#naereaon

[naereaonmanuscripts]

3

"Good morning, Rodger.  Raining again, isn't it?"  I swipe my badge and step quickly towards the elevator.  Roger never blinked, he's looking out the front window, imagining something.

The elevator door opens and I push number 5.  Alone, quiet.  "No elevator music today?"

In exactly 23 seconds the elevator door opens and once again here I am at the office.  I push a glass door and it silently glides open..  Outside the white noise patterns of rain on the pavement are simply a memory.  But I am still wet, drippng water from my shoes and the umbrella in my hand.  Rodger is still entrenched behind his desk, a couple of computer screens glowing blankly at his side.  Silent testament to nothing unusual in a place as intentionally usual as could possibly be.  

I stop for a moment at Sara's desk.  She's worked here almost as long as I have.  Nearly every morning, she's here early, watching the door and smiling to everyone as we come in.  

"I hope you got here before the rain started.  One more day of this and I'm buying big yellow rain boots."

"It was raining when I got here.  And I already bought some boots, myself, thank you very much.  Last year, in fact.  I just can't stand sitting here feeling like a personal rain forest.  Pretty soon all kinds of jungle plants are going to sprout around me."

"That might not be allowed, unauthorized plants were banned in last week's company-wide memo, remember?  It was hard breaking the news to some of mine, but in the end they understood.  Best for everyone concerned, they said."

She shook her head and smiled at me.

The Dover Design Group logo hung on the wall behind her.  Stylishly industrial in a sandblasted mat finish sort of way, suspended against an imported Brazilian mahogany wall.  Water dripped from my umbrella on to the glossy white marble floor, a remnant of the previous tenant, a real estate management firm.  It always gives me the creeps when I see it, so completely out of character with the style of this cast iron loft building.

"I need to keep moving, can't let myself drip all over this imported flooring.  I'm starting a small lake here.  See you!"

Beyond Sara's desk, I paused in front of the face scanner, the only indicator that something wasn't quite ordinary here.  In a moment the automatic door slid to the left and I stepped into a long dark hallway.  On either side were closed doors with nothing but room numbers on the name plates.  Far ahead at the end of the hall, a glass conference room with windows, a bit of daylight glowing through the rain.  

On the right, office 21B.

.

[naereaonmanuscripts]

Part 2: Finding Lysandareth Chapter 1

"OK, I'm going to have to sit here for a while and just think about this."  Alisia had been holding the book so we both could read the pages at the same time.  She laid it on the small table by the window and sat next to me.

"Do you think any of this is real," she said, sort of to herself as she looked past me, out through the window towards the dark sky.

"I've never heard of a town named Lysandareth, but when I lived here as a child we never traveled around the country at all."

"I haven't heard of it either. But the dates are from quite a long time ago.  I wonder if the place still exists but with a new name."

"You're starting to sound like you think this story is for real."

"Yeah, maybe I think it is.  I'm not sure.  Why wouldn't it be real?"

"The part about the magic stone is pretty wild."

"OK, yes, that's pretty crazy.  But the rest of it seems like it could be."

"So does that mean you're up for helping me find Lysandareth, wherever it might be?"

"Depends on where it is, I guess.  But if it’s out on the western coast somewhere, it could be pretty pleasant, at least.  The coastline is very beautiful."

"Great, that's a plan, let's head back to London tomorrow."

"I have a friend at the museum who really knows the map collection, perhaps he can help us find a map from the 17th century.  That would be a good place to start!"

[naereaonmanuscripts]

Book 1: 29

19th August, 1645

It seems we had not much time to wait.  Now three days after we finalized our plan, I have just returned from talking with the captain of a passing schooner.  He has agreed to take us as crew and passenger.  I have but one hour while the supplies are loaded to run to the cave and return.  We are leaving.  Farewell!  May all be well upon our return.

[naereaonmanuscripts]

Book 1: 28

16th August, 1645

In the days following, we have made plans.  They are secret plans, to be sure.  For few if any of the settlers would understand.  My only regret was that I would need to leave my dear horse Kyrean behind.  I was sad, but knew that she would be cared for and loved by Jessie, the son of one of my fishing partners.   Jessie had learned to ride her early this spring, and they immediately became attached to each other.  Kyrean seemed completely content to be cared for by Jessie, and I knew that he would be a good guardian.  

Now that the required building was completed on the homestead, the only other provision was to await the arrival of a passing ship that would accept us as crew and passenger.   For this we can do nothing but wait.  

Two weeks earlier, as Aleandra and I had been walking the beach one evening, I had discovered a small cave, set high in the bluff near the great rocky point.  It was somewhat wide but not very tall.  Aleandra was afraid to go in, but I wanted to explore it. That first day, it was too dark, so I returned another day with a lantern.  To enter, it was necessary to lie nearly flat on the ground and squeeze through the opening.  Once inside, however, it opened up to a height sufficient to stand.  It was dark, and cold inside and I heard the dripping of water in the distance.  Two tunnels fell away, one to the right, and one straight ahead.  I looked into the right side tunnel and it was very steep. Small ledges on each side were nearly hidden from view.  The tunnel at the front was long, and sloped gently downward.  I shouted and heard my echo drift away into the unknown distance. Aleandra, was calling to me, and I decided to end my explorations.  But I knew this cave would suit my purpose.

