<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)"><style></style></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><o:p> </o:p>Here is third and final part of Experiencing the Dawn. Some questions are answered but yet others are raised. And it does end in a cliffhanger.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p> Chris<o:p></o:p> The Lurking Fox<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p> The arrival of Father Philip Guthrey into the office of Cardinal Antione Bertu was something of an anticlimax. No being stunned and dragged, wrapped in chains. He was simply shown into the room with only Marchel as his escort.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The man himself was of middling height and his black hair that was cut short as dictated by the rules of his order. His clothing was the black robes of a priest. The only sign of color was his white collar. He tried to hold himself with a calm bearing of one in full control, But that calm was only skin deep, His mind was in turmoil of questions and confusion. He had expected to eventually be brought before the cardinal at some point. he had not expected his reception to be so . . . firm. There had been no choice. He could go quietly or have the entire church and congregation dissolve into a riot. Guthrey wanted many things but hurting innocent people was not among them. His escorts had been calm and correct but had remained silent for the entire trip.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> To greet him was the cardinal who was standing as still as stone behind the desk. His face was cold and devoid of emotion, like the statues that festooned the exterior of many churches.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Marchel bowed to the cardinal. "Father Guthrey is here as you requested your Eminence."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The cardinal gave a nod of the head. "Thank you. You are dismissed. Please leave the two of us alone."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>********************<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p> Salona cocked her head to one side. "You're taking me where?"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "A little trip into the sylvan mountains," Carlisle explained. "I think we both need time away from the guild to just relax and talk."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> A short carriage ride took them out of the city and to the south. Soon they were deposited on a small side road that lead towards the Sylvan mountains that loomed up ahead.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> She stood in front of a large field that was filled with new wheat that was barely knee high and was slowly rippling in the breeze. The only sign of civilization was a small group of farm buildings off in the far distance.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>"There used to be a farming estate here with a large villa. It was home to over two hundred people. At least it's still farmland."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> They skirted past several houses and a farm and soon left the cultivated fields and orchards behind as the ground started to rise. Looming up over them was the tall, glowering Sylvan mountains.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The path in front of them led up the mountainside switching back and forth as it climbed higher. Carlisle paused a moment and checked the quiver of arrows on his back. Then he calmly strung his bow.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Expecting trouble from mountain raiders?" Salona asked.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "No but I'm not taking any chances," he answered.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "The mountain folk are still causing trouble?" She asked with an amused tone in her voice.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "No one has conquered them," he said. "Not for lack of trying. The Dukes have attacked several times but failed. But they at least broke them of the habit raiding and pillaging us lowlanders."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "That is an impressive feat!" She said.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "They do come down to trade occasionally," the mage said. "But mostly they keep to themselves. I'm not worried about the mountain people. Them I can handle. There are things in these mountains far more dangerous than temperamental humans."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I am well able to defend myself." Salona responded, sounding mildly insulted.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "You are one of three known surviving automatons in the world and are very valuable. There are many who would dearly like to take possession of you regardless of what you want. Also many are not happy with your being revived," he said calmly as he slung his bow over his shoulders.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I'm not sure I am happy with it either," she said honestly.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "You were in limbo for over five hundred years," Carlisle countered. "No one or nothing deserves that type of cruelty. I'm glad you are back."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Salona was silent for a moment. "Thank you."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>************************<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p> Both the cardinal and Father Guthrey remained quiet as Marchel left the room. The oak door closed behind him with a solid sounding thump.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Silence filled the room. The father stood quietly and waited for the cardinal to speak and the elder cleric remained silent.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Father Philip Guthrey." The cardinal said slowly. Finally breaking the silence.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Your Eminence." the priest said and bowed.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Bertu gave the man a nod of the head. He picked the letter from off the desk. "I received your letter. You did not hesitate to state your feelings about Salona."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I am not alone. I was simply stating the feelings of many people," Guthrey responded nervously.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Every living creature has a right to live and be happy but technically she is not a flesh and blood creature and therefore not living," the cardinal said calmly. "But Salona is mobile and can obviously think. She could be called living - sort of. She most certainly does have a soul."