Ursula is told what the others know about Earth, Anmar and the transfers between. She struggles to believe any of it. Then she is shown the clothes and other items she had with her when she was found. After the evening meal, Maralin suggests a short stroll...

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

13 - Of Anmar and Earth

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2018 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

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Wallesan gestured. "If you would all enter."

Fanis in turn gestured to Ursula. "After you, my dear."

Ursula looked at the Duchess, then led the way through the door. Fanis followed, then Maralin and finally the Duke.

"If you would make yourself comfortable, please."

This was a larger room than the one Ursula had been taken to before, with a desk set to one side opposite a stone fireplace, cold and dark at the present season. Around the fireplace were several comfortable seats, with two being obviously for the Duke and Duchess. Wallesan sank into one of them with a relieved sigh.

"Maker! I am glad to have peace and quiet for a change! I could not believe that thirty of Eriana's men could cause so much noise and chaos."

"As you say, dear," Fanis agreed. "Still, we now have them all properly measured up, so they can all go off and make noise and chaos out in the city instead of in here. Do you think any of our seamstresses will make a complaint? I heard several shrieks which might have signaled bottoms being pinched."

The Duke waved a hand. "You would know that better than me, my dear, but I do not think so. Having spent some time with them on the voyage, they all seem to be good natured at heart and I think any... personal contact... will be seen as a compliment by those on the receiving end." He looked at the other two. "What you suffered this afternoon was unusual and I apologize if you found it uncomfortable. Once the Great Hall is finished, most of those activities will move over there and we may have our family home back as a refuge from the day-to-day demands of the Duchy."

"As you say, Your Grace," Maralin replied. "I am beginning to understand, in a way, why Palarand's palace is so large. Such activities as those of this afternoon would be no trouble to His Majesty's staff."

Wallesan grunted. "If you say so. I just keep thinking of the coin Robanar must needs spend looking after the place." His voice changed. "Now we must concentrate on the reason I have asked you here this afternoon, and that is to speak of matters concerning Mistress Ursula. Mistress, if we may spend a little time first describing to Fanis and yourself the situation before you came, since Maralin's secret was only supposed to be known to two other people in Joth, myself and Renita, whom you have already met.

"When my wife met us on the dockside, Eriana assumed that Fanis knew what was going on and thus spoke in a certain way, causing you to have another headache. I have since spoken to Eriana and explained the true situation, but we both understood that with her men abroad in the city, word would likely spread and that it was time that you were properly informed of the circumstances."

He looked at the others. "Once we have done that we will speak of... some of what has happened in Palarand, but mostly I want to ensure that Ursula has all the information she will need to make any decision that she feels she has to. Finally, since Ursula's memory has now returned, I am hoping that she can answer some of the many questions that we have. Are we all agreed?"

There was a nod from Maralin and a more wary, hesitant nod from Ursula.

Fanis asked, "Wal, is what we will speak of to be considered confidential? I must know how much I may speak of when others are near."

The Duke considered. "Some of what we will tell you would alarm many of our folk, dear, so must be kept between the four of us. For the rest, It would be better not to say anything more than is needful, since the safety of Ursula and Maralin may depend on it." He waved a hand. "No doubt there will soon be many rumors flying about concerning both Maralin and Ursula, it would be better not to confirm or deny any of them."

"I understand, Wal." She hesitated. "What about Eriana, dear? Should she not join us?"

Wallesan and Maralin exchanged a quick glance. The Duke replied, "Ah, no, my dear. Not this time. There are matters it would be better that she did not learn yet. In fact, there are things we may not tell you, since we have both given oaths about them. Certain things you may learn that are safe to tell you since they concern matters already known to both Maralin and Ursula, but Eriana already has enough to deal with, I would not burden her with more this time."

"Oh, I see. Yes, Eriana certainly is busy, is she not? Thank you, Wal."

"Maralin, I think it would be best if you told us your story first."

"As you desire, Your Grace. Well, first of all, I would say that like Ursula, I had no memory of who I was for the first few days, and since that time those first days have been a little hazy to me. However, I'll tell you everything I remember." He glanced at Wallesan. "I'll try not to overdo it, though. I know there is a lot more to talk about today."

Maralin then gave a short account of how he had been found, in a ditch, the night that the invading Yodans had driven the residents of the city out into the countryside. How he had, along with many others, found shelter in Galdarin, Joth's large southern town. How he had recovered his memory and been revolted by the unexpected and unwanted body swap, but then came to slowly adjust and realize that not all males were like those Marilyn Baker had left behind on Earth.

He told of being terrified of making mistakes, so pretended that his memory was still faulty, though some of those around him had their suspicions. Once he had been declared fit, he had, with all other likely males, been called up to fight the invaders, only to find that their preparations had been wholly inadequate. He had discovered, bizarrely, that watching war movies on daytime TV had given him knowledge, if not experience, that the locals sorely needed.

