Interlude: Captains' Truths (16)

      “Are you serious miss Hope?” Curd asked loudly. The other two Captains who waited in the abandoned throne room heard the caterwauled question from the hall. It was followed by the distinctive growling hush from the former feline Captain.

      “She must have been in a good mood.” Ent remarked.

      “So you have suffered from Curd's sour mood also?” Rez returned softly. Ent stared at him missing miss Hope's entrance. She strode into the vaulted room dragging Curd by the scruff of his neck like a mother cat reprimanding it's kitten. Rez's rumbling chuckle echoed in the empty room. Ent turned slowly to spy the scene as she tossed him ahead of herself toward them. He watched as Curd tumbled as he twisted around to his feet facing her.

      “First piece of information.” she stated businesslike at them. “Lord Kestrel confirmed that both Her Holiness' body and soul are of the Royal Atlantian bloodline.” she told them directly. “At lest prior to touching the Heartstone of Atlantis.” she added quieter.

      “Are you serious?” Curd repeated annoyed.

      “Were they his exact words?” Ent remarked calmer.

      “Sensible warning considering Her Holiness' minor explosions of late.” Rez comment pensively. Curd glared at the other two Captains as Rez shrugged to him. “The darkness imposed upon the Stone by the Usurper's forced linking.” he explained still deep in thought.

      “Purifying the Heartstone by taking the darkness within Herself?” Ent replied softly. “Acting like a true Atlantian Royal by sacrificing Herself for Her people?” he concluded.

      “Only if the darkness was removed root and all from the Heartstone.” Rez whispered under his breath.

      “Still see all evil bound to one root source?” Curd retorted. “And why would it be located in the most Holy of places in Atlantis?” he continued dismissively.

      “To touch the world as a whole.” Ent remarked.

      “Best hiding spot for evil would be something of a holy nature.” Rez returned slowly. “Tactically speaking.” he added quickly.

      “But it suggests that Her Holiness is infected by this darkness.” miss Hope stated. “Manifested by Her explosions increasing in destructiveness.” she pointed out. “Which makes me fear a repetition of the Usurper's bloody reign.” she added softer.

      “Lord Kestrel will not allow it.” Rez grumbled.

      “Unless he takes the throne with Her, how can he curb the growing darkness within Her Holiness.” Ent hazarded.

      “Should we try to convince him to do so?” Curd retorted unconvinced.

      “Nothing we have to say will convince him.” miss Hope returned. “His duties and oaths to those that reign above us all will not allow him to do so.” she continued easily. “Even if it is to save Atlantis.” she added vehemently.

      “If Her Holiness falls fully under the yoke of darkness,” Rez began slowly.

      “We must protect the citizens of Atlantis as She would truly want us to do!” miss Hope growled at him.

      “We allow Lord Kestrel to remove Her from the mortal coil permanently.” Rez continued undaunted. A dead silence filled the empty vaulted room. An eternity seemed to pass as they stared in silence at Rez. Ent was the first to nod at him. Miss Hope then Curd followed suit in the same reluctant fashion. “Dark times indeed when we Royal Guard Captains can agree sacrificing our charge for the sake of all the Atlantian people.” he concluded in a rumbling voice.

     “We may be vilified for this treasonous sounding decision.” Curd stated glumly. “Especially if Kestrel fails to destroy Her.” he added.

      “If he fails, no one will live long enough to see us as traitors.” Ent remarked darkly.

      “And Atlantis become nothing more than a fading memory in this world.” Rez agreed.

      “But now I must touch a personal matter that has been effecting our ranks.” miss Hope announced.

      “Should I step out of the room?” Rez asked with a sneer.

      “Your cool headed advice would be appreciated here.” she remarked casually. “And it forces these two brothers-in-law to explain the events from the start.” she continued with a half grin. “Now speak!” she ordered.

      “I am uncertain of what the starting incident is.” Ent replied. “All I know was Curd backing down during one of our heated debates when Valeria entered the room.” he explained slowly.

      “It was not that!” Curd snarled back. “I just got tired butting heads with a stubborn wolf.”

      “Then why have you dropped arguments on the simple mention of asking Valeria's opinion?” Ent returned. “And I am not the only one that has used this fact against you!” he exclaimed bluntly. Curd grumbled annoyed without giving him an answer.

      “I believe the last hunting pack was the source of his sudden behaviour change.” miss Hope hazarded softly. “Unfortunately drawing you into the mess.” she added softer.

      “Valeria's first official hunt?” Ent returned confused. “She was especially pleased upon returning to our home but refused to speak about it with me.”

      “The felines of our tiger pride had a private hunting challenge.” she explained casually. “Valeria out performed all but one participant.” she continued. “This does not represent you are a weaker Captain.” she remarked at Curd. “And not the reason I originally selected you as my successor.” she added blunter.

      “Which participant best her?” Rez mused. A half smirk had formed on his muzzled face as he stared at Curd through beady little black eyes.

      “Miss Hope, like every other year, proved herself superior to all the tigers and tigresses of the island.” Curd replied. He took a moment to bow deeply in a submissive pose to the white tigress.” I ended up in the third rank position behind my own younger sister.” he informed the other two.

      “And the reason you have backed down at the mere mention of her name instead of proving or forcing your point?” Ent returned in a slow confusion.

      “His failure to defeat her has placed him at a lower echelon within our clan.” miss Hope answered. “If this small event causes you to shirk your Captain's duties, then I have truly chosen incorrectly.” she added softly.

      “His duties have not been negatively effected as of yet.” a voice reported from the shadows from the throne. The four turned slowly to face the empty throne as a growl rose from them. “This is a Captains' meeting after all.” the voice chittered. A grey cloaked form detached from the shadows holding out thin claw tipped hands before him.

      “Jäz!” miss Hope interjected. The growls choked in the other Captains' throats. The stranger pushed back the thick hood to reveal his pointed ferret shaped face.

