The Barter System (28)

“We might want to move faster Sert.” Meli commented suddenly. My head snapped up in time to see an apple bounce of the back of Sert's head. “They seem to have noticed us watching them.” she reported. Sert glance angrily at her while snapping the reigns to urge the oxen to move faster. His eyes returned to the road avoid the two soldiers that had broken from the ranks to approach the cart as it rumbled along. He stared ahead blind to their waves as I turned to flash a salute back toward them. I looked at the back of Sert's head.

“What have you learnt?” I asked as we entered the town.

“Not to stare at soldiers.” Meli replied quickly. I heard Sert chuckle.

“They seem to think that marshalling closer to each other gives them better protection.” he finally commented over his shoulder. “But it would make the group an easier target for area weapons, correct?” he added.

“Yes.” I interjected. “But these people do not use weapons like that toward soldiers, only to breach walls and gates.” I explained. “Their formation gives them an edge when fighting other foot soldiers.” I clarified.

“It would make for the strongest formations they could use.” he agreed slowly. I could see him thinking through it. “But would be without substance against an Atlantian foe.” he added quickly. I tapped him on the shoulder to have him look back at me. I nodded slowly as his smile was sad at being correct. We pulled into the yard of the inn I had planned us staying for that night.

“Which town will we be crossing at?” Meli asked. We disembarked and huddled by the cart as we spoke.

We still have two to three towns before we cross over into Greek territory.” I answered in a whisper. “We will change country in a smaller village that may not know yet about the ongoing war.” I explained. “It may force us to cross the territory of a giant but we should be safe if we remain on the main road.” I added.

“Are not giants known also as titans within this land?” Meli returned. “Same as the ones in the Greek lands?”

“Yes but most are not as harmful as stated by the myths of the people that wrote those books.” I returned calmly.

“Are the titans not viewed as a step between deities and mortals?” Meli continued. She already had the one book open in her hands as she quoted ideas. “Would they view us as equals since we are Atlantians or Alton?” she added. I could see the little smile that formed on her face. I could see in her mind that maybe the titans would be friendlier to us knowing our origin.

“Yes.” I interjected back. “If they see us as Alton, we would be warmly received.” I agreed. I turned toward Sert who waited in silence for us to enter the inn. “Bring one of the baskets of mixed vegetables and fruits in with us.” I ordered. He nodded and piled a mix of items including bread and cheese.

“Would this be a lesson in the barter system that is similar to the Atlantian way?” Meli asked. I moaned before turning to face her again.

“Not exactly, but you will see once in the inn.” I remarked. “Fresh produce does not last long so best we share the wealth we have.” I explained. “And it will teach you the greatest lesson of travelling the world and gaining information.” I added. We entered the inn slowly under the suspicious eyes of the owner standing in his common room. I side stepped a bench letting the owner notice the basket in Sert's hands. He smiled brightly at us before motioning us to a table near the back of that room.

“Not many farmer coming through town lately.” he stated politely. We sat at the table with the basket set to one side. I had remained silent giving him just a nod acknowledging his words. “We have been short on many fresh products with the war on Troy even if the fields should still provide our needs.” he continued. I could sense his distress at the situation. “Best we deal in comfort.” he added. He motioned to his wife to bring wine to the table.

“We have three baskets full that can be transferred to your hands.” I explained quickly. The man nodded to me as he smiled. “That and a few coins should hopefully secure us rooms for the night?” I hazarded easily.

“The town barely get that much from our fields lately.” the inn keeper returned. I could feel his amazement at the offer I was making him. “Coins, we have many just no way of gaining fresh food for our guests and patrons.” he reported slowly. “A fourth basket would get you coins to help you out if possible.” he offered.

“That would not leave us much to continue our travel to the next town.” I remarked. To my surprise, both Meli and Sert had remained silently listening to the debate. “One basket now with two heavily loaded baskets in the morning without coins transferred from either of our pouches?” I suggested.

The inn keeper smiled as he nodded to me. He spit in his hand before offering it to me. I spat in mine before we shook hands sealing the deal to a chorus of strangled choking from Meli and Sert. The inn keeper and myself chuckled as we wiped our hands on our upper leg.

“They are too young to understand customs?” the inn keeper asked me.

“They have never been upon Roman lands to learn our customs.” I replied. “The Alton would never think of spit as a person's word during negotiations.” I continued slowly. I watched the inn keeper's eyes grow wide as my words sunk in. “A pair of youth placed in my charge for a bit.” I added with a shrug.

“Have you been there?” he asked in a whisper. His eyes remained wide as he glanced from me to my companions.

“Yes.” I replied with a chuckle. “My tales of the Mystic Island are free over supper if you accept to split bread with us.” I countered. His eyes return to gaze at me as he smiled and nodded. I saw and felt the annoyance from my companions as we left them out of the discussion. “Or they may be willing to tell their own tales in our tongue.” I hazarded softly. I motioned toward Meli to let her know she could speak while the inn keeper still stared at me wide eyed.

“I see no problem with my lord's words.” she returned in Roman. The man's head snapped as he turned to stare at her in astonishment. “Our guide has given us a chance to learn your tongue for this voyage.” she added. Even in Roman, her voice carried the musical edge of the Atlantian tongue while she had smiled sweetly to the inn keeper as she spoke.

“My words are not as crafted as hers.” Sert responded with a harsh accent. I nearly choked at this coming from a man that spoke flawlessly the previous day. “I will try my best with my friend's help.” he added with a quick nod to Meli. Her face remained undisturbed by this sudden accent Sert had developed.

“Beware if they speak of me in their tales.” I warned the inn keeper. “They believe me to be a lost member of their own race.” I explained with a wink. The man's rumbling laughter echoed in the common room.

“Anyone with eyes can see you are Roman through and through!” he retorted unable to quell his laughter.

Meli suddenly stared hard at me with a look of have just meet me. I read in her mind that she finally noted the minor changes in my appearance that made me appear as a typical Roman as she had seen so far. She glanced at Sert knowing he had the proper coloration already to be seen as Roman. I saw it finally click in her mind that he also shared many features with me that could lead to him being mistaken as a son to me.

“Why did you not warn me when you noticed this?” she reprimanded Sert in Atlantian.

“I thought you understood when I played son to Kestrel.” Sert answered with a shrug. The innkeeper's eyes moved with their speech.

“Of course I did not understand or I would not be vexed with you.” she returned.

“But you are the one that usually explains these things to me?” Sert replied. I listen but did not interfere as I sensed the amazement growing with our host.

“So next time when one of us notices something we mention it to the other person.” she retorted quickly. “Agreed?”

“Agreed.” Sert returned with a quick nod. Both turned to smile at the inn keeper.

“Very musical their language.” he commented to me.

“Some words are the sounds of barely known notes in our world.” I replied softly. “If you have a crowded common room tonight,” I began to offer, “I may speak in a different way.” The inn keeper's face brighten as I pulled out my ocarina, an instrument of legend and mystery for the Romans.

“I am sure that word will spread thanks to my wife of our special guests.” he admitted with a nod. “My wife will surely add that a musician will be here also making many visit tonight.” he continued. “If you wish to to lay a hat for collection, I have no problems with it.” he added.

“It would be a pleasure to perform without the hassles of splitting the take for the night.” I remarked calmly.

“Your rooms are paid for already and our common room is open to all freely.” he replied quickly. “This town could use a night of music and stories to remove the thoughts of war from their minds.” he added softly.

“Good stories and lively music will be a good offering to give peace to the people.” Meli commented. In her mind I could see that see realized my true plan. “I pray they are as forth coming with tales as we will be since we wish to learn everything we can about this land.” she continued. One quick glance to me showed her understanding of my machination so far. Sert nodded his agreement wordlessly. I rose the ocarina to my lips and practice a few soft notes.

“I am assured they will want to talk your ears off as much as hearing of your wonderful origins.” the inn keeper said to her. “The men will adore a chance of being close to you will the women will relish conversing with your friend.” he continued. I could feel his excitement rising as he dreamt of the night's events. “Including music that is never heard in this part of the world as a back drop,” he interjected, “it will be a night of true magic for all.” He nodded to them before returning toward the kitchen area with the basket.

“This might be your first chance to gather information on your own.” I told them in Atlantian. “Keep it simple and we should be able to know what we face along the roads we must take.” I added quickly. The inn keeper returned but did not seem to notice me speaking Atlantian. He smiled at us before heading upstairs with a bundle of fresh looking bedding followed by a young pair of children. We smiled back at them as the children giggled and dashed ahead of their father up the stairs. I felt the thought of Meli and Sert offering to hunt down musical instruments of their own as I place the ocarina to my lips again. I let a soft thrill of notes rush out with a hint of the bardic magic allowed to humans and practice in Atlantis.

Humanity (27)

Meli and Sert looked dishevelled as they left their room. I stood in the small hallway trying not to laugh at the red marks from Sert's armour on Meli's cheek.

