It took no time for me to be ready in the morning. I bellowed for my sleepy companions to get ready to leave gaining half-yawns as Meli and Sert drifted down to the foyer with their travel packs. Then the fun began as young Kestrel had moved to see what was going on, openly standing at the foot of the stairs.
“What is...” was all Cole could mutter. He had just stuck his head out of his room before feeling himself tossed back and his door slammed shut on him.
“Keep him pinned in his room.” I told young Kestrel. He bound up the stairs to sink his claws into Cole’s door effectively holding it shut. He looked down to nod at me, gaining him a smile. My companions looked mildly confused at me.
“If Cole comes, he might play his ‘Flower’ role and get himself killed by the Amazons.” I explained quietly to them. “We must be going now since the Leviathan will not wait long for us.” I added motioning them towards the door. After a quick march along the empty Atlantian streets, we arrived to find Captain Jäzærha and Captain Curd stood waiting to see us off.
“Why do the Captains seem to make a presence whenever you leave from or return to Atlantis?” Sert asked eyeing the Captains.
”After the Royals themselves, he is the most import being in Atlantis.” Jäz commented back.
“So he receives the quasi-royal parting and greetings to Atlantis.” Curd growled in agreement. Jäz nodded before they both saluted me as I stepped upon the gangplank to board the Leviathan. A second salute from captain Lockey included my companions as the gangplank retracted by itself.
“Happy to have you onboard again Lord Kestrel, Lady Mekiliean, and Sir Sertian.” she greeted us smiling. “I hope this trip is not as eventful as our return trip from Circe’s.” she added giving my companions a wink.
“Well, I am happy to be sailing upon the Leviathan once more.” I returned casually. “It is just unfortunate that you will be assigned as the transport ship for Cor and Twin.” I added dryly.
“Considering their normal behavior and attitude, I cannot see any other captain putting up with those two jesters.” she replied with a giggle. “Traveling with them will make things exciting in a different way than chasing rift creatures invading our world.” she add calmer.
”I thought the level of incursions by rift creatures had diminished to nearly nothing lately.” I returned slowly. Sert and Meli listen intently but remained silent during our discussion.
“Worse than that.” Lockey retorted. “We have not even seen a blip of rift activities in the last fifty years, or so.” she admitted, spitting on the deck. “The other rift hunters have told me the same which makes me fear the next rift will dump thousands upon us.” she added angrily.
“Or it means that the rifting here has finally stopped and the ether has stabilized enough to keep itself sealed.” I countered. She shrugged before leaning in closer to my ear.
“I hope you are right.” she whispered in my ear. She pulled back to stare in my eyes. “But I feel they are waiting to form one massive rift to dump more than we have ever dealt with before.” she added quietly. I could see the tremor at her brow showing her nervousness.
“I would have faith in Kestrel.” Meli suggested suddenly.
“He sees and knows more than you can imagine.” Sert commented.
“I speak with words of hope since the rifts could not continue as magic drains away from this world.” I returned calmly. “Humans are turning away from the greater powers that no longer walk among them.” I hazarded grimly.
“But you remain untouched with this lack of faith, Alal?” she returned with a hiss. “And why would my ship, Lemuria, and Atlantis still hold magic?” she added bluntly.
“Do not underestimate the power of the Heartstone of Atlantis, the Bloodstone of Lemuria, or the gems that power your little schooner.” I replied bluntly before my companions could speak. “Focus on your time with those negotiating peace with Lemuria, if things go wrong.” I charged forward. Either my gift of prophecies or my annoyance at what I saw along the timelines had me speaking more harshly and openly than I would normally allow myself. “Face the truth of being on a path that could easily lead to your own destruction.” I snapped at her. The blank stare I gave Lockey must have shown my doubt of her escaping this dark fate for her crew, her ship, and herself. My companions glanced at me as I felt their fear that my words invoked in them.
“She has about as much a chance as you have given Atlantis.” Meli murmured quietly.
