The Days of Peleg Read Online Free Page B

for effect. Thoughts in the crowd were swirling. “ Will I be allowed to go?” “ How will I be able to serve?” “ I can’t believe this is happening now! ”
    “I know what you are thinking,” he continued. “Everyone here, plus all those across the great plain, will be allowed to contribute. The ships will sail seven months from today, and they will embark on a twelve-year mission. Each ship will be sent on a different course and will return twelve years from its departure. All reports and information will be brought here at that time, and we will convene in the first Global Geophysical Congress to present our findings. I announce today the commencement of the Great Discovery!”
    Reu-Nathor raised his arms high above his head.
    “It is so ordered; it is so decreed!”
    A large parchment was brought to him, which had obviously been prepared in advance. He lifted it and turned so the entire assembly could see it. It appeared to be a written version of the proposal he had just stated. He took a large quill, which was offered him, and, in a flourish, signed it. He then raised it over his head again, waiting for the coming applause.
    When it had died down, a friendly gleam entered his eye. He smiled.
    “Twelve years is a small price to pay. A small percentage of your life, one would hope, depending on the robustness of your heredity.”
    There were some embarrassed murmurs, and then a quick silence as great effort was expended to avoid any and all eye contact with one another.
    Lifespans were a great unknown. The average age in the room was about eighty, but there were Mentors who claimed to be twice that age, yet, by all appearances, looked to be younger than many of them. No one present had ever personally known someone who had expired simply from old age.
    “Of course, any valuable items of commerce, new trade routes, and technologies of commercial value will also be most welcome.
    Appropriate rewards will go to crews who return with them.”
    Now the laughter was relaxed and understanding. Some who were secretly hoping to stay behind suddenly changed their minds.
    “All of you will receive instructions and assignments. This presentation is ended. May Knowledge Be Blessed! ”
    A final standing ovation resounded before the moderator had a chance to say, “All Rise.” Reu-Nathor left the stage and the moderator strode to its center, raised his hands waiting for quiet, and when it arrived, began conducting.
    At the downbeat, the assembly sang “ We Give Our Lives And Live For Knowledge ”. The verses were set in an assertive trochaic heptameter; while the melody utilized an equal-tempered six-note scale with a lowered five.
    Peleg joined in and remembered his initiation when he was taught this song. Only those in this room knew it, but he knew there were additional verses which those in the higher orders sang in their secret meetings. He hoped someday to learn them.
    When they had finished singing, the Academicians in the front stood first and began filing out the forward entrance. As the others rose and headed for the exits, Peleg counted five Mentors throughout the entire room of over eighty men and women. At least, the ones that could be positively identified. The woman who had been seated in front of him was apparently wearing platform shoes and a hairstyle designed to imitate a Mentor’s appearance, but her stature and movement prevented any possibility of deception. Peleg hadn’t decided whether such attempts were honorable, or simply childish mimicry.
    “ Hey, Dragon-Breath! ”
    Peleg turned sharply to see his friend, Serug, coming towards him from across the room. He continued yelling.
    “I saw you sneak in late! Where were—?”
    Peleg motioned violently for Serug to be quiet until he got closer.
    Serug was wearing a short, woolen skirt, popular with young men his age, which had thin brass pleats sewn into it. It was dyed a dark blue, and over his bare shoulder he wore a bright multi-colored