Methaphoras

10 HIGH VISIT

Slowly and clearly articulating, Teleran read aloud the translation of the Elvar text alongside the gigantic geoglyphs:

'Welcome to Anthinopolis, please land in the middle of the field with the image of a dragon in every corner. Violating this rule is at your own risk!' The four lords looked at each other in amazement because everything seemed to be going smoothly and prosperously on Urantium, so the inscription appeared to be inappropriate. Meanwhile, Aran wondered where the metamorphosis and progress came from. As they descended, the captain noticed that the distance from the aerodrome to the palace was uncomfortably far for his passengers so he decided to put down the Elana nearby the first building.

Immediately a voice thundered from the clouds:

'It is highly recommended to land in the area between the four dragons!' That is not a question, Captain! It is a requirement!' Aran was startled because the Elana creaked in her seams as if she experienced an enormous resistance and sank into a sticky, invisible mass. In the chosen direction, no more movement was possible, so that the proud vessel hung silently, like an insect in a web. Aran looked around and saw again the four drawings in the sand, portraying the eliminator dragons and marking the place where they had to land. With his important passengers on board, he did not want to cause a stir so he steered the former pomp ship in the indicated direction. The friction in the steering wheel fell away and the landing went smoothly. Harbor Master Brandael of the nearby Portus Macu was awaiting the four Lords and Aran stated that the arriving companions were under his personal care and protection to hold a conclave concerning Urantiums future.

In contrast to his passengers, Aran could move freely between the universes thus during such a crossing they were completely dependent on him. If they wandered too far away from their guide, they risked falling apart to join the nameless Charonns in the free space. It was assumed that the safe zone was limited to a hundred paces.

Teleran, oldest in rank, introduced them and requested an interview where they could hear Ardor. Brandael nodded and guided the visitors to a large council chamber equipped with all kinds of conveniences. The lord of Narantium asked the question that also tumbled in Aran's knowledge center:

'Why can we not land nearby that gate over there, Brandael?'

'A justified question, Lord Asterios. You could land there by using the bundled willpower of all of you. Unfortunately, in that case, nothing will be left of your beautiful vessel, your bodies, jewelry, and all physical material except smoking cinders!'

'One could describe this as at least drastic, but in whose interests can that be?'

'It certainly will be not in favor of any possible stowaways...'

'You probably mean, any uninvited passenger?'

'Yes, unwanted viper like travelers!'

'Is it possible that the palace is shrouded in an adder proof shield?'

'Also the city, the local soil, and soon the protection will surround the entire universe!'

'Miraculous! We shall have to discuss this with Ardor and apply it to our home universes.'

'That is Lord Ardor's ambition too, but I think he would rather want to explain the details himself during the planned congress.'

Aran felt a little bit embarrassed because of the big, positive changes on Urantium. Because of his former statements, he could easily be put away as a thrill seeker or panicky. If, on the other hand, the viper screen of Urantium turned out to be applicable to a ship, he could rehabilitate himself with such science in Varuna's eyes. In the meantime, Brandael waved off the many questions with which the gentlemen continued to bombard him. The only additional thing he wanted to say concerning their vessel. It underwent, in the place where it stood, a thorough inspection and cleaning that no viper-like could survive. At this the lord of Divantium remarked politely but astute: