Captain Rez (9)

“We are gathering in the dining room to discuss this mornings' visitor.” Meli informed me through the door. “And our snake did not return from the Council's soiree.” she added. I could feel her merriment in her voice at this without needing my mental abilities.

“I will be down in a moment Meli.” I answered. I heard her sandals slapping as she headed down the upper hallway to leave. I nodded my acceptance of what must be done and of what the other Ancient would think after my assault upon Wisdom. I walked in silence down the hallway and back stairwell to enter the dining room. Meli and Sert sat at one end with an empty chair between them where a platter of breakfast food sat.

“We cannot be sure of Rez' position toward your presence in Atlantis including how our Holy Heart is giving you such freedoms while you are here.” Sert announced. I had barely had time to reach my seat before he spoke. “He may already be set against you and will not take your words with proper understanding and acceptance.” Sert continued. I sat before a platter containing cheese, bread, and cold meats. I nodded toward Sert to show I was listening and understanding his words before slowly picking at the food in my plate.

“He may have spoken to Captain Ent and Captain Hope to learn more about Lord Kestrel before meeting him.” Meli suggested. She filled my cup with tea as she spoke without spilling a drop. “Which might suggest that he will be receptive to Lord Kestrel's words and comments.” she added. I noticed how both my companions dug into their meal quickly while I slowly picked and chewed my food.

“Both points have merit but it does not matter which side he sits when he enters this conversation.” I stated calmly. “What matters is his parting thoughts and convictions.” I explained casually.

“True.” Sert interjected around a piece of meat.

“It's not polite to talk with your mouth full.” Meli chided him. I nearly laughed hearing her acting so motherly to Sertian who was her senior by a few decades.

“True.” he retorted while still chewing.

“It is also impolite to refer to me as 'Lord Kestrel' while I am sitting here.” I mused out loud. I hide my half smile as I popped a piece of cheese in my mouth.

“Pardon Sir.” Meli returned lowering her head. I gritted my teeth as I swallowed ignoring the look of satisfaction Sert gave Meli.

“May we make something very clear when we meet in private like this?” I asked feigning calmness. I waited a few moments to give them a chance to agree which came in the form of a nod. “My name as Annianka has given me is 'Kestrel” and I would prefer to be called that than referred to as 'Lord Kestrel'.” I continued slowly. I looked from one to the other for comments.

Sert nodded as he chewed on a chunk of bread while Meli still appeared mollified by my request.

“As you wish Sir.” she finally stated.

“That includes not using the term 'Sir' as if I am your master.” I added quickly and harshly. I took a breath to calm myself. “While we are together in private, I wish us to behave more like family and friends and not as servant and master.” I explained slowly. I searched their mind trying to find a thread of thought to help them understand what I asked of them. “I learn as much from both of you that you learn from me.” I added. I hope that this would clarify my point but I could not be fully certain nor would I play with their minds to force this behaviour on them.

They both smiled. First at each other before turning toward me to nod their agreement and understanding. Sert shovelled his food into his mouth while Meli ate at a normal pace chatting idly with us. Their plate were empty while mine had just passed the half way mark.

“Are you not hungry?” Meli asked worried.

“Maybe it is more food than he is used to.” Sert suggested. “We could help you finish the plate if you liked?” he added with a wolfish grin. I chuckled deeply at them.

“I eat as a friend taught me while visiting.” I stated. “It is a way of gaining more pleasure and nutrition from any good meal.”

“How is that possible?” Sert asked stunned. Meli looked only mildly perplexed by my words.

“You can savour more of the taste if you eat slowly which increases your enjoyment of the food.” I told them. Meli nodded to me and I could see in her mind that this was not a new concept for her. “The faster you eat, the more food is forced into your stomach which can only hold a limited amount.” I began slowly. “Your stomach will push the food downward into and through your guts because of the overload it faces.” I explained. I saw Meli's eyes sudden sparkle with understanding as she became very agitated.

“So the specific receptors for nutrition will miss have the benefits because the food goes passed them too quickly.” she screamed out.

“Since my human form and advanced spirit requires more nutrition, I eat very slowly when I have the chance.” I commented. I slowly placed a piece of bread in my mouth and began chewing slowly. Sert sat thinking as he stared at his empty plate.

“Would that mean that I would not still be hungry if I ate slower?” he mused. He was not sure he wanted to know the answer but I felt like congratulating him from continuing along the lines of the explanation.

“I am not sure.” Meli stated. I could read the continuing chain of thoughts forming in her head as she tried to discover a truthful answer for Sert.

“It would depend on how much nutrition your body needs.” I suggested with a shrug.

“That could explain him being still hungry but we need to wait for the next meal to test the idea.” Meli replied smiling. I set myself to slowly complete my meal only half listening to Meli and Sert discussing his possible eating problem. I was savouring the last piece of cheese when a knock was heard at the door. Sert rushed to meet our guest while Meli hurried to set a new pot of tea for Captain Rez' visit. I slowly made my way to the foyer already knowing that we would be in the garden to discuss what was on the Ursus' mind.

Rez stood in the foyer in silence. Sert's comment gained nothing but half growls from the man playing mute. I approached but did not hold my hand out to him. After the event with Captain Hope, I had decided that I did not like feeling claws sinking into the skin of my hands. I bow to him receiving a nod of his head and typical half growl. I motion him to follow as I lead him to the inner garden.

“Guard the door Sert.” I ordered once inside. He nodded as he tapped the butt of his halberd against the stone floor. I turned slowly to face the huge man looking nervously at his surroundings. “You wish to speak privately,” I began, “it has been accomplished for you.” Captain Rez nodded slowly to me. He moved into the clear spot of the garden to take a precarious seat on one of the stone benches. “What words did you wish no other could hear Captain?” I asked softly. I stood waiting as he gazed once more around the garden before releasing a deep breath.

