Interlude: Engine Room (11)

They stood with Lockey between them calling out the crystals needing to be pulled. Sert and Meli remained silent listening to Lockey's command without problems through three-quarters of the slow and tedious process. Meli screeched as she threw herself away from the engine grappling her hand whining in pain.

“Shit! An earthen!” Lockey interjected. She rushed to Meli's section to yank the crystal that shocked Meli to the ground before Sert could pull his assigned crystal. Sert stood stock still with his hand hovering over the crystal. “You should have warned me about your gifts!” she exclaimed. “I would never had you remove that one.” she added irritated.

“It is not her fault since we do not know what we are actually doing here.” Sert commented back. He still waited to pull his crystal from the assembly. Meli waved at him as he nodded and yanked it from its socket. “What kind of crystal did she touch?” he asked. He turned to face them. Lockey vaulted forward to yank the last crystal of that set of three.

“We nick-named it a 'dark earth' crystal that people with earth abilities cannot touch or use without damaging themselves and their gifts.” she answered. She was walking back toward them looking at her tablet as a deep frown of confusion showed on her face. “No more dark earth but one dark water in my section with nine left to go.” she commented absently. She began pacing next to the engine as she reviewed the lists of crystals. Concern and confusion covered her face as she paced faster muttering in Lemurians under her breath.

“What's wrong?” Sert asked her. Meli stood slowly as she messaged feeling back into her hand.

“I think I pulled the wrong crystal ...” Lockey murmured back. She ran her finger down the list shaking her head in annoyance as they turned to face her. “It appears twice in the notations list even if it could only have been placed once.” she explained perplexed.

“Is it a big problem?” Sert asked softly.

“That would be a yes if the crystal is the middle or last crystal in the next sequence that needs to be pulled.” Meli reported. Lockey eyed her suspiciously. “It's the same process when healing.” she informed her. “Removing a crystal before it is set to be removed in the sequence order.” she explained slowly. “It can kill the patient instead of saving them.” she added in a near whisper.

“Sert, prepare to pull the one on your left!” Lockey ordered quickly. “Meli, if you can, the one on the far right.” she said slowly. Both moved to have their hands by the target crystal. “On three, pull them both out.” she added. She lifted a barrel lid as a shield before her as she counted up from one slowly. On three, Sert and Meli yanked their crystal from their socket. Sparks flew madly from the empty socket before Lockey to bounce harmless against her barrel lid shield.

“That would have been a very bad thing if the crystal was still in place.” Meli commented.

“The ship and most of the crew would have been the dead patient as the crystal shot out and shatter in every direction.” Lockey agreed before she started laughing uncontrollably. It took only seconds before Meli and Sert join in with the nerve driven laughter. After an half hour to regain control they slowly removed the last six crystal.

“Should we have warned someone that everything was about to be powered down?” Sert asked. Screams of anger and annoyance echoed through the wall from the ships galley.

“I believe they found out the hard way.” Lockey remarked with a smirk. “Now to put them all back in the original configuration.” she added with a sigh.

“Just keep the dark elemental ones away from me this time.” Meli commented. Lockey glanced at her noticing she had been using her other hand to pull the crystals. Meli slowly raised her right hand to show the red swollen marks in the palm of her hand and finger tips from touching the dark earth crystal. “If I do not fix it once we are done, the Atlantian healers will be very crossed with me over it.” she added with a small chuckle.

“I will take the front while you get the back section.” Lockey replied. “Sert gets to be stuck in the middle unless he has elemental gifts.” she continued. Sert grinned back as he shook his head.

“It is why I am in the martial division and not the healing field.” he remarked quickly. With each three slipped into place, Lockey would pause to check the instruments. A cheer rose from the galley next door as the third set was back in place nearly an hour later.

“Seems that set is working.” Meli commented with a grin. “Shall we continue or double check the panel first?” she added.

“Next set.” Lockey returned quickly. “Cannot have this ship out of commission too long, we do have rift beasts to hunt down after all.” she explained. She had the next crystal in hand ready to move ahead. Sert nodded as he collect his crystal as Meli did the same. “One at a time please.” she added quietly. Another hour passed before Lockey began pacing along the engine looking at the crystals in place.

“What now?” Meli commented.

“Same double notation problem except the three crystal listed are already in place.” Lockey muttered under her breath. “Inserted in the opposite order they were already slipped into their sockets.” she added perplexed.

“Did you make that list as you removed them or did someone else?” Sert asked slowly. He turned to face her as silence reigned in the engine room. Meli glanced over to notice Lockey double checking the crystals and socket numbers from her tablet.

“I believe she wrote it which is why she is confused by it.” Meli remarked.

