Table of Contents
Summary
A long airship journey aboard a vailx (a futuristic flying vessel) to the land of Suern. The trip includes a stop at Pitach Rhok, a mountain with personal significance to Anzimee, one of the passengers. As they fly, they witness diverse scenery and experience different weather conditions, such as a storm, which they brave from the safety of the airship. The vailx allows for rapid travel, and the passengers entertain themselves with conversations, music, and views of the world below.
Upon reaching Suern, they are unable to land due to strong winds, so they ascend higher to wait out the storm. The narrator reflects on their destination, Suern, and the political dynamics there. The ruler of Suern, Rai Emon, is a powerful leader, but his people seem angry and resentful, likely due to the oppressive nature of his rule. Despite their advanced magical abilities, the Suerni are deeply troubled, and Rai Emon explains that he has tried to lead his people toward a higher spiritual path but has faced resistance.
The chapter delves into philosophical reflections on the balance of power, spirituality, and human nature. Rai Emon explains his frustration with his people, who engage in black magic and refuse to live by the higher moral and spiritual laws he tries to enforce. His sadness culminates in a poignant monologue where he laments their ingratitude and predicts their eventual downfall, referencing future events such as the coming of Moses and the punishment the Suerni will face over the centuries.
Rai Emon dies shortly after this speech. The narrator, tasked with informing Suern’s court of their ruler’s death, faces resistance from the people, who mock Poseid’s authority. However, he successfully asserts his power, appointing a temporary governor from among the Incaleni (a spiritual order), and prepares to return to Poseid. The chapter concludes with the narrator’s concerns about his bold actions and his conversation with Anzimee, who reassures him that their mission is on track.
The Vailx
Flying Vessel:
The vailx is a highly advanced airship designed for rapid and versatile travel, far faster and more efficient than modern steamships or airplanes. It provides a smooth and controlled flight experience, capable of covering vast distances with ease.
Speed:
The vailx can reach speeds of up to (16.8 miles) per minute (over (994 miles)/h). It can travel fast enough to match the rotation of the earth, allowing it to hover over a location while the planet moves beneath it.
Altitude Flexibility:
The vailx can fly at various altitudes, from close to the ground for better sightseeing to as high as (13 miles) above the earth’s surface. This ability to adjust altitude helps avoid storms and turbulence.
Comfort and Safety:
The interior of the vailx is heated and maintains a comfortable air pressure, regardless of the external environment. Passengers can relax in a salon with soft lighting, heating, and windows that sometimes frost over due to high altitude.
Repulsion and Propulsion Technology:
Powered by forces from the “Night-Side of Nature” (Navaz), the vailx uses advanced propulsion and levitation technology. This allows it to resist gravity and remain stable even during strong storms, without the need for wings or gas reservoirs.
Entertainment:
The vailx is equipped with a variety of entertainment options, including libraries, musical instruments, and potted plants. Passengers can also use the naima, a technology that allows for real-time visual and vocal communication with distant people, appearing life-sized in mirrors.
Deck:
The vailx has a deck that can be opened when weather permits, allowing passengers to enjoy fresh air and sunshine. In harsher conditions, the deck is sealed for protection.
Self-Sufficiency:
Capable of covering thousands of kilometers without needing to stop, the vailx is self-sustaining over long distances. Its advanced technology allows for continuous travel across oceans, deserts, and other vast terrains.
Power and Control:
The ship is operated using specialized keys that control its propulsion, levitation, altitude, and speed. These controls allow for precise navigation and smooth adjustments during the journey.
Structural Integrity:
The vailx is designed as a long, white, aerial spindle. Its structure is built to withstand extreme weather conditions, including powerful winds and turbulence, ensuring passenger safety throughout the journey.
These details depict the vailx as an extremely advanced, efficient, and comfortable mode of air travel.
Locations
Pitach Rhok: A large mountain where the travelers make a stop at its summit, significant for Anzimee due to past events.
Poseid: The narrator’s homeland, referred to several times. It’s an advanced, ancient civilization that the narrator travels from.
Necropan: A distant land mentioned as being over 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) east of the travelers’ location during the journey.
Sattamund (The Wasted Land / Sahara Desert): A great desert, referred to as the Sahara desert of today, where the travelers spend a night. It was once a more fertile land with lakes and trees.
Liberia: A modern location mentioned to indicate the proximity of where the travelers settle down for the night.
Southwest Incalia: A region affected by geological changes, today corresponding to parts of the American Southwest, including areas like the Rio Gila and Colorado.
Ganje: The capital city of Suern, described as a city built in cliffs along a riverbank, somewhat like the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.
Suern (Suernis): The destination of the voyage, a land with a mysterious and magical civilization. It is ruled by Rai Emon and is known for its occult practices.
Petra of Seir: An ancient and long-deserted city mentioned for comparison to Ganje. Petra is located in modern Jordan.
Chaldea: Mentioned as the homeland of Chaldeans (captured people brought to Suern). Chaldea corresponds to the region of southern Mesopotamia.
Caiphul: The capital city of Poseid, mentioned as the narrator’s ultimate destination upon returning home.
The chapter
The full text of this chapter is in the book: Chapter XVI: The Voyage to Suern.