He recounted the training exercise which came too close to Joth's walls, when his group of twenty and two officers were surprised by a Yodan patrol - armed with guns, which were then unknown inside Joth. Only his Earthly reactions had prevented it being a total wipeout, but just five survived to return to base, and Maralin's Earth knowledge had made the difference. Back at camp changes had been made, including the introduction of camouflage, which greatly increased the defenders' chances of survival.

Then a foreign Prince, passing through, heard the unusual word gun and asked to urgently meet the man who had uttered it. Maralin had been brought to the Duke and introduced to Prince Keren of Palarand, who had told him that Anmar was indeed real, that he was not dreaming, and that he was soon to marry another arrival from Earth called Garia.

Fanis started. "Ah! I understood that Garia had come from Earth, we were informed so by Robanar when the wedding invitations arrived, but no, I had not known that Maralin came from the same world as Garia, not until Eriana spoke that night."

Ursula added slowly, "I have heard the name Garia several times in the last few days. She sounds like an impressive person."

Wallesan nodded. "She certainly is! In less than a year she has overturned Palarand and started Anmar's own Industrial Revolution. She has given us so much of science and engineering that I do not know where to begin."

"She is a great intellect, then?" The word 'intellect' came out as a complex phrase which included the word 'Questor'.

Wallesan chuckled. "Oh, no, Mistress, Garia is barely seventeen years old, still at school and she insists she is merely average for her age and society. It is what she knows, and what she remembers, that is important to us. It is as if she has come to us from two hundred or so years into our future."

"Seventeen? A precocious child, then?"

Maralin said, "If I may point out, Mistress, that our days and years are longer than those of Earth. An Earth day is shorter than ours by about a bell, or you could say that our day is longer than that of Earth by an hour and eleven minutes." He shrugged. "I cannot say that I have noticed the days being longer, myself. The year here is three hundred and ninety-one days, which makes it a whole lot longer than an Earth year is. In Earth terms, Garia would now be about nineteen and I was twenty-five when I left."

"Oh!" It had not occurred to Ursula that the lengths of day and year would be different.

I have been here a week now and I don't feel tired. Perhaps the extra time is not long enough to make a difference? How could I tell? And how could I tell how long the year is supposed to be? They could tell me anything and I wouldn't have a clue!

Wallesan took up the story then. "Mistress, it was only when Prince Keren came that we understood the reason for the Yodan capture of Joth. We were merely a staging point for a brazen raid on Palarand, to kill or capture the then Lady Garia. For Yod had found yet another from Earth, a boy named Yves Perriard, whom they tortured to obtain the secret of guns and gunpowder. They would risk everything to obtain Garia and to force out of her any secrets that she knew, or to kill her if they could not capture her, to prevent others making use of that knowledge. Fortunately for the future of Anmar that raid failed. Regrettably, the boy was accidentally killed during the raid."

It dawned then on Ursula what she represented, if any of this were true. She had been trying to keep secrets, it was true, but it seemed that almost any of the knowledge in her head could be dangerous.

If this whole story of theirs is actually true, then I have to admit that anyone from modern Earth would have knowledge that could change things around here. No guns yet! That would explain the swords and axes I saw earlier.

Imagine a 17th-century Russia, with no guns, and then drop somebody modern into it. If they survived, they could make great changes, couldn't they? We really would have ruled the world, then!

Practically, does this make me more or less valuable to them? And not for any of the reasons I thought they wanted me!

She nodded slowly. "I see. I suppose that you will tell me anything more about... Garia, Palarand and that sort of thing if I ask?"

Wallesan smiled. "Of course, Mistress, though I would suggest that if you desire a deeper briefing, that you leave it for another day. We have other matters to speak of today."

Was that a put-off, or is he genuine? How can I tell?

"To continue, then, Princess Eriana and her men, whom as you already know are fearsome warriors, were asked to capture a fortress from the enemy, which they duly did. Maralin and I took advantage of their return to Palarand by the trade road, with many of those who accompanied us recently on her ship. Once there, we learned why people from Earth were appearing on Anmar and some of the reasoning behind what is happening. You see, Princess Garia has found a way to communicate with those who brought you, Maralin and herself here, and the reason they - and you - are here is because of the knowledge you may hold."

"Those who brought us here? Who are they?"

"We know them as the Vast Multidimensional Beings, Mistress." The Duke grinned. "Most of us are barely able to understand what multidimensional means, but we understand it to mean that these Beings inhabit the same universe as ourselves but cannot be... cannot normally be perceived by us. It appears that there is a plan, and moving significant people from world to world is part of that plan.

"Those brought here from Earth are intended to bring about change on Anmar in various unspecified ways, according to what they know. For example, Yves Perriard and Garia were set at two ends of this part of the Great Valley precisely to cause a war. Garia has told me that almost every war on Earth has caused some kind of advancement, be it of ship design, guns and gunpowder, mass production, airplanes, rockets, electricity, electronics, maybe other things. And no, I do not know what most of those words mean! Maralin may enlighten you, but I merely repeat what the King of Palarand has told me."

