Off to Greece (34)

I meditated that night instead of sleeping feeling more relaxed and replenished than after two full days of sleep. My eyes reopened as the first light of dawn reached me. I would not re-explain my comments to Meli nor removed them from her mind since it helped reinforce the lie I wished to be known as my origins. Let Annianka and whatever sat in the Heartstone believe me a simple pawn in this game. I had in truth told the Ley'ä'Luna that I was going to save Atlantis for the Fallen Ones so they had a chance to face their darkness. I had lived for a little less than forever and knew this corruption around me was Ann'Anka's doing but still lacked proof at this time.

I could not move against Ann'Anka even if I had proof that she was the entity within the Heartstone. Without a corporeal form, Ann'Anka Anccilar would be unstoppable even with my powers fully unchained. Atlantis would be destroyed as the Heartstone shattered releasing the collected energy within it. Chains of events tightened now while I considered what my sister's time bomb was set to cause. I kept seeing the vision of Atlantis bathed in fire as a shade formed above it ready to devour the world and the humans. Caution and patience were my only two tools I had to bring Ann'Anka from hiding without causing the humans' darkness to come at the heels of Atlantis' destruction.

Annianka was the key with the oddness I felt upon her prompting me to hide my true self even deeper in my mind. Easier to make believe I was only the bastard child of The Ancients and Old Ones' little war than face the wraith if memories of her Ley'ä'Luna origin existed in Hope's mind. She would attempt to destroy me if she knew I was the child that warned her that her actions would fail. Only a handful of beings knew me for my true self but, like me, they lived a false origin to hide themselves.

My words had been accepted as truth by Meli without me forcing it. She would report them to Sert and eventually to Annianka promoting the lie I lived by. All of this was not just to hide myself but for a greater purpose. It hide the location of the fifth part of the last Ley'ä'Luna. I had removed Balance from the equation and forced my own mind to forget where I had sealed her await. The other four aspect, though linked, could live their own lives while Balance's absence stop them from reforming into one being. Visions of my own final death had shown me leaving existence with that knowledge never revealed to others or myself. Better to give them a chance to live freely divided for as long as possible. I knew that one day I would need to reassemble the five parts when the darkness held sway over humanity. My last action as my oaths dictated it before I became a simple observer to the events that followed. Once again the image of amber cat's eyes floated through my inner vision.

We worked in silence to complete collecting every scarp of food we could find. The chill persisted that morning keeping us focused on the task of escaping this place quickly. Silence and the chill lay heavily on our shoulders as we lead the oxen team and stacked cart down the winding path to the cove. Stavros' ship sat anchored in the water and the rowboat he had used sat untouched upon the shore line. It took five trips to move everything we had gathered to the vessel that would carry us to Greece.

Sert went with the first load to inspect the ship and guard it while we continued bringing the supplies and our belongings. With nothing but hand signals, I motioned Meli to ride in the third voyage with our private gear. I rode in the fifth and last load floating the ox-less cart behind the boat. It would be easy enough to find another pair of beasts once in Greece to pull the cart. Stavros set sail with us in silence toward a small port town of Greece to resupply his ship for Troy.

The unearthly chill withdrew as the warm breezes of the Mediterranean waters touched us. This relaxation was a good sign while we whispered ideas that could not explain why the town folks had ran or vanished. It was a calm and easy week of sailing if luckily uneventful. We entered the port that next morning where stacks of supplies sat waiting upon the dock to be moved. A flag showing the crest of the leaders of the marshalled troops at Troy fluttered by the piles.

“It seems they expected you Stavros.” I told our captain. He laughed as he pointed the ship into docking. “Sert! Meli!” I hollered. “Make sure our cart and gear are out of the way.” I ordered quickly. A dozen deck hands started the moment the ship touched in place to haul crates and barrels on board. With our help, Stavros was departing after four hours leaving us standing in port with our gear and mount-less cart.

“I would ask both of you to remain here while I find us some animals to haul the cart.” I told my companions. They nodded wordlessly back to me. “I should not be long and it will give both of you a chance to practice your Greek.” I added softly.

I already had a plan in mind but mentioned nothing to my companions. I knew the path to my old friend Lorenzo's estate well even if it had been nearly a dozen years or more since my last visit. Little thunder had flown ahead of me squawking loudly as he flew. It earn me a reception at Lorenzo's gate of a half dozen guards and the minor noble and botanist Lorenzo. He looked tired and old but I could still see the gleam of youth in his eyes.

