Free The Stone Lions by Gwen Dandridge Page B

Layla. “It’s a horizontal
symmetry.”
    “Excellent. And this one,” Tahirah said,
sketching madly.

    “There,” Ara exclaimed, reaching over to
trace an imaginary line with her finger. “The middle of the budlike
thing. If you divide it in half, the whole pattern is flipped
over.”
    “Good. And here is yet another.”

    The girls looked at one another. Ara stated,
“Well, I see a line that splits it in half exactly, but if you flip
it over, it doesn’t match up. The triangles on the top would land
in the blank space.”
    “Perfect.” Tahirah smiled. “This is not horizontal mirror symmetry, just as you
said. It does have symmetry, but not the ones we are speaking of
today. How about this?”

    “Oh, I see it,” Layla said, pleased. “That’s
what Ara showed me. It’s a vertical flip. I remember she said that
the line runs from the earth all the way to Allah. I see that there
would be a line between the heads of the chickens going up and
down.” The snake had lifted his head and seemed pleased.
    Tahirah reached over and squeezed Layla’s
shoulder. “I am very impressed. That was excellent. There is one
further requirement for the images you search for. It must have a
horizontal symmetry, but it cannot also have a vertical
symmetry.”
    “What?” Ara looked up. “How could it have
both?”
    “It is possible for both horizontal and
vertical symmetry to exist in one design. But for our purposes you
must eliminate any designs that you find with both, as they will
not break the spell. The only symmetry it can have is a horizontal
reflection. Can you remember this?”
    “Yes,” the girls agreed, though Tahirah could
see they both were somewhat surprised by this new requirement.
    She glanced outside and tried not to show how
worried she felt. “We have only one and one-half weeks for the two
of you to find the horizontal symmetry damaged by the wazir’s
magic. But first, the stone lions must be washed clean of the red
dye. Of most immediate importance, we need to protect Suleiman in
his snake form. I will do some mathematical searching to find out
why the wazir is destroying the magic in the palace.” She stopped,
suddenly aware of the lengthening shadows. “It is getting late. We
must end this lesson. Such a short time to resolve a difficult
spell.” Tahirah looked down at the snake.
    “How do I know where the wazir broke it? It
could be anywhere in the Palace of the Lions or the Palace of the
Myrtles, even in the Palace of the Partal…” asked Ara. The
importance of her task overwhelmed her.
    “We can’t know. He is putting pressure
somewhere, but the magic ripples throughout the Alhambra, finding a
weak spot. There it breaks a symmetry. It could appear
anywhere.
    “You must not attract the attention of the
wazir. If too many people know that you search for symmetries,
broken symmetries, he also will know. But Layla can help, can’t
you?”
    “I think so.” She looked at the green snake
wrapped around Tahirah’s wrist and shuddered. “Will I have to touch
the slimy snake?”
    “Yes, in fact, you need to hold him now.
Layla, your life has been sheltered in the palace, but one who
loves and cares for you is in trouble. His life is in your hands.
Remember, this is Suleiman, and he’s having a very difficult time.”
Gently, she placed Suleiman in Layla’s lap.
    The snake curled into a relaxed S-curve. He
picked his head up and stared at Layla. “Nottt ssslimy. Llayylla
ccowarddd!” he hissed, bobbing his head up and down.
    “I am not,” she exclaimed. “Well, maybe I am
timid, a bit, but it is unkind of you to say so.” Then she grinned
and laughed. “I’m talking to a snake!” She reached out her hand to
pet him. “Why, he’s soft like satin. I never knew. Oh, Suleiman,
I’m so, so sorry. I’ll help you, I promise.”
    “Nottt cccowardd. Bbrave and kkind,” Suleiman
responded and flicked his tongue.

 
    Chapter 15
    “Beet juice isn’t easy to get off,”