Chronicle of Ages (18 page)

‘The wonderful woman in question is …' Cadwallon looked to Maelgwn with a cheeky grin on his face. ‘Your daughter.'

‘But —' Maelgwn was flabbergasted by the claim. ‘She hasn't even been born yet!'

‘In your reality, Dragon,' Cadwallon pointed out, as he took up Maelgwn's hand and shook it. ‘Congratulations, by the way, she is magnificent!'

‘Magnificent. In what regard?' Maelgwn was put off by Cadwallon's intonation.

‘In every regard,' Cadwallon vexed the expectant father whereupon he found himself in a headlock.

‘I just get over having to ward you off my wife, and now I have to ward you off my daughter?' Maelgwn tightened his grip on Cadwallon. ‘Please don't refer to my baby girl in a sexual context. Allow me to get used to having a daughter before I have to start morally defending her from the likes of you.'

‘My apologies, Dragon, but I couldn't resist,' Cadwallon squeezed out.

Maelgwn let his captive go and Cadwallon bounced away a few paces, still smiling broadly. ‘I don't suppose I should tell you that my twentieth century incarnation also had his eye on your wife then?'

‘I don't believe you!' Maelgwn moved to pursue Cadwallon, who had already taken off up the corridor, when Boadicea's whistle brought their antics to a grinding halt.

‘Come, children.' She beckoned them to follow. ‘Chow's up.'

 

On the same level as their quarters, down the end of the corridor, was what Boadicea described as a canteen and recreation room, but the lads from the Dark Age considered it looked more like a banquet room.

From the door, the food was laid out on a long table that ran all the way down to the far wall. Some of the cuisine they recognised, but much of the food on offer they had never seen before. This feast was tended by some mighty savoury looking females.

‘Take a plate,' invited one of the women from behind the food service counter. ‘Help yourselves to whatever takes your fancy.'

Cadwell decided he detected an invitation to sample more than just the exotic food. ‘Paradise.' Cadwell rubbed his hands together, gleefully, of the mind to take the lovely lady up on her kind offer.

‘Watch yourselves,' Boadicea warned them all. ‘These women are of the Leonine breed, and the Chosen are forbidden to mate with any of the other human breeds.'

‘What a crying shame,' Cadwell considered, as he gazed at the lovely lioness who had the most amazing mass of long auburn hair he'd even seen.

‘The Leonine women in particular can be very persuasive.' Boadicea expanded on her caution. ‘What they wouldn't do to have the child of a demi-god to lead their race to greatness over their Nefilim creators.'

The woman Cadwell had been admiring hissed at Boadicea as she overheard her advice to the menfolk and made a slashing motion with her long fingernails before walking away.

When the political implications of such a seduction hit home, the idea tended to lose its appeal. ‘Well, the food looks good anyway,' Cadwell resolved.

‘Good lad.' Boadicea gave him a slap on the back that almost winded him.

‘You're very strong,' Cadwell gasped out as he accompanied the warrioress to the food service area.

‘Sir Rhys reporting for duty, your Majesty.'

Maelgwn's heart leapt into his throat as he turned to take the hand of his long-time friend and shake it firmly. ‘I knew you'd get here.'

The knight nodded his head. ‘I only had to spend one half my life fighting crusades and other half leading an uprising against the sheriffs and the prelates of the Church to get here.'

‘Sounds pretty familiar.' Maelgwn nodded in accord. ‘And by what name are you known these days?'

‘Robin of Loxley … in my era, you were known as Little John,' he informed Maelgwn. ‘Due to your huge stature … you haven't changed much, I see.' He slapped one of the warrior's broad shoulders.

It wasn't that Maelgwn was much taller than Robin, just that he was more muscular than most, present company included.

‘This lad here was my cousin, Will Scarlet.' Robin referred to Cadwallon, who shook Robin's hand in greeting. ‘And the fellow down yonder, stuffing his face, was known as Much.' He looked to Cadwell, delighted to see him. ‘My three dearest and most trusted companions are all here. I can hardly believe it.'

‘What kind of a name is Much?' Cadwell wandered back to query the newcomer.

