“Energy level?”
“Yes. The body works on two main levels that can be easily observed. The main physical level, which is the easiest to observe, is the cause and effect level. Then there is the energy level, which is a lot more difficult to observe. I would gather that in your time, the energy level was not understood well.”
Louise thought back. What had she learned about the body? What were some of the stories she’d heard about people who lived long lives but never ate. Wasn’t there a saint who never had anything other than a communion wafer a day for the last twenty-odd years of her life? She suspected there were other stories like that, but no more came to mind. It didn’t matter though. She didn’t believe them, then or now. But she did recall someone saying that everything was really just energy at different states. But was that a scientist or one of the new age gurus? She couldn’t remember.
“Other than some stories I‘ve heard, which I don’t believe, the only research being done about energy and the body were in relation to energy consumption and the amount of energy various foods gave.”
“I see,” said Mi’kol thoughtfully. “This may be difficult then.”
“Perhaps I should try?” asked Lara.
Mi’kol spread his hands wide, palms up, indicating that Lara should proceed.
“Louise. Do you believe that everything is energy?”
“I suppose so. At its lowest levels.”
“Good. So if everything is energy, how do things interact with each other?”
“What do you mean, ‘interact’?”
“You are energy and I am energy, yet when I touch you, you feel me, and if I push hard, you move or resist.”
“Yes…”
“But does energy not just pass through things?” continued Lara.
“Not always,” replied Louise. “Some types of energy do pass through things, but other types get absorbed. Sunlight passes through glass, but gets absorbed by our skin. Radio waves pass right through us, but are blocked by metal. Cosmic rays seem to pass through everything.”
“I do not know what ‘radio’ waves are, but I would assume they are of a higher energy level than sunlight.”
“No. They're actually lower, but cosmic waves are at a higher level.”
“So what is it that blocks some waves?” asked Lara.
“It depends on the energy level of the wave. The higher the vibration of the wave, the easier it is for it to get past the different parts of the atoms. I think. It’s been a long time since I studied physics.”
All three smiled at this last bit. To Louise, it seemed they understood her shaky knowledge and were sympathetic about it.
“How am I doing?” she asked.
“You are doing fine. But I’m getting lost,” Lara joked. “Mi’kol? Can you help me?”
“Of course,” he replied. “I think what Lara is saying is that since everything is energy, everything vibrates at its own level. Interactions happen when energies of different vibrations meet each other. What appears to our eyes as solid is just energy at a very low vibration.”
“I think I can see that,” Louise replied.
“So when you have two different energy levels meet, they combine at a level that is between the two vibration rates.”
“Entropy!” Louise exclaimed.
Both Lara and Mi’kol were shocked by Louise’s outburst.
“Entropy?” ask Mi’kol.
“That’s part of physics I do remember,” answered Louise. “It’s the theory that everything in the universe is at different energy levels, and that the higher energy level flows to the lower levels, raising them. Eventually, the entire universe will be at one level and everything will stop.”
Mi’kol laughed loudly when Louise finished. Louise was taken aback at his response.
“What’s so funny?” she asked seriously.
It took a moment for Mi’kol to stop laughing. Even Lara had been surprised by his outburst and it was clear to Louise that she didn’t understand what he was laughing at either.
“I’m sorry,” he replied. “But to me, it seems like a very simplistic theory. The universe is a lot more complicated than that.”
"Well, yea. I suppose it is," replied Louise.
“But where does all this get us about you eating so little?” she continued, trying to get back to her original question.
“This is proving much more difficult than I thought it would,” commented Mi’kol. “But let me try one more time.”
“Sunlight and the elements in the earth let plants grow, increasing their energy level. When we eat the plants, we take their energy level and use it to increase ours.”
He looked to Louise to see if she was following. She nodded that she was.
“We have learned to bypass the step of having to eat. We just absorb the energy directly.”
“You mean you take sunlight and create the food your body needs directly?”
“Not sunlight. A higher form of energy that inhabits all the universe.”
“I don’t believe that,” Louise scoffed. “I don’t see how you could possibly do that. Humans aren’t equipped to do that.”
“Still,” Mi’kol replied, “you have seen that we eat very little compared to you, and we have more energy than you. How would you explain it?”
“I can’t. That’s why I asked.”
Louise thought for a moment before continuing.
“Okay. You won’t tell me. I can live with that. I’ll just have to accept that it’s part of what is.”
Lara could tell Louise was both disappointed and frustrated by her and Mi’kol’s attempts to explain what Louise had observed, but knew Louise was not yet ready for the total answer. Perhaps she would never be. It was not a truth people easily accepted, even members of her own village. But what they had told her was the truth, as far as it went. If Louise didn’t want to accept that yet, then she would wait.
“I’m sorry Louise,” said Lara sympathetically. “We really want you to understand, but we just do not seem to have the right words.”
Louise looked at her. She could see Lara was sincere in what she said, and that helped her feel better. It didn’t answer her question, but at least she knew they weren’t lying to her.