“You could have at least removed your armour Sert.” I chided him in a whisper. Meli blushed bright red but said nothing. A flush of red touched Sert's cheeks as he smiled shyly at me. “Best we depart and leave the rest of these mysteries to our little friend the Ken.” I concluded softly.

We walked in silence outside to find the cart ready with a pair of sturdy oxen already in the halter. None of the farm family was around except for the young girl. She ran up to our group, handing each of us a single daisy before rushing away. I still wore my smirk from my small victory. Sert was the first at the wagon.

“I believe we have been paid for your good deed here.” he remarked. He pointed to a covered section of the cart. He lifted the edge of cover to reveal a dozen baskets loaded with fruits, vegetables, breads, and cheese rounds. “And more produce from a farm without plants or animals.” Sert commented.

“We leave it in the hands of the Ken.” I repeated. My two companions nodded to me before we took places in the cart. Sert had the reigns with Meli at his side while I lounged in the back of the cart between the seat and our load.

We rode away in silence after I pointed the direction we needed to follow to Sert. I knew their silence was them remembering my tales of past voyages. This one had been no more nor less filled with oddness than any I had told them but for them it had been shocking. They held their tongue so I would not leave them behind next time. I just hoped that with the amount of event they had faced, the rest of the trip would be quiet.

With only a month and a half of travel with me, my companions had seen many marvels. I had had a few surprises of my own during this voyage as higher powers seemed geared to interfere along our path. Higher powers indulging at playing deity for these humans still confused me deeply in a world essentially devoid of magic. The humans did not need it since they could never use it fully destroying themselves when they tried. But those so-called deities lead them down paths that was not meant for them.

They lead the humans to cross paths with the mystical creatures that flourished in this world they only partially shared with the humans. I had always believe that the humans should have been set apart from all the other races that existed before them but those races had decided otherwise. I did thank Odin for the wisdom of following the same path I walked. Odin's group walked in the world with the people that they tended to. They taught them by actions and words to use the gifts humanity possessed to become stronger and wiser in the world. This did not stop the bloodline of the deities mixing with humans nor the bloodline of the other mystical races mixing into the pot.

For some it was love that prompted them but for most, lust dictated their lower behaviour to mix with the humans. The newer children born from such unions did not fare well trapped with abilities they did not understand or know how to control in their youth. The mortal coil had been infected but nothing could have been done to stop this. Unless, like the Ancient and Old Ones, they locked these half breeds away to not disturb their normal lives. Freakish event had happen already along my path during past travels showing me a new direction forming for humanity. A path where no truly pure humans existed but the mixed powers had become weak enough to go unnoticed. I did fear that the stronger humans would prey on the weaker ones but that is appearing to be human nature.

“Human versus human is not my concern.” I muttered to myself. I had forgotten the keen hearing of my companions as we rode together.

“The reason you walked away from Troy without stopping their war directly?” Meli asked from behind her book.

“Even if you had mentioned that deities had interfered to start the conflict.” Sert mentioned calmly.

“Some event are not meant to be stopped.” I replied quickly. “Just warning them to make it short was all they could receive from me.” I continued with feigned calmness. “Would you rather we had entrenched ourselves in Troy and miss our ride home?” I asked softly. I knew the corner of my mouth had twitched up showing teeth in a silent growl.

Their silence let me return to my thoughts on the new human path. The lack of magical essence meant that the gifted humans would not be able to use their abilities often or at the level they truly had. It made the point unimportant mostly, since unless challenged in magical hot-zones, they would be essentially powerless. Some may learn eventually to store energy within themselves, in crystals, in gems, or in trinkets they keep on them to help protect themselves. But, in the end, the Fallen Ones would be essentially powerless in the world except for a few mental tricks. Even those tricks may fail them if they cannot learn to control them and focus them properly.

Too many possibilities leading to multiple future lines at this time to worry about. I would set small event in motion that would after eons lead the humans back on their own path but only if needed. I do try to not interfere too much with them while I watch over them. Knowing that I set these events in motion since my childhood before my mother sacrificed herself to become the universe all these races lived within reassured me that the outcome in their battle would be the one of their final choosing. I and Genia, my sister, sat as the only two guardians over the universe but our paths were not the same. I followed the path set by the Ley'ä'Luna while Genia's allegiance changed to suit her need for self power.

“What do you think about Kestrel?” Meli asked over the edge of her book. I had barely noticed that the day had passed while I sat thinking. We were approaching a small Roman town by the shoreline when she spoke to me. A quick glance into her mind showed to me the reason behind her words. She found it odd that I had not given them warning of what we maybe facing as we crossed over into the land of the Greeks. “You should give us your customary reminder speech as we approach a new town.” she added at my silence.

“You have had all the warnings I can supply you.” I answered slowly. “Plus all the information in your book Meli.” I continued quicker. “It is time for you to discover things on your own.” I concluded. I was ready to return to my musing assume they would not question me. Meli turned to look at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“So Sert can tell people we are your grandchildren from a sordid marriage to an old crone for money?” she returned smiling innocently at me.

“I am sure it should work well if we act like brats around him.” Sert remarked with a chuckle.

“We can pull some of the stunts from our time in the orphanage.” Meli returned giggling. I remained silent and stoned faced before their banter. “I wonder which one we should start with?”

“I do not think it matters much since I will handle the diversion part.” Sert replied chuckling deeply.

“No!” Meli exclaimed loudly. One of my eyebrow shot up in confusion as I gazed at them. “No naked time!” she stated loudly as she repeated it fearfully like a litany under her breath. A quick glance in her mind nearly made me laugh as it appeared as nothing but a childish action of running around naked. But what I saw in Sert's mind showed it had happen a few time since my arrival upon Atlantis.

“I believe it would not be viewed properly here as a diversion.” I commented. I attempted to hold a smile from my face as I spoke. “The soldiers might wish to have private time with you.” I explained slowly. “And I am not referring to the few female soldiers, Sertian.” I corrected quickly.

Sert turned in the seat to look at my face realizing in a glance what I meant. He turned quickly away as he blushed brightly. I read in his mind that he was now searching for a route around the town keeping us clear of civilization if he could. Meli chuckled in relief while I chuckled at the Sert's close minded reaction. Atlantians were very open to all sexual concepts as nothing more than a new form of pleasure. I rare few still had negative reactions to this openness which stemmed from a bad experience or so it mostly appeared. I knew that the majority of Atlantians, including Meli, would see the practice of the Greek and Roman soldiers acceptable. I personally did not see it as wrong as long as I was not involved. I saw it as a point of what the body I occupied should do versus what it could do.

“Is it a Greek ideology as well as Roman?” Meli asked suddenly. She began riffling through the two books about those cultures.

“It is viewed as a method to strengthen the bounds within their military ranks.” I answered. “Much more prevalent in the area around Sparta under their own control while being linked to both the Greeks and Romans.” I explained. “But both military groups do practice it.” I added quickly. As we rode closer to the town, we could see a military squad setting up to practice manoeuvres in the field by the road we travelled. Sert slowed the cart as he stared in confusion and curiosity at them.

“Would you like us to stop so you may examine them closer?” I suggested innocently.

“I am sure they would let you join in since you are pretty.” Meli remarked with a giggle.

“I believe it is the form they are using that interest Sert and not a chance to bond with them.” I returned calmly. “It is up to you if you wish to take the time to see them in action closer up.” I added. Meli gave me a quick glance before speaking.

“I am sure they could learn much from your naked technique.” she commented lewdly.

“Enough!” I exclaimed exasperated. “He wishes to learn about how other military groupings would move in the field not in their tents.” I explained. This gained me a dirty look from Meli that softened as I smirked. “Though I do agree that he would be well received by them on the whole.” I admitted holding back a chuckle.

Meli laughed as the cart continued its slow ponderous movement on the road giving all of us a chance to see the Romans' manoeuvres. The primitive form of the phalanx that would be the Roman strength was more wide spread and lacked the protective box formed by their great shields. My mind slipped into the time lines to see the rise and fall of many great nations as the art of war became less human. I saw millenniums of conflicts stretching out before me showing the death and destruction humans would hand down upon other humans. The escalating violence merged with the humans only true gift of adaptability pushing them to rule over each other.

I sensed more than saw Meli glance at my grim face. She remained silent as she returned to focusing on the squadron training in the field. I saw the humans attacking the non-humans out of fear and their urge to rule unopposed. Sert had been right about accusing deities since more gods and goddesses, including the so-called “only god”, caused the conflicts that the humans fought alone. The “only god” had even set his own people against others and against each other through distrust and fear so they would vie to be his chosen race. I tried pulling myself away from this line as I saw so many deaths attributed to deities and god-like men but it was in vain as I saw Atlantis misplace in the madness.