“Since two of those crystals are unique ... “Lockey muttered to herself. “... it is impossible for them to have been removed or placed twice.” she continued.

“An opposing order might suggest a removal.” Meli replied. She moved to look at the tablet and the engine section with Lockey. Sert stood fidgeting next to the engine as both women seemed engrossed in the tablet. Time stretched forward as the two women made comments that neither seemed to hear.

“Could someone have changed the notes on you?” Sert asked suddenly. Both turned slowly to face him. “If your notes were changed, it could explain the other double notation and why the modifications failed.” he suggested slowly.

“Without help I could not have pulled both crystals simultaneously.” Lockey hazarded back.

“What could have happened if only the one crystal was removed?” Meli returned softly.

“The other crystal would have been hit with the overload instead of the empty socket.” Lockey remarked. “And the ship with it.” she added softly.

“Verify if any of the last crystal could cause a similar event to happen.” Meli stated quickly. Lockey scrolled down the list quickly on her tablet.

“No.” she finally answered. “But they must not have realized I had already removed them when they added this sequence.” Lockey replied. “Taking them out in this order would cause three potential overloads.” she explained. “We skip this line and move to the next one in the notations.” she affirmed to them. They nodded back to her before taking their positions next to the engine once more. Two more hours later Meli was giggling as she felt the energy flowing fully through the engine before her.

Secrets Revealed on Departure (40)

“So much left to do before I can rest for a bit.” I muttered to myself. I walked slowly to the dock area to find three-quarters of Circe's followers already set to board the ship once it docked. Tears filled my eyes at the sight of so many now fearing the one they came here to follow. A noble being turned into a great monster to her own people because of her mental collapse. I knew my life reflected hers in many ways but I had my Brothers and Sisters to help me through my crises of honour and the Ley'ä'Luna as my counsel above all others. I had at times questioned their motives and suggestions but still followed them as my inner compass guided me for the sake of the Fallen Ones.

“Most are not even bothering collecting their belongings.” Sert informed me. We stood at the land edge of the dock. Meli was behind us helping more to reach the dock to escape once the Leviathan arrived. “I am sure you have warned captain Balthis of our situation here?” he added hesitantly.

“He will be arriving before nightfall to collect all of us.” I replied softly. “Help me collect a few rum kegs since I did mention buy him his drinks here.” I added softly. I did not wait for a reply before drifting away to search for libations for this trip home.

I knew both Meli and Sert watched me as I seemed to walk casually around the tents without a care in the world. I returned in a few minutes with a cask on each shoulder. They remained silent as I returned for more. I chuckled as I noticed nearly at the same moment they did that three of the late comers carried a pair of cask to the docks with them. After three trips and another three or four escapees helping, we had a nearly two dozen casks of rum sitting ready to be placed on the Leviathan. “That might be enough to sooth Balthis over the extra work he and his sailor will be forced to do.” I stated. I stood once more with Meli and Sert by the dock.

“I must ask how the Leviathan can travel as quickly as it does?” Meli said to me. Sert nodded his agreement as I felt the curiosity rising in them.

“It is best that somethings remain as unexplained mysteries.” I responded quickly. “In simply terms, you are not ready to discover that answer just yet.”

“What if we insist knowing before we set sail again?” Sert remarked. I nearly told him he could stay here and wait for Circe to reawaken but thought it would be a cruel joke.

“You may discover the truth once on-board as we limp away from here.” I replied in a whisper. “So many extra people may force the issue to come to light.” I continued softly. “If not, the explanation will be given once we return to Atlantis.” I promised them. They sighed at me but nodded their agreement to my terms. As twilight touched the sky, the Leviathan appear gliding very slowly toward the dock. The desert bloom flew on the main mast while I stood sensing the tension of the crew upon it. They did not speak as they loaded everyone with their belongs on the ship. They glanced around them frightened and nervous as they moved. I waited with my friends to board last as Balthis stood on the deck waiting for me.

“We must have words.” Balthis stated with false calmness. “If they are clear in your heart, bring them along to the engine room immediately.” he added quickly. He turned and walked away without any other comments. I grumbled at his retreating back before turning to face my companions.

“Come.” I ordered under my breath to them. They followed me below deck and directly into one of the rooms that had been barred to them on the earlier voyage. Sert and Meli froze as they entered the engine room. I could read the feeling of entering an Atlantian technical laboratory as they spotted the glowing crystals that sparkled in the room. They could see as easily as the others present the flow of energy bouncing along Lockey's engine to power the devices in this room and throughout the ship.

“You did not warn them?” Balthis asked with a smirk wrinkling his bushy beard. My companions eyes finally moved to spot the dusky skinned version of an Atlantian standing beside the captain. “Lockey.” he stated. She nodded toward them politely.

