The Echoes of Solon

by D S S Atkinson

Chapter 19.

  The first chosen looked north, up at the bright red sky that appeared as though it was ablaze with fire. His warships had Imr’As’ fleet in sight. One lone vessel made haste ahead of the rest. “What is this place, chosen?” Eba too glared upwards in shock for the sky towards the north.

  “The land Poseidon fled, when the world was young, captain. Atl’As warned us never to land upon the shores of this place. I see why now.” Eba nodded at his words before they were disturbed from above.

  “They signal to board, chosen!” The giant looked up at Emen’Rus and nodded. A sudden chilly breeze flooded upon him causing a shiver to cut across his skin. “Allow them their way!” The lookout called down to his crewmen and a number of them prepared to stabilize the minute reed boat to the warship’s bowels.

  Three Atlanteans boarded, each covered from head to toe in thick layers of linen, quite a contrast to the masses of bare chest warriors aboard Thu’Ra’s vessel. They marched across the reed gangway to the beak where their chosen rest and knelt before him.

  “Chosen, we’ve been waiting upon your presence.”

  “Where is Imr’As? Why are these warships so close to the northern shores?” The men looked at each other, continuing to kneel.

  “We were ordered to land upon the northern shores by our prince, chosen.” The giant stood up.

  “Where’s the boy?” The men fell silent for some moments before one mumbled.

  “Murdered, chosen.” At his words Thu’Ra lunged forward and grabbed the linen lining his throat in two bundled fists, he dragged him up from his knees and spoke slowly, disguising his desperation.

  “Where, is the boy.” The male who he held continued to look at the floor.

  “Dead.”

  “HOW?” Thu’Ra ran forward with the man in his grasp until he collided with the towering siege weapon amidst the vessel’s deck.

  “Please, chosen, it was upon my prince’s command, a guard named Eltu was with him when he died, the leader of their people killed him. Eltu said he held the men off for as long as he could but he -” Thu’Ra released his grip from the man’s throat, he looked down at the deck then out towards the northern shore. “We should get away from this place, chosen. Before the prince was murdered the men of the north came with just a few, and slaughtered half the prince’s army.”

  “Imr’As was leading men in combat?” He looked once more upon the male who rubbed at his neck, he shook his head.

  “At night, their leaders came back alone, we caught one of them, but the other broke him free and together they fled into the wilderness. At first light, my prince, Eltu and his senior guard pursued the fleeing men, he was followed closely by Imr’As’ chosen, Emak’Rus. Eltu said they all attacked, but one of them could not be touched, as though protected by the god he serves.” Thu’Ra shook his head.

  “He’s just a man, how did you know they were leaders?”

  “They wore great belts, but at the clearing Eltu said he managed to kill one of them, afterwards the other fled. Just one remains, chosen.” After a moment’s thought Thu’Ra nodded to himself.

  “Re-board your bow ship, have every warrior of Imr’As’ fleet on shore before mine are, have them equipped for combat, and have Emak’Rus and this, Eltu, meet me upon my arrival.” The male nodded.

  “Yes, chosen.” His accomplices turned and nodded at their leader and together they rushed back to their reed boat. Thu’Ra inhaled deeply, resting a heavy hand upon his bald elongated skull. For some moments he remained silent, he looked across the warship, every one of his crew were looking upon him, stricken in shock.

  “Eba, come. The rest of you! Take us as close to the northern shoreline as is safe.” The crew burst to life at his words, Eba stepped forward and together they made way to the beak of the boat.

  “What’s the minimum number of men you’d need to guide a warship home, captain?” Eba looked confused, thinking to himself for a brief moment.

  “No more than thirty, chosen, why?”

  “I want you to return to Atl’An, to tell Atl’As that I may be longer than anticipated.” Eba leaned forward and whispered.

  “Chosen, why do you go after these men? The boy was not to return to Atl’An anyway, why not just -”

  “Be silent, Eba...”

  “This was not your fault, Thu’Ra.” He pleaded with his leader.

  “The boy was my responsibility. Tell Atl’As all I have told you. That I will return...” He looked at the reed work, breathing slowly.

  “Do you have a message for her also, chosen?” The giant raised a hand and held Kotu’s cross in silence before shaking his head.

  “We’ve said our long goodbye.”

  “Thu’Ra?” Eba looked up at the giant. His gaze was met with a smile. His chosen’s eyes were empty. Encroaching upon the northern shoreline, Thu’Ra made haste across his ship’s gangway and informed those who would be returning home to remain seated whilst the rest of his warriors unbound the bow ships from the bowels and prepared to sail ashore.

  Before they began their ascent Eba came to his leader’s reed boat and simply stood, he looked at his leader and slowly nodded. “May Poseidon keep you safe, chosen.” Thu’Ra turned to look at the man, he was without emotion.

  “Go, Eba, we’ll return before this cycle’s end.” With hesitance the sea captain nodded repeatedly, he pushed the stern of Thu’Ra’s reed boat away from the warship and looked upon those who had been left with him to sail home.

  The winds felt colder in the bow ship, though the sea scarcely stirred, the clouds above the land to the north looked frozen in time. Thu’Ra assisted his crewmen in rowing, hundreds of small reed crafts made way to the Atlantean encampment, upwards of fifteen thousand warriors swarmed towards the shoreline to join those already waiting.