      “Unfortunately my elder brother is still abroad.” he clarified quickly. “I represent him and our kind during his absence toward the other noble Captains and the Holy One's Guardian.” he explained calmly. A scroll popped from his sleeve to his outstretched hand. “Captain Jäzærha's orders to me and his introductory letter to the four of you.” he added. He held out the tied scroll before him in the silent form of a statue. Miss Hope step forth to cautiously collect the scroll from his open palm.

To miss Hope and my fellow Captains,

I am assigning my youngest brother Khëndrâèl to act as my voice, ears, and judgement during the Captains' meetings and ad-hock leader for the Ferret Guards. Khën is not allowed full free reigns of our Royal Guard Captains beyond the point of having the Ferrets perform their duties to Her Holiness and, the so quoted by ferret kin, honourable Lord Kestrel, Right Hand of Holy Annianka. He has indirectly met Lord Kestrel and found his behaviour as highly acceptable as counterpart to Her Holiness. Khën will keep me informed of your decisions as well as handing you my words on paper as he has done previously for miss Hope. I presume this will not cause any problems for any of you though his training is closer to that of a scout than a battle geared soldier. I thank you for your patience regarding my long standing repetitive absence from Atlantis. I will eventually return to stay once I have completed my private mission among those warriors that follow the Sun and the Moon.

Sincerely, Captain Jäzærha.

      “Simple words but the script is unmistakably his handwriting.” miss Hope stated without emotion. She passed the scroll to Curd who quickly read it. The scroll was handed to Ent and finally Rez. Each read in silence before nodding their agreement to her words of authenticity of its origins. “Well met Khën." she continued. “What insight will you share on the two topics we have touched so far?”

      “First I must admit knowledge of all you have already discussed since your original gathering.” Khën admitted quickly.

      “I am taking this as Captain Jäzærha sent you word to inform you.” Rez replied.

      “And we need not know anything more than that.” Ent added in quickly. Curd nodded his acceptance to ignorance on this subject.

      “Jäzærha agrees on the high level of Royal Blood in Her Holiness' body and soul .” Khën reported. “I have not observed any dereliction in duties from Captain Curd.” he continued. “But his sour disposition and moments of indecision is negatively effecting the Feline troop's moral around the other Guard groupings.” he explained. “This includes not only the Royal Guards but the Council Guards also.” he added. Curd growled as he grumbled under his breath at him.

      “Captain's decisions should not be effected.” miss Hope snapped at him. “Only decision within our pride can be questioned by Valeria if she wishes to do so.” she continued bluntly.

     “I can admit that my mate speaks highly of your wisdom as a leader.” Ent stated. “No change in those views after your hunting trial.” he continued with a shrug.

      “She may have the prowess to out hunt you but no knowledge to lead a military group nor the tactical skills required in group combat.” miss Hope assured him directly. “I chose you as Captain because you possessed those gifts above all others.” she continued quickly. “Now drop your kittenish sulking!” she added harshly. He glared at her as the growl slowly subsided in him.

     “I believe that ends the subject, correct?” Khën asked calmly. Curd nodded first followed closely by the other three and finally by the smiling ferret. “Captain Jäz would ask we discuss the connection between the darkness plaguing Atlantis and the outer world and our Heartstone.” he stated. “Some points seem to allude me on this subject and how it relates to Her Holiness' explosions.” he explained quickly.

      “We believe the darkness either infected or came from the Usurper when she forcibly touched the Heartstone.” miss Hope reiterated. “Her Holiness may have cleansed the Heartstone by taking the darkness, in part or as a whole, within her.” she continued her explanation. “Which is uncertain because She appears to speak to the Heartstone as if it is a sentient entity.” she clarified. “Either way leads to fearing a repeat of the Usurper's bloody reign if Her Holiness regains the Royal Throne.” she concluded.

      “Thus our decision to step aside if She succumbs to the darkness.” Curd added in quickly.

      “But how would this darkness be infecting the rest of the world?” Khën returned slowly. “And why has it not fully corrupted Atlantis prior to Her Holiness' arrival?” he remarked perplexed.

      “The Heartstone is the key connection point between Atlantis and the outer world.” Rez slowly rumbled back. “Through which we are part of Yggdrasil which is the source of life for the world beyond our borders and shielding net.” he explained. If our Holiest of Holy possessions is infected, it would be able to infect the world through Yggdrasil with it's darkness in a slow progressive manner.”

      “There is a flaw in that thought.” Khën remarked. “Why would it be our Heartstone and not that of our Lemurian cousins that is infecting the outer world from Yggdrasil?” he explained to them. “This would be the mirror image ideology that is our Heartstone and theirs battling over the World because of the martial fury of the Lemurians.” he continued slowly. “This also suggests that passiveness is the illness that plagues us versus the Lemurians and the world.” he added even slower.

      “If the darkness is not our pacifist nature,” Ent began replying, “our devotion to honour would be our curse.”

      “But it is the lack of Honour and passiveness that proved the Usurper was truly evil and ill.” Curd remarked pointedly.

      “Or our malady at that moment was in turning our backs to the outer world which suffered greater darkness by our absence.” miss Hope suggested. “Leaving the darkness to infect the human's hearts, minds, and souls as well as the mystical beings alike.” The ferret nodded his acceptance to these thoughts.

      “Does Her Holiness' explosions suggest in truth that she is losing the internal struggles against the dark illness?” Khën returned softly. “I do agree as Jäzærha does that it will be wise and honourable for us on a whole to step aside if Her Holiness falls full into the throes of darkness and madness.” he repeated directly. “But should we not begin acting as watcher over Her madness instead of simply being Guardians?”

      “We will not turn against her in such a dishonourable matter !” Curd roared at the ferret. The ferret did not cringe from the tiger's anger as he meet his glared with his own.