"So, you are saying that I have been brought here for a reason? What reason?"

Wallesan held up a hand. "A moment while I explain something that has affected Garia, Maralin and yourself. You have all been recreated opposite to what you were on Earth, as you will agree. You were once male, as was Garia, and Maralin was once a young woman. Those Beings who tend this world are not human, they do not really comprehend male and female, so the switches were only discovered once Garia managed to contact them. Maralin is the result of that message, a test to check how the system functioned, and if there was some error. There is not, instead it seems that a small fraction of those transferred arrive in the wrong body, and that includes you, I am afraid." He waved a hand. "I do not understand the details!"

Ursula thought. "So you are telling me that this body is a clone, is that right?"

Maralin replied, "Apparently it has to be that way, Mistress, for several reasons. The first reason is that those who are chosen are usually at the point of death, by which I mean that their time on Earth is about to end. That ending might include serious injury or, I don't know, some disease, perhaps, which you would not get on Anmar. This way you get a fresh, unmarked body with no diseases or weaknesses.

"The second reason is the distance. Apparently we are some thousand or so light-years from Earth and to bring your original body that distance, in a relatively short period of time, is very costly in energy terms. It was thought easier to transfer the instructions needed to make you, your DNA, and then build a new, clean body once that arrived here.

"The last reason, as I mentioned before, is that you receive certain upgrades along the way. Your memory will be better. You will by now have discovered, as I did, that you can understand other languages, by means of a kind of built-in translator. Apparently these upgrades can only be applied to the brain of the clone as it develops, along with the memory trail from your original body." He added, "It is possible that the upgrades may be some part of the reason we have headaches when we arrive, although of course our new brains won't develop exactly the same way as the old ones, so there has to be some settling time."

She muttered, "The memory... how do they get the memory out of the old brain, then?"

Maralin shrugged. "That is a detail that Garia might know, I certainly do not. I recall she said it had something to do with the multiple dimensions. I have the impression that our memories... our whole existence, in fact, may exist as a kind of timeline that the Beings can tap into and replay somehow. They don't see time and space the same way we do."

Ursula shook her head. "This whole story sounds so fantastic. You can understand why I find it difficult to accept."

"Indeed, Mistress," Wallesan agreed. "I was of the same mind, but when we were in Palarand some of us were offered sufficient proof that what we tell you now is the truth. Before then, I had to accept that Maralin and Garia were from some distant land, but we have rules that prevent people from claiming matters that are likely impossible."

Fanis said, "Oh, the Great Convocation! Of course. Tell her what happened then, Wal."

"Ah, very well. The history of the Great Valley, the surrounding regions and, indeed the rest of Alaesia must have been much like that of Earth in the past. Many people claimed that different Gods existed, or that they could do magic, held special knowledge or other things of the like nature. Naturally there was great strife as each faction claimed their own interpretation was true.

"Finally, two hundred years or so ago, a Great Convocation was called to determine what was true and what was not. The iron rule of the convocation was, prove it! No-one was permitted to argue a belief or force it onto others unless a demonstration could be made proving that the belief was true. As you might imagine, almost all religions failed the test, along with all those who claimed magical powers.

"Thus, you will find almost nothing of religion in any of our lands, Mistress. In fact, few these days even know what the word means. We accept that Anmar was probably created for a reason, but we do not know what that reason is. At certain times of the year we hold festivals and acknowledge the likely existence of a Maker, but we do not know if that word represents a being of some sort, a universal principle or perhaps something else. We do not know if the Maker is aware of us or our activities, but we try to behave ourselves - mostly - as we believe he, she or it might have desired.

"Now, naturally, when Princess Garia told us her story, and that she had been in contact with the Beings, I asked her, prove it. Sufficient proof was given to myself and others, that those who were there must needs accept that the Beings are very real. Regrettably, perhaps, in the present circumstances, certain oaths prevent myself and Maralin from saying any more about that proof. Mayhap one day, in time, you will also be permitted to experience that same proof."

Ursula opened her mouth to speak but closed it again.

He says he has proof but he cannot tell it to me! Very convenient for him.

Maralin said, "I know what you are thinking, Mistress. We have proof but we can't tell it to you. Our problem is that our oaths were given long before we ever discovered you. We had no idea that you would arrive, it was completely unexpected. The situation is just awkward for all of us. I hope that we can provide you with sufficient other proofs that you will accept what we tell you."

She said, "How do these Beings of yours fit into the picture? Is this Maker one of them?"

Maralin shook his head. "Indeed not, Mistress. If the Maker exists, he - or she, or it - must be roughly what you or I would consider to be a true God of some kind. The Beings are..." he thought briefly, "...merely other inhabitants of our universe, though of a different kind to us. Aliens, if you will. They call us all Solids."