Atlantis would either join the conflicts to protect itself or as conquerors bent on saving the world from itself. It was the true reason I had arrange to leave Cole behind. He would see the world as primitive and whisper to the Counsel how easy it would be to take the world totally. This would lead to a war between Atlantis and Lemuria using the human lands as battle fields and the humans as cannon fodder. I had to find a way for Atlantis to allow the humans to link with them and not simply become slaves to them. Enslavement would solve the problem of controlling the human tendencies of violence and conquest but at too great a price. My oath held me from interfering in the humans internal conflict but did not stop me from advising them to seek peaceful agreements. One last moment in the time line showed a great mushroom cloud which hid the fact that humans had learned to destroy atoms themselves.

Interlude: Behind Closed Doors (7)

Once the door had closed at their back, Meli stared angrily at Sert while blushing furiously.

“Why did you have to tell him we were married?” Meli chided him.

“You are the one that called him father causing all this mess!” he retorted.

“And you speaking Roman fluently?” she returned. “What else have you been hiding from me?” she added softer.

“It seems I'm able to pick up Roman easily unlike Egyptian.” he replied. “I cannot explain it Meli.” he continued with a sigh. He sat heavily on the floor. “You need rest more than I do after healing that girl.” he stated. “Take the bed.” he added quickly.

“As Lord Kestrel's honour guard, you need rest as much as I do.” she told him. “And it is like I did nothing in that room.” she remarked. “I wonder how much energy Kestrel burned to accomplish that miraculous healing.” she mused.

“What was wrong with the girl?” he asked softly. Meli came to sit with him on the floor.

“A large tumour growing in her mind.” Meli whispered. “Kestrel removed it using some cosmic ability while I stimulated the tissue to regrow in place.” she continued slowly. “It felt like I was on Atlantis with all the power of the island at hand and more ...” she added.

“You have dealt with problems like that on Atlantis before.” Sert returned with a shrug. “Why are you seeing it as so different this time?” he added.

“Because I should not have been able to do so away from Atlantis.” she replied. “You were fetching water when Kestrel explained to me how magic normally does not work away from Atlantis without harming the caster.” she explained pensively. “Only in specific locations do we have magical energy to use our gifts ...” she muttered. She was on her feet pacing the edges of the room with her hands, palm out at her side. “I am not feeling a mystic field like when we meet Thoth.” she remarked stunned. She turned to face Sert, the colour had drained from her face. “Kestrel must have created a temporary mystical point.” she added in a near whisper.

“I am still unsure what you are talking about Meli!” Sert retorted. “Try explaining it simpler to me than jumping to ending statements.” he added grumbling.

“Where did I lose you Sert?” Meli returned softly.

“Right before pacing the walls.” he replied. “I cannot see where that made you believe Kestrel formed a mystical point.” he explained.

“To be able to do what I did for the child without depleting myself, I needed to be connected to a source of magical power.” Meli stated. She return to sit with Sert on the floor. “It would explain why Kestrel looked tired if he somehow created a temporary mystical point we could both draw energy from.” she continued slowly. “But I do not understand how he was able to create it.”

“Could our little friend the Ken have done it?” Sert asked softly. A high pitch chirping peal of giggles made both of them turn to face the bed. There on the foot board sat the Ken looking at them with his twin emerald eyes. “I must think he did not do it.” Sert remarked with a soft chuckle.

“Lord Kestrel can do much more than he has shown either of you.” The Ken chirped at them. “More than he knows himself at this time.” it continued. “Like you do not know all you can accomplish yet.” it added. It giggled once more at them before dodging from the bed into a mouse hole in the wall.

“Cryptic little creature.” Meli commented.

“I like him even with his twisted statements.” Sert returned. “I believe Kestrel did do something but until we ask him, we will never know what.” he continued. “Best we get rest.” he stated softly. “Take the bed.” he repeated.

“I am sure we can share it without complaints.” she replied. They stared at each other for a moment in silence. “Or we both sleep on the floor since I will not take the bed if you are sleeping on the floor.” she concluded.

“We share the bed then.” Sert relented. They moved together to each side of the bed. Sert glanced across at Meli in silence. She glanced back before they both laid on the bed next to each other still fully clothed. “Not exactly what a married couple is suppose to do in private.” he remarked before chuckling. Meli giggled softly before both slid into laughter.

Meli turned to him. She placed her arm across his chest to have her hand on his shoulder. Her leg covered his as she snuggled close to him. Sert did not move, laying perfectly still under her breathing softly.

“It is odd for me also to be like this with you.” Meli whispered to him. “But I know neither of us wish to endanger our deep friendship by trying more.” she continued. His arm snaked under her neck to wrap itself across her back while his other hand found hers at his shoulder. “And we can always claim that we did not want to keep the farmer's family awake with our caterwauling.” she added with a giggle. He chuckled back as he nodded. They both lay this way as sleep took them. Morning was announced by a crowing rooster that none of them had seen as of yet.

Regrets and Arrogance (26)

During my meditative semblance of sleep, I visited the temple at the centre of nothingness where I was born and raised. I walked around the stone structure reading the words that had pushed me as a child to swear oaths to the beings that lived now as nothing but a single column of light. I rounded the building toward the doors as they open on their own slowly to let me enter into the central room. The high pitch buzzing of their voices rose as I approached the pillar of light central in this great hall of stone.

“Stop speaking all at once!” I screamed at it. I resisted the urge to cover my ears as the sound receded to a low background buzz around me. “Why do all the higher being plan interfering with them as they are doing?” I grumbled. “Leading them time and time again down the path of self destruction?” I muttered.

The buzzing rose to deafening levels around me as all the Ley'ä'Luna spoke together to explain and comfort me. I fell to my knees covering my ears in vain as they spoke louder to me. The memories of being here distraught from Elyria's death as she saved me from mine surfaced in my mind. The feeling of abandoning my oaths to them after having recapture all that had escaped from that dreaded asylum including the monster that had caused my wife to die. I had placed them all within a specially created jail of my own design. A single box that held multiple cells holding each of the engineered diluvian race with it's genetic base Ann'Anka Anccilar trapped before I finally came to this temple. I spent thousand years or more in that place grieving for my lost love as the Lights of Life spoke words of condolence to me.

I had place the prison box upon a lower plane to be guarded by those know as the Faiths. I underestimated how Ann'Anka could pervert them while still being imprisoned. She trick one of their children to open the box sealing the destiny of that plane. I roused from my grief as a felt the seal on the multigate rupture releasing all of them once more. My anger for those pitiful beings had no bounds like my level of power and it blinded me as the grief still burned brightly in my soul. None had escaped the wraith of Universe's son as I shredded that lower plane from existence. It was not until my actions were completed that my mind understood what I had done.

I returned to the temple of light believing they would cast me out for such a dark and vile deed. I fell to my knees before the pillar of light begging for the mercy of death for my actions. I received words of sympathy and understanding from the Ley'ä'Luna instead of scorn and rejection. I knelt with my face against the cold stone then as I did today asking for forgiveness or death for my actions of destruction. All I felt and heard from them was understanding and acceptance. They told me that my actions were right and noble since they knew my true heart and saw my true soul's mind. I listen prostrated before them hearing the words of hundred different voices speaking to me like in my childhood. They told me I had been chosen because I would do what ever was needed to protect the Fallen Ones that would inherit the universe outside the void completely. Powerless, as the Fallen Ones appeared, was to remove from them the arrogance powers breed into all other races.

My head rose slowly to glare at the pillar of light that was their entire race. A new thought formed in my head which I screamed at them causing silence within the chamber. I would be the most arrogant of all of them because I had unlimited abilities and powers. I slowly rose to my feet soothed by the sudden absolute silence that reigned here at my thought. A whispered “Yes.” floated through my mind before the buzzing returned. I turned leaving them to debate my point nearly laughing as I walked away to return to my earthly form.

“But your arrogance is for them, not against them.” the Ken commented in my mind. “More reason for they who created all from the void chose you as their protector.” it added in a purr. I opened my eyes slowly to spot the Ken sitting in the room watching me with its dull red eye.

“What do you know of the creature I destroyed?” I mentally asked it.

“Once in control, it would have made the humans hunt my kind to take our third eye from us.” it answered. “The Fallen Ones have their own arrogance to face that include stealing powers from others to control them.” it added vehemently.

“And if they cannot control the power they steal?” I returned in a whisper.

“Less of them for you to protect but at least those ones left will be the smarter ones.” it chirped back merrily.

“Everything is simpler for others than the one sworn to protect them.” I chuckled back. “Best you run and hide little one, morning will be upon us soon.” I stated softly. I bowed my head to the Ken before it scurried away disappearing into a mouse hole. I sat on the bed waiting for Sert or Meli to fetch me for the departure in silent contemplation. I could not seem to remove the small smirk I wore at having for once gained silence from those I truly served. “Proof of my arrogance.” I added to myself. A unseen rooster crowed outside as I waited quietly smiling to myself.

