As Helen Imogen readied her barrels with the help of some hired hands, Pierce Whitman marched over. Helen rolled eyes with a sigh and readied herself for another argument. The council just couldn’t leave things alone once they had the bit in their mouth.
“What is it now, Pierce?”
Silver eyes narrowed at the familiar use of his name. Helen had tried to be polite to the city’s representatives, but now even the self-appointed mayor got little respect from her. There was a time Helen had considered a romantic interest in the wolfish looking man. But now she understood why none of the single women did no more than ogle him from afar.
“I understand, Lady Imogen, that you are frustrated but you are not the only one,” Pierce emphasized the use of a title as if she could be persuaded with flattery. “If you could let go of your stubborn idea for one second and listen to what Mrs. Coombs, Senior Langley, and I have been trying to explain to you, we could end this ridiculous argument.”
Helen gave a level look and said, “This argument would end if you would stop badgering me long enough for me to do my business and leave your fair town.”
Pierce shook his head in exasperation. “You just don’t get it, Ms. Imogen. Taking that water will not give you what you want.”
“It gives those who drink it more memory does it not? That is what the rumors say and many in this town, including yourself, have used those exact words in explanation to me.” Helen gave up any sense of politeness and glared the man down. It was a practiced stare and had a great effect on Pierce. While he stumbled, Helen continued, “I understand you don’t like the idea of foreigners coming in hordes to steal your waters, but I already promised not to tell a soul where it came from. I have held my patience and let you have your say, but no more! I mean to take what I can for the benefit of the Tower. This is not a greedy grab but a mission to increase knowledge for the sake of the world. Those at the Tower will use this water to increase their mental capabilities to finally comprehend the world’s most complex mysteries. I know you are not opposed to the work the Tower does are you?”
Pierce looked frightened. “No! No, uh, miss…lady Imogen. The Tower has long been a friend to our poor small town. I would be glad to help the Tower in its endeavors if that were possible. But the waters don’t…”
“Enough!” Helen’s voice was loud enough to stop every passerby in their tracks. “Enough,” she said again more softly. “I thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Whitman. But it is time for me to go. I will only fill these barrels here as agreed upon and leave you in peace.” Helen turned to wave her help forward.
Pierce tried once more. “But…”
Helen blocked him out and continued on her way. “Good day, Mr. Whitman.”
Despite all the arguing and complaints the council gave her, no one from the town tried to follow or stop Helen. After all the excitement of getting here, the Sien Lake seemed like any other normal lake. It was pretty and wet. Helen had meant to spend time here taking data, but Pierce had taken up too much of her time. She would have to hurry to make it back to the Tower before her appointment the next day. So Helen hurried the help and even scooped a fell ladles herself. And she did not taste it.
The journey back to Tower was uneventful and dirty. Helen was glad when she finally glimpsed the white stones of her home peaking above the trees. The Tower was built away from any big city, but the draw of knowledge had encouraged many to populate it just as well as a mid-sized village. There were a few dwellings spread out among the woods, and Helen knew it would only grow. She turned around in her seat to smile at the barrels in her wagon. Yes, things would be getting better. Perhaps she could discover a better way to travel that wouldn’t make her but so sore.
With ideas for the future, Helen eagerly arrived at the base of the Tower and enforced some passing scribes to lift the barrels for her. On the ninth floor, Helen’s prearranged class was waiting for her. Waltzing in as if she were the one on time, Helen gave a simple lecture on her findings. She told of rumors with memory-enhancing waters that Helen had traced to their source. A secret for now, but she would be studying the lake herself for more information. It was a mystery to unravel. Just think of the possibilities with extended memory. No need to reference books more than once. A better understanding of the world. A quicker mind to progress into the future. But at the moment it was time to experience that mystery. Helen was surprised there were not more volunteers, but fear often got the best of weaker scholars.
With a generous feeling, Helen let three students come up to try the water first. The whole class sat on their tip toes, even Helen, to see if it were true. A red-haired youth smelled his cup and slowly sipped its contents. A blond woman downed the water as if she were at a bar. And an elderly gentleman eyed his cup for a long time in contemplation and hope before drinking.
All three stood still and closed their eyes. A quiet gasp here. A giggle from the woman. A sad sigh from the old man. “Well?” Helen burst out. “Did it work?” There was a mixed chorus of “yes” and “no”. Helen glared at them and pointed at the young man to elaborate.
“Well, Ms. Imogen, I was given more memory in one sense of that statement, but not how you implied.” Helen’s frown could have curdled milk. “You see, I was given the memory of a blue jay flying above a field of flowers. It was exciting and it made my mind long for flight. I may look at Mr. Elendor’s research after this. But my mind itself wasn’t expanded any.”
Helen simply stared.
The blond nodded. “I saw a memory of a child playing with her grandda.”
“And I was given the memory of the grass itself as it grew, reaching towards the sun.” The old man added.
Sir Elliot stepped to the front of the room. Helen had hoped her discovery would reach the Principle Scholar, but now she wished he wasn’t there. “This really is a magnificent discovery. I myself never thought those rumors of a memory giving lake would turn out this way. But in a way, it does make sense. Long have I read of research on water that could remember things. You have found a body of water that has the ability to share those memories with us. Congratulations Helen Imogen. But in the future, perhaps you should be sure of what you have found before bringing it here.”
Helen was both astounded and disappointed. Chagrined, she only nodded. But her low mood only lasted a moment as she wondered if it were possible to purposefully store memories in this water. And with those questions, Helen continued to learn of the world, in more ways than one.
Photo by Yannis Papanastasopoulos