The Stay at Lorenzo's (36)

Meli and Lorenzo smiled and spoke to each other in half whispers as they approached us on the training field. I place my fingers to my forehead and then touched the back of them to my chest before bowing deeply at him with my other hand extended out in a flourish.

“Thank you old friend.” he replied to me. “It is not easy finding good soldiers when war is upon the land.” he admitted softly and sadly. “I believe they will be perfect protection from outsiders.”

“With the creepers planted around the estate, I see them having an easy time guarding this place.” I remarked at him. Lorenzo blushed slightly but the smile did not disappear from his face.

“The creepers are just a secondary precaution.” he returned hesitantly. “My guards are treated like family as much as guards, but you already know this.”

“It is best to have a second defence when you have such wondrous plants that cannot defend themselves.” I admitted. “But placing these,” I began as I pointed to the patch of creepers, “may not be healthy if someone stumbles upon this place by mistake.”

“Best a reputation of fear than over kindness.” Lorenzo retorted with a shrug. Meli was glancing at him as I felt her confusion at his words. “As a former thief, I believe nothing is an accident in the end.” he admitted slowly. His smile faded as Meli looked darkly at him. “I have left that life far behind me but have learned much from that youthful career.”

“And still you wish only to create plants that will heal and not harm making me question your motives for walking away as you did.” I replied bluntly. Meli glanced from me to Lorenzo and back as I saw the realization of who had brought the creepers here.

“Who created the creepers?” she asked Lorenzo pointedly.

“They are not created.” he admitted. “Unless your bird here has lied to me for my own good.” he added quickly. Both now stared at me in silence.

“They are cross between one of Annianka's earlier little plants and a species I brought from somewhere else.” I admitted in Atlantian to her. “I had them in place here before Lorenzo even become the original owner's adopted son and heir.” I explained. “He knows they can be as deadly as the original but they have better a temperament because of Annianka's creation.” I concluded. My eyes had remain locked with Lorenzo as I spoke in Atlantian to Meli.

“You will not share the foreign words with me so I must believe that those creepers are much more than what you have explained to me.” he stated calmly.

“Many things cannot be fully explained even between old friends.” I replied softly. We nodded in unison as I sense the same acceptance to hiding much from each other under our oath of friendship. “If my nose does not fail me, supper will be ready soon.” I added with a smile.

“That chef you found from Chin is truly a remarkable boon for my troops.” he stated. “But from his own words, his young son that follows his culinary footsteps, will surpass him” he added with a smile. I chuckle at this comment.

“Chilörąn will out do his father and many others on this earth but not simply in the kitchen.” I returned still chuckling. The boy in question ran out of the main house to stand before Lorenzo. He bowed in native Chinese tradition to him before turning to bow to me.

“Yes Chichi, we will be in for supper in a moment.” Lorenzo answered the unasked question.

“You may head in, I will join you all shortly.” I excused myself. The child remained standing by me as the other slowly filed into the house. Sert held back at the edge of the training field being watched closely by the woman he had spared during training. I signalled to him to enter which he obeyed grudgingly. The woman raised one hand to her eyes then her heart before motioning at Sert's back. I shrugged to her and waved her forward as I stood still with but the young Chinese boy next to me.

“No attempts upon this place since your secret visit two years ago, sir.” Chichi reported in Chinese with a salute.

“Is it hard for you remembering you have already been an adult before?” I asked quietly in the same tongue.

“Yes, since I kind of like some of the female guards you found for Lorenzo.” he replied with a lewd smirk. “But luckily they do not mind it much when I mistakenly crawl into their beds with them.” he added giggling.

“You never had the chance at a real childhood Brother Famine.” I remarked. “You should try to enjoy the relaxation of it.” I chided him.

“But Overlord Order, my duties here do not permit such luxuries.” he returned harshly. “And I do not need a childhood to feel like a complete being.” he added bluntly.

“One day in your next life or two you might be drafted to join me in Atlantis.” I warned him softly. “Keep yourself well hidden until then Chichi.”

He nodded to me before we walked into the house together for the evening meal with most of the guards of the estate. I mostly sat in silence listening to the clips of conversations I could hear or sense within the feasting hall. Meli was taken by Lorenzo charms as badly as he was beguiled by hers. They spoke mostly in whispers to each other with only a few momentary passing moments of blushing. I knew that from what I read in their minds that it was the flora that tied them closer together. I just hoped he would not be surprised or scared learning that Mekiliean was slightly over three times his age.

As for Sert, he was still blind as the young warrior woman fussed over him. I had not informed Lorenzo that I selected an Amazon for his guards. But I could never have imagined she would fall prey to Sert's boyish charms and honourable strength upon the training field. My presence was the only thing holding her back from dealing with her heart like the Amazons would normally. I did not fear Sertian resilience at surviving an Amazon rape but he would never be the same after-ward if she did succeed.

