Guardian Cats and the Lost Books of Alexandria

Chapter 13: “More things in heaven and earth… “

On the other side of the door was a massive room, although ‘room’ was too small of a word to describe the space. As large as one of the enormous halls above ground, it was certainly not what Marco expected to find at the bottom of some dark, dank stairs. Illuminated by orbs of moving light, which Marco discovered were hundreds of creatures like Alaniah, it was hard to tell where the walls or ceiling began or ended.

Cicero breathed a deep sigh of contentment and stepped over the pile of debris that had been the door. Alaniah fluttered through, and Marco barely made it before the door began magically reassembling itself.

They descended marble stairs into a vast cavernous hall.

"Welcome! Welcome!" Approaching them eagerly was a young olive-skinned man in a green tunic, accompanied by a gray cat. “Welcome Cicero, Alaniah!” He reached down and petted Cicero lovingly. “It is always too long between visits, isn’t it? I trust your journey was pleasant enough, yes?”

“It went well, yes,” Cicero said.

“And who do we have here?” asked the young man, smiling down at Marco.

"Introductions, Cicero." Alaniah bubbled rather than spoke. Marco loved listening to the fairy-like creature, who seemed to take nothing seriously.

"Of course," said Cicero. He scratched his head, and Marco recognized his action as cover for his embarrassment, but Cicero quickly returned to full posture and spoke clearly. “I'd like to present to you the Keeper of The Book of Motion, a noble Librarian, Guardian of the Guardians, Keeper of the Sword of Knowledge—”

"Greetings, Marco,” the man, interrupted, holding his hand up to stop Cicero. “Cicero gets a little carried away sometimes. My name is Akeel." He reached down and scratched Marco's head and neck. "Welcome to our Library.”

“You have a new addition, Akeel,” said Cicero, nodding at a spiral stairway. The stairs were transparent and reflected the colors of the room. They were also not attached to each other—or anything else, for that matter.

“This is our latest addition. I am most excited about it. Come. I will show you,” Akeel said, walking towards the far corner where the stairs began. “They were designed by one of our brightest new mathematicians. It is based on the Golden Spiral, and the invisible support structure is established on principles that would take months to explain. We have been studying Sacred Geometry, and this project was the result of our studies.”

The crystal blocks formed a wide, sweeping curve from the floor. As they rose higher, they turned inwards on themselves in a small circle. Two people stood halfway up the ramp; one, a young boy and the other, an older bearded man. Marco reached out to touch the luminous step.

“They’re made of crystal,” Akeel said in a voice close to reverent. “Magnificent, isn’t it?”

Marco, who couldn’t contain his curiosity, began climbing the steps, but Akeel called him back.

Marco reluctantly obeyed, but he kept looking upwards to see where the stairs ended.

“You are observant Marco, but there’s a reason you cannot see where it goes,” Akeel said. “The Golden Spiral stairs have no end. They continue into infinity. When a climber reaches a certain point… well… they pass into another dimension, but that’s a trip for another time.”

Marco felt light headed just thinking about what Akeel said.

“Come. There are many things to see in the inner Library, and I would love to give you a tour.”

Akeel led them down a hallway of towering doorways and Marco imagined the closed doors hid wonderful secrets. Through one of the opened doors, Marco observed men and women moving in slow, dance-like motions. Through another, he saw bearded men on low cushions, reading or dozing. Several rooms were full of children busily engaged in reading or playing. Marco had to run to catch up with Akeel and Cicero.

Akeel talked as they walked. “Above ground are the treasures of the world, the great discoveries and inventions made by humans. They are looked after by, how do I say… by our more conventional Guardian Librarians.”

“Here below is the Library within the Library, which holds treasures from a higher realm. Books holding knowledge from beyond this world. The humans you see here are in training to be Guardians of these Sacred Texts.”

"They must go through rigorous training before they are accepted as defenders of these treasures,” Akeel said. “Hey, Chuluum, there you are.” Akeel reached down to pick up the gray cat Marco had seen when they first arrived.

Chuluum smugly examined Marco and Cicero from his elevated position in Akeel’s arms. He began to hiss, but Akeel was too quick.

“Be nice, Chuluum. They are my friends,” Akeel said, chuckling at his petulant cat.