“Not the best moment for introductions.” she added sadly.

“What is the problem here?” I growled at them. Balthis sighed as he motioned Lockey to speak.

“The crystals are not registering properly.” she explained quickly. “Some are acting over charged while others are behaving as if they are fully spent.” she continued angrily. She kicked at the engine causing sparks to play between some of the crystals. “All of them should be showing a half charge right now.” she concluded.

“It's the proximity to Circe's node causing this.” I replied gruffly. “Once we get into clear seas, everything should return to normal.” I added quickly. Lockey shook her head as she handed me a Lemurian tablet with engineering information blazing on the mirrored surface.

“It's not the node.” she added angrily. “I have already taken measures to counter the effects of it on our systems.” she added softly. I read through the list of modifications quickly finding nothing that should cause these problems.

“Why have you split the energy feed to the weapons instead of installing a secondary power source for them?” I asked softly. I felt and saw the stunned effect of my companions jaw dropping as they realized I understood the technology before us.

“We cannot install a secondary power source until we can find one that is compatible with our systems.” she replied quickly.

“So another hit and run trip to Lemuria.” I suggest with a chuckle. Lockey and Balthis glared at me in silence. “And you have installed shunts to redirect the power to needed systems while the energy flow is erratic.” I noted pensively.

“Yes and they are failing us.” she remarked harshly. “The shunted systems are registering at full while the one supposedly receiving more energy are listing as nearly deleted.” she explained bluntly. “We glided in on actual wind power!” she added anguished.

“Reversing the shunts?” I suggested softly. She shook her head as she frowned.

“Tried it when everything went down as we tried porting the ship here faster.” she returned. “Cross wired the power source of the experimental rift drive to jump us within sailing distance to Circe's Isle.” she continued. I sensed the complete exasperation and failure that she sunk deeper into herself.

“Pull it apart and rebuild it as it was.” I ordered bluntly. “We can use the sails to get away from here fast enough.” I added softer.

“If we run into a rift or a ship filled with those rift beasts?” she retorted. The Lemurian flame sparked against my taking command in her engine room. “Without weapons or defences, we will be dead in the water!” she howled at me. A little smile formed on my face as she rose to my challenge.

“I will deal with defences and fire-power.” I remarked as my smile became a vicious smirk. I held my hand before me as tendrils of black lightning and flames twisted around my fingers. “If it is not working, strip it bare and bring it back to the way it was when it worked Lockey.” I stated softly to her. “Sert! Meli! Assist our little engineer as extra hands to get everything back up and running properly.” I ordered calmly. They nodded wordlessly back to me moving to Lockey's side to receive her orders. I sighed before heading up to the deck with Balthis following and the tablet still in hand.

“You think she made a mistake?” Balthis asked me in a whisper.

“Everything I see here is sound and in perfect form.” I replied. I leaned against the rail looking at the wake against the hull of the ship with Balthis nearly sitting on the rail next to me. “But it was not working which may suggest something else was interfering with the systems.” I explained slowly.

“Back to square one then.” Balthis retorted with a shrug.

“She can return all these modification into place later.” I returned softly. “I will give you coordinates of another node area for her to run test in a safer place.” I continued. “Her ideas are correct but still something effected it somehow.” I remarked annoyed. “Stole a few casks of rum for us to have a drink once the systems are back functioning properly.” I added with a chuckle.

“You always keep your word.” Balthis returned chuckling with me. We stood at the mid-ship rail watching as the wind slowly floated us away from Circe's back toward Greek shores. I did wonder if I should simply ask Annianka mentally to bring these gifted humans to Atlantis for proper formal training. The conflict it would cause between the Council and Her Holiness would tear the island apart over a few dozen outlanders. I sighed as I dashed the thought from my mind.

“Do you think we should have left a guard or two in the engine room?” Balthis asked suddenly. He stood ramrod stiff looking toward the stairs leading below deck. “Your people and Lockey's are technically enemies after all.” he muttered. He reached out one beefy hand to pull me closer to him. “And you never know what might happen with all those stolen crystals around them.”

“The chance to see Lemurian technology up close and personnel will keep my people acting very good.” I reported with a small laugh. “It give them something truly important to report to Her Holiness Annianka once we return to Atlantis.” I continued with a shrug. Balthis sighed and grumbled. “Should not stop you from coming and going from Atlantis when needed to collect me or drop off my special family members.” I added in a whisper. He glanced at me stunned for a moment.