“Simply learning one technique of combat is foolish.” Sert commented. “Better to learn as many as possible so you can face all circumstances properly.” he continued.

“But some techniques are much stronger than others.” the amazon at his elbow responded.

“While others that appear weak, hide strength from view.” one of the older male soldiers countered.

“Soft fist can do as much damage if it hits multiple times.” Chichi commented as he passed by.

“Like the blunt end of a staff can take an enemy down without killing them.” Sert remarked.

“But most would blindly use an edged weapon when something less deadly could do the job well enough.” the older soldier commented.

“Strength can be shown without killing.” the Amazon admitted. “But best to never leave a foe alive to attack you again.” she added softly. I partially turned in my chair focusing on their conversation.

“But some foes cannot simply be killed or they return much worse when you meet them in their next life.” I stated toward them. Sert nodded pensive about my words. The amazon glared back at me. A flash image from my mind to hers had her gasping for air while the old warrior chuckled.

“I only kill those I know are slated for Tartarus without question so I may be happy in the Elysium Fields.” the old guard told them.

I turned away knowing I was going to say more to the older man than he could accept or face. He abhorred the violence that he had been raised with his whole life. I saw him reborn as a monk in a far off land final having the peaceful life he wished for even if being here made him happy and proud. I left the table at this point stopping near Sert before leaving the hall.

“She truly likes you and will do anything to gain your heart as you have gained hers.” I whispered to Sert in Atlantian. “Beware since he is ten times your age little Amazon.” I whispered to her in their tongue. “I retire for the night.” I announced to the room. I did not look back but heard the soft footfalls of one of the guards escorting me as I left the hall. I waited until we were closer to my room before turning to face them.

“It is good of you to return.” she told me softly.

“You have no purpose here Callistra, leave!” I retorted bluntly.

“I was nearly gone when you arrive.” she purred at me. “Could not help delaying until we had a chance for a family gathering brother.”

“Why would you wish so badly to see me now, I wonder?” I returned mirthlessly.

“Because it has been centuries.” she replied smiling nicely. “Rest well brother, I will be gone long before morning arrives.” she added with a chilling giggle. And then she was gone leaving me standing alone in a hallway by my bedroom door.

“Just another silly game of hers.” I grumbled before going to bed.

We ended up staying another two full days here while Meli worked in the garden and Sert and I trained the troops. I did keep a watchful eye over Sert and the amorous Amazon but she seemed geared at winning him over by words and common actions than physical means. I had feared trying to explain to Lorenzo about losing a good guard and to Annianka for have Sertian return mated to an Amazon.

But Meli did get a chance to understand much as some of the local physicians and herbalists visited the estate to procure treatments from Lorenzo. I had but to mention that she was a healer and would love to learn about the Greek methods for her to receive a few more tomes about the medical practices of Greece. I knew that most of the ideas within would appear rudimentary for her but it was a good start at learning non-magical healing. The other world had many ailments that could not exist in Atlantis that she could now understand and treat physically without her healer's magic. The one problem I had not foreseen was the infatuation Meli had caused in Lorenzo.

“I do understand how import you are to Melchia but I still wished you could remain here with me.” he stated softly to her. I saw Sert stiffen at his words with his Amazon reacting to his tension. She moved to stand by me and through unmoving lips spoke to me.

“Is he hers?” she whispered.

“Like a brother to her.” I replied softly.

“Like Master Lorenzo, I wish he could stay.” she continued softly.

“Should I send word to Queen Aurora that you found your true mate?” I returned. My lips barely moved from the slightly upturned corner of my mouth.

“She would not allow it since I am unproven as a warrior in her eyes.” she responded sadly.

“Then show him your heart before we leave.” I retorted. I did not hide my words as I spoke now in Greek. “Prove your bravery and I will be your witness to Aurora.” I stated loudly to her. She glanced up at me once before marching to Sert. She took his hand and pressed the palm against her cheek.

“My heart is yours warrior.” she told him. He looked in shock back at her. “Forever!” she added. A moment passed as they stared at each other in silence. I could read in Sert's mind that he understood but did not know how to react. But in true Amazon fashion, she grappled on to his shoulder and face, forcing a kiss on his lips. Meli chuckled as she nodded to Lorenzo but her laughter was lost in the cheer that came from the guards around us.

And with this, we parted. Sert drove the cart with Meli at his side while I sat in the back. Our travel was brisk but I seemed to find reason to remain a day or two in nearly every town we crossed along our path to the small fishing village we would use to cross over to Circe's Isle. Sert received a chance to see Spartan warriors in action even if we never reached their town. We also meet many other foreigners crossing Greece from noble houses to noble houses, learning as they went like my companions did.