Akeel motioned for Marco and Cicero to follow and led the way into a room full of books and dozing cats. But they passed through until they reached yet another door. Marco had never seen so many doors in one place.

"Do you think he’s ready?" Akeel asked Cicero.

"I suppose it’s time to find out,” Cicero answered.

Akeel dropped Chuluum out of his arms and opened the door to reveal what looked like a large closet. Alaniah entered first, casting light in the small space, empty except for a single table.

Akeel waited until they were all in and approached the table. Marco hadn’t noticed the wooden box until Akeel leaned over and blew on it. The box disappeared, dissolving into a cloud of fairy-like dust, which settled into piles. The disappearance of the magical box exposed a fairly ordinary book. Akeel blew more dust off as he picked it up.

Cicero was on the table, nuzzling and purring against Akeel’s arm.

"This is the reason we came,” Cicero said. “You needed to see the book in its original time and place."

Skeptical but curious, Marco jumped up to join the others. There was nothing special about the book that he could see, but Alaniah was creating a distraction by flitting back and forth like a hummingbird.

“Alaniah, please hold still,” Akeel requested.

They waited until she calmed down, hovering above them in more or less the same spot.

“The Book of Motion!” Cicero announced to Marco in a grand manner, as if he were announcing the arrival of a noble prince.

Marco was perplexed. He knew he was supposed to be impressed, but it was a long way to come for a book. What was the big deal about motion? Waking from a nap and walking to the food bowl or stalking a mouse. That was motion.

Then Marco wondered if his eyes were playing tricks on him. The book seemed to quiver and sort of exhale like some kind of living, breathing thing.

Okay, maybe not such an ordinary book, Marco thought.

Cicero tried to explain. "Motion can be as simple as getting from point A to point B, but it can have far deeper implications. The modest title is a bit misleading, but I think it’s to protect the importance of what’s inside."

"You are right, Cicero," said Akeel. "We are talking about motion on an entirely different level—the subatomic scale, which no one can see, even with special instruments…”

"Speak for yourselves, poor earthlings," Alaniah interrupted.

Akeel glanced up and smiled, but didn’t miss a beat. “…where things move very fast. Did you know the velocity of electrons can reach up to two million meters per second?”

“Um…”

“Even faster,” Cicero added. “Some travel three hundred million meters per second… the speed of light.”

Marco cocked his head, trying hard to look like he understood.

“Of course, this will not become common knowledge until your time.”

“Of course,” replied Marco, feeling it to be a safe response.

“In your time,” continued Akeel, “scientists will begin to grasp some of the ideas in this book. That door will open for them, but unfortunately, some will lack good judgment in using it—being responsible with its power.”

Akeel paused, looking a bit distressed. “And they will have learned nothing without this insight. Even quantum physics, quarks and all, cannot explain the whole picture. Only this small book, The Book of Motion, holds the key to understanding the grand scheme of things.”

Marco sighed, suddenly overcome by a wave of homesickness, wherever home was.

"I’m sure you wonder why I have brought you here," said Cicero. "And while you might not understand, you will have to trust me—trust us."

If that was supposed to soothe him, it didn’t help, because Marco thought it highly unfair. A sudden itch begged to be scratched and he took his time in order to gather his senses.

Cicero and Akeel paid no attention, absorbed in their discussion. They seemed to be sharing threads of the conversation as though they possessed the same mind.

"Everything is in constant motion,” Cicero was saying. “Electrons whirl like dervishes around their nucleus, planets whirl around their sun and stars whirl within their galaxies. This book is simply the ultimate guidebook to understanding everything in its natural state of motion.”

Marco had no idea what an electron, a nucleus, or a dervish was, but he did know something about the stars.

Akeel set the book back on the table. “No one knows its true origin, but it appears to have come from some other world. The Book of Motion is the most amazing book in the library; unlike most scientific explanations of life, this one leaves room for God. No, that does not do it justice.” He tried again. “The Book of Motion is more like an affirmation, as though sent by a Higher Power to show us what is possible.”

Akeel rubbed his hands over his face. “I’m afraid I am not explaining this well and I know the Book better than anyone.”

“You are troubled Akeel, and not just about explanations.”

“Yes,” he replied as he began pacing the room. “It’s about the reports I’ve been getting. There have been burnings and lootings in distant village libraries. A new force seeking to gain power is creating disturbances, spreading rumors about us, about the Library. I fear that they would like nothing better than to see us buried for good.”

