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sails： a huge coiled serpent； set against a sunburst。
As the ship came on； a graceful swan against black waters； I realized all we had faced before had been a test； and Mortacious had been the greatest test of all。 I thanked the gods we had passed it。
A voice called to us from the deck。 〃Hail； seekers。〃 The voice was as melodious as the bell。 On the deck I saw the speaker： a handsome man； dressed in glittering white。 He called out again； 〃We bring greetings 。。。 from the Far Kingdoms。〃
Janos gripped my arm in joy； and around me I heard the men cheer。 As the ship dropped boats to carry us away； my own joy overcame all； and I was cheering as loudly as the others。
And that is how we came to discover the Far Kingdoms。
CHAPTER TWENTY…TWO
The Far Kingdoms
EXPECTATION CAN BE a fickle goddess； but knowing that is no protection once she fires the lights of her shadow show。 Promise is her most alluring plot； the more she keeps it dancing just ahead； the more willingly you follow。 I have mourned as she danced away entirely at the end； but I have also known the greatest joy when she relented and I came into her arms。 It was Expectation who drew me to the Far Kingdoms； and it was Expectation… multiplied many times over…who offered bright promise to those who awaited me at home。 It was their dreams I carried； and they lay close as we danced across sparkling seas to those shores。
I had often wondered what vision would first present itself。 Sometimes I thought I would see a city of dazzling gold； with graceful towers and swooping minarets。 Sometimes I thought it would be rich fields and sweet meadows； with peaceful hamlets and white…walled villas abounding with flowers。 However； no matter what form it took； in my mind's eye I always saw it from some great height： a jagged peak； perhaps； or some vaulting promontory。 But I came upon our goal in a fashion more befitting a citizen of Orissa； just as it was upon the river of my birth I began the journey； it was another river that bore me to the end。
As we left dead sea that had borne us away from Gomalalee's evil； the great ship's bell tolled our arrival。 The main sail billowed； displaying the serpent crest of the Far Kingdoms。 As we approached the river's wide； graceful mouth； another bell answered from far beyond。 We pressed against the rail； eager eyes probing for the first view of the goddess who had called us here。 But she teased by drawing a veil； a pale blue mist； across her features。 Then she let it lift before our white ship； blue wisps ribboning across the sails。 A breeze wafted； polishing the view； our seduction was plete。
The first thing I saw when I entered the Far Kingdoms was an emerald tower rising out of the river。 The tower had been artistically tapered to a slender point。 A wondrous mirror spun on that point； showering the ship with butterflies of light。 I felt a pleasant tingle as one alighted on my face； then a gentle； sorcerous sniff at my intentions。 It hesitated when it found the protective spell Janos had cast over each of us after we boarded the rescue ship； but took no offense and fluttered on。
The first thing I heard when I entered the Far Kingdoms was a melodious song from the throats of a thousand or more birds。 They flew out of a forest of tall； shapely trees that smelled of mint； and swooped back and forth over us…a cloud of color as glorious as the song。 When I looked closely； I saw the birds were the size of hunting eagles： metal fighting spurs winked from their talons； their beaks were heavy and hooked for tearing。 The banks of the river were lined with a tumble of floral bowers； to our delight； one of those bowers broke off and became a floating； sweet…smelling island。 As it passed under our bow； a voice called from the thicket of purple； trumpet…shaped flowers； when our captain answered back； I saw the tips of spears needling out。
The first thought I had as we passed through those gates was that the hand extended to us in wele wore a velvet glove to cloak a steely fist。 I shivered as the second thought prickled my spine： I was glad these people called us friend instead of enemy。 As we rounded a high…hilled bend； all thought melted before the splendorous view those hills curtained。 The river was deeply curved； winding hike a glorious serpent through misted fields and blue…green forests。 Far inland； like a beacon； rose a graceful mountain as blue as the river that so bedazzled us。 Beneath that mountain； we had been told； was our goal： the city of Irayas； where the great King Domas held court over all the realms of the Far Kingdoms。
We traveled for days on that river； and each day presented a multitude of wonders。 On the first； we sailed past a bustling port city three times the size of Orissa。 Boats and ships buzzed about the docks； unloading and loading all manner of goods and foodstuffs。 The port was amazingly clean and free of foul odors。 The buildings and dwellings we saw had no mon design； except to please the eye with a variety of shapes； sizes； and colors。 Captain Utorian； our host and the king's emissary； said the port was the center of all trade within the kingdoms； which he said spread out from both sides of the river； and stretched ahead； beyond the mountain beacon； for many a league。 He told us King Domas' realm was posed of eleven principalities； each ruled by a prince who swore allegiance to the king。 Scattered about these principalities were seventy great cities； and many minor ones as well。 Grandest of all； he said； was Irayas； the seat of final justice and power。 He said the entire realm； what we called the Far Kingdoms…was named Vacaan； in honor of the supreme god of the Old Ones； who had ruled this land with great wisdom for more than a thousand years； before they mysteriously departed。 He said the ruins could be found all over Vacaan： there were remains of a city near Irayas； and ancient altars on the mountain's crown。
Utorian was a most congenial host： he took pains to answer as many questions as he could； those that made him hesitate he urged us to ask when we reached Irayas。 After he hauled us off the smoking docks at Gomalalee； he went to much trouble to see that our wounds were treated and that we were availed of hot baths and fortable quarters。 The only words he knew of our language were those he had called out when he came to carry us away from Mortacious' soulless city； but no sooner had we boarded than one of his officers presented us with transparent sponges and bade us by gesture to lick the moisture from them。 As soon as we had done so； we were able to fully speak and understand their tongue。 I fear our excitement made us spew such a great racket they must have been very sorry we did。
It was during those first few hours that Janos cast a protective spell over each of us。 Although the captain and his crew seemed to be kind and pleasant men； Janos reminded us we had only just e from being honored guests； and had best be cautious lest our hosts held similar intent。 We needed little urging。 Janos drew on new power gained from his encounter with Mortacious to forge the guardian spell。 He said it would not turn aside an assassin's knife blade； but would warn us when grave danger lurked。 After