One Last Mystery (25)

As my eyes crossed the table, I examined this shy looking girl closely as I focused on her mother's words now being mumbled in the room. The prayers she repeated was a grouping of six. Two to Mars, their god of war, for the soldiers trapped in Troy and the rest to Helios and Minerva to cure her precious little girl. The girl had barely looked up or even made a sound which could explain my not noticing her at the table. I slowly stretched out my mind to gently touch hers earning me a stunned glance from her. It was just for a moment then her eyes returned to study her plate in that unearthly silence. I whispered to her mind receiving nothing back from the child.

“She has a mind problem.” the Ken informed me mentally.

“Does she have the ability to hear mind speech?” I whispered back. “Or sense the gifted around her when they reach out to her?” I added quickly.

“Unknown to me Oldest of All.” the Ken replied with a mental chirp. “A sickness resides in her brain that makes her not truly a Fallen One slowly.” it added. I felt the mental shudder from the little creature.

“Your daughter is very quiet.” I remarked in feigned casualness. He nodded back slowly and sadly. She did not move at my words. “If she is ill, I must mention that my daughter-in-law is a very talented healer,” I hazarded softly. The wife's eyes turned to Meli as I sense the wife's desperate mental pleas she muttered to all the deities she knew.

“She is second in skill only to her two teachers.” Sert said proudly.

“I am not sure that it is an illness or simple stubbornness on her part but ...” the farmer left it hanging there incomplete. His wife's eyes turned from Meli to me. I knew that Meli felt the same pleading this woman showed clearly in her eyes.

“I can examine her and see what might be wrong with her.” Meli suggested. The child's mother's hands were at her mouth as the litany turned into a murmured thanks to all the divine forces for sending us to them.

“I will assist her though my skills are less than hers.” I continued quickly. The Ken's words rang in my head that this was beyond an easily cured malady. “A second set of hands is always good to have ready.” I added.

“Please help her.” the wife whispered. I felt the chains of my duty to the Fallen Ones tighten around my neck like a choking collar. I made the oath to the Ley'ä'Luna long ago no older than this girl after seeing myself sunder the last member of that race before she could step into the light pillar joining the rest of her noble race. My hand trembled as the memories washed through my mind as I felt the shackles I accepted to bear for this last race.

I barely noticed my mouth forming the words “I must and will” as I nodded to the wife. My mind refocused on the girl's mind at a cellular level like surgeons of the far future would learn to do. I hide the shudder caused by what my examination reveal to me. The central core of her mind was structured like a much older race slowly eating away at her human mind. Tendrils wove their way outward ending in small buds of foreign matter laced through the child's consumed mind. I linked mentally to Meli warning her to remain silent before showing her my findings.

The corners of Meli's eyes contracted at the sight. Sert glanced at our faces that appeared serene to these strangers. He remained silent as Meli was being as she studied the infection we faced. I could feel her mind pushing back the revulsion as her analytical half created and dismissed multiple solutions to remove this mass from the girl's mind. It would be known as cancer and feared as the great killer of many in the far future. I could indirectly use future techniques to cure the girl but could not be assured that her mind would heal itself. Removal was impossible since it had spread too far and would render the girl's mind useless to her.

I sensed that Meli had come to the same conclusions but was not ready to give up. I saw the thought forming in her about using her earthen abilities to regrow the brain matter as the removal occurred but it would trap them here for days and leave Meli exhausted and too weaken to complete this voyage. I knew that they had found this disease in Atlantis and could cure it safely using this technique but we were far from Atlantis and I doubted the mother would allow us to remove the child from them even if we could heal her fully.

I reached once more to touch the girl's mind to explain it to her. Her head snapped up glaring wide eyed at me as her mouth moved soundlessly. The family stared in shock at her as I read the words from her lips. “I have died to rise anew.” it told me. The language was older than the progenitors of the Old Ones and Ancient Ones causing my protective nature to rise against it. I ignored the confused glance Meli levelled at me as I could now see that this mass had sentience which normal cancer lacked. It was not ingesting her mind but slowly converting into its natural form which may not stop simply at the child's mind or soul.

I remained silent while contemplating how this path leading me to this challenge had been placed upon us. Something had interfered to bring me here to witness and face this possessive infection that attacked the Fallen Ones. My oaths to the Ley'ä'Luna made me the champion for this last race and forced me to act with all of my powers and abilities. The whispers from those dark recesses of my own mind now screamed for me to act.

“It might be best to allow my daughter-in-law to examine her closer.” I hazarded. The mother was on her feet leading the girl by her shoulder's into a back room as the husband ushered us forward.

“I will wait here speaking with the boys.” Sert commented. I nodded back to him in silence as I followed. The farmer and wife left us in the back room with their daughter sitting on the edge of a simple bed. As the sound of the door closing at our backs rung in the room, I froze Meli in time as I attempted dealing with the infection verbally.

“You have great powers.” the girl mouthed silently in that older tongue.

“And I will remove you if you continue harming this child.” I replied mentally. The child's eyes widened in fear and dismay at my projected thoughts. “You do not control her completely yet so there is still a chance to save her.” I mentally whispered. “And save yourself.” I added with a vicious smile. I felt the defiance of the creature while watching its tendrils wrap tighter around parts of the girl's brain to cause the most damage if forcibly ejected by normal means.

“I have died to return anew.” it stated again in silence. “I will not be removed by a lesser being.” it added. The girl bared her teeth at me in a vicious and sickly sneer. A predatory smile bloomed on my face as my eyes shifted into pairs of spinning twin stars in utter liquid blackness. In the reflection of the girl's eyes, I saw my skin slide translucent showing slow moving stars on their heavenly path crossing my face.

“You are my lesser, whelp!” I missed into the creature's mind. “Now will you withdraw or shall I become very serious with you?” I asked under my breath.

“I fear no being older or younger since I have already died to return anew.” it mouthed back defiantly. It's sudden silent screams twisted the girl's face into a livid grimace of anger and fear. Microscopic black holes ripped away at the tendrils from within them removing their threat to the child's damaged mind. I awake Meli partially putting her to work using my energy to regrow the parts of the girl's mind now emptied by my actions. I heard the mental screams soften to an injured moaning as I forced him back until only it's central core remained.

“You still do not fear Universe's child?” I mentally heckled him. As no answer come more pin-points of destruction formed withing the mass. I controlled them with finite precision to slowly shred the creature from existence while Meli refilled the space with the girl's normal brain. It screamed at me in vain as it disappeared into true death at the hands of humanity's champion. All Meli would remember would be her rebuilding the child's mind as I removed the cancer using one of my cosmic abilities without knowing something died before her.

“Easy Meli.” I chided. “Do not improve upon her mind.” I cautioned as she worked. “Just stimulate the regrowth of her natural tissues.” I add in a whisper. The girl suddenly shrieked before glancing around the room seemingly lost. The farmer and his wife stood in the doorway staring in awe at their girls acting once more like a child.

“It will take some patients on your part as she relearns to be a child.” we cautioned them in unison. The girl smiled at her parents as she calmed looking from Meli to myself. Her mouth moved but no sound escaped her lips. I scanned at her mind once more to see if something had gone wrong but nothing mental hindered her ability to speak. The parents stared worriedly at us as I shrugged my ignorance back to them.

“She may have to relearn words since I believe those memories have been damaged during the brain fever she has suffered.” Meli suddenly stated. The mother hugged her daughter tightly as she thanked Meli and her deities for sending her to them.

“It would be best for all of us to rest.” I stated from my end of the room. “It was draining to heal her this quickly.” I added softer. I feigned holding myself up against the wall. Meli stared confused since she had been using my limitless strength without draining her own reserves. The farmer showed me to my room and Meli and Sert to their room for this night. I sat heavily on the offered bed to let myself slip into a deep meditative state for the night.

Talk of War (24)

“Since most of the land seem to be grasslands, I am confused at the source of the fruits and vegetables of your farm.” I mentioned as we reached the house. I hoped that this would not slip passed his mind like the comments about the odd cart. “I am never at my best when confused.” I added but too no avail.

“Not over but under the ground the crops grow.” whispered the Ken's high pitch voice whispered in my mind. I waited to see the reaction on our host who still appeared deft to my words.

“Very curious.” Meli whispered after they left. “No fruit or vegetable growth exist on the land around the farm except for the vegetation in the cavern system below us.” she explained. I nodded to her in silent contemplation.

“The fruits and vegetables look too healthy to be grown underground in the darkness.” Sert interjected. I still remained silent as I placed the events we had witness in proper order in my mind before speaking.

“We have more than one simple mystery here.” I began slowly. We stood before the farm house in a tight triangle. “Do you mind if I explain what we have found so far without shedding light on these mysteries?” I asked softly to them. They nodded back to me.