“Shall we get going?” she asked.
“Yes. I think our ‘rest break’ has been none too restful. Perhaps the road will be better,” answered Lara.
As they continued down the road, Louise fell a few steps back from Lara and Mi’kol. There was something about the exchange that sounded true but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was, and that was frustrating her. It was as though she had the clues to a puzzle in her possession, but didn’t know what those clues were or how they worked. And she felt she was still missing something. Maybe it was something they had said, or didn’t say. She didn’t know, but knew that this would bother her until she found out.
After about half an hour of thinking about the conversation, Louise gave up on it. She joined Lara and Mi’kol, who had walked in silence since she had dropped back.
Lara looked to Louise, as if asking if she could help with anything. Louise shook her head. Help would come later, she knew. For now it was time to refocus on the mission.
“How much longer until we reach Manztlan?”
“Tomorrow. Late,” Mi’kol replied.
“Good. I’m starting to get tired of all this walking. It wasn’t something I did much of before.”
“It will be an easy walk tomorrow,” Mi’kol continued. “The road is flat, and runs mostly through forest. It will be much more pleasant than being out in the sun.”
Louise nodded. Yes, she thought, that would be good.
Chapter 14
It was almost sunset when the trio arrived at the outskirts of Manztlan, following what appeared to be a main road in.
As the road turned toward the nearest building, Louise saw four men standing next to it. Then she noticed the crosses. They were off to one side and easily visible, and mounted on
them were three men, presumable dead but obviously severely beaten. She returned her attention to the four men, who all carried spears and bows, and were stopping everyone entering and leaving the city. A checkpoint, she thought. Showtime.
The largest of the four approached Mi’kol as they drew near. Louise observed him carefully. He carried himself confidently, almost casually. There were numerous scars on his arms and face, indicating, to her, that he had seen many fights, and obviously survived them. There was no fat on his body and his muscles clearly showed. His face was stern and his eyes quick. She looked down when he glanced her way. Now was not the time to challenge anyone, and she knew that if she had met his gaze and maintained it, it would mean trouble.
“What’s your business here?” he asked Mi’kol.
“My daughters and I are traveling to Tokpal to visit my sister. We are passing through, but will be staying for a couple of days. Neither has ever been to Manztlan before and I would like to show them its grandeur.”
One of the other guardsmen chuckled. The man talking to Mi’kol quickly turned and sneered. The chuckling stopped instantly and the man looked at the ground. This is one man you don’t want to mess with, Louise thought.
As the man returned his gaze to Mi'kol, he noticed Lara staring at the crosses.
"What are you staring at?" he asked brusquely.
"What did those men do to deserve such treatment?" she replied.
"I didn't like their answers," he said smiling. "Now, go on,' he continued gruffly.
Louise had expected him to move aside, but he stood in place. Mi’kol had to step back and go around him. She and Lara followed closely behind, saying nothing. They were well past the checkpoint when Lara spoke softly.
“Why would they be challenging everyone entering and leaving the city?”
“I think they want to be sure that nothing they could use gets past them,” answered Louise. “Especially weapons. And I’m sure they would also take anyone who might be of use to them as well.”
“Use to them?” asked Lara.
“Yes. Forced labor or special knowledge.”
“I’m glad none of the team came with us. I don’t think they would have made it past the checkpoint.”
“I believe you are correct,” commented Mi’kol. “It seems we were the best choice for this mission.”
* * *
The sun was setting and various businesses had lit torches outside their establishments. This, and the light coming from inside the buildings, was the only illumination present. Louise noticed that when there were windows in a building, they were merely openings. There was no glass in them.
Mi’kol stopped a man who had just left what appeared to be a pub.
“Kind sir,” he asked. “Where might we find accommodation for the night?”
The man looked closely at Mi’kol and then at Lara and Louise.
“One block over and one block down. There are sleeping accommodations there and a place to eat. But do not take too long. There is a curfew at night and if you are caught out after that, it will not be good for you.”
“Thank you,” Mi’kol said as the man hurried off.
Mi’kol motioned for the two women to follow him as he started off in the direction the man had indicated.
“Much has changed since my last visit here,” Mi’kol commented. “There was always much activity around the city even after nightfall. Now it appears that everyone wants to remain unseen.”
“That’s normal,” responded Louise. “The occupying forces want total control and the easiest way is to have everyone stay home. I’m sure that even during the day, moving around the city will be difficult.”
“Then we had better get to the rooms quickly,” said Lara fearfully.
It was clearly evident to Louise that this type of situation was completely foreign to her traveling companions. She thought back to some of the cities and towns she had been in during her war. At least there, the residents welcomed the presence of the military forces, but still had to put up with checkpoints and curfews. She had noticed that even when the “occupation” was done by your own forces, it eventually led to a very cautious, quiet population. It seemed like the first thing to go was the end of day relaxation and visiting of friends and comrades. She could only shake her head and wonder at the real expense of such conflicts.
