I did not even feel the storm building when it struck the Roman ship I rode toward Atlantis. The sailors fought in vain as the waves tossed this vessel in a macabre and deadly dance upon the waters. My gift of seeing possible futures had only been revealing a watery grave with my mission for so many left undone. I spotted the first ridge of the Atlantian defensive reefs rising like jagged daggers from the boiling seas to our port-side as a wave lifted us at them leaving no hope for salvation. Atlantis only an hour or more away but still too far to reach with the jagged reefs and surf working together to mercilessly crush anything trying to enter the port of Atlantis uninvited.
My last thoughts were coloured by the death screams of the Roman sailors, the snapping of kindling which had been our proud mast, and a dark chuckle whispering in my own mind. My true mission here that none of the other so-called deities could even fathom would be impossible while most of them believed they had sent me here. I felt the despair and self loathingcaused by those thoughts as the dark laughter echoed louder in my mind as my body rushed under the waves in the whirl pool caused by the sinking ship. As consciousness left me, a whisper of lesser minds rippled over the silent dark surface of my spirit form's mind.
The only thing that warned me that I had not truly died yet was the absence of my true home far beyond the blanket of stars that is my mother's body. I force my senses to return to life and show me anything of my present situation to simply feel her near me. Swirls of fire, earth, spirit, and air meet my tendrils as i felt around myself in the darkness of unconsciousness my body lay in. It was the feeling of greatness and light unlike the Ancient Ones I pretended to be born from in this plane. I forced my eyes to open seeing a sight that chilled my soul while warming my heart. Her new body did not hide her true being from my amber bird eyes trapped in a human face. She fussed over him as she had done to a broken kestrel nearly a millennium earlier as he had been cast out of Heaven for saving it. She was but a portion of a being older than time itself like I was. One fifth of a being that had created my mother who forsake her life to give birth and existence as the Universe itself they all lived within.
“Keianna!" I whispered harshly in shock. She placed one lone finger upon my lips halting further speech escaping me. With a sad look in her eyes and mild shake of her head she told me to say no more as she stared down at me.
“Bring water quickly Meli.” she ordered at a young girl that stood near to her.
“He lives your Holiness?” the girl asked bluntly. The cup was place to my lips as Keianna help me to a half sitting position to drink the sweet clover honey touched water. I could only find this mixture in Atlantis meaning I had not failed my true masters in my duties even if this was a miraculous even for me.
“They found you by the docks as if you had drifted in with the morning tide.” Keianna stated reading my surface thoughts. “They brought your directly to the Healers' Hall, Sir Kestrel.” she continued easily. "How you arrived upon on shore is a mystery even to us old friend.” she added softly.
"Please send for the Secratant so I may list my presence here in proper order.” I asked forcing a calm facade. Both laughed at me for my words. I glared at them in stunned fear considering how strict the honour code Atlantanis lived by.
“Your presence has already been listed by her Holiness Annianka, noble Lord Kestrel.” the younger healer explained as she blushed shyly. “Rest while you can Sir since many wish to speak to the noble Envoy of the Ones on High.” she added. I stared at her for a moment as I look within her mind seeing that her word rang true and that Annianka had set me apart from the other visitors by placing a title of the highest honour upon my head.
I shook my head violently trying to disagree to this unwanted title placed on me. I forced myself to twist and attempt standing by my bed. As a wave of weakness washed over me nearly toppling me to my knees, a pillar formed from the marble of the floor. I lend against it knowing it was Annianka's doing, as she is known here, making me nod in gratitude to a being I had split while just a small nearly unnoticed child. She smiled back at me before I closed my eyes to refocus my own healing energies of the great nebula that live in my mother and within my blood. As I released my cloud around me, I felt the flaming healing of Annianka wrapping around it and within my mind's eye like a great serpent. The gasp I heard within the room screamed at me the warning of how these simple trick could appear like great magic while upon this special island.
What I saw in my mind's eye was what they all could see as the flaming snake wreathed a cloud of sparking energy causing more sharp intakes of breath form the other healers in the room. I cursed myself for forgetting this small fact but what was done was done unfortunately and it enhanced the view of Annianka's healing fires.
