by K. T. Tomb
Aelle washed her hair with the skill and deftness of a professional beautician from Los Angeles. Once all the dried sea foam had been washed and rinsed from her hair, she walked over to the shower and turned it on. Cash watched with fascination at the sense of ritual that accompanied every aspect of the bathing process.
“Do you feel the need for the tepidarium today?” Aelle asked Cash and gesturing toward the large tub in the middle of the room.
“The what?” Cash said.
Aelle laughed with a lilt. “The tepidarium is the process of warming the body after the hot bath and before the cool down. It helps to wash away the impurities released by the heat of the caldarium, which is where you are now.”
“I see,” said Cash. She was clearly out of her depth. “No I think I'll save that for another time. I'm quite finished I'm sure.”
“Excellent,” Aelle said with a smile. “I will wait for you in the next room to assist with your dressing after you have cooled down.”
“Alright,” said Cash.
Before leaving the room, Aelle opened the cabinet once more and pulled out a pile of large puffy towels. She set these next to the shower and with an innocent smile she left the room. Cash glanced over to the water streaming from the shower head. The heat of the bath had relaxed her quite well and she felt reluctant to get out right away. She let herself lounge a bit in the water, but she felt a bit guilty about the water still streaming from the shower just across the room. She reached through the water of the tub she sat in looking for a way to drain the tub. Her fingers found the plug and pulled it out. She stood and let the foam and soap drip down her body ,then, carefully stepped out and walked over to the shower.
The sound of Cash's shriek echoed into the other room, but Aelle smiled. The extremity of the cold water after the heat often produced this reaction from those not accustomed to the bathing practices of the Atlanteans. A moment later, Cash exited the bathroom wrapped in the large towel which hung past her knees.
“Do you feel refreshed?” Aelle asked.
Cash had to admit that she did indeed feel quite awake and clear headed. The calming warmth of the bath and perfumed air had first made her long for an opportunity to nap away the afternoon. The cold of the shower had, however, awakened her senses once more. Aelle assisted Cash in dressing in her tunic, and then sat her down to style her hair. When she finished, Cash glanced at her reflection and found the effect quite pretty. Aelle had swept her hair upwards away from her face and garnished several strands with pale blue ribbons and pearls around her head. The natural wave of her hair with the ornamental accent made Cash think she looked like the pictures she had seen of the ancient Greco-Roman stylings. Aelle stood back with a proud smile.
“You look lovely, Cash,” she said.
“I rather do, don't I?” Cash agreed.
“The feast of Poseidon is ready now. We should go,” Aelle said. “You and your friend will be able to have all your questions answered.”
“And there are many,” Cash said, as she stood to exit the room.
Aelle accompanied her into the hallway and led her down the maze back to the great hall. Cash was grateful for the girl's presence. She was sure she would have gotten lost without her guidance. When they arrived in the large room, a long banquet table had been set out. Poseidon sat at the center, surrounded by a few open seats. Several other Atlanteans milled about, some bringing steaming platters to the table. Others laughing and talking. She spotted Edgar standing in a group with Proteus and some others that she did not recognize. He also wore the long tunic and blended in with the citizens. When he saw her and Aelle enter, he walked boldly to them with a large smile on his face. Cash noticed again Aelle's eyes following him as he approached.
“Isn't this great?” he said to Cash.
His excitement at the situation did not echo Cash's sentiments. She had held her thoughts at bay, but now that they were close to the time when they were sure to gain some knowledge of their predicament, she had increased her need for clarification.
The crowd seemed to settle when Poseidon stood. He lifted his goblet, an ornately decorated silver chalice, and spoke.
“Let us come to the table of Poseidon,” he said, his voice projecting throughout the large room. “Let us welcome our guests with food, drink and knowledge. We shall include them as one of our own during their time here. They are one of us and we shall treat them as such. Come!”
At this command everyone looked around the room as if to seek out the guests among them. When Aelle nudged Cash gently, she realized that they were expected to join him at the table. She and Edgar exchanged a glance as they walked forward. Poseidon greeted them both with a hearty handshake, clasping the forearm of Edgar and then her own.
“Let us hear the introduction of our guests,” Poseidon commanded and turned to Cash expectantly.
Every eye in the room bore down on her, but she remembered the phrasing when their three hosts had met them outside the city.
“I am Cash Cassidy,” she stated in a voice that she hoped did not reflect the anxiety churning inside her.
Poseidon then turned to Edgar with the same expectant look.
“I am Edgar Carlyle,” he said.
Poseidon turned to the crowd, both hands extended outward.
“And now we feast,” he declared, his voice echoing against the back wall.
The people filling the room, on cue, all found a seat at the large table. Cash and Edgar sat on either side of Poseidon in the place of the honored guests. Aelle took her place across from Edgar, with Xenia at her side and Proteus next. Others who sat near them spoke to each other comfortably and without any more ceremony, everyone began to fill their plates from the platters of food before them. Piles of roasted meats and steamed spiced vegetables, exotic fruits, both fresh and dried. Cash felt her appetite swell and reached forward to take a portion.