Cadwallon had to take advantage of that question and answered in Robin's stead. ‘As in, he doesn't love himself … Much.'

All present got a laugh out of the comment, although Cadwell wasn't amused.

‘How did you know?' Robin questioned Cadwallon as he laughed along with him.

‘Yeah, well, in my time, you,' Cadwell pointed to Robin, ‘were the bastard son of Sir Gawain and some whore from Degannwy.' Cadwell wandered back to the food.

Robin looked rather perturbed about the news a moment.

‘Don't feel bad,' Cadwallon appealed, as he made a move to get something to eat. ‘I was the bastard son of King Brockwell and some whore from Aberffraw in Maelgwn's era.'

Robin stood in a daze a moment, wearing a silly smirk on his face. ‘Damn, it's good to see you all.'

‘The feeling is mutual,' Maelgwn assured him.

 

The rest of their squadron was seated around one of the huge tables in the rec-room, which was otherwise devoid of people.

‘Are we the only newcomers?' questioned Cadwell, as he seated himself.

Candace shook her head. ‘There are many accommodation decks in this module, so we keep the new arrivals of different squads separated until they are familiar with the people in their own crew. So, I suggest we all sit down and get reacquainted.' She waved Maelgwn and Robin to comply, as they were dragging the chain.

Maelgwn sat down in the closest available seat and, as he was still lost in conversation with Robin, he didn't notice whom he was planting himself next to.

‘Long time no see, Dragon.'

The hairs on the back of Maelgwn's neck stood on end as he recognised Vanora's voice, and he turned round to confirm his horror. ‘What is she doing here?' He rose right out of his seat upon sighting her. ‘She destroyed my marriage, half my kingdom and more!'

‘I told you he'd still hold a grudge,' she commented to Candace, before looking back to Maelgwn. ‘We've all done things under Mahaud's influence that we regret, haven't we? I did amend my wrongdoing in the end.'

‘Tis true,' Cadwell backed her up. ‘Vanora wed Eormenric of Saxony, and did much to aid the peace between our kingdoms in my lifetime.'

Maelgwn realised that, by the very fact of her presence here, she must have done something to prove her worth. ‘You'll have to grant me a little time to adjust my perspective.' He was again seated beside her, although he still didn't feel comfortable about the arrangement.

‘Okay.' Candace slapped her hands together and stood. ‘I believe you're all familiar with myself. I am Candace of Shamar and by my Lord Marduk's appointment, I am to be the second in command of this rowdy rabble of a squadron.'

‘Second in command to whom?' Robin queried, whereby all the older recruits looked to Maelgwn.

‘Me?' Maelgwn was stunned, considering the present company. ‘Why me?'

‘Yeah, why him?' Cadwell was also curious to know.

‘Because he is the most spiritually advanced soul-mind among us,' Candace stated plainly, raising her brows to invite an argument from anyone on that point. ‘Thus our squadron has been dubbed Dragon Squad.'

‘I love it!' Cadwell exclaimed.

Although his team-mates seemed pleased with their code name, Maelgwn slouched in his seat, appearing none too thrilled by the news. ‘Why is it always me who gets placed in a position of authority? Why can't I just be one of the foot soldiers for a change?'

‘That's strange,' Candace frowned. ‘I was of the impression that you liked to be well informed?'

‘Well … there is that,' Maelgwn conceded, raising both brows.

But before Candace could inform anyone else of their squadron positions, she introduced the last member of their team, whom few of the people present readily recognised. ‘This is Pocahontas of the Powhatans tribe,' Candace announced, ‘but her Chosen name is Rebecca.'

She was a red-skinned warrioress, who was rather diminutive in size. Her long black hair was separated into many braids, that were all pulled back into one neat ponytail.

‘Most of you will be wondering why I am here,' Rebecca began.

‘I know you.' Cadwell gave her a wink. ‘You're Selwyn's other half.'

Maelgwn was delighted to learn that his bard had found his significant other. ‘This must have happened after my departure from Gwynedd?'