"I see." No, I don't. Not really. This is too fantastic to be true!

Wallesan leaned forward. "And now we come to your own arrival, Mistress. To say that we were surprised when we realized what you were would be an understatement. You had been placed on a mudbank in the Sirrel at precisely the moment when the Visund would be sailing past, and in that ship the two people who would recognize you for what you were. You had to have been put there for us to find, and to bring here to Joth."

"Why? How do you know how long I had been there? I could have been there a while!"

"Unlikely, Mistress. If you had been there since the previous day, you would have been awake by the time we found you. Besides, there are creatures in the river that would likely have taken you for food, you have encountered one of them yourself. No, I deem you had not been there more than a bell or two. The timing is too... coincidental."

Ursula was forced to accept that would be true - assuming any of it was.

"Very well. What happened to my clothes, then? You said that I could have them back."

Wallesan gestured. "They are in that bag on the desk behind you, Mistress. Maralin, I suggest you spread them out over the table."

The four rose and went to stand around the table. Maralin unpacked the items in the bag, provoking gasps from both Ursula and Fanis. Ursula picked up the tee shirt first, gingerly inspecting the blood-encrusted rags.

"I was wearing this?"

"You were, Mistress, and it caused something of a problem on the ship, as some thought you must be gravely injured beneath the clothes."

Maralin added, "If you look at the tears carefully, Mistress, you will see rips in the front and puncture marks in the back. From the size and separation I took them to be bear claws, and that your body - the Earthly one, that is - probably didn't survive."

"But... I don't remember anything like that!"

Maralin said, "Regrettably, that is true of all of us, Mistress. Neither Garia nor myself remember what was happening when we... left Earth, or even what day or date it was. It might be the trauma, or maybe to do with the way the Beings tap into our memories."

Ursula wrinkled her nose, then put down the shirt and picked up the trousers.

"I remember buying these and the boots in an outdoor shop in... a small town in the wilds of Alberta. What I had been wearing previously had worn out." She nodded. "These were of much better quality."

"I'm afraid that none of it will fit you now, Mistress, even if you wanted to wear them again. Your shape is completely different."

Fanis added, "Those trousers look interesting, Wal. This is the first time I've seen them. Is this something the seamstresses would be interested in? I'm thinking of uniforms now, not attire for a young woman."

Wallesan grinned. "Oh, they'll be interested, all right! Have I told you about zippers yet? The trousers have a zipper of Earth manufacture in them."

"No, you haven't, Wal. What's a zipper?"

The next few moments were spent introducing Fanis to the wonder of a zipper, with the additional news that soon some of local manufacture might arrive from Palarand.

"Really?"

"Really, Fanis. They are not yet as small and smooth-running as this one but Master Fulvin tells me that it is only a matter of time before they can make items like that."

"Your Grace," Maralin said to Fanis, "if we might not become distracted today. You may examine the trousers at your leisure, assuming Mistress Ursula agrees, when I can explain some of the other interesting features you might like."

"Of course, Maralin! All this is very interesting, you must agree, but I accept your point. If you would continue, Wal."

Wallesan gestured. "It is up to Mistress Ursula now, I think."

Ursula put down the trousers and picked up the pistol magazine.

"I - I remember this," she said. "I think something was coming and I wanted to make sure I had a fresh clip in the gun." She pointed to the tee shirt. "Didn't look as if it did me much good, did it?"

"Something? Not someone?"

She hesitated. "A large animal, I think. It may have been the bear, it might have been earlier. A moose, perhaps."

Next she picked up the cellphone and naturally attempted to turn it on.

"I already tried that, Mistress," Maralin said. "If you want to charge it, I'm afraid that the nearest electricity is in a laboratory in Palarand."

"What do you mean?"

"Nobody here knew about electricity or magnetism until Garia arrived," he explained. "She basically invented the whole science for them. In a year they have gone from nothing to steam-powered generators, crude motors, relays and arc welding. They don't have the telegraph or lighting yet, but give them time. The King's crew are a very bright lot, once they have been given a hint or two."

Ursula stared at him. Electricity was a basic fact of life, for almost everyone in the entire world! True, there were still places in the wilds of Siberia - and Canada - where there was no electricity, but almost everybody knew about it!

She waved the phone. "If I could charge it, is there any point? You're telling me that there is no chance of a signal anywhere around here."

He laughed. "There is no signal for a thousand light years, Mistress! But aye, your device can be of some use here, assuming we can charge it. It has a camera, if nothing else, and probably a half decent calculator, right? I'm sure that it will find some uses, it won't be just a useless lump of plastic."

She stared at him and then at the phone. Disgruntled, she put it down and picked up the sheathed knife.

"This was another good buy," she said, pulling the knife out of its sheath. "O Boje! Is this my blood?"

"Unlikely," Maralin replied. "It is more likely that of the bear, or maybe something else that either attacked you earlier or that you hunted." His grin was lopsided. "I regret we cannot prove it yet, though. The necessary technology won't be developed for fifty to a hundred years yet."