      “Is it not what the sane and honour-bound Holy Heart Annianka's order us to do?” he retorted in a mock purr. Curd froze slack-jawed. The growl vanished as the three others glared at the ferret representative in disbelief. “It is no different from our reasoning to allow Lord Kestrel the freedom to assassinate Annianka for the benefit of all Atlantis.” he remarked softly. Ent and Curd sheepishly stared at their feet as miss Hope nodded her resignation to accept his thoughts. The long silence grew around them fully before Rez's rumbling laughter rolled and echoed through the room.

      “Jäzærha would never allow half measures to be put in place.” the bear stated bluntly. “We should not expect it from his representative.”

      “We will remain as Her true Guards.” Khën told them. “Simply watch and report signs of Her Holiness slipping deeper into the darkness She is suffering from.” he continued. They all looked directly at him once more. “We report to miss Hope until we agree who should hold this information we have gathered.” he added softly.

      “Lord Kestrel!” Rez returned hard.

      “Lord Kestrel.” Curd agreed with a slow nod.

      “Lord Kestrel!” Ent voted.

      “Lord Kestrel's honour will force him to save Her, Atlantis, and the outer world.” miss Hope confirmed.

      “I see my Captain acceptable to Lord Kestrel as the head of this healing viper of information.” Khën conceded. With this, the Captains bowed and parted company leaving Khën and miss Hope alone in the empty room. “I shall escort you back to Her Holiness' side.” he offered. She took his arm as sign of reply before they exited this vaulted abandoned throne hall.

Blood Lust and Triggers (61)

Thirty years past in relative peace as I lived in Atlantis and travelled the world. I travelled for both myself and Atlantis being received as a spark of Atlantian light in every place I ventured with the Herald. I researched every possible detail about the lives of my retinue finding no real knowledge than what they had willingly revealed to me verbally. The source of Meli's brain rewiring still perplexed me the more I delved into it. I finally decided to discuss my findings with Annianka to see what she knew and what the entity in the Heartstone would mistakenly let escape.

“I found no information regarding the peculiarity I saw in her mind.” I whispered to her. We had lunch together like many of the days I would be leaving for a new voyage away from Atlantis. This took place in Her Holiness' private garden under the watchful eyes of miss Hope. “No information about this knot that would use her own magic to burn her brain from her head is not listed as having been placed in her.” I explained slowly. She nodded to me in silence. I felt no emotions escaping her even if no mental barriers barred my gifts directly. “I need to understand why such a self destructive modification was made to her biology.” I continued not hiding my annoyance. “What if this modification took place after my arrival?” I added mollified.

“I understand my love.” she replied softly. “I cannot give you information I lack.” she continued easily. “Because of my seal and that of the Council placed in your hands, no information can be withheld from you.” she explained. “The darkest of Atlantian secrets are yours to discover.” she added with a giggle. I sighed and returned to eating in silence while reviewing what I had found. During my research, I discovered the prescribed use for this mental shunt modification. It sat as a final control measure on those useful citizens that suffered from blood lust.

Three forms of this feared genetic disease are noted in the extensive Atlantian files including the blood magic feared in the outer world. The similarities to some of Crimson's abilities dealt in the blood manipulation powers. A blood mage would use their freed blood to call to their victims' blood giving them full control over it at the cellular level like Crimson has over his own blood. Earth based healers could attempt a similar control over blood because of the iron content but at a lesser precision than the blood mages. Water based healers could use the water in the blood with greater efficiency but still paled in comparison to the blood mages manipulating the haemoglobin and its components completely. Crimson could theoretically perform the same level of control over another person's blood but it would weaken his strength to hold the iron manifestation of his own weapons and armour. Most would see it as a small price to pay for defeating an enemy but Crimson held more honour than to use an easy trick to win a battle.

The second listed form was based in the blood rage associated with the beserker style fighter of losing all control until the battle field ran red with blood. The frenzy at causing blood to flow from their enemies was the physical trigger that lead to an uncontrolled butchery. Where blood mages could and relished drawing blood explosively from from a distance, the blood ragers gain a blinding pleasure from the direct method of melee combat in which the blood lust gave them extra strength and speed. The more blood they  spilled, the more they wanted to spill more pulling them deeper in the rage increasing both strength and speed. Seeing or smelling blood was another noted trigger their blind rage that equalled the revelling of the blood mages slow torturous method. Blood ragers would beat anything living until it was nothing but a blood smear with their constantly increasing strength and speed. If their challenger was unfortunate enough to make the blood rager bleed, their rage level would jump to the highest point it had ever reached previously and continue rising exponentially. The rage would make them ignore all damage suffered and destroy their body in a proportional way burning out their body. It would cause their hearts to stop, destroy brain cells, and cause damage to other internal organs eventually killing them.

The short life span was also shared with the third group listed though a rare occurrence. This last group combined the abilities of both other types. The weaker control over blood combined the bursts of blind rage to extract more blood from their attacks while giving them the unhealthy and addictive pleasure of both. It stated multiple triggers in the documentations for the rage and blood manipulation without specifying which held greater predominance in occurrence rate. It warned that, once unleashed, the addiction to the pleasure drawn from manipulating the blood manipulation in others but nothing relating it to healers' elemental abilities. Meli was gifted in healing with a strong earth base and a weak water base assisting her skills as a strong healer. I did not see any signs of her manipulating blood outside of using those two healing ability groupings nor did I find anything listed in her history that would suggest her having demonstrated the blood manipulation abilities of blood lust. It did not answer why they would have placed that shunt in Mekiliean's brain deepening my confusion and worries for my healer.

“Does she suffer from Blood Lust?” I asked more directly.

“She would not be allowed to remain on Atlantis if she suffered that cruel disease.” Annianka returned quickly. “They would have removed her from this world long before your arrival.” she continued blankly. I registered the tasteless euphemism for murder in her statement raising more doubts in what she actually knew about the blood lust protocols in place.

“Unless she was seen as useful but expendable tool by the Council.” I remarked. “No proof of that protocol to be found in the Council's files either.” I added quickly.