“We have a nearly indestructible cart with a repair kit specifically for us to purchase.” I began slowly. “We have a very special technology for growing fruits and vegetables going on a very primitive looking farm.” I continued. I started pacing as my mind twisted possibilities hidden away from it. “We have a rare and unknown race living here while shying away from the farm folks.” I listed. I held four fingers toward them. “And finally any time we speak of two of those, the farmer and family seems to not hear our words.” I concluded. I stopped my pacing to face both once more in a tight triangle before the farmhouse. “Ideas or comments?” I added staring at them.

“Mental conditioning or tampering?” Meli replied. I shook my head as I tapped at my temple.

“I would notice it Meli.” I disagreed with a shrug.

“They are intentionally hiding the information from us?” Sert hazarded.

“Once more, I would have noticed it and not considered it as problem.” I returned calmly.

“Our little Ken friend's doing?” Meli commented. A loud derisive snort of giggling was heard from a nearby shadow. I chuckled to hide the sound as my mind attempted to chain the events into an acceptable line of events.

“Three absolutely random events occurring along our path?” Sert commented suddenly. I looked at him as my own mind kept screaming this at me already.

“And the fact that the farm family seems deft when we speak of two of these events.” I retorted softly.

“The Ken would be a separate mystery which I doubt he will explain himself to us.” Meli surmised. “But the farmer and family's blank when we speak of the crops or the cart seems tied together somehow.” she agreed. “If the seller had set the cart in our path without letting the farmer know of his actions, it would make it an irrelevant event?” she added. I nodded slowly in passive agreement to her words.

“But what of the underground farming?” Sert remarked. I was torn between letting this mystery evade them since I knew how this trick could be accomplished but not on the scale of a farm. I looked at my companions knowing they questioned whether to stay and solve this oddity or move on. I shared in part their curiosity but feared getting them embroiled in something much bigger than they were prepared for.

“We leave in the morning with or without a solution?” I asked softly. I wished they would have a chance to select their own path in the world. The people we meet would see them as adult even if the Atlantian society simply saw them as children for many more decades. I could read their possible solution to these events but, after a moment, they nodded their silent agreement. I smiled at them before we entered the house to join the farmer's family at the table.

Supper was filling even if it was simple by Atlantian standards. A very small amount of meat had been placed aside for the meal but much bread and potatoes helped make up with the selected variety of vegetables. Meli only had a bit of meat leaving more, as Sert attempted, for the farmer's family. Sert's failure came as it was noted that he was a family man and need more to be in good form. I chuckled as I selected the lesser cooked portions that both my companions avoided.

I did find the meat a little tasteless though very tender. A spicier mix would have been more fitting for the pork but it was more to my taste than the over cooked fish I normally found on Atlantis. The thought of meat had me thinking of trapping a brace of rabbits to make a stew. It would be wonderful surprise for my companions to taste something that only the Royal Guards may have eaten: free game. Meli would easily find the right herbs I needed to spice it properly and Sert would enjoy learning to trap as I taught him how to set snares.

A long shrill squawk echoed outside make all turn toward the small window reminding me that my smaller name sake was still watching over us. I knew he would adore hunting with us but would remove the chance for Sert to prove another quickly learned skill to Meli. But all of this must be accomplished before arriving on Circe's Island. Not all the beast that roamed there were animals in truth which brought another possible problem to me. I had to explain to them that Circe used the same curse that the Usurper used upon the Royal Guards to a more fuller extent. Circe turned those she found as without honour fully into beast to teach them a lesson which would not sit well with my companions.

“What brings you and your family this way?” the farmer asked. They were midway through the meal and it came as a good chance to attempt once more to glean information from them. I knew without looking that Sert glared at Meli for a kick under the table at his shins that had passed unnoticed by our host.

“A return to my ancestral home that I have not seen in many decades.” I answered. The farmer's wife gave me a look of concern but said nothing.

“Ah, so you are originally from Rome?” the farmer pursued ignoring his wife. She was silently wording prays to the Roman deities as we spoke. I pretended not to notice but knew with but a mental touch that my companions split their attention between her and the farmer's children.

“Yes, my parents had a farm in the far northern reaches of Roman territories.” I answered calmly. “You may know it now as the shrine of Discordia.” I continued. The wife mouth stopped moving. “But so few speak of Her lately with war upon the land.” I added softly in the silent room. The three eldest sons began laughing at this only to receive a stern look from both parents.

“No one would dare attack Roman lands.” the farmer retorted. His wife's lips returned to their silent litany while the boys cast their eyes to their plate.

“Explain that to the Greek fleet laying siege to Troy presently.” I remarked with false casualness. The three eldest boys eyes rose to meet mine as I showed a sad expression on my face.

“We barely made it out of the area before the Greeks landed upon the shores of Troy.” Sert reported glumly. I did not look to see the concerned face Meli showed them as Sert showed disdain for being forced away from Troy.

“We were lucky that father-in-law told us to run before the fleet beached or our faith would have been sealed like the poor vessel that brought us there.” Meli commented. The farmer looked and felt annoyed by this revelation. His wife had turn white as her lips froze in mid litany as she gazed at her three sons. They glanced from one to the other nearly bolting from the table to rush into the teeth of the Greek army.

“I know this news may inspire you youth to perform great acts of honour.” I stated hard. This gained them focusing on me instead of rushing off. “But it would be foolish act meaning nothing more than the death of you at the hands of the Greek army surrounding your fair city.” I continued bluntly. Their face paled only slightly at my words as disbelief shone in their eyes.

“Wise word my honoured guest.” the farmer replied. “If what rumours from the north say is true. The largest fleet ever seen assembled is sailing the Greek standard.” he added quieter.

“From what we saw.” Sert commented back. “Three hundred soldiers or so per ship with at least fifty ships landing on the beaches of Troy.” he explained slowly. I could see in the minds of the farmer and his family the shock as they tabulated the size of the army they faced. “This does not suggest how many reinforcement ships are still upon the waters for Troy.” he added angrily. He glanced at me before shrugging his inability to argue my decision of running from the fleet.

“That would be about fifteen thousand soldiers already in place, correct?” Meli asked me openly. I nodded to her with a sigh while the sons stared at her in awe. The pale wife had returned to her litany mumbling the words quicker now as tears formed in her panic stricken eyes. I heard the farmer gulp making me turn to face him directly.

“I am proud that my son found such an intelligent wife that is also a great beauty.” I remarked to the farmer. The farmer slowly glance from one to the other of us before his gaze returned to meet mine in silence. His son now stared at their plates without even considering leaving the farm to join the war effort. The numbers Sert had quoted were incorrect but best to assure that the farmer would keep his sons safely away from an assured death in a futile war.

“She is truly what any father would wish for his son.” the farmer stated with a respectful nod. Meli blushed at his words. She hide it well enough that only Sert and myself noticed it. Sert showed great tact as he did not make it obvious to all gaining him shorter lecture from her once away from here. “But why return home when such evil is afoot?” the farmer remarked.

“We did not know at the time we departed.” I answer with a sigh. “We did not have a chance to rush to their aid with the troops bearing down upon the beach.” I explained slowly. I glanced at Sert before continuing. “If we had ran for Troy, the gates could not have been sealed before the Greek horde entered the city.” I stated with a calm but forceful voice. Sert sighed and nodded his grudging acceptance to my reasoning. I mental reminded to thank them for this familial show they had performed impeccably. As I turned, I could see the farmer nodding his agreement to my thoughts. “Best to run than endanger Troy in hopes to save ourselves.” I concluded with a shuddering sigh.

“I will warn the town militia so they may send a scout to see what can be done to aid Troy.” the farmer returned. The eldest son had started to rise to his feet but a glare from his father had him back in his seat. “It can wait until morning when I return to the market place.” he clarified to all of them. The three son nodded as one to their father without question.

The rest of the meal was spent in near silence while I attempted once more to speak about the location of the growing fields or the oddness of the cart. In their mind, my words did not even appear as I spoke them and no memories of them working the fields were present. I must have shown my frustration as Meli placed a hand on my elbow.

“Allow it to evade us Lord Kestrel.” she whispered in Atlantian. She tilted her head as if to point out something which I finally spotted in her mind. The one other female that did not speak at the farmer's table. “I think she is ill.” Meli whispered still using the Atlantian tongue. “The target of her mother's prayers.” she added softly in Roman.

Interlude: Annianka's Rage (6)

Kestrel had been gone for nearly a month when the Ambassador Kachek of one of the many faery mounds arrived at Atlantis. He was nearly four hundred years old and had visited the island often in the last two hundred years to make treaty agreements with the Atlantian people. Out of all the mystic beings that inhabited the earth only a handful were still allowed to visit and trade with Atlantis with the faeries being the largest of the group because of the thousand or more mounds that encircle the globe.

