It was well known he had a temper, and I was concerned how he might react to my tardiness. And yet, I could not help but freeze in my steps when I saw it. In the middle of the garden, I stared in disbelief at the familiar face of the statue—which seemed to stare right back at me. I hadn’t seen her in centuries, but the likeness was stunning.

With some difficulty, I pulled myself from the spell and continued toward the mansion.

It spread across two square miles and rose a hundred feet into the air. The walls were bright white, gleaming under the Sun. Despite the feel of unreal, it seemed only proper for one of such standing as its owner.

The servant who answered the door informed me his master was waiting for me at the pool.

I found him sitting at a table, in the middle of a holovisor call. He waved at me and paused his conversation when I approached.

”I trust you had a pleasant trip?” he asked without standing, fingers pressed against his temple—waiting to reconnect the call.

As he did not stand to greet me, I bent down in a short but respectful bow.

”I did, but—”

He lifted a hand to hush me and started talking with his correspondent again.

”It matters not, Ekhil, it still needs to be done. But we’ll have to finish this later. One of my guests has arrived.”

He cut the call and looked at me. “So. You are here.”

”I’m so sorry I’m late, Uncle. My glider’s AI was dysfunctional and there were many... well, incidents on the way.”

He smiled. “Don’t worry about it. We have all the time in the world.”

I was very curious why the venerable Rakash had summoned me, but I dared not ask. I was certain he would broach the subject himself when he felt it appropriate.

”Would you like a drink?” he asked as a servant approached.

”If it is not too much trouble...”

”None at all,” he said as he sent the human to bring us two glasses.

”It is truly an honor to meet you, Rakash,” I finally said. “I have been looking forward to this for a long time.”

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His smile widened as his fingers played with the pendant that hung around his neck.

”And yet, you strolled through the park and stopped to admire my Julia.”

”I had forgotten that you knew her...”

”Didn’t everyone?”

”Not everyone has a statue of her in their garden,” I remarked.

”She was like a daughter to me. She often mentioned you, you know.”

”I... did not know this.” I looked down. “I suspect it must not have been too flattering.”

”On the contrary. She was very fond of you.” He smiled. “But you already knew that.”

”I suspected it. Though I always found it difficult to read her... She was not like the other humans.”

”She accepted us for what we are. Without ever attempting to change us, or to guilt us. There are not many who are willing to do so.”

”No, there are not.”

Our drinks arrived. I sipped from mine quietly.

”I hope the troubles with your AI were not too inconveniencing?” he asked.

”No... It is just frustrating not to have any control over a situation when you are used to having control... I so dislike being late.”

”That’s quite alright. It’s not as if we have anything important to discuss.”

It suddenly struck me he was furious. Though I had not sensed it, there had been venom in his eyes and in his words right from the start.

Feeling my apologies were only fueling his anger, I decided to keep quiet. So we sat there in silence for a moment—me restless, he careless and superb.

***

Michael stopped reading the journal, a frown on his face. This was not helping one bit.

He flipped quickly through the pile of ancient leaflets, but there was no way to tell which might contain the vital information he sought.

“You’ll have to read them all,” snickered his friend Don.

He sighed. “It’s looking that way.”

“Is it that boring?”

“No, actually, it’s intriguing... but I need to find an answer before the end of the week, or the expedition will be canceled.”

They had rented a room in the most luxurious hotel in the Qojjan capital. Their suit had a stunning view over the city and, beyond, the Vlanic Ocean.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll work it out. Gotta go.”

“Hot date?”

“You better believe it!” laughed Don as he rushed out.

The journal had been found three months ago in Annarset, a small village on the eastern coast of the continent. Of all places, a villager had dug it out from an abandoned mine.

Reading through the first pages, Michael had quickly understood its significance. These were fragments from a centuries-old diary of an inhabitant of the fabled city of Ahuaxa. He was certain of it because of numerous references to distinctive landmarks that were well known as belonging to the city of the gods.

Based on this—and his conviction there would be hints of its location within—, he had convinced his superiors to finance an expedition into the jungle that spread beyond the village where the document had been found. He’d always thought it to be the most likely site—this new finding only reinforced his belief.

When the academy’s rector had realized, a few days ago, that he didn’t actually know where the city was, he had been furious. It’s not like Michael had said that he did, but admittedly he had been vague and probably phrased things in such a way as to imply that he did. Not on purpose, though... at least, that’s what he told himself.

The rector had given him an ultimatum: find a specific location, or the expedition was off!

With another sigh, Michael started reading again.