Mars Underneath The Sceptre of Eternity

The House of Knowledge

Alavaira was a jovial boy of fifteen years old, he was raised up in the temple's orphanage like many other nameless, homeless orphans. Even in grief, the boy did not forget to smile; when he smiled both of his cheeks revealed dimples and his deep dark brown eyes also reflected happiness. His company was a blessing to Amerik who was not ready to leave his sorrow. However; within a few hours, Amerik realised that he was making a great blunder; he should not live in the past.

The temple, oh, no, the Die Maneret had a magnificent architectural grandeur. Amerik remembered, his father had a business of antique things; he had seen many ancient items in his shop and his father had a hobby of spending vacation in historical places. So, he had ample opportunity of seeing heritage buildings; but this temple or Die Maneret had a different type of beauty.

Right now Amerik and Alavaira were sitting on the terrace on the topmost floors of the Die Maneret; the young novice seer donned in purple robe was explaining him about Terra Aquillaan and the land's history. However; Amerik was not listening to him, but was thinking many other things. Alavaira too realized it and he stopped. He brought out a cone shaped purple coloured woollen cap from the deep pocket of his long robe and put it on his bald head to protect himself from the dews and cold wind.

"Cover your head; if you don't like to catch a cold." The boy advised and rubbed his small nose roughly; "I already have got it."

"I have hairs; so; I have very little chance to catch cold." Amerik jokingly replied.

Alavaira laughed; his laughter sounded sweet to Amerik; "Yes, you've hairs; but in Terra Aquillaan we have hot days and chilly nights; your short hairs cannot save you. Anyway; when I was young, I had longer hair than you, but still I always caught cold." The boy would not leave him easily; so, Amerik brought out a similar cap like him from his robe pocket; but the colour was blue, not purple. Here in this Die Maneret colour codes were strictly followed. Only novices wore purple cloths; Trainee Seers wore red ones and seers wore white long robes. Fabric material was also changed according to hierarchy. Finer cotton fabrics were for the seers and coarser for the novices and Trainee Seers, but silks were not allowed. However; Amerik was given high quality, colourful clothes from the King and he was asked to dress up like an aspiring Eagle Guard instead of an alien beggar.

Really, Ergonn was an exceptional king; Amerik thought. He valued that Old Martes woman like a mother and Amerik attacked her; still Ergonn listened to him and realised his grief, He sent Amerik to a peaceful environment rather than sending him to a dungeon. A ruler like him was exceptional not only in Mars; but also in the Earth. He closed his eyes and thought if that man became the king twenty years ago; he would not lose Volga.

A soft hand touched Amerik's right shoulder; it was Alavaira no doubt; he asked him softly; "Feeling unwell?"

"No, I cannot leave my thoughts." Amerik said.

"Come with me; I know how to improve your mind." Alavaira asked him to get up. Amerik followed him blindly; they crossed a wooden staircase and reached to the outer yard of the Die Maneret. Alavaira brought him to the main temple; and they entered the sanctum Sanctorum. He saw the big idol of the Sea God standing on a four feet high pedestal. The idol was a bit peculiar; it had a human like body, but a head like an Eagle. The idol was covered with a long red robe, but had no jewelleries, except a white metallic circlet crown, probably silver. First time, he saw silver on Mars.

The Grand Seer, an old bearded man in a white robe was walking around the idol with a big white lamp in his hand. His lamp had five wicks, and the handle had colourful stones. Amerik could not realise the meaning of the ritual, but dared not to ask anything. Since his first day in Terra Aquillaan, he was finding cultural similarity with medieval Europe; but now he was feeling that he was in some ancient eastern country.