  The closer he got to the coast the colder it became, he noticed those already resting upon the mainland were each covered up in whatever strewn out materials they could find.

  Stepping onto land, Thu’Ra recognised the Atlantean who had made way to his vessel rushing forward from amidst the masses of tents and armed warriors. “Emak’Rus and Eltu are waiting for you in the prince’s chamber, chosen.” He raised a hand to suggest the way. Together they weaved through the elephant hide structures until they came to a pitch of tents constructed in a tight semi circle near the shoreline.

  “It was here one of their leaders were discovered, chosen.” The men made way around the towering tents until the space between them opened up, what the chosen saw surprised him as much as it angered him.

  “He brought a vessel to these shores?”

  “When my prince saw what these people had done to his men he wanted to burn their towns to the ground, chosen, he thought scouts might find signs of an orichalcum deposit, that he could raise the Equi’Dae and prove himself to his father.” Thu’Ra shook his head. He looked at the Equi’Dae, the orichalcum encrusted material which wove it together tinted it with a dull metallic reflection. It’s shape reminded him of his people’s reed ship’s hulls. He had never rest within one, Atu’Rus said that one day his people’s armies would travel across the sky without the slightest restraints. Such a proposal fascinated him, perhaps one day his people might even reach the stars.

  He had only a scarce idea of how the vessels were propelled. Fluctuating liquid orichalcum, constantly pumping searing heat into countless minute air sacs. Atu’Rus had told him the vessels were the primary cause of the orichalcum’s depletion, the material was at the heart of everything his nation developed. Without it they were merely conquerors and enslavers. There was no justifiable reason to occupy innocent nation’s territories. It doubtlessly appeared as though his people sailed to invade these lands unprovoked, yet there was a great purpose to their actions. This invasion however was different, it was not for orichalcum, but for revenge that the Atlanteans had gathered into one. Thu’Ra held Atl’As second to just one. He could not turn his back, for his king’s honour. Why did I trust the boy? The c
hosen’s mind churned with frustration. After some moments of hesitance he came to his senses.

  “Take me to Emak’Rus.” The male lead him towards a central tent, he lifted the grey flap and signalled Thu’Ra to enter. Stooping low he stepped into the fire lit structure, the warmth felt good against his chilly skin. On sight of their leader Emak’Rus and Eltu dropped to their knees.

  “I’m sorry, Thu’Ra,” Emak’Rus yelled out, “I was too late, our prince was already deceased when Eltu lead me back to his body.”

  “Stand, chosen of Imr’As, no one blames you for our loss” the male looked up at Thu’Ra, he stood, short and stocky, built like a bovine. The first chosen knew he was a wild animal on the battlefield. “Eltu, tell me of this man who took our prince’s life.”

  “He was young, pale skinned, they all were. He fought like nothing I’ve seen in my life, chosen, I defended my prince for as long as I could,” he looked at the floor while speaking, “but they were too quick, one of them got to my prince, and Natan, before fleeing like a coward.”

  “I was told you believe he was protected by a god?” Eltu nodded quickly.

  “Because I could not strike him, chosen, I had many attempts on his life, but I could not strike him.”

  “How many were there?”

  “Both their leaders, chosen, we subdued one and killed him but not before the other took Natan and my prince’s life, we fought for some time before he fled.” Thu’Ra nodded.

  “Did you take the belt from the dead man’s body?” Eltu continued to stare at the floor, he shook his head.

  “I didn’t think to, chosen.”

  “Not to worry, Eltu, Atl’As himself would be proud of your actions, a hero by all accounts. Emak’Rus, are these men upon the northern shores loyal to you?” The bulky male nodded and stood to attention.

  “Each of them, first chosen. Our scouts have acquired knowledge of our enemy’s closest stronghold, it lays north, troops are assembling, their numbers are still small. The place appears crude, and their leader will doubtlessly lead them into battle once more.” Thu’Ra nodded.

  “When the man who dons that belt is dead, we return home. You will both be rewarded grandly for your actions and commitment to Atl’As.” Eltu continued to stare at the ground. Emak’Rus held his chin high, he was honoured by the first chosen’s words. “Emak’Rus, command your men to rest, at first light we march, have them well fed, be sure they’re fresh, for tomorrow I wish to be gone from this land. For Atl’As’ honour, he who murdered his son will be punished. A life for a life. I care only for that belt, once the man is dead and the proof is ours, we leave. No more bloodshed than is necessary.” Emak’Rus nodded repeatedly and bowed slightly at Thu’Ra’s words before making haste out of the structure. Eltu quickly followed. The third male remained.

  “Would you appreciate some skins and linen to warm yourself, and some food, chosen?” The giant nodded and the male disappeared. With a great sigh he looked about the small hide tent and lurched over to a wooden crate. There he sat down and held tight upon Kotu’s golden cross. He had seen many things in his life, though this day stood head and shoulders above all others. He had never felt so eager to be gone from a place. For much time he caressed the golden cross, blocking out the burden of his commitments, waiting for some food and warmth to arrive so he could prepare himself mentally for tomorrow’s light.