“Finally return to see what progress I have made?” Lorenzo asked at my approach.

“First chance I have to return to these lands.” I explained. He hugged me like old friends have a tendency of doing when too much time has passed. “But I must ask a few favours of you.” I stated slowly.

“How could I refuse the man that has helped me so much with plants from the world over.” he returned quickly. His smile brightened making the fatigue I felt lift from him. “What would you require, Melchia?”

“A pair of beast to haul a cart.” I replied. “And allowing a visitor to see your special garden.” I continued in a whisper. “She has botanical tendencies you may appreciate learning.” I added with a chuckle.

“Now I am intrigued.” he remarked. His face became pensive. “Bring out a pair of our choice stallions for noble Melchia.” he told one of the guards. I eyed him suspiciously remembering what his rare stallions were breed for. “How many guests can I expect for the evening?” he added quickly.

“Three in total.” I answered. “Myself and a pair of Alton.” I continued softly. His eyes bulged at my words. “If it is not a bother.” I added quickly. Lorenzo was forced to wait before answering as a pair of dark charger stallions were brought out to me. With the reins in hand, I glanced at my old friend waiting for his reply.

“You bring legends to my home and ask me if it is a bother?” he chortled back. “I cannot wait to meet these noble beings that you have found.”

“I will return quickly with them.” I responded with a deep bow to him. I rushed away walking the stallions instead of riding them. If these were fully trained as I suspected, we would be travelling with war-mounts able to defend the cart without Sert's or my presences. I returned to find a small group of children standing guard around our cart with wooden swords and sticks. I stopped short and watched as Sert spoke with each of them in turn as Meli sat reading on the cart.

“Kestrel!” Sert called out. “We have received assistance with our duties.” he remarked smiling.

“They seem a good group of recruits.” I stated back to him. As I approached, the eyes of the children bulged as they shuffled out of my way. They stared up in awe at the steeds I walked over. I backed the horses in place while Sert place the halter tact neatly on the back of the two horses. “We have also been granted lodging for the evening.” I informed them. As I tightened the harness on the one stallion, Sert worked on the other.

“Another cozy inn?” Meli inquired from behind her tome.

“He is a noble of the area with a reputation for botany.” I remarked casually. “An extensive library on the flora of Greece.” I continued slowly. Meli book finally lowered to her knees as she stared at me. “I do know his specialty is prejudging the qualities of hybridized plants.”

She stared at me in silence. I knew she would be awake half the night pouring over his tomes and research notes to memorize them for use once we returned to Atlantis. Many of his ideas coupled with Meli's own earth wielding abilities would push her little experiments forward much quicker than she had hoped for. A profitable stop for Meli but nothing truly useful for Sert's marshal studies. If time permitted, I consider spending a few days in Sparta, the heart of the military knowledge for this vast section of the world.

“What type of horses are these?” Sert asked softly. The pack of children giggled as they moved to stand in two rows before us. They held their swords before them as they tried hard to stand at attention.

“Elite war steeds.” I responded. “Very few are allowed to use outside the upper military crust of Greece.” I explained.

“But is it right for us to use them to draw a cart?” Sert asked stunned. His hands still rested on the neck of the one stallion that whinnied softly at him. I chuckled as the horse twisted his head around to look at Sert with its large liquid eyes. “You do not have a problem with this?” Sert asked the horse. It responded with another snicker before turning away. Sert sighed as I continued chuckling.

“Be best to be on our way.” I replied softly. “I will drive while you stand to salute your troops.” I suggested. The slight blush on Sert's face was nearly missed as he moved to climb into the back of the cart. The children saluted with raised wooden swords and sticks as we rode between them receiving in reply an Atlantian Royal Guard salute from Sert.

“Do you think they will ask where that salute is from?” Meli murmured to me.

“I just fear, if any of them arrive in Atlantis, our Captains will be beside themselves with confusion.” I returned easily.

“At least they will know which guards to trust.” Meli remarked softly.

“But I do warn you that this botanist will want to learn from you as much as you from him.” I stated. A thought had formed in my mind that I could not push away. Would Meli take the easier path because of her gifts or truly learn from Lorenzo. I had but one way in my mind to test her honour and resolve.