Chapter 6

7 April 2017
American Embassy, Moskva, Rossiyskaya Federatsiya

The Embassy reception for the newly arrived trade delegation was in full swing. The delegation was headed by the new Secretary of Commerce, which would not have attracted a great deal of attention under most circumstances – but when the official in question was a nineteen foot long red and gold dragon, things took on a decidedly more lively tone.

The Minister for Economic Development was currently talking to her as she stayed near the heating vents on one side of the room. “I must say, Irinya Piotrevna, your appointment to this post was something of a surprise to our people.”

“And what makes you say that, Alexey Stefanovich?”

He smiled at her. “After all, you had not previously served in your government.”

The dragon nodded acknowledgement. “True. I suspect it was in part because I attracted attention after the Event – one hears about Bulls and Bears, and sometimes a Wolf of Wall Street, but when the Dragon Lady actually became a dragon... It was bound to cause talk.”

“It certainly did. Your President does seem to be quite willing to select... what do you call it in English? Changelings?” The dragon nodded. “Changelings, to important posts. You, the Secretary of Education, two of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and of course the Director of the NSA... is there something to the Desert Realm's insistence on calling her a prophetess?”

“I understand that Prince Haroun is somewhat old-fashioned about such things. I'm sure it's only a sign of respect for her abilities as an analyst. And why should such things surprise you? After all, your own Premier is a bear now, in form as well as name.”

“Ah, but he was already the Premier when he changed. Most heads of governments remain unchanged, and few appoint any of the Changed to important posts. Your country and mine, and of course China, are the major exceptions.”

“Three of the largest and most important, Alexey. And India has also brought many Changelings into their government. Perhaps it is that important nations value talented people, no matter the form of their bodies?”

“As you say, Irinya. And of course, Wei Lung seized power on his own, so perhaps that does not count.”

Irene Makovsky, the Dragon Lady of Wall Street and Trader by decree of the Eldest, curled her tail around herself. “He seems to be doing a good job, though. Some of our sources tell us that he plans to step... not down, but back, perhaps? He prefers to exercise a veto power and overall guidance rather than day to day control. Still, I am sure the Beijing stop on my itinerary will prove to be quite interesting.”

"I am sure it will. But for now... we understand that nephrite jade is the new copper? We do have some deposits in our Far East, and we might be interested in a joint development arrangement..."

* * * *

Faya-Largeau
Princedom of the High Desert, formerly Chad

Faya-Largeau was a rather drab and uninteresting town that gave no indication that it had been part of the back-and-forth fighting between Libya and Chad in the latter half of the twentieth century. In the wake of the Event and the return of Ba-Yabel from its millenia-long slumber, an agricultural revolution had started as its aquifers were supplemented by increasing amounts of rainfall. The town also possessed the closest airport to Ba-Yabel that remained outside the tech-exclusion zone surrounding the capital of the High Desert.

A Hercules C-130 had arrived the day before, bringing a security detachment, supplies, and equipment for the American embassy. Now, a Gulfstream G-V in the livery of the US Navy touched down just before dawn. The plane rolled to a stop and parked next to the Hercules, and an honor guard marched to the cabin door. To the left were American Marines in full dress uniform; to the right were soldiers of the High Desert, their own dress uniforms red and white, with polished breastplate armor and armed with halberds instead of the American bayoneted rifles. Waiting at the foot of the ladder were two full humans, one blond and sun-browned, the other dark-haired and obviously one of the local Bedouin in ancestry. The commanding officers of the two military detachments, a fennec in the uniform of the Marines and a human of the High Desert, stood at attention behind them.

The Gulfstream's door opened, the stairs were lowered, and a white-furred wolf Changeling emerged, followed closely by the tall gray wolf who was her chief bodyguard. The blond human smiled and offered his hand. “Director Lowe. I'm Frank Cabell, cultural attache for the American Embassy. Welcome to the High Desert.”

She shook his hand. “A pleasure to meet you, sir.”

