Mars Underneath The Sceptre of Eternity

The Unknown River

Vézian Moore was again in confusion, Vasudha had requested him to forgive Neila and Ayur for the first time; if he suspended them, their career would be hampered. He agreed with her logic and had no intention to spoil any trainees' future. However, he was not in a mood to leave them completely unpunished; so, he had suspended them for one week from his own class. Initially Vasudha raised an objection, said, "Map projection and surveying is an important class; if they miss it for seven days; they will lose track."

"Others can help them." He replied, "Their curiosity could endanger all of us." Vasudha had no other argument but to leave him with his decision. Vézian tried to concentrate on the Scientist Gazboo's book and tried not to remember anything else. However, he still could not forget the day when Neila and Ayur were found in a village below the cliff. Those two had admitted that they heard the sound of drum beating and wanted to know the source of it. They followed the sound and reached to the village downhill; they saw a group of Old Martes people with pale white complexion, skull shaped heads slightly bigger than their thin bodies without hairs and ears. They were dressed in scanty clothes made up of bark of trees and covered only their lower parts, but all had white garlands on their necks. Some of them in long robes, probably their priests were chanting something in an unknown language. They were celebrating something by beating a drum like instrument. Some were dancing and singing in an incomprehensible language. Initially, they were reluctant to go there; but few small children dragged Neila midst of them and Ayur followed her. They too were dancing without knowing the cause of celebration and when Ayur asked them; a man probably the headman answered in broken English, "We are celebrating the Rise of the King of Mars."

Since Volga and Erik's accidents, the Earth Council had forbidden them not to create problems with Neo Martes men; Vézian had decided not to involve in Old Martes people's affair anymore. Those villagers were asking him and Léal to join their celebration; they also offered them a vegetable stew and some chocolate coloured sweets. They took, thanked them for the hospitality and expressed their desire to leave. Léal had an intention to know more about the King of Mars; but Vézian threatened them to suspend from the coursework.

As the Captain of the settlement, Vézian gave strict instruction to all his colleagues not to allow any young trainee alone outside the settlement and its premises. His other colleagues agreed with him, even Vasudha too could not raise any objections. Other people like the canteen supervisor, robot manager and housekeepers also knew his instruction. He liked to keep an eye on Léal and Merionne, because they had an immense curiosity about Old Martes folk and their King of Mars.

From his living chamber, Vézian heard trainees were talking loudly in the study room; he heard Merionne's voice, "King of Mars? This planet had many kingdoms just like our Earth in its medieval age. Neo Martes people have different languages and cultures derived from the Ancient Colonizers or our forefathers from various countries."

"I think they are opting for 'One World, One Planet'." Neila said.

"Amazing; we waged three Great Wars to make 'One World, One Planet'; our forefathers were not ready to shed their local differences easily." Ayur said.

"Then Martes men are wiser than us." Léal remarked.

"Only men, not women?" Merionne sounded hurt.

"Men equal to the entire race." Léal tried to say.

"No, you didn't say that; you men hardly count women." Merionne replied; Vézian smiled a bit.

"Really Merionne, he only talked about men," Neila said, "Because we hardly know anything regarding Mars- women."

"They are so primitive; hardly knows the usage of iron weapons." Ayur said.