by M. Arcturus
There was another short interlude of Seth dancing, calling on more spirits. Sweat glistened on his body and his heart pounded with ferocity. Dark Bennu birds started to gather, taking specific interest in his movements. All the while, the envoy stamped out of Juron’s office with the paperwork in hand. Selené had crept back down the column, and Kajaka flew home. What disturbed him the most from the vision was that, while dancing, Seth had become possessed by the biggest, dark red Bennu he had ever seen! Its feathers were so dark they were nearly black. It looked like Seth was being burned from the inside out as the Bennu entered his body.
The newly possessed Seth waited in the brush for the envoy to come wandering to shore. With his keen warrior skills and speed, Seth stalked the envoy and snapped the envoy’s neck as he neared the beach. Another Bennu, about the size of a decent kite, assumed the form of the deceased envoy, picked the envoy’s paperwork off of the ground, and walked back out to the rowboat, which had waited for his return. The two servants helped him back into the rowboat, and they rowed back toward the Chinese junk they had departed from.
Shadow looked up from his vision as Kajaka stopped playing his flute. His face was white with surprise and weakness, “We’re too late. The Bennu have taken matters into their own hands. They killed the envoy that betrayed them, and took on the form of the envoy so the current events would continue to play out as if nothing happened. All we can do now is wait.”
“What if we ask for the assistance of the Galactic Council?” Kajaka asked in despair.
Kajaka could see the wheels turning in Shadow’s head as a smile stretched across his face. Kajaka was right! They couldn’t start an investigation and put Juron on trial all by themselves. Juron had too much power and too many supporters with ranks of high authority. However, if he could contact the Galactic Council in time for their next Council meeting they would send plenty of unbiased delegates to Atlantis. It was not uncommon for the Galactic Council to send representatives from time to time to monitor any new technological advancements. Now, if only he could appeal to the sympathy of their hearts.
The sun was now setting low in the sky. Dark storm clouds were rolling in from the horizon, erasing the last golden ray of daylight as Selené and Pandora combed the small fishing pier looking for Seth. Shaking their heads in response, no one had seen him for a while. All the boats were getting their final cleaning for the day, and the crews’ finest catches were being unloaded. Some of the boats needed more attention than their neighboring ships, depending on where the crew was from and what provisions they had to work with.
Everyone from all over time and space were welcome to use the Atlantean facilities. It was very interesting to look at the different ships side by side. Those from Atlantis used a more advanced technology than the fishermen from the northern and eastern lands. Some used motors or engines, while other crafts still used oars and sails. Ships from Avalon were rustic in appearance, but were propelled by magic, so even they fit into their own category. The past merged with the present, due to Atlantis’s whimsical relationship with the timespace continuum. There was no telling when past, present, and future actually took place.
Selené hadn’t made that realization yet because she stayed in the palace most of the time, so she never noticed how people came and went. When they were at the palace, there were so many different cultures and people mingled all together, no one stood out, no matter how they got there. While glancing from ship to ship as they sat in the water, Selené realized for the first time how different they were from one another, just like the people she had seen at the palace. Slowly, she began to see the diversity she had always overlooked.
Seth’s watercraft still remained untouched. Even though the tempered wind stirred the calm air violently, his flag hung limp, as if exhausted from the day. His craft looked so alien compared to the other boats. Seth’s vessel was a hovercraft, sailboat, and a mini jet-propelled vehicle all-in-one. Selené was not fortunate enough to watch Seth participate in a high-speed chase. Atlantis hardly ever had criminal activity that involved high speed chases; however, the way the guards described Seth’s vessel lifting up out of the water while maintaining its current speed as the sides of the hull lowered down into the water like outriggers, fascinated Selené. She closed her eyes and could almost feel the speed of the boat and the wind whipping her hair.