Cabell glanced at his counterpart as the wolf turned to greet him, as well. He started to bring his hand up, stopped and dropped it again, and finally, obviously steeling himself, extended his hand to her. “Mahmoud al-Faisal, Chamberlain of the Palace. My master, Prince Haroun, extends his greetings and his welcome to you, Diviner. And to Shadow and Guardian as well.”

He flinched as Lowe took his hand in hers, and then his eyes went wide as she turned to stare up past his shoulder and to the left. “Thank you for the welcome, your Highness. Up early this morning?” She grinned at the patch of sky, her tongue flopping in the canine way of laughter, then returned her attention to the official party and released Mahmoud's hand, ignoring the way he wiped his palm on his clothing. “Have you had a chance to check out the car we brought?”

Cabell shrugged. “Only briefly, Dr. Lowe. I gather this is one of the new models?”

She nodded. “A prototype, really. We installed one of the new engines in a Navigator, and this is its first field test. Where is the edge of the exclusion zone?”

“About ten kilometers west, Director.”

“Good. They want to know what happens in a full magic environment. But I do know how to ride a horse if something goes wrong with it.”

Cabell grinned. “Good to know, ma'am. Shall we be on our way?”

Lowe nodded. “I think so, yes. The whole point of this arrival at oh-dark-hundred was to get the travelling done before the weather heated up too much.” She gestured with a thick-furred arm. “I'm not exactly adapted to the local climate.”

* * * *

Sixty kilometers to the northwest, Haroun laughed and poked the American ambassador in the ribs as the American wolf stared straight at him through his mirror and greeted him directly. “I like her already, James. How did she know where my scrying point was?”

“She's very good at what she does, your Highness.”

“So I see. And Mahmoud followed his instructions. He's making progress, even if he probably wants to wash his hands now. They'll be arriving at noon or so, and then they'll have a chance to rest before dinner tonight. It was a stroke of genius, though, distracting most of your press with that flashy trade mission to Asia.”

“Well, if you have a dragon in your Cabinet, your Highness, why not use it to your advantage?”

* * * *

The driver of the modified SUV was more than a little suspicious of the new power plant. “It's running on gasoline, but I don't see -how-.” Whitford sat in the front with him, watching their surroundings as they traveled and ignoring the man's complaints. Lowe and Sterling napped in the rear seat. The new motor was quiet, at least, the only sound above that of the drive-train being a weirdly crystalline throbbing. The other vehicles that were convoying them stopped to unload about a kilometer before they reached the no-tech line. The troopers mounted up, as did Cabell and al-Faisal. Fifty kilometers at the speed of horses took five hours, and they arrived at the city just before noon.

The passage of the Lincoln Navigator through the streets of Ba-Yabel was a spectacle, as the moderns were shocked that the Americans had managed to get a car to work in the city, while those from the city's past had never seen one at all. Lowe was a bit embarrassed about the whole thing. “Should have just ridden in, desert or no.”

Sterling did not agree. “Desert heat may be bad for you, Jandi, but desert daylight would just about do me in. Even in here behind the dark glass, it's painful. Let's just get to the embassy and hope they remembered to assign me quarters in the basement.” It took them another hour to cover the last half-mile, and at that it was only due to the cavalry troop clearing the way so they could pass at all. Sterling breathed a heartfelt sigh of relief as they finally made it into the embassy compound and parked the vehicle beside the antique carriage in the stable.

The ambassador was there to greet them. “Director Lowe, Captain Sterling, Mr. Whitford. It's good to meet you. His Highness is looking forward to your meeting this evening.”

The white wolf accepted the offered handshake. “Low-key, I hope? We've done our best to distract the press with Trader's mission.”

“Of course. Haroun understands the need to keep a security mission secure.” He grinned at the pun, then became serious again. “I gather there is more to it than that, though. Why you three in particular?”

Lowe shook her head. “Need to know, I'm afraid, Ambassador. There are things going on at the very highest levels.” <At the very highest levels,> she thought. <Not even the President knows all of it.>

Knight nodded. “I understand, Director. You'll forgive my curiosity, I hope.”