“It sound like you know her and the future better than the rest of us do.” he hazarded quietly. “Was she the one that place the 'dread bird's' name on your head again Melchia?” he asked louder. I glared at him in silence as answer. “I see.” he interjected with a knowing chuckle. We leaned once more against the rail and waited in silence for the ship's Lemurian systems to return to life.

Circe (39)

My pace slowed as I took the lead. Half the tents I remembered standing here were gone and a quarter of those still standing seemed unused. I could sense from the few followers that remained only tension and fear as we approached. Circe stood at the door of her home looking expectantly at me making me slow my pace further. Meli and Sert stood behind me looking around them as we walked at a turtles pace forward.

“The dread bird returns?” she asked dryly. I could not see if she was ignoring or simply not seeing my companions. Only I appeared in her focused mind. “I understand not sending word to me since none would venture here to deliver it.” she added.

“I may have been renamed “Kestrel', but it is not the “dread bird” that stands before you.” I corrected her harshly. The sharp intake of breath from her followers pushed Meli and Sert into defensive stances as they watched over me. “And my time with the Atlantians has made it harder to visit or send word to you directly of my coming.” I continued softer. Little thunder remained hidden silently in a nearby tree watching like my companions did.

“Sertian and Mekiliean.” Sert announced to her. They moved to take places at my side while Circe ignored them even more. “We are Lord Kestrel's retinue from Atlantis.” he added quickly. Most of her followers had disappeared into their tents.

“So why is the dread bird here?” she asked in a sibilant voice. “Trying your luck at my hands?” she continued with a crooked smile. She slowly slunk forward at me. I signal Meli and Sert to back away as I responded.

“You know my honour will not permit me to do anything.” I tossed back at her. She continued her approached as her smile turned predatory and madness touched her eyes. She ran a single nail edged finger tip down the side of my cheek and jaw. “What has happened to make you turn on me like this?” I whispered to her. She moved her body closer to mine as her lips brushed my ear.

“Everyone leaves in the end.” she whispered. “Even turning them into beasts does not hold them here with me anymore.” she whined in my ear. “Would your honour make you stay here if I took you to my bed?” she added huskily.

“It can never be Circe.” I replied in a whisper. “My duties would drag me away from you daily.” I explained slowly. “I will never lie to you with my words or my flesh.” I concluded. I place my hands firmly on her shoulders raising a gasp from her few followers still visible. I pushed her back hard as I step away from her.

The remaining followers darted to the safety of their tents as Circe hissed loudly at me. With an open palm wave, I halted Meli and Sert as they moved to retake positions at my side. Circe and I glared at each other for a few minutes before she groaned in frustration as she turned to retreat from me.

“What was that about?” Meli asked. Her and Sert were at my side watching Circe disappear into her home. Her followers emerged with most of them carrying their meagre belongings in hand. I sensed that they were all ready to flee even if it meant the impossible swim to potentially hostile shores.

“Isolation is driving her to madness faster than expected.” I muttered in Atlantian. Some of her followers froze as they glanced at us huddled together between Circe's home and their tents. “She came here because so-called civilization could not accept that she had powers.” I explained slowly. “Like most of her followers, they have been turn on by others forcing them to seek isolation just to stay alive.” I continued at the same slow pace. “Like Atlantis did under the ideals a protection.” I added softly.

“Will she become a threat to us?” Sert asked. I shook my head before glancing at her followers that stood watching us. “And to them?” he added bluntly. He had spoken in Greek so I knew they understood his words. Their eyes widen with fear as I felt their despair wash over me.

“If they remain, they may all end up as beasts.” I replied calmly in Greek. I heard the murmured sigh from them. “Better than dying in their own lands that have forsaken them.” I added bluntly. I held back revealing they were all of mixed blood to have abilities abnormal to other humans. Better to hide this secret from all of them or risk my companions suggesting they be brought to Atlantis for proper training and permanent relocation.

“Do we hazard entering her domicile or set ourselves up out her until Balthis arrives to retrieve us?” Meli asked softly. I could feel she wanted to be away from this place even if she had her magic to protect herself here.

“Do as you two see fit.” I remarked quickly. “I must enter to gauge how close she is to falling fully into her madness.” I stated softly. My companions stared at me in silence. “If she is too close to the edge, her followers leave with us to be deposited in their respective lands safely.” I added in a whisper. They nodded to me as they smiled about my decision. I could not have left them here even if their fate was not truly dire.

Sert moved away from us. He began talking in whispers to the followers and I knew he was organizing them to be ready on the dock for Balthis' arrival. Meli stayed at my side as I moved slowly to Circe's dwelling. My thought were more focused on how Balthis would react as he realized he was crossing Circe. I had one last card to play if Balthis refused but it may leave us all here stranded waiting to face Circe's rage. But I feel confident that sailing on a ship with stolen technology and an enemy engineer would seem safer than staying here.

