JUPITER AND THE JOVIANS
The sweet in the Observatory at Minnaviar violently, and the students out of their and placidity.
Kulmervan looked up from his studies. “What is it, my Waiko?” said he in his own language to his friend.
“I know not, my Kulmervan. Let us go to the Turret Room, and see.” The two students at the most college on the whole of Keemar, up the wide, marble to their Djoh’s room. Before they were way up, the louder than before.
“Haste, my Waiko,” said Kulmervan. “The Djoh is anxious.” As they the leading into the room, the Djoh met them.
“At last,” said he testily. “At last you are come. I you as there is a most registered by the disc. After we recorded the of the ‘Quilphis,’ you will remember, we a new or that to have from the itself. We this ‘star’ toward us, daily nearer and nearer. Our learned Ab-Djohs together as to the meaning of this thing. At last I was consulted, and by the of every scientific means we we to the of this new moving orb. You recollect?”
“Yes, my Djoh,” answered Kulmervan, the senior student.
212“Look,” said the Djoh triumphantly, and he the way to a large that in of the large window. This was of glass, and was by pipes to a large the window. It was by the of this that the Keemarnians the system, and learnt about the other worlds in the sky.
As Kulmervan looked into the disc, he saw, by reflection, a in the heavens—stationary it rested near Wirmir and Kosli, the of Gorlan. “What is it?” he asked eagerly, while Waiko, the student, silent, to the conversation.
“It is the of Marfaroo,” said he. “It is the that itself from Quilphis, when the life of that was run.”
“But it is still now, my Djoh.”
“The four Meevors have not yet risen, my son. In fourteen from now, they will be and shining. When they are at their full, they will that our vapours. Then we must direct our light upon it, and it our atmosphere. It is a thing, my son, and will us in our knowledge of science. My is, that it is a minute of the Quilphis itself. Oh, very small, as big as the Rorka’s palace; but the knowledge of its will help us in our research. Take turn and watch with me, my sons, and at the right moment we will direct our Ray upon it.”
Eagerly the students watched. The was great the Djoh had put upon them, and they were to be present when the light of the four full Meevors should upon the presence in the sky.
“But the time the Kymo to rest, my sons, the fourth Meevor will be at the full, and we will watch the with interest.”
The three the little disc; the from the Meevors on the glass; there was a movement—the moved slowly toward them.
“The Ray,” the Djoh. “Summon the Ab-Djohs.”
213Ten Ab-Djohs appeared at Waiko’s call. They were all in the green and and cloak—the symbol of their calling as the in the land, one, the Djoh himself, who a and tall, in addition. The wise men the and the toward Wirmir and Kosli. A noise sounded—and then out a most ray. “When Kymo has but four thoughts, the will be here,” the Djoh. “Waika, go call Waz-Y-Kjesta. Tell him the Djoh has of to utter.”
Soon Waz-Y-Kjesta appeared. He was a man, fair-haired, long-limbed. He his as him as Waz of the air birds, the which were used by the of Keemar to by the sky.
“Fetch in that star, O Waz,” said the Djoh. “Bring it to earth, and I will its here.”
Waz-Y-Kjesta low. “Your will shall be done, my Djoh,” said he, and he to the place where his air were housed. “Mashonia,” said he to his Waz-Mar, or Lieutenant. “Order out six air birds, we go on a mission for the Djoh.”
In a very space of time, six “birds” rose from the ground and toward their which was now very rapidly.
“My Waz,” Mashonia suddenly. “It is part of no that we are approaching. See, there is in front, and men like ourselves are looking toward us!”
“They are like us, yet us,” said Waz-Y-Kjesta. “They are in clothing—they look dark and gloomy.”
“Where can they come from?” asked Mashonia wonderingly. “All sons of Keemar would us. They are from another world, I fear.”
Gradually they the Argenta, and her safely to the ground. They the of the curiously. This was the “air bird” they had seen. When Sir John gave his wild cry, the Keemarnians that 214the who had come in so a manner to their land, had acutely. “Send for six Bhors,” said Waz-Y-Kjesta quickly, “these friends are ill.”
