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'รค'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.