If Circe was too close to the edge, I would show her what the future had in store for her. It was my only hope as it rendered her unconscious for many hours after it ended allowing me to save the others trapped here. It would either make her regain her sanity or force her forever over the edge of madness with all I would show her. With but a mental thought, my little thunder was airborne to find Balthis and have him hurry his arrival. I wished that my decision could save Circe without causing her to fall deeper into the madness leading to her future actions. Human freedom was about to be challenged directly by my actions here. It was more than giving passing advice which I would normally do. If I did not interfere now, her madness could spread to her followers causing more damage than could be allowed.

“You are a persistent and foolish old bird.” Circe remarked. We had entered her sitting room where she sat in half broken chair as if it was a throne. “Why do you try so hard when we are such a wretched race?” she asked in a half whisper.

“It is my duty to them, my lot in life to help and protect them.” I answered quietly. Meli stood a few feet behind my left shoulder. “Is that the reason for your outburst?” I continued calmly. “Have you lost faith in yourself and in those you teach?”

“The more I teach about honour, the less they seem to understand it.” she replied. I felt Meli move closer to my side as sparks of magic began swirling round Circe. “It all seems for nothing since I am starting to confuse honour and dishonour before me.” she continued slowly. False tears ran down her face as she spoke and the magic swirled faster around her. “If you stay, you could teach them so much better than I will ever be able to.” she added.

“No!” Meli screamed. Her hand shot out before her as she moved to stand between me and Circe. The soft earth at our feet turned into solid stone circle stopping the plant tendrils from reaching us. Circe was on her feet hissing at Meli. I felt the energy rise in both of them as they prepared to dual magically over me. Meli dropped to her knees gasping as she felt the mentally charged bolt of magic lash out from me at Circe.

“See your path and learn true fear.” I commanded. My hand was out before me in a clawed position. Sparkling ribbons of magic flowed forth from my hand into Circe's head. She feel back crashing through the chair she had occupied. “Meli!” I interjected hard. “Get to Sert and have everyone to the docks ready to leave immediately.”

“Yes sir!” she replied before rushing from the room. I moved forward slowly flooding Circe's mind with all the possible path that stretched out before her. True tears ran down her face as her eyes opened wider showing more white than should be possible for a human. I seared the multiple futures into her memory without mercy. I felt her slip fully into her madness bringing tears of regret to my eyes. Another would find her here in her madness but that was his destine to prove himself a hero even if he is thought as being among the dead.

I left her after she collapsed from the strain I inflicted upon her mind. She would not regain consciousness within the day and take at least another day before she could even move again. My actions here had been forced by her madness and loneliness and ended badly for her. “Dread bird did return to you poor Circe.” I whispered as I left her home. Little thunder was returning fast diving in to land on my shoulder hard. I listened to his little squawks and beak snaps. “Go back to watch over them.” I ordered in a whisper. Things were turning worse by the moment but we would still be long gone before Circe awoke.

If the full potential of the Leviathan was available, we could have all her followers dropped off and be back in Atlantis before night fall. The ship would be drained and stuck in port recharging in Atlantis for a week though. I did not relish explaining to Annianka, the Council, or the two sets of guards why a ship with Lemurian technology sat in their harbour. Worse part was I could see Lockey trying to appropriate the spent crystal from Atlantis. The potential conflict it could cause would work against the peace treaties Brother War and Brother Death were already working on in Lemuria.

Trip to Circe's Isle (38)

I awoke lying in the back of the cart with Meli and Sert over me. I smiled weakly at them as they assisted me to sit once more.

“Some visions are stronger than others.” I murmured to them. They looked worried at me as they nodded. “As for Circe,” I continued softly, “she finds the beast that will teach the best honour to the being in question.”

“So it is not a random or partial change?” Meli remarked.

“Beings are fully transformed into the beast without trace of their former form.” I answered. I could see in their mind that we had only talked about Circe and not of the Heartstone. I reached out with my mind to touch any other ears that could have been listening making the thoughts vanished all together from their minds.

“We should have no problems there since our honour is true.” Sert replied. I glanced at him to Meli. She smiled as she nodded while I felt none of the reluctance or anger they had originally shown.

“It will be good being somewhere that magic works again during this trip.” Meli added calmly.

Part of me felt fear that I had revealed too much to them since even what I saw was unclear thanks to my sister's pawn in place. She might even be following us at that moment from Lorenzo's but I had not sensed her. As long as I kept their minds cleared of my words and thoughts, she could not used them to eavesdrop on my actions. Best to be shrouded in darkness so the lesser powers would not disturb my true duties here nor would my sister.