‘Indeed,' Rebecca confirmed. ‘Although I must confess I have only just started exploring my past lives, so I still remember little of my lifetime in the Dark Ages.'

‘Not to worry, Rebecca, you are most welcome among our ranks,' Maelgwn assured her, and those present seconded the sentiment.

Once the introductions were over, Candace informed those present that everyone within Dragon Squad had been pre-selected and pre-programmed to perform a specialised function within the team in accordance with their outstanding callings or failings in past and present lives.

Cadwallon, having proven to be technically minded in past lives, was the on-board systems analyst. Rebecca, who was an excellent scout, would adapt her talents to specialise in vehicle tracking systems. Cadwell had been none too happy when he'd discovered he'd been cheated out of the pilot's position by Robin. Cadwell was to be navigator and co-pilot, which required him to think harder than he cared to most of the time, which was exactly why the responsibility had been assigned to him. Ione, who had always been one to strike first and talk later, was the visual and audio correspondent, so that she might refine her observation and verbal communication skills. Vanora, having had much experience with protocol and otherworldly communications of the positive and negative varieties, was to be the ET communication advisor. Talynn was already specialising in munitions, and Sibyl was the squadron seer and healer.

On the whole there were no arguments from the squadron in regard to particular assignments within a
team framework, for none could dispute that the tasks were well suited to their capabilities.

 

By the end of the meal, those present were all reasonably well acquainted with the others of the squadron, and now that they were all finally assembled in the same place and moment, it was time for their first induction lecture.

Candace led the excited recruits to the large greenhouse room on the same level of the
Aten
— there was one natural reserve on each floor of the new recruits' module. Inside this huge nature sanctuary, large shield windows awarded beautiful views of deep space, and amid all the gardens there was a small grassy amphitheatre, where the whole squad was asked to be seated.

‘So!' Robin lay back on the grass to support himself on his elbows. ‘What's this induction all about?' He aimed his question at Candace, as she seemed to be more in the know than anyone.

Candace shrugged in response. ‘You know as much as I do,' she advised. ‘As this is the first time our squad has been assembled in its entirety, this is the first induction lecture I have attended.'

‘Might we receive a mission?' Cadwell rubbed his hands together with great anticipation.

Talynn found this premise rather amusing, considering their new recruits lacked training. ‘I hardly think so.'

Cadwell was both curious and offended by her reaction. ‘Why not?'

As Talynn opened her mouth to explain, the artificial lighting in the greenhouse dimmed and everyone fell silent as Seshut manifested in the middle of the little amphitheatre's lecture area.

‘Welcome, Dragon Squad, to this your first induction lecture.'

Seshut began by introducing herself as she had to Maelgwn earlier, and enlightened those not already aware that she was to be their spiritual advisor here on the
Aten
.

‘Each one of you has proven yourself a prodigy of your race,' Seshut continued. ‘You have advanced physically, mentally and spiritually beyond the realms of normal human understanding and thus you have been chosen to lead the way to the next stage of Homo sapiens' evolution. Through your striving you have raised the consciousness of your individual soul-minds to a level where you have established your first direct unity with the Logos of your solar system, from which you were all originally projected forth into existence.'

At this point Cadwell raised his hand to question with a frown. ‘The Logos?'

Seshut smiled, understanding his confusion. ‘Every solar system in the universe has a Logos or guardian spirit who presides over its evolution and involution from higher states of awareness down through a physical manifestation and back to archetypal consciousness once more. This cycle takes seven rounds of evolution to complete, each evolution taking place on a different planet within that same solar system, although these planets are not all present on the physical plane. The
evolution you have known has come during the fourth round of development of this system's Logos, where matter and spirit have been interwoven to form countless relations. This is the turning point where the involution of this system's Logos, Apsu, begins the ascent back upward through the planes towards higher consciousness and understanding. And the Chosen Ones, as his prize students, will take the journey back to divinity with him … some of you are destined to become the Planetary Logos of the future.'

This suggestion certainly served to make Seshut's breathless audience gasp with awe.

‘And thus the universe will continue to expand and host new life,' Seshut concluded.