The Ports and Portals of the Zelaznids Read online

  They knew of me. Had these soldiers come here in search of me? Had I somehow let my presence be known, perhaps on one of dozens of trips into local villages with the herdsmen? It grieved me to think that I might be the cause of this unpleasant encounter.

  The commander pushed Hooshyar out of the hut and into the light of day. I would have thought the old man justified had he cowered before them, had he shown half of the fear that coursed through my veins at that moment. Yet, Hooshyar’s face showed nothing of the sort; he remained just as calm as I had seen him on those countless occasions when we had lounged upon cushions in his humble home, talking deep into the night of sundrie matters.

  “We know,” shouted the commander, “that you lead a band of blasphemers who live in secret within a cavern deep inside these hills. Show us the place, old man, and you may yet live. Trifle with us and you will die, as will all who shelter you.”

  A spark flashed through Hooshyar’s eyes, and I saw him strengthen his resolve even as his words suggested otherwise.

  “Will you promise that no harm will come to our poet friend here?” he asked in a timid voice.

  The commander chuckled, no doubt concluding that his fight had been won without the need for serious measures.

  “His Majestie has plans for this dreamer. Though I know not what his fate might be in Istanbul, he will be safe while he is in my custodie.”

  Hooshyar responded with a nod and motioned for the soldiers to follow. “Come then, the entrance is not far.”

  The commander selected five of his men to take the path behind the old man. Trailing them was the commander, who dragged me along at his insistence.

  “Come,” he growled. “Let us find your friends.”

  I knew the path well, for I had taken it on numerous occasions over the course of five years. The stones had been worn smooth by the tread of countless boots. The commander noticed this, as I dreaded he would. What Hooshyar might be thinking I could not guess, but I lamented that my time with the Zelaznids had come to an end. Most of all, I feared for the freedom of my dear friends.

  At last, Hooshyar stopped before the wall which I knew to be the location of the portal, though to the uninitiated it looked to be a plain stone surface, smoother than most perhaps, but otherwise giving no clue as to its true purpose.

  Hoosyar turned and faced the commander and his men, now with the trace of a smile. The commander saw this, too, and showed that he was in no mood for amusement.

  “Well, old man, where is the entrance to the cavern?”

  “It is here behind me, but you shall not cross it in this life.”

  The commander raised his firearm; the strong grip of a soldier is all that prevented me from stepping forward.

  “I shall shoot you through the heart, old man, if you persist in keeping me from my duties. Then I shall compel your poet friend to show me what you will not.”

  Hooshyar laughed now, “Then you will fail, for none may open the gate save me.”

  The commander turned to me, “Is this true?”

  I nodded, “Indeed. I do not know the secret to the portal and have never been through it without the assistance of the old man.”

  The commander’s shoulders slumped, his hopes of a simple victorie fading with the late afternoon sun. Sensing this, his voice took on a more moderate tone.

  “Come now, old man. We will treat your people fairlie, but be assured that we will have them with or without you.”

  Hooshyar nodded, “Then I invite you to do so without me.” Then turning to me he added, “You have been a fine pupil, my friend. Do not forget what you have learned here; make certain that our historie is given to the world.”

  “I shall,” was all that I managed to mutter before a great explosion tore apart the face of the cliff, showering us all in rocks and dust.

  Even before the cloud of debris cleared from my vision, I knew what had occurred. The old man had triggered a bomb, which he had somehow concealed on his person or on the hill. The resulting blast had torn apart the place on which he stood, so that nothing remained of him or the smooth stone surface.

  The soldiers spent some time digging through the debris, but found nothing. The commander concluded that the old man had buried the entrance to the underground cavern, thus killing himself and dooming all of his followers to die in the dark. I did my best to support this theorie, though I did not believe it myself.

  We found nothing of the old man, not so much as a scrap of cloth or a drop of blood. So I will go to my grave believing that Hooshyar traveled through the portal before destroying it, forever protecting the Zelaznids from the intolerance of a world which is not, and might never be, readie for them.

  Why, then, write this missive? Why tell a storie which the world will not believe? Because Hoosyar requested it of me? Yes, for this reason and another: there is no one else who can do so. I am the last Zelaznid, if you will forgive such conceit.

  And time is of the essence. I cannot say how long I might remain in this world. I have long been out of favour at court, and numerous times, of late, I have thought myself followed in the dark of night in the street outside of my home. I fear that one of these dark nights I will be found in a filthie alley with my throat cut. Or perhaps I will fail to awaken one morning, the victim of some unknown maladie, I shouldn’t wonder. Who would speak for the Zelaznids then? None, if not me.

  So I will do my dutie to those who changed this world, and my life, for the better. I will do what Hooshyar asked of me and lay these volumes[118] before the world while I am able, though it might well be that there are none to understand them.