“A trace should be available if those documents have been modified or removed.” she returned calmly. “Very little secrets or lies can be hidden at our level my love.” she commented. “Do not see conspiracies because of unfounded rumours.” she added.

“The cross wiring of Meli's brain is not a rumour!” I retorted. It was possibly more snappish a reply than I intended. Annianka stared at me with overly wet wide eyes. “And it is a modification linked to Blood Lust.” I continued calmer. “Which suggests missing information about expendable tools and about Mekiliean's history proving a conspiracy exists.” I surmised with feigned casualness. “Similar to the missing information about your true origins on Atlantis.” I added grinning.

“I simply appeared here and was called by the Heartstone.” she replied bluntly. I felt her closing her mind to me as her arms crossed in front of her chest.

“Does not explain your Atlantian body unless you had already been an Atlantian.” I mused. I felt miss Hope creep closer to hear my words easier. “Did Odin have you possess an Atlantian body or created that body for you?” I stated slyly.

“Stop these silly pointless questions!” she snapped back at me.

“As you wish Princess Annianka.” I whispered in her mind. Her eyes went unnaturally wide as she glanced pass my left shoulder to miss Hope. “No words left my mouth sweetness.” I remarked easily. Her wide eyes returned to me as I saw her realize I had mind spoken to her. I ended our meal in silence while pondering this mistake she had made. I tried listening to her thoughts to see if other mental whispers were confused for spoken words but only found a mix of worries and desires all aimed at me. With but a soft parting kiss, I left Annianka happily wasting time in her garden. Miss Hope walked with me without our normal chatter but this silence ended as she halted me in the foyer of Her Holiness' tower.

“You seem to know more about Her Holiness than you reveal.” she half growled at me. “The Royal Guards have a reason to support Her as we do.” she stated slowly. “Is Her soul, like Her body, of Royal Blood?” she asked in a whisper.

“Before touching the Heartstone, yes.” I whispered back. “I believe Her odd moments are caused indirectly by communing with that central stone.” I explained slowly. “But I cannot prove an of those theories.” I added quickly. She smiled a cattish grin at me as she nodded.

“I understand.” she replied in a purr. “The Royal Guards will continue performing their sworn duty to the throne.” she informed me. “With hope, you will be at her side upon the the throne when she returns there.” she added softly. Her eyes widened as I hissed at her final words.

“My duties could never allow me to be trapped upon a throne.” I retorted. I saw that my reaction was misconstrued by the feline. “My duties take precedence over my own wants miss Hope.” I clarified. “ I will always support her while she sits upon Atlantis.” I concluded.

“Yes Lord Kestrel, Envoy of the Ones On High.” she returned with a smirk. “I thank you and Those that sent you to us.” she added softly. She curtsied to me before opening the main door to Annianka's tower home. I bowed deeply my reply to her. I left in silence returning home to collect my bags and companions. We would visit to the Celtic Faery Mounds as couriers and to repay them for their past visits to Atlantis.

Captain Ent and Captain Curd waited by the doors of my residence making me think Captain Rez was occupied elsewhere or waited at the harbour for me. I barely needed to enter my abode with Sert already handing me my backpack and Meli forcing my courier hip bag's strap over my head.

“The faster we reach the ship ...” Sert began.

“... the faster we can be off.” Meli concluded. The Captains chuckled as they stood bracketing my doors.

“Rush ahead while the Captains give me parting advice and asks the same of me.” I returned quickly. I moved to one side passed the Captains allowing them to bolt ahead on our path. “It is the most excited I have seen those two in weeks.” I commented half to myself.

“Voyaging away from Atlantis invigorates them.” Ent remarked smiling.

“Especially without the dress wearing viper for company.” Curd corrected. The twisted smile he wore spoke volumes of his distrust and hatred for Colêsträ.

“Better a hidden sword than a naked blade.” I returned casually. “Or would you rather I take feral guards with me?”

“Her Holiness would be appeased by that acceptance.” Ent replied with a lolling laugh. Curd bent closer to me.

“Miss Hope would also be pleased.” he purred at my ear. “She does not want Annianka's canary harmed.” she added in a purring chuckle.

“Annianka knows I can take care of myself without assistance.” I retorted in a squawk. Ent stepped back in silence while Curd stood unmoving with a mocking sneer on his face. “I have no time presently to curb you kitten.” I continued firmly. I allowed my eyes to shift to twin spinning stars in utter blackness as I registered the amicable jest this was for Curd.

“I have never understood the felines' sense of humour.” Ent stated calmly. “Nor their lack of survival instincts.” he continued softly. Curd stared at him for a moment as a growl formed in the back of the tiger's throat. “Should I mention this incident to Valeria, my mate?” he remarked passively. The growl died as Curd swallowed hard with wide eyed fear.

“I believe this issue between you two is beyond my range of duties.” I commented. “But please wait until I have embarked on the Herald before resolving it.” I added casually. They slowly nodded to me allowing us to walk briskly in a vain attempt to reach my companions before they boarded the ship. The walk was in an untypical silence which relieve me from hearing about Atlantian problems as I moved to escape the isle. Sert and Meli waved madly at me to hurry up as the Captains and myself weaved our way around the crates scattered on the dock itself.

“We do have a schedule to maintain Lord Kestrel.” captain Destine called down at me.

“We can learn of any potential problems once we touch ground again Sir.” Sert assured me.

“And we do not need to worry about Flower causing a scene.” Meli added quickly. I could see Destine shaking her head while my companions laughed.

“It appears time to be off again is upon me my Captains.” I stated to them quietly. They turned to bracket the boarding plank holding a salute until I passed between them to reach the deck of the Herald. “I will be expecting a full report upon my return.” I tossed back at them. A resounding 'Yes!' replied me. “Including the tension between both of you.” I added. Silence followed causing me to chuckle under my breath at them.