“But I had hoped for a chance to meet this Envoy during my visit.” Kachek complained to Curd. The Feline Captain had opted to escort the man around Atlantis with a small group of feline guards as defence. They were about eight faeries in total but the others had remained at their temporary residence when visiting Atlantis while Kachek wished to speak and meet with other dignitaries.

“Unfortunately Lord Kestrel had to absent himself for a time because of his duties.” Curd replied. The growl was well hidden as he repeated himself for the tenth time. “His duties to the Ones On High take precedence over his actions.” he stated. He felt it was a lie but best to remain with the story the Captains had agreed to. Word of the young guard Sertian and the healer Mekiliean departing with him was not being mentioned to others.

“At least will it possible to visit with the Heart of Atlantis?” he replied quickly. “Or is she off on her own duties also?” he added with a derisive chuckle.

“She will be meeting us at the main dolphin pool shortly.” Curd replied hard. “As I have assured you for the last hour, sir.” he added caustically.

Kachek nodded absently toward the guard Captain. Curd was lucky that the Ambassador remain silent during the rest of the half hour walk to reach the central dolphin pool. Miss Hope stood by the far end of the pool with Annianka sitting half in the pool with the dolphins themselves. The pleasant chirps of the animals made Curd annoyance at this chosen duty lessen. Kachek looked around not seeing Her Holiness indulging like a child with Atlantis' animal.

“He is here your Holiness.” Hope announced formally. She curtsied toward Curd knowing that the Ambassador would mistake it directed at him. Annianka used the water of the pool to lift herself from it gently touching down on the white marble stones that surrounded the pool. “Her Holiness Annianka, Living Heart of Atlantis!” Miss Hope announced. Annianka curtsied in full Atlantian fashion to the Ambassador who looked back stunned by what he had seen.

“I have been practising since your last visit Ambassador Kachek.” Annianka stated. She smiled merrily at his confusion.

“But was it not earth and plants that you were specialized in?” Kachek muttered.

“Her Holiness has many elemental gifts.” Miss Hope purred at her side. Curd chuckled as he saluted miss Hope. “I hope my replacement has been serving well Ambassador Kachek?” she mused.

“Only growled at me once so better than your performance .” Kachek returned with a light chuckle. “I still regret being unable to meet this Envoy I have heard spoken of.” he continued more sombrely.

“He is truly a boon for all of Atlantis which unfortunately keeps him very occupied.” Annianka replied. “I this instance, he is also helping educate a pair of Atlantians about the outer world.” she continued without thinking.

“Would this suggest that Atlantis will reopen its harbour to the humans?” Kachek replied sourly.

The warning was swift as the dolphins shrieked as if in pain before rushing from the pond turning the water into a churning mass in their wake. The two felines straightened from the sudden tension in the air. Annianka lunged forward to grapple Kachek's arm as her face twisted into a snarl. He looked back at her with a predatory smile that neither feline had ever seen upon this faery's face.

“You dare thinks such thoughts?” Annianka screamed. Bystanders turned to see the sudden and shocking disturbance. Some even approached slowly with thoughts of protect their Living Heart or halting this sudden madness.

“Those primitives deserve nothing more than to be attached to the yoke.” Kachek glowered back. “They breed quickly so killing most of them to prove the point of their inferiority won't interfere with labour.” he told her with a dark chuckle. Curd glanced at miss Hope as she shook her head to his unasked question.

“And once they are gone we can put the yoke on you faeries.” Annianka whispered darkly. Miss Hope barely had time to place her hands on Annianka's shoulder when the blast occurred. A ring of mixed elements shot out from Annianka toppling all that had approached. Flames, stones, shards of ice, and small dust devils spun wildly in the area for a few minutes before miss Hope could speak.

“Your Holiness ...” she whispered. She had pulled Annianka away from Kachek placing her head by her ear. “Calm yourself Holiness, please ...” she begged in a purring voice.

“Kachek!” Curd growled. He had to forcibly twist the faery Ambassador from Annianka's grip. “Are you alright?” he asked. He placed himself between the two. Warriors of both the Counsel and the Royal Guards arrived with healers at their heels and a handful of members of the Counsel of Atlantis.

“What has happened here?” Burdish screamed as he arrived. Miss Hope had pulled Annianka away to sit by the still empty dolphin pool. Curd stood by Kachek as a pair of healers verified them for wounds. “Are you hurt Ambassador?” he stated. He moved toward the faery quickly with a guardsmen clearing his way.

“I am fine but I still do not know what happened here.” Kachek stated.

“An altercation with Her Holiness from what the witnesses are stating.” the Counsel Guard whispered into his ear. “They simply began screaming at each other then all the elements erupted around Her Holiness.” he continued in the same whisper.

“What say you Captain Curd?” Burdish asked. An hard edge coloured his tones as he glared at the Feline Captain.

“All had been calm sir.” he reported. “Then they both suddenly turned mad spewing nonsense at each other followed by ...” he continued. He waved his arms around him where bits of stone and melting shards of ice still lay in the circle of the disaster. Burdish pulled the Captain aside leaving his guard standing by the Ambassador.

“What was the fight about?” he returned.

“Humans.” Curd whispered.

“But neither of them have ever acted angrily against humans before?” Burdish remarked confused.

“Kachek mentioned enslaving them and Her Holiness threatened to enslave the faeries, sir.” he replied in that same controlled whisper.

“Have miss Hope join us now.” Burdish stated grudgingly. “And have your guards ready to escort Her Holiness back to her residence.” he added with a sigh. Curd nodded before marching to miss Hope side. He signalled two Feline Guards as he walked.

“Counsel Burdish wishes words with you miss Hope.” Curd stated with a bow. “These two will stand in your place.” he added in a whispered. Annianka looked up from her seat. She smiled sadly up at them.

“I am sorry that I over reacted like that.” she told them. Curd could see the tear streaks on her face and more unshed in her shiny eyes.

“I will explain this to them Holiness.” miss Hope replied softly. “Just remain here until I return to bring you home your Holiness.” she added quickly. Annianka nod as she forced a brighter smile on her face. Miss Hope and Curd began walking away.

“She does not even remember what they were arguing about.” miss Hope whispered to Curd.

“Neither does Kachek.” he whispered back. “But Burdish will hear from the others present what was being said.” he reminded her. “Already touched the key points with him and he is as shocked as we were.”

“I think this little temper tantrum will force their hands.” she whispered back. Curd nodded to her. “Let us see what we can do to protect her.”

“Always.” Curd replied quietly. Burdish turned to face them as they arrived to him.

“All pleasantries aside, best she remain safely in her home until the Counsel decides how to proceed.” Burdish told them directly.

“And what will the Counsel decide?” Hope asked with a growl. Her growl was echoed by Curd at her side.

“Hopefully they can be convinced to simply keep her confined with limited access to the Healers' Hall.” Burdish replied softly. “This is not the first time she seemed to have lost control, correct?” he continued. “And are they getting worse?” he added in a whisper. The growls died in miss Hope's throat at his words. She nodded slowly to him as Curd still growled.

“Oddness have been noted in her lately.” she whispered. Curd's growl hide her words from prying ears. Burdish smiled sadly as he nodded back to her.

“We will see how we can protect her miss Hope.” he replied. “But if these outbursts continue ...” he warned without ending his thoughts.

“I know.” she returned. Curd and her bow their heads toward Burdish before turning away. Curd signal a detachment of Feline at hand to clear the path for miss Hope to return Annianka home with the two other guards escorting them. Miss Hope said nothing as she began walking Annianka away. Curd stared at their backs knowing everything revealed was for the best even if he felt like a traitor to Her Holiness.

Farm of Mysteries (23)

“Do either of you see fruit trees in those fields?” Sert asked quietly. He glanced around the farmland in feigned casualness.

“No grooves like I remember from that youth.” I returned. I began studying the land as I gathered some of our gear. Meli had closed her eyes while collecting our supplies.

“I do not feel any form of fruit trees anywhere upon the grounds of this farm.” she reported in a whisper. The boy spoken to earlier returned from the house with two older boys. They started hauling the baskets of fruits and vegetables back into the house in silence. “I sense many linked caverns under the farm with vegetation but cannot tell what it is.” she whispered as the boys disappeared into the house. “Nothing but grass upon the surface of this place.” she added during their next absence.

“Sert?” I asked under my breath. Sert remained silently peering around the farmstead. “Anything else amiss for you?” I added quietly. He continued searching the land with his eyes in silence for a few more minutes.

“The smell and tracks of herd animals but no visible pens for the herds.” he replied. Meli and I had loaded most of the gear between us while Sert still glanced around the farm.

“A farm that has invisible plants and animals?” I retorted. I looked from one to the other touching their mind to find the seeds of curiosity forming. “I believe we fix the cart and depart as quickly as we can before being embroiled in a mystery we do not have the time for.” I half ordered at them. Their unconvinced slow nod was all I received before we started walking toward the barn.