I mean to leave my vital papers behind.  To carry valuable documents such as a land deed upon the sea in ships of unknown purpose is foolish in the best of times.  And these times remain uncertain, indeed.  No doubt I would be killed for my possessions and never heard from again. Such a life it is far from the order and reason of London.  Consequently, this was my plan: to hide my deed and my diary in a locked box at the last possible moment.  Secret them away in the cave where it will cannot be found until we shall return in a year’s time to retrieve it.

[naereaonmanuscripts]

Book 1: 27

10th August, 1645

Even as our homestead grew, our thoughts have been searching for something more.  Aleandra is, indeed, a woman of great complexity and I am intrigued and curious to learn just what she is thinking.  

Earlier day, it came out. “I want to leave this place,”she said. “I know you have worked very hard building this cabin, and we have been committed to the people here.  They have become our friends.  But I want to see more.  I want to taste the air of different worlds.  I want to feel the wind in my hair and know that my feet have not walked this path one hundred times before.”  

She was talking so fast, and her arms were reaching out to me, reaching for the sky, and her eyes were afire with excitement.  What could I say?  I felt it too.  She was speaking my mind.  At first, something had held me here.  An unknown connection to this place that I had pondered in the quiet hours of nighttime: R E. Like a beacon, it signified something that I cannot understand.  But now, I felt free.  Free of the bonds of responsibility and duty.  The town was established.  New men and families are arriving and there is prosperity.  

This is beginning to be a real town.  The meeting hall shapes the beginning of a town square.  A road has been build heading eastward, parallel to the bluffs.  And on each side of the road, small cottages and a market have been built.  What had held me here, had released me, in an instant.  Aleandra voice had opened the door of a new adventure and I said yes, we shall leave.  We shall leave for one year.  Plan to return, take up this homestead, and raise a family. Let us now seek the horizon, the new path, together!

[naereaonmanuscripts]

Book 1: 26

4th August, 1645

In the evening hours, after my work is done, I have been building the required boundary markers and small house upon our homestead.  The house is set on the edge of the meadow, not far from a small group of young trees. I am building the house of stone because I intended for it to last for all time.  The deed grants rights of ownership and usage for all heirs and I mean to provide a house that will serve them.  However, the task of building a stone house is daunting, to say the least. Many stones it takes to build a wall, and even though I worked as quickly as I could, it took me a month to build a small, one-room structure.  A door, small windows, and a stone floor. In time, it could be made larger.  A second floor, another room; there will be time for these things in another year. Today we celebrate the completion of our one-room cabin on our own homestead!

[naereaonmanuscripts]

Book 1: 25

1st July, 1645

I was awarded a homestead today.  Together, Aleandra and I chose a section of meadow with the forest beyond.  It was up the hill from town and near a high bluff that looks out upon a gently curving bay.  Not far distant, is a beautiful, sandy beach where we can enjoy the sun and water.  In every way, a most beautiful place.

[naereaonmanuscripts]

Book 1: 24

12th June, 1645

Through the early summer, Aleandra and I spend many evenings on the beach, watching the setting sun and dreaming of what is beyond the horizon.  We sit under our favorite juniper and watch the sun set.  

Sometimes, as we talk, I use my knife to carve and whittle. I enjoy working with wood, and it’s relaxing.  One early spring day only about a week ago, we were sitting among the junipers at the edge of the settlement.  "Carve our names in this tree bark," Aleandra said, and it seemed a fitting idea for this was our place.  

It is our place to talk and dream and think of many things.  Adventure is calling.  To my surprise, Aleandra felt it too, and we talk of the places we had been and places we would like to go.  We grow more and more restless.  Nevert³heless, we were both realize that I will soon qualify for a homestead; and that provides a foundation of stability for our future.

It is also a time of much work:  fishing, building, preparing the provisions for the settlement and the passing sailors. Time is flying by.  But they are happy days, spent at simple hard work, and the joy of time spent with Aleandra.

[naereaonmanuscripts]

Book 1: 23

18th May, 1645

The new settlement has grown remarkably fast.  But there are also so many new responsibilities and new tasks.  All the men shared in the work of fishing and maintaining the supplies. With the arrival of spring, the ships are again sailing upon these waters.  We fly the supply flag everyday now.  And we have three or four ships arriving to obtain provisions for their journey.  We are all busy, and the town is prospering again.  The dark winter has passed, and the fear and grief is replaced with hope and action.

