The town meeting in the Crystal Temple was
offering up all kinds of insights and ideas.
"They
like our books" Mira offered. “Why don't we make them some books to tell
them the real story?"
"We
could send them as gifts" Zara chimed, picturing it.
"They
would be confiscated" Mina reminded. It was a real challenge they faced.
"We
could slip them the information secretly, maybe hide messages in the cells at
the TLS program?" Nel saw a potential alternative to the harbor logistics
but it wasn't really practical, especially given the fears the aribu had to face
and by the time the aribu were in the TLS Program, it was too late for them to
awaken the others.
As
the villagers tossed their ideas around, searching for a way to rescue the slaves
of Atlan, Zara found herself fighting cruel flashbacks, they were becoming more
and more painful, too. She pinched her hand, trying to ward off the sad
thoughts as they discussed the implications of rescuing the aribu stuck in a
world she once held so dearly to her heart. How wrong she had been, how wrong they
all had been. She couldn't believe,
now, how badly she had dreaded this destination, this so-called Hellias. She
reflected upon the distrust she had had for the Lemurians when she first
arrived. Even though she was still quite confused, she knew in her heart they
meant her no harm. It presented a huge dilemma. How on earth would they ever
convince the aribu of the truth?
"Why
don't we invite them to the Solstice celebration?" Jasun suggested. "They
like to party!"
"They
would never go for that!" Zara assured, she had fought way too hard to
unlearn what she ‘knew’ about Lemuria. "Even if they secretly wanted to
come, they would never dare admit it,
they'd get in trouble or be socially ostracized for even thinking about doing something like that!"
No
one knew what to say. Zara found herself staring at Jasun's hands again… This
time they were stroking Nina's big belly, arousing another wave of painful memories.
How deeply their love tugged at her
heart, Nina and Jasun were the quintessential image of all she had ever wanted
in life. Love. Then she realized, that was what the war was all about! That was
why Atalon hated Lemuria… Lemuria was full of love, powerful love… Love that was free to be whatever it wanted to be. She
realized now how badly she had longed
for love in her life, to live
everything she had wanted to feel, it
was the answer they were looking for. "Show them your love, your babies,
show them your families! If you could show them your powerful love, I guarantee they'll come to your party!"
Nel
smiled, she could picture it. "Yeah... Play them your music! That will
make them want to come to your Solstice Party too!"
It
made good sense! Nods all around affirmed it was the best idea so far. They
couldn’t imagine a world without music or love, the very reason they had revolted all those years ago was because
Atalon had taken away their children. It was a deep and very painful nerve, for
all of them, one so deep and painful the aribu might actually feel the energy
they needed to reignite their Phoenix Flames inside.
"So..."
Jasun questioned the logistics. "Do we just send them invites?"
Neter
pondered all that he had seen, the Farewell Celebration would be difficult to
lure them away from, but was perhaps an opportunity begging to be seized… Thanks
to the latest gravel business, there were shipping opportunities available, too…
"I
have an idea" he raised his hand. "Why don't we crash their party?"
For
a moment the room fell silent, everyone could picture it. Smiles broke out,
nods soon followed, the response was unanimous, the idea blossomed forth.
"We
could show up with a show..."
Akku offered. "We could sell it as a gesture of Love and Peace, we could
make a banner to announce it, it could say Peace and Love for the New Empire!"
"You
can't sell them love" Zara reminded, coldly. "And besides, you can't
teach them all you taught me while you're performing a show! It won't
work."
It
was true, but the general idea was good, it spawned more ideas and almost
immediately they agreed it would be possible and fairly safe to at least, try,
with the intention of luring them back to Lemuria with them for the Solstice
celebration after the show. Within
moments of the plan's approval, the idea grew roots in the hearts of one and
all, everyone wanted to go crash the
Farewell Celebration.
"We
can't all go" Neter gently doused the flames of excitement as they blazed bright.
"We will have to make a careful plan, we can only send a sample of our
best, so that there will be room on the boat to bring them back." He
turned to Zara. "Will you help me select the music and babies who give you
such powerful feelings of Joy and Love?"
"Yes!"
Zara agreed, charged with emotion, it would be an easy task. "Jasun and
Nina are a really good start. And Firelight? They'll break the spell! I guarantee it!"
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