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I do not argue that point your Eminence," the priest countered. "What appalls me is that soul was ripped from its Creator-given shell and planted into another. A false counterfeit of a flesh and blood life."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The cardinal glowered at the younger man. "I can understand your feelings on this but what I don't understand and will NOT allow is your agitation. First you loudly railed against the cursed folk of Metamor and now you are agitating against the automatons. I can understand your feeling troubled over those. Both are difficult issues that must be considered carefully. But you have used phrases like 'demons to be cleansed.' and I have even heard you talk of a crusade." There was anger and disgust in the man's voice. We cannot afford such public displays," the cardinal said harshly. "We cannot allow such agitation. Marigund has seen too much of it in the past. You will behave yourself from now on," the cardinal ordered. "Father Larbourne."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The priest opened his mouth to respond as his face filled with anger. Then surprise replaced the anger. "What did you call me?"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Father Franklyn Larbourne," the cardinal answered simply and in clipped words.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> That earned the cardinal several moments of confused silence and a puzzled look on the man's face.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The cardinal gave a faint, wry smile. "Have you read Mister Rouis Mountbaun's book?" Bertu said coldly.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I have read the Canticles and the prayer book," was the younger priest's cautious answer.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The cardinal nodded and sighed. "I thought so." He pushed a black, leather bound book across the desk.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Guthrey picked up the book and examined it. On the cover in white lettering was the title "The Burning. A History of the Marigund Civil War by Rouis Mountbaun."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Read it," the cardinal ordered. "Perhaps it will teach you how to speak wisely and not loudly."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>************************<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p> The lower slopes were heavily cultivated and as they walked the two passed groves of trees interspersed with fields of grazing sheep. As they made their way upward the path grew steeper. The meadows and groves gradually thinned out, replaced by true forest until all trace of civilization was gone. All that remained was the forest around them and the trees that crowded close to the trail.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Salona kept climbing the path with the steady, untiring precision of a machine but Carlisle had to stop every so often to catch his breath. Finally the path leveled out into a small level area on the steep mountainside.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "They say from up here you can see the whole country," the man sat down on a large flat rock.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Carlisle rested his back against a rock and stared down the mountainside. Laid out below them was the fields and farmlands of the country. In the distance was the gray/brown shape of the city itself. Beyond that was the looming, green mass of Tol Doron. Even at this distance the ancient forest looked foreboding.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "You can," the feline answered delightedly. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "It's a spectacular view!"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I have always loved this view," Carlisle said. "I proposed to Gina up here."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "From up here I can see the changes time has wrought," Salona said calmly. "Towns and cities gone and farms and fields reclaimed by the wilds they were taken from."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Things are always changing," the man said. "The one constant is change."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> He turned to the metal feline. "Who are you Salona? We know what you are physically but what is the soul inside like?"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> She didn't answer immediately but kept staring at the world below. "Who am I?" she asked in a whisper. "That's an excellent question." There was a long moment of awkward silence. "I don't know anymore. I'm lost in a world that has passed me by and is strange to me."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Madog is still here," Carlisle responded and leaned close to her. "And you will always have a home at the guild."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Thank you," she said simply.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Watching you experience things for the first time has been a true epiphany for me," Carlisle said. "It's like seeing the world for the first time. I am seeing old things in new ways and new things in old ways."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "What will happen to me?" She asked in a somber tone.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I am not sure. Technically you were the property of the Guild. We are listing you as a guest, but that's only till we can make you an official member," the man responded. "There is a huge debate going on about exactly what to do."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The feline gave a low growl. "There is always such a debate. Usually it all ends with killing, burning and destroying."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "You are safe with the guild," he said firmly. "We will never allow anyone to take you apart ever again. But we must tread carefully. Everyone is stumbling around in undiscovered country here. No one knows exactly how to handle this."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "So we aren't up to the smashing and killing phase yet?" Salona commented sarcastically.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "No. Hopefully we'll avoid all that. Marigund has already had too much of that in the past." He was silent a moment as he looked at the world spread out below them. "I have received several requests for private audiences with you," Carlisle said slowly.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "To be expected," Salona answered in a bored tone. "Some self important person."