“I hope you find your accommodations satisfactory,” the man said to both of them.
“Oh, yes. Quite so,” Edgar said between mouthfuls.
The food was delicious, Cash had to admit. But she was eager to get on with the questions.
“Poseidon,” she said, “I would like to know what is going on. I am, of course, anxious to learn how we came to be here.”
“Yes,” he said. “Let us enjoy the feasting for now, shall we?”
He looked at her with a small smile. “I would prefer to discuss it now,” Cash said, with equal firmness, keeping her gaze steady and not wavering from his eyes. The worried glance between Xenia and Proteus did not go unnoticed. The man they called Poseidon started for a moment, seemingly taken aback by her forward tone. Then just as suddenly, he burst into laughter, a loud booming sound that quieted the room for a moment.
“I like you, Cash Cassidy,” he said with conviction. “It is not often that I am challenged by a mortal. I find it refreshing.”
Cash continued with her even stare.
A mortal? she thought.
“Very well,” he said, putting down a picked-clean bone that he had been chewing on. “What you and your friend have experienced was caused by a breach in the portal that links your world to ours. No doubt you know of our great city through the legends and folklore of your people.”
“Yes,” Cash answered. “We know of the legend of Atlantis. Plunged into the sea by none other than the god after which you are named.”
Again the man laughed at her statement.
“I am not named after the ancient god. I am He. I am the Poseidon of which your legend speaks.”
“Tell us more about this portal,” Edgar said, leaning in to hear what the man had to say.
“Yes, I will come to that. But first, you must understand a little of the history of our city.”
Poseidon settled back in his seat, preparing for the long speech.
“Atlantis was built for the purpose of showing humanity their potential, a great utopia providing plenty for all. The gods had much to do as is always the case with the
gods, things which you mortals may not understand, but the constant wars and skirmishes seemed to take up a great deal of our time simply maintaining the survival of the humans. We all worked together and came up with this plan to show humanity what life could really be like. If everyone put their heads together and learned to cooperate, there would be no need for wars. Land, marriages, property: these were not things to fight over.
“On the contrary, the gods had presented everything to the humans that you would need. Somehow selfishness seemed to find a way into your hearts, however. And so we built Atlantis. If you walk the streets even today, you will not find a beggar among them. The people here have learned to give. The gardens surrounding the center temples produce enough for all of the city to eat without want. The people are given tasks, tending to the gardens and distributing the wares to everyone. All have their place and contribution. But alas, when Atlantis was first built there were those who did not agree with the construct. The Great War happened when the Athenians attempted to rise up against us, declaring that the structure of the city did not take into account personal freedom. Personal choice.”
“We have similar occurrences in our world,” Edgar said.
“Indeed you do,” he continued. “Thusly, when the war would not come to a resolve, it became apparent that Atlantis had created more of what it was meant to dispel. Wars, famine, plunder.”
Cash asked, “Why is it that our legends suggest that Atlantis was plunged into the ocean in a day of earthquakes and fire? Clearly we are not currently under the sea.”
“You are quite right,” he said. “Perhaps that is a misunderstanding of the actions of the gods. The city had to be 'turned' to protect us from those rising against us.”
“Turned? Can you explain?” Cash said.
“In your world you have something that can carry many frequencies all at once. Is that so?”
“Like a radio or a television?” Edgar said.
“Precisely. Atlantis was reconfigured to exist in a different plane. To keep the Athenians at bay. To prevent the destruction of our fine city. The gods decided to move the city to a different frequency.”
“But the Santorini Islands,” Edgar said. “The history of the island nearly echoes the legend of Atlantis.”
“Well observed, Edgar,” Poseidon continued. “You see, again, I must compare this to the frequency analogy from your own world, when a channel is sometimes caught between frequencies there may be an appearance of a shadow of the image from another channel. That is what the islands are that exist in your world. To you it is real, but the true existence of Atlantis is in another dimension in the same place.”
“And what of us, then?” Cash said. “How did we come to be here?”
“The ship that you traveled on to the Santorini Islands. Was there a storm?”
“Yes,” Cash clarified.
“Very rarely, a strong electrical disturbance will weaken the portal. The two of you must have passed through the portal during this time and found yourself here on our island.”
“And how do we get back?” Cash said.
“You don't mess around, do you?” Poseidon said, with a twinkle in his eyes.
“I tend not to,” Cash said, with little humor.
“Unfortunately, the way in and the way out are not so easily found. You may be here with us for a while. But please understand, you are quite welcome here and we hope your accommodations are comfortable.”
He spoke with finality.
Cash looked around the table at the people dining. Everyone looked healthy and happy. Smiling conversations echoed with laughter as the evening had worn on. Wine had been brought and sweet delicacies garnished the meal. She felt the smooth cotton fabric against her skin, still perfumed from the bath.
