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“I’ve asked my aide, Ninu, to take you there. I hope to see you again before you conclude your visit.”
A young woman stepped forward and waved them down the pathway. They followed her, and soon they reached a low building with a domed roof shaped like a clam shell.
She led them inside, and Dakota discovered that the dome covered a large internal courtyard. It was filled with a huge, shallow pool shaped like a kidney, and laughing children. The children were all kneeling by the pool, reaching into it.
Dakota moved closer, curious. She’d never had much to do with children, but she liked the carefree sounds of their laughter. She saw the pool was filled with all sorts of sea creatures resting on a sandy bottom. Small fish darted through the water, and the children were playing with the sea creatures. All around the courtyard, the walls were covered with a gray-green moss.
Staring into the pool, she saw that there were some other things beneath the surface. Toys, she guessed. There were balls, small cubes, rings, toys of various animals of the sea. Then, she glimpsed something that made her frown. It looked like an ancient Terran ship. Not a starship, but a ship like the Nuestra Señora de Atocha.
“Hello and welcome.” The energetic voice made her turn around. She saw a young man in blue robes heading toward them.
“Why does everyone look so young?” she asked Dare.
“I think they all look young. I think it’s difficult to tell older and younger people apart.”
This man had to be their scholar. He might look young, but he had studious stamped all over him. He also radiated an energy that was infectious.
“It is such an honor to meet off-worlders.” The man sighed. “I would give anything to swim through space. It must be so fascinating.” Another sigh. “Sorry, but you aren’t here to tell me about your space journeys. My name is Asun, and Tsani said you were interested in our history.”
“We are,” Dare said. “We have some questions for you.”
“Come.” The man waved at some nearby benches. They all settled there, not far from the pool. The gentle sound of the children’s laughter was their background music.
Dare looked at Dakota. “You’re up.”
She cleared her throat. “My name’s Dakota. We are on the trail of a Terran starship that we believe crashed on your planet a thousand years ago. It was holding an ancient Terran treasure.”
“Really?” Asun leaned forward. “That sounds very exciting. I’ve heard some things about Terra, I mean, Earth.”
“Have you heard of a ship called the Southwind? It was captained by a man named Fisher.”
Asun shook his head. “No. I haven’t.”
“You don’t know anything about it? There is no mention of it in your history?”
Again, Asun shook his head. “I’m sorry, no.”
She leaned closer. “You’ve never heard of the Atocha Treasure.”
The scholar frowned. “No.”
“We were attacked by a Maronian man who claimed that the Southwind and its treasure was an important piece of your planet’s history,” Dare said. “That your people were descended from the survivors of that starship.”
“I’m sorry. Maronians are descended from the waters of Maro. If we have some Earth heritage, I’m not aware of it, and I’ve spent many years learning all of Maro’s history.”
Dakota’s shoulders sagged a little. “You have no legends or myths about crashed starships?”
The scholar’s face brightened. “Now that, I can help you with. There have been starships that have crashed here over the centuries. We have studied many of them, and noted all the locations. None are from as long ago as you are talking about.”
“Take a look at this.” Dakota held up the orb and opened up the star map.
The scholar gasped and stood. “My, what marvelous technology. It’s beautiful.”
“This is your planet.” She pointed. “And see here? This is where it says that the ship we’re looking for crashed.”
Suddenly, a look of terror crossed the man’s face. He shook his head.
“What is it?” Dakota demanded.
