paradise Valley, they made a pact, blaming machines, and progress, for their problems, and set out to find new lands. The pact was to avoid progress, at all costs. After the meeting, Sheka would spend his later years telling camp-fire stories about traveling beyond the great, stone, pillars (while ommitting what the writing said), and how he had found, and lived in, Paradise Valley, for years. All while studying the great place. Whenever asked about the Death March trail, Sheka would only say that he found a marker, showing its end. The actual path was gone, "millions of moons ago". When not telling camp-fire stories, Sheka would help his daughter, Fyre, who ran a repair shop, in the village, now that the owner, whom Sheka had known, as a boy, was deceased. Sheka would learn that his daughter, like himself, was not one for "tradition". No, Fyre never wore dresses, even to community events. She was every inch the equal to any man who might come near her. It would seem that Fyre even chose NOT to take part, in the annual "mating" ritual, for un-married girls. Instead of being chosen, by a man, and becoming "just a mate", Fyre had taken on work, when the repair-shop became full of work. No one questioned Fyre, on her decision, since Fyre had a temper, especially when reminded that "You are just a girl." To Fyre, these were fighting words. In the repair shop, though, she seemed to be happy, and villagers were happy with her work. Fyre had an ambition, though, which she wanted to fulfill. To explain, she took her father down to the dock, where Ikrans tried to build new boat designs. Fyre said this was because the old river barges were becoming frightfully leaky, and it was just a matter of time... Fyre had come to notice boats well enough that she could tell her father how long it would take each boat to sink. She hoped to be the one to solve this problem. If daughter were, truly, like father, Sheka hhad no doubt that his daughter would, eventually, solve the problem. Sheka's most diifficult task would be to remember NOT to te fellow Ikrans the stories he had read, in Paradise Valey. The stories, which said that many of the people had "gone, to the stars". How could Sheka exlain space travel, when even he did not understand the practice. Instead, Sheka would tell his stories, about feeling of being "watched", as he foowed the old trails. When asked "Did you SEE what was trailing you?" Sheka would have to say "Never saw a thing, but I felt it, almost always." The only thing Sheka could say, with marginal safety, was that Paradise Valley had been inhabited for ateast 10,000 years. Beyond that, all wa guess work. In the final taly, though, Sheka would find that, over his years, of travel, his family had been aid enough sacks, of gold coins, for his efforts, that his family had no further want of trading power. Still, as long as Luna lived, she kept her family "grounded", as regular Ikrans. Sheka might have money, but the family was, still, "regular" people. When Sheka would be asked what the future might hold, for Ikra, all Sheka could say was "That is up to us to decide". When Sheka's time was "at an end", the man was found, on a cot, eyes closed, yet smiling, at something, which only he had seen.