We rode slowly into the village going directly to the harbour filled with fishing vessels. As I expected, it took us most of the day to find someone willing to carry us to Circe's. Most of them would spit to ward off evil when I mentioned her name to them. It was an old fisherman by the name of Antis that finally agreed to transport us. He refused to make port at her dock but would drop us off in one of the coves of the island since he did fish near there. We would be upon Circe's Isle by the next day giving us four days before Balthis arrived to collect us.

“Balthis should be in port on the morning of the fourth day, ready to leave the moment we are on board.” I explained to them. We sat in the common room of a nearly empty inn. This would be our last night in Greece and the remaining coins help us gain shelter and a hearty meal for the trip. The cart sold and the horses used to secure our passage in the morning. “Circe will welcome you like family once she learns that you are from Atlantis.” I whispered to them.

“How much does she truly know about Atlantis?” Meli asked under her breath.

“She knows it is the most honourable and free place upon the world.” I returned softly. “And that they can practice magic there without fear of being prosecuted for it.” I added quickly.

“She truly knows nothing about us, does she?” Sert returned with a small chuckle.

“Only what is needed to welcome us properly there.” I admitted with a sly smile.

“More of the security precautions and isolationist ideals of Atlantis at work.” Meli remarked. She lifted her tankard to salute us. We followed suit before retiring for the night. I did not sleep but waited until they slumbered before returning to the common room silently. I sat with a tankard in hand untouched as I waited. The trio entered in silence which was odd for my two brothers to do. They moved to my table without even looking taking seats as they brought their heads closer to me.

“Should you two not be on Lemuria?” I asked casually.

“Even we need time away from paradise like yourself.” the darker of the two replied.

“Is this the one you wished me to meet?” the female with them whispered.

“Our brother who sits in Atlantis Princess Althea.” the other answered. She slide the scroll across the table at his words.

“Words for your eyes.” she whispered softly.

“As you see we had a purpose being here.” the darker one remarked.

“Should I read it now or once I have returned home?” I asked easily.

“Either would be good.” she replied quickly. She gave me a shy smile that looked very odd in that dark skinned face of the Lemurians. I unrolled the scroll to quickly read through it.

“So the original royals of Lemuria are planning to leave since they cannot see a peaceful answer between the two great noble powers of the world?” I remarked softly. I chuckled at her as she stared in silence at me.

“Brother Meakita?” the lighter hair one whispered. I continued laughing as I stared back at the silent princess.

“You have broken his mind.” the other stated. “Well done Princess!” he added merrily.

“I know my brothers Cor's and Twin's tom foolery does not inspire confidence but...” I stated still chuckling.

“It is not them I lack confidence in.” she returned still smiling. “We leave to clear the path for them to work easier.” she admitted. “My family would see peace as an insult to what Lemuria lives for.” she explained slowly. “Better to remove ourselves than destroy the possibility of peace.” she added. During the whole of the conversation, she smiled at me making it hard to accept her words. I glanced in her mind recoiling from the thoughts I found there.

“Mass murder will not help your people find peace.” I snarled back at her. The smile faded as her eyes widened in fear. “You forgot to warn her that I can see in others' minds?” I remarked in mock casualness. “Forget this folly Princess Althea and give my brothers a chance to win their hearts over to a common need.” he concluded.

“I believe our time here has evaporated.” the darker haired one suggested.

“And if I follow through with my plans?” she snarled back at me.

“It will change nothing since my brothers need to win hearts to this cause either way.” I returned flippantly. “I must be up early to grab a ship out, I return to bed and do what ever you wish to do.” I added quickly. Before she could speak again, I was on my feet walking away in silence.

“Time for us to leave now.” the lighter one commented.

“You have had your say, nothing more can be added now.” the other stated. I heard them as they marched her from the common room before I finally drifted to sleep. Sert awoke me prior to dawn so we collect our gear and headed to the fisherman's harbour.

It was an arduous walk as we all realized how much we had gathered during this little trip. Meli had two large sacks filled with books and a third filled with seeds and plant samples. Sert had extra weapons he had collected including axes, maces, pole arms, and different swords. My own pack had gained but only half what theirs had. A few bolts of cloth, odd musical instruments, and a few smaller weapons had my pack loaded tight.

Antis seemed surprised as we arrived laden with baggage but said nothing having earned a pair of elite war steeds for this trip. We set sail as dawn crested the horizon with only fishermen as witnesses to our departure. I looked back once expect to see my Brothers standing there but no one was upon the dock to see me off. The other vessels that comprised our ad hock fleet fell behind as they reached their fishing areas. We were nearly a third of the way there before Antis tossed out his net to collect fishes as we slowly coasted closer to Circe's Isle. As we approached closer Sert and me helped haul in the nets giving us more speed to dart into a cove on the far side of the island. In the same silence we had voyaged in, we beached on the sandy shoreline tossing our packs to the dry beach before disembarking from the fishing boat.