As Seth’s vessel sat in the water, it looked like a brushed gold, almond-shaped cocoon, the nose of the vessel was pointed and the rear was rounded. The Ackrids had found a way to create artificial snakeskin, which covered the hull of Seth’s watercraft. It looked too slimy to touch as it bobbed up and down, and it appeared as if it was slithering on the waves. Eight feet in length and five feet across at its greatest width, it wasn’t a large craft. The sides of the hull were decorated with a seven-inch-tall dark brown stripe with turquoise tribal markings, which ran horizontally above the water line. There were two nice black vinyl seats, as soft as leather, at the control console. The console looked so mind-boggling with all of the levers, buttons, and keypads. It was much more complicated than what Pandora and Selené had even wanted to give thought to. The engines were housed in the rear. Selené couldn’t even begin to imagine what type of engine powered Seth’s vessel, for all she saw was a three-foot-long, six-inch-wide, horizontal reflective blue taillight, which lit up when the engine was turned on. Pandora reached down from the pier and touched the engine. It was as cool as the water it rested in.
Not seeing Seth anywhere, Pandora led the way off the pier heading toward the beach. They came upon the remains of someone’s ceremonial fire from the early morning hours. Selené and Pandora could still make out the dancing footprints in the sand which encircled the fire. Though it was now close to dusk, the fire was still smoldering, releasing a thin trail of smoke ascending into the heavens. The energy left behind from the fire dance smothered the site with a warm thick atmosphere. Seven feet away from the fire sat Seth’s satchel, leaning up against a piece of driftwood. So, they figured this was Seth’s fire, and with his satchel left unattended, he must be close-by.
Seth threw the last bit of dirt onto the envoy’s lifeless body. With the remainder of his might, he drove the head marker into the ground as lightning streaked across the sky in response to his actions. After placing a wreath of vines on top of the marker, thunder started to rumble in the distance. Finished, he turned from the site and was face to face with Pandora. Their eyes met, and it seemed like the world paused for one brief moment.
She looked upset as her eyes stumbled across the funeral mound. Looking back at Seth, she concentrated on his build. As the wind rippled across his off-white, lightweight tunic, she saw the silhouette of his muscular arms, which reminded her that he was built and trained for bearing death. His dark brown hair reflected the sky, brown from the last bit of sunlight but mostly black with the forthcoming storm. She knew he had killed before, but the realization hadn’t hit until now. He was so disciplined in the art of emotional control that he normally didn’t feel anything; but now in response to the look of disapproval on her face, he felt guilt and sorrow.
His looked away, “I don’t remember how it happened. Before I knew what was going on, I heard his—” He stopped, realizing that she had never killed anything before in her life, let alone with her bare hands.
“What had he done to you?” She peered deeper into his golden snake-like eyes, seeking understanding.
He took a step back. His eyes darted around as he searched within himself to find his own logic, before admitting, “He did nothing.”
Selené joined their conversation realizing that they didn’t need time alone as much as they needed a referee. “Who was it, Seth?” Selené asked with such authority that he responded immediately.
“He was an envoy from the Orient. He arrived at the dock early this morning, even before the sun had a chance to rise. Just the feel of his presence was sickening. He—”
&nbs
p; As Seth continued, Selené thought back to her own encounter with the envoy. She remembered the cocky bounce in his step as he went down the hallway with his black and red robes flapping behind him, papers rustling in his hand, and how she fought her own desire to either puke or punch him right in the face. Before she spoke, it seemed that she didn’t wait long enough for her feelings to subside. The next comment that slipped out of her mouth matched Seth’s physical aggression. “If he is responsible for escorting doom to our city, then he had every reason to die. Maybe if he would have died before landing here we wouldn’t be in this mess,” Selené said, providing justification of Seth’s actions to Pandora.
Pandora looked back and forth between them, stricken by what she just heard. It seemed out of character for Selené to say such a thing, but she chose not to question it. Thinking back on what she heard from Selené while they traveled to the fishing pier; she didn’t want to press the issue. Pandora rested her gaze on Seth.