Lowe grinned. “I can hardly fault anyone for wanting to know, given what -my- job is. But...”

“But I don't have the clearance for whatever it is. I'm used to that, actually.”

“Good. Now, if we can be shown to our quarters? I'm afraid Captain Sterling did not enjoy the overland trip.”

“Certainly. Right this way...”

* * * *

Mahmoud was ordered to report as soon as he returned to the Palace. He bowed as he presented himself to Prince Haroun. “They are at their Embassy, your Highness, as you wished.”

“Excellent. You did well, Mahmoud. Was it so terrible, touching her hand?”

Mahmoud stiffened. “She is female, an infidel, and unclean.”

The prince shook his head. “I do not think that is the correct word, Mahmoud. She cannot be an infidel. The word means unfaithful. She has never professed faith in Islam, so she can hardly be guilty of being unfaithful to her vows. She cannot help her form. And while I grant that she is female, this is hardly a bad thing either. Your imams, I think, have misinterpreted the words of the Prophet.”

“But they are the ones who have studied the words, your Highness! How can they be mistaken?”

“By not understanding how the words of Allah relate to the world that was created, Mahmoud. They do not see how the words should be interpreted in the light of Creation, rather than living in a world where mere words on paper – often the words of other scholars rather than those of the Q'ran - override the Truth. You should think on this more, Mahmoud. And think for yourself, do not merely repeat what you have been taught. No mere man is perfect, not even the imams who have devoted their lives to the words of the Prophet.”

He bowed. “As you command, your Highness.”

* * * *

The wolves rode to the Palace that evening dressed as part of the Marine contingent escorting the Ambassador's carriage. The bat flew on her own, shrouded from sight by her own magic as she moved from shadow to shadow.

The Palace rose above most of the town, the outer walls rising perhaps ten stories above the street, the pale yellow stone glowing in the soft light of magicked illumination. The walls were fully repaired now after the abortive jihad-inspired revolt four years previously, and new construction was obvious along the top of the wall. Sterling reappeared as the wolves dismounted. “Not bad. He's got mortar batteries set up now, and there is a lot of spell-based reinforcement. I could probably get through overhead, but I don't think even I could do it without being spotted. There's a warding dome over the whole place.”

Whitford nodded. “Good to know he's taking his security seriously.” They rode through the gate, Sterling now perched on the carriage next to the driver as they passed through the tunnel that led to the inner courtyard. The inner building did not reach the height of the walls, but was far more attractive, the outer colonnades a cross between Greek and Egyptian styles, with minarets at the four corners of the actual building where the Sorceror Prince lived..

Mahmoud was waiting for them at the doorway. “If you will come with me..?” He led them inside, through a maze of smaller hallways and rooms until they reached a small but ornate set of double doors. He opened them, and bowed. “Your guests, your Highness.” He stood up and gestured them through at a quiet word from beyond, then closed the door behind them.

Prince Haroun was short by modern standards, his skin desert-browned and his black hair slightly stippled with gray. He had a neatly trimmed moustache and goatee, and a penetrating gaze. With him this evening was his First Consort, Lady Noor, who was quite obviously of Mongolian stock, with the bronze skin and epicanthic fold of the steppes. A cheerful glint in her eyes accompanied her broad smile, and both of them stood to welcome their guests. “Diviner, Guardian, Shadow. It is good to meet you at last.”

Lowe smiled. “And it is good to meet you and Lady Noor, your Highness.”

He waved away the honorific. “We are fellow Immortals here. There is no need for titles. You may be younger, but we are essentially equals.”

Her ears perked up. “You are speaking English without spells now?”

Haroun nodded. “My lady has been coaching me. A most unusual language, in many ways. Still, the common roots with Latin and Greek help. But let us sit and eat while we talk.”

The five seated themselves around the low table and for a few minutes the conversation was limited to polite banalities and the serious business of filling plates. When everyone was settled, Haroun opened the real conversation. “I asked you three to meet with me because you are among the most powerful of the new Immortals – and you in particular, Diviner, because Bast has been telling me for years now that you have long-range plans that we should discuss.”