The cart we found was damaged exactly as stated with nothing else wrong with it. The tools that lined the wall ranged from the repair tools we needed to most of the farming tools plus a selection of blacksmithing supplies and tools. Sert searched around the outside of the barn while I searched the inside finding no forge nor anvil to use these tools with.

“We can add an invisible forge to the list of thing missing here.” Sert commented upon his return. He moved to the side of the cart to see how easy it could be lifted and blocked to enable us to fix the axle and wheel. Sert lifted the side of the cart with one hand looking shocked as I watched him.

“It looks like a mix of rowan and oak which is odd enough from the trees we have seen so far.” I murmured. I examined the cart closely seeing it as normal which should weight much more than Sertian could lift single handed. I slowly lifted the other side of the cart suspending it easily between the two of us. “Definitely not what it appears to be.” I muttered truly confused.

“The new shaft and wheel is by the other wall.” Meli stated. She gather the parts easily as they too weighed much less than what they appeared. “Whatever this cart is made from, I have never seen nor heard the likes of it on Atlantis.” she remarked. She placed the parts in front of the carts that we still held aloft.

I lowered my side of the cart signalling Sert to flip his end toward me. In moments we had the cart turned over easing the work needed to repair the axle and replace the broken wheel. It was child's play removing the broken wheel and sliding the bent axle from its housings. While Sert placed the new axle in position, I examined the bent axle as I removed the unbroken wheel.

“The axle was bent and not broken like the wheel.” I muttered. I passed the undamaged wheel to Sert. “Odd that the wheel would break without shattering the axle.” I continued. I examine the broken wheel seeing the wood mix going fully through it flawlessly. Meli joined me examining the broken wheel.

“Both to my eyes and my earth sense they are solid and could not have broken easily.” she admitted confused. “And the axle should have snapped normally with this type of damage to the wheel.” she added pensively.

“It's ready to be back on its wheels.” Sert informed us. I moved to one side and once again we had the cart turn back properly with barely any effort. We gathered around the broken parts still perplexed by this oddity.

“Can we try between the two of us to straighten the axle?” I asked Sert. He nodded before retrieving a pair of sawhorses. I laid the axle with the bend upward upon the sawhorses. With one hand to hold it from rotating and the other on the bend, both Sert and myself pressed down with our full force to no avail. The axle remain bent and unyielding to us.

I moved to collect the broken wheel signalling both Sert and Meli to hold the axle solidly in place on the sawhorses. As they held firmly to the axle, I struck at it with the broken wheel at my full human force. The bend did not budge nor did the surface mar from the blow. I examined the wheel in my hand while my companions marvelled at the strength of the wooden looking axle. No new cracks or lines had appeared on the broken wheel from the impact. I sense the same question forming in my friends' mind as formed in mine: what unbelievable force had the farmer faced to cause this damage to the resilient cart?

“Do we walk away or investigate these little mysteries?” I asked softly. Meli and Sert remained silently pondering what they had seen as in their minds ideas formed. I could read from their thought that they wanted to look deeper into this mysterious farm we had chanced upon. The cart itself defied all Atlantian technology, magic, and the combination of both to their knowledge. “For Atlantis?” I hazarded with a smirk. They smiled at me as they nodded their vigorous agreement. This is when my senses felt the unseen watcher near us.

“If we hurry at this, can we still make it to our pick up point?” Sert commented. I had stiffened and began casting my gaze around the room using my full mind in the search.

“Yes.” I interjected hard. I motioned Meli to scan the area around us as I was doing. I gather from Sert omitting the name of our destination that he too felt something was unsafe here. We turned slowly until all of us were focused toward the back of the barn where hay was piled loosely. From Meli's mind I could see the small bundle of life hidden there while my own senses told my it was intelligent as it tried hiding from my mental touch.

“You may as well come out and greet us properly.” Meli suggested gently. “We will not harm you if you behave.” she added more forcibly. Sert's hand had slide as she spoke to his sword hilt ready to draw his blade and strike at the creature if it attacked or tried to run. I stood with my arms at my side calmly.

“She speaks truly little one.” I stated directly.

The small ball of half fur and half feathers pulled itself from the hay cautiously. It hopped and skittered across the earth floor of the barn to stop just out of our reach. Brilliant green eyes sparkled as they opened to peer at us from the fur covering what should be its face. A thrilling series of giggling chirps escaped it as it peered at us. A line of sullen red formed above and between its emerald eyes. It open very slowly to reveal a deep set dark red third eye that rolled independently from the other two as it focused on each of us in turn to end resting on me.

“Filled with stars and darkness you are.” it stated. The high pitched musical lilted words trickled from the small bundle of fur and feathers. My mind stiffened as I glared down at this creature while hidden memories whispered words of caution. “No offence meant, Great Lord.” it returned verbally and mentally at me. It felt as if it cowered while the dull red eye focused harder at me.

“What are you?” Meli asked gently. Her question drew the third eye from me giving me a chance to fortify my mental defensive and regain composure.

“Atlantian light elves you two are but what is he?” it asked quickly. I sense it was a game to see what they knew of me. “Nothing I have ever seen before.” it added in a curious lie. It remained focused on Meli and Sert ignoring me as I prepared to face it mentally if needed.

“He is the Envoy of the Ones On High to Atlantis and the world.” she answered him patiently. “But it does not tell us what you are little one.” she reminded it calmly.

“Ones On High?” it marvelled. “This explains why he looks like night sky.” it chirped gleefully. It fell into a peal of chirping giggles for a few minutes. “Me is Ken.” it finally replied. “Only Ken left since others ran away when the Fallen Ones arrived here.” it added. My head snapped to stare down at the creature. Its third eye swivelled to meet my gaze like drawn by a magnet.

“What did you call them?” I asked in a slow menacing voice.

“Fallen Ones, the last race that will ever exist.” it answered happily. “But you already know this to be their true name oh faithful son of Lights' creation.” it added without fear. A soft smile covered my face at his words while I looked down upon him.

“They call themselves by many names but as a group are known as humans.” I explained to the Ken calmly. “Do not call me or them that in front of others, please?” I added mentally to the creature.

“You Kestrel, you Sertian, and you Mekiliean.” it chirped. It had turned to face each as it gave them their name before returning to me. “But you have many other names Great Lord Genin.” it added quickly.

“Yes Ken, my list of names is very long because I have been here for a very long time.” I responded with a small chuckle.

“Longer than time itself since she is not truly born yet.” it returned with a chirping giggle. With a quick mental dash I made the comment disappear from my friends' minds. “Not nice to do, but I understand why you must.” it purred in my mind.

“Thank you for your understanding.” I replied mentally to it.

“I go back and hide now, humans returning.” it stated quickly. It shot back like a blur to disappear into the hay as the farmer and son opened the doors of the barn.

“As I had said, the repairs were easy but I did not have the time to do them myself.” the farmer announced. He and his son stood bracketing the double doors. “Anything you will not need for the night can remain in the cart safely.” he added with a broad smile.

“We have been curious since this wood is much lighter than it appears while still being very strong.” I commented. I moved toward the farmer with Sert at my side when he did not answer. They stood blank faced as if they had not heard me speaking. “What is this wagon made of?” I asked softly.

“Oak I believe, but not really sure since the man that sold it to us left town after selling them.” the farmer answered after a moment. “Why?” he interjected. He looked passed me toward the cart worried. “Is something else wrong with it?” he added. I touched his mind to verify his words.

“No, but it seems too light to be oak.” I hazarded. He shrugged as he muttered under his breath. I spied into the memory of the cart salesman who sold his product very cheap. The man had insisted he purchase this cart and not one of the others he was selling. No other oddities appeared from this seemingly normal seller to me as I reviewed the memory closely. I withdrew from his mind as secretly as I had entered it.

“I do not remember us having a bushel of mixed fresh fruits and vegetables.” Sert commented. It earned him a signal to ignore it from me as the farmer's son loaded it into the repaired cart's load.

“Best we hurry to the table for supper.” the farmer warned us. He smiled and nodded to us before leading us back to the farmhouse. This was not special to me since it is a very old Roman and Greek custom to open their hearths and home to strangers but it was odd for me playing the father figure to these farm folks.

Sert's Skill, Pomegranates, and Family (22)

I awoke Meli early the next morning while Sert had already stepped out into the common room.

“You look tired still.” Meli commented. I chuckled and waved her forward to the common room. The place was empty and not even the owner or his wife were present. I placed one lone finger to my lips receiving agreeing nods from my two companions. We left the inn in silence carrying only our private pouches; Meli had her healers' bag, I had my hip satchel, and Sert carried a small pack over his shoulder.

We made good time through the empty street to reached the Farmers' Market discovering a mix of close to two dozen wagons and carts set in the half circle formation. Fruits, vegetables, cheeses, milk barrels, and meats lay on the blankets that nearly covered the central area marked by the wagons. Small pathways would allow buyers to walk between the laid out blankets to purchase their goods without having to leap or step upon the product. I stood with Sert and Meli eyeing all this before approaching the edge nearest to town.