In the space of time, the Bhors, the Keemarnian carriages, appeared. They were like vehicles, with of and cushions. Above were of which the occupants, who wise from a frame, into the of which were colis—beasts very to Shetland ponies, only with long hair.
At a from Waz-Y-Kjesta, Mashonia and another over the of the Argenta, and without a word, in turn all the of the airship, and them on in the Keemarnian equipages. As Alan was past the Waz, he feebly. “A for the Argenta, please.”
A look of passed over the Keemarnian’s face. “What thou?” he asked.
“A guard,” Alan. “The Argenta all our possessions.”
“A guard?” answered Kjesta. “Nay, why should we do that? It is safe there. It not to us. Fear not, no one will touch it, my friend.”
Gently the out, easily the Bhors and their occupants. “Drive to the of the Jkak,” said Waz-Y-Kjesta. “We must him with the news of the of these strangers.”
The travellers saw nothing of the country through which they passed. They were too and to themselves on the and look around. The across their and them, so they were to as they were and not think or worry about the future.
A was sent to the Jkak of their near approach, and as they stopped at his palace, men came out, the part of the Bhors, and the into the Jkak’s presence. He was them in the 215hall, and and he looked, in his of green silk, with his low upon his brow.
“My brothers,” said he in a low voice. “Welcome to Keemar, the land of all good. Eat from viands. They will you.”
Trays with food and were the travellers. The Jkakalata, to the Jkak, to Mavis. “A child,” said she, “and a woman, too. Come, Persoph,” to her husband, “give me that of friankate—it will her.” She Mavis’s with the wine—Mavis opened her eyes, and as she looked at the woman’s face, she into tears. “Who are you?” she cried.
“I am Mirasu, the Jkakalata,” she replied. “Drink this, it will do you good.”
Mavis long of the sweet liquor, and ate the fruits that were her. Alan, as usual, was the to and a movement as if to from the Bhor.
“Nay,” said Persoph. “Do not move, I you. Rest, and later you can tell us your story.” Then he to Desmond. “She with the babe—she is yours?”
“How did you know?” asked the husband.
“By the look in your when my Mirasu your babe,” said the wise old man sagely. “It was the look of possession.”
“Yes, she is my wife,” said Desmond.
“Wife—ah! that is the word. Now among the of the Bhors. Rooms are prepared for you. Sleep, my friends, until the Kymo twice again. Then and we will welcome you among us, and with to your story.”
The Jkak’s was of a green marble, polished. In the entrance was a fountain. Six maidens, their out of marble, large from which water into the beneath. The were life size, and moulded. Lovely water 216flowers all around, and fish in and out among the and plants.
Up a wide stairway, which out into large galleries, the were carried, the Jkak himself leading the way, as if he were doing to the Rorka himself. They their way through a passage which out again into a loggia. In the very centre of this space four pillars, polished, supported a out of which into a beneath. There were six doors the loggia; at the the Jkak stopped, opening it himself, the way in. With hands Desmond and Mavis were transferred to soft, beds. “Rest, my friends, and sleep until Morkaba you and food.” Then the other three were taken to sleeping apartments, where their rested in on the soft, cushions.
Desmond and Mavis’s room was the largest—a room with a wide upon which were the most and plants—with and flowers. An four in the centre of the room, with its in of the door. A of was overhead; there were no or upon it, but there was an of cushions, and of all hues. Easy chairs, of and a table the room. The were of a pink marble, and the fittings, and were all of that and one whole. All the other rooms were similar, in the colouring, and on the marble were spread of colours.
A tinkled! To Mavis, it like the Angelus on a morning. She opened her eyes; again the sounded. “Where am I?” she cried, and with remembrance. “Baby—where’s Baby?”
Desmond woke. “Where’s Baby, Dez?” she asked again piteously, and as she spoke she the of a chuckle, and by her on a bed, the 217miniature of the one she was on, her baby, with delight. The again. Desmond to the door and opened it slightly. A girl was with a table on wheels. “Your mushti,” said she it toward him.
