Chap 18: Ice and Fire

Ice and Fire

Chapter 18: Acclimatization

Revealed within was a concourse wholly different from the bland and empty walkway that had brought them there.

The two-tiered circular plaza stretched wide and soared loftily above, the roof arched with vaulted stone apparently carved from living rock. A gentle radiance, kind to even the Human eye, shone from some hidden source. Around the walls, alcoves separated by square pilasters held crystal sculptures and marble statuettes interspersed with low seating. Several large archways led deeper into the retreat. The upper level surrounded by a stone balcony mirrored the first floor. Vulcans of both sexes came and went, alone and in groups of twos and threes, passing through on their way to other destinations. A cluster of schoolchildren, dressed alike, and accompanied by two adult women stirred up fond memories from Amanda's past.

Apart from an Andorian child, blue skinned and white haired, who sat on one of the alcove benches nearby, legs swinging idly and antennae quivering with curiosity, they received no special attention.

They followed Sarek as he led them through a nearby arch and into a hallway of polished stone. From there they descended a wide stair, traversed several open courtyards and a further colonnade that again overlooked the valley far below. On various vacations with her father, Amanda had walked the old cities of Earth, had seen roadways that had felt the beat of Roman legions, yet Sar-e-Kahr was far, far older. So old that to Amanda the retreat gave the impression that it had formed along with the mountain at its back. Proportion and purpose, geometric precision and strict logic seemed to dictate the curves and sweep of the structure she had seen so far. It came as a complete and very pleasant surprise when at the end of the colonnade they descended another stair and entered a scene of quite unexpected perfection.

A garden, lushly verdant, enclosed a round pool where water from a fountain continually splashed. Thickly planted, Amanda recognised many of the shrubs and other flora as Earth natives, though there was a sprinkling of Andorian blue puzzle-leaf and a great blaze of Atlantean fire-rod.

"How wonderful," Amanda murmured, "but how did it get here?"

"The garden pleases you?"

"Yes, of course."

"The vegetation was chosen to aid in your acclimatization to Ti-Valka'ain. I believe you enjoy gardening as an activity. Tending it will be your responsibility." Sarek pushed through a riot of foliage to reveal a hidden pavilion surrounded on three sides by sheltered arcades.

A low table already set with crystal bowls, tsa'e pot, and krayla awaited their arrival – along with two young Human women who jumped up from their floor cushions at Sarek's approach. Mike, trailing Sarek with Amanda by his side, brightened immediately.

"You know who they are?"

Mike grinned, "They're from the Enclave, Tara Kaladin and Romani Ghoshal."

If it was another of Sarek's 'adjustment' tactics Amanda wondered who he thought needed them most.

Though she recognized Sarek's considerate action, his insight of Human needs, the truth was she had never felt so much at home. Even the altitude and thin air had started to trouble her less since she had discovered a new way of breathing.

The mind meld with Sarek must have conferred that ability, too. It needed concentration and a little more effort, which, though distracting at first, after a time brought on an almost euphoric serenity. For the first time, her entire body worked in true harmony, mind and limb in disciplined accord. Breathing became meditation. The sensation relaxed and exhilarated her at the same time. For what seemed her whole life she had waited for the chance to visit Vulcan, to find her Elvish Prince again. Now both those dreams had come unexpectedly true. However the adventure might end, Amanda wholeheartedly opened her soul to the experience.

She held back as Mike embraced the two girls. All three seemed to know and like each other well.

Sarek gave her a considering look, "I will leave you in the company of your associates, Miss Grayson. There are rooms allocated for your use adjacent to the court. You will find your possessions there. I will speak with you again after the evening meal."

He walked away as Mike turned and welcomed her into the midst of the magic circle. Before she knew it, the four of them were chattering away like old friends.

They ate together surrounded by the plants of Earth, a reminder of home. Yet Amanda did not wish to forget that she was on Vulcan. Sar-e-Kahr had become a part of her, breath and bone. The ancient stone spoke to some secret place within her heart, its history echoed down to her through the ages. There remained a sensation, not unlike déjà vu, that although she had never in her experience encountered the retreat before she seemed to know it intimately. It offered sanctuary in a restless universe. Maybe another result of the mind meld she had shared with Sarek.

Her assigned apartments had been all she could have wished, spacious and airy, separated from the garden by only a light, wooden fret-worked screen. There was a study area with a personal concom unit and computer, while a sleeping dais occupied a different level. A food selector, placed in the wall near a low table and several floor stools, seemed programmed with a variety of cooked fare from not only Earth and Vulcan origins, but many other worlds too. The food appeared instantly and on demand. There was even a private sonic shower and toilet facility.

Best of all, she had found a closet with two more outfits, both stunning. Before dinner T'Naoui, a young Vulcan girl, came to help her dress. Amanda wondered if that would continue during her whole stay on Vulcan. Certainly, she needed some assistance with the unfamiliar garments. Though unadorned for the most part, they were again of the finest material and fitted like a dream. T'Naoui handed her a short chemise in saffron silk with matching harem pants first. A neck-to-toe under-gown of the same coloured silk with narrow ruche sleeves followed. The next garment - T'Naoui called it a khelat - resembled a Moroccan takchita. Of a deep yellow shade, generously cut, the gown had knee-high side slits that revealed the pants beneath. T'Naoui smoothed the delicate fabric over Amanda's hips and adjusted the fall of the beautiful wide sleeves before helping her on with a deep russet full-length surcoat, stiff with self-coloured embroidery. Similarly slit up the side seams like the khelat, a wide, stiffened belt around the midriff held it closed at the waist. Again, thought had gone into the accessories; golden sandals for her feet and a gold and russet tasselled ch'ipau for her upswept hair.

When she returned to the pavilion, they all oh-and-aahed appreciatively over each other's appearance, for all four of them had received the Vulcan transformation.

They concocted a meal using the menu from the food selectors in their rooms. Amanda found that she enjoyed Vulcan cooking, with its spicy aromas and tangy flavours. Her first meal at Sar-e-Kahr only added to the welcome familiarity that she had begun to expect. She suspected also that Sarek's acclimatization programme included a few additives, some herb or medication in the food that helped them cope with the high altitude and thin air. Amanda not only felt the soothing comfort of mind and body, she also noticed it in Mike and the girls.

Dusk fell with the abruptness of a tropical night and with it a welcome coolness from the heat of the day. T'Naoui and Saran, a Vulcan boy who had attended Mike, emerged to light huge bowl-shaped copper braziers. Grateful now for the layered Vulcan clothing, the four of them sat on in the warmth and flickering illumination long after the food had disappeared

When Sarek's summons came however, Amanda rose eagerly to her feet, pulses jumping in anticipation. Her impatience grew as she accompanied T'Naoui through half glimpsed rooms lamp-lit and lovely to another part of the retreat. Long before they ascended a spiral stair and T'Naoui paused before an unmarked door, the uncanny feeling washed over Amanda again of having been there before, of knowing exactly what lay beyond the next shadowed court or curve in the hallway.

A strange inner excitement surged through her as T'Naoui operated the door release. "Kula'at Sarek will receive thee alone, T'sai Haleia."