His breath came harder but he was almost there. He sent his father a quick thought. “I am home father!”
Travlor raced to the front door. A servant held the immense, golden doors open. Travlor barely glanced at the man as he halted his run long enough to grab the nearest pitcher of water. Splashing the liquid into a bowl, he ran his hands through the cool water and doused his face. Travlor hurriedly grabbed the proffered linen, swiped the wet areas and thrust the towel back into waiting hands.
Running the lengthy hallway, another servant opened the door to the library. “Your father awaits within.”
Travlor nodded, took a deep breath and composed himself. He knew his father didn’t want to meet him when he looked like a wild thing. He held out his arms. “Father! How good it is to see you!” Travlor hurried to the seated figure.
Poseidon stood, opening his thick, muscular arms. “Ahh, at last. Why do you persist in keeping me waiting?”
He laughed and Travlor fell into his embrace. They held each other tightly until his father released the warm hug. Poseidon reacquired his seat and motioned for Travlor to sit next to him. “So, tell me what have you been up to?”
Travlor excitedly revealed the result of his adventure. “I found one father! I found the exact crystal you told me about!”
Poseidon’s face split into a huge grin and his laughter boomed through the house. He slapped his son’s knee. “Do you have it with you?”
“No, mother is holding it for me. She did not want me to keep you waiting any longer, so I ran ahead.”
Poseidon’s dark, blue-black eyes sparkled. “No matter, I will inspect it when she arrives.” The huge man settled back into his chair. “We must discuss your upcoming birthday. It is not every day a boy becomes a man and I have many friends who plan on attending the celebration.”
The preparations for this momentous occasion had started over two years ago. The Temple of Poseidon, at the very center of Atlantis, had been adorned for the festival. An esteemed list of attendees was expected to come from all directions. Travlor had even heard a rumor that Zeus, Poseidon’s brother, would make a special appearance. Travlor had never met him and he was filled with anticipation. “It will be incredible. I can hardly wait!”
Poseidon loved his son almost more than the other children he had sired. Atlas’s enthusiasm was infectious and he admired the young boy’s sense of adventure, curiosity, and intelligence. These attributes shone from Atlas like a beacon. “You will be honored fully as befits a son of Poseidon.
“But tell me, how far afield did you roam today? I am worried that your wanderings should take you out of the bounds I have set for Atlantis. You become so immersed in your adventures that I fear you do not keep an eye as to our borders.”
Travlor shook his head in earnest. “Do not worry, I am careful. I have been close to our western border, but I am aware, father. I promise I will never cross our lines. I know it is for our safety.”
“Remember Atlas, it is not only for safety that we keep ourselves apart. The newly struggling tribes and emerging groups that are learning to survive as more than savages must not be tainted by our knowledge or ways. We have granted them the freedom to determine their own course. That is a sacred commitment and so it must be.”
Travlor furrowed his brow, “I am aware of the specific Canon father and I am careful, I give you my word.”
Poseidon glanced up as Cleito entered the room, his great countenance broke into a huge, love-filled smile. He rose from his chair and crossed the distance quickly. He stood before his wife and let his eyes drink in her pale beauty. His heart quickened, filling his loins with desire. Poseidon embraced her and stroked her radiant face. “My love, I am overjoyed to have you in my arms again.”
He kissed her deeply, then looked into her sparkling eyes, “I understand you have a treasure to show me.”
Proudly, Clieto took Atlas’s crystal from her shift and gave it to her handsome husband. “He has done as you requested.”
Poseidon closed his large fist around the crystal and went to one of the windows. The sun was slipping below the horizon, but clearly defined in the last light of day was the singular hairline striation. Glacial in its beauty, Poseidon could see an entire rainbow locked inside. He turned it all around, gazing at the crystal with delight. “You have done remarkably well Atlas. It is truly a new type of striation. I will teach you how to harness its power.”
He gazed at his beloved wife and held out his hand. “But now, let us retire to the garden and enjoy the repast that has been set.”
Travlor joined his mother and father as they departed. “When will you show me father? You know I have searched for this crystal from the time my birthday celebrations began. Will you be staying with us tonight?”
Poseidon’s explosive laughter rang out. “Atlas! Slow down, my son! All in good time. Before your birthday, I will teach you the ways of this particular crystal. That is my promise to you.” He ruffled his son’s hair. “As for staying, I must decline. I have business elsewhere and I expect to be away for a while.”
“But my birthday is only a few months away! How long will you be gone?”
His father’s large hand lifted from his head and with it, the comforting warmth. “I will return before the new moon.” He saw his son’s look of disappointment. “Do not worry! Enjoy the time you have left. As you step into manhood, responsibilities invariably arise. With the little time left, be a boy with an excellent sense of adventure and no responsibilities!”
Poseidon placed an arm around Clieto and Atlas and guided them out of the house and into the gardens.
Lit like fireflies, candles hung suspended in the trees and graced the low marble wall surrounding the veranda.
Servants stood, holding out the chairs. When they were seated, a signal from the butler indicated that the meal was to be served. The doors connecting the kitchen flew open and a line of men and women proceeded outside with every kind of food imaginable. The smell was intoxicating. Travlor felt his stomach awaken and he was ravenous!
Twinkling with the last rays of a dusky-gold sunset, candlelight filled the veranda with warmth and serenity as a gentle night breeze wrapped the small family in a loving caress. Atlas was home and he felt marvelous!
Susan MacIver grew up in Roswell, New Mexico. She has stated, emphatically, that she knows nothing about The UFO Crash. However, since she claims that she never wanted to be a writer, it is curious as to where she got the idea for The Atlantis Chronicles Trilogy.
She attended The University of Texas in Austin, where she enrolled in dance and acting. Her acting career was brought to a screeching halt when, at her first student audition, she was informed that she had quite a strong accent. She claims her accent was a by-product of southeastern NM, but it sounds suspiciously Texan.
Intervening years occurred and time passed. She was blessed with a son, Eric, who has been an entrepreneur since the ripe old age of three. He now resides in Los Angeles and, of course, has his own company.
Married to Duke Ayers, Susan says, “Duke has taught me more about unconditional love than any other human I’ve met.” Sharing their love and their adventures in Arizona, she credits Duke with the fact that she is writing again.
If you would like to learn more, please visit her website at
www.susanmaciver.com
or
FaceBook.com/SusanMaciverAuthor
[email protected]
and
Twitter@SusanMaciver
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Currents of Will: Book Two of The Atlantis Chronicles Page 24