“To eat?” Desmond.
“Of course. It is on the ‘vala,’ among the flowers—have it there with your friends.”
“Thank you. It’s breakfast, Mavis,” said Desmond. “Look out on the and see if Uncle John is there.”
Mavis was almost too to ask any questions, and obeyed. There was a gate their from the next, and she through. “Uncle John,” she called softly.
Sir John, Alan, and Masters appeared at the window of the next room.
“You’re then?” laughed Alan.
“Yes.”
“Have you had any food?” asked Desmond.
Alan laughed. “A table each—and full. Shall we wheel ours along and all have it together?” In a the six were to the they had had since they had so from the end of the world.
The tables were of different glass, and were with food very different from that to which they had been accustomed. There were full of liquid, neither tea, coffee, cocoa, but with a of all three, and refreshing. There were wines—fruits whole, and fruits compote. There were almost like porridge, and there was too. Bread and tiny, rolls, biscuits sweet and biscuits plain, and of butter. It was a meal, refreshing, invigorating, and so different from the stodgy, meats they had been on for so long. There was also a for the baby—a bowl of fresh new milk and some rusks. A plate of a of mixture was by little John Alan, who out “More—pese, mum, more.”
“The little it,” said Sir John. “He 218appreciates the too. Well, here we are all on land again at last, and among friends.”
“What are you going to do?” asked Mavis.
“We’ll ourselves on the of the Jovians of course; make up our minds to settle in a new world, and live the of our in peace and contentment.”
“Shan’t we go home again?” Mavis’s widened, and she looked at the others. The truth was on her mind at last. She had no home! Gone were all her possessions—gone her trinkets, her books, her silver. Gone also her trousseau—her frocks, lingerie, jewels.
Everything was gone. The world itself had vanished.
“Now, my dear,” said Sir John. “We must ourselves to this new life. After, all, we can easily do that. We have been as guests, so I must speak to the Jkak, and out our in this world.”
“They speak English!” said Alan “How is that? Surely we are the English people who have their way here? There can’t be a of Britishers in Jupiter!”
The again, and Alan to the door. Waz-Y-Kjesta outside. “The Jkak is to see you,” said he. “If you and rested, come with me and I will lead you to him.” They him the stairs to the entrance hall, and through into a apartment.
“The Reception Room,” said the Waz. “The Jkak not to be on terms with you—he me you to his garden room.”
Through a they and out into the most garden they had seen. Fountains in the sunlight—tiny over white stones, as they of flowers. There was a of colour in this garden—glorious, trees and abounded—creeper-covered were everywhere, and at the end they see a creeper-covered arbour, with blooms. Inside this were easy chairs, and lounges. The Jkak, 219and Mirasu, his Jkakalata, were seated there their arrival, and rose to them.
“Now tell us your story,” said the Jkak, “for it must be.”
“First,” said Alan, who at Sir John’s request, as spokesman, “how is it you can our language? Surely English isn’t spoken here?”
“English?”
“Yes. We are English. We come from that part of our world that was as England, you know.”
“We have the ‘gift of tongues’ my friend,” said the Jkak. “Until we spoke to you, we had your tongue, but the moment you spoke we understood. I cannot our gift—it just—is. We of Keemar all speak one tongue. No is here. Until you came, we had had the opportunity to from this gift we all we possessed. To-day, all Keemarnians are Mitzor, the Great White Glory and Tower of Help, for His in having upon us this gift, and for us to have the means us for using the ‘gift of tongues’. We understand, all of us. We may not every you utter, for are different in other worlds, and we ourselves no of our own—still we can with you.”
“It is a gift to possess,” said Sir John.
“Now your story,” the Jkak gently.
So Alan told the whole of his life since the time when he and Desmond to Marshfielden. He told of the Light, and the people of Kalvar—of their from the of the earth, and of the end of the world.