Seth looked at Selené questioningly, but didn’t say a word. She seemed so stern in her words that it wasn’t worth asking just now.
“Seth?” In response to her voice, he shifted his gaze to look at Selené. “I know you have more questions about the envoy, but while we’re here, I have a question for you.” He nodded his head in approval for her to continue, “Have you had contact with any member of your race such as friends, family, or the military command?”
He reluctantly gave a short answer, “No.” By his response, it seemed that this was a touchy subject.
Not taking the hint to change the subject, Selené pressed on, “Is it possible that the radiation from the war has affected your people? Is it possible that it has modified their behavior?” He glared at her for questioning his people. The Ackrids were a very noble breed, and to question their morals or judgement was pushing the thin line of her newfound confidence. Through annoyance, he began to wonder if she was going to share the envoy’s fate.
Noting his irritation, she continued, “You don’t understand, Seth. Back in the marketplace, I saw some of your people trading Glaecia for Atlanteans. With honest sincerity in my heart, I’m asking you, is it possible?”
“To judge the character of an entire race based on an observation of a small group of people, have you gone mad? Are you really that judgmental or naive?” Seth retorted.
Selené lowered her head just a little. She knew this last statement would probably destroy their friendship, but if she was right, she would need his insight. “I didn’t mean to judge the character of all Ackrids.”
“Then what did you mean?” His hostility was growing stronger.
“What if they have changed? What if my observation is correct? I’m only asking because you are the only one who can tell us what we need to know to stop them. I wouldn’t be asking you if it were not very important. Your friendship does mean a lot to me.”
“If what you say is true, then Atlantis was doomed long before this envoy showed up.” Holding his anger in check and not wanting to give in to Selené’s speculation, he continued, “The Ackrids are not the type of people you want to have corrupted. I’ll go to the marketplace and monitor their actions. If you want me to observe them now, we better act quickly. I don’t have much time. I do have obligations tonight other than following whims and speculations of a very noble breed.” He turned to leave, growing tired of the discussion. All of the muscles in his shoulders, neck, and arms were tight with anger.
“Seth?” she asked. She touched his shoulder to keep him from walking away. He turned with deep-seated hate in his eyes. At that point in time, Selené was thankful for his military training. She believed that in the grand scheme of things, his training was the only thing keeping his rage from harming her.
“Selené! Step Away!” Pandora yelled with a quiver in her voice.
Selené turned to see a wide-eyed Pandora. As Selené tried to turn back toward Seth, she noticed she couldn’t move. In a second, he had come up behind her, his left arm tight across her chest, with his blade at her throat. It was still warm from being pulled from its sheath. As Seth saw the look of terror on Pandora’s face, his eyes and his hold on Selené softened. Selené finally realized, it wasn’t his military training at all; it was Pandora. If Pandora had not been there, he would have slaughtered her in the bat of an eye.
Seth quickly let Selené go and sheathed his knife. He looked down at his shaky hands. Seth couldn’t believe what he had done. With remorse stretched across his face, and guilt in his voice, he asked, “Yes Selené, did you need something?”
There was a complete change in his demeanor. The anger had left him and was exchanged for uncertainty, panic, and then he felt fear, wondering if he had gone too far. Had he done something that would cause him to lose Pandora’s affections? And if so, was it permanent?
Selené stood there in shock. Her mind raced to find an answer to Seth’s uncharacteristic behavior. She had no clue that her questions regarding his race would anger him so much. But, she also knew they were a very proud people and could be extremely protective of their own kind. She stepped away from Seth and waited for her heart to stop racing. Knowing that Seth was the only way to get into the port safely, she knew she had to continue. She went on speaking slowly and cautiously, “Even though we need to observe the Ackrids, I believe the matter of the envoy may be more important. We need inside the port tonight,” she said through noticeable apprehension. “There’s a ship that’s not scheduled to dock, but it’s nonetheless arriving with some cargo. I’m beginning to think it’s for Juron. We need to get aboard that ship without being detected.”
