Queen Aurora of the Amazons (50)

     Time flowed at what felt a slow pace but before I knew it I had been back on Atlantis for about three months now. The last person I needed to speak with was Ambassador Kachek who had returned to his fairy mound before my return. Three months later I was on the deck of the Atlantian navel battle cruiser “The Herald” under command of captain Destine. Sert and Meli accompanied me in what felt natural but we also had Cole along. The Council forced our hand by claiming diplomatic business with a string of mystic races that Annianka was sending me to visit. The list included a fairy mound, a goblin enclave, and a phoenix aerie. Unbeknownst to them I had arranged a meeting with representatives of the second race created, the original dragons. I received their acceptance to meet as I completed preparing for this trip with my team. To Atlantian, they were seen as non-magical dragons because of how well they hid their true abilities. They agreed to meet me on the road in the human world between the enclave and the aerie while they wore perfect human guise.

      We barely cleared the protective reefs of Atlantis when Little Thunder's squawk sounded from the sky. I did not look up as I raised my arm to give him a landing perch. He chirped, squawked, and peeped his message to me. Aurora requested a visit from her Brother immediately.

     “Tell her we will make landfall at the same place we dropped our crimson wielding friend.” I whispered to the kestrel. “Have her people play savage and I will make sure no one jumps ship this time.” I stated with a chuckle. “Once that is delivered, check on Crimson for me.” I added. I had only received one message since their departure and feared Crimson, Marina, and their Amazon escort had faced problems.

     “What word did he bring you?” Sert asked. Thanks to his level of respect, he waited until Little Thunder was airborne before approaching me. “A message from Crimson and Marina?” he added.

     “No.” I replied softly. “The Amazon Queen requested my presence.” I explained. “Best to keep everyone on board ship during this meeting to avoid disruption and accidental death.' I told him. “I will let you know if it is regarding Crimson's plight.” I added quickly. He nodded his acceptance to my request.

     “I will inform captain Destine of this change of plans.” he return calmly. “Where will we be making port for this meeting?” he added.

     “Same beach we deposit Crimson upon.” I said. “They have built a small village there for possible trades with Atlantis through me.” I explained to him. “It may only be a rickety wooden dock but it gives them ocean access.”

     “I will make the arrangement including the isolation orders.” he replied. With a quick salute, he left me to gaze once more at the sea. The Herald may not have the special speed of the Leviathan but it moved faster than any other ship upon the wave. It glided on the water in a fashion that would not come to humans for a few millenniums. Driven by great fans that lifted the ship leaving only the smallest portion touching the water made this ship appear to fly over the water. I felt Cole approaching because of his annoyance and mild nausea from being at sea.

      “I do not want to hear your complaints.” I retorted before he could speak. “You know I have duties outside of the ones I have to Atlantis.” I reminded him. “This would be one of those duties to the Amazon Queen Aurora Nightshade.” I told him bluntly. “No chance I can postpone it.” I added.

     “How long will this take?” he grumbled.

     “Unsure.” I returned. He groaned as his shoulders slumped. “An hour or two if we are lucky.” I added. He grumbled under his breath as he nodded to me and he slunk away. I was lucky spending the rest of the trip in quiet contemplation. Sert new habit formed that day as he sparred with off duty sailors.

     The mariners of Atlantis were a separate military that report to both the Council and Annianka but were not under the control of either. Admiral Pierce was their leader but he refused to bow to anyone but the King and Queen of Atlantis. So far he had shown favour to Her Holiness in her words of peace. It was the reason I received the Herald as my private ship if needed. With it at my disposal, I could get to the other world faster while using to warn them of where to collect me when I returned. The rest of the time it could do it's normal patrol and escort other ships while I was land bound in or away from Atlantis.

     We glided in slowly into the roughly built port. The three dozen Amazons were primitively armed with crooked spears and clad in coarsely sewn leather and fur. Our ship stopped at the wooden dock carefully to not make too forceful a contact avoiding to knock it over. I held back my laughter at see them playing this role that was even more primitive than they normally showed outsiders. Two Amazons received the ropes to hold the ship in place while the others stood on the dock pointing their spears toward the ship.