We walked around the outside of this half circle making minor inquiries as we moved along slowly. We had nearly reached the far end receiving only negative answers. The farmers could not see parting with a cart and oxen team without hindering their farm. It was at the last cart we finally found our luck and a farmer that resemble the old man that had advised us the previous night.

“It can be arranged but it will need a few repairs before I would feel proper letting you use it safely.” this farmer explained.

“What type of repairs are required?” I asked casually. I ignored the suffering sigh that escaped Meli at this point.

“The cart's axle was bent and one wheel broken during my return from here last week.” he answered. “I have just not had the time to repair it while coming to the market in the morning and harvesting in the afternoon and evening.” he continued. I heard the strangled noise that escaped Meli. I taught back of being raised on a pomegranate farm knowing that morning and evening was usually selected for harvesting instead of afternoon when it was warmer. “I do have the parts to fix it, just not the time to do so.” he concluded with a shrug.

“So we either work your fields for an afternoon or buy the cart as is and fixed it ourselves.” I suggested.

“It would be bad manners to force you to do either of those things.” he remarked gruffly. He paused as he chewed on a sprig of wheat in his mouth. “But if your need is pressing,” he began slowly, “I would rather work my fields than fix a cart.”

“Deal done sir.” I replied with a bow. “We will accompany you back to your farm today, repair the cart, and return here before night fall.” I stated. “You can bring the cart with the ox team in the morning for us to depart from here?” I asked.

“Why?” he interjected with a smile. “Just spend the night at the farm so you may depart from there without paying for another night in town.” he concluded with a wink and half bow.

“As you wish noble sir, we will retrieve our belongings from the inn and meet you here shortly for the trip to your farm.” I returned with false merriment. I turned and left quickly with Sert and Meli keeping stride with me.

“He seemed a little too nice.” Sert remarked. We had cleared the first set of houses that edged the town proper. “Like there is another reason he wishes us to be at his farm overnight.” he added quickly. I stopped and turned to face him. Meli looked mildly shocked by his assessment of the situation without realizing he understood our words. He stared back blankly at us before shrugging wordlessly.

“You understood the conversation?” Meli asked with a little shrill tone of disbelief. Sert shrugged before nodding to her. I remained silent leaving her in her confusion. “How?” she returned glaring at him. He shrugged once more before starting to walk again.

“We should hurry since it will take more time for us to carry everything back.” he commented. Meli walked behind him shaking her head in confusion as I followed in silence. As we gathered our belonging, Meli remained silent knowing Sert would not explain how he had learned this language as quickly as she had. My only puzzlement was his inability to learn Egyptian as easily as he learned Roman and Greek under Meli's very nose. Another thought formed in my mind that made me speak while looking into Sert's mind.

“Curious talent you have.” I stated in Egyptian. It earned me another silent shrug while in his mind I saw he understood the words. I could feel Meli's frustration growing at this surprising discovery. “I believe Sert has the gift to understand the words spoken but lack the talent to speak them.” I chuckled. “It is sensible for a military person to know what is being said even if he cannot speak that language.” I added quickly. This guard that appeared simple impressed me with his hidden talents often as he accompanied me.

During the return walk, I received flashes from Meli's mind as she twisted this new information about a long time friend she thought she knew. I could hear her mental fuming that she had never discovered this about her friend like she had deduced much about him. What worried me by her pensive thoughts was her self berating about not being observant enough to be in the healers' field of study. This brought to my mind the books she had collected. They were very solidly written with proper knowledge of the medicinal use of plants but also contained so less favourable usages. One of the books she had collected from Anubis spoke only of herbal poisons but I had remained silent hoping it was a innocent mistake. Or better yet, as a way of discovering reversal processes for most natural herbal poisons.

Sert and myself carried most of of the baggage between us leaving Meli to simply carry her healers' bag at her hip and a bundle of books in her arms. She had been silently fuming about this decision for most of the return trip before voicing her anger.

“Why does it seem both of you do not allow me to carry my fair share?” she recriminated at us. Sert simply shrugged under his cross-laced backpacks. I chuckled as I read the response that floated in Sert's mind.

“A medic must have their hands free to work.” I replied easily. I gave Sert a mischievous smile before continuing. “And we seemed simply faster at grabbing packs than you are.” I added. I saw Sert's mouth twitched as he refrained from laughing as a verbalized his thoughts. Meli simply grumbled at us and kept walking.

We arrived to find over half the farmers already gone and new faces present to replace them. It struck me as odd which reflected the thoughts of my companions. We moved cautiously with our packs to reach the farthest cart and our benefactor for an evenings rest in the open fields of the Roman world. We loaded our belongings between the baskets of untraded and newly acquired products in the readied cart. We walked with it as it moved back onto the road heading homeward giving me a chance to examine the unsold produce. I collected an odd looking reddish and tan lined fruit from one of the basket showing it to farmer.

“Grenadian apples.” he replied quickly. “Three pence apiece and also called pomegranate by one of the other traders.” he continued. “Very messy fruit that stains but tasty.” he added. I passed one to each of my companions before paying the man double the price. The farmer nodded as he fished around in his pouch for small change.

“Keep it as a bonus since my travelling companions may want another before we reach your farm.” I replied waving away the offered coins. I slowly cut an incision down the length of the fruit letting the blood red juices dribble to the ground as we walked. Meli and Sert followed my example slowly as the watched to see my action with this new delight. I pried it open to slowly pick at the globules of red pulp and seeds that lined the inside of these precious fruits. We walked instead of riding letting the juices drop to the ground as we ate in a slow methodical technique a fruit not found on Atlantis.

I could see the thin red drip lines at the corner of my companions' mouths and feel the same on my own face. Our fingers red tipped and it would take time before the colour dissipated from them. I looked down at my clothing as they did, noting them untouched by the crimson juice from the pomegranates. I smiled softly as memories resurfaced in me of a past life.

“What are you thinking about?” Meli whispered to me in Atlantian.

“When I first tasted these fruits nearly five hundred years ago.” I replied softly. The farmer seemed not to notice the change in language. “It was just after I was first adopted by Eris and Discordia, born as a Greek child on a farm that had a field of pomegranate trees.” I explained slowly. They listen intently as we continue walking. “At the age of ten, or one hundred by Atlantian aging, I sneaked into the grove at night and gorged myself on barely ripened pomegranates.” I stated. I was looking away focusing more on my memories than my words or my steps as that childish mischievousness took over. “I was stained from head to toe for weeks not to mention being greatly ill from the poison in the fruits.” I concluded with a evil childish smile. I was already reading their minds as they choked at my words. The look they levelled at me was mild to the feeling of betrayal that played in their minds as I laughed at them.

“It's only poisonous if you eat too many of them and worse when they are not ripe.” I remarked still laughing. The farmer must have understood by their reaction since he too laughed about it.

“You should be nicer to the younger ones.” he interjected. “They believe too easily.” he admonished while still laughing.

“Not funny father.” Meli chided me in Roman. I stiffened at her false indignation glancing at the farmer. He simply shook his head at her comment.

“I would believe the young man as kin to you but she does not bare your looks upon her.” the farmer stated with a snort of laughter.

Sert mind jumped at his words as he examined both Kestrel and Meli more closely. Kestrel's skin had darkened as theirs had from travelling through Egypt. His raven coloured hair did match Sert's darker brown unlike the lighter auburn of Meli's hair. He had over looked many of the features that both he and Kestrel shared like the broad nose, deeper set eyes, and harder edged jaw line. The reality that he could pass as Kestrel's child was only marred by the impossibility of having Meli play sister to him in this game. Her delicate and perky nose, wide eyes, slender jaw, and lighter hair could never pass as family traits to outsiders.

“She is my wife and daughter in law to my noble father sir.” Sert stated quickly in fluent Roman. He placed one arm protectively making sure his hands were placed on her elbows for his own protection. I knew he had realized that Meli and I would be questioning him about speaking Roman without an accent. The farmer smiled and nodded to him politely. I said nothing to Meli as she marvelled about the mysteries of her life long friend.

It took just over three hours to reach the farm which gave time for Meli to calm herself. The building of the farm appeared worse for wear even when compared to the primitive state of the culture we walked through. The farmer drove the cart directly to the front of the house calling out a name.

“The wagon is in the barn with the tools to fix it.” he informed us. He pointed at the structure with a wave of his hand. A young boy exited the house. “Let the others know we have guests for the night.” he ordered. The boy nodded mutely at him before returning into the house. “Must be to work.” he told us. He nodded once more to us then slowly walked off into the tall grass of his fields. We started to scan the horizon around this farm house to find nothing but fields of tall grass leading to the distant tree line. Something was wrong here. A mystery offering itself to us.