“I have never seen your healing appear so majestically Oh Great Heart of Atlantis.” one that felt like the leader of the healer stated haltingly. I opened my eyes slowly to look at the spectacle that surrounded me. A firey dragon like snake spiralled around my nebulous cloud of sparks. Annianka stared in utter confusion at this scene while I sighed softly about this little mistake that caused my title to be irremovable from my shoulders.
“Please stop.” I whispered adding the word “Kei” directly to her mind. “I have it under control without your assistance.” I added politely. I could see them slowly moving closer to us with the young healer, Meli, nearly standing between us. The serpent withdrew for around me as it slithered back into Annianka's open hand. With a trio of slow breaths, my nebulous healing thickened to hide me nearly from view as it healed the time stiffened muscles of my physical form. One final deep breath drew the cloud of sparks back into my form as I stood straight no longer holding the marble post for support. To the crowd of watchers, it was like liquid being reabsorbed into a sponge as my electrified nebula re-entered my body to hide until needed again.
“So that is how you kept yourself alive?” Annianka asked sorrowfully.
“No little healer.” I answered without fear. “I must be conscious to use that training, Holiness.” I added as I bowed to her. I heard the scuffing of the other healers feet moving closer to me as Annianka glared past me at them. The young Healer known as Meli was spared as she stood closer to me than all the other.
“I must ask if you can teach me this technique to me Noble Sir.” Meli stated as she stared at me in awe. As I stood in silence, she glanced nervously toward Annianka that still glared at the other healers wanting to be in Meli's place. I waited until her eyes returned to me before nodding my agreement to this healer's request. I walked slowly still trying in my mind to accept and understand what I had seen in the last few moments. The segregated half of my mind was silent as my true origin and purpose lay hidden from prying minds. I refocused on the present as a guard fell in stride with me as my step exited the Healers' Hall.
“My orders are to be your guide and personal guard by the Council of Atlantis Sir Kestrel.” the young man informed him. “At least until you recover Sir.” he added annoyed.
“As the wise wish it.” I replied formally. A whispering voice echoed in my mind with a polite request to come to a pool as soon as I was able to. “You may take me to the nearest Dolphin pool.” I added quickly. The thrilling thanks I received within my mind had me smiling at my guardian guide me politely as a look of utter confusion covered his face. My gift to see into others' mind showed that this confusion was total and not a feigned reaction.
He lead me slowly as I chuckled internally at the confusion still debating in his military trained mind. It was only a few paces away from the Healers' Hall to this slightly secluded dolphin pool built to allow one of Atlantis' totemic animal to be near the citizen or visa-versa. As I took a seat by the edge of this pool, I realized to my shock that I wore the native see-through silken clothing of the Atlantians making me momentarily question where and when my clothing had been removed from me person. This line of thought evaporated as a dolphin swam up to me chirping in their normal speech toward me. The ordered guarded was about to speak but I waved off his information since I already knew what this small moment was about.
“Was it you who asked to see me little brother?” I stated to the dolphin both in words and mentally.
“Yes.” it answered mentally while releasing a single sharp chirp.
“What did you wish of me?” I continued softly.
“You!” it stated louder in both my mind and in it's verbal shrill chirps. Images flowed from the dolphin's intricate mind to mine, showing this dolphin leading a group that carried me to the docking area of Atlantis. It flashed from that to the moment I stood standing before the Ancient Ones asking that I visit Atlantis for the safety of all. It was but a still picture of Kestrel in his true liquid night form standing before the pillar of light with but the word “protect” glowing across the image in my head. “You are here to protect not just our home but the world itself.” it whispered in my mind. Tones of pleading had entered into the dolphin's mental voice as that one image of the pillar of light kept returning no matter what I did to change it.
“Yes, but I did not know I would find someone from one of my past lives here.” I answered quickly. I tried harder to pull away from an image that should not be visible in this world. The dolphin replied with a cheerful chirp while the image returned brighter and clearer define from this overly intelligent animal's mind.
“Here she is the Holy Heart of Atlantis Annianka and not the child you had pretended to create nor the teen you protected so long ago.” it answered mentally. Image of the moment i faked the Ancients creating this being and the moment I showed my true form to protect a village besieged by monstrous men wanting it to burn. “Try not to call her by the name that teen's form even if she has given you the same name she placed upon your shoulders Alal?” it continued. The pleading and fearful tone that entered it's voice nearly made me walk away without any other word to it. I held my ground as the guard stared in awe at me while all I felt from the dolphin was a pleading for accepting his request.
“I thank you for your wise advice and saving me from the ocean little brother.” I stated as my mind whispered the words “I will try”. The dolphin simply chirped loud and shrill at me before quickly swimming away.
“And thank you for your presence and intentions Great Lord Genin.” it returned as it swam away. Echoes of mirthful chirping echoed as the dolphin swam away.
“You converse with them as we do.” the guard whispered. I could hear and feel the awe this man felt as I slowly stood to face him directly. “My name is Sertian and you may call on me for whatever you need noble Kestrel.” he added as our eyes locked. I could see him straighten and take this unimportant duty as seriously as guarding Annianka herself.
“I thank you for this gift of trust shown to me.” I replied with a bowed head. “But I believe the Heart of Atlantis wishes our attention.” I added quickly as I motioned with a flourish of my hand. Annianka stood with the young healer near the opening of the garden space around the pool. Meli glared intently at me unable to hide the awe that rushed through her.
“Finding everything you need Lord Kestrel?” Annianka asked verbally. Her mind on the other hand revealed different words to me. “You were not told that I was here when they sent you to rescue my island?”
“Perfectly with this noble guard helping me.” I stated to her. The only word that echoed through my own mind was a stoic “no” which I knew she would hear clearly. Sertian bowed to her at my words but from the clear giggle escaping her mind I knew this was not going to be a simple dismissal.
“You look more natural in the light colours of this nation than the darkened feathers and stiff cloth you wore when last we met.” Annianka stated slowly. Meli glanced from her to me with Sertian mimicking her movement and confusion showing in both their faces.
“A little too revealing for my taste, but better sometimes to to accept the style if you will be staying for more than a passing visit.” I answered with a shy chuckle.
“I would also suggest a visit to the armoury so our noble guest can select a new weapon and armour to replace the ones he lost for this visit.” Annianka told Sertian directly. I saw the colour drain from his face at her words.
“But your Holiness ...” he sputtered back as he blanched whiter still. I glanced toward Meli who looked shyly at the ground. “Visitor are to relinquish all weapons and armour upon stepping foot on Atlantian shores.” he explained quickly looking pained at Annianka's request. I read the unrest from his mind and from the books I had used to prepare myself for this mission. Without permission given by the Council or Annianka herself, his actions would be seen as treason to Atlantis and its citizens.
“He is a noble Envoy from the Ones on High which gives him the right to bear arms and armour anywhere he chooses to do so.” she answered with a wry smile on her face. I felt and heard Sertian's jaw drop in stunned shock. I nearly spoke up to have this right wave when Annianka spoke once more. “Plus I acknowledge this right in the name of Atlantis.”
“I thank you for this great kindness your Holiness.” I stated with a bow to her. “But the smaller kindness of food and sweet water is more pressing at this time.” I added. She nodded her agreement as I felt the embarrassment of having overlooked something primordial to life.
“I shall also add Meli, the healer, to your entourage with Sert as your permanent guard and guide while you are a Envoy to Atlantis.” she continued. “But remember your promise to our young healer and help Sert polish his skills as a noble guard of Atlantis.
“I am at their service as much as they are in mine, like a proper Envoy to Atlantis should be.” I answered politely.
“You sound so much like one of our own Sir.” Meli commented confused. I could feel that this confusion to my behaviour was share by Sertian fully but did not touch Annianka's emotions. “Are you sure that you are not one of us?” Meli continued as impossible thoughts flashed through her mind. “Just lost to us?” she added in a near whisper. I glanced at Annianka with a single raised brow to receive a accepting nod.
“I may possibly be misplaced but never truly lost.” I stated softly. I straightened to stand before them causing gasps of disbelief escape Meli and Sert. I had used my gift to change my form into a truest replication of Atlantians in height without losing the Grecian characteristics I had been born with in this life cycle. “Most underestimate the one that looks like everyone else, which for me is a gift of true age and abilities.” I concluded with a fluid Atlantian bow toward Annianka.
“You have my leave.” Annianka stated with a nod and a half-smile. As I walked away with my gifted retinue, I heard her tinkling giggle in my mind while feeling her merry filled mirth at having me close to her once more.