She stared at him before returning the knife to its sheath.

"We noticed wood grains on the back of the knife," Wallesan commented. "Did you use it to cut wood, perhaps?"

"I did, I made a shelter or two along the way." She was unwilling to say more.

Maralin said, "But maybe you didn't have time to clean the knife before the bear attacked you."

She looked at him, then pulled the knife out to inspect it more closely. "Possible. I don't remember. I don't think I would have left a knife in this state, though."

She returned the knife to its sheath and placed it back on the table before picking up the wallet.

"We had a look in there when we found you, Mistress," Maralin explained. "It was another proof - for us - that you had arrived from Earth. Once we saw the picture on your driver's licence we knew immediately that your gender had been switched, just as mine and Garia's had."

She pulled out the licence and looked at it. The face looked strange, distant now.

It isn't who I am any more. Unless I am still dreaming, of course.

"We noticed that your hair color was different," Maralin said. "As what you have now is almost certainly the color you were born with, we came to the conclusion that you were in some kind of disguise. That probably means that the other details on the card are wrong as well."

Ursula looked at Maralin, then the Duke. Given the circumstances, they had deduced correctly. "I cannot deny it," she admitted, "this is my natural hair color and yes, everything else on the licence is false. I'm not going to tell you anything else, though. I am not going to get anyone else into trouble."

Wallesan looked pained. "Mistress, it is impossible for you to 'get anyone else into trouble', as you put it. We are on Anmar and your past is on Earth, which as Maralin says is a very long way away. We care not who you were or what you did on Earth. As far as they are concerned, you are dead, killed by a large wild animal. As far as we are concerned, you were brought here for a reason. Did we not tell you that the transfers were expensive? The Beings do not transfer anyone or anything without a very good reason."

"But I have no proof of anything you have told me. As far as I am concerned, this could all be a story to make me tell... how I got to where you found me. Wherever that was."

The Duke's face darkened but Maralin held up a hand. "If I may, Your Grace. Mistress Ursula does not know what she has just done. Ursula, you have just called your host a liar, and in this society that is a very serious matter. Do you not remember what happened at Count Horvik's mansion?"

She was shocked. I forgot! If I am here, I have to play by their rules, it seems.

She bowed. "Your Grace, I meant no disrespect to you. It is just that I struggle to believe any of what you have just told me. I... was running away, yes, and I know that those who were after me are capable of... setting up something like this to lull me into a false sense of security, to get me to tell them... things I must not. So I do not know if you are a real Duke, who has probably told me the truth, or somebody pretending to be, who is attempting to get me to admit things I would rather not."

Wallesan looked annoyed at first but then his face cleared.

"Mistress, Maralin has attempted to explain your point of view but I find it difficult to believe that such things are possible on Earth. However, that does not mean that you cannot, and I must needs respect your view of your own circumstances. If I might suggest, you should be careful when choosing your words beyond this chamber, as you might without knowing it cause offence." He smiled slightly. "After all, despite what we have told you today you still know little about our world or those who live in it."

Ursula briefly bowed her head. "I'll try to remember, Your Grace."

Maralin said, "Your Grace, it might be time to let Ursula out into the city. Until now she has either been on the Visund or stuck in your mansion, meaning no disrespect. I think she needs to wander round, see what we have, and then she can better make her decision."

Wallesan nodded. "Agreed." He turned to Ursula. "As I mentioned before, it would be unwise for you to go forth alone. Firstly, the streets and lanes of the city are narrow and complicated and you could easily become lost. Secondly, many of those who reside here are of the rougher sort, and I understand that you are no fighter." He raised his eyebrows. "Is that true? You have had no training in arms or unarmed combat?"

How do I answer this? Actually, it doesn't matter, it won't tell them anything they can't already work out.

"I, uh, how can I explain this? After leaving school almost everyone has to undergo a period of military training. That lasts about two years but it varies according to where you get sent. It is very basic and..." She stopped.

I could give away more without knowing it.

"Uh, we were taught to use pistols and rifles. No unarmed combat, not where I was sent."

Maralin asked, "AK-47s?"

"Yes." She smiled. "After all, almost everybody in the entire world... Earth, that is, has some experience of Kalashnikovs. I wasn't very good with them, though."

"You were conscripted, then?"

She nodded. "That's right."

Maralin turned to the Duke. "What she describes is a basic training for everyone who leaves school in her country, except those who can find some good reason not to, like good academic qualifications, poor health or something like that. Think of it like the training your levies got before we took back the city, but for everyone once they gain adult status."

"Ah, I see," the Duke said. "Mistress, your training would be no use here, I deem."

"Having watched your men in the courtyard this morning, I am forced to agree."

"Then -" the Duke glanced out the window. "It is too late today, I think, but tomorrow you should go forth into the city."

