9

Rebecca rode with her grandparents in their own horse-drawn carriage as they started their tour of the mighty Utopia Fortress, with her grandfather at the reins.

“Look darling, there’s the main school house,” Lisa pointed to a timber building they were passing. On the other side of the road was a low, but imposing, stone building. “And, just coming up - the armoury.”

“In there are all the weapons we need for war,” Tony said. “All we carry with us are our swords and javelins. Over there are the main stables. And there - that’s the library and that’s the museum.”

They passed by Bull’s wood and stone house just as he arrived home. He waved at them before disappearing inside.

“Bull has a large home,” Rebecca observed, looking back as they passed.

“He needs the big rooms so children of all ages can gather together,” Lisa explained. “He spends most of his time with trainees.”

“And in the back there’s a swimming pool,” Tony added, “and courts for basketball, tennis and other games. Most of the sports played on Earth started out here thousands of years ago.”

“You will learn so much here,” Lisa said, patting her hand. “You will be encouraged to think and understand, so that you can form and express your own views.”

“Bull is in charge of all education,” Tony explained. “He continually enriches his students with knowledge, including any new discoveries either from here or from Earth.”

They passed a large playground structure with young Orizons, Amazons, and Centaurs cavorting happily on the grounds.

“This is our orphanage,” Tony said, the pride shining through in his face. “It’s shared by Orizons, Amazons, and even Centaurs. Everyone in Utopia knows all the children by their first names. In fact, we have all adopted them.”

“The native language for Orizon children is ancient Greek,” Lisa said, “but they all learn English and the language of the race they come from as well. There are no exams or grades, only discussions. It is a better way to learn.”

Her grandparents continued their running commentary as the carriage passed a huge stadium and proceeded on to the administrative building that housed Felicia’s home. They pointed out indoor and outdoor theatres, the printing house, halls for cultural events and the colleges of fine art and music.

“We have centres for every form of art,” her grandfather explained. “Places where talented composers, musicians, directors and actors involved in all kinds of theatre and music can gather and exchange ideas. There are performances of most plays that have been staged on Earth, but we also put on dramatisations of literary works that have been forgotten there. It’s very interesting, very worthwhile. Our minds must have places where they can take flight and rejoice as well as work. Everything is done joyfully and enthusiastically, with no hidden agendas, by volunteers who love what they do. You’ll meet great artists here, Rebecca, some of whom made history on Earth, where no one ever knew that they were Orizons!”

Her face lit up. “Will I be able to meet some of my favourite actors?”

“Of course. But here, all actors and actresses are equally useful and receive the same recognition, irrespective of how they look or whether or not they play leading roles. You’ll also meet a brilliant composer, whose wonderful compositions we all adore. He’s also a mighty warrior. He had to leave Earth while he was still young.

“There are always concerts on, of all kinds of music. We also have dance competitions to suit every age group and taste. We often have parties in our homes as well as in recreation centres. It’s all about encouraging warm, human contact. However, I don’t know if your schedule will allow you to attend any of the cultural events at this first stage of your training.”

After sightseeing for over an hour, they approached the Fortress Walls and paused before an imposing stone gate.

“Here, the Great Gate of the Fortress!” Tony said, exchanging waves with the guards as he urged the horses on through the gates and into the outside world.

“See the trees?” Lisa asked. “That is our forest, called Domus. Many hard-fought battles have taken place there. Some parts of Domus are also used as training and exercise grounds. The treeless area which runs all around the Fortress is deemed to be a battle zone and the enemy has the right to use it when attacking. But beyond that point, where the houses of the Orizons, Amazons and Centaurs are located, the land belongs to Utopia. The enemy never goes there and never touches non-combatants or their belongings. Domus Forest is immense and it is neutral ground in times of peace, used by everyone. Every species of animal is represented there, without exception, even all sorts of dinosaurs, although all animals here are vegetarians and are non predatory!”

“Now we’re heading home and when we get there I’ll show you a map of the Land of the White Sun so that you can get your bearings,” said Tony “Every Orizon family has about twelve acres of land where, apart from the house, there are stables for the animals and orchards and fields where we grow whatever we like. We all have plenty of water that comes down from Mount Thunder and is channelled through a series of interconnected basins to wherever else it is needed. The whole system uses clay pipes so that water quality is never affected.

