Heaven

The Bird

“Magnificent, isn’t it?” said Hashday. 

We were upstairs in a building not far from my home. I’d never been here before, and for good reason: It was practically empty. Except, that is, for one particular artifact: Ibnfirnas’ wings. 

“More so than I imagined,” I said, examining the contraption. It was set upon a pedestal in the middle of the room—two sets of wings, one atop the other, connected to a horizontal bar at the bottom, which I imagined was what Ibnfirnas held onto when he made his flight. There were two drawstrings on either side of the bar, which must have been the controls for left, right, up and down. It was stunning in its simplicity—free of the ornamental trappings of most Moslem artifacts—everything about it had a specific, obvious purpose, and there was nothing more. It was the most perfect human creation. 

“Does it still work?” I said.

“Who knows,” said Hashday. “I don’t believe anyone’s been brave enough to try it since its creator. It’s a shame, isn’t it? This is the type of technology that the caliphate should be invested in, rather than constructing more buildings that we don’t need. Can you imagine a future where everyone gets around on wings like these?”

“It would be a faster way to travel, that’s for sure.”

“Maybe we could even make it across the great sea to the west,” said Hashday. “Some birds can do it—very large ones.”

“Across it? But I thought that was the edge of the world.”

He smiled. “Most people think that. But there’s land on the other side. A different world, very far away. In fact, the caliph is planning on sending a ship to explore the new world, and it will be a long and dangerous journey. But imagine if we could do it on wings like these—it’d be much easier.”

“Why don’t you do it?” I said. “Develop the wings, I mean. It sounds amazing. I bet if anyone could do it, it would be you.”

“My dear Aragad,” he said. “I’m afraid I haven’t the time. I spend my days going here and there for the caliph, and when I’m not serving him I’m performing my duties as a doctor. I enjoy meditating on the possibilities of such things, but I don’t believe it’s my place to create them. Don’t you worry—there will come a time when someone will create a better set of wings. It’s possible that neither of us will be alive to see it, but the time will come.”

“Hashday,” I said. “What is this building? Why is it empty?”

“The caliph gave it to me,” Hashday said, “when he took me on as vizier. But I decided to continue living in my old house, in the same area as the other Jews. Living in a community of people who share your background—who understand you—there’s nothing more important.”

I nodded, thinking of Jakob and the other Sakaliba. I wondered if I would have made it this long in the Azara without their company.

“So this building sits empty for now. I suppose I should sell it, but it’s really too beautiful, don’t you think?”

“It is.” The room was wide and was entirely open on the side that faced the rising mountains, but for two ornate columns that supported the roof. “There are no mountains where I come from. The nearest ones are by the sea, far from Osada.”

“It’s nice having them around. Mountains are the true kings of the land, you know. Never to be overthrown, never to die, never to fight over succession—they all rule in unison. They offer protection and bit of reprieve from the heat. And they keep the peace, too, don’t they?”

“I’ve never thought of it that way,” I said.

“It’s a shame that I don’t make it here often enough to appreciate the view. I always thought I could leave this house to my son—if I ever have one. But I suppose I need to find a wife first, don’t I?” He chuckled. 

“That would help things.”

“But for now, I see no reason why you can’t visit whenever you need to get away. Consider it your second home. There are no servants, and meals won’t be served, but you can enjoy the view at least. I think it’s one of the best in the Azara—besides from the palace, of course.”

“I’d like that very much,” I said. 

“Take this key, then. I’ve got another at my house. But don’t tell anyone. This should be our secret.”