“I thank you Antis for this favour.” I told the old man.

“Just try not to be turned into beasts.” he remarked. “I would feel upset having brought you to such a dark fate.” he added quickly.

“We fear not being changed for our purity of honour is our shield here.” Sert commented with a grin. I chuckled while Antis laughed as we jumped down to rush to our gear.

“Why couldn't we keep the cart with us?” Meli asked. She had just shouldered her two bags of books while staring at the one filled with plants in her hands. Sert said nothing as he loaded the two bags of weapons upon his back. I chuckled as I stood with the lightest of the loads on me.

“No room on the ship for it and we could not floated it behind the ship to get here.” I informed her. I walked over to take the bag of plants and gently place it on my back. “Best we start trekking toward Circe's home on the other side of the isle.” I stated. With all three loaded heavily, we moved slowly around the edge of the isle to reach our departure point.

“That was the third animal that has come out to watch us.” Meli whispered. We had been walking for nearly an hour in silence.

“Even the predatory one seem to shy away from us.” Sert remarked in the lead. Little thunder squawked above us as he flew ahead.

“Maybe my pet is warning them to stand clear of us.” I suggested with a chuckle.

“Or they are humans that have been changed.” Meli hissed softly.

“We cannot be sure of that.” I whispered back. It was about another hour of silence until we reached the edge of the tent area of Circe's followers.

The Heartstone of Atlantis (37)

I made them halt the cart before we entered the small fishing village. It was time to warn them about Circe and what they faced once upon her island.

“This is the last chance I have to warn you about our final destination in the outer world.” I said slowly. I had fought internally for most of our trip to find the right words to tell them but it remained a vain effort. “Circe is a misunderstood being which will make it hard to gain passage to her isle.” I explained. They sat looking at me waiting to hear the reason why. “She turns others into beasts if she feels they lack honour.” I blurted out. I watched them stiffen at my words while I prepared for their objections. Silence grew as they glared at me and I resisted peeking into their mind to see their thoughts. As their silence persisted, I finally had to speak in Circe's defence since she was not the monster they now associated her with.

“I know it reminds you of the stories of the Usurper Queen but she is not like that mad creature.” I nearly screamed at them. They still stared at me in absolute silence. “She would be seen as a being a great honour even by Atlantian standards.” I continued harshly. Only silence answered me. “Her and her followers have lived separated from world because all of them are seen unkindly because of their gifts.” I added. Meli looked away for but a moment but as her cold hard eyes returned to face me, it was a mental slap I felt.

“We can wait in the village until you have Balthis retrieve us there.” she stated bluntly. “We will not set foot there!” she added with finality.

“It would be for the best to keep ourselves away from someone with those dark abilities.” Sert commented unemotionally. I heard their words but my anger made me ignore them as I barrel forward with my thoughts.

“And like Atlantis will become again, all will be welcome on her isle as long as you show honour and virtue while there.” I replied calmer. “You can expect the same from her people and herself while there.” I continued ignoring their glares. “Do you lack the honour to walk upon Atlantis?” I added caustically. The insult stung but I do not regret using it. The dark glares I received was answered by nothing but a snide smirk upon my face. The words tumbled from their lips as their anger got the best of them which was my goal at that moment.

“She was a murdering tyrant!”

“She tried forcing her own guards to slaughter the innocent!”

“And when they refused, she turned them into beasts!”

“She cursed them to be more animal than Atlantian which persisted in their bloodline!”

“Which gave Annianka guards that are stronger and smarter than she could have ever hoped for!” I roared back at them. Both sat blinking at my words for a moment. “Do you wish to dishonour the ones that resisted an evil command and accepted the beast that was within them?” I continued without mercy. “What one did in malice turned many into a force of purest honour while Circe uses it to show others the honour that is within them.”

I read in their minds the sudden realization that one evil action had given someone beloved by all Atlantis the strongest force of protection. They glanced at each other to see if the other had came to the same conclusion. They looked sheepishly back at me prompting me to remove their ideas of it being a dark curse placed upon the most honourable of their people.

“Her curse did not place something upon them that was not already in them.” I explained calmly. “It was a dormant gene she activated that day which would have eventually awoken.” I continued. I made sure to remain looking at them as I spoke. “It is just unsure how long it would have taken but consider the reaction of one or two half beasts born suddenly in Atlantis.” I hazarded. Their jaw dropped at my word while I saw in their mind the sudden barrage of thought I had suddenly caused.