“I don't find your answer acceptable,” she stated firmly.
Poseidon leaned his head back and laughed again.
“Oh, I like you a great deal,” he said, wiping away a small tear that had formed from his mirth. “Atlanteans do not want for anything, and neither shall the two of you.”
“There's a problem there,” Cash continued. “You see, my home is in my world. My home and my family. My husband is there, my work. That is my life and I intend to return to it. You claim that you are a god, and you seem to have a great body of knowledge regarding our world. That means that there is a way back. I would really like your help and knowledge to find it.”
Poseidon looked at her with great consideration. The sounds of laughter had died down as the others from the large table had drifted off here and there. Some had left to walk in the gardens. Still others huddled in groups talking and laughing. The room had dimmed as the sun outside had begun to set and the ambiance shifted to a more subdued setting.
“Let us walk, you and I. Your friend is welcome as well. Let me show you the gardens and tell you more of our city. Perhaps we may be able to help each other after all.”
Cash smiled then for the first time that evening.
“Yes,” she said. “That is a wonderful idea.”
Chapter Six
“There is another legend,” the man-god walking beside Cash said, speaking in a thoughtful tone. The two of them walked alone through the gardens at dusk. Edgar had opted to stay behind. Cash speculated that the presence of the fair Aelle had something to do with that decision. “I did not want to mention it around the others as it brings a point of contention to many.”
“What is that legend?” Cash said.
“The Legend of the Outsiders,” he said. “Let me explain. When Atlantis was turned so many years ago, it happened in one day just as your legend states. The Great War still waged and factions of rebels had infiltrated the city. That is to say that many Athenians fell victim to the fate of Atlantis. Those trapped within the city. Only a few, but enough.”
He stopped and peered over the lush greenery surrounding them.
“Go on.”
Cash encouraged him gently. She thought she knew where this was going, but she wanted to know for certain. She wanted to hear it from him.
“The soldiers within the city of Atlantis found that they were cut off from ever returning to their lives in Athens. Trapped here and separated from their families and loved ones forever. Their original purpose had been as raiding parties to weaken the Atlantean forces. They had been planned as back up for when the Athenian army invaded. That invasion never happened.”
“What became of them? The Athenians,” Cash asked.
“At first there was rebellion. They attempted to separate themselves from the society of Atlantis, break away from our ways and create a new way of living. For a short while there was unrest and civil wars within the city. But ultimately they were outnumbered. One by one they disbanded, joining in with our society. Marrying Atlanteans and submitting to our way of life. That was so long ago. However...”
He paused again, glancing at Cash with a look of concern.
“Please,” she stated. “Go on. I too am trapped and taken away from my life. I see you hesitate, but it is important to me that you continue. I must hear the rest.”
“Yes,” he said. “I think you are of strong enough constitution to hear. As so often happens with politics and governments, there has been a small underground network of Athenians who have held on over the centuries, clinging to the hope through generations that one day the portal will open once more and they will be able to return to their home.”
“But the world has changed,” Cash said. “Everything they have ever known will be different. Why would they want to return to that? Everyone born in this generation would know nothing of our world.”
“The stories have continued,” he said. “Passed down from mother to child. In those stories has come the Legend of the Outsiders. That is a tale that one day there would be some who come from that world. Those people would be able to teach the ways of the other world and prepare the path for the Athenians to return. This story has developed quite a stronghold in the minds of those wh
o believe. The young people of Atlantis, as young people do, want to seek out a life different from those before them. Different from their parents and the ancestors of old; fueled by tales of freedom and identity. The idea of an assigned life path, though ultimately good for the greater society is seen as a burden to the individual. It is a fight as old as our city. The reason Atlantis was set aside by the gods in the first place.”
“But what of these Outsiders?” Cash asked. “What do they have to do with us? With getting back home?”
He chuckled again, stopping and turning to her. He took her hand and lifted it, clasping hers between both of his.
“Cash, my dear. Don't you see? You and your friend, Edgar. You are the Outsiders.”
“I don't understand,” she said, pulling her hand away. “The ship, the storm. That was an accident. There is no way anyone could have known this would happen. We can't be your Outsiders.”
He thought for a moment, stroking his beard.
“Hm. Time.”
“What?” Cash asked, feeling the early stirrings of anger. “Please don't speak in riddles.”
“Of course,” he said. She could see the gleam of amusement behind his eyes, though he spoke in serious tones. “Time works differently than mortals think. To you it is a straight line for the most part. Would you agree?”
“Yes,” Cash said.
“One thing happens, and then another thing happens and so on. Well, the truth is much more complex than that. The gods have a vantage point that may be difficult for the mortal mind to understand.”
“Try me,” Cash said evenly.
“From where we sit, on Mt. Olympus, all of time has already happened, is happening in that moment, and has yet to happen.”