“Pull the plank and set sail!” Destine ordered. I glanced at her to notice the smile she wore. I had met good hearted pirate captains, like Balthis, that bore such a smile when setting out to sea. Over the years I watched here change into more of an adventuring spirit without losing the professional thinking of the top Atlantian navel captains. This spirit shone through her and her crew whenever we departed on a new voyage. Our return to Atlantis caused them to deflate into a wistful state while most felt the trip had been too short. Through time, if they escaped destruction, I saw them leading the pirates' life of plundering the wrongly rich with honour and showing mercy to the innocent. The age of the privateers was far in the future when trading as much as plundering in the open seas would be the norm.

The few ships we saw during the long voyage to reach what would be the British Isle. Only wave of greeting were sent to us as they passed. Our sailors would wave a reply to the foreign sailors while the ships' captains saluted each other. I had at times lost count of the passing years. Over forty years since my arrival in Atlantis felt like multiple centuries even multiple millenniums to me. Being greeted by other vessels had become normal no matter where we sailed now. This was our normal voyaging condition of calm waters and uninterrupted leisure. The uneventfulness of the sail continued through the hike around this verdant land. My companions hid their annoyance and frustration until we took the last trail returning us to the Herald.

“Even the wild animals have avoided us.” Sert grumbled.

“No special plants nor any books or scrolls to be had either.” Meli retorted. “Not going to attempt carrying stones slabs!” she remarked at me. My mouth had partially opened partially to make a comment before her snappish remark.

“But you could copy the words to paper.” I returned undeterred. “Either by writing it out or smudging it with dirt to a paper sheet you could carry back with you.” I continued easily.

“I would waste time we do not have.” she snapped again at me. “I am not being blamed for us to be late again.” She nearly growled at Sert with her words.

“I never blamed you.” he returned in mock indignation. “I just said you had been debating over which book copies you could borrow.” he explained. He flashed her a boyish innocent grin as she glared at him. I raised my hand at them bringing their conversation and pace to a sudden stop. I did not know this was the moment that would reveal the truth about Meli. I spotted the giant covered in fur and totting a giant twin sided axe barring the trail before us. “I will handle this.” Sert told us. I let the glamoury slide from him but he still was only half the giant's full height. He walked casually forward to speak with the axe wielding monster in our path. “Excuse me sir but can we pass?” he asked loudly. His answer came in the form of the flat side of the double bladed axe on his head in a quick strike. The speed shown by the giant seemed impossible for his incredible stature and girth. The nearly twenty foot tall giant movement had blurred to bring the axe soundly down on Sert's unguarded head. He collapsed in a heap at the giant's feet while the axe snapped back up for a second strike with the bladed edge.

Meli launched herself from my side with a death scream that would deafened any normal human around us before I could react to the attack. She ran up the front of the giant without even a momentary pause to place her feet. During the climb, I saw her fist turn into boulders as tendrils of earth rose to swirl tighter around them. I felt her earth wielder gift exploding around her as the fury to protect Sert rushed trough her mind coupled with a red haze of rage. This was a true sign of blood rage with the control fraction showing it as the rarest of the three forms of Blood Lust. This combined to fuel her as she began pounding with lightning quick rock coated fists at the giant's face.

The giant's face had started collapsing inward after the first few strikes while Mekiliean continued pummelling without mercy. The giant slowly fell backward as Meli continued her assault until he was upon the ground. Its face was a mess of bloody slime held in the bowl of his skull. Meli finally stopped to turn and rush to Sert's side as he groaned. She did not look back at the carnage she had unleashed upon the giant as she assisted Sert to stand. I led them down the path sending them ahead to the town. I returned to the scene to make the corpse disappear before it caused rumours of a giant killer of titanic proportions lose upon the land. Like the Earth wielders, I called upon the stone and sands to move aside sinking the giant's corpse into the ground many thousand feet below the surface. Even if multiple billion years passed, this corpse would never again see the light of day.

I returned after this to find my companions sitting by the entrance of the port town. Neither seemed to remember what transpired other then the possibility of Sert bumping his head. I had to presume the blow to his head caused the forgetfulness Sert suffered but nothing seem to explain Meli lost memories of the even. The trigger in Meli's case was her protective nature for her adopted big brother which made me fear a worse out come when Trixie had crossed their path. At least, it made me the only person that could report this problem in our talented pupil. I suspected that Annianka knew something she would not reveal to me, or any one else, about Meli's blood lust to protect her from possible repercussions. This genetic abnormality may be rejected by Atlantian but in Lemuria, it would relish this gift and cheer Meli as a step below the gods themselves because of it.

I fully probed Meli's mind finding no sign of the blood lust that had erupted in her to protect Sert. All I knew with certainty was if Meli's blood lust erupted while on Atlantis, her mind would be ignited and burn away before she could use it. It was a dirty trick to have destroying herself while nobly protecting others. I knew training exercise that would allow her to control this rage making the cross wiring of her brain obsolete and ineffective unless she truly lost control of her blood lust. We returned to the Herald to sail home with very few words about our trip other than it being uneventful.

Interlude: Amazon Battle (15)

Captain Talbot had the centre of the the deck cleared. Barrels were moved to form a wide empty space around the main mast for the battle. Crimson knelt at the edge of the cleared area while sailors of the Spire gawked at them in anticipation from this fight. Marina had foregone the armour she acquired from the Amazons to face her opponent Thea who was back in full Amazon gear. While Marina only held her cutlass as weapon, Thea held the long stout spear, a long sword, and twin daggers plus her metal bound to leather armour.

“Are you mad facing me with a single weapon without armour?” Thea scoffed at her. “Or do you simply want to lose?” she added derisively.

“I enter this battle with nothing borrowed from my big sisters.” Marina replied defiantly. “And I have faced much deadlier foes with only this as me defence.” she added fearlessly. Ashstar moved with Talon at her side to stand at the main mast centre point of the cleared combat field. She signalled both to approach her as the Spire's sailors moved to bracket the barrels marking the outer edge of the combat zone.

