The Ivory Handrail

Astra replied, "I shall see you again."

"Tomorrow?"

"At the proper time. Let me handle Esau."

"Come soon. You will not be truly free until you come back to Colonia Gallia. Remember that."

And with that, the vision ended.

Astra pondered the man's words. She had to be bold, and make her own way in this strange new land. She would go with Esau for a night or two, and learn what she could, but she was eager to meet Lucius. It was clear that the most likely path to success lay with this man. He did not come to her seeking to be a master, and she needed to gain power quickly. What good could she do Checkers, or Sartoma, or Solbert, if she were weak? She did not exactly trust Lucius, but maybe she could work with him. She looked over to Esau. He was alone in his thoughts, blind and weak, and unable to communicate with Astra, or so she had thought.

Slowly Astra had another vision. There was a stairway descending in a gentle spiral. Covering the stairs was a soft, plush, red carpet. She walked down, into a gentle light. The balusters were of gold, with ivory handrails. Astra touched the rail with the palm of her hand. It was delightfully cool to the touch. There were many fine carvings, of abstract and fascinating geometrical forms, on the surface of the rail. She became absorbed in them as she descended. After a time, she looked down. The carpet had worn, exposing rosewood planks. She looked at the carvings, still fascinated, although she could not now describe them. She continued on. The carvings on the railing turned into those of animals of the forest and the plains. The rail felt colder now. She shuddered, and felt that something else was different now as well. She looked down. She was now going down a hill, and stepping on flagstones made of sandstone. Outlines of weird sea animals were embedded in the stone. Some looked like monsterous snails. Others looked like a sort of eyeless hedgehog. Still others had multiple tentacles, and others heads shaped like arrows. There were plants with spines, spikes, and blades.

Still, she followed that railing. She wanted this vision to end, but it would not. The gentle light was becoming dim. The ivory railing had turned to a brownish yellow, and the handrail was now ice cold. The animal scenes on the railing gave way to well-crafted carvings of men and women. But they were not scenes that made Astra happy. They showed people suffering, toiling, and falling sick. Astra turned away, and looked down. The flagstones were now breaking when she stepped on them. And still the staircase went down. She then screamed, "Esau! Sudukis! Help!"

1. The vision ended as Sudukis came quickly, and asked what was the matter.
2. The vision continued.

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