  ~ 168 ~

  Part 3

  The Function of Portals

  Chapter 11

  The Heart of the Faithful

  Z

  elaznids throughout the ages have often asked why so few have known the ways of ports and portals? To be sure, apart from the Zelaznids, and even amongst them, precious few have been instructed in these matters. Some say that it is a lack of faith which kept them ignorant, for one must first believe in such possibilities before one may make use of them. The wise have had much to say on the subject. Heed their words as we convey them and know the truth of that which we speak, or else dwell forever in ignorance. [119]

  E

  mlyn the Welsh wizard, it is said, instructed Arcturus Aurelius and other trusted men in the existence of portals. “Do not,” he told them, “be quick to disbelieve when you encounter ideas that are new. Would you have believed in the crueltie of the Saxons had you not experienced it yourselves? What of the great sea snake? This seemed but a fantasie before Trahaearn pulled one from the waters. And have I not brought you wonders beyond your imagining? Doubt not, therefore, when I speak of the origins of such wonders. Heed me, for there are more worlds in existence than there are hairs upon your heads.”

  L

  akku was careful when it came to the dispensing of such knowledge. He would have no more than three apprentices at a given time, for he believed that not all men could learn the craft of portal use, even should they desire to do so. Despite Lakku’s care, those whom he instructed sometimes failed as a result of a weakness in their minds.

  Master Lakku called this weakness of the mind ‘other-blindness’; an unwillingness to believe is at its core. Even those who master the craft of portals might sometimes fall into this blindness.

  A

  follower once asked Zelaznu where these lands - of which he so often spoke - were located. The wise old prophet took an onion and cut it in half.

  “Look upon the onion. See how the layers rest one atop the next. They are each of them separate. Yet, I might take a pin and press it through the flesh, thus creating a connection between the layers.

  “Now imagine that one layer is that port in which we live: this is our home realitie. Look upon the space between the layers, not as the width of a hair, but rather as the distance of ten thousand voyages to the sun. And in place of the pin, imagine a portal, bridging th
e gaps between ports. This is the universe as it stands.”

  Z

  elaznu often spoke of the universe containing worlds upon worlds. “We gaze upon the mountains around us and are certain that there are lands beyond them, though we have not seen them ourselves. Nor do we need travelers from afar to tell us of these distant places. As do all right-thinking peoples, we know without knowing that the earth does not end at the summit of the mountain.

  Why then would you look into the skies, or into the darkness, without having the same thought?

  “Look not upon the things within your vision as if none but these may exist. Have faith that there is much which we do not know, but that we have the wit to discover it. Perhaps we will not know all things within this lifetime or the next, but the knowledge is out there, beyond the world we know. Seek these things out even as you seek the sustenance of life.”

  N

  ow recall the words of Qutughai, that respected governor-general who did not himself master the use of portals. Yet well he understood their value, for he had seen the fruits of their use.

  “Do not tell me that such things cannot be,” he was heard to say at the end of his days. “Even one such as I, who knows few arts but those of war, can attest to the truth of portals. How else was Zelaznu saved from the terrors of the mountains? How else did the faithful avoid the wrath of King Xinh? How else did the people of Sang-e escape from the armies of warlords?

  “Say that the tale of Zelaznu is mere legend, if you wish. But will you doubt it when I tell you that I, with my own eyes, witnessed the flight from Sang-e, when the Zelaznids used such a portal for their salvation? Will you question the truths spoken by your own fathers, who experienced the miraculous flight from Sang-e to this world as well as I? You may cower in unbelief if you wish, but doubt not these things in my presence, for I will have none.”

  U

  nder this world and above it, beside it and within it - this is where the great Hooshyar said we might find all of the ports of the universe if we could but harness the power of the portals in our world. Hooshyar also taught, however, that the abilitie to see these portals is an art which has been all but lost in this most modern of eras.

  “Never have we known so much about the heavens as we do today. This is a boon to the knowledge of all; much do we appreciate the strides made by men of science in these few centuries. Yet, it seems that the students of the natural world have lost something of the wonder which they used to hold in their hearts.

  “After all, they think, what are the fancies of old men when there are new elements to discover? How can we expect the young to turn their imaginations to mystical matters when astronomie offers new worlds in the form of planets? What value is an unknown passage to an unseen land when the locomotive promises a more tangible future?

  “Knowledge has ever been the bosom companion of the Zelaznids. But it seems that the world loses its sense of wonder even as it learns more about itself. Can it be long before there is no one left who possesses the imagination to investigate the nature of portals?”

  The truth of portals cannot be denied; these passages to other worlds have borne the Zelaznids from danger upon danger, to world after world. We do not know whether the Zelaznids will return to this world to convey their knowledge to the generations yet to come. As such, it is our lot to speak to the future, just as Hooshyar desired.

  ~ 168 ~

  Chapter 12

  The Locating of Portals

  L

  et us now discuss the locating of portals. Where might they be found? How might one locate them? It is certain that this is no simple business. But little is effortless in life, least of all the nature of portals.

  Before you concern yourself with the location of portals, consider whether you should seek them at all. Ask yourself why you wish to find them. Do you approach these wonders with a selfless heart or with a thought towards all that you might gain from them? Unworthie souls should neither seek out portals nor be trained to find them. It is best if these persons have no congress with portals whatsoever.