“As you can see, each house stands more or less in the middle of its plot of land and on a slightly raised artificial platform. Any water used in the house is then directed to the rest of the land through an irrigation system made of clay, sand and plant fibres. In this way, we irrigate all our fields without needing to discharge dirty or used water into our lakes and seas. It is a developed ecological purification system.”

“Do people build their own houses?” Rebecca asked.

“With the assistance of volunteers,” replied her grandfather. “We help one another, and we do so with pleasure. We also work together, as willing volunteers, on the public buildings within the Fortress and wherever else we’re needed - making weapons or other metal or crystal objects, printing, building furniture, and cleaning and maintaining all the facilities.

“We keep a few hundred houses empty. Couples who get married and start a family get one of these houses and cultivate its land. Until such time, the fields surrounding the vacant houses are left untilled. The trees continue to bear fruit, of course, and anyone can help themselves to the fruit and nuts, but that rarely happens because everyone has more than enough land of their own to live off comfortably. Everything here is simple and easy, unlike on Earth where, in order to build their houses, people mix the soil with sweat and blood instead of water and lime.”

“Everything we’ve told you applies not only for Orizons, but also for Amazons and Centaurs,” Lisa said. “We all have the same responsibilities. The only difference is that the doors on Centaurs’ houses are a little larger, to allow for their size.”

“When they were on Earth, the Centaurs were a savage, unprincipled tribe,” Tony said, “but everyone has the capacity for change if they want to use it. When they moved to this land they chose the side of Good, so now they are in our camp. The Gods, wanting to reward them for their decision, created female Centaurs so that they could reproduce.

“Something similar happened to the Amazons, who were divided on Earth between good and bad. Once here, however, they immediately joined the ranks of the Good. So the Gods rewarded them too, in roughly the same way. The Gods permitted marriages between Amazons and male Orizons, so that their all-female race wouldn’t become extinct. Quite a lot of male Orizons are married to Amazons. In those cases if they have a daughter, she becomes an Amazon, and if they have a son, he becomes an Orizon.

“To stand out in battle, we Orizons wear white leather or silk clothes, blue boots and blue belts. The Orizon uniform has a blue sun emblem emblazoned on the chest. The Amazons wear brown leather clothes and boots. The Sharkans wear black leather clothes and boots, while the Porth and Cyclopes wear green.”

After a while they approached the family farm.

“You have no fences?” Rebecca exclaimed, surprised.

“Why would we need them?” Lisa asked.

They passed stables, hen-houses, and the barn before driving into the carriage shed and dismounting. As Tony tended to the horses, Lisa put her arm around Rebecca affectionately.

“And now it’s time for girl stuff!” she said, laughing at her granddaughter’s look of puzzlement. “Well, unless you intend to go on wearing your Earth clothes for ever! Let me show you your room and the clothes I’ve made for you.”

The house opened into a large living area that was practical, yet inviting. There were several beautiful paintings and sculptures on the walls.

“Wow, what a lovely house,” Rebecca said. “Did you do the paintings?”

Lisa nodded and led her through to a large farmhouse kitchen. “Come, I’ll show you our favourite room where we make everything. You’re an artist so I know you’ll appreciate it.”

Through another door, they entered a big workroom filled with artists’ materials, screens for printing, kilns and looms.

“I’ve always dreamed of having a place like this to work in,” Rebecca said, wandering from one object to another, examining and stroking them. “What a wonderful space. Can I come in here when you are working and watch? I want to learn everything.” She stopped in front of an object she didn’t recognise - a strange crystal pipe with water flowing through it. “What’s that?”

At that moment Tony followed them in. “It’s water, heat, light, power,” he explained, “all supplied by a crystal, water source. You’ll learn all about it in your ecology classes.”

Rebecca allowed her grandmother to show her to the simple, well-crafted room that was to be hers, and watched as she indicated the wardrobe. Lisa leaned on the doorframe and heard Rebecca gasp as she opened the doors.

“I do hope they’ll fit. I asked your mother for measurements - but you’ve grown so much!”