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "The king himself has asked to meet you," the man answered in clipped tones. "And he is a man I hold in high regard."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I have met too many leaders to hold any in high regard," the automaton shot back "But you I do trust."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The man smiled. "Thank you Salona. He is not a self important noble. I have met many of those myself. Alfred is ruler of this land and we must gain his trust and support if we are all to survive."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Could he destroy me and the guild if he wanted?" The feline asked.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The man shrugged. "I am not sure. But I'd rather not find out."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Salona nodded her head slowly. "I am all too well aware of how the game of politics is played. Unless the rules have changed."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Carlisle shook his head. "No it's done the same as in the empire days. There is lot less of the torturing and slaughtering of whole families."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> She gave a growl of amusement. "I guess that is an improvement."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> He gazed at her intently and with a seriously look. "We need to cultivate allies and Alfred has always been a friend of the guild."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "All right," she said. "I'll meet him. Who else desires a private audience?"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Three people you've met already," he answered. "Cardinal Bertu, Bishop Harson and Rabbi Arstein all wish to meet with you."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "What of the Lightbringer priestess?" Salona sarcastically, showing her teeth in a growl.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "She sent a long list of questions but has kept her distance," Carlisle responded. "But that is not surprising. When we first showed them your culua she was hit with a bolt of light that knocked her twenty two feet across the room."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I don't like her kind," she growled.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "So Madog informed us. He also told us why," the man said solemnly. "Lady Delminie is a good person at heart. She has good bones as my father would say. Very dedicated to protecting her people. You must meet with her at some point."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Someday perhaps," she answered. "But not soon. I want to gain the measure of that female first."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I think she wants to gain a measure of who and what you are too before even attempting a meeting. I understand how you feel about the Lightbringers. But high priestess Delminie is the leader of all Lightbringers in the Outer Midlands. As such there are hundreds of thousands who follow her command. She is someone we cannot afford to make enemy out of."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "She is already my enemy," she answered flatly.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "No," He said with more anger then he had intended. "She is not our enemy but if we are not careful she can be. You cannot compare the Lothanasi of the past with those of today. Five centuries has passed and great changes have occurred. Both to the people and to the Lothanasi itself. But do not misunderstand. King Alfred might not be able to destroy the guild but the Ecclesia and the Lightbringers could."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The feline leaned close. "Could but will they?"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I do not know," the mage answered honestly. "It's plain that they don't know either. Yet." He sighed deeply. "What we do and how we act will affect automata for centuries. This can either be the rebirth of Automaton magic or its destruction."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "I will not let myself be taken apart again," Salona snarled.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> He placed an arm around the felines shoulders. "Salona my friend. I will not let them destroy but things aren't that bad. We must move and act carefully until we can consolidate our position."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "What happens if we do gain the ability to live here," she asked. "What happens then?"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "We recover what knowledge that we can and relearn what we can't recover," Carlisle explained. "And we make sure that knowledge will never be lost again. That objective was, is and will remain the Guild's primary goal."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Suddenly Carlisle stiffened and cursed loudly in several languages.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "What's wrong?" Salona curled her lips in a snarl and looked around for any trouble.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Something just tripped wards and alarms back in Guild hall," the mage answered. "Someone is trying to break into the Automaton department!"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> She looked down towards the city and using her magically enhanced sight soon found the Guild's property. It wasn't too hard as a pillar of blue, green and black smoke was starting to billow up from one part.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>****************<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p> The jewelry market was busy today. Everywhere the booths and stalls were filled with merchants trying to sell their wares. Misha and Caroline made their way through the crowd but quickly became the center of attention. Word had spread that not only was the fox a Brightleaf (a wealthy family) but was also rich and spent his coins freely. This meant that every merchant within range was trying to convince the Brightleaf of the wonders of their own merchandise.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Misha paused at one of the vendors' booths. The simple structure held a wide variety of jewelry. He picked up a silver cross inlaid with bits of what could have been jade. "Drift would have liked this."<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Madog raced up to them and danced excitedly in a circle around before coming to a halt in front of Misha. "Papa come NOW!"<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>The End<o:p></o:p></div></body></html>