      “Keep your crew and passengers on board and everything will go peacefully.” I warned captain Destine again. She nodded back to me.

      “Stand down marines!” she bellowed. They all relaxed while moving away from the rail ready to defend the ship. “None but Lord Kestrel may disembark.” she shouted. Sert and Meli were at my side nodding their grudging acceptance to this event.

      “The Amazons will not hold back defending their lands.” I continued louder. “Trespassers will be killed on sight.” I added bluntly. A ring of murmured rebukes rose at my words was ignored by myself as I vaulted from the ship to the guarded dock below. I landed gently in the middle of a half dozen spear points.

     “Brother Meakita?” the closest Amazon whispered.

     “I have been summoned by Queen Aurora.” I proclaimed. The half dozen spears aimed at me snapped to attention. The remaining visible Amazon warriors' spears remained aimed at the Herald and those sitting upon it. “Guide my feet to her my sisters.” I added calmer. A ring of six warriors escorted me from the dock and between the mud and straw splattered huts.

     “Is this primitive enough to be overlooked Brother Order?” she asked as we walked. She flashed me a quick hidden smile.

     “It may cause thoughts of an easy conquest Sister Pestilence.” I returned quietly. “What word from those escorting Crimson?” I asked. We walked pass the false village to disappear into the jungle treeline.

     “No word since they reported landfall in Thiruvananthapuram India.” she answered. “We both worry for our distant friends and family.” she continued. “My sisters spread wide across the world.” she stated.

     “North and east of the Greco-Roman lands keeping the stories of the Valkyrie to be written.” I returned calmly. “Across Africa and the southern part of the grand triple continent that will be called the Americas.”

     “A needed venture.” she retorted. “Does not hinder my fear of them losing their way.” she continued.

     “Is this the reason you called me here?” I replied. I stopped as we entered a small clearing that held Aurora's royal tent. “I refuse to blow the horn of gathering before the appointed time.” I remarked angrily. The five other Amazons melted into the treeline as they retreated from us. “It is my right to refuse you.” I interjected. She stared blankly at me ignoring my anger.

     “I would never call you here with such a trivial request like alleviating my worries.” she slowly told me. “Everything has its proper point to exist in Universe.” she continued stiffly. “Be it a single lone life or a thousand lives unending.” she concluded. I bowed deeply before her.

     “Forgive my short sighted words my Sister.” I said softly.

     “You are always eternally forgiven my Brother.” she returned easily. “Best we hold our tongues until we are in private.” she suggested. I nodded my agreement before following her into the empty tent. The five guards remained behind as shadows in the treeline.

     Once alone, she removed the headpiece and mask that hid her dusk coloured skin. Aurora could easily be mistaken for a native Lemurian because of her skin tone and above normal height. Meli who sometimes complained of her short stature among Atlantians was barely and inch taller than the Amazon's Queen.

     “How has the name 'Kestrel' been replaced upon your shoulders?” she asked. She let the badly sewn leather and fur drop to the ground without fear of my seeing her naked flesh.

     “I was renamed Kestrel by my little bird healer.” I reported. “She sits upon the religion throne of Atlantis.” I continued. She turned to face me before collect a swat of silk to slowly cover most of her nakedness. “Thinking of living up to that name once more Aurora.” I added. She laughed softly as she stood with the silk draped over her right shoulder to her left hip leaving one breast, the opposing hip, and leg exposed.

     “Would it be wise while housed in Atlantis Meakita?” she returned coldly.

     “Why did you wish for us to meet?” I retorted bluntly.

     “How dare you run off to Atlantis without any of us there to help you?” she growled at me.

     “Is it concern for my safety that truly prompts you?” I mused. “Or do you fear I will have too many playthings for me to play as is normal?” I continued. She glared at me as with a wave of my hand I pointed out her present dress. “Jealousy has never been one of your healthy motivators.” I added softly.

     “Would your little bird healer not be jealous of our intimate moments?” she stated. She moved to stand nearly touching my body with hers. “I wonder who will protect you if those shadows decided to assault you when you are away from its protective network or nodes?” she whispered. I sensed the worry escaping her iron walled mind.