* * *
It took only a few minutes for them to find the tavern. This one looked larger than some of the others they had passed, and had outside seating in addition to tables inside. They entered the main door and paused to look around.
There was seating for about fifty people, but only six other people were present, sitting in two groups. The one with the apron was obviously the proprietor, and motioned them to take a seat not too far from the main counter.
“Welcome visitors,” he said cheerfully as they sat down. “What brings you to our fine city?”
“We are just passing through, but I wish to show my daughters some of Manztlan’s famous sites. For that we need to stay a couple of days. We were directed here when we asked about accommodations.”
“I see,” said the proprietor thoughtfully. “The accommodations I can provide. Business in that area has been poor lately, and we have plenty of rooms. As for visiting the ‘famous’ sites, that may prove difficult.”
“How so?” asked Mi’kol, innocently.
“As you probably saw when you entered the city, we are now under the protection of Kenor the Great. That protection has brought some limitations to what we can do right now. There are certain areas of the city that normal people can no longer travel to. Alas, some of those areas contain our greatest sites.”
“I see,” responded Mi’kol, who paused for a moment before continuing.
“Perhaps there is someone who can act as our guide while we are here? So that we can avoid those areas?”
“I can certainly ask about it for you, but not until tomorrow. The curfew comes quickly, and I for one do not want to be out at that time.”
“I take it anyone out after the curfew will be in trouble?” asked Louise.
“Trouble?” laughed the proprietor. “Trouble would be easy. No. It is much more serious than that. My understanding is that anyone caught out without the necessary written permission will be taken to the jail for questioning. After that I do not know what happens. I do know that one of my regular customers was too slow in getting home and no one has seen him since.”
The proprietor’s cheerful demeanor had disappeared as the conversation had progressed. To Louise, he appeared very frightened. Mi’kol had also noticed this.
“So, my fine man,” he said cheerfully, “what excellent food do you have for us tonight?”
The proprietor was clearly pleased with the change of topic, and his cheerful voice returned when he replied.
“Why, we have the finest meals in all the city! Our kitchen can prepare anything you desire.”
He paused for a moment, before continuing, somewhat subdued.
“At least, we used to be able to. Alas, now our provisions are somewhat reduced.”
“No matter,” replied Mi’kol cheerfully. “Bring us what you can.”
The proprietor’s face lit up and he scurried off toward the kitchen. Just before he went in, he stopped and turned around.
“I’m sorry. Would you like something to drink?”
“Water will be just fine,” replied Mi’kol.
The proprietor quickly gave them a jug of water and some drinking mugs, and then headed back to the kitchen.
Later, after they had been treated to the best the tavern could offer, the trio were led to their rooms. Lara and Louise shared one room, and Mi’kol had a room to himself. They had discovered there were only two other people staying at the tavern, both traders from farther south, who were establishing contacts for their businesses. Mi’kol had wanted to talk with them but both had already retired for the night.
“If there is anything you need during the night,”
the proprietor said as they entered their rooms, “please wake me. The kitchen is open and my room is just off it. If not, then pleasant dreams to you all.”
“Thank you sir,” replied Mi’kol. “We will be fine.”
The proprietor smiled and returned downstairs to the kitchen, to clean the day’s work and prepare for the morning.
“He seems like a pleasant man,” said Louise.
“He has a good heart,” replied Lara, “but is deeply concerned by what is happening around him.”
“That appears to be what is happening to most of the people here,” added Mi’kol. “But there is nothing we can do about that. That is their path and we have ours. I suggest you both turn in. I feel we will have a busy day tomorrow.”
Louise looked at Lara, who just smiled back.
“Good-night then,” she said to Mi’kol, as she followed Lara into their room.
* * *
The sun was well up when Lara and Louise went down to breakfast. The smells drifting up the stairs told them the proprietor had been up for some time, and that he had already prepared breakfast for someone. They had discovered Mi’kol had left his room and assumed he was the recipient of the owner’s efforts.
“Good morning Father,” said Lara as she spotted Mi’kol. “Was breakfast good?”
“Ah! Good morning my daughters! As for breakfast, no, I’ve been waiting for you. The good proprietor has prepared breakfast for the other guests, who have already left. Come sit down. I’m sure our host will have a feast for us.”
As the two moved toward the table Mi’kol was sitting at, the owner came out of the kitchen.
“Welcome! Welcome!” he called to them. “What may I prepare for you? We have meats of all delicacies! We have fresh fruits! We have breads, fresh from the oven!”
Lara and Louise looked at each other and both struggled to keep from laughing out loud. Even Mi’kol seemed amused by the owner’s proclamation.
“Some fruits and breads will be fine,” Mi’kol finally responded as the two women sat down.
“That is good,” he replied. “We are currently out of meat. Due to the ‘restructuring of our government.’”
All three caught the distinct tone of the owner’s voice on the last part of what he said. It was plainly evident he did not like or support the current state of affairs.
“Do you have any idea of when that might change?” Mi’kol asked cautiously.