Fanis said, "That is a good idea, Wal. If for no other reason, Ursula must needs have her hair attended to, it needs to be shaped properly and trimmed. Given the weather, she will also need a hat or two, and perhaps one or two other items from the market."

"Then it is settled. I trust, Mistress, that you are still reluctant to tell us anything about yourself?"

Her expression was determined. "I dare not."

The Duke's smile was gentle. "Then Mistress, we must somehow demonstrate that you are not dreaming, neither are you ensnared by your enemies, but indeed a newcomer to the world of Anmar. I trust that we may somehow find proof to convince you that is so, and that you have nothing to fear from any of us, that we only wish you well."

He stood, so therefore the others did too. "Now, I regret that I must needs rise and continue those other tasks that await me. Fanis, I know that you will desire to check upon the progress of this evening's meal. Do you know when Eriana and the others will be back?"

"I do not, Wal. I am assuming that Eriana and the girls will be back for the meal, but she may decide to stay with her men until later."

"What shall we then do with Mistress Ursula?"

"Oh, she may attend me until such time as the others are back. Will that suffice?"

"As you wish, my dear."

* * *

"Mistress Ursula."

"Your Grace?"

"Maralin made a suggestion earlier which may prove of interest to you. Now that we have risen from our meal, you may like to venture forth upon the walls of Joth, to view the city and the countryside around, to gain some idea of the place we inhabit. It may also help with your digestion to take a short climb and stroll."

"That is an interesting idea, Your Grace, but Princess Eriana has not returned."

"My wife will accompany us this evening. As I recall, it is some while since she last went to the walkway, unless she has done so since we were away, of course."

Fanis joined them and curled her arm around that of Wallesan. "I have not, husband. When did you think I would find the time for such adventures?"

His eyes twinkled. "I do not know what you did while we were away, dear. Mayhap you spent your time consorting with the common artisans who rebuilt our mansion!"

"I did, husband," she replied mischieviously. "I stood over them, making sure that they did what they were supposed to, and that they did not overcharge us for the privilege of having our home rebuilt."

"And that is all you did?"

"Oh, there might have been the odd mug of pel shared, now I think on it... are we going to spend all evening talking or are we going to climb up to the wall? If you don't hurry up it will be dark, you know."

"As you desire, my dear. Let us go. Maralin? Mistress Ursula? Are you ready?"

"Aye, Your Grace."

"I am, Your Grace."

Wallesan led them along the lower corridor and, to Ursula's surprise, up the domestic staircase. At the top they turned right, over the carriage arch, and then straight ahead to another narrower stairway which went both up and down. The Duke led the way up this, to come out on the balcony of the uppermost floor. He turned left towards the wall.

"Have you yet been this way, Maralin?"

"No, Your Grace. I guessed it would lead to the wall, but I do not know the layout up here."

"I have been once since they rebuilt it. The repairs seem quite sound."

They walked past doorways that led, from the odd person who stuck their heads out and quickly withdrew them, to sleeping chambers for the armsmen who were quartered in this part of the city. At the end, the balcony turned right, to go along the back range, but Wallesan opened a door to his left.

"At ease, men!"

The eight men in the large room sat down again, but looked warily at the newcomers.

"This is not an official visit, so ease your worries," he told them. "Though if I do find anything amiss, I'll have to tell Captain Hambran, you hear?"

There was a chorus of "Yes, Your Grace!"

"I'm taking the Duchess, Tenant Maralin and Mistress Ursula up on the wall for a look round. Anything I should be aware of?"

One of the men stood up. "Nothing particular, Your Grace. Oh, we have asked for guardrails to be fitted on the stairway, there was almost a bad accident last week, before you returned."

Wallesan nodded. "A sensible idea, I deem. I'll have a look and make sure that any recommendations get acted on."

"Thank you, Your Grace."

Wallesan led the way through the guardroom and out a door on the further side, which came out in a small porch at the base of a stone stairway which led up the side of the wall to the patrol path.

"I would advise you all to keep against the wall, to avoid accidents. The stairs up to the walls of Joth have been like this for hundreds of years and we have always managed, but I appreciate why the men have asked for guardrails to be fitted. Take your care on the stone steps."

They followed the Duke up the steps in single file, even though they were wide enough to safely take two abreast. At the top was a wide pathway behind the chest-high parapet that stopped them falling outside. There was no wall on the inside. Wallesan turned and leaned against the parapet, gesturing at the cramped buildings below.

"This is my city," he said simply. "A view that most of those within do not see, but of course the city armsmen are familiar with it. From here it has been possible to walk completely round the walls, but I understand that the works at the docks make that impossible for now."

What they could mostly see were steeply pitched, tiled roofs in the late evening light, some obscured by the smoke from many of the chimneys that sprouted from almost all of the buildings. Because of the height and angle, there were almost no people in view.

