When I got there, there were still two hours to go before everyone woke up. I went to the library, and stared out the window at the bustling streets. Draals were running back and forth, fulfilling their duties and enjoying their lives. I sighed morosely. Was I now cut off from that? I wouldn't miss the fatigue, of course. I wouldn't miss the torturous labour, the ungodly hours or the bowing and scraping. But there was something wrong…
I turned and looked at the globe I was leaning on. I counted the continents. There were six- I had lied to the alien. There were lots of mountain ranges. There were little fjords, bays and rivers. This was an amazing globe. I couldn't believe I had never seen Arlia like this!
I turned and looked at the library behind me. Row upon row of multicoloured books, stacked in shelves, upon which were stacked more shelves, which stretched to the ceiling! I couldn't waste this new opportunity. I had no idea there was so much information to be had!
I started my preliminary education by finding a book entitled "Basic Math". I knew about regular arithmetic, of course, but I couldn't help feeling there was more- and there was! There were theories about triangles and circles- common sense rules that should have occurred to me years ago. There were fractions and algebra, laws and logic, arcane symbols and three-point-one-four. I found some paper, conveniently set aside for students like me, and began copying some of the more essential theories down. I was interrupted by a house servant, who informed me that it was time for breakfast.
"Impossible." I told him. "I can't have been here that long."
He assured me that it was indeed noon and that my presence was required at the table. I discovered, to my dismay, that my robe had no pockets, so I folded my findings up, and tucked them awkwardly into my sleeve.
When I arrived at the long dining room, most of the royals had already left. The Queen was still eating: she had to eat to produce eggs, and the King had to stay with her. I sat sheepishly at an empty spot, and began serving some soup into a clean wooden bowl. An attendant rushed to my side and finished the job, setting the bowl down in front of me, and waiting by my chair as though I might need help with my spoon.
"Well, Attla" said the King, sitting beside his ravenous wife, "I see you aren't quite used to your high stature yet."
I only nodded emphatically, as I was too hungry to stop eating.
"You'll adapt, though. This once happened to an Arlian named Quenta over two hundred years ago. He went on to be one of the greatest scientists known to civilization, and a real social climber, or so I've read."
I went on spooning soup into my empty stomach.
"Your high place in the social order means you never have to work again- unless you commit some crime and get bumped down a notch. You're a good lad, though. You want to serve your city and your planet. I like that." I just nodded. I was finished.
The King sang my praises for a few more minutes, then noticed that his wife was done eating. He turned away from me, and began supervising as her crimson bulk was carried out to the balcony for some fresh air. I ran back to the library.
I continued copying down the mathematical theories, and, when I got to the end of the book, went back and tried some of the questions. To my consternation, I couldn't get any of them right. I found an abacus, and puzzled over the equations until a servant came to escort me to bed. I sat up late that night at my desk, doing polynomial multiplication.
Gradually, I got used to castle life. With the lack of physical labour to do, I found I only needed one meal per day. The royals eventually got over the novelty of my presence, and went back to gossiping about the hierarchy and debating the evening's entertainment. They didn't talk to me; I didn't talk to them. It was just as well- I don't think any of them really liked me. I was just Attla the slightly promoted servant.
I studied every math textbook in the library, and then went on to physics, chemistry, history, biology and geography. I discovered the sine law, plate tectonics, chitin composition and The Battle of the Two Thousand Generals.
What really got me going were the plays. I don't mean the banal shallow entertainment the royals liked- I mean the ancient plays. Each one was filled with adventure, romance, and deep insight. Those were the legendary days, when a lone Arlian with a dream and a sword could win fame, riches and honour. I read "Tale of Two Passions", "A Warrior's Deep", "Only One Moon" and even "Swell-Foot the King". These were not tales for the confined library- these were tales for reading out in the garden.
The garden was green and alive, yet quiet and serene. The grounds were immaculately tended, and I was sitting in my favourite spot- under the big tree in the centre. The play I was reading was "Romo and Yiita", a beautiful love story that still had a fair dose of action.
I was really getting into it, reading the final scene out loud:
"Romo, 'tis I, I have returned to you!"
"Oh, you fly to your blessed origin like the beauteous suns to their dawn! The elation of Ghennis does not outshine my own this day! Does my pounding heart deceive me, or is it really you?"
Suddenly, I heard a voice behind me, reciting Yiita's part: "It is I, your Yiita!"
I decided to play along. "Oh, joy, you have returned to my barren soul! My flame is rekindled, my hope is reborn!"
A gorgeous Signette walked into my peripheral vision, gesturing like a professional actress. "My days apart from you were as spent wax, as egg shells, as silla husk. Each night I dreamt of your strong arms, and each morn I saw your face anew in my mind."
I came around the tree and held the book in one hand, pointing at the sky with the other. "Oh, Yiita, the stars of the heavens would sooner start from their spheres, than would I, your love, relinquish this bliss! Be Queen at my side, and flavour my days!"
"Our home shall be in Evernette, and our castle of its stones. Our children shall build a monument to our love as would outlast the very mountains!"
The scene ended, and we both collapsed to the ground, giggling. My impromptu acting partner was tall and lithe, wearing a light sundress and a pair of sandals. I was the first to speak.
"You, my dear, are a superb actress."
She bowed extravagantly, and replied "I played that role for two years. I know it like the back of my hand. Incidentally, you are the only Romo I have ever known who pronounced his beloved's name incorrectly."
I shrugged. "There aren't any guides."
She nodded. "You must be Attla, the wonder-Draal. My name is Lemlia. It's a pleasure to meet someone who reads the classic plays of his own free will."
I helped her to her feet, and was astonished at how light she was. This was Queen material? I felt like I should say something, something clever or exciting, but what? We just stood there, holding hands. Eventually it occurred to me that since she was standing up, Lemlia no longer needed my help. I slowly let go. We stayed quiet for a while.
Lemlia was the first to speak. "You know, they've already deciphered the alien number system. The scouter apparently gauges a person's fighting power and distance. It's quite remarkable. They've already created machines with the technology that can see down inside a person's tissues, or track the motion of the planets to within a few degrees."
"Really? That's incredible!"
"You mean you don't even know what they're doing with your alien gift?"
"There's just so much else I've found, now that I'm a Signa. There's math, science, drama- I never knew about any of these wonderful things!"
Lemlia looked puzzled and shocked. "But, they were always available to the public- all you had to do was ask."
"Well," I replied, "Fourteen hours of manual labour rather extinguishes the zest for academia." Lemlia giggled again. It was a wonderful noise.
"It's almost time for the races. Do you want to come?" I had never been to the races, so I went with her.
Lemlia and I stayed at the arena until sundown. There were foot races, there were Zakka races, there was even high jump and wrestling. It was great, I'd never felt so alive. Lemlia really enjoyed it too. After the arena closed up for the night, Lemlia and I just wandered through the corridors, talking. She showed me where the background music came from, and I told her about meeting the alien. Eventually, we came to the door of her quarters.
"Well," she said, "it was fun hanging out with you, Attla. You really turned my day around. Thank you." Then she clasped my elbows, and left. I stood there, looking at her door. Slowly, I walked back to my quarters.
The carpet was soft, the music which had seemed so annoying before was now vibrant and happy. I skipped along, humming a little, and I swung around a wooden pillar as if I were dancing with it. Maybe I'd see Lemlia tomorrow!
Click here for Part Three