“So Quilphis is no more,” said the Jkak. “Indeed, we its destruction, and that your was part of the itself. And so,” he on, “you that the end of the world was through the failure of the fire in the centre of the earth?”
“I sure of it,” said Alan. “During our in Kalvar, we noticed that the Fire daily less and less. And the people that when the 220Fire out, then would come the end of the world. I think that, in its last gasp, it to a new of life. In its death struggle, it its bonds, and earthquakes, volcanoes, and water were the result.”
“Oh, it was horrible,” said Mavis shuddering.
“And your ship—the one you in—you must me to see it,” said the Jkak.
“Why, of course,” said Sir John. “Have you not been?”
“It is not mine,” the Jkak. “It would be an to into your without an invitation. Now, with to yourselves. I must see that you go to Hoormoori and pay your respects to our Rorka. Hoormoori is the place in this world of ours; it is there that our Rorka has his palace.”
“Rorka?” asked Mavis “What is that?”
“Our Rorka over the whole of Keemar.”
“Have you only one Rorka or King over the whole of Keemar?” asked Sir John.
“Why, of course. Why should we have more?” asked Mirasu smiling. “Keemar is one world—with one Rorka. Then we have one hundred Jkaks, and one thousand Moritous—that is enough, surely, to a world?”
“Are you only one nation then?”
“Naturally. We are all Keemarnians—just one great nation, into many families. We all speak the same language—all in the same fashion Mitzor, the Great White Glory and Tower of Strength, and all live in peace, friendship, and harmony, one with another. But now my friends, though you are, you are welcome here. I will put at your houses and men.”
“We nothing,” said Sir John. “We have no property, no valuables—nothing but the Argenta. How shall we your to us?”
“Repay?” said the Jkak, “nay, that is another, word I know not the meaning of.”
“But,” Alan.
“Nay, you are in a world. It is our to make you all at home here. I can see 221you were of high in your own country—you must be of high here also. Know you, we are wise in this land. Our Rorka is first, and his spouse, the Rorkata, ranks second. Their and nearest blood relations come next; then come the Jkaks and Moritous; our Djohs and Ab-Djohs; the Wazi, Captains of our air birds, our learned men and students, to the men and maids, and the of our homes and our ships. From to lowest, all ‘pro rata’ in the good of the world. We are all satisfied—the laws of our land have the that are to be paid to each from the common fund. I you, there will be and to for you.”
Masters spoke for the time. “I am Sir John’s servant,” he began.
“No,” Sir John. “Masters is my friend and adviser.”
“Then you would like him to in the same house with you?”
“Please,” said Sir John, “and my nephew Alan, also.”
“And you, no doubt,” on the Jkak to Desmond, “you would like to have to yourselves.”
“Thank you,” answered Mavis for her husband and herself.
“Good. I will Waz-Y-Kjesta. There are new houses near at hand. Go with him—you can take your choice,” and with a of the hand and a smile, they that they were from the presence of the Jkak and his wife.
Waz-Y-Kjesta was near and came toward them. He had his full beforehand. “Come,” said he. “The houses that are are close—come and take your choice.”
“How is it,” asked Alan, “that we can walk so easily now. When we came out on to the open of the Argenta, our were as as lead. We not walk an inch, and we were so top-heavy we stand.”
222“That is easy to explain,” the Waz. “Eight Kymos have since you here.”
“Kymos?” asked Mavis. The Keemarnian names puzzled her.
“Sun?” Alan.
“Ah, you call it—sun. Yes, since you came, the sun has seven times. You have slept—breathed in our air. While you were sleeping, our men of science through your nostrils. These you—took from you the of your earth. You will no now,” and he the way through the garden to the most it was possible to imagine.
“Now you will see our country,” he continued, “and it with your own. You are not too tired?” he asked Mavis.
“No, of not. I too excited. I want to see your city—your country. May I see that my is all right?”
He gave the necessary permission, and soon she returned. “He is sleeping peacefully,” said she. “Morkaba is over him. Now I’m ready,” and they all the marble steps of the Jkak’s palace, for their of this new, land.
223
