Ethan and Tera both sat up when they noticed the autocar start circling to make its descent. It took almost an hour longer than they thought the flight would be, but they managed to kill the time by learning a bit about each other’s worlds. By the end of their trip, they were starting to crack jokes about their histories.
They were high above a patch of desert when they started the final approach. A thin river ran through the cragged dirt and rocks, along which a strip of green vegetation grew. Right where the river became its widest, forming almost a small pond, were structures. They were all tan and orange with small windows and bits of wood holding the buildings together. Ethan and Tera were unable to get a great view of the large village that composed the Holy Kingdom of Opes before they landed.
Since Ethan had studied a bit of geography in the simulation, he placed their landing somewhere just east of the Grand Canyon. He had come to learn that, while they had lied to him about a lot of the world of the present, they were actually pretty accurate about the subjects unrelated to the rise of the installed intelligence. He was a little grateful that all the science, math, geography, and ancient history he learned wasn’t useless.
Tera peered out the autocar’s windows as they lighted down. A wall of dust was kicked up around them, but it blew away quickly. Once it did, she could see the settlement itself better. It was composed almost entirely of clay-based adobe buildings and a number of cloth tents. Some of the buildings had colorful murals painted on them, but for the most part, everything was red, orange, and brown like the clay it was made from.
A form started to approach the autocar, the robes it wore flapping around in the wind. It was a man was dressed in all white, with a long golden chain around his neck. Atop his wrinkled head sat a tall hat that looked like someone put a white bucket over his scalp. To Ethan, it reminded him of the chef hats he’d seen some computer-generated cooks wear in the simulation, but without the wide plume at the top.
The man strode toward the vehicle alone. His sandals sunk into the sand a little as he took each step. Tera and Ethan opened the door to their vehicle as he closed in on them.
“Greetings!” the man cried out. “Welcome to our holy kingdom, my friends.”
Ethan raised his hand as he exited the autocar, blocking out some of the dust that blew around in his face. As he did, he was able to see the man’s aged features a little better. It looked like he was at least fifty years old, enduring the blowing dust every day of his life. He had large eyebrows with long, wiry hairs that looked like they were trying to escape his face.
“Hello,” Tera said. “My name is Tera Alvarez, and this is Ethan Myler.”
The older man bowed with a smile on his face.
“I am Adviser Orram, high ranking priest here in Opes,” he introduced himself. “I hope I’m not being too forward, but I haven’t actually seen a person such as yourself, though I’ve heard stories.” He was referring to Tera.
She looked at Ethan awkwardly, unsure of how to respond. If Adviser Orram knew the Council like she did, then she was reasonably nervous about what stories he’d heard.
“I see I’ve made you uncomfortable,” Orram said, his smile falling a little. “I mean you no offense, Ms. Alvarez. I know you are not like the government that runs your city. You do not have to fear ostracization while you are here. We treat all our guests with respect.”
Tera bowed like the old man had. “Thank you,” she said.
“I have also heard a bit about you, Mr. Myler,” Orram said, addressing Ethan. “Your People’s Union friends were able to outline the crimes that were committed against you. Absolutely horrible, if you ask me. Know that we all feel blessed by your presence here.”
Ethan blushed. He almost felt like he had a fan but didn’t know he was famous.
“Come along, then,” Orram said, turning away from the autocar and the two guests. “I’ll show you to your rooms. You’ll probably want to get comfortable before you meet with the king.”
Tera and Ethan started to follow the older man down a slight slope that led into the denser part of Opes. A few people emerged from their dwellings to get a look at the newcomers. Some retreated back inside when they saw the metal and plastic woman who walked with them. A bit of murmuring drifted to them on the wind.
“When will we be meeting with the king?” Ethan asked. He wasn’t sure how long he wanted to stay in the dust-filled city.
“Soon, soon,” Orram replied.
“Why can’t we see him now?” Tera asked. She looked over at Ethan. He could see that she shared his sentiments.
“He’s meeting with someone right now, actually,” Orram answered. “Other visitors, like yourselves. In fact, I’d say the king has been rather popular since his coronation. A number of people have come to his temple with all manner of requests.”
“Who’re these other visitors?” Tera asked. There had been no mention of another party in their briefing with the Clevingers.
Orram turned to look at her, a sour look on his face. He led them between a couple stacks of adobe apartments, through a narrow alley.
“Some missionaries,” he replied. “I believe they came from Shell City as well.”
“Missionaries?” Ethan asked.
“They’ve come to spread their religion,” Orram said. There was a bit of distaste in his tone. “They worship digital ghosts, like you, Ms. Alvarez. ‘Installed intelligences’, I think you call them.”
“They worship them?” Ethan said. He wasn’t sure he was following along right.
Tera’s eyes went wide. For a moment, she was back in the abandoned church, watching the man stick the knife in his