Hearing the uncertainty in her voice, Seth wanted a more definite answer. “Please make up your mind. What is more pressing to you, some pathetic cargo or the Ackrids in the marketplace?” He asked with sarcasm.
“My sight tells me that The Destroyer of Worlds will be traveling on that ship. If we don’t take care of the ship first, there might not be an Atlantis to protect from the other issue.”
“I’m not sure if this is to our advantage or not, but I’m supposed to be there when the ship arrives. It’s the Kinnowwa, a Chinese vessel rumored to have been commandeered some time ago. They will be unloading cargo from China. Two members of the crew are to remain behind on Atlantis.”
“Who are the two staying?”
“I’m not sure. I wasn’t given any details other than what I just told you. You’re right, the ship does exist, and it will be heavily protected by Juron’s elite security team, the Secret Guard. You’ll need to be in position way before they arrive.”
“So Juron is in on it!” said Selené with surprise.
“It would appear so,” replied Seth.
Rain started to spit on the canopy of the surrounding trees, filling their ears with its peaceful drumming. Pandora was still deep in thought, creating a deafening silence between the friends. All three of them started to ponder Seth’s recent behavior toward Selené, which threatened the solid friendship that had been in place for many years.
Not wanting to give Pandora more time to think nor Seth time to change his mind, Selené wanted to get moving, “Let’s get started then, shall we?”
Chapter Two
The Breaking of Waves
The breaking of the waves beneath the slender bow of her ship was the only thing steady and dependable in her life. Resheda’s father was the Emperor of China, but he had sent her away in disgrace when she was five years old. He claimed that she was not his daughter because his wife had been unfaithful, and he had her mother put to death. For the next five years, Resheda was in the hands of an ancient Shadow Clan located in Japan, being raped by the Shadow Clan’s leader, and trained in the fatal moves of her new adopted family.
At the age of ten, she committed her first murder. No longer able to tolerate the abuse, she slowly befriended a servant boy. One night, she asked him to leave the chains that bound her to her b
ed unlocked. To her surprise, he waited for the right moment. After everyone was asleep, he came back into her bedroom and unlocked the chains. She waited silently for her prey to appear. During the night, the Clan leader approached her, wanting to indulge his need for lust and desire to feel powerful through domination. She quickly slipped her hands out of the chains, pulled the knife out from under her mattress, and gutted him. She escaped through the nearest window and ran into the city, hoping to hide among the shadows. Although she cried alone in an alleyway, well aware that she could not return home, she slept peacefully that night knowing that her body was hers and hers alone.
She eventually took to sailing and became the captain of her own ship by using her feminine persuasion on a poor weary fisherman. After honing her skills of seduction, she worked her way up to the Samurai Navy, which came in handy when she needed upgrades for her newly acquired vessel.
At only eighteen years old, she had accomplished enough to fill a lifetime. Her trials had seasoned her to ruthlessness. Trusting no one, she led a life of skepticism. Each day, she reminded herself that she was always alone; nothing other than her own survival mattered. Yet her life recently took a strange twist.
Against her better judgment, wanting to never trust again, her interest slowly began to surround the meek life beneath her on the deck below. For once, she may have found something to trust in and focus her survival on, almost eager to meet the opportunities that this stranger had placed in front of her.
Now, Resheda watched the Atlantean coast through her telescope, surveying the peninsula for possible betrayals and ambushes from the Atlantean people. Her envoy was returning from his mission with paperwork in hand as proof of dropping off a sample of the cargo. After delivering the rest of the shipment, she was to return to China, her father’s kingdom, to be paid for her mission. After what she had been through, she despised her father, and seeing him revel in his life of luxury made her feel nauseated, but her crew needed money, and ironically, he was her best paying customer.