“Yes, since everything will come down to others actions without my guidance.” I whispered back to her. “In the end, I believe I will not be the one standing for Atlantis during its last fight.” I continued hesitantly. “Another will stand with the understanding I have about everything to sacrifice all for the true belief and honor, while I only watch in silence.” I muttered mostly to myself. I tightened my grip on my bow-staff as the double images of my failure saving Atlantis from exploding and of the other saving it as I drifted away. The other eyes matched my color but were feline and I had not found any feline that matched of yet to this new hero for humanity.
“We should be off then since Aurora is not known for her patience.” Lockey returned. She walked away but I saw in her eyes that she would not hear more on this subject. She screamed order to her sailors getting us moving as I chuckled softly under my breath.
“Did you not meet with the Amazons many decades ago?” Meli asked pensively. I stifled a groaning sigh.
“While we remained stuck upon the Herald?” Sert continued that thought.
“Yes, upon her request for my presence which is very different this time.” I told them quietly. I made sure no one else could overhear our discussion while standing on the deck. “I am going without an invitation this time into their real territory with barely a warning to their Queen.” I continued trying to sound calm about it. “If they caught a man dressed like a woman, they would have him feel their wraith at his insolence and deceit.” I added hoping this would end it.
“Are you saying we could have been rid of our precious little Flower?” Meli returned with growing sarcasm as her sentence ended. Sert chuckled but the mild shaking of his head showed a dismissing of this plan. I could see in his mind that the pleasure Meli would receive revealing Cole and watching them shred him to pieces but he could not agree to it personally.
“And the Council would find someone worse that we do not have time to retrain for our purposes.” I reminded her. “This trip is to be kept quiet since I will be requesting her to send to Atlantis an Ambassador to help keep our little chef in line.” I admitted. I slide over a few scrolls detailing a few of Chichi’s infractions towards the ambassadorial groups presently on Atlantis. Each incident explained his reasoning for his actions. It all sounded honorable but still seemed extreme in some cases that ended with a swift departure from Atlantis.
Sert glanced at the reports and nodded slowly. I could sense he would choose the same path Chichi had taken in these events. Meli looked and felt aghast as she read what the little chef had done in the name of Atlantis. They read in silence as we took seat upon the deck in a spot that would not interfere with the sailors. It took barely an hour before the Leviathan skipped over the waters like the Herald would do. A large chunk had been covered swiftly for us to reach the dismal looking village and rickety docks they had last visited nearly a century ago.
“I find it hard to believe that a simple chef could perform such actions alone.” Sert commented as we rose from the deck. “I would love to challenge him in a sparring session.” he remarked as we disembarked. “I am sure a trained warrior could hold their own if not best this kitchen dweller.” he concluded. His thought so easily revealed in the most simple but arrogant fashion nearly had me laughing.
“I am sure he could teach you much, sir Sertian.” I replied with a smirk at him.
“I believe this chef is more dangerous than you could imagine.” Meli warned him. Her face was still pale from what she had learned from those documents she now returned to me.
“I will arrange a sparring session between the two of you upon our return to Atlantis.” I agreed still smirking. “But for now, it would be best if you remained silent to not draw attention to yourself, Sert.” I added more seriously. I motioned Meli to take point as we followed her with only short whispered instructions.
“Why are you walking behind Meli?” my warrior asked in a barely audible whisper.
“The
Amazons are a matriarchal society making men underlings to the woman
who is present.” I explained in a matching whisper. "Have you forgotten everything your wife told you?" I added with a smirk.
“I am in charge?” Meli asked with a giggle.
“Only until we reach their compound.” I reminded her. She sighed but continued weaving her way forward. Falling into our role more fully, I would simply point when asked for directions from Meli while we men kept our head lowered. I hoped that Sert remembered he wore around his neck the emblem of him being married to an Amazon wife. It took an entire day to reach the encampment deeper in the jungles of Southern Africa. Meli reveled a bit too much acting as our leader which caused us problems as some of the Amazons declared a challenge for ownership over her beasts.
