To: Hypatia
From: polemarch@earthcouncil.org
Subject: Thank you
Thank you, friend. You and your group of resistance fighters accomplished what the world’s military and judicial might could not. I am honoured to have played a small part in your victory over the MRI and the dictator-to-be, Vulcan.
No doubt you already know that the people of Earth have elected me their first Polemarch. I do not take on this title lightly and have no intention of becoming another Vulcan.
The fledgling Earth Council has the full support of the former members of NATO and the SCO. This new world was forged by solar fire, by energy, and our kinship with all living creatures. I intend to honour life in all its forms, wherever it is found. Today, we chart a new course for humanity.
Ester Akintola, first elected Polemarch of Earth
P.S. A strategic meeting of the Council passed your Earth Protection Act – congratulations! I look forward to seeing you on the Council in the coming year. We have much to accomplish.
P.P.S. Please congratulate Dr Fisher on her recent Nobel Prize for the Fisher–Smith Theory of Quantum Displacement. I don’t quite understand it, but I am eternally grateful for its application in creating clean energy sources.
Robyn stood facing the valley, the wind whipping at her shirt. Behind her, the sunlight caught on the newly restored golden ceiling of the temple and reflected light through the open door. Just as it had for millennia. Thanks to Lenti, and Miranda and Brock’s meticulous work, the temple had at last been returned to its former glory.
Hundreds of pilgrims also stood on the rocky outcrop, some clutching rough quartz charms. By their sides were sturdy yak, horses, dogs and all manner of creatures. Many now made the pilgrimage to the temple, to sit in contemplation and find solutions to their problems. Today, the mountain top hosted many more pilgrims than usual. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation.
“Coming through!”
Robyn instinctively ducked as Ariana swooped down on Jericho’s back, the dragon’s scales glimmering with blue light.
Eli jogged over from the newly built monastery to join her. “You’re late.” Una, his osprey, landed on his shoulder and riffled her feathers.
“Perfectly punctual, thank you,” Ariana replied, sliding off Jericho’s back. In a flash the dragon was once again a tiny salamander. He immediately clambered up to his favourite spot and curled on the top of Ariana’s head.
“Hurry up, you two!” Fletcher called from the temple steps, Lenti almost unrecognisable in his fancy new robes by his side. The crowd parted, clearing a path for the walkers. Their energy auras blossomed as the quartz called to them. Lenti bowed deeply in greeting. In the temple behind him was assembled his new order of monks, all grinning with excitement. Many had answered the call of the temple, learning the histories of the walkers, eager to serve the ancient spirits.
“Are you sure you want to stay here with me? You should be up there with the others – the solstice ceremony is about to start,” Catherine murmured in Robyn’s ear.
Robyn turned and smiled. White light flickered on her skin as she tenderly kissed Catherine’s forehead. “This is exactly where I’m meant to be.”
The monks began to chant. The chorus rose into the sky and the trees beyond the temple sighed. The humming of the quartz beneath Robyn’s feet intensified into a gentle harmonious melody, and the crowd of pilgrims gently swayed to its rhythms.
Beneath her bare feet, Robyn felt the deep rumbling of an enormous amount of energy vibrating through the quartz, calling to her. The trees responded, shaking their branches. The solar storm struck the ionosphere and the sky exploded in a network of red, green and blue flashes.
The walkers’ auras swelled to encompass the mountain top. Robyn pulled Catherine close, the energy within her at peace, the walkers’ energy tethers humming at the same resonant frequency as the quartz. Robyn drank in the sight of the crowd, her gaze skimming the bright faces, the hope and joy in the smiles around her. Brock and Miranda stood by the side of the temple. Her former supervisor waved and Robyn acknowledged him with a grin. The walkers’ auras merged and pure white light bathed the mountain in its soft glow, a baptism of this new and wondrous world. For the first time in a thousand years, the Earth was in balance, and Robyn had never been more ready to face the future.
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