“Have both selected their arms and armour?” Ashstar asked loudly.

“Aye!” Marina interjected quickly.

“I stand in full arms and armour to stand for one that has forsaken himself.” Thea answered. “And a truer challenge for one seeking the warrior's rank.” she added. A vicious smile formed on her face as she glared at Marina.

“Still far less fearful than a rift beast!” Marina returned confidently. A hushed gasp ran around the sailors present.

“First combatant to exit the circle, forfeit like a coward, lose the ability to fight on, or die has lost ending the battle.” Ashstar informed them. A round of strangled comments ran around the circle of barrels. She and Talon exited the circle in opposite directions. “Begin!” she screamed from the edge.

The spear shot out from Thea's left aimed at Marina's chest as she easily side step left. Using the back of her blade, Marina hooked the spear head to yank it and Thea forward at her while kicking out at Thea's stomach with her left heel. Thea released her right hand grip on her spear to block the kick before realizing Marina's true goal. With a hop, she used her left foot to propel herself back stealing the spear from Thea's loosened grip. It soared quickly from the circle to embed itself into the deck between two stunned sailors of the Spire.

“Sorry!” Marina giggled. “What will you use now?” she remarked merrily. She darted forward using the tip of her cutlass to spring one of Thea's daggers airborne. Flashing passed Thea, she followed the dagger's arc to pluck it left handed from the air deftly by its handle. The dagger flipped in her grip running the blade protectively along Marina's forearm. She spun on her right heel thrusting out her left leg. Her heel connected solidly with the side of Thea's face as the other woman had pounced open handed at her back. The hit twisted the half helm she wore to partially blind her vision. Marina slashed at her blindside cutting between the hardened reinforced leather plates at the straps holding the armour in place. No blood ran from the attack but the armour shifted to the left as Thea moved to rip her headgear off with her right hand.

“I am hoping you watch this closely.” Rena whispered to Crimson. He sighed as he glanced up for a moment before lowering her head once more in silence. “Your little sailor is besting her so far without drawing blood.” she reported to him. He remained silently staring at the wooden deck unmoving. “You have truly given your freedom to her.” she added sourly.

“It is my whole being I gave her.” he mumbled as reply. “Heart and all.” he added quieter. Rena stared down at him for a moment before turning back to the fight.

Thea attempted shrugging off her armour to be caught with the right shoulder strap tight against her neck. The two half linked flaps of metal embossed leather hung askew exposing her right side to attacks while impeding her left arm's movement. The leather belt holding her sword and second dagger laid at her feet with the sword side cleanly cut.

Marina charged forward at her with crossed blades aimed at her chest and a triumphant smile on her face. Thea raised he bracered right arm to block the attack. As the blades connected with the bracer with the shrieking clang of metal on metal, Thea screamed in pain before toppling back leftward. Marina rode her bracered arm with both blades driving her hard to the deck. The cutlass' sharpened edge sank deep in the metal coated leather as drops of bloods rolled down the blade. Marina kept the pressure on the cutlass while flipping the dagger at Thea's throat denting the skin.

“Submit!” Marina ordered bluntly. Thea stared up defiantly at her. With a thunderous primal scream, Thea forced her back to her feet then away from her. Marina half jumped and was half tossed away from her opponent. Thea stood shakily while blood splattered from her forearm to the wooden deck.

“I will never submit!” she screamed back. With her foot, she tossed up her belt to grasp the hilt of her longsword. The rasping sound of her sword sliding scabbard punctuated her defiant comment. “I will fight to my last breath!” she howled at Marina. She held her longsword left handed as she scrambled to to withdraw the dagger with her bloodied right hand from the dropping belt. “For his freedom!” she added.

Marina's cutlass sang through the air as she charged at Thea while her face was set in a snarl. Her sword rang and sparked as it collided with Thea's dagger. Thea's longsword arced high above them ready to cleave at Marina's right shoulder. Marina drove her dagger point at the unarmoured side of Thea to plunge under the edge of her ribs in an upward thrust. Thea forced herself back wrenching the dagger from Marina's grip her sword tip sliced through Marina's right side collar bone. The cutlass clanged loudly as it bounced on the deck after being released from Marina's nerveless grip. Thea coughed and spat to the deck the blood that filled her mouth. They stared at each other in stunned silence for a moment. Blood flowed down from the dagger in Thea's side and down her forearm and hand to coat the deck in splatters at her feet. Marina's blood soaked through her tunic and breeches dyeing them in shades of crimson before pooling slowly around her bare right foot.

As Thea choked out more blood, Marina dove to retrieve her cutlass with her left hand. She rolled forward at Thea slashing wildly at her injured side. The lucky shot slashed at the back of Thea's knee mostly slashing the side open to the bone. With a scream and blood spraying from her leg, Thea tumbled sideways on top of Marina. Both blades in Thea's grip flipped to stab downward into Marina's left side. More blood bubbled from Thea's mouth as the impact with Marina's body and the deck drove the dagger deeper into her lung. Marina crawled away as Thea rolled off her while choking on her own blood. Thea choked out more bright foaming blood to the deck before dropping to her back. The shiny crimson foam clung to her lips as she hacked violently as she attempted to breath. Marina turned without rising to face her fallen foe laying on her back. Her breathing was a rasping gurgle with gagging eruptions of bright crimson foam that trickled down her cheek. Marina scrambled to Thea's side while ignoring the pain caused from the two shafts of steel driven through her chest and stomach. She forced Thea to her side as a hacking eruption of bloody foam poured from Thea's mouth to the wooden deck. Marina's head lolled for a moment before she started coughing violently. She winced at the pain while rasping nearly as badly as Thea's breathing. The second stronger coughing fit raised little screams between the gagging sound she covered with her hands. She pulled back her hands from her mouth to seethe thick crimson phlegm that coated the palms of her hands.