Inside the wardrobe were rows of clothes, all made of soft leather, silk, and other fine materials. Rebecca ran her fingers through them, enjoying the softness, unable to suppress a smile of sheer pleasure.

“Why don’t you spend some time trying things on before we eat,” Lisa suggested. “Come and find us when you’re ready.”

***

Tony and Lisa were placing food on the dining room table when Rebecca emerged from her room in a white silk, ancient Greek style dress that showed off her slight, muscular form and long, slender legs.

“Now aren’t you just one beautiful, young Orizon woman!” Lisa exclaimed, and Rebecca could tell from the smiles on both their faces that they were as pleased as she was with the way she looked. Tony pulled out a chair and gestured for her to be seated.

Once dinner was over, he suggested that they go out to check on the horses.

“I’ve seen so many lovely horses here already,” Rebecca said as they walked. “I especially like the black one that took us on our tour around the fortress.”

“Well, the black one isn’t trained for warfare or used to a single rider yet,” Tony said. “But you will need a horse to ride - so choose whichever one you like from the ones inside the stables.”

Inside the immaculately kept stables there were four horses settling down for the night - one white, one grey, one dark brown, and one light brown.

Tony led her down the line of doors and introduced her to each creature in turn.

“They are all good horses,” he said. “Whichever one you select will make a loyal companion. Take your time choosing.”

Rebecca stroked each one in turn, kissing them between their gentle eyes. She whispered compliments into their twitching ears and listened to their snorted replies.

Eventually she stood back and sighed, taking Tony’s arm as Lisa joined them, watching quietly from the background.

“I like all four, Grandpa. Does it matter if I don’t choose a particular one? If it’s alright with you, I’d prefer not to have one all to myself.”

Tony ruffled his granddaughter’s hair. Lisa hugged her.

“That’s more than fine sweetheart!” said her grandfather.

***

Once they were back in the living room Rebecca noticed a raised semicircular platform next to the fireplace. It was covered in white leather and a polygonal crystal was embedded in the ceiling above it.

“What’s that for?” she asked.

“It’s the three-dimensional projection area, darling,” Lisa said. “It’s a bit like Earth television, but without the radiation - similar to the video screen that Bull showed you when you were on the spaceship.”

Tony picked up a remote control and activated the device. Light flooded out from the crystal on the ceiling and the platform appeared to fill with birds, trees, and a river full of fish. It was as if there were a slice of nature right there in the living room. Rebecca moved closer and examined it.

“It’s marvellous!”

“It has other uses too,” Tony said.

“Oh?”

“Through this device the Princess can appear and speak to us,” Lisa explained.

Tony switched the device off and fell silent for a moment, as if lost in serious thought. Rebecca knew better than to interrupt. Instead, she followed him with her eyes as he walked purposefully to a cabinet. He opened the doors with a flourish and lifted out a crystal sword sheathed in a blue leather scabbard.

“Now, it’s my duty to give you this,” he said. “Your grandmother and I hope that this sword will protect you when and if you have need for it. Its crystalline structure will never break.”

He reverently handed the weapon to Rebecca. The beautifully honed, dangerous-looking weapon slipped easily from its scabbard when Rebecca gently pulled. Her eyes were reflected in the gleaming crystal as she studied it intently. There was an “R” engraved on the weapon’s hilt.

Lisa and Tony watched proudly as their granddaughter made a number of elegant passes, causing the air to whistle past the flashing blade, before sliding it back into the scabbard in one smooth movement.

“It feels so natural,” she said, “like an extension of my own body.”

“That’s because you’re an Orizon.” Tony said.

“What strange kind of crystal is it, Grandpa?”

“This crystal is the most durable, precious commodity in our world. It’s mined from Mount Thunder.”

“You should sleep now, love,” Lisa said, gently placing a hand on the girl’s arm. “You must be exhausted. We’ll see you in the morning.”

They kissed her good night and she went to her room. Once inside, she admired herself for some time as she practised with the sword in front of the mirror. She felt too excited about what lay in store for her the following day to want to go to bed, but she knew she must get some rest. Eventually she climbed out of the clothes, laid them out lovingly, ready for the morning, and ran a hot bath to prepare herself for sleep.