2.79 The Party Crashers

Ideas for crashing the Farewell Celebration rapidly mushroomed into plans, teams and preparation lists, everyone had suggestions and ideas to offer, everyone wanted to pull off the ultimate show.

         "Why don't we bring some kegs of our finest Moonwine?" Akku pitched.

         "Good idea" Jasun agreed, pondering the heavy haul, the old gravel ship they were hoping to use would be perfect for the task. "Maybe we could get Vikkar to pick us all up from Mu."

         "We should bring lots of Moonwine!" Zara's despair had transformed into solution think, within minutes, like a yo-yo she was optimistic once again. "It's not even close to the Atlan MoonWine!"

         "I don't think it's a good idea for you to go" Neter doused the flame.

         For a moment Zara wasn't sure she heard right. "I can't go?"

         "I don't think so" he replied.

         The rejection was painful. Why was he rejecting her? She belonged to the plan, she had spawned it, she was in a unique position.

         "Why not? I’m in a unique position! Wouldn’t it help to have someone who knows Atlan? Someone who can vouch for you? Tell them you guys are legit?"

         But Neter shook his head, it wasn't a good idea, he didn't know how to explain....

         "How about the Unicorn?" Nel interjected, she knew where Zara was coming from, the performance could be seen as a Lunie thing, dismissed and barely looked at.

         "The Unicorn?" Zara wasn't so sure. "It'll scare them. They think it's evil!"

         "I think it's a good idea" Neter liked the idea. "That way they can find out it isn't. I could bring mine, he's okay with travelling on a boat."

         "Your horse really is a Unicorn?" Zara hadn't seen any horn. She learned he rode a Unicorn in the text book, but without having seen the horn she had assumed it to be another lie.

         "You were probably just too close to see it" Nel explained the photon science.

         "Photon horn?" The feelings of terror she had felt when she saw the Unicorn, when she had her nightmare were still fresh in her mind. Was the evil of the Unicorns another lie too?

         "What do you think, Neter?" Jasun queried as Zara plunged off the cliff again. "Shall we get Vikkar to pick us and a load of Moonwine up in Mu?"

         "Yes!" Neter liked the idea, there was more in Mu than kegs of Moonwine. He glanced at Zara, noticing she was flatlining again. "I think maybe you might like some of the other bands from Mu. There are all kinds of dancers and musicians in Mu, I'm sure they would like a chance to perform at the Farewell Celebration. Why don't you come with us to Mu? You can choose the best ones for the show."

         Zara lit up again, delighter by the idea, keen to visit his village by the sea.

        

         As twilight cast it's magic spell over Lemuria and the stars began to twinkle in the sky, Jasun galloped hard through the woods toward Kergal, eager to bring Vikkar into the fold and up to speed with the plan.

         Vikkar could sense the approaching energy long before he heard the thundering hooves. He had been pacing the lookout for hours already when he spotted the rider dashing along the wooded trail below, it was like a deja-vu, except the energy was much more exciting. Why was Jasun now galloping towards Kergal at such high speed?

         This time the rider was smiling, not frowning. Jasun dismounted with great cheer, radiating with good vibrations, unlikely at a time like this. Jasun took a moment to catch his breath.

         "We've made a plan to rescue the slaves of Atlan!" The words exploded from his lips full of enthusiasm. "We need your help!"

         Jasun explained the plan over a meal by the fire, presenting some of the obstacles and suggested solutions as Vikkar listened on.

         "We're wondering if the Nefilim can help rescue the Panthers..."

         "Ha!" Vikkar looked up into the fading twilight, pondering the snag. The comet was now glistening faintly in the azure sky, it was like an affirmation, a promise of good fortune, was this it? Was this a Second Revolt on the horizon? His blood pumped hard just thinking about it. The Gens? brave enough to revolt? It was hardly plausible, in reality. Such a gag would divide his tribe, too. He knew of the deep divisions amongst them, yet in spite of these very real doubts, a feeling of hope blossomed forth as the cunning plan was disclosed. At the very least it sounded like fun, it would be the perfect opportunity to break his ties with Atlan and go on his own, perhaps Atalon would blame him and cast him out of the Firmary forever? It wouldn't be so bad, the truth was, this was long overdue. His Nefilim friends would finally be forced to choose between Atlan and Kergal. It would purify the tribe, he would finally know who his real friends were.

         "The second comet warns of division, you know" he had read the Tabloids, heard the rumors, he knew enough about the Coming War to take it seriously.

         Jasun followed his gaze upward to the magnificent sign in the heaven, pointing toward Ebar. To Jasun the comet spoke of promise too, of new beginnings and change.

         "Division can be good" he reminded. "It just depends which side you're on."