“I believe this fight ends undecided.” Marina forced out. “Both combatants are unable to continue fighting.” she informed them. The strain of her words and actions made her collapse over Thea's unconscious form. The hush forced Crimson to slowly rise his head to see the bloody bodies of the combatants laying still on the blood soaked deck.

“It is done.” Rena informed him softly. She glanced down at him noting the crimson tinted tears running down his cheek. “Sister Marina owns you without question slave.” she said slowly. “Heart and all.” she added in a half whisper. Under Crimson's watchful tear-filled eyes, Ashstar, Talon, Menes, and Rena walked forward to check on the two Amazon warriors' condition. He stared in silent sadness as they moved Marina to lie her on her side next to Thea. Captain Talbot slowly marched forward with four white clad sailors at his back.

“I offer the services of the Spire's healers.” he told them directly. “But they must heal both.” he continued hesitantly. Talon chuckled at his comments as she nodded her agreement. “I only know very negative tales of your strict society.” he apologized quickly. He signalled his men forward.

“Allowing our sister to die after a valiant combat would be folly.” Ashstar remarked bluntly. “Only saving the victor would also be foolish.” she continued harshly. A half smile came to her face. “I thank you little brother James for allowing us our rights while on your ship.” she added calmer.

“It was a spectacle of skill, grace, and honour we will hold in memory til we die big sister Ashstar.” he replied with a bow and a salute to her. The four healers had moved as two group to administer treatment to the fallen warriors. Captain Talbot slowly left the circle in silence as the Amazons and the healers of the Spire set to work in whispered comments. Crimson watched from his knelt position at the gap in the barrel-barrier as silent blood tinted tears rolled down his cheeks.

As It Is Seen And Not Felt (60)

Cassis stood holding hands with Peles and Toma. I felt their spirits drop as they spotted me arriving with Nä'Tash-Dēn and the trio of cadets. Peles' eyes filled as he trembled visibly next to Cassis. Toma released her hand as he squared his shoulders. He gave her a single slow nod before moving forward stone faced to meet me. I watched as Cassis pulled Peles closer to her ready for him to clasp to her crying once more.

“How is she?” Toma stated to me directly. I could feel him barricading his emotions behind the stoney mask he wore ready for the worse news possible.

“Your mother's health is perfect Toma.” I told him. The stone mask crumbled as he smiled up at me brightly. “The sickness seems to have left her drained which is why she sleeps now.” I informed them. Toma still smiled as he nodded his understanding to my words. “We have transportation ready to carry her to the Healers' Hall if she needs to rest longer.” I continued easily. I notice Peles moving forward now. He still held Cassis hand firmly in his as he unconsciously forced her to follow nearly crashing her into Toma's back.

“Is she truly healthy?” Peles asked. I could tell from Cassis' wincing face that he squeezed her hand tighter while speaking.

“I can assure you Peles that no signs of illness remains in your mother.” I told him. Tears poured from his eyes as he smiled as brightly as his younger brother. “She still requires rest to return fully to herself.” I continued quickly. I crouched down to be closer to their height placing one hand on each of their shoulders. “Her Holiness wishes to ask more details regarding the illness she had suffered.” I explained slowly. “We are still in the dark at what illness affected her.”

“But she is well now?” Toma returned suspiciously.

“Lord Kestrel said she was well therefore she is.” Cassis stated harshly. “His honour would never allow him to speak half truths'” she continued harsher.

“I believe it is his worry for his mother's health and not doubting my words that prompts his question.” I returned calmly. “There is no sign of illness in her.” I assured the boys. “Which is why Her Holiness and myself are confused.” I explained softly. “One lone treatment cured her but she now sleeps deeply because of it.” I continued. “It suggests a long illness she was already on the edge of recovering from.” I added.

“Which could mean she was on the mend when we noticed it.” Toma stated pensively. “Her deep exhaustion made it harder for her to hide the illness?” he hazarded slowly.

“Like not being able to hold an element in shape because of exhaustion?” Peles suggested back. His brother nodded back slowly thinking in silence. I could read in his mind that he reviewed his memories of his mother for more information.

“Since we are going along the same path.” Cassis remarked suddenly. Before Toma could realize it, Cassis had a firm hold on his hand without releasing her grip on Peles'. The two boys smiled at her but only Toma blushed at her action. The barely perceptible glance he gave her showed feelings as clearly as my gifts could show me.

“They are returning to Holy Annianka's tower?” Nä'Tash-Dēn commented. I nodded before she waved us forward. We turned to follow the three children walking hand in hand as I took the lead. The trio of cadet formed a loose triangle at our back. I felt Nä'Tash-Dēn gently take my arm at the elbow casually as we walked. Her grip tightened as the distance shortened between us and Annianka's tower. I tilted my head toward hers.

“Why do you seem nervous as we approach Her Holiness?” I whispered to her. The children chatted and giggled behind us in the childish casualness opposing perfectly the mood of the woman on my arm.

“I fear she will want to wait for the boys.” she whispered back.

“Her attachment to them has grown much in a single day of tragedy.” I returned. Nä'Tash-Dēn's purring giggle answered me. “She seems like a compassionate soul which those boys need her strength.” I continued. She squeezed at my arm as I sensed the edge of her claws dimple my skin. “You fear she will want more than friendship with one of them.”

“More like the wrong brother will want more than friendship from her.” she replied. “She will not realize that she causes conflict between brothers.” she explained softly. I patted her hand in silence already knowing she would be given respite from this worry.

“Thank you for being at my side.” Peles stated to Cassis. “Even if you really like Toma more than me.” he continued easily. I heard a growl slowly building in her throat. “Do not get angry.” he chided amicably. “He likes you more than I do too.” he added in a half whisper. She turned her head to glance at him showing a crimson blush touching her cheeks.

“What?” Toma interjected in a high pitched voice. Cassis turned to look at him and her blush brightened to mirror Toma's blush.