Ursula turned around and looked over the parapet, to see the countryside properly. This was almost completely flat, which was reasonable so close to the river. Much of the land was open, but there were several clumps of trees in the near distance. Most of the fields closest to the walls were given over to grazing and there were groups - herds - of animals in some of the nearer ones, some now being encouraged towards shelter for the night.

The trees look... different. That isn't surprising, if I've been taken to part of the world I don't know - or if I really am on another planet.

Those animals... there is something odd about them, too.

"Blya! Those animals have six legs!"

"Aye, Mistress, we showed you some of them in the cold room the other day, remember?" Maralin pointed at the nearest group, now turning away to follow a farm hand. "They are called gavakhan and they are one of our main meat animals."

She stared at them as they ambled off towards a nearby barn, walking as no Earthly animal would.

Those are not made up animals! They are somehow real!

Or maybe this is all some kind of illusion? Like a movie set?

She felt the evening breeze on her cheeks and knew that it could not be so.

This is - seems to be - a real place. Those creatures weren't made in some kind of movie workshop, and there aren't people inside operating them. So how?

Wildly she stared about her, looking for somewhere around where the scenery might be joined, or come to an end... or something. A disturbing worry had begun to emerge, that somehow this place was real, that this was now her real body, and that she was, actually, somewhere else entirely.

Which is worse, that this place is real... or that it is not?

The sky attracted her attention. To the east, away from the setting sun, there were two bright lights near the darkening horizon.

She pointed. "What are they? Are they moons?"

"Aye, Mistress, those are Annis and Tiede. Kalikan will not rise until later."

Wait. Kalikan? Where have I heard that word before?

She said slowly, "So... this world has three moons? Is that right?"

Maralin smiled. "Aye, just the three, Mistress. When I first came I thought there were only two and things were a little confusing for a while. Now the biggest, Kalikan, is about the size of Earth's Moon, although it does look a little different. It goes around once a month... well, actually, here they define their months by the movement of Kalikan. That would be thirty-one days or so, and sometimes they put in an extra day to make sure it comes out right."

He coughed. "Um, I have to tell you that I assume that you now have a fully functional female body and that it, too, is governed by Kalikan. You should begin your period on the same day every month, which is a lot more useful than the Earth method. Your Grace? I beg your pardon, I should not say any more in present company."

Wallesan waved a dismissive hand. "We know of your origins, Maralin, though most men dislike being near any such conversation. I understand your intent. However, here comes Captain Hambran and he may object, should you continue."

"As you desire, Your Grace. I am sure that Her Grace can advise Mistress Ursula when the day comes."

Fanis was puzzled. "Maralin, do you tell me that Ursula has never -" She stopped, unable to form the words in mixed company.

"As you say, Your Grace. Um, I'll explain later, if I may. Good evening, sir."

Hambran reached the top of the steps and braced to attention. "Your Grace, Your Grace, Mistress, Tenant. Good evening to you all. I would have joined you earlier but -"

Once again Wallesan held up a hand. "No need to apologize, Hambran. You're running this watch, not me. You must do what is needful, we are but visitors enjoying the evening light."

"As you say, Your Grace. Thank you." He paused. "Is there anything in particular..?"

"We are merely enjoying the view, which Tenant Maralin and Mistress Ursula have not seen before. We'll be fine, Captain. Anything to report?"

"Nothing so far, Your Grace. There have been some changes while we were away, and I must needs discover what the new procedures might be. If you'll excuse me, Your Grace?"

"Of course, Captain."

Hambran braced to attention and then walked past them, heading for a guardhouse on the wall some short distance away, now showing a light through one of the window slits. They watched him go before turning to the city below.

"I think that you can see from here, Mistress," the Duke pointed out, "that you could easily become lost wandering about the city. You can see that the streets run in all directions and there is no real organization to them. That, unfortunately, is a matter of history and there is little we can do about it now. Of course, everybody who lives here knows their way around but for a stranger," he shook his head, "some parts can become dangerous. I advise you to go attended by at least an armsman or, indeed, an armswoman should you venture out tomorrow. The women who attend us generally go out without an escort but they know the city, know their way around and know most of the troublemakers anyway."

Maralin asked, "Your Grace, it is something that never occurred to me to ask before, but, how many live in Joth?"

"I am not sure, Maralin, not any more. Before the Yodans came, I would guess at fourteen to fifteen thousand, but of course some of those would not be long-term residents. After the Yodans came, we were all dispersed over the country and some who had been residents never came back. Others have joined us and settled down in the city, like some of the troops who came through and decided that they preferred Joth to Virgulend, Brugan or some other land."

He smiled. "So long as they can find a place to live, keep a job or practise a craft and pay their taxes, I am content to have them. If what is happening to Palarand is a taste of our future, I think that we must needs do what they have long done and expand outside our walls."

"What?" Fanis was surprised. "You would consider that, Wal? What happens the next time some army appears across the fields, then?"

"It should not be a problem, dear, not in the future. I am told, forcefully, that the wars of the future will be fought with guns and that our walls will be as much impediment as assistance. Of course I would prefer it if there were no wars at all, but the other side might not get my letter."