“What do you mean?” Sert commented.

“How do you know this?” Meli asked over Sert's words.

“You have studied the genetic patterns of life as a healer?” I returned at Meli. “Their genes have not changed greatly from the moment when those families were originally born on Atlantis, even before taking the positions of Royal Guards.” I explained. “It gave them greater speed and strength needed for their duties long before the Usurper changed them fully.” I remarked. “Look into the genetic history of all those families and you will see the pattern and the sudden spark caused by the Usurper as clear as day.” I added with a soft smile.

“You are telling us that the Usurper's curse was nothing more than forcing a genetic advancement in the Royal Guard families?” Sert replied dumbfounded. Meli remained silent as she looked at me. I spotted it in her mind that she had already came to this conclusion long ago but could not believe it was possible until now.

“Yes.” I answered softly. Meli closed her eyes tightly as she nodded with my words. “But none of the tales explain where that thought came from within the Usurper's twisted evil mind.” I continued. I fearede since my arrival to speak of this to anyone even if I believed Rez already thought the same as I did in part. With one deep breath, I charged forward with my words. “I believe the Heartstone of Atlantis has some form of sentience residing within it.” I told them quietly. “I am just unsure of its purpose or its final goals.” I continued slowly. I placed a shadow tracer on these words in their minds so they could only speak of it when we three were alone together.

“An entity living within the Heartstone forcing events to happen on Atlantis?” Meli asked slowly. I nodded back slowly as I read the pattern that formed in her consciousness. She glanced at Sert as he stared at me blankly.

“An infection lives in the world and you have both seen its effects including those on Atlantis.” I confided to them. Every word spoken was wrapped in the shadowy tracer for us three alone to know about. “It is less direct in Atlantis but spreads much faster in the rest of the world.” I continued. “This is why I am upon Atlantis and travel the world.” I remarked casually. “I am searching for the source to see if it can be removed in time to save everything.” I added. I replayed the scene in Meli's mind of what truly happened in the farm house as we cured the young girl. I made it disappear the second I saw the understanding form in her mind.

“Could it be two entities instead of one?” Sert interjected suddenly. We turned to face him. “One moving Atlantis forward while another corrupting it?” he explained as we stared at him. The flash from his mind showed two entities battling over Atlantis and the world. I dashed the thoughts it formed in my mind even if it gave me vain hope that Elyria was trying to manifest herself through the Heartstone.

“It is possible.” I admitted in a whisper. “But it could simply be one entity doing good to hide itself while corrupting everything.” I retorted louder. “I cannot truly say either way since until I find the source I cannot tell if it is benevolent or harmful least of all if two may exist locked in combat.” I explained. Sert nodded at my words seeing the possibility of one pretending to be two.

“We should speak with Annianka about this upon our return!” Meli stated suddenly. “She would be able to enlighten us being the Living Heart of Atlantis.” she explained.

“We cannot since, as the Heart of Atlantis, she is linked to the Heartstone and the entity or entities within it.” I returned sadly. “All it would accomplish is showing what resides there that we know it exists.” I added quickly. Meli stared at me for a moment before turning to Sert. He looked sadly at her as he nodded his agreement to my words. I could feel he hated himself for having to hide anything from Annianka but realized that tactically it was unsound revealing these thoughts.

“If the entity in the Heartstone is an evil one, then Holy Annianka could be corrupted by it without truly knowing it herself.” he whispered to her. His face verged on tears as he spoke those words. Meli reached out to squeeze his hand once to show her understanding. I could feel the unhappiness that had formed in both of them as they realized that the only other being they believe in could easily be a pawn of evil corruption.

“I hope that as my friends you can be my eyes and ear upon Atlantis as much as you are Annianka's.” I said softly. They turned to face me slowly. “Until I can find and end this corruption, I must rely on many to help spot things I may not be present to witness.” I explained to them softly. “I promise to tell you what I discover when I can.” I added softly.

“Of course we serve you as much as we serve Her Holiness!” they answered in unison. I knew it was only a partial truth since they would die for Annianka but not for me yet. Many more years would be required before this would be reality. I just hoped it would come before the dreaded ending I saw for Atlantis.

I grappled the back of their seat as my body trembled violently as that visions flashed in my mind. The island of Atlantis bursting into bright flames as it was consumed by the power of the Heartstone released. The great shade forming above the destruction and spreading its darkness across the globe until everything became a black nothingness. No future lines passed this in my vision as I realized it was not just Atlantis but all possible futures being destroyed at that moment. Only the darkness was left and the sense of utter failure took me as I collapsed into unconsciousness.