Akeel sighed. “The Guardians have already been driven underground in order to protect these treasured books.” He looked out through the open door towards the other rooms full of books. “But what will become of all those who openly thirst for knowledge, both worldly and divine? This small but ill-intentioned group sees everything as black and white and they are forcing their views on others. They even perceive God in this limited perspective, as if He were some trifling old man who exhausted himself creating the universe and has been taking a long nap ever since.”

Akeel was clearly agitated. “They spread black clouds over people’s minds so they can carry out their dishonorable deeds and seize power under the cover of darkness. Even worse, they believe they can blot out our memory of the mysterious, our divine origin! How is it possible that others believe these pitiful notions? But their influence is growing, and I fear this grand idea which has become the Library of Alexandria has reached its zenith.”

A deep sigh escaped from Cicero and resonated like a wave through the room. Marco could not help joining the sigh. Cicero moved to Akeel’s side and nuzzled his head against him. This was a softer aspect of Cicero that Marco had not seen. At home, the old cat rarely interacted with the librarians, preferring to keep to himself and his books.

“Yes, I see why it needs to be guarded,” Marco said, thinking he was starting to understand and wanting very much to contribute to the conversation.

“But you don’t,” said Cicero, a little harshly. “Not yet, anyway.” The old cat jumped down and began pacing in step behind Akeel. “There is something worse that can happen to it…” Cicero glanced up at Akeel’s back. “The very people who want to suppress knowledge are the ones who know how powerful it is. They foolishly believe it is something they can own. Something they can hoard away like gold.”

Marco sighed quietly. He sat alone on the table watching man and cat pace in sync around the small room.

“I do not know yet whether they seek to destroy us or dominate us, but if they ever acquired The Book of Motion…” Akeel dropped his head into his hands.

“What?” Marco couldn’t help asking, even though he figured it was a dumb question.

“Marco, the most important thing you need to know is that The Book of Motion was a gift…” He paused. “Bestowed upon humankind for our understanding and benefit. But like anything, it can be used according to the intentions of its keeper. Take a carpenter’s ax for instance. It can be used to fell trees and create, to build dwellings for families. Or it can bludgeon the life out of someone.”

Alaniah darted about the small room. “Cicero! Akeel!” she sputtered, showering them with microscopic light crystals.

“Yes, Alaniah? What is the matter?”

“Get on with it!”

“What do you mean?” Both Akeel and Cicero looked perplexed.

“Too much talking-ing.”

Cicero and Akeel looked at each other, then at Marco. Brilliant minds suddenly clueless.

“Oh, mortal beings, you are so dense.” Alaniah whirled in front of them. “You must show him the Book! Isn’t that why you brought him here-re?”

“You are right, Alaniah,” said Akeel. “We have been caught up in our own thoughts. Poor Marco.” Marco welcomed Akeel’s quick caress and stretched out for more. Instead Akeel stepped over to the book, leaving Marco lying on his back.

He scrambled to get up as Akeel said, “You have traveled far, my young friend. I will make it worth your effort.”

Akeel collected himself by closing his eyes, taking a deep breath and clearing his throat. He spoke in a language Marco didn’t understand, and with both hands, gently opened the book.

A magnitude of light came bursting from inside the book, like water liberated through the turn of a spigot. It filled the room, transforming the walls into a kaleidoscope of radiance. Constellations, algebraic formulas, and whirling dervishes swirled together. Marco grew dizzy watching the wall of revolving images, vaguely reminiscent of his time travel experience. Many of them were little more than a blur, except for a few strange ones—wild horses racing across desert sand and a young monk in a bare candlelit room, writing at a small desk.

How did all this come from inside the book?

Marco went over to look at the open pages of strange script. He thought he’d seen a lot of books, but never anything like this. The pages were made of some material that reminded him of the crystalline spiral staircase, only paper thin. It appeared to be alive.

Gradually the marvelous show subsided and the room returned to normal. But nothing was really what Marco would call normal anymore.

“I will now give you a simple demonstration of its power,” said Akeel, pulling out a knife hidden in the folds of his tunic. In one smooth movement, he sliced his hand. Bright red blood seeped from the cut.