"We need to talk about this, Wal. I find the idea... uncomfortable."

"We shall speak of it, dear," he rolled his eyes, "when we can both get a bell or so of free time together."

While the conversations had been going on the sun had almost set, but the sky in the east was getting brighter, not darker. Ursula turned to Maralin.

"You said there were three moons."

"Oh, yes. The middle one is also the middle sized one and is called Annis. I have no idea how big it is or how far away it is. It goes around in a week or so and, in fact, is why people here have weeks at all. It is just a practical way of dividing up the days, I suppose. The smallest is called Tiede and is probably just a captured asteriod. It orbits so close that it seems to go around the other way, but it isn't, it just does three orbits a day."

"That seems odd."

"Aye. Garia told me that one of the moons of Mars does the same thing. If it goes round faster than the planet rotates, then it will seem to go backwards, as it were."

It all sounds so plausible! I wonder if the stars will look the same or if...

"Whatever is that?" She pointed to the east.

Maralin grinned. "That, Mistress, is why I suggested we come up onto the walls this evening. If you should wait, much of it will appear above the horizon before we have to retire for the night."

A fantastic sight was rising from behind distant mountains to the east. There were filigree tendrils, clouds, swirls, all in different colors, greens, reds, blues, yellows. There were many bright stars embedded in the huge nebula which was rising into the evening sky, their multi-colored fire lighting up the clouds of gas which covered a quarter of the horizon.

She realized that her mouth was open and closed it.

How do they do that? Surely that isn't possible! What is it?

Maralin was still speaking. "Here they call it the Veil, Mistress. I am told that it is a nebula, a region of clouds and dust where new stars are born. It would appear to be far enough away that Anmar is in little danger."

"Danger? What kind of danger?"

"The glowing you see is caused by radiation. Obviously, if that radiation reached here at high enough levels it wouldn't do any life here much good." He continued, "Nobody knows if it can be seen from Earth, or even if we would see the same view. I was told that Earth cannot be seen from here, that it is behind dust clouds, but we do not known if the Veil is what they referred to."

A little to the north, the visible horizon began to whiten, and very soon a white disk rose into view.

"Is that... Kalikan?"

"Aye, Mistress."

"Tell me, why does everything go across the sky the wrong way?"

"Oh, that one's easy, Mistress. We are in the southern hemisphere, naturally. Below the Equator, if you will."

There was a sudden sense of wrongness and it jolted her, until she understood what Maralin was saying. Then abruptly everything clicked into place and certain things became sensible again.

Of course I'm in the southern hemisphere! Much of what I see now makes sense... but where am I, then? Some remote part of Argentina, perhaps? No idea. Not Africa, I think. Maybe Australia? I know they have odd-looking animals there.

No, if there had been six-legged animals even I would have heard of them by now!

Two armsmen came up the stairway behind them and everybody turned. Behind the men were Eriana, Bennet and Semma. The Princess saluted Wallesan.

"Good evening, Wallesan, Fanis, Ursula, Maralin. I was told that you came to see the fine view of the city this night."

The Duke nodded. "Aye, Maralin suggested that it might help Mistress Ursula resolve her problems. What of your own?"

"I have arranged repairs to the Visund, which was not that badly damaged by the great fish but still required attention. By your leave, the men are making themselves comfortable in your city."

Wallesan waved a hand. "I doubt many will object, we all owe you and your men so much. Without your attack, we might still be at war today."

"As you say." Eriana turned to Ursula. "What do you think of the city? I have not been up here myself, the view is impressive."

"It is bigger than I thought," Ursula replied. "I was more interested in that, though." She pointed at the Veil.

"Aye!" Eriana smiled. "Is it not a magnificent sight? Our bards have long wondered if the halls of Valhalla lay there, where our brave warriors go when they are laid to rest."

Maralin said, "I was telling her that we don't see the Veil on Earth, Highness, not in the same way you do. If there was one reason I would not willingly return to Earth, it would be having that in my sky."

"Aye! I cannot disagree! Many a moonless night the Veil has proved ample to guide weary sailors home to port. But it is not just of practical use, our bards sing of the colors, the shapes, the jewels that gleam within it... It is truly a magnificent sight."

There was some small talk and then Fanis led the way back down the stairway to their bed chambers. Ursula undressed and cleaned herself up in a daze before lying on her bed, thinking.

It is... JUST possible, I think, to make all that up somehow, but I have no idea how it would be done.

If it is not made up, then logically this whole... place... is real, and that I am really here, in a female body, on a planet far, far away.

I'm frightened. I don't know whether I want it to be real or not!

If it isn't real, then I am still on Earth, and either being set up by... someone... or I have become totally insane.

And if I am insane, then nothing matters, it is all in my head.

She felt as if a yawning chasm had opened up beneath her.

If I don't find out the truth soon, I really will be insane!