     “I have my sword, my armour, and my wits.” I replied softly. “It makes me the most dangerous being alive no matter what body I rest in.” I continued. I raised my hand between our faces as it shifted into a claw tipped talon blazing with tendrils of lightning running over it. “I am not as impotent away from centres of power as everyone has been lead to believe.” I added. A ball of mixed bluish white flames and red-edged black flames spun in my talon hand. She shook her head as she giggled.

      “You always hide a trick or two up your sleeve for when it is needed.” she stated calmer. She pushed my hand out of the way to gently kiss my lips. “I could never fake powerlessness like you.” she admitted.

     “Simply learn that even if you have a power, you need not always use it.” I whispered. I gently returned her kiss. “And you may still have your chance to come to Atlantis to help me if my vision speak truth.” I continued slower. “Order, Famine, and Pestilence sitting on Atlantis while War, Death, and Chaos harboured in Lemuria as the next set of events come together.” I explained.

     “I am ready and willing to come to your call my Brother.” she answered. She wrapped her arms tightly around me. “Hopefully I will have time with young Chichi while we are there.” she added with a lewd chuckle.

     “He may be your mission.” I admitted. “Holding his fervour in check my Sister.” I returned chuckling with her.

      “I will wait patiently for your call.” she told me softly. She hugged me tightly to her one last time before stepping back. “Good parting Great Lord Genin.” she concluded.

      “Good parting High Lady Nightingale.” I answered. I turned and walked back toward the ship in silence. The five Amazons reappeared at my side as I crossed through the treeline. They marched with me between the mud and straw huts, to the dock, and stood in military stance as I vaulted back on board with the help of invisible wings. My team waited for my return which with a mental touch, I knew all the thoughts they had formed during my absence.

     “What was that about?” Cole asked sneering. “What would a bunch of savages have to gain from your visit?” he snarled at me.

     “Nothing that concerns Atlantis.” I retorted at him. “Still no word from Crimson's group once they entered India.” I informed Sert and Meli calmer. Cole moved away grumbling about useless savages.

     “Should we plan to verify on them personally?” Sert suggested.

     “It would not take much for the Herald to carry us to India once we dispose of Cole at the Fairy Mound.” Meli clarified. Both looked expectantly at me as I sense the worry they felt for the absence of Crimson's messages.

     “I must bring words of Her Holiness to the fairies, goblins, and phoenixes.” I reminded them. “I doubt She would be impressed if the Council's lackey was left alone to speak for Atlantis.” I warned them. Their shoulders hunched as they sighed in exasperation. “Little Thunder has been sent to see if they require assistance.” I admitted.

     “We feel more at peace knowing you are as worried as we are.” Meli returned sadly.

     “Are the Amazon acting for the sailors' benefit?” Sert whispered to me. I glanced around us leery before speaking.

     “It is how they appear simplistic to avoid conflicts with others.” I replied.

     “And a good way for them to be underestimated.” Meli whispered. I glanced from one to the other.

     “I have trained you too well.” I muttered. They both smiled back at me. “I am just happy no one tried jumping ship this time.” I continued. “Amazon justice is swift and final no matter if it is a woman or man involved.” I informed them. “Men simply have the chance to be kept as slaves if they appear of hardy stock.” I added.

     “So tossing Cole to them would not assure ending his life?” Sert remarked.

     “But I am sure he would be a good slave after a month or two of whipping.” Meli returned. They giggled at the thought of leaving Cole to the mercy of the Amazons.

     “He would not have been whipped.” I whispered to them. “He would have been violently raped multiple times a day until death freed him.” I explained quietly. I read from their mind that it would be acceptable as long as Cole expired. “And the children produced with mixed Atlantian blood?” I suggested. Their eyes widened at the thought. “Worse part ...” I interjected mildly. “Of Cole's bloodline?”

     “Now I feel happy I did not toss him to the women.” Sert confirmed. “I would not wish to contaminate my wife-to-be’s family.” he added with a boyish grin. Blush touched his cheeks as I stared at him slightly confused. Sert held up a tightly folded piece of paper.

     “Aurora had me visit so you could receive a love letter.” I remarked. I started laughing out loud as we sailed away for quiet time upon the open seas.