“I believe they are trying to solve the problem themselves.” I whispered to Nä'Tash-Dēn. A purring chuckle crawled out of her as her grip loosened on my arm.

“I stand corrected.” she purred around the chuckles. “Those boys truly are the best for her heart.” she continued casually.

“Honour, wisdom, and enlightenment lives even in the hearts of the fledglings of Atlantis.” I reported. I looked ahead to spot miss Hope and a man I presumed must be the boys' father waiting at the doors to Annianka's tower. I waved at them receiving a returning wave from the tigress. The father stared at us for a moment before calling out to his sons.

“Toma! Peles!” he screamed. Peles shrieked releasing Cassis' hand to rush at his father. Toma waved with his free hand turning to signal Cassis to come forward with him. Peles hugged his father tightly that had dropped to one knee to meet him. I could see and feel the sparkling tears of joy in the boy's eyes as he held onto his father. Toma had beaten us without rushing to reach his father with Cassis standing proudly at his side. “Your mother is resting peacefully.” he told his sons quickly. “She will be transported to the Healers' Recovery House near our home.” he explained happily to them.

“This is good fortune to remove the worry cursing your sons today.” Nä'Tash-Dēn stated. I sensed a stiffness in her body and words. He glanced up to clearly see the fur touched face hidden under the white hood.

“Please do not hide in fear around me.” the father remarked. “Allow me to see the face of the noble bloodline that stands with my sons.” he continued easily. I heard Nä'Tash-Dēn's toe claws grate against the marble as she stepped back in shock.

“Cassis' mother is shy about her features.” Toma stated suddenly. “I just do not know why.” he continued at a lower tone. “And this is Cassis.” he said merrily. “She is our friend.” he added. He held up her hand still holding firmly to his. I did not need to see that they both blushed as the his father chuckled at them.

“It was plain to my eyes son.” he replied while chuckling. He glanced up once more at Nä'Tash-Dēn with a soft smile on his face. I felt her trembling at my side as her hands reached up to push back her white hood. “I thank you noble feline.” he stated. He bowed his head in a slow sign of respect to the feral Guards as he exposed the back of his neck to her.

“Never place yourself below an equal.” she growled at him. “Your sons show more understanding of my place than you do.” she continued angrily.

“Yours gave my grandparents a chance to remain living.” he returned firmly. He finally straightened to look her in the eyes. I felt no anger rising in him to meet Nä'Tash-Dēn's misplaced rage. “The pacifist grand-daughter of Täl-Dēn should understand the families that walked away from the Council.” he stated directly. “My actions returns to you the life spared by your bloodline.” he continued softer. “It is meant as a sign of respect from one that saved us and not as an insult of lesser beings.” he concluded. Even with the fur covering her face, the sudden blush of embarrassment glowed through.

“Many fear old clan symbols as acts of dishonour from modern outsider in their world.” I stated softly. “Let the true emotion and heart light behind any action be the judge.” I added easily.

“Pardon me for being blinded by an action commonly used in derision from the none feral.” she said softly. She curtsied to him as she smiled sadly.

“It shows your strength attempting another path than arms and armour Lady Dēn.” the father returned easily. He bowed once more to her as both his sons followed in kind. “But now we should prepare to walk with your mother.” he continued. “With your leave Ladies Dēn.” he added.

“Mother, I want to ...” Cassis started in a high pitched squeal. She stopped with a half-growl breathing deeply as Nä'Tash-Dēn looked quietly at her. She held tightly to Toma's hand while calming herself with her slow deep breath. “I wish to accompany them mother.” she stated slowly. “If you allow this mother.” she added formally.

“Only if you allow the cadets to watch over you.” her mother returned calmly.

“We are available.”the trio replied.

“I must believe your daughter was not received warmly at the Elemental School?” the boys' father replied. He stood scratching his chin as multiple thoughts formed and dispelled in his mind.

“The major issue is dealt with.” I remarked. “And reprimands have been issued in the name of Her Holiness.” I continued in mock casualness. I spotted miss Hope's raised eyebrow at my words. I flashed the event in the tigress' mind earning me a nod and a deep growling chuckle from her. “I will speak with the parents as I warned them.”

“I leave this in Holy Annianka's Right Hand.” Nä'Tash-Dēn replied quickly. The boys' father straightened to stare in wide eyed awe at me. The two boys giggled as their father's mouth worked soundlessly while his eyes remained locked on me.

“Lord Kestrel is unlike any nobles you have met before.” miss Hope told him. I bowed to him fluently as he stood still nervously dumbfounded. “He understands the honour and nobility in a person's soul.” she explained softly. The man's nervousness abated as the transport group exited Annianka's tower carrying the woman easily between four of them.

“Please stop?” she requested weakly. “I must thank Lord Kestrel for all he has done for me and my family.” she explained to her litter bearers.

“Your gratitude is misplaced on one that simply follows his duties to Her Holiness Annianka and the Ones On High.” I replied easily.

“Then I offer thanks once more upon Her Holiness and upon Those that have sent you to us.” she forced out of her exhausted body. Her head turned to look at her sons smiling at them. “Well done my little men.” she whispered to them. Her eyes closed as she drifted deep into slumber still wearing that soft smile on her face.

I stood in silence watching with miss Hope as the litter was carried away. Neither needed to speak seeing father and one son marching on one side of the litter while Toma and Cassis guarded the other side. Nä'Tash-Dēn followed the litter with the trio of cadet at her heels.

“It always amazes me seeing how some do not fear mixing bloodlines.” miss Hope whispered.

“I believe he sees it as an honourable thing for his bloodline that was saved by hers.” I returned softly. “Did Annianka discover anything about the vanishing ailment?” I continued easily.

“She muttered about a dozen possible illnesses but nothing specific.” she answered.

“Now I can finally give her my report and let her know about the incident at the school.” I remarked softly. “And I had hoped for a long quiet day with her.” I added with a mock sigh. Miss Hope chuckled at my side while we entered the tower again.