  A

  lways, when seeking portals, remember to halt your journie often in order to close your eyes and meditate. With eyes shut to the world, survey the surroundings with your inner sight. This is your mind’s eye, which can see beyond seeing and know beyond knowing. Train yourself to see in this darkness. In this way you shall learn to find the energies of portals.

  And yet, this will not be unless you have the proper mindset from the beginning. To find a portal you must know more than the nature of its mechanism. Before this, the seeker must be certain - must know in his heart - that the portal will be there. This takes faith in things which cannot be seen. Unless you know that the portal exists, you will not find it.

  Such were the teachings of Lakku.

  K

  eep your face to the sun as it meets the horizon. This is the surest way to locate a portal, for the sun can reveal as much in its absence as it may in its presence. But be cautious of a portal once revealed. These places number hundreds upon hundreds in our world and some lead to dangers, for not all portals lead to worthie places. Take care that you know the nature of the portal you wish to open. As with all things, use of the mind’s eye brings much claritie to these issues.

  K

  abul warlords sent warriors to destroy the Zelaznids of Sang-e. As has been told, the people escaped through a portal before harm could befall them. But be assured that Lakku did not open this portal without forethought. We know that this is true because of the writings of Abdul Hazred which tell us that before Lakku opened the portal, he first made certain that no enemies had reached the mountain where they might witness the miracle.[120]

  Those who seek portals should learn from the example of Lakku. Upon discovering a portal, you should look about to be assured that no enemies lurk thereabouts. These include declared opponents, to be sure; but the seeker of portals must also beware of those whose mantle of friendship hides the soul of an adversarie. With caution you may thus guard against those who would do you harm, or who would use portals for selfish ends.

  U

  nderstand that it is of the utmost importance to rest before opening a portal. Even Zelaznu could not build a bridge between worlds without suffering much weariness thereafter. Energies must flow in order to open a portal. This energie comes from both within and without; you must be prepared to harness it - so said the wise Hooshyar. Emlyn, too, warned his pupils about the onset of weariness, though it is said that he lost his life in this fashion.

  The lesson is clear. Before opening a portal, you must: seek solitude and rest; meditate in peace; emptie your mind of negative thoughts; and let the energies flow through you. Take these precautions before using a portal if you would avoid the dangers therein.

  ~ 168 ~

  Chapter 13

  The Usage of Portals

  A

  rcturus Aurelius did not come from this world, yet his home port was not the same world discovered by the Zelaznids of Sang-e. Leonardo witnessed unimaginable wonders in a distant land, yet this was not the place from which Nostradame drew his knowledge. Ports, in number, rival the stars; indeed, it would be easier to count the wishes in the heart of a child than to count the worlds in this universe of universes.

  As numerous as portals are the methods by which we might utilize them. It is not always possible to know the proper way to open a portal by looking at it. Therefore, to be prepared, it would be best to learn each method.

  B

  rahma may be looked upon as the key to life in the distant Indus, but countless other powers have been credited – age after age - for bringing the universe into being. Gods, demigods, saints, and angels rival demons, devils, shades, and imps. Good fights evil; and to serve their selfish ends, it is common for the weak to declare that the one is the other. We see this in our own cittie to the detriment of those we call friends, bringing sorrow to the souls of the suffering.[121]

  D

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p; o not, however, think that philosphie alone determines the nature of portals, for these are scientific constructs, even if they may be manipulated by human will. In truth, portals are subject to mathematics, which is why the Zelaznids have pursued that science with such fervor. Yet, just as there is no single construct for the world of universes, and no single method for opening portals, so there is no one formulae with which we might explain the operation of portals.

  There have been few, even among the Zelaznids, who possessed a full understanding of portals. Yet, to the extent that we can make it plain, we offer the following explanations.

  U

  nder one conception, articulated by the great Kwarzimi[122] of ancient and worthie note, the formula is stated thus: ds^2 = a^2.(dX^2 + sin^2X.(dT^2 + sin^2T.dB^2)).[123] It is certain that this scholar knew that of which he spoke, though his mathematical skills far outreach our own.[124]

  L

  ook to Euclid, that great and glorious scholar of Alexandria, and you will learn of another scientific construct for the existence of portals. For Euclid, who shared his ideas with Eratosthenes and Archimedes, the riddle of portals could be summarized with the following formula: ds^2 = dw^2 + dx^2 + dy^2 +dz^2.[125] It is not known to what extent this differs from other theories established before and since the time of this great mathematician.

  H

  ooshyar taught that some portals were connected to numerous ports at once. This Hooshyar explained with the formula: ds^2 = a^2.(dX^2 + X^2.(dT^2 + sin^2T.dB^2)).[126] It is not known where Hooshyar learned his skills at mathematics, but, having spent time in at least ten other ports, it is reasonable to conclude that he did not acquire his knowledge within the confines of this world.