Lowe nodded. “I suspect that at least part of her enthusiasm was due to the presentation. I talked to her about it after she had seen the launch of a small satellite and had her first close-up view of an oceanic freighter. Whether I can generate the same level of charisma here...” She chuckled. “Perhaps I should put it off until you can visit and see the same things, but the time will soon be coming when that won't be possible. The short version of it is that according to what I have been able to find out from the Eldest, from Bast herself, and the others, is that space flight is impossible to do using mana, that the dependence of magic on planetary mass means that it is only possible using electrical based techniques. And so I want to preserve as much of that knowledge as possible through this cycle, so that when things change again in another two or three thousand years, we can switch back quickly and pick up where we left off. We can live on other worlds using magical techniques – but we cannot travel there until the magic fades again. When that happens, I want to be able to help the mortals relearn as quickly as they can. So that the next time, we can go back to the Moon, go to Mars and Europa and Io and Titan and perhaps beyond this solar system while we can.”

“A noble goal, it would seem. Can we do that? Will there be enough of us to remember what needs to be done?”

“That is the question, really.” The bat joined the conversation for the first time. “There are always practical things to remember that never seem to be written down, but only passed from master to apprentice. We have a few Immortals with actual experience – Forge is one – but we need to find a way to keep more people alive through the coming part of the cycle.”


Noor nodded. “The way that Haroun keeps me alive, you mean?”

Lowe sketched a seated bow. “Exactly. If we can study those techniques, and add them to the detailed knowledge we now have of how life works, at the fundamental level, I hope – well, our Healer thinks we can – extend the technique, make it simpler to use, and safer than your spells, your Highness, if what the Eldest has said is accurate.”

“Ah, ah – no titles, remember?”

“What should we call you, then? I don't think the Eldest has mentioned his name for you.”

Noor chuckled. “He is simply The Sorcerer, actually. He is a generalist, I think you would say. He has a great many types of magic at his command.”

“A jack of all trades, then?” Whitford leaned forward, his ears perked. “You know something of all kinds of magic, but are not the foremost in any one field?”

Haroun nodded. “Close enough, I would say. Although by now, perhaps I am a master in some, at least. Haroun is not my true-name, in any event, so you may use it without concern.”

Lowe nodded. “Very well, then... Haroun. To get back to the subject at hand, I want to mesh magic and science. The rules may have changed, but they can still be studied scientifically. And if we merge the two disciplines, we will have the chance to build something truly lasting. Besides, the more places we go, the less likely that a single disaster can destroy everything.”

Noor smiled. “You have a grand vision, Diviner. It may not be possible, but I agree with you, I think. We should certainly try. Haroun, my husband?”

He nodded in turn. “I do believe you are right, my dear.” He turned back to the wolf. “Your America will have to take the lead, I suspect, Diviner. I will be spending much of my time bringing my people into harmony with the modern world, and dealing with the former powers in this part of the world who would contest that. But you will certainly have my voice in the councils of the Immortals, and any help I can provide, I will.”

Lowe smiled. “Thank you.”

“You are most welcome. Now... I understand that you are coming into your true powers now, Diviner, and that Shadow is well on the way to understanding hers as well. What about you, Guardian?”

Whitford shifted in his seat. “I have been picking up Thor's combat techniques easily, and I was already skilled with modern weaponry. Stardancer says that I have been a necessary participant in two of her major workings, both involving protecting something from outside interference...”

Haroun chuckled at that. “I know all about the first one, yes...”

Both wolves chuckled, and even Sterling snorted a brief laugh. “I suppose you would, at that. She says there is something more, but we haven't yet figured out what it is. Presumably something else protective in nature, but one of the modern sayings is that the best defense is a good offense, so it's hard to say what it might be. So we'll keep our eyes open and our noses in the wind.”

“Always a good strategy, Guardian. Now that we have that out of the way, Diviner... what news do you have of the attempt on your vehicle...?