[naereaonmanuscripts]

Book 1: 22

22nd April, 1645

Aleandra and I were married yesterday.  Everyone in town was there and it was a grand and wonderful party.  Music and dancing late into the night!  Everyone was so happy.  It is springtime, and we are in love, and it is wonderful.

[naereaonmanuscripts]

Book 1: 21

31st March, 1645

Yesterday evening, as the sun was nearly setting, we watched the play of light and shadow reflected on the rock, reflected by the water. The sea was particularly calm then, and we had ventured out farther toward the point than ever before.  Indeed, we had rounded the point and were looking upon a small sandy cove, unseen before by any of the settlers. Knowing that the sun would soon set, we quickly climbed down from the rocks and ran through the sand - holding hands, laughing, and enjoying the freedom of a secret place all their own.  

It was an evening we both will remember forever more, an evening of dreams and romance and of new paths. "Marry me, I said.  Marry me now Aleandra for never on this earth have I loved as this; and never again will I be able to live without you."  And she said yes, and she kissed me.

[naereaonmanuscripts]

Book 1: 20

14th March, 1645

With the arrival of warmer early spring weather, Aleandra and I take a walk along the beach nearly every evening.  We talk of many things but often it is of the future, our hopes and dreams.  Our favorite spot is in the opposite direction from the old settlement, further on towards the point, great rock, as they called it.  I couldn’t help but notice it when I was first standing upon the bluff, above the coastline.  It remains a majestic vision to me – a great gray rock breaking the pounding surf like the edge of time. Like the bow of a ship, a hundred or more feet in height jutting out into the sea with wave upon wave breaking upon it since time began.  

Last evening as we were walking in the moonlight not far from the point, we both looked up towards the top of the bluff. Ordinarily hidden by short junipers growing along the base of the bluff, a shaft of silver moonlight shone perfectly through the branches and illuminated two letters carved deeply into the stone: R.E.  Set above the ground by eight or ten feet and hundreds of years old perhaps but still clear and unmistakable.

"Have you been here before,” she asked.  No, never, I replied, but certainly someone spent much time here long ago. Hours and days it would take to make these carvings so deep and precise.  This stone is extremely hard.  No doubt it was years ago, the characters are in a style of a much earlier time."  In the reflection of the moment, we it all just seemed impossible to explain.  But in the days since, I have pondered the coincidence of the location, the timing, and its discovery.  

[naereaonmanuscripts]

Book 1: 19

25th February, 1645

The votes were counted today.  All but three voted to move to the top of the bluff.  Nearly everyone agreed that the settlement will be much safer in this new location.  

With the decision made, there is now much work to be done.  At the top of the bluff there is a wealth of trees ready for the ax.  Cabins, storage buildings, and a smoke house will need to be built. As soon as all the cabins are finished, we will build a meetinghouse.

Town meetings are held regularly now and recently it was decided that every man would be given a deed to a homestead after having served the settlement with dedication for 12 months time.  Most of the men already qualify since they had started the settlement several months before I had arrived last year.   The terms were discussed and argued.  Several weeks went by and the settlers considered the finer points of the arrangement. Finally, we all come to an agreement and the terms were written in the town record book:

“Be it known to all: every man who has worked in the interest of the settlement for a continuous period of 12 months shall be awarded a land tract as a homestead.  He may choose a tract that pleases him from among the unclaimed lands surrounding the settlement.  The terms of the deed require the building of boundary markers of stone at each corner. The markers shall contain carved initials of the owner.  A house must be built on the land, and he or his heirs may inhabit the land at any time from that time forward.”

[naereaonmanuscripts]

Book 1: 18

21st February, 1645

The question of moving the settlement to the top of the bluff has come to a vote.  It is scheduled for tomorrow and a method of voting devised - an oak leaf cast in the box indicates a move to the bluff, a small stone worn by the waves places a vote to remain on the beach.  

[naereaonmanuscripts]

Book 1: 17

14th February, 1645

In our weekly settlers’ meetings we have been discussing the fate of the settlement.  In the spring, should we abandon this place, give up? Or, should they send word that we need more settlers to help rebuild.  And there are some that believe that we should move to the top of the bluff for safety.  The men who have gone hunting there tell us of vast areas of forest full of wildlife and vegetation of all kinds:  wild fruits, berries, and other edible plants.  The logistics of the steep path and the necessity that all supplies be transported up and down cause many to oppose the idea.  "It is just impossible for such a small group to move everything up and down the bluff trail.  It is too steep and narrow.  Much time will be spent, and much effort wasted."  The talking always stretches late into the night.  

[naereaonmanuscripts]

Book 1: 16

5th February, 1645

During these long dark winter evenings, I have been helping some of the women care for the frostbite and other problems that plague our small community.  

One of the women, Aleandra, had come to the settlement with her husband. They had been here only a week when he was killed in the raid.  

Sometimes after everyone had been attended to, we sit together and drink coffee and talk late into the evening.  In this short time, I find myself spending more and more time with her.