“Atlantis is stricken with a great ailment that has been growing for a very long time.” Rez stated in a deep rumbling voice. “I do not believe you can cure it.” he started slowly turning his words into a whisper. “But” he interjected with a shrug. “I wished a chance to thank you before you started your attempt.” he concluded in a whispering rumble.

“You may be right about my inability to heal Atlantis.” I responded quietly. “I may have to allow this pretty island to vanish from the world to cure it of its infection.” I continued calmly. Rez' face rose to look me in the eyes.

“She will resist you in your attempt.” he returned with a half smile. He did not even have to mention her by name to let me know it was Annianka he spoke of.

“She will learn to accept my actions or use her full powers to stop me.” I stated. “That may be enough to actually cure this disease as is her place to do as Heart of Atlantis.”

“You would challenge Annianka herself if you believed you could heal Atlantis?” Rez asked. His tone had raised as he spoke smoothing his natural rumbling voice.

“I would challenge Odin and his inkling to accomplish what I must to succeed here for Atlantis and the world.” I answered bluntly. Rez was on his feet and moving to stand nose to nose with me. “If this is a problem than I suggest you retire and leave before I am forced to activate a final curative here.” I added boldly. Like Ent, I sensed Rez searching for non existent signs of fear in me.

“And miss all the fun of you turning this place upside down and inside out?” he rumbled at me. Rolling deep chuckle escaped him as he returned to take his seat. He motion to the bench next to me. I sat slowly trying to peer in this man's mind just to see the animal based thoughts of his Ursus nature. “Not on your life am I leaving.” he exclaimed smiling broadly at me.

“Then I expect you will make things easier for me while I play around finding the source of this infection before applying a cure?” I hazarded.

“No.” he interjected. “I will butt heads with you every chance I get just to find out where you are at in your search.” he explained with evil glimmer in his eyes. “Plus, it is what the others would expect of me.” he added with a shrug and a wink.

“That is a very scary thought coming from a bear.” I remarked unable to hide a smirk.

“Yes it is.” he returned still chuckling. “As for meeting Captain Jäzærha, it must be delayed indefinitely.” he continued softly. Something in his tone and the feeling I felt from his inner bear screamed of his protective nature. “We do not see him returning permanently from his sabbatical within the next hundred years or so.” he concluded.

“You believe he may be in trouble?” I responded. I could not help showing my excitement at a possible adventure.

“Not in the way you think.” Rez returned. “I believe his honour made him stand for someone within the temples of the sun and moon but I believe it will cause no problems for Atlantis directly.” he explained. “Out of all of us, it is typical of him to spend more time away from Atlantis.” he continued.

“His honour pushes him to want to save the world outside the borders of Atlantis.” I commented. Rez nodded with a knowing smile. “And something the Ferret Captain and Myself have in common.” I let slip out.

“Saving the world is all good and noble but for me protecting Atlantis and Her Holiness Annianka is more than enough.” he returned with a soft rumbling chuckle. “I must guess by your words that you will be off Atlantis as much as you will be here?” he mused in a rumbling whisper.

“The works of the Ones On High do not only focus upon Atlantis alone.” I stated softly. “I will need to absent myself from time to time to perform my tasks.” I told him. “But I am sure the grouping of Royal Guards can keep Atlantis in one piece while I'm away.”

“Not all the groupings of Royal Guards see things in the same way.” he returned. “We mostly stand apart from each other while still doing our duty.” he explained slowly. “The Ursus most of all, especially myself.” he added.

“Why keep each clan apart like that?” I asked. My curiosity at understanding this man that I could only see his animalistic thought took over me. He gave me an appraising look before speaking.

“The Ursus are the only ones that sees a corruption in Atlantis without simply blaming the Council for it.” he answered directly. “The others seem determined to prove the Council as the source of evil and remove them from their power.” he explained. “Replace each member with new members that they see as more honourable.” he corrected quickly.

“Well they did stand for the Council once before.” I returned softly.

“And it turned us into beasts.” Rez replied without rancour. “What happened a thousand years or so ago cannot be changed now and my bears like it that way.” he added with an evil smirk.

“Some still see what befell the Royal Guards back then as a great curse.” I muttered.

“Let them.” he interjected. “None of us gifted with this sees it as a problem anymore.” he continued. “I will have a list of the places in the world that seem to need divine intervention for you, Kestrel.”

“Thinking Jäzærha might have a point?” I asked with a chuckle.

“Best he not be the only one saving the world.” Rez responded with a shrug.

“I thank you for understanding my placement in the world and upon Atlantis Captain Rez.” I stated formally. I rose to my feet bowing deeply to him in flawless Atlantian fashion. “I will inform you of what I discover of those places in need of help.” I promised him. He nodded before rising to his feet. He saluted me in the fashion of the Ursus.

“Good to know someone is helping all of us.” he whispered to himself. “It's late and my troops will wonder of my state.” he said louder. “By your leave Sir.” he continued formally with a bow. “I better return to see if my troops have decided to nap instead of working.” he added with a hearty rumbling laugh. I lead him back toward the doors of the house in the same silence he had entered. He gave me one grunt and nod before walking away.

I was still by the door with Sert as we spotted Cole returning home. He looked tired, annoyed , and dishevelled from his time with the Council. I knew without looking that Sert was smiling about Cole's condition. Cole said nothing to either of us as he entered and headed straight to his room upstairs. He only returned to join use for the evening meal before we all retired for the night.