“Let it be and state that we are for Aurora only.” I whispered to her and mentally warned her: “Do not let them goad you into a needless fight.”
“I will challenge any of you over what is rightfully mine.” she stupidly announced to them. I noticed Sert’s eyes going wide while I sighed annoyed at this turn of event. One of the women moved from the back towards us and I feared for Meli’s life but held back to teach her a lesson. “Will you challenge my rights?” she screamed at the woman.
“Yes.” the woman interjected. The single strike came from nowhere sending Meli to the ground. “Queen Aurora takes what she wants.” she announced triumphantly.
“Enough Nightingale!” I bellowed. I stepped forward while Sert moved to start checking on Meli. As I stood toe-to-toe with Aurora, my clothing shifted into pristine white robes holding my unstrung bow-staff while bearing a crown upon my head. The other Amazons dropped to the knees burying their face in the ground leaving just their Queen standing before their one and only King.
“You should have told me it was you, my sweet Brother.” she gulped visibly. “Leave them alone while we talk!” she ordered to her people. She lead me into her great pavilion tent at the center of this mix-matched town. “Now what has you charging in her showing that form of our Family and having my other crown?” she screamed as she turn to me.
A mental slap and a firm grasp at her throat was her reply. She was shoved easily to the central post of the tent while my body pressed tightly against hers. My hot breath at her throat had her feeling weak and wanting. A long sniff at her neck had her shivering in my grasp.
“You still smell so tasty, Sister.” I whispered in her ear.
“It would not be the first time that a good romp happens within our special family, my Brother.” she purred back in a hot breath.
“I need you to come to Atlantis to help keep Famine under control.” I told her calmly.
“So you need me to control little Chichi.” she countered bluntly. I felt her hands working to increase our negotiation levels to more intimate points.
“I said keep him under control!” I retorted. A path was now more opened between us.
“Control Chichi!” she interjected positioning herself to receive me. Her leg had come up to hook at my hip. “Got it!” she added. Instinctively I thrust forward as I spoke.
“I said keep him under control!” I snapped back.
“Control him.” she answered. She clenched her teeth trying to remain silent as I increase my thrusting rhythm inside her.
“Whatever!” I conceded fully engaging into the act with her. It was hours later when we finally completed our reunion and deal making. As we exited the tent side by side, the scene before us turned our blissful mood into bloody rage.
“What has happened?” Aurora growled. She stepped forward to one of her so called lieutenants that stood with bloody knees and elbows facing of with Meli. Sert was holding her back without noticing his pendant now shined for all to see. Meli’s hair was drenched with blood and hanging in a jagged spike down her face. Even to Aurora, the smell of Meli’s blood lust filled the air as she pulled against the tight grip Sert had on her. She wanted to attack the other woman.
“Deal with this, then meet me at the appoint time, Aurora.” I ordered. I strode past her to grapple Meli and assist Sert pulling her back towards the ship. “Now, what happened?” I asked Sert. We had barely exited the town and still needed to fight keeping Meli from rushing back. She had harnessed her blood lust but still could not fully control it yet making her urge to fight hard to resist.
“As Meli was regaining consciousness, the woman calling herself ‘Envenom’ told her she was taking me for a romp since she lost to their Queen.” he explained while fighting to keep Meli moving away from her target. We took a moment to try calming her but it seemed in vain. “When Meli told her to practice lovemaking with a tree instead, she elbowed her across the face than kneed her face in a blinding motion.” he explained haltingly. “Meli started dropping again but stopped mid fall, the earth started trembling violently, and I grabbed her to stop her from attacking and possibly destroying the town.” he concluded. His eyes looked haunted as the memories of what he had witnessed in the blood lust faery mound.
“So exactly what we thought had happened.” I stated bluntly. I mentally reported my findings to Aurora only to receive a snappish ‘I know’ in reply. “Why did you not show that pendant to them?” I asked him trying to draw his mind away from those memories. He looked confused at me as I realized he did not know what it truly meant. “For now let us get her to the ship and have her checked.” I added quickly as we dragged her away. Two small groups of Amazon flashed in escort position hidden within the trees with only passing sightings of them. Wordlessly these escorts made sure nothing would interfere in our path. As we dragged her up to the deck, our escort was already unlatching the moorings signalling to the sailors that it was time to leave. Captain Lockey quickly assessed the situation and called out orders to get us in open waters as quickly as possible.
Once drifting in open water, Sert and Coran prepared slaves and bandages while. With Lockey’s help, I held Meli down to examine her wounds. Most of the damage to her face had been done by Aurora’s punch and aggravated by Envenom’s elbow and knees. A broken nose bent slightly to the right could be healed easily without scaring. Blackened eyes that could be healed with herbs and time. The chipped canines giving her a animalistic fang showing when she would smiled politely was different problem.
“Can they fix chipped teeth in Atlantis?” Lockey asked Sert. He had knelt with us by Meli’s head to start applying the paste over the blackened patched by her eyes.
“Not that I know of.” he replied giving her a smile. She could easily see the chipped middle tooth in his face. “Unless they liked having me looking snag-toothed.” he whispered to her. The quick wink showed he was joking about his dislike about a chipped tooth. Meanwhile Coran and myself prepared her nose to be straightened and bandaged in place.
“If it heals crooked, you will just have to break it again during a sparring session with her.” I remarked with a smile.
“But would she let me?” he returned biting his lips. I could feel the laughter he held back.
“You just have to not tell her that you are doing it.” Lockey commented. Her soft chuckle had Sert and myself laughing outwardly while getting dark glares from Meli.
“Not funny!” she whined at them. Sert pulled back finally noticing her new fangs. “And no comments about my new dental statement, naked-boy!” she growled at him.
“At least you now have the look of a blood lust practitioner.” I remarked casually. “I am sure it will find you a whole new group of people wanting to play with you.” I continued. I gained her glaring at me directly allowing the others to laugh. “And the Royal Guards will see it as your beast finally showing, oh great mother bear.” I added gaining a louder laugh from Lockey than from Sert.
“I am sure it will open doors you never expected.” Lockey commented between laughs.
“I am sure Annianka will find it very fetching on you.” I told her. This calmed her annoyance just a bit allowing me to move away. Sert and Lockey held her while Coran finished placing the bandage in place to keep her nose straight while it healed. I mixed a draft of pain killing herbs and calming agents, chilling it in the cup before handing it to her. “Drink this and you will feel better.” I stated. As they helped her sit, I assisted her drinking the full cup. She lay there breathing through her mouth in slow controlled breaths. Sert helped her to her feet and walked her with Coran to a bunk to relax during our short trip home.
The trip home was uneventful but we were not rushing giving Meli a chance to heal enough to not require the pain killer drafts. As we gently touched the docks of Atlantis, I noticed the four Captains waiting for us. We received our typical salutes as we disembarked to join them. Rez initiated the friendly teasing of our little healer by giving Meli the half salute reserved for the Ursus’ new recruits.
“I will be seeing you on the training field with the rest of the cubs, Lady Mekiliean.” he stated with a half smirk, half sneer.
“Be nice Rez.” Curd chided him quickly. “She might want to play with the kittens instead of the bear cubs.” he added with a growling chuckle.
“Or with the wolf pups.” Ent replied in turn.
“The ferrets would be honored to have you train with us, if you are available.” Jäz added with a hint of formality and politeness.
“She will continue her training as planned as long as she stops running away from facing me on the training field.” I commented dryly. The captains nodded as one stopping their laughter. “I would suggest that Captain Jäzærha escort Meli to the healers’ lodge, Captain Ent escort Sert back to our residence, and Captains Rez and Curd escort me to the Royals so I may report about this unfortunate incident.” I stated calmly. The Captains nodded as they took their place next to their assigned charge.
“You do like having this much power here? Meli asked softly. I could hear the mischievous tones hidden behind her bandaged face.
“Yes, but I will not let it go to my head.” I returned with a sheepish smirk at her.
No comments:
Post a Comment