Free A Paradox in Retrograde by John Faherty Page A

with hand outstretched. "Good day gentlemen." Xora cut him off interjecting an introduction between
them.
"Gentlemen may I have the honor of introducing my guest Ananda to you? Ananda these are the important gentlemen I spoke to
you about. This is Grunhuf, the lord mayor and over here is Landaus, the local representative to the royal governor and colonel to
the guard." They took turns amiably clasping hands. "It is a pleasure to meet you gentleman."
    "As it is ours" replied Landaus. "I would like you to think of this
visit as a diplomatic mission to this nation from where you have
come. What again is its name? From what I have been told there
is no record of such a nation. However I understand there may be
good reason for our ignorance. Perhaps you could help us to understand?" Landaus lifted his coffee to his mouth as he awaited
his answer.
    "There is something I have discovered which proves at least some
of what I have told you. There within the circuitsof the crystal
room are the dormant memories of souls long dead who can attest
to my story." To the surprise of Grunhuf and Landaus, Xora confirmed the validity of these statements with a nod of her head. "It
is true what he says. I was a witness to it." Ananda continued.
"Though that what I said is true, some parts of my initial story, I
suspect may have been fabricated."
"To what end?" queried Grunhuf.
     
"There in lies the mystery. I have been visited upon in dream by
visions more real than my most vivid memory."
     
"Are you saying the memories you had upon your arrival were
not yours?" asked Landaus.
     
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
    "I must say this is a most unusual turn of events. I would encourage you then with the help of Xora, to learn what you can from
the crystal room. I would ask you though, what portion of your
story can you confirm as true?"
    "The nation of my birth is Atlantia. I was set adrift in time during
a time of great trouble. Perhaps it was our final days. I believe I
was a man of some importance. However the details remain just
outside my grasp." Landaus' outward expression hid well his
confusion, for he knew not of such possibilities. He dared not let
him know that. He thought to himself, "Surely if he were one of
the forerunners, such feats would appear as child's play." He
had to ask one nagging question that he had left to ask. He
opened a folder that he had sitting by his side. He removed from
it a photograph of the object his son had discovered on the beach
a few days ago, and presented it to him. "Do you recognize this
object?" Ananda took possession of the image. Adjusting its distance from his eyes he stared blankly at the photograph. He
strained to conjure something of this familiar object from his
memory, yet nothing rose from the fog. "I'm sorry I don't
know."
    "Perhaps if you saw it in person, it might jog something?"
"I would certainly be willing to give it a try."
"Would tomorrow be good then?"
"Yes of course."
    "Good, that's settled then. I'll send someone up to get you, if
that's suitable." Xora spoke up then, "That won't be necessary. I
will escort him to the citadel in the morning."
    After the details of their meeting were confirmed, Landaus and
Grunhuf appeared anxious to be on their way. Ananda sensing
this urged them to stay a while longer to share a meal and some
conversation with them. "If you please good sirs, it has been
some time since I have had the pleasure of human company. I
would ask you to indulge this lonely traveler, for there is much
that I would like to learn of your culture." He wished them to
stay for he had as much to learn from them, as they did of him.
For his guests it would have been considered rude to refuse such
a request. Grunhuf the consummate politician spoke on their behalf. "Ananda, we would be shirking our responsibilities as representatives of this land if we did not extend all possible hospitality to you. Of